Monday, October 29, 2007

Learning Curve

I have learned two things about my writing this week.

First, I cannot write sex scenes when there is anyone else in the house.

Second, my daughter is a more dedicated writer than I am.

Earlier in the week we were sitting in the living room watching America's Next Top Model. We both had our lap tops out, we both had the urge to write. It went something like this:

Her: plinkety plinkety plink plink plinkety plink
Me: tap tappa pause pause tap
Her: plinka plinka plinka plink plink plinkety
Me: tap tap pause tap pause delete delete delete

The end result:
Her: I only got ten pages done.
Me: Shut up and pass me the chips.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Check In

Yesterday may have been a total bust as far as writing went, but I did better today. I got about 600 words done on Changeling, which brings me to almost 2000 words total so far on the Sweatin' Challenge.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

One of Those Days . . .

Have you ever had one of those days where you sit down to write and the words just flow out of you? You know what I mean, when the writing is so effortless that it’s a wonder your typing can keep up with the flow.

This is not one of those days.

Neither was yesterday.

Instead, this is one of those days where the writing is going nowhere fast. When the words are stuck so firmly in my head that even dynamite can’t shake them loose.

I’ve been sitting here in my office for the last couple of hours staring at the screen on my lap top and nothing. Don’t feel like reading; went to the AW message board for inspiration but didn’t find any; don’t really have any distractions.

Yet still I sit. The day outside is grey, cool and windy. Maybe my words have gone into hibernation for the winter.

Maybe I just need a nap.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Check In

I must admit, I'm a little disappointed in myself. I've only added another 750 words to my word count since my last check in.

My mind just keeps revolving, scattering my thoughts hither and yon. I'm doodling with words, not creating with them.

It's not that I don't know where to go with any of my WIP - I have oodles of ideas churning around inside this thick skull of mine. I just don't seem all that motivated to evict them from my head onto the page.

Maybe I'm afraid if I get rid of them by writing I'll have nothing left in my head. Hey, it's a thought!

Quiz Day







What Kind of Angel are you?




GUARDIAN ANGEL
you love to help, you can't bear someone suffering, you give hope and calm to the world
Take this quiz!








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Sunday, October 21, 2007

Missed It

You know, the problem with missed opportunities is that they seldom appear again.

Today was a breath-takingly beautiful day. The fall colours were extreme, the air was warm with just a breath of coolness, the sun was out in all its glory. I was even up by a decent hour.

But instead of getting out and enjoying the weather while it lasts, I piddled around at this and that. Then I decided to get some writing done which meant I had to shovel off my desk first (which was no one's fault but my own 'cause I started using it as a dumping ground).

Then I had a nap which I really didn't need and when I woke up went back to more picking up and piddling around.

The only good thing to come out of this story is the fact while I was sleeping I was visited by the plot bunny dream fairy who showed me how to get over a plot hurdle in Lost and Found.

So in the end, I guess the day wasn't a total loss. But I swear, if tomorrow is even half as beautiful as today was I'm going to get out there and enjoy it. Even if it's just to have a cup of tea on the deck.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Weather

Is it just me or does it seem like the weather gods are messing with us lately?

Yesterday was incredibly foggy. And the fog got worse the further from the lake you got, which makes no sense at all. The sunrise was beautiful though, it tinted the fog pink and then we got a thunder storm. So picture a pink sky with the sun trying to peer through, and flashes of lightning through the pink.

Then today it poured rain all day. And it's been getting steadily warmer. It's crazy, I tell you!

The cable was out last night, which turned out to be both a good and a bad thing. It was bad because I missed Smallville, and I was really looking forward to it! But it was good because without television or internet, I got some good writing done. For once I'm actually looking forward to the Sunday check-in.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Quiz Day

What Kind of Reader Are You?
Your Result: Dedicated Reader

You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You?

Check In

Well, it's not the strongest start I've ever made, but it's a start. I have to admit I've been pretty scattered this week. Seriously scattered. To the point where I'm contemplating carrying a little notebook around with me to remind me of stuff.

Total word count so far this week is 1,086. I think I'm going to have to create a spread sheet to keep track of just how much progress I'm making and on which WIP. I get confused easily.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

It's a Go

I was thinking during the writing blitz I may have to cut back on my posting, but I forgot I could probably post from work if I have to.

Admittedly, I'm getting off to a slow start. I got some writing done yesterday but I'm feeling like crap today and don't feel the least bit guilty about not getting much done. I feel more guilty for not getting the daughter's birthday cheesecake made, but that's another story.

Since the check ins for the 70 Days of Sweat are Wednesdays and Sundays, those are the days I'll update my Zokutou bars and post my progress.

And so it begins.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Insanity

Okay, I've officially lost my mind. I have signed up for both the 70 Days of Sweat and the Nanowrimo.

The 70 Days of Sweat begins October 15 and runs until January 15. The extra few days is to give us a break over the holidays. I'm going to attempt to finish my 3 current works in progress for the necessary sweating wordage. If you, too, would like to sweat, click HERE.

The National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) begins on November 1 and ends November 30. I will be starting a new piece for this challenge. If you would like a more difficult challenge, you can sign up HERE.

And no, I don't consider it cheating to have booked a week's holidays in November. One, I failed to complete either challenge last time so my goal is to complete at least one of them this time around. And two, last time (when I failed) I was doing the challenges separately. This time I'll be doing them at the same time.

Like I said. I've lost my mind.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Coolness

This is so totally cool I just had to share. If you've ever wondered whether you think mostly with the left side or the right side of your brain, click HERE

Someone posted this on the Absolute Write Office Party forum. You look at the picture and you'll see the woman spinning either clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you try hard enough, you might be able to make her change direction.

It was very interesting to see the replies to the post. While a few people, like me, could only see her spin in one direction, many were able to make her change direction at will.

I don't know how this is possible, but I find it very fascinating.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Trouble

You know, I don't think you people realize the trouble I go to for you with those quizes. The text from the pirate's quiz was off center so I had a bit of fiddling around to get it to appear just right. And the text from the dragon quiz and the goddess quiz was really hard to read, so I had to got into the html coding to change the colour. I'm actually surprised I remember the coding.

Okay, I'll be honest here. I only vaguely remembered what to do. I ended up surfing the net for information and found a really cool html colour chat. If I had more free time I would consider making a web page again.

Even though this week was supposed to be my rest from writing to get other things done, I don't seem to be any more motivated to get other things done. I have, however, started thinking about the impending Nanowrimo. In fact, I have an idea for this year's novel. Guess that makes my decision about whether or not I'm participating pretty easy. Maybe I should start making notes before it gets away from me.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Quiz

In keeping with the previous post, here's Wednesday's quiz:







Which Reincarnation of a Goddess are you?




You're Freya!! She too is cool. The goddess of Celtic wonders and she really loves cats!!! I'm Jealous of you!!!!Just kidding, anyways, She is part of the celtic three...Not saying who, you'll have to read my story line to find out!!!
Take this quiz!








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Believe

Do you believe in reincarnation?

I most certainly do. I don't just believe, I know I've lived previous lives. I think it's more arrogant to believe that this is all there is, or that once our time here is done we'll end up in some magical paradise.

That being said, I also think it's ridiculous for those who do believe to assume that in a past life they were always someone important - a king or queen, someone of political or historic importance.

Have you ever met someone that you've either been instantly friends with, or taken an instant dislike to? It's very possible you knew them well in a previous life and there's a good reason for your reaction to them in this life. The same can be true for many of our phobias that seem to have no basis for fear.


I believe that in one of my past lives I either starved to death or watched as my family starved to death (or maybe both). I think this is why I have such a fear of someone going hungry in my house. I make too much at mealtimes, stock up on too much food when I grocery shop, and I like to stockpile.

I also believe that I was on the Titanic, probably in steerage, when it sank. I've always had a fear of drowning, although I'm not afraid of the water itself. When I was little we used to have big ships docking at our harbour and I was always terrified of them. And I used to have to drive along a stretch of road that wound along beside a river when I'd go to visit a friend and I was always afraid of driving off into the river and drowning.

So, as Muldar would say, I believe.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day!

I'm not usually so smarmy, but when I got to thinking about it, I realized I really do have a lot to be thankful for.

I have food and shelter, good friends, and a job that's not as bad as I make it out to be.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my family. I have a husband who puts up with all of my crap, and a daughter who's surpassed all my dreams for her.

To the health and happines of one and all. Cheers!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

October?

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this October? If so, then why am I sitting in the living room with the deck door wide open and the fan on? If it doesn't cool down a great deal overnight I can see having the air conditioning on tomorrow when I have to cook the turkey.

I'm starting to think that if I can't come up with more to say between Wednesdays that I should only have Quizday once a month. I think my blog is in danger of turning into quizes only.

So much for getting caught up on my bills this week. I spent an obscene amount of money on groceries - of course when the turkey was $35 it was pretty easy to run up the bill. And I sill have to go back for the stuff I missed.

Notice how I've been avoiding the subject of writing? That's because there's not much to report. When the writing's not going well I feel guilty when I keep struggling because there's always other things I could be doing. So, I'm taking a little break so I can get caught up on a few other things without guilt.

I'm giving it one more week and then it'll be time to gear up for the Nanowrimo.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Quizday!

Okay, I don't know about you, but I really like dragons!







What elemental dragon are you?




You are an Earth Dragon! You have a knack for Nature or animals, and are peaceful, careful, charming, and optimistic. You can throw a tantrum now or then, but who doesn't? You value simple things in life, such as friends, family, and Nature.
Take this
quiz!








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Monday, October 1, 2007

New Month

Happy first day of October!

No, I'm not really as cheerful as that sounds. It was just to throw you off.

There's a really weird flu bug going around and it looks like I'm getting it. When you're not sleeping, you're either headachey and nauseous, or your head and chest feel like they're being compressed with pressure and you have dizzy spells. I've had it for a couple of days now and I'm ready to say adios to it.

Despite this, I got some constructiveness out of the day. Checked all my e-mails, updated my Facebook (which I'm starting to think is more trouble than it's worth) AND (drum roll please) I got some writing done. Not a lot, mind you, but it's sure better than nothing.