17 February 2012

Delays and Apologies

Ok, I know I only have seven followers but I also know that there are some random people out there who read this as well, for whatever reason (however you've stumbled onto here, thanks for sticking around).

Anyhoo, I know I haven't made an actual blog post in a few weeks, and there's a perfectly good reason for that, I promise. Basically, my next idea sort of required me being done with a particular scene in my novel. Needless to say, I'm not. It's slow going. But instead of my blog turning into some internet version of a ghost town, I thought I would at least check in.

I think I'm going to abandon the resolutions/recap entries, because, well basically, they're not going well. I gave up on the poem-a-day project pretty much immediately after January ended. It's sad, I know, but it wasn't any fun realizing each night about half an hour before bed that I still had to write a poem. And I hated most of them. There are a few gems in there that I'm hoping to polish but I think going forward would be exhausting. I'd rather focus whatever free time I have on my novel.

Oh and I bet you thought I would post something on February 15, didn't you? Yes, a year has passed since I started my book. I was hoping for a day with feverish, unstoppable writing, but that was really just wishful thinking. I did make some progress, but this particular chapter I'm working on is like pulling teeth. Actually, it's like pushing characters who just stare at you and say, "No, I'm not going to do that. Go away." What can I say, they've changed on me. My weak character has become stronger, my evil character has become, well, less evil. The things I had them do a year ago just don't work anymore. But I'm figuring it out. It's all in the process.

01 February 2012

Recap: January


So it’s the first of a new month, and to keep up with my resolutions, I’m going to share my progress thus far. The plan is to continue doing so for the rest of the year. Here we go.

Poems Written: 31/31

Overall, a success, although not every poem was brilliant, of course. A lot of opportunities for editing, and just a few duds. And I’m very proud to say, no haikus. If you’re wondering where I get so many poem ideas from, let me just say that 10 out of the 31 poems were related to my novel (usually written from the point of view of a character), another 10 were about writing in general, and one was about cleaning my apartment. You work with what you got.

Movies Watched: 9

This goal isn’t that hard, especially when I work nights and have the whole day to myself with digital cable on demand. Most of the movies I watched were ones that I was only mildly interested in, but were free.

Favorite Movie: I can’t decide between Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows and My Week with Marilyn. Loved both for very different reasons. I’m also not that good at movie reviewing. We’ll work on that.

Least Favorite Movie: Letters to Juliet. The most predictable load of crap I’ve ever seen. It’s one of those movies where you think the trailer gives away pretty much everything. Well, it did. Not a single surprise, and it wasn’t even heartwarming or mildly amusing.

Books Read: 2

Yes, I know, it’s pathetic. Especially because I should be reading 8 or 9 books to keep up with my goal of 100 for the year.

Favorite Book: Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley. What can I say, I knew about halfway through that this book would break my heart and it did. It brought me to tears; I wanted to throw it against the wall and I screamed at it once.

It wouldn’t really be fair to call my only other book my “least favorite,” so I’ll save this title for next month. I hope.

Notes:
While I haven’t gotten anywhere on the whole getting published track, it should be said that my drive to write has seriously increased in the last few weeks. I’m hoping for more chapters and hopefully at least one short story in the next month.

Year Totals:
Poems: 31/366
Books: 2/100
Movies: 9/100