Apr 17, 2015 | Writing Tips
A sign worth heeding!
I never adopted a creative credo, but the accompanying sign in the photo pretty much sums it up: Yield to Whim. I love to. I just don’t do it enough lately.
In recent weeks I allowed work and other initiatives to overwhelm me. Schedules and to-do lists are anathema to the impulses that shape my creative work.
The characters in my head and heart say they need my attention. So do a handful of people in the flesh whose voices speak louder.
In recent weeks, I can’t even say that I’ve been torn between the challenging groups competing for my time. It is much easier to ignore the passionate and slightly crazed people I created because: a) Seriously, where are my characters going? They are trapped inside me. b) Deadlines for non-fiction PAYING work matter. A lot. c). There’s always tomorrow. d). I am afraid.
Now that I’ve upchucked those nasty excuses for binge-ignoring work that energizes me most, I feel better. Sometimes as writers, we have to be honest about the stumbling blocks we place in front of our heart’s desires. Often the biggest barrier is the oversized role that fear plays when we allow it.
I didn’t realize that I still feel fear about completing my various projects and releasing them into the world until I wrote this post. Full disclosure: I actually erased reason D and in a moment of throwback Catholic guilt restored it. Why lie? Especially to myself.
Failing to set time aside for my novel and screenplays — all stories that deal with finding one’s voice while illuminating the emotional truths that shape us — makes me a coward. The worst kind. You know, the self-assured, so-called writers who do more talking about their precious work than actual butt-in-the-seat writing. I don’t want to be that person anymore.
So I listened to Whim when she whispered to write this post. I leaned in close when she winked and said, “Then go hang out with some demanding people who love you as much as you love them.”
Thank you, darlin’. I’m on my way!
Mar 21, 2015 | Writing Tips
If Rowling can write out her plots by hand, then so can I!
Like many writers, I constantly hunt for strategies, tips and fairy dust to improve the structure of my novel-in-progress and various screenplays. Usually after I gather these gems of writerly wisdom, I lose them. You see, I got a super-sized helping of the creativity DNA and a smattering of the organizing one.
I’ve been this way all of my life. I can recall my third-grade nun every Friday asking class: “Who volunteers to clean Robin’s desk out?”
Most of my classmates waved their hands as if Sister asked, “Who wants early dismissal.” I was flattered by the enthusiastic response instead of embarrassed. They just want to do something nice to be my friend, I thought. I sat back with my deluded self and watched as Sister made the difficult decision of picking just one eager student to do the messy deed. I probably even suggested who should be picked.
Now, nestled in the nostalgic nook of my mind, I believe this went on for the entire school year. I adored my rotating crew of happy desk cleaners. But the good life ended in fourth-grade. My lay teacher towered at my desk and waited for me to empty the wads of candy wrappers, among other smuggled-in debris. She demanded that I line up my stack of textbooks so they were actually inside the steel bin attached under my seat. It was absolute drudgery and the thoughts I harbored against her created good Confession material.
Fast forward to today. I have no personal cleaners and my paperwork, several rooms full of it, could get its own zip code. So organizing paperwork remains a challenge. And because I am somewhat distracted now by watching “The Voice,” my train of thought just derailed. Hmmm, is that another sign of being unorganized?
Ah jeez, I’m afraid it is. So let me just segue to the point of this post and man, this transition is noodle-kneed weak.
I recently found J.K Rowling’s handwritten plot spreadsheet and it made my heart grin. She organized her plot(s) for the fifth Harry Potter book by calendar months! What? The thought of doing that never entered my mind and it was a great “aha” moment. Since my novel takes place within a school year, this approach rocks. Certain things happen in certain months, right? But here’s the best part: you don’t have to write about wacky students to outline your plot(s) by month.
If my brain was more organized at the moment, instead of focused now on what I want to order for dinner, I could fully articulate how fantastic a find this organizing tool has been for me. I hope you are excited, too, about using the calendar outline to examine or revise your plot.
Reader Alert: Another bad transition coming.
If you ever cleaned out my desk when we were bright-eyed third-graders, a belated virtual kiss and cyber hug! And, If you own a maid service, let’s talk. #lookingforgradeschooldiscount
Feb 1, 2012 | Inspiration, Writing Tips
Feeling exhilarated and empowered, I’m back to blogging.
I can thank the annual winter conference of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) for a feeling of rejuvenation that makes my toes tingly. The New York conference united 1,100 writers from around the globe for dynamic sessions on how to revise your work, write better fantasy, attract agents and other assorted topics that storytellers crave. It even wrapped up with an Oprahish ending.
The highlight revolved around Cheryl Klein of Arthur A. Levine Books. This rock star demystified the revision process like no other. Her strategies were so precise, practical and powerful I stood in line to tell her that her session alone made the trip worth it.
I also enjoyed Arianne Lewin of G.P. Putnam, who led a fascinating session on how to write compelling fantasy. Listening to Regina Brooks, Ginger Knowlton, Chris Richman and Ken Wright riff about the current market for books and possible trends was another informative treat.
As a newbie member, I felt welcomed by members (a Virginian I met at the conference even gave me Klein’s book after I raved about it at the Saturday evening gala). But the best part is I left feeling renewed and clear-eyed about my need to write and push through another revision. It helps that I learned possible new rituals to shift me into writing mode. Given a sandalwood-scented tea candle (another gift, this one from Kathryn Erskine, the closing speaker who urged each of us to light it before engaging in wordplay) I will either accidentally burn my cluttered office up or hopefully, create a new intro for my creative process. Just a sec, as I raise my wine glass to accomplishing the latter.
Armed with my revision roadmap and a fiery focus, I must banish my love for procrastination and write like time is running out. Because it is.
Bad segue but check out this great stop-motion story I discovered from a SCBWI blogger, it’s a feast for book lovers. It’s been so long since I posted, I can’t recall how to insert the actual video here!
Until next time, warm wishes.
Feb 13, 2011 | Writing Tips
So, feeling good about a script that I am revising and polishing this month. After three years in the making, it’s simply ripe and delicious. Every fiber of my being will try to sell it.
Once buried for 20 years, my desire to write films and television shows has evolved into an action plan for 2011. You can’t hit if you don’t play, right? True, that.
All I know is no matter what, my script writing love won’t quit me. Today, after a wordless tussle, I stared at my blank oversized computer screen, inhaling all its binanry dust.
Oddly, I felt compelled to write this in the interest of wise movie-goers worldwide:
Why some extremely talented, good-looking and fearless mogul should hire Robin Farmer to write her/his passion script.
10. Her services will require fewer zeros than the usual suspects in Hollywood. But the bargain rate will not last. Long. Um…she hopes.
9. The Richmond area has birthed other noted script writers. Alan Campbell, Megan Holley and Richard Kelley. Robin Farmer will blow up next. As in career dear readers, not weight.
8. “Fascinating plots, riveting characters. Raw beauty and power in every word.” Most repeated comments by readers of her wonderful wordmsithing.
7. Two words describe her next script: global blockbuster.
6. Imagination. Originality. High-concept. Perfect Pacing. Memorable Dialogue. And that’s just her voice mail.
5. Can rock female characters like no other.
4. Rewrite? No problem!
3. Will fly coach for meetings in Cali.
2. Will thank you first when accepting the Oscar for original screenplay.
1. She can finally cross it off her bucket list!
Feb 5, 2011 | Writing Tips
For several years, I have participated a a judge for the annual oratorical contest sponsored by the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.
The talent of the bright-eyed students always brings a smile to my face and a bounce to my step. This morning, they reminded a sleepy-eyed me that the ability to use words to move others is a gift.
Faced with two deadlines less than two weeks away, I dreaded the thought of needing to write thousands of words this weekend. Summoning creative energy is exhausting, as writers everywhere know.
The boys and girls demonstrated exuberance, creativity and the power of words. They sent words flying, dragging and screaming across our imaginations. Competitors as young as kindergarten wailed pain, shouted confidence, sang hope, whispered power and slurred sassily. Each spoke truth.
At times I wept with others in the packed audience, moved by the emotional honesty and muscular rawness of young oratorical displays. The competitors stood before us, polished and poised, exuding effort on cold wet morning when bed and TV wanted their company.
Dimpled-smiles, lifted chins, eyes dancing with enthusiasm, they performed in all their diverse glory and gave us words wrapped with a bodacious bow.
They made me remember.
I went to judge and found myself the student.
This weekend, I will write thousands of words while smiling, chin lifted and eyes dancing with enthusiasm.
Young teachers, a belated thank you.
Jan 5, 2011 | Writing Tips
My husband is a marvelous writer. His readers know that. But every now and then his brilliance with story, its structure and its soul, moves me to tears.
And so on a road trip to Philly over the holidays I found myself doing the ugly cry when in a matter of minutes he fixed a gaping hole in my manuscript. All while navigating I-95.
“Just another reason why I love you,” I said, pulling out my Blackberry to capture his flowing thoughts.
As I listened I knew instinctively he was on point. He had effortlessly moved me closer to the finish line. Sometimes writers just have to ask for help.
Revising my manuscript is a top goal in 2011. Like other aspiring novelists, I long for the day when readers in far-flung places enjoy my book. This is the year to polish it. Whether I self-publish or not will be decided before spring. First, I must finish writing the best book I can.
It starts by writing forward.
I know many writers who revise the same chapter so many times they run out of steam midway. Big mistake, says Author Stacy Hawkins Adams, who coaches aspiring writers. She instructs writers to get the entire story down before getting caught up in additional researching, revising and editing. Her words freed me and can liberate other writers, too.
Give yourself a deadline.
You may delay but time will not. This pithy quote is not my own but it drills down to a profound truth: time is a gift. One you can not return. Get a wall calendar, or use your cell phone’s. Set a date to have a specific number of pages done and stick to it. If you can not be accountable to yourself, get an accountability partner.
Create a community of feedback readers.
Seek constructive criticism from truth tellers and not people in your amen corner. You know, loved ones who either don’t know weak writing or won’t tell you they fell asleep on page 3. Ask different and diverse circles to provide comment. Better yet, join a writing group so you can reciprocate the favor.
Kill the babies.
This is a term often used by newspaper editors to cub reporters who think highly of their pointless writing. Excessive dialogue? Flowery prose? Chunky paragraphs lean on substance? Hit delete. The crying – yours, will stop. Eventually.
Revise and Polish.
Love your work? I bet you do. Your story radiates creativity and style. It embodies your passion and months, maybe years of toil. Guess what? There’s room to improve it. Trust me, there are telling details to add, emotional truths to reveal, character growth to explore. Write it until the only changes you want to make involves removing commas.
Hide it.
Step away from the world of words you created. Go live life. Give your laptop body, the one with the hunched shoulders, flabby thighs and turtle neck, an excursion outdoors. Whatever you do, leave your manuscript alone for a few weeks. The distance will enable you to spot flaws. Promise.
Changing commas.
That’s all that is left to do. Add commas, delete commas. It’s as good as it will get at this point unless you seek professional editing, which should be a required step for all aspiring authors. Mail it to, well, all the folks on your list. Now, dust your shoulders, you’re done.
Do the ugly cry.
Just not on Oprah.
