The Tragic End of a Romance

Today is #WANAFriday prompt time: Write from the perspective of an inanimate object. 

Since NaNoWriMo has taken most of my time this month, writing for that 50,000 words by Nov. 30, this short, short tongue-in-cheek story explains my thoughts (from the Point of View of my Pilot G2 gel pen). Obviously, romance is on the menu.

Pilot Pining

I’m feeling like a split personality. First, she held me tight while giving me one story, but soon switched to another. She began throwing out these crazy ideas like she was talking to someone. And then I heard her whisper, “Muse.”  

Who is Muse? There’s no one else here but me and her. 

I think I am the latest of many she has used and thrown away. I know I will not be the last. When I can no longer give her what she wants, I’m toast.

It all started when she began making up that story about ancient Japan. I figured it was her way of whispering sweet nothings in my ear. So I played along and wrote down her musings. I was hooked, allowing her to guide my hand. We were almost finished, ready to finalize the deal when NaNo came along.

Now I’m trying to figure out who this NaNo is she keeps talking about. Is he taking my place? 

Suddenly we were writing a new story. Was it their story? It was very hot, not like the slow burn that I had become accustomed to. Now it was wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I felt tarnished, used, empty.

It will not be long now before all my ink will be gone and I'll be replaced with a new gel-tip pen—the tragic end of a beautiful relationship.

*

As you might have noticed, I am feeling a bit schizophrenic with writing two stories, insuring that I will not succeed at 50,000 words for NaNo, but since my stories are linked, I am making great progress on my writing goals.

A note on my present novel published this year: you can read a review on Dance the Dream Awake at KingsRiverLife Magazine. (it will be up on Saturday, Nov. 22)


Are you writing for NaNo? 
Do you use a writing implement or directly to computer? 
How sentimental are you about your writing implement?

Now you can visit Ellen Gregory who has a puzzle for you to solve on her blog.
Visit Liv Rancourt and read about her Inanimate Intellections.

Inspiration or Insanity?

"Certainty is a closing of the mind." Milton Glaser

This quote was the needed spark to get me to post again after my month long dry spell. I have no more time to write a post now than I did a month ago, and maybe even less, but inspiration does great things to help us find time.

I have listened to all the organized writers that say you need to have an outline, or note cards, or programs and graphs to help you work your story out. Refer to the above quote and I say, balderdash! I'm a muddled mess of a pantser who is too far gone to change her ways. I need inspiration--incessant, daily, unending inspiration. (I edit and do other things when the muse is playing hookey)

NaNoWriMo time is here and I must be crazy to put myself through it again--but I will. I have one book I should be promoting, another I should be finishing and I am going to start a third? Now? Really? I'm fu@%ing crazy but it is like an addiction that I must feed--this fiction writing endeavor. 

The thing is, for so long I perseverated over my first novel--I won't even say how many years (it's embarrassing). My second attempt last year (through NaNoWriMo) exploded into two stories that needed to be two different books. One of those is close to being finished, but the other needs--well--a story. It's time to deal with that front and center. Maybe this year the stars are aligned right to help me finish. 

Enough of the insanity and back to the inspiration I spoke of. 

I found a great video for any artist that needs inspiration and clarity. Jonathan Fields of the Good Life Project interviewed artist Milton Glaser. One of Glaser's comments in the video that grabbed my attention was:

"Everything exists at once with its opposite, so the contradictions of life are never ending. And somehow the mediation between theses opposites is the game of life."

Now doesn't that make you feel better, knowing that this insanity of the writer's life (well, this writer's life anyway) is part of life's game. That is somehow comforting. Makes it almost sound normal.

More specifically he spoke of the struggle writers/artists complain about incessantly, 'How can I write and market at the same time?' Writing is an in the moment activity. But marketing. . . 

 "Marketing is the enemy of art because it's always based on the past."

So, trying to find that middle road between marketing my first book, finishing my second novel and creating my third all at the same time will be my struggle this month. You will probably not hear from me until the month is over. That's the insanity part.

Are you having inspiration or insanity problems? What do you do to cope?

Choo-choo

I’m taking a break from my blog this week. I’m on the NaNoWriMo writing train and 

chugging along nicely. . .Choo--choo.

Instead, here's some entertainment from Glenn Miller and the Modernaires, from the film "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941):    Chattanooga-Choo-Choo

If that wasn't enough, or if you enjoy old movies--try this one:
The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B with the Andrew's sisters singing and dancing. 

See you next week. . . . .