EXERCISE: What's your excuse?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting Jan. 1, 2014

Just thinking. Over here http://www.writingexcuses.com/2013/12/29/writing-excuses-8-52-you-think-you-dont-have-time-to-write-with-mette-ivie-harrison/ at Writing Excuses, they are talking with Mette Ivie Harrison who has written an ebook called 21 Reasons You Think You Don't Have Time To Write. It's available over here http://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Think-Dont-Have-Write-ebook/dp/B00DMML1GU/

The focus of the book, and of the discussion, is the excuses that we have for not writing. The reasons that we give, to others and to ourselves, for not writing. There are copies of Mette's list in various places on the web, one of them being right here http://metteivieharrison.tumblr.com/post/50995791845/21-reasons-you-think-you-dont-have-time-to-write but...

What's your excuse? Why don't you write? (and I really mean Heinlein's steps -- write, finish, quit tinkering with it, submit, and keep submitting!) What are the roadblocks, problems, arguments, rationales, and so forth that are stopping you?

Make a list. Why not write? Then step-by-step, consider whether you really want to let those stand in your way. If not, what can you do to get around, go over, under, or through, how can you succeed despite those wonderful excuses?

If you like, share those problems, and maybe the solutions, here on the list. One of the common ways for writing groups to help people is by giving them a group where they have made some commitments. Sure, nothing really will happen if you break your promise to this group, but... We all know that having made a public statement makes it much more likely that you will follow through, no matter what.

So. What's your excuse? What are you going to do about it, and how can we help?

Write!

CON: 6x6 Prompt: She's back?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting Jan. 6, 2014

How about this? We've got a new tv show starting here in Japan, based on a mother returning home for the first time in 20 years! They are focusing on the married couple and other family members dealing with the return of their missing mother after so long, but you should feel free to make it anyone you like, and the interval that they have been missing whatever works for your story. Who was it who visited the elves and came back a hundred years later? Or perhaps just someone going back to where they lived some time before?

Whoever you like, tell us the story of their return, and how everyone reacts. And what happens then?

Is it true you can never go back again? What happens when someone tries?

Remember, stories in the 6x6 can be about whatever you like, but if you want to try this one, go right ahead.

I have to admit, I keep hearing the little girl in the movie looking at the TV static and intoning, "They're here!"

Write!

CONTEST: 6x6! Starting up... Now?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting Jan. 4, 2014

All right! We have some folks who want to do a story a week, for the next little while. So roll up your sleeves and join in, or stand back and enjoy the tales of wonder and woe. But watch out for flying words, some of those tale weavers get kind of wild.

It's the weekend here, so shall we say we're looking for a story by... Sunday? January 12? Gives us a little over a week this time around, and then we'll aim for stories by Sunday each week.

Nora, Dale, me -- anyone else going to join in?

I'll try to remember to toss out a prompt or something if people want to use them. Not required, just a help if you want something to use.

Anything else we should get straight? Open topics, stories by Sunday, first one January 12. Sounds like fun!

Okay? Get on your marks, and start writing!