Writing Tools – Shirley DicKard

Flap, Flap, Rest

July 30, 2013 Shirley DicKardLeave a comment

Rod's-TwoOspreysCrp_110421_10 — Moonshine Road Ospreys **

I meant to write today, but an Osprey outside my window kept calling me to play.

“Look, I can fly . . . I can fly!”

It circled round and round above the pines outside my second story window. “Come out! I’m flying!” I checked my timer (more on that later). Fifteen minutes of writing to go. I’m on a creative roll . . . Can’t stop now. Sorry.

“But I’m flying!”

I paused. Several years ago, I saw an Osprey through my bird scope when it first ascended from its nest. Perched on the outer edge of its spindly woven branches, it flap, flap, rested. Over and over. Flap, flap, rest; flap, flap, rest; until one set of flaps lifted it straight up from the nest. Oh my. Back down to rest, then flap, flap again. More height.

Each lift-off took it higher, until the wind beneath its wings gently drew it forward and away from the nest. At first it glided motionless, then instinctual pull of muscles set the wings in motion. I knew I was witnessing the first-steps-of-a-toddler moment.

I looked down at the timer on my desk, then at my laptop. “Oh hell. I hit “save” and flew downstairs in time to watch the white streaked underbelly fly low overhead. I followed the squeals as it circled the house then flew west, its calls fading into the distance. I stood, bare feet on a wet lawn, binoculars dangling from my hand, and laughed.

Back at my desk, mind now up in the trees, I reset my timer and try to refocus. Distractions: How does the Pomodoro Technique address them? My writing friend, Heather Donahue, introduced me to this time-management system that’s immensely helpful for staying focused and productive in writing. Set a round, tomato-shaped ticking timer for 25 minutes. ( Pomodoro = Tomato in Italian). Write until it dings. Set for 5 minutes and take a break. Return for 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes off. Flap, flap, rest. Flap, flap, rest. I get a lot done that way – writing, cello practice, long projects, etc.

Being focused is good, but I realize I live in a world surrounded by mystery. If I don’t allow myself to be distracted by nature, I miss out on the sheer joys of life. I can always reset the timer later!

** Thanks to my neighbor, Rod Bondurant of Camptonville, for permission to use his beautiful photo of the Moonshine Ospreys. While Ospreys aren’t an unusual bird near bodies of water, the Moonshine Road nest is in the Tahoe National Forest, half-way between Bullards Bar Reservoir and Middle Fork of the Yuba River. Neighbors have been watching this Osprey family return since 2006.

Creative Writing/Writing Tools

Toe First or Whole Body?

May 21, 2013June 25, 2013 Shirley DicKardLeave a comment

What’s your style? It’s a hot day and you know the river is still winter cold. Do you dive in head first, or wade out slowly, letting your body accommodate to the creeping cold until it feels OK? I’m decidedly the last. Cautious, I guess. Let others test the waters. I’ll follow soon.

I’m now seven days into the free trial of Scrivener, the novel writing program I mentioned last post. Twenty-one more days to decide. I could have plunked down my money, bought it out right, but that’s not my style. I was afraid I’d feel overwhelmed learning a new program, so it seemed sensible to test it out first. But as I inch deeper into the program and learn a bit more each day, I find the water’s just fine! In fact, in one week I’ve organized my outline to the end of the book.

Sometimes I do jump. I admit I’d wanted to play the cello for twenty years, but it took me only one week after playing with a friend’s cello, to rent a cello and start my first lesson. The cold water was exhilarating! Sadly, after inspiring me for two and a half years, my teacher, David Eby, is moving to Portland. (Seems everyone’s moving there. Before that it was Seattle; before that San Francisco). I’m waiting to see where I go with my cello playing and whether I’ll dip or dive. ( I’m ready to dive!)

The truth I’m learning is that being cautious can be a waste of time. The longer you live, the less time you have to do it all. So I’ll stop writing here, purchase my Scrivener, and go full steam ahead into “The Desk!”

Creative Writing/Writing Tools

To Scrive or not to Scrive?

May 3, 2013June 25, 2013 Shirley DicKard3 Comments

That is the question. A writing friend recently introduced me to Scrivener, a writing management tool that authors use to compose and manage their novel or large projects.

Writing a novel is more complex and messy than I’d imagined. My desk and computer files are bulging with historical research, character sketches, plot outlines, articles documenting today’s environmental red flags and projected dystopic scenarios (I love people who forward these to me!), photographs and art, downloads, inspirations, old and current drafts . . . you get the picture.

The thought of learning a new computer program, however, starts my chest tightening and forehead throbbing, until that familiar dread of it’s way too complicated for me takes over. Just ask my husband and son-in-law! They’ve helped me over the threshold into new electronic territories. I now even have a smart phone now and love it!

Am I ready to spend my days on another electronic learning curve? I’m undecided. Scrivener Tutorials promise amazing tools to navigate and integrate all the processes of writing. I’ll have everything under one roof, all my stuff at my fingertips. Quick, efficient. Will this help me move my novel faster to completion? I’m really ready. On the other hand, what I’m doing works well enough. Will I just be adding new levels of frustration to my writing?

Let me know if you have pros and cons to add. In the meantime, think I’ll just jump in and try their free 30-day trial. Stay tuned.

Category: Writing Tools