Posts in Category: Creative Writing
My Latest Book (in progress)
Aloha!
Been busy working on my latest novel, a sequel to my first cozy mystery novel, which should be available by the end of the year. I wasn’t sure if I would write a sequel to this novel, but I’ve had a positive response from my readers who want me to continue the journey into my next book.
The heroine of my first novel, Eve Richardson, (small town romance novelist) is off on another adventure with Magnolia (her new found, new age friend). Again, Eve is working on her latest novel. However, this time around, she has a new editor who has challenged her to write a romance with an unexpected twist. Of course, she has her romance going on in this novel, which I won’t disclose at the moment.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot because I like to keep my writing open for possibilities. My method is once I discover my characters, I let go of my control, follow them around, and let them show me the story. Yes, they have minds of their own! And not even I, the author, always knows where the plot will twist and turn. That is the fun of writing for me.
Well, I’ll cut it short here and get back to my story. It’s perking along, and I’m excited to see where it’s heading today.
Have a great week!
Zee Huxley
New giveaway starting on Goodreads next week.
FREE Writing!
“Free writing” is a technique that helps frees up the creative writing process.
Natalie Goldberg is the author of “Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within” a book that broke open the world of creativity and started a revolution in the way we practice writing.
Many have asked where I get the ideas for my stories. Truthfully, I discover most of my stories while free-writing. Sometimes I have a rough idea of what my story will be about, but I rarely use a solid outline. I just start at the beginning and let the story flow. People, names, personalities, and places seem to magically appear and develop as the story goes on. For me, it’s like sitting back and watching a movie. My first cozy mystery novel “Bon Voyage My Love: Ticket to a Mixed Plate Paradise” began as a free write.
With the free writing technique, you are allowed to write with carefree abandon and without any worries about spelling, punctuation, or what other people might think. In other words, don’t fret, edit, or get hung up on anything until you have explored your storyline. This writing technique is usually practiced for a set period of time, anywhere from 5-30 minutes (set a timer). If you don’t have a theme to work from, write a handful of random words on scraps of paper (person, place, article of clothing, color, etc.) throw them in a hat and pick a few. Now, write a story based on those words. Or turn a page in a book or magazine and select a random group of words or a sentence to start. You can also use pictures out of books and magazines to prime your imagination.
Much, too, has been written about the therapeutic benefits of writing by keeping a personal journal. Free flowing self-expression cannot only help the creative process but also the process of working through emotional difficulties and discovering new ways to deal with problems. Your subconscious mind holds the key. So try the free writing technique and set it free!
Me and Stephen King
Stephen King and I have little in common as far as our writing genres go. I have never been a fan of horror stories or movies—too scary! But I did become a fan of Stephen King after reading his book: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.
While I’m still not a fan of horror stories, I do understand now (from a Stephen King point of view), how and why he chose the writing direction he did. I also appreciate the way his book “On Writing” describes the process of writing in a non-academic and often humorous way. This autobiography/writing and editing guide gave me an entirely different view into the Stephen King psyche. I would recommend this book to readers and writers alike, whether you are a fan of horror stories or not.
So in honor of Stephen King, I am “taking a stab” at my first horror story.
The Wrong Suitcase
The newly built townhouse complex sat in the middle of a vast sunbaked flatland, a land void of color–the buildings painted in nondescript shades of drab. The only landscaping in sight was the claustrophobic patch of lawn between our sliding glass door and the tall wooden fence behind—just enough room for a couple of lawn chairs and nothing more.
Thank goodness it was a temporary stopover, or so we were told. My parents had always been secretive about these sorts of things, and we had learned over the years that it was better not to ask. Why, pray tell, would us kids want to know anything that could possibly affect our future and well-being? But even at the young age of fourteen, I assumed it had something to do with finances.
The heat that summer, along with the embarrassing sounds coming from the adjoining neighbors, crept into my upstairs room. But what sold it for me was the view, especially at night when the shadowy light fell on the dump behind the old suitcase factory, revealing a pile of rejected suitcases with nothing inside.
Now, I ‘d like to tell you that I didn’t climb the fence that summer. That I didn’t steal that one lone suitcase from the edge of the pile. That I didn’t open it. That I didn’t find what was lurking inside.
Okay, I’m beginning to scare myself.
P.S. The above is based on a true story.
