I would hear or see other writers that were doing free lance work. I was jealous and started obsessing about getting “real writing work” Then, an epiphany.. I did not want to do that, I did not need to obsess. I needed/wanted to concentrate on my WIP
Support. To keeping something going. Your supporting cast moves the protagonist’s story forward, or backward, or perhaps slides it sideways.
DIY MFA Radio Episode 103 (sorry, I cannot get the links to work)
Writing the Multiple Point of View novel with Emma Staub.
My WIP has many characters, but it is not a multi-character story. It has one main character, with the story told in many POV’s. Each character moves my protagonist closer to his goal, even when he is not in that particular scene. The supporting characters’ views, on achievement and success, impacts my protagonist.
“adulthood is a moving target” – Emma Staub (Episode 103)
This is the theme of my story. I didn’t have one until I listened to this podcast. But I digress……
Back to the supporting cast.
the Fool – the protagonist’s cousin. She introduces Love Interest (2) and moves the story along when it gets stuck.
the Love Interest (1) she is toxic, pulls down the protagonist. She is messy, not good for him and bad things happen to her all the time.
the Love Interest (2) she is “normal”, has normal issues.
the Side Kick (1) he is toxic, messy, pulls down the protagonist, he causes bad things to happen.
the Side Kick (2) he is “normal”, has normal issues
(ahh, I see what is happening here)
the Mentor – his grandfather, a man who has lived life, made his mistakes, sharing what he has learned.
and of course, the Puppy, because all stories should have a puppy.
R= V/I
Voltage:
Ohm’s definition – the potential difference in charge between two points in an electromagnetic field.
My definition – the objective – getting a the first round of revision done by the end of February.
Resistance:
Ohm’s definition – the measure of difficulty of passing an electric current through a substance.
My definition – the difficulty of sitting down and working on the revisions of my WIP
Intensity:
Ohm’s definition – the measurable amount of force used to affect change.
My definition – the amount of effort I put into my WIP at any given time.
To reduce Resistance, you must increase Intensity. The Voltage is the constant.
The accumulation of unnecessary projects or distractions (resistance) dilutes the effort I put into my WIP (intensity). My objective is to revision 1000 words per day (voltage)
My Resistance/day: I joined a 6-week prompt challenge. My online writing group starts a new project, requiring writing, revision, rewriting. It is year end for our “real-life” business . I plan a holiday, no, wait… two holidays. I visit with a friend, it’s because it is her birthday. I started the diyMFA Book Club, WIP, etc. etc.
R= V/I = 1000 words for WIP/8 projects or distractions = 122 words
Or
My Resistance/day: My online writing group starts a new project, requiring writing, revision, rewriting. It is year end for our “real-life” business. I started the diyMFA Book Club (30 minutes) WIP, etc. etc.
R=V/I = 1000 words for WIP/6 projects or distractions = 166 words
Or
My Resistance/day: My online writing group starts a new project, requiring writing, revision, rewriting. I started the diyMFA Book Club
R=V/I 1000 words for WIP/3 projects or distractions – 333 words
I have already spent way to much time on this blog and not my WIP
………proving the power of resistance.
PS. I set a 15 minute timer and have gone over that by 16 minutes and have written approximately 300 words. This includes taking a picture of Gnome. (note to self – Gnome needs a photoshoot)
I have tried several times to make an oracle, mood board and angst jar. My attempts seemed contrived and forced. It just wasn’t working for me. Then, after a particularly, and rare, bad day in the office, my husband brought me a new tea cup in a pretty gift box and a bouquet of flowers. (Even though he had nothing to do with that particularly rare bad day.) I had my box, my treasure chest! A few days later, my mom called and said she had found a little two inch gnome that had hung on my door knob throughout my childhood. She, who saves nothing, had saved my gnome. He now resides in my treasure box. I have yet to learn if he is my outer muse or inner critic, or perhaps a bit of both. Then, I found, and I don’t remember where, a giant red die. It sits beside Gnome in the treasure box.
My creativity is fed by my family, my friends, my environment, my dogs and cats, but mostly by me. I love to set challenges for myself. For instance, my current challenge is a weekday challenge. Fifteen minutes each day, Monday to Friday, of new content for my WIP. I cannot write “X” number of words. I spend the whole time counting and not writing. (so far….7/30 days – haven’t missed a day.) I have done NaNoWriMo four times, and only succeeded once. NaNo Camp is more my style.
Finding Word Nerd Unite and other Facebook groups has inspired me to keep going. I have met people on these sites from all over the world. I am spurred on by the positive feedback and constructive critique, by watching others with the same fears and onstacles power through and succeed.
There is no velvet rope, no exclusive club. My creativetiy is just that, MINE.
Photo by Elias Castillo on Unsplash
The Underdog
You are the quintessential underdog storyteller and your superpower is creating relatable characters who have a deep desire to change something in themselves or in the world around them. From rages-to-riches narratives to epic David- and-Goliath style battles you craft stories with high stakes and compelling characters your readers can’t help but love.
Reality #1
I have carved out 90 minutes every morning to write. But, my husband and I have a home-based business. Although he tries to respect my writing time, now and then, business has to come first.
Honor #1
I use a timer. When he interrupts me, I turn off the timer, deal with the issue, then return to my writing desk, turn the timer back on and write. Most of the time, 90 minutes is just that, 90 minutes. But sometimes it is 2 hours or even 2 1/2 hours. And sometimes, it just doesn’t happen at all.
Reality #2
I have to grown children who have moved away, but they still need their mommy.
Honor #2
When we visit, in person or on the phone, they come first. They have 100% of my attention. But, they also respect my writing time, and give me the space I need.
Reality #3
My parents and mother-in-law are elderly. I live 45 minutes away. We are dealing with heart disease and early on-set Alzheimer’s.
Honor #3
When call display tells me my mom or sister-in-law are calling, I leave my writing world and stay in the real world as long as I have to.
Reality #4
In 2014, my husband and I decided to cut our 3500 sq. ft. home into three pieces and move it from the city to an acreage
Honor #4
I did not write anything meaningful at that time, but boy, do I have a story to tell.
Reality #5
Life is busy. it will always be busy. Emails, writing courses, Facebook groups, critique groups, family, Christmas, pets, cooking. Yep. Busy, busy, busy.
Honor #5
Embrace the business, but hold fast to your goals, whatever they may be. Don’t get discouraged when the time frame gets skewed. Forgive yourself for being human. Love what you do, whatever it may be.
