Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 105
August 15, 2011
Wearing my Reader Hat
Mom and I took a walk this morning in the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina. We talked about books in our to-read piles and why they are there. It's especially important to us now as authors.
How do people choose books?
The vast majority (80-85%) of my book picks come from friend recommendations, including my book club cohorts. Prior to publishing my own novel, I didn't follow authors. If I loved a book, I would look into more books by that author, but I didn't look for them on Facebook or try to catch them on a morning talk show. Authors seemed as inaccessible as actors and actresses. I was wrong. The writing community is incredibly open and generous. I hope other readers realize that.
I do believe word-of-mouth marketing is best, but how do you access it? Book clubs, an invaluable resource, tend to pick bestsellers or other proven entities like classics. I get it. I want to support small press and independent publishers, but you have to weed through the muck for the gem. Some readers won't take the chance.
My sister is with us on vacation, so I asked how she chose books. Her answer, magazines. I admit I notice author interviews in magazines now, but I rarely picked a book that way before. Rarely, however, do you see smaller books in articles.
When you are an avid book clubber like I am, a book a month is chosen for you. Then my mom or other friends would recommend books. My book pile remained stacked with little work on my part. Occasionally I'd scour Amazon or other online retailers and play around until a cover and description beckoned.
We'd love to know... how do you choose a book? Do you read reviews, author interviews, watch morning talk shows? How willing are you to try small press or independently published books?
All this being said, I am featured on Highlighted Author this week, so stop by and check it out. Each week Charlene Wilson features a new author.
The vast majority (80-85%) of my book picks come from friend recommendations, including my book club cohorts. Prior to publishing my own novel, I didn't follow authors. If I loved a book, I would look into more books by that author, but I didn't look for them on Facebook or try to catch them on a morning talk show. Authors seemed as inaccessible as actors and actresses. I was wrong. The writing community is incredibly open and generous. I hope other readers realize that.
I do believe word-of-mouth marketing is best, but how do you access it? Book clubs, an invaluable resource, tend to pick bestsellers or other proven entities like classics. I get it. I want to support small press and independent publishers, but you have to weed through the muck for the gem. Some readers won't take the chance.My sister is with us on vacation, so I asked how she chose books. Her answer, magazines. I admit I notice author interviews in magazines now, but I rarely picked a book that way before. Rarely, however, do you see smaller books in articles.
When you are an avid book clubber like I am, a book a month is chosen for you. Then my mom or other friends would recommend books. My book pile remained stacked with little work on my part. Occasionally I'd scour Amazon or other online retailers and play around until a cover and description beckoned.
We'd love to know... how do you choose a book? Do you read reviews, author interviews, watch morning talk shows? How willing are you to try small press or independently published books?
All this being said, I am featured on Highlighted Author this week, so stop by and check it out. Each week Charlene Wilson features a new author.
August 14, 2011
Finding Inspiration: ROW 80 Check In
What inspires you?
I think about this often. I am not a lazy person. I'd even call myself self-motivated for the most part. But there are just some days I need inspiration.
My great example is exercise. I fight myself. I've slept in exercise clothes, worn them all through the next day, and still not exercised. My secret desire is the effort to wear the clothes will inspire me to action. The flip side is the awful feeling of wearing spandex all day and accomplishing nothing toward my health goals. Then I beat myself up. Sadly, I know exercise makes me feel better, so why is it so hard to motivate myself to do it sometimes?
"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." Anonymous
Writing calls to me, but sometimes I sit down and find myself uninspired. The words don't flow and no amount of time commitment can force it. I can wear my writer's hat all day and not write a single word. It never fails, though, that a thousand words come to me while driving my child to swim practice or volunteering in school.
"Motivation will almost always beat mere talent." Norman R. Augustine
I've learned to embrace inspiration whenever it hits, but also to put myself in situations where it's easy to act. I keep notebooks in the car for jotting down ideas and even a small notebook in my purse. I use the Notes app on my IPhone. Anything I can do to not miss the moments.
For motivation, I join challenges like A Round of Words in 80 Days for the accountability and support. I know I exercise more when a friend is waiting on me at the gym, so I knew a writing community would be a great inspiration for my writing. ROW 80 has been just that. My inspiration.
On to my check in:
Our sequel is humming along. Sleep is suffering, but we are one-third of the way done with the first draft. Not bad! The story and characters are getting along beautifully. This week I am changing my goal back to achieving word count, but I'm going to ease back in and hope for 500 words a day.
I've surpassed my 5 page a day edit challenge and posted on this blog daily. Goals met! I hesitated to add these goals to writing, but I've found both make me a better writer. I look forward to reading everyone's progress this week and checking in on some great blogs. Talk about inspiration! Find some of my fellow ROW 80ers listed below.
And finally I finished and reviewed a book for Rebecca's Reads. The review link will be up on my Mom in Love with Fiction blog in the next day or so along with an additional review later in the week. My hope anyway! I love to read, but time to do so has suffered lately.
Now back to my original question, what inspires you?
I think about this often. I am not a lazy person. I'd even call myself self-motivated for the most part. But there are just some days I need inspiration.
My great example is exercise. I fight myself. I've slept in exercise clothes, worn them all through the next day, and still not exercised. My secret desire is the effort to wear the clothes will inspire me to action. The flip side is the awful feeling of wearing spandex all day and accomplishing nothing toward my health goals. Then I beat myself up. Sadly, I know exercise makes me feel better, so why is it so hard to motivate myself to do it sometimes?
"Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." Anonymous
Writing calls to me, but sometimes I sit down and find myself uninspired. The words don't flow and no amount of time commitment can force it. I can wear my writer's hat all day and not write a single word. It never fails, though, that a thousand words come to me while driving my child to swim practice or volunteering in school.
"Motivation will almost always beat mere talent." Norman R. Augustine
I've learned to embrace inspiration whenever it hits, but also to put myself in situations where it's easy to act. I keep notebooks in the car for jotting down ideas and even a small notebook in my purse. I use the Notes app on my IPhone. Anything I can do to not miss the moments.
For motivation, I join challenges like A Round of Words in 80 Days for the accountability and support. I know I exercise more when a friend is waiting on me at the gym, so I knew a writing community would be a great inspiration for my writing. ROW 80 has been just that. My inspiration.
On to my check in:
Our sequel is humming along. Sleep is suffering, but we are one-third of the way done with the first draft. Not bad! The story and characters are getting along beautifully. This week I am changing my goal back to achieving word count, but I'm going to ease back in and hope for 500 words a day.
I've surpassed my 5 page a day edit challenge and posted on this blog daily. Goals met! I hesitated to add these goals to writing, but I've found both make me a better writer. I look forward to reading everyone's progress this week and checking in on some great blogs. Talk about inspiration! Find some of my fellow ROW 80ers listed below.
And finally I finished and reviewed a book for Rebecca's Reads. The review link will be up on my Mom in Love with Fiction blog in the next day or so along with an additional review later in the week. My hope anyway! I love to read, but time to do so has suffered lately.
Now back to my original question, what inspires you?
August 13, 2011
Living in the Moment to Live on Forever
My family and I are in Duck, North Carolina. We come every year and always create special memories. I hated to leave the blog empty today, but only have a quick quote I ran across.
To live in hearts we leave behindIs not to die.Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground
I hope my children's hearts are filled to overflowing.
As a writer, I create characters and stories hoping to affect readers; another way to leave a piece of me behind.
Thanks to all of you who fill my heart (and brain thanks to all your wonderful advice).
To live in hearts we leave behindIs not to die.Thomas Campbell, Hallowed GroundI hope my children's hearts are filled to overflowing.
As a writer, I create characters and stories hoping to affect readers; another way to leave a piece of me behind.
Thanks to all of you who fill my heart (and brain thanks to all your wonderful advice).
August 12, 2011
Middle Child Day: Friday Feature
Somewhere this week, and I say somewhere because I read so much both online and elsewhere I have no idea where I find things anymore, I saw that August 12th is Middle Child Day. I'm the first born of three girls, but today happens to be my middle sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Tara! I'm also married to a middle child. For today's Friday Feature, the best thing I read this week and why, I wanted to talk about the middle.
My husband and I both come from families of three (and same-sex families of three at that). The nice thing about three... it is well-defined with a beginning, a middle, and an end. The bad thing... it is well-defined. Many scholars have studied birth order and its effect on the family and the individual. What I find interesting is how often you hear the term "middle child syndrome" versus talking about first or last borns. My husband and sister would agree they felt lost in the shuffle.
Then I realized I could tie this into reading. Actually I've found I can tie just about anything back to reading or writing, but I digress. I enjoy series, but almost always note the second book syndrome in a trilogy. This happened for me in the Twilight (okay, second book of four), Hunger Games and City of Bones series. So maybe there's some validity to lost in the shuffle. The first book lands the author the series commitment, so it needs to be stellar and attention-grabbing. The second book usually fills in story to prepare the reader for the thrilling conclusion of the third book. It's sad, because the second book can keep me from continuing the series. I devoured Hunger Games, but Catching Fire lacked the spark to propel me to the third which is collecting dust in my to-read pile.
A lesson can be learned by both parents and writers: give special love to your second baby and make sure they don't feel lost or neglected. I know I strive to do this with my beautiful second daughter, Reagan. Of course, it helps to have both my sister and husband constantly reminding me.
A special shout-out to all who find themselves in the middle. It can truly be a special place, especially if you make sure people see you.
Here I am with my sister, Tara
My middle daughter, Reagan
My two middles, husband Ed & Reagan
Are you stuck in the middle? What's your story?
My husband and I both come from families of three (and same-sex families of three at that). The nice thing about three... it is well-defined with a beginning, a middle, and an end. The bad thing... it is well-defined. Many scholars have studied birth order and its effect on the family and the individual. What I find interesting is how often you hear the term "middle child syndrome" versus talking about first or last borns. My husband and sister would agree they felt lost in the shuffle.
Then I realized I could tie this into reading. Actually I've found I can tie just about anything back to reading or writing, but I digress. I enjoy series, but almost always note the second book syndrome in a trilogy. This happened for me in the Twilight (okay, second book of four), Hunger Games and City of Bones series. So maybe there's some validity to lost in the shuffle. The first book lands the author the series commitment, so it needs to be stellar and attention-grabbing. The second book usually fills in story to prepare the reader for the thrilling conclusion of the third book. It's sad, because the second book can keep me from continuing the series. I devoured Hunger Games, but Catching Fire lacked the spark to propel me to the third which is collecting dust in my to-read pile.
A lesson can be learned by both parents and writers: give special love to your second baby and make sure they don't feel lost or neglected. I know I strive to do this with my beautiful second daughter, Reagan. Of course, it helps to have both my sister and husband constantly reminding me.
A special shout-out to all who find themselves in the middle. It can truly be a special place, especially if you make sure people see you.
Here I am with my sister, Tara
My middle daughter, Reagan
My two middles, husband Ed & Reagan
Are you stuck in the middle? What's your story?
August 11, 2011
Guilty Summer Pleasures
School is just around the corner. My kids are still sleeping late, going to bed late, and squeezing every last bit of fun out of summer. I feel blessed to have these moments with them. I know I'll never regret it, especially the day I see them driving away to college.
Summer is all about having fun and indulging, so I thought I'd share my eight guilty pleasures (eight in honor of August, also my birth month).
1. Sleeping In
I don't like wasting the day away, but there's something so sinful about waking up refreshed and close to lunchtime. It's best when hubby joins me and even a couple of kids.
2. Easy Reading
Kids are happily splashing around in the pool, so I sneak to a shady spot and crack open a good book. I like guilty reads this time of year... nothing too deep or taxing, just a great story with engaging characters. There's a reason books are labeled summer reads. My favorite go-to light read, anything Nora Roberts. I'm trying to expand, though. I recently bought Susan Mallery's Only Mine after several recommendations.
3. Caramel Popcorn
I don't want anyone telling me the number of calories in my favorite caramel popcorn. Life's too short not to occasionally indulge. I like it best hot with melted caramel oozing over the top. Even better, and more of a guilty pleasure, if I have it instead of dinner.
4. Mindless TV shows
I watch very little television. I like my books deep (except for some summer loving, see #2) and my television shows shallow. Some of my faves: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or anything on Food Network), So You Think You Can Dance, and Pawn Stars.
5. Entertainment Magazines
I flip through and look at the pictures the first time, then I read a few articles. I'm not learning life lessons here, unless wearing a see-through top to an event with cameras is a life lesson.
6. Electronic Games
Since I'm a writer, I guess it only makes sense that I love Scrabble or any word game. Or is it because I'm a word nerd?
7. Coloring/Drawing
Sometimes the girls and I sit around and color, everything from coloring books to drawing on a blank sheet of paper. I can't draw a stick figure well, but I can make a lot of circles and color them in with different colors. The funniest thing is when I look up and I'm still coloring, but all the kids have left.
8. Kid movies
I love Tangled, Enchanted, and so many more. Thanks to my kids and summertime, I can watch all the Disney and other animated movies I want and simply blame the children.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Summer is all about having fun and indulging, so I thought I'd share my eight guilty pleasures (eight in honor of August, also my birth month).
1. Sleeping In
I don't like wasting the day away, but there's something so sinful about waking up refreshed and close to lunchtime. It's best when hubby joins me and even a couple of kids.
2. Easy Reading
Kids are happily splashing around in the pool, so I sneak to a shady spot and crack open a good book. I like guilty reads this time of year... nothing too deep or taxing, just a great story with engaging characters. There's a reason books are labeled summer reads. My favorite go-to light read, anything Nora Roberts. I'm trying to expand, though. I recently bought Susan Mallery's Only Mine after several recommendations.
3. Caramel Popcorn
I don't want anyone telling me the number of calories in my favorite caramel popcorn. Life's too short not to occasionally indulge. I like it best hot with melted caramel oozing over the top. Even better, and more of a guilty pleasure, if I have it instead of dinner.
4. Mindless TV shows
I watch very little television. I like my books deep (except for some summer loving, see #2) and my television shows shallow. Some of my faves: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (or anything on Food Network), So You Think You Can Dance, and Pawn Stars.
5. Entertainment Magazines
I flip through and look at the pictures the first time, then I read a few articles. I'm not learning life lessons here, unless wearing a see-through top to an event with cameras is a life lesson.
6. Electronic Games
Since I'm a writer, I guess it only makes sense that I love Scrabble or any word game. Or is it because I'm a word nerd?
7. Coloring/Drawing
Sometimes the girls and I sit around and color, everything from coloring books to drawing on a blank sheet of paper. I can't draw a stick figure well, but I can make a lot of circles and color them in with different colors. The funniest thing is when I look up and I'm still coloring, but all the kids have left.
8. Kid movies
I love Tangled, Enchanted, and so many more. Thanks to my kids and summertime, I can watch all the Disney and other animated movies I want and simply blame the children.
What's your guilty pleasure?
August 10, 2011
Too Much Information is Distracting: ROW 80 Check In
Good Morning! I am up early thanks to a 6:00am online registration start for my daughter's year-round swim team. I think the organizers knew I'd get up and work after the five minute registration process. How kind of them to motivate me.
A slight rant : the internet is killing me. When Mom and I run into a word or punctuation question, we hit the internet. Can I just say there is rarely a definitive answer? If you search long enough, you can find support for any conclusion. This makes me crazy! I want someone to say yes or no to things like the serial comma (I like it, but will probably not use it in our manuscript because it looks messy). Oh, and which is it, internet or Internet? I'm ashamed to admit I own one dictionary, and it's not a good one. Maybe I should go back to the days of having a nice Webster's dictionary sitting on my bookshelf, often used and nicely worn.
Yesterday we were discussing a common Southern expression we wanted to use for our character. It's in dialogue, so we wanted it to look like he would say it. We know how it sounds, but weren't sure how to write it. We typed it into our search engine. Lo and behold there were two camps and both equally represented. Then, of course, we disagreed about which to use. So much time wasted. For those interested, the term was Fair to Midland or Fair to Middling.
I'm interested, which would you use?
On to my check in... Visiting Mom this week has been an excellent motivator to work on the sequel to Depression Cookies . We have outlined plot and characters in addition to writing and editing. I've spent a minimum of an hour a day on this, but I have to admit I'm ready to get back to some serious writing. I like seeing the word count tallies growing. I know what we are doing is important, but I'm eager to post word totals. For one more week, I'm going to continue to work a minimum of an hour a day but am hoping to go back to my 750-a-day word challenge Sunday.
I am doing so much better about visiting blogs, but need to do a bit of catch up to meet my 15 blog visits goal. Will do that today. I easily visited and commented on ten other blogs. This goal will also remain in effect until Sunday.
I'm so excited about the YA book I'm editing. It's an excellent story and I give all the credit to the lovely writer, but I feel I'm making an impact. Editing is the sugar in my life. Writing provides me the nutrition and necessity, but there's nothing like a good edit to finish it off.
Glory be, I finally finished my book and will review it today. The next book is calling to me, and I have until Friday to finish and review it to achieve my goal. Stay tuned...
I'd love some help with my earlier rant. In addition to the question posed above, I'd love to know what guidebook or source you use most often to answer grammar questions? How about word usage?
A slight rant : the internet is killing me. When Mom and I run into a word or punctuation question, we hit the internet. Can I just say there is rarely a definitive answer? If you search long enough, you can find support for any conclusion. This makes me crazy! I want someone to say yes or no to things like the serial comma (I like it, but will probably not use it in our manuscript because it looks messy). Oh, and which is it, internet or Internet? I'm ashamed to admit I own one dictionary, and it's not a good one. Maybe I should go back to the days of having a nice Webster's dictionary sitting on my bookshelf, often used and nicely worn.
Yesterday we were discussing a common Southern expression we wanted to use for our character. It's in dialogue, so we wanted it to look like he would say it. We know how it sounds, but weren't sure how to write it. We typed it into our search engine. Lo and behold there were two camps and both equally represented. Then, of course, we disagreed about which to use. So much time wasted. For those interested, the term was Fair to Midland or Fair to Middling.
I'm interested, which would you use?
On to my check in... Visiting Mom this week has been an excellent motivator to work on the sequel to Depression Cookies . We have outlined plot and characters in addition to writing and editing. I've spent a minimum of an hour a day on this, but I have to admit I'm ready to get back to some serious writing. I like seeing the word count tallies growing. I know what we are doing is important, but I'm eager to post word totals. For one more week, I'm going to continue to work a minimum of an hour a day but am hoping to go back to my 750-a-day word challenge Sunday.
I am doing so much better about visiting blogs, but need to do a bit of catch up to meet my 15 blog visits goal. Will do that today. I easily visited and commented on ten other blogs. This goal will also remain in effect until Sunday.
I'm so excited about the YA book I'm editing. It's an excellent story and I give all the credit to the lovely writer, but I feel I'm making an impact. Editing is the sugar in my life. Writing provides me the nutrition and necessity, but there's nothing like a good edit to finish it off.
Glory be, I finally finished my book and will review it today. The next book is calling to me, and I have until Friday to finish and review it to achieve my goal. Stay tuned...
I'd love some help with my earlier rant. In addition to the question posed above, I'd love to know what guidebook or source you use most often to answer grammar questions? How about word usage?
August 9, 2011
Tub-Full Tuesdays: Letting Go
We love Tub-full Tuesdays. Today, Mom stops by to share a story about what fills her tub. Enjoy!*****Tia and I often talk about the beauty and medicinal effects of laughter. Even in stressful, tension filled situations, sometimes laughter is what breaks the threads, allowing them to come unraveled so we can see the injustice and nonsense of the ordeal.
When my girls were teens, we had what I called standoffs. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Well, here's one scenario:Mother to daughter, "I found your report card in the wash."Daughter to mother, "So?"Mother to daughter, "Don't give me that attitude, young lady!"No response.Mother to daughter, "Are you listening to me?"No response.Mother to daughter, "You have five seconds to explain yourself. The timer starts now!"No response. Eyes lock. The stand-off begins.Am I the only one this has happened to? Well, it happened to me too many times, but on one occasion a huge lesson was learned–one I'll never forget and hope my daughter hasn't either. It's the beauty of laughter at its height.Same scenario…No response. Eyes lock. The standoff begins.Tension shifts to body parts, eyes shift right and left, arms held at waist level soften downward, and the tapping foot slows to a halt.Uncomfortableness shifts in . . . Then you get an itch in your nose, you refuse to obey it, knowing if you do you'll lose the lockdown . . .At the same time, you notice the twitch in your daughter's eye. You hope it's something behind her contact and you hope the pain is unbearable, at least for the moment. You sigh in triumph, thinking fate is on your side.Within seconds, it's all you can do not to twitch . . . you suck in air and hold it, hoping it will abate the instinct.You concentrate, studying the lone tear bubbling at the corner of her eye and watch in glee as she finally squints to release it. Yes, you're winning. She doesn't have what it takes!More tears follow, but it's getting harder for you to concentrate on them. The twitch is gaining control. You are turning blue, your mouth pinches so tight it draws down to your chin. You can no longer contain it . . .With tears streaming and one eye batting furiously,Toes digging deeper into the carpet, snorts resounding more intently,Both, simultaneously reach, eyes still intent, toward a swelling eye and an extended nostril.Then it happens, the laughter erupting in a concert of heaves and ho's. One swiping tears, the other vigorously scratching her nose as they tumble to the floor, laughing more.Later, after the evening meal, the daughter stops by her mother's bedroom, leans against the doorframe and announces, "Guess I was wrong about the report card." She shifts her weight and begins again, "My grades weren't what I expected. I was disappointed. It wasn't about deceiving you or Daddy. It was about me being mad at me.""Thank you for sharing with me," the mother adds, proud of the young woman standing in front of her.She turned to leave and halted, facing her mom once more. "That was the best ever!""What?""You and me, laughing." Today when I look at her, I remember, and for a moment my nose twitches, not from anger but wanting to laugh all over again!
*****
Please share a time when sadness or anger turned to humor, and how it's good for the soul.
When my girls were teens, we had what I called standoffs. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Well, here's one scenario:Mother to daughter, "I found your report card in the wash."Daughter to mother, "So?"Mother to daughter, "Don't give me that attitude, young lady!"No response.Mother to daughter, "Are you listening to me?"No response.Mother to daughter, "You have five seconds to explain yourself. The timer starts now!"No response. Eyes lock. The stand-off begins.Am I the only one this has happened to? Well, it happened to me too many times, but on one occasion a huge lesson was learned–one I'll never forget and hope my daughter hasn't either. It's the beauty of laughter at its height.Same scenario…No response. Eyes lock. The standoff begins.Tension shifts to body parts, eyes shift right and left, arms held at waist level soften downward, and the tapping foot slows to a halt.Uncomfortableness shifts in . . . Then you get an itch in your nose, you refuse to obey it, knowing if you do you'll lose the lockdown . . .At the same time, you notice the twitch in your daughter's eye. You hope it's something behind her contact and you hope the pain is unbearable, at least for the moment. You sigh in triumph, thinking fate is on your side.Within seconds, it's all you can do not to twitch . . . you suck in air and hold it, hoping it will abate the instinct.You concentrate, studying the lone tear bubbling at the corner of her eye and watch in glee as she finally squints to release it. Yes, you're winning. She doesn't have what it takes!More tears follow, but it's getting harder for you to concentrate on them. The twitch is gaining control. You are turning blue, your mouth pinches so tight it draws down to your chin. You can no longer contain it . . .With tears streaming and one eye batting furiously,Toes digging deeper into the carpet, snorts resounding more intently,Both, simultaneously reach, eyes still intent, toward a swelling eye and an extended nostril.Then it happens, the laughter erupting in a concert of heaves and ho's. One swiping tears, the other vigorously scratching her nose as they tumble to the floor, laughing more.Later, after the evening meal, the daughter stops by her mother's bedroom, leans against the doorframe and announces, "Guess I was wrong about the report card." She shifts her weight and begins again, "My grades weren't what I expected. I was disappointed. It wasn't about deceiving you or Daddy. It was about me being mad at me.""Thank you for sharing with me," the mother adds, proud of the young woman standing in front of her.She turned to leave and halted, facing her mom once more. "That was the best ever!""What?""You and me, laughing." Today when I look at her, I remember, and for a moment my nose twitches, not from anger but wanting to laugh all over again!*****
Please share a time when sadness or anger turned to humor, and how it's good for the soul.
August 8, 2011
Imagination Station
Mom and I are taking the girls to a children's science museum nearby today, Imagination Station. According to the brochure, there are several interactive and educational displays to teach the kids about the world around them. It got me thinking... what would an imagination station for adults be like?
Tree or Face?
I'm sure your mind is racing with possibilities, but I specifically imagined a place for writers. Room after room of inspiration. Have you ever had a picture in your head you wanted to capture with words? There would be a room where you typed in your thoughts and a screen would display the scene. Not quite what you imagined, tweak a word here and there and hit enter again. Once the scene is exactly what you wanted, print your words and move along.
Of course there would be a female and male character building room. Different pieces of body parts and various facial features could be assembled to create characters. Once complete, you could print a picture to represent the character in your mind. I might be longer in the male room, creating obscenely perfect hunks. I don't write romance. It's just for experiment sake. I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to create the perfect male specimen in case I need him in a story someday.
A whole room would be dedicated to the senses. Things you could feel, smell, see, and manipulate. No matter how great the story in my head, it's trapped there if I can't present it to readers in such detail they can see it themselves.
Near the end, when my mojo was sparked and flowing, a room called Plot Place. Did you ever read the Follow Your Own Adventure books as a kid? You'd get to the end of the page and pick an option, this would send you to another page and so on. You were in control. Whenever my decision messed up the story, I'd go back a few pages and try again. This is what Plot Place would be but for my story. Set the story in motion and see what choices do to it.
What would your Imagination Station have in it?
Tree or Face?
I'm sure your mind is racing with possibilities, but I specifically imagined a place for writers. Room after room of inspiration. Have you ever had a picture in your head you wanted to capture with words? There would be a room where you typed in your thoughts and a screen would display the scene. Not quite what you imagined, tweak a word here and there and hit enter again. Once the scene is exactly what you wanted, print your words and move along.
Of course there would be a female and male character building room. Different pieces of body parts and various facial features could be assembled to create characters. Once complete, you could print a picture to represent the character in your mind. I might be longer in the male room, creating obscenely perfect hunks. I don't write romance. It's just for experiment sake. I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to create the perfect male specimen in case I need him in a story someday.
A whole room would be dedicated to the senses. Things you could feel, smell, see, and manipulate. No matter how great the story in my head, it's trapped there if I can't present it to readers in such detail they can see it themselves.
Near the end, when my mojo was sparked and flowing, a room called Plot Place. Did you ever read the Follow Your Own Adventure books as a kid? You'd get to the end of the page and pick an option, this would send you to another page and so on. You were in control. Whenever my decision messed up the story, I'd go back a few pages and try again. This is what Plot Place would be but for my story. Set the story in motion and see what choices do to it.
What would your Imagination Station have in it?
August 7, 2011
ROW 80 Check In: Coconut Custard and French Silk, Why Choose?
"Mom, I want something sweet." I said, sitting at the kitchen bar.
"What do you want? How about a pie?" she asked. Now you know one of the reasons, and there are many, I love my mom so much.
She mentioned several. I couldn't decide. She made two, so I ended up with a piece of homemade French Silk and Coconut custard within 45 minutes. I kid you not. It's summer, I wasn't choosing between these two flavors. Ah, the joys of being at Mama's.
Stuffed and happy, it suddenly dawned on me it was Sunday. ROW 80 check in time. The beauty of summer is the melting of days into each other until there's no distinction.
But I'm so excited about my progress, I must share. Although I didn't add much to my word count, Mom and I fleshed out some characters and planned plot. We even edited to where we are. I will announce the new word count on Wednesday. I easily worked an hour a day on the manuscript, so I'll keep the time goal for the coming week. And I edited my 5 pages per day.
I also met my goals of visiting 15 ROW 80 blogs and 10 others. I will continue this goal this week. I really enjoy reading all the wonderful posts, so it's not a chore (just time consuming).
I blogged every day but one. On Friday, I was traveling and just couldn't. I plan to post every day this week.
My biggest disappointment: I didn't finish reading my book! I want to, but I've lost momentum with it. Not sure what that says about the book yet. I blame my crazy schedule, for now. I will have this book plus one more read by Wednesday and two reviews done and posted by Friday. Crazy schedule be damned!
In life, it's all about choices. Today, I chose both the coconut and chocolate pies. Sometimes choosing is not all it's cracked up to be. If only I could work on my WIP and read at the same time.
How did your choices pan out this week?
"What do you want? How about a pie?" she asked. Now you know one of the reasons, and there are many, I love my mom so much.
She mentioned several. I couldn't decide. She made two, so I ended up with a piece of homemade French Silk and Coconut custard within 45 minutes. I kid you not. It's summer, I wasn't choosing between these two flavors. Ah, the joys of being at Mama's.Stuffed and happy, it suddenly dawned on me it was Sunday. ROW 80 check in time. The beauty of summer is the melting of days into each other until there's no distinction.
But I'm so excited about my progress, I must share. Although I didn't add much to my word count, Mom and I fleshed out some characters and planned plot. We even edited to where we are. I will announce the new word count on Wednesday. I easily worked an hour a day on the manuscript, so I'll keep the time goal for the coming week. And I edited my 5 pages per day.
I also met my goals of visiting 15 ROW 80 blogs and 10 others. I will continue this goal this week. I really enjoy reading all the wonderful posts, so it's not a chore (just time consuming).
I blogged every day but one. On Friday, I was traveling and just couldn't. I plan to post every day this week.
My biggest disappointment: I didn't finish reading my book! I want to, but I've lost momentum with it. Not sure what that says about the book yet. I blame my crazy schedule, for now. I will have this book plus one more read by Wednesday and two reviews done and posted by Friday. Crazy schedule be damned!
In life, it's all about choices. Today, I chose both the coconut and chocolate pies. Sometimes choosing is not all it's cracked up to be. If only I could work on my WIP and read at the same time.
How did your choices pan out this week?
August 6, 2011
Reflections on a Missed Day and Alfred Lord Tennyson
As I reflect on a missed blog post day
I come upon the fact that it's Tennyson's birthday
I don't usually start with rhyme
Not because I don't have the time
But as you quickly have figured out
Poetry is a subject in which I have no clout
OR
I appreciate poetry, but really am not good at it. So on with my post...
I missed posting yesterday. Did the world stop spinning? No. My day started with a six-hour car drive to North Carolina. Every year since my kids were born, I spend two weeks with my parents in the summer. One week at their home and one week in the Outer Banks. I love this time. But after a long car drive and a belated birthday celebration (yeah!), the blog sat empty.
I was surprised how many times yesterday I thought of the blog and wondered if I should just throw something up, a quote or a quick apology for a day off. I again thank Michelle Rafter's Blogathon for lighting the blog fire.
This blogs is a little piece of me
Made available for the world to see.
Sorry. Don't know why the rhyming bug has bitten today. I promise to leave the poetry to Mom in the future.
Now to Alfred Lord Tennyson. He was born on August 6, 1809 and was Poet Laureate of the UK during much of Queen Victoria's reign. As much as I'd like to report my lifelong love of Tennyson, I can't. But I do appreciate some of his most famous lines.
1869 Carbon print from Wikipedia"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
"Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers."
"Theirs not to reason why,Theirs but to die and die."
"I am a part of all that I have met."
"Men at most differ as Heaven and Earth, but women, worst and best, as Heaven and Hell."
"Sin is too stupid to see beyond itself."
Any one of these quotes could be the jumping off point for a story. But the one that most inspired me... thinking I'm part of all that I have met. I may say it over and over in front of the mirror. We all touch people whether we know it or not. I post from desire with the hope it touches someone out there from time to time.
Which one of these quotes speaks to you, and why?
I come upon the fact that it's Tennyson's birthday
I don't usually start with rhyme
Not because I don't have the time
But as you quickly have figured out
Poetry is a subject in which I have no clout
OR
I appreciate poetry, but really am not good at it. So on with my post...
I missed posting yesterday. Did the world stop spinning? No. My day started with a six-hour car drive to North Carolina. Every year since my kids were born, I spend two weeks with my parents in the summer. One week at their home and one week in the Outer Banks. I love this time. But after a long car drive and a belated birthday celebration (yeah!), the blog sat empty.
I was surprised how many times yesterday I thought of the blog and wondered if I should just throw something up, a quote or a quick apology for a day off. I again thank Michelle Rafter's Blogathon for lighting the blog fire.
This blogs is a little piece of me
Made available for the world to see.
Sorry. Don't know why the rhyming bug has bitten today. I promise to leave the poetry to Mom in the future.
Now to Alfred Lord Tennyson. He was born on August 6, 1809 and was Poet Laureate of the UK during much of Queen Victoria's reign. As much as I'd like to report my lifelong love of Tennyson, I can't. But I do appreciate some of his most famous lines.
1869 Carbon print from Wikipedia"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.""Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers."
"Theirs not to reason why,Theirs but to die and die."
"I am a part of all that I have met."
"Men at most differ as Heaven and Earth, but women, worst and best, as Heaven and Hell."
"Sin is too stupid to see beyond itself."
Any one of these quotes could be the jumping off point for a story. But the one that most inspired me... thinking I'm part of all that I have met. I may say it over and over in front of the mirror. We all touch people whether we know it or not. I post from desire with the hope it touches someone out there from time to time.
Which one of these quotes speaks to you, and why?
