Asrai Devin's Blog, page 12
April 19, 2012
This may be a random thought
Most days I get one person finding my blog by searching “Asrai Devin” which is exciting for me. I know it’s not like I’m internet-famous, for little ol me it’s a big deal.
But then I had the thought
Maybe it’s my mom searching my name so she can read what you’ve been up to.
So, Mom if it’s you, you’re busted and I miss you too. If you are visiting aren’t my Mom, well, leave me a comment so I know just how famous I am.
And for the people finding my blog by searching “yellow table on Property Brothers” here is a link to the episode which includes a picture of the table!! Episode 14 of the Property Brothers.I mainly watch it ’cause the twins are kinda cute.
Tagged: Asrai Devin, blogs, Family, Home, Property Brothers, search engines, search terms
April 18, 2012
#Row80 checkin for this date
1) Write 750 words 5 days a week.
I have written in some form everyday, but a few days it was work on How to Think Sideways course by Holly Lisle, which is totally awesome. I’m loving it.
Had to abandon my WIP, the one referenced in my Lucky 7 meme. I made it a special world, but then did no world building, so I have to fix that somehow, I really love the characters and plot. A shiny new idea came to mind.
But again, not tracking word count. Blah.
2) blogging at least twice a week, not including Row updates and my interspiration link mashups for Saturdays.
my monday serious post and Friday Fun are working. I don’t have a backlog built up yet, but I’ll get to that. I’ve been reading too much about niche and panicking about whether or not I need a niche.
3) go for a walk once a week and go to the park with child(ren??) once a week.
went to the park last night with sunshine boy and sunshine girl was at Karate
4) get the yard cleaned up. nuff said, the paining done.
It snowed on the weekend so cleaning the yard was put off.
Funny story with the painting. We did the floors in the living room sometime ago and on Sunday, while sunshine boy named, the girl and I decided to paint. I told her if she got paint on the floor I’d be ticked. She painted a while, we wiped up numerous splatters and found that it was easy. She got tired and quit and I was nearly finished and I ran out of paint. She went and grabbed the paint bucket and all of a sudden I heard “I didn’t mean to.” (DUH!) I turn and she’s on her hands and knees and half the leftover paint is in a pool on the floor and she’s crying.
Poor kid, she’s 9. I scooped up what I could, we used all the rags in the house scooping the rest. And I laughed hysterically. It was either that or cry.
5) Connect with others by using the @USERNAME when I tweet links to people’s blogs.
I tweeted a whole bunch yesterday, but last night and this morning, I haven’t checked my RSS feeds so maybe later today. I schedule my tweets for afternoon to early evening. Getting good responses from people I’ve tweeted links for, and I’m finding that I’m following a lot people’s blogs whom I’m not following on Twitter, so that is getting fixed up.
Tagged: 750 Words, Asrai Devin, Blog, goal setting, goals, Holly Lisle, Round of Words, row80, row80 goals, WIP
April 17, 2012
twitter conversations with Zoe Winters
So Zoe Winters started it. It was not me, I swear.
A New Mental Illness the DSM Should Find a Way to Medicate: Writer wp.me/p5Asa-1DY—
(@zoewinters) April 14, 2012
I retweeted it, becuase it was funny and she replied with
@asrai It's so true, though. Writing is an illness. And since it starts in your mind… you could call it a mental illness lol.—
(@zoewinters) April 14, 2012
There is a lot of issues that surround the highly intelligent and highly creative
@asrai so I get to be brilliant and crazy? Awesome.
—
(@zoewinters) April 15, 2012
She is pretty successful and a great writer, so I’d call that brilliant. And she has the good taste to write romance. The crazy part well …
@zoewinters Being a fairly succesful writer makes you brilliant. Choosing to follow the path makes you crazy. You are very awesome.—
Asrai Devin (@asrai) April 15, 2012
I have long admired Zoe Winters. If you have no idea who she is check out her blog. http://zoewintersbooks.com
Tagged: Asrai Devin, Social media, Twitter, Twitter conversations, Zoe Winters
April 16, 2012
Impatience
I commented on this really great post about the power of diligence when it comes to writing (and anything you pursue).
My comments were about being impatient for the external rewards of “success”. I know success is one of those undefinable things, but here is what I want that will make me feel like I’m successful:
- hundreds of blog visitors. Thousands would blow my mind, but I’ll start with something my brain can comprehend: thousands. I do have a lot of subscribes, and I even have people coming to my blog by searching my name. my name! That gets me excited.
- $500 a month in books sold. I think I need more books out and I need to get what I have out re-written so it comes across better. $500 is my starting goal, as I need to build my novel listings and short stories. I think a consistent paycheck of $500 a month would help convince me (I wrote my family first, but it’s really me that needs the external validation) that this writing thing is going to pan out and be a viable livelihood.
Without that knowledge that this could really work, in those moments of self-doubt, I want to remove all my books, delete my blog and my email accounts and close up shop for writing. Then I’ll just go get a safe job and be safe, secure and slightly unfulfilled for the rest of my life. (I should print that off as a reminder).
In the first link on diligence there is a link to a post by Cal Newport (he wrote Study Hacks and How to be a College Superstar- both of which are awesome books), the main message is “Get so good, they can’t ignore you.”
It’s hard to get that good, it’s hard to do the repetitive stuff everyday until you can’t be ignored. I just want to be celebrated RIGHT NOW. (I also want to be rich off my writing, starting next week).
But, if I don’t do the work I can never be celebrated. And a lot of people we celebrate were never acknowledged as success during their lifetime (occasionally, it did come in their later years).
So, back to the grindstone it is with these things in mind:
If we keep practicing, we will get good enough that we can’t be ignored.
I really do love writing and will continue to do so, even if I make $500 or have 500 blog hits per year.
Are you the patient type who can easily spend their time putting in their 10,000 hours of practice to reach excellence? Or would you rather find a magic lamp tomorrow and suddenly have success tomorrow?
I wrote story like that once, terrible story, but the girl who had three wishes, didn’t want success to just come, she wanted her own genius to be recognized, because she was talented she just didn’t have the experience put in yet.
Tagged: 10 000 hours, Asrai Devin, Book, goals, impatience, Online Writing, Short story, Study Hacks, success, waiting, writing
April 14, 2012
Interspiration #4142012
Confidence vs shyness. http://bit.ly/IFD2W5 This is one of the most important and inspirational things I’ve read this year. I get caught up in the too much thinking thing.
Confidence means being in the moment and acting with intention, not distracted by second thoughts or in your head.
I’m going to write that on notes and post them all over my house!!
Black hole zones in cribs, car seats and strollers. http://bit.ly/HPyI6y
Home staging: bathrooms. http://bit.ly/IsdyNB I have found staging gives you the house you wished for, but never had because you couldn’t let go of your clutter. I need to declutter more.
Ramit Sethi is giving away $1,001 dollars as a social experiment.http://awe.sm/5jqwy If you sign up via the link I get an extra chance at winning. What would I do with the $1000? hire an editor.
You had me at “game time” http://wp.me/p5HGG-J7
Praise and proverbial carrot. Why endless praise of our children isn’t the answer …http://bit.ly/IscN7b
DIY painted glass tumblers. http://bit.ly/HPy6y0 So cool
A New Career Possibility? Made me giggle. http://bit.ly/Ikjp4g via@KristyKJames
Want more happiness? Focus on experiences. http://bit.ly/HAvykK Another really good piece, definitely the best i’ve read this month.
19 things to say to your children. http://bit.ly/IF6SXZ
I love this. Create your own “stones” and tiles. http://bit.ly/HwVahP I think I shall be ordering some of this someday.
What NOT to do when decluttering. bit.ly/HCGWh
You are fantastic! And other notes to self. http://bit.ly/Ilym9j
Oh dear! These people will make you feel like the best parent in the world. http://bit.ly/I5EbSN via @Angela_Peart
Beautiful outdoor rock rugs. Next house. http://bit.ly/HwQJDH
Does lemon-aid drink mix clean your dishwasher? http://bit.ly/HwQuZx
Kakorrhaphiophobia. Do you suffer from this? http://bit.ly/HwQj0f
http://bit.ly/HEZXj2 How to become successful: be likeable, be approachable, be patient via @andrewmocete
#row80 check in, more sadness http://wp.me/p5HGG-La
5 ways to build a happier family. http://bit.ly/HHq9uJ? From positive parents blog.
Pretty Girl syndrome? from @justinemusk http://bit.ly/HHpp8L Really good thoughts.
via @PassiveVoiceBlg . 25 reasons to hate your main character.
Caine’s Arcade via @PassiveVoiceBlg http://bit.ly/ICzS5C Watch it all. Long but worth it.
10 awesome kitchen tricks http://bit.ly/IpFcJW
American Pie Reunion Review. http://bit.ly/IhRTZD Can’t wait to see this.
Putting readers in the driver’s seat #Wana1011 http://wp.me/p5HGG-KM
Admitting faults http://wp.me/p5HGG-JB
The web expands to fill all boredom. http://bit.ly/HCEtAC
RT
Love this story. RT
A conversation with savant Daniel Tammet. http://bit.ly/IduQe6 The way his mind works is so fascinating.
Synesthesia, something Tammet mentions, is something I actually experience. Mainly with numbers, particularly numbers 2-6, have a personality. Even numbers are feminine and odd are male. 2 and 3 are in love, 4 loves 3 and is always trying to find ways to get rid of 2. 5 loves 4, but for whatever reason follows 4 around and helps in her crazy schemes to get rid of 2. 6 defies the rule and is male, and is a neutral party, trying to get 4 to abandon her quest. Numbers above this have some personality, but it’s not as distinct to me as those. 1 is a male child with no distinctive personality.
I feel like I’m crazy confessing this. Numbers are just abstract representation. I recall doing math in grade 3 and see these dynamics play out on the page. I knew that it wasn’t normal so I never told anyone.
People with autism often also have synthesia, as well people with synthesia are often involved in creative work. (from the Wikipedia article).
April 11, 2012
#row80 check in, more sadness
Today sucked. Last Saturday we took our awesome, but indoor-outdoor cat to the vet because she seemed in pain and I had found a small wound that was pus filled. They cleaned it, gave her an anti-biotic and sent her home. She got out of the house unbeknownst to us Monday and I found her in the afternoon. I grabbed her and popped a huge abscess on her side and brought her in to clean it. It was huge and gaping. I called the vet, they booked me in first thing Tuesday (this morning even though this won't post until Wednesday). Hubby took her in, (Thank god because I'm sure I'd still be there) and she was torn open worse on the other side. Some sort of big animal got her and shook her around. There was nothing they could do but ease her pain.
RIP Snuffalupagus, Snuffi. You will be missed. She really was an awesome cat.
But it brings me back to loss, which seems to be the theme of this year.
So row80 goals.
Write 750 words 5 days a week. Right now I am at a bit of a loss on how to proceed with my novel. I got the heroine into a pickle and I don't know how to get her back out. The pickle was something I envisioned from the beginning (though in a different point in the story) and now I'm stuck. So I'm concentrating on How to Think Sideways Course from Holly Lisle.
Blog twice a week. I have to refill my Friday posts, as what I had scheduled are at an end. And Mondays I write as I think of things that interest me.
Go for a walk or to the park or something. We hung out outside in the yard for a while today and yesterday we went for two walks. Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer so we'll probably head for the park for a bit.
Clean up the yard. Working on it. Tomorrow I have plans to clean the house, because I've been slacking off.
Tweet blogs with mentions. Did a few today. Tuesdays are a difficult day to find good posts. I'm also trying to steer clear of posting too many writing focused blogs, which is difficult because the bulk of my focus is writing, the publishing industry, and social media related to writing and publishing. I don't want to get niched into writing about writing and Tweeting about writing.
Tagged: Arts, Asrai Devin, Business, Holly Lisle, Publishing, Round of Words, row80, row80 goals, Social media, Twitter, Writers Resources, writing
April 10, 2012
Putting readers in the driver's seat
Larry Brooks of Storyfix wrote this post about how to position yourself to go viral, inspired for him by reading about the success of 50 Shades of Grey.
His idea was that the book succeeded because it allowed the reader to live vicariously through the main character.
And if I think about the videos, books and video games I have loved, that is part of what I loved about them.
A few examples:
Dragon Age: Origins (video game). You are the main character. You speak as the MC, you make her decisions (and the game can change based on your decisions). Basically, you are in the driver's seat, feeling and thinking all these things. It's like transporting a story to paper dolls in front of you.
The Kimberly Cole video audition where the alter-ego of Nathan Barnett, über nerd Keith Apiary takes part in the audition and everyone LOVES him. He's not just a comedian, the dude, despite all appearances, can dance.
Why we love it: because we all feel like the nerd or the odd person out in the room at one time or another and we've all wished we could pull out something über cool like these dance moves and win the approval of the all the people, we believe, are judging us.
50 Shades of Gray or Twilight or any romance where the heroine was flawed, majorly flawed, but manages to win the love of the "Prince Charming" hero.
Why we love them: 50 Shades of Gray, while I haven't read it, the idea of being tied up and pleasured by a hot young man, well hell, that is of course appealing, and if he's rich all the better. Especially if he picks the shy little college student. But romance in general, we all want to be loved. When the main character has some sort of flaw, an imperfection, we can identify with her. Perfect people are boring.
Hell, who doesn't want a man like Edward, who worships the ground we walk on? I know that would get annoying in real life, but fiction is about escape.
What have you seen/read/played that has drawn you in and made you live vicariously through the main character? Have you found this in your own writing?
Tagged: Asrai Deivn, DAO, Dragon Age, Fiction, Kimberly Cole, Larry Brooks, Prince Charming, Protagonist, readers, Romance, Storyfix, Twilight, Video game, Video Games
April 9, 2012
Admitting faults
I am allergic to deodorant. I've found the crystal works okay, if you do about 50 strokes. This story happened between the time I found out I was allergic to deodorant (i've tried many kinds, I wind up with an itchy rash under my arms) and finding the crystal stuff.
I worked a very labour intensive shelf-stocking job. I hated it and I think I was trying to get out of their subconsciously. Anyway, I worked hard, moving stock but I sweated. And someone, I believe I know who and he was no daisy, but that's vindictive, either. Anyway, the assistant manager had to tell me I smelled. My response was to stop working as hard at the job so I didn't work up a sweat. It worked. I didn't stay long after, i went to a nice evening office cleaning job where I worked ALONE. My supervisor, whose son went to school with my daughter for 4 years and become a good friend of ours, had five or so other sites plus cleaning to do, so he rarely even checked on me. Anyway, getting criticism, even for working too hard, SUCKS.
(Vindictive comment alert again: grocery store you can bite me, you didn't even give an employee discount for shopping there and your food was double the other stores, and you would complain about employees who didn't shop at said store).
I am getting sample edits from some editors. One wrote me and asked me some questions about my goals and ability to take criticism.
I'm already thinking she sees major problems with my work and she'll tell me there is too much to work with at her price. That I should give up my dreams of being a professional writer, because it's sooo bad.
I don't like criticism. Of course.
No one wants to hear about their mistakes.
I am particularly good at harping on myself about choices I've made. As if telling myself how bad something was is going to change the choice or the outcome. I have a hard time letting things go and when it comes to my own mis-steps, I am keeping score.
It's an extreme introvert with a self-esteem issue.
So back to getting criticism. Even constructive criticism.
I never reply to mean comments. After I let things sit for a bit, I will reply to constructive comments and make changes accordingly. I developed a bit of a thick skin after moderating a Freecycle(TM) group for six years.
Actually I developed the ability to write long rants and not hit the send button before I threw a few tantrums in the form of rants and raves to my husband, and then we would discuss things logically and then he would help me write a nice reply and we could move on.
I think I'll tell her that while I don't like to hear about mistakes I've made, not because I don't think I make them, but because I'd rather not face my fatal (oh the drama) flaws. So, once I get bad news, I'll take a couple hours to days to come to the conclusion the other person is right, and then I'll drag my sorry butt back to the person, admit they are right and try to change in ways they believe will be beneficial.
I also need to tell her that I can't spell for shit and my typing is often faster than my brain so typofairies live within my work. Which is the main edit I wanted.
How do you do with criticism? Any good stories about ways you've reacted badly or well to criticism you've received?
Tagged: Asrai Devin, Criticism, Deodorant, Facebook, Freecycle, personal Development, personal productivity, Recreation
April 8, 2012
#Row80 Check in
My first Row80 check in. Goals have not been on the top of my mind this week.
Let's see.
Goal #1 750 words, 5 days a week. I wrote 7 days this week, no idea on my word count as I forgot to keep track. It's not a habit of mine, as long as I write I'm generally happy.
Goal #2 blog twice a week. Going well, been doing random life posts on Mondays and Fun on Fridays and the occasional writerly thing scheduled for the middle of the week.
Goal #3 Go to the park and for a walk. Went to the park on Thursday with Boy, while Girl was at Karate, even though it was freezing with wind.
Goal #4. yard clean up in progress. Our new place has an enormous amount of trees and thus a great big deal of leaves. We did 6 bags of leaves in the fall before the snow fell, the rest got shoved in a pile, we did 13 this spring and I have probably 3-5 more to do. Although some are going in my new compost bin, as soon as there is time to build that. And y'know lack of wind. (Okay there is never lack of wind, it's the prairies).
Goal #5. Retweet by using mentions. I think more than half my tweet this week were with mentions of users, many people thanked me. I read this post. I read this post yesterday, titled The Twitter Thanking Crisis. Basically a lot of people tweet messages that seem like thank-yous, but are actually self-promotion. Some good tips and some ranting in the post. Any thoughts on the topic? Do you engage in some of the activities she writes about? (I do, but they aren't the only things I tweet, so I think I'm okay).
Happy Easter. My children got a bit of candy and Just Dance 3, which the boy is less than thrilled about; he loves the first one, but this one has songs he's unfamiliar at this moment, a month from now will be a different story. I will say it's way more complicated than the first one, they don't always show you the next move, relying on you to remember.
Tagged: 750 Words, Asrai Devin, Blog, Easter, goal setting, goal tracking, goals, Just Dance 3, Online Communities, row80, row80 goals, Twitter, Word count
April 7, 2012
Interspiration #472012
Happy birthday to my little brother. He doesn't read this blog, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
@jakonrath is a cruel man. All this time I spent believing his rhetoric about self-pubbing and success. http://bit.ly/HEgWDy
This could be fun (email sign-up required). Creative Day Spa. I'm giving it a try. http://bit.ly/HEiei0
@PassiveVoiceBlg Loved this article about why Amazon sucks http://bit.ly/H8fhba Scroll down to Lee Allard's comment. "Turn the sheep around" Cannot stop giggling. This was the single best thing I read this week.
I dont know how to even comment. Love is the most powerful force we can wield. http://bit.ly/Hbv0ap
Tropes and Discworld. http://bit.ly/HQ75IO guest post on @_SamanthaWarren
6 of the stragest fashion statments to be seen. http://bit.ly/HGfTBS via @colin_falconer
Telltale signs you need a break via @SusieLindau http://bit.ly/Hc7khx
Of Dr. Horrible and 8-bit simulations http://wp.me/p5HGG-J4
Want to go viral? http://bit.ly/AzUdiD Make it about the reader. From@storyfix #Wana1011
A study in blogging voice. You know that undefinable voice of a writer. http://bit.ly/xg2fF7 via @justinemusk Now going to add these to RSS
He's got better moves that Jagger anyway. http://bit.ly/HrAMOy Nerdy guy at dance audition surprises! via @_SamanthaWarren
I know this is so last month but I died laughing when I read it.http://bit.ly/HpIGMD via @NatalieHartford
Get rid of not good enough thinking. http://bit.ly/zGO518 She's gorgeous!! And brilliant. #Wana1011 #Row80
Little pub in England called "The Hobbit" is being told to change it's name. http://bit.ly/wvP9ki
RT @thecreativepenn: The Lost History of Fifty Shades of Grey via@GalleyCat
Thanks to @DianeCapri @jenmariepowell and @SSchroeder_ for helping me clarify my thoughts about HEA in comments.http://bit.ly/HhVe5l
50 ways to nudge your lover, women's edition. http://bit.ly/HkIz3x via@howtobeadad
Your dreams are tremendously powerful via @ABCcreativity http://bit.ly/HhpPQt
Another reason life is better online from @susan_bischoff http://bit.ly/HhpAVM
http://bit.ly/Hk5xqK Cinderblock planters. Awesome idea. via
Are you doing things that make you happy? http://bit.ly/HRuaNo
I'm thinking this on a big piece of butcher paper on the wall and then drawing all over it. http://bit.ly/HcIqgu
7 reminders you should have in your space (made into pretty art).http://bit.ly/HiO536
Just spell checked this post. I need to do a better job of proofing my tweets before I hit send.
Tagged: Asrai Devin, blog links, blog sharring, Discworld, England, Hobbit, link mashup, link sharing, links, mashup
