Monday, April 4, 2011

Time

These days, the world moves at such a fast pace. That's really nice in some ways. But, it also makes us forget that some things take time.

February Grace has a great post on the potential long term effects of our writing. Check it out if you haven't already.

I got some direct evidence of this on Saturday when I went to celebrate my nephew's 8th birthday party. We were playing punchball, and he casually mentioned to me that the novella I wrote for him two years ago--the novella that terrified him and got him pretty mad at me two years ago--was currently being enjoyed by his entire class, as his teacher decided to read it out loud to them. That was an amazing feeling.

Recently, too, the angry mob of us attacked a fellow frustrated and angry writer when she responded strongly to a bad review she received. Natalie Whipple wrote an excellent post responding to the responses of the response.

I'm keeping this short because apparently the A to Z thing is flooding the blog-o-sphere, so not many people will read this anyway. But, thank you to the people who do stop by, even though this posting isn't focused on the letter C. Check out the posts I linked to. And, for those of you who have been following along, the magical dryer was magical again this weekend after being quite ordinary for two weeks. Next time I do the laundry, I'm going to crawl inside. I'm pretty sure it will transport me to another dimension.

22 comments:

  1. Constantly working on slowing life down, constantly failing.

    At least I have a little more discipline about slowing my writing down. It kills me that I'm still wrapping up Sublimation, because every time I get on a roll and make myself stop I know that life these days is so full of interruptions that I cannot predict my return to the page.

    And, yet, I still force myself to slow down, finish a chunk, and leave myself wanting to write more, rather than than zipping through what's left.

    If only I could make myself do that in the course of the rest of life, while looking over my manuscripts of unpublished rhyme, drinking my vodka and lime.

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  2. Domey how amazing that your novella (I remember you talking about it!) is being readby your nephew's teacher! How great is that!!

    I think the angry mob event was a big lesson for everyone in the net-o-sphere, not just the poor author who reacted poorly. An angry mob is an awful sight.

    Judy (South Africa)

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  3. Nevets, I had heard that advice to stop your writing even though you can write more so that it's easier to get back into it. I tried it a couple of times, but I never really committed to it. Usually, I get as much as I can done because I'm so excited. Does stopping early work for you?

    Judy, I was totally thrilled. My nephew told me so casually. In the middle of the game, he just says, "My class likes your book," and then kept playing. I had to ask him to explain!

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  4. This post and links are good stuff. We live in such a competitive society that it's hard not to feel pressure to cross the finish line, preferably ahead of the pack. But that has nothing to do with creating something, which needs time to sprout like a seed and unfurl and find a foundation for its roots as it grow strong and meets the world.
    I love that your nephew seems to have grown into appreciation of his special story. It was an awesome thing you did.
    And I'm coming over to use your dryer portal. ;)

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  5. Love the story of your nephew's novella. Wow!

    I have never actually tried to stop writing before I run out of things. I usually don't remember to. Or I am pushing forward even though I feel I have nothing coherent to add just because I need to keep the words going.

    We've had a wardrobe, magical cloaks, telephone booths, so why not dryer. Hot and Dizzy: doesn't that have a nice ring to it for a title?

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  6. Thanks for posting the link to Bru's blog; I found her words very encouraging and inspiring.

    And congrats on having your novella used in that way! It's always exciting when our work finds new audiences. :)

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  7. Aww, Davin, that is awesome they are all reading it! See, I told you it was a great book. :)

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  8. Tricia, It's the fourth dryer from the end. Meet me in Narnia by the stone shaped like a pelican. :) I love your comment, and it's written in true Tricia style!

    Yat-Yee, I think you and I have similar writing practices. I'm worried that Hot and Dizzy can be taken far too many ways, though.

    TraciB, thank you very much! It was exciting. And, I'm glad you liked Bru's excellent post.

    Michelle, thanks! I sort of wish I could be a fly on the wall during the reading sessions. I think maybe my kids' books are more suited for 8 year olds than 6 year olds. I'm glad I'm not a father. :P

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  9. @Domey - Stopping early works really well for me if I specifically know what I could be writing next and am excited to do so. Since I prewrite in my head so much, that's usually the case, and it gives me something very specific to come back to.

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  10. "A to Z thing?" The alphabet is flooding the blogosphere?

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  11. Domey, I'm so excited for you--Oh my, having your novella read to your nephew's entire class. How gratifying! :)

    I remember when you first posted your nephew's reaction to the story, and I had to laugh, knowing how fickle little kids are. I'm so pleased that given a little time an maturity, he has come to see what a precious gift the book is, but even better, to have such an awesome writer uncle who loves him so much! gives me goosebumps :)

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  12. LOL; if only it were that easy to get transported to another dimension Domey :)

    I'm so glad your book is a hit again. And thanks for the links. I read my first published review of my short story (in Bewildering Stories 3/28) and boy did it hurt.

    But, at least she read the whole story and took the time to answer the challenge questions. In depth :) I sent her a thank you note.

    ......dhole

    Oh Nevets: Yeah, I have to stop at a point I know where to pick right up at too. Otherwise, I spend too much time trying to figure out where the last scene was supposed to fit in the overall forward progress of the plot or characterization.

    Domey: I envy writers who can write until they're done and still begin again at a later session. There's merit is both styles though.

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  13. Write till you drop, I say. Stopping early is for wimps. Keep punching that key board. Write!! Write!! Write!!

    Whew! I'm bushed. Time for a little nap.

    When you jump in the dryer for your interdimensional hop, don't forget your towel, your electronic thumb and, above all, DON'T PANIC!

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  14. what a great feeling to have your work be read out loud to a class. and a good reminder that there is a season to all things. what your nephew wasn't ready for two years ago is now what is giving him some pretty cool attention from his class mates (having a famous writer uncle, that is). very cool.

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  15. *THUD*!!!

    OMG. My name is in a Literary Lab post. Cover your ears, please.

    Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

    Thanks, Jedi Master Malasarn! You made my...forever.

    You know, there is one thing I must say, well, two actually (okay, three.)

    One: Thank you so much for the link. I'm glad you really liked the post. After watching so many of my friends doubt themselves when I've read their work and I KNOW they're amazing- it just had to be said.

    Two: Congratulations on the teacher reading your novella to the class- what an amazing thing. And not at all surprising to the rest of us :~)

    Three: All day, I have had Cookie Monster singing in my head. You know the song...Cookie cookie cookie starts with C!

    (Of course, I'd rather sing, "D is for Domey, that's good enough for me. . .")

    Sorry I've been scarce for awhile around here- after 5 weeks, the stitches in my eye are finally going away. I'll be around!

    hugs
    bru

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  16. Scott, it's true. There are letters everywhere. Watch out. There's one. Right. Behind you!

    Bridget, thank you very much! I should have trusted you and others when you said it was only a matter of time. I was hoping for that, but I just wasn't sure. I contented myself with the idea that his mother liked it!

    Donna, I'm sorry the review got you down. Bad reviews always nag at me, but I've become much better at looking at them with an open mind for a moment, and then getting them out of my head. I found that fixating on them just wasn't useful to me. If the advice is good, even if it's hurtful, it helps me for the next project.

    Chuck, thank you for the travel advice. I've got me a checklist now. I've decided immunizations of some sort would probably also be appropriate.

    Tess, thank you! It is pretty cool. I admit I've had a hard time figuring out the little tyke's maturity level. Maybe it's because my own has been so elusive.

    Bru, welcome back. I've seen you around a bit, and I know you're trying. I say, take care of yourself first. We'll be around. Your post was most excellent.

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  17. I'm so glad your nephew appreciated your story (after some time) enough to share it with his whole class. That is awesome! What scares us at 6 only makes us stronger at 8 and so and so on.

    Natalie has such a good heart and she absolutely right. And thank you for introducing me to February Grace. Will be following her.

    The A to Z thing. I barely have time to read posts anymore much less write the alphabet. Reading in alphabetical order, that's another story - by title.

    Have fun on your magical carpet, err dryer ride. :)

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  18. Hi Robin,
    I do think that's true about my nephew. I like to think that maybe I have helped him overcome a fear. Granted, it's a fear he didn't already have, but nevertheless!

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  19. That is so great that your nephew is finally enjoying the novel (and that too with his friends!)..

    And I have no idea what the A to Z and C mean..I am feeling all grumpy and sick- so it is unfair of you, Domey to tease us with alphabet metaphors which are beyond our (my) comprehension (if that's what those were..:P)

    Lavanya

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  20. Lavanya, Only because you claim to be grumpy and sick: if you want to look up the A to Z thing, it's a blogfest. I think it was started by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

    http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/top-ten-countdown-music-blogfest.html

    Enjoy if you must!

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  21. aah..yes..I remember reading about this but didn't make the connection...

    And tonight I'll be dreaming about sleeping in that magic dryer of yours- maybe it'll make my cold will go away!

    Lavanya

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  22. Lavanya, The magic dryer can fix many things, but it has yet to figure out the cure for the common cold. If you need something easier like the meaning of life, just ask.

    Okay, I'll just tell you. It's permanent press.

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