Monday, April 13, 2015

k is for kick-ass

Oh for heaven's sake! What's a grownup (way grownup) woman like me using that term for? Because as soon as I thought of the letter K that's the word I thought of. Usually I reserve it for shoes of a particular kind or maybe a person I've met who really...well embodies the notion of kick-assery. They do not tolerate nonsense and have a rather sparky zingy approach to life.

I like that and I think I need more of it in the revision process. I think I have it in spades when I'm doing my first drafts but then I lose it - lose confidence in my own writerly self and the work I'm creating - and just slink down and shrug and say 'ah shucks' when anybody asks 'how's it going?'.  So I'm going to recommend that after we have our little romantic Juicy time we get into our kick-ass clothes (could be high-heels and a leather skirt ...just saying...) and pitter-patter fly atter! Yes. You are on a mission to whip that ms into shape and you should do it with joy, passion and a soupcon of kick-assedness.

So let's hear it for a certain bawdy approach to revision - an earthy practical get-on-with-it married to your purpose of writing in the first place. I feel my muse hovering about - she'll probably get here in time for L is for Lamé or M is for Muse.

Do you have an inner kick-ass kid?

Today I've been cooking up a storm - I have a busy work week ahead of me and so made a few lasagnas, some roasted vegies, stock and have just started a chicken cacciatore. ( did you know that cacciatore is Italian for hunter?) Well, I'm not hunting this chicken...



7 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Sounds like a great approach to revision, Jan! I like the idea of approaching it with passion and joy. :)

That chicken cacciatore looks good, too...

Anonymous said...

Oh, I think we need to channel that inner energy to do revisions, Jan! Call it whatever you want, I think you really have to allow that confidence to come out when you're going over manuscripts.

Hart Johnson said...

I can definitely have a kick-ass self. It is most often inspired when someone tells me I CAN'T. My response is I'LL SHOW YOU and then I kick ass. I can also work it up for a challenge, but it is not my everyday personality. I'm mellow.

Susan Scott said...

Kick-ass self? IAm sure it's a skill that can be further developed .. lipstick does it for me. re the ms, it's a grand approach, thank you. I can feel the joie de vivre arising!

Livia Quinn said...

Okay, I'll take that challenge. Kick-assery in the revision process! (though I could use a little in this rough draft as well so here goes...)

Trisha said...

Now I want to eat all that food! YUMMMM! All I have for lunch today is more of the same muesli I had for breakfast, because I forgot my lunch from home and I'm trying not to spend money on lunches at work :(

Jan Morrison said...

Oh Trisha!I feel your pain. I work in a residential treatment centre and I am supposed to bring my own lunches as the food is for clients and the staff that is there for 12 hour shifts. I'm quite happy to bring mine as I'm mostly a vegetarian (except Sundays)and the food there is mega starchy and or sweet. There is no place to buy food. I used to work in downtown Halifax surrounded by lovely restaurants and a super market. I spent a fortune!