My PC flashes at me in a guilty tone of green. Are the crashes behind me? Will my internet browser remain thawed, never to freeze again?
The Magic City
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Having the Stones to Write
I normally don't have much time to write. It really stinks, actually. I have a demanding day job that I WISH could be nine to five. It is more like nine to midnight, if I am lucky. I made a promise to myself to shlog through November and finish my two works in progress. I had a plan. It was a good plan. Somewhere around 3:10 a.m last Thursday, the plan went to hell.
I woke with a pain in my central rib cage and shortness of breath. After a hearty meal at the Cheesecake Factory (what could be healthier), my first thought was that I had heartburn. A few Tums later, nothing changed. I woke my husband and made him drive me to the hospital. I felt like a total hypochondriac in the ER admitting area (although, I must say, the lack of a sense of urgency with the triage nurse perturbed me to no end).
I know I need to eat better and exercise, but I love gooey, cheesy, flavorful foods and sitting on my big fat keister. Simple pleasures - when you find them you have to savor them. However, fearfully I gave my me eculpa to the ER doc, promised to put myself on the straight and narrow, and begged him to make the blasted pain go away.
Several hours later, after an ultrasound, x-ray and blood work, I got the verdict. Gall stones. I had gall stones. I am only 36. This guy must be kidding me. And his delivery, oh it was priceless.
"You have gall stones. Your gall bladder needs to come out. Here is a list of two surgeons. Do you want us to call one for you, or do you have your own?" Like I keep a surgeon on speed dial.
I find myself now trying to rearrange a work schedule, sneak in the much needed house repairs in the next two weeks, and schedule a surgery. My poor plan was the first casualty. I had a color coded calendar and everything.
The question remains, during my downtime following surgery when I am confined to my bed, will I have the stones to write?
I woke with a pain in my central rib cage and shortness of breath. After a hearty meal at the Cheesecake Factory (what could be healthier), my first thought was that I had heartburn. A few Tums later, nothing changed. I woke my husband and made him drive me to the hospital. I felt like a total hypochondriac in the ER admitting area (although, I must say, the lack of a sense of urgency with the triage nurse perturbed me to no end).
I know I need to eat better and exercise, but I love gooey, cheesy, flavorful foods and sitting on my big fat keister. Simple pleasures - when you find them you have to savor them. However, fearfully I gave my me eculpa to the ER doc, promised to put myself on the straight and narrow, and begged him to make the blasted pain go away.
Several hours later, after an ultrasound, x-ray and blood work, I got the verdict. Gall stones. I had gall stones. I am only 36. This guy must be kidding me. And his delivery, oh it was priceless.
"You have gall stones. Your gall bladder needs to come out. Here is a list of two surgeons. Do you want us to call one for you, or do you have your own?" Like I keep a surgeon on speed dial.
I find myself now trying to rearrange a work schedule, sneak in the much needed house repairs in the next two weeks, and schedule a surgery. My poor plan was the first casualty. I had a color coded calendar and everything.
The question remains, during my downtime following surgery when I am confined to my bed, will I have the stones to write?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Countdown has begun!
The countdown has begun. I will win at NaNoWriMo this year. To quote Yosemite Sam, "Dagnabit!" A little motivation surfaced this week when someone emailed me this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G84wr7nP7ck) - I am motivated to write (and lose weight - need to trim down the derriere if we are going to appear in videos)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Stuff in the Middle
The best part of an Oreo is the stuff in the middle. It holds the yummy chocolate cookies together. I love the stuff in the middle. Until now.
I am stuck in the middle of outlining my story. I know where I want to end. I like where I have started. The blasted stuff in the middle is driving me crazy. There are too many paths to take. It's worse than going to an all you can eat gourmet buffet on a full stomach. Lots of great choices, but you have to pick one.
Blasted stuff in the middle.
I am stuck in the middle of outlining my story. I know where I want to end. I like where I have started. The blasted stuff in the middle is driving me crazy. There are too many paths to take. It's worse than going to an all you can eat gourmet buffet on a full stomach. Lots of great choices, but you have to pick one.
Blasted stuff in the middle.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
NaNoWriMo and the Snowflake Method
OK - I have a PLAN. You now I am serious because I capitalized it.
THE PLAN is this - use the Snowflake method to prepare for NaNoWriMO in October, write like a crazy person in November, and celebrate with a finished first draft in December. The underpants gnomes have nothing on me when it comes to planning! What could possibly go wrong?
Phase one is in motion - I am working on step 3 of the snowflake method (character summaries) today. If I can match my ambition with hard work this weekend, I might make it to step five. Lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens . . .
THE PLAN is this - use the Snowflake method to prepare for NaNoWriMO in October, write like a crazy person in November, and celebrate with a finished first draft in December. The underpants gnomes have nothing on me when it comes to planning! What could possibly go wrong?
Phase one is in motion - I am working on step 3 of the snowflake method (character summaries) today. If I can match my ambition with hard work this weekend, I might make it to step five. Lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens . . .
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Killer Nashville
I just returned from Killer Nashville, and I can't sing its praises enough. I had a great time, and feel inspired to write (OK - I get that I am procrastinating by blogging as opposed to hitting my draft, but I AM typing - that should count for something). Guilt is now setting in. I am off to my manuscript. Until next time . . .
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I'm stuck
I am in process of writing an urban-fantasy mystery, and I am horribly stuck. I have lots of ideas, and I have created characters I love. I am having a hard time, though, communicating both. In trying to develop the story, when I focus on the characters, the action and story lag. When I focus on the story, I feel like I am moving my characters around a Candy Land board rather than letting events unfold truly to them.
OK, back to writing. I think I started this blog as a distraction from the doing the hard work I need to do. I have successfully parlayed research into a weekend project, I need to finish the working outline (it is at 15 pages currently; 6 chapters. I know how I want to end, I am just trying to beef up the middle with all the good stuff).
OK, back to writing. I think I started this blog as a distraction from the doing the hard work I need to do. I have successfully parlayed research into a weekend project, I need to finish the working outline (it is at 15 pages currently; 6 chapters. I know how I want to end, I am just trying to beef up the middle with all the good stuff).
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