That’s my word for when that moment of clarity hits me.

It pops out loud most of the time. I’m thinking on a plot point and then, ‘Unless’.

“That won’t work. Unless…”

‘Unless’ means the wheels are turning like they should and things are going to work out.

My magic word.

Ah, the ever elusive precious.

We beg for it, yet can have a tendency to squander it when we do get it.

For me, it is the TV. I hit that clicker and hours are gone.

I use public transportation. You would think that would be the perfect opportunity to write. But no, staring out of the window listening to the radio.

Another thing to learn. I have to guard my time. But more importantly, I have to learn how to utilize it. There are many minutes in the day that could be put toward writing. Or even reading.

My hours are currently erratic, and often I am unable to have something to write on or with. But waking early in the morning (often against my will, I have a dog) can present the chance to accomplish something.

Just need to implement it.

Tick Tock.

*sigh*

I have to say, not a fave of mine.

It’s the work of the work. You can’t just depend on your imagination, you have to be accountable for some measure of truth.

 You have to set the world right so it doesn’t detract from your story.

But deciding what details you even need can be a chore. Back to the job of writing.

But it needs to be done and in a clever manner.

Still, I just…*sigh*.

It feels confining. It’s rules outside my own that I have to follow.

I’ve mentioned it’s work, right?

Not to mention the danger of distraction and side trips and more ideas hitting you.

Probably the one thing if I could pay someone else to do it, it would be this.

And maybe check my spelling.

Or just take dictation as I vocalize my fic.

But yeah, research.

Research.

Slash – Taking straight boys and having them play gay.

There is more than one corner of fanfic where this is frowned upon. Places you are not welcomed to tread if you are of this ilk Though we do seem to be growing in numbers. Or maybe just coming out.

On one level I can dig their issue with slash. It is against the reality of the subject matter (which doesn’t seem to extend as much to het couplings, but that’s none of my business).

But, oh the prettah that is to be had.

It’s not for everyone, true. I myself have no interest in femslash.

But the amount of vehemence I have seen directed toward slash in the past is rather funny.

They love me even more when I use the actors instead of just their characters.

Ever notice how many quotes about writers are about our bubbles not being centered?

   

How we’re just a bit…off compared to most people?

Maybe almost masochistic.

Makes you wonder a little about us.

But in that is also our power to wield our power.

To see what isn’t there but maybe should be.

Every year I slide a little more from pantser to planner.

I figure out how to use more features on my writing program (WriteWay, if you were curious).

I think more about what the back story is. I dig deeper into the lives of my characters. I start thinking earlier about my story.

But I still leave a lot up to chance and luck. I still leave a lot to the last minute.

Less flying by the seat of my pants and more pulling things out of my arse.

I do not think I will ever swing completely to planner. I hope to use more tricks to get my writing in hand better and to make it easier. But I’ve never been one to make things easy for myself.

And besides, there’s fun in not knowing everything.

While I do not plan on ever leaving fanfic, I am glad I do have work that is wholly my own. Pieces I can claim one hundred percent and not have to have anyone else’s leave to do.

I do not know if I ever envisioned that happening. I enjoy doing fanfic and quite possibly would be happy just doing that.

But to completely create a new situation, almost a new world. To decide who is going to be what (even when that changes more than once). To truly be a creator.

It can be a heady thing.

It’s also hard as hell for that same reason. There are no shorthands you can use cause you know the reader will already have some knowledge of the world. You have to describe everything and explain your characters. You have to be clear about that world.

But it can be worth it.

I do so enjoy NaNo.

If by chance you do not know of NaNo, it is the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. NaNo for short.

The month of November spent writing a 50,000 word novel. There is also Camp NaNoWriMo, during April and July, where the goal is more adjustable.

You lock up your Inner Editor and just write. Then you go back and do the real work. There is a large worldwide community, often local meet ups, and it is just all kinds of fun.

Without NaNo, I would not have any original material to speak of. It has shown me I have some measure of discipline (fleeting though that is once it is over). And it has given me confidence in my writing.

It has shown me I am not alone in my craziness about being a writer. There are many others similarly afflicted and we quite enjoy it. Not to mention the resources and help.

I wish I had started earlier, but I am glad I did. My first NaNo, I signed up late on October 31st with no idea what I was going to write. Needless to say, I did not win. But the bug bit and I have been doing it ever since.

It has loosened me up to just write and have fun with it. To explore genres I might not have and to find my tribe.

I am one of those females who can write from a male view point very well. I have written female characters in the past, but by and large my writing is male dominated.

I’ve always had guy friends, even as early as preschool. And many times I’ve had more guy friends then girl friends.

I suppose you can say I never stopped being a tomboy, so maybe that helps.

I could not say exactly why I get guys better than women. But I know I am not alone. The vast majority of slashers are straight women. I have come across very few gay slashers.

Something in the wiring up there lets me talk guy talk. For the most part. There are aspects of them that have to be experienced. But over all I say I can do a rather well facsimile.

On some level I just find them more fun. Or maybe they can get away with more.

Their voices ring clearer for me in some way. I can relate.