Beth Overmyer's Blog: The Blog of Beth Overmyer, page 47
September 14, 2013
(Unedited) Writing Exercise Results 2.0
I lost my mind somewhere on the road back there. We searched high, we searched low. Back and forth, deep down in the dark tunnels of the world, with all its creepy, crawling pieces of flesh-devouring worms. Perhaps my mind was consumed by one of them. "Have you seen my brain?" I asked one of the largest worms, whom I thought might be their king.
It squirmed and it writhed like a leaf on the wind, but it wouldn't answer, so I moved on again. To the next fattest worm I did go. "Have you seen my brain?"
It wended and writhed like a boat caught on the rapids, but it did not answer me.
So I moved onto the third fattest worm, fast losing hope of ever seeing my mind again.
"Please say you've seen my brain!" I wailed.
This worm considered me for some time...before saying, "Wake up."
__
^ Freewriting for 5-10 minutes
It squirmed and it writhed like a leaf on the wind, but it wouldn't answer, so I moved on again. To the next fattest worm I did go. "Have you seen my brain?"
It wended and writhed like a boat caught on the rapids, but it did not answer me.
So I moved onto the third fattest worm, fast losing hope of ever seeing my mind again.
"Please say you've seen my brain!" I wailed.
This worm considered me for some time...before saying, "Wake up."
__
^ Freewriting for 5-10 minutes
September 7, 2013
(Unedited) Writing Exercise Results
The last days of summer found me at the fair. The great thing about this carnival of sights and sounds is that it is the same every year: You always know what to expect. The worst thing about this sweaty, deep-fat-fried, eye-squinting experience is that it is the same every stinkin' year, and there are no surprises. Or are there...?
One slippery, sun-slathered day, at the end of August, I found myself at the fair gates. I approached the ticket stand and asked for two. The woman, in her world-weary voice, hissed at me. She actually hissed.
I paused to stare, thinking I had perhaps imagined things. Again I said, "Two tickets, please."
She wrinkled up her stubby nose and swiped at me with her over-long fingernails, that were slightly curved and each sharpened to a point.
Now it was personal. "Look," I said, "I just want two tickets."
She stared at me with two beady eyes and then I smelled it. Cat breath. "Um, is that tuna you're eating?"
She stretched her arms out to into the sun, then climbed up onto the counter inside of her stand, and curled up into a ball.
By now, the line behind me was growing quite long, and I was a little more than weirded out. "Kitty?" I whispered before I could stop myself.
Like all felines, the cat-of-a-woman ignored me, yawned, and rested her head on her arm.
Then I realized something: She was wearing a collar, and she was not a woman but an actual snow-white Persian with whiskers and a long, poofy tail.
It must have been a trick of the light.
__
^Write about the end of your summer.
One slippery, sun-slathered day, at the end of August, I found myself at the fair gates. I approached the ticket stand and asked for two. The woman, in her world-weary voice, hissed at me. She actually hissed.
I paused to stare, thinking I had perhaps imagined things. Again I said, "Two tickets, please."
She wrinkled up her stubby nose and swiped at me with her over-long fingernails, that were slightly curved and each sharpened to a point.
Now it was personal. "Look," I said, "I just want two tickets."
She stared at me with two beady eyes and then I smelled it. Cat breath. "Um, is that tuna you're eating?"
She stretched her arms out to into the sun, then climbed up onto the counter inside of her stand, and curled up into a ball.
By now, the line behind me was growing quite long, and I was a little more than weirded out. "Kitty?" I whispered before I could stop myself.
Like all felines, the cat-of-a-woman ignored me, yawned, and rested her head on her arm.
Then I realized something: She was wearing a collar, and she was not a woman but an actual snow-white Persian with whiskers and a long, poofy tail.
It must have been a trick of the light.
__
^Write about the end of your summer.
August 31, 2013
September Approacheth
Tomorrow is the first day of September. Hooray? Nay? Personally, I have no plans for the month, other than to finish (and re-structure--holla, Dr. S!) my current WIP. Hmm. Maybe I should make some goals. All righty, then...
GOALS:
1. Outline/re-structure novel
2. Finish draft 1.56341 of "The Disorderlies"
3. Write 10,000 words on a project OTHER THAN TD
4. Blog at least four times
5. Tweet every day
6. Plan for NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo related activities*
*As you may or may not know (or care), I'm the unofficial ML (Municipal Liaison) for my district--unofficial as in no one knows it but me (yet) and I'm planning write-ins at my local library (boo-yah!)
___
I'm curious to know other people's goals. Let's form a competition:
The person (or 'borg) to reach the most words written by 11:59:59 PM on September 30, 2013 wins a copy of In a Pickle. Sound good? Start writing at midnight tonight. Think you can beat me?
GOALS:
1. Outline/re-structure novel
2. Finish draft 1.56341 of "The Disorderlies"
3. Write 10,000 words on a project OTHER THAN TD
4. Blog at least four times
5. Tweet every day
6. Plan for NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo related activities*
*As you may or may not know (or care), I'm the unofficial ML (Municipal Liaison) for my district--unofficial as in no one knows it but me (yet) and I'm planning write-ins at my local library (boo-yah!)
___
I'm curious to know other people's goals. Let's form a competition:
The person (or 'borg) to reach the most words written by 11:59:59 PM on September 30, 2013 wins a copy of In a Pickle. Sound good? Start writing at midnight tonight. Think you can beat me?
August 17, 2013
Random Postage
If you are what you read...
I'm an overly imaginative clone-creature, who's lost most of their sight and wishes to prove that they are not a coward and to write about Medieval goings-on and perhaps catch a falling star in the process.
*she folds her hands in her lap*
Who are YOU?
___
What I'm reading:
- Stardust
- Merlin's Blade
- Becoming NADIA
- Bleak House
- The Age of Chivalry
- Northanger Abbey
- The Writer's Journey
- The Four Feathers
(I must confess, however, that I haven't progressed in my reading on a few of these for some time. But I still consider them to be on my reading pile.)
I'm an overly imaginative clone-creature, who's lost most of their sight and wishes to prove that they are not a coward and to write about Medieval goings-on and perhaps catch a falling star in the process.
*she folds her hands in her lap*
Who are YOU?
___
What I'm reading:
- Stardust
- Merlin's Blade
- Becoming NADIA
- Bleak House
- The Age of Chivalry
- Northanger Abbey
- The Writer's Journey
- The Four Feathers
(I must confess, however, that I haven't progressed in my reading on a few of these for some time. But I still consider them to be on my reading pile.)
July 25, 2013
Tough Stuff: What It Takes to be a Writer
Whether you're twelve and dreaming of becoming of a writer, or you're twenty and just starting out, there are things all writers need to do, and needs they have in common.
To Do List:
1. Write.
I might be dating myself here, but has anyone seen Throw Mama From the Train (Billy Crystal)? Billy Crystal's character's favorite catchphrase was "Writer's write. ALWAYS." Whether you feel like it or not, you should write, right?
Yes, but that's not always going to happen. So besides writing, writers need to:
2. Have realistic expectations.
...of yourself and others. You're not always going to produce 1,000 words a day. Life happens. As far as others go, not everyone's going to understand you and your madly creative world, so cut them some slack. But remember to:
3. Be you!
Everyone has a unique voice, just waiting to be discovered. Don't sacrifice your writing on the altar of trends, crazes, "so-and-so writes such-and-such a way." You gotta do what works for you. But no matter what, do not forget to:
4. Rewrite, edit, revise, etc., etc., etc.
Everyone needs to. No exceptions to the rules here. Period.
5. Read.
It helps spawn new ideas, show you weaknesses in your own writing, etc.
Every writer needs...
1. Support.
No man is an island. Join a writing circle, online or in person--or both! Or have some network of accountability and support set up.
2. Encouragement.
It's so easy to get discouraged and want to quit. That's where a support group comes in handy.
3. Constructive criticism.
It may hurt, but it's important to get an outside opinion...when you're ready.
___What'd I miss? Have anything to add?
To Do List:
1. Write.
I might be dating myself here, but has anyone seen Throw Mama From the Train (Billy Crystal)? Billy Crystal's character's favorite catchphrase was "Writer's write. ALWAYS." Whether you feel like it or not, you should write, right?
Yes, but that's not always going to happen. So besides writing, writers need to:
2. Have realistic expectations.
...of yourself and others. You're not always going to produce 1,000 words a day. Life happens. As far as others go, not everyone's going to understand you and your madly creative world, so cut them some slack. But remember to:
3. Be you!
Everyone has a unique voice, just waiting to be discovered. Don't sacrifice your writing on the altar of trends, crazes, "so-and-so writes such-and-such a way." You gotta do what works for you. But no matter what, do not forget to:
4. Rewrite, edit, revise, etc., etc., etc.
Everyone needs to. No exceptions to the rules here. Period.
5. Read.
It helps spawn new ideas, show you weaknesses in your own writing, etc.
Every writer needs...
1. Support.
No man is an island. Join a writing circle, online or in person--or both! Or have some network of accountability and support set up.
2. Encouragement.
It's so easy to get discouraged and want to quit. That's where a support group comes in handy.
3. Constructive criticism.
It may hurt, but it's important to get an outside opinion...when you're ready.
___What'd I miss? Have anything to add?
July 16, 2013
National Children's Book Day
How am I just discovering that this is a holiday?
Anyway, want to celebrate? Here are some ideas to help you honor the day:
1. Read a children's book...
to your child/ren!
to your inner child!
2. Visit your local library
3. Give a bookstore your patronage: Buy a children's book
4. Support your favorite children's authors: Tweet/blog/Tumblr about their books
Here is a list of some pretty incredible children's books:
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
2. Hank the Cow Dog (loved this series when I was younger)
3. The Boxcar Children series (ditto to the above)
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
5. Flipped
6. Goodnight, Moon
7. The Wednesday Wars
8. Okay for Now
__
I'd love to hear some of your favorite children's books. Also, are you doing anything special to celebrate the day? Let me us know in the comments below!
Anyway, want to celebrate? Here are some ideas to help you honor the day:
1. Read a children's book...
to your child/ren!
to your inner child!
2. Visit your local library
3. Give a bookstore your patronage: Buy a children's book
4. Support your favorite children's authors: Tweet/blog/Tumblr about their books
Here is a list of some pretty incredible children's books:
1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
2. Hank the Cow Dog (loved this series when I was younger)
3. The Boxcar Children series (ditto to the above)
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
5. Flipped
6. Goodnight, Moon
7. The Wednesday Wars
8. Okay for Now
__
I'd love to hear some of your favorite children's books. Also, are you doing anything special to celebrate the day? Let me us know in the comments below!
July 7, 2013
Ding-Dong, the Book is FINISHED! ...Kinda
You may or may not have been following my new book's progress. I've been posting about it a lot on Critique Circle, Facebook, and Twitter. The good news? Draft one is FINISHED! *insert celebratory cake and drinks here* The great news? You won't have to hear anymore updates on it for two whole months. Now, that is something to celebrate.
Why two months, you ask? Why, I'm giving myself some time to get distance and perspective from the project. I've been working on it for over a year now. Time to work on something new for awhile. Then, in September, I'll tackle rewrites.
Thanks to all who've been encouraging/putting up with me!
Keep breathing,
Beth
Why two months, you ask? Why, I'm giving myself some time to get distance and perspective from the project. I've been working on it for over a year now. Time to work on something new for awhile. Then, in September, I'll tackle rewrites.
Thanks to all who've been encouraging/putting up with me!
Keep breathing,
Beth
June 21, 2013
Your Summer Reading List
Looking for some hot reads this summer? I present
Beth's Library Books read and approved by yours truly
Middle Grade:
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Rick Riordan)
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (J. K. Rowling)
-The Wednesday Wars (Gary D. Schmidt)
-Okay for Now (Gary D. Schmidt)
-In a Pickle (Beth Overmyer) ...Sorry! I couldn't resist!
New Adult:
- The Breakaway (Michelle D. Argyle)
- Pieces (Michelle D. Argyle)
- Harvest Moon (Krista D. Ball)
Mystery:
-The Woman in White (Wilkie Collins) FREE on Kindle!
-The Moonstone (Wilkie Collins) FREE on Kindle!
-N or M? (Agatha Christie)
-And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie)
Romance:
-Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
-Pulse and Prejudice (Colette L. Saucier) [higher heat level with supernatural elements]
-A Jane Austen Daydream (Scott D. Southard)
Science Fiction:
-Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)
-The Host (Stephanie Meyer)
Literary/Experimental:
-The Silver Linings Playbook
Fantasy:
-The Hobbit (J. R. R. Tolkien)
-The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (J. R. R. Tolkien)
Dystopian:
-The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Light Horror:
-The Phantom of the Opera (Gaston Leroux)
Non-fiction:
-What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank (Krista D. Ball)
Beth's Library Books read and approved by yours truly
Middle Grade:
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Rick Riordan)
-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (J. K. Rowling)
-The Wednesday Wars (Gary D. Schmidt)
-Okay for Now (Gary D. Schmidt)
-In a Pickle (Beth Overmyer) ...Sorry! I couldn't resist!
New Adult:
- The Breakaway (Michelle D. Argyle)
- Pieces (Michelle D. Argyle)
- Harvest Moon (Krista D. Ball)
Mystery:
-The Woman in White (Wilkie Collins) FREE on Kindle!
-The Moonstone (Wilkie Collins) FREE on Kindle!
-N or M? (Agatha Christie)
-And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie)
Romance:
-Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
-Pulse and Prejudice (Colette L. Saucier) [higher heat level with supernatural elements]
-A Jane Austen Daydream (Scott D. Southard)
Science Fiction:
-Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card)
-The Host (Stephanie Meyer)
Literary/Experimental:
-The Silver Linings Playbook
Fantasy:
-The Hobbit (J. R. R. Tolkien)
-The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (J. R. R. Tolkien)
Dystopian:
-The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Light Horror:
-The Phantom of the Opera (Gaston Leroux)
Non-fiction:
-What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank (Krista D. Ball)
June 15, 2013
Random Fact Time
From all the research I've mentioned doing, you should've known I couldn't keep it all to myself! For those interested (and those not) I present, in no particular order...
THE TOP FIVE THINGS I LEARNED THIS PAST WEEK:
1. You've always heard that only nobility wore crimson in medieval times, right? "What was so special about the color red?" you ask. Good question, Watson. It's simple: Crimson was a type of fabric. It usually came in three different colors: Green, blue(or was it brown?), and white.
2. In all the movies, you see King Arthur riding off to battle on horseback, feet secure in his noble steed's stirrups. Lovely picture, no? There's just one big problem: Stirrups most likely didn't make it to Europe until the 8th or 9th century. King Arthur's supposed reign took place from 6th to 7th century England. That means a lot of battles on foot (can you imagine riding without security, a heavy shield in hand and a none-too-light sword at your side?)
3. Forget early medieval pottery. Early attempts were...sad. Well, what would you did if you didn't have a potter's wheel and didn't have the fuel or kiln to fire the clay at a high enough temperature? Most tableware of the early middle ages were most likely made of wood.
4. Like tableware, most furniture and buildings were probably wooden in the 6th and 7th centuries. Not much has survived, seeing as wood decays and breaks down naturally in soil. Mostly what we have to go on are documents and art from that time.
5. Candles in the middle ages were made of tallow (animal fat.) It stunk! But if you were starving, well, it's better to eat than to have light, am I right?___
They say you're always learning something new. What did YOU learn this past week?
THE TOP FIVE THINGS I LEARNED THIS PAST WEEK:
1. You've always heard that only nobility wore crimson in medieval times, right? "What was so special about the color red?" you ask. Good question, Watson. It's simple: Crimson was a type of fabric. It usually came in three different colors: Green, blue(or was it brown?), and white.
2. In all the movies, you see King Arthur riding off to battle on horseback, feet secure in his noble steed's stirrups. Lovely picture, no? There's just one big problem: Stirrups most likely didn't make it to Europe until the 8th or 9th century. King Arthur's supposed reign took place from 6th to 7th century England. That means a lot of battles on foot (can you imagine riding without security, a heavy shield in hand and a none-too-light sword at your side?)
3. Forget early medieval pottery. Early attempts were...sad. Well, what would you did if you didn't have a potter's wheel and didn't have the fuel or kiln to fire the clay at a high enough temperature? Most tableware of the early middle ages were most likely made of wood.
4. Like tableware, most furniture and buildings were probably wooden in the 6th and 7th centuries. Not much has survived, seeing as wood decays and breaks down naturally in soil. Mostly what we have to go on are documents and art from that time.
5. Candles in the middle ages were made of tallow (animal fat.) It stunk! But if you were starving, well, it's better to eat than to have light, am I right?___
They say you're always learning something new. What did YOU learn this past week?
June 3, 2013
Back in Time
Time-travel. I think we've probably all been exposed to the trope, whether in movies, books, or TV shows.
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells was published in 1895, and two films were made out of it. Also, back in the late 90's, the children's television show Wishbone did its own mini adaptation of the classic.
Doctor Who, while not my favorite show (wink), has drawn viewers from all over the globe. Time-travel, space travel, is there nothing a Tardis can't do? And will someone please explain to me why there are so many different Doctors?
Back to the Future brings images of bright orange "life preservers" and Deloreans to mind, as well as the hip sounds of Huey Lewis and the News. Let's admit it to ourselves: The first two were the best, the last one was...Well, I'll let you argue it out in the comments :)
The Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix takes us back and forth through time. It's a fun middle grade series, and I don't want to give away the major twist so Shhhh!
I've never read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, but I've heard that it's good.
There are two major disadvantages I see in using this genre/trope/whatever-you-want-to-call-it:
1. The paradox factor (I killed my father as a child, so now I'm not born, but if I weren't born, I didn't kill my father, so he's still alive and I was born, but I killed my father...) Don't get me started on alternate reality (Star Trek rebooted...I am pro, btw.)
2. Historical accuracy (Read: TONS of research.)
Despite those major hurdles, it's one of my favorite genres to write (and read) in.
Anyone have any other thoughts on this? Any favorite time travel books, programs, movies I should check out? I'm always looking for new material to entertain myself with :)
Keep breathing,
Beth
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells was published in 1895, and two films were made out of it. Also, back in the late 90's, the children's television show Wishbone did its own mini adaptation of the classic.
Doctor Who, while not my favorite show (wink), has drawn viewers from all over the globe. Time-travel, space travel, is there nothing a Tardis can't do? And will someone please explain to me why there are so many different Doctors?
Back to the Future brings images of bright orange "life preservers" and Deloreans to mind, as well as the hip sounds of Huey Lewis and the News. Let's admit it to ourselves: The first two were the best, the last one was...Well, I'll let you argue it out in the comments :)
The Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix takes us back and forth through time. It's a fun middle grade series, and I don't want to give away the major twist so Shhhh!
I've never read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, but I've heard that it's good.
There are two major disadvantages I see in using this genre/trope/whatever-you-want-to-call-it:
1. The paradox factor (I killed my father as a child, so now I'm not born, but if I weren't born, I didn't kill my father, so he's still alive and I was born, but I killed my father...) Don't get me started on alternate reality (Star Trek rebooted...I am pro, btw.)
2. Historical accuracy (Read: TONS of research.)
Despite those major hurdles, it's one of my favorite genres to write (and read) in.
Anyone have any other thoughts on this? Any favorite time travel books, programs, movies I should check out? I'm always looking for new material to entertain myself with :)
Keep breathing,
Beth
