Pixar's 22 rules

Well, not rules set in stone but very interesting insights from a Pixar storyboard artist.

Very useful advice for writers

If your're not familiar with this site already, you should certainly check it out.

Why I'm taking the Wendig challenge

For the past three years or so, I've been working with a friend on a fantasy novel. The fact that it has taken us three years and we are still nowhere near finishing it should indicate that it has not been a smooth process to say the least. Personal schedule problems and disagreements on the structure of the book have meant at least one full re-write and lengthy editing on the first draft, which is in itself a redraft of an earlier first draft (if you get what I mean).

All of which has left me with long stretches of time when nothing much seems to be happening, an inability to push forward since that would depend on my co-writer being able to do so and, nevertheless, a desire to be writing.

I've also had long periods of virtual writer's block when the interrogative process to which I subject my new ideas finds them guilty of being lame, uninspired, derivative or just plain wrong.

Recently, I've had an idea that seems to have survived the process, being based on an extrapolated version of a real incident from family history - that it is grounded in real life seems to have given it that much-needed believability that may well enable it to flourish.

So now I need to get writing. Earlier this year, I had discovered a page on the blog of Chuck Wendig which explained, in his rather fruity language [really, don't read it if you're easily offended by swear words], that I did not have to allocate hours on end to such a project but could instead write 91,000 words over a year at a rate of only 350 a day.

At my rate of 1,000 words an hour (an average, I hasten to add) that would only be about 21 minutes of my time a day, not including weekends. Something that I think I could probably realistically achieve.

So I'm starting it as of now. In September 2014, the British Fantasy Society is holding their FantasyCon in York, which is an achievable distance from my home, and gives me every opportunity to attend. I'd like to have something to show when I do.

Even if I don't get anywhere with it, at least I'm writing again, which can only be a good thing.

Haiku on Saturday #19

Shadow’s passage past
the window, marks the footsteps
of another day.

Why read the classics?

A great article from Italo Calvino, dating back to 1986 but no less relevant today.

Haiku on Saturday #18

History brushes
Past them, while they are busy
Shopping, minds shut tight.

Haiku on Saturday #17

Blinded houses, with
Their broken panes, the sad waste
In their brick faces.