Editing My Own Ideas

In a recent on-line discussion between writers, it was mentioned that there are many famous authors who are able work closely with assigned editors to complete their work. Since I am not a published author yet, and very new to the process, I am basically on my own and get to work through this "editing process" on my own. I may want to pay for a professional to look at my work when I am finished, before I send it to any potential publishers, but limited to only what my wallet allows.


So I am very quickly learning the do's and dont's, and I am grateful for the many blog and discussion sites on the web where writers can share their experiences.  Without an editor to guide me, I find myself questioning my own ideas at times.  Working on a larger project also causes some confusion for me at times.  That's when I step away for a while, and then come back with a fresh view (at least I try to).


My story's idea for my first book came to me by chance. I wanted to write something that would horrorify and keep the reader on their toes, because like most, I love a good scare. Then I started reading up on some interesting people I heard about, the Timucua tribe, who are now extinct but used to live in the Florida area.  As I did more research, a story emerged.


I ended up with a tale of a family curse - tied to a ceremony enacted centuries ago.  A young couple meet and together struggle to end the curse, and of course fall in love. There is a lot of family drama, supernatural undertones, and some crime.  A real stew!  I really hope someone will be able to enjoy the story. Right now I am working on the last few editing steps....




I can't wait until I am finished.

I hope you love this song as much as I do!

head and the heart - Lost in My Mind

I started work on my web site - send me any suggestions -   www.Zguta.net





"Hanged, not as Spaniards, but as traitors, robbers, and murderers”

was the response of Captain Dominique De Gourgues to the Spanish brutal slaying of the French colonists who were

"hanged, not as Frenchmen, but as Lutherans and heretics."

Develop your own writing habits

Last week I was on vacation, and I swore it was going to be relaxing.  It's funny how our daily habits creep up, blind sighting ourselves with the monotony of our everyday rituals. Some things we just gravitate to like watching the news in the morning with a cup of coffee....you know, the simple things we do over and over again without even a second thought.

I skipped a week of my blog during my vacation and used the time to think about where I was going - my goals and how I was going to accomplish them.  I came to the conclusion that what I needed most to attain my goals is a good set of writing habits.

Definition of Habit -

1. an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary
2. customary practice or use
3. a particular practice, custom, or usage
4. a dominant or regular disposition or tendency; prevailing character or quality
5. addiction, especially to narcotics

So what are the best habits to utilize to attain good writing?  There are many experts in the field that have lists and secrets.  The bottom line is it has to work for the writer.  Some of my first thoughts are:

• Create and utilize writing project outlines (to have a clear vision)
• Create character lists (get to know them in detail before you start writing the story)
• Research (your subject, location or anything relevant)
• Be flexible and adjust your original thoughts as necessary to keep the story flowing
• Track changes (it is easy to get confused especially writing a larger project)
• Write down ideas when they pop in your head (save for future, always have paper & pen)
• Set up a schedule THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT

Reserve a designated amount of time to sit & write. This is often the hardest to accomplish because we have so many distractions. So, just like punching a time clock, schedule time to write. Also needed is time to edit the writings, and let's not forget that we also have to format, send letters, and market. This is very daunting when you think of all the time these activities consume.


My main goal is to stay true to the main objective, and never give up writing time. This will need to be my most obsessive writing habit - my addiction.


Helpful sites with assistance:


purdue.edu/owl/resource


dailywritingtips/fiction-writing/


ken-follett.com/masterclass


Stephenking.com/library/ On Writing:_a_memoir_of_the_craft


readwritethink.org/elements/overview/


I hope you enjoy this song - a version that reminds us that practice is something we all do!

Us Against The World - Coldplay

Take a break to reflect

So much information is at our fingertips, uploading to multiple sites with the touch of a button. It's wonderful and exciting but the question is…"Who has time to read it all?"

There is something to be said to pulling the plug and taking a break from the social dialogue. Turn it off for an opportunity to actually absorb and process the information we have been bombarded with already.

So the challenge is - disconnect for a day or so and see what happens. Believe me it will not make things dull.

Many of us have forgotten how to analyze, comprehend and truly appreciate these "things" we are exposed to everyday. I am as guilty as anyone, often forgetting to value the idea. I sometimes neglect to perceive the deeper thoughts behind the words, and gather only the face value instead. Many of us jam too much information into a day, leaving us empty in the end.  We need time to reflect.

Our relationships can weaken if we don't take the proper time to foster them.  We instead spend time cultivating our social media. My point is let's take the time to appreciate the moment, the idea or the word for what it is, savor it and then add it into our own personal tapestry, filled with enrichment.  Let others know you appreciate and validate their viewpoints.  Step back and give yourself time to process your own feelings about this intelligence we are exposed to. Nurture the relationship you have with yourself.

The same applies with writing. During the editing process, I am experiencing the hardship of honestly seeing what is in front of me. The story was created in my head well in advance of it hitting the page. To edit and review the words with fresh eyes is a challenge. To help myself in the process, I discovered the best method is to wait with patience and give myself space, step back and remove my preconceptions, and then view again trying to envision it without anticipations. I must concede, for me this is the hardest part of writing.

So in an earnest attempt to step back - I will be on vacation this week! I know it will be rough but I will give it my best shot. All joking aside, the challenge will be trying not to hop onto the computer. Even from the beach however, I will still be writing something, if not on the computer then in my head.


For now, this is me signing off for today.

REM Everybody Hurts   click link
I hope you enjoy this music video.  Everytime I watch and listen I SEE something else revealing....

Let's begin

This is the first day I begin to blog. Friday the 13th has always been lucky for me, so I guess I am off to a good start. I decided to JUMP. Not sure if I JUMPED out of my cubicle at work to start writing at home, or if I JUMPED into writing. Either way - I JUMPED!


I began writing a book almost two years ago, working at it part time. I finally decided to try to polish it up, do some editing and finish it. I hope to continue with more ideas and stories after my first is completed.


The reason I started writing is a little complicated. Ever since college I have always wanted to write, but for years kept stories in my head because I never had the time to write them down. Then two years ago a very close member of our family died unexpectantly, a great loss. Life is so short and we never know what is ahead. I decided I needed to do something now. I knew it is now or never and so I began to put an idea down on paper. The process of actually writing became infectious. I would sit at my desk for hours writing, reading and writing again. I found a joy and release I never had experienced before, and I beleive it makes me a better person. (at least in my head I am )


This is my first blog - I have visited other people's blogs who have a lot more material to offer and I hope that soon I will be able to add more as I learn this new nedium of blogging. For now, this is me signing off for today.