Hey guys!
So I ranted a little. With my word processor dilemma and the inability to open my existing projects I have been left heartbroken and uninspired. Its a position that I liken to when my Dad formatted a disk that I had over a hundred pages saved to. It made me sick and I didn't even want to think about writing for a week... And I NEVER used Microsoft Word again. I went through three or four word processors until I made an important connection with Microsoft Works. Which is a lovely word processor with more tools than Word, but no longer available with Windows 8. So I have thousands of pages worth of writing (not exaggerating) that I no longer have access to. So... I have turned to free-ware word processors, I will be using AbiWord for my joint projects and Open Office for my personal writing.
I opened a new document and tried to pick up where I left off with one of my projects and while I have all this stuff floating in my head, ideas and knowledge, that I want to share... I can't write any of it.. because of 19,000 words that are being held hostage. Losing all that time and work makes me feel sick (I need a file converter).
So lighting incense to Muse today and I am going to use one of my new programs to make a bullet list of things that I still haven't written about so I stop losing ground and start growing that 19,000 words towards the goal of 75,000 (would land at 200 some odd typed pages 400 print pages).
Also as I have been hung up on this for three months and NaNoWriMo is only 3 months away, I have decided to step away from my other projects and start getting other ideas written down. Hopefully as soon as I start writing again I can stop lingering on this stuff, all is not gone forever, the key is just lost.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
OMG the Aggrevation
Hey gang! I know I haven't posted in almost three months. But I have a really good excuse I swear! So in the middle of May I got a new computer, "Joy! I can be more productive!" but... "No Joy..." The thing has Windows 8.
Now as one writer to another let me tell you.. You do not want Windows 8.
It had the normal trial word processor... MS Word. My least favorite of all the Word Processors EVER. Wordpad and Notepad. Now my preferred word processor of the last 7 years has been Microsoft Works Word Processor, and my product licensing is non-transferable. And as Works is no longer in production it is not compatible with Windows 8.... like everything else.
In the last 3 months I have found that there is not a Word processor for 8 because MS wants you to pay for Microsoft Office 365.. When I complained everyone, friends, family and Microsoft alike have said "You have Wordpad and Notepad" and in so saying let me tell you what my response has been...
"WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: A word processor that allows the creation of Macros, can save docs as PDFs, will allow pictures and table formatted items to be inserted, Contains a word counter, grammar and spell check. I do not want to pay more than 30.00.."
The answer has been..
"Try Google DOCs"
Me:
"Windows 8 will not allow me to create new documents, and it still doesn't fix the issue of being able to access and edit projects that I was working on in Win Vista and Win 7."
Them:
"Open Office."
Me:
"Will download but will not install. AND it causes extreme system latency. I don't need free, I just need something that works. I am not trying to avoid spending money, I just don't want to give any more money to Microsoft after they effectively neutered my ability to use the computer for anything that isn't on the internet."
This whole situation has me ready to drop 5k and buy a Mac... but I hate Apple. Would consider a chrome book as a cheap option... but Google doesn't do customer support. So until this all gets settled, my writing is on hiatus as even the thought sends me into a small rage and severe depression because I can't access any of my works in progress.
Now as one writer to another let me tell you.. You do not want Windows 8.
It had the normal trial word processor... MS Word. My least favorite of all the Word Processors EVER. Wordpad and Notepad. Now my preferred word processor of the last 7 years has been Microsoft Works Word Processor, and my product licensing is non-transferable. And as Works is no longer in production it is not compatible with Windows 8.... like everything else.
In the last 3 months I have found that there is not a Word processor for 8 because MS wants you to pay for Microsoft Office 365.. When I complained everyone, friends, family and Microsoft alike have said "You have Wordpad and Notepad" and in so saying let me tell you what my response has been...
"WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: A word processor that allows the creation of Macros, can save docs as PDFs, will allow pictures and table formatted items to be inserted, Contains a word counter, grammar and spell check. I do not want to pay more than 30.00.."
The answer has been..
"Try Google DOCs"
Me:
"Windows 8 will not allow me to create new documents, and it still doesn't fix the issue of being able to access and edit projects that I was working on in Win Vista and Win 7."
Them:
"Open Office."
Me:
"Will download but will not install. AND it causes extreme system latency. I don't need free, I just need something that works. I am not trying to avoid spending money, I just don't want to give any more money to Microsoft after they effectively neutered my ability to use the computer for anything that isn't on the internet."
This whole situation has me ready to drop 5k and buy a Mac... but I hate Apple. Would consider a chrome book as a cheap option... but Google doesn't do customer support. So until this all gets settled, my writing is on hiatus as even the thought sends me into a small rage and severe depression because I can't access any of my works in progress.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Exercise in Writing Challenge!
A few days ago, I was writing about my word count issues while I sorted it all out in my head and was surprised to find that you all... that is talking out my hangups in writing on the blog is part of my process.
By approaching a problem in the third person, like I am helping someone else over a hurdle or across a pitfall it becomes easier to find a resolution. I know that I have talked about the value of journals before but this is just slightly different.
Start a Writing Blog; drop me a link and I'll read you. But don't give yourself any hard set responsibility to the Blog. Instead, when you come across a problem in your writing, be it for a school project, NaNoWriMo, or that book you have been working on for the last decade and address your hurdle like you are writing an article.
Requirements: Each entry must be 1000 words. Topics can be like "Writing about an Illness", "Writing a Romantic Interlude.", "Getting Past Writers block.", "Why I hate writing in Drafts."
This is in part because as writers we are part of a community, but mostly because as a tool... writing about it forces you to research and researching helps you move on.
By approaching a problem in the third person, like I am helping someone else over a hurdle or across a pitfall it becomes easier to find a resolution. I know that I have talked about the value of journals before but this is just slightly different.
Start a Writing Blog; drop me a link and I'll read you. But don't give yourself any hard set responsibility to the Blog. Instead, when you come across a problem in your writing, be it for a school project, NaNoWriMo, or that book you have been working on for the last decade and address your hurdle like you are writing an article.
Requirements: Each entry must be 1000 words. Topics can be like "Writing about an Illness", "Writing a Romantic Interlude.", "Getting Past Writers block.", "Why I hate writing in Drafts."
This is in part because as writers we are part of a community, but mostly because as a tool... writing about it forces you to research and researching helps you move on.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Hitting the write word count!
How to stretch the writing without losing quality?
Which is how I found blogging gems The Write Soul and Writing with Purpose while it didn't give me my answer in the strictest sense motivation was achieved so my 668 words of amazing information won't go unread on my word processor.
The answer lies in the art of "Fluff" which is really just expounding just a little bit with educational examples and descriptions, this does become an art because it can make reading your writing tedious if you aren't frugal or don't choose the right words. "Watch you sentence length." can become something like "Watching your sentence length is critical, while short sentences will help you emphasize a subject it isn't always in your best interest." followed by an example. You can see the word count growing already.
In the hour or so that I toddled about writing this for you, my Article is now 1,462 words and ready to submit... that is after a few runs of proof reading the new bits.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The sign of an Amateur...
They say constantly change your Point of View is the mark of an Amateur and how you can distinguish a professional.
I agree that within a single scene you shouldn't change the point of view as it can be confusing, but is it really the sign of an Amateur or something you can clean up in the draft process?
My opinion is that you should get the words on paper and save the cleanup for when you have writers block, who cares what voice you are using as long as it gets cleaned up before someone else reads it?
Opinions, rants, emotional outbursts... Please comment below.
I agree that within a single scene you shouldn't change the point of view as it can be confusing, but is it really the sign of an Amateur or something you can clean up in the draft process?
My opinion is that you should get the words on paper and save the cleanup for when you have writers block, who cares what voice you are using as long as it gets cleaned up before someone else reads it?
Opinions, rants, emotional outbursts... Please comment below.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Its My Birthday!
As of 02:59 (AM) PST I am officially old.
Well 31.
I find very little inspiration in my birthday, its not one of those things that my family ever made a big fuss about. But it is the one day of the year that I do not feel guilty about playing hooky.
Oh I am writing, I write every day. Some days its just a few words, others it may be a chapter and there are times when I am not inclined to write so I edit.
Today I'm writing. I may go out to dinner and bring a notebook and write some more.
Well 31.
I find very little inspiration in my birthday, its not one of those things that my family ever made a big fuss about. But it is the one day of the year that I do not feel guilty about playing hooky.
Oh I am writing, I write every day. Some days its just a few words, others it may be a chapter and there are times when I am not inclined to write so I edit.
Today I'm writing. I may go out to dinner and bring a notebook and write some more.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Time for a snippet...
I have mentioned my long time work in progress a few times now. I have published the first two (rough) chapters at Writing.com It makes me happy that I have 4 stars for an incomplete story.
Snippet
It was the fifth and final funeral, and within the hour the last body would find its repose, locked and eternal in the rich loam of the cemetery, immortal in the memories of those who had known him. The slaughter had taken everyone by surprise, and no-one wanted to dwell on it, as hushed murmurs about the previous week filtered through the crowd. How sudden things could change, had it really been only eight days since their friend and colleague had celebrated his thirtieth birthday?
Poor Jack.
The sympathy and remorse in the air was sickening and almost claustrophobic, everyone trying to cast him in such a good light, as if god cared what was said at the mans funeral, it didn’t change the fact that he had taken lives by the handful, but then, they all had; soldiers to the last attendant and pall barer.
Now I also mentioned that I have decided to change perspective, check my written voice please its been a few years. Mind you I really want to share the whole thing and show off my Spanish.
Snippet
Snippet
It was the fifth and final funeral, and within the hour the last body would find its repose, locked and eternal in the rich loam of the cemetery, immortal in the memories of those who had known him. The slaughter had taken everyone by surprise, and no-one wanted to dwell on it, as hushed murmurs about the previous week filtered through the crowd. How sudden things could change, had it really been only eight days since their friend and colleague had celebrated his thirtieth birthday?
Poor Jack.
The sympathy and remorse in the air was sickening and almost claustrophobic, everyone trying to cast him in such a good light, as if god cared what was said at the mans funeral, it didn’t change the fact that he had taken lives by the handful, but then, they all had; soldiers to the last attendant and pall barer.
Now I also mentioned that I have decided to change perspective, check my written voice please its been a few years. Mind you I really want to share the whole thing and show off my Spanish.
Snippet
Daniel stretched and rolled his shoulders beneath his dark
polo, adjusting his panama hat as he turned and maneuvered through the small,
open air market. Surrounded by small Latinos the tall broad shouldered
All-American stood out like a pimple on a cheerleader. It was the first time in
better than a year that he longed for the anonymity of his wheelchair. The heat
was suffocating, the air so dense and humid he almost had to chew it first. Moving at all was a feat of will.
Weaving along the crowded paths of the market’s corridors,
Dan could understand very little of the details in the cacophony of voices from
the vendors, shouting in their teasing and flirtatious tones. To him it was
like a combat zone, it may well have been crumbling buildings, not historic
Mexico, and the thundering ring of R.P.G’s in lieu of announcing fruits, meat,
or cheese “at the best price”.
Quelling the urge to dive for shelter and enduring the shouts
of the meat mongers, cloth merchants and coffee venders; the nauseating
marriage of scents as he walked past the tiny thatch of competing florists he
grimaced stepping into a narrow ally, only a slight limp remaining from his
almost crippling injuries.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Random is Me! Getting noticed.
I want to be a Victorian Poet.
No Really.
I was just reading (Shocking I know), a backdated writers blog from like 2010. He went on a micro tangent, as writers are prone and then waxed eloquently about that one sentence or paragraph from a written work or song that sticks with us for years.
Now I read once that you only have that first sentence, because it flows into a paragraph which becomes a page and then a chapter. But if the first sentence is crap who keeps reading?
I won't give you the examples he listed, because they aren't the same for me, but I will list a few that leaped into my mind.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." ~ Charles Dickens
"Gillian Lennox didn't mean to die that day." ~ L.J. Smith
And my be-still my heart the creme-de-la-creme...
"THE AWFUL shadow of some unseen Power
Floats though unseen among us,—visiting
This various world with as inconstant wing
As summer winds that creep from flower to flower,—
Like moonbeams that behind some piny mountain shower,
It visits with inconstant glance
Each human heart and countenance;
Like hues and harmonies of evening,—
Like clouds in starlight widely spread,—
Like memory of music fled,—
Like aught that for its grace may be
Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley (Hymn to Intellectual Beauty)
Well Shelley and Voltaire are my true loves with J.M. Barrie being my Lord and Master. "Peter Pan" means so much to me I can't even tell you, I have the story memorized and when I was in my mid-twenties someone gave me the 100th anniversary edition for Yule and I cried. Not even exaggerating.
I wish I had the where-with-all to dedicate myself to a single great project, but there is simply too much going on in my head.
No Really.
I was just reading (Shocking I know), a backdated writers blog from like 2010. He went on a micro tangent, as writers are prone and then waxed eloquently about that one sentence or paragraph from a written work or song that sticks with us for years.
Now I read once that you only have that first sentence, because it flows into a paragraph which becomes a page and then a chapter. But if the first sentence is crap who keeps reading?
I won't give you the examples he listed, because they aren't the same for me, but I will list a few that leaped into my mind.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." ~ Charles Dickens
"Gillian Lennox didn't mean to die that day." ~ L.J. Smith
And my be-still my heart the creme-de-la-creme...
"THE AWFUL shadow of some unseen Power
Floats though unseen among us,—visiting
This various world with as inconstant wing
As summer winds that creep from flower to flower,—
Like moonbeams that behind some piny mountain shower,
It visits with inconstant glance
Each human heart and countenance;
Like hues and harmonies of evening,—
Like clouds in starlight widely spread,—
Like memory of music fled,—
Like aught that for its grace may be
Dear, and yet dearer for its mystery."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley (Hymn to Intellectual Beauty)
Well Shelley and Voltaire are my true loves with J.M. Barrie being my Lord and Master. "Peter Pan" means so much to me I can't even tell you, I have the story memorized and when I was in my mid-twenties someone gave me the 100th anniversary edition for Yule and I cried. Not even exaggerating.
I wish I had the where-with-all to dedicate myself to a single great project, but there is simply too much going on in my head.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Languages
First I would really like to apologize for the long gap, I have taken almost 2 months off. But I did promise myself that this blog is being kept for me, to help keep me motivated by sharing with you, so while I'm apologizing, its mostly to myself. In my defense however, I was in training for a new position at work, money is kind of important.
Okay, so languages. I am that quintessential American, I do not like that we are forcing the Spanish language on our people instead of English on immigrants. If I moved to their country I would learn god-damned Spanish and not expect English from them. But different languages have there uses.
Last night I was working on one of my stories, I think I told you about the one I started my last year of college. In order to jump start the writing which has been suffering writers block I decided to write a side story involving two of my secondary characters, looking at the possibility of redirection. The two I chose we my Type-A military man a Captain and his Lieutenant, a Mexican-American hand to hand combat expert. To start out, I have always written them as having an inexplicable connection, being able to communicate without words, however because my Lt. is a Chica there is a healthy amount of flirting, lets face it, Latina's have a sexy reputation. So it has been assumed (without evidence) that they have slept together, which they haven't. It is in reality a completely professional relationship.
But I decided to jump ahead two years from what I have been writing, thinking it may help me with some inspiration. I grabbed by duo and dropped them in a situation that no es bueno. Mexico. It was intentional to force that sea-shift. And because I went south of the border I knew it would be hypocritical to have everyone speaking Inglais. This is where resources come into play. You don't have to be fluent to imbed the idea that the language is there, but when I read "He replied in fluent Spanish, 'She's sexy?'" It really doesn't pull me in, I personally would rather insert a few words or sentences like, "Es bonita?" and "My pretty wife" becomes "Mi bonita espousa.."
I realized this while I was writing. Now because I have lived in the South Western U.S. I have a comfortable nodding acquaintance with Spanish, but gritting me teeth I dug up so resources just to keep me from poking at my own pet peeve.
Intro to Spanish on YouTube I built a playlist for these so that I could refer back to them and brush up.
Spanish Slang Much more important than text book Spanish because there are many Spanish speaking countries.
Okay, so languages. I am that quintessential American, I do not like that we are forcing the Spanish language on our people instead of English on immigrants. If I moved to their country I would learn god-damned Spanish and not expect English from them. But different languages have there uses.
Last night I was working on one of my stories, I think I told you about the one I started my last year of college. In order to jump start the writing which has been suffering writers block I decided to write a side story involving two of my secondary characters, looking at the possibility of redirection. The two I chose we my Type-A military man a Captain and his Lieutenant, a Mexican-American hand to hand combat expert. To start out, I have always written them as having an inexplicable connection, being able to communicate without words, however because my Lt. is a Chica there is a healthy amount of flirting, lets face it, Latina's have a sexy reputation. So it has been assumed (without evidence) that they have slept together, which they haven't. It is in reality a completely professional relationship.
But I decided to jump ahead two years from what I have been writing, thinking it may help me with some inspiration. I grabbed by duo and dropped them in a situation that no es bueno. Mexico. It was intentional to force that sea-shift. And because I went south of the border I knew it would be hypocritical to have everyone speaking Inglais. This is where resources come into play. You don't have to be fluent to imbed the idea that the language is there, but when I read "He replied in fluent Spanish, 'She's sexy?'" It really doesn't pull me in, I personally would rather insert a few words or sentences like, "Es bonita?" and "My pretty wife" becomes "Mi bonita espousa.."
I realized this while I was writing. Now because I have lived in the South Western U.S. I have a comfortable nodding acquaintance with Spanish, but gritting me teeth I dug up so resources just to keep me from poking at my own pet peeve.
Intro to Spanish on YouTube I built a playlist for these so that I could refer back to them and brush up.
Spanish Slang Much more important than text book Spanish because there are many Spanish speaking countries.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Checking in: Survival of the Fitest
Something has me distracted from writing a little the last few days. I don't know if I mentioned it before in "writing what you know" or not... But my father is a conspiracy theorist, former USAF, that whole boy scout "Be Prepared" has been a part of my life going back forever, and after six months living halfway across the country away from him it started to really hit me with the elections and "12/21/2012" exactly how unprepared I am.
I cannot believe that I moved to a place that is more than 200 miles from my nearest relative, and 1500 miles from my immediate family, and did not bring a gun. With the recent hoopla after the Sandy Hook shootings and the crack downs that may end up taking that right from me. I caved in and took the last few days off building my Bug-Out-Box.
Dad would be proud I'm sure. I only have the basics at the moment because space is at a premium, laying in food and water is not a luxury available to me, and I'm not certain I would want to lay in too much anyways, Dad always said it was harder to hit a moving target, and when you have too much it gets harder to move. I need to get him to ship me my Rifle while I work on acquiring a 9mm and a .223 and appropriate ammunition.
I spent about 95.00, I know it can be done for less but money isn't all that important to me. My Starter list includes:
When I start picking up camping gear this Spring that list might look more impressive.
I cannot believe that I moved to a place that is more than 200 miles from my nearest relative, and 1500 miles from my immediate family, and did not bring a gun. With the recent hoopla after the Sandy Hook shootings and the crack downs that may end up taking that right from me. I caved in and took the last few days off building my Bug-Out-Box.
Dad would be proud I'm sure. I only have the basics at the moment because space is at a premium, laying in food and water is not a luxury available to me, and I'm not certain I would want to lay in too much anyways, Dad always said it was harder to hit a moving target, and when you have too much it gets harder to move. I need to get him to ship me my Rifle while I work on acquiring a 9mm and a .223 and appropriate ammunition.
I spent about 95.00, I know it can be done for less but money isn't all that important to me. My Starter list includes:
- SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition: For Any Climate, in Any Situation
- Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord (Black, 550-Pound/100-Feet)
- SE Lensatic Compass
- Chainmate CM-24SSP 24-Inch Survival Pocket Chain Saw With Pouch
- SE KHK6320 7-Inch Hunting Knife with Fire Starter
- Emergency Fire Starter Flint and Steel
- Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets
- Four Seasons Survival Tinder-Quik Fire Tab
- UCO Survival Wind & Waterproof Matches LOT of 1 Package of 15ct Matches
- Emergency Zone Deluxe Survival Bottle Kit with Gerber MultiTool.
When I start picking up camping gear this Spring that list might look more impressive.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Bibliographys equal headache?
I have been sick, in addition to focusing on my latest new project I have been trying to get back to you guys for about a week.
My latest writing project challenge is focusing on not accidentally plagiarizing anyone, and the realization that I am going to be having a lot of fun getting my bibliography in order. In college the trick was to cite as you go, which is awesome unless you are writing on a topic you are already familiar with and don't remember where you came by the information to begin with.
What I am finding is that I may end up just grabbing every book I have ever read on the subject and the two or three websites that I use as my go to references.
The thought makes me grumpy.
My latest writing project challenge is focusing on not accidentally plagiarizing anyone, and the realization that I am going to be having a lot of fun getting my bibliography in order. In college the trick was to cite as you go, which is awesome unless you are writing on a topic you are already familiar with and don't remember where you came by the information to begin with.
What I am finding is that I may end up just grabbing every book I have ever read on the subject and the two or three websites that I use as my go to references.
The thought makes me grumpy.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Altar de Muse
This is a Picture of my Altar de Muse as it stands now. It will be changing.
The Altar itself is inside the Armour that houses all of my ritual supplies, occupying the bottom shelf.
The lace shall that covers the back wall was purchased from a vender at my first Pagan Festival. I was eighteen. The shall itself holds a few fantastic memories, but the fringe makes it difficult to launder so it has spent a lot of time boxed up over the last thirteen years.
The altar cloth is really a pair of handkerchief style scarves that I have had since I was fourteen, they evoke memories from when I was willing to take chances.
The mosaic candle holders (with LED tea-lights) were re-purposed from some of my ritual gear, it had been a set of four but after one broke, I started using them as catch-all's having a proper use for them again pleases me.
The two photos are of the sunrise and sunset over the Great Salt Lake in Utah, my home for almost half my life, and two of the most classically inspiring images known to poets the world over.
In the back center I have made something of a dias using two of my old journals, on it is a silver candle dish, a natural obelisk, an amethyst cluster, a sealing wax stamp... And center is the figure I have decided to use as a representative for my Muse, draped in semi precious stones of Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot and Blue Topaz and holding a slice of Geode to be charged so that I can take it with me and feel a connection to inspiration all day long. On the lower level of the diary dias is a holy stone draped with flourite that flows from under my sea-shell salt dish and out of my onyx bowl where you see Aventurine and Aquamarine beads and a sealed scroll that contains an invocation to my Muse and in front my soapstone incense burner.
Then front and center is my sea-shell dish with two large pieces of Rose-Quartz and across to my small urn which is tossing out beads of Smokey-Quartz, Moonstone, Bloodstone and Green Garnet.
I know it sounds like I went a little overboard on the gemstones, but they were each chosen for a reason, and gemstones are my preferred way to work magick. The Pictures will be moved up to hang from the lace, and I am hoping to find some nice silk marigolds to go in the little urn and I will have to rearrange again when I get my nib-pen and inkwell unpacked.
I hope that this helps give you some inspiration of your own.
Blessed Be.
The Altar itself is inside the Armour that houses all of my ritual supplies, occupying the bottom shelf.
The lace shall that covers the back wall was purchased from a vender at my first Pagan Festival. I was eighteen. The shall itself holds a few fantastic memories, but the fringe makes it difficult to launder so it has spent a lot of time boxed up over the last thirteen years.
The altar cloth is really a pair of handkerchief style scarves that I have had since I was fourteen, they evoke memories from when I was willing to take chances.
The mosaic candle holders (with LED tea-lights) were re-purposed from some of my ritual gear, it had been a set of four but after one broke, I started using them as catch-all's having a proper use for them again pleases me.
The two photos are of the sunrise and sunset over the Great Salt Lake in Utah, my home for almost half my life, and two of the most classically inspiring images known to poets the world over.
In the back center I have made something of a dias using two of my old journals, on it is a silver candle dish, a natural obelisk, an amethyst cluster, a sealing wax stamp... And center is the figure I have decided to use as a representative for my Muse, draped in semi precious stones of Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot and Blue Topaz and holding a slice of Geode to be charged so that I can take it with me and feel a connection to inspiration all day long. On the lower level of the diary dias is a holy stone draped with flourite that flows from under my sea-shell salt dish and out of my onyx bowl where you see Aventurine and Aquamarine beads and a sealed scroll that contains an invocation to my Muse and in front my soapstone incense burner.
Then front and center is my sea-shell dish with two large pieces of Rose-Quartz and across to my small urn which is tossing out beads of Smokey-Quartz, Moonstone, Bloodstone and Green Garnet.
I know it sounds like I went a little overboard on the gemstones, but they were each chosen for a reason, and gemstones are my preferred way to work magick. The Pictures will be moved up to hang from the lace, and I am hoping to find some nice silk marigolds to go in the little urn and I will have to rearrange again when I get my nib-pen and inkwell unpacked.
I hope that this helps give you some inspiration of your own.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
New Altar de Muse Offering
Pagan figures or statues are really over priced for what they are, it becomes harder and harder to assemble an altar in this economy as the Pagan shops dry up and things that an excited newly out of the broom closet Witch would go hunting for have multiplied by price a hundred times with no changes to quality or improvements to the aesthetics, nothing limited edition, just greedy artists or retailers taking advantage of "supply and demand."
I have been grumpy about this for some time and so I have made do, as I am not wealthy, and I am not an artist my altar has remained without any physical representation, and I have been comfortable in the knowledge that intent is all that really matters as I browse for things that 'could work,'
I found her.
In a quiet moment, just me and my shopping addiction I found the most adorable figurine. Nothing Pagan, in fact the artist uses quite a bit of Christian symbolism, but I have loved her for some time.
Willow Tree's Love and Learning Figurine will take a place of honor on my Altar to represent my Muse.
I bought her from Amazon if you like her here is the link; DEMDACO Willow Tree Figurine, Love of Learning
.
With her I bought a pair of blue moleskin journals and a dip-pen with the inkwell, also to adorn my altar. Normally I don't share my altars with the public but I feel really good about this.
I have been grumpy about this for some time and so I have made do, as I am not wealthy, and I am not an artist my altar has remained without any physical representation, and I have been comfortable in the knowledge that intent is all that really matters as I browse for things that 'could work,'I found her.
In a quiet moment, just me and my shopping addiction I found the most adorable figurine. Nothing Pagan, in fact the artist uses quite a bit of Christian symbolism, but I have loved her for some time.
Willow Tree's Love and Learning Figurine will take a place of honor on my Altar to represent my Muse.
I bought her from Amazon if you like her here is the link; DEMDACO Willow Tree Figurine, Love of Learning
.With her I bought a pair of blue moleskin journals and a dip-pen with the inkwell, also to adorn my altar. Normally I don't share my altars with the public but I feel really good about this.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
New Projects
I don't have anything really important to say.
I am starting yet another writing project, different topic, but that isn't unusual for me. Because of my ADD it isn't unusual for me to have seven or even ten projects going as a time, yes it does slow me down but it also keeps me going. I finish them it just takes a bit longer than it would take someone else. My Partner for instance would be able to finish six projects in the time it takes me to wrap my head around one.
But you know what?
That's right, I am happy with who I am and couldn't imagine changing myself. Isn't that an unusual thing to see? Yes I have my ups and downs, but I am human I can accept it and move on.
I do keep my active projects organized and even when I set them down (in most cases) I know exactly what I was doing when I left off. With one notable exception, my fantasy story has me tied in knots. I started writing it over a glass of wine and a clove cigarette on a rainy summer day and after a little more than a hundred pages lost my rhythm. It'll catch up with me again in a little while and eventually it'll be a master piece.
Ciao Bene.
I am starting yet another writing project, different topic, but that isn't unusual for me. Because of my ADD it isn't unusual for me to have seven or even ten projects going as a time, yes it does slow me down but it also keeps me going. I finish them it just takes a bit longer than it would take someone else. My Partner for instance would be able to finish six projects in the time it takes me to wrap my head around one.
But you know what?
That's right, I am happy with who I am and couldn't imagine changing myself. Isn't that an unusual thing to see? Yes I have my ups and downs, but I am human I can accept it and move on.
I do keep my active projects organized and even when I set them down (in most cases) I know exactly what I was doing when I left off. With one notable exception, my fantasy story has me tied in knots. I started writing it over a glass of wine and a clove cigarette on a rainy summer day and after a little more than a hundred pages lost my rhythm. It'll catch up with me again in a little while and eventually it'll be a master piece.
Ciao Bene.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Working with your Creation
In a writing, your characters might say "To hell with you, I want to....." Best advice I can give you is to follow their lead, if you fight it too hard then you won't get a very good story.
Example:
My partner and I have been writing together for years, and just for fun we created some original characters and dropped them in a favorite authors universe, that's right Fan-Fiction, written just for us, not even posted on the internet, a few hundred years after her timeline ended. One of the characters we created was a Prince, orphan responsible for his people from the time he was five, and at fifteen... very homosexual, we paired him with the head of the thieves guild and watched the drama unfold. But our Prince slowly became more depressed and wrapped up in his own world, that is until a klutzy refugee literally fell down the stairs and bowled him over. For our poor Prince he fell for her like a ton of bricks, and no matter how hard we tried to force him to continue to be gay, he would not have it, he wanted his refugee girl, and in the end we relented before he did. But it caused some major snafu's in our story first.
Don't be too unbending, let your characters help you, you'll be happy you did.
Example:
My partner and I have been writing together for years, and just for fun we created some original characters and dropped them in a favorite authors universe, that's right Fan-Fiction, written just for us, not even posted on the internet, a few hundred years after her timeline ended. One of the characters we created was a Prince, orphan responsible for his people from the time he was five, and at fifteen... very homosexual, we paired him with the head of the thieves guild and watched the drama unfold. But our Prince slowly became more depressed and wrapped up in his own world, that is until a klutzy refugee literally fell down the stairs and bowled him over. For our poor Prince he fell for her like a ton of bricks, and no matter how hard we tried to force him to continue to be gay, he would not have it, he wanted his refugee girl, and in the end we relented before he did. But it caused some major snafu's in our story first.
Don't be too unbending, let your characters help you, you'll be happy you did.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Character Journal
As I am writing my research project on Diaries and Journals I would be remiss if I didn't interject with this fabulous tool. Keeping a character journal is more akin to keeping your Character's Journal. Written entirely from their point of view it helps you get a better understanding for your protagonist.
You can take the time to grab a hardbound journal or set up a blog, but you want it to be something you write in at least once a week.
Think of it as a first person free write. Maybe after you have walked away from a hard situation in your writing, to permit yourself to understand the 'why's" behind a characters actions. Just let the character speak for him- or herself. What your character journals about will be different from day to day and character to character.
Start with a sentence. Like: "I need to get out more." or "I hate my mother." And run with it, but from their point of view, not your own, and always in the first person.
It will take practice to learn to turn off your author’s and personal voices completely enough to hear the character’s voice, but this really is one of those areas in which practice makes perfect. Don’t let the initial awkwardness of trying to find a character voice keep you from trying.
Or from continuing to journal. Sooner or later, the character will show up. And, sooner or later, he or she will be begin opening up try to coax specifics, it will help you in writing the generals and give you a more rounded character perspective and voice.
You can take the time to grab a hardbound journal or set up a blog, but you want it to be something you write in at least once a week.
Think of it as a first person free write. Maybe after you have walked away from a hard situation in your writing, to permit yourself to understand the 'why's" behind a characters actions. Just let the character speak for him- or herself. What your character journals about will be different from day to day and character to character.
Start with a sentence. Like: "I need to get out more." or "I hate my mother." And run with it, but from their point of view, not your own, and always in the first person.
It will take practice to learn to turn off your author’s and personal voices completely enough to hear the character’s voice, but this really is one of those areas in which practice makes perfect. Don’t let the initial awkwardness of trying to find a character voice keep you from trying.
Or from continuing to journal. Sooner or later, the character will show up. And, sooner or later, he or she will be begin opening up try to coax specifics, it will help you in writing the generals and give you a more rounded character perspective and voice.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Character Creation 101
I know people that start writing on the fly with no idea of who or what they are writing about and through a series of drafts can shake off the slag and draw out a diamond. I am not one of them, I want to know what they look like, how old they are and general personality. Now not to say that I haven't written a story throwing in odds and ends for characters, but the process in proofing out which character had one arm and how many of them have blue eyes frustrates me.
Now you may decide to write some idea that you have and you start typing and before you know it you have twenty pages. It happens.
I suggest writing a general template for yourself, most word processors will allow you to create a macro which will automatically format an entry or enter specific text. My character template is:
*****
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Height:
Weight:
Build:
Hair:
Eyes:
Tattoos or Distinctive Physical Traits:
Sexual Orientation:
Personality:
Profession:
Vehicle:
Family & Background:
*****
Now I may not fill in everything all at once, but I will do at least the first eight. Other details can be filled in as the story moves and you become more comfortable with the character. Now if your writing does run away with you and it peters out you can go back and proof, start a new document and key in the information in your form.
Now you may have only casually dropped in:
Name: Jack
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Height: Tall
Weight:
Build: Lanky
Hair: Messy
Eyes: Cold Grey
Tattoos or Distinctive Physical Traits:
Sexual Orientation:
Personality: Has a thing for redheads.
Profession:
Vehicle: White Corvette, all leather interior.
Family & Background:
But being able to refer back to notes will help make you more comfortable as the story grow and you can get more specific. Tall might become 6'3", Hair: sandy blonde.... You get the idea.
Now you may decide to write some idea that you have and you start typing and before you know it you have twenty pages. It happens.
I suggest writing a general template for yourself, most word processors will allow you to create a macro which will automatically format an entry or enter specific text. My character template is:
*****
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Height:
Weight:
Build:
Hair:
Eyes:
Tattoos or Distinctive Physical Traits:
Sexual Orientation:
Personality:
Profession:
Vehicle:
Family & Background:
*****
Now I may not fill in everything all at once, but I will do at least the first eight. Other details can be filled in as the story moves and you become more comfortable with the character. Now if your writing does run away with you and it peters out you can go back and proof, start a new document and key in the information in your form.
Now you may have only casually dropped in:
Name: Jack
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Height: Tall
Weight:
Build: Lanky
Hair: Messy
Eyes: Cold Grey
Tattoos or Distinctive Physical Traits:
Sexual Orientation:
Personality: Has a thing for redheads.
Profession:
Vehicle: White Corvette, all leather interior.
Family & Background:
But being able to refer back to notes will help make you more comfortable as the story grow and you can get more specific. Tall might become 6'3", Hair: sandy blonde.... You get the idea.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Muse
I know I have been quiet about her for a while, but maybe I shouldn't be, as I have started reclaiming some of that life as a writer that I have valued so much I am drifting away from what has helped bring it back. Now I still think about her and hold an image in my mind of her, but I believe in some aspects if I share too much that I will lose that magic.
The Triskelion I am sharing is not mine, I do not know who has the rights to it, but to me it is the perfect symbol of creation and creativity and helps me to Summon Genesis.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Writers Block.
While I have not been here I have still been writing. Working through some of my own stumbling blocks I have gone through my filing cabinet, sorted out my budget and given myself time to get over the flu, now real life aside I am ready to climb back into the dream.
Writing. And writers block. I am a strong believer in logical process, in getting over the hurdle you need to know the cause.
Major blocks; Cookbook.
Writing. And writers block. I am a strong believer in logical process, in getting over the hurdle you need to know the cause.
Major blocks; Cookbook.
- I have the Recipes.
- Some Personal Anecdotes.
- Direction.
- A way to organize. Like a Template.
- Photos.
- I don't know if there is a length I should strive for or if once everything is written and cited I can move on.
- I hesitate because I don't want to accidentally plagiarizer anyone, as I read A LOT.
- I would say Time but anyone can manage a page a day.
- Direction
- Too much time since the last time I touched the project I'm not certain of where I was going. (Started this particular piece my last year of college.)
- Just moved, my notes are out of order.
- Research.
- Stress.
- Personal Life.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Writing Hypothesis: III
So last time we chatted I introduced "Thesis."
Next is the step everyone is familiar with, the one most authors are graded on the hardest.
Plot. A Plot is like the Road-map to a great story.
A good plot should be spanning, convincing, real (yes even in fantasy writing) and dramatic, there should be risk and intrigue with a healthy dose of conflict and the general feeling that success is impossible. But you should still be able to summarize it in less than a page.
Creating a plot can be easily done, but you have to have a discerning eye when reviewing it and writing it. Creating a good plot is not so easy.
I am generally wordier than I have to be at this point, randomly casting in names and general descriptions that can be subject to later change, but it helps keep the words flowing.
Idea: Aliens land in Paris
Thesis: After centuries of studying humans, human biology and human culture, the long lived race from the Cygnus nebula descended on Paris just in time for fall fashion week.
Plot: Lord Cobbe took on his assignment from Queen Pen with reluctance but grace. Handling the odd creatures on Earth was not how he wanted to spend his time. But her reasons were solid, there were resources available on Earth that they needed, and regrettably the people of Earth just were not advanced enough to warrant playing fair.
He would have to take his people in, un-noticed to relieve the previous unlucky Cygnet.
Something must have been missing in their reconnaissance. After centuries of studying humans unnoticed. Human Biology was no mystery. Human Culture was a snore or idiosyncrasy..
Centuries of work, and one single message didn't make it home, costing the Bevy the mission. And it would be up to Cobbe to save the Wedge as the long lived race from the Cygnus nebula descended on Paris. The arrival of the Wedge had to be diverted to an old neighborhood near the Opera House, fortunately obscuring the rest of the Bevy, but Lord Cobbe Anatidae himself was spotted by Evelyn Grace, designer at large.
Forced to masquerade as a Model for the Grace line Cobbe is thrust face first into Fall Fashion Week in Paris.
**Insert Various Tasks for Grace, and duties for the Wedge**
**Inevitable Discovery**
**Love**
**Sheltered by Grace**
**The Great Escape**
**Leaving Grace Behind**
**Trumpeted Out**
**Going Back**
**Getting the Girl**
See how I married, various ideas, introduced thesis all as part of the plot? I will use many different methods, gradually growing it into a story as it is fleshed out. In case you missed it, all of my working terminology is connected to Swans, if you follow that path and decide on a jargon to use when dealing in sci-fi or fantasy it gives a little bit of cohesion to your language choices while sounding just foreign enough to draw in the reader.
Next is the step everyone is familiar with, the one most authors are graded on the hardest.
Plot. A Plot is like the Road-map to a great story.
A good plot should be spanning, convincing, real (yes even in fantasy writing) and dramatic, there should be risk and intrigue with a healthy dose of conflict and the general feeling that success is impossible. But you should still be able to summarize it in less than a page.
Creating a plot can be easily done, but you have to have a discerning eye when reviewing it and writing it. Creating a good plot is not so easy.
I am generally wordier than I have to be at this point, randomly casting in names and general descriptions that can be subject to later change, but it helps keep the words flowing.
Idea: Aliens land in Paris
Thesis: After centuries of studying humans, human biology and human culture, the long lived race from the Cygnus nebula descended on Paris just in time for fall fashion week.
Plot: Lord Cobbe took on his assignment from Queen Pen with reluctance but grace. Handling the odd creatures on Earth was not how he wanted to spend his time. But her reasons were solid, there were resources available on Earth that they needed, and regrettably the people of Earth just were not advanced enough to warrant playing fair.
He would have to take his people in, un-noticed to relieve the previous unlucky Cygnet.
Something must have been missing in their reconnaissance. After centuries of studying humans unnoticed. Human Biology was no mystery. Human Culture was a snore or idiosyncrasy..
Centuries of work, and one single message didn't make it home, costing the Bevy the mission. And it would be up to Cobbe to save the Wedge as the long lived race from the Cygnus nebula descended on Paris. The arrival of the Wedge had to be diverted to an old neighborhood near the Opera House, fortunately obscuring the rest of the Bevy, but Lord Cobbe Anatidae himself was spotted by Evelyn Grace, designer at large.
Forced to masquerade as a Model for the Grace line Cobbe is thrust face first into Fall Fashion Week in Paris.
**Insert Various Tasks for Grace, and duties for the Wedge**
**Inevitable Discovery**
**Love**
**Sheltered by Grace**
**The Great Escape**
**Leaving Grace Behind**
**Trumpeted Out**
**Going Back**
**Getting the Girl**
See how I married, various ideas, introduced thesis all as part of the plot? I will use many different methods, gradually growing it into a story as it is fleshed out. In case you missed it, all of my working terminology is connected to Swans, if you follow that path and decide on a jargon to use when dealing in sci-fi or fantasy it gives a little bit of cohesion to your language choices while sounding just foreign enough to draw in the reader.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Writing Hypothesis: II
Last time we chatted I told you about my "Ideas" File. It occurred to me that not everyone would understand the importance of keeping the idea brief.
In keeping the Idea less than eight words it stays an idea, still a full sentence, but nothing evolved. In a single story I might revisit my "Idea's" several times.
When an Idea takes on a paragraph it becomes a "Thesis", in a thesis you lay out a thought, or argument towards the study of something or an event.
Taking Ideas and developing them into Thesis is a great tool for writing, not just because you can evolve an idea in many different directions but because it gets you thinking, most importantly it gets you writing!
Taking my earlier "Idea":
Idea: Aliens land in Paris
Thesis: After centuries of studying humans, human biology and human culture, the long lived race from the Cygnus nebula descended on Paris just in time for fall fashion week.
You see how that evolved? Beyond an Idea as a Thesis the thought starts to take direction.
When I am having a hard time with my writing I will often visit my "Ideas" file and take one and evolve it in as many directions as I can. When I run out of steam my new collection of Thesis' will be moved to a file labeled "Tidbits" and they might stay there for a long time.
But it keeps me writing, it exorcizes my mind.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Writing Hypothesis: I
In theory writing should be a creative process. And I am aware that
Hypothesis is the step leading into theory, so I titled this series
correctly. It would become theory after other attempted the experiment
with great success. I call it Hypothesis because rarely will you find
two writers who experience success with the same method.
Yes that was a random explanation. Moving on.
Writing formula in progress.
So I'm getting back on track with my writing, personal stuff aside, I am writing may way through it all. As you may have guessed this is another writing tips page, like I was posting in August. Help for other writers as I become more productive.
Some use note cards, or charts, I use lists, and more lists.
I have a file in my cabinet that is, strictly speaking vague ideas with no characters or universe in mind. This list has some ideas that I may revisit or use more than once, but it begins there.
You see the Idea is the embryo of creative process.
Get a notebook or small journal and keep it with you, and jot notes to yourself that you can use later, but if you are drawing a blank, while I did this readily in school when I had my backpack with me everywhere I went. After school it stopped and I was having to wait until I had a free minute to write things down and sometimes that free minute didn't happen and the idea was lost.
That is a miserable place to be, trust me.
To start your idea collection you can borrow idea's shared by others, NaNoWriMo participants are great about sharing plot ideas in the forums, and there are a few great books like 1,001 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creative Spark: For Fiction and Non-Fiction Writers Who Want to Break Free From Writer's Block and Hone Their Writing Skills. Or one of my favorite ways to break a slump or get ideas going is by taking the first sentence of some article and running it as a start for fiction.
Ideas.
Get started with those bullet points.
Yes that was a random explanation. Moving on.
Writing formula in progress.
So I'm getting back on track with my writing, personal stuff aside, I am writing may way through it all. As you may have guessed this is another writing tips page, like I was posting in August. Help for other writers as I become more productive.
Some use note cards, or charts, I use lists, and more lists.
I have a file in my cabinet that is, strictly speaking vague ideas with no characters or universe in mind. This list has some ideas that I may revisit or use more than once, but it begins there.
You see the Idea is the embryo of creative process.
Get a notebook or small journal and keep it with you, and jot notes to yourself that you can use later, but if you are drawing a blank, while I did this readily in school when I had my backpack with me everywhere I went. After school it stopped and I was having to wait until I had a free minute to write things down and sometimes that free minute didn't happen and the idea was lost.
That is a miserable place to be, trust me.
To start your idea collection you can borrow idea's shared by others, NaNoWriMo participants are great about sharing plot ideas in the forums, and there are a few great books like 1,001 Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Creative Spark: For Fiction and Non-Fiction Writers Who Want to Break Free From Writer's Block and Hone Their Writing Skills. Or one of my favorite ways to break a slump or get ideas going is by taking the first sentence of some article and running it as a start for fiction.
Ideas.
Get started with those bullet points.
- It started with an earthquake...
- Solar flare envelops Earth.
- Aliens land in Paris
- A weekend in Ontario
- Out of the cold and onto Jamaica
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Write what you know, cont. So Yeah.....
So I was thinking about my last post, and decided that I needed to amend what I said.
I do not disagree with writing about what you know, but I do think that you need to be creative about it. With the stuff that I was exposed to growing I and my own personal interests I could write an awesome spy novel if I were inclined, but most days I'm not.
That doesn't mean that you don't have the material, just that you need to change your approach.
So like many writers I was looking at what I have done before to find inspiration now, I was stunned its starting to work, the ideas started flowing again like they haven't in years.
But now, like I did then I had a journal with me now and I started writing it all down. If I trusted the internet to keep a secret I would post my idea list here, but I don't so you'll have to imagine a five point bullet list of awesomeness.
I wish I could explain the almost spiritual warmth I experienced when I realized I had successfully started reclaiming my writing.
Having the ideas is just a beginning, I have to develop them. It was when I started scribbling in my Journal that I realized that I have a process.
A formula if you will.
I do not disagree with writing about what you know, but I do think that you need to be creative about it. With the stuff that I was exposed to growing I and my own personal interests I could write an awesome spy novel if I were inclined, but most days I'm not.
That doesn't mean that you don't have the material, just that you need to change your approach.
So like many writers I was looking at what I have done before to find inspiration now, I was stunned its starting to work, the ideas started flowing again like they haven't in years.
But now, like I did then I had a journal with me now and I started writing it all down. If I trusted the internet to keep a secret I would post my idea list here, but I don't so you'll have to imagine a five point bullet list of awesomeness.
I wish I could explain the almost spiritual warmth I experienced when I realized I had successfully started reclaiming my writing.
Having the ideas is just a beginning, I have to develop them. It was when I started scribbling in my Journal that I realized that I have a process.
A formula if you will.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Write What you Know.
Everything that I have read on writing says that you should write about what you know. I disagree, what if what you know is boring? Who will read you? Why write if no-one will read? How do you make a boring topic interesting?
I'm losing track of what I have chatted about here to be honest, so forgive me if we have already discussed this.
I am writing a Cookbook of Heirloom family Recipe's. Which I know I have told you, but I am also writing a book (albeit a short one) on the process of starting and keeping a Diary. Something I have done since I was eleven. Pretty boring subject material, solid thesis not much plot, no story to hold the reader.
The other things I know, I cringe to write about given recent books on the Best Sellers list, I think I'll let Vampires and Werewolves hang out in my filing cabinet for a little while. Elves and Dragons, Wizards and Witches, while I dearly love them I don't know what to do with them.
I was spent the first half of my life in Seattle, the second half in Small Town Utah, now I am living in Historic York, Pennsylvania and working ten minutes from Downtown Baltimore Maryland. Professionally, I am in Customer Service, I am a Wireless Device Expert for a major cell phone service provider (I think I told you this) it is becoming a technologies industry. As a result I know mobile technology and I know people. My Dad is a conspiracy nut, so I know guns and explosives. I am a Witch, as a result I know herbs, rocks, spells and rituals. I am an avid reader so I know books.
Not very exciting.Unless you get creative. With a little research anyone can write about anything.
I'm losing track of what I have chatted about here to be honest, so forgive me if we have already discussed this.
I am writing a Cookbook of Heirloom family Recipe's. Which I know I have told you, but I am also writing a book (albeit a short one) on the process of starting and keeping a Diary. Something I have done since I was eleven. Pretty boring subject material, solid thesis not much plot, no story to hold the reader.
The other things I know, I cringe to write about given recent books on the Best Sellers list, I think I'll let Vampires and Werewolves hang out in my filing cabinet for a little while. Elves and Dragons, Wizards and Witches, while I dearly love them I don't know what to do with them.
I was spent the first half of my life in Seattle, the second half in Small Town Utah, now I am living in Historic York, Pennsylvania and working ten minutes from Downtown Baltimore Maryland. Professionally, I am in Customer Service, I am a Wireless Device Expert for a major cell phone service provider (I think I told you this) it is becoming a technologies industry. As a result I know mobile technology and I know people. My Dad is a conspiracy nut, so I know guns and explosives. I am a Witch, as a result I know herbs, rocks, spells and rituals. I am an avid reader so I know books.
Not very exciting.Unless you get creative. With a little research anyone can write about anything.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Happy New Years!
Okay so I'm a little late. Happy Holidays! Today I am looking at just getting some thoughts in writing.
So... Yeah, New Years resolutions...
On December 26th I went to the doctor, setting up as a new patient to discuss my asthma, and for the first time in my life I had a doctor talk to me about my weight. I know I'm thirty and getting older by the day, I know that for the last five or so years I have been heavier than I have wanted to be, but I thought that was just my vanity. Turns out tipping 200 lbs is when a 5'3" female needs to stop eating.
Now the Doc didn't put it like that, she delicately suggested I give up Soda, drink mostly water and increase my activity. That is a tactful "Dear you need to go on a Diet." Which isn't a real problem, its easy enough to lose weight, or simple but not easy.. For I am a foody. I love to cook and enjoy rich foods, the more flavor the better. Now my portions have never been large, so figuring out the right Diet for me has been fun.
Prepackaged Diets won't work, if I don't enjoy what I'm eating I won't eat.
My doctor outright told me that Fad Diets have really bad rebound rate, with people generally regaining the weight and then some.
So here is what I am looking at, I want to marry a few programs. I skip breakfast and that is a no-no, so I will be doing a slim-fast shake in the morning, I signed up for Weight Watchers two days ago, but for about the last year I have been looking at this book: The G.I. Diet: The Easy, Healthy Way to Permanent Weight Loss. You see I am a carb addict and I know that I need help making some choices.
Am I over complicating things?
So... Yeah, New Years resolutions...
On December 26th I went to the doctor, setting up as a new patient to discuss my asthma, and for the first time in my life I had a doctor talk to me about my weight. I know I'm thirty and getting older by the day, I know that for the last five or so years I have been heavier than I have wanted to be, but I thought that was just my vanity. Turns out tipping 200 lbs is when a 5'3" female needs to stop eating.
Now the Doc didn't put it like that, she delicately suggested I give up Soda, drink mostly water and increase my activity. That is a tactful "Dear you need to go on a Diet." Which isn't a real problem, its easy enough to lose weight, or simple but not easy.. For I am a foody. I love to cook and enjoy rich foods, the more flavor the better. Now my portions have never been large, so figuring out the right Diet for me has been fun.
Prepackaged Diets won't work, if I don't enjoy what I'm eating I won't eat.
My doctor outright told me that Fad Diets have really bad rebound rate, with people generally regaining the weight and then some.
So here is what I am looking at, I want to marry a few programs. I skip breakfast and that is a no-no, so I will be doing a slim-fast shake in the morning, I signed up for Weight Watchers two days ago, but for about the last year I have been looking at this book: The G.I. Diet: The Easy, Healthy Way to Permanent Weight Loss. You see I am a carb addict and I know that I need help making some choices.
Am I over complicating things?
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