revisions

Many writers don't like revising, but I do. To me revising is like building on a skeleton, adding flesh and bones. I love the feeling of adding tints in the colouring on the cheeks, highlights on the hair, sharp edge to the fingernail. Through revisios I round the curve of a shoulder, smoothe out the bulge of a hip. These are the things that bring the writing alive, make is sparkle, make it real. what's more real than a person, fully formed, living in front of you on the page?

Writing a Novel: Images

Lately I've been thinking about images and how they differ from description. Seems to me that they shimmer with a certain luminosity not found in the usual description of a scene.

So, as I revise, I'm reading for images. When does the moment occur when the reader pauses and really sees something. Do I have enough of those moments, ordinary moments that glow?

That's today's challenge.

rituals for writers

Sometimes getting down to writing is the hardest part, even when I've managed to wrangle life into clearing a whole day for writing. Even then, sometimes I find myself doing laundry and washing the dishes instead of sitting down. So I've developed some rituals. Little ones, that don't take much time. I put the kettle on for tea, and make sure the living room is tidy and the coffee table is clear. Then I bring my computer out of the office and plug it in to the plug next to the table and find myself a cozy blanket. Then I make the tea and grab the phone so I won't have to get up if it rings, and I settle down on the sofa with a blanket across my lap and the computer on top of that and a cup of tea on the table. Somehow all that makes me ready.

tools for writers

i spent too much time today browsing around the webosphere, and look what I found.
http://www.pw.org/toolsforwriters

Spring 2010

A little flower for you.

Remember Smith's List?

Remember the old Smith's List? home of all Canadian writing contests? It disappeared for a while, but it's back. Only now it's called Writers Circle of Durham Region Contests/Events Calendar (which doesn't trip off the tongue as nicely, but oh well.)
Here's the link, in case you're looking. http://wcdr.ca/wcdr/?page_id=2373
Also, here's another that has tons of listings.
http://www.manuscriptediting.com/contests.htm