Monday, January 31, 2011
Writing a book + Excerpt #1 from "Stream of Consciousness"
I'm writing a postmodern novel called "Stream of Consciousness." The female protagonist is a married writer named Renee, who has three kids and an awesome dog named Nugget to take jogging along Pacific Coast Highway 101. Her husband, Eric, is a philosophy professor at UCSD, who loves his family, teaching, and the great outdoors.
One day, while sitting at one of the many Starbucks that she frequents to write, Renee meets a paraplegic stockbroker named Jadan. She can't help but notice the large black tattoo running down his left forearm, of an intertwined dolphin, a cross, and a knife.
Jadan's main goal is to make the most of his new life after the accident. His motorcycle ride certainly wasn't his last; his day includes a few hours of day trading from Starbucks and then he hits the beach to kayak, parasail, or jet ski for some adrenaline-filled fun.
While Renee battles writer's block and her struggle for purpose, she sees something unique about her new acquaintance. She questions his hunger for life and excitement amidst his extreme challenges. From a distance, she sees Jadan fall down a lot and then get back up into his steel companion's arms.
Jadan just wants to make sure he doesn't have regrets before he dies, even though his new reality means he's had to make major changes to his own life. Renee ends up learning a lot about her life as well and her need to be thankful for what she has: her loving family, an extensive education, and their charming four bedroom house near the beach. Not to mention two very functional legs and feet.
Renee's best friend, Jen, is also a freelance writer, who mostly takes on boring copy-editing jobs so she can pay her bills. She's recently met a don Juan type at Starbucks named Jared. Renee does not approve, but Jen is a free spirit, ready to give this charming guy a chance. Renee wants her to meet someone to marry and settle down with, but you'll have to wait and see what Jen decides.
This book's about coffee, motherhood, adventure, chaos, writing, depression, hope, and faith. I'm getting close to one hundred pages, single-spaced. So, I'll keep you posted with excerpts along the way. Here's a sample from Renee's morning as she works on a wildlife essay for a magazine before the kids wake up.
Okay, let’s try again…
The fish swims effortlessly along the river's current, one with the universe, one with its fate in life. It is called upon to fight, to survive, to glide, and to be, one simple yet complex day at a time.
Oh, to be a fish. Crap, but then the fish just gets eaten. That’s not idyllic at all. Who’s gonna want to read about a fish that gets devoured by a bigger fish? It’s really just crap. My writing is crap. I am crap. I am not crap. Positive thinking is my answer. I need more coffee.
Delete. Delete. Delete.
“Mommyyyyyyyyyy, I peed my bed. Mommmmmyyyyyyyyy… where are you?” Danielle hollered down the stairs while my brain fought against my will’s call upon it to produce something of literary brilliance so early in the morning.
“Hold on Honey. Mommy is downstairs writing. Just one second. I’m coming up. You’re okaaaaaaaaay! Hold on Sweetie.”
Save.
One day, while sitting at one of the many Starbucks that she frequents to write, Renee meets a paraplegic stockbroker named Jadan. She can't help but notice the large black tattoo running down his left forearm, of an intertwined dolphin, a cross, and a knife.
Jadan's main goal is to make the most of his new life after the accident. His motorcycle ride certainly wasn't his last; his day includes a few hours of day trading from Starbucks and then he hits the beach to kayak, parasail, or jet ski for some adrenaline-filled fun.
While Renee battles writer's block and her struggle for purpose, she sees something unique about her new acquaintance. She questions his hunger for life and excitement amidst his extreme challenges. From a distance, she sees Jadan fall down a lot and then get back up into his steel companion's arms.
Jadan just wants to make sure he doesn't have regrets before he dies, even though his new reality means he's had to make major changes to his own life. Renee ends up learning a lot about her life as well and her need to be thankful for what she has: her loving family, an extensive education, and their charming four bedroom house near the beach. Not to mention two very functional legs and feet.
Renee's best friend, Jen, is also a freelance writer, who mostly takes on boring copy-editing jobs so she can pay her bills. She's recently met a don Juan type at Starbucks named Jared. Renee does not approve, but Jen is a free spirit, ready to give this charming guy a chance. Renee wants her to meet someone to marry and settle down with, but you'll have to wait and see what Jen decides.
This book's about coffee, motherhood, adventure, chaos, writing, depression, hope, and faith. I'm getting close to one hundred pages, single-spaced. So, I'll keep you posted with excerpts along the way. Here's a sample from Renee's morning as she works on a wildlife essay for a magazine before the kids wake up.
Okay, let’s try again…
The fish swims effortlessly along the river's current, one with the universe, one with its fate in life. It is called upon to fight, to survive, to glide, and to be, one simple yet complex day at a time.
Oh, to be a fish. Crap, but then the fish just gets eaten. That’s not idyllic at all. Who’s gonna want to read about a fish that gets devoured by a bigger fish? It’s really just crap. My writing is crap. I am crap. I am not crap. Positive thinking is my answer. I need more coffee.
Delete. Delete. Delete.
“Mommyyyyyyyyyy, I peed my bed. Mommmmmyyyyyyyyy… where are you?” Danielle hollered down the stairs while my brain fought against my will’s call upon it to produce something of literary brilliance so early in the morning.
“Hold on Honey. Mommy is downstairs writing. Just one second. I’m coming up. You’re okaaaaaaaaay! Hold on Sweetie.”
Save.
