Warrnambool, Whales, Writing

[sharplittlteeth]

From the shore, they look like rubber, like shiny black bicycle tires bobbing in the waves. But then they spout, or roll a square-edged fin into the air. And you realise no, those are whales.

The size of them is joyous.

We spent three nights last week in Warrnambool for my birthday. Work has been grinding me down lately, so it was good to get away.

Comments

[frou_frou]

It sounds like you know the perfect place to get into the right headspace to write ghost stories - or perhaps not?

I feel like I've read 'The Haunting of Hill House' and then I realised that I had read something that might be even more useful for you - Stephen King's book "Danse Macabre". I read it while I was writing my book. I love books about writing. You might enjoy it too.

Happy birthday!

[greylock]

What she said.
"Danse Macabre" is amazing. People blurrr over On Writing, but DM is where it is at.

From the shore, they look like rubber, like shiny black bicycle tires bobbing in the waves.
Perspective, that ain't how it works,

. If you don't know how to end your short story, he said, you need to read a thousand stories, and then you'll grow the heart for short stories, and you'll know how to end it.

I disagree.

But afterwards I felt hollow and pointless. Because I'm not writing, and haven't written anything for months.
religion is bad.

[sharplittlteeth]

Perspective, that ain't how it works.

"OK, one last time. These are small, but the ones out there are far away. Small. Far away."

I disagree.

I like Díaz's metaphor because it works on three levels: you need the love, you need the courage, and you need the muscles.

[sharplittlteeth]

Thank you!

It sounds like you know the perfect place to get into the right headspace to write ghost stories - or perhaps not?

Getting away always helps, yes. Getting out from under the every day stresses and obligations allows space to dream.

But milling raw ideas into 75,000 words of story requires a lot of bum-on-seat grunt work, and ever since I injured my back last year I've found it hard to settle into a steady routine.

I'm about a third into Hill House, and enjoying it a lot. Jackson writes wonderful dialogue -- that playful mid-Century American banter -- but contrasts it with the fragile interior monologues of the characters.

I haven't read either Danse Macabre or On Writing. In fact, I haven't read any Stephen King since high school. But I love that a history of horror helped you write a history of fashion. I'll check it out.

[txxxpxx]

I have nothing useful to add...except hugs. Do hugs help? :)

[sharplittlteeth]

Hugs are always excellent.