Hello From the Shores!
i really need to not make a habit of posting the next morning, but i don't know sometimes i feel i need the night to reflect on what happened and then write it down. so having had my night...here i go!
Yesterday was an extremely busy day and it was made very clear to me that it was only the start of a very busy week for me. As my mentor so elegantly put it "You have a s**t load to do this week" which made me smile. so let me give you a brief reason why it will be so busy. Well, yesterday i got down another 7 1/2 pages and I'm hoping to have chapter 13 done by today or tomorrow. i'm also setting myself the goal of having 14 done by friday. that actually wouldn't be so much work if it hadn't been for one thing. Mary (my editor/agent/friend/godsend) just got back to me yesterday after reading the first 225 pages of the novel. to be completely honest i was more nervous about opening that email than i was about anything else save the opening night of Clue. i was terrified, but after i finally managed to pluck up the courage to open it inside was the best i could have hoped for. she loved it! she also said it needs a lot of work but that is not news to me. as she said herself "You have enormous talent, even though I think the novel needs a lot of work. Every great journey begins with the first step, yes?" so yes my journey is just beginning and will continue on past this project. i have a phone call set with her in half an hour so by tonight i should have some more specific news. its been and will be a long road with this book but i'm looking forward to it.
Now the other reason why i will have so much to do this week is because of the play, this is what the directors like to call "production week" but every student has a different name for it: "Hell Week". we do a full run through of the play every night this week in preparation for the opening on Friday. people are already getting tired and a little stressed, but thats how it always is the first couple days of hell week. once we hit wednesday everyone gets into stride and the play really takes off. i have to spend the afternoon in the theatre today again, as i did yesterday, which means that i wont have as much time to write. oh well.
The natural beauty of this place is what is giving me the strength to do all of this work. last night after i returned from the theatre at 9 o clock, there was a beautiful starry night waiting for me. i sat out on the deck and meditated on the day and nature for about an hour before going to bed. i know that it will keep fueling me as i set out for this week; my hell week.
hoping i survive,
regards,
sam
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Weekly Reflection 1: A Week of Solitude
Hello from the Shores!
So this is my weekly reflection… here goes.
I realized today that actually my weeks don’t ever really end. This entire weekend was spent either working on the book or in the theatre. This coming week will probably be even more intense work wise, a lot more work in the theatre, and I need to get several more chapters under my belt. But I’m looking ahead, time to focus on behind
This week I learned not only a lot about writing and stage-managing, but also a lot about myself and how I operate while no one is around. I was vindicated in the idea that this would be the prefect place to come and work. Far away from distractions and people I can just buckle down and focus on the writing. By the end of the week I have written a total of 28 pages. Not exactly what I wanted, but an accomplishment none the less. Honestly I couldn’t think of anything I would rather be doing right now. Maybe if I could have spent a little less time in the theatre and more writing than that would have been better but maybe it’s a good balance. It keeps my mind in different places.
A few things surprised me this week. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed just spending my time up here by myself. I think that over this year what with the college process, football, directing the play, and other things I didn’t get to spend enough time by myself. It feels really good to catch up on all that time, just being able to sit and process has been really nice. It has also really benefited my writing, and allowed me to manage my stress level with the play in a much better way.
Overall this was an amazing week. I’m living in a cabin in the woods next to a pond. I don’t have anyone or anything to distract me and I get to spend most of my day doing something that I love. There really is no downside. All I can hope is that this week will be a lot more writing and a little less planning. There might also be a bit of editing this week as well since hopefully Mary has worked her way through the first part of the book by now. Well that’s all for me for this week. Back to you again tomorrow with another daily update!
Regards,
sam
So this is my weekly reflection… here goes.
I realized today that actually my weeks don’t ever really end. This entire weekend was spent either working on the book or in the theatre. This coming week will probably be even more intense work wise, a lot more work in the theatre, and I need to get several more chapters under my belt. But I’m looking ahead, time to focus on behind
This week I learned not only a lot about writing and stage-managing, but also a lot about myself and how I operate while no one is around. I was vindicated in the idea that this would be the prefect place to come and work. Far away from distractions and people I can just buckle down and focus on the writing. By the end of the week I have written a total of 28 pages. Not exactly what I wanted, but an accomplishment none the less. Honestly I couldn’t think of anything I would rather be doing right now. Maybe if I could have spent a little less time in the theatre and more writing than that would have been better but maybe it’s a good balance. It keeps my mind in different places.
A few things surprised me this week. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed just spending my time up here by myself. I think that over this year what with the college process, football, directing the play, and other things I didn’t get to spend enough time by myself. It feels really good to catch up on all that time, just being able to sit and process has been really nice. It has also really benefited my writing, and allowed me to manage my stress level with the play in a much better way.
Overall this was an amazing week. I’m living in a cabin in the woods next to a pond. I don’t have anyone or anything to distract me and I get to spend most of my day doing something that I love. There really is no downside. All I can hope is that this week will be a lot more writing and a little less planning. There might also be a bit of editing this week as well since hopefully Mary has worked her way through the first part of the book by now. Well that’s all for me for this week. Back to you again tomorrow with another daily update!
Regards,
sam
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Day 5: Rain and faulty internet
hello from the shores!
the internet actually died out here last night so i wasn't able to get on and post my second post yesterday. so i'm doing it now!
Writing yesterday left me with a little bit of frustration. it is much harder writing chapter 13 for some reason. i have to pay attention to almost every little detail when i'm writing from the female characters perspective, something that requires far more energy. in the end i had only completed about 5 1/2 pages by the time terry arrived to take me to rehearsal. hopefully i can get a few more in during the weekend.j
The play is coming along nicely. many of the dance routines are becoming smoother with each passing practice. hopefully they will continue to just get better as time goes on. a few more things need to be done on the set but for the most part it is almost fully completed. now the real work is getting the run crew organized and making sure everything backstage is present and correct.
Last night was the first big rain storm i have had during my stay here. (hence the lack of internet, i think it was something with the thunder. this morning it was back working again perfectly) it was cool to see the storm front come pouring over the pond. i sat outside for a few moments in the rain to just soak up the energy being given off by the storm. all in all it was another good day up at Mtn classroom
until next time,
regards
sam
the internet actually died out here last night so i wasn't able to get on and post my second post yesterday. so i'm doing it now!
Writing yesterday left me with a little bit of frustration. it is much harder writing chapter 13 for some reason. i have to pay attention to almost every little detail when i'm writing from the female characters perspective, something that requires far more energy. in the end i had only completed about 5 1/2 pages by the time terry arrived to take me to rehearsal. hopefully i can get a few more in during the weekend.j
The play is coming along nicely. many of the dance routines are becoming smoother with each passing practice. hopefully they will continue to just get better as time goes on. a few more things need to be done on the set but for the most part it is almost fully completed. now the real work is getting the run crew organized and making sure everything backstage is present and correct.
Last night was the first big rain storm i have had during my stay here. (hence the lack of internet, i think it was something with the thunder. this morning it was back working again perfectly) it was cool to see the storm front come pouring over the pond. i sat outside for a few moments in the rain to just soak up the energy being given off by the storm. all in all it was another good day up at Mtn classroom
until next time,
regards
sam
Friday, May 14, 2010
Day 4: Spirals and Chapter 12
Hello from the Shores!
Once again i forgot to post this last night so you get to have two posts again from me today! aha i bet your excited.
Finished up chapter 12 yesterday morning and switched over to chapter 13. it was very tough switching between the two chapters. chapter 12 was a chapter filled with HALO jumping, explosions, machine guns, prisons, and death. Chapter 13 on the other hand is way more laid back and from a woman's point of view. so yea switching between those two very quickly presented an interesting challenge. in the end i only finished up about 6 pages yesterday but thats fine with me since i finished chapter 12! its good to finally be able to say that.
Yesterday was the longest time i have spent with people since saturday. i was on campus form around 3:30 until 8:00. i went to both the afternoon's and evening rehearsal and watched as everyone is getting set for the play next week. it was good to see some people who i haven't seen since last week and catch up a bit, but i was very happy to come back to Mtn that night.
The best part of my day was probably the hour or so i spent meditating in the stone spiral that we built up here during project period. it has such amazing energy and is just an extraordinary place to spend time. the spiral is supposed to be a pathway to the the center, or the heart, of the earth mother. i certainly felt very close to the mother as i sat in the spiral and let the hot noon time soon warm me up. it was a very nice and relaxing experience.
Started my day off with the polar swimmers and i think it will give me that little extra boost to do a lot of writing today. i guess we will find out tonight when i post again
until then
regards,
sam
Once again i forgot to post this last night so you get to have two posts again from me today! aha i bet your excited.
Finished up chapter 12 yesterday morning and switched over to chapter 13. it was very tough switching between the two chapters. chapter 12 was a chapter filled with HALO jumping, explosions, machine guns, prisons, and death. Chapter 13 on the other hand is way more laid back and from a woman's point of view. so yea switching between those two very quickly presented an interesting challenge. in the end i only finished up about 6 pages yesterday but thats fine with me since i finished chapter 12! its good to finally be able to say that.
Yesterday was the longest time i have spent with people since saturday. i was on campus form around 3:30 until 8:00. i went to both the afternoon's and evening rehearsal and watched as everyone is getting set for the play next week. it was good to see some people who i haven't seen since last week and catch up a bit, but i was very happy to come back to Mtn that night.
The best part of my day was probably the hour or so i spent meditating in the stone spiral that we built up here during project period. it has such amazing energy and is just an extraordinary place to spend time. the spiral is supposed to be a pathway to the the center, or the heart, of the earth mother. i certainly felt very close to the mother as i sat in the spiral and let the hot noon time soon warm me up. it was a very nice and relaxing experience.
Started my day off with the polar swimmers and i think it will give me that little extra boost to do a lot of writing today. i guess we will find out tonight when i post again
until then
regards,
sam
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Day 3: Sunsets
Hello from the shores! (i decided to make it shorter...)
Today was another good day on the writing front. another 8 pages into chapter 12! should be rounding it up and putting the finishing touches on tomorrow. the fact that i enjoy being by myself this much is beginning to make me wonder if thats healthy... oh well. i realized that i am heading into a rather sad stretch of the book. several of the main characters will die over the coming chapters, and i wish i could say that they are nearing the light at then end of the tunnel. but sadly they are not. it will be interesting writing in such a sad tone. its going to be at odds with the positive energy of this place and my mood.
I went to the afternoon rehearsal today and so far so good on the play. though, people are starting to get stressed with the performance a little over a week away. hopefully everything goes smoothly.
Today i got to watch the evening sun set behind ragged mountain, its last golden rays lighting up elbow pond. watching it from the deck out by the house was probably the best part of my day. i wrote a little something down while watching it which i know will be going into the book soon. the moment just reminded me of a song by a band named phoenix.
as always
regards,
sam
Today was another good day on the writing front. another 8 pages into chapter 12! should be rounding it up and putting the finishing touches on tomorrow. the fact that i enjoy being by myself this much is beginning to make me wonder if thats healthy... oh well. i realized that i am heading into a rather sad stretch of the book. several of the main characters will die over the coming chapters, and i wish i could say that they are nearing the light at then end of the tunnel. but sadly they are not. it will be interesting writing in such a sad tone. its going to be at odds with the positive energy of this place and my mood.
I went to the afternoon rehearsal today and so far so good on the play. though, people are starting to get stressed with the performance a little over a week away. hopefully everything goes smoothly.
Today i got to watch the evening sun set behind ragged mountain, its last golden rays lighting up elbow pond. watching it from the deck out by the house was probably the best part of my day. i wrote a little something down while watching it which i know will be going into the book soon. the moment just reminded me of a song by a band named phoenix.
as always
regards,
sam
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day 2: tea and coat hangers
Well Hello again from the shores of Elbow pond!
Today turned out to be very productive. i spent the morning writing and planning out the rest of chapter 12 and all of chapter 13. by the end of the day i have written a total of 8 pages and will probably be done with chapter 12 tomorrow. I wouldnt have been able to do it without a bracing cup of tea. Rehearsal went smoothly today as well. we practiced several of the bigger numbers with the full cast and a bunch of small children, well over 30 people in all!
The only part of my day that would be interesting to anyone reading this would have to be me trying to snag my key with a coat hanger for about 20 mins. This morning i dropped my key to the building into a large pit. this pit is located in the sort of mud room area in the entrance of Mtn. i think its there to collect the dirt that falls off peoples shoes and has a thick iron grat welded to the floor. starting to see my problem? once i came up with the genius idea of using a coat hanger it took me 20 minutes to fish it out of this pit. thankfully i did manage to fish it out in the end and felt very proud of myself for doing so. so ending the biggest adventure of my day...
Mary said she will be able to give me some feedback at some point this week which i am dreading/excited for. otherwise this place is amazing and is truly helping my writing spirit. loving every minute of it.
for the second time today,
Regards,
sam
Today turned out to be very productive. i spent the morning writing and planning out the rest of chapter 12 and all of chapter 13. by the end of the day i have written a total of 8 pages and will probably be done with chapter 12 tomorrow. I wouldnt have been able to do it without a bracing cup of tea. Rehearsal went smoothly today as well. we practiced several of the bigger numbers with the full cast and a bunch of small children, well over 30 people in all!
The only part of my day that would be interesting to anyone reading this would have to be me trying to snag my key with a coat hanger for about 20 mins. This morning i dropped my key to the building into a large pit. this pit is located in the sort of mud room area in the entrance of Mtn. i think its there to collect the dirt that falls off peoples shoes and has a thick iron grat welded to the floor. starting to see my problem? once i came up with the genius idea of using a coat hanger it took me 20 minutes to fish it out of this pit. thankfully i did manage to fish it out in the end and felt very proud of myself for doing so. so ending the biggest adventure of my day...
Mary said she will be able to give me some feedback at some point this week which i am dreading/excited for. otherwise this place is amazing and is truly helping my writing spirit. loving every minute of it.
for the second time today,
Regards,
sam
Day 1
Greetings from the shores of Elbow pond!
im afraid that I am still getting used to the concept of keeping a daily journal anywhere other than in my head. I know this is a day late but all that means is that you will be getting not one, but TWO posts from me today! lucky you.
well as far as yesterday was concerned it was a day rife with distraction and interruptions. I had to walk to campus fairly early in the morning so i could meet with a representative from my university (St Andrews), but college is important right? By the time I returned to Mountain and cooked lunch i only had a couple of hours before having to go to rehearsal. So I spent my time coming up with a schedule for myself and writing about 2 fresh pages for chapter 12. The first goal i have for myself is to have chapter 12 finished by the time i go to sleep thursday night. so lets see how I do on that. today i should hear back from Mary Evans (my agent i guess) on what she thought of the first 225 pages of the book. fingers crossed on that one.
in other news the play is coming along and with only 2 weeks to go people are starting to really step into gear for their parts. for those of you who don't know the second part of my project is to help stage manage this spring's musical, Bye Bye Birdie.
well, thats it from me for now remember that i will be back tonight...hopefully.
regards,
Sam
im afraid that I am still getting used to the concept of keeping a daily journal anywhere other than in my head. I know this is a day late but all that means is that you will be getting not one, but TWO posts from me today! lucky you.
well as far as yesterday was concerned it was a day rife with distraction and interruptions. I had to walk to campus fairly early in the morning so i could meet with a representative from my university (St Andrews), but college is important right? By the time I returned to Mountain and cooked lunch i only had a couple of hours before having to go to rehearsal. So I spent my time coming up with a schedule for myself and writing about 2 fresh pages for chapter 12. The first goal i have for myself is to have chapter 12 finished by the time i go to sleep thursday night. so lets see how I do on that. today i should hear back from Mary Evans (my agent i guess) on what she thought of the first 225 pages of the book. fingers crossed on that one.
in other news the play is coming along and with only 2 weeks to go people are starting to really step into gear for their parts. for those of you who don't know the second part of my project is to help stage manage this spring's musical, Bye Bye Birdie.
well, thats it from me for now remember that i will be back tonight...hopefully.
regards,
Sam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
