Time flies

I just looked at my last post.  I can’t believe it has been that long.  I wrote a lot of posts since then, mostly in my head (and many for my work). 

As trite as it may sound, my dreams crash on the reality of life, like a wave driving toward a rocky coast.  It takes all of my energy to work and try to be a good mother.  You see, I have one of those “invisible” diseases.  I’ve received a wide range of diagnoses, from chronic fatigue syndrome to psoriatic arthritis to fibromyalgia.  Each doctor thinks he (or she, but more commonly “he”) is right, and that all the other doctors have it wrong.  I’d like to gather them all in one room, force them to have a “group hug,” and then lock them in until they agree on a diagnoses or, at least, a course of treatment.

Frankly, I almost don’t care about the label.  All I know is that on “good” mornings I wake up with a list of things I want to accomplish that day.  I not only have the best intentions, but believe at that moment that I really can complete my goals.  I will scrub the kitchen, reorganize my closet, complete the week’s grocery shopping, read, take the dogs and my daughter for a hike, and . . . write.  The reality: I clear the sink, load the dishwasher, finish a load of laundry and realize that I really need a nap.  My mind is in a fog, and I scrap my overly optimistic plans.

In “the old days,” before I got sick, I had amazing stamina.  I jumped out of bed at 7 a.m. on weekends and completed a wide-ranging list of activities, often including a 10 to 15 miles hike as well as 4 miles on my treadmill.  I felt good, and I remember what it felt like to feel good.  I remember my body being in shape, how alert I felt after a good workout.  I have tried on many occasions to regain that feeling of well being.  However, the parameters of what constitutes “overdoing it” are too close in reach.  

I want my life back.  And to get it back, I need to figure out a way to get healthier.  I need to be able to move again, and still do the things I have to do and want to do in my life.  I will do it, because I must.  

Is the book always better than the movie? Are there any exceptions?

Hmm.  WordPress “gave” me this writing prompt, and I thought I’d accept the invitation to write.    I’ve pondered this question on many occasions.  I think one perceives that  the book is better when one reads the book first, because it is impossible to include everything in a book in a 2 hour film.

On the other hand, I really enjoy seeing a movie and then reading the book after to learn more about the story and the characters’ motivations.  The book adds to the story.

When I read the book first, I have to stop myself from critiquing the adaptation.  I tend to spend time evaluating what the screenwriter(s) used, what they left out, and what they added or changed.  This analysis isn’t necessarily critical; I’m truly intrigued by the process and how I would do things similarly or differently.  This is probably because I’d like to write screenplays adapted from books at some point.

I really don’t think that the book is always better than the movie.  They are different media and offer distinct advantages and disadvantages in storytelling.  As the old cliché says, “a picture tells a thousand words.”  On the other hand, it is harder to explain a character’s thought process on-screen, let alone the past events which have shaped their character.

One minor example of neither the book nor, in this case, TV show being “better” is “Dexter.”  The books and show diverged completely after the first TV season, and after the first book, but I really enjoy both of them for what they are.

So, my answer is “no, not necessarily,” as long as you realize what is, or isn’t, possible in each medium.

I’ve really done some writing!

Amazing, but true. I’ve jumped into writing the book. As I’d mentioned, I’ve dabbled with certain scenes/chapters before, but this time I just dove in. I’m still not sure these are the first and second chapters, but they are consecutive and flowing.

I’ve found that I’m really picturing certain people as I describe characters. I don’t know if most writers do that, but I guess we all necessarily draw from what we know.

The first scene starts in a courtroom, and I’m inserting some of the back-story into the scene. My biggest fear is that the dialogue will sound stilted or fake. At this point, though, I’m more interested in getting the story on paper. I’m not afraid to rewrite — or add to — portions I’ve already written. Fortunately, I’m comfortable with critiquing my writing. Hopefully I can strike a balance and not be over-critical.

I’ve also been planning to write about other issues on this blog. I really want to vent about current events, politics, etc. I’m really annoyed with our government with the current budget/debt ceiling mess. I blame the Republican party. And I want to gather the figures: how much of our debt results from the amount that we’ve spent on the stupid war in Iraq that GW pulled us into. Based on a pile of lies.

Enough of that for now. I’m really anxious to get back to the book which is huge progress.

Why I’m here

I need to write “my” book. I’ve had the storyline in my head for too long. It needs to get on paper, at least figuratively. Not that anyone really writes, or even types, books on paper these days.

Instead of writing, I worry about how to start. Should I write the book in order, starting with Chapter 1 and moving forward? Where does the book start within the story? Must it be chronological or should it go “back and forth” in time?

From whose point of view? First person, third person? So many options.

I’ve written some scenes but not enough to count. I’ve conducted quite a bit of research. Time to write.

This blog will force me to write by holding myself accountable. If no one reads this blog, no problem. (But it will really bum me out if no one reads the book!)

I’m not going to only write about my progress — or lack thereof. That would be beyond dull. I’ll include occasional observations, thoughts and rants. Most of all, I’m going to make myself write.

Feel free to post comments, suggestions, encouragement, kicks in the butt (to get writing).

mmd