I Am Alive (and Amplified)

[snurri]

I've just finished typing in the first draft of a story I've been working on steadily for months. It's 12,000 words long, and I'm thinking about calling it "Escape to Bird Island" (never underestimate the inspirational power of a road trip). Hopefully I can knock out 2-3k of thinking-on-paper without putting back the same amount of making-it-make-sense.

It occurs to me that the reason writers all wish they were rock stars is that rock stars can get pretty much instant feedback. No one in my favorite cafe stood up and applauded when I finished typing. WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE.

I gotta say, while it's less terrifying to have a road map--or at least a destination--for a story before I ever start it, it's damned satisfying to just stumble into the jungle that is my brain and see what's there. Having to ask myself at every turn, "Wait, what's this story about?", and having to change my answer every time, is maddening and confusing and rewarding and a helluva lot of fun. Hopefully the end product doesn't suck.

Tonight: Twins home opener. Despite the blizzard outside right now, baseball reassures me that it is spring.

Comments

[glvalentine.livejournal.com]

You need a new coffee house. They don't support you enough.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

They should give me a free cuppa tea every time I write 5000 words!

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

There! I just applauded you!

And endured the strange looks of coworkers.

I'm kidding; none of them give a shit.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

They were looking, you just couldn't see it through the walls of your cube.

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

And you may amend your post to "all writers but Haddayr."

I'd rather lay tile for a living than be a rock star.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I would rather have my fingers hit with a hammer over and over again than be a rock star.

Rock stars have to deal with audiences in person.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

What, you've never done a reading?

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

But those are optional. You can be a writer and say, "Hell with this, no more readings for me" -- and still be a writer. Whereas if you say, "Hell with this, no more concerts for me," you have more or less ceased to be a rock star.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Man, I wouldn't. I have enough back problems as it is.

[jonhansen.livejournal.com]

That's just because, to them, you're just typing. It's like performing on stage without your amp plugged in.

What you need to do is:
1) read out loud as you type, a la Robert E. Howard, or
b) hook up an overhead projector to show the worlds you create, as you create them!

Then I bet you'll get a completely different treatment from your fellow caffeine addicts.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you're right, assuming that "completely different treatment" = "asking the manager to make me leave."

[jonhansen.livejournal.com]

Aw, just slip him a $20.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

That's because you didn't raise both hands over your head, yell out "Goodnight, St.Paul!" jog out of the cafe and have the barrista announce, "David J. Schwartz has left the building."

[janradder.livejournal.com]

It's all in the presentation, dood.

[snurri.livejournal.com]

I would reply to your comment, but I am too busy fearing what Clea is doing to Doc Strange there.

[janradder.livejournal.com]

I know -- isn't it absolutely bizarre?

Well, now, there's yer problem...

[wheatland-press.livejournal.com]

While scouting the division this morning I figured out the Twins' problem...you don't have a "Cabrera." You better get one toot-sweet.

You're welcome.

Re: Well, now, there's yer problem...

[snurri.livejournal.com]

I think it's pretty early to be saying we have a problem. Do you have a Gomez? Huh? Do ya?

Re: Well, now, there's yer problem...

[wheatland-press.livejournal.com]

Yes, quite early, my apologies.

But, we do have a Cabrera...unlike some teams.

[msisolak.livejournal.com]

*Stands up. Applauds. Spills coffee all over self.*

[snurri.livejournal.com]

Ouch! You, um, signed your release, right?