Footnote 2: Faithless Fiction

Timely article on faith in fiction given my next project, a Christmas story that actually remembers the Christ part..

On Writing: Interesting Editing Articles

How to Edit Your Own Writing: Found this today on Lifehacker.com. I'll be endeavoring to edit my novel Noah's Custodian pretty soon with an aim to publish it as an e-book by spring time or so.

Nina Davies of Autocrit.com demonstrates another way to edit in three levels: start with story, then with scenes, then with sentences. I definitely like this method and will be using it as it makes sense- make sure the story is right, then the scenes that make up the story, then concentrate on the words and grammar. Don't want to be editing sentences that will be removed later!!

Chapter 3: A New CHRISTmas Tale

I've sufficiently recovered and enough time has past since the end of my marathon writing Noah's Custodian. I've been kicking around an idea for a Christmas tale which will likely be a short story, maybe a novella. I certainly don't expect it to be 50,000 words like my NaNoWriMo challenge. I plan on starting it this weekend. (Disclosure- I did have a false start on it a couple of years ago, but wasn't ready then to get very far).

I always admired The Polar Express movie and book, but was a bit sad that it, like so many Christmas tales, addresses only the secular Christmas celebration. I wanted to craft an equally adventurous tale that doesn't ignore the real 'reason for the season'. We'll see where it takes me. Some initial, interesting research already made it a worthwhile venture for me, even if I don't get a good yarn out of it.

Speaking of Noah's Custodian, I did sneak a peek at the ending I wrote, and while it needs some buffing and polishing, I'm still pleased with the conclusion. Not to say I won't change things once I get into rewrites, but I know I have a feasible story.

If you found this blog after my Facebook post, welcome. I'll try to post at least two or three times a week, maybe more. This blog is meant to 1) give me a place to write frequently, even if I'm not writing a story.. 2) a place to interact with-  dare I say- eventual critics, detractors and/or fans?.. 3) an outlet for me to keep interested parties updated on what I'm reading and writing.

Book List 1: Berlin 1961

I would be hard pressed to come up with the number of books I've read in my lifetime. I'm always reading something, and have been ever since I can remember. If I had to hazard a guess, I've probably read, on average, at least 24 books annually as a teenager and an adult. So I've likely read something like 700+ books since say age 12. I wish now that I'd have kept track of all those books, though I usually know whether I've read something or not.

As part of this blog I will track what I'm reading. Right now it's Berlin 1961 by Frederick Kempe. Turns out there was a potentially more dangerous faceoff than the Cuban Missile Crisis between the USSR and USA in the middle of Berlin as the infamous Wall went up. Kennedy was a newly elected rookie President that Krushchev played like a fiddle leading up to the crisis. American tanks and troops were arrayed against matching Soviet forces in a tense standoff.

Kempe writes very well and covers all the angles, telling the story through the writings and speeches of the principals involved. Excellent read so far!

Footnote 1: King's Speech

Saw an article today about Stephen King speaking to college students. He shares a bit of insight about his writing style and where he comes up with his ideas. He's said on many occasions that he unearths stories more than he creates them, which is much how I feel about my ideas, too.

King notes that "“My method for starting anything is I tell myself the story when I’m laying in bed at night, waiting to go to sleep." I've done that too! Kind of thinking out the broad strokes of a story as I drift away.

Anyway, worth a look.

Chapter 2: Inspirations

I've been a lifelong dreamer when it comes to writing. I've certainly subscribed to every 'would-be' writers' excuse and learned via the NaNoWriMo challenge that there is only one way to get from the first word of your story to the last: write.

There were two sources of inspiration when it came to how to get the novel in first-draft form. The first I read awhile ago, a gift from my wife: The Call of the Writer's Craft by Tom Bird. The biggest take away was to make time to write, make the commitment, then write as fast as you can, with no regard to edits or revisions or proofing. Just write.

National Novel Writing Month calls on you to do the same thing, with the added support and encouragement of a purpose-built communal website. You 'win' if you write at least 50,000 words in 30 days. Tom Bird's method would make one great way to help you accomplish this very daunting task.

Perhaps my favorite books about the craft are Worlds of Wonder by David Gerrold and On Writing by Stephen King.

There is no wrong way to write as long as you are doing it. You have to find your own pace and methodology. The trick is to make it a habit, and to remove any excuses. Even if you only write a hundred words a day, that's great! You'll find that with practice, it will get easier and your imagination will take your story places you never imagined.

Chapter 1: The First Words

Welcome to the Inscriptus blog. As I renew my journey to become a full-time writer, I will use this forum to chronicle my personal journey as an author.

I'll begin by sharing my successful first venture as a NaNoWriMo newbie- I won by writing a 50,016 word novel, Noah's Custodian, in a mere 30 days. You can check out my profile as well as the National Novel Writing Month organization here.

This was actually the first serious novel I've ever completed and the longest by a long shot. I've had a few novels I've started and several story ideas, but I've never managed to actually finish one. I'm letting it ripen for awhile and will soon start on another shorter children's book that I've been thinking about. During the holidays I'll begin editing Noah's Custodian, an effort I'll detail here. I plan on self-publishing at least an ebook version of it. We'll see where that takes it.

I'll sign off with this: there is only one way to write, and that is to do it.