Let's Write Crap!

Two weeks ago, I didn't do much writing of any kind. Not even blogging. I barely rewrote one chapter of my WIP. I would think about said chapter, make notes about said chapter, but when it came time to rewrite said chapter, barely anything came out. I rewrote it in fits and starts, deleting chunks and redoing it, inching my way through the chapter. Until Saturday, when I decided to go ahead and write crap.

Writing crap felt wonderful! I crapped my way through it. I knew what I was writing wasn't great, but writing crap is better than not writing at all.

-It provides a base. You can always revise crap; you can't revise a blank page.

-It illuminated bigger problems. There's a reason I couldn't make my way through this chapter and instead wrote crap. If the scene is set up well, with conflict and reversals and clear motivations, then I shouldn't have had such an issue. I will address my crap on my next round of revisions. Noted. No more dragging my feet. Now I can move on and finish my draft.

-Maybe it wasn't crap after all. Upon rereading, my crap wasn't as crappy as I thought. At first, it was bad, but then the crap gave way to semi-decent writing. It's not my best chapter, but that's primarily because of the bigger problems mentioned in point #2. The actual words aren't an abomination to the English language. That's good to know.


So next time, when I'm sinking into procrastination mode, I just have to tell myself to charge ahead and write some crap.

What's Old Is New Again (Or in 3-D)

This weekend will be a blast from the 90s past. In theaters is the re-release of Titanic in 3-D and American Reunion, the fourth movie in the American Pie series (not counting the directly to video sequels). I am particularly excited about American Reunion. The whole cast comes back together for the 10th high school reunion. The movie is obviously a cash grab and shamelessly banking on moviegoers' nostalgia. Well, it's totally working on me.

I was in college high school when the first American Pie film came out in 1999. I still laugh and cringe at the infamous pie scene. I know I'll be flooded with memories from that era while watching this one. The same thing happened with Scream 4 last year -- which despite it bombing at the box office was a good film. Also this week, the Farrelly Brothers announced a sequel to Dumb and Dumber, and Ah-nold said there might be another Twins movie. Who says Hollywood needs any original ideas?

It got me thinking about revisiting characters I love from books and movies. I wonder what they're up to, what happened after the last page/final credits.

What book or movie do you wish there'd be a sequel to?

For me, it's The Truman Show. That movie was fascinating, enjoyable, and freakishly ahead of its time. The ending feels complete but also open-ended. Every time I watch it, I'm always dying to know what happens after [SPOILER ALERT] Truman leaves the studio. How is he adjusting to life in the real world? Did he meet up with Sylvia? Did he ever see with Marlon or his mother again? I want more! Maybe with the way Hollywood is going, I might get my wish.

Lucky Seven Meme

Hey guys!

The wonderful and talented Kristin Lynn Thetford tagged me for an awesome Lucky Seven Meme (or Lucky Number Slevin Meme for you Josh Hartnett fans). She tagged me LAST WEEK, so I apologize for the delay. I had a rough writing week last week and got through it with perseverance lots of procrastination which gave me inspiration for a forthcoming blog post.

Kristin tasked me with posting 7 lines from my MS. Like her, I’ve never posted an excerpt from my novel on my blog, but 2012 is all about the end of the world getting my stuff out there.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS

2. Go to line 7

3. Copy down the next seven lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating

4. Tag 7 authors

5. Let them know

I will be giving you 7 paragraphs. Luckily, I write very short paragraphs :)

----------------------- 

        When I get home, I find an email from Mr. Towne waiting for me, tapping its foot in my inbox.

            I need a progress report. Let’s chat.

  

I roll my eyes at the email. Is he my dad asking how my homework is coming along? None of my clients have required a progress report. They have faith in me that I’ll get the job done.

“Things are taking a little bit longer,” I tell him on video chat. “But I am making progress.”

His baby blue eyes stare coldly into the screen. He leans back and rests his arms on his gut. “It’s been almost two months since we last spoke. You can’t give me radio silence like that.”

Trust the process, I want to tell him. Couples weren’t destroyed in a day. Still, I nod in agreement. “I’m sorry. I’ll keep you updated.”

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

And now I shall tag 7 lucky writers:

1. Michael Offutt

2. Alledged Author

3. Sarah Pearson

4. Angela Brown

5. Alicia Gregiore

6. Jenna Cooper

7. Nancy Thompson

I totally understand if you can't participate right now, though L is for Lucky Seven Meme has a nice ring to it...Either way, these are great blogs to check out!