Well folks, I've arrived in Colorado! Everything is great. I love our new house. I love our quaint, new neighborhood. I love our new state.
There are, however, at least a few problems with moving to said "quaint" town. Like how we have no internet yet. And won't until next Monday. Turns out this small town is well out of the way of the utility companies. So, we've been cruising with no phone, internet, or tv. I am currently writing this post from the one room town library computers.
You can imagine that I am going a little crazy. Just a tad. I have plenty to keep me busy, what with unpacking and getting my bearings on the new surroundings and all. However, I really can't feel like I've finally come home until I get my precious internet back.
So, my apologies for being absent from your blogs. I promise you, I can't wait to get back to them. And with any luck, by this coming Monday I will.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Scheduled Maintenance
This is a test. This is only a test. Normal broadcasting will resume on July 29th.
Well folks, I am (you guessed it) moving again. I don't suppose I'll be around much for the next while. But don't worry, come the end of July, I'll be back. Come the end of July I'll actually have my life back. Words cannot express how I look forward to that.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Unbelievable Awesomeness
Yesterday I met with my awesome and talented friends the MoMos. We had a blast! You can check out some pics here. Anyway, while we were waiting for lunch and chatting, the amazing Natalie sketched my main character, Jetta!
Does it get any more awesome? I was positively giddy with delight. Thanks again, Natalie! You rock!
Does it get any more awesome? I was positively giddy with delight. Thanks again, Natalie! You rock!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Nerd Alert!
Last night I finally saw the new Star Trek movie. Say what you will about it, I was completely blown away. Fan-freaking-tastic. I will say, in full disclosure, that while I regularly enjoyed Next Generation and Voyager, I've seen only a few episodes of the original season. So I don't qualify as a true Trekkie.
Regardless, I completely adored the movie. And do you want to know my favorite part?
Spock.
I think I'm in love. A brilliant, yet tortured Vulcan--does it get any better?? (hey, I did give you a nerd alert.)
Regardless, I completely adored the movie. And do you want to know my favorite part?
Spock.
I think I'm in love. A brilliant, yet tortured Vulcan--does it get any better?? (hey, I did give you a nerd alert.)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Photoshop Friday
Writers: A Field Guide
Today we continue with the study we began last week of the many species of writers flitting around there in the world. In this concluding session, I will disclose my own personal breed. So, stay tuned to the end. (Also, I want to give a big thanks to all those who gave me ideas last week!)
The Narcissist
Ah, haven't we all known a writer of this variety? There are many of them. They can be easily recognized by their loud praise of their own work, and their talents as a writer. They refuse to edit. Good heavens, why would they??? It's perfect as is! Alas, just as Narcissus did in the Greek myth, many a Narcissist has perished, unpublished, as they marvel at the glory of their own work.
The Cynic
Listen for ranting and raving, or snide remarks about Agents/Editors/publishing companies/etc., etc., and you will find The Cynic. They are writers who have felt the worst and hardest parts about the biz, often again and again and again. They are jaded, angry, and one can't really blame them, I suppose. A Cynic should be treated with kindness and understanding, however, an aspiring writer might want to disregard a lot of what they say.
The Dreamer
This breed of writer is not to spot, though it might confuse the careful writerwatcher. Mostly because The Dreamer does not technically fall in the same family as writerus maximus, or the average writer. The Dreamer is filled with ambition, hope, and of course, a brilliant idea. They mingle with writers, might even start a blog. But when all is said and done, their stories remain in the dreamy glow of their minds, and never actually to the black and white glow of a Word document.
And last of all . . . (my breed)
The All-of-the-Above,-just-Depends-on-the-Day Writer
(by the way, is that a creepy picture or what?) On any given day, this writer can be any of the previously mentioned breeds. Her moods shift from one to the next, dictated by any number of reasons. Maybe she's feeling frustrated with edits. Maybe her first draft is going along so awesomely! Maybe that pile of other things to do are striking her as much more important than some book. Whatever the reason, the writer shifts like the four winds. So bear with her. She's trying. ;)
Today we continue with the study we began last week of the many species of writers flitting around there in the world. In this concluding session, I will disclose my own personal breed. So, stay tuned to the end. (Also, I want to give a big thanks to all those who gave me ideas last week!)
The Narcissist
Ah, haven't we all known a writer of this variety? There are many of them. They can be easily recognized by their loud praise of their own work, and their talents as a writer. They refuse to edit. Good heavens, why would they??? It's perfect as is! Alas, just as Narcissus did in the Greek myth, many a Narcissist has perished, unpublished, as they marvel at the glory of their own work.The Cynic
Listen for ranting and raving, or snide remarks about Agents/Editors/publishing companies/etc., etc., and you will find The Cynic. They are writers who have felt the worst and hardest parts about the biz, often again and again and again. They are jaded, angry, and one can't really blame them, I suppose. A Cynic should be treated with kindness and understanding, however, an aspiring writer might want to disregard a lot of what they say.The Dreamer
This breed of writer is not to spot, though it might confuse the careful writerwatcher. Mostly because The Dreamer does not technically fall in the same family as writerus maximus, or the average writer. The Dreamer is filled with ambition, hope, and of course, a brilliant idea. They mingle with writers, might even start a blog. But when all is said and done, their stories remain in the dreamy glow of their minds, and never actually to the black and white glow of a Word document.And last of all . . . (my breed)
The All-of-the-Above,-just-Depends-on-the-Day Writer
(by the way, is that a creepy picture or what?) On any given day, this writer can be any of the previously mentioned breeds. Her moods shift from one to the next, dictated by any number of reasons. Maybe she's feeling frustrated with edits. Maybe her first draft is going along so awesomely! Maybe that pile of other things to do are striking her as much more important than some book. Whatever the reason, the writer shifts like the four winds. So bear with her. She's trying. ;)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Scaffolding
Scaffolding. Know what it is, and how to recognize it? If you're a writer, you should. Now, if I were a different kind of blog, I would give a long, helpful definition of what scaffolding is. Like this.
I strongly recommend that you read the article, because seriously, I'm not planning on going into much detail in defining it. To offer a very brief summary, in my own words: Scaffolding are the words and phrases that we insert into our writing (often without realizing,)as a way of keeping the action moving and the story flowing. They are crutch words, fillers. Know what I'm saying? No? That's why I linked to the article. Read it.
At any rate, I have been editing PAMR again, and I have some amusing stats on my own personal scaffolding. I made a list of words that I've noticed in various rounds of editing that I use a lot. Then, I used the Find function on Word to discover just how many I was dealing with. It's rather entertaining.
-stare/staring: 108
-gaze: 126
-glance: 130
-heart: 108
-breath: 178
(and best of all)-unnecessary usages of the word "that": 283
So in summary, one of these six words was used 2.731 times on every page in my story! That, my friends, is scaffolding.
I strongly recommend that you read the article, because seriously, I'm not planning on going into much detail in defining it. To offer a very brief summary, in my own words: Scaffolding are the words and phrases that we insert into our writing (often without realizing,)as a way of keeping the action moving and the story flowing. They are crutch words, fillers. Know what I'm saying? No? That's why I linked to the article. Read it.
At any rate, I have been editing PAMR again, and I have some amusing stats on my own personal scaffolding. I made a list of words that I've noticed in various rounds of editing that I use a lot. Then, I used the Find function on Word to discover just how many I was dealing with. It's rather entertaining.
-stare/staring: 108
-gaze: 126
-glance: 130
-heart: 108
-breath: 178
(and best of all)-unnecessary usages of the word "that": 283
So in summary, one of these six words was used 2.731 times on every page in my story! That, my friends, is scaffolding.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Photoshop Friday
Writers: A Field Guide
You are wandering through Internet Forest, enjoying the sunshine, the gentle breeze, when you hear the clacking sound of keys on a keyboard. Imagine your thrill. A writer is nearby! This guide is designed to help you identify the various breeds and varieties of this elusive and beautiful animal.
The Hobbiest
I begin with this breed of writer, because it is perhaps the least neurotic of the group and therefore it blends into an average crowd quite easily. This species enjoys occasional writing as a hobby. They may or may not have a blog. You can recognize them by their relaxed nature and the way they casually shrug when publication is mentioned.
The Gung Ho
Many who spend time in the Internet Forest will call this the most recognizable of writer breeds. The Gung Ho pursues publication with the ferocity of a predator. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Note the hunger in it's eye, the frantic tone in it's blog posts/tweets/Facebook status updates, and the calloused fingers--worn from endless pounding against a keyboard.
The Mystic
This breed is another of the more common species. The easiest way to recognize the Mystic by analyzing their words. The Mystic speaks of writing as a "Calling," as if from birth, some were touched by the golden finger of the Muse, charged with telling the stories of mankind. Note the calm acceptance in their eyes, the understanding that it is only a matter of time before their destiny is fulfilled.
The Lucky S.O.Bs
These writers are easily recognizable because they actually make money. The Luckys have achieve prominence in the forest, due to their brilliant stories, their published status and, again, the fact that they actually draw a paycheck. When identifying for this breed, just look for the grins, the easy laughter, the humble acceptance of fanmail, and the joyous displays of their novel covers in the sidebar of their blogs. (*siiiiiigh*)
Come back next week for the second installment of Writers: A Field Guide. (Have a suggestion of a breed? Please let me know in the comments section.)
You are wandering through Internet Forest, enjoying the sunshine, the gentle breeze, when you hear the clacking sound of keys on a keyboard. Imagine your thrill. A writer is nearby! This guide is designed to help you identify the various breeds and varieties of this elusive and beautiful animal.
The Hobbiest
I begin with this breed of writer, because it is perhaps the least neurotic of the group and therefore it blends into an average crowd quite easily. This species enjoys occasional writing as a hobby. They may or may not have a blog. You can recognize them by their relaxed nature and the way they casually shrug when publication is mentioned.The Gung Ho
Many who spend time in the Internet Forest will call this the most recognizable of writer breeds. The Gung Ho pursues publication with the ferocity of a predator. They will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. Note the hunger in it's eye, the frantic tone in it's blog posts/tweets/Facebook status updates, and the calloused fingers--worn from endless pounding against a keyboard.The Mystic
This breed is another of the more common species. The easiest way to recognize the Mystic by analyzing their words. The Mystic speaks of writing as a "Calling," as if from birth, some were touched by the golden finger of the Muse, charged with telling the stories of mankind. Note the calm acceptance in their eyes, the understanding that it is only a matter of time before their destiny is fulfilled.The Lucky S.O.Bs
These writers are easily recognizable because they actually make money. The Luckys have achieve prominence in the forest, due to their brilliant stories, their published status and, again, the fact that they actually draw a paycheck. When identifying for this breed, just look for the grins, the easy laughter, the humble acceptance of fanmail, and the joyous displays of their novel covers in the sidebar of their blogs. (*siiiiiigh*)Come back next week for the second installment of Writers: A Field Guide. (Have a suggestion of a breed? Please let me know in the comments section.)
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