By Mary Jaksch
What are you working on right now?
A blog post? A novel? Your best article ever? A poem? A film script? An Ebook?
Maybe you’ve just finished something you’re really proud of? Or you just can’t tell whether it should get a Pulitzer or be thrown into the trash?
Or maybe you’re noticing some barriers that are getting in the way of your creativity?
Here’s your chance to share and discuss with each other what you are writing about. And how it’s going.
Whet our appetite with the opening paragraph of your future bestseller, give us a link to your best article, or tell us what you are writing at the moment.
Who knows, your piece might even attract the notice of a major publishing house!
Here are some guidelines:
A. Writers:
- State what aspect you’re working on. For example, you might want to say, “Here’s a link to my article “The Role of Rabbits in Nuclear Science”. I’m currently working on eliminating superfluous words.”
B. Commenters:
- When commenting, first list everything you really like about a piece.
- Only then offer careful suggestions.
- Treat each other with respect, friendliness, care, and honesty.
- Remember that we are all still learning.
Now it’s over to you. Take a deep breath. Then jump into the comment section and bring out your treasures!
Mary Jaksch is the Editor in Chief of Write to Done
Join Mary Jaksch and Leo Babauta in their spectacular training environment for bloggers: the A-List Blogger Club.
I’m so impressed with your dedication to top-notch quality info for your members. – Marta DeGraw
Hi,
I am not sure whether this is the right forum for this, writing this anyway..
I got into blogging when I had to promote my Master’s thesis to a wider audience. What started out as an academic requirement, turned out to be something I’ve enjoyed.
I’ve been blogging on personal development for several years and recently, I was frustrated about reading all the rehashed tips about blogging and decided to start my own blog, about blogging.
I know, I am probably crazy since there are so many well established bloggers/blogs on this already.
My goal is to thoughtful and actionable tips with a fresh perspective. Any feedback on the posts on
http://www.BetterBloggingWays.com is appreciated.
If there’s anything I can help you out with let me know.
Thank you
Shamelle
p.s: English isn’t my first language.
I know – blogging can be great once you get into it.
I’ve read samples of a few posts and already, I am impressed! It’s really helpful, both for beginners and those a bit more experienced. Especially since English is your second language, the language and grammar is beautiful, and people can tell you put loads of effort into your work there.
The only advice I can give is to really make sure your posts are unique as can be – I know so many people say this, but especially with this subject, millions of blogs are struggling to get noticed. Also, just keep at it, and you’ll have a blog with pretty steady traffic.
Very well done, Shamelle!
Hi All,
I’m always amazed how we grasp onto things so tightly (for fear, or possession, or whatever) when letting go of them makes room for other things that are frequently better than before. Here’s a link to my thoughts on the subject of late….
http://www.wordswords.com.au/2011/10/when-letting-go-clients-means-more-better-things/
Thanks Di
Hello good people!
It’s 12:43 am and I’m glued to my chair, tapping these keys like my life depends on it (it probably does). I’ve been obsessing about balding men and what it feels like to lose hair uncontrolably – weird topic, I know!
http://www.mamamich-mjay.blogspot.com/2011/10/balding-101.html
Read a little bit and tell me what you think, please feel free to explore my blog, I’m sure there is a little somethin, for every one :-)
Good morning!
M
I recently started a blog that’s meant to show what life is like for guys married to women with PMS. I mean the real thing, diagnosed by a doctor. Besides being therapeutic for me, it will hopefully show other guys in similar situations how to handle it (or how not to handle it, given my poor track record). It might also show PMS sufferers that they aren’t the only ones affected.
It’s too e
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I think that the max you should charge between $5 to $10 each article. If you ask for anything more, you may end up losing the project, because the competition is really tough.
I am currently working on my book, based on a true story of me working my whole adult life in the merchant marine. Here is the first paragraph.
I had a death grip on the Captains chair in the darkened wheelhouse of the Tug Caribe Service, trying to keep my balance as the 14 ft seas tossed our tug and barge around at will, like a cork.
The Captain stared out the window, his eyes wide like a child watching a horror film. The boat’s general alarm had sounded minutes earlier and I could hear the 5 other crew members down below bustling about, as they grabbed their life vests from their rooms, and rushed to the Wheel House. Sporadic shouts of confusion echoed up the stairway as the word was getting passed around, that we had just parted, or broke our 2” tow cable with which we were towing our 300 ft barge filled with 2,000,000 gallons of diesel oil.
Nice choice of words! Keep me posted when publish it.
Hi Mark, you have a wonderful start to your book. I have no idea what a merchant marine does, so the topic is really interesting. Love that you started out with a rip-roaring action sequence. I thought I’d give you a tighter version of the opening, since what you have is already so strong:
“In the darkened wheelhouse of the Tub Caribe Service, I had a death grip on the Captain’s chair, trying to keep my balance as fourteen-foot seas tossed the tug and barge like a cork. His eyes wide like a child watching a horror film, the Captain stared out the window. Minutes earlier, the boat’s general alarm had sounded and five other crew members bustled down below, grabbing life vests from their rooms and rushing to the wheelhouse. Sporadic shouts of confusion echoed up the stairway. We had just parted, or broke, our two-inch two cable, breaking our connection with the three-hundred foot barge. Two thousand gallons of diesel oil were at stake.”
I’m currently working on a fantasy novel that’s been, oh, maybe four or five years in the making. Here’s the first paragraph (first draft, too, mind you):
It was almost seven years now since King Aornad and his son had departed on their mysterious journey. A messenger had come into court from Portelf, which bordered the lands of the dragons, with a private word for the king. Before a fortnight was out, this selfsame king announced he was going on a trip, and that it looked to possibly be a long one. He placed two Guardians— that is, those who protected the king, and upheld peace and order among Trenbourn and her allies—as stewards in his stead.
Heh, bad place to end that, but oh well :|
I like the introduction and your introduction already gives a hint at what the central conflict will be. However, you could send out the same message and have much better flow if you cut out some words. (For example – Before a fortnight was out, the king announced he was going on a possibly long trip.)
Good luck with the rest of your book and keep writing!
I am writing a short story that is a parody on conspiracy novels. It is a YA or Middle Grade book that involves squirrels, telepathy, and evil squirrels. I would love any reviews you could give me! Here is a short excerpt:
Reality sucks sometimes. Have you ever found out about something only to realize that you really did not want to know the truth about that thing? I look back at pleasant times with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and hot dogs and think “I really did not need to know the truth about that!”
Sadly, my life has so many things that are best summed up as cruel truths. People tell me things like: “Daniel, you don’t always get what you wish for”, “Daniel, money doesn’t grow on trees”, and “Daniel, most of your greatest thoughts are not your own.” These truths shook my world. Now, this is a warning to all of you who like things the way you think they are. If you are one of those people, stop reading. Or if you do choose to continue anyways you can always treat it like some great work of fiction you read on the internet. Sadly, this isn’t fiction.
If you want to read more, click on my name tag and it will take you to my website!
Just this last week I published a small guide called “A Minimalist Family Christmas.” It’s all about simplifying your holidays…whether you are a minimalist or not.
I published it to the Amazon Kindle store and as a PDF on my website. It’s really the start of my Kindle experiment to see if that could be a better market for some of my writing. It’s already #2 in the Kindle Holiday section so I’m very encouraged so far.
If you’d like to check it, here’s the link for my book. http://amzn.to/usnk7S
Great topic. I think too many of us get over-obsessed with going all out for the holidays. Congrats on the #2 spot.
I am working on a non-fiction book about what it means to be a genuine Christian.
Here’s the first paragraph of the first chapter:
You feel like you are coming down with the flu. So, you take your temperature to find out if you have a fever. Based upon what the thermometer says, you can evaluate whether or not you really are sick or not.
Would it not be nice to have a similar method whereby to evaluate your Christian life and walk? You may feel like you have a relationship with God one day, but the next day it feels like you have never known Him. How can you be sure that you do know God? What does it mean to “follow Jesus”? What does it look like? What does it mean to “know God”? In the book of 1 John, John addresses the answers to these questions.
I’m working on writing non-fiction personal essays reflecting on what it means to be human and how we find our way to the life we sense inside.
My biggest struggle other than sometimes figuring out what to write about; is articulating the essence of the universal truth I am trying to get at while at the same time sharing my personal journey. I think it’s hard for me to talk about myself much so I tend sometimes toward being removed from the subject – which I don’t want to be, and I worry that I don’t engage my readers enough because of it.
Here are a couple of samples I am heart wide open to your honest feedback and will appreciate it hugely:
The Fog: http://goodliferoad.com/2011/10/25/the-fog/
Enthusiasm: http://goodliferoad.com/2011/10/04/enthusiasm/
I knew Myself So Long Ago: http://goodliferoad.com/2011/08/05/i-knew-myself-so-long-ago/
I’m working on a short story I intend to submit to a literary magazine. I’m currently working on one of the characters, trying to make him a bit more sympathetic. I’d tell you what it’s about, but these first two paragraphs make it very clear:
“Dorothy, I want to become a woman,” Johnny said to me at breakfast that morning, a stack of four perfectly browned pancakes, dripping with butter and syrup, in front of him. He was holding his knife in one hand and his fork in the other, wrists resting lightly on the table as he spoke, as if he aimed to perform the deed right then.
I laughed. It was a joke, my strong, masculine Johnny, the man who had fucked me silly a half an hour ago, a woman? It had to be a joke so I laughed. But he didn’t laugh back. He nodded his head and looked directly into my eyes and didn’t even smile.
Hi Megan, great opening. Grabbed my attention ASAP. If you want to make a character more sympathetic, give them a ‘save the cat’ moment in the beginning of your story. Have them do something nice for somebody. Maybe Johnny cooks Dorothy breakfast after their, ahem, rendezvous earlier. Maybe he brings her breakfast in bed after they’re together, then breaks the news. Maybe he just thinks about how much he loves her. You seem like a capable and accomplished writer, so go for it. Awesome start. :)
I left a comment earlier but it didn’t show up, so I thought I’d try again. Hopefully this won’t show up as a duplicate post.
I am writing a dystopian thriller as part of Nanowrimo.org
This is the opening:
I am sprawled on the ground and can barely move. The humidity is oppressive, and the air is still. The canopy of lush green trees overhead create a roof, which means the sun’s rays cannot reach down to touch me. I feel piercing pain in my head, as if my scalp is being flayed, and I summon all of my strength to touch it, only to realize that my hair is on fire. I scream as loud as I can, but the only sound I can hear is the discordant buzzing of insects swarming around me.
I also am doing a blog post on “what a deaf person can teach you about communication.” I am excited about this one as it creates useful content for readers as well as carving out an unique niche.
Two huge contrasts, but both are fun to write. In one I can let my imagination run rampant, and in the other I am able to reach out and help others.
Okay, I’m game. I’m working my way through the second draft of my first novel. Here’s the opening two paragraphs:
I was running late. I hustled in to the processing office, greeted by row after row of cubicles, stretching on further than anyone could see. The other angels were sitting at their desks, stacks of paper clipped in front of them. The quiet hum of computers and the clicking of fingers filled the room. I headed down the aisle to my assigned cubicle. My day’s work had already been piled into my in-box and, as usual, it was more than I could possibly fit into a single shift. I sighed, flexed my fingers and signed into the system.
Let’s get something straight right now. You know that bumper sticker that you humans like? The one that reads “Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly?” Nonsense. The Guardians can fly at the speed of sound, and you’d have a pretty hard time trying to crack that barrier in your Accord. When accidents happen it’s usually because your Guardian was on coffee break, or just asleep at the switch. I should know. I’m the one who has to deal with all the paperwork that those seemingly small mistakes generate.
I’ve just begun work on this year’s November Project for my site, Takuin.com. I have done this three times in the last 5 years, I think. Basically what happens is, I take questions from my readers and answer them in blog posts everyday for the month of November.
It began yesterday, and the first post is called “On Dropping Thought,” ( http://www.takuin.com/on-dropping-thought/ ) which is a post in response to a question on seeing thought as an illusion.
I suppose my main concern is just being able to communicate words effectively. Not in the sense of ‘which word is best’ but to be understood, and also to understand others. But I have a great group of commentors on the site, and if they do not understand what I am saying, they let me know, haha. At that point we usually go into it through the comments.
Thanks everyone. ;-)
I’m writing about boxing news and I love your list here. And this is the fact, blog reader hate novel, they want straight and short.
I am doing a whole lot of guest posting so writing my heart out. Write, write, write … that’s all I do.
Thanks for the opp!
Recently, after a couple years of writing blogs and books for Amazon, I decided – this is it… I’m a writer. The tipping point – well, there were two. The first was that I started making almost enough money through ebooks, to support myself and family. The second tipping point was the release of the latest Amazon Kindles – they are at the right price for consumers to grab, even in this severe economic downturn.
Jumping the Amazon eBook Train.
Great for you… Congrats!
I’ll look at your ebook.
I just finished the Habit Course and I chose writing as my project. It was amazing. The difference of getting up and immediately writing versus checking e-mail and facebook has been amazing.
I’m bursting with things to write and have many subjects to cover as you will see by going to this recent article.
http://www.bigislanddog.com/2011/09/this-is-your-life/
I’m bursting with passionate excitement and am so thankful for A List and the A Listers!
Here is a guest post I wrote for Courtney Carver called Simply Run http://www.bemorewithless.com/2011/simply-run/
Aloha Wags
Thanks for the post! For the first time in my life, I’m dedicating a lot of time to my writing. I’m also new to blogging. I appreciate any and all tips to make both successful. Thanks again!
Cindy Chance at explorevirginia.blogspot.com
Here’s an excerpt of my novel, Violet Miracle. It’s a simple romance that turns into something…not so simple. Violet, a young mystery writer has an adventure of her own and meets the man of her dreams along the way.
Roses, twelve, perfect red ones.
They sat on the counter of the diner obviously waiting for someone. Violet knew they weren’t for her, but she couldn’t resist leaning in for a brief moment and just breathing in their sweet scent. She suspected they were for her co-worker, Ginger. Checking the tag, she confirmed her suspicion. Eyeing them as she pulled on an apron, she feared their fate.
Hi Christina: Sounds great so far. Would love to read more!!!!
I just don’t feel like at ease to drop at every post I read and just say hello or thanks for the read, it’s been a great one.
I’m writing mostly about habits and productivity right now. Have been reading lots of academic research too and been working on some drafts of posts.
I just started my new blog two weeks ago. So far my best post is:
The Morning Ritual – Building Momentum For Unstoppable Days.
http://orderedmovements.com/2011/10/the-morning-ritual-building-momentum-for-unstoppable-days/
Let me know how it can be improved!
I am currently working on content for a couple of new sites I plan to launch soon. I had bought the domain for months but could not find time to get the sites off the ground till now, as I had so much to do for my few existing sites alone.
-Jean
I am currently writing a book for Writing Non-Fiction in November Month, on a method to do what you love. A part of it can be read at the top of http://www.behappyanddowhatyoulove.com/blog and I’ll be posting parts all month.
If you have a success story to share, I also need to know how you did do what you love for work and life. It might figure in my book and blog post, thanks a lot for sending it to me with your personal information at admin@behappyanddowhatyoulove.com.
Good luck with your writing!
Hi, I write historical fiction set in the 19th century. I’ve completed a Civil War novel that’s selling really well both in bookstores and on Amazon, all self-published. I just finished Chapter 21 of a second novel yesterday and am getting through it as quickly as I can before the holidays. Everyone here is really talented and it’s awesome to see so many different types of projects and stories. :)
~ Meg
Meg: Please share the link to or name of your novel. I LOVE civil war fiction and would love to read it. Thanks!
Yes, Meg, please post a link! I’d love to hear more about your self-publishing experiences, too.
Hi Colleen and Sharron – so glad you ladies are interested. Awesomeness. :) It’s called Daniel’s Garden, so here’s the link to Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Daniels-Garden-ebook/dp/B003E7FFHO
I also just finished my second book, The Heart of a Lie, set in 1868 Maine, about two sisters who discover sinful family secrets:
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Lie-ebook/dp/B00667C99Q/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2
This makes me so nervous…..but I really and truly want honest feedback. Thanks! This is the prologue of a book that has been in my head for a while and I am trying to get it on paper…
The evening was dark, cool and still as she stepped out of the car in front of the grand, old, antebellum home with white pillars and rolling green lawns. She stood for a moment, taking several deep breaths, savoring the magnolia- scented air. She wanted to remember this day forever.
In the distance, she could see the headlights of other cars arriving reminding her of hundreds of twinkling stars dotting the skyline. She knew it was time, but she stood a few moments longer wistfully scanning the darkening horizon her thoughts lost in childhood memories…
She heard her name called, breaking her out of her reverie, “Melissa! There you are. We must hurry, we don’t have much time. Everyone is waiting.” Melissa looked over her shoulder and saw her mother beckoning to her to hurry. With a last longing look, she turned and started walking towards the house.
The first notes of Trumpet Voluntary could be heard as Melissa approached the candlelit room holding tightly to her father’s arm. All eyes were upon them as they entered and slowly made their way to the alter set up in the formal ballroom of the grand plantation home. As they walked past the rows of flower bedecked chairs, she saw her grandmothers, her cousins, friends of her parents, co-workers and friends. All of these people came to share in this most special day with her. She was filled with an almost overwhelming urge to cry, but no, she had promised her mother – no tears, not today.
As they reached the front of the ballroom, her father grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly, as if to say, “I don’t want to let you go.” Melissa kissed him on the cheek and gently removed her hand from his as they waited for the ceremony to begin.
The words, the music, the affirmations all blurred pleasantly together in Melissa’s head, familiar and at the same time, foreign. The minister was asking, “Is there anyone present who knows why these two should not be wed, please speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Hearing these words, Melissa’s heart started racing and suddenly she wanted with every fiber of her being for someone, anyone, to speak up, to protest! At that moment everything became gray and fuzzy. What was she doing? Why was she here? Was she marrying the right man? Melissa’s internal voice was screaming at her, “Stop, what are you doing?”
What a great opening. It was the perfect blend of visualization, empathy and anticipation. I could totally see this girl and feel what she was feeling.
I’m working on a non-fiction about finding your mojo…yes, one of those self-actualization books. I created a Google Doc and have posted it on my blog (http://thirtytherapy.wordpress.com/moxie-in-manolos/) for all the world to see. This book is for all the girls who want more out of life, feel stuck, trapped or just plain bored.
Here’s the opening paragraph of the introduction/first chapter (not sure which yet).
Would love and appreciate any feedback (good or bad…I can take it). https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fl7OwDDUt-A020f_XUYp4TXwoularJiWZVsx0OJjaA8/edit
Moxie in Manolos:
This is where the story begins; from the ground up.
The divine Bette Midler captures the mystical love affair with shoes best when she said: “Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world.” A fabulous pair of soles sets anchor to an ensemble and directs an outfit like a masterful maestro at the helm of the New York Philharmonic. Shoes are a statement, a declaration – Hello world, I’m here to kick some ass.
Love it Shelly! I’m headed to your blog to read more!
And, yes, I AM one of those girls! Look forward to connecting!
Thanks Colleen! Much appreciated!
Hi – I posted as a writer/commenter on here midday yesterday asking for feedback on my style of writing non fiction personal essays and I gave links to a couple of my posts for feedback. It said my comment was awaiting moderation and now it is not posted here and about fifteen new comments that came after mine are posted.
What happened? I think I followed the instructions. Did I do something wrong? I would appreciate hearing why it’s not here, as I was quite interested and a little shy about participating here, but it’s a big disappointment to just not be posted at all.
Same here….but I posted this morning, and other posts after mine are appearing. Might be premature, but thought I’d comment anyhow.
I am working on a book about the messiness of compassionate living in humanitarian work. It’s based on this idea here: http://goinswriter.com/cost-of-compassion/
I’m struggling with providing examples and illustrations and being clear in my presentation of my ideas.
Hi, Jeff. I like what you’ve written so far, and I think you are right on target. Compassion is messy business because it involves an active investment in life and the human condition–as opposed to some Madison Avenue version of what life should be. Have you read any of Gerry Straub’s work or seen his films? If not, you might google him.
I guess the one thing I would look for in your posts is a hint of “good news” always. Yes, life is broken and hard and messy, but it’s also beautiful and amazing in the most unexpected ways and places.
I look forward to hearing more.
Peace!
I have recently started a blog about being on unemployment and losing my home. I am doing it in a countdown format, and blogging daily in an open and honest forum. I have also written a Novel…what are anyone’s ideas about posting parts of it on my blog site? Thank you for the tips..and Write On~
Sounds like an interesting novel. I would love to check it out myself.
- Robert
Hi, Mary and fellow writers. I’m working on a month-long project in thanks-living. I started a blog to record the process here: http://adventuresinthanksliving.wordpress.com/
The idea is that thanksgiving should really be more a way of living, hence “thanks-living.” I’m finding one thing each day for which I am thankful. If, at the end of the month, it feels right, I hope to keep going.
Right now I’m working on getting copy into the blog each day, but I would appreciate any feedback from others on the approach and what’s posted so far.
Thanks!
A friend and I just launched a blog called “The Handbook of Awesome” and are thrilled about it! We aim to write in an entertaining and somewhat tongue-in-cheek tone about productivity, health and happiness, and are of course hoping for as broad a readership as possible. Feel free to check it out if you have the chance here: http://www.handbookofawesome.com
Since the blog really is hot off the presses, any feedback would be very much appreciated! Also, as a teaser, here’s the first paragraph of our post on how to keep your home decluttered and orderly!
“How many times have you been about to leave home and realized you cannot find something critical you need, e.g. your keys? Usually a frantic, violent search ensues leaving your home looking like something Led Zeppelin used as a hotel room in the seventies. If you’re lucky enough to find what you are looking for before collapsing into a sobbing wreck, you then make a spontaneous 100 metre dash down the street to catch whatever form of transport you have probably already missed. Later on, what joy it is to come home after this ordeal, where amazingly the cupboards and drawers have not reassembled themselves and with a bit of luck your partner awaits with some “feedback” on the state of the household. If this sounds like fun and you want to keep these events as part of your life, then read no further. Otherwise, this is your lucky day.”
Read more here: http://handbookofawesome.com/2011/11/a-place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place/
Stay awesome, fellow writers!
I’m seeking representation on a contemporary young-adult novel with a word count of 65,000 titled, The Popular Girls. It’s a phoenix tale of teenage wreckage and rebirth.
Here’s a quick pitch: Everything Lily knew about the world she grew-up in has changed. Her parents have seemingly moved on and left Lily stranded in the past clutching old family albums. The next day, Lily discovers an old crush from the fifth grade, who had treated her like a princess, has turned up at her high school. The only thing she wants is someone who knows her. But Lily’s plans to talk to Nate are foiled when the most popular girl in school, Farrah, sits in his lap. Lily, a nerd to the core, can’t possibly compete with Farrah. Or can she?
Thanks for letting me pitch in!
Brittany Roshelle
The Write Stuff
Hey guys. I have a blog, but I don’t update much and I’m trying to find my way back into the world of blogging. I’m also participating in NaNoWriMo with my FIRST EVER novel! I am so excited.
On the new blog I am soon to create, I would love a bit of support. Feedback wouldn’t hurt too, even if it’s negative. I mean, it’s good to say bad things to help people grow, right?
DON’T BE FOOLED by the way. I am much younger than you think. Most definitely not an adult… still in school. Which is why I find this sort of thing hard, you know, pursuing my passions and all, ‘cos of school work, kid responsibilities and the like. Also, I’m told to work on another job to fall back on – just in case the writing career doesn’t go well. But I can’t think of anything else…
I’m ambitious and want to make a change. I want something to do in the world that shows ME. Sorry, I’m rambling. Anyway, any tips?
Hello!
I’m working on an articles about popculture (but they’re in polish).
An example might be reviewed of comic written by Robert Kirkman – The Walking Dead (in polish this is Żywe Trupy):
http://popkultura.info/ksiazki/robert-kirkman-zywe-trupy-dni-utracone-tom-1/
Best regards,
Alex
Simply put, I’m writing about my existence. I’ve recently made a life-altering decision (quit my unfulfilling sales job) and am now taking it one day at a time. I’m new to the world of blogging – my blog is just a little over 2 weeks old – so I don’t know all the “policies and procedures” but I’m hoping to figure it out as time goes by. For now, I’m blogging in order to feed my creative spirit but if one day my writing happens to also inspire someone else, I’ll consider that a gift.
I discovered Leo Babauta’s blog Zen Habits a couple months ago and I’m really drawn to the introspective nature of his writing. People often tell me that I spend a lot of time in my head so the idea of unloading my mental goop onto the world is a little scary but exhilarating at the same time.
I’ll provide the links to all my posts since there are presently only three:
http://jacquelineksmith.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/the-first-day-of-the-rest-of-my-life/
http://jacquelineksmith.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/the-road-less-travelled/
http://jacquelineksmith.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/rising-above-fear/
I’m currently working on establishing an appropriate site title since right now it’s just my name (that seemed like a good idea two weeks ago). So there you have it, me in a nutshell.
Thanks in advance for any feedback I may get about my writing. I’m sure it will help me on my journey.
Cheers,
Jacqueline
Hi, Mary, thanks for the opportunity to share our writing projects.
Currently, I am working on a novel, “The Life of a Blue Rose,” for NaNoWriMo, and hope to carry on with it when November is over. It’s a young adult romance deal, with a bit of sci-fi mixed in. The idea was influenced by girly Japanese comics (which I read voraciously) and Isaac Asimov’s book “I, Robot.” Here’s the synopsis from my NaNoWriMo page:
“This is a world where android servitude is universally accepted. This summer, a teenage girl will go to work at her uncle’s android farm, where the “machine men” are trained to be more effective at their various servant stations. There, she will find one particular android that has done the impossible: developed human emotions, namely the capability to love. There, she will discover a possibility that she both fears and longs for… she might be growing to love him herself.
“It is unheard of that a machine man might be able to feel things such as love. Does that mean, however, that love between a human girl and a manufactured boy is ultimately forbidden?
“Of course, in addition to this pressing question, there must eventually be a wrench or two thrown into the gears of such a tentatively blossoming love story. Let us introduce another boy—a human boy—and another girl, the best friend of the one drawn to the android’s mechanical heart. Let us cultivate and nourish this love… but the question is, which one?”
I started a blog (briarbouquet.wordpress.com) with a writer friend of mine to track our writing goals and progress; needless to say, more can (and will) be found about “The Life of a Blue Rose” there, as well as my writer friend’s book.
Thanks again! Have a good one.
Leah
Hi, im writing a short story, and I want to make sure that it isn’t too confusing… Thanks!
http://quotebase.blogspot.com/2011/11/charlie.html
I’m writing a short memoir of my first time away from home at basketball camp. This excerpt is what I remember most about the experience as a 10-year-old boy:
He gave the usual perfunctory ‘welcome to camp’ speech, mentioning who the other coaches were that were helping out that week, what the rules were, and what we were going to be doing that week—none of which I can recall except for the very end when he punctuated his speech with the icy cold admonishment: “And if we get any crap out of any of you kids while you’re here this week we’ll pack your ass up on a bus so fast you won’t know what happened!”
Hi! I just recently discovered Write to Done through a Google Bundle and think it’s fantastic.
My current main project is a novel, but I’m also working on short stories and other pieces of writing to generally hone my writing abilities (I’m a bit of an impatient writer and am trying to use my description and show, rather than tell). Here are a few examples:
http://tejisunflower.tumblr.com/post/13164137811/sin-like-an-angel
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9120293/the_train_part_i.html?cat=44
http://tejisunflower.tumblr.com/post/12779430014/flower-boy-ramyun-shop
And here is the portfolio I am working on assembling:
http://tejisunflower.tumblr.com/writingarchive