The Copper Moon Project

another good news

2012-02-08T11:47:00.000-08:00

next friday, the writers' group i attend will hold a meeting with one of the editors, who accepted my story. of course, the reason for asking her to attend our regular meeting is not my story :)

she will be here to give a short lecture about editors, about what editors expect from authors, about the inevitable cooperation between editor and author and so on.

on a side note, my copper moon will be acknowledged for having been selected for an e-book edition as well.

howl along with me :)

2012-02-05T23:29:00.000-08:00

for i am excited.

at the end of the second round ~~the editors~~ UPDATE: one of the editors chose my writing to get published as an e-book.

i know next to nothing about e-books.

i don't know if this ruins/lessens/alters the chances of getting it printed in a traditional book.

for when it comes to e-material, i for example, don't spend a penny.

ahem, i know, it is quite a debated issue, so let's not talk about it :)))

still...

i am EXCITED, excited and excited a bit more, and i howl for two reasons:

it is full moon

full moon has a definite key position in my story. if it was of any doubt for any of you, my Margaret is a werewolf :)))

being excited is one thing, and i am still to hear your similar stories. share any of your strange reactions when your first/second short story/novel/thing was accepted/published.

the second round

2012-02-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

now my story is in the second round. it is currently being revised by an editor, but at the same time, the second chapter is now public for readers, practically to anyone.within a couple of days i get to know whether my writing gets to the third round.if it gets a negative response from one editor, it is over.if it gets a positive reaction, it goes to the second editor.this is how the selection works in this competition.

one of the readers commented. he said that the first chapter was disappointing to the point of being unreadble for him, but this second chapter was something completely different. he quoted some of my lines saying how much he liked them... go figure :)))

- -

another reader, a woman said she found my sentences two short, and was expecting something interesting to happen. but that never did.i agreed with her: the length of the sentences are in reverse order with the intensity of the story. if you write in long, winding sentences, your story slows down. short sentences suggest intense action.well, i had short sentences, but nothing intense happened.i agree, this might disappoint the reader.

the third reader, another woman disliked the characters and did not found enough motive for their behaviour. she liked that the reader is introduced into the mind of Nancy, but i think she was expecting some action instead.there was a metaphore which she did not noticed for example and found it confusing.at the same time she was right saying that some explanations are necessary for the readers' involvement.--

the first round

2011-12-27T23:46:00.000-08:00

as you may have gathered from some of the posts below, a publishing house was asking for my story.

there were 54 contestants and i shared some readers' opinion about the first few pages.

now the first round is officially over and 13 authors had to say goodbye.

guess what, i'm in among the 41 to go for the second round! yay!

the first few feedbacks

2011-11-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

the first two chapters of my novel called 'Copper Moon' were published on a website of a publishing house. they are having a challenge for a month, i guess: each day a new novel (the first 10 thousand characters of it) are published and the readers are encouraged to read, comment and criticize the excerpts.

the publishing house does not really relies on the results of the public - they have their own editors to evaluate the writings.

those who are found good by the editors will get published, either on paper or on e-book, or both.

well, today was my day and so far i have a ratio of 1 (positive) to 3 (negative) comments.

mind you, those that disliked my novel were phrasing their opinion quite matter-of-factly, so nothing intrusive or personal. the most important failures of my novel, according to these people, are: the unexplainable time and event shifts; overflow of poetic description, which they found boring; and finally they found it hard to follow, they thought it was obscure and fuzzy.

the one person who liked it said my sentences are gorgeous and that she liked my style.

i guess both parties have just points.

go figure.

and i'm just learning the way to react and accept these reactions.

not easy, not easy.

one moment i'm all 'my writing sucks and these people have pointed out my flaws so correctly....', while in another moment i'm seeking potential ways of improvement, while yet in another moment i'm all 'what the hell do these people know about my protagonist, anyway?', and in yet another again: 'jeez, it's not enough if i know a lot about my mc, i have to make other people know more about her in the right and proper way.'

happy thanksgiving for those who celebrate it!

NaNo 2011: a decision

2011-11-15T01:23:00.000-08:00

i call it quits.

as official.

well, may be, later on, or next November.

i am not heavy hearted, or anything.

this decision just seemed logical for many reasons:

1-lack of strong drive to write the story. feeling unprepared.

2-being excited about the possible new jobs

3-being occupied by many really important tasks around 'the opening of the season'

okay, i'm moving on.

implying i'm gathering new elements, analyzing experiments and emotions from the past - all these will later be incorporated into my story.

as for a working title, i am thinking about Lunae Saturni, latin for Moons of Saturnus :)

i wish to connect/relate events and/or people in the story to certain different moons. i fancy about getting information about the celestial objects and find relation to certain issues/persons/plotlines within my story.

i think it sounds nice and may, yes, may turn out great in writing, provided that the writing is good. :)

note to myself: what is this new found obsession with moons?

reality check :)

2011-11-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

do i like the thing i wrote in 2010?

yes.

do i like the idea i was about to write about in 2011 as much as i liked the idea of copper moon?

no.

do i feel the drive, the need to write as much as i felt in 2010 about copper moon?

no. not ever near.

do i have two job offers pending?

yes.

are they quite good?

yes.

have they appeared quite out of the blue?

yes, very much.

did i have any job possibilities in 2010?

no.

does our family have financial problems this year?

very much, yes.

do i prefer being reasonal?

yes.

do i give up on NaNo 2011 altogether?

no.

it this self-interview over?

yes.

did you like it?

oh, shoot.

2011-11-02T02:00:00.000-07:00

dear visitor, take a look at the sidebar :(

see me in shame for not having written a word in this year's NaNo...

but.

but!

the thing i wrote in 2010 got the interest of an editor. she asked me to send it in and now i have a couple of days to polish it.

i think it is quite reasonable to stick to reality.

i have copper moon and it might get some publicity.

i rather care about something that is within reach and only needs a bit of touch* here and there - than letting it go for something that does not even exist...

and it's only the second day...

* i know, i know...that littler touch here and there might take days or weeks...pondering, re-phrasing, re-structuring... whatever...

copper moon _is_, the other thing (the novel i am supposed to write in 2011) is not.

what is it?

2011-10-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

it happened just a couple of hours after having lamented here on the lack of ideas....
i had to take a train and then had to walk 30 minutes...
i watched the signs of autumn around me....
-
i was asking myself the following questions:
1-
why do i suddenly find my original idea for NaNo'11 somewhat boring?
(a post-apocalyptic half-romance, half-realistic story centered around a middle aged woman who has nearly lost everything but her faith?)
is it, and/or the setting truly boring?
is it overrepresented/overshared in/by movies/modern literature?
what is you opinion?
2-
can i come up with something i, the writer-to-be like?
-
-
answers to question 1 are kindly waited/appreciated among the comments of this post, thank you very much :)
-
one potential answer to question 2 was this: whoa, yes, and i started scribbling frantically on the street, not really caring about the passers-by. mind you there were not many of them, you see, it was a bit raining :) :)
-
so i have this other idea: it's about a half human, half other-wordly creature, and their species is about to invade the earth.
what dou you think about it?
-

i'm not so sure :(

2011-10-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

in 2010 is ventured into NaNo-land, because i had an idea in my head, an idea that would not leave me. it grew in my head and all i did was letting it out with the help of NaNo's community and rules.

2010 November was painful and funny, rewarding and challenging a the same time.

i got attracted to it :)

i was, and still am toying with the idea of doing NaNo again.

trouble is that i lack any strong idea, any notino that would refuse to eave me.

this time last year i was scribbling notes to self about the future story, was writing outlines and sketching characters. at present i don't seem to have any of these moments :(

NaNo again... ?

2011-10-22T03:36:00.000-07:00

it is inevitable...

we all see it coming...

november, the month of NaNo.

do you plan to participate?

what are your plans?

(share as much as you feel appropriate)

as for me, i have not written anything long since the NaNo in 2010.

that piece is still not finished.

something at the back of my head keeps telling me that it is unwise to start a new project without finishing the old one(s)... any pros and cons?

i do have a plan for 2011, though...

in a post apocalyptic setting, it's a story about someone evaluating his (her?) former life and personal connections, relationships to lovers and friends.

i am still lacking the main purpose, hee.

an ice-breaker

2011-10-12T03:31:00.000-07:00

wow, just today i sent a 10 thousand-character piece of Copper Moon to a publisher/editor/whatever. she is a reliable person, not just 'some random people from the street', so i knew what i was doing, don't worry about me :)

i consider it a small step on my way.

and yes i know, this is just the beginning.

finally, i am turning my mind again to that writing.

a little hiatus

2011-07-08T03:39:00.000-07:00

i know it's been a while - this note is only a short reminder that i am still alive out here :)

now i have another writing project going on, and i am planning to return to revise Copper Moon.

when i finished writing while doing NaNo in November 2010, i totally believed that i would revise the short story in December, or January at the latest.

but life interfered... and my lazyness...

i did some re-readings, some minor revisions, but most of the writing remained untouched. i am still aware of the elements of the story/polt/characters/events that needs major or minor polishing, and i hope to finish it some time later on.

i have some notes, suggestions for corrections and i still have the story in my head. which is a sure sign that Copper Moon is not yet finished - :)

there is hope, isn't there?

Jerom and his story

2011-04-10T05:54:00.000-07:00

yesterday i wrote a short story called Jerom's story.

here's the synopsis:

Jerom finds himself locked in a mental asylum. most of his inmates are criminals. Jerom is convinced he himself is not insane.

he makes friends, starts to feel at home, but still does not know why he is locked up here in the first place.

on a rainy day he starts hearing voices talking to him.

eventually, he becomes insane.

the staff finds out and reassures him in his (new?) state of mind.

Jerom finds being insane a great way to feel happy about being locked in.

he no longer cares about the reason.

now, i planned to have a second part and a third part, too.

in the 2nd part, the reader finds out about the reason Jerom is in the asylum, that is, when the crime is described.

in the 3rd part, the reader finds out about Jerom's background, uhm, like a neglecting and/or abusive relative or something like that.

now, i don't think i want to write part 2 and 3.

my reasons:

to keep the intensity of part one, part 2 should be gory and sick. i don't think i want to write that way.

part 3 on the other hand, should be a cover-up for Jerom's sin.

and i don't think i want to give Jerom a pat on the shoulder. i don't think i want to take away the guilt. if Jerom did wrong, he should be punished. if Jerom, say, mutilated and or killed his wife, or set a little baby on fire - this is crime and evil. i don't want to give hims redemption by saying: 'oh, you poor Jerom, you did have a nasty childhood'.

what's your opinion?

the hunt for copper moon

2011-03-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

basic situation:

at home we have two computers.

one for me (work and hobbies like blogging and writing) and one for my son (for playing). the second one has some internal problems so the sound comes out distorted.

this computer has a great monitor, but it sometimes just decides to go wrong.

about two weeks ago:

my computer said hello and was unable to find disk c and d...

fortunately, these are on a mobile rack, so i was able to switch to the second computer and was happy to see that my manuscript of the novel, along with some other writings (that are unavailable anywhere else) are still readable and manageable.

until this very day, when this second computer just does not find racks e and f (those named c and d on the first computer)

it might or might not mean that i lost my writing.

i might or might not go mad

i hate computers.

kind of a whining

2011-03-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

there was this guy on the online literary site who saw a couple of paragraphs from my manuscript. he was quite unimpressed i guess.

he kept telling me it was 'bad', the 'words were unsuitable', and finally that 'even an 8-year old does better'.

i see his point: he doesn't like my writing.

no problem with that.

but for god's sake.

putting his opinion this way is anything but helpful.

i asked him a couple of times to make his point clearer.

i asked him to name actual failures.

like... 'the verb in the second sentence (in paragraph 3) does not suit the action.' or.... 'when Margaret seeks advice from his father, there are too many blah sentences between them'...

like... i think you get it.

but no, he kept repeating that is was bad completely and kept referring to people who decided to throw away complete manuscripts....

so, i kindly asked him to leave it alone.

just leave it alone.

changing the names

2011-02-18T04:32:00.001-08:00

i think I mentioned earlier that i wished to change the names of the characters. i thought i would write the novel in English, but i opted for higher diversity of vocabulary and deeper expression of thoughts so i wrote it in Hungarian.

in a literary website some people commented that names are unimportant as long as there is a great story going on, while others used the old 'nomen est omen' argument to encourage me to choose carefully.

the main character, a former Sarah, is going by Margaret, but now I am seeking a fine Hungarian alternative.

i think i get a great one by Greta, which is of German origin and has the same feeling: 'a' Greta sounds strong, yet close to nature. it feels like a feminie name that has no connection to any major religion. (this issue was the main reason to reject 'Sarah' - although a name i do like very much.

also Greta has a clear reference to Margaret.

her mother is going by Nancy at the moment, but that must surely go.

there isn't anything similar in the Hungarian, so i have to invent and use something else instead.

her father, now Kyle - the same situation.

i think i'll try Attila, which is a Hungarian name meaning father. Attila, the hun has a dubious reputation. some historians say he was good, some go for bad. some even venture into saying that the huns have nothing to do with the hungarians.

the same goes to Margaret/Greta's father: Nancy thinks he was attractive and seducing on one hand and flirtatious and careless on the other.

as Margaret/Greta has received quite a bunch of remarkable genes from his father, the simile may go further on...

i think Attila will do.

what's your opinion?

how do you choose names?

or do characters with specific names just appear seemingly out of nowhere, begging you to be writing about them?

revision and title

2011-01-28T23:46:00.000-08:00

yesterday i broke my habit of not revising my NaNo manuscript.

i started to revise it right in December, but found everything to my liking, so i decided it was not the time to revise, so i quit and have not revised/reread ever since.

but behold!

just yesterday i browsed my computer and somehow chapter 7 caught my eyes.

i read it at once in one reading (it is only 2300+ words) and...

i felt the same emotions between the characters i had felt when i was writing it in November.

chapter 7 is about the main character saying goodbye to all that ties her to her present life. to her friends, family (what is left of it, that is...), work, the flat she lives in, her landlady, her present lover, and a man she she also loves.

i recall having written this chapter almost entirely in tears, because it is so moving. or, so i felt. i don't know what reaction it will have on future readers, if there would be any, but it definitely made a strong impression on me.

yesterday's big surprise was that the words, that is, of chapter 7, still have the same impression on me when i read it.

now don't get me wrong. i am not saying that i am overwhelmed by my writing's quality. it's just that it makes me feel the same way over and over again.

question 1

do you think i am ready to revise?

should i wait some more - or is it already too late?

question 2

the Hungarian title translates to 'Pebbles of the Moon', or 'Moon Pebbles'

which one sounds better?

you see, i don't really get the difference between the two suggestions. do you?

if none of these sounds great, the book will go by the title 'Copper Moon'

mwah-hah-hah

'the book'

it is not even translated to English.

writing

2011-01-19T00:55:00.001-08:00

all right, this is just a short check-in to make you see that i am alive.
i just don't seem to find time to toy with my manuscript, but, well, later on, sometimes...
-
in the meantime i sometimes do write, but whatever i write i write in hungarian.
i know i am not what people call a prolific writer.

NaNo news 14

2010-12-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

i think the necessary time to separate myself from the manuscript has elapsed.
just the other day i have started to re-read chapter two again and voilá - i got no further than the second paragraph and found at least five 'already's.
-
i think i'm in a good state of mind to see the mistakes now :)
-
have a happy new year filled with bunches of new manuscripts for ya all!

NaNo news 13

2010-12-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

before i started revision, i wrote a few lines about the purpose of each chapter. like in chapter 2 for example, the aim is to 'get the reader know about the family the main character arrives into' i wanted to describe the events and circumstances that 'precede the birth of the main character', because she is a fetus to be born at the very beginning.

the reader finds out how 'the parents had met', how the 'family of the mother rejected the father' being part of the family in the future, etc.

at the end of chapter two, there is a strong indication that 'the main character comes to life'.

these are the very words i sketched for myself before starting revision.

i have revised chapter 2, and sent it via email to that someone i mentioned earlier.
i corrected all typos, subject and verb mismatches and the like. believe me, there were only one or two of these throughout the 4100+ words.
-
i don't know if i'm doing it right.
i seem to be getting lost somehow :(((

NaNo news 12

2010-12-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

i have finished it and let it rest for a week.
-

i have changed the title in the hungarian version. to me, in my own language, 'copper moon', or as it was in hungarian 'velvet moon' and 'bronze moon' sounded cheesy.

and in general, almost any [adjective]+[noun] sounds cheesy as a title.

unless it's a strange/strikingly new/original combination it does sound either cheesy or boring. I mean, even i would not buy a book with the title 'velvet moon' (in hungarian).

so now the title is changed into h_oldk_avicsok, which roughly translates to 'pebbles of the moon'.

i wanted to include the moon in the title but faced that since the twilight series (which is a huge attraction in hungary, too), reading the noun 'moon' on a title almost instantly makes the reader associate that book with the series.

which is a sad thing, for beacuse of this newest and successful branch of pop literature, some words might just go missing from the vocabulary of normal people.

it's not that i haven't watched all the 3 parts.

yup, i did an in almost one go.

shame on me?

hm...

but i don't want people associate the series with me and my novel.

if you ask me though, i am all team jacob.

but that little secret should remain between you and me :)))

now i have a friend who helps me with the first revision.

we go chapter by chapter.
-

NaNo news 11

2010-11-29T01:17:00.000-08:00

this surely is one of the last posts about NaNo 2010.
i am kind of desperate and sad.
i still have 5500+ words to write and almost two days.
mathematically speaking, it is quite difficult, though not at all impossible.
but.
-
i don't know how to finish it!
heeelp!
:))
i am unsure about the ending.
:s

anyway, i'm back to writing.

NaNo news 10

2010-11-24T05:51:00.000-08:00

i have finished (sort of) chapters 1.2.3.4a.4b.5a.5b. and 8.

now i am writing chapter 6.

i introduced some new characters, but at the moment all they do is serve the purpose of telling the story of the main character. they don't really have a life of their own.

any comments on that?

-
also i have had some problems with time in the story. when and what happened, for how long something lasted, when did mc moved from town a to town b , when did mc changed her jobs, and so on.
i figured out i have to write short and outlined biography.
i bet writers out there start with such a biography, it must be so obvious...
-
i have 19thousand words to add and only 6 days to accomplish this goal.
i am being realistic.
i don't think i wll do it on time.
according to nano statistics, i should write 3000+ words a day to finish on time.
my average words per day is 1300+.
mathematics.
-
:(

NaNo news 9

2010-11-21T09:09:00.000-08:00

on saturday (20 november) i've finished chapter 5b.

i let some new characters appear in the story - they just wanted to be there. it's magic.

:)))

while finishing chapter 5b, i was literally crying - for it ends with a moving scene between MC and her mother.

i don't know if this scene is cheesy or not, but it is still a draft that can be revised and rewritten later on.

today (21 november) i have finished chapter8, which is some sort of a counterpart for chapter1 (which is also a poem).

yesterday i did exceptionally well, wrote about 2500 words, but today i haven't had the chance to write. i only had time to write this short poem, so today's word count is about 500+ words.

NaNo news 8

2010-11-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

i've finished chapter 5a.
but now i'm happy i'm light yellow (as opposed to orange)
i wrote less yesterday then i had done the day before yesterday and wrote less today than i did yesterday.
-
well, these past two days have been hard for me.
not only had i finish writing and turn my computer off around noon, only to return dead-tired by 11pm, but i am kind of stuck.
i don't think the story works, i have to few characters and events going on.
maybe i should have opted for a (somewhat long-ish) short story instead.
-
bye for now.

NaNo news 7

2010-11-17T00:36:00.000-08:00

this time i am a bit over halfway into chapter 5a, where the events are happening in the present time, along a definite time-line and i don't have to arrange and rearrange my thoughs about continuity. it also one of the most exciting pieces in the book, well, that is what i say.

no-one else has ever read it, but i will test it on my husband first.

too bad, he's not into fiction at all.

he prefers historic writing, memoirs, scientific and other non-fiction books.

NaNo news 6

2010-11-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

so, well, i have finished chapter 4a - for there has to be a 4b as well.
i have not invented as much into chapter 4a as i thought i had to.
the story just unfolded without adding too many new characters.
-
i keep reminding me that this is a draft and i may add or remove anything later on.
-
saturdays and sundays are not the best days to write.
the kids are at home and on saturday i had a choir session between 10am to 1pm.
but these can also be considered as lame excuses.
-
i wanted to write chapter 4b today, and sketched some small scenes while i was still writing chapter 4a.
i'm working along those ideas.
-
yesterday i was browsing the nano site and found out that some people manage to write as much as 7,000 words a day.
i just don't understand.
it makes me want to stop.
-
bad thoughts.
:(

NaNo news 6

2010-11-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

as you can see on my NaNo word count widget (see the sidebar), i happened to have managed at least one day to write slightly over the recommended average (indicated by green).

i wrote well into chapter 3, the chapter i didn't feel like writing two days ago - see the post below.

but somehow i managed to see what is going on at that part of the story.

standing at about 4,000 words alone, i declare chapter 3 ready.

well, for the time being, that is.

so, whenever i have time during the day, i'm off to chapter 4, which is supposed to be about the school years of my Margaret.

this is when she finds out and realises that she is a bit different from the others, this is where some other characters emerge and act beside her immediate family.

(in chapters 2 and 3 it was only her mother, father, mothernal grandparents, her aunt and a nurse at the hospital).

now in chapter 4, i have to create her teachers, schoolmates, first love? - oops, i had no idea about that ;)

so far, so good.

i'm enjoying the process.

NaNo news 5

2010-11-09T00:04:00.000-08:00

yesterday i wrote chapter 1 (which is a poem about 150+ words) and wrote about 800 words into chapter 3. well, chapter 3 did not go as well as i thought it would/should have gone.

-
chapter 2 is a compilation of fragments of memories, mixed with the events of the present - and it fit chapter 2 well, but i got tired of it by the time i reached chapter 3.
-
in my plans, chapter 3 was way longer than chapter 2 - but now i face the situation where the events i foreplanned for chapter 3 are no longer of special interest for me.
-
i'll give it another go today and will move on to a more exciting chapter 5.
-
i don't know whether it is a wise decision or not.
all i know is i have to write.
-
for statistics, see the widget on the sidebar.

NaNo news 4

2010-11-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

the first week has gone and instead of 12,500 words i am at 3,900+
-
as of today, i am more than happy to announce that my main character, to whom i will refer to as Margaret has come to live: her mother has just given birth to her in the second chapter.
according to my plans, the first chapter is one single poem.
the second one, which i have completed today is in its draft version and is about 3,900+ words.
-
also i would like to draw your attention to photography blog, where some of the photos has inspired me in one way or another to write the story.
-
and my next goal is to start writing chapter three, which, according to my plan is about the early childhood of Margaret.
-

NaNo news 3

2010-11-05T02:43:00.000-07:00

it seems a bit tough a challenge for me to write as much as i have to.
i may come up with all various excuses, such as the dental operation, the swollen head (yesterday it was so bad i sometimes had difficulties using my eyes properly) and i got tired very easily), also the kids are at home...
-
still, the story wants to come out and i trust the drive i have to finish it.
i will keep you updated.
-

2010-11-02T14:44:00.001-07:00

NaNo news 2

2010-11-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

well, the word count totalled 600 yesterday.
today it was a tough call at the dentist. i had four of my front teeth removed (due to the accident), my upper jawline drilled and one implant placed into the hole, and one tooth treated.
although drugged with painkillers, i wrote about 200 words today.
(which makes the total about 800. - instead of 5000)
i feel tired and dizzy and my face is swollen.
there should be better days to come.
cheers,

NaNo news 1

2010-11-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

i have started writing it.
today we had a trip, so i brought along paper and pen notebook and wrote it by hands.
now i'm typing it into my computer. i have no laptop.
the nano site is not working properly. i can not upload today's writing.
according to my calculations, i have to write 2500 words each working day. i keep weekends for family.
i was supposed to write 2500 words today.
actually the word count for today is about 400. not really fine, is it?
the thing is i made myself working.
-
i am going to the dentist's tomorrow. i don't know if i can write a line or not after the 'events'.

NaNoWriMo 2010

2010-10-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

it all started with a photo in February, 2007.
i toyed with the idea for a while, and even had a conversation with the main character in the summer of 2007.
for a while, there were other projects of writing and not-writing.
i started and finished Halo.
Vesper revised it, helping me genereously with grammar and plot issues.
i will revise Halo again.
it is on its way.
-
at the beginning of October 2010, while in Holland, i got a strange inspiration towards Copper Moon.
this is the news i wanted to share with you, but my accident interfered. it still does, but i digress.
i saw new characters and plot-lines emerging.
i was and still am, thrilled by the new possibilities.
i am still unconvinced that this will make a novel, but again, i digress.
i wish to finish it and i signed up at NaNoWriMo.
i will write it in hungarian.
the aim is to write 50,000+ words.
i will just see.
:)
good luck to us all.

a long way to go :)

2010-10-06T00:31:00.000-07:00

i have started to adjust Halo according to Vesper's notes.

basically, i accept all grammar suggestions; and try to find an alternative wording for every strange or unclear spots.

halo is 13 pages, 32,000+ characters - i go slowly.

here's one example of the unclear spots.

the original text, now edited between three stars goes like this:

***He kept the uphill march (...) towards his goal. He panted with the late morning heat. His physical score was somehow lower now – he needed food. ***

i bolded the expression Vesper questioned.

in italics, here's what she added:

Maybe ‘condition’ is a better word here, or maybe something like ‘He felt weeker now…’

the thing is, Hail (the main character) is playing a computer game at the moment. i fancy this is a game where the state of the player's physical, mental and spiritual characteristics are displayed in a scale-like fashion. if a player scores low on the physical, it means that he is weak. the reason behind weakness can be either hunger, a previous attack, age (too young or too old), or lack of certain muscle development. if one scores high on the physical it means he is strong.

i wonder if should go like...

/-/He panted with the late morning heat. His score on the physical scale was somehow low – he needed food./-/

what do you think?

at the same time i am quite happy to say that on my trip last week i have returned to my beloved copper moon.

some note on Vesper's reply

2010-09-23T03:01:00.000-07:00

i received the manuscript red all over and i liked it :))))
it means Vesper have thoroughly combed it, and found, i suspect, all the grammar mistakes.
i don't mind my grammar corrected - i use less english these times and my knowledge is failing. i have to get back in shape.
-
as for vocabulary, i'm so glad she checked it, too. at times i must have picked a words from a Hungarian- English dictionary without actually checking the words current meaning in one of the online English-English dictionaries. it is a great advice to check the words before using them the only trouble is you (=someone who's native language is not English) are never sure about which words to check... sometimes you have a rare word, you think you know the meaning, but you are wrong.
i think i've got to be more careful with rare or old words.
-
reading some occassional 'very nice image' among her inserted comments pleased me quite much :)))
-
and in some places my writing was not clear enough.
i will have to go through the text, which i will do gladly.
here's one example. the original text is interrupted twice by Vesper's remarks.

The stand [V1] was still soaked in the darkness of the night and the trees kept hissing [V2]

[V1] I’m not sure what you want to say here.

[V2] Interesting choice of words…

for V1, the stand refers to the place where Hail (the main character) spent his night. this stand is mentioned in a couple of sentences before. Hail has already left it. perhaps this reference is late and should be inserted a bit earlier. 'being soaked in the darkness...' is supposed to mean that it is still dark. i know 'soak' refers to a thing/object/material/textile being saturated by some liquid, but i thought it would make a nice and fresh expression.

for V2, for 'hissing trees', i went for something to express how the small branches and leaves kept rustling, crackling among one another. i wanted to add a sense of danger.
perhaps i was wrong with that idea.... perhaps this just doesn't work in English.
:)
i will have to revise and possibly re-place this sentence.
-
finally, i would like to express my thanks again for her.
-

a short answer to Vesper

2010-09-16T02:32:00.000-07:00

who has taken her time and read my short story.
she asked quote Last night, they were showing an ad on tv about an xbox game named "Halo". Does it have anything to do with your Halo? end quote.
my short answer is a definite no.
-
for a long answer, read further...
it all started with Jason. he had this contest where the photograph we had to use was named Halo. it showed a forest with a clearing and a ray of sunlight.
i simply kept the name of the photograph as a title.
basically i used the original meaning of the word - my hero is looking for something to illuminate his life. he is looking for a clear stance. a victory. a light within the darkness of the tangled branches.
-
so, I finished my contest entry (limited to 250 words) with the title Halo and just when i was thinking about expanding it to a larger piece have i come accross the actual game named Halo.
-
the original idea had nothing to do with the game, but once i figured out Halo is a name of a game i kind of started to enjoy the coincidence. it may or may not draw readers who have played (or are still playing) with the game for example.
-

halo - the first reader

2010-09-08T02:27:00.000-07:00

Vesper, the first one to read Halo besides me, has finished reading. she keeps me informed about her opinion about the piece via email. it feels so great and exciting.

i'm patiently waiting for her comments on the story and her grammar suggestions.

this flower goes out to honor her time and efforts.

covers head

2010-08-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

my dearest readers,

please accept my apologies for not replying you sooner.

i have two blogs in english and one in hungarian and this particular one is the one i frequent the least these days.

as you probably know this particular blog is dedicated to writing 'copper moon' and 'halo' - so when i'm not writing and have nothing to say about writing these pieces; well, than i say nothing.

i have not posted a single line since march; which means these projects has been out-of-work since march.

i am sorry for that -

but now, behold!

kindest vesper has made an offer to review 'halo' - which offer i simply was unable to turn down, i think you all understand ;)

so... this is just great news i think.

vesper will be of good help for me to polish the short story.

i hope all's well with you...

please check my replies for your kind comments in the previous post.

revision

2010-03-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

is only a couple of days (a minimum of 10) ahead...
i'm doing a translation job that's taking my brains, but once i'm done i think i'm ready to wade through those couple of pages.
any suggestions about doing revision?
shall i start at page one going all the way to the end?
or shall i jump between sections?
which shall go first?
grammar or overall message?
what other approaches proved useful and not useful for you and why?
any ideas are welcomed.
thank you!

retreat

2010-02-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

I joined a writers' group last March. I was enthusiastic about the group.

I was looking for a peer group to have my work judged, encouraged, revised and corrected. perhaps I set my expectations too high.

last September, I took up singing in a women's choir. Since sessions overlap, I preferred singing.

I am still on the mailing list and can reach anyone I wish; I know about the events (e.g. public readings) going on, I receive the monthly assignments via email.

but I don't actually get to those monthly meetings. I miss the lectures, the practical instructions, the on-the-spot exercises, and most of all, feedback.

To be honest, I've never found the amount of feedback sufficient enough in these meetings either.

Especially in the case of those home-works. I think designating homeworks is a great idea. None is expected to came out with the next piece worthy of a new Nobel-prize in literature. None believes these home assignments are the best pieces of one's either . They are exercises, and should be considered as such. They all need a revision.

For example, the latest task was to write a dialogues for stage performance. The limit was one page. We had to focus on the movements, bodily actions of the speakers. The main task was to write an accurate, minute decription of the participiants. There were three themes, and we had to write one dialogue per each theme.

I wrote two dialogues, and compressed as many sorts of body movements as possible. I visualized my characters on stage. Sometimes I added a verbal (spoken) line or two just for the sake of adding more actions to the scene.

I submitted my work to the group.
-
I expected a feedback on my job along the lines of... 'scene1 is not realistic, because the female character moves too much. such movements are not justified by the theme. Scene2 is better. there is a definite action-reaction going on between the movements of the two characters' or... you know... something like this. something very short would have sufficed for the purpose quite fine.
but you know what?
I received no feedback at all.
I know people are busy... everyone is.
erm, everyone, including me.
a home work is a job for both parts.
I do expect a teacher to revise and comment on the job I've done.
that's what teachers are for.
-
the result?

I somehow no longer find time to do the homeworks.

I am very sorry to have gone through this experience.

on the mailing list however, I came up with the idea of setting up a blog where we can debate over the piece of writing. in the case of a invited-commenters-only version, privacy and publishing rights issues are not a problem.

the reply from the administrator of the mailing list was that there was a blog for this purpose, but it was not used.... well... it was not advertised among the members of the group.... it was not a really alive blog either :S

no other reply to my idea turned up on the list either.... :S

so I keep on reading your blogs (listed on the right bar beside the body of the post), keep picking up information, experiences, hints and experiments about and with writing.

I write whenever I have to, and stick to it. that's all.

how do you get sufficient feedback? what is your opinion about an appropriate feedback, anyway? :)

cheers,

your bitter but faithful reader.

first draft

2010-01-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

I've finished the first draft of Halo. this is official :)))

actually, I have finished it a day ago, but the last few words are a poem written by one of the characters, and I had to do some research and generally, I disliked the way the poem was first written.

now I'm kind of satisfied with it and now I'll relax my brain. my plan is to revise it within a couple of weeks.

1. I understand that seeing a novel published is great a cause to celebrate one's authorship, but does finishing a draft have a same effect on you? do you celebrate it at all? I think this is highly personal... it depends on the writer as a person, and yes, this is what I'm interested in: people.

in the meantime I'll be sure to check out Jason's new contest. there are always a great number of suprising, inspiring and outstanding short pieces. I'm looking forward to read my friends entries, but I am open to read and enjoy all sorts of ideas, style and theme.

at the moment I have one idea in mind, that might make a nice poem as an entry, but I'll just see.

2. are you planning to enter?

another full moon

2010-01-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

this wonderful and inspirational photo was made by our next-garden neighbour.

I'm working on Halo again. I hope to finish it quite soon. This evening, when the kids were finally in bed (it's still school holiday, so it's quite difficult to make them go to sleep...) so I was pouring myself some tea in the kitchen and my husband was brushing his teeth before going to bed, and he was about to talk to me, which he did, but with not much of a success, for I saw my MC sitting outside a lonely railway station - and you all know the feeling :)))

you are invited to share some of these interesting spurs. tell us about a situation, funny/absurd/strange/normal as it may be, when inspiration hit you in the middle of something ELSE. like you were doing some shopping, but had to grab a pen and scribble a few words down on the shopping list for example. -

a few words before it's over

2009-12-28T02:42:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: I browsed this blog only to find my thoughts about music and about finishing Halo QUITE a time ago. ouch. I've been postponing finishing for quite a heap of justified and unjustified reasons for such a long time it hurts now just to think about it.

---

what is over?
no, not the blog - although it has shown positive signs of dying over the past few months. I am sorry for that.
I was kind of distracted from writing the story (named Copper Moon) this blog was set up for in the first place.
first I started to write another piece (named Halo), got on with it quite well - well, at least it has been the good case for a couple of weeks, but I'm kind of stuck now. to be honest I have been stuck with Halo for a good couple of month now.
I have written some 5,2k words and the story is about to end within a few pages. according to the original idea, there are only 3 scenes left.

-
the problem is that Halo is more like a vignette. a vignette of 5,200 words? - I hear the roar and/or laughter from the virtual distance.

-
I have to face it: the story has no real story. it's rather like a description of someone's mental and physical breakdown. no real plot. no real evolution of the main character. Halo kinda lacks all these. it does give hints and suggestions, some of the passages are quite likeable and realistic, some others need some revision, some passages fit into the story quite well, some others seem to fit a much larger story instead.
-
I think I just have to force myself to finish it (= write those final 3 scenes) and decide later on about the manuscript. UPDATE: I have already added 1K+ characters to Halo today. Who-hoo.
-
1. any opinions?
-
and finally, thoughtful Rick has asked me not to let music take the place of writing. heh, if only he knew I took up singing :)))
he will know now, and there's nothing wrong with it. I sing in a women's choir, we do religious and folk songs, and the like.
but I think I quite accept his thoughts about finding it hard to escape music in this modern era of ours. some people even go further into claiming that 'they refuse to be in silence' - now that is so very sad. these people do not allow their inner voice be heard by themselves. either b/c there is none... or b/c those frighten/tire/bore themselves...
I'm all into music, and with a few exceptions, I like all sorts of it from ancient pagan chantings to folk songs, from Mozart to System of a Down to ambient...
but sometimes it takes silence to get your thoughts heard.
-
so, what is over?
why, 2009 of course.

2. How was your writing year of 2009?

2009-09-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Full Moon at 2 September.

There has been a lot going on lately... or is it just that I'm more tired... ?

This is a post about one of the homework we were given in the writers' group.

-to be continued-

feeling the moon

2009-08-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

I found that somehow the Full Moon has an influence over me.

I'm more sensitive, inspiration seem to just come... I don't mean it makes me a better writer at all, but the flow is higher - and does it make me a werewolf?

do any of you experience anything similar?

not so good news-or are they?

2009-08-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

summer's here and the kids are at home.
I have next to nothing in the inspiration department so all I can do is frown at my own non-compliance of my wow to keep on writing.
sad and pathetic I know, but I'm sure it will get better.
it just can not get worse I'm afraid :))
-
but no, that ain't true.
I did write four poems inspired by a short-lived strange feeling toward a special someone, plus I wrote a fifth one inspired by a long-span strange feeling toward one (other) special someone - coding, just coding here, my all...

*edited by me: all the five poems are in Hungarian, but one of them is translated into English with the help of my blogging-friend Chris.
-
which means that yes, I can pat myself on my back for in case of a definite need, there *is* inspiration and writing.
what else can anyone hope for?
-
I hope you are going on fine with your writing projects, my dear.
be well,
SzélsőFa

Third meeting

2009-05-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

The third meeting is due today.

In the email circular our leader suggested that there would be less projects and more fun in the classes.

This time I am way behind with my homeworks. We had like 4/5 tasks and I'm finished with 2.

One of them was to revise one (or one part of) my previous work.

I have two ongoing projects (wips). One is Halo, the other one is called Copper Moon. I have not contributed a single line to the latter in more than a year. Do you think it means I will never ever finish it? I don't think so. I want to finish Halo first, you know.

So, since none of my longer-sized wips are ready I re-composed a poem instead.

It is a simple 8-line paganistic poem.

I adjusted the number of syllables so as to have the same length of lines, removed 2 cliches and 1 inappropriate word. I chose more suitable words and expressions. Also I changed 1 word to avoid unnecessary repetition.

This poem is written in Hungarian.

I usually do this revision as a habit, you know.

Now the strange thing was to do it deliberately and with defined methods.

I tend to write impulsively, which sometimes results in quite a flow of words, sometimes with not a word at all for weeks. I assume this is not the right way, but I find it hard to manage and control my inspiration. I don't even know if any control is possible.

Whenever I'm finished with something I usually check the thing over to remove and unwanted repetitions, cliches, misused words, inappropriate subjects and objects, verb usage, grammar and so on.

I do it impusively, too -

How your writing's going?

Another task

2009-04-22T23:33:00.001-07:00

We were given lots of tasks in the first meeting.
Some of them I described in the posts beneath this one, and there's one left.
It was called : Change your life.
At first, you had to choose an important event of your life. Most preferably, it needed to be a conflict, an exciting moment, something with lots of emotions involved.
Once you had this memory in mind, you had to write it
1-in first person singular
2-in third person singular
3-having different POVs, preferably from each person involved
4-with all the persons 15 years older/younger
5-in a completely different set of emotions (say, if the original story was happy, now you had to write a sad one)
6-in a completely different set of events, but with the exact same set of emotions (say, if you had an uplifting story with a birth involved, you had to re-write it about, say, a car accident, but with the same uplifting tone.)
-
I'm sorry but I don't have the time to translate my versions, I might do this some time later...But not now.
I chose an event that happened to my son in his classroom.
There were him, his best friend and a bad guy (a third classmate) and this bad guy's best friend in the story. I wrote it from each of their point of views.
I chose to re-write the story when the characters were 20 years older. The guys became co-workers. The whole event has taken up a more detached tone, with a tired feeling.
For number five I chose that the bad guy was good.
For number six I changed the setting to a skiing camp, where the main character decides not to go on with the camp so as to avoid something that made him fear.
-
It was really interesting to see how different the monologoues of the different characters were. The most difficult thing for me was to define the range of emotions (for tasks # 5 and 6).
The most challenging task was to write #6. Interestingly though, once I had a sparkle of inspiration I finished it off quite quickly and nicely.
-
This #6 was the one I read aloud at the second meeting.
I wonder what people thought the original story was....
:))))
-
'll be back with more news soon.
Cheers,
SzF.

My answers and a new task

2009-03-17T00:57:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
I am thankful for your answers for my three *whatif*s.
The game is not closed, so you may all contribute another completion anytime you wish.
Yet, as I promised here are my three finishing lines:
1-What if everyone in a park suddenly fell asleep?
Everyone would be having the same dream in which they are having a garden party with balloons and funs and jokes so that when people gets awake, with the same memory in their mind, they all share smiles and laughter with each other.
-
2-What if someone, working in a car repair shop fixed a tank (a sturdy army machine) out of the parts the shop normally uses?

Suspecting conspiracy, he starts his own private investigation into the company.

-
3-What if a family found out that they have to move into a foreing country?
A painful farewell party is organized and given, when love-and-hate relationships formerly hidden came into the front, leaving former friends as enemies, and former neutrals as close friends.
-
And now, since my computer is due to another re-installation, I'm leaving you with another task. I mean this is a task we were given, but it's kind of fun so you are encouraged to share your results with me.
The original task was to pick a recent day of my life.
I had to write about the events in a.) first person singular; b.) third person; c.) in sentences containing not more than 10 words; d.) in one long sentence; and finally e.) using only nouns, with a limit of 40 words for the day.
I did it dutifully, but it was a tedious task.
I found doing a.) and b.) a bit boring, but the difference between various POVs came out nicely.
Task c.) was really, really boring, because I love long sentences when it comes to description. I think this task was to make events appear faster than they really were. Any opinion on that?
Task d.) on the other hand was really challenging, because we were not allowed to use 'and' as a connection. Task e.) came as a refreshing one and it created a dramatic effect.
-
Now, if you are still in the mood for a game, pick any of a-e. and write it in the comments section.
And as I'm taking this course in Hungarian I will not translate tasks a.-d. - anyway, they are quite boring, but I'm presenting you with my solution for task e.
-
March 3.

Awakening.
Chicken.
Corn.
Bed.
Kitchen.
Breakfast.
Quarrel.
School.
Discussion.
Notes.
Plans.
Pen.
Writing.
Music.
Exercise.
Tiredness.
Slaughterpants.
Garden.
Chase.
Axe.
Neck.
Feather.
Skin.
Intestines.
Meat.
Lunch.
Boy.
Girl.
Games.
Joy.
Home.
Table-tennis.
Tiredness.
Laughter.
Dinner.

Homework for April

2009-03-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

The followings were among the homework we had to finish before our April meeting - my notes are in italics.
Task One:
Complete three sentences starting with 'what if'. I guess this exercise helps gathering new ideas, finding a nice start for a plot perhaps. Strange as it may seem but I'm new to the terminology of writing. If I misuse any word, please let me know so that I can use it correctly.
We had to write our threes right during the meeting and our homework was to answer each of those three questions in one sentence.
Hear my three 'what if'-s:
1-What if everyone in a park suddenly fell asleep?
2-What if someone, working in a car repair shop fixed a tank (a sturdy army machine) out of the parts the shop normally uses?
3-What if a family found out that they have to move into a foreing country?
You turn - if you have time and willingness, that is, of course.
Finish my 'what if'-s with your answers. One sentence per each question, please.
I've written my three answers to these, and will be willing to give them away within a couple of days.
But I'd love to see your versions, too.
Let's play, if you're in the mood for a little game.

The first meeting

2009-03-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hosted by the local library, the the first meeting went easier than I expected.
I had this fear of getting into
a.) a group of published, and/or otherwise famous authors, where I would definitely feel minor and unworthy,
b.) a bunch of people with no talent, in which case the idea of visiting the group would deem pointless.
It turned out that the group consists of aspiring authors with talents of different kind. They both have the drive to create and they are eager to learn.
I think this is an inspiring environment for me.
-
The leader of the group is an author of several fiction books. He's middle aged. He listens to our works and takes his job seriously. He's kind but firm when it comes to managing a debate. So far, first impressions are good.
-
And now about the actual events:
There were two newcomers, including me. When everyone arrived, we introduced ourselves. I'm far too shy when it comes to public self-introduction. I want to make a good impression yet stick to the truth - the outcome is an honest, but not-so-flattering mumble of words. Pfft.
-
The leader talked about some basic aspects of writing a longer piece of work.
Most of the topics he covered were covered with my fellow bloggers. I recall Charles having mentioned the importance of pacing (i.e. alternating between fast and slow, events and dialogues, etc.).
He emphasized the importance of an outline.
These things may seem far too obvious, but the main point is that they only seem so. The leader admitted having to send 100k of his new novel into the Recycle Bin due to the lack of a coherent outline.
I think his honesty may make these sessions more valuable.
-
Every once in the while his speech was interrupted by handing out and/or checking exercises.
One of them was to analyse three poems by a famous Hungarian poet named Pilinszky János, one of them was to write 3 sentences starting with the ever famous 'What if...'.
Then, we were to read our writings.
As I gathered, each time tasks are given. Everyone gets the same set of tasks as a homework.
-
For this occassion one of the homeworks was a so called self-inducing paragraph.
The task was to write the first sentence just about anything we want. The second sentence however, had to be composed by using 2 or 3 words of the same sentence. The third sentence had to contain 2 or 3 words from the first two sentences and so on - until you feel it's finished. Here's my job (translated into English)
-
Looking out of the window she saw braches covered with snow, sparkling in the sunshine against the clear blue of the sky. The world was covered with snow; branches were mixed with the sunshine. In front of the window on the small garden path a cat shook some snow off of himself. Mixed in his coat, there were black and grey mixed with the shower of snow falling off the branches. The path was grey; his pupil was black against the blue of the sky. In the frame of the window, under the branches a hunter was on his way on the garden path.
-
I read my version, others have read theirs, too, and we had a little discussion.
-
Finally, we got our homework for the April meeting.
Pending computer availability, I will probably inform you about those as well.
But since the language of this course is Hungarian, I will or may not be always supply you with the actual texts I write as homework.
Yet the problems explored in a homework are universal.
-
My overall impression was that I will definitely attend next time to see how it goes. To floow the others, to improve myself...
When I informed my husband about the nature and quantity of homework he raised his eyebrows….
-

One

2009-03-02T22:38:00.000-08:00

Phew, I'm back from the writers' club event I attended for the first time last evening.

- I'll be back with details soon.

a simultaneous post

2009-02-25T02:44:00.000-08:00

Well, my home computer is broken but will be up and ready within a few days.
Surprisingly enough, I seem to enjoy the peace the lack of internet means in our home.

In the meantime, let me draw your attention towards my other blog called Gondolatok az erdőben. Don't get warned away by the Hungarian title. I write my blog in English (well, the one I know).
The Hungarian title means 'thoughts in the forest', or 'forest thoughts', and is basically about anything I face in my real or imaginary life.
Whenever I have anything to publish is getting published here. Poems, writings, photos and musings about everyday...it's all there, while this one is about writing only.

Thanks for your attention.

2009-02-23T00:47:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Blue death has taken my home computer. This I write from the office PC of my husband.
We are trying to find the best solution as soon as possible.

goin' local

2009-02-19T04:50:00.001-08:00

while I am an advocate for local thinking (as an opposite to globalism) it never occurred to me to actively search for a local circle of writers...
it seems now that the opportunity is just here fine at this very point of my life :)
reading my mailbox I came accross an ad for the March session of the local group of writers/poets. As far as I see, this is a helping group, a writers' class, if you like, for any unpublished writer or writer-to-be.
I remember when Paul wrote a post about going to the first of his writers' class. His was excited about it and so I am.
I don't know anyone.
I contacted one of the organizers in an email and got my first homeworks...
More on those later on...
Did I tell you I was excited?

funny or sad?

2009-02-12T02:03:00.000-08:00

I returned to see how can I possibly finish writing Halo. I opened the word document, isn't that great? This is something I have not done in weeks.
I found 22,000+ characters and a couple of instructions to move further on.
I also found this particular sentence labelled (by me) as **a bad example of mismatched subjects and actions**
Here we go:
Hail’s left foot moved forward and raised his sword above his own head.
---
Oops.
---

The online game is over

2009-02-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

inspiration here you come?
-
I'll be working on it ;)
Cheers,
your not-a-writer

covers head

2009-01-08T04:01:00.000-08:00

hm, the server I'm playing is about to close within two weeks now.

Which means I'll have more free time and brain capacity to focus on the work I've started.

As a (bit of a silly) New Year Resolution, I woved to finish Halo this year.

I have no illusions about it - since at the moment I haven't got the slightest notion and inspiration as I used to have. But I'm being patient with myself.

when? ever?

2008-12-12T02:04:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry to make you wait so long for any update in about the story I write...

To be honest I have not added a single line to Halo since 12 September.

My hero, Hail is addicted to a computer game.

And so am I.

Being addicted did help me writing in some way abut obviously hindered me in many other ways.

But there are promising signs on the horizon.

I do not feel as much addicted as I did recently.

Secondly, and more importantly, the server ends within the couple of weeks and so does the game I play. It is the nature of this game that is lasts for a certain, restricted period of time. So unlike Hail, I will be able to quit.

In the last post I referred to a piece of writing that was inspired by the game I play. I wrote that in Hungarian and just a week ago, I added another part to that piece.

I loved writing that one, too.

writing in Hungarian

2008-10-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,
first of all, I'm sorry about being a rare poster.
-
Now, onto business.

As some of you might remember, my WIP is about a person who finds pleasure in computer games. Guess what. I find much, too.

Now, I'm in a multiplayer online game (those are the worst, believe me) and it takes quite a time from me. Sometimes I find it hard to accomplish my normal duties.

The server I'm on will finish somewhere between late December to mid February, depending on the state of the war we're fighting.

Does it sound ridiculous?

Or is it a shame?

Chances are, both.

One might think this 6 months I've been playing this game so far is a waste of time. I'm not sure.

I keep telling myself I've made some friends, I've learned some more about human nature, and most of all, I've learned a lot about myself.

I also keep telling myself that this experience will help me write my WIP with a better grip on the subject, that is, being addicted to a game.

I hope this won't turn a lie.

I hope I do write this thing of mine.

The funny thing is that some of the playersI'm playing with have started writing a series of short stories that revolve against the topic of the game.

They started writing a story set in a medieval aura.

Guess what.

Did I join by adding a story to the flow of stories written by fellow players?

Bingo.

And I loved it.

LOVED, LOVED, ABSOLUTELY LOVED WRITING IT.

I incorporated some of my fellow virtual friends into my story. Those who read it, liked it.

That was all for today.

not quite there yet, but...

2008-09-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

I started writing this WIP of mine for various reasons.

As you all know, it started as a contest entry for one of Jason's competitions. It gained no medal or special price whatsoever, but readers found it likeable and suggested to expand the original 250-word piece.

And I gladly started doing so.

Now the word count is 5,200 - including the newest addition of... uhm:47 words, yes, forty-seven... I wrote this very today whooohooo!

This made me wonder about the fate of Halo.

I am almost a hundred percent sure that it will not be published in any form.

I do not dream of being published and I do not wish to suffer through the various step and stages of publishing either.

I'd definitely like to get Halo read, at least by those I like, by those whose opinion I count upon. It is a piece of my soul, like a child, or like a secret garden within me I'd like to share.

And here comes the thing: I am almost positive that I have made some mistakes: grammatical or other. I would like someone read it before I make it available for all those people I value. Or...I might hand it out to those I think I will and ask them all to comment on anything they would like to comment.

I don't know yet.

Charles and Bernita, thanks for your kind words. And basically, I would like to thank all of you who visit and comment here or on my other, English language site...

I just wanted to let you all know that your feedback matters much to me.

I feel connected, I feel being heard -

thank you.

was it really me?

2008-09-11T04:13:00.001-07:00

Uhm...

I took a glimpse into my long-abandoned WIP. I found it interesting and started asking myself: was it really me who wrote these lines?

Perhaps I should be waiting for an inspiration.

The drive to finish it is here all right, and I've got a few ideas, too - but I don't feel I can write up to the standards of those lines, paragraphs and even pages. It's not that I feel I wrote something extra-special and outstanding.... I did not.

I simply like what I read.

And now I'm further away from composing a sentence or two.

Perhaps I should blame it on the long interval of non-writing...

*sighs*

Creeping back

2008-08-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Summer's almost over, at least, speaking of a school-kid's view.
I hope to return to blogging very soon.
Jason's inspiring poetry about a rock and Bernita's musings about the simple monetary facts of real life and their usual lack in fiction were two threads to start to lead me back to where I feel some part of me belongs.
Whew.
What a long sentence.
I'll be back I think.
I'll be writing Halo again, finishing it one fine day...
Hmmmmmmmmm...
- - -
How was your summer?
What are your plans for the near future?

summer's toll

2008-08-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a month since my last post.

I try to collect my thoughts, but my days are so loud and noisy I can't really think about writing as such. There are some ideas lingering in my head, as to the upcoming end of my Halo, but...the noise around...and within my head...Can't wait to see the school get started :P

I keep visiting the blogs I like and although I do not comment as often as I used to do, I do read them all, and enjoy them anyway.

That's been all for today and it's almost midnight.

Under another Full Moon, I'm falling into the bed now...

some

2008-07-14T23:56:00.000-07:00

oooops, I killed someone else HERE. This is, as per usual, a great contest by Jason, with lots of supportive comments and nice feedbacks - go, I say, over to Jason's and help yourself among the many surprising and well-written entries*.

In other news, Hail's still alive, immerged in computer games I suppose...

How often do YOU do something else INSTEAD?

To be honest I'm quite satisfied with having done at least SOME-thing.

*I found it quite to hard to praise the entries in one go when mine's there too - I hope you don't misunderstand me.

have not

2008-07-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

yet.
'll be back.
'm drowsing off to
.
.
.
.
.

Full Moon

2008-06-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

and I'm on my way to kill someone I like and know oh-so-well.
It's not the first time, not the last one, either.
-
How many times did you do this?
What was it like?
-

PS: thank you for your kind comments on my expert. It seems that the adding of small references to perceptions within a particular situation enhanced the dialogue.

I am going to keep the descriptions of the surroundings.

I was to, anyway, but your opinion helped me to stick to my mind.

version two

2008-06-09T08:18:00.001-07:00

For reference, see the post right under this one.

The following conversation is almost the same one, but I added some reference to the surrounding and their behaviour here.

Your advice and suggestions are welcomed as to 1.) whether the adjustment improved or made it worse 2.) anything else about practically anything.

I've already made my mind about the changes, but I'd like to hear your opinion as well.

----------------

- Uhm, you should drink and eat healthy, Hail. – The pattern on the shoulder of Hail’s winter coat, now hung above the shoes, bore a slight resemblance to the shed skin of pumpkins.
- I will. The office is closed. What a progress I’ll be making during those entire four days! My fingers are already itching.
- We were worried about you.
The snowflakes were melting on the coat. Beyond the clothes rack, the only light intruding the darkness of a larger room was the flashing of a standby.
- I see, but you should not. I am fine now. I hear the calling.
Darkness stayed. The photos on the wall remained silent.
- You’ve got any plans, like visiting relatives, or friends? Does he even have those?
- Uhm, nothing special. It’s not that you would not understand. It’s that it’s my own quest.
- Well, have a nice time then. – The shoes were arranged neatly on the shoes rack. The smell of shoe polish mingled with something he could not trace quite well. I wish I could get some of those chocolate cakes for Anna.

words

2008-06-05T03:59:00.000-07:00

Finally, I've returned to some polishing. I'm not yet finished, thanks for asking - it's the usual 'rolling revision'.

Among many other important factors, Bernita mentioned that a good dialogue should be as much interesting as the action scenes and should be able to carry the story further on, just the same.

The dialogue I'm working on is short, is between 2 people (main character and another person) and it is a dialogue, nothing more.

I thought I would be adding something else, to make it go beyond words. But everytime I re-read it I don't see anything that can be or should be added. I think it's because I know it almost by heart. I know that the obvious advice is to leave it as that and return later on...

But you know what?

Here's an excerpt: this is part of the dialogue. The whole conversation is 245 words, and the word count for this little piece is 104.

------------

- Uhm, you should drink and eat healthy, Hail.
- I will. The office is closed. What a progress I’ll be making during those entire four days! My fingers are already itching.
- We were worried about you.
- I see, but you should not. I am fine now. I hear the calling.
- You’ve got any plans, like visiting relatives, or friends? Does he even have those?
- Uhm, nothing special. It’s not that you would not understand. It’s that it’s my own quest.
- Well, have a nice time then. I wish I could get some of those chocolate cakes for Anna.

-------------

Do you think the scene needs indication of physical actions, hints of movements, description of the flat they have just arrived into?

Do you think their inner thoughts should be italicized?

Do you find this conversation boring to some extent?

Thank you for your suggestions. Shove them into my thick skin.

It is official -

2008-05-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

I am a lazy bastard.

Damn, I have the same addiction as Hail, my main character does.

Computer games.

When I'm feeling blue I feel deep blue: where my life is going to?

When I'm feeling better, I suggest I'm just getting experience to write my WIP from a better perspective. Is it a lie?

In the meantime, I'm suggesting you take a look at a contest HERE on my other blog. The rules are also available there.

It is connected to movies, some well-known, some not-so-much.

I do hope you are doing better in achieving your goals in writing - I'm still *coughs* collecting.

Full Moon

2008-05-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there are organized meditation events in association with the Full Moon? I did not, either, but it's fascinating. I'd love to take part in one of those, if there was one near me and in my own language.

For the time being I walk in our garden, watch the heavenly body grown full, among the branches, enjoy the scent of elderberry and of moist soil...

I hold my head up high in contemplation, with my eyes fixed on the sky... and I wait for the inspiration to come....

a long time

2008-05-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been a long time since I last addded a single word to Halo - and I don't even remember the last time I added anything to Copper Moon, either...

Hail, MC to Halo is a loveable creature. With all his bad dispositions and bad fate, he's one likeable hero. I like him and I'd like to meet him and see and register how his fate continues.

Today I read some lines and I liked him even more. The sorrow I feel for neglecting him is almost painful. I wish I had the time and quietness around me.

I'm still searching for the real end of the story.

Fighting the obvious

2008-04-28T06:49:00.001-07:00

I have not written anything in the past couple of days.

Good news? Bad ones? Definitely bad, for me. But the value of my non-writing to literature is a completely different question. You see, today I screened through the fight scene, only to find horrible sentences like this one:

Hail’s left foot moved forward and raised his sword above his own head.

Bitter moments, my dear. When I came accross things like this in my own writing I ask myself the obvious: why?

Plus: Why English, for God's sake?

I do want to finish it.

Part of me wants to finish it as soon as possible - to get over this. Part of me wishes to wait until I'm relaxed and able to concentrate on writing. I think I'm listening to the second half of me.

I made the photo on 27 April, 2008. It is an ancient Hungarian martial art called Baranta (all 'a'-s are pronounced like the vowel in the English word 'one'.)

Full Moon

2008-04-19T02:01:00.000-07:00

She's hiding among her courtsladies.
So is my inspiration.
A dry spell? Perhaps.
Loss of interest? I don't think so.
-
The end of my WIP is still awaiting to be written.
-

As I mentioned earlier I took up the habit my MC has in Halo. I must confess I'm almost living the life he has. Almost.

I'm grateful for the difference.

Have you created any heroes that you'd gladly swap life with?

Or, if you are not a writer, which fiction character's life would you most like to take over?

Let me see.

From the LOTR series, I'm definitely partial to Eowyn. She's faithful, supportive and fierce. She's got strong emotions towards her man, her country and her kindsmen.

And you?

If your choice is not so well known, please support your choice with a short description of him/her.

Hiding

2008-04-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

I woved not to expose any excerpts from my WIP.
If my work was to published, this might make sense.
But now it does not. OR not really.
-
The photo depicts my son, aged 11+, who likes to hide himself in clothes, especially when being photographed :-)
-
I think I chose not to give out samplings because I wanted to finish it first. This I will stick to. I don't want to be disturbed or digressed because of peer's opinion. But once I'm done your opinion is of extreme importance for me.
-
What's your idea on flashing?

statistics - UPDATED

2008-04-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

Heehee, I'm done with the fight scene.
This is my first-ever fight scene. It is 555 words from the very beginning to the end.

I have never, ever written a fight scene before. The valuable notes of my fellow bloggers were of great help in starting and finishing it. I'd like to express my thanks to Bernita, Charles and both Steves.

First of all, I made a small draft which composed of the basic events.

It went something along this: after the first few chops, MC retreats, finds a suitable shelter to get into the back of the antagonist and with a surprise attack, gets his head off. Searches his clothing and finds a map inside. These words were the skeleton I used.

When actually writing the scene, I found MC retreating into a small cave where he found out that he might as well use a charm upon his enemy. This charm slowed down the enemy's movements. This idea came as strikingly new to me at that point....

Later on I recognized I was listening to Cole Porter's 'When they begin the beguine' taken from the film De-Lovely :)

Unintentionally, I imagined the antagonist following the swaying motion of that music...

The total words count is 4895. I'm not finished with it yet. There are at least 3 scenes left.
-
For the interested, here's the videoclip, taken directly from the movie. Thank you YouTube.
-
UPDATE: in the comments section, where upon Ropi's question I ponder about the importance of first things. You may add your own two cents about the importance of doing things (anything) 'first'.

too good?

2008-04-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

Having finished a larger chunk of official work, yesterday I returned to writing Halo. I did not write much, I added just a few lines.

When I was done (and my family did not let me go on with my writing any longer...arrgh...) I noticed that these lines might just as well be suitable for my other, long-neglected WIP.

It makes me uneasy.

It makes me feel that there are similarities between the two works.

To be honest, there are similarities and I knew them right from the start.

Or almost from the start.

I'm determined to finish off Halo first, but those lines felt somehow too good for it.

Then I felt ashamed.

Is there a thing as too good in writing?

Isn't it that the writer has to write up to his upmost capacity and bring out all the feelings he has inside and master it with practical skills up to his best knowledge?

If a line, or a paragraph feels awesome and great - that is how it should be, isn't it?

One should not save a great paragraph for just in case - should he?

For later works?

For whatever might come along the way?

experience all right

2008-04-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

Without spoiling the plot of Halo, it is about a man who has a strange addiction.

Now the idea came into my head unexpectedly when I started writing it for the contest held by Jason, but now...

Things are taking an interesting turn.

*coughs*

Although I found that some traits of the main character resemble me, I kept a distance. The problem he's in is much more deeper than the one I face. His addiction is much more profound. This is what I used to tell myself.

*coughs*

I thought finding a virtual solution to Hail's problems would help me as well. Or at least, his solution might give me some information about the way out.

In fact my problems are not serious at all.

This is what I used to tell myself.

*coughs again*

Well...

What else can I say?

I think I got to finish it before it's too late.

The end

2008-03-26T03:07:00.000-07:00

No, no, I'm not quitting this blog :)

Right now I have a job so I don't and can't really concentrate on writing Halo, but the other day I was walking along the streets and ...

well, I was thinking about the end I imagined for Halo.

The idea, that sounded fun and a great ending seemed flat and well, not-so-interesting.

I don't know.

I thought it would be a funny twist.

Now I don't know.

I've even started thinking about alternative endings.

I think I will NOT be dealing with writing the ultimate ending* right now.

Things I have to finish with Halo are:

- a fighting scene between MC and someone else (I keep postponing writing this for some reason!)

- the scene that leads to the ending

- the ending scene with a dialogue between MC and someone else

- the aftermath*

I'm a great fan of various music.

From Mozart to Brenda Lee to Nina Simone, from Metallica to KD Lang, anything might come.

But give me some rock'n'roll and/or hiphop and/or rap and I no longer wish to say hello to you.

I' d say goodbye for good. Hee.

Happy Easter

2008-03-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

Easter comes with the turning of the seasons (coming of spring is March 21) and a Full Moon. In our family, there are two birthdays and a so-called name-day between 21 and 25 March. In Hungary, each day of the calendar is dedicated to two or three names. Those who bear that name usually have a small party to celebrate their name-day. My daughter is called Rozália and her day is on 4 September. We give her small presents and a cake. This is a small celebration.

A festivity is are great opportunity to write about various cultures, to give a hearty description of events, clothes, customs, behaviours.

Real or fictional, they provide interesting reads.
-
Also, one might write about a local or family event, like a birthday.

I have not covered festivals and/or special customs in my writing, but I think I will certainly do.

Special customs create an athmosphere of a circle and all those who are not in, are out.

How many birthdays/special festivals, be them fictional or real, have you written about?

Do you like covering the subject?

Mines and yours

2008-03-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

Jason exploits some of his own childhood experience while coming with a cutting edge psychological piece. It takes the form of a dialogue. It starts with simple questions only to reveal the disturbing truth beneath a shiny surface.

Events of childhood, as he puts it in his comment in response to my comment, can lead to stress in adulthood.

Traumas are almost always excellent sources of writing. To me, they are golden mines. If I am the one who went through some suffering, my writing about it helps me in the first place. And if my personal hell somehow matches the reader's own, then my writing might be of some help for him as well. Double the advantage.

When I read about personal sufferings that were not part of my life though I am either

1 - bored, because the stuff has no relevance to my life at all.

2- releaved and loose, because I thank Heavens for not letting me having to experience such horrors.

It's so good to see that what is yours is not mine.

At the same time, opportunity is always there. What was/is yours can be mine. So it's better to be aware.

I like psychological writings. I think Halo somehow will be psychological, too. Provided I'm writing it.... At the moment I'm not.

What's your take on mines and yours?

the four-piece exercise is over

2008-03-10T11:01:00.001-07:00

Chris has set up a special place where all the entries can be read. This blog is up until we all have evaluated each other's entries.

This exercise was something special - we were told that there would be 4 pieces, and each piece was writtten according to special parameters given to us by Chris.

The parameters are on the sidebar of that blog, while the entries are posted as blog entries.

I don't know if outsiders are allowed to comment, but I accept any (supportive) comment as to the grammar, structure, flow, story, way of telling, vocabulary, or anything of my entry.

My entry is about 1000-1200 words long - You might leave your comment here.

If you do not have time to read my entry through, that is all right by me.

Sometimes you just don't have the time.

I find myself quite occupied at times, too.

When your brain is crowded and you need some intellectual refreshment, yet you do not have time to read 3000+ words, really brilliant words...

What dou you do at those times?

Maps and directions

2008-03-03T01:37:00.000-08:00

I thought I would be finishing Halo by the end of January.

Well did I finish it?

No, not even by the end of February.

I work as a freelance translator and I got some unexpected loads of work for February and March.

anytime inspiration hits, though, I keep returning to it and add a few lines.

I'm sorry I can't feed you with some really interesting entries these days...weeks...

Also, I don't think I will explore every part of the drawing. Basically, the story is not about this landscape and the potential events in it. It is about the protagonist.

I have one final scene, a fight scene and the last few paragraphs.

Hell I think I'm halfway through with Halo.

Isn't that great?

Even if I'm not writing it these days...weeks...

There's progress nevertheless.

How's your progress, my dear reader?

UPDATED - Contest time in blogland

2008-02-24T03:43:00.000-08:00

Those, who frequent my other blog know about this.

But I'd like to spread the word here as well - there are two contests going on!

1. with Jason at The Clarity of Night:

Visit the fun and excitement HERE. Even if you do not enter yourself, the variety and quality of entries is amazing.

I've written my part and it is posted on Jason's site as well.

2. With Chris there's a four-part competition.

The entries are quite interesting over there, too!

I have written Parts One, Two and Three as well. I will publish it when I can, over on my other blog.

This is about the fifth contest I enter.

I don't mind how my work is ranked - usually all comments and notes on my writing are supportive and help me develop my style.

I find contests extremely useful.

I know I'm just a newbie among writers, but writing is not my profession - I write when I have to and what I have to.

I know I have a lot to learn, but these contests are great opportunities.

I recall the first contest I took part. It was Jason's Halo contest sometime around the Summer of 2007.

I recall how difficult it was to shave off my word count to meet the 250 limit.

I learned to set the needed apart from the redundant, the interesting from the mundane.

I am unsure whether I trimmed off the best or the worst words, but hey, I keep learning.

Do you like contests?

What profit do you make of them?

you know what?

Now as I've finished my pieces for those aforementined contests, I can return to Halo :))

Happy Full Moon!

2008-02-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

I made this photo from one of our windows. The orange light is coming from a window nearby on the other side of the street, the bottom right white light belogs to a publis street lamp some 200 metres away, while the top light is the Moon Herself.

opening and closing doors

2008-02-18T04:03:00.000-08:00

In the course of completing Halo, I wrote yet another small piece today. It is about a childhood experience. I do not mention it in an explicit way - I think that would feel clumsy. I trust the reader's intelligence and insight.

I hope it works.

I don't think I could be writing down lines like: Hail was remembering his childhood. This and that happened.

I'm just opening a door and let the reader peep.

And understand.

This childhood memory was basically to explain some things of the present. I knew I'd need to write it. I'm still lingering within the scene, I'm not sure if I'm through with it or not.

I will see.

I have opened a door and I'm in the scene.

I will wait until the door closes by itself.

Have a good writing day to day to you all!

whose eyes?

2008-02-12T04:20:00.000-08:00

I saw that Miladysa has a new template. I told her I liked the color and the arrangement, but the top photo sort of frightened me.

She, in return, informed me that this painting was a symbol of motherhood - which means that the thing to be frightened from is my own imagination.

Miladysa used my one of my favourite quote: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So, where there's a full grown woman at the peak of her fertility is supposed to be, I saw a half-dead, drowned woman, who's given in and was following the river's circling movement peacefully, with no intention of getting out.

At the very same time, I have been working on Halo and was seeing my MC to go to an official meeting in a boring office building. I wanted to illustrate that when MC uses the stairs, he gets tired very easily. He's nothing of a fittness champion, you see.

He started going up, that is all right.

But then he started seeing and hearing frightful scenes and/or characters that were not there on the stairs.

What a coincidence.

No wait, there's no coincidence, I don't believe in such a thing.

It's either

I was in a frightened mode, so anything I touched/saw/heard felt frightful.

MC was in a frightened mode, wanted me to write his adventures on the stairs and influenced me to see the lady through his own eyes.

What's your take?

Similar experiences?

2008-02-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

I've just popped in to inform you that I'm working - well, not on Halo, unfortunately.

But this work is what earns me money ;-]

I thought I would finish Halo by the end of January, though...

I keep visiting your blogs, so you'll all see I'm alive :-)

The photo was made by me on 14 May, 2005.

where am I ?

2008-02-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

This conversation (or similar words to the effect of it) actually took place today in the morning, while we were having breakfast.

I started it with some reference to my wip called Halo. I added some more lines the night before and I was satisfied with the going of writing itself.

---

(Son, aged 11) Do you know how your story will end?

(Me) I do.

(Son) And how?

(Me) I'm not going to tell you, let it be a surprise. You will all be able to read it one time.

(Son) Will I find the story be interesting?

(Husband) It's a story about a game, isn't it? It must be interesting.

(Son, recalls having seen the map for the game) Do you write about the game?

(Me) Well, it's a story about someone who plays this game.

(Son) Then it might well just as be boring.

(Me) Yes, that might very well be the case. I don't write it to write an interesting and exciting story. I want to see how the main caracter acts and feels.

(Husband/Son?) Oh, that might as well be quite boring...

(Me) Well, uhm, yes...You see, I don't mind. I just want to write it. I don't want to write a bestseller you know.

- - -

It seems that I have defined myself.

No, I was not delusioned to think my story would sell and would sell millions.

I just felt the need to write it, period.

- - -

I think most authors of modern-time bestsellers write about what they think readers are waiting for. Some of their work is great. Some, not so much. Cliches upon cliches.

And there are those authors who just write, no matter what. Some of their composition feels like crazy, inarticulated howling. Some are just fine. Some feels uneasy.

Some great. Simply great, because the story and/or the way it is told speaks to the reader.

- - -

Where do you stand?

Or, if you do not write, what authors do you feel sympathy for?

I'm around 3100-3300 words now.

Cheers!

swap scenes

2008-01-29T04:33:00.000-08:00

Ironically speaking, it seems that for the time being, I will not earn money by writing and becoming famous as an author - I have lots of other work. Actually it is translating EU documents and informative material, so I keep sitting in front of my computer for hours, which does not leave enough brain and eye capacity for me to work on my WIPs.

I keep telling myself that if the story wants to get out of my head, it will find its way no matter how loaded I am.

Today, as I was walking to the store (it took me 4 hours back an forth plus shopping) I had time to think over some aspects of the current story.

I am not completely satisfied with the events occurring in 'Halo'. I do not want my story loaded with actions. It is so not about fights and actions.

Also I will swap two scenes to get a better approach to the character.

I was thinking of some backstory. Something that explains the present behaviour of the main character. A memory from the past that illuminates some of the strange things Hail does.

- - -

Do you swap scenes, too?

Do you like stones, too?

Photos go out to Bernita!

a little reminder

2008-01-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

This photo of the Full Moon, made on 21 January 2008 in our garden is a reminder. It alludes my mind back to the original track of writing THAT short story.

No, I have not forgotten about it - although I'm much more obsessed with the present work (Halo) at these days and weeks.

Right now, I don't have much time to write Halo either, but that I will probably finish in January, as I promised myself.

-
Many liked the drawing I made and I thank the words of encouragements from you. The drawing below is, or can be a great scheme for a great chain of events in an interesting landscape. However, the chief focus of Halo is not this field of adventure, nor are the events that actually or potentially take place within this environment. Which means that I don't think I will explore every part of the drawing. Basically, the story is not about this landscape and the potential events in it. It is about the protagonist, his stance and development.

I have to remind myself to my original purpose. Otherwise I might get lost in the 'maze' of my words. Perhaps all I need is a little break of a few days to re-think about the idea.

I think the original idea is/was neat, or...uhm...sort of interesting.... and I think I'll stick to it.

I know I have asked a similar question once, and the best answer I got was: 'I stick to my pen' - but as I have a purpose with 'Halo', I have to brush aside words that are not closely related to my subject. 'Halo' is not a novel - it's going to be a short story of about 3000 words... I simply don't have a span wide enough to wonder around contemplating events and feelings that are not STRICTLY important.

What would you do?

Write those wanderings anyway only to delete them at the end if they do not fit?

Or save them for whatever might come later on, for a future story?

Or discard any non-related material to stick with the original plan?

This latter is my option, but how about you?

slow progression

2008-01-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

I sort of working my way through.
Slowly. Who cares about speed, anyway?
I re-read what I have written so far and I sort of like it.
I'm at 2200 now.
-
My main character is in the forest, where most of his interesting adventures take place.

I made a drawing. I wished to find out more about the story. I just made it up.

Here it is:

Now I keep returning to it and working the story somehow along the drawing.
UPDATED on 20 January:
I have some work to do, so I have less time to 'Halo'.
-
Do you usually make drawings to help you go with the story along...or dou you have it only in your head?

Do you find drawings liberating or restricting in some way or another?

If you're not writing, do you draw as a hobby?

Apart from this one above I can not draw at all. I regret it though, I wish I could...

UPDATED - Growing into where?

2008-01-11T09:38:00.000-08:00

Dear readers,

It seems that the first paragraph took away the post. Yes, I do complain about not writing too quickly, and I thank for Ropi's and Charles's contribution on being a fast or slow handed writer.

But the main issue is NOT time.

Please read further for the more important aspect.

It is about how much you give about into your writing; how much of your own material can you work into your characters - for the sake of being enthusiastic and believable it is all right, but there are serious drawback as well. If I was unclear, I'm sorry.

I don't really wish to debate further on the time I spend with writing a piece.

The other one is THE question.

Now, here's the post:

I'm at 1400 words with Halo. (Now, don't laugh please. I know some authors write thrice as much during one single afternoon.)

This project keeps infiltrating into my life. I feel the words and the feelings of the main character within me. However I balance on the line between making Hail resonant with my own thoughts and separating him away from me.

For God's sake, he's not me, is he?

At first I found it hard to give him a complex character. I had the most important features of him right away, when I first thought of him, but later on he showed more of himself. Or was it me, investing more of my own self into him?

Do I make sense here, btw?

Somehow or other, all writings are based on the writer's own experience. But to what degree that mine is deplenishable? Will it ever get empty -

Will that ever happen?

Or will it happen sooner than one thinks?

???

plan

2008-01-07T05:41:00.001-08:00

I'm planning to finish Halo this month.

I was planning to use the longer story (Copper Moon) by December 2007.

Do any of you think I can meet my plans?

Of course you'd reassure me and give me some encouragement, which I'd duly accept. My heart would rise, so I would geniuely be happy with your warm comments.

But -

I think some themes/topics have their due time to be written.

Some of you, knowing of my other blog, might have read the poem about a drawing in the sand - it is quite a symbolic one, but everyone with a heart and attention was able to grab the meaning -so do the comments reveal.

It was about a haunting and how I deal(t) with it.

I simply had visions in my head, I felt the urge to write the poem and so, not really caring about the format and words entering my mind, I did.

I wrote it and it feels quite allright.

Now the motivation has gone, I've dealt with a certain problem and I seem to have solved it.

- - -

Halo is within me, to be written. I know it is about something I deal with in my everyday life as well. I happen to believe that writing it will help me solving that problem, or help me throw some understanding on it.

I doubt I will ever write a story about a person like Hail, when I'm ready with Halo.

- - -

I do not plan writing stories. They are within and if they are not within anymore, I see no use of writing them any longer.

How about you?

bored with boredom?

2007-12-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

I keep revisiting Halo, adding a line or two, polishing here and there...

The part I've arrived to is when the protagonist is at his daytime, 'normal' job - which he finds completely boring. He finds no meaning in commuting to and fro and in working in general.

I am now at around 900 words, which rate perhaps sounds ridiculous to those who spit the same amount half a day - but this is just how I seem to write.

When the kids are at home they sometimes wish to grab the computer and play games with it. Sometimes they just wish some attention from their mother, that is me, which I surely must give them. I cook, I clean the house, I shop firewood, tend the chicken and so on...

When they are at home, writing is hard.

When I'm alone, writing is hard, too.

I like when they are at home, providing me some fading family background. When they are at home but leave me alone - those are the best times for writing.

---

The short story was originally 250 words and I, upon the suggestion of my readers, wanted to expand it.

This is what I do now - expanding.

I'm planning to have it around 1500-2000 words.

I like finding out more detail about the interesting elements of the story around Hail, the main character. I like getting involved in his actions. I like describing the way he feels when he's actually DOING something interesting.

But when he's doing something he DISLIKES -

I think I have written most of that part, too.

---

(not) surprisingly enough, those parts came out sort of dull.

It's rather telling and not showing.

Don't you worry, my dear potential readers, it is not a long part, it's less than a few lines.

Yet -

---

Question

when your hero is faced with a problem/situation/person s/he gets bored with/dislikes to the point of ignorance - does your style changes? do YOU get bored writing it, too?

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T11:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

now get back to your families and stop sitting by the computer!

Get absorbed by the spirit of Christmas, will ya!

---

This applies to me as well.

I tend to watch the monitor endlessly and it tears me away from the family.

At Christmas time it is less than tolerated :)

Does your family like when the Muse strikes and enforces you to hit the keyboard endlessly? What's their reaction? Do they witdraw, letting you create? Do they whine about not seeing and having you? When you're alone in an ordinary it's all right, but when it's Christmas....?

I'm planning to return to Halo once I can.

at the same time -UPDATED

2007-12-16T04:56:00.000-08:00

Some great NEWS:

After having finished writing a less than 250-word piece into that contest, I returned to writing the longer version of Halo.

I'm so glad I've found that work again :)

You know I've started this blog to monitor my (not) writing a story.

Then I've decided to write the expansion of Halo before finishing my original idea.

Later still I've seen that photo and decided to write a shorty short for the competition as well.

Which meant I had three works in progress - and instead of writing a little bit of this here and a nother bit there, I wrote none, nowhere.

I was sad and confused, until I forced myself to finish that competition entry first.

As soon as I've finished that I was able to add some new paragraphs to the Halo as well...

Was this burst of energy due to the completed work?

Was it the Muse?

Question # 1.

What effect does an uncompleted task have on your working efficiency/enthusiasm/inspiration?

If you had an unfinished WIP, can you totally and wholeheartedly work on another?

Question # 2.

Can you write two different types of piece simultaneously?

UPDATE:

If I had to answer questions like these, I'd say:

Basically, I like to finish a job before getting started with another. I am quite an organized person.

But now it's about writing.

And when it comes to writing I don't have as much control.

It is a very interesting experience, though.

UPDATE # 2:

As a conclusion it seems that noone can write/work properly on two different things at the same time. As Billy pointed out, even Stephen King can not do that. I wonder about Chuck Norris, though....

Guys, I'm sorry for the totally ridiculous link. I was unable to resist :)

The Copper Moon Project

another good news

howl along with me :)

the second round

the first round

the first few feedbacks

NaNo 2011: a decision

reality check :)

oh, shoot.

what is it?

i'm not so sure :(

NaNo again... ?

an ice-breaker

a little hiatus

Jerom and his story

the hunt for copper moon

kind of a whining

changing the names

revision and title

writing

NaNo news 14

NaNo news 13

NaNo news 12

NaNo news 11

NaNo news 10

NaNo news 9

NaNo news 8

NaNo news 7

NaNo news 6

NaNo news 6

NaNo news 5

NaNo news 4

NaNo news 3

NaNo news 2

NaNo news 1

NaNoWriMo 2010

a long way to go :)

some note on Vesper's reply

a short answer to Vesper

halo - the first reader

*covers head*

revision

retreat

first draft

another full moon

a few words before it's over

feeling the moon

not so good news-or are they?

Third meeting

Another task

My answers and a new task

Homework for April

The first meeting

One

a simultaneous post

goin' local

funny or sad?

The online game is over

*covers head*

when? ever?

writing in Hungarian

not quite there yet, but...

was it really me?

Creeping back

summer's toll

some

have not

Full Moon

version two

words

It is official -

Full Moon

a long time

Fighting the obvious

Full Moon

Hiding

statistics - UPDATED

too good?

experience all right

The end

covers head

covers head