J.J. Goodman: Writings, Musings and More

Sometimes it's not that easy to see the lighter side of things. It's there, oh yes, but on occasion it may be so perfectly hidden that you just can't see it. Despite all the great and wonderful things in my life right now (like those books over there to the right ----->  No, down a little.... Yeah, there.) I still feel as if I'm being followed, from time to time, by this little black cloud. That kind of sucks, mostly because black clouds bring rain and then my suit gets wet and I have to take it to the dry cleaner. (Seriously! Have you seen how expensive dry cleaning is these days? Stupid cloud...) There is a lighter side, I know. Beyond the shadow of the cloud there's sunshine and rainbows and a frog riding a bike and Judy Garland singing. I get it. Maybe I just need to wipe the rain from my glasses. Maybe I need to take a deep breath. Maybe I need to channel the negativity into written words and finish the book I'm writing (or any of the other three manus...

Yes, I realize that writing this blog is "writing." Don't get technical on me, you know what I mean. Today is August 17, 2011. I had originally planned on completing Phaedrus , the sequel to The Diligent , in time for release by September 1. Unfortunately that's not going to happen. I have editors now (and good ones, at that) who will be reviewing the next installment and I fear that process will take some time. Not because they're slow, mind you, but because my style of writing, while free flowing, doesn't exactly lend itself to in-progress proof-reading. That much was evident with the first novel. I intend to make sure that particular flaw of mine is corrected this time around. Alas, it's not the editing that will delay the release. It's that pesky "writing" thing. As in I have to do more of it. The rest of it, actually. Like all writers I too suffer from writer's block from time to time. Generally it is much better than, say, restl...

There is a delicate balance one must forge in life between work and play. I for one have always had a difficult time with this particular task. For me, writing is fun. There is absolutely no question that I enjoy it fully. Having the time to do it, however, is another story entirely. Usually I will get some ideas in the car while driving to and from my "real" job, but I think the state troopers would frown on me using my laptop while driving. Besides, it's a little hard to type with one hand. I mean, I do have coffee to hold. I generally tend to write in the the time gaps in between. In between what? Everything. I'll write a little if I get in the office early. I'll write on my lunch hour. I'll write at night after the rest of the house has fallen asleep and it's just me, my computer and that damn box of Cheez-Its that haunts me from the pantry. (Cheez-Its make for great "creation food." There, Cheez-It. There's my ringing endorsement. Feel...

Many people have asked me how I write. I usually reply with something like "on a keyboard" or "with words." After waiting for the look of disdain I receive in response to my glib answer to evaporate from the inquisitor's face, I offer the following: I am a stream of consciousness writer. I get an idea. I run with it. I let it take me where it wants to go. I don't plan ahead, and I don't outline. I had to outline in law school. Yes, it was helpful then, but then I was trying to memorize things like the Rule Against Perpetuities (which, incidentally, not a single practicing attorney will be able to describe if you asked them. Go ahead, ask...) and what a tortfeasor was. Heh heh. Tortfeasor. What a great word. ANYWAY... I can't outline when I write. I find it too constraining as I then feel obligated to follow the outline and let's face it - sometimes stories take on a life of their own. It may or may not want to get to Article IV, Section A, subsec...