Not the Way You'd Think

So, like most writing projects, this one didn't go the way you'd think. Nevertheless, a group of writers are important for sustained effort in those dreary days before success becomes self-reinforcing. It's even more important in those first days of success when the habits of work, work, and more work must be cemented as the source of success rather than mere secondary effects.

So, ink back coffee didn't take off and run with the inspired spirit of collaborative effort. Why? Effort.

Talking about writing and producing pieces ready for publication are two vastly different things. In the past year, we've done too much of one and too little of the other.

It doesn't mean we're not writing. It does mean were weren't following-up on projects until completion.

That changes with the volume of "in the hopper" schemes.

I'm off to write right now and finish a draft. Then, steak and lobster for the New Year. Hard not to smile when surrounded by the comforting support of friends who are non-writers but have the fullest faith in you as a writer .... even when what they've read of your work is limited to small bits of email and and an isolated guest blog or two. Friends help. Make some.

I hope you're off to write also. For now ...

After the Boys of Summer

Huntsville ball club at left, 1928.

We're all suffering from "summer project." We need more progress. Summer ebbs and we need to drive ahead.

So, at least we're on the same team. Batter up.

Cry Havoc

and let slip the dogs of war. At left, the dogs of war.

Oh, you don't think beagles are dogs of war? You've not owned one. Living with a beagle is a negotiated truce. Living with a small pack is capitulation.

Warning: no beagle is ever housebroken. They merely choose to abide by your suggestion for their natural needs until you anger them through some slight (perhaps the beagle flag on the negotiating table is a tad smaller than your personal flag, for example) - in which case they do not acquiesce to you suggestion. Stand advised.

So, we have here the blog for a group of writers trying to hone their product for consumption. We've all talked extensively about the gap between "draft" and "ready to go" and we're trying to bridge that gap with our materials for one another.

We're a bit like a pack at the moment.  We're working on the scent of developing those habits in revision and polishing that consistently let us create content for consumption. Hopefully, when we get our mechanics down pat we'll be stretching our literary chops in storytelling more than in the mechanics of storytelling.

So, we're here. We'll be addressing some of the important items to us in this forum so that others might learn from our efforts and trials. It's not possible to learn to write for consumption by reading about it. There are however lessons that help.

Watch us on the scent. You can follow us through the tall grass by the wagging of the white tips of tails. Some of us might bay. That's optional.

Have a coffee and enjoy.

Weclome

Welcome, friends.