Tonight I went to see a series of short plays by one author. The first piece was decent but it went on a bit. The subtext was the best part of the play. The next two pieces were just not properly developed. And it didn't help that the actors were god-awful. As in, they sounded like stiff, affected nubes who just learned the script an hour before they went up. Ergh! I gave up after the first part and during intermission snuck out into the cool NYC night. I won't name the writer because for the most part I really think he's quite talented and his writing is quite smart. The pieces just need more work. It's a decent starting point but they were more works-in-progress than final product.
That said, I have another friend who gave me a draft of his short story to read a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing and the ending was fresh and surprising. The way he uses language...his turn of phrases is quite gorgeous. English is his second language and he makes fiction writing quite beautiful. Then he revised his draft and the story only got better. His additions only added layers, giving the whole piece depth. I am quite humbled at the beauty in his work. There is no envy, no jealousy warming my blood tonight because all I feel is true appreciation for another writer's act at honing his craft. To think that he almost quit writing a couple of years ago. Thank goodness he didn't because this writer...this young talented writer...will have students studying his works in years to come. I will share his name when he's ready to share his work with a larger audience.
Anyway, it's a little after midnight now and I'm finally feeling the effects of a full and eventful day. My brain is in need of a break.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
I woke up at 8:20 am today, I actually slept through two alarms…mind you, I have to be in the office by 8:30 so I jumped out of bed and started racing around in circles trying to get things ready to leave for work. I typed my manager a quick note telling her that I woke up late and that I’d be there as soon as I could get there. An icy cold shower to wake me up then grabbing clothes from my closet in quick succession…although I don’t know what I was thinking grabbing a light sherbert green shirt and light brown plaid pants. I’m just going to call it being in a rush but not really sure what the hell I’m wearing today. Ah well, that happens.
The late start and a dull headache have left me feeling underwhelmed today. It’s not a migraine thank goodness so a couple of ibuprofens later and it’s finally gone. But I’m in a foul mood today…my mouth is a crushed line across my face and my jaw is clenched so tight that I have to remind myself to loosen up. What is up with that?
Well, the reality is that I keep hitting a wall with my novel again and again. I was explaining this to a friend on Friday night that it just feels like I’m not smart enough to write what’s in my head. The story in my head is just not translating out onto the page and it’s making me bat-shit crazy! Grrr! *Head in hands * I’ve been steadily working on this novel for the past two years and I’m just not close to finishing it. To be exact, two years and moving into two months and today I just want to quit this project. Seriously!! I want to put the whole manuscript in a drawer and let the dust gather up in its shallow grave. Maybe start on a ten-minute play or even a full-length play for that matter. I’m sure I can write 90 pages of dialogue. I feel completely useless with this novel but there is this cloying part in my brain that won’t let it go. Think squirrel grasping a nut between its claws.
I really thought spending some down time playing in the sun and catching up with things that bring real pleasure would give me the much needed break and clear some head space to come back to the page bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Instead, I feel thwarted at this next new section. It’s not just difficult, it feels impenetrable. So I am sitting in front of this wall trying to figure out what am I going to do now. Hmmm. Another writer friend told me to spend some time daydreaming about it…which is great advice but the story is constantly in my head. It’s going on and on and I am trying to grasp moments from this large narrative and trying to make this novel somewhat coherent. I think I just need to come to terms with the fact that it will never be as good as what’s in my head. Now if someone can tell me how exactly I come to terms with that fact, maybe I can get somewhere. *grumble *
I know, I know, I’ve promised not to gripe on this blog about writing but sometimes I just have to come clean and share exactly where I am in this crazy process. It helps me to put it down on the page ‘cause it means it’s less time in my brain to muck up the works. Anyway, I’ve been listening to Bluesy Rock music today…Raconteur, Black Keys, White Stripes and Jack White are playing non-stop in the background. Shredding guitar riffs and raging drum beats are perfect to wake me up from the pity party that threatens to take hold and render me useless.
That's all she wrote today,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
The late start and a dull headache have left me feeling underwhelmed today. It’s not a migraine thank goodness so a couple of ibuprofens later and it’s finally gone. But I’m in a foul mood today…my mouth is a crushed line across my face and my jaw is clenched so tight that I have to remind myself to loosen up. What is up with that?
Well, the reality is that I keep hitting a wall with my novel again and again. I was explaining this to a friend on Friday night that it just feels like I’m not smart enough to write what’s in my head. The story in my head is just not translating out onto the page and it’s making me bat-shit crazy! Grrr! *Head in hands * I’ve been steadily working on this novel for the past two years and I’m just not close to finishing it. To be exact, two years and moving into two months and today I just want to quit this project. Seriously!! I want to put the whole manuscript in a drawer and let the dust gather up in its shallow grave. Maybe start on a ten-minute play or even a full-length play for that matter. I’m sure I can write 90 pages of dialogue. I feel completely useless with this novel but there is this cloying part in my brain that won’t let it go. Think squirrel grasping a nut between its claws.
I really thought spending some down time playing in the sun and catching up with things that bring real pleasure would give me the much needed break and clear some head space to come back to the page bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Instead, I feel thwarted at this next new section. It’s not just difficult, it feels impenetrable. So I am sitting in front of this wall trying to figure out what am I going to do now. Hmmm. Another writer friend told me to spend some time daydreaming about it…which is great advice but the story is constantly in my head. It’s going on and on and I am trying to grasp moments from this large narrative and trying to make this novel somewhat coherent. I think I just need to come to terms with the fact that it will never be as good as what’s in my head. Now if someone can tell me how exactly I come to terms with that fact, maybe I can get somewhere. *grumble *
I know, I know, I’ve promised not to gripe on this blog about writing but sometimes I just have to come clean and share exactly where I am in this crazy process. It helps me to put it down on the page ‘cause it means it’s less time in my brain to muck up the works. Anyway, I’ve been listening to Bluesy Rock music today…Raconteur, Black Keys, White Stripes and Jack White are playing non-stop in the background. Shredding guitar riffs and raging drum beats are perfect to wake me up from the pity party that threatens to take hold and render me useless.
That's all she wrote today,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Friday, July 6, 2012
A Movie Trailer and Two Music Videos
Okay it's been a minute since I last wrote, I don't have much on at the moment. Been spending some down time for a change. Catching up with my work out routine.
Also went to see the Norwegian flick, Headhunters. It was a bit over the top but I definitely enjoyed the thriller aspect of it. In fact, a few points in the movie had me reacting out loud and back at the screen. That's always fun. Check out the trailer.:
A little BBQing with the family and drinking lots of sangria (yum) on the mid-week day off.
Let's see, listening to J. Lo's Dance Again. The catchy hook wormed it's way in and now I can't stop listening to it. Grrr!! Hehehe...Really it's the chorus that gets me and I can't help but sing this out loud in top voice: "I wanna dance and love and dance again." And of course, Pitbull is just THE MAN!!
Also, Maroon 5 came out with their new single, One More Night. Another song I can't stop listening to:
Okay, I get that these are really over-produced studio songs but sometimes you have to take in the pleasure principle, kick back and just go with it.
Rock on people, rock on!!
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Also went to see the Norwegian flick, Headhunters. It was a bit over the top but I definitely enjoyed the thriller aspect of it. In fact, a few points in the movie had me reacting out loud and back at the screen. That's always fun. Check out the trailer.:
A little BBQing with the family and drinking lots of sangria (yum) on the mid-week day off.
Let's see, listening to J. Lo's Dance Again. The catchy hook wormed it's way in and now I can't stop listening to it. Grrr!! Hehehe...Really it's the chorus that gets me and I can't help but sing this out loud in top voice: "I wanna dance and love and dance again." And of course, Pitbull is just THE MAN!!
Okay, I get that these are really over-produced studio songs but sometimes you have to take in the pleasure principle, kick back and just go with it.
Rock on people, rock on!!
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
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