Mollie Hunt's Blog, page 74
December 4, 2015
November 21, 2015
NANOWRIMO: 9 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY NOVEL
A fellow blogger and Nanowrimo participant was recently inspired by yet another participant to blog the things she hates about her novel. The reasoning was good – to stimulate better writing and more in-depth creativity. I can see it, though I wouldn’t use the word, hate, a term I reserve for really evil stuff like war and rape. But it got me thinking. Self-criticism has its place, but self-encouragement may be better.
So here are 9 things that I love about my novel. I encourage others to try this. It doesn’t have to be 9; if you can find at least 2, you’re off to a good start.
Bexel: Though I don’t always have a good grasp on my characters in the first draft of a story, Bexel is clear. She is old and wise and miraculous in a vintage wool suit. Cool!
2. The memoir thing: When I titled my work, CatWoman, a Journey of Self, I had no idea memoir could be so freeing. Partly my own past and partly pure fantasy, it’s great tearing crazy gut-wrenching fun.
Cats: Gotta love ‘em.
4. Changing history: Righting wrongs and getting revenge. CatWoman can do anything!
5. Going with the flow: Nanowrimo’s challenging speed gives me a chance to take a more spontaneous approach to my story. Yay, brain!
The loft: The main setting for CatWoman is an ever-evolving loft in southeast Portland. I want to live there.
7. Research: thought Nanowrimo is a fast month of furious writing, every story requires research. This one involves a woman dying of cancer, a crazy cat, an evil overlord, and other elements that I know far too little about. I look forward to expanding my knowledge.
Sci-fi Fantasy: I don’t often write in this genre, and I love it. As a Start Trek fan from the beginning, I’ve watched fantasy become reality. Oh, look! I just got a call on my cell phone…
9. Christmas-bashing: As the holidays rush toward us like a glittery freight train full of expenses I can’t afford and tasks I don’t want to do, I found my real self in my character, Lor, who gave up the commercialism of Christmas sometime back. Since she is dying, no one questions her desire to celebrate quietly with a candle and a prayer.
Have fun with your novel. It is a noble exercise. As the sci-fi author, Davis Gerrold, tells us, “The first million words are just practice.” And if it becomes a best seller, that’s a bonus.
November 13, 2015
November 12, 2015
The Heartbreak Light of Autumn, Part 1; The Creek, with Cat – Reblogged
This beautiful series of photos is reblogged from one of my favorite bloggers. As someone stuck in a lightless cubicle, these photos take me on a journey to another place and time. It really is autumn out there, not merely a prelude to the holiday shopping frenzy. The leaves don’t care about red cups as they change and fall; the river continues without partisan prejudice. I am at peace.
Source: The Heartbreak Light of Autumn, Part 1; The Creek, with Cat
November 6, 2015
Mews: Cat Burned In Fire – Offers Support & Snuggles To Other Animals At Veterinary Hospital – reblogged
I have followed Russell’s story from its agonizing beginning when the red tabby was severely burned in a house fire. Russell’s spirit shines through the hideous burns, now nearly healed. This story tells how Russell is taking the love on the road.
Source: Mews: Cat Burned In Fire – Offers Support &Snuggles To Other Animals At Veterinary Hospital
October 31, 2015
NANOWRIMO LAUNCHES – CATWOMAN BEGINS
NaNoWriMo – enigmatic, intriguing, slightly comedic, slightly occult. Not and acronym but not really an abbreviation – is it even a word?
NaNoWriMo, standing for National Novel Writing Month, is on a need-to-know basis. If you’re not a writer, aren’t compelled by the idea of pushing yourself, aren’t curious to attempt the impossible, don’t know the meaning of boldly going where no one has gone before, then you don’t need to know about NaNoWriMo.
30 days – 50,000 words. I am crazy intrigued by the idea. I have signed up, invented a title, and designed a cover. I even have the first sentence, though that might be a little bit of a cheat since the writing isn’t supposed to begin until November 1. But I couldn’t resist. I’ll save the rest for Sunday, I promise. Until then, I’ll have to content myself with plot and scene dancing in my mind like naughty fairies.
What’s different about writing for NaNoWriMo? Well, practically everything. There are no rules, no standard procedures. I can be liberal imaginative delving risky sweet sentimental ugly reflective nuts. I don’t even need an ending.
I can have superheroes, demons, computer geeks, and a mysterious old woman. Or witches, vampires and a banshee or two. Old relatives and strangers; creatures from both the black and blue lagoons; forensics specialists and butchers; sunrise sunset death and birth. I may name a disease after an ex-husband or fly to the top of an avocado tree to pick the best fruit; live my dreams and rewrite history or kill the man who raped me when I was 16; I can tell toilet jokes, create funny typos and mystic runes. I can say fuck. Or not.
CatWoman – a Journey:
Lor McFarlaine inherited $50,000,000 from a wild-man uncle the same day she was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Taking what’s left of her life in a new direction, she sets about to right some wrongs, get some vengeance, and generally kick ass. With the help of a charmed personal assistant, a teen computer geek, an elderly Mr. Fix-it, and a smart car whose super power is the ability to park anywhere, she becomes the person she’s always wanted to be – CatWoman.
We will save all the cats.
October 24, 2015
5 Hidden Psychological Reasons Cats Dominate The Internet: reposting
Internet cat videos: as enigmatic as the cats, themselves. Ever wonder why you enjoy them so much? Why they make you laugh or wonder? Why there are even festivals for them? The following blog has some of the answers.
5 Hidden Psychological Reasons Cats Dominate The Internet – by Neoreach
Welcome to the Internet – the land where cats reign supreme. Searching the term “cat” into Google returns over half a billion results.
Are you obsessed with viral videos of cats? It’s not your fault. Your own psychology is against you. Cats have won the web, but at least this article will help you understand why.
See the rest and be amazed at : https://neoreach.com/5-hidden-psychological-reasons-cats-dominate-the-internet/
October 23, 2015
A CHEER FOR STUMPTOWN LIT WRITERS FAIR
Does Wordstock intimidate you? Does the Willamette Writers Conference leave you quaking in your Nikes? Many people enjoy that sort of sensation overload, and I admit it; I do, too. I annually attend the largest Star Trek convention in the country, loving the immersion and craziness found only among a shitload of people gathered together for a common pursuit. But for me, writing isn’t like that. In fact, like most writers, I write alone. And what I seek in a writers fair is communication. I want to be able to talk to people, talk to authors, ask them questions and hear what they have to say. I like to peruse the displays and read the information, not be pushed along like cattle to the next and next table. I want to come away with enlightenment, not exhaustion. If you can relate, Stumptown Lit is for you. For you, personally. I hope to see you there.
Come visit me at the second annual Stumptown Lit, a celebration of Northwest writers, writing, and publishing, this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza, 1441 NE Second Avenue, Portland. I will be signing my Crazy Cat Lady mysteries between 3 and 4pm.
Free events include the Writers’ Book Fair from 1 to 5pm, Celebrity Author Readings from 3 to 5pm, the Silent Auction, and a raffle.
At the Writers’ Book Fair, there will be book-signings, book sales, displays, schmoozing, networking, and good cheer. OWC authors will be signing books throughout the afternoon. Writer’s organizations, publishers, and writers will have tables to display their works.
The 2015 Celebrity Author Readings include:
Bryan Denson author of The Spy’s Son
Neal Lemery author of Mentoring Boys to Men
Brian Doyle author of The Plover
Susan Fletcher author of Falcon in the Glass
Kate Gray author of Carry the Sky
Join me for friendly fun in a literary atmosphere this Sunday. For more information and directions, visit: http://oregonwriterscolony.org/events/event/stumptown-lit-2015/
Here are some photos from last year’s Stumptown Lit:
Phillip Margolin
A reading.
The Silent Auction
My book among the greats!
