United States :: Texas :: Amarillo

Where is everybody?

warpwoof — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:32:52 -0800

OK, I know of at least two of us that made it! I'm hoping others did, as well. I'd like to hear (or read) about it.

As for me, I don't guess I ever douobted that I COULD do it, but there were a lot of dou9bts as whether I WOULD. I think I picked the worst--that is, busiest--November of my life to try it, with one week where I did no writing at all. I guess there are some unrealized advantages to living in a small town where nothing ever happens, and the temptations are few!

Lessons learned, in no particular order:

1. It can be done. (OK, this is definitely #1, but the others are in no particular order.)

2. It can be done well. By that, I mean I feel I have a pretty entertaining story, grammatically correct (unless the character is not), flowing logically to a satisfying conclusion.

3. Characters do things you don't expect or intend. I cannot explain that. I just know it happens. In my first chapter I introduced what was supposed to be an EXTREMELY minor character--he didn't even have a name. He eventually becomes a care-giver, friend, and business partner of the protagonist, and winds up his brother-in-law.

4. Watch the names. I was trying to be as historically accurate as possible, while including some made-up folks, and ended up with three "Johns". That will be cleaned up in editing.

5. Do it even when you don't want to. My favortie critic (my wife) gently made the comment that sometimes my story drags. I told her those were the times when I didn't have a clue where the story was going, but knew if I started, the muse would eventually show up. Sometimes she--the muse--was in the shower or something, because it took her a long time to get there.

There are probably others, but it's time for breakfast!

Good writing!...or Good Celebrating, if you're through!
----------
"When you're in the right, and you have the might, you don't have to bite...but it doesn't hurt to bark!" -- Hank the Cowdog (paraphrase)

United States :: Texas :: Amarillo

Meet ups

zaithat — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:16:34 -0700

I know that we're all busy people who live scattered across the Panhandle, but I wanted to offer a chance for us to meet up every once in a while before. I was ML for my region last year, and so I am willing to try and run them, if you would like. What I need to know right now though, if is any of you have ideas for places or times to meet. I have sadly forgotten most of the places here in town, so I don't know any good places.

So, please, let me know what you're thinking, I'm interesting in what everyone has to say. We don't need to meet every week if you can't do it, or we can meet two or three times a week. We'll have fun with writing sprints, and there will be prizes!! What every author needs for good motivation.

Alright, let's get the ideas rolling!
----------

United States :: Texas :: Amarillo

Storytellers

warpwoof — Sun, 9 Nov 2008 11:45:29 -0800

Storytellers of the High Plains meet every month--usually at Amarillo Public Library SW Branch--that's the one on 45th between Coulter and Bell. Next meeting is Monday November 10 at 7 pm. You can tell or you can just listen.

I will probably be telling a part of the story I am writing.
----------
"When you're in the right, and you have the might, you don't have to bite...but it doesn't hurt to bark!" -- Hank the Cowdog (paraphrase)

United States :: Texas :: Amarillo

I feel like a young'un.

Emikay — Wed, 5 Nov 2008 06:25:22 -0800

Are any other teens from Amarillo doing NaNo?
Or anyone else under 25?

I feel so young compared to most of the people I've seen in this region.

----------

United States :: Texas :: Amarillo

Let's Get Going!

warpwoof — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:01:03 -0700

OK, Panhandlers. Let's get some comments going here. I represent the southern tip of the Texas Panhandle (as defined by governmental entities--15 miles south, and you're in the South Plains), but I have lived in various places in the Panhandle--all about 50 miles from Amarillo. Grad of WT. I won't say the year, but we weren't Aggies then. (Didn't win any football games then, either!)
----------
"When you're in the right, and you have the might, you don't have to bite...but it doesn't hurt to bark!" -- Hank the Cowdog (paraphrase)