Extra writing time!

My daughter had a two hour delay this morning. Yipee!

It's funny because I look forward to those delays. When she has a delay, I shut her alarm off and I let her sleep in. This makes her happy because she can get some extra sleep. It makes me happy because I get some extra writing time.

I was able to get a little extra writing time in yesterday as well. When my son took a nap, I hit the keyboard. It felt good, even though I did have some stuff around the house I had to get done. Oh well. But once I start writing, all that stuff just disappears.

At least until I come back to reality.

But heah, who likes reality!

I have a backwards week and I like Mondays!

I don't know too many people who look forward to Mondays.

I do.

To me, Monday is really my Friday. Monday is the last day of my work week. I look forward to Monday night because it's when I start thinking of my writing week.

I don't write those three days I work because twelve hours really sucks the creativity right out of your soul.

So tonight marks the start of my writing week. I've been thinking too. That does happen sometimes. Anyway, I really have to spend more time writing and planning out my knew novel. I was discussing the idea with someone and it made me realize I have to really get into gear. I guess we will see how that unfolds.

More writing time needed! Anyone have any for sale?

I got up late again this morning.

4:55am

I really have to stop going to bed so late. Damn, damn damn!

Overall, it was a decent writing morning. I managed to get to page 61 on rewriting. Oh, geez only 254 more pages to go. I have found that the further I go into my novel, the better the writing seems to be. I think I was progressively getting better in my style and voice as I moving along.

Either that or I have become less critical. I don't think that is it. I am sometimes overcritical.

Sometimes I'm just amazed at some of the writing that's out there. It makes me wonder how they got there. Anyway, this isn't about them, it's about me.

It's Friday, so off to real work tomorrow.

I really have to squeeze more writing time in somewhere. I can't write at night, frankly my mind is tired, and truth be told, not all that sharp. Rather DULL!

Maybe during the day when my son takes a nap.

The only problem with that is, when he falls asleep I have all that time to get chores accomplished. I guess I just have to do what I have to do.

If I ever want to make it, that is!

Rewriting is like weeding the garden!

I spent my alottment of writing time, rewriting The Waking Hour this morning. As tedious as it is, rewriting is more than necessary!

Rewriting, is the most important part of writing. Well, creation is important. If you didn't create a story, you wouldn't have anything to rewrite.

So, let me rephrase that. Rewriting is the most important part of the process. Rewriting is the part that seperates the published from the unpublished.

I know your probably saying "But George, your unpublished?"

Everyone has to start somewhere, and that goes beyond the idea. Let's just assume you aren't one of those people who say: "I have a great idea for a book. Some day, I want to write a novel too."

Those people make it sound like something you throw a to do list. Somettimes I want to tell them, that the idea is only just the tip of the iceberg. Having an idea floating around the sea of your mind is one thing, but taking the next step and planning the expedition to explore that iceberg, is another.

Planning the events, characters, scenes, twists, endings and making sure you have a level of suspense that keeps your reader wanting more, takes commitment. One book that I have discovered, has helped me through the process is in many ways.

The Writers Little Helper: Everything You Need to Know to Write Better And Get Published

One extremely handy tool in this book, is a diagram that shows how to organize your novel into ten easy scenes. It helps the writer simplify the process, especially new writers who feel daunted with the tedious task of planning.

I'm not much of a planner, and have found myself at a stand still in the middle of writing something, because I had not planned properly.

Enough about the book. The point I'm trying to make is that rewriting is like sanding a fine piece of furniture. In order to get it looking exquisite, you have to go through a set process of sanding the wood down. Each time changing the coursness of paper, untill eventaully you have a well polished peice.

That's what I did this morning. Who knows how many more times I need to sand my work, but I'll do whatever it takes.

One good audio book.

I just finished The Andromeda Strain audio book by Michael Crichton. It was actually pretty good.

He puts so much research into his books, it's simply incredible. I have trouble with research, I have a problem forming it all into something that actually sounds good.

That's one reason love stories work for me. There isn't as much research.

Well, I'll make it quick today.

Tired.

Is the glass half full, or is it broken?

I was reminded at work today how important it is to have a positive attitude.

One of my co-workers will always see the negative side of everything.

Would those best selling authors be where they are if they sat down at their computers, sighed and said "I can't write. I'm not a writer. Ill never get on that list."

They would never have gotten where they are today!

I firmly believe that we become what we think about most. Seriously. If we believe that we can do something, then we can do it!

Try it, with all your heart. It really works.

Thin Ice

I fell on my icy walk this morning.

Yeah, 4:00am walking down my walkway and oops, there I went. As frustrated as I was, I must admit it had to have looked pretty funny.

No bruises, well except my pride. Got a little angry at the ice since I was running late for work. Funny I would get angry at the ice .

Work was normal. Oh by the way I unload boxes off trucks.

For twelve hours.......WHAT FUN!

That's it for today.

Are you a writer?

My name is George and I'm a writer.

Okay, alright, you can stop rolling your eyes now. I know you're probably saying, "Oh wow, how groundbreaking! Another writer starting a blog."

Here's the thing. I'm not just any writer, I'm different. My wife even thinks I'm different. Oh wait a minute, that's right, she thinks I'm difficult? I'm that too.

But anyway, that's another subject for another entry.

Back to being an unpublished writer. I plan on making it big, and climbing to the top of the list. No, I don't mean the grocery list, I mean the infamous best seller list.

I know it's a battle, of course it is. If it wasn't a battle, then everyone would be a best selling author. I know there are a lot of self proclaimed writers out there, and you may even be one. If you are, I would love to hear from you.

Stick with me and you'll see it happen right before your eyes. You'll see the chronicles of George the Writer unfold right before your very eyes, however mundane it might be.

I'm going to try and make a daily blog out of this, however short it might be on the weekend. Yes, I have a day job per say. I work Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for twelve hours each day. I'm not sure if I would go as far to say that it's a real job, but it pays some of the bills. Let's leave that subject at that. Maybe we can delve into the world of work another day.

My writing time is slim, and will be expanded soon. I get up around 4:30-5:00am to write. This block of time only gives me about an hour or so, due to my daughter geting up at 6:15 for school. I would like to get up earlier, but latley my wife and I have discovered the Hereoes Season one and two, and have been staying up past 11:00pm to catch up before season three starts.

I'm still getting up early, but not as early as I desire.

"Okay Mr. George the Writer, what exactly have you written?"

I'm currently on my second novel. My first novel, which I thought was the next great american story, turned out to have as many holes in it as a block of swiss cheese. That story, A Ripple in the Water, is sitting idle now. I'll pick it back up again some day, but not now. It was a love story, as is my second novel. My current novel, The Waking Hour, is in it's second/third re-write.

I have a few short stories I've written, and maybe I'll post them. If anyone is interested.

Well that's it for today. If I don't post on Sat, Sun, Mon, then I will make a submission on Tuesday.