Another day, another post in this challenge I am involved in.
Sheesh.
The bright side? There’s only a few days left. That’s a fact.
And then I yearn for this to continue throughout the rest of the year. That’s fiction.
That being said, it’s been fun and I’ve found several new blogs I’ll be reading more often (fact). Today’s topic has thrown me for a loop, though, as I have been trying to come up with something somewhat funny and good to write (fact).
Then I figured out what I should write about (fiction).
In fact, the truth is, I didn’t.
Allow me this, though. True story.
Throughout my life of writing, I’ve always worked with fact. Whether it be newspapers, magazines or whatever else, most of the writing is based in fact. Even in public relations. I know some will be shocked there. But in PR, it’s still based on fact. It’s just fluffed a little to make it better for the organization. If people don’t understand that, well, they don’t understand how things work (fact).
I’ve tried to get into fiction a little in recent years. My “Life with Earl” series, which came well before the NBC series “My Name is Earl,” (fact), is partially based on fact (see the golf story), but then quite liberally made into fiction (see the rest of the stories). Allow me to tell you the reason for how Earl has been shaped over the years.
When Earl first started, it was an attempt at a total humor column in the college newspaper. He was actually somewhat well received. Alas, the faculty adviser didn’t think it was worth the print. So for me to use Earl, I needed to have him be relevant. So I took a different look at politics and timely stories with Earl. Some of those included Earl calling the White House to discuss some political things with Bill Clinton. The problem? George W. Bush was now in office. (That’s when I was in college, you see). Or the time he complained about Tiger Woods being the main person on golf broadcasts, no matter how good or bad he was doing. (To some, that may still be fact!)
But my favorites are when I put Earl in crazy situations and see how my mind makes him react. It’s fun fiction. I’ve often thought about an Earl book, made up mainly of stories of him in different situations. Maybe one day as I’d like to make them all connect somehow and then be able to have an actual ending, outside of just a bunch of stories.
Maybe I can make those fictional accounts into a book soon. Could that be fact? We shall see.
I have other fictional ideas for books, too. One is disc golf related. I have the beginning. I have the end. But the middle — the meat — is just not coming together for me. I need something to push that one along. I want to make that fact.
I even have a couple of geocaching book ideas (fact).
Instead, I’m sitting here typing about fact or fiction for a monthly writing contest (fact)!
Alas, I keep plugging along. In life. In writing. In making beer (fact). And I keep dreaming about that lottery I won (fiction, but would like to be fact).
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
The other night I dreamt that I won 12 000 005 euros in the lottery. Life seemed pretty empty when I woke up. Fact.
I hope you do finish your books. 🙂
Ziva recently posted..Fact or Fiction
I wish I could win a lotto like that. My life would improve, drastically. So would many others as I’d definitely become a person who worked with charities.
Yearn for this to continue throughout the rat of the year? Damn straight that had better be fiction!
That was MAJOR fiction!
Three more days…we can do it! Best of luck on writing your books.
Linda recently posted..Fact or Fiction: The History of Blackbeard
Three… more … days! Must … finish!
As much as I enjoys these challenges… I’m glad Feb. is a short month!
Barb recently posted..#25 Fact or Fiction
Me, too!
Nice post (fact!). Earl needs to play some disc golf and relax.
laughingmom recently posted..30 Days of Writing Minus 2 – Fact or Fiction
Earl needs to do a lot of things. Hahaha.
Hey P.J.! I’m working on a book myself (FUNNY BADGERS by INDIGO ROTH) which I hope to have more or less done in four months time. Good luck with yours too, Sir! Indigo
Indigo Roth recently posted..Two Sweet Emulsions
That’s awesome, Indigo. Push forward!
And who was it who wanted to do this in December and January – months that each have 31 DAYS?! 🙂
As for the middle of your book – Nora Ephron said the hardest part of writing is the writing. Don’t worry about the middle. Just start at the beginning and keep going.
Nicky recently posted..It’s Your Turn
I have no idea who you speak about? December? January? Pfft!
And many people say that, alas I am one who needs to have an idea of where I am going before I can get rolling.
It’s a lot easier to get your stuff published when you have the background Nora Ephron did to start with. Born and married into the publishing/writing world and all.
But…keep plugging away…once you get to the middle the ending will probably change anyway. 🙂
Mariann Simms recently posted..It’s Always About Me
I’m not too worried about publishing, yet. It’s the writing part. I’ll likely self publish as I’m not worried about getting rich. At some point, things will click.
I loved how you commented fact or fiction throughout your story (fact). I thought your concept was original and intriguing (fact). I think you should sue NBC for ripping off Earl (fiction).
Great post!
Malisa recently posted..The Truth Will Set You Free. Or Will It?
I appreciate the comments (fact). And I’m glad you stopped by (fact). And I can’t think of a fiction here (fact).
Thanks!
The geocaching book idea is AWESOME!
Speaking of, related yet unrelated… I found a secret unknown sea glass beach… and I found a brand new duck decoy washed up on shore. He is going to top our North Carolina OBX geocache, just like “Lonestar” does in Suffolk VA. His name is Bucky…. I can’t wait to get to OBX to clean up the cache and make it new and exciting!
Katherine recently posted..Fact or Fiction?
The geocaching book is just an idea as of now. I need to get it together.
Oh very cool! Sounds like it will be a good geocache!
The end of the writing challenge is in sight, P.J. Don’t give up on your dreams, either. If you have a desire to write that book, then I say go for it. I’ve said this before in other comments, but this challenge has really helped me find my writer’s mojo again. I’m hoping to do something good with the momentum I’ve built this February. I’m pulling for you to do the same thing. Winning the lottery would be nice, too.
KZ recently posted..Just to Set the Record Straight
Indeed on the end. Eventually, the book will be written. The way I write is a little more strategic and if I don’t have a full idea in my head, I get lost sometimes.
As for the challenge, I’m glad it helped you find your mojo. I’ll be visiting your blog beyond the challenge. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts.