Writing Backwards

[apollinav]

I'm writing backwards today. Well, actually it started last night in Barnes and Nobles. (Shreveport's nightlife consists of smokefilled bars in casinos or coffee at B&N and has all the culture of a petri dish) I've hit such a mental rut in my writing that I don't know how to get past it, but I know where I want to go.

So last night I purchased another small ecojot notebook, which would be my ...fifth... and started to ramble some notes about a chapter oh, let's say a good five or six chapters away from the rut. It interested me. And usually when I can muster up some interest it comes across a page. I notice that in a lot of other writer's works. You can tell when someone's 'phoning it in' which coincidentally has nothing to do with the phone-in option from LJ. (And I loved Lariope's phone in it was beautifully poetic) Sorry, tangents happen...

Anyway, so now I'm writing a chapter WAY out of sequence because it's flowing at this point. Now I just have to wrap up these thoughts and hopefully go back and connect them. Damn thing's written in my head, it's sensible and sounds good, and it's a pretty pink color wiht a slight golden aura. Now only if I can translate that to the page with the same results.

Oh, and never fear intrepid readers, the chapters I'm referring to are about 50,000 words away from where I've last posted.

Though I am fearful that I'll run out of wiggle room and get to the point where I'll not be able to update regularly because I'm still writing. Damn. I hope that doesn't happen. I'm not a fast writer. But breaking the mental roadblock should go far in that direction.

So, today I'm writing backwards. Oh, and sewing a French styled Manteau de Lit for the 18th Century impression. Just look at any Chardin painting, it's what all the ladies wear. Sorry, tangents again.

Comments

[lariopefic.livejournal.com]

I'm happy that you liked the phone-in! :)

I know exactly what you mean about the wiggle room. It's very scary when you've just hit publish on the last of what you had, and there's just time and work stretching out in front of you.

I do find that writing backward helps. I used to do it a lot, and then for Second Life I stopped, but now I'm doing it again. Getting yourself excited and engaged in it is always a good thing. Good luck!

[mollyssister.livejournal.com]

I am reasurred with the 50,000 words of cushion you have. Write whatever way works for you!

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

At present I know that 50,000 looks like a lot, but I know it isn't. It's going to go so fast.

The only thing that makes me smile is that perhaps the Yule and New Years chapters that I wrote back in the summer might match up to actual Christmas and New Years. And that would be just wunderbar.

Oh, added Plan B to FF net after your reviews and Amsev's reviews convinced me.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you enough for all yoru major pimpage has done for TGC. Your reach is broad and amazing, if you were a James Bond character you'd be like Blofeld.

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

My first few chapters of CoMC were written ahead but by, oh, chapter ten I think I'd caught up with myself and it has been "write and post" ever since.

I'm just thrilled that you have such a long fic planned for us, and that it's making you happy.

Plus, I love Shreveport. My experience was when I was too young for smoke-filled bars, though. My grandparents lived out by Cross Lake.

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

I really wanted an overseas posting and got sent to Shreveport, but I now realize it strangly qualifies as its own little world apart. I haven't been out to the Cross Lake area. I don't really get out much, especially if it sounds out-doorsy. 'Lake' sounds out-doorsy.

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

I don't know what it's like these days, but it has cypress trees and Spanish moss. :-)

It's a pretty drive. You should check it out.

[elise-wanderer.livejournal.com]

I am reading--and loving!--"The Gilded Cage," and just came to the A/N that said you'd arrived at LJ and were seeking friends, so I hope you mean it. As I'm not a whatever-it-is-that-lets-me-login on ffnet, I haven't been able to leave reviews, but one of my flist folks recc'ed your wonderful piece, and I do want to tell you how very much I'm enjoying it!

-w

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

I did, and I am.

I'm happy to hear the fic was recommended to you and you like it.

I've been blessed in that some beautiful people out there have been kind enough to pimp out my fic to others and recommend it.

[elise-wanderer.livejournal.com]

It's a great concept!

I like the pace you've established---I'm looking forward to the long, slow getting-to-know-you-despite-the-fact-that-I-loathe-you phase, the exploration and revitalization of the ancestral home, followed by the point when Severus uses his Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card because he simply must....

Please do make note here when you update it, so I can be sure not to miss a chapter!

(You're in Shreveport? I used to have relatives there--may still, actually, we've lost touch--most of the rest are in Memphis.)

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm out of Shreveport.

You know if you go to fanfiction.net you can find the fic and add story alerts so that the system will automatically generate email updates when the story posts. Otherwise, my intentions are to post on M/W/F.

Thanks.

[amsev.livejournal.com]

Yay! Three cheers for long fic!

[eloquentquill.livejournal.com]

first off I totally want to hear your opera mix :) I love opera! But any way, I think all writers have that prob every once in a while. Our imaginations are just crazy like that. But good luck :)

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

I really couldn't tell you what's on it. Lots of La Tracadore, which I think I just badly misspelled. I have a small 'thing' for Mozart, which really translates into Cos Fan Tuti, but when it comes to Opera any tenor will really do. Mom was a huge Pavarotti fan so growing up I was indoctrinated into it, but most of his stuff is sorta picked over 'Greatest Hits' CDs instead of an entire score. But whatever.

[eloquentquill.livejournal.com]

Well I still am trying to figure out what I like.

[kosmickway.livejournal.com]

ever since you wrote the story of my untimely demise in 10th grade I knew you'd get bit by the writing bug. just took some time. glad writing backward is working for you. it's a good technique to use when you're stuck. may have to utilize it in my own stuff at the moment.

*huggles*

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

Was it 10th grade? I seem to remember it was for Mr. Steffy. Or that cow we had in 7th. What was her name??? It doesn't matter, you remember the cow.

And besides, it wasn't a bad way to die, very quick I'd imagine. Other than brain matter all up and down Hickory Sign Post Road. There are worse ways, naturally, ones we invented for AH, and involved playing Yankee Doodle from a fife shoved up his rectum. But then AH had lots of undiscovered talents. He might actually have been able to hit those notes. He was after all the biggest ass I know. To date. And after about 10 years that's really saying something.

love ya back kris.

Schmootches!

[kierkegaardwife.livejournal.com]

If you have no concept of the future, how the hell do you expect to get there? I don't see anything wrong with it, in fact, I do it with some frequency myself.

xx

[lilprincesspam.livejournal.com]

Hi!!

"and has all the culture of a petri dish"


I's so going to copy that phrase, thats just how I feel where I live, sorry for the lack of reviews or visits but my life is hectic rigth now... and it seem's is going to get worst.. I never learned to sew but I do cross stich.

[apollinav.livejournal.com]

Steal it, take it, put it on a coffee mug and make it yours. Although I wouldn't drink out of any coffee mug that had that particular phrase on it.


You're not missing much on the cross stitch scope. Just go straight to embroidery, that's what all the adults do.