The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Tag!

          I've been tagged. Yes, that's what happens when one is fat and slow-moving--it's easy for them to lose a game like "Tag."

       But wait. This is the kind of game I can play while I am procrastinating mulling over a current work-in-progress.

       Cathy C. Hall tagged me. Or maybe it was Cathy-on-a-Stick. (You never know about that one...) Cathy answered some writing questions, and then passed the torch, for a burning inquisition...

What are you working on right now?

        Right this moment, I'm working on a submission for Chicken Soup for the Soul. I also used to have a pet snake--several, in fact--and am planning on writing a piece to send to Publishing Syndicate for possible inclusion in their Not Your Mother's Book...On Pets.

          As far as something lengthier, I began a "longish" piece last November during NaNoWriMo. It's a little more than 60,000 words long right now, and is currently the object of much colorful language called "The WWWP Critique Group and SD Society."

How does it differ from other works in this genre?

      Well, for one, it's not finished. (Duh.)

       It's a mash-up of novel/cookbook/collection of essays. It's part marathon and part sprint. It's been dormant for a month or two, but I think I've found the thread I need to weave throughout the whole thing. Only time will tell...

Why do you write what you do?

      I began this novel monstrosity longish piece with just a kernel of an idea at its core. It almost immediately morphed into a vehicle that could honor an endless parade of people---my close friends, my granddaughter, my critique group, the authors I adore, blogging buddies--because the story centers around five fierce women writers. With my clumsy deft hand, I could manipulate the characters to rant about Rush Limbaugh, to stalk Jean Ellen Whatley as an ardent fan, to drool over Khaled Hosseini. 
     That's why I was writing it...And at some point, the story took over, and I'm no longer in control.  

What is the hardest part about writing?

       It depends on the project. Sometimes it's the title. There's lots of times I come to my critique group and have to beg and plead for a title. There are other times (like with the piece I'm bringing tomorrow) where the ending is suckola. (And I know that odor when I encounter it, believe me.) Sometimes (very occasionally) the hard part is keeping up with the story. On rare, magical moments, the piece tumbles out all by itself. I wish that happened more often...

       Now it's time for me to tag three people. Tammy. You're it. Val. You're it. Lynn. You're it. Oh, and along the way back to the "safe" spot, I brushed past Shay. You're it, too.


  

20 comments:

  1. I love reading about what other writers are working on!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. WAIT! That means I have to start working on something! And what does it say about ME if a self-proclaimed slow-mover overtook me for the tag?

    Is it just me, or is the blogosphere crying for a biography on Cathy-on-a-Stick? Or a travelogue, perhaps.

    It seems that your plate is very full. But not too full for some Chicken Soup. I tip my thinking cap to you in honor of your 60,000 words. I know I've written 60,000 words (some might say they're all in one blog post), but none of them are connected. Did you purposely leave off the title to illustrate your title-challengedness?

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    Replies
    1. Great! Now you've added a title just to mock me!

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    2. Really? No title? Perhaps you overlooked it as you looked down your nose at the pathetic writers who planned on submitting to RHP's anthology but fizzled out and died...

      Isn't that special...

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  3. Tagged twice in a day, oh my... loved hearing about your writing process even though we're in the same critique group, it still interests me...

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  4. Well, well, well...I had heard whispers about this elusive 60,000 word WIP and now I can mock--um, I mean praise it accordingly. :-)

    Seriously? I'm a little ticked off that I didn't think of something like this myself. I have a critique group and they're NUTS. They're talented, too, of course, but mostly NUTS.

    But fine. Good luck and all that. Also, I cannot give Cathy-on-a-Stick any more of the big head than she's already got. I mean, she's basically a head on a stick. Come on, y'all.

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  5. Cathy's right -- our writing group is NUTS. And I know she meant that in the most loving way possible. :) I also know that I'm one of your blogging buddies, which means maybe I'll make it into your book as one of the characters. When Hollywood makes your book into a movie, I want Sandra Bullock to play me, okay?

    Loved reading about your process for writing -- seems very organic, which is often the most productive, and fun, way to write. You sound like you've really got your sh** together. Looking forward to reading your masterpiece. I've no doubt at all it will be worth every second.

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    1. Lisa--Back at ya.

      Sandra Bullock? Isn't she kind of old to play you? ;)

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  6. Hi Sioux,

    Like Mary, I enjoy reading about what others are working on, although it can be intimidating.

    I'm impressed that you are working on two non-fiction pieces, plus a novel. And what's that about a snake? Yikes!

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    1. Donna--I'm trying to not miss a Chicken Soup opportunity; Linda O'Connell is a wonderful (but intimidating) role model when it comes to submissions...

      Snakes are our friends. Say it over and over: snakes are our friends. ;)

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  7. I'm always impressed with your writing, but am absolutely honored to be tagged - let alone called a "fierce writer." Am I allowed to ask what "SD Society" means?! I'm horrible at these. Do I get a hint?

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    1. Tammy--You're far beyond "fierce," and your hamster story last night was proof.

      The "D" stands for "disturber" or "disturbing." (Another hint: I am one of these.) Can you guess what the "S" stands for?

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  8. Your WIP sounds like it will be a fascinating read. Get thyself moving woman, and finish it!

    Pat
    Critter alley

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    Replies
    1. Pat--Thanks for the gentle nudge. Do you by chance have an electric cattle prod? ;)

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  9. Your WIP sounds like it will be a fascinating read. Get thyself moving woman, and finish it!

    Pat
    Critter alley

    ReplyDelete

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