Being Writer: A Series on Writing

I pride myself on two things: being a writer and being a thinker. Being a thinker doesn't make you a writer, but as a writer, inherently, you've got to be something of a thoughtful person. And no, I don't mean "thoughtful" as kind here; I mean thought-full--- full of philosophies, opinions, and ideas that mold who we are on and off the paper.

So in the spirit of being one who thinks and one who writes, I think I will write something encouraging to you all, in the form of a four part series called BEING WRITER, a lesson (or a reteaching, rather) on what makes us writers in the simplest form of the word. This isn't called BEING AUTHOR--- this series isn't professional and it's not going to get you published. What it is going to do is encourage you. Motivate you. Slap you around a few times and then slap you again. Remind you that writing is a way of life (and sometimes, life, itself) before it becomes a career. BEING WRITER is about you; it's about all of us individually and collectively. And the four pieces that I'm going to elaborate on starting Monday of next week (Feb. 7th) are the four things that I've been meditating on for the past week or so as I attempt to understand who I am in this relationship I've invested in for the past who knows how many years of my life. Writing starts with you and starting Monday, I am going to reveal my thoughts on how to ensure that your foundation is set before, during, and after you set out to write that first draft.

Projects keep me going, People,
Deserae McG

P.S. The official schedule for BEING writer looks like this:
Monday: How to Write a Novel
Tuesday: Why we Write and What Inspires Us.
Wednesday: Handy Dandy Notebooks
Thursday: Who we be  
And guess what! Tomorrow's Friday! Check back in for the first installment of my short story blog series!

You Never Forget your First...

Because yesterday was the first of the month, I wanted to share some of my own firsts with you. The list is short, but I feel that our firsts are more monumental than we make them out to be. Yes, I'm saying this is one of the VERY few things the human race takes way too lightly; the way we handle things, approach situations, make impressions, blah blah blah for the first time, is essentially pretty tell-tale about our character. And this, of course, got me thinking about my characters and my approach to writing and why I inadvertently have weaved in something that someone's never done into a major plot-point... it's because knowing that a character has never done something and/or seeing them do (that) something for the first time SHOWS us who that person is without telling us who they are. It's a cool thing, so I'm going to share a little with you today.

My First...
...kiss has never happened.
...blog follower is Elena Solodow who is also on Twitter and who I've come to find is a really cool person. I am very glad the blogosphere has people who are very into writing just as I am.
...story was about a girl who's cool best friend stole her crush.
...dance was the last dance I've been to. That was during the beginning of my sophomore year; I am now a senior.
...day of freshman year in high school was intimidating until I walked into my first class and saw this boy I vaguely knew from middle school. He and I became the best of friends and were inseperable until just recently. That first day was also a little uncomfortable because I was wearing a skirt and knee high socks (something I do VERY rarely) and a teacher called me out for the length of my skirt in front of everyone in the 300 Building. The worse part was I didn't even know him, but he must have known I was already self-conscious about that particular thing. Bleh.
...SAT Test went rather well, actually. I scored an 1800 the first go.
...serious crush was a boy in my fourth grade class who I knew liked me. I liked him back for three whole years, until he met Porche and I met Raven (who was a lot less cool than I thought he was).
...party (like party-party, not birthday party) was hosted by one of my younger sister's friends. The photo of me in the left side bar was taken there. She had a runway--- a runway!--- and I was invited to model. Very cool, very fun, and very unforgettable. There wasn't any alcohol or dirty dancing (you young kids... not all parties are about getting down with your bad self!)... it was just fun. I love having (controlled, adult-supervised, mature, G-rated) fun. Lol!
...memory may not really be mine (because my parents have burned this into my brain), but it's of my second birthday and Barney (yes THE Barney; purple dinosaurs do exist in nature if you know exactly where to find them and how much to pay them) was a guest. He was marching around our pool and all of us young ones were following him, but he lost balance and fell into the pool. I tried to fish him out and asked, "Barney! Are you alright?" From there, my memories begin.

Yes, Loves, our firsts are important. I bet, with all of this information, you can form a pretty interesting opinion of me. You're supposed to, though; you're supposed to see something about me in all of these instances. If you want to let me know who you think I am from this, or if you'd like to respond with some of your own firsts, drop them in the comments! I'd love to hear from you all. Anywho, I hope this got you thinking about who you are and who you'd like your characters to be. Thinking is always a good note to end on.

'Til later,
Deserae McG

P.S. Thanks to Elena, I am no longer talking to invisible persons. If you like what I have to say, I know you'll love her blog. The links are above; clickity click. And a special thanks goes out to her for thinking my ramblings were worth the follow. Smiles and love are virtually raining down on you; thanks for your support.