R.A. Dyer's Blog, page 3
September 11, 2013
9/11
What was going through your head that day, twelve years ago?
I was only six. We didn't have TV, so I didn't see any footage of the event... The only memory I have of 9/11 was going into my Grandma's office sometime later, and seeing a picture of the American eagle with a tear dripping from its eye: a tribute to the twin towers.
I didn't understand.
I don't know if I could have.
That was one of the greatest tragedies in American history, and one we need to keep fresh in our minds out of honor for those who died, who gave their lives, and who are still living with the trauma.
Also, as some know, Benghazi happened on this same day, exactly one year ago. Coincidence?
Horrific, tragic, and appalling.
Never forget.
Remember.
I was only six. We didn't have TV, so I didn't see any footage of the event... The only memory I have of 9/11 was going into my Grandma's office sometime later, and seeing a picture of the American eagle with a tear dripping from its eye: a tribute to the twin towers.
I didn't understand.
I don't know if I could have.
That was one of the greatest tragedies in American history, and one we need to keep fresh in our minds out of honor for those who died, who gave their lives, and who are still living with the trauma.
Also, as some know, Benghazi happened on this same day, exactly one year ago. Coincidence?
Horrific, tragic, and appalling.
Never forget.
Remember.
September 9, 2013
Seven Words
This collection of stories that I started out as a kind of challenge [or inspiration, if you'd rather] to myself. Could I write a story in seven words?
I posted it on my Figment profile HERE. And some of you have already read it.
It was inspired, in part I think, by Hemingway's brilliant response to a man who bet a drink that he couldn't tell a story in six words. Hemingway reciprocated with "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." At least, that's how the story goes.
Haunting.
I chose seven words, however, not six. Because I'm strange. I like seven. And thirteen. Those two numbers. So strange...
[I also wrote a few thirteen-word stories, but that is a different matter, and one I will not bring up here. Oh...I just brought it up? Please forgive me.]
So here is the collection of stories, thirty-six of them:
1. “Three…Two…One…Fly!” And we flew.
2. Heroes are always getting in the way.
3. “Want to die then? Follow me, lads.”
4. “I’m no messenger. I’m more important, see?”
5. What makes one great? I don’t know.
6. Her hands were ice. Her heart, too.
7. Nothing sucks so much as hungry dragons.
8. “Don’t drink that. Want to live, right?”
9. “You’re stupid! An idiot would be better!”
10. Some people just need to shut up.
11. “You just couldn’t keep quiet, could you?”
12. “Say goodbye now. You will thank me.”
13. I opened the door. A big mistake.
14. Nighttime creatures are vicious, cruel, and hungry.
15. “You think you’re a hero? Think again.”
16. Music is hot bread for the soul.
17. People said that he was a warrior.
18. “Hell! This is hell, Jamie!” “I know…”
19. I stopped loving her. Plain and simple.
20. He said keep it under me hat.
21. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Charlie.”
22. I didn’t even get arrested for it!
23. He was a fighter. Bloody good one.
24. Don’t let the dragons get you down.
25. “We’re sitting in a blasted swamp, idiot!”
26. “Bow, boy, before I force you to!”
27. The whole platoon of men was afraid.
28. Some people say I just never learned…
29. They never told me about her. Never.
30. They released his body to me today.
31. I hired on with the wrong crew.
32. My father taught me many strange things.
33. I knew how to take a thrashing.
34. “I can lick you.” “No you can’t.”
35. Stars were tangled in her long hair.
36. “I love you.” “To the moon, mama?”
So yes... My seven word stories, which are like an integral part of me now. If ever I have a quick spark of inspiration I write another one down. It is an ongoing piece of my being.
[I sound so poetic. There is no way on earth that I will ever be a good poet.]
Mark Twain once said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
That, I think, embodies what writing truly is. Bleeding your very soul into your words in the hope that maybe someone will understand you, admire your work, and see all the pain it has cost you.
Cheers.
-R.D.
[New poll, by the way.]
I posted it on my Figment profile HERE. And some of you have already read it.
It was inspired, in part I think, by Hemingway's brilliant response to a man who bet a drink that he couldn't tell a story in six words. Hemingway reciprocated with "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." At least, that's how the story goes.
Haunting.
I chose seven words, however, not six. Because I'm strange. I like seven. And thirteen. Those two numbers. So strange...
[I also wrote a few thirteen-word stories, but that is a different matter, and one I will not bring up here. Oh...I just brought it up? Please forgive me.]
So here is the collection of stories, thirty-six of them:
1. “Three…Two…One…Fly!” And we flew.
2. Heroes are always getting in the way.
3. “Want to die then? Follow me, lads.”
4. “I’m no messenger. I’m more important, see?”
5. What makes one great? I don’t know.
6. Her hands were ice. Her heart, too.
7. Nothing sucks so much as hungry dragons.
8. “Don’t drink that. Want to live, right?”
9. “You’re stupid! An idiot would be better!”
10. Some people just need to shut up.
11. “You just couldn’t keep quiet, could you?”
12. “Say goodbye now. You will thank me.”
13. I opened the door. A big mistake.
14. Nighttime creatures are vicious, cruel, and hungry.
15. “You think you’re a hero? Think again.”
16. Music is hot bread for the soul.
17. People said that he was a warrior.
18. “Hell! This is hell, Jamie!” “I know…”
19. I stopped loving her. Plain and simple.
20. He said keep it under me hat.
21. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, Charlie.”
22. I didn’t even get arrested for it!
23. He was a fighter. Bloody good one.
24. Don’t let the dragons get you down.
25. “We’re sitting in a blasted swamp, idiot!”
26. “Bow, boy, before I force you to!”
27. The whole platoon of men was afraid.
28. Some people say I just never learned…
29. They never told me about her. Never.
30. They released his body to me today.
31. I hired on with the wrong crew.
32. My father taught me many strange things.
33. I knew how to take a thrashing.
34. “I can lick you.” “No you can’t.”
35. Stars were tangled in her long hair.
36. “I love you.” “To the moon, mama?”
So yes... My seven word stories, which are like an integral part of me now. If ever I have a quick spark of inspiration I write another one down. It is an ongoing piece of my being.
[I sound so poetic. There is no way on earth that I will ever be a good poet.]
Mark Twain once said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
That, I think, embodies what writing truly is. Bleeding your very soul into your words in the hope that maybe someone will understand you, admire your work, and see all the pain it has cost you.
Cheers.
-R.D.
[New poll, by the way.]
September 4, 2013
College
So...folks...I'm back! Back from Wyoming, back from my job, and off to school! [Yeah, I know you missed me.]
No. Actually, I don't know that. But that's beside the point.
College life, everybody, is more like glorified freedom. I say freedom loosely. In this case, it means A) staying up late, B) doing what you want, and C) making new friends.
Of course, you're A) staying up late because you have to study for the test that is DUE tomorrow, or writing that paper that you got assigned, or reading over the syllabus to see what you missed.
And you can B) do anything you want, as long as it involves going to classes, doing homework, and going to more classes.
And C) the friends you make while studying and freaking out about the work that is due the next day will stick with you.
Until you both fail the class together.
I paint such a bleak picture of life.
No, actually, aside from studying and going to classes and eating in the cafeteria and going to more classes and then staying up late to study, I am enjoying college. My Intro to Theatre class is by far my favorite. I am also taking Racquetball [had to have a PE class, and you know me! I also may or may not have a giant red welt on my thigh from an adversary power-hitting the ball unintentionally toward me], and British Lit. [which is hard, but awesome].
Along with that, I'm taking Honors Old Testament and Honors Colloquium since I am in the Honors Program [which is another way of saying I'M SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY but also excited because I enjoy those two classes and all the Honors people.]
That...is about it.
My life is so exciting. I know it. And so do you.
Cheers.
-R.D.
P.S. Trying to find time to write in The Lightcatcher has been pretty much nonexistent. So, I'm sorry about that for those of you who care. For those of you who don't care, or who don't even know what The Lightcatcher is, then I am sorry as well.
That is all.
No. Actually, I don't know that. But that's beside the point.
College life, everybody, is more like glorified freedom. I say freedom loosely. In this case, it means A) staying up late, B) doing what you want, and C) making new friends.
Of course, you're A) staying up late because you have to study for the test that is DUE tomorrow, or writing that paper that you got assigned, or reading over the syllabus to see what you missed.
And you can B) do anything you want, as long as it involves going to classes, doing homework, and going to more classes.
And C) the friends you make while studying and freaking out about the work that is due the next day will stick with you.
Until you both fail the class together.
I paint such a bleak picture of life.
No, actually, aside from studying and going to classes and eating in the cafeteria and going to more classes and then staying up late to study, I am enjoying college. My Intro to Theatre class is by far my favorite. I am also taking Racquetball [had to have a PE class, and you know me! I also may or may not have a giant red welt on my thigh from an adversary power-hitting the ball unintentionally toward me], and British Lit. [which is hard, but awesome].
Along with that, I'm taking Honors Old Testament and Honors Colloquium since I am in the Honors Program [which is another way of saying I'M SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY but also excited because I enjoy those two classes and all the Honors people.]
That...is about it.
My life is so exciting. I know it. And so do you.
Cheers.
-R.D.
P.S. Trying to find time to write in The Lightcatcher has been pretty much nonexistent. So, I'm sorry about that for those of you who care. For those of you who don't care, or who don't even know what The Lightcatcher is, then I am sorry as well.
That is all.
July 6, 2013
Wyoming
Here are a few pictures of where I'm working this summer!
June 22, 2013
Photo Shoot:Funky
Followers
So, dear followers, or anyone who stumbles upon this blog, the Google Friend Connect is going away so as of July 1st you can no longer follow this blog via Google.
However, you can follow me with Bloglovin! [Icon up on right]. So please do so! I love meeting new people.
[Current followers, y'all are still fine and will not be removed.]
-Newsie
However, you can follow me with Bloglovin! [Icon up on right]. So please do so! I love meeting new people.
[Current followers, y'all are still fine and will not be removed.]
-Newsie
June 19, 2013
Travel, Gypsy Soul, and Wishing...
Sometimes, do you ever wish you could just leave the life you're in right now and go someplace else? Anywhere in the world? I do. So many times a day, I wish I could go somewhere, anywhere, and just live an adventure.
And even more so today, when the central Texas heat is shimmering outside and the air conditioner has gone MIA without leave and my mom has decided to steal my fan and use it as her own.
Right now, what I wish, is to be someplace cool––even cold, maybe. Perhaps swimming crystal waters, tan and skinny and effortlessly pretty.
Or walking a highland moor. Or enjoying a cup of chilled coffee in a café far from America.
Or perhaps sitting on a cliff, high above the world, looking down on everything spread below me.
I don't know. They're fancies. Fancies that become dreams that I will hopefully turn into reality someday.
Where would you go?
And even more so today, when the central Texas heat is shimmering outside and the air conditioner has gone MIA without leave and my mom has decided to steal my fan and use it as her own.
Right now, what I wish, is to be someplace cool––even cold, maybe. Perhaps swimming crystal waters, tan and skinny and effortlessly pretty.
Or walking a highland moor. Or enjoying a cup of chilled coffee in a café far from America.
Or perhaps sitting on a cliff, high above the world, looking down on everything spread below me.
I don't know. They're fancies. Fancies that become dreams that I will hopefully turn into reality someday.
Where would you go?
June 18, 2013
What I'm Doing this Summer!
So. It's official. I'm the world's worst blogger. I haven't posted anything since March!
Sorry about that. [Oh, yeah, you say... An apology will make everything better.] Ha-ha. Who am I kidding? I don't have that big of an audience.
So, updates––AKA, what I am doing this summer: Six weeks during the months of June/July/August, I will be staying up in Wyoming [for those of you who don't know, I'm a Texan] and working on a dude ranch up there as a wrangler.
Go on. Be jealous.
I am really excited! The ranch itself sits almost in the shadow of the Grand Teton, so the scenery is gorgeous and absolutely breathtaking! I will have lots of pictures to post here.
[That's a picture of the mountains surrounding the ranch.]
Things I Have Done Since Last Post:
1. Finished the first part of The Lightcatcher [ecstatic about that!]
2. Graduated highschool [I like to think I'm ecstatic about that as well, but then I realize that maybe I don't want to be an adult and go back to drawing unicorns in my coloring book and drinking chocolate milk through a straw.]
3. Finished with all 4-H activities [i.e., State Contests, Fair Week, and NO record book!]
4. Um....I have an uninteresting life.
So yeah, that's about it. Oh, and I'm kind of freaking out about packing/what to pack for WY. If any of y'all have gone on trips and forgot something that you desperately needed, or found something that was useful, LET ME KNOW! Any advice is much appreciated.
[Considering that I know almost every person who follows this blog...that question might be counterproductive. Oh well.]
So long, people!
-Newsie
Sorry about that. [Oh, yeah, you say... An apology will make everything better.] Ha-ha. Who am I kidding? I don't have that big of an audience.
So, updates––AKA, what I am doing this summer: Six weeks during the months of June/July/August, I will be staying up in Wyoming [for those of you who don't know, I'm a Texan] and working on a dude ranch up there as a wrangler.
Go on. Be jealous.
I am really excited! The ranch itself sits almost in the shadow of the Grand Teton, so the scenery is gorgeous and absolutely breathtaking! I will have lots of pictures to post here.
[That's a picture of the mountains surrounding the ranch.]
Things I Have Done Since Last Post:
1. Finished the first part of The Lightcatcher [ecstatic about that!]
2. Graduated highschool [I like to think I'm ecstatic about that as well, but then I realize that maybe I don't want to be an adult and go back to drawing unicorns in my coloring book and drinking chocolate milk through a straw.]
3. Finished with all 4-H activities [i.e., State Contests, Fair Week, and NO record book!]
4. Um....I have an uninteresting life.
So yeah, that's about it. Oh, and I'm kind of freaking out about packing/what to pack for WY. If any of y'all have gone on trips and forgot something that you desperately needed, or found something that was useful, LET ME KNOW! Any advice is much appreciated.
[Considering that I know almost every person who follows this blog...that question might be counterproductive. Oh well.]
So long, people!
-Newsie
March 29, 2013
Interview with Lark McCarthy
If one decided to suddenly conduct an interview with Lark McCarthy from
The Lightcatcher
, it would go something like this:
Me: "I'm so very glad you have decided to sit down with me today. Thank you."
Lark: *nods*
Me: "So...first of all, let's talk about Fin."
Lark: "Why?"
Me: "Well, as we know, Fin has been getting to know you more and more lately, hasn't she?"
Lark: "I suppose so."
Me: "And...?"
Lark: "And what?"
Me: "Well, what do you know about her?"
Lark: "Other than she has a good head for heights and should never have scratched her name off the list? Not much, 'side from the fact she's an artist and that no other idiot would put a scoop of raspberry preserves in perfectly good black coffee. Oh, and she's a good dancer. I hear she can't sing a lick, though."
Me: "How do you feel about her?"
Lark: "Feel?"
Me: "Yes. Feel. Also known as "affection". Do you have any for her?"
Lark: "Affection can go both ways."
Me: "Fine. Romantic affection."
Lark: "Are you asking if I have any romantic affection for Fin Devens?"
Me: "YES!"
Lark: *smoothly* "No, I don't think so. Can we move on?"
Me: ".....No."
Lark: "Why not?"
Me: "Because you're MY blasted character, alrighty? You do what I say! If I want you to like Fin, LIKE HER!"
Lark: *scoffs* "Ha."
Me: "I'll cut you out! I'm warning you...." *Draws breath, calms down.* "Now, let me ask you again, do you have any romantic affection for Fin?" *waggles eyebrows*
Lark: "Why would I?"
Me: "BECAUSE SHE'S YOUR LOVE INTEREST, BLAST IT! AND YOU'D BETTER GET HER QUICK BEFORE BRIT DANIELS OR SONTY BRANNIGAN STEPS IN AND DOES IT FOR YOU, YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
Lark: *Unruffled* "I see."
Me: "NO, NO YOU DON'T SEE. YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? YOU'RE BLIND! YOU'RE BLIND AS A BAT, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, AND YOU'RE DRIVING ME UP THE WALL!"
Lark: "I think the interview is over."
Me: "YEAH, YOU'RE BLOOMIN' RIGHT IT'S OVER. LEAVE. AND GO TALK TO FIN!"
So, yeah, folks. There you go. Lark McCarthy 101.
Cheers.
-Newsie
Me: "I'm so very glad you have decided to sit down with me today. Thank you."
Lark: *nods*
Me: "So...first of all, let's talk about Fin."
Lark: "Why?"
Me: "Well, as we know, Fin has been getting to know you more and more lately, hasn't she?"
Lark: "I suppose so."
Me: "And...?"
Lark: "And what?"
Me: "Well, what do you know about her?"
Lark: "Other than she has a good head for heights and should never have scratched her name off the list? Not much, 'side from the fact she's an artist and that no other idiot would put a scoop of raspberry preserves in perfectly good black coffee. Oh, and she's a good dancer. I hear she can't sing a lick, though."
Me: "How do you feel about her?"
Lark: "Feel?"
Me: "Yes. Feel. Also known as "affection". Do you have any for her?"
Lark: "Affection can go both ways."
Me: "Fine. Romantic affection."
Lark: "Are you asking if I have any romantic affection for Fin Devens?"
Me: "YES!"
Lark: *smoothly* "No, I don't think so. Can we move on?"
Me: ".....No."
Lark: "Why not?"
Me: "Because you're MY blasted character, alrighty? You do what I say! If I want you to like Fin, LIKE HER!"
Lark: *scoffs* "Ha."
Me: "I'll cut you out! I'm warning you...." *Draws breath, calms down.* "Now, let me ask you again, do you have any romantic affection for Fin?" *waggles eyebrows*
Lark: "Why would I?"
Me: "BECAUSE SHE'S YOUR LOVE INTEREST, BLAST IT! AND YOU'D BETTER GET HER QUICK BEFORE BRIT DANIELS OR SONTY BRANNIGAN STEPS IN AND DOES IT FOR YOU, YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
Lark: *Unruffled* "I see."
Me: "NO, NO YOU DON'T SEE. YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? YOU'RE BLIND! YOU'RE BLIND AS A BAT, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, AND YOU'RE DRIVING ME UP THE WALL!"
Lark: "I think the interview is over."
Me: "YEAH, YOU'RE BLOOMIN' RIGHT IT'S OVER. LEAVE. AND GO TALK TO FIN!"
So, yeah, folks. There you go. Lark McCarthy 101.
Cheers.
-Newsie
March 21, 2013
Character Graveyard: The Guys
So right now I'll be highlighting some supporting/side characters that I would love to develop more.
(I won't mention Warren in the Pyrate Games [co-novel with the bestie] who I killed in the prologue, because even though I would love to give him a story, he's...well...dead. And you can't really write about dead characters. Can you? Maybe? *Will have to check on that later.)
Oh, I just mentioned him? Shame on me.
Ren Sharkey: Nineteen-year-old smuggler (not to be confused with a pirate in any sense), Maverick, lives in Salter port.I would love to expound on Ren so much--give him a backstory, a family, a past, and a reason for his part in the rebellion. But the book focuses mainly on Scottie and Slate Fletcher, so I probably won't get a chance to flesh him out as he should be. He is, however, an interesting and mysterious character.
Sid Brooks: Nineteen, soldier, solo balloonist, loner, witty and quick with sarcasm. Deserter.
I'll be introducing Sid in The Lightcatcher, but I don't think I'll talk about him enough. The main focus is on Lark and Fin, so Sid will not get the attention he deserves. I will try, though.
Jakey Riddle: Thirteen years old, pickpocket, thief, lock artist living in the backstreets of Malstan.
So, Jakey. I think he'll probably be one of my favorite characters to write, since he's just a little spitfire. I introduce him in The Starkeeper's Gate, when Will Russell is thrown into the future and wanders into Cheapstreet and sees a crowd gathered around the local stocks.
But I won't say too much about him here, seeing as his story really gets started in the second book of the Halfblood Riders Trilogy. ...Which I haven't even started writing yet.
Sep Woods: Fifteen, already a good pilot, works with the Sky Force.
Well, the main reason I haven't thought more about Sep is because he really doesn't have a story yet. I hope that will change once I finish Flyboy. But, alas, I don't know if he'll get the thought he really needs, because I'll be mainly writing about Kit and Jacey.
So there... A peek inside my mind, or more specifically, my Character Graveyard. On second thought, I think this is really just a post in which I complain about not being able to make my supporting characters the main characters. But then, I would miss my main characters. '
So I can't really do anything about it.
Oh, and can anyone tell me why this post has all guys? Where are all my girls like Skeeta Nelarky, Meg Leiston, Terry Henders, Emmy Lou Brenns, and Natley Brooks?
Perhaps they'll just have to get a post all of their own.
-Newsie
