Oct
Sunday Observations
Muahahahaha. *clacks fingers together ala Mr. Burns* A whole week to play on Romantically Inclined. Be afraid! If there is anything you’d like me to address this week, please ask away! Ask about anything from writing to websites to cats to favorite games to the TV show Supernatural - or to anything in between. 
Does anyone like to do writing exercises? I have a good one for Sundays…
Writing exercise: The powers of observation
I am the type of writer that finds it much easier to write dialogue and action - and much harder to work in narrative and description. So I really have to make an extra effort to include it in my books. One exercise that I find helpful is to record small observations. Things that may (hopefully) help to ingrain those types of descriptive tidbits into my writing.
Sunday is a fantastic day for observation. Whether you are going to brunch with your family, attending services, out for a Sunday walk or just vegging in front of the TV, put those powers of observation to use in your writing!
Sit on a park bench, in a chair at the mall, at a coffee shop or in front of your TV (this works anywhere!). Pull out a pad of paper (or a laptop if you work better that way). Start recording everything you see. Then go into depth. Push your pen off the table. How does it roll? How do you describe the sound it makes as it hits the floor? The man at the counter, or walking his dog - how does he walk? Does he stroll? Are his shoulders hunched forward? Is he in a hurry? Describe his face. Is it worn? Happy? Is there a woman talking angrily on a phone, or a mother with her children?
Use the five senses. Be as detailed or concise as you want. If narrative and description are your strengths, and you tend to maybe err on the side of too much, pull back your descriptions and encapsulate them in one or two sentences. Decide which you most need to work on - expansion or constriction of description - and then try to make your weakness into a strength.
If you are at home you can use the TV, magazines or your family - or you can be the scary neighbor watching through your window. Record what you see, smell, hear, taste and feel. You can use your imagination with a scene on TV, or you can get into the nitty gritty of your household - what does the couch cushion feel like? How does the sink cleaner smell? If you enjoy magazines, describe a picture that speaks to your emotions. Catalog what the picture is saying, and what senses it’s invoking. Put yourself in the place of the picture’s protagonist and describe what you are feeling at the moment.
Does anyone else do this type of thing? Does it help you? Are you a descriptive writer or an action writer usually? Or are you that rare breed that does both flawlessly? (If so, please don’t mind the bat in my hand…) 
Thanks for having me here, ladies!
Welcome to RI, Anne! We’re so glad to have you here with us this week!
I think that this will be a very helpful exercise for me. I tend to write something and then when I go back to read it, I think to myself, “What did such-and-such look like or smell like? How did that feel when she touched that?” and so on. I admit that I need to work on description. Thanks for these valuable tips, Anne!
Andrea
October 29th, 2006 at 12:11 pmHi from Isabel and Jaggers! Welcome, Anne. I have trouble with description and narrative too, thanks for suggesting this excersice. I don’t do any writing exercises at the moment, but I should.
As for things to talk about, this is your week you tell us
The Earl of Her Dreams is coming out this Tuesday, why don’t you tell us about it, maybe some behind the scenes?
You also have an gorgeous website, with beautiful pictures of your babies, Bob and Pounce, a vulgar dictionary and other helpful things.
Speaking of cats, you can always talk cats, *says Jaggers* *G*
Let’s talk spooky things on Halloween, maybe we could talk favorite scary movies, trick or treat memories, or if we’re dressing up?
Isabel
and
Jaggers, *you almost forgot to sign my name, says the spoiled feline*
October 29th, 2006 at 12:34 pmWell I think I’m good at detail, but don’t add enough of it, or sometimes it’s all action and no talking! I just can’t win! lol.
YES on Halloween post something appropriate for that day.
I would love to know the following for this week:
1) What do you do when you feel yourself getting a little depressed, or down about the whole writing thing?
2) Favorite “A-HA!” moment.
3) Hardest part of writing for you personally?
Thanks for posting this week. I’ll be getting to your books very, very soon.
HUGS!
Michelle
October 29th, 2006 at 1:07 pmAnne! You’ve come over to the dark side
October 29th, 2006 at 1:51 pmI’m not sure which one I do better. I know my first draft is mostly talking heads. Then I add in the description, but sometimes I do go overboard. On the other hand, that dreaded introspection is a beast I fight regularly. GREAT writing exercise! And love the Mr. Burns reference.
Well I’m really excited, as I just bought your latest book: The Earl Of Her Dreams.
Topics…this is sorta funny, I give complete control over to the visiting authors and then typically get emails asking for a topic assignment. Of course, I always try to offer up some sort of topic, we always like to read.
But I ditto Michelle’s list. Wonderful questions Michelle.
And of course Jaggers wants you to speak about Bob and Pounce…we know they have some sort of influence on your writing. That should make Jaggers happy hehe.
October 29th, 2006 at 10:41 pmHey, ladies and Jaggers!
I don’t do a lot of writing exercises, Isabel, but I find this one helps me loosen up a bit during the revision stage.
Andrea, Michelle and Lacey - talking heads on a blank stage - or something more Superman-esque with floating heads - that describes my first drafts to a T!
Haven, I know you ceded control *muahahahahaha* but I just thought I’d ask in case.
October 30th, 2006 at 12:45 amI think I need to go give Jaggers a Catster treat…
I think I need to go give Jaggers a Catster treat…
That’s the best idea yet… *GRIN*
Jaggers
October 30th, 2006 at 9:09 am