Cairn wrote:
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Being a writer myself, I couldn't agree more. I write humor, normally short and too-to-the-point. Dave Barry style or otherwise. I often find that if I don't sit down and pin down the idea on the spot...
(a) I don't get around to writing the piece at all
(b) I forget the all-important details and/or the better of the punch lines
(c) The piece loses the desired "right tone"

So.. I have two questions for you Cairn (and other writers out there as well)

(1) What do you write?
(2) Do you find yourself writing at any favorite hours?
(For the past several years, I have only been reasonably witty between 11 pm and 2 am. When otherwise uninspired, I just wait for my ripe time of day. Other times often find me busied with other things, distracted by pretty hair, or craving cheddar terribly.)

Anais Satin

Hi Cairn!

Thanks for responding. I carry around a notebook all the time too. It's become a sketchbook nowadays, since I like to diagram my writing as well. There's a collection of twenty-something notebooks on my bookcase at home, a la Kurt Cobain. As for writing times, I prefer 11-2am because my mind seems to work differently around those hours. My humor is not published, but I am currently working on an English translation of an Asian bestseller (author gave me exclusive! woohoo)

You have such a beautifully designed web site : )
I really like your writing style too; it's very vibrant. Best of luck to you and your work!

Anais

Woah Kate, what a crazy coincidence!  Talk about a small world!

Thanks Anais; I'm glad you like it. But I didn't design it at all; the site is called Elfwood (very well run by Kate's friend!), and hosts many fantasy/science-fic artists and writers who want to share their work. There's many very talented people there.

You're translating an Asian book? Very cool! So in a way, when the book hits U.S. stores, you could almost say you have been published. How accurate do you have to be in the translation? I'd imagine it'd be impossible to do it word for word, but if it were me I'd be horribly tempted to change things around here and there and add my own personal flair to the writing and hope no one would notice. 

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Like that "Seven Degrees of Separation" theory that says you're connected to every other person on earth through a maximum of only seven people. Maybe it's true after all...

Anais, I'm guessing you're translating from Chinese? My stepsister is learning Chinese in college and is almost fluent. From what I've heard her explain, the language and its symbols do seem to have a lot of intricate meanings that can't be easily translated to English. The complexity is so impressive.

Ahh, Tolkien...yes, I LOVE his work! I'll admit I was quite obsessed for a while, but I've gotten it down to a healthy admiration.  Whenever I'm reading him I do notice that his style tends to creep into my writing a bit, but I haven't read anything by him in a while. I'm on a C.S. Lewis spree right now actually, and have noticed that my own writing style is reflecting it.

Speaking of Tolkien and Lewis, when visiting Oxford while in England, we (actually, I convinced my family to) stopped by The Eagle and Child, the pub where Tolkien, Lewis and their other writer friends used to hang out and read bits of their writing to each other. As Tolkien & Lewis are my two favorite authors, it was like standing on literary holy ground. Here's a picture:

http://www.angelfire.com/dragon2/ciarn/Oxford

Sorry, it's kinda big. That's me in the doorway with the look of dumb ecstacy on my face. The chopped-off person on the right side of the picture is my sister.

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Interesting...I never would have thought. But then, I don't know squat about Asian languages. 

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Unfortunately I don't have any friends or even know of anyone (off the internet, at least) who is anywhere near as interested in pursuing literature outside of the classroom as I am. Last November I participated in National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org - check it out!), and I got together with a couple other participants in my area to share our work and offer support and advice. We talked about starting a regular writers' group, but with our busy lives, it never happened. I know there's an established writers' guild that meets regurlarly in my town, but since I'm still in high school I'd feel too out-of-place.

It's especially hard because I'm mostly interested in fantasy, which automatically places me in the "geek" category. Because of that I'm mostly pretty private about my writing around my friends and family. Which is also why I love the internet so much - there's so many people who share the same interests and passions. If only some of them could live closer to me...

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Well, it's true in my high school, at least. But you're right, I shouldn't beat myself up for it. I'm happy with who I am. 

I would LOVE to have a Writers' Posse! It'd be great to have someone to share ideas, suggestions, etc. with. And since we write in such different genres, we'd probably both get a lot more out of it; it's always good for any writer to broaden their horizons by studying and picking up tips from other genres. Personally, I'm horrible at writing humor; I'm sure you could teach me a thing or two. 

I'd love to send you an e-mail with a piece of my work, but I'll have to dig through my journals and find something worth the effort first. I don't have the time right now (it's the middle of the night and I've got writing to do ), and I'm leaving for a week-long camping trip in Colorado on Saturday. You can send me an e-mail if you want, and I'll be all over it soon as I get back.

And yes, there MUST be other writers out here, or at least prospective writers! C'mon people, sharpen those pencils and join us!

Oh Thank you Kate : ) I've been wanting to type "a la" with accents

and Cairn, I hope you have a wonderful camping trip : ) You mentioned the conditions and water limitations they have up at camp.. the shower limit time and everything. Two years ago I went to a massive international camp where no showers were even possible. We camped out in a gigantic field. Over that week and a half, I stuck my head under the spigot as often as I could manage.. but didn't use shampoo (they didn't allow soap product residue). It was awful... I kept my hair up most of the time. 

I hope everything goes well for your hair care out in the Rockies.. Other than having to worry about that, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

Anais