Writing

I used to write a lot. All the time, every (or nearly every) day. I don't really do that now. I'd like that to change.

At Dragon*Con, I went to several of the writer's track panels, as I do every year. I whinged a lot to zillah975 about how I wish I was writing, like I do every year. Tonight, I went through all the notes I'd jotted in my iPod (yay technology) and I bookmarked all the sites they'd talked about and...

I didn't write anything.

I could have. I totally didn't need to watch those episodes of Criminal Minds (which I'd already seen), Monk (which I don't even like), & Without a Trace (what the hell am I still doing up at this hour?) I could have spent that time being far more productive. Except for the tennis I went and played, and then the drama tennis email waiting for me at home (LSS: we are probably kicking someone off the team for attitude issues.) Those were productive.

I have given this a lot of thought, and I have come to the conclusion that I don't know how to write at home. I did most of my writing in airplanes, airports, hotel rooms, etc. I was alone by circumstance and I had a large block of unfilled time with few other options for distraction. I also had a laptop with a lot longer battery life than I do now - at 45 minutes, I don't even bother to turn it on during the few trips I take these days.

When I was thinking about this entry (which I should have written hours ago instead of now, when it's closing on 3 am and I should be ASLEEP,) I thought the latest thing I'd written was earlier this year. I looked it up, and turns out it was last November. BTW, I never posted a link here; it's AI8 Kris/Adam fluffiness over on DW if you want to check it out. It's only 3500 words.

Anyway, I have decided that I need to work on finding a way to write at home. So I am going to try some writing exercises, to get myself back in the habit and to train myself to write at home. I have found a website with several prompts, and a podcast that is led by one of the panelists from Dragon*Con. So expect to read some weird things from me in the coming months!

OH, and zillah975 - remember when we were drunk and I told you that I once wrote cloud slash? here. And here.

Writing Exercise

September 15 "Chez Zag"
Besty writes restaurant reviews for a local glossy magazine. Her identical twin, Belinda, reviews the same restaurant, but for a different local glossy magazine. The restaurant is Chez Zag, and, it so happens, both order the onion and date tart. Besty is having a great day. Belinda, however, suspects that her husband is having an affair. Write the first three lines of Besty's review, and the first three lines of Belinda's review.

Betsy's Review:

Chez Zag opened its doors in the trendy Deer Park neighborhood last month, and executive chef Mario Zaglametti is keeping pace with the high-end boutiques and bauble-peddlers that surround it. With its cozy atmosphere, romantic lighting, and attentive yet unobtrusive staff, it's a fabulous first date venue - so when your flirty officemate finally gets the nerve up to ask you to dinner, Chez Zag is definitely a winner! Then make a second trip back with your best girlfriends to try the divine onion and date tart - well worth the hike and the halitosis!

Belinda's Review:
With its dark corners and tall booths, Chez Zag is an excellent place for those who have something to hide, be it insider trading or indiscretions. Located in Deer Park, amongst swanky boutiques where married men buy their mistresses' silence with expensive trinkets, head chef Mario Zaglametti's latest venture combines excellent service with a daring menu. I recommend the onion and date tart - sweet, unsuspecting date meets slippery, bitter onion, hidden a melt-in-your-mouth flaky crust that will leave you wondering how you ended up with an empty plate.

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Ok, that was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, and took me far longer than 5 minutes. Partially because I was distracted by TV and internet, but also because this is a departure from the style and tone of writing I would normally do. Feel free to critique my work!