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Playing Wordsmith for a Day

Every Wednesday, I face off with Wordsmith.org and write on whatever term Mr. Anu Garg, Logophile Extraordinaire, tosses out. He’s hit me with some oddities, like buskin and artiodactyl, and some familiar but not-so-writerly words like quantum and cagey. I love the challenge to write on whatever word surfaces on Wednesdays, and I also love to share that challenge.

Last month, I embarked on a tradition of inviting a fellow writer to take on Wednesday’s Word of the Day. The only difference, so far anyway, is that I get to play Ms. Wordsmith Master. I don’t haul out my College Dictionary – which currently holds down the fort on a shelf in my living room – but, I do have my own versatile word bag at home (courtesy of Ariel Gore).

E. Victoria Flynn, fellow mother writer and first victim, wrote a great piece on Wednesday’s Word, which you can read HERE.

Today, I’m excited to give you a preview of this week’s Word of the Day Challenger: Ann M. Lynn, from Shadows in Mind.

When I think about Ann, I am reminded of a response I received from a seasoned writer, when I said I loved to write but didn’t know what to write about.

“Why don’t you start by writing about what you know,” he said.

If each of us writes about what we know, then I imagine Ann has a host of stories bubbling inside of her. Ann is a writer, an artist, a photographer, a singer, a dancer, a student of martial arts. Rumor has it, she even knows how to fence. She belongs to Liberty Hall Writers, a community online that poses a weekly Flash challenge: take a prompt, go on a 90 minute writing spree, then submit your story. Online. For the rest of your collegial writers to read.

Ann is very brave.

She jumped at the chance to participate in Wednesday’s Word of the Day. And, I cannot wait to see how she incorporates…well, you’ll have to come back on Wednesday to find out her word.

While you eagerly await the next 24 to 36 hours, click on over to Ann’s blog. Her recent post continues a discussion – and offers great insight – on the psychology of naming your characters. On her sidebar, she lists some excellent links to writing prompts of different styles. And, for a taste of her flash writing, check out this post based on an image as prompt.

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Ann M. Lynn is a writer of speculative fiction. One of her favorite hobbies is reminding people that hope and kindness can exist in the darkest of places. She resides in a place of light and shadows, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, cat, and dog.

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‘Til Wednesday!…

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From Fifth Grade to NaNoWriMo

The first book I ever wrote was during my fifth grade year in Mrs. Young’s homeroom class. She asked us to write a How-To book and to consider ourselves author and artist.

I didn’t think I knew how to do anything well. I played softball every summer, but I did cartwheels in the outfield during most games. I made one attempt at soccer then quit when the ball hit me in the face. I was a skinny, asthmatic kid with low self-confidence and little willingness to take risks. Still, I liked Mrs. Young and I was a dedicated student. I sat on the assignment and observed my fellow fifth graders for a few days. A popular phrase flew around the halls of elementary school that week and sparked an idea for a story: gag me with a spoon!

I remember my excitement as the idea formed in my budding writer’s mind. My heart raced. I ran around the house with wide eyes and hair on end searching for any and all loose sheets of construction paper and a few crayons. The assignment was due the next day; time was my enemy. I sat down at the kitchen table and feverishly scratched out a first (and last) draft.

My idea was solid. Using my author’s creative license, I tweaked the phrase a bit and titled my book How to Gag Yourself with a Spatula. I dressed a quirky Mr. Duck in a black bow tie and gave him prestigious role of the main character.  Mr. Duck’s words flowed onto the paper with ease. He explained the equipment needed, the risks involved, and finally the crucial steps towards the climax of a spatula induced gag.

I finished the book with a bold “THE END” and shook my papers straight. I stapled them together and slid them carefully in my folder. The next day at school, I held a finished book in my hands and waited, for my turn, to read my story aloud. The book was a big hit. Mrs. Young leaned her head back and laughed. I stood at the front of the classroom enveloped in a cloud of joy, elation, success!

That experience, at ten years old, of leaning over sheets of construction paper and scattered crayons with wild eyes and quick hands, reminds me of my last few days of NaNoWriMo. Last week, the words poured out slow and rough. With my idea only partially formed, the main character walked around the story like a cardboard cut out. I closed the file and flipped through other writer’s blogs, where I found solace and inspiration.

Yesterday, Linda Cassidy and Natalie Whipple wrote out exactly what I’d been thinking all afternoon. Recently, Ann M. Lynn’s post reminded me that even though NaNoWriMo is mostly about word count, it’s also about the story. Even in a writng frenzy, authors must avoid developing bad writing habits. And, the last several posts on Cathryn Grant’s blog told of another strategy: balance NaNoWriMo with other ongoing projects.

I took an afternoon and handwrote some thoughts about my main character. I jotted down a few prospective scenes. I let go of my obsession with word count. I picked two short stories to rewrite and refine during NaNoWriMo breaks.

This week, I have a clear idea of the story I want to write. My main character is taking shape slowly. She’s filling out like the inflatable pool I struggled to blow up last summer for the kids. I’ve expelled a lot of hot air, fought off an asthma attack, readjusted my focus. Now, the plastic is finally lifting off the ground. Last night, I closed the file at a little over 19,000 words.