Matthew J. Olson's Blog, page 5
May 22, 2016
origins
I was home one afternoon in December of 2012. My wife and her brother were gone, so I was in the computer room working on something. I'm pretty sure I wasn't writing, but I remember being engrossed by something on my computer. I heard my wife come home and I heard her holler for me. I hollered back that I was in the computer room, but that didn't pacify her. She needed me to come down and look at something. That something was a howling, pissed off cat named Jynx.
For a while after Rosco's passing, my wife and I talked about getting another dog. We talked about the types of dogs we liked and even took quizes to see what our perfect dog match would be. One breed we both liked was a blue heeler. A former classmate of my wife had just had a litter of blue heelers and we just needed to meet up with him to get one. So in August of last year, we did just that and brought home Zailey.
One day in January, I came home to find a bouncing, energetic jack russell terrier meeting me at the door. I said, "Oh, we must be dog-sitting. Who does this dog belong to?" My wife replied, "You," and that is how Milo came into my life.
In 2007, I had this reoccurring nightmare for two weeks straight. I couldn't stop thinking about the nightmare, even when I was awake. During my waking hours, I created this elaborate back story to the dream. I wrote the entire story down in the form of an outline. I then spent the next couple of years working on it every once in a while. After finishing it, I thought that there was only one way to do a sequel to this story. An author friend of mine said that my novel was too short, so in 2010 and into 2011, I wrote the sequel as a part two to the novel. Late yesterday and into the early hours of this morning (depending on what time zone you are in), Alien Fear was released to the world.
No matter how the pets and stories came into my life, I love them all as if they were my kids. If nobody else does, I certainly enjoy them.
For a while after Rosco's passing, my wife and I talked about getting another dog. We talked about the types of dogs we liked and even took quizes to see what our perfect dog match would be. One breed we both liked was a blue heeler. A former classmate of my wife had just had a litter of blue heelers and we just needed to meet up with him to get one. So in August of last year, we did just that and brought home Zailey.
One day in January, I came home to find a bouncing, energetic jack russell terrier meeting me at the door. I said, "Oh, we must be dog-sitting. Who does this dog belong to?" My wife replied, "You," and that is how Milo came into my life.
In 2007, I had this reoccurring nightmare for two weeks straight. I couldn't stop thinking about the nightmare, even when I was awake. During my waking hours, I created this elaborate back story to the dream. I wrote the entire story down in the form of an outline. I then spent the next couple of years working on it every once in a while. After finishing it, I thought that there was only one way to do a sequel to this story. An author friend of mine said that my novel was too short, so in 2010 and into 2011, I wrote the sequel as a part two to the novel. Late yesterday and into the early hours of this morning (depending on what time zone you are in), Alien Fear was released to the world.
No matter how the pets and stories came into my life, I love them all as if they were my kids. If nobody else does, I certainly enjoy them.
April 30, 2016
wound
The other day, my wife was petting Zailey and her hand came away with blood. She had found a wound on Zailey's side, right behind the front elbow.
I inspected the wound at my wife's insistence (I'm the main caregiver even though these are her animals). The wound was about the size of a quarter and had a good scab on it. The scab must have broken just enough to ooze a bit of blood when my wife found it. Also, Zailey was not shying away or crying in pain when I touched the wound even though it had taken away skin and fur.
Several theories have been brought up as to how Zailey got the wound. The fence that we share with our neighbors isn't in the greatest shape. There could have been a loose board or nail that cut Zailey as she ran past it at full speed. I don't think that this is what did it since her wound is a chunk wound and not a cut. Plus, wouldn't the leg have been the more likely recipient of the wound since it stuck out farther?
The next theory is that Milo bit a chunk out of Zailey. A similar theory is that Jynx was the one that did it. Zailey does like to play rough with the two of them, so this theory gets a lot of credence. For Jynx to have done it, Zailey would have been in the house. I think we would have heard her yip if the wound was done inside.
This leaves Milo as the guilty party. He was not punished since there isn't any actual proof he did it. Also, there is reasonable doubt since there is the fence theory.
One of my biggest writing wounds is my own self doubt. Even with my successes, doubt keeps creeping in.
Tomorrow is the launch of my newsletter (https://t.co/FzhD9YH82d). Looking at my subscriber list and the low number of people on it adds to my doubt that I am heading in the right direction.
There is no easy fix for my self doubt. I have to remind myself that people want to know when my next book hits the shelves. The newsletter will inform them of that. Also, the fact the people are looking forward to the release means that those people like what I am doing. It will just take time to build the subscriber list up.
All wounds heal after time. I'm not sure my doubt will heal as easily as Zailey's chunk missing out of her side, but I'm sure it will eventually.
P.S. You should sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. I'm giving away goodies with each and every issue. Plus, you don't want to miss the other things I am doing with it! Sign up here: https://t.co/FzhD9YH82d.
I inspected the wound at my wife's insistence (I'm the main caregiver even though these are her animals). The wound was about the size of a quarter and had a good scab on it. The scab must have broken just enough to ooze a bit of blood when my wife found it. Also, Zailey was not shying away or crying in pain when I touched the wound even though it had taken away skin and fur.
Several theories have been brought up as to how Zailey got the wound. The fence that we share with our neighbors isn't in the greatest shape. There could have been a loose board or nail that cut Zailey as she ran past it at full speed. I don't think that this is what did it since her wound is a chunk wound and not a cut. Plus, wouldn't the leg have been the more likely recipient of the wound since it stuck out farther?
The next theory is that Milo bit a chunk out of Zailey. A similar theory is that Jynx was the one that did it. Zailey does like to play rough with the two of them, so this theory gets a lot of credence. For Jynx to have done it, Zailey would have been in the house. I think we would have heard her yip if the wound was done inside.
This leaves Milo as the guilty party. He was not punished since there isn't any actual proof he did it. Also, there is reasonable doubt since there is the fence theory.
One of my biggest writing wounds is my own self doubt. Even with my successes, doubt keeps creeping in.
Tomorrow is the launch of my newsletter (https://t.co/FzhD9YH82d). Looking at my subscriber list and the low number of people on it adds to my doubt that I am heading in the right direction.
There is no easy fix for my self doubt. I have to remind myself that people want to know when my next book hits the shelves. The newsletter will inform them of that. Also, the fact the people are looking forward to the release means that those people like what I am doing. It will just take time to build the subscriber list up.
All wounds heal after time. I'm not sure my doubt will heal as easily as Zailey's chunk missing out of her side, but I'm sure it will eventually.
P.S. You should sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already. I'm giving away goodies with each and every issue. Plus, you don't want to miss the other things I am doing with it! Sign up here: https://t.co/FzhD9YH82d.
April 23, 2016
sleeping
Right now, the two dogs and the cat are all sleeping. Not impressive by itself, but they are all sleeping within a few feet of each other. Nobody is trying to fight or bite another one. It is absolute bliss around here!
It's been eight months since we got Zailey. Since then, Jynx's world was turned upside down. He fought Zailey every chance he got.
It's been about three months since Milo joined the household and made Jynx's life even worse. For some reason, the smaller Milo scares Jynx. No wonder there is no peace and quiet around here.
I find it a lot easier to write with peace and quiet. Last night, my wife was watching tv and all I wanted to do was write. It was hard, but I had a story that needed to come out.
One of my favorite times to write is when my wife takes a nap. With her sleeping, there are fewer distractions to write.
Then there are times when I am sleeping that I come up with some of my best story ideas. Alien Fear was a reoccurring nightmare before I ever started writing an outline. The nightmare only ended up being a chapter and a half of the forty-nine chapter novel, but it was the cornerstone of the whole thing. Now I'm almost done with the sequel for it. Plus, the nightmare kick started my serious writing. I wouldn't be where I am now without that start.
Sleeping is good in many ways. The dogs and cat are the cutest when they are sleeping.
It's been eight months since we got Zailey. Since then, Jynx's world was turned upside down. He fought Zailey every chance he got.
It's been about three months since Milo joined the household and made Jynx's life even worse. For some reason, the smaller Milo scares Jynx. No wonder there is no peace and quiet around here.
I find it a lot easier to write with peace and quiet. Last night, my wife was watching tv and all I wanted to do was write. It was hard, but I had a story that needed to come out.
One of my favorite times to write is when my wife takes a nap. With her sleeping, there are fewer distractions to write.
Then there are times when I am sleeping that I come up with some of my best story ideas. Alien Fear was a reoccurring nightmare before I ever started writing an outline. The nightmare only ended up being a chapter and a half of the forty-nine chapter novel, but it was the cornerstone of the whole thing. Now I'm almost done with the sequel for it. Plus, the nightmare kick started my serious writing. I wouldn't be where I am now without that start.
Sleeping is good in many ways. The dogs and cat are the cutest when they are sleeping.
April 16, 2016
random
As the weather is getting nicer, my wife and I have been going outside with Zailey and Milo as they play in the backyard. Sometimes we play with them and other times they just play on their own.
Since both dogs are herding breeds, they try to herd each other through the yard. What ends up happening is that one will chase the other until it is cornered. Then the cornered one turns to the offensive and gives chase.
It is fun to watch their random paths they take through the yard as they give chase. They have a bunch of small cedar trees and a flower garden to contend with. So that gives them some extra hurdles to maneuver through.
Milo will chomp on Zailey when he gets cornered and goes on the offensive. Usually, he lands his teeth on her somewhere on the butt or a thigh. The other night, she even yelped in pain a few times. I've found healing gashes on her from this.
Of course, Zailey isn't entirely innocent. Considering she can fit Milo's entire head in her mouth, she can dole out her own punishment. Usually, it just means that Milo's neck is covered in slobber.
The running through the yard can go on for quite a while. Especially if the two can call a truce long enough to get some water. Every once in a while they continue the chasing indoors, but have learned that we throw them out if they do that.
In my Writing Workshop at the beginning of this month, I had everyone start writing short stories from a random title. It was interesting how the different personalities in the workshop went in different directions with the title. It was as fun as watching the dogs herd each other through the yard.
The random title exercise is one of my favorites. I have gotten a number of good stories out of doing this. A few are in Dark Matter: A Collection of Stories. Another I am giving away for free when a person signs up for my newsletter (sign up at http://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbui...). In the one for the newsletter, it was actually a random title exercise and a writing prompt that I blended together. I came up with a serial killer that is a cannibal with the random title. The writing prompt added in the assassin who is hired to kill the cannibal. Who will win the clash of the killers?
Randomness is so fun. I am thinking about getting some sort of picture book from the library before the next Writing Workshop. We can then flip to a random page and write a story based on the picture on that page.
If you don't believe me on how fun randomness can be, just ask the dogs. Milo and Zailey love their play time together.
Since both dogs are herding breeds, they try to herd each other through the yard. What ends up happening is that one will chase the other until it is cornered. Then the cornered one turns to the offensive and gives chase.
It is fun to watch their random paths they take through the yard as they give chase. They have a bunch of small cedar trees and a flower garden to contend with. So that gives them some extra hurdles to maneuver through.
Milo will chomp on Zailey when he gets cornered and goes on the offensive. Usually, he lands his teeth on her somewhere on the butt or a thigh. The other night, she even yelped in pain a few times. I've found healing gashes on her from this.
Of course, Zailey isn't entirely innocent. Considering she can fit Milo's entire head in her mouth, she can dole out her own punishment. Usually, it just means that Milo's neck is covered in slobber.
The running through the yard can go on for quite a while. Especially if the two can call a truce long enough to get some water. Every once in a while they continue the chasing indoors, but have learned that we throw them out if they do that.
In my Writing Workshop at the beginning of this month, I had everyone start writing short stories from a random title. It was interesting how the different personalities in the workshop went in different directions with the title. It was as fun as watching the dogs herd each other through the yard.
The random title exercise is one of my favorites. I have gotten a number of good stories out of doing this. A few are in Dark Matter: A Collection of Stories. Another I am giving away for free when a person signs up for my newsletter (sign up at http://lb.benchmarkemail.com//listbui...). In the one for the newsletter, it was actually a random title exercise and a writing prompt that I blended together. I came up with a serial killer that is a cannibal with the random title. The writing prompt added in the assassin who is hired to kill the cannibal. Who will win the clash of the killers?
Randomness is so fun. I am thinking about getting some sort of picture book from the library before the next Writing Workshop. We can then flip to a random page and write a story based on the picture on that page.
If you don't believe me on how fun randomness can be, just ask the dogs. Milo and Zailey love their play time together.
April 11, 2016
running away
Yesterday, I was going out the front door to move a water sprinkler. Zailey was by my side, trying to sneak out. I was doing a good job of blocking her and my focus was entirely on her. Milo took off like a shot out the door. In my panic to get him, I rushed out the door and forgot to block Zailey. Both dogs were now loose.
The runaways were running across the yard and playing. I was calling for them, but they didn't care about me. I rushed back in the house and got their treat bottle so that I could shake it and lure them back home that way. The treat bottle half worked on Zailey and I almost caught her.
My wife had gone for the big gun. She grabbed a bag of high quality treats. Zailey was easily lured by that and was soon in the house.
By this time, Milo had crossed the street and was running all over the place. He payed no attention to me as I followed him and called after him.
I chased him between two houses into their backyards. Milo was looking all over the place, but wasn't entertained. A barb wire fence was behind these two houses at the property line. Beyond that was acres and acres of pasture. Milo came close to the barb wire several times, but didn't seem to have interest in navigating the prairie grass beyond. I was glad for that.
Soon, Milo was tired from his run. He just stopped to let me walk right up and pick him up. I carried him home out of breath from hollering at him and now having to walk uphill.
Lately, my schedule has been running away with me. I can't keep up. I've had to cut some of my writing time down.
While I hate to cut writing time, I am using some of that time in getting more marketing things done. My word count may be down, but hopefully my overall writing career is gaining.
Then again, maybe my imagination is running away and I only imagine gains in being an author. I guess I better chase after my imagination like I chase dogs. I'll catch it sooner or later.
The runaways were running across the yard and playing. I was calling for them, but they didn't care about me. I rushed back in the house and got their treat bottle so that I could shake it and lure them back home that way. The treat bottle half worked on Zailey and I almost caught her.
My wife had gone for the big gun. She grabbed a bag of high quality treats. Zailey was easily lured by that and was soon in the house.
By this time, Milo had crossed the street and was running all over the place. He payed no attention to me as I followed him and called after him.
I chased him between two houses into their backyards. Milo was looking all over the place, but wasn't entertained. A barb wire fence was behind these two houses at the property line. Beyond that was acres and acres of pasture. Milo came close to the barb wire several times, but didn't seem to have interest in navigating the prairie grass beyond. I was glad for that.
Soon, Milo was tired from his run. He just stopped to let me walk right up and pick him up. I carried him home out of breath from hollering at him and now having to walk uphill.
Lately, my schedule has been running away with me. I can't keep up. I've had to cut some of my writing time down.
While I hate to cut writing time, I am using some of that time in getting more marketing things done. My word count may be down, but hopefully my overall writing career is gaining.
Then again, maybe my imagination is running away and I only imagine gains in being an author. I guess I better chase after my imagination like I chase dogs. I'll catch it sooner or later.
April 3, 2016
follower
As I was walking through the house this morning doing a few chores, I had a follower. Jynx must have been craving attention from me and wanted to know the moment I stopped doing something so that he could get that attention. I felt loved.
In the computer/gaming room that has the door closed at all times, I grow cat grass. This is Jynx's drug and he cannot be without it. When it is done growing, I put it in the bathroom so that he can chomp on it.
I had to go into the computer/gaming room a couple of times this morning. Despite my attempts to block Jynx from entering, he snuck in both times. He would head straight for the container of almost grown grass so that he could sneak a bite or two.
Normally, when Jynx would sneak in, I would have to drag him from the room kicking and screaming. Not this morning. Since he was following me, all I had to do was leave the room and he would leave as well. It was a nice change of pace.
As I do more with my writing and put myself out in the world, I am gaining followers. I met a nice guy Friday night at a coin show who was interested in my books. He was even eager to hear that I had a novel coming out this summer. To top it all, he was going to follow me on Amazon. I felt very humbled by the experience. He even brought his wife by the next day to meet me as well.
Every new follower makes me feel special. Even having the cat follow me around is fun and makes for a good story, too. You never know what circumstance brings about the next follower.
In the computer/gaming room that has the door closed at all times, I grow cat grass. This is Jynx's drug and he cannot be without it. When it is done growing, I put it in the bathroom so that he can chomp on it.
I had to go into the computer/gaming room a couple of times this morning. Despite my attempts to block Jynx from entering, he snuck in both times. He would head straight for the container of almost grown grass so that he could sneak a bite or two.
Normally, when Jynx would sneak in, I would have to drag him from the room kicking and screaming. Not this morning. Since he was following me, all I had to do was leave the room and he would leave as well. It was a nice change of pace.
As I do more with my writing and put myself out in the world, I am gaining followers. I met a nice guy Friday night at a coin show who was interested in my books. He was even eager to hear that I had a novel coming out this summer. To top it all, he was going to follow me on Amazon. I felt very humbled by the experience. He even brought his wife by the next day to meet me as well.
Every new follower makes me feel special. Even having the cat follow me around is fun and makes for a good story, too. You never know what circumstance brings about the next follower.
March 26, 2016
don't piss me off
Lately, Jynx hasn't been getting the most attention. The two dogs are too much of a handful and that is getting in the way of his time. Also, I haven't been mentioning him as much in my blog. (Yes, I'm sure he can sense it.)
This lack of attention is not to be outdone. The dogs have both been chasing Jynx through the house. When the dogs corner him, he attacks with gusto. The poor cat can't really fight both dogs at once, though.
All of this has led to one mad kitty. He was so mad yesterday, he pissed on the dog bed we have laying in the living room. He did this right in front of my wife and was less than twenty feet from one of his two litter boxes!
While I deplore Jynx's action, I admire his guts. It was a move that really told us that he was upset.
Often I come across social media posts, t-shirts, and coffee mugs that say something along the lines of, "I'm a writer. Piss me off and I'll kill you in my next story." I find these humorous and quite true.
Many of my friends and family members have inspired most of my characters. How many of those characters have I killed off? Well, I guess you'll have to read my books to find out.
So the underlying message is to not piss me off. I'm a little more easygoing than Jynx is, but I have my own way to exact revenge. It may not be as damaging as pissing on the dog bed, but it is just as therapeutic.
This lack of attention is not to be outdone. The dogs have both been chasing Jynx through the house. When the dogs corner him, he attacks with gusto. The poor cat can't really fight both dogs at once, though.
All of this has led to one mad kitty. He was so mad yesterday, he pissed on the dog bed we have laying in the living room. He did this right in front of my wife and was less than twenty feet from one of his two litter boxes!
While I deplore Jynx's action, I admire his guts. It was a move that really told us that he was upset.
Often I come across social media posts, t-shirts, and coffee mugs that say something along the lines of, "I'm a writer. Piss me off and I'll kill you in my next story." I find these humorous and quite true.
Many of my friends and family members have inspired most of my characters. How many of those characters have I killed off? Well, I guess you'll have to read my books to find out.
So the underlying message is to not piss me off. I'm a little more easygoing than Jynx is, but I have my own way to exact revenge. It may not be as damaging as pissing on the dog bed, but it is just as therapeutic.
March 21, 2016
something different
A while back, my wife and I bought a big rawhide bone. It was about two feet long and the knobs were six inches wide. Definitely too big for Milo to chew, and even hard for Zailey to get her teeth into. Hell, the bone was bigger than Milo. So it sat in the cupboard.
For the last week or so, we've been out of mini bones. In their place, we were giving the dogs chew sticks. They would gnaw through them in half the time it would take a bone.
The other day, my wife was getting a little impatient with the dogs and wanted them to be content for a while. She gave them the big bone. Milo tried to get the bone, but couldn't handle it. Zailey took it and began gnawing on one corner of a knob. Milo was jealous, but got some attention which made him tolerate not having a bone.
After an hour or so, we took Zailey away from her bone. Milo decided it was his turn to gnaw. He was able to drag the bone to where he wanted it. He then was able to chew where Zailey had started.
Now Zailey was jealous and would try to steal the bone back. Milo was having none of that. He would bare his teeth and growl at her. So Milo had the bone for quite a while.
The bone was something new for the dogs to try. They seemed to love it.
I decided to try something different at my coin show yesterday; I didn't put out my books. I wanted to keep my customers focused on the coins.
This worked until a coin club member came by my booth with a friend. He was shocked I didn't have my books displayed. Luckily, I still brought my books, so I could show the friend of the member. He didn't buy, but another coin dealer saw my books and was genuinely excited that I was an author. He asked after the books and bought copies of both of them. He even talked about telling other people about meeting me and about my books.
Sometimes, something different is great like in the case of the dog bone. Other times, fate won't let you do what you want, but instead gives what you need.
For the last week or so, we've been out of mini bones. In their place, we were giving the dogs chew sticks. They would gnaw through them in half the time it would take a bone.
The other day, my wife was getting a little impatient with the dogs and wanted them to be content for a while. She gave them the big bone. Milo tried to get the bone, but couldn't handle it. Zailey took it and began gnawing on one corner of a knob. Milo was jealous, but got some attention which made him tolerate not having a bone.
After an hour or so, we took Zailey away from her bone. Milo decided it was his turn to gnaw. He was able to drag the bone to where he wanted it. He then was able to chew where Zailey had started.
Now Zailey was jealous and would try to steal the bone back. Milo was having none of that. He would bare his teeth and growl at her. So Milo had the bone for quite a while.
The bone was something new for the dogs to try. They seemed to love it.
I decided to try something different at my coin show yesterday; I didn't put out my books. I wanted to keep my customers focused on the coins.
This worked until a coin club member came by my booth with a friend. He was shocked I didn't have my books displayed. Luckily, I still brought my books, so I could show the friend of the member. He didn't buy, but another coin dealer saw my books and was genuinely excited that I was an author. He asked after the books and bought copies of both of them. He even talked about telling other people about meeting me and about my books.
Sometimes, something different is great like in the case of the dog bone. Other times, fate won't let you do what you want, but instead gives what you need.
March 6, 2016
calling
Over the last several weeks, it has been hard to get Zailey to go outside. Even if I step out the door, she will not follow me out into the yard. For some reason, she thinks she is in trouble if she is called upon to go to the yard and I don't know how that happened.
It used to be that letting her out would be an easy task. She would get a treat reward every time that she was let in and that helped get her excited about going outside. Heck, it even got her excited enough that she would do her business real quick.
Now that she has started being shy about going out, it is hard to get her excited. Sometimes having Milo go out first will get her to follow, but usually not. I've been having to throw a toy for Milo to get and that playing gets Zailey jealous enough to follow us outside. I just have to watch and make sure Jynx doesn't escape with having the door open.
Speaking of escaping, I've been going to the golf course the last few Saturdays. I've enjoyed the peaceful solitude and the exercise. I've even ran into a few other members enough that I am social with them.
Yesterday, one member stopped me to ask about Dark Matter: A Collection of Stories. I hadn't seen this guy since November and that was before it was released. He had remembered mentioning getting the book out.
I was rather touched by the encounter. Here was a guy I had only visited with once, but was interested enough in what I had told him that he wanted to follow up. We conversed for a while about some of the things in both of our lives like how we were both using golf to get healthier (he was recovering from a heart attack).
I enjoy getting called on to converse about such an exciting topic in my life. That's part of the reason I do this blog. Now if only Zailey will enjoy getting called to go outside again...
It used to be that letting her out would be an easy task. She would get a treat reward every time that she was let in and that helped get her excited about going outside. Heck, it even got her excited enough that she would do her business real quick.
Now that she has started being shy about going out, it is hard to get her excited. Sometimes having Milo go out first will get her to follow, but usually not. I've been having to throw a toy for Milo to get and that playing gets Zailey jealous enough to follow us outside. I just have to watch and make sure Jynx doesn't escape with having the door open.
Speaking of escaping, I've been going to the golf course the last few Saturdays. I've enjoyed the peaceful solitude and the exercise. I've even ran into a few other members enough that I am social with them.
Yesterday, one member stopped me to ask about Dark Matter: A Collection of Stories. I hadn't seen this guy since November and that was before it was released. He had remembered mentioning getting the book out.
I was rather touched by the encounter. Here was a guy I had only visited with once, but was interested enough in what I had told him that he wanted to follow up. We conversed for a while about some of the things in both of our lives like how we were both using golf to get healthier (he was recovering from a heart attack).
I enjoy getting called on to converse about such an exciting topic in my life. That's part of the reason I do this blog. Now if only Zailey will enjoy getting called to go outside again...
February 28, 2016
hanging by a thread
Milo, Zailey, my wife, and I found a waterfall not too far from home. It was a bit of a hike, but we were able to get to it. It was 35 feet and wasn't flowing at full capacity, yet.
Since the water wasn't moving much, we were able to walk along the top of the waterfall with ease. Zailey and Milo were fearless despite the 35 foot drop. Zailey, at least, didn't seem to think the huge drop would hurt her. She tried a couple of times to jump to the bottom. My heart leapt into my throat with each jump attempt.
Both jump attempts were thwarted by me holding her back by her leash. Her life was saved by this. If the harness had come apart or something in the harness leash combo had broken, she would have gone over the waterfall in an instant with no way for me to save her.
To be as clueless as the dog would be a nice state to be in. No fear. No stress. No nothing. How can I achieve that?
In my writing, I often fail to include emotion in my rough drafts. A lot of my editing is adding more and more emotion. I have to remember that my characters haven't achieved a dog-like zen.
Zailey wouldn't make a very good character. Her cavalier attitude wouldn't translate to the page. I, on the other hand, watching Zailey take that leap would make for an interesting character. My heart pounding worry of how close she came to plummeting down the waterfall creates a bond with the reader. Or at least that is the hope.
Since the water wasn't moving much, we were able to walk along the top of the waterfall with ease. Zailey and Milo were fearless despite the 35 foot drop. Zailey, at least, didn't seem to think the huge drop would hurt her. She tried a couple of times to jump to the bottom. My heart leapt into my throat with each jump attempt.
Both jump attempts were thwarted by me holding her back by her leash. Her life was saved by this. If the harness had come apart or something in the harness leash combo had broken, she would have gone over the waterfall in an instant with no way for me to save her.
To be as clueless as the dog would be a nice state to be in. No fear. No stress. No nothing. How can I achieve that?
In my writing, I often fail to include emotion in my rough drafts. A lot of my editing is adding more and more emotion. I have to remember that my characters haven't achieved a dog-like zen.
Zailey wouldn't make a very good character. Her cavalier attitude wouldn't translate to the page. I, on the other hand, watching Zailey take that leap would make for an interesting character. My heart pounding worry of how close she came to plummeting down the waterfall creates a bond with the reader. Or at least that is the hope.
