Eva Pasco's Blog, page 30
March 18, 2020
Eva’s Byte #255: Mustard Seeds
Faith and sensibility are the backbone of survival.
According to Matthew 17:20 – If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains.
Faith, along with sensibility regarding social-distancing and self-isolation, will move us past the Coronavirus (COVID – 19). Complemented by the Persian adage—“This too shall pass.”
A writer who published a Nonfiction collection comprised of 100 memoirs about growing up during the Sixties, I’ve interwoven its social issues: The Cold War and threat of Nuclear Annihilation; Counterculture; Civil Rights Movement; Vietnam War; Political Assassinations.
But, I never mentioned the polio epidemic, a holdover on us Baby Boomers from 1952, when the worst outbreak in the Unites States occurred. From Wikipedia: Of the 57,628 cases—3145 died and 21,269 were left with mild to disabling paralysis.
During my adolescence, I recall public round-ups at various intervals to receive both an inactivated poliovirus injection and a weakened poliovirus given orally.
Social-distancing never entered the picture!
And, no hand sanitizer either! Yet, my generation survived the Hong Kong Flu epidemic of 1968.
From the prologue of 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017):
Meanwhile, under the mushroom cloud of the Cold War with its threat of nuclear warfare, my sister and I carried on as kids do regardless of world events. We twirled our hula hoops, collected Bazooka bubblegum wrappers, did our homework, rode bicycles, watched television, chased down the ice cream truck, and slept on brush rollers. Life as we knew it was groovy and far out!
*Then, as now, faith as small as a mustard seed will move us past this mountain.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
According to Matthew 17:20 – If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains.
Faith, along with sensibility regarding social-distancing and self-isolation, will move us past the Coronavirus (COVID – 19). Complemented by the Persian adage—“This too shall pass.”
A writer who published a Nonfiction collection comprised of 100 memoirs about growing up during the Sixties, I’ve interwoven its social issues: The Cold War and threat of Nuclear Annihilation; Counterculture; Civil Rights Movement; Vietnam War; Political Assassinations.
But, I never mentioned the polio epidemic, a holdover on us Baby Boomers from 1952, when the worst outbreak in the Unites States occurred. From Wikipedia: Of the 57,628 cases—3145 died and 21,269 were left with mild to disabling paralysis.
During my adolescence, I recall public round-ups at various intervals to receive both an inactivated poliovirus injection and a weakened poliovirus given orally.
Social-distancing never entered the picture!
And, no hand sanitizer either! Yet, my generation survived the Hong Kong Flu epidemic of 1968.
From the prologue of 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017):
Meanwhile, under the mushroom cloud of the Cold War with its threat of nuclear warfare, my sister and I carried on as kids do regardless of world events. We twirled our hula hoops, collected Bazooka bubblegum wrappers, did our homework, rode bicycles, watched television, chased down the ice cream truck, and slept on brush rollers. Life as we knew it was groovy and far out!
*Then, as now, faith as small as a mustard seed will move us past this mountain.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
March 11, 2020
Eva’s Byte # 254: Battening Down the Hatches
What makes your world go round?
One of those hardy New Englanders, I’m fond of invoking that expression whenever we’re in for a nor’easter—a bout of heavy rain or snow. A nautical term from the early 19th century, a ship’s captain would give the order to batten down the hatches, whereby the crew closed all doors on deck and used lengths of batten (rods) to secure those hatches.
I’ve summoned these words as the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) takes the world by pandemic storm. An introvert by nature, “avoiding crowds as much as possible” works in my favor. In my capacity as a writer, I thrive in solitude.
Far from the maddening crowds stockpiling disinfectants and daily essentials, I’ve forged ahead along my WIP in drafting chapter 43. I’m also reading and reviewing books written by fellow Indies.
While I am concerned about the potential for severe long-range impact on the economy, this fighter-writer strives to make gains along my own ongoing, uphill battles:
Selling books consistently to uplift me from the doldrums
Garnering reviews because word of mouth is the best form of advertising money can’t buy
Obtaining overdue royalties from a hybrid publisher
In my dreams, attain international renown
I fully realize the struggles of a writer do not amount to a hill of beans in comparison to what is currently playing out on the world stage. Nevertheless, daily minutiae, petty as some of it may be, is the cornerstone of life you can’t barricade yourself against by battening down the hatches. I wouldn’t want to.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
One of those hardy New Englanders, I’m fond of invoking that expression whenever we’re in for a nor’easter—a bout of heavy rain or snow. A nautical term from the early 19th century, a ship’s captain would give the order to batten down the hatches, whereby the crew closed all doors on deck and used lengths of batten (rods) to secure those hatches.
I’ve summoned these words as the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) takes the world by pandemic storm. An introvert by nature, “avoiding crowds as much as possible” works in my favor. In my capacity as a writer, I thrive in solitude.
Far from the maddening crowds stockpiling disinfectants and daily essentials, I’ve forged ahead along my WIP in drafting chapter 43. I’m also reading and reviewing books written by fellow Indies.
While I am concerned about the potential for severe long-range impact on the economy, this fighter-writer strives to make gains along my own ongoing, uphill battles:
Selling books consistently to uplift me from the doldrums
Garnering reviews because word of mouth is the best form of advertising money can’t buy
Obtaining overdue royalties from a hybrid publisher
In my dreams, attain international renown
I fully realize the struggles of a writer do not amount to a hill of beans in comparison to what is currently playing out on the world stage. Nevertheless, daily minutiae, petty as some of it may be, is the cornerstone of life you can’t barricade yourself against by battening down the hatches. I wouldn’t want to.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
March 4, 2020
Eva’s Byte #253: The Urge to Kill
Literarily, and not literally—of course!
Getting away with murder! There comes a time when a writer must kill a full-fleshed character—or two.
For whatever reason, a writer will kill a character (s)—whether from urge or resignation. Perchance, by doing so: it propels the plot; fits the character’s lifestyle or circumstances; adds realism to the story.
A parallel thought akin to a purportedly enraged Joan Crawford screaming, “No wire hangers!”--
No gratuitous kills!
It’d be a deadly sin to kill a character purely for the superficial reason of shocking our readers or making them cry.
Not willing to slit my own throat by giving away plot spoilers with regard to killing characters in past or current works, there’s no harm done in providing a perverse passage involving a minor character.
From Chapter 5, An Enlightening Quiche (Contemporary, 2016):
Augusta: The school teacher could use the extra cash since grappling with her husband’s much publicized conviction for first-degree child molestation sexual assault. Facing a minimum of ten to fifteen years in prison for the least invasive criminal scenario more than likely sparked the voluminous, luminous, bituminous pyre two days prior to Vern’s court appearance for sentencing.
Death by hibachi!
Vernon Blais went out in a blaze of glory, smoked to death barbecuing charcoal briquettes while locked inside the bathroom with the window shut, an apropos exit strategy for the junior high guidance counselor caught stalling a thirteen-year-old boy in his office privy.
*In my writing capacity as judge, jury, and executioner—I daresay this character got what he deserved.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Getting away with murder! There comes a time when a writer must kill a full-fleshed character—or two.
For whatever reason, a writer will kill a character (s)—whether from urge or resignation. Perchance, by doing so: it propels the plot; fits the character’s lifestyle or circumstances; adds realism to the story.
A parallel thought akin to a purportedly enraged Joan Crawford screaming, “No wire hangers!”--
No gratuitous kills!
It’d be a deadly sin to kill a character purely for the superficial reason of shocking our readers or making them cry.
Not willing to slit my own throat by giving away plot spoilers with regard to killing characters in past or current works, there’s no harm done in providing a perverse passage involving a minor character.
From Chapter 5, An Enlightening Quiche (Contemporary, 2016):
Augusta: The school teacher could use the extra cash since grappling with her husband’s much publicized conviction for first-degree child molestation sexual assault. Facing a minimum of ten to fifteen years in prison for the least invasive criminal scenario more than likely sparked the voluminous, luminous, bituminous pyre two days prior to Vern’s court appearance for sentencing.
Death by hibachi!
Vernon Blais went out in a blaze of glory, smoked to death barbecuing charcoal briquettes while locked inside the bathroom with the window shut, an apropos exit strategy for the junior high guidance counselor caught stalling a thirteen-year-old boy in his office privy.
*In my writing capacity as judge, jury, and executioner—I daresay this character got what he deserved.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
February 26, 2020
Eva’s Byte #252: Dread and Doubt
What forms of psychological intimidation dodge your creative pursuits?
In my capacity as writer, I dread beginning a new chapter. For my current work of progress, in the genre of Contemporary, I’m at the initial stage of drafting chapter 42 in Part 2. Envisioning three parts for this novel, I’m at the halfway mark—150 pages in.
My dread stems from the psychological intimidation of facing a blank page in Word. Prior to sitting down at the keyboard, I doubt whether I’m capable of ever writing another word in this lifetime.
Once I construct the first sentence, the paragraph begins to write itself.
My own harshest critic, I take pride and pleasure in coming up with the perfect phrase. A daunting aspect to achieve, it stands to reason why a typical session might yield 100 – 200 words along my journey to complete a chapter in the range of 1000 words or so.
Despite favorable reviews and prestigious awards merited by my few-and-far-between literary works, Dread and Doubt are my constant companions all the way to the finish line.
Misery loves company!
“Most great writers suffer and have no idea how good they are. Most bad writers are very confident. Be willing to be a child and be the Lilliputian in the world of Gulliver, the bat girl in Yankee Stadium. That’s a more fruitful way to be.” Author: Mary Karr
Perhaps, by the time baseball season rolls around, I’ll have rounded the bases in completing another chapter or two.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
In my capacity as writer, I dread beginning a new chapter. For my current work of progress, in the genre of Contemporary, I’m at the initial stage of drafting chapter 42 in Part 2. Envisioning three parts for this novel, I’m at the halfway mark—150 pages in.
My dread stems from the psychological intimidation of facing a blank page in Word. Prior to sitting down at the keyboard, I doubt whether I’m capable of ever writing another word in this lifetime.
Once I construct the first sentence, the paragraph begins to write itself.
My own harshest critic, I take pride and pleasure in coming up with the perfect phrase. A daunting aspect to achieve, it stands to reason why a typical session might yield 100 – 200 words along my journey to complete a chapter in the range of 1000 words or so.
Despite favorable reviews and prestigious awards merited by my few-and-far-between literary works, Dread and Doubt are my constant companions all the way to the finish line.
Misery loves company!
“Most great writers suffer and have no idea how good they are. Most bad writers are very confident. Be willing to be a child and be the Lilliputian in the world of Gulliver, the bat girl in Yankee Stadium. That’s a more fruitful way to be.” Author: Mary Karr
Perhaps, by the time baseball season rolls around, I’ll have rounded the bases in completing another chapter or two.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
February 19, 2020
Eva’s Byte #251: My Reeling Thoughts
What principle guides your creativity from conception to completion?
A published author, my guiding principle is that of writing books I’d like to read. My preferred genre is Contemporary—distinguished for character-driven plots featuring flawed and feisty female protagonists over forty who come to terms with their drama, demons, and dilemmas along life’s precarious day-to-day journey.
Just how did I arrive at this guiding principle?
Simple!
My acquired taste for writing lit with grit incorporating intricate plot twists and turns, compelling characters, realistic outcomes, relatable themes, and snappy dialogue was honed from the reels of film noir.
Citing just a few flicks to give credit where due:
Casablanca (1942) – for its theme of heart-wrenching sacrifice.
Detour (1945) – for its cynical dialogue. A line spoken in character by Al Roberts, portrayed by Tom Neal—“That’s life. Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.”
The Big Sleep (1946) – for the plot’s escalating complexities.
On the Waterfront (1954) – for the protagonist’s struggles to heed his conscience.
Oftentimes, reader reviews substantiate what a writer has painstakingly set out to achieve. Humbled, I have copy/pasted a review excerpt for An Enlightening Quiche (2016).
Critiqued by a member of the Authors Talk About It team, awarding the book a 5-star badge:
A delicious quiche becomes the catalyst for profound epiphanies, insightful prose, and almost welcome enlightenment.
An Enlightening Quiche is far more intricate than it may seem to be; while a book based around baking a quiche may not sound like a page-turner, this book is so much more than that. Both main characters were complex and engaging, with detailed backstories and overwhelmingly believable narratives. To put it simply, they felt almost real. The plot itself was incredibly intriguing, littered with witty quips and fascinating social commentary. Although a bit too wordy at times, it was enjoyable from the first page to the last.
Eva Pasco crafted a real gem in An Enlightening Quiche. Her style of writing is uniquely fresh, while still maintaining a level of intelligence that is beyond impressive. Pasco hit the nail on the head with a winning combination of love, loss, friendship, humor, and a profoundly deep introspection that will surprise any reader. Just as Augusta and Lindsay did, An Enlightening Quiche's readers will get far more than they bargained for in this novel.
I’m reeling in gratitude!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
A published author, my guiding principle is that of writing books I’d like to read. My preferred genre is Contemporary—distinguished for character-driven plots featuring flawed and feisty female protagonists over forty who come to terms with their drama, demons, and dilemmas along life’s precarious day-to-day journey.
Just how did I arrive at this guiding principle?
Simple!
My acquired taste for writing lit with grit incorporating intricate plot twists and turns, compelling characters, realistic outcomes, relatable themes, and snappy dialogue was honed from the reels of film noir.
Citing just a few flicks to give credit where due:
Casablanca (1942) – for its theme of heart-wrenching sacrifice.
Detour (1945) – for its cynical dialogue. A line spoken in character by Al Roberts, portrayed by Tom Neal—“That’s life. Whichever way you turn, fate sticks out a foot to trip you.”
The Big Sleep (1946) – for the plot’s escalating complexities.
On the Waterfront (1954) – for the protagonist’s struggles to heed his conscience.
Oftentimes, reader reviews substantiate what a writer has painstakingly set out to achieve. Humbled, I have copy/pasted a review excerpt for An Enlightening Quiche (2016).
Critiqued by a member of the Authors Talk About It team, awarding the book a 5-star badge:
A delicious quiche becomes the catalyst for profound epiphanies, insightful prose, and almost welcome enlightenment.
An Enlightening Quiche is far more intricate than it may seem to be; while a book based around baking a quiche may not sound like a page-turner, this book is so much more than that. Both main characters were complex and engaging, with detailed backstories and overwhelmingly believable narratives. To put it simply, they felt almost real. The plot itself was incredibly intriguing, littered with witty quips and fascinating social commentary. Although a bit too wordy at times, it was enjoyable from the first page to the last.
Eva Pasco crafted a real gem in An Enlightening Quiche. Her style of writing is uniquely fresh, while still maintaining a level of intelligence that is beyond impressive. Pasco hit the nail on the head with a winning combination of love, loss, friendship, humor, and a profoundly deep introspection that will surprise any reader. Just as Augusta and Lindsay did, An Enlightening Quiche's readers will get far more than they bargained for in this novel.
I’m reeling in gratitude!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
February 12, 2020
Eva’s Byte #250: Sestercentennial Selection
Celebrating my 250th blog with a previous selection commemorating the universal theme: fulfilling a dream requires work.
First off, I googled 250th celebration to find the appropriate term for it. According to Wikipedia, sestercentennial is preferred over: semiquincentennial, bicenquinquagenary, or quarter-millenial.
Awkward, eh?
I suppose a writer is never at a loss for words. When push comes to shove, I’m somehow able to come up with a weekly blog. My sincere appreciation to all of you who take the time to read them. I’m most grateful for the steadfast readership at Authors Den.
This week’s blog view total, up until posting the 250th byte: 1328!
Mindful of adhering to the KISS method (Keep It Short & Simple) for my Sestercentennial Selection, I’ve copy/pasted an abridged version of Byte#169: Plus ça Change, Plus C'est la Même Chose
Chosen for its theme which has universal appeal: Fulfilling a dream requires work!
In retrospect, having undergone a midlife renaissance when I retired from a career in elementary education, I see glaring similarities between the professions of teaching and writing.
Time factor:
Teaching requires devoting many additional hours outside of those spent in the classroom. Being a published author is practically a 24-hr. proposition when you consider the variable of marketing.
Self-Discipline:
In elementary education, a teacher must plan detailed lessons for multiple subjects every single day, along with possessing the mental fortitude to switch gears should any one of those lessons fizzle with the students.
An author—foremost, a “writer,” by trade—must ply himself/herself to the craft every single day, along with possessing the mental acuity to scrap what doesn’t ring true for storytelling.
Relevancy:
A teacher must tailor lessons and material to his/her students’ needs and interests. A writer must tailor an engaging story to a target audience.
Thick Skin:
Just as a teacher cannot let unruly students ruffle feathers—you know, “Never let them see you sweat”—a published author cannot wallow in mean-spirited, negative book reviews.
Regardless of our chosen field, Horace Mann put it succinctly, “Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.”
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
First off, I googled 250th celebration to find the appropriate term for it. According to Wikipedia, sestercentennial is preferred over: semiquincentennial, bicenquinquagenary, or quarter-millenial.
Awkward, eh?
I suppose a writer is never at a loss for words. When push comes to shove, I’m somehow able to come up with a weekly blog. My sincere appreciation to all of you who take the time to read them. I’m most grateful for the steadfast readership at Authors Den.
This week’s blog view total, up until posting the 250th byte: 1328!
Mindful of adhering to the KISS method (Keep It Short & Simple) for my Sestercentennial Selection, I’ve copy/pasted an abridged version of Byte#169: Plus ça Change, Plus C'est la Même Chose
Chosen for its theme which has universal appeal: Fulfilling a dream requires work!
In retrospect, having undergone a midlife renaissance when I retired from a career in elementary education, I see glaring similarities between the professions of teaching and writing.
Time factor:
Teaching requires devoting many additional hours outside of those spent in the classroom. Being a published author is practically a 24-hr. proposition when you consider the variable of marketing.
Self-Discipline:
In elementary education, a teacher must plan detailed lessons for multiple subjects every single day, along with possessing the mental fortitude to switch gears should any one of those lessons fizzle with the students.
An author—foremost, a “writer,” by trade—must ply himself/herself to the craft every single day, along with possessing the mental acuity to scrap what doesn’t ring true for storytelling.
Relevancy:
A teacher must tailor lessons and material to his/her students’ needs and interests. A writer must tailor an engaging story to a target audience.
Thick Skin:
Just as a teacher cannot let unruly students ruffle feathers—you know, “Never let them see you sweat”—a published author cannot wallow in mean-spirited, negative book reviews.
Regardless of our chosen field, Horace Mann put it succinctly, “Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.”
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
February 5, 2020
Eva’s Byte #249: No Stone Unturned
A writer digs deep, leaving no stone unturned…
In Memoir #98 of my Nonfiction Memoir Collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017), I allude to my father leaving no stone unturned for building three walls at the edge of our lawn. A part-time project he engaged in after work and during weekends, this summer endeavor stretched into autumn.
His venture evolved into an obsession which recruited the labor force of my mother, sister, and me to gather stones. Oftentimes, our family would be out for a leisurely drive in the countryside, and my father would stop if he espied a wall-worthy rock or two. He was a pushover for boulders too. Those he managed to pry loose from Mother Earth’s grip ended up in the back of our Plymouth station wagon.
In my capacity as a writer, no different from any other striving to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, regardless of genre—I’m leaving no stone unturned conducting research.
Every unturned stone has potential…
Halfway through my work in progress, a Contemporary set in my native state of Rhode Island, I’ve uncovered and incorporated historical facts and geographic entities pertaining to the rural town of Foster.
As I wend my way to the finish line, and not any time soon, here is a sampling of other stones I’ve overturned to authenticate every facet of my novel:
Freshwater fishing and appropriate sportswear
Sunsets in the month of July
The stages of human decomposition
Fashions, hit songs, and popular movies from 1949 – mid50s
Birthing practices during the ‘50s
Nuances of the ‘60s
An earnest writer must scavenge the earth, leaving no stone unturned to achieve authenticity in a literary endeavor conjured from imagination.
Happy scavenging!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
In Memoir #98 of my Nonfiction Memoir Collection, 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s (2017), I allude to my father leaving no stone unturned for building three walls at the edge of our lawn. A part-time project he engaged in after work and during weekends, this summer endeavor stretched into autumn.
His venture evolved into an obsession which recruited the labor force of my mother, sister, and me to gather stones. Oftentimes, our family would be out for a leisurely drive in the countryside, and my father would stop if he espied a wall-worthy rock or two. He was a pushover for boulders too. Those he managed to pry loose from Mother Earth’s grip ended up in the back of our Plymouth station wagon.
In my capacity as a writer, no different from any other striving to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, regardless of genre—I’m leaving no stone unturned conducting research.
Every unturned stone has potential…
Halfway through my work in progress, a Contemporary set in my native state of Rhode Island, I’ve uncovered and incorporated historical facts and geographic entities pertaining to the rural town of Foster.
As I wend my way to the finish line, and not any time soon, here is a sampling of other stones I’ve overturned to authenticate every facet of my novel:
Freshwater fishing and appropriate sportswear
Sunsets in the month of July
The stages of human decomposition
Fashions, hit songs, and popular movies from 1949 – mid50s
Birthing practices during the ‘50s
Nuances of the ‘60s
An earnest writer must scavenge the earth, leaving no stone unturned to achieve authenticity in a literary endeavor conjured from imagination.
Happy scavenging!
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
January 29, 2020
Eva’s Byte #248: Moving Words
In my capacity as a writer, I take great pains in moving words around to tell my story through exposition and dialogue. In the midst of fabricating a novel, I am constantly revising by shifting words to better fit my frame of thought and the fabric of the story as it unfolds.
The moving words of a writer are powerful in their capacity to elicit emotions and everlasting impressions in readers’ minds long after the last page of our book has been turned. Just as powerful and endearing, are the moving words of a book review penned in honesty to encourage other curious readers to acquire our labor of love.
Last week, in Eva’s Byte #247: Digging in My Heels, I alluded to simplifying this juncture along life’s journey by purging my surroundings of all extraneous things. After all, it’s what I do as a writer: paring narration to the essentials in moving the plot toward its destination.
Discreet as I tried to be in donating my worldly possessions by leaving those dearly departed items on a cocktail table in the lounge of my apartment building—my anonymity was an illusion.
In so many moving words, one of the residents thanked me for my generosity, letting me know how each displaced article found an appreciative home inside and outside our complex. I’m deeply grateful for having made a discernible difference.
Written or spoken, the juxtaposition of heartfelt words has the power to move us beyond words.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
The moving words of a writer are powerful in their capacity to elicit emotions and everlasting impressions in readers’ minds long after the last page of our book has been turned. Just as powerful and endearing, are the moving words of a book review penned in honesty to encourage other curious readers to acquire our labor of love.
Last week, in Eva’s Byte #247: Digging in My Heels, I alluded to simplifying this juncture along life’s journey by purging my surroundings of all extraneous things. After all, it’s what I do as a writer: paring narration to the essentials in moving the plot toward its destination.
Discreet as I tried to be in donating my worldly possessions by leaving those dearly departed items on a cocktail table in the lounge of my apartment building—my anonymity was an illusion.
In so many moving words, one of the residents thanked me for my generosity, letting me know how each displaced article found an appreciative home inside and outside our complex. I’m deeply grateful for having made a discernible difference.
Written or spoken, the juxtaposition of heartfelt words has the power to move us beyond words.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
January 22, 2020
Eva’s Byte #247: Digging in My Heels
At this juncture along life’s journey, I’m digging in my heels to simplify and declutter my surroundings. I’m leaving no stone unturned in my tour of duty to sort, weed out the extraneous, and donate/discard. I find the process liberating and exhilarating.
Likewise, at this juncture along my literary journey, I’m digging in my heels to progress further along my WIP. Having finished drafting chapter 38, I exercised my better judgment to divide the chapter in two.
In doing so, other things fell neatly into place:
Part One: Chapters 1 – 20
Part Two: Chapters 21 – 39
Part Three: Chapters 40 - ? (I’ll need to dig in my heels first)
Part Four: (To be determined)
Up until my arrival at chapter 40, I hadn’t planned on a part four. In my opinion, that is the awesomeness of writing a novel by winging it all the way.
I’ll certainly be digging my way back to chapter 21 to set the stage for writing chapter 40.
Halfway through this Contemporary, I am closer to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, although I can’t predict when I’ll reach my final destination. Of utmost importance—leaving no stone unturned in polishing and perfecting my fifth major composition before deeming it road ready for publication.
Similar to purging closets, a writer must declutter by sorting and discarding what detracts from the story.
From where I stand, digging in one’s heels is preferable to dragging one’s feet.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Goodreads:
Likewise, at this juncture along my literary journey, I’m digging in my heels to progress further along my WIP. Having finished drafting chapter 38, I exercised my better judgment to divide the chapter in two.
In doing so, other things fell neatly into place:
Part One: Chapters 1 – 20
Part Two: Chapters 21 – 39
Part Three: Chapters 40 - ? (I’ll need to dig in my heels first)
Part Four: (To be determined)
Up until my arrival at chapter 40, I hadn’t planned on a part four. In my opinion, that is the awesomeness of writing a novel by winging it all the way.
I’ll certainly be digging my way back to chapter 21 to set the stage for writing chapter 40.
Halfway through this Contemporary, I am closer to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, although I can’t predict when I’ll reach my final destination. Of utmost importance—leaving no stone unturned in polishing and perfecting my fifth major composition before deeming it road ready for publication.
Similar to purging closets, a writer must declutter by sorting and discarding what detracts from the story.
From where I stand, digging in one’s heels is preferable to dragging one’s feet.
Eva’s Authors Den Page: https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Goodreads:
January 15, 2020
Eva’s Byte #246: Suffering for One’s Art
The art of writing has potential to offer an outlet for suffering and adversity. Out of profound respect and admiration for one of many acclaimed writers who suffered for their art, I am paying tribute to Sylvia Plath:
Suffering from mental illness which plagued her until she committed suicide at the age of 30 by sticking her head in an oven, she adopted a confessional style of poetry and storytelling relating to her personal strife.
Of the mindset that no one is exempt from suffering and adversity—setting this aside—in my capacity of writer, I suffer for my art because of anxieties the milieu of writing itself spawns—GUILT.
For:
The limited time at my disposal to roll up my sleeves and further my WIP.
By the end of the day, I’m often too emotionally spent or frazzled to possess the motivation it takes to be at the top of my game.
I have turned a corner, however. I no longer harbor the notion to “quit” and, in doing so, free myself from promoting my work on social media. After struggling with this weighty decision for years, I’ve come to the conclusion that suffering for one’s art is par for the course along my life’s journey.
This decision was sweetened by three recent 5-Star reviews I received for three of my major published works:
(Jan. 11) - An Enlightening Quiche: A Literary Work of Art - Her language spills like water, taking you with it, words pooling and flowing around the characters as it brings them to life like Spring rain. It was a true work of literature.
(Jan. 9) - 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s: A Thoroughly Enjoyable Book - … a refreshing and unique take on the 1960’s. The book is composed of numerous vignettes where Ms. Pasco describes an era far removed from what is sometimes referred to as the psychedelic Sixties. Here she tells tales of growing up in a comforting time full of simple pleasures and small adventures that many of us have forgotten or are just too distracted to remember.
(Jan. 6) – Mr. Wizardo: Loved It - The story is engaging and the characters felt real. I loved it and would highly recommend.
*Wishing every starving and/or suffering artist the stamina to complete your current work in progress.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
Suffering from mental illness which plagued her until she committed suicide at the age of 30 by sticking her head in an oven, she adopted a confessional style of poetry and storytelling relating to her personal strife.
Of the mindset that no one is exempt from suffering and adversity—setting this aside—in my capacity of writer, I suffer for my art because of anxieties the milieu of writing itself spawns—GUILT.
For:
The limited time at my disposal to roll up my sleeves and further my WIP.
By the end of the day, I’m often too emotionally spent or frazzled to possess the motivation it takes to be at the top of my game.
I have turned a corner, however. I no longer harbor the notion to “quit” and, in doing so, free myself from promoting my work on social media. After struggling with this weighty decision for years, I’ve come to the conclusion that suffering for one’s art is par for the course along my life’s journey.
This decision was sweetened by three recent 5-Star reviews I received for three of my major published works:
(Jan. 11) - An Enlightening Quiche: A Literary Work of Art - Her language spills like water, taking you with it, words pooling and flowing around the characters as it brings them to life like Spring rain. It was a true work of literature.
(Jan. 9) - 100 Wild Mushrooms: Memoirs of the ‘60s: A Thoroughly Enjoyable Book - … a refreshing and unique take on the 1960’s. The book is composed of numerous vignettes where Ms. Pasco describes an era far removed from what is sometimes referred to as the psychedelic Sixties. Here she tells tales of growing up in a comforting time full of simple pleasures and small adventures that many of us have forgotten or are just too distracted to remember.
(Jan. 6) – Mr. Wizardo: Loved It - The story is engaging and the characters felt real. I loved it and would highly recommend.
*Wishing every starving and/or suffering artist the stamina to complete your current work in progress.
Eva’s Authors Den Page:https://tinyurl.com/yycm7d2w
