Eva Pasco's Blog, page 16
November 16, 2022
Eva’s Byte #394 – Bringing it to the Table
I’d recently revisited the original 1940 film based on John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath. Set during the Great Depression, the film details the arduous journey of the Joad family. Dust-bowl sharecroppers, they migrate from Oklahoma to California in search of fruit-picking opportunities.
Purportedly, mechanization and migration had put an end to the sharecropping system by the 1960s, even though some forms of tenant farming still exist. As of November 5, 2022, the average annual pay for a migrant worker in the United States is $43,036 a year.
With Thanksgiving cropping up, my eyes have opened wider to better appreciate what cannot be seen to be grateful for. Just as food brings folks to the table on any given holiday, there are plenty of folks who bring food to that table in addition to farmers and cattle ranchers:
Seasonal fruit pickers, distributors, retailers, truckers, produce managers, stock clerks, cashiers/baggers. And, the list goes on.
Despite rising prices and scarcity of staples, I’m grateful for anticipating a turkey dinner with plenty of trimmings and pies, thanks to the countless number of folks who bring food to the table.
In my capacity of a writer, I’m in plot-wise sync with the upcoming holidays as I continue to draft my Contemporary work in progress. Over the river and through the woods I go, wending along Chapter 23 (686 words thus far).
*Wishing everyone a bountiful Thanksgiving at the table and away from it.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Purportedly, mechanization and migration had put an end to the sharecropping system by the 1960s, even though some forms of tenant farming still exist. As of November 5, 2022, the average annual pay for a migrant worker in the United States is $43,036 a year.
With Thanksgiving cropping up, my eyes have opened wider to better appreciate what cannot be seen to be grateful for. Just as food brings folks to the table on any given holiday, there are plenty of folks who bring food to that table in addition to farmers and cattle ranchers:
Seasonal fruit pickers, distributors, retailers, truckers, produce managers, stock clerks, cashiers/baggers. And, the list goes on.
Despite rising prices and scarcity of staples, I’m grateful for anticipating a turkey dinner with plenty of trimmings and pies, thanks to the countless number of folks who bring food to the table.
In my capacity of a writer, I’m in plot-wise sync with the upcoming holidays as I continue to draft my Contemporary work in progress. Over the river and through the woods I go, wending along Chapter 23 (686 words thus far).
*Wishing everyone a bountiful Thanksgiving at the table and away from it.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
November 9, 2022
Eva’s Byte # 393 – What’s Your Game?
Spanning the upcoming Thanksgiving week, National Game and Puzzle Week is celebrated from November 20 – November 26.
A diehard fan of intellectually stimulating board games since the pre-electronics Sixties, I’m still game for those seemingly never-ending sessions of Scrabble or Monopoly.
Out of curiosity, I watched “Top 10 Hottest Board Games: November 22 – The Best of BGG” (Board Game Geeks):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k7Ce...
The games, they are a-changin’!
For starters: #10 = Cthulu: Death May Die; #9 = Endless Winter Paleoamericans; #8 = Ark Nova; #7 = John Company.
In my capacity as a writer, I included a game of Monopoly in Chapter 17 of my Contemporary work in progress. At this point in time, I finished drafting Chapter 22 (931) words. It’s on to Chapter 23, for all intents and purposes, the last chapter in Part 1.
*May each of us enjoy playing board games to unwind and de-stress.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A diehard fan of intellectually stimulating board games since the pre-electronics Sixties, I’m still game for those seemingly never-ending sessions of Scrabble or Monopoly.
Out of curiosity, I watched “Top 10 Hottest Board Games: November 22 – The Best of BGG” (Board Game Geeks):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k7Ce...
The games, they are a-changin’!
For starters: #10 = Cthulu: Death May Die; #9 = Endless Winter Paleoamericans; #8 = Ark Nova; #7 = John Company.
In my capacity as a writer, I included a game of Monopoly in Chapter 17 of my Contemporary work in progress. At this point in time, I finished drafting Chapter 22 (931) words. It’s on to Chapter 23, for all intents and purposes, the last chapter in Part 1.
*May each of us enjoy playing board games to unwind and de-stress.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
November 2, 2022
Eva’s Byte #392 – Mum’s the Word
Chrysanthemums!
A hardy, autumnal flowering plant, mums provide bold splashes of color in October and throughout November. Chrysanthemums symbolize friendship, happiness, and well-being.
I truly appreciate their emergence right now in view of the fact that deciduous trees are becoming threadbare of colorful leaves. My daily walks afford me the opportunity to enjoy the colorful presence of yellow and purple blooms.
Alas, all good things must come to an end.
As always, I lament the passing of autumn, my favorite of the four seasons. Taking solace in the upcoming “decorating season,” I welcome the lights, garlands, festive trees, and holiday movies.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 21 (1490 words) of my Contemporary work in progress—prefaced by “A Bittersweet Farewell to the Year’s End”. Under the same heading, I’ve begun drafting Chapter 22 (200 words thus far).
*May each bittersweet ending transition into a new beginning with bright prospects.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:<.b> http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A hardy, autumnal flowering plant, mums provide bold splashes of color in October and throughout November. Chrysanthemums symbolize friendship, happiness, and well-being.
I truly appreciate their emergence right now in view of the fact that deciduous trees are becoming threadbare of colorful leaves. My daily walks afford me the opportunity to enjoy the colorful presence of yellow and purple blooms.
Alas, all good things must come to an end.
As always, I lament the passing of autumn, my favorite of the four seasons. Taking solace in the upcoming “decorating season,” I welcome the lights, garlands, festive trees, and holiday movies.
In the capacity of a writer, I finished drafting chapter 21 (1490 words) of my Contemporary work in progress—prefaced by “A Bittersweet Farewell to the Year’s End”. Under the same heading, I’ve begun drafting Chapter 22 (200 words thus far).
*May each bittersweet ending transition into a new beginning with bright prospects.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:<.b> http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 26, 2022
Eva’s Byte #391 – Candy Corn Controversy
Flavored upon or scorned?
Regardless of palette preferences, the National Confectioners Association has declared October 30, the day before Halloween, “National Candy Corn Day”.
Invented in the 1880s by George Renninger, a Wunderele Candy Company employee, the candy’s original name was “Chicken Feed”.
I hope he earned more than chicken feed for the confection which developed into an autumn and Halloween staple in the 1950s. That’s when folks began handing out mini, Halloween-themed, paper goodie bags with candy inside to trick-or-treaters. I remember my mom scattered a handful of feed on top of the candy bars she put inside before twisting each bag closed.
I’m on the “scorn” side of the candy corn controversy.
Come on! One of the ingredients besides sugar, corn syrup, artificial coloring and binders is carnauba wax. This high-grade wax is used for imparting a premium shine on a vehicle’s paint job.
To each their own shine.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m nearing the finish line for drafting chapter 21 (1106 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May candy sweeten the bitter jolts in life.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Regardless of palette preferences, the National Confectioners Association has declared October 30, the day before Halloween, “National Candy Corn Day”.
Invented in the 1880s by George Renninger, a Wunderele Candy Company employee, the candy’s original name was “Chicken Feed”.
I hope he earned more than chicken feed for the confection which developed into an autumn and Halloween staple in the 1950s. That’s when folks began handing out mini, Halloween-themed, paper goodie bags with candy inside to trick-or-treaters. I remember my mom scattered a handful of feed on top of the candy bars she put inside before twisting each bag closed.
I’m on the “scorn” side of the candy corn controversy.
Come on! One of the ingredients besides sugar, corn syrup, artificial coloring and binders is carnauba wax. This high-grade wax is used for imparting a premium shine on a vehicle’s paint job.
To each their own shine.
In the capacity of a writer, I’m nearing the finish line for drafting chapter 21 (1106 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May candy sweeten the bitter jolts in life.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 19, 2022
Eva’s Byte #390 – Detoured
Off the beaten path in the interest of justice:
This week I was summoned to report for jury service as a Superior Court petit juror. If not selected to serve on a jury, the length of my service will be two days. If chosen, my service will end at completion of the trial.
Day one bit the dust because the trial got cancelled.
On day two (10/19) my juror number was not pulled out of the barrel so I have completed my service, which accounts for this entry.
This is my third rodeo after an approximate ten-year hiatus. My last two civic duties, roughly ten years apart, were at U.S. District Court where I was selected to serve on a jury both times.
During my second, at the last minute, long after the culling of the herd at the end of the day, I was dismissed. Because the security guard had already escorted those who didn’t make the cut out of the courtroom, I was left to fend for myself. I opened a wrong door, setting off alarms.
Then, a bunch of security guards with firearms drawn, surrounded me. Not a problem. “I” diffused the situation with my explanation for what had happened, and one of them kindly escorted me out of the building.
Sidetracked from giving social media and writing my all, I did manage to draft 681 words in chapter 21 of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May life’s detours serve as opportunities rather than setbacks.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
This week I was summoned to report for jury service as a Superior Court petit juror. If not selected to serve on a jury, the length of my service will be two days. If chosen, my service will end at completion of the trial.
Day one bit the dust because the trial got cancelled.
On day two (10/19) my juror number was not pulled out of the barrel so I have completed my service, which accounts for this entry.
This is my third rodeo after an approximate ten-year hiatus. My last two civic duties, roughly ten years apart, were at U.S. District Court where I was selected to serve on a jury both times.
During my second, at the last minute, long after the culling of the herd at the end of the day, I was dismissed. Because the security guard had already escorted those who didn’t make the cut out of the courtroom, I was left to fend for myself. I opened a wrong door, setting off alarms.
Then, a bunch of security guards with firearms drawn, surrounded me. Not a problem. “I” diffused the situation with my explanation for what had happened, and one of them kindly escorted me out of the building.
Sidetracked from giving social media and writing my all, I did manage to draft 681 words in chapter 21 of my Contemporary work in progress.
*May life’s detours serve as opportunities rather than setbacks.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 12, 2022
Eva’s Byte #389: Poe-chers
As Halloween approaches, who can resist poe-ching words penned by one of the masters of macabre, Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849)?
A writer who enjoys interjecting perverse humor in my work, I’m positive I’ve poe-ched these words from “The Raven” for use in my own context: pondered, weak and weary.
Not one to write horror, I enjoy reading it. There has to be plenty of poe-chable inspiration for those Indies who excel at the genre. Take my favorite Poe shorts:
“The Black Cat,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Premature Burial” and “The Cask of Amontillado”.
While I may not write horror, the characters in my Contemporary fiction are haunted by their past. At this point in time, I’ve completed drafting Chapter 20 (1072 words) of my work in progress where “Succumbing to the exhaustive effects of Sam and Reid’s sorrowful chokehold, Gert fell into a deep sleep.”
I’ve begun composing notes for the draft of Chapter 21.
*In the spirit of Halloween, may each of us enjoy the spine-tingling thrills of literary horror rapping, rapping in our mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
A writer who enjoys interjecting perverse humor in my work, I’m positive I’ve poe-ched these words from “The Raven” for use in my own context: pondered, weak and weary.
Not one to write horror, I enjoy reading it. There has to be plenty of poe-chable inspiration for those Indies who excel at the genre. Take my favorite Poe shorts:
“The Black Cat,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Premature Burial” and “The Cask of Amontillado”.
While I may not write horror, the characters in my Contemporary fiction are haunted by their past. At this point in time, I’ve completed drafting Chapter 20 (1072 words) of my work in progress where “Succumbing to the exhaustive effects of Sam and Reid’s sorrowful chokehold, Gert fell into a deep sleep.”
I’ve begun composing notes for the draft of Chapter 21.
*In the spirit of Halloween, may each of us enjoy the spine-tingling thrills of literary horror rapping, rapping in our mind.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
October 5, 2022
Eva’s Byte #388 – Bridges Burning!
Whether the result of burning bridges is tantamount to cutting my nose to spite my face, or not, so be it! I’m not looking back toward the point of no return. Never have.
In my capacity of an Indie author, I unpublished two of my novels in the genre of Contemporary. To my dismay, they won’t “disappear” from the universe. For, when one unpublishes a book on Amazon, the book’s detail pages stay live, and third parties may still sell used copies of print books.
That mentioned—ready? A print copy of my first published novel, Underlying Notes (first printing, 2008) is available for $270.50!
The second novel I unpublished is my multi-award winning, An Enlightening Quiche (2016). It was cost prohibitive to pay IngramSpark to upload both a cover and interior file—again! All because they had purged the originals. Then, there was the annual $69.00 hosting fee charged by my publisher.
I’ll state this only once because I am no longer advertising the book: Anyone in the USA who wants a signed paperback, message me ($15.95 includes s/h) – 562 pgs.
For a while I was bumming about my dual choice of action. No more. After all, for the longest time, Harper Lee had only one published work to her name—a Pulitzer Prize winner, at that!
As for my current Contemporary work in progress:
I finished drafting chapter 19 (2092 words), and I’ve begun chapter 20 (479 word thus far)
*May the fire within each of us burn brightly to enkindle our dreams.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
In my capacity of an Indie author, I unpublished two of my novels in the genre of Contemporary. To my dismay, they won’t “disappear” from the universe. For, when one unpublishes a book on Amazon, the book’s detail pages stay live, and third parties may still sell used copies of print books.
That mentioned—ready? A print copy of my first published novel, Underlying Notes (first printing, 2008) is available for $270.50!
The second novel I unpublished is my multi-award winning, An Enlightening Quiche (2016). It was cost prohibitive to pay IngramSpark to upload both a cover and interior file—again! All because they had purged the originals. Then, there was the annual $69.00 hosting fee charged by my publisher.
I’ll state this only once because I am no longer advertising the book: Anyone in the USA who wants a signed paperback, message me ($15.95 includes s/h) – 562 pgs.
For a while I was bumming about my dual choice of action. No more. After all, for the longest time, Harper Lee had only one published work to her name—a Pulitzer Prize winner, at that!
As for my current Contemporary work in progress:
I finished drafting chapter 19 (2092 words), and I’ve begun chapter 20 (479 word thus far)
*May the fire within each of us burn brightly to enkindle our dreams.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 28, 2022
Eva’s Byte #387 – A Little Further
The American novelist of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest fame (1962), essayist and countercultural icon, Ken Kesey considered himself a link between the Beat Generation of the 1950s and Hippies of the 1960s.
“You’re either on or off the bus,” he said.
Coinciding with the publication of Kesey’s second novel which required going to New York, he and a group of friends called the Merry Pranksters took a cross-country trip in a psychedelic, refurbished school bus named Further.
Going a little further in celebrating the spirit of the Sixties, I purchased a “Little Further” bus offered on a website hosted by Zane Kesey, Ken’s son. Utilizing dipart painting, Zane duplicates a technique discovered by the Merry Pranksters high on LSD during their Further tour.
Furthermore, the bus comes with a signed certificate of authenticity, and actually has pull-back action to go go go!
My claim to fame is knowing a fellow writer who corresponded with Ken Kesey and was gifted a bus the merriest of pranksters hand-painted himself.
Far-out!
A source of inspiration to further my own writing, I’ve parked the bus on my desk.
Meantime, I’ve progressed a lot further along Chapter 19 (1913) of my Contemporary work in progress, nearing the finish line.
*When navigating creative endeavors gets tough, may each of us find inspiration to go a little further.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
“You’re either on or off the bus,” he said.
Coinciding with the publication of Kesey’s second novel which required going to New York, he and a group of friends called the Merry Pranksters took a cross-country trip in a psychedelic, refurbished school bus named Further.
Going a little further in celebrating the spirit of the Sixties, I purchased a “Little Further” bus offered on a website hosted by Zane Kesey, Ken’s son. Utilizing dipart painting, Zane duplicates a technique discovered by the Merry Pranksters high on LSD during their Further tour.
Furthermore, the bus comes with a signed certificate of authenticity, and actually has pull-back action to go go go!
My claim to fame is knowing a fellow writer who corresponded with Ken Kesey and was gifted a bus the merriest of pranksters hand-painted himself.
Far-out!
A source of inspiration to further my own writing, I’ve parked the bus on my desk.
Meantime, I’ve progressed a lot further along Chapter 19 (1913) of my Contemporary work in progress, nearing the finish line.
*When navigating creative endeavors gets tough, may each of us find inspiration to go a little further.
My sincere appreciation to you for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 21, 2022
Eva’s Byte #386 – The Suncatcher
Don't let the sun catch you cryin'
(“Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” by Gerry and the Pacemakers, 1964)
This week, for no special reason, my sister sent me a hanging dragonfly pendant-suncatcher strung together with crystal prisms. I’ve hung it on my office window, deriving much joy from its iridescent splendor.
During one of our recent email exchanges about the woes of the world she replied, “That is why things like suncatchers add to life, not subtract.”
Indeed!
Like the kaleidoscopic effect of a suncatcher, the dragonfly symbolizes change and transformation. It encourages one to be adaptable and creative by changing the way we act or think in order to achieve potential.
In my capacity of a writer, I often change the way I think when composing a story. It goes with the territory of my preferred pantser methodology. My characters are living up to their full potential in Chapter 19 (1246 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress, reflecting their demeanor and expressing their true feelings.
*May each of us keep evolving to reflect our inner light.
My sincere appreciation for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
(“Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” by Gerry and the Pacemakers, 1964)
This week, for no special reason, my sister sent me a hanging dragonfly pendant-suncatcher strung together with crystal prisms. I’ve hung it on my office window, deriving much joy from its iridescent splendor.
During one of our recent email exchanges about the woes of the world she replied, “That is why things like suncatchers add to life, not subtract.”
Indeed!
Like the kaleidoscopic effect of a suncatcher, the dragonfly symbolizes change and transformation. It encourages one to be adaptable and creative by changing the way we act or think in order to achieve potential.
In my capacity of a writer, I often change the way I think when composing a story. It goes with the territory of my preferred pantser methodology. My characters are living up to their full potential in Chapter 19 (1246 words thus far) of my Contemporary work in progress, reflecting their demeanor and expressing their true feelings.
*May each of us keep evolving to reflect our inner light.
My sincere appreciation for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
September 14, 2022
Eva’s Byte #385 – Prepped for Fall
Autumn is my favorite New England season for many reasons. Primarily, I love the kaleidoscope of colors deciduous leaves manifest in shades of red, yellow, and orange. From what I’ve read, tulip poplar trees initiate color changes in August. I’m waiting for the maples to show their true vibrant hues.
Nevertheless, at the tail end of summer, I’m prepped for fall within the confines of hearth and home. One of my own handcrafted scarecrows, wearing jeans and a proud plaid shirt, sits on a corner of my hutch. Thereon in, autumn’s ambience prevails through earth-toned scarves and table coverings. My fall gnomes are on display, front and center. Fabric pumpkins are scattered here and there. An apple cinnamon scent wafts from a plug-in diffuser.
Of course, I’ve got my eye on the near future of prepping for Christmas.
In my capacity of a writer, I’m in the throes of prepping the draft of chapter 19 (823 words thus far) to smoothly integrate the ambience of the 1950s in a backstory. It probably wouldn’t surprise you to know that one of the best “wedding first-dance songs” of the ‘50s was “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.
*May each of us embrace the winds of change nature and life strew along our paths.
My sincere appreciation for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
Nevertheless, at the tail end of summer, I’m prepped for fall within the confines of hearth and home. One of my own handcrafted scarecrows, wearing jeans and a proud plaid shirt, sits on a corner of my hutch. Thereon in, autumn’s ambience prevails through earth-toned scarves and table coverings. My fall gnomes are on display, front and center. Fabric pumpkins are scattered here and there. An apple cinnamon scent wafts from a plug-in diffuser.
Of course, I’ve got my eye on the near future of prepping for Christmas.
In my capacity of a writer, I’m in the throes of prepping the draft of chapter 19 (823 words thus far) to smoothly integrate the ambience of the 1950s in a backstory. It probably wouldn’t surprise you to know that one of the best “wedding first-dance songs” of the ‘50s was “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.
*May each of us embrace the winds of change nature and life strew along our paths.
My sincere appreciation for reading this far.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: http://www.authorsden.com/evapasco
