English is a funny language.
My mother's response to that would be, 'Funny ha ha, or funny peculiar?'
We're often imprecise with the words we choose, and so can give the wrong impression or message. If we're talking to someone we give them additional information through our body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. Problems occur when we aren’t there, and the other person only has our words.
For a week or two I've seen a sign on a door that says, 'This door is alarmed.' Maybe it's just my juvenile sense of humour, but I can't help smiling as I wonder what events alarm doors.
Another day I walked along the road behind two men in suits as they discussed a project execution plan. I thought project deliverables were used in business jargon, seems like things have got a lot more serious. Maybe there are more terminal outcomes now if you don't meet a deadline.
20 May 2012
15 May 2012
Thoughts of a Random Nature
One of the pleasures of going into the city is the view while travelling over the Auckland harbour bridge. Most cities have a landmark that people associate with that city. For me it's Rangitoto - the volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf.
This morning, as I looked at the city buildings ahead of me, two sheets of flame shimmered. Not flame, but the sun reflecting off the glass façade of two buildings. I turned to look at Rangitoto, and there was the sun cradled in the volcanic cone. Stunning.
14 May 2012
Rest, Recovery and Pushing Boundaries
A few years ago I worked with a personal trainer of the ‘keep-fit’ gym variety. From her I learnt the necessity of pushing beyond my comfort zone to stretch my capabilities, and also the importance of rest and variety.
For example rather than just walking or jogging at the same pace all the time, intersperse that with walking faster, or running flat out for a minute.
Recovery/rest periods are as important as the workout, as it allows muscles to recover and build, and doing different types of exercise helps to stop us getting bored, and also means we work different muscle groups.
If you're wondering whether this blog has been taken over by someone else, no, it's still me, and there is method in my madness.
When I'm really pushed by a deadline, the first thing to go is my morning exercise or walk, and I head straight to the computer and start work. I also tend to forget to take small rests to change posture/position, or to stretch muscles. At the very time I need to work smarter, what I'm doing is working harder, and the stupid thing is - it doesn't work.
Staying at my desk for longer, not taking breaks, or stretching doesn't help me produce more.
The intermittent recovery period is as important in the mental/work aspects of our life, as it is in the physical side. Thinking uses up a lot of energy.
To stay focussed, inspired, and to work positively, we need short rest and recovery periods, together with a brief change of channel.
When up against a deadline I feel a self-imposed pressure to work through any tiredness or lack of inspiration.
I asked myself where I am when I get my inspiration, whether for my own writing, or for non-fiction contract work.
I would bet it's in similar places or situations to most of you reading this. I get inspired when I'm out walking, exercising, in the shower, or sometimes I'll wake up with the answer. Most times it's not when I'm in front of the computer.
Yet I will stay at the computer struggling to create an assessment for training material, or trying to come up with a way of making a dry piece of information interesting for the people who will take the course.
Here is a quote from Leonardo da Vinci. 'Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or portion is more readily seen.'
Who am I to argue with da Vinci?
For example rather than just walking or jogging at the same pace all the time, intersperse that with walking faster, or running flat out for a minute.
Recovery/rest periods are as important as the workout, as it allows muscles to recover and build, and doing different types of exercise helps to stop us getting bored, and also means we work different muscle groups.
If you're wondering whether this blog has been taken over by someone else, no, it's still me, and there is method in my madness.
When I'm really pushed by a deadline, the first thing to go is my morning exercise or walk, and I head straight to the computer and start work. I also tend to forget to take small rests to change posture/position, or to stretch muscles. At the very time I need to work smarter, what I'm doing is working harder, and the stupid thing is - it doesn't work.
Staying at my desk for longer, not taking breaks, or stretching doesn't help me produce more.
The intermittent recovery period is as important in the mental/work aspects of our life, as it is in the physical side. Thinking uses up a lot of energy.
To stay focussed, inspired, and to work positively, we need short rest and recovery periods, together with a brief change of channel.
When up against a deadline I feel a self-imposed pressure to work through any tiredness or lack of inspiration.
I asked myself where I am when I get my inspiration, whether for my own writing, or for non-fiction contract work.
I would bet it's in similar places or situations to most of you reading this. I get inspired when I'm out walking, exercising, in the shower, or sometimes I'll wake up with the answer. Most times it's not when I'm in front of the computer.
Yet I will stay at the computer struggling to create an assessment for training material, or trying to come up with a way of making a dry piece of information interesting for the people who will take the course.
Here is a quote from Leonardo da Vinci. 'Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or portion is more readily seen.'
Who am I to argue with da Vinci?
13 May 2012
Seasons
Officially it's autumn, and we have been enjoying a beautiful time here - lots of clear blue skies and sunshine.
I tend to think that much of the top-half of New Zealand's north island only has two seasons - a long warm one, and a short cold season, which are separated by a short transitional period. Most of the native trees are evergreen, and the view from my deck is mostly the same whatever the season.
On Friday I looked down from an office window onto a stand of deciduous trees, which covered every hue from rich green to an almost-ready-to-fall golden red. It was glorious. Nature manages to humble us on every front.
I tend to think that much of the top-half of New Zealand's north island only has two seasons - a long warm one, and a short cold season, which are separated by a short transitional period. Most of the native trees are evergreen, and the view from my deck is mostly the same whatever the season.
On Friday I looked down from an office window onto a stand of deciduous trees, which covered every hue from rich green to an almost-ready-to-fall golden red. It was glorious. Nature manages to humble us on every front.
10 May 2012
Writers and Readers
For the next month or so I'm working in Auckland central business district, rather than from home as I usually do. I haven't spent a lot of time in the city in recent months, and so it's been interesting finding out what's changed, and what is going on.
I walked to the office a slightly different way yesterday and by chance came across this exhibition in the Bledisloe Lightboxes. I was hurrying at the time so didn't have chance to stop and take in each individual narrative (that's a sad reflection of the way we live), but I did so today.
This weekend is the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival, and there is a good line-up of non-fiction writers, novelists, short story writers and journalists. I enjoy pouring over the information on all the sessions and deciding which to attend. It's lovely to mix with so many other people who are passionate about the written word.
I always come away with more books to add to the pile waiting to be read. Since having a Kindle the pile (both physical and electronic) has increased with two channels to feed my book buying habit.
I walked to the office a slightly different way yesterday and by chance came across this exhibition in the Bledisloe Lightboxes. I was hurrying at the time so didn't have chance to stop and take in each individual narrative (that's a sad reflection of the way we live), but I did so today.
This weekend is the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival, and there is a good line-up of non-fiction writers, novelists, short story writers and journalists. I enjoy pouring over the information on all the sessions and deciding which to attend. It's lovely to mix with so many other people who are passionate about the written word.
I always come away with more books to add to the pile waiting to be read. Since having a Kindle the pile (both physical and electronic) has increased with two channels to feed my book buying habit.
06 May 2012
Drama
John and Mary had a beautiful wedding day, even the weather behaved. As the years went by John received several well-deserved promotions, and they bought a large house. Their two daughters, Anna and Jenny, were always top of their class in school, and excelled at university. Anna became a lawyer and Jenny a doctor. When John retired, he and Mary were rich enough to spend the winter months cruising around the world.
Are you bored yet?
While we might wish ourselves a happy and prosperous life, it doesn't make an exciting read.
'Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.' - Dalai Lama.
Drama, tension, conflict - call it what you will, but these are elements we need in our storytelling.
What type of drama? That depends on your genre. If you're writing action, then it might be a bomb. If you write murder mysteries, then it will probably be a body. But it doesn't always have to be drama on a huge scale. If the reader is emotionally invested in the character they will feel the tension and conflict the character feels.
I've read books with 'small' drama's that have gripped me as much as large scale conflicts. We just need to make sure we cut out the dull bits.
Are you bored yet?
While we might wish ourselves a happy and prosperous life, it doesn't make an exciting read.
'Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.' - Dalai Lama.
Drama, tension, conflict - call it what you will, but these are elements we need in our storytelling.
What type of drama? That depends on your genre. If you're writing action, then it might be a bomb. If you write murder mysteries, then it will probably be a body. But it doesn't always have to be drama on a huge scale. If the reader is emotionally invested in the character they will feel the tension and conflict the character feels.
I've read books with 'small' drama's that have gripped me as much as large scale conflicts. We just need to make sure we cut out the dull bits.
03 May 2012
How Do I Get Feedback?
Like many authors (or at least those I know), I own a lot of books on writing. They cover such things as how to write a novel and writing craft basics, to those on specific craft topics such as character development. I have tried many of the suggestions, discarded ones that didn't work for me, and learned a lot about the craft of writing. I won't get rid of any of these books, but there is nothing like getting advice and feedback on your own writing to help you improve.
This can come in several ways:
Beta-readers are people who will give you honest feedback, and who read a lot, preferably in your genre or area. The difference between beta-readers and a writing group is that the writing group sees your work in various stages, and in smaller chunks. Sometimes a problem only becomes visible when someone reads your book from beginning to end.
Writing assessments or reports are very useful as you remove the friendship element. The person writing the report isn't trying to spare your feelings or stroke your ego, though hopefully they will phrase the feedback in a constructive way. The report should acknowledge what is good about your writing, and point out the areas that need work. I'm a member of the New Zealand Society of Authors, and after finishing Driftwood I applied for one of the Manuscript Assessments available through the society each year. I was fortunate to have my manuscript assessed by a published author, and her feedback was invaluable in a further edit.
I enjoy writing short stories. There's something satisfying about creating a story in a shorter timeframe than a novel, and sometimes I write a short story for a specific competition. Over the years I've received a number of feedback reports through competitions. Sometimes there is an additional payment required, but I've also entered competitions which offer a sentence or two of feedback, written by the judge on the entry, included in the entry fee.
In whatever form it takes, feedback is essential for writers. We get caught up in our story and characters, and this makes it very difficult to be objective.
This can come in several ways:
- A group who meet to give feedback on submitted writing
- Beta-readers
- Writing assessments/reports
- Competitions where a report or feedback may be part of the competition, or supplied for an additional payment.
Beta-readers are people who will give you honest feedback, and who read a lot, preferably in your genre or area. The difference between beta-readers and a writing group is that the writing group sees your work in various stages, and in smaller chunks. Sometimes a problem only becomes visible when someone reads your book from beginning to end.
Writing assessments or reports are very useful as you remove the friendship element. The person writing the report isn't trying to spare your feelings or stroke your ego, though hopefully they will phrase the feedback in a constructive way. The report should acknowledge what is good about your writing, and point out the areas that need work. I'm a member of the New Zealand Society of Authors, and after finishing Driftwood I applied for one of the Manuscript Assessments available through the society each year. I was fortunate to have my manuscript assessed by a published author, and her feedback was invaluable in a further edit.
I enjoy writing short stories. There's something satisfying about creating a story in a shorter timeframe than a novel, and sometimes I write a short story for a specific competition. Over the years I've received a number of feedback reports through competitions. Sometimes there is an additional payment required, but I've also entered competitions which offer a sentence or two of feedback, written by the judge on the entry, included in the entry fee.
In whatever form it takes, feedback is essential for writers. We get caught up in our story and characters, and this makes it very difficult to be objective.
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