Happy Forth

Posted on by

I will do my best this summer to keep up with my blog here.  With so much happening this summer, that will be harder some days than others.  I took a week off of writing after finishing editing the third draft of my latest novel.  After a bit of a road trip this weekend, I am back at it.  I will start the memory challenge back up here soon as I decide on what to work on next.

Free writing is an important element for any writer.  It is an element that I neglect far too often.  Sitting back in my hometown coffee shop, however, I got the inspiration to sit down and just write.  Out came a piece that surprised me.  I am going to upload it under nonfiction because it does feel like a diary piece.  I need to make sure to continue free writing much more often.

Her

Multiple Climaxes Revisited

Posted on by

I just finished the third draft of my latest novel.  I believe it is quite clean and ready for the eyes of family members and friends.  While reading it this time, I realized that I had organized the book in strange way.  I knew I gave it multiple climaxes.  That was on purpose.  What I didn’t realize was that each one was a different kind of climax.  First comes to the action climax.  Then comes the emotional climax.  Lastly comes to the story’s climax.  Each one has its own purpose.

I am very happy with the progress I have made on this novel–considering I’ve only really been working on it for three months or so.  I can’t wait to have someone else read it.  I’ll focus on something else tomorrow (probably the memory challenge).  After than, I am taking a road trip to see and old friend halfway across Colorado (I’m thinking about taking the long way past Colorado Springs to see how bad the fire is).  Until then!

Much Love,
Richard

Pre-Peace Corp Writing Goals

Posted on by

A lot is changing in my life.  There’s only one problem.  Many of these changes won’t take place until January.  I need to fill the gap between then and now.  I’ve though of a lot of different ideas–from traveling to working.  In the end, the best idea I can come across is to immerse myself in my writing.  So I created a list of writing goals I want to accomplish over the next 200 days or so.  Here they are:

Writing Goals

  1. Finish Editing my fourth novel
  2. Do final editing on Stitch [Novel Three]
  3. Do final editing on The Saints [Novel Two]
  4. Do final editing on The Fire Saviors [Novel One]
  5. Write a fifth novel
  6. Do final editing on fifth novel
  7. Compile a collection of 50-100 poems
  8. Do final editing on Poem Collection
  9. Compile short Stories/Flash Fiction
  10. Do final editing on Story collection
  11. Join Every Writing Club in Northern Colorado/Go to them
  12. Finish Memory Challenge
  13. Do final editing on memory challenge
  14. If money allows, print one set of books “Before Peace Corp Writing”
    1. The Fire Saviors [Novel One]
    2. The Saints [Novel Two]
    3. Stitch [Novel Three
    4. Novel Four
    5. Novel Five
    6. Poetry Collection
    7. Story Collection
    8. Memory Challenge

A Fine Frenzy

Posted on by

I am officially addicted to the band “A Fine Frenzy.”  As you will see in today’s poem, I even borrowed a phrase from their hit, “Almost Lover.”  The song is fascinating.  It might just be me, though.  A woman’s voice entangled in a piano is one of the most beautiful sounds I can think of.  I recommend that everybody click through and listen to the song.

For any of my followers, I suspect you will see a change in my writing.  I feel like I am standing at another crossroads.  I’ve crossed plenty in my 8,500 days of life.  Many have been small…several have grown in significance.  Today, as I watch my closest friend prepare to move 1,000 miles away, I know this crossroads will be significant.  With less than 200 days until I enter the Peace Corp, I want to do all that I can to create the life I’ve been waiting for.  =)  Enjoy the poem.

These Days We Wait

Unplanned Sabatical

Posted on by

I have to issue an apology to all of my followers.  This past weekend turned into pure awesome.  I hardly even opened my laptop for more than a few minutes.  I love when things just work out.  I got ten times more sun than I have in the past year.  I laughed more than I have in the past month.  It was pretty much the perfect weekend.

Now that I am back to normal, I have a long list of things I need to get done today and tomorrow.  I plan on getting a new memory up sometime tonight.  I also hope to start writing a few poems and short stories over the next weeks or two.  I’m still experiencing a bit of a hangover from this weekend, so bare with me.

Much Love,
Richard

Relief & Sad Memories

Posted on by

I feel extremely accomplished.  I finished my most difficult Elance job yesterday–and the client is very happy with the work.  Today, I helped clean my house, spent a good deal of time editing, and applied to a couple new jobs.  I feel like Summer is fully underway–which is great considering it’s the solstice today.  I just want to edit and read for the next couple days.  that would leave me with a smile on my face.

Today’s memory is a strong challenger for one of the saddest memories of my life.  The story is about the death of my friend’s seven-month old son.  I wrote the memory while at my coffee shop.  I teared up quite a bit and did everything I could to hide my tears from the people around me.  It’s so strange writing emotional things while in public–like you are the keeper of a secret.

Day Nine: Losing Your Infant Son

The High Park Fire

Posted on by

The graphic above shows the burn area of the fire near town and the properties that we have been keeping a close eye on.  It’s been a long ten days.  The fire keeps throwing smoke into town.  When it’s not, it’s difficult to look away from the billowing smoke.  There’s talk about this fire going on for weeks.

I got a memory done.  It is below.  I realized late last night that my Elance project isn’t sue until tomorrow night…so I feel a bit better.  I am going to spend the rest of today editing and working on the Elance job.  I can’t wait until this week is over and I can just sit back with a  book.

Day Eight: Inauguration Road Trip

The Next 33 Hours

Posted on by

After a long 24 hours with my parents, I am back to writing.  I did a lot of work with my parents: built cabinets, moved book shelves, etc.  It was a great way to spend father’s day weekend.  But now I am a bit behind on my Elance job.  I am at my coffee shop in my home town and am about to get to work.

This job will be my main focus tomorrow as well considering it is due tomorrow at midnight.  After that, I will get back on track in terms of editing and my Memory Challenge.  But, for now, I really need to get to work.

With Love,
Richard

Falling Behind

Posted on by

I haven’t done much in the way of writing over the past two days.  Yesterday entailed little more than helping a roommate move in followed by a party.  Today was the hangover followed by meeting with a friend.  Although I may fall a day or two behind on the memory challenge, I will continue it.

My main worry is that I haven’t been editing as much now that I have a big Elance job.  I have three days to do the second half of.  That is more than enough time.  I think I’m just going to spend the next couple hours working on editing.  I really just want to get this draft done so that I can have others take a look at it.  I’ll upload a new memory sometime in the next 24 hours.

Until then,
Richard.

Against the Deadline

Posted on by

I got sick last night and didn’t end up working very much on my Elance job.  I then proceeded to sleep for twelve hours.  I feel better, bu now I only have a few hours left to finish my job.  This is going to be a long day of work.  Time to get back to it.

Here is day seven of my memory challenge.  This is one of my favorite yet.

Day Seven: Running for School Board