#amwriting

Writer’s write, right? So I have been faithfully working on my short story, trying to finish the epilogue. I finally finished it, so I wanted to upload it Scriggler, to the writers’ platform I used for my last story. However, when I tried to log on to Scriggler, I found it was no longer there. Bummer! I went on a search for another writers’ platform and found WritersCafe.org. It seems to be a good platform, so I am posting my writings there for now. 

I’ve uploaded two pieces so far: a poem I wrote today and the short story I finished a few days ago.  

Meaning

https://shar.es/abvcjO

The Relationship

https://shar.es/absZMz

I’ve also been working on my novel. Creating more scenes that will flesh out the story and the characters. Writing again feels good and I feel productive. There’s a certain satisfaction in getting words down on a page; a small sense of accomplishment.  Now to keep the momentum going.

N C Overton

July 27, 2020

Is Your Character Acting Up?

I’ve been stymied on my novel for a while, so I’ve taken the time to work on a short story — which is coming along nicely. Part of the reason I’ve been stymied is that my main villain is evolving into a more likable character and I’m not sure if I like that. Such changes to characters can change your plot line as well, and not always for the better! 

In this crazy time of viruses and anarchy in the streets my husband and I became overwhelmed by all the negativity on the news and the hateful things people were saying and doing to each other and we decided to make a change. We decided to stop watching this crap that just flows negative energy into our home and return to ourselves. While this initially sounds out-of-place, it is the very reason for this post. 

Being a writer and having a couple of projects going, I decided to start my morning reading about writing. I came across this post on Nathan Bransford’s blog. He was writing about runaway characters. Well, of course, I had to read it because one of my characters was acting up. I’m so glad I did! The thoughts in his post helped me work through my character’s antics and how they might affect the plot if I let him go on that way. Big breakthrough for me and for my character! Thank you, Nathan!

I am sharing his post in the hope that it may help you as well. 

https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2020/06/listen-to-your-characters-but-dont-let-them-run-away#comment-222544

Always remember to #BeKind

Aloha,

NC 

Making Lemons into Lemonade

I see a lot of chatter on social media about COVID-19. We all have issues with the "stay-at-home" orders and travel restrictions. Here on Kauai, it is no different. We also have social distancing, "stay-at-home", and checkpoints around the island to ensure we are not running amok and spreading disease! The media calls it Draconian. I just understand that we all need to do our part to minimize the spread of this dreadful disease. The governor of our state put these orders and proclamations in place partly because we have a large population of kupuna (seniors) and partly because some people, including our high volume of visitors, have no regard for the safety of others (at least not while they're on vacation).  So, like in grade school, many suffer because of the actions of the few. Enough of the lamenting, though.

After having been couped up for a lot longer than most -- I've been fighting a bad bout of walking pneumonia for 6 weeks now -- I had sunk into a bit of a depression. However, now that I am on the mend, I've decided to look upon this time as an opportunity. Not only can my husband and I catch up on stuff we need to do for our home, I can write. I can write! I CAN WRITE!!

Today, I signed up for the April Camp NaNoWriMo. It starts Wednesday and I plan to finish the short story I started a while back. I already have a draft, but I need to expand upon the characters and fill out the story. So that is my writing goal for April which should help the month slide by quickly and be productive as well!

Stay well and COVID-19 free!