I haven't been around the blogsphere the last couple weeks; sort of taking a break to catch up on reading for pleasure and critiquing a fellow author's WIP. Awesome read: can't wait for it to be published for all to see. And the really cool thing is that I got to read something as it's being created.
If you ever get the chance to be a beta reader, I hope you do it with the spirit of honestly assisting the writer in turning a fabulous idea into a great reading experience for the intended audience. I worried through the whole experience my feedback was to harsh or inappropriate. But I hope I gave it the time and energy it deserved because the author put so much effort into the work.
My New Years Resolution this year is to begin another writing project. I'm not sure the Trilogy I've been working on is going anywhere, and after nearly four years of agonizing over every scene and turn of phrase, it's time to try something new. I'm a closet fan of Harlequin Blaze novels - I've only read a few and can't remember the book titles. But I remember the intense enjoyment I got out of the novellas. Short and intense is what my short stories have been focusing on lately.
My writers group got me started on this with a prompt. TWENTY PACES is what came out of that session:
NO!
The word - more a feeling - clanged through her mind like a death knell.
It was only an alley, and not that long, or that dark.
Shit!
Twenty paces, the man had said. Then a bright red door to the left. Can’t miss it, there’s nothing else around.
Except the trash dumpsters, stacks of milk crates, and tons of homeless derelicts sleeping in boxes and discarded mattresses. Nah; nothing to threaten a 23 year old bleach blond in stilettos and little black dress. Nothing her little .22 Derringer couldn’t take care of in a pinch. If they knew it was there. If they didn’t know the clasp stuck most times, and even when it opened, they didn’t know the gun was nearly bigger than the clutch bag that held it. Or that she’d left the cell phone at home on her dresser because it was the phone or the gun in the useless black-
But, never mind hind sight.
How far was twenty paces?
A man on the street bumped her, knocked her into the alley, and strode on as if he didn’t see her. Typical for her profession; the men either lusted after her or pretended not to notice her. Oh well, she was in the alley now, at the very edge of the circle of street light. Forward into the fire-lit dark, or back into the halogen dimness of uptown?
She tapped her pointed toe just this side of the illumination as sensed movement and the curious caress of eyes turning her direction. A police siren warbled behind her. She took an unconscious step into the unknown depths. Just men, she justified to herself. She was used to men.
Handsome, ugly, fat, short, stoned, demanding; she’d done them all. And collected her fee, even from the ones that hurt her. Physical pain went away. Money helped it along.
A thousand dollars was nothing to sneeze at. For that money, the John probably had drugs, booze. A friend. Maybe three. That was OK; was standard risk. But, the alley, the homeless, twenty paces?
The vagrants had begun to move as she deliberated. She looked into the teeth of the dark alley, then glanced back to the relative security of the empty street. Six in one hand, half dozen in the other. The single circle of street light separated the decision.
I think its a good start. I know where the next scene leads, and the next chapter - another prompt that seemed to tie into this. Or will, once I'm done with it.
Is anyone else working on new projects for this year? Or perhaps revisiting "abandoned" work thats been sitting on the proverbial back burner waiting for new inspiration?
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
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I'M IT
|A couple weeks ago, Laura Martone tagged me in a question and answer game, and I’m finally getting around to playing. I read her answers, as well as several others who have also participated:
Stephanie Thornton
Bane of Anubis
Rick Daly
Free The Princess
Anita Saxena
L.T. Host
Not a complete list, but if you click on the links, you can find more people who have also been willing to expose their secrets. Here goes mine:
1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
(Heh heh! This post.) The last thing was a thriller short story titled ONE MORE TIME. It started from a prompt in my writers group and took several months before I did anything with it. I was pleased with the results.
My first novel is called GIRL IN A WHEELCHAIR, and was written in long hand when I was a freshman in high school. I still have the notebook lying around somewhere. I run across it occasionally when I’m packing moving boxes. The last time I read it I nearly threw it away it was so badly written. I keep it to show myself how much I’ve learned about writing since then.
2. Write poetry?
No. I struggle with prose in my novel writing. I never got the hang of poetry.
Though I did write a pretty decent sonnet for a creative writing class in high school. I must have wasted all my poetry skills in that one long episode.
3. Angsty poetry?
No.
4. Favorite genre of writing?
Literary. I think. My novel started out that way, then I attempted to make it a romance, but I’m not sure yet if its literary or women’s fiction or just plain commercial. My short stories are thrillers however.
5. Most annoying character you've ever created?
Critter, in the second novel. Sneaky little tweaker that Cal likes because of Critter’s illicit connections. Critter isn’t liked by anyone, but for some reason he’s in the middle of everything important.
6. Best Plot you've ever created?
Definitely the plot for TWO MINUTES IN TOMORROW. A ten year old who hides from the bed monster in his closet and finds himself transported into a misty morning. He spends the day being “fast forwarded” from one event to another, all leading up to the moment his older brother shoots the school bully. While the cops are discussing the placement of snipers, my hero closes his eyes and wills himself into the room his brother is hiding in. Instead he appears outside the door, and as he turns the knob and rushes into the room he finds himself again in his bedroom closet. When he wakes in the morning certain events repeat themselves. He’s convinced he has been given a premonition so he can stop the shooting.
7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
That’s easy. In ONE MORE TIME Joni’s ultimate fear causes her to murder her husband. Even I didn’t see that coming until it happened.
8. How often do you get writer's block?
I’m with Rick Daly on this one; I get lazy. I have a hard time coming up with an idea, but once I sit down with a blank word document the words practically write themselves. I get frustrated at having to stop for any reason, because I’m lazy about getting back on the computer.
9. Write fan fiction?
No clue what that is, even after reading some of the other responses.
10. Do you type or write by hand?
Both, though I stick mostly to the computer. I think differently with a pen (pencil actually) and some ideas just have to be fleshed out in longhand. I also critique with a pencil and printed copy of the work.
11. Do you save everything you write?
Yes. It is a capital crime in my house to throw away a piece of paper. I leave pages everywhere and eventually put them in a box. I might throw it away if I’ve typed it in a word document. My shortest work in progress has only two sentences:
“Why is it raining?”
“Because I’m sad.”
Ok, maybe I do suffer from writers block. I know where I want to go with this beginning, but I can’t seem to get any further than the concept in my head. Next line, obviously is: “Why are you crying?” Even that doesn't help. But its saved under the auspicious title NEW STORY.
12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
Well, technically its not abandoned if I go back to it.
13. What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
My third novel, ENDURING FREEDOM.
14. What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
I don’t share everything I write with others. ENDURING FREEDOM is over 118,000 words and nobody but me has ever read it. But of the projects I’ve allowed others to read, I think ONE MORE TIME is the favorite.
15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
No teen drama, angst or otherwise. I’ve tried my hand at romance, but I don’t think it reads as romance. Probably because I rarely read the genre. I’m not the chic lit type, and the Danielle Steele type romances turn me off completely. I’ve read three Nora Roberts books and was totally bored.
16. What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Home. In my opinion, its the place where the worst things happen to people. Now that I think of it, almost every one of my stories starts in the bedroom. And no, its never a sex scene. I save those for later chapters.
17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
I’m not sure I’d call them all writing projects. There’s the trilogy; one complete and being queried, the second is in revision, the third is still a long ways from being finished. Then two chapters of CATHY’S STORY, and the prequel to the trilogy BECOMING AMY, which was originally part of the first book. I also have a couple of flash fiction writings I’d like to merge and make the first two chapters of a novel, and about three or four other concepts with nothing more than titles and up to ten pages written.
18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
No.
19. What are your five favorite words?
“I want to represent you.” After I hear (read in an e-mail) those five, they’ll change to “I found you a publisher.”
20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?
Amy Thompson. Many of my readers have asked if her story is based on my life. The answer is no, but too many of her character traits mirror my own.
21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?
From real people mostly. Sometimes I borrow from other writers if there’s some characteristic that stands out as perfect for one of my own characters.
22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
All my dreams are about being published. That would get boring very quickly.
23. Do you favor happy endings?
No. That’s probably why I suck at romance. I’m too realistic.
24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Depends on how focused I am on the idea. If I have a good flow going, I try to ignore all the red and blue squiggles and just get it written. But my fingers are expert at finding the backspace key without my permission.
25. Does music help you write?
Only as background noise because I can’t write in silence. I prefer music with no singers so I don’t become distracted, but I’ve been know to put in Pink Floyd’s PULSE CD and not hear a single word. The only music that has helped me write is Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s song “Like We Never Loved At All.” That was the inspiration behind the third novel, and every time I ran into problems with Cal and Amy’s relationship scenes, I played this song and knew exactly how it should be written.
26. Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
“Come on Bro; trust me?”
Cal held out for only a second. “Of course. Always.”
This is the concept that defines Cal and Robert’s relationship. I put this in the header during revision and it helped me develop not only their characters, but the love triangle aspect of the plot.
Whew; that took longer than I thought to answer. Now its my turn to pass this along. After reading Davin Maelstrom’s post on Social Circles at The Literary Lab, I think I’ll take this opportunity to widen my own circle by tagging Susan Quinn, Julie Dao, Elaine Still Writing, and Matilda McCloud Josin McQuein, and GhostFolk. These are all writers who follow several of the same sites I do, but I only occasionally view their blogs. My loss there, because I always enjoy their postings.
So come on; tell me Who Are You?
ANNONYMOUS
|No, I haven't forgotten that I've been "tagged" by Laura Martone. I've just had a few other posts on my mind lately - yes, I'm easily distracted - and haven't put the time and effort into accepting the challenge. I'm an introvert. No really; despite my rather public blog, and divulging opinions on topics I have essentially no credentials in, disclosing my personal self was never a consideration in this experiment. I didn't realize I'd have to be so "public" with my intimate self. Because you can't very well have quantified opinions without acknowledging how the issues affect you (me) personally. So much for "best laid plans". I'll get there, the TAG questions; because I really want to participate. And, I have a few ideas of my own about the invitation. I like that I was tagged. So wait for it; its coming.
As you see if you are a regular follower (or lurker; I like to believe I have lots of those) my blog posts are not consistent, though I prefer the Sunday norm. Why Sunday? Well, I'm usually up late Saturday night, and a post at 2am Sunday is still a Sunday post, and doesn't interfere with my sleeping in til mid morning and never getting a shower or changing out of my pj's. Sundays are my day to stick my tongue out at everyone and say, "Nope" to everything. My only real day off from my day job.
As I've admitted though, I'm easily distracted; and what distracted me tonight was Jessica Faust at Bookends. I don't think she meant her post to be about "Annonymous" commentors - judging by her lack of involvement in the discussion in the comments - but her innocent mention seems to have taken her blog in an unexpected direction. Like what happens with our characters in our novels; commenters don't always follow a prescribed theme as imagined by the host.
The thread of conversation on Jessica's post is nothing new, though I'll only link to one other Annonymous Comments post.
"Gosh Donna, it seems like you're partial to Nathan Bransford's opinion?"
The answer is: yeah. I queried, I was rejected; but that doesn't end my respect for Nathan as a agent. Or as a blogger. I've learned a lot about the publishing business from following his blog; and I've taken advantage of his links to fellow Agents, industry bloggers and writers resources. You don't see those same links on my own blog because I haven't figured out how to display them. Yet.
I'll get there technologically. Patience, Grasshopper. You got insights; feel free to leave them in the comments section. I'll eventually understand.
Uhm, back to the original topic:
Jessica's post on reality Tv was overtaken by a simple comment; "Obviously I beg to differ (especially since I’ve never even read Twilight), but who’s to argue with “Anonymous.” Well, if you clicked on the above link to Jessica, you probably read all the comments; and if you did not, I encourage you to read the ongoing discussion because it is a frequent topic in many Blogs. Annonymous posts, that is. I must say, I was really surprised the Annonymous comment became the topic of discussion and not the "Twilight" reference. Wierd.
Now let me first assure you that Annon posts are not rejected out of hand. On any of the blogs I follow. Some people contend that Annon comments are always from those wishing to create bad feelings without any identity connections. While I agree that the majority of disparaging comments come from annonymous posters, not all comments that diverge from the accepted norm are disrespectful. But the truly rude, obnoxious, hurtful things that no human being would say in the midst of a crowd usually emanate from an Annonymous commenter. Really; I can't imagine these individuals saying such things at a writers conference, with a multitude of Agents/Editors staring directly into their eyes.
Would you walk up to your supervisor at your day job in a monkey suit and tell him/her they are a fat ugly buffoon if you were not wearing the same disguise 10 other co-workers were wearing that year?
And lets face it folks; though you don't actually see the person or group you are conversing with, you get a sense of community in these blog sites. I mean, I do. I think I've made "friends" with people in this environment that I may never have had a conversation with if I'd met them in person. Why? Because I don't get to read their bio before hand, or eaves drop in their conversations in a crowded room. Most of the people I blog with in here I'd probably never have introduced myself to at a writer's conference. Because they're strangers. But, reading a profile and seeing a picture - even if it is an Avatar - tells me something about the person I'm about to have a conversation with.
Am I being false with myself here? No. But I've been able to "stalk" YOU from afar before I ever gained the courage to "speak" to you on your blog. Being Annonymous is the same as lurking in the shadows, getting to know someone before you expose yourself to scrutiny. Is that bad? No. But, hiding yourself among a sea of Annonymous commenters; well, I'd be creeped out if I ever saw you in person and you never gave yourself so much as a moniker to identify yourself.
You know everything about me because I'm public; I know nothing about you because you choose to hide in obscurity. Yet, I'm not supposed to be afraid? "No really, pretty lady (sexy guy). I'm the Annonymous poster on your blog. I've been following you for the last 16 weeks; I don't mean you no harm; I just want you to talk to me. Don't you recognize me from my posts."
Well, because I'm really shy; an introvert with little social skills in the wider world. I can comment on your blog after months of Lurking, and you return my conversation because it is appropriate to your post, doesn't mean you know anything about me. Would you dance with me if I asked you in the bar? Not likely. Would you give me the time of day in a social setting if I introduced myself as "annonymous", no matter how gorgeous I was, at any social event? Not likely. Not because of what I say - but because I'm too much a mystery to get personal with. Except for a one-night-stand (lol).
I equeate the annonymous moniker with a guy in a bar who asks me to dance by but refuses to talk about himself, and tells me everything I'd every want to know about myself because he read it somewhere in a bio.
Here for one reason only and gone from my mind in the next line.
Is that wrong? No. We see what is presented. And in the blog world, your bio is not the only thing presented. Roni asked about personal bios (About Me) on blog profiles; if anyone reads them, if they influence your desire to read on or follow a blog. Again, this was an excellent discussion, and I urge you to read the comments.
I have read a lot of comments from "Annonymous" on influential blogs that have valid opinions - even if they disagree with the norm. I don't re-visit a blog because all the attendees agree with my opinion; rather I'm there for the discussion and the opportunity to connect (network), learn something new, and disclose my opinion. Right or wrong doesn't play into the equation. And what I say to the Annons of the blogosphere is: yeah, you have the right to conceal your identity. I see some very valid reasons for doing so. Please continue to offer your insights. I don't need to know your real identity to value your comments.
However; I would like just a small token of signature to know which "annon" I am addressing. Anon at 5:42, Anon at 5:57, and Anon at 7:53 is all the same person to me. Annonymous, narrative, signed: hating all martians - is someone I can direct my rebuttal to specifically. My response to you if your handle is Beevus today, and Butthead tomorrow, is no different. What is different, is my ability to speak to you individually; as a person who exists among a world of Annons. But I can't differentiate your "voice" from the last 4 annons that said "no, that wasn't me" unless you leave a small token of identity. 111; 222; hates you all; loves poetry. How you sign doesn't matter.
Just the act of signing your personal views matters. So I can talk to you, agree with you, dispute your opinion, bring my resources to bear.
Heavy cheese, I know. But you know I'll lighten the mood with a song. Think, think. Ok. Got it.
I don't want anyone - Annonymous or not - to think I don't Feel The Love Tonight. Because, I value everyone's opinion/feedback.
AH, TO BE A PUBLISHED AUTHOR
|Couldn't help myself tonight; while I'm working on a new short story concept my mind was distracted by the implications of publishing.
One of my friends self published. An excellent writer. I read his unpublished version and liked it. But I worry for him because I've heard so much negativity about e-publishing, POD, inde publishers. At a workshop, one publisher commented that self publishing is not a bad thing, and an agent will not automatically reject a query based on that alternative; but she did caution that a poor publishing trac record is worse than being an unknown author.
What if my friend does not have the drive to sell more than a couple dozen novels beyond his friends, family and co-workers?
Richard Paul Evans, best-selling author of THE CHRISTMAS BOX, gave an interview on the self publishing journey for The Writing World and states "you will see both history and the law of chance aren't on your side". He also suggests: "I would definitely begin by submitting the book to traditional publishers through an agent rather than trying to send it to publishers directly." Simon and Shuster eventually picked him up as a client, paying $4.5 million in an advance.
The author's at SlushPile.net agree that "self-publishing can be a viable business decision for certain people. But I don’t believe in resorting to it just because you think the mainstream publishing industry is comprised of meanies who aren’t smart enough to comprehend your art."
This article on HOW TO BE A BEST-SELLING SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR summs up all my own reservations on the subject. So when my favorite agent Nathan Bransford asked WILL AUTHORS OF THE FUTURE NEED PUBLISHERS, I had to really think about my answer. There are all types of publishing options out there today - for the dedicated author. I'm hearing (by way of blog browsing) a lot about how todays author needs to be out-going and self motivated. Not just with the traditional book signing and reading tours, but to be able to create and maintain a blog or web site for the perusal of fans; to be proactive in the marketing to their target audience; to be a voice in the creative world.
Ok, that last is my own fears of public scrutiny. I'm currently beta reading a fellow-bloggers novel, and scared to death I'll say something hurtful or offensive. But maybe you get the idea; that writing that niggling story concept might be the easy part. Selling it, selling yourself, not so easy.
I've taken the time lately to read a few new novels written by my favorite authors: Jodi Piccoult, Sandra Brown, Stephen King, Dean Koontz. Ahem - Terry Brooks, Stephen R Donaldson, David Eddings. (Yeah, I'm behind in my fantasy reading, but I love the less recently published the best.) And sometimes I wonder: Why didn't I think of that? Why can't I write that beautifully?
I'll never write poetry, but prose; there's true art. Everyday, I click on my blogfriend Tabitha Bird for inspiration, but Miss Tired always arrives instead. And my friend David Allee, author of Wind In The Pass also has shown me the beauty of descriptions, but the lessons just don't sink in when I'm staring at my own writing. Another story that tickled my writer's fancy was created almost causally by Rick Daly, but I find I don't have the heart for happy endings.
So the conflict - to self publish (even to e-publish) or not - wages in my mind. Vanity presses and self publishing propaganda promise much, cost much. Then I open any one of my WIPs, and tell myself "this is good"; ignoring the latest rejection e-mail.
THIS IS HOW YOU REMIND ME that I'm good at my day job. But following writer and agent blogs reminds me I could be something else. Something creative and beautiful. Oh what gluttons for punishment we writers are!!!!!
Good luck my newly published author friend. May this be the first step in your rise to the best seller list.
LURKER NEWS
|One of my favorite procrastination tactics is to surf the blogosphere (haha; spell checker changed it to "photosphere"). Not the “net”, heaven forbid, as it is too big a universe for this self proclaimed introvert. Just the blogs I follow, or have saved on my favorites to visit upon occasion. I’m not one that always leaves a comment - as I’ve frequently announced - even on the blogs of my followers; but I do have a Lurker habit of clicking on random names just to see what is going on in the world outside my limited community. Let me give you a hint of what amused me most this week.
Several blogs have referenced Alan Kaufman’s essay on the demise of the printed book, heralding the end of an age, but I especially enjoyed Ink’s heart-wrenching perspective. Then there was Elle Strauss and her discussion with her daughter about Jesus’ birthday. (I’m sure there will be plenty more of that this month, though my first encounter with this sentiment was on Tara’s blog. You should read the comments; they're pretty amazing.)
Speaking of firsts, my follower Julie Dao had a beautiful post about first love. If you haven’t had the experience of visiting her blog before, be sure to scroll down to her previous posts. I always come away from her site more contented than when I arrived.
Scrolling through several favorites, I clicked on Sex Scenes at Starbucks (you gotta totally love that name) because I’ve seen her around and wanted to know more about her. Ghost Folk has also caught my attention several times, and surprise, surprise, his site is all about ghosts. Not creepy at all; I was fascinated. Really; click through his links, but be prepared to get lost in the mystery.
And along the mystery lines, maybe many of you already know Tricia O’Brien and her exploration of all things Earthly, but I was impressed with her musings and analogies. Don’t stop on the first posts; click on older posts and discover a world that has always been there, if you’re not too busy to look.
Sometimes I get so caught up in my own routine, I forget there is a larger world out there, with views and perspectives to share. And if I’m not careful, I’ll miss What A Wonderful World it is beyond my limited horizon.
And if you feel I failed to mention a post worth linking to, feel free to share in the comments section.
SOLITAIRE
|Naturally: Friday, after the 3pm break at work, and the topic of discussion is the coming payday weekend; if you work in an office environment.
When the question came to me, my first response was “I hope to go home to an empty house tonight.” Yep, I’m old enough to be anticipating the “empty nest syndrome”. In fact, I’d be there now, if I didn’t have that pesky 11 year old to deal with.
I have five children; the first four from 19 to 26. The last; well lets say I decided not to wait for grandchildren to satisfy that final biological clock question. I don’t regret that last one, but I don’t enjoy my grandchildren as much as I should because I’m still in the mommy phase of life.
How does that relate to solitaire, you ask. Well, Friday I wanted to come home and find my youngest son - and his father, my ex-husband - long gone. We have a relationship, the ex and I, and even if he’d just picked up his kid and left before I returned home from work (he has a key to my house and frequently spends the night for convenience), I’d probably be disappointed we didn’t get to have a personal conversation. Yep, I'm that desperate for casual communication. I talk, he listens - or at least doesn't interrupt with his own personal crisis.
So he left with my son for the weekend, and even agreed to bring him home on Sunday so I wouldn’t have to drive (the ex knows how much I hate getting out of my pj’s on a Sunday) and I thought: yah, the computer is all mine.
First thing I did was click on all my favorite blog sites. I don’t always leave comments during the week because I know I have a limited time on the computer before my son complains about his quality time, but now I can leave long, detailed comments. Probably not good for the poor souls I visited b/c I have time to write nearly a novel in the comments.
I catch up on my e-mails and blog comments, visit The Pubic Query Slush Pile with intent to critique whatever query, synopsis, or first chapter is submitted, peruse my friends postings on Face Book, and then read all the new submissions on the e-zines I subscribe to.
Friday night down. By the end of all that I’m tired and need to relax, so I pull up my favorite Solitaire games on Funzol and beat them in no-time. Except Alhambra. I’ve owned this program for over 10 years, and have beat every game but this one about 100 times. Alhambra I’ve won maybe 3 times. Every time my computer crashes, and I lose this program, I willingly pay the price to put it back on my computer because no other card game CD has Alhambra, and I’m obsessed with winning it.
I like impossible odds. Yes, I buy a $1 lotto ticket when I’m feeling especially depressed and strapped for money, and have been known to waste $20 at the local casino (takes more time to walk from the parking lot to the desired machine than it does to lose the predestined amount). But the Alhambra prospect costs me nothing every time I click on the desktop icon, and many times I have come within 10-15 cards of winning against the stacked Alhambra deck. If it legally let me have just one more shuffle . . .
This is a writers group Saturday of course, and I worked half a day at my day job. Work overtime or get a second job - hmm, what do you chose? I love my job, and would do it for free if I didn’t have expenses to pay every couple weeks. But I won’t give up the group either, because it is what I need to fulfill me on a deeply personal level.
Last time O/T and writers group fell on the same day my son had to fend for himself. No need to call the authorities - he's 11, very mature for his age (he grew up in a household of adults) and really loves it when he has the computer to himself for several hours a day. But I feel better when his dad’s schedule allows the two to spend time together when I’m gone all day (as it does this weekend).
I should probably call this post “overwhelmed” because of everything I’ve had going this week - but I’d have to give you a list, and this is about as personal as I wish to publish. So, when I got home from work and group, I knew I should be writing up that critique for a blogfriend’s novel I’m reading, revising the short story utilizing the feedback I received at our last group meeting, or even taking the kidless opportunity to open any of my three novels and do some editing/revising and maybe even sending out another Query in hopes of rejection.
What am I doing with my kidless time? Playing solitaire; funsol, jewel quest, poppit. I’ve even played Monopoly and Yahtzee. Then, I discovered there’s some popcorn in the snack cupboard, and of course popcorn requires a movie for ultimate enjoyment, so I found TERMINATOR SALVATION on pay per view.
Yep, my solitary two nights alone netted me zero production on writing projects. It wasn’t Sunday when I started this post, but it is now, when you’re reading this. And when I decide to get out of bed on the only day off I have, it will be b/c the ex and the kid used their key to gain entrance to my weekend sanctuary, and the first thing my son will want to do is log on-line.
Think I don’t see a future where our kids pass their wrists over a scanner and instantly connect to the machine world?
What do you do to unwind when EVERYTHING in your life becomes overwhelming and it seems the Universe is conspiring against you to force you into an unscheduled break in your life?
