Ernest Hemingway states in his book "A Moveable Feast" that someone once asked him how he writes a book. He replied (something like), "I start with one true word and then another and another."
I committed to write 1,000 words per week for a year which equals 52,000 words which equals one adult book, give or take. In three weeks, I have written 4,500 words, which added to the previous year is 10,000. 1/5 toward goal. Whoo Hooo! It probably reads like crappola but that's cool, I'll begin the shaping up work next year.
My project is called "Smoke Break" and it is about my somewhat fictionalized and overly dramatic life on the psych ward. I'm having a lot of fun since I am venting the odd, poignant and crazy stuff I see on a daily basis. Fortunately, I have keys so I can get in and out. Hmm, that sound like a play on words. Lock keys and computer keys. :-) Get it? Ah well...
Here's my first two paragraphs:
Smoke Break
There’s one ray of hope on an inpatient psych ward – smoke break. It is the one commonality that patients have amongst the world of dysfunction they come in with. Whether they are coming off of a meth high, overdosed on medications, had been contemplating shooting a bullet through their nose, believe that they have been abducted by aliens or even just walking into walls, banging their head relentlessly, everyone pulls it together for smoke break.
It’s not to say that every one was a smoker before they came in. But nine times out of ten, they’re a smoker before they leave. The nurse announces “Fresh Air Break on the patio, and even the most isolated of patients find their way out the door. I’m not sure where the “fresh air comes in” but the puffs waif and cloud the air until they get to the butts. According to the rules, there’s only 2 cigarettes per patient allowed, so time goes by quickly. The cloud starts to clear. Out comes the basketball. A few shots here and there, people start to relax. Stories begin to unfold.
How is your writing going? Any goals or updates?
5 comments:
A psychotherapist who understands what writers go through? Are you kidding? You can make a BUNDLE in this neck of the woods. Start by fixing me, please!
I have nightmares about houses randomly falling on my head. Houses random. Get it? Random Houses. Get it? Get it?
And by the way, you are 11.8 times prettier than Helen Hunt, who is no dog herself.
Congratulations on your word count. I just scrapped my initial 5 chapters because they were crap. Now I need to set a goal like yours and start fresh.
Oh, and no matter how good you are, there's no fix for Stephen.
Hi Stephen - Houses random... I like that. :-) And flattery will get you everywhere. :-)
Thanks, Anti-wife. I am sure I'll be scrapping next year but for now I'm just driving through. Start fresh! It's very liberating.
Thanks for stopping by!
Writerkat,
Love it! This is destined to be a best seller and you better send me a copy. Ah hell, I'll shell out the 25 bucks for a hard cover with pleasure! But then you gotta sign it!
BTW - Have you ever treated any socio pathic boss types? Is there a cure? Oh - and he's a compulsive lier too. Can you put one of those characters in your book and make bad stuff happen to him? That would be really thereputic for me right now. Yeah - bad week at the office. I'll get over it though!
You got it! Sociopathic compulsive liar locked up on the grounds of danger to others. We'll put him on a 90 day involuntary hold with daily shots of haldol. ;-)
Post a Comment