Tuesday, May 06, 2008

'FESS UP FRIDAY | Just for Fun

I've just signed up for Literate Kitten's 'Fess Up Friday. It's a public declaration, where participants will "confess" to what they did (or did not) do for their writing goals for the week.

Of course, I don't expect deathless prose. I am not a natural writer; for me, writing requires great effort, and lots of editing. However, I thought I will do it just for fun.

Just because we can't all be Roger Federer, doesn't mean we can't enjoy tennis, right?

From the words of Patti Smith: "In art and dream may you proceed with abandon."

So, with abandon, here's my late entry for last week's 'Fess Up Friday:

I daydream a lot. It's probably my favourite past-time, and it helps me through long bus-rides and other long stretches of boredom. Recently I decided to pick up on an idea that came to me during a daydream. I decided that I want to write a romantic comedy. in novel form. It's chick-lit fluff, hardly the works of grand literature. Why? Because I want to write a simple love story, where we work with the best of intentions - but still screw up along the way. Most of all, because I thought it would be fun.

I spent several hours last week trying to name my characters. The naming is important, because with the names, you give them form. It's all about background at the moment, giving the characters relationships, careers, aspirations. One of the main character is the owner of an organic farm, the other just happens to be a cute red-headed sous chef. One is definitely vegetarian - but I'm wondering if the other should be as well.

Both characters however, wear sensible shoes.

I think I need to read Alice Waters's The Art of Simple Food for research.

Oh, and I was also compiling a Playlist of "Wrist-Cutting Music" - the soundtrack to write to. List includes Sarah Maclachan, Rachael Yamagata, The Cure, Patsy Cline - and Serene recommended Nick Drake. (Anyone else has any other recommendations?)

9 comments:

chrisa511 said...

Hahaha! Wrist cutting music...can I offer up my entire CD collection? geez...I don't know where to even begin. I love Nick Drake though! Excellent recommendation there. His Pink Moon album is one of my favorites!

I've been wanting to go back to writing again...I haven't written anything since NaNo...I was kind of burnt out after that...I think I may pass on it this year and maybe do it again in 09. I may start writing some short stories again for fun though.

Anonymous said...

oooh I hate you.

All I did towards my writing goals was delete (yet another) chapter 2 & grade other people's essays...

post story excerpts as you write them?

darkorpheus said...

Chris It's odd, really. Wrist-Cutting Music are the best music to write love stories to.

Good luck on the short stories. Any ideas on the stories though?

I think I'll pass on NaNo this year and just try to finish a story without the deadline.

Ovidia Posting the excerpts? This is not exactly deathless prose, you know. ;p

But hey, you have Chapter 2 (sort of). I have yet to settle on the name for the nice organic farmer. Or the plot. But I have a sort of happy ending laid out.

Wouldn't the fact you had to grade all these essay make you want to do something else - like write?

Yogamum said...

I think writing just because you want to is the best reason!! Have fun!

darkorpheus said...

Yogamum Thankfully, the only time I work hard at anything is when I want to. ;p

wil said...

Perhaps Elliot Smith, Billie Holiday...

darkorpheus said...

wil Hey, thanks. I have Elliot Smith and Billie Holliday too! :)

LK said...

Wrist-cutting music -- wish I'd have thought of that one!

Glad you are on board with 'fessing.

darkorpheus said...

LK: Glad you would have me for 'Fessing Friday. :)