p.a.

Down Off the Ledge

/ Tracy Abell / 15 Comments

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
It means so much to me (and my mental health)
having this writing community.

Yesterday I shared my panic and angst
and kind writer friends took time to talk me down from the ledge.
Sharing wise truths along the way.
Reminders that I wasn’t delusional.
That I could continue my project in good faith.

I want you to know I just finished my 1000 words for the day
and it was a great session.
I wasn’t nervous or angsty or anything like that.
I was calm.
Deliberate.
Confident that the initial story spark and its ensuing emotions
were still there for me to mine.

Thank you, friends.
Have a wonderful laughter-filled weekend!
                            

Plotting Pinball Head-itis

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

Maybe you’ve already seen this.
I just saw it on the blueboards.
It made me laugh and laugh
not because I’ve experienced this sort of “editorial direction”
but because it reminds me of being inside my head on this project.

What if, say, the main character dies at the end of chapter one.
I mean, not that but I mean something like that.
I mean, not like that but, yeah.
. . . . .

Yeah, so what if it’s not that but it’s JAWS?

THAT MITCHELL AND WEBB LOOK:  OK . . .NOT THIS

Name My Angst

/ Tracy Abell / 30 Comments

I’m in a bit of a panic.

I’m 200 pages into the first draft of a YA that came to be because of a name.
A name that presented itself to me when I was playing around with this Band Name Generator.
I immediately loved the name.
The name offered so many possibilities for a main character.

Without going into details, the name includes a noun that stands for a specific kind of crime.
My entire storyline (and I use that word loosely since I’m firmly entrenched in blither-blather territory at this point in the draft) comes from that noun.

And now I’m wondering (mostly because of that blither-blather angst I’m currently experiencing) if I’m nuts to let a name
dictate a story.

Have any of you ever written a book based on a name?
Did it all work out in the end?

I cannot believe I have 200 pages written but am suddenly insecure about the whole project.

              

Awarding My Effort

/ Tracy Abell / 30 Comments

As of today, I’m at 39,000 words on my WIP.
That’s Butt In Chair for 39 days straight.

Just sayin’.

(By the way, I discovered that an online search for "trophy" images results in
numerous penis drawings.  Hmmm.  Why do you suppose that is?)

              

The Personality of First Drafts

/ Tracy Abell / 7 Comments

Writing is like driving at night in the fog.
You can only see as far as your headlights,
but you can make the whole trip that way.
 
                                                 – – – E. L. Doctorow

I’ve always loved this quote.
But I’m sure it’s anathema
to John Irving who believes
if you’re making it up as you go along
you’re not a writer, just a liar.

Each first draft is different for me.
Each process unique.
What I know ahead of time varies.

Yesterday I felt a combination of
fear and exhilaration as I wrote my 1000 words.
Squinting ahead into the fog.

I haven’t written yet today.
I’m worried the story might be headed for a cliff.
But if that’s the case,
I’ll just have to grab the wheel and make a sharp turn.

And hope I don’t run over any liars 
who might be staggering around in the fog.

           

Hard Work

/ Tracy Abell / 11 Comments

On Saturday I reintroduced the 1000 Words/Day rule
which puts me at 3000 words on my WIP.
I’m also shooting for the 1 Chapter/Day rule on my revisions.
So far, so good.

We all know the writing life can be difficult.
At times we feel as if we’re banging our heads on walls.
Guess what?

This flicker literally bangs his head.  Everyday.  For hours and hours.

And because today is another WINDY day in Colorado, he’s banging his head
in HIGH winds (notice ruffled feathers on head and back)

Now that’s hard work.

         

I don’t totally suck!

/ Tracy Abell / 14 Comments

I just finished reading over a first draft I completed during jonowrimo .  Let’s just say I was underwhelmed for the first twenty pages or so.  But then it kicked into gear and by the time I was done, there was lots to like.  It’s most definitely a shitty first draft but there’s room to move.  I’m excited about digging in and making the next draft less crappy.  (Hey, it’s all about setting attainable goals, right?)

So my plan is to work on this MG project while continuing to draft the somewhat dark YA.  The voices are completely different so I’m hoping I can continue to make progress on both.

Let’s see, that makes my goals: 
MG = less sucky
YA = get ‘er done.

I can do this.

         

New Project, New Notebook

/ Tracy Abell / 2 Comments

Bad lighting and big shadows can’t obscure this recommendation.
THE POCKET MUSE: ideas & inspirations for writing By Monica Wood
is a fine little book.  Filled with black and white photos and quotes
and story starters and snippets of genius such as

There is a special throne in heaven
for poets, who labor in obscurity.
The rest of us harbor an unexpressed
hope for fame and glory.
You might be tempted to write
for a market.  You might be tempted
to ride the crest of a trend.
That kind of writing is about as stable
and fulfilling as day trading.
Write what moves you.  Write what
interests you.  Write what frightens
you.  Write what thrills you.  Take a
cue from the poets, bless their
underfunded little hearts.

Two days ago I happened upon a name that resonated with me.
I wasn’t sure what to do with that name.
I pulled out THE POCKET MUSE and started turning pages.
I found what I needed.
My new project has a new notebook.
I’m excited again.