The other night as I was drifting off to sleep, I had brilliant words to share about motivation. They were poignant and profound, as I usually am inside my own head before the words make the journey from my brain into my fingers. Somehow, something is often lost in translation.
None the less, I want to speak about motivation. What motivates you to write? Do you have to have the sunrise on a clear morning? Do you require isolation and silence? Do the stars have to align just so, inspiring you with need and the right storyline?
Motivation needs to be found in every aspect of daily life, as well as with the perfect scenerios to suit us. I am motivated by the rain falling on my rooftop (one of my perfect scenerios), by a touching commercial, a character on a television show, by looking into my newborn son's sleeping face.
As writers, we need to find the depth, the emotion, the significance of even the mundane. Even as I'm a new mother, striving to find the time to shower and do the laundry, how does that relate to the characters I've created or those I've yet to create? Perhaps my character is unwed, but wants that child, that mundacity. (Is that a word?) Maybe instead, a single father is trying to cope with these boring and exhausting chores when he longs to be wild and free.
My characters thoughts and emotions, just as my own, motivate me to write. To share something that might change one person's mind about one little thing in life. This is why we write. To change us, to change others, to change the world. If that's not motivating, I don't know what is.
Contact M.S. Ebbs
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
There is always room in the heart for more.
Okay, so how do you really get rid of a blog? I have my website... yah! but still I must blog. At least I don't have to worry about keeping it up every week, though. So here I am in transition trying to figure out what I should blog about. Right now, that fact that I'm here and writing at all is fortunate, as there is a baby lying on my chest fast asleep. Wow, my life has changed since my first child arrived. But still I am as much about my writing and inspiring others as I have ever been, perhaps more so. Love. There is always room in the heart for more.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Check out my new website!
www.msebbs.com Please stop by my website! I think you'll love it! The blog is in the reconstruction phase. Come back later.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Website Coming Soon!
Alas, I do not have the heart of a blogger. My original intention for the blog was for the web presence more than anything. As you may have noticed I don't keep up like I should. Unless monthly postings are the norm... In any case, I have a great website coming soon. I will announce the web address, but right now it is still in the finishing stages. All I can say is that it's great and I love it. Now I just have to finish it! Thanks for staying tuned!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Focus!
Your on-line presence needs focus. My on-line presence needs focus. We had a great Salem Chapter meeting last night with Christina Katz talking about how to get known before the book deal. She said something last night right along the lines of my thoughts. I've been thinking my blog needs... something. It turns out it needs purpose.
That's what it has been lacking. So I draw the line in the sand here. The purpose of this blog is to encourage. Writers specifically, as that's what I am, but we all need encouragement. Hopefully, this blog will serve as a encouragement to in some way.
Stay tuned...
That's what it has been lacking. So I draw the line in the sand here. The purpose of this blog is to encourage. Writers specifically, as that's what I am, but we all need encouragement. Hopefully, this blog will serve as a encouragement to in some way.
Stay tuned...
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Writing for Publication!
This is of course what all writers dream of. Some truly do not understand, however, that it isn't just naturally the next step. It's not like walking up the staircase of life, oh, this stair says I should write something, okay. Ooh, this one says I should get it published, okay. Once you have a completed work (this is very important), next comes your resume'. Then, as you've sent your resume' to half the county, you wait for the call... to get an interview. Perhaps, you get a few, but even an interview doesn't guarantee you the job.
Ever hear the expression, "If it's so easy, why doesn't everyone do it?" Everyone thinks writing is so easy. Everyone does it. But getting published were that easy, wouldn't everyone be published? Not everyone is. There is art to publishing, as there is to writing. If you're a writer and want to be a writer, then you need to learn the art of writing. After that, you need to understand publishing, as the two are synonymous.
This is where I'm at. Learning about the publishing world. And an interesting world it is. I think there are two beliefs as to what an editor's job is. One, he is an easy-going, easily entertained guy, waiting for your novel to come along. Perhaps his day, his life doesn't really begin until your novel has reached his hands. Or, there's the belief she is a cold-hearted bitch sitting in judgement over your novel, abusing the power for which she has cut throats to obtain, and when she sees your novel, the ax falls again, just because she can.
The first, is absolutely a figment of your imagination, which is pretty good, maybe you should be a writer. The second is a more imaginative example, but come on you're a better writer than that. People are people wherever they are, whatever their job. Editors, agents are no different than the rest of us. Visualize them naked if that's what helps, but face it, they have a job to do, just like you and I. And your novel, mine, is their job. They can wake in the morning and spill coffee on their shirt first thing, like you and me (although, I don't drink coffee...) they have kids, they have mortgages, they have car payments. Novels of terrific writers pays their bills. And when your novel and mine comes across their desk, what guarantee do they have that this novel will make next months payment? Unless your published, unless you already have that name, unless some other editor already took that chance, then the answer is zero. But it's his job to find the one that will be tomorrow's name. Will it be you? Me?
If you're gambling that the planets have reached their perfect alignment for you, the gemini, then a gamble is all you've taken. Our goal as writers it to impress that editor, that agent we've never met. Not with long, fancy words describing how brilliant we are, come on we're writers, of course we can make ourselves sound good. Impress them with the words in your manuscript, with the story that leaves them turning pages. Yeah, you need the great, brief query, but only so it leaves them wanting, needing to read the first page of your manuscript. That's it, the query entices them to read that first page, that's all you want, all you need. Your first page? This leaves wanting to read the second, the second the third, until before you know it they've come to the satisfying end and they're actually sending you an e-mail or giving you a call.
This is our goal as writers. And if we're not getting that e-mail, that call? Is it the editor's fault? Sure, perhaps this was the day of his big meeting and he had coffee on his only clean tie and now he's trying to make it a fashion statement. Maybe she broke a heel on her way to work and she wants to throw it into the skull of the salesman who promised her it couldn't happen. And your work comes across her desk, about a dedicated shoe salesman with a heart of gold, and thereby she stabs your salesman through the middle of the page. Agent's and editors have pet peeves, they have bad days, they miss it sometimes. They may miss your great novel concept. But just as easily, we can have that bad, and say chapter two is close enough, or have a pet peeve and refuse to listen to advice that says page one needs to pull your reader in. We can miss the boat, too. And maybe, just maybe, we can pull any reader in, especially the one having a bad day, especially one needing that escape. Especially your editor, my agent. We can do it.
We can write for publication. And that is our goal.
Ever hear the expression, "If it's so easy, why doesn't everyone do it?" Everyone thinks writing is so easy. Everyone does it. But getting published were that easy, wouldn't everyone be published? Not everyone is. There is art to publishing, as there is to writing. If you're a writer and want to be a writer, then you need to learn the art of writing. After that, you need to understand publishing, as the two are synonymous.
This is where I'm at. Learning about the publishing world. And an interesting world it is. I think there are two beliefs as to what an editor's job is. One, he is an easy-going, easily entertained guy, waiting for your novel to come along. Perhaps his day, his life doesn't really begin until your novel has reached his hands. Or, there's the belief she is a cold-hearted bitch sitting in judgement over your novel, abusing the power for which she has cut throats to obtain, and when she sees your novel, the ax falls again, just because she can.
The first, is absolutely a figment of your imagination, which is pretty good, maybe you should be a writer. The second is a more imaginative example, but come on you're a better writer than that. People are people wherever they are, whatever their job. Editors, agents are no different than the rest of us. Visualize them naked if that's what helps, but face it, they have a job to do, just like you and I. And your novel, mine, is their job. They can wake in the morning and spill coffee on their shirt first thing, like you and me (although, I don't drink coffee...) they have kids, they have mortgages, they have car payments. Novels of terrific writers pays their bills. And when your novel and mine comes across their desk, what guarantee do they have that this novel will make next months payment? Unless your published, unless you already have that name, unless some other editor already took that chance, then the answer is zero. But it's his job to find the one that will be tomorrow's name. Will it be you? Me?
If you're gambling that the planets have reached their perfect alignment for you, the gemini, then a gamble is all you've taken. Our goal as writers it to impress that editor, that agent we've never met. Not with long, fancy words describing how brilliant we are, come on we're writers, of course we can make ourselves sound good. Impress them with the words in your manuscript, with the story that leaves them turning pages. Yeah, you need the great, brief query, but only so it leaves them wanting, needing to read the first page of your manuscript. That's it, the query entices them to read that first page, that's all you want, all you need. Your first page? This leaves wanting to read the second, the second the third, until before you know it they've come to the satisfying end and they're actually sending you an e-mail or giving you a call.
This is our goal as writers. And if we're not getting that e-mail, that call? Is it the editor's fault? Sure, perhaps this was the day of his big meeting and he had coffee on his only clean tie and now he's trying to make it a fashion statement. Maybe she broke a heel on her way to work and she wants to throw it into the skull of the salesman who promised her it couldn't happen. And your work comes across her desk, about a dedicated shoe salesman with a heart of gold, and thereby she stabs your salesman through the middle of the page. Agent's and editors have pet peeves, they have bad days, they miss it sometimes. They may miss your great novel concept. But just as easily, we can have that bad, and say chapter two is close enough, or have a pet peeve and refuse to listen to advice that says page one needs to pull your reader in. We can miss the boat, too. And maybe, just maybe, we can pull any reader in, especially the one having a bad day, especially one needing that escape. Especially your editor, my agent. We can do it.
We can write for publication. And that is our goal.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Willamette Writers Conference 2009!
The 2009 Willamette Writers Conference will be August 7-9 at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel! Naturally as the Salem Chapter Representatives, Heather and I will be in attendance. I'm sure if you've read or heard anything about the writing industry and breaking into publication, you've heard that conferences are the way to go! I was slow to understand this myself, but it's really true. The opportunities that abound from attending a conference are substantial. To learn more about the 2009 Willamette Writers Conference go to http://www.willamettewriters.com/ and click on the 2009 Conference.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
FEARS
Fears
We all have them
Our own fears we know and understand—
We accept them as who we are
Someone else’s fears we struggle to comprehend—
We see them as thread tying one down
Fears
They are so psychological—
Only within our minds
They are so real—
Before our very eyes
If only I could take your fears and you could take mine—
Then we would never know that God is the One who will help us face our fears—
Until that day when they fear us
We all have them
Our own fears we know and understand—
We accept them as who we are
Someone else’s fears we struggle to comprehend—
We see them as thread tying one down
Fears
They are so psychological—
Only within our minds
They are so real—
Before our very eyes
If only I could take your fears and you could take mine—
Then we would never know that God is the One who will help us face our fears—
Until that day when they fear us
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"to my characters be true"
I got a new job. Hopefully, one I will be able to enjoy, certainly one more mentally challenging and less physically so. I'm very excited to be done where I'm at, but nervous about going somewhere new. Change is always transitional, but I'm always excited to learn new things.
Still, my true love, my dream job is writing. I just recently heard the old quote, "To thine own self be true." Ahh, if it were only that simple for writers, such as myself. Not only do I have to be true to "mine-self" but also I have to be true to my characters. These other people living inside my head and my heart. They're like friends with more exciting lives than your own, and so you tell them, "Wow, you need to share that." "Others can learn from your mistakes." Except at this point, you're talking to yourself. "I need to share that."
I wonder if the non-creative soul can truly understand what it's like to be living with so many inside yourself. There are moments when I am going about my day, dealing with my life, when suddenly one of them, maybe all of them will give me that reminder that "Hey, I'm still here, when do I get to tell my story?" They're like kids in that way. How do you tell your children, "I have to work, I have bills to pay, I'll make time for you later." What parent can bear to say it, how many have had to? Despite the money that pays for all those little things you want and need, you can't neglect your children. You have to make time for them, I have to make time for my characters, no less.
When I write, I write for me, for them. When I edit, it's for you, the reader, as well as the reader inside me.
I have many characters living inside of me, some with stories still to share, others their story already told, some yet to be discovered. Sometimes I wonder... Have I breathed life into them? Or perhaps they breathe life into me.
Still, my true love, my dream job is writing. I just recently heard the old quote, "To thine own self be true." Ahh, if it were only that simple for writers, such as myself. Not only do I have to be true to "mine-self" but also I have to be true to my characters. These other people living inside my head and my heart. They're like friends with more exciting lives than your own, and so you tell them, "Wow, you need to share that." "Others can learn from your mistakes." Except at this point, you're talking to yourself. "I need to share that."
I wonder if the non-creative soul can truly understand what it's like to be living with so many inside yourself. There are moments when I am going about my day, dealing with my life, when suddenly one of them, maybe all of them will give me that reminder that "Hey, I'm still here, when do I get to tell my story?" They're like kids in that way. How do you tell your children, "I have to work, I have bills to pay, I'll make time for you later." What parent can bear to say it, how many have had to? Despite the money that pays for all those little things you want and need, you can't neglect your children. You have to make time for them, I have to make time for my characters, no less.
When I write, I write for me, for them. When I edit, it's for you, the reader, as well as the reader inside me.
I have many characters living inside of me, some with stories still to share, others their story already told, some yet to be discovered. Sometimes I wonder... Have I breathed life into them? Or perhaps they breathe life into me.
Choose Carefully...
Doesn't once a week go by so quickly? Have you ever gone shopping and see all these things you want, but you just don't have the money to buy it all? Then, when you do have some extra money to spend on you, just you, whatever you want, suddenly there are either fewer "wantable" items in the store or you're simply much more particular now that it's "your" money, rather than just money. It's kind of like that with a blog. I grew up in a family with many strong-willed, opinionated Irish women, so I'm never without something to say about something. Yet suddenly, I have a platform, a place I can speak my mind openly, freely, and I don't have to listen to any comment back. I do enjoy reading comments, but then they're so much easier to ignore if I don't like what they have to say...
So here I am. I can say whatever's on my mind and what do I have to say, what do I do with all this freedom of speech? I'm nearly at a loss. Suddenly, my words seem more important now and I must choose them carefully. But my thoughts have also become more important and I must choose my topic more carefully. So what do I write of? The importance of what it is I write of.
So here I am. I can say whatever's on my mind and what do I have to say, what do I do with all this freedom of speech? I'm nearly at a loss. Suddenly, my words seem more important now and I must choose them carefully. But my thoughts have also become more important and I must choose my topic more carefully. So what do I write of? The importance of what it is I write of.
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