After a rather long debate, I've decided to go on hiatus. I'll be back in a few weeks with new material and an updated blog. I'll see you when I get back!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Music Recommendation: Une Americaine a Paris
I got to see Rupa & the April Fishes live in July and I absolutely adored them. Usually, I don't care for live music, but this band had an interesting stage presence and I enjoyed the show. This song, in particular, has stuck with me because it was the first song of theirs that I heard... and it's in French.
Une Americaine a Paris - Rupa & The April Fishes
Happy listening!
Une Americaine a Paris - Rupa & The April Fishes
Happy listening!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Oh The Possibilities
Writing isn't my entire life. That's kind of a strange thing to think about, given that this blog is about writing - for the most part - but it's true. And, lately, that's been even more true than usual. Lately, I haven't been writing much at all.
In fact, I've been really busy with the other parts of my life. And because of that, I haven't had a great deal to write about here or a great deal of time to write about anything.
This is not a for sure thing, but I have been toying with the idea of turning this blog into something... a bit different. Something a bit more.
What are your thoughts on this blog expanding to cover more topics than just writing?
It also has occurred to me recently that I don't tend to get very personal on here. This, however, is a blog. This is not a journal. And it is that difference in words that keeps me from writing about my personal life, or things that may be considered off topic.
Tell me, what would you think about seeing a change around here to include a few things that are more personal in nature but still related to writing or possible new topics?
Your input is greatly appreciated.
For right now, I'm going to leave things running. But, if I decide to start changing things around here, I may put the blogging on hiatus for a while.
Who knows?
This world is full of possibilities.
In fact, I've been really busy with the other parts of my life. And because of that, I haven't had a great deal to write about here or a great deal of time to write about anything.
This is not a for sure thing, but I have been toying with the idea of turning this blog into something... a bit different. Something a bit more.
What are your thoughts on this blog expanding to cover more topics than just writing?
It also has occurred to me recently that I don't tend to get very personal on here. This, however, is a blog. This is not a journal. And it is that difference in words that keeps me from writing about my personal life, or things that may be considered off topic.
Tell me, what would you think about seeing a change around here to include a few things that are more personal in nature but still related to writing or possible new topics?
Your input is greatly appreciated.
For right now, I'm going to leave things running. But, if I decide to start changing things around here, I may put the blogging on hiatus for a while.
Who knows?
This world is full of possibilities.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ink Wednesday
- Q10 is a wonderful program available for download at the link. I used this program last year during NaNoWriMo. You can set word goals, timers, background color, text color, and other things. It's great for keeping procrastination to a minimum and encouraging focus because it makes opening other windows much more difficult.
- Write or Die is also a great program for use during NaNoWriMo, but I've found that it also helps with writing school papers. In this program, you set a word goal and a time limit. Then you begin to write. But when you stop writing for several seconds, the screen begins to turn red and then a most irritating sound is emitted until you begin to type again. What a great way to inspire someone to continue! Not that I need that kind of motivation to finish my homework, of course...
- Forvo. Not necessarily a writing tool, but by far one of the coolest websites around, in my opinion.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Writing Tips: Practice
Lately, I haven't been writing.
After last month's episode with depression amongst other things, I've pushed writing aside for a while. I don't feel like I've been writing anything worth while. In fact, I don't feel like I can. And that, when my dream since early on in high school has been to write, seems like a horrible thought to consider. However, that thought has driven me to do some deep thinking on why I feel that way.
The answer is simple. My writing isn't perfect. It takes a long time for me to create something anywhere near perfection, and I don't like to spend time. I like things to be as they ought to be right from the start. I don't believe in first drafts. I believe in final copies. And, for the longest time, I have allowed those sorts of thoughts to run my writing life. The funny thing is, I am wrong.
When I write something, I leave it sit for a while. Then I come back to read it again. And, you know what? I almost always find errors, there is always something that I want to change, and by the time I'm done reading over that piece, I don't feel like I'm cut out to be a writer. I feel awful. I feel like I've spent hours or even days working on something that is absolutely worthless because it isn't perfect and it isn't final draft material. And, usually, I end up having to battle the urge to throw it away.
Most of the time, I keep whatever it is that I wrote, so that I might use it as a reference for what not to do later. But, eventually, I wind up thinking back to this blog and to things I've already told you.
In Writing Tips: Top Of Your Game, I mentioned that believing you are at the top of your game is one of the biggest mistakes a writer can make. Perfection, after all, is absolutely unreachable - and until you're there, you're not at the top of your game.
So if I am reaching for perfection, why do I even try?
Honestly? I keep trying because there's something that's been tumbling around in my head for a while now.
There is an old phrase that I would like to draw your attention to. Practice makes perfect.
It's a phrase that has been around a long time. I've heard it more times than I can count, and I'm betting that some of you have heard it before, too. As far as I'm concerned, that phrase is false... but I do understand why it is worth repeating over and over again.
Many people have a habit of striving for perfection, but many also have a habit of giving up when something looks impossible or when it doesn't come out right the first time.
That phrase, that one short string of words, can make people do something quite amazing. It can make people try again. That phrase can make someone keep reaching higher and higher for something unattainable. And while I don't necessarily believe that phrase is fair (after all, it gets hopes up), even I can see what it does for people.
You will never be perfect. What you're writing - or, for that matter, anything you are working on - will never be perfect. But as long as you keep practicing, as long as you have something like that little phrase to drive you forward, you will get better.
So keep working on whatever it is that you're working on. Continue trying. Keep practicing.
I keep these sorts of thoughts in my head, and they very are important to me.
Perfection does not exist. Near perfection takes a great deal of time, and even that cannot be reached without practicing. So, even if it seems like a waste of time, set time aside to practice. Give yourself the space to work on improving and don't let that space make you feel incompetent.
You can be great, if only you have the courage to continue and the peace of mind to not fret over the hours spent doing 'worthless' things (like trying).
After last month's episode with depression amongst other things, I've pushed writing aside for a while. I don't feel like I've been writing anything worth while. In fact, I don't feel like I can. And that, when my dream since early on in high school has been to write, seems like a horrible thought to consider. However, that thought has driven me to do some deep thinking on why I feel that way.
The answer is simple. My writing isn't perfect. It takes a long time for me to create something anywhere near perfection, and I don't like to spend time. I like things to be as they ought to be right from the start. I don't believe in first drafts. I believe in final copies. And, for the longest time, I have allowed those sorts of thoughts to run my writing life. The funny thing is, I am wrong.
When I write something, I leave it sit for a while. Then I come back to read it again. And, you know what? I almost always find errors, there is always something that I want to change, and by the time I'm done reading over that piece, I don't feel like I'm cut out to be a writer. I feel awful. I feel like I've spent hours or even days working on something that is absolutely worthless because it isn't perfect and it isn't final draft material. And, usually, I end up having to battle the urge to throw it away.
Most of the time, I keep whatever it is that I wrote, so that I might use it as a reference for what not to do later. But, eventually, I wind up thinking back to this blog and to things I've already told you.
In Writing Tips: Top Of Your Game, I mentioned that believing you are at the top of your game is one of the biggest mistakes a writer can make. Perfection, after all, is absolutely unreachable - and until you're there, you're not at the top of your game.
So if I am reaching for perfection, why do I even try?
Honestly? I keep trying because there's something that's been tumbling around in my head for a while now.
There is an old phrase that I would like to draw your attention to. Practice makes perfect.
It's a phrase that has been around a long time. I've heard it more times than I can count, and I'm betting that some of you have heard it before, too. As far as I'm concerned, that phrase is false... but I do understand why it is worth repeating over and over again.
Many people have a habit of striving for perfection, but many also have a habit of giving up when something looks impossible or when it doesn't come out right the first time.
That phrase, that one short string of words, can make people do something quite amazing. It can make people try again. That phrase can make someone keep reaching higher and higher for something unattainable. And while I don't necessarily believe that phrase is fair (after all, it gets hopes up), even I can see what it does for people.
You will never be perfect. What you're writing - or, for that matter, anything you are working on - will never be perfect. But as long as you keep practicing, as long as you have something like that little phrase to drive you forward, you will get better.
So keep working on whatever it is that you're working on. Continue trying. Keep practicing.
I keep these sorts of thoughts in my head, and they very are important to me.
Perfection does not exist. Near perfection takes a great deal of time, and even that cannot be reached without practicing. So, even if it seems like a waste of time, set time aside to practice. Give yourself the space to work on improving and don't let that space make you feel incompetent.
You can be great, if only you have the courage to continue and the peace of mind to not fret over the hours spent doing 'worthless' things (like trying).
Friday, September 2, 2011
Blog Updates
August is over, which is really hard to believe. But with that thought in mind, it's time to discuss what's coming up next on Ink Is Gold and what sort of changes will be made in the new future (or have been made).
August:
First off, given that Camp NaNoWriMo is now officially over for the year, the background has switched back to normal and posts will no longer center around Camp related fun.
September:
During the month of September, posts on the blog will carry on as usual. Meaning that anything I feel like writing as a post may once again appear on here without regulation. I expect that you'll be seeing a book review or two, some writing related stuff, and a possible music recommendation or a few.
I also intend to fill in the 'About Me' page and to update the small 'About Me' section in the side bar. Cheers to getting stuff done.
October:
During October, I've decided to do something a bit different from usual. I'm going to do a theme month. Every post made during the month - apart from something I'm going to mention in a bit - will be centered around a particular topic. In other words, October is going to be my sort of research project. I'm going to find a great deal of information and I'm going to pass some of it on to you readers.
The topic of October will be: Poetry
I know this probably won't interest all of you, but I hope that some of you can get some use out of it.
Anyway, moving on...
November:
November is still going to be NaNoWriMo month. The majority of the posts made will revolve around my NaNo novel and around various parts of NaNoWriMo. There will, of course, be a few posts that are off topic, though. And, for the record, I intend to be a lot more prepared for NaNoWriMo than I was for Camp this year. It's time to get some serious work done on a novel. No more procrastination
Delayed Changes:
You will, at some point in the future, see changes on the 'My Work' page. However, I've decided that I am only going to fill this page in once I've submersed myself in a major project. There's no use in handing out teasers for something that's going to end up in the trash. Know what I mean?
In other words, this page could be a while yet.
Last But Not Least:
I'm introducing a new feature to the blog!
Lately, I've been finding some really cool stuff that I would like to share with you all. However, often times these things aren't things I want to waste an entire Monday or Friday post on - and, on occasion, I really do feel like somebody else already tackled all of the points that I would like to cover. So, beginning this coming week, I'm introducing a new sort of blog post.
Keep your eye out for:
Ink Wednesdays
It won't happen every week - at least, I don't think it will - but it will occur whenever I find a bit of information that I would like to share with you, and it will happen when I'm introducing someone new to the Ink Is Gold 'Links' page.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you on Monday with something new.
August:
First off, given that Camp NaNoWriMo is now officially over for the year, the background has switched back to normal and posts will no longer center around Camp related fun.
September:
During the month of September, posts on the blog will carry on as usual. Meaning that anything I feel like writing as a post may once again appear on here without regulation. I expect that you'll be seeing a book review or two, some writing related stuff, and a possible music recommendation or a few.
I also intend to fill in the 'About Me' page and to update the small 'About Me' section in the side bar. Cheers to getting stuff done.
October:
During October, I've decided to do something a bit different from usual. I'm going to do a theme month. Every post made during the month - apart from something I'm going to mention in a bit - will be centered around a particular topic. In other words, October is going to be my sort of research project. I'm going to find a great deal of information and I'm going to pass some of it on to you readers.
The topic of October will be: Poetry
I know this probably won't interest all of you, but I hope that some of you can get some use out of it.
Anyway, moving on...
November:
November is still going to be NaNoWriMo month. The majority of the posts made will revolve around my NaNo novel and around various parts of NaNoWriMo. There will, of course, be a few posts that are off topic, though. And, for the record, I intend to be a lot more prepared for NaNoWriMo than I was for Camp this year. It's time to get some serious work done on a novel. No more procrastination
Delayed Changes:
You will, at some point in the future, see changes on the 'My Work' page. However, I've decided that I am only going to fill this page in once I've submersed myself in a major project. There's no use in handing out teasers for something that's going to end up in the trash. Know what I mean?
In other words, this page could be a while yet.
Last But Not Least:
I'm introducing a new feature to the blog!
Lately, I've been finding some really cool stuff that I would like to share with you all. However, often times these things aren't things I want to waste an entire Monday or Friday post on - and, on occasion, I really do feel like somebody else already tackled all of the points that I would like to cover. So, beginning this coming week, I'm introducing a new sort of blog post.
Keep your eye out for:
Ink Wednesdays
It won't happen every week - at least, I don't think it will - but it will occur whenever I find a bit of information that I would like to share with you, and it will happen when I'm introducing someone new to the Ink Is Gold 'Links' page.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you on Monday with something new.
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