Not enough time, but plenty of inspiration

[mollyringle]

I've been so quiet lately because I've been spending most of my computer time writing, or visiting TheNextBigWriter to engage in writing workshop behavior, of a limited online sort. At first I didn't like the site, because it was time-consuming to find and review work by other people, which you have to do in order to post your own stuff; and then the reviews I got were sometimes not very useful--stuff like "This is really good writing; I don't see anything that needs fixing." Yes, it's nice to hear that, but I know it couldn't be true at the professional level, or I'd already have an agent, so I really craved people telling me what to fix.

Luckily, I soon got other reviewers who did just that, and by the time they had followed me through to the middle of the book they were even saying, "Hey! I liked this character until just now. What the hell did she do that for? She wouldn't act that way. It doesn't make sense." And they were right. So that was awesome, and was worth the price of registration right there. (Which is only $40/year.) I've even found some stories I genuinely like, and have gotten slightly worked up trying to explain to the writer why I think a certain change would do wonders for the work. Again, that's a very good sign. Being obsessed with writing is where I want to be.

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time for that, and if I make time for it, I have to shave time off other activities. Which is why you haven't heard from me too much. But I haven't forgotten about you guys, and in any case I (for some reason) have a permanent account here, so I imagine I'll have heavy LJ phases again before long.

In the meantime, if you want to get writing reviewed and/or find me over at TheNextBigWriter, my username there is the same as it is here.

Yah. Have a good rainy Sunday! (Our rain is back in Seattle. I am happy.)

Comments

[dirae.livejournal.com]

I am well aware of not having much time for anything. Nonetheless, I signed up as a reviewer (I'm well beyond fancying myself with a big time publishing deal, so I won't shell out 50 bucks as a writer--I don't have the drive you have). I've posted two comments for you thus far under the name Lisle Stalwart (a pen name I've used in the past). My comments will usually come in rapid succession when I have a few minutes to spare. I'll go silent for days and will then pop up again. Kinda like here.

We shall miss you around LJ in the interim. Kimma and I will prolly bore each other to tears with our Doctor Who fandom. I loathe being a fangirl, yet here I am. :/

I think this piece is the best form we've seen you dabble in. I have a few nitpicky suggestions, but thus far it is the most engaging thing I've read of what you have written.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you! I didn't expect such prompt action and high praise. I've knocked that story around for almost four years now, between work on other stuff, and it's good to hear it might actually be shaping up.

The site over there lets us answer the reviews once each, so I did that for you. Good suggestions they were, too! Thanks again.

I'll still be around here, but felt I ought to explain my relative silence. (Like anyone's keeping track.) As to Dr. Who--I've been meaning to say I plan to jump into that fandom sooner or later too, since so much of my friends list adores it. Plus, I have very little exposure to the earlier runs of the series, so there's nothing that can be ruined for me, which apparently was an issue with some of the Eccleston episodes. I imagine, once I get there, I will light up my fandom journal with the squee. :)

[dirae.livejournal.com]

Your novel was a nice little morning diversion. :)

I've like Doctor Who for years (when I was little I watched reruns on PBS and then Andrew caught me up on the rest, which is something I will always be thankful for regardless of his issues). I was really really turned off by Eccleston's version... watch the season ender for season one and then pick up with season two. David Tennant is FANTASTIC and you won't have to deal with Billie Piper for more than a season. :)

If you truly want to know the Doctor Who coffeetable book that will fill in the gaps. Or, you could catch a few select Doctor 7 episodes as he ties in better with the arc than any of the other regenerations. Or you don't need the history at all...since they don't follow the canon too strictly.

Gad. I sound like a geek. :P

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a useful tool, I may sign myself up once I actually have something to workshop! We miss you, but I'm glad you're getting a lot done on your book. That's got to feel good.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Good to know. I figure I'll give the first disc of season 1 a shot, but if the cast bugs me, I'll skip to the last disc and then sweep into season 2. Seems like some folks didn't mind him, but we'll see...

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

If you do plan to sign up as a writer later on, you can start earlier by signing up as a reviewer, and gaining credits by reviewing others' work. Then you'll have a bank of credit with which to post your own stuff later. It's very capitalist. I can appreciate it. :)

[dirae.livejournal.com]

Whatever the case, you'll love Captain Jack, the cocky little omnisexual.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, that fellow has already turned some very respectable women on my friends list into slash fiends. :) (Hmm, I need to update my slashy icons. All I have is hobbits. That's so 2003.)

[dirae.livejournal.com]

I just wanted an excuse to use this icon. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

*snert*

Awesome. Never made the phone box connection between Dr Who and Bill & Ted before. It was asking to be done...