Preparing to Write

Oftentimes, when people write to me, they want to know what my writing process is because they have an interest in writing as well.  Writing is a solitary job, but it is a process.  Sometimes, like today, I begin with a morning stretch and a bottle of water.  That clears my mind and allows the creativity to flow.  Then, I just sit and think of a while.  I think about what I am going to write for the day. It could be dialogue or creating a scene that will follow with dialogue.  Recently, I read that Ernest Hemingway would pride himself on creating one great sentence.  I read that Lisa See aims for 1000 words per day.  I suppose I just want to finish what I promised I write for the day.  If it's one scene, that's okay as long as the scene is good.

On Writing

It's so easy to get distracted from writing in the summer.  The weather is perfect, the kids are out of school and wanting to hang out.  I want to be outdoors, too.  So, I take my work outside.  While the kids are turning cartwheels or reading in the park, I find a quiet place in the shade and I write.  Every thirty minutes or so, I stretch my legs, throw the Frisbee, then I go back to writing.  Sometimes I write on a legal pad and other times I use my iPad and email the work to my desktop, but either way, I get the words out and I am inspired by nature and best of all, I get to be with my family.

On Being A Girl Dad-9

My youngest daughter, Azure, is ten years old and she loves Agatha Christie mysteries.  As part of her summer reading, she has read several.  Her favorite is Murder on the Orient Express.  Tonight, as a family, we all watched the BBC version of the story.  I've seen it many times and every time, I forget who actually committed the crime.  When reading, do not forget the old fashioned murder mystery.  They don't make them like that anymore.

People Are Good

I believe in the goodness of people.  Although terrible things happened to me when I was young, there were always good people all around me, giving advice or trying to show me kindness because they knew my situation was not so good.  Even now, when I have needed help with various projects, always there is an angel in the wings, leading the way.  In the last few weeks, I met several very kind people who gave of themselves to help me and my film.  I am an eternally grateful.