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I am not a procrastinator by nature. In fact, I’m the opposite. Once I have made up my mind, I go for it, totally zonal and focused. That was until it came to starting a blog. Just six short weeks ago I knew very little about blogging other than how to read and subscribe to one. What a journey it has been.
It was the A to Z Challenge that really put an end to the procrastination. I had to get the blog up and running for 1 April to be able to participate and really knew nothing about the tech side of things. Once I became aware of my blogging options, I got caught in the analysis paralysis trap, too many choices as I really wanted my blog to look sleek and welcoming. Of course, I was modelling my expectations by looking at blogs that had been up and running for years. Big mistake! At that point I realized that blogs evolve, are not just made and let my preconceived ideas go. It was then simply a matter of putting a pin in WordPress and typing.
I still pinch myself that I am sharing the blogosphere with real writers. My aim with this blog is to entertain by sharing my life experiences and to polish my writing along the way. Others of course have different aims. To those of you who can create characters and write fiction or achieve publication you have my utmost admiration.
A couple of weeks ago I started a writing course. I have learned some techniques that will help me get inside a character’s head and develop a story line. The classes have been fun and because I am already putting my writing out there in the form of this blog, I am less conscious about sharing my work with others. Creating, I have learned, is about just letting go, silencing the inner critic and keeping the pen moving.
Science fiction is not my movie genre of choice, I’m more of a chickflick girl. But one science fiction character I dig is Yoda. If ever there was an epitome of a wise oracle type of character, Yoda is it. From his wisdom to his ears to his speech, I wouldn’t change a thing. So it was with some delight that the convenors of the course chose to motivate us by giving us the following well-known Yodaism:
So here I am, doing!
As for the yarn, I am talking about this:
Informal A long, often elaborate narrative of real or fictitious adventures; an entertaining tale.
not this:
One of the writing exercises we had to do this week was to create a character and write on the topic “Love Hurts“. A short two minutes of creating, keeping the pen moving and practicing conveying emotion. With Yoda’s wise words firmly in my head I did just that and I thought I would share with you the yarn that I produced in those two minutes.
Lilly knew she had to do it today. She knew it wasn’t fair to string Brett along any longer. She had to break it off, let him go his own way to find a girl who could really appreciate him for who he was. Being at work in a busy restaurant wasn’t ideal. But Brett was here now, having started his shift as a short-order cook not twenty minutes before.
Lilly always felt lousy at times like this. She was always the one that instigated the break up. She had no desire to be the dumpee and Brett had gotten too close. She hated these moments, hated being the bitch… but her upbringing had taught her that love hurts. Yes, fear could do that to you.
Nervously looking to her left, she followed Brett’s every move. Distracted she almost dropped the plate of food she was carrying to table four. That just wouldn’t do, laden as it was with peas, carrots and gravy.
J. K Rowling I am not (nor do I want to be), but I am really liking this character and feel that I want to bring Lilly more to life. I’m not sure where I will go with her, but this is a huge leap for someone who is used to being overly descriptive in her writing style. I am starting to let go and leave matters to the reader’s imagination.
So this blog is a little different today and now I’ve put it out there and done more than try. I’d love to hear any feedback you want to give me, good or bad.
As Yoda would say, curtain you have started to raise. Go a little higher, you should.
Raising the Curtain 
Good old Yoda, he can always be relied upon for a bit of wisdom.
Enjoying your blog by the way.
Thanks Dino…Yoda is a wisdom warrior, almost worth watching the Star Wars set for him alone!
Good for you — “Lilly” was well written, clear and to the point. I haven’t read much of your writing, but if you are normally overly descriptive, you toned it down to the right level here. There was enough description to paint the scene while leaving me room to project my own memories of similar situations into Lilly’s. And that, I think, is what a well written bit of fiction can do.
Well done!
Thanks Elyse, I appreciate this considered feedback. It’s exactly what I was looking for.
I want to get to know Lilly. I so enjoy your blog. I look forward to seeing my email when you have written a new post I so appreciate your support and encouragement. Your writing is good, and it will only get better and better, I am so glad I know you now, so when you are quoted and published, I can say, “oh, I knew her then…” Continue the great work, and I hope you will share more of your assignments with us. By the way… Yoda totally rocks!!! I am not much on most science fiction, but I do confess to being a trekkie and Star Wars is such a great series. I will close now as the theme to Star Wars echoes in my head. Thanks for the post, the music and the reminder to write!
I’m so glad our paths have crossed, DAF and thank you so very much. Not sure if I will ever be published, but at the moment it’s more about the journey than the destination. I will try (did I just say that? LOL) and share a bit more as I go.
I doubt that I would have come up with as many words in two minutes as you did, let alone making it a coherent story that makes me want to read more. It’s very good!
Thanks for the encouragement. I have just have to give Lilly her own story. Will be swinging by your place shortly to comment on that fantastic Y post. Love me some Yankees rivalry :).
love yoda-speak! great advice he gives through you =)
true, this is!
Very nice. I like Lilly too and would like to see what happens next. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Tess, I think you’ve become my blogging mentor 🙂
Hmm, well, it appears you do have a daughter and her name is Lilly. Your story was very well written indeed and I know I am looking forward to enjoying more of your writing.
Haha Frey. You’re right though, I think I’ve adopted Lilly. Thanks always for the support, mate 🙂