I really am.  But I’m also writing this entry.  Huzzah for multi-tasking!

Or prevaricating.

:D

Today, I wish to discuss writing, with reference to a particular story.  Last year, I started a serial called Holly Hughes.  If you follow that link, you’ll find it’s that most rare of serials: the serial with only one instalment.  Some might even say that renders it ineligible for the classification "serial"... and they’d be right.  I had great plans to update the story regularly and they all fell through, no doubt having a great time with all of those other, lost good intentions of mine who are living it up somewhere with plenty of company.

Over a year went by without any noticable updates at all until I received a review for the story last week.  This was beneficial in many ways, firstly because it reminded me the story actually existed.  Secondly because it reminded me that I quite liked the story and it could be fun to continue with it.  The only down side is that I appear to have forgotten a great deal of the plans I had for it.  Oh, I have notes.  Indeed I do.  I have a lovely list of characters, with some suggested scenes for the story in which they appear.  These notes comprise a grand two pages... if I change my page layout from A4 to letter.  I was positive I had more than that, but alas, it’s not the case.  (Or maybe I did and they ran off to party with all of my lost good intentions...)

So instead of the sheafs of helpful notes and future scenes I anticipated uncovering, I have a bare handful of notes written in an imaginative sort of creative short-hand that I foolishly expected myself to understand over a year later.

My favourite of these cryptic and terribly unhelpful notes would have to be this one:

An unholy army marches by, under Holly’s gaze.  (Themesong: Warriors from Lord of the Dance.)

Because, yes, I can definitely see an unholy army marching by to that song... but why the hell is there an unholy army in the story in the first place?  And why would Holly be watching said unholy army, marching by complete with unlikely musical accompaniment?

It was at this point that I began to suspect I'd be making up a lot of this story all over again.

I want to, though - I really want to.  Most of 2007 was spent in editing or in scrawling nonsense stories in a notebook; it'd be lovely to just sit down and write again.  I didn't mind that at all - I love editing and the nonsense stories were fun to write.  Yet it feels as though I've been away from any serious writing for a long time.  And Holly Hughes would be a great way to get back into that.  The main character has a lot of promise and there's a balance of humour and seriousness in the narrative that I quite enjoy.  The fact that the vast majority of my notes consists of a list of characters is encouraging, too.  Usually, my stories are very plot-driven; a story driven by characters would make a lovely change.  And they're such fascinating characters, too!  I can't wait to have a chance to write them.

I probably won't have much of a chance until after the fourth of January, though, because I'll be too busy having the time of my life with my fellow LorFers as of tomorrow morning!  If I were to say I were looking forward to this with a moderate amount of interest, then I'd be lying through my teeth.  I CANNOT WAIT!

*counts down the hours*

Before I go, I'd like to wish everyone a fantastic new year.  I hope 2008 is good to us all.

I believe I’ve often complained about the way university ruined my attitude to writing.  Oh yes.  Just give me an opening and I’ll waffle on forever, telling you about the fact that I’m amazed I did as well as I did, what with writing stories that neither my lecturer nor I even liked.  What was the point of it?

It was mostly my own fault, of course.  If I’d actually spent some time investigating the degree and the university a bit more, I probably would have chosen differently.

But I didn’t.

So I can’t really complain, seeing as it’s all my own fault.

The silly thing is that I’ve taken so long to address the problem.  I suppose it’s easier to complain than to do something.  But that has changed.  The last week devoted to associating writing with good things, rather than negative ones.  I’ve done writing at work; I’ve done writing at home; I’ve rewarded myself when I achieved the tasks I set myself.

In fact, I’ve written 3,328 words since last Wednesday.  And the best thing is that I know I could have done more and I fully intend to do so.

One thousand of those words went towards my short story revolving around the Honourable League of Psychics.  Oh, they’re an odd bunch.  And the earrings are compulsory.  On the down side, the thousand words aren’t that great.  Luckily, there’s an up side and it relates to the way the story kept whispering to me as we went along.  “Oh, that’s rubbish, I know,” it would whisper.  “But look – you’ve raised a plot point.  And what if they acutally knew each other.  Wouldn’t that change the story entirely?  And can he see her or not?  Make sure you hint instead of being obvious.  And mention the earrings.  That’s important.”

My mind seems to be incredibly receptive to stories at the moment.  Everything I look at tells a story.  The curtains, that CD, a pile of floppy disks...  Well, perhaps not everything, but a lot of things.  The story I’ve started for FictionPress seems to inspire a good deal of these thoughts.  New characters keep tapping me on the shoulder for recognition, more often than not dumping a entire plot down at my feet when I let them in.

It’s wonderful.  I feel energised and revitalised as a writer.

As for the proof of all this writing, you can find it at FictionPress in the form of Holly Hughes.  It’s an on-going story that I will be updating regularly so if you feel like something to read, go for it. I’d love some feedback.  If it doesn’t make sense or if I’ve actually done something right, please let me know.  I believe you never stop learning as a writer and I’m always keen for some more lessons.