The Phoenix - teaser

Another short update

Well, I had a goal that I didn't reach. No surprise there.

The goal was to finish The Phoenix by October 1. Now it's way past the deadline and I'm not even in the middle yet. So I set a new goal - November 15, and let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

It figures that I wouldn't be able to write with a deadline looming. This just shows how much success I'd have as a full-time writer. Zero.

It's like in school when they make you read (and write reports on) books you don't like or profoundly hate. You know you have to do it or risk flunking, yet you so don't want to and drag your feet about it, hoping there will be an earthquake or a similar disaster and you wouldn't have to set foot into school.

Well, this is me when faced with a goal to reach while writing. I love to write, I'd want nothing better than to finish the story, yet just the word deadline or goal pulls my break and I just can't keep going.

But I am quite pleased with myself. I got another wisdom tooth pulled and half of my face looked like a bizarrely shaped balloon, so I have to stay home for a week, eat ice-cream, and do the darnedest to entertain myself.
So, tired of watching soaps all day, I finally picked up my laptop (thank the Providence for inspiring me to buy one) and started typing. Bang, 10k in one afternoon. I'm not sure it's any good - we'll see in editing, but I'm so proud of myself right now, I cannot describe it.

Although, I have discovered a certain sadistic streak inside me. Okay, so we'd all stepped on an ant or two when we were kids, and I have killed many a spider in my day, but the stuff I put in this book of mine - whew!
It will have to have a special warning for those with weak stomach not to read. And maybe a shrink out there will say that my subconscious is trying to tell me something. Hmmm.

Amazing, that after a little more than a quarter of a century I still manage to surprise myself.

Zealous resolution

This is the final weekend I'll be able to entirely dedicate to writing, since Monday I start "school" again and there won't be much free moments from then on. So I decided to square my shoulders and (at least attempt to) finish The Phoenix.

Working toward that goal, I borrowed a laptop (yes, I still use the old-fashioned "tabletop", but I have all intention of purchasing a laptop soon), forsake Internet for a weekend (it's a distraction), and stay cooped up inside my apartment (if I face away from the window maybe I won't notice what a nice day it is outside).

No matter what it takes, I will write more than a couple of lines. I solemnly swear!

I'll tell you how it went on Monday. Cross my heart.

Blockage ranting

I had an epiphany this week. On Thursday, I think. ... I'm stuck. Yet again.

Yup, I have the writer's block. Although not the real thing, mind you. I'm not experiencing the temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity. I'm just lazy. I know exactly how the story should evolve, have everything planned in my head, but just don't find the "oomph" to put it all on screen.

And I finally figured out why that is.

Usually I write the whole story and then bang my head against the wall in search of an appropriate title. Then I use the first that comes to mind, because all others are even lamer than the first, and then I bang my head against my desk trying to create a decent cover.

In The Phoenix's case the title came easily, the cover even easier, and apparently my fuddled brain registered this as the finishing process and now I'm stuck in the middle of the story without an incentive to keep going.

I even downloaded the writing report card from Zokutou hoping it might "spur" me into action. Alas, it didn't work.