Get High to Write Without Illegal Drugs

Photo Credit - http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

I write some of my most difficult scenes by getting high. I do not need marijuana, opium, meth—whatever the names are. I play a song. The song must do three things: (1) reflect the emotion I want; (2) stimulate the emotion I want; and (3) dig into the core of my being.

When I want to write sad, happy or crying scenes in a project I care about, I receive emotional triggers from songs. I do this for poetry and other forms of writing, too. I even do it to build courage. Last Sunday, for example, I told my partner I wanted to take my one-woman play across the country, starting with a performance in my home and have my neighbors as my audience. The problem was, my partner had never heard or seen me perform a play on stage. He had doubts. I had to show him my acting prowess.

I selected a song I knew would trigger the emotion I wanted. The music played. I sang and swayed while the song’s hallucinogenic effect penetrated me. After, I ambled on the imaginary stage in my living room. I performed my monologue as my partner watched with eyes fixed on me. At the end of my performance, I said, "I know you didn't know, but in high school, I received an A in drama."

The song spurred courage and confidence. While some people have used other methods (meditation, emulation, drugs), this is one of my methods. (I hope the songs I listen to were not inspired by drug users). Tap into your emotions. Test this drug-free method. See if it works for you. You won't look silly if you are alone. What are your triggers?

Good News

I won Dianne K. Salerni's The Inquisitor's Mark (the Eight Day). Click here. A friend had mentioned Dianne's book, The Eight Day. I haven't read it yet, but from the advance she received and the reviews on Amazon, it must be an excellent read. I can't wait to read both books. 

(I'm trying to keep all my posts under 300 words).

Lolita: Writing for Your Readers

As I think about writing or myself as a writer/author, I become more aware that I should give back to readers something for the time they invest to read my work. I place more effort into how I tie my words together. I read works by authors who knew/know how to write good stories to aid my writing development. I think about writing for my readers.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, for example, is a frighteningly repulsive story about an older man, the protagonist Humbert Humbert, who preys on a naive child he perceives as a “nymphet.” Lolita has a plot that includes pedophilia and murder. Though I feel a sense of guilt and shame because I could be perceived as encouraging such actions, I must admit that I love the writing because Nabokov spins a tale so powerfully appealing with suspense, pathos, puns—countless literary devices that the reader forgets that the protagonist is a beast.

Nabokov writes for the reader.  He clearly expresses that throughout the book each time Humbert directs or speaks to the reader. Below are some examples from Lolita.

·       "Now, in perusing what follows, the reader should bear in mind…"

·     "The reader must know now…"

·     "[The reader must]  accompany us West..."

·    "Oh, do not scowl at me reader..."

·        "Reader must understand…."

He steals readers' attention with breathtaking scenes for readers to feel, touch, taste, smell, and see.

Nabokov escorts readers into a paradise of beautiful prose that keeps them turning the pages. He makes the readers enjoy the novel despite the actions of Humbert. Nabokov gives the reader an investment for their time and more.

Good writing takes time to develop, and writing for your readers is a skill. You should think of yourself as one of your readers while writing. Among other things, think about what readers would want to happen, how you think your readers would want to solve a conflict, and if readers think the story is believable. Write for your readers, not only for yourself.

My Book: The Editing Process - "It is Gripping"

It's been a while since I started Day Laughs, Night Cries.  I had submitted the first three chapters to obtain a grant and received more than I had expected.  Four out of five small publishers commented on my writing style and three asked that I send them the completed manuscript, while two offered me grants.  I could not believe the response.  I had written the chapters as class assignments.  

I worked on the first draft as a person running a marathon.  I could not put it down.  Memories surfaced like beautiful wild flowers and overgrown wild weeds. I cried, laughed, and wrote (see the title).  The first draft was a quick read with flashbacks and cliffhangers.  I had used flashbacks to escape writing about difficult situations.  The flashbacks allowed me to give insights without giving too much.  They also allowed me to keep certain characters at the surface.  This strategy worked well, but only for me.

I gave the manuscript to some people to tell me if it hooked them or not.  Not for a real critique.  An English Literature professor said, "It is gripping, and fast paced throughout." A media professor involved with television series said, "It is so alive and strong... send it right away to a publisher.  It is that good...." 

Then, I sent it to one of the small publishers who liked the manuscript but suggested that it needed more work and asked if I would like a critique.  I quickly said yes. I love constructive critique.  It was an excellent critique that listed the strengths and weaknesses in the manuscript, the strong dialogue and where the voice strayed from child, to adult, to academic.  I've worked on everything the publisher mentioned because I believed in the critique.  When I completed the next draft, an editor, among other things, suggested I change the ending.  I did.  Now I need to let go of the manuscript, but .... not yet.   

Goodbye Grief, Find Joy Again

I'm bursting with excitement, energy, and a new reason to write.  For months I could only blog as my energy or desire to do other things had left me, maybe due to my mom's illness, and then her death. Many things happened this year. I felt many things were taken from me and that I had regressed about ten years in my past, although I pretended otherwise.

My partner spoke to me yesterday.  He said I have much going for me even if everything else was taken away, and I wanted to hear what was included in the "much."  He reminded me about one of my biggest assets—my ability to write.  He said no one can take away my power to write and that I should continue to write.  He said I should write a commitment to myself that I’ll continue to write and complete my book. I went to the gym and worked on my manuscript when I returned home. My partner's words gave me confidence, affirmation to believe in myself even when my reality seemed to rest in a discombobulated state.

Goodbye grief, hello to writing, to the completion of my manuscript.
Update
I completed my manuascript - the book now titled Day Laughs Night Cries: Fifteen
To Others
When life seems unbearble, don't quit. The good times will return. You'll find joy again. Yes. You Will.

First Post - i love writing

"i" - here i am

my first blog post here

i want to write about things

about life

about writing

i want to learn more about writing

i want to understand writing

i want to understand why i write
because i always feel compelled to write

i want to learn about others who write, too
i want to know how they write

i want to know why they write
i want to know what they write
i want to know how their words impact others or me

"we" questions - they float in my head

do we write for attention?
do we always write for meaning?

do we write to express emotions?
sadness, grief, pain, joy...?
do we write because we express ourselves better in writing?

do write to show off?
do we write to intimidate others?

do we write because we're born writers?
do we write because we think we can write?
do we write because others say we can write?

do we write to teach?
do we write to learn?
do we write to heal?
do we write to inspire?

do we write for the joy of writing?

i think i know why i write
i've always loved writing

for the way words work magic

for the way i feel after a good out-pouring

for the way words transform and inform

for the way words teach

for the way words make me laugh or cry

for the way words heal

i love writing