On Writing...

I started reading Stephen King's On Writing today, which is sort of reckless if you consider the other myriads of books I HAVE to read for a grade.

I haven't made it very far as of yet, I only had about fifteen minutes of reading time before I had a quiz to take this morning. Still, just knowing that in some small way I'm working toward my writing goals makes me feel better--I am a writer, despite my constant school-imposed hiatus (is the plural of hiatus hiates?) from actually writing.

I can do this. I can write a book. I've been writing "books" since before I even knew how to write words. I want to do this. I need to do this. I love to do this! Only six weeks of class left!!!

I recently started using a program called Microsoft Onenote, because it's awesome and it allows me to be un-linear, and I don't like intricate writing software, so anything that makes plotting, plot notes, research, references, and alternate story lines more stream-lined and accessible is a plus for me. I highly recommend it!

Song Writng and Other business

Well, I forgot last week's post in a rather predictable fashion. Sigh.

This week I've been drafting my presentation for the International Conference on Romanticism (which is about authors such as Wordsworth, Coleridge, etc.) and playing around with some song writing.

I'm really hoping to get back into my mystery writing schedule soon--especially since brainstorming with my good friend and fellow author Audra Brown--with whom I am, coincidentally, writing a Fantasy entitled Remember the Alamok.

There are about six weeks of school left this semester, and then--HOPEFULLY--I will revert to my schizophrenic, crazy, hermit-like, writer ways...

Lemon Bars and Writing

I am making Lemon Bars. Glorious, if slightly too rich, little pieces of lemony-pastry heaven. I know, this may seem like an odd introductory sentence to find on a mystery writer's blog. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Even mystery writers have to eat. Some of them even like it.

I do have some kind of idea where I'm going with my Lemon Bar introduction. In fact, I'll head that way now.

Once upon a time, there were no such things as Lemon Bars. It was a sad, sad world--nobody could imagine those tart, mouth-puckering little fruits as the essential element to what may be the world's best dessert. Nobody. Until, one day, somebody dared to create the unthinkable--a glorious, delicious dessert that incorporates the tang of lemon with the smooth taste of sugar, butter, and pastry.

That person went against the rules. There was no self-doubting, no breakdown of the chef telling himself that this idea was not worth pursuing. Just glorious creation, and it CHANGED LIVES AROUND THE WORLD FOREVER.

At this point, two things should be apparent to you: 1, I love Lemon Bars, and 2, There is NOTHING that cannot be written about.

In the words of poet Sylvia Plath, "And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."

Yep, that's about all I have to say for the day. I'm gonna go eat a Lemon Bar now...