So, I’ve been reading Julia Cameron’s book Vein of Gold, about taking your creative life more seriously. I mean, seriously. Apparently it gets into silly, fun ways of unlocking more creativity, but I’m not that far yet. I am undertaking what she calls the “narrative timeline” and I call, you guessed it, The Story of Me.

I’ve done the prep work for this project, making notes on various phases of my life. It’s meant to be a very personal autobiography never read by anyone else, with an emphasis on telling your life stories from your own perspective, not just reciting your parents’ versions events. It’s an interesting idea, if somewhat intimidating.

Why bother? Well, apparently this exercise really helps to develop the ‘voice’ of the writer. Taking ownership of your own life, being the lead character in your own story, seeing from such an overview the themes and strengths and cycles one’s life leads to a greater sense of self-posession. A clearer, more distinct voice.

So tomorrow I begin this project, while simultaneously attempting to finish my first 5 rewritten chapters. Because I work best (sometimes only) under pressure, that’s why!

On Randy Ingermanson’s blog he is critiquing one-sentence summaries from his faithful blog readers. I’ve been waiting for this, as I’m never sure if I’m doing it right. Here’s my entry for my Nano-novel, Gift of the Ancients:

“Forbidden friends must reach the ruined Citadel to activate an ancient defense and save their land. ”

The idea is this becomes your elevator speech when talking about your novel, and it gets used as back cover copy and in various sales pitches.

Would this catch your interest? How could it be better?