I have been very busy this past week, but there are two things that have made me very happy this week: reading and writing (two out of three of the 3 R’s isn’t bad, but not arithmetic please).
First, I have been reading Go Set the Watchman by Harper Lee, and whereas there seems to be a lot of unflattering reviews of the book, I find them misplaced. In fact, I’m not so sure some of the readers even read the book, and if they had, they already made up their mind before they read it that they wouldn’t like it. I still have about 100 pages to go, but so far I am loving the book, and I think it is an important piece of history. No matter what you think of the book, it captures the nuances of changes in the South in the 1950s, but more on that when I finish the book.
Also, I have been writing. A few weeks ago, at the encouragement of friends, I began writing a novel. I’d tried to write one several years ago, but life got in the way and I never finished it. However, this book is one that I have had in my head for a while and thought that it needed to come out. So I put pen to paper, or more accurately fingers to keyboard, and I began writing. I will also talk more about that in the future as well.
Joe
The Closet Professor 
July 18th, 2015 at 10:36 am
yes! love to see good people pursuing their dreams!! now if I could only get my fiancé to start writing her books… lol
July 18th, 2015 at 10:37 am
Maybe she will. I found you just have to sit down and start
July 18th, 2015 at 10:39 am
yeah. finding time is the hard thing for us.
July 18th, 2015 at 10:40 am
I know the feeling. If I hadn’t lost my job and I was still working, I’d have never found the time
July 18th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
I’m excited for you to pursue your interest in writing a novel. Even if it’s not polished, get your words and story down. Use the NaNoWriMo model. (I did 6 weeks of daily blog posts centered around NaNoWriMo, Chris Beaty’s book “No Plot, No Problem “, and other writerly stuff that could be helpful. They start in mid-October an run thru December 1st.)
I recommend socializing with authors who write in your genre. With FB, it is possible to learn so much about the culture and habits surrounding writers and writing. I’m so happy and blessed to be getting to know some of my favorite authors that way. (I first heard of you by your interchanges with Amy Lane, then read your post on her books. I had also written a blog post on her some time ago.) Many of the writers in the m/m genres are kind, friendly, generous and encouraging. That’s not to say everything is perfect, but it’s usually pretty awesome.
Some very successful writers try to get in 1000 to 2000 words per day and use the Goodreads m/m group to get together virtually with other writers for word sprints – timed writing sessions.
I really hope you’ll do this. …think of all the practice you get here and thru school work alone. You know you can! ❤
July 18th, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Thank you so much for your advice. Amy Lane is one of the people who encouraged me to write a novel. She is a very kind, open, and giving woman.
July 18th, 2015 at 9:06 pm
One of the most down-to-earth, genuine, helpful, sassy writers I’ve found is Renae Kaye. Piper Vaughn is another gem. Then there is the sweet-as-candy Nico Jaye. …and you’ve already got Amy routing for you. Other really friendly authors are Raine O’Tierney, Alexa Land and KC Wells. BG Thomas, Rick R. Reed and Rick Bettencourt are super nice, too. The list could go on, but I’ll stop. :-p
July 18th, 2015 at 9:07 pm
Thank you so much