When you have been working on the same project for months…or
years, there are moments when you may wonder with great despair if you are
writing the Neverending Story.
Since
school ended, my days have been a whirlwind, nay, a Sharknado, of writing and
revising my manuscript FINDING OBENO, a project that I began in April 2012. Unfortunately
while caught in this twister of reworking chapters that occasionally bite, my
poor blog has been neglected.
Although writing blog posts does take time away from my
current project, which honestly was one of the reasons I avoided starting a
blog in the first place, I have found it to be valuable. (The other reason was that as
an unpublished writer, I didn’t feel I had anything to say, a fact my husband
still laughs over. Apparently I have a lot to say…often, now whether or not
what I say is of value is to be seen, but I digress.) Writing a blog post or
online article allows me to take a piece from beginning to end in one sitting…sometimes
two. This is very refreshing when you have been working on a novel. So today I’ve
decided to take a step out of my Sharknado of revising to write a blog on one
of my great loves: DISNEY
When I first began my writing journey, I attended several “nuts
and bolts” workshops. At each workshop, the speakers advised that a writer
should “Write what you know.” Well I know Disney. For those of you who have
followed my blog since the beginning of its short existence, you were forewarned
about my Disney obsession early on, so thank you for your continued support. For those of you just
joining us, my apologies for there is a good chance “Its’ a Small World” will mysteriously
burrow into your brain by the end of this post.
As is evident (much to my husband’s dismay) by its slow
invasion into my house and classroom, I get downright giddy when I find ways to
weave Disney into teachable/inspirational moments for my kids, students and
self. How bad is my obsession? Last
summer I walked around taking photos of the Disney quotes adorning the
construction walls in the parks while my family ran off to get fastpasses for rides. 
With a vast knowledge of useless Disney facts and experience
in teaching, there really was only one thing for me to do: write a series of articles on
the educational opportunities available in the four Walt Disney World parks.
The lovely folks at Passporter.com were kind enough to run
my articles.
Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
Disney Studios
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Over the last few weeks, I have found a couple amazing
blog postings about Disney and writing that now adorn the walls of my writing space!
The first is a great post using popular Disney movies to
explain literary techniques.
Disney explains literary techniques
Pixar: The Art of Storytelling
Writing a novel can be very isolating. Being able to write short articles or blogs on a topic you love allows you small breaks from working on your longer pieces and gives you immediate feedback from the site editors and readers, which is sometimes all the encouragement you need to dive back into your main project.
When you are working on a lengthy writing project, what side pieces do you write to keep your sanity? Do you write a blog or articles about your interests? If you do, please comment and post links. I'd love to read them.
For now; however, my break is over. I am refreshed and eager to dive back into my Sharknado of revisions with my chainsaw at the ready.
Until next time, happy writing and...
M-I-C See you real soon!
K-E-Y Why, because we like you!
M-O-U-S-E!
