Writerly Ways

I've been thinking about writing to relive and explore things. My trip to Vegas, for instance, I hope will revitalize my Vampires in Vegas story. (It's going to be my Camp Nano story. It's at 31K, so halfway to novel. I need to get this finished. I need to be finishing anything). It's a way of reliving my trip there and beyond that, putting a twist on the trip. Now I have to imagine living there. What would that be like? What would it be like to track a killer through those super-packed streets? How would a gay man's experiences differ from mine?

I did this to good effect in my story in the anthology, Two Tickets to Paradise. The gay lovers in this case were following my foot steps in Victoria on Vancovuer Island almost step for step as they documented the hauntings. It was a great way to go back there in my head. (I need to think up a story for my Wales trip too). Of course, a bare travelogue isn't that interesting so there needed to be more. Some of it had to come from the internet (like the gay club I took them to since it would not have been something I visited).

I have learned that getting things from the internet, however, isn't always helpful. Take my post earlier in the week over on jana_denardo. The building I was using was not where I thought it was. Google Earth is a great new tool for that, provided the area was mapped.

I think that's one of the reasons I often reuse areas for my stories, places I've lived and know well. Deadwood, SD; Pittsburgh, PA; Madison Wi; Cassadaga/Orlando, Fl. (though others I've avoided, Columbus and Cleveland and well anywhere I've lived in OH). These are areas I know well and I think that adds something to a story. Some readers disagree, judging by goodreads reviews but you can't make everyone happy. I think the setting adds another level to the writing and I enjoy using it.

Some helpful links: What’s your excuse for not writing? So many of us have excuses, waiting for 'inspiration'or the voices to talk to us. This takes a lookat that excuse.


Revise like you mean it I have such troubles with revision

yearly word count -

62471 / 125000
(49.98%)

not bad, I'm about halfway done and it's halfway through the year already (WTF!) I'm trying to revive my steampunk story but I fear it's too late to meet the deadline. sigh.

PS anyone else doing camp nano in July?

Heart burn city

I woke up at 430 AM today in more pain than reasonable. Heart burn which started last night was killing me. Acid had rolled up past that bad valve all the way into my eustachian tubes and nose. I didn't sleep much after that. Spent the morning trying to figure out what I did last night that set it off (I was at my brother's all night drinking and playing cards). then I realized I had asked for my Nexium days ago but thought I had enough for this week, forgetting that no I didn't and I didn't go get the pills. Two full strength prilosec, one nexium and countless tums later and I'm still in so much pain, water feels like battery acid going down.

I did get my pills and dropped mom off at urgent care. She has a sinus infection. She didn't want to go. Last time it became pneumonia.I said get in the car. She's fine now.I have pills. I returned Kanda's harness and got him a new one and stopped off at Halfprice Book store and got the first Maisie Dobbs mystery and some weird manga.

( Vegas Day 7 )