Day: November 2, 2018

I was listening to an audiobook this morning on the way home and marveling at the use of language. Writers–really good ones–have a specific voice that, while influenced by others, is unique to them. The beauty of that is that every book is an opportunity–a reminder that the voice is a large part of the story and that it is important for a writer to cultivate voice.

To be honest, I struggle with believing in my own voice. It isn’t a case of feeling like I’m mimicking other writers but recognizing how hard it is to fall into voice. This is especially hard on first draft when I am just trying to get the ideas down on paper. That is part of why I outline. However, getting into that sense of voice is why I write. I want to be in the bubble where I can feel the characters and feel like a narrator recounting their stories. That space was easier to find as a kid who didn’t care for anything but letting it flow out. It is harder now that age and effort have worn me down. 

I wonder how writers keep that youthful will going?

Some Thoughts:

1. Stumbled across Znation this morning. It is not good but it is addictive in that The 100 sort of sense. Basically we are talking about the bad soap opera version of the Walking Dead. Yeah, I know exactly how that reads.
2. Yeah, it is gonna suck me right in and that is a bad thing… just say no.

I really want a cup of coffee. The problem is we are way past my bedtime and nearly on the wrong side of midnight. Still, I want a coffee and I want to stay up all night doing lord knows what. I feel like one of King’s character’s from Insomnia save for the fact that I want to not sleep. There is no real reason for the desire, but here we are.

I fell asleep a few hours ago, long after I put the kids to bed. I was laying in my own bed and listening to Andrew Cuomo prattle on angrily about Trump when I felt myself going. I let it happen for a while and then pulled myself out. I hadn’t blogged. I hadn’t taken any real time to myself. I suppose the sleep was a version of me time, but not a version that left me feeling any real satisfaction beyond basic refreshment. I suppose it is that basic refreshment that has me up this evening watching a ton of marginal to terrible TV. 

So I suppose the moral of the story is that I need proper recharge. Bad TV isn’t entirely good, but it is something.