Owner: dark cafe days URL:http://darkcafedays.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 07:48:06 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Blog of Victoria Hume, a first time writer trying to write her first novel within a year. Also includes writing tips that I pick up along the way and my favourite places to write Site statistics:Click here
Progress report 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I haven't really gotten anywhere with my plot ideas, but i've been using this programme called storyweaver to brainstorm and it's given me a few good leads. I'm feeling pretty down and stressed because all I really want to do is just get stuck in and start writing but I'm having technical difficulties!But, to quote Phillip Pullman again:"Amateurs think that if they were inspired all the time, they could be professionals. Professional know that if they relied on inspiration, they'd be amateurs."So, on that note I better crack on with it really Read more:report
, Progress report
Screw them all 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I went to Phillip Pullman's website (he wrote the amazingly brilliant His Dark Materials trilogy). There's a great quote from him regarding writing:"Don't listen to any advice, that's what I'd say. Write only what you want to write. Please yourself. YOU are the genius, they're not. Especially don't listen to people (such as publishers) who think that you need to write what readers say they want. Readers don't always know what they want. I don't know what I want to read until I go into a bookshop and look around at the books other people have written, and the books I enjoy reading most are books I would never in a million years have thought of myself. So the only thing you need to do is forget about pleasing other people, and aim to please yourself alone. That way, you'll have a chance of writing something that other people WILL want to read, because it'll take them by surprise. It's also much more fun writing to please yourself." So, out the window with my writers insecurit Read more:Screw
Writers software 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've been exploring various writing software this week. Because i'm so disastrously stuck on plot ideas (i know, i know, i should just free up my imagination and not get too bogged down in the details but it's impossible to do that when you don't even have any details at all, just concepts) i've been looking at computer programmes that let you organise your creative thoughts and spark your imagination. One programme i've come across is called storyweaver, i've only used it a little bit so far but it seems pretty good.The basic premise to coming up with a plot is that you select three words randomly - but in my case i've chosen words that relate to the concepts i want to include in my story e.g. evolution. You then have to come up with as many short plot tag lines as possible by combining those three words. Eventually you merge these ideas and thus form a coherent plot.I haven't had as much time to investigate this process as i would like but i'm hoping it should yield some re Read more:Writers
NaNoWriMo 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I came across an interesting journal of one persons account of the national novel writing month or nanowrimo. The object is to write a novel no matter how haphazardly in one month (it starts in november this year). The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. The nanowrimo website states that:'Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.'It does appeal to me.... but i just don't think i'll have time in November, i'll have just started an intensive masters course in biological surveying... not the ideal time to write a novel, but there's always next year.Anyway, if anyone wants to read the account of writing a nanowrimo novel it's here. Read more:NaNoWriMo
Hallelujah! an idea 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've basically pinned down an idea for my novel. I don't really want to give too much away here because I've heard horror stories about people getting their ideas ripped off by scurrilous writers.... which is very sad and depressing.But.... essentially, my story is going to involve communication through time to earlier human races or branches of the human evolutionary tree and modern day scientific jiggery pokery. It will have mutations, evil monks and of course - evolution. I'm looking forward to getting started on it. I want to try and develop the ideas of the characters first though and also think out a novel structure that in some way resembles the process of evolution itself.... so, not much to do!I keep getting side tracked though because i've just started a Masters course at the University of Sussex. I'm studying Biodiversity Surveying which is taking up all my time at the moment. Biodiversity surveying basically means learning how to identify all the plants and animals an Read more:Hallelujah
And not a word on paper.... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Wow, this sure is hard work. As you can probably tell from the lack of blog entries i'm finding it pretty tough to get going. I'm still trying to draft out plot ideas and get everything pinned down. I've been working on character ideas. Basically doing very little and letting life get in the way (not that that's a bad thing)Basically the problem is that all the free time i have i feel i should devote to my studies (i'm doing a Masters at the moment). So i spend all my free time researching insects and moss identification when what i really want to do is devote some time to writing.It's my own fault, i should be more disiplined towards writing. A book won't write itself! Starting from now i'm going to try to save one hour a day solely for writing and researching my book, nothing else. I think it's important to get a structured timetable and i have to force myself to work on it otherwise it will never get done, and i certainly won't get a draft by next year. Ho hum. Read more:paper
Commas 1970-01-01 00:59:59 As I've been writing I've become aware of my lack of understanding of the comma. I seem to be sprinkling them all over the place, willy nilly. So, whenever I don't understand something my first port of call has got to be Wikipedia. If you don't know Wikipedia yet it is the most amazing online source of free information that I know of. Here's the link to their article about commas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_%28punctuation%29So, I know how to use a comma in certain circumstances. For example, when setting out items in a list or how to use them instead of brackets to surround a phrase that is not necessary to the sentance. For example: The cat, which was sleek and black, ate the fish.However, after reading the Wikipdia article, I realised that what I was doing wrong was sometimes using commas to separate two independent clauses when really I should have been using a FANBOY (or a fullstop). I'll let Wikipedia explain:The comma is often used to separate two independent clause
New Year, New Page 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I thought that the new year would be a good milestone to start my book from. So, after recovering from my hangover I decided to get cracking. I decided to start off by setting out the first few scenes on index cards. I wasn't sure how useful this might be but it seemed to work pretty well. It helped me to organise my thoughts and plan how I would create cliff hangars at the ends of chapters. I planned out seven scenes like this.After those first scenes I have about four different plot lines. So I'll need to sit down at some point in the future in order to figure out how to tangle them up in a satisfactory way. But i wrote down the main plot points for each of these sub plots so hopefully it won't take too long.I think i've probably got enough material to write more than one book, in other words write a trilogy. But, i'm not sure how likely it is that a publisher would consider taking on a trilogy from a first time writer. Perhaps i'll just worry about writing it first, I suppose Read more:New Year
useful lessons 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've been reading about the craft of writing and how to improve my writing style. One of the most interesting pieces of advice I've come across is to cut out the adverbs and adjectives as much as possible. Instead, writers should try to use verbs or nouns that convey their message succinctly. For example, instead of writing, 'she ran quickly,' write, 'she sprinted'.However, using different verbs to 'pep up' your story apparently doesn't apply to dialogue. I've now read multiple times that you should aim to keep dialogue as simple as possible and avoid using phrases like: she cried, she moaned, she harangued, she shouted etc. Instead just use a simple, he said/she said and use the dialogue itself to convey the tone - or use different ways to convey the meaning. So, instead of writing,'You'll never catch me!' she laughed, write'You'll never catch me!' Lucinda threw her head back in hysteria..... or something along those lines. Apparently that last one was my really rubbis
Random creativity generator 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've just found a wicked random generator on the internet that generates random words, sentances and paragraphs and can be used for brainstorming etc. interesting results include:'Evolution cracks evil' - wow, what if evolution did crack evil, could a species evolve to be good rather than evil? and now i come to mention it what is evil anyway?'Change fringes each frown' - that's just really amazing imagery for wrinkles! can you imagine that on a beauty commercial? Does change fringe your frown? try our product now with added protepeptual 7A. It'll take the years right off.'Evil isolates the attack inside the fatuous mouth' -- what i imagine here is a really bolshy, rude person holding back a tide of evil with their curses.I love the random imagery that occurs from random-ish strings of words. I think it will be really useful when coming up with ideas for my story and breking the pattern of my writing style to add interest and depth.So enough with the technical wizardry, i real Read more:Random
Writers block 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Well, i've sort of been having writers block
since i last posted. I haven't really been making any time for writing and have just been carrying on as before. I don't think i'm very dedicated to this writing stuff. Perhaps if i force myself into a routine of sitting down and writing for an hour each day that would help... but i find that life always ends up getting in the way! I'm also broke... i went on holiday and now have no money left for the month which is why i've decided to sign up to an online content provider for websites. You write articles on every topic under the sun and get paid various amounts of money from $10 upwards. At least it's a way of earning money from writing! If anyone else is interested they're called Constant-content.As far as the evolution idea goes i've been researching a guy called Charles Dawson who was a naturalist in Sussex around the turn of the century. If you've heard of the piltdown man controversy you might know that he's one of the key s Read more:Writers
, Writers block
Tricky Dialogue 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've just started my novel, I'm probably on about 2000 words by now. I'm finding it difficult to find time to write and carry on with my studies. But i'm really enjoying the process of writing and the challenges created.For example, yesterday I wrote a conversation between two people. One person was from the 13th centuary and about to die and the other was from the modern day and was inside the mind of the other person. So, as you can imagine that was quite a tricky one, which took quite a while to get right. I'm still not sure if the dialogue conveys what I want it to. But it was really fun trying to write a conversation where one person believes they are having an internal dialogue with themselves but really they're talking to someone else.I quite enjoy the way that simple ideas like the concept of being able to enter the mind of dead people (in a sort of Being John Malkovich way) can lead to such complex situations.I'm also thinking about joining a writing group or writing cl Read more:Tricky
Feeling positive 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've been languishing a bit recently with my writing and not really giving it the attention it deserves. Therefore today I am going to take the bull by the horns and write chapter two. Yep, that's right, a whole chapter in one day. I'm just going to write it really quickly and see how it goes. I can then try editing it later. It might even make my writing more spontaneous and direct.Before I start my writing for the day I firstly need to get my university work out the way. I have to read one very dull chapter about calculating biodiversity indices. After that i'm going to a lunchtime showing of Pans Labyrinth which i've been meaning to go and see for ages now. I'm finally getting round to it. I'm quite excited about going to see it actually because i'll be going all by myself. I haven't been to the cinema alone in ages and I quite like the feeling. I always feel a bit naughty as if i'm doing something wrong. I don't need to worry about analysing what happened with someone st Read more:Feeling
writing in new places 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Sometimes I find it nice to get out and about and write in new places. Go somewhere new and more importantly not stay in staring at the same four walls. Seeing as it's so horrible and cold at the moment i'm basically restricted to writing
in cafes and pubs. I've decided to try and start a review of the benefits of different writing venues in Brighton (and anywhere else I happen to end up).So, first up. I spent a pleasant post-shopping saturday afternoon at Brighton library seeing if inspiration might hit me. Everywhere else in town seemed a bit too busy for me to spend hours sitting and writing and nursing one cup of tea so the library seemed perfect. I have to say that I love the new library. It's bright and sunny and the seats are comfy. There's huge windows to look out of but sadly not really much of a view. It's definately a great place for people watching so if you want character inspiration there are certainly some odd people about. However, it was possibly a little too bus
Rough Writing 1970-01-01 00:59:59 On Tuesday I managed to write the second chapter in three and a half hours so I'm feeling pretty positive about things. I basically aimed to write one chapter as quickly as possible so the writing's pretty rough. I'm going to have to go back through it and edit it heavily and probably rework some of the dialogue but it just feels really good to be progressing. I've now reached over 4,500 words which I suppose is pretty slow going for a month's work. Especially because my aim was to write at least 500 words a day. Ah well, I'm not going to beat myself up about it, I've got to find my own pace.I finished writing the first chapter over a week ago and was finding it hard to start the second chapter. I felt a strange sort of block on my work. It wasn't that I didn't know what I wanted to write it was more as if I was scared of writing something the wrong way. I have such high expectations for what I want to create and I'm worried that what will come out will be just a clumsy imita Read more:Rough
The start 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Everyone has a novel in them apparently. I only seem to have the start of a novel in me. Lots of novels to be precise but I've never finished one to the end. So here's my challenge. To write a novel (or at least the first draft) in a year. Take the bull by the horns and plunge in. I'm going to cover the highs and lows of writing and the progress I make towards completion.I think part of my problem has always been that I've felt ashamed with what I've written, especially when it wasn't finished because I always feel like it's not quite good enough. I've found it difficult to let other people read what I've done, secretive and furtive about my ideas and embarrassed by my imagining. Which is strange, because I'm not someone who gets anxious or embarrassed easily. When I was a teenager I frequently used to paint and draw - the sort of stuff that only teenagers dream up, full of darkness and monsters - truly awful looking back on it. However, I was never embarrassed by any of that
The idea 1970-01-01 00:59:59 So, first things first. I need a plot, an idea for my novel. I have an idea of the sort of book i'd like to write: one primarily aimed at children but interesting enough to appeal to all ages. I really wanted to create a story centred around the theory of evolution but i've been finding it hard to come up with a plot that works and doesn't fictionalise evolution to the extent that the theory becomes warped and meaningless. I particularly want to broach this subject because of the controversy in many places against the teaching of evolution in schools and to provide an easy and accessible way for children to learn about the theories of charles darwin et al (but obviously without realising they're doing it). However, I can't seem to think of a plot that doesn't seem like some third rate sci fi book and i'm stuck in a loop. I have other ideas for stories but the evolution idea is the one that really excites me. Back to the drawing board.
short story idea 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Just a random thought that I'd post. I'd love to write a story
about someone who only exists when there are other people around or who is paranoid that if they're left on their own they will disappear.... perhaps I should try writing a short story
around this theme as a practice. In fact that's a great idea! I will post it once I'm done!
Evolution 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The world is filled with amazing creatures of all shapes and sizes. Pancake shaped tortoises, huge trailing jellies, massive mammals and brilliant birds. Animals and plants of all shapes and sizes, colours and configurations. How on earth did all this variation come about? what evolutionary ideas do I want to explore? simple and beautiful processes can have profound effects and cause massive changesthe nature of life, mutation, change, inheritance, the basics that have determined the whole of what we seeHow does complexity arise from simplicity?what would happen if humans could perceive evolution occuring, if our perceptions were altered?what happened in the gaps of the fossil records ... fossils occur when there are catastrophies and mass death and the conditions are just right... only the hard parts of the body remainwhat would happen if someone gave birth to a new species... a mutation -brings in the concept of how you define a species Read more:Evolution
Other writers 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've been trying to think of the elements of books that i most admire and affected me. I thought this might inspire me to understand the kind of book that i would like to read and therefore would like to write.Roald Dahl: such a great writing style and as a kid i loved being scared by his stories. I loved his imaginative storiesMervyn Peake's Gormenghast: Just the best descriptive passages i've ever read, i could eat up his words with a spoon! I loved the way the trilogy was so shadowy and evocative and the opressiveness of the world he created.Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll: such a wonderful journey, i especially enjoyed the imagery of the disney cartoon.Phillip Pullman's His dark materials trilogy: the way the story fits together, the complexity of the various story lines and the epic nature of the subject matter. I would love to write something with the same brilliance.Sophie's world, Jostein Gaarder: I like the idea of this book merging philosophy and an intriguing story t
Short Fuse 1970-01-01 00:59:59 There's a new literary night on in Brighton called Short
Fuse. It's on next wednesday at the Komedia and only costs £3 to get in. Each month 3 writers read out one of their short stories plus there's music between readings.It sounds like it could be good fun and at least a chance to hear some new and original work. Boyfriend permitting I'm going to go along this Wednesday and check it out. More information can be found here: http://www.komedia.co.uk/event.php?id=739&dst=1170880201
Ten books I really should read 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I've been pretty lazy with reading recently, just picking up whatever books I could find. That's why i've written a list of books that I should read next. I'm going to make sure I read them all soon. I'm in need of an injection of literature. Any suggestions of fantastic reading material would be appreciated!Don Quixote - CervantesThe Sun Also Rises - HemmingwayThe Heart is a lonely hunterCanterbury Tales - ChaucerThe Brothers Karamazov - DostoyevskyAny books by James Joyce (but perhaps I won't start with Ulysees)Middlemarch - George EliotPossession - AS ByattSlaughterhouse Five - Kurt VonnegutOne Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez That should keep me going for a while. Oh, plus I really should re-read these classics that I read ages ago at school... but you never really appreciate books that you have to read for GCSEs: The Catcher in the rye - JD SalingerOne Flew Over the Cuckoos nest - Ken KeseyTo Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
False Fossils 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Part of the plot in my story involves the creation of false fossils to fool the scientific community and support the anti-evolutionary claims of an extreme anti-science cult. So, I've been researching reports of human tracks that have been found alongside dinosaur footprints.The TalkOrigins website has a great summary of some of the 'man tracks' that have been found in recent years. Most of the tracks have turned out to be geological formations or dinosaur footprints that have been eroded or had sediment deposited within them to make them appear more human like. I find the footprints known as the Burdick Tracks very interesting. They are believed to be carvings and do indeed appear anatomically bizarre with their exaggerated toe joints and near perfect outline.They were apparently found in a shop in 1938 by Roland Bird and Burdick later claimed that they were originally excavated by Bird and lay alongside dinosaur tracks. But the question that I find interesting is who carved them a Read more:Fossils
Short Fuse 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Sadly I missed the short fuse night at Brighton Komedia that I was so eager to go to. I had just spent the whole day in a stream trying to catch small invertebrates, clambering in and out of the River Ouse. I then had to go back to the lab to sort through samples of river mud looking for leeches and creepy crawly creatures. So, it wasn't really that surprising that when I got home at about seven I wasn't really in the mood for going out to a literary night and being on my best behaviour. Did anyone else manage to catch it? Drop me a line and let me know what went on. Read more:Short
Moving House 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Work on my novel has completely ground to a halt. I moved house about two weeks ago and it's been difficult trying to get back into a routine. My new house is much smaller too so I don't have a spot I can write in comfortably yet. I'm bogged down with loads of coursework for university that is taking up all my time... try writing up three hours of lectures on soil profiles and then having the creative energy to write. Plus my laptop has started playing up and the power cable is broken. Excuses, excuses.... it's shameful, I shouldn't rely on my computer to write I should use paper and pen like in the old days but my handwriting is so shoddy i'd worry i wouldn't be able to read it afterwards.Do you think writing on different media could significantly alter someone's style? If you wrote on paper all your life and then switched to computers it must have some impact. surely?Right! i'm going to turn over a new leaf. Starting from tomorrow i'm going to try waking up early in the mor Read more:Moving
, House
Human Traces - Sebastian Faulks 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I don't know if i mentioned it before but my friends and I have started a book club. We're currently reading Human Traces
by Sebastian
Faulks. I haven't read any of his other works but I can honestly say that Human Traces is the WORST book that I have ever read.It basically reads like a long, drawn out, dull, historical account of early psychological ideas wrapped around some abysmally boring characters. I can understand that the author intended it as a work of literature and therefore decided to create virtually no cliff hangars or exciting events to keep the reader interested. But did he have to include a ten page lecture on rheumatism and gout? come on! To top it all off he doesn't bother to explain what most of the scientific terminology means which is highly confusing and.... the book is extravagantly long... 600 pages. I think he really could have done with drastically editing out half of the material and cutting out many of the long winded passages.If I wasn't reading this
using logic to create a plot 2007-03-19 14:41:00 I have come to realise that creating plots is less about creativity and more about logic. For example, when it came to creating my plot I first thought of the topics i wanted to explore within the book: themes such as evolution, mutation and religious oppression. I then tried to think of a story that would allow me to explore those ideas. The process was perhaps 70% logic and 30% creativity. I asked myself questions about how the plot would develop, what would happen in certain situations and what the initial setup would have to be in order to achieve the end i had in mind. I basically used the power of reason to derive a predetermined outcome. Eventually I arrived with a storyline that i liked and thought would work (though it's still only a vague outline and i'm sure it will get changed).I now realise that the real creation comes when it is time to sit down and write and fill in all the gaps. You create
scenes and impressions with your choice of words, adding to the patchwork of id
old memories 2007-03-19 11:26:00 My parent's are moving house and i had to go back there to clear out all of my teenage junk. However, i ended up finding it really inspiring. I spent hours reading through all of my old creative writing, diaries and musings. All the outpourings of my teenage angst. What struck me was how free and fearlessly i used to write. Seemingly without worry or anxiety of what people would think of it. Next time i'm up there i'll remember to bring all my writing back with me and share some of my literary attempts.I realise that i've yet to publish any work that i've done, not even a single passage, which is pretty shameful. I've also been terribly lax in keeping my blog up to date. But this is primarily because i've been so busy at university i have had no time to write anything at all and my book has ground to a halt. I think about it all the time though and i'm itching to start writing again. Read more:memories
choosing a book title 2007-03-20 16:54:00 I don't have a title for my story. Am i some sort of freak who doesn't care enough to give her creation a name? I feel a bit sad that it hasn't been titled, like its a lost baby or something. I never really considered it before until i read this entry by Justine Larbalestier but now i feel like i'm missing out a trick. hmmm.... i'll have to muse on this one for a while. My boyfriend suggested 'the darwin clause' as a title... but i don't really think my story will have any clauses in it. Perhaps i could do a cheesy play on words: 'the darwin claws' ...is it worrying how much i like that title? right, scrap that name, back to the drawing board. Any other cheesy play on word titles would be much appreciated, i have a big university deadline due for thursday and i'm in need of some amusement. What about 'Evilution' ah, what a gem!
character creation 2007-03-21 17:50:00 Using my favourite internet tool: stumbleupon, i came across this fantastic website where you can create faces: ultimate flash face. You can manipulate all the features however you like. How handy for creating ideas or inspiration for characters. What a useful tool! All i could manage to make was a bunch of scary people that all looked like serial killers. See what i mean...
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