C.J. Galaway's Blog, page 4
September 18, 2017
Procrastination
How can one little word create so much destruction?
Seriously...how?
I haven't written a blog entry in over a year thanks largely in part to procrastination. In fact, when I started writing this one I stopped at the title to watch the rest of a movie that I have seen many times over, and could probably quote from heart and I will more than likely watch it several more times. Whether or not it will keep me from a task is yet to be seen.
The movie? Field of Dreams.
Now that we know what drives my procrastination, which is a weakness for movies I've seen way too many times. Fortunately this doesn't seem to interfere too terribly much with my writing...at least so far. I will do my best to combat it.
What interrupts your plans and schedule?
Seriously...how?
I haven't written a blog entry in over a year thanks largely in part to procrastination. In fact, when I started writing this one I stopped at the title to watch the rest of a movie that I have seen many times over, and could probably quote from heart and I will more than likely watch it several more times. Whether or not it will keep me from a task is yet to be seen.
The movie? Field of Dreams.
Now that we know what drives my procrastination, which is a weakness for movies I've seen way too many times. Fortunately this doesn't seem to interfere too terribly much with my writing...at least so far. I will do my best to combat it.
What interrupts your plans and schedule?
April 30, 2016
Zip Lines And Conquering Fears
I have a love/hate/obsession with thrill seeking. I love roller coasters, and the thought of parachuting both excites and scares me.
But ever since I saw this movie, I have been obsessed and scared by one thing...zip lines.
Now I won't go into too much detail on the off chance that someone has not seen this movie or read the book. The main character, Tris Prior, is given the change to ride a zip line.
To me it looked fascinating and terrifying and has tempted me to want to try it.
The sensation of flying while securely tethered to a wire just sounds so thrilling.
Yeah, yeah there is risk in everything...not discussing that here.
I mean doesn't this look like fun?
I will let you know when the big event happens, but for now my feet are firmly planted on terra cotta.
But ever since I saw this movie, I have been obsessed and scared by one thing...zip lines.
Now I won't go into too much detail on the off chance that someone has not seen this movie or read the book. The main character, Tris Prior, is given the change to ride a zip line.
To me it looked fascinating and terrifying and has tempted me to want to try it.
The sensation of flying while securely tethered to a wire just sounds so thrilling.
Yeah, yeah there is risk in everything...not discussing that here.
I mean doesn't this look like fun?
I will let you know when the big event happens, but for now my feet are firmly planted on terra cotta.
Your Path In Life (Things Only You Decide)
There are a lot of things in life that are completely and totally beyond your control. The most obvious of these being how long you get to spend here. The path you choose to take, however, is entirely up to you.
There will be people in your life that will try to influence you when it comes to these decisions, but you and only you can decide these things as they will affect how your time in this journey through life is spent. This includes, but is not limited to:
Religious BeliefEducationCareer
Now I am not here to lecture on the right or wrong of any of these decisions, as I firmly believe they are up to the individual. You will note sexuality and gender identification are not included simply because I do not believe those are choices, and again there are those that will disagree with me..but that is for another topic and one I doubt I will delve any deeper into.
Back to your choices...
Regardless of your religious belief, one thing is universal. We each have the free will to decide our own fate and our destiny.
In other words...the choice is yours.
Go out there and seize your destiny.
There will be people in your life that will try to influence you when it comes to these decisions, but you and only you can decide these things as they will affect how your time in this journey through life is spent. This includes, but is not limited to:
Religious BeliefEducationCareer
Now I am not here to lecture on the right or wrong of any of these decisions, as I firmly believe they are up to the individual. You will note sexuality and gender identification are not included simply because I do not believe those are choices, and again there are those that will disagree with me..but that is for another topic and one I doubt I will delve any deeper into.
Back to your choices...
Regardless of your religious belief, one thing is universal. We each have the free will to decide our own fate and our destiny.
In other words...the choice is yours.
Go out there and seize your destiny.
The X Files
I want to believe...
During the nineties The X Files was the series to watch, with it's plethora of aliens and government conspiracies. It was on air for nine seasons, with a special six part season in 2015. There are rumors of an eleventh season, which would be awesome.
The main characters are Agent Dana Scully, a medical doctor and Special Agent Fox Mulder, who is fascinated by life beyond what is on planet Earth and the government conspiracies to hide this fact from the general population.
This is Mulder and Scully.
In case you can't tell, yes I am obsessed.
Kevin J, Anderson has written several books based off of the series.
I hope there is much more to come.
The truth is out there.
During the nineties The X Files was the series to watch, with it's plethora of aliens and government conspiracies. It was on air for nine seasons, with a special six part season in 2015. There are rumors of an eleventh season, which would be awesome.
The main characters are Agent Dana Scully, a medical doctor and Special Agent Fox Mulder, who is fascinated by life beyond what is on planet Earth and the government conspiracies to hide this fact from the general population.
This is Mulder and Scully.
In case you can't tell, yes I am obsessed.
Kevin J, Anderson has written several books based off of the series.
I hope there is much more to come.
The truth is out there.
April 29, 2016
Why Do We Name Winter Storms?
Lately in weather they have started naming winter storms. Why?
Hurricanes I get but a winter storm?
It is winter and it will snow. In some parts of the country more than others, but it is a natrual part of the season of winter.
Are the weather people really that bored?
Hurricanes I get but a winter storm?
It is winter and it will snow. In some parts of the country more than others, but it is a natrual part of the season of winter.
Are the weather people really that bored?
The Flood of Vampire Novels and Movies
This seems like an unusual topic for someone who has a debut novel with vampires as the subject, but it does seem like the undead have taken over.
What is our obsession with vampires? From the seductive ones of Anne Rice and Laurel K. Hamilton to the sparkly ones of Stephanie Meyer it seems as if we cannot get enough of them.
Television has embraced Charlene Harris' vampires and made a series called True Blood. And don't forget the ever popular Vampire Diaries.
So what makes us swoon for a vampire?
They are immortal, seductive creatures with varying powers and abilities. And the one thing they all have in common is being very good looking. After all, who wants to be seduced by anything else?
Jonathan Nasaw wrote a book called The World on Blood, which depicts vampires as normal people, except for them blood is their drug of choice. You should really check it out.
Each author that writes a vampire novel is looking for a different, unique angle to the genre. From honoring what are considered the rules of being a vampire to creating their own lore, it has been tried and re-tried several times.
Me? I would like to think I have found a unique angle, but that is for the readers to decide. Why not give Bite Marks a read and let me know what you think.
Have you been bitten?
What is our obsession with vampires? From the seductive ones of Anne Rice and Laurel K. Hamilton to the sparkly ones of Stephanie Meyer it seems as if we cannot get enough of them.
Television has embraced Charlene Harris' vampires and made a series called True Blood. And don't forget the ever popular Vampire Diaries.
So what makes us swoon for a vampire?
They are immortal, seductive creatures with varying powers and abilities. And the one thing they all have in common is being very good looking. After all, who wants to be seduced by anything else?
Jonathan Nasaw wrote a book called The World on Blood, which depicts vampires as normal people, except for them blood is their drug of choice. You should really check it out.
Each author that writes a vampire novel is looking for a different, unique angle to the genre. From honoring what are considered the rules of being a vampire to creating their own lore, it has been tried and re-tried several times.
Me? I would like to think I have found a unique angle, but that is for the readers to decide. Why not give Bite Marks a read and let me know what you think.
Have you been bitten?
Can Anything Ever Be Undone
Once things are done, they can never be undone...or can they?
It's said that words once spoken can never be taken back, which is spot on. But can the wounds they cause be healed? No one really knows. I know it takes a lot of hard work, but I think trying to repair the damage is a good start
See I believe firmly in second chances for people, which to me is a way to make things better, or at least as a start. Not many people believe in second chances, which is up to each individual.
But I do believe in giving people the chance to undo things that they may regret doing.
It's said that words once spoken can never be taken back, which is spot on. But can the wounds they cause be healed? No one really knows. I know it takes a lot of hard work, but I think trying to repair the damage is a good start
See I believe firmly in second chances for people, which to me is a way to make things better, or at least as a start. Not many people believe in second chances, which is up to each individual.
But I do believe in giving people the chance to undo things that they may regret doing.
April 28, 2016
Typos Typos Oh How I Hate Thee...Or Do I?
You're typing merrily along, the words flowing onto the page at a rapid pace. The work is finished and off it goes to the editor.
When it comes back, you see the little red marks form the editor's pen scattered throughout the work. Nothing bad, just typos, the occasional misspelled word.
But you're a published writer? How can you have typos, let alone misspelled words? I mean really now.
In my case, typing is not my strong suit. It never has been and never will be. And I had typing in junior high, but I also had an anti-left handed teacher. But that is neither here nor there. My first drafts are written in long hand and I convert that to the computer. I use the conversion to typed pages as my first revision, cleaning up dialogue and adding pages.
I know for some of you this doesn't work, and that's cool. This is what I have found that works for me.
Anyway back to typos.
I also enjoy watching television, which means binge watching Netflix as I type.
Ah, now we get into typos.
Sometimes they are frustrating, but other times they showcase a scene that might need a little more detail or attention that otherwise might have been overlooked.
So never overlook a typo, it may be hiding a gold mine.
Oh and before I forget, never, ever blindly accept what any spell check program says is wrong. They are, after all, programmed by humans.
When it comes back, you see the little red marks form the editor's pen scattered throughout the work. Nothing bad, just typos, the occasional misspelled word.
But you're a published writer? How can you have typos, let alone misspelled words? I mean really now.
In my case, typing is not my strong suit. It never has been and never will be. And I had typing in junior high, but I also had an anti-left handed teacher. But that is neither here nor there. My first drafts are written in long hand and I convert that to the computer. I use the conversion to typed pages as my first revision, cleaning up dialogue and adding pages.
I know for some of you this doesn't work, and that's cool. This is what I have found that works for me.
Anyway back to typos.
I also enjoy watching television, which means binge watching Netflix as I type.
Ah, now we get into typos.
Sometimes they are frustrating, but other times they showcase a scene that might need a little more detail or attention that otherwise might have been overlooked.
So never overlook a typo, it may be hiding a gold mine.
Oh and before I forget, never, ever blindly accept what any spell check program says is wrong. They are, after all, programmed by humans.
April 24, 2016
Swords and My Love of A Sharp Blade
Everyone talks about the tools used to defend yourself or as a part of the art of war. Usually the topic of these discussions are handguns and rifles. But for me my passion runs to a weapon that has been around for centuries and isn't really thought of much in modern times and that is a sword.
Why do I love them, do you ask? It is something you hold, weild, and control. You have to get up close and personal to use a sword on your opponent. And it is something you can play with and have fun with without urting the other person. Granted live steel will kill, but there are wooden practice weapons, foam, rubber...I'm sure you get the drift. Below are a few swords that are beautiful.
My personal favorite is the katana. It is the weapon of the Smaurai and is rich in the history of how they're made. and are simply stunning to look at.
Here is a video about the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE_4z...
A large part of my love of a katana comes from my love of the Highlander movies and television series..or did I start watching them because of my love of katanas?
I'll never tell.
Why do I love them, do you ask? It is something you hold, weild, and control. You have to get up close and personal to use a sword on your opponent. And it is something you can play with and have fun with without urting the other person. Granted live steel will kill, but there are wooden practice weapons, foam, rubber...I'm sure you get the drift. Below are a few swords that are beautiful.
My personal favorite is the katana. It is the weapon of the Smaurai and is rich in the history of how they're made. and are simply stunning to look at.
Here is a video about the process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE_4z...
A large part of my love of a katana comes from my love of the Highlander movies and television series..or did I start watching them because of my love of katanas?
I'll never tell.
Rituals, Routines, and Why I keep Them
Rituals are something that everyone does, whether they admit it or not. It can be something as simple as the route you drive to work every day (yes you subconsciously drive the same route) to the pew you sit in at your local house of worship. Hey, I've seen wars break out over people sitting in their family's pews.
I am doing my best to try to establish routines because as an independent self-published author I need them. I spent most of my adult life in food service, mainly fast food, and routines are integral to the smooth running of any restaurant. I need to set time aside to write, read, keep up with social media, not to mention exercise and take care of me.
This is a rough idea of how my day goes thus far (it is being refined daily when it is followed).
Get up, breakfast, take care of my dogs
Tweet my daily tweets and post them in the groups I participate in
Write
Lunch
Write
Feed my fur babies
Work on my blog/website
Play some games
Bedtime bathroom for the dogs
Bed
It isn't perfect, not by a long shot and I don't always follow it on a daily basis. There are days I get up and think"oh I'll watch an episode of (insert TV show here) on Netflix.
When I look up again I've watched almost an entire season and wonder where the day has gone. (Don't laugh I know you've been there too.)
So here's to establishing rituals and routines.
I am doing my best to try to establish routines because as an independent self-published author I need them. I spent most of my adult life in food service, mainly fast food, and routines are integral to the smooth running of any restaurant. I need to set time aside to write, read, keep up with social media, not to mention exercise and take care of me.
This is a rough idea of how my day goes thus far (it is being refined daily when it is followed).
Get up, breakfast, take care of my dogs
Tweet my daily tweets and post them in the groups I participate in
Write
Lunch
Write
Feed my fur babies
Work on my blog/website
Play some games
Bedtime bathroom for the dogs
Bed
It isn't perfect, not by a long shot and I don't always follow it on a daily basis. There are days I get up and think"oh I'll watch an episode of (insert TV show here) on Netflix.
When I look up again I've watched almost an entire season and wonder where the day has gone. (Don't laugh I know you've been there too.)
So here's to establishing rituals and routines.
