Don't Judge, Listen

Growing up, I had never liked rap music. I had always thought it was just a bunch of jumbled up words said really loud and fast. Obnoxious music is what I had always thought, with the constant talk to gangs, guns, rape, cheating, etc. Then Eminem stepped out on the stage at the VMA's singing 'Not afraid' and for the first time I really listened. I realized that although most rap music might be about the above, not all of it was. I got the sense that Eminem was trying to tell me something he went through.

A couple days later, I was watching Fuse and Loaded came on with a tribute to Eminem. As I was refreshed with some of his music that I have heard but paid no mind to, I realized that all of his music is from his heart. He is one of the few artists that puts his life into his music. But it's more then just music, it's poetry. All of his work has a flow, a rhyme scheme. The only difference is that he puts his poetry to a beat, a beat that catches your attention and keeps it. He lays out a story and makes you understand the underlying meaning throughout. Now i own Eminem's new album Recovery. A few years ago I would never have even looked at his album. I guess  I should not have judged so quickly. Instead I should have just listened.

My New Poem

I don't know what is going on, but poetry has been dancing around in my head. Here is my latest poem.

The Left Handed Lot

There has been a lot of gab,
about us left handed folk,
it's so bad I keep a tab,
though I don't know why they poke.
There is no truth to the lies
that make most of us feel bad,
They are just whines and cries,
of righthanders who are mad.
Truth is, the brain which is wide,
got mixed up when locked up tight,
so they must use the left side,
and we get to use the right.*
Surprise! Surprise! We are smart,
And we are talented too,
We will let you play your part,
And don't worry, we won't boo. 

 

C. 2010

Childhood Favorite

The other day I went to the Borders Bookstore and was just idling among the shelves, casually browsing, mentally revising my reading list, when all of a sudden I stumbled across a book from childhood and was shocked. I didn't think it was a popular book, so I was quite surprised that it was still in print. I guess I was wrong.  It even had a different illustrated cover and for a moment I wasn't sure if it was the same book but upon reading the back it definitely was. Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards was still in print.

When I got home and ran to my bookshelf and searched for it. Yes, I still had it, buried between countless other books but there it was (the cover like the one shown to the left). The edges have begun to yellow from age but it is still in great condition. I knew there had been a reason why I kept that book after all these years. And to think, I had almost considered getting rid of it. However, it was the one book that had deeply touched me as a child and I stowed it away.

The book is only a 150 pager but every page is full of meaning and reaches you on an emotional level. The book takes the perspective of a homeless puppy who must survive through the long cold winter nights all alone. I fear of telling anymore for giving the story away but although he is homeless, the dog begins to affect  the lives of complete strangers in very different ways.

After pulling out the book, I decided to some research and find out more about the author and the book, why it was so popular after all. To my amazement, Santa Paws is a children's book series. Apparently, Edwards continues on the story of Santa Paws and his progress as he gets older. I now just added another series to my already long reading list.

A Poem for the Season

So last night, yet again my brain was on overdrive. However, unlike previous nights where I just pushed the ideas to the back of my mind, I had to get up and using my book light, scribbled out a whole poem. Of course it didn't come all at once, just one stanza at a time. When I would settle down and get ready to sleep, another stanza would jump in. I didn't get to sleep until 4am scribbling this poem, so I thought I would share. 

Fall Festive Fun

From green to yellow, orange and red,
the first sign of the new season.
Fall is here, summer has gone to bed,
can anyone give a reason?

Harvest sets the season off bright,
cornstalks, haybales, some scarecrows too,
all bring the festive mood to light,
and friends will come to pay their due.

Pumpkins, far as the eye can see,
in patches waiting to be picked,
jack-o-lanterns they will be,
hopefully none will be kicked.

Haunted houses, fields and mazes,
looks like fun though you best beware,
some scare or leave you in dazes,
all because you didn't take care.

Halloween is the final call,
goblins and ghouls yell trick or treat,
then race away having a ball,
ready to conquer their next feat.

And so fall takes its final bow,
leaving winter to take the lead.
Sadly, we must say goodbye now,
to obey Mother Nature's creed. 

c. 2010

FanStory

For all those creative writer's out there I suggest you join the world of FanStory. FanStory.com is an online forum for writers. Not only can you post your work so that everyone can see but you can also review other's works. 

What makes Fanstory.com fun is the competitive nature in which the website is set up. Everything is based on a rating system. You get ratings on your writing from one to six stars (though six stars is hard to get). You get review stars for reading other writer's work. The point is to try to climb the list to make the top ten. Right now my review rank is 890 but steadily climbing.

Also, you get "money" which you can spend later on boosting your writing up the review list so that it will be read by more people or you can enroll in one of the many writing contests (yes some you can win real money!). You earn money by reviewing so its kind of an incentive.

I think the best part of FanStory is the great writing community you get involved with. They are people who understand what you are going through creatively and can give positive reinforcement.

I discovered FanStory completely by accident last January, while googling writing contests. I read the website information and was completely hooked. There is a fee to enroll but I didn't care. It doesn't cost that much and its for the yr so it was well worth it. Besides, the feedback that I have recieved on my writing has made a huge difference. It was exactly what I needed.

Everyday, I log on to Fanstory at least once to either review or post something. It has become my after work hobby if you will and I am completely addicted. I recommend this site to all writers.

Interview Jitters

Two days ago, out of sheer boredom, I decided to search online for any local reporting jobs. While there weren't any in the reporting field, I found two for copy writing and copy editing, so I applied. What would it hurt right? Besides, I don't want to be working for Rite Aid my whole life.

Yesterday, I recieved a phone call while I was at work from the one looking for a copy writer trainee. It's $10 to start and while I know that doesn't seem much especially since I have to travel 20 minutes, I look at the long run. They have great benefits and internal promotions are possible. Besides, any experience is great for resume, which right now has a 2 yr lull as far as the journalism field goes.

Today, I called the woman back and I have an interview next Tuesday at 9:30 in the morning. She mentioned that I have to take a short test which is really simple on a microsoft document. Ok so this is where I start getting nervous.

1) Taking tests always get me nervous because for some reason I always do bad on them.
2) Usually when they say simple, its not simple or
3) It is simple but I overthink and make it more then it seems. Thus doing bad.

I guess when I go in there I just have to stay calm and take out the old motto from college. To help me focus and not freak out in an exam, I would just act like I didn't have a care in the world and just say "If I pass I pass, I fail I fail". It always worked. I usually passed the exam with flying colors. The only problem here is that it isn't an exam I can study for which makes me even more nervous. I have no clue what to expect. I guess I just have to take their word for it. It's simple.

Breakthrough

So far so good. The light switch is still on and my idea bulb is glowing brighter then ever. This morning I actually set pen to paper and wrote a few pages on my novel. The ideas are once again flowing and it feels like I can't write fast enough. I haven't felt that in a long time and it is so refreshing.

It seems like I have had a breakthrough overnight. Not only am I working on my novel but I am writing in my journal again. I forgot how light I feel after I vent on paper about everything that happened that day. Its like I am transferring all my anxiety, anger, and happiness from my brain to paper so then I can go back later and look at it objectively. It's a great method and I recommend everyone doing it. It never fails to make me feel better.

The fact that I have been posting almost regularly this week is another example of how I have changed. When I first started this blog, I was apprehensive how long I could keep it up. In fact I only posted twice and then there was lull until this week. I never knew what to write but now since my brain is finally working, I can't seem to shut up. I guess that is a good thing cause it gives me more to write about.

Besides writing and blogging I have been searching online for jobs in my field again. I even applied to two jobs. One was for a reporting job in Monmouth County and the other was for a copy editor. I haven't heard anything yet but for once it doesn't seem to bother me. My idea to just work at Rite Aid and move up the ladder was just an excuse. It's not what I want. I posted my resume on journalismjobs.com so that jobs can find me instead of just the other way around. I was considering that in the meantime I do some freelancing. I never realized how many online mags and sites need writers. Some of them seem promising though I am always apprehensive to apply. I don't know why. Journalismjobs.com now has a freelance section and since its a legit site, opposed to say..Craigslist, I am seriously considering in applying. I can make some good money and I can write when I feel like and what I feel like it. Besides my writing gets noticed which only helps my resume and experience.

Well thats it for now. Have to get ready for work...

Idea Switch: On

Last night, as I was snuggled in my bed ready to drift off, the light bulb in my head suddenly clicked on. All of a sudden I had a million different story ideas racing through my mind, ideas that a few months back I craved and itched for. They were actually good ideas, that could be formed into a solid story line. Of course, it had to be a night in which I was extremely exhausted and didn't have the energy to get out of bed to write anything down. However, I stored the ideas in the back of my mind and fell asleep content for once.

Finally, I realized that maybe I still had it in me. After months of writer's block, of having written barely a few sentences, I could actually come to my computer and write to my hearts content. What I was really happy about was the fact that besides the random story plots, I finally had a breakthrough idea for the novel that I am currently writing but haven't worked on in awhile. I had been at a dead end, not sure where the story line should go and I finally realized that though my main character was solid, the other characters in the story were not. Although they were just secondary characters, they needed a background, something that would influence the main character in moving forward.

I think part of this breakthrough was influenced by Sparks new novel (see previous post). While I was reading, I couldn't help realize how each of the characters somehow influenced the other, even if they didn't even know each other. It is what keeps the story so interesting and shocks the reader in the end. I knew that for me to have any progress on my current work I needed to have some twists the reader wouldn't expect.


It is so exciting to feel this passion burning through me again. I can't wait to have some available free time so that I can sit at my computer and type out a few chapters. I just hope the switch stays on.

Safe Haven

Nicholas Sparks has once again proven that he is a master in story telling. In his latest novel Safe Haven, Sparks has not only woven a love story but has created a suspense that leavea the reader holding his/her breath.

Beautiful yet mysterious, Katie arrives in Southport, North Carolina with hopes of starting over but determined to keeping her distance with the locals. Yet as hard as she tries, Katie finds herself involved in a relationship with Jo, her blunt single neighbor and Alex, the widowed store owner with three children. As she lets down her guard and begins to fall in love, the past finds her and Katie struggles with the secret that haunts her.

This story grabs your attention from the first page to the very last. Just when Sparks gives you insight to what is going on, he adds another twist that turns everything around. He takes you on a journey that leaves you breathless to the very last page, with the final shocker that is totally unexpected and makes you want to turn back to page one to see if you missed something.

Safe Haven is definitely *****

Patterns Within Writing

Having read so many works and followed so many authors, I have realized that almost every author follows a pattern in their writing which become evident when reading multiple works by one author.  While the stories themselves are different, the general pattern of events are the same.

For example: Nicholas Sparks pattern is that every story takes place in North Carolina or someplace quite close to there (I think partly because he is from there but that is for a different post) and then there is a guy and girl who happen to meet and fall madly in love. However, when everything seems perfect, something happens to shake that love. In the end though it works out.

Right now I am reading the Redwall series by Brian Jacques which is a 21 book series. The  pattern has become even more clear as I get to each book. As of right now I am on book 12 and in a way I am getting bored with the series, not with the story (actually the characters and dialogue is quite funny), but the fact that I know that some vermin are going to interrupt the peaceful creatures of Redwall.  I know the way the story is going to turn. There is no surprise anymore.

It is in my judgment that one should not read one specific authors works consecutively. Read something else in between. Change genres and give the brain something to think about. Usually after a romantic like Sparks, I jump to Stephen King and give myself a thrill. The heart pumping and the suspense give me change that is well needed. When I have tired of scaring the crap out of myself I go to something else.

The only reason why I have not rotated with the Jacques' series is because I have a bet with my brother to finish the set by the end of the summer...which is fast approaching. With that in mind...I better stop rambling and get to reading.

Writer's Block

Ok so I started this blog to write about my experiences as a writer and when I go to post I have total writer's block.  But then....bang! Just like that I have a topic for my first post...writer's block.

It is the most dreaded experience in a writer's life and something I seem to suffer from. I crave to write,  yearn to get those genius ideas that cram my head down on paper but I just...can't. A signal seemed to have gotten lost from the brain to the hand. My fingers lay idle on the keyboard and I watch the cursor taunt me as it blinks, waiting.

"Come on." it seems to be saying."Write something, anything."

I try to write a sentence but it just doesn't go anywhere and I pound the delete key for the upteenth time. Frustrated I just x out of the program and turn to something more distracting. Maybe tomorrow I will try again. But then tomorrow comes and goes. So does another day and another, until I realize its been months since I wrote something.

What is wrong with me? Why can't I just put down my thoughts?

It used to be so easy. The words used to just flow from pen to paper. I could have 20 pages done in a day. Not now. It takes all my energy to bang out a chapter, sometimes even a page.

This is so frustrating!!! HELP!!

A few words of encouragement would help for a little while but then it would wear away and I am back to square one. Arrgghhh...the woes of writing.