JB Morrissey's Writers blog

Day 2 Writing My Western Novel

2006-12-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Jacqui's message for Day 2 is simple enough.....
1. Create a specific time everyday to write.
2. Mark that block of time in your calendar and never put it off.
3. Always keep your writing time sacred.

OK, that sounds easy enough.

My day always starts with my part time job. I do it at home, from 5:30am to 9am. So, I figured I would schedule my writing time, starting at 9am.

Except, I never follow instructions completely. It doesn't matter what it is....a recipe, some advice, mapquest directions to someone's home....whatever. About half way through, I will change something. Obviously, whoever gave me the recipe, advice or directions did not really intend them to be followed exactly anyway, right?

Here is how I set up my writing day, following Jacqui's advice for Day 2

1. create a specific time everyday to write. Yup, I did that. I decided to start my writing time at 9am every day. So far, so good.

2. Mark that block of time in your calendar and never put it off. Well, I don't actually keep a calendar so, I'll just change this a bit. Instead of writing down my block of writing time, I'll just remember to begin writing everyday, just after I finish my work at home job at 9am. No problem here.

3. Keep your writing time sacred. Okey Dokey.

And, here is how the day played out.

I finished up my part time, work at home job at 9am. Now, let's start writing.

Wait a minute, I need coffee. On the way back from the kitchen, the cat needs petting. Wow, it looks like a really nice day. I'll just finish my coffee on the deck. Oh yea, the novel.

Ok, back to the office. Ready to write. Oh my look at that desk, what a mess. Let's just straighten it up a bit. I always work better when I am organized. Ok, now let's write that western.

Wait a minute, I really should decide on some names for my characters that will be in the book. Let's see, I'll stop for a second and surf the web for that. Oh, look at that neat website on old planes....that's a B-17. Will you look at that....an interview with its pilot who flew it during WW II. I'll just click on that and listen for a while.

Hmmm, I'm hungry. Let's grab a snack. I'll just eat here in the den, and catch a little TV. Oh boy, a football game....

Final Score, procrastination 7......writing 0.

Oh brother.

A Western Novel Start-ith

2006-12-15T05:56:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to write a western novel for quite a while. Sure, I admit that a writing a western is not a new idea and, judging from the best seller list, it won't be a popular idea...but, that is not the point. A western is something that I want to write.

When I came across the writing exercises on Jacqui Lofthouse's site, I decided that I would get going on it.

Day 1's writing exercise was to free write for an hour...no interuptions...no stopping. I was told to sit at my computer and write whatever came into my mind about my western for one hour.

I opened Word on my computer, set a timer and waited for the words to flow.

...but, nothing happened.

I just sat there, watching the blinking cursor. I didn't have a plot, characters or even a setting for the novel. I only had a dream to write a western novel.

What the heck did I think I was trying to do?

I remembered that the instructions said not to worry, just write...so, I started writing...half sentences, words, ideas...whatever came to mind.

I decided the main characters would be 3 brothers. So, I started sketching each of them out.

I visited a little ghost town, up in the Colorado mountains this past summer, so I decided "put" the story there.

I know that the Colorado mountains were a "busy" place during the late 1800s, so I decided the story would be around 1882 or 1883, a good time for cowboys in the region.

The more I wrote, the more came to mind. Suddenly, I couldn't type fast enough. Ideas, places, conflicts, themes....I wrote them all down.

By the time the hour was up, I had over three pages of thoughts and ideas about the novel. I was amazed at the things I had written down.

When my hour was up, I quit writing just like the instructions said. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. In one hour, I'd made more progress than in the past three months I've been thinking about writing it.

And, even though I had quit writing it for the day, new things for the novel popped into my head for the rest of the day. While I was poking around the web, I found some historical events and characters that would fit. I even found a list describing the tombstones in the ghost town.

Dedicating one hour to the novel....just one little hour....has kick started the whole thing. It feels great and I can't wait to get started again later today.

....one hour at a time.

Writing: Getting The Words Down On Paper

2006-12-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was goofing off instead of writing. I was surfing around the web and found a website by author and writing coach Jacqui Lofthouse. She is pushing an ebook that promises to put an end to writer's block. She thinks many writers suffer from procrastination and call it writers block.

I am a master at procrastination. What she said really hit home. So, I downloaded the first 5 days of her writing advice and excercises from her website and I'm gonna work through them right here on my blog. This way, you and I can both see if she can pull me out of procrastination and help me get my writing down on paper.

The Disclaimer: I do not know Jacqui...never met her. I am not shamelessly promoting her ebook. I don't get a commission. I didn't even buy the ebook, just signed up on her email list and got to download the first 5 days free. You can too. The thing I want to do is stop procrastinating....I want to write more. Jacqui promises she has a way that will teach me to do that, so let's see if it works.

If you want to play along, here is her link: www.thewritingcoach.co.uk

Background: I live out west in Colorado. Yes, it is true, I live in the suburbs...but, I have always been attracted to the western life. I rode a horse once....even camped out in a tent as a kid, so I am going to write a western novel. I've had this idea for quite a while and have never gotten started on it. (procrastination???) This project is what I will work on during these writing exercises.

OK, DAY 1.

The first day, the rule is just write, damn it. (ok, those are my words, not hers.) Jacqui's message for the first day is simple. Get the words down on paper. Don't worry if they are good or bad, just write. Today's exercise is to free write for an hour. Set a timer, turn off the radio and tv, plant the butt in the chair and write. Don't get up for coffee, don't answer the phone or pet the cat. Just write. Get it all down. Don't edit it, just write it. Put it on paper, no matter what.

Tomorrow, I'll let you know what comes out.

Writing Every Day? Here's One Way To Do It

2006-12-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

Many writers say a writer must write everyday, but I'm having a hard time doing that. The last couple of days, I blamed it on a head cold I was battling....but, today I feel much better and I'm still putting off getting the words down on paper.

Instead of writing, I was poking around the web yesterday. I found a website for Jacqui Lofthouse, the writing coach. She says writer's block is often writer's procrastination and it is many writer's main enemy. I gotta admit, it is one of my biggest problems.

Jacqui sells an ebook called, "The Writing Coach: 30 Days to Conquer Self-Doubt and Procrastination and Have 30,000 Words Under Your Belt." You can download the first 5 days free.

So, that is what I did.

Starting tomorrow, (I told you procrastination is a big problem for me...), I'll work through each day's chapter and each day's writing exercise.

Starting tomorrow, I'll report back on how it is going.

For the rest of today, I think I'll go goof off....

(see, I can procrastinate with the best of them....)

lol

"The Pepper Gift" Has Been Published

2006-12-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

When I first met my wife's family, they told me about my wife's great grandfather. When he came to America, he carried some tiny, pepper seeds in his pocket. Every summer since then, someone in the family has grown those peppers in their garden and sharing them with the rest of the family. Last summer, it became my turn.

A little while ago, I wrote a story about those peppers. "The Pepper Gift" was bought and has just been published on www.commonties.com in their "story blog" section.

This is my first try at writing this kind of story, so let me know what you think, alright?

Thanks!

JB

Monday Morning Blahs? Nope, Just A Head Cold

2006-12-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

I felt pretty stuffed up on Saturday. I was outside a lot on Friday and chalked it up to allergies.

Nope not allergies, a full blown head cold.

Is there anything worse? I'm not sick enough to spend the day in bed, demanding round the clock care by my DW, just sick enough to be miserable. I've gone through a box of tissues, rubbed my nose right off my face, sampled just about every decongestant in the house, and still got the sneezes, runny nose, watery eyes going full blast.

Crap.

Freelance writing full time???

2006-12-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a couple of people yesterday. When I mentioned that I was a freelance writer, one asked me if I freelanced full time.

"Yes," I said, "I'm a full time freelancer, but I don't just freelance for a living."

Before I chucked the corporate world for my freelance writing career, I took a long, hard look at our finances. The wife has a nice, steady job and I'm on her medical plan, but we needed more than that to live on. So, I went to my boss at the time and explained what I wanted to do. Together we worked out a way that I could stay with him part time. I still have enough hours to work on freelance writing 8 hours a day so, technically it is a full time job, but I also have enough steady money coming in to survive on.

This is really important. If you are just starting out like me, you gotta realize that jobs won't just drop into your lap just because you announce that you are now a freelance writer. You gotta pay your dues and, it takes lots of time and tons of work to get a freelance career going.

I just started full time freelancing this year. So far, one magazine and one website have published (and paid me for) my articles. A third story is scheduled for next spring. The money, when it comes in, is nice...but, there is no way I could live on it without a plan.

Thank goodness I took the advice of other published authors/freelancers and got my ducks in a row before I made the leap to full time freelancing. Otherwise, I'd probably be out on the corner, bumming quarters, with a "out of work, God Bless!" sign around my neck.

That wouldn't be a pretty sight, believe me.

JB

A "Pause For The Cause" Day...

2006-12-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up stuffy. My creativity is toast. The bucket of ideas that sits deep inside me is totally empty. I have worked very hard this week, spending 8 to 10 hours a day, writing, writing and more writing. I think my batteries are dead. So I am taking a day off, a recharge day, from writing today.

Ok, I won't lie to you. I know that today won't be writer's day off because I never totally forget about writing. It is as much a part of me as breathing. There is no way I can, or want to, escape it. But, I am crisp and I really DO need a break from actually writing...so I am declaring today "a pause for the cause day."

I won't write today, but I am still going to fiddle around with a lot of writing stuff.

For one thing, I am going to start reading a really neat new book. "Writing, etc." is published by the authors and freelance writers of the Colorado Authors' League. In their own words, they offer advice on every part of writing...from getting ideas, to character development, to the nuts and bolts of grammer and structure. It's like picking the brains of authors and freelancers to see what works best for them. Today is suppose to be a warm, sunny day....a great day to find a sunny spot and read a while.

I am also going to percolate an idea today.

I want to write a novel.

(Don't most of us...??? lol)

Well, a friend's mom had an incredible love/mystery adventure happen to her during the war (WW II.) I think I'll pop over and visit with her a while. I have a feeling her story would make the basis for a great book.

So today, no writing except for this blog entry...that doesn't count.

(chuckle)

Today is JB's Pause For The Cause Day.

Maybe you need one, too?

JB

Writing, learning....and, Some Good News!

2006-12-08T08:48:00.003-07:00

I am learning a lot about being a freelance writer.

For one thing, freelancing is a damn lonely job. I spend every day here at my computer, writing and reading, writing and emailing, writing and researching, and writing some more. Except for Beka the wonder dog, who breaks the routine for a pat on the head once in a while, I sit here, alone, and write....and, I do it every single day of the week.

Another thing I am learning is that freelance writing is often a discouraging job. As a writer, I care about things I write about. I believe my idea is a show stopping, earth shattering, ground breaking story. Apparently the average magazine editor does not see it that way. They just see it as another of an endless stream of emails they have to weed through every day. So, when I email and tell an editor that I am the perfect writer for this incredible story that the editor should pay me to write.....sometimes, no wait, many times, the editor does not even reply. No "thanks," no "no thanks", no nothing. Sure, it is tough, not hearing "boo" when you pitch a story and, to a newbie freelance writer, it happens a lot. You just have to get over it, try not to take it personally, and move on.

But, when they do respond and when they respond with those magical words...."JB, we would really like to publish your powerful story"...it is an amazing feeling.

Somebody out there LOVES my writing!!!!

I got word this morning that Common Ties will published my latest story on their website. "Ernie's Grandmother's Precious Gift" is a story about the Italian sweet peppers that I grow in my garden every summer. The seeds were handed down by my wife's great grandfather. This is a feel good story that spans 5 generations.

Common Ties is a really neat site. Inspired by the work of three amazing storytellers, John Stienbeck, Charles Kuralt and Studs Turkel, Common Ties lets real people tell real stories about real things that happen in their real lives. My story will be in their story blog section next week.

www.commonties.com

JB

Brian Keene, where have you been all my life?

2006-12-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'll admit it.....I live in a cave.

It's a nice cave and it's full of really nice things. I know because I put everything in here. In my cave, nothing ever changes. I do the same things, talk to the same people, and go to the same places.

I live in a cave of all things familiar.

Admit it......you do, too.

I have a list of books in my cave written by writers I like to read....Stephen King is one, Janet Evanovich is another. Tom Clancey lives in my cave and so does Bill Bryson.

There are even a couple of dead guys who aren't so dead here when they live in my cave. Ernie Pyle still lives here in my cave, along with the two Louies....Louis L'Amour and Louis Grizzard.

This morning, I heard a knock at my cave's door and, now, everything is not familiar in my cave anymore.

I was surfing around the web and met a new writer who is going to live in my cave. (Alright, I didn't actually meet him, but I read an excerpt from one of his books and liked it....a lot!)

My new cavemate is Brian Keene.

Oh sure, you already know Brian.

Smarty pants.

Everybody knows Brian.

Fine.

But, I don't....because I don't venture out of my cave very often. I stick with things I already know, remember?

"Hey, move over Janet....make room, you two Louies....Brian wants to sit down. It's ok.....he's good stuff...and, he is going to be here a while. "

JB

Watch Out When You Call A Writer

2006-11-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a book proposal for weeks. It is a lot of work.

Before I started this writing project, it seemed so simple....contact a publisher, pitch your idea, get a contract (and a big fat advance...lol) and write the book.

WRONG!

There are pages and pages of things you must submit to the publisher before they even consider your idea. It takes weeks, sometimes months, to do it right. You spend your days doing research, writing sample chapters, figuring out marketing ideas, deciding on a title.....and, you do this alone, at your computer, without any other human contact. It's enough to make you crazy, or at least make you desperate to talk to someone....anyone....about anything!

Anyway, I am working on this proposal.....and, the phone rings.

It's the phone company, wanting me to add new service to my account.

The poor telemarketer was a lamb led to slaughter. I spent 20 minutes on the phone with her, not talking about call waiting or caller id, but about my book idea and I did all the talking!

lol

She couldn't get a word in edgewise. I was a man possessed, desperately seeking somebody to talk to. I executed the perfect "Enough about you...let me tell you about me" phone call.

She never had a chance to sell me anything.

Please be warned....when you call a writer, who is in the middle of a big writing project, you will find yourself faced with a talking fool. They will rattle on, with great exubrance, about themselves, their writing, their world, their dog....anything and everything.......

Sadly, like a drunk who can't quit the demon alcohol, they can't help themselves.

We are sorry.....really.

JB

A blog about my blogs

2006-11-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

These days, one blog is not enough.

Shoot, I can remember the day..... Never mind. Nobody like a person who is in a constant state of "remember when..."

So anyway, instead of just one blog (which is one more blog than I ever thought I'd have) I actually have two blogs.

This is my "main" one, where everything goes.

But, I also have a "beer" blog at Coloradobeernews.com.

Check it out here.

(but, come back soon, ok?)

JB

Welcome!

2006-11-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my writer's world.

I love to write. That's why I am a freelance writer.

This is where you can get behind my stories. You'll be able to see why I write what I write, how I write what I write and along the way, we'll get to know each other a little better.

Here we go!

JB