Moving Right Along
I just needed one day to grieve. I’m feeling excited to move on to the next chapter of my life. Excited, and nervous. I felt great getting rid of my stuff. Not a single regret. Glenn said he felt sad our stuff was selling, but I’m not sad about anything. It feels like I’m releasing the old and preparing for the new.
But I’m so exhausted from all the work, I have no thoughts, so here are two great links.
Charles Gramlich has a new release: Write With Fire: Thoughts on the Craft of Writing. I’ve been lurking on his blog, Razored Zen, for a couple years now, although I didn’t start commenting until recently. After twenty years of being a writer, he shares some great, down-to-earth thoughts about writing on his blog, and I’ll definitely be getting his new book. Here’s his summary:
The book is 248 pages, and divided into three parts. The first part is mainly about the practical mechanics of writing. How do you shepherd ideas through the writing and editing process and into the final form needed for publication? It talks more about fiction than nonfiction but a lot of the articles are really about communicating with your writing, which applies to any genre. The second part deals more with theory and philosophy in writing. What kind of characteristics are common to writers? What makes and breaks a “page-turner?” The last and much shorter section consists of articles that are more personal to my life as a writer, such as my experiences after Hurricane Katrina.
And although they usually talk about copywriting, Men with Pens has a guest blogger, Larry Brooks, who posted Six Elements You Must Master to Write a Publishable Novel. I’m impressed. Excellent post. Kind of a nice list to double check when you’re looking at a new idea, or stepping back from your work to analyze from a bird’s eye view.
My life has been so mired in change, I’ve been a bit self-centered lately. So…
What’s up with you? How’s your writing going? Your summer? Your life? Any changes for you? Any changes you wish for?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats and husband. She spends summers camped near her niece, because, well, her niece is her favorite girl on the planet.
Please stop feeling like you’re being self-centered — this is YOUR blog! We come here because we like to hear/read what you have to say.
Thanks for the links and good luck today!
LOL, Melanie! I know, but… it’s how I feel, LOL!
I’m glad you’re excited about this new stage in your life! You’re going to have a blast! I need to be less attached to stuff. You’re my inspiration.
I can’t wait, Robin! And getting rid of my stuff is AWESOME! I feel SO MUCH better. And surprisingly, the only thing I’ve had trouble selling is my bottled water dispenser, which always has hot water for tea/hot chocolate/soup and ice-cold water.
What a funny thing to miss; no sentimentality, there! It’s just I use it every day, but it won’t fit in the camper.
Every once in a while, I miss a sweater I gave away years ago. LOL But for the most part, I’m happy getting rid of stuff. When I go through my cleaning out stage, I’m ruthless.
Thanks for the links! I’ll check them out. I’m writing a new book, and my beginnings are always slow. I think it will speed up now that I’m grounded in the story.
Wow, Edie! It’s funny that you remember a sweater from so long ago. I’ve been ruthless, too.
Good luck with the new book! I love that “grounded in the story” feeling!
Been plugging away on both of my blogs, and getting my second self-pub novel ready for release.
G, good luck with your novel! And I don’t think I know your other blog…
Wow you’re doing so well. Our house is on the market right now and we’ve had a mini clear out, but nothing like yours! Still, any clear out is liberating.
McKoala, EVERYTHING is going. It’s GREAT! I can’t believe how liberating it feels!
I have been decluttering with a vengeance! It feels so good.
Doesn’t it, Barrie? It’s awesoem!
There can be something very liberating about giving up material goods. I always feel pretty good after a thorough closet cleaning and discarding.
Thanks very much for you kind words on Write With Fire. Much appreciated.
Charles, I totally agree. It’s fantastic!
Well-deserved, not kind.
Natasha, unloading material things promotes ridding the junk in our head. (At least it does for me.)
My summer has been so-so. Renovating a house; not writing; my 14 year old dog passing away. Collectively, not the best summer, but not the worst either.
I’m looking forward to school starting in the fall.
Kath, it is WONDERFUL! It’s great to hear from you. I was bummed after the announcement on your blog. Renovating a house sounds… well, great when it’s done, but also like an exhausting process.
I am SO sorry about your dog. So, so sorry!
Good luck in school, Kath! What classes are you taking this semester?
What a great thing that you profiled Charles’ new book! I just ordered copies for myself to use it on panel discussions during the Conclave 2009 Convention in October.
I’d never heard of Men with Pens before, but I’ll check it out and thanks for the tip.
And yes, you better be excited! You have some great things ahead of you.
Oh how exciting, Rick! I have no idea what the Conclave Convention is, but it sounds interesting!
Men with Pens usually write about non-fiction writing. I’m not sure why I read, since I’m terrible at that, LOL.
I can’t wait to see what the next part of my life has in store for me. Good things, I think!
Great that your stuff is selling! So exciting!!
Not any changes just yet for us, but after our weekend in San Fran, we think we might move there for a year when we leave Maui. So we’ll see!