 |
| Air Show - Photo by Loree Huebner |
Saturday, we spent a beautiful day out on Lake Michigan with some good friends. We anchored the boat at a nearby beach and watched an air show take place over the lake, while playing in the waves. I couldn’t help but notice the awesome precision by the groups of planes flying together, and solo. Such hard work must take place before the stunts can be performed, or the flight can even take place.
 |
| Air Show - Photo by Loree Huebner |
It reminds me of a writing career.
We must learn, practice, plot, revise, learn,
practice, tighten, and edit again, and again, to become accurate and precise in
our writing. This must happen so we don’t crash and burn. For some, it’s a
quick learn, but for others, it may take years before we can even stretch our
wings and take that first flight. One thing is for sure, no matter where we are—pre-published
or published—to keep on top, we can never stop learning.
Recently, everything about tightening a story just really clicked for me. Precision! All that I already knew, and all that I had practiced before, just came together without thinking about it. It was just like the pilots flying their tricky formations—the hard work paid off. I can now do it in my sleep.
 |
| Air Show - Photo by Loree Huebner |
Recently, everything about tightening a story just really clicked for me. Precision! All that I already knew, and all that I had practiced before, just came together without thinking about it. It was just like the pilots flying their tricky formations—the hard work paid off. I can now do it in my sleep.
What about you? Anything really click for you recently?
Ever been to an air show?
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree
23 comments:
Recently I had a lightbulb moment where I understood that writing is a marathon...not a sprint. Thanks for the wonderful photos and insightful remarks, Loree!
Great analogy...and beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.
Love the analogy, Loree! I have definitely been learning the need for precision in my writing. I feel like with every revision, another layer is peeled back and new concepts revealed to me, things I didn't know before. It's like those pilots. They add onto their bag of tricks and eventually can do amazing things. But it takes learning the basics first!
This summer things have definitely been clicking for me! Although, I did hit a bit of a stalemate last week with my current WIP...but I attribute that to busyness. I'm taking this week to catch up, spruce up some messy scene and then next week I'll start pushing forward again.
I love those "aha" moments!
Great pictures. I've always wanted to see an air show. :-) So true about writing. A good story is like music--beautifully created and carefully ordered.
Editing is getting easier for me. I'm learning how to hack and slash at unnecessary phrases and scenes that slow things down. I think I went to an air show as a child. Can't remember.
Oh yeah, I used to go to air shows all the time when I was a kid. I don't think I appreciated it as much then, but I remember enjoying them.
So many things have clicked for me lately. Mostly it's knowing what I like to write and not having to apologize for it. I used to try to fit into a strict mold and I feel better about breaking out of that now. Kind of vague, I know, but that's what I've learned.
I love those light bulb moments! I wish I would have one that would result in me finishing my edits. ;)
I was at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France three years ago - it's a sight to behold, that's for sure! The timing and tempo are everything.
Recently I read Kiss and Tell by Susan May Warren and I feel like I really connected with my characters in my current WIP - getting under their skin and really understanding why they're doing what they're doing is so important as we write. I want my story to be believable.
Recently I've been discovering the joy of turning of my internal editor and letting my muse come out to play!
I love the thrill of air shows.
And yes, something has clicked recently (again): Time. It all takes time, whether your are pre-published or published. It's a marathon, not a sprint, whatever goal you are aiming for.
Victoria: That is a light bulb moment. We tend to want to sprint. But it's a long run.
Lynda: Glad you enjoyed it! Glad to see you back!
Lindsay: You are so right. We must learn those basics over and over. I like what you said about peeling the onion...so true.
Melissa: Sometimes busyness does hinder our writing. That's when we need to take the time for it. Love those aha moment too.
Gwen: Beautiful analogy with the music. Happy Blog birthday to you!
Brandi: It's funny, the more you edit, the more you learn.
Cindy: Not vague. I totally understand. It's funny how we try to fit into someone else's mold. Good for you!
Julie: Haha...it will come!
Gabrielle: I bet the Paris air show was awesome! I've heard great things about that book. Thanks for sharing that.
Sandra: How fun! It's hard when we are constantly editing...even when were reading someone else's book. I just want to sit back and enjoy the read.
Beth: Time is the key...It all takes time. So true. Glad you're home safe now!
Thank you to everyone! I love reading your comments and sharing your experiences.
When I find myself writing a way long sentence-- I think of your comment:) Thank you!
As my husband is in the aviation game, I have been to several airshows, the most recent being Avalon in Melbourne. I like the formation flying the best because I too appreciate precision. There's a lot of teamwork involved too, which I suppose can also be a metaphor for the publishing process.
I love that moments when it feels like you made progress with writing craft. For my part, I think my first draft is getting cleaner. I don't make so many mistakes the first time around.
What a fun outing - watching the air show while on a boat on the lake! I haven't been to an airshow, but there's one a little ways away that everyone says is amazing.
It's so true that we never stop learning, which is kind of wonderful. Never a dull moment in this writing life.
I've never been to an air show, but you've crafted such a great analogy!
Terri: LOL! I got slapped on the hand many times for my long sentences...
Charlotte: It's amazing how we get better the more we write. We catch the mistakes before we make them. I do appreciate the precision and teamwork of the pilots. Amazing to watch.
Stacy: Go see it if you can. The pilots are amazing. It makes your heart stop when you realize just how close they are fly next to each other. So happy you got your box of books!
Cynthia: I learn something new each week, sometimes each day. Like you said, never a dull moment!
Thanks for stopping by and chiming in everyone!
I can relate to this because I do sign language specials with a group. We practice until we can do the signs without thinking. Then we're free to worship.
Susan: What a wonderful story, Susan. Signing isn't easy and does take tons of practice. I love when we can do it without thinking about it...naturally. Thanks for popping in!
Awesome analogy, Loree. I've never been to an air show, but I tend to obsess about precision in my writing. :)
Precision is the hardest--and best--lesson you can learn about writing. Awesome!
3rd try getting the word verification thing right...sigh ;)
Sarah and Lynda: I obsess too. Precision is the hardest lesson in writing, but it is the key.
Thanks for stopping in!
Love the photos and the analogy here, Loree. Precision. Makes me smile to know that everything has come together for you. Practice, practice is so important--really does lead to precision.
I haven't hear the click yet, but I sense that I'm moving closer to it. ;)
Post a Comment