Writing and Living

People ask me what I’m up to. I’ll tell them about writing or seeing a movie or reading a book or attending family functions, or visiting with friends I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve been writing on a novel proposal pretty steadily.

I borrowed a book from the library on writing a novel which was supposed to help more than any other book out there. I couldn’t finish it, even though the writing techniques were helpful.

I’ve heard it said that what you are comes through in your writing. This writer liked to talk about things that I didn’t care to hear about. Then every exercise referred to this author’s interest in one way or another. Anecdotes came out that I wished I hadn’t read. To kill or not to kill may be an example. Then it occurred to me, if more and more of the book lacked appeal, why was I reading his work?

There are many good books out there on improving fiction techniques. I own some that I have not finished, maybe a couple not started yet.

So if you ask what I’m up to, I’ll tell you I’m returning some library books, I went to see the movie, “Left Behind.” I had coffee with a friend I hadn’t seen in months. I keep reading Davis Bunn books this week, one co-written with Janette Oke called “The Centurion’s Wife,” because they touch my soul and I like the way he describes setting and because I identify with his characters. This applies to her, too. And I’m enjoying family.

What are you up to? Do you want to say?

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