laurie's weird little world (Book) http://www.Writing.Com/main/profile.php/blog/lauriemariepee I had a conversation with a friend several days ago. We were discussing story critique and judgment about when a story is "good enough." The question came up (in my head) about the point of the whole endeavor. Each person has their own fantastic goal. Some strive for genius, beauty, meaning. Some want fame, cash, prizes, critical acclaim ... ...[Read Full Post] Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:21:06 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/732330 I'm trying to approach my situation with a more objective eye, which will be a refreshing change from the hand-wringing I've been allowing myself the past (mrmphmm) number of months. In case you're not familiar, my situation is one of blockage. Creative constipation is a common issue, one with several potential solutions, but also dread...[Read Full Post] Mon, 11 Apr 2011 02:25:32 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/721997 I usually have more dry spells than wet, when it comes to writing. I don't ascribe to the idea of writer's block, really--at least, not as a diagnosis. It's a symptom of fear. Fear and writers go together, I think. We dwell as a practice on all kinds of stuff--character, plot, setting, etc--and when we're nervous, we dwell on that, too. O...[Read Full Post] Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:57:47 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/703463 this article isn't specifically about writing, per se. at least, it's not about structure, or pacing, or dialogue--none of the elements of putting together a story. but it's about WRITING. highly recommended, particularly if you're struggling with yourself at the moment. i finished reading with blurry vision. *sniff* funny how rarely we see the emotion of the wri...[Read Full Post] Sun, 01 Aug 2010 13:46:07 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/702857 as a member of a few different writing sites, i interact often with other writers through critique. since one of the goals of critique is to offer suggestions for improvement, i think the natural tendency is to look for those spots, sometimes even at the expense of perspective. if we can't find something to fault, we feel we haven't done a thorou...[Read Full Post] Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:00:40 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/689042 [Link: 'http://tugboatinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/01/by-grabthars-hammer-luckily.html'] don't mind me. i'm in the garage sharpening my shovel. Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:14:01 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/685190 man, oh man. i read this story and marvelled once again at the unflinching courage dogs possess. [Link: 'http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Retriever+saves+year+fro...'] i agree that this attack wouldn't have happened if the cougar had access to a suitable hunting range, that human encroachment on habitats leave them few choices if the resident p...[Read Full Post] Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:41:40 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/682465 graduate school. i've spent the last two weeks scrambling to assemble the various forms, recommendations, and manuscript to apply to one of the top graduate creative writing programs in the country. i'm fricking insane. but i'm doing it, anyway. historically, "insane" hasn't really been much of a deterrant for me. i won't find...[Read Full Post] Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:11:52 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/682055 oh, man, that was rough. i didn't finish nano for the first time in three years. i took on too much, like a second job that came along at just the right (wrong?) time with a schedule that required i function on a less-than-optimal amount of sleep, a couple of classes, the morning job, and well, the rest of life that just butts in all the time. i was foolish, idealistic, determine...[Read Full Post] Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:33:18 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/678899 hi, ho, the merry-o. so, it's november, and we all know what that means. NANO!!! i'm currently about 2500 words behind, but my only worry is i have no idea where this story's going. if the scenes were coming, i wouldn't care about not having a map--but for some reason, with this relatively simple plot structure i've chosen, i'm having issues with retain...[Read Full Post] Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:04:15 EST http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/675194 in my neverending search for inspiring images and writing prompts, i stumbled across this list of top ten worldwide ghost towns. some truly weird scenes, and some haunting (perhaps haunted) places. the town overtaken by sand? wow. buildings held captive by a motionless sea. [Link: 'http://www.oddee.com/item_96462.aspx'] ...[Read Full Post] Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:56:40 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/672633 i've been squeaking by with a pt minimum-wage job since july, and am also taking a couple of classes at the community college. i'm taking student loans to cover costs, but money's been really tight. also, no health benefits offered at my workplace, so thppt. so, i applied for another job at a chain bookstore (not the one i was employed with for so many ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:41:45 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/672124 hey, all-- i've gone and obligated myself to the fabulous [Link To Item #1546312] as a nanowrimo writer! if you have GPs burning a hole in your wdc pocket, please consider sponsoring me in this generous activity. your donations will help fund many wonderful site groups and i understand prizes are also available. ooohh!! please take a look and let me know if you're open to sponsor...[Read Full Post] Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:57:01 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/670854 Halloween costumes-well, any costumes to an extent-hold promise and escape and fantasy within them. The idea we could be someone else for a little while is enticing, particularly if that person is especially wicked in some way we don't allow ourselves to be. I found this interesting tidbit regarding costumes: "Although popular histories of Hal...[Read Full Post] Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:47:32 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/670627 you gotta check out this site: [Link: 'http://www.emailsfromcrazypeople.com'] unfrickinbelievable. Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:14:39 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/670368 hey, all-- i've been lackluster in my posting lately, relying mostly on writing prompts (which i find mostly for my prompt circle on another site ). i feel just terrible about it. honest. i thought today i might highlight a few offsite blogs i follow, to compensate for my limp contribution to the world of blog: [Link: 'http://www.tugboatinstincts.blogspot.com'] ...[Read Full Post] Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:55:14 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/670344 i missed Writing Prompt Monday again. *sigh* and i HAVE a calendar. and a cell phone. this is embarrassing. okay, well, dwelling in the past only leads to carbuncles, so let's pretend i'm not a complete shillyshallier and move on: this week's writing prompt: [Link: 'http://pixdaus.com/?sort=tag&tag=lighthouse'] ah, yes. the...[Read Full Post] Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:25:21 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/669779 here's what i wrote on my facebook page after a friend goosed me about neglecting my prompting duties: "ack!! i completely forgot--it's House's fault. i blame him and his stinking 2-hour premier that had me all weepy by the end. okay, here's one: you discover that the one quality that makes you different from everyone else is a...[Read Full Post] Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:19:34 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/668886 i've moved my computer back into the second bedroom, where i fudged together an office of sorts to write in a couple of years ago. i had shifted out to the living room months ago because i missed hanging wih my honey, but my productivity's for crap. i'm one of those people who can't concentrate with distractions, it seems. i feel isolated spending time...[Read Full Post] Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:41:24 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/668613 hi, all-- this month's writer's digest special issue is on writing prompts and creativity. woop! here are a few to hold you until you can get to the store and check it out for yourself: "During his third night out of town, a traveling businessman discovers a voodoo doll in his hotel room." "Out of curiosity, a medical student...[Read Full Post] Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:33:24 EDT http://www.Writing.Com/main/books/entry_id/667787