Terena Scott's Blog, page 20
January 23, 2013
Muses hate taxes
“I’m bored,” my Muse whines. “When will you be finished?”
“Taxes take time. I have to get this right,” I say.
“But you’re not doing your taxes yet. You’re just totaling receipts.”
“These receipts tell me how much money Medusa’s Muse has earned.”
“And lost.” She slumps into a chair.
I scowl at her. “Thanks for fixating on the losses.”
“This year hasn’t exactly been booming for your press.”
“That will change.”
“You say that every year.”
Ignoring her, I focus on the pile of receipts again. Does the receipt for photocopies go in the supplies pile or the promotion pile?
My muse kicks my chair. “This press of yours is sucking more than money. It’s sucking your creative energy.”
I sigh. “Why do you do this every year?”
“Do what?”
“Bitch and moan about the press every time I have to do bookkeeping?”
“Because there is nothing creative about bookkeeping.”
“True, there isn’t. But to be creative I need to also be pragmatic. Bookkeeping keeps the lights on.”
“But it takes too long. Why not hire someone?”
“Because that would take money, which you so kindly pointed out I don’t have.”
She crosses her arms and sulks. “I hate this part of publishing.”
“Everyone does.”
“During the Renaissance, you would have had a patron to take care of all those incidentals. He would have paid your taxes and provided you food and shelter, clothing and entertainment. All of your needs would have been taken care of, simply so you could create brilliant works of art.”
“Talk to Rick. Maybe he can get a fourth job and rescue me from all this toil.” I clip a stack of receipts together and then label them postage.
“Don’t you want to take a break and work on your play?”
“Yes, I do, but I have to get this done first.”
“But…”
Swiveling in my chair to face her, I snap, “If you don’t stop interrupting me I’ll never get this done, which means I’ll never get to work on my play.”
She regally stands, looks at me, and in a calm voice says, “Don’t forget you have a deadline on your play. You told UPT you’d finish the rewrites this week.”
“I know.”
“I’ll leave you to it then.” With a toss of her snake tresses, she softly walks from the room.
Muses!
Where was I? Crap, I know I have more receipts for travel. Where’s the one from the dinner in October
January 8, 2013
My Silent Grandmothers – on Columbia Rising
My Silent Grandmothers – on Columbia Rising
I just wrote a post for the blog, Columbia Rising, about my Chickasaw grandmothers. Follow the link to read. Columbia Rising celebrates the rebirth of the American Goddess. Excellent artwork and writing.
December 26, 2012
The Best Gift For Writers from “Will Write For Chocolate”.
The Best Gift For Writers – Will Write For Chocolate – Inkygirl.com.
follow the link for more great cartoons from Inkygirl.
December 13, 2012
The Ultimate Expression of DIY: Landfill Orchestra
The Ultimate Expression of DIY: Landfill Orchestra
My muses are those who find art in their every day world, even if that world is filled with poverty. I am inspired by people who can turn the ordinary into something incredible. This video demonstrates that genius. Click the above link, enjoy, and be inspired.
December 10, 2012
Why bother blogging at all?
Was my last post really before Halloween? Bad Blogger! No cookie for me.
I could blame it on life, which I will, but we both know that’s only part of the issue. It has to do more with staying in the habit of writing. A blog is a living essay that needs to be nurtured or it will die. It needs fresh ideas, shared opinions, conversation, images, and readers. Without all of these things, you may as well just stay on Facebook (which I have been doing too much of, but don’t tell anyone).
A blog also needs to be more than just a platform to sell something. I have a publishing company (Medusa’s Muse Press) and I teach workshops on self-publishing, so I know how hard it can be to not push your wares (like my books, on Medusa’s Muse). It’s okay to share the fact you have something to sell, but I am instantly turned off by writers who keep a blog just to advertise their business.
Why bother blogging at all? There are a million writers with a million blogs and we’re all trying to grab a little bit of attention from a million strangers on the inter-web. It can feel like we’re all shouting into a vacuum. What’s the point?
I blog because I want to help others and I also want to learn from others. I want to discover something new, see something beautiful, and laugh; I hope I can do the same for others. Blogging is also the perfect writing exercise, when I remember to do it. If I get on a schedule and stay committed to my blog, writing posts trains my mind to slow down and focus. It also helps me write faster (something I am sorely out of practice because this post is short but has taken me over an hour to write). And it helps me practice grammar and punctuation (also out of practice with. sigh).
Why do you blog? Are you sharing your life? Making new friends? Changing minds? Teaching? Trying to help people laugh? Raising awareness? Hoping to sell a few more books? I’d really love to know what drives us to spend so much of our precious time writing on the internet in hopes someone out there will notice?
Maybe that’s why I blog: I just want someone to pay attention.
October 13, 2012
Halloween Flyer featuring my favorite muse: Medusa
Why Medusa? Because that’s the name of my book publishing company: Medusa’s Muse.
But here’s the question: Who is Medusa’s muse?
October 7, 2012
Virgin POP Mary!
French artist / sculptor Soasig Chamaillard created a polemic series of pop culture characters, from found or damaged miniature statues of the iconic Virgin Mary.
"I grew up in a Christian Western society. My perspective on life has been a result of my environment and background. The playful interaction of society’s many icons, physical transformations, and the resulting improbable combinations, have culminated in my vision of a woman’s role and place in our society.
I love these sculptures. Interesting, creative and beautiful
October 4, 2012
Medusa’s Muse has a brand new website.
My publishing company, Medusa’s Muse, has a brand new website: www.medusasmuse.com
Click the link for the latest news, blog posts, and updates on all of my authors. Buy books, order a t-shirt, or send a submission. The press is open for submissions again and is actively seeking new authors (that means you).
I also just wrote a blog post about what I learned while creating a new website. First, I hired someone to do it.
There is so much more to creating a website than I knew
New Website for Medusa's Muse
Click the link for all the latest news, blog posts, and updates on your favorite Medusa's Muse authors. Buy books, order a t-shirt, or send a submission. The press is open for submissions again and is actively seeking new authors.
Thanks for your continued support of Medusa's Muse
July 6, 2012
Higgs Boson Explained
The discovery of the Higgs Boson will expand our understanding of physics and the way the universe works. What the heck is the Higgs Boson? I’m glad you asked.
I f-ing love science!
