I've read some of your stuff...quite a few in fact...and I, for one, don't expect a full size novel every 10 days. Personallly, I think that's a bit unrealistic, or over-optomistic, take your pick.

Re: AOL--take a look at the headers, they're probably spoofing your address as sending so the spam filters won't block it...sometimes you just have to turn the headers on and send it to the spam department.

Caution on the Blackberry....if you use a GPS, such as TomTom, only certain ones are compatible--not the Curve (model 8310), so weigh your use needs against features you really need to have (you may not actually need a BB, but rather a MM capable phone). I may go back to a phone that's not a BB in a year or two.

You can never have too much of these things: Chocolate, Coffee, Money, Sex.

I don't mind reading works in progress...as long as the writer is definitely on a writing streak...nothing ruins a good read like a 1 year break between story chapters....perhaps writing and posting a few chapters at a time?

I'm doing nanowrimo right now. I never thought I would join the craze, but apparently I'm ahead of schedule. Not really a formal compromise, so you could throw it out the window 300 words away from your goal if you so choose. Just an idea though.

Maddy (:

Hello, from another now-out-of-the-closet longtime fan

And, gah! Why are you of all people reading "how 2 rite" books? I'm sure if the authors had been any good at writing, they'd be doing it instead of meta-writing. (You know the old "people who can, do; people who can't, teach.") Besides, all I can imagine a writing book teaching is how to write Danielle Steele (?) in 10 days... and, um, the world needs no more of that.

If you want inspiration... read an old classic, or just walk out your door, step on a Greyhound, and the world will provide.

Best,

--Raro

Babycakes just write what you want, when you want. No matter how much it may seem like it, we're not expecting the moon. We're just happy to hear from you.

Sharon

Babycakes just write what you want, when you want. No matter how much it may seem like it, we're not expecting the moon. We're just happy to hear from you.

 

Sharon

Ditto! As much as we're dying for you to finish those stories, we also understand that it takes time to get back into an old plotline. Plus, think of it this way... we remained your fans while you were MIA; there's no way we would be disappointed with anything new.

I would be so very glad for you to write a 3 or 4 segment new story. We were worried about you, but we missed your writing. I know how hard it is to get back into a story. I would count it as a great gift to get something new.

Stop being paranoid, dear!! We love you! <3

*hugs*

Meleth

I agree with Sharon. Don't force your writing and feel pressured. Personally, I'm just geeked that you blogged again.

If I post something new that would end in 3-4 segments would I get flamed for doing it before an unfinished story is complete? What if the new one was finished before I did that? I feel rather paranoid lately.

Feel free to put out that 3-4 Chapter story about Luke. We won't mind if Travis (with the Fruit punch taste on his lips) and Milo (who's sick in bed) have to wait.

Take Care®,

Vic

Dom,

We are all happy to have you back. When the time is right, when the inspiration strikes you, we'll be here.

Mike

Dom,

I've been in similar spots over the years and when I remembered an important point, things seemed to go better. Don't worry about the expectations of others so much, and focus on yourself and your needs. Often times I remind people that you can't help others before you help yourself first. In writing there is a similar principle. You have to write for yourself first before you can write for others. Do what fits for you, and the rest will flow along in its own time.

You're not the same person you were when you started those stories, and so there will be some disconnect. Reading through the previous chapters is a good way to reconnect, and you might not end up taking the story in the exact same direction originally intended, but it will move forward.

I too seem to be uninspired. Part of it has to do with not being able to have what I want. I'm sure that doesn't help much, but that's part of life. I hope you find inspiration again very soon.

Dom,

To add to the chorus - don't force it; relax, and write what you want to write.

Speaking just for me, I'd happily read a new story even though the others are unfinished.

I'm just glad to have you back. Everything else can happen in its own time.

--Pete

Dom has to look no further than our inspirational group chapter writing of Dennis.

Sharon the Head Hittor may be a bit hung up on strange spelling and grammatical flummeries, but just give her a big red pen, and she'll be happy for days. Not sure where I was going with that last sentence, so I'll shut up now (who put the I on the keyboard so close to the U?).

I can't really help much with the inspiration. I would like to throw in my sentiments as well that you shouldn't rush yourself, we're just happy to hear from you again. As far as a song goes, I am listening to I Kissed A Boy (and I liked It), which has a parody video on Youtube. There are several different versions available. Its funny because when I hear the Hetero version now, I always expect to hear the lyrics I am used to, "the taste of his listerine breath mints."

Dom,

It's really great to have you back, making posts to your blog! You were a major inspiration to me and when I first read your writing, I never dreamed that I'd one day be a hosted GA author myself. Still, it seems weird for me to be giving you advice. I think you're doing the right thing, going back and rereading WT and ITFB to get back into the stories, but much as I want to see them finished, you might want to get back into the swing of writing by starting with something else - perhaps something tangential. I'm not suggesting starting yet another serial novel, but perhaps a short story or a series of short stories to help get you into the right frame of mind. An interesting exercise might be a short story based on one of the characters in one of your other stories, but there would be no obligation to take it any further than that. Write one or two, or maybe three such stories, and then you can decide where to go from there. The main thing is it will help get your creativity flowing in a direction you enjoy without a sense of obligation or pressure - then you can decide if an when you want to tackle finishing the other stories, which of course the rest of us certainly hope you will.

Dom,

 

I've been in similar spots over the years and when I remembered an important point, things seemed to go better. Don't worry about the expectations of others so much, and focus on yourself and your needs. Often times I remind people that you can't help others before you help yourself first. In writing there is a similar principle. You have to write for yourself first before you can write for others. Do what fits for you, and the rest will flow along in its own time.

 

You're not the same person you were when you started those stories, and so there will be some disconnect. Reading through the previous chapters is a good way to reconnect, and you might not end up taking the story in the exact same direction originally intended, but it will move forward.

Absolutely. I read your post and I was thinking the same thing. It's your story, they're your characters, have fun with them. Turn one of them straight. I hear they can do that at those Jesus camps. (Just kidding. Don't shoot me).

Whatever you decide to do, I am so f**king glad to see you, the person, back amongst us again. I missed you.