Caleigh O'Shea's Blog, page 27

Building a New Novel

Every writer I know has trouble writing. ~ Joseph Heller, American author

Perhaps some of you have noticed I haven’t been around the blogosphere as much lately as I have in previous years.

Maybe some of you have missed me.

Or my musings.

There’s an excellent reason for that.

I’ve been writing.

Working on my novel, what I envision as book two of a mystery series.

I’ve complained before about how hard it is, writing the sophomore novel.

Not that my debut was a screaming success or anything, but I think I gained a lot of experience from that whole process — writing, finding a publisher, marketing, and so forth — and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by my own expectations to do better this time out of the gate.

To learn from my mistakes and those others have cautioned me about.

You know, until you actually start writing “for reals,” you never appreciate the number of How-To books there are on writing.

Topics like: how to get started, how to work through a plot, how to banish procrastination and writer’s block, how to find an agent (whew, LOTS of those!), how to publicize your book, and so on.

Some argue it’s important to get your first draft down. Nobody’s first effort is stellar, they maintain, and that’s what editors are for.

But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that I have to be true to myself. And I cringe at jotting down junk. I labor over each word, trying to make sure every sentence says what I mean, with correct grammar and spelling.

Bonus? Less time expended on proofreading!

Still, writing isn’t easy.

It’s not physical labor like construction, or emotional labor like counseling, or mental labor like surgery, but….

Sometimes, it’s all of that.

When I was a working journalist, I’d go to a meeting, return to the office, type up my report, and be done until the next assignment.

Not so with novels! The process is way slower, and it’s easy to get discouraged.

I keep reminding myself that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” (John Heywood, English playwright).

But they were laying bricks every hour so the work was getting done.

Slowly, but steadily.

Like novel-writing.

While I can’t put down words every hour, I can commit to writing every day.

To keep the juices flowing and that pump primed at all times.

So the Muse won’t get exasperated and dance away, never to return!

Hoping for Peace

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. ~Golda Meir, fourth Prime Minister of Israel

We’ve been told to expect tribulation in the world,

And we don’t have to look far to see a rocky path:

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Crowded with thorns and brambles:

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More often than not, cold and unforgiving:

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But that doesn’t mean we should give up.

Because peace, real peace, is something most of us crave.

Maybe we’ve been focusing too long on the big picture:

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And failing to appreciate how interconnected we small humans are:

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Maybe we simply need to place one foot in front of the other:

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And keep working toward new beginnings of peace:

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Being Proactive

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~Author Unknown

I have a question — a serious question — and I hope someone older (or just wiser) can give me an answer.

When should the average person start prepping for old age?

Now I’m not talking about finances. I assume most people, as soon as they enter the workforce, start saving money for retirement and such.

Nor am I talking about health. Most of us probably try to eat right, exercise, sleep, and get medical tests and procedures when they’re recommended.

I’m not talking about career either. I assume most people either settle in to a job they like (or at least can tolerate), work for themselves, immerse themselves in hobbies, or have the luxury of not working (rich spouse? trust fund? lottery?)

What I’m talking about is living arrangements.

Because whether you choose a retirement community, single-family house, apartment, or condo, eventually you’re going to be stuck.

Unwilling (or unable) to select another option.

And it seems prudent to me to choose while you have the ability to, rather than have somebody else choose for you.

Parceling out your belongings. Forcing you to downsize. Or moving you to where you know no one, just so they can visit once in a blue moon.

Perhaps because my elderly mom lives with me, I’m more attuned to issues of aging. I want to learn from her choices and not make the same mistakes.

Like refusing to plan.

It’s obvious some people are old at 40. Maybe they have health issues and it’s a challenge for them just to get by. Others, at 90, are still driving, participating in activities, and enjoying life.

But life is short and things can change fast. The spouse you counted on suddenly dies. The kids take a job clear across the country. You slip on the ice and break a bone. Or you start forgetting everything and get diagnosed with dementia. Or cancer.

Most healthy, rational 40-year-olds don’t need to relocate to a retirement community, and there are plenty of 50-year-olds not ready to retire. But if you don’t plan on retiring until you’re 70 or so, how do you avoid getting stuck??

Get Up!!

The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years. ~Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States

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Red sky at morning is indicative

Of bad weather to come, so they say.

But oh, what beautiful sky scenes

Such reds, golds, and purples bring!

Who can lie still in bed

When beauty abounds?

Not me! No way!

Phone in hand

I snap

This

Shot

Looking

To the east

At a sunrise

That was so gorgeous

It took my breath away.

Everything was bathed in pink —

Houses, fences, trees, lawns, and more

Glowing a shimmery shade of rose.

Making me glad I was up to see it.

Note: Poetry form is a Double Reversed Etheree. You can find out more about this form here.

Happiness

Real elation is when you feel you could touch a star without standing on tiptoe. ~Doug Larson, columnist and editor

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Seeing my first book

On the shelf of our library

Just makes my heart soar!

Sunday’s Gem — Celestite

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein, German-born theoretical physicist

Celestite (aka Celestine) derives its name from the Latin word for celestial. While found in shades of red, yellow, and milky white, it’s the pale blue that’s the most common. And most prized.

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A Celestite crystal cluster available for purchase at www.indiamart.com

Celestite deposits occur around the world. A strontium sulfate mineral first reported in the late 1700s, Celestite is extremely soft (3 to 3.5 on the 1-10 Mohs scale of hardness). As such, it’s not often used as a gemstone but left in specimens, many lining geodes. It also claims industrial uses, such as in the making of fireworks (when burned, it gives off a bright red flare), paint, and glass, as well as refining sugar-beet.

A powerful healing crystal, Celestite is valued for connecting one with the angelic realms. It’s believed to relieve stress, bring harmony and balance, and assist in maintaining inner peace. Singers, actors, and speakers should carry a piece of Celestite to ward off stage fright; artists, musicians, and designers can benefit from its boost to creativity; timid children can find it bestows courage in confronting new experiences. Reiki practitioners say it heightens divine intuition, facilitating deep states of meditation and helping with dream recall.

On the physical plane, Celestite is believed to aid in breathing issues (asthma or anxiety), as well as headaches, eye strain, or sore throats. It acts like a detoxifier and pain reliever. Celestine is prized for healing sadness and despair, as well as improving dysfunctional relationships.

Celestite stimulates the Throat Chakra, allowing us to communicate our personal truth to the world. It also activates the Brow (Third Eye) Chakra, opening us to new ideas and dreams, and the Crown Chakra, controlling our thoughts and how we respond to the world around us.

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Tumbled blue-gray Celestite from Madagascar (image thanks to www.myrockhound.com)

While not a traditional birthstone, Celestite is associated with the zodiac signs of Gemini and Libra.

Feng Shui experts claim Celestite uses water energy, traditionally associated with the North area of a home or room. This is the energy of regeneration and rebirth, formless yet powerful. Place some where you repose or meditate.

Handle Celestite carefully! Don’t expose it to direct sunlight (it will fade); recharge it by wrapping it in a blue cloth and tucking it in a drawer or box for two days.

Note: The claims here aren’t meant to take the place of medical advice. They’re based on folklore and other sources, and likely “work” best if one’s belief is strong enough!

Looking Forward

Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. ~Michael Josephson, former law professor and attorney

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Another year gone

Twelve months in front of us all

Time to get it right

A Gift for You

I really don’t think I need buns of steel.  I’d be happy with buns of cinnamon.  ~Ellen DeGeneres, American comedian

Dallas here.

Mama says you’ve all been such good blogging buddies this year that she’s decided to give you a gift.

ME!!!

No, wait.

Not me for real, but me in a video.

Workin’ it.

On my treadmill.

I’m up to six minutes these days, but Domer (my videographer) and Mama (my leash-holder) refused to film my entire walk.

Huh? What’s up with that?

I told them I didn’t see how you’d lived all this time without watching six full minutes of ME, burning the fat.

Building muscle tone.

Looking adorable.

I told them I’m an old dog (actually, I prefer the term “senior pup”), and having just turned 13, I ought to win this debate.

They said two ‘no’ votes cancel out my one ‘yes.’ And they’re both older than 13.

Hmph!

I guess you’ll have to content yourselves then with a measly 30 seconds of my cuteness.

But I’m getting the last say-so.

This Interweb-thingy lets you hit the Play button as often as you’d like.

Take that, Richard Simmons!

 

Note: Mama and I are taking a few days off during the holidays. The Kid will be home, and there’s a feast to prepare, presents to be opened, and football games to watch. Have a wonderful Christmas, and we’ll see you back here in early 2020!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese Proverb

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Snow outlining maple tree

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A snow-covered bush

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More snow-covered bushes

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This is an outdoor fireplace. I like the way the snow outlines the bricks.

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Icicles dripping off a roof line.

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Snow, snow … everywhere you look.

Gone But Not Forgotten

We do not remember days; we remember moments. ~Cesare Pavese, Italian poet and novelist

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Dog-eared photographs,

Awards and certificates.

Remnants of my past.

 

Movie stubs, medals,

Report cards and recipes.

Moved across country.

 

Stuffed animal friends,

T-shirts, toys, and some trinkets

Preserved, so I thought.

 

Snatched from my clutches

By a cadre of critters.

Can’t steal my memories.

 

Note: This is a series of Haiku. On a personal note, the nasty shed has been hauled off (along with the pesky interlopers) and once again, Dallas is master over his yard. Now, to research what I can plant in its place next spring, keeping in mind the site gets only morning sun — any suggestions?