author – Page 10 – Noreen Lace

I write to stop myself from punching people in the face…

Published on August 28, 2019August 23, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

My next story will have violence.

Unless, of course, I’m in jail.

Nothing angers or offends me more than men telling me to offer myself. “Flirt,” they say, “for a discount,” “to get out of a ticket,” “to get a good deal,” etc and so on!

Someone said this, again, recently. He was drunk (not an acceptable excuse) and offering unsolicited advice. I sincerely wanted to kick him in the knee caps.

None of my lady friends have EVER said suggested this, nor done it to the best of my knowledge.

NO, THANK YOU!

I’d rather PAY!

How many of you write about what angers you?

Would they tell their wives to flirt? Their sisters? Their mothers?

I AM NOT A COMMODITY!

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I do not trade myself for anyone or anything.

I do, however, write books. They are a commodity that can be bought, sold, traded.

Prepare to die, asshole.

In my next story, that is.

Writing Buddy

Published on August 26, 2019August 25, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

My new writing buddy. He must have worked, had a breakthrough with my latest WIP!

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Overcoming Procrastination

Published on August 23, 2019August 20, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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Something happens after a book is published. Writers, then, have a dual focus. Trying to promote and continuing to work on their next project. This leaves me, personally, overwhelmed. And I don’t function well in that place.

Some authors speak of a “let down” time after their novel or book is published. That they feel depressed, blue, unable to work.

I wonder if it’s something like postpartum depression. You’ve worked so hard and birthed this marvelous creation, and you’re somewhat exhausted and now have so much to take care of.

Writers do refer to their writing as offspring in some sense or another.

The thing about procrastination is that it becomes a habit.

When I’m overwhelmed and don’t know what to do first, I tend to procrastinate. We’re not just talking about a lot to do. I regularly have a lot to do and have it scheduled, done, and still have writing time.

I think scheduling helps overcome or even usurp any potential procrastination. So it’s summer, no schedule, makes it even harder.

I got a schedule book, instead of just my phone, and keep that on the table I pass most often in the house. There it is, laying open, telling me what needs to be done and by what time. No phone beep that I tend to ignore or swipe to dismiss, but an open book written in pen and ink.

I’m old school. An open book is my catnip.

I’m a tad neurotic. A to-do list is my medicine.

Take that procrastination!

Procrastination

Published on August 22, 2019August 20, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

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Writer’s Fight Club

Published on August 21, 2019August 19, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

I’ve been worked over by a story all summer. I feel like we’ve been beating each other up and down and neither of us is winning.

At this point, I hate this story. But, no, not true. I love it. I love the characters and want them to have a voice, a say in their life.

But, gosh darn it – speak!

Maybe I have not been giving the story it’s due, it’s time. The main character, Bella, came simply enough and her father did too. This is the primary relationship and the source of conflict in the story, but then there are a whole bunch of secrets. Aren’t there always?

I wrote the first draft and showed it to my writing partner who said the story had merit and I should keep at it. So, here I am, months later, keeping at it! Frustrated.

Writers understand this. Sometimes stories do this to us. The story wants/needs to be told, but it’s so hard in coming.

I need to do it. I need to force it. I need – I don’t know. Maybe it’s the story’s needs I should think about. It needs some time maybe, more thought; it needs to be brought to life for whatever reason it was given to me to write.

Monday Motivation

Published on August 19, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

Sometimes, when I need some quick new ideas (my overstuffed file of ideas aside) I ask for a challenge. I ask people to give me two things, and they can be random. A pet bunny and a fear of heights. A bridge and a broken leg. They don’t even have to have anything to do with each other.

This is a challenge and a creative inspiration exercise – can I write short stories from these ideas?

Last time I asked for such a thing – I used all but one of the ideas and wrote five short stories in a month.

One of my writer friends said I can’t do that, I shouldn’t do that. She said that was false writing or forced writing.

Okay, but… Sometimes we need to force things out in order to get back into good habits, and, gosh, don’t tell me can’t. It just makes that two year old inside me want to do it even more.

I do understand what she’s saying – writing should be organic and natural to us. BUT – as I say, sometimes you gotta push it a little.

By the way – all those short stories were accepted and/or published within a few months.

So – anyway – I’m asking now. I need a little forcing. Give me two things. Random or not. Can be anything. Mayonnaise in a taco random or bunny on a beach cute.

Go.

Thanks.

Using Famous People in Stories

Published on August 5, 2019August 4, 2019 by Noreen LaceLeave a comment

David Bowie appears in my new book, How to Throw a Psychic a Surprise Party. Sort of.

Bowie and the Basket Case is a short work of fiction. It’s completely legal to use the name of famous people in your literature. But there are limitations. Micheal Ondaajte has used historical figures, gave them secret lives.

The story must be clearly a work of fiction. And, if it is someone living, I’d be careful what I say about them. They have good lawyers.

The star of my story, however, is the basket case. But which one is the real basket case?