The melting of one thing into another.
So, this word just rolls off the tongue, don't you think? The definition evokes so many different images and emotions. It could be used for anything. Not only do I love ridiculously long words that have simple meanings, I'm also a huge fan of definitions that have multiple interpretations.
I first think of baking. With butter. Paula Deen, you're my hero! It's such a warm, comforting image, that suggests mouth-watering goodness.
Second, I think of glass-blowing. Yeah, I know, who thinks of that for anything? But really, the glass is melted and shaped into a beautiful piece of art. Sometimes precious metals are melted into the piece for an added dimension. Illiquation seems the perfect word for this process.
Finally, my mind bends toward something slightly more risque. I think of the interaction between a man and woman at the height of passion. The definition is the perfect description of being lost in love during the act of making it.
So many different interpretations, one simple word. All with the potential of becoming a terrific story.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Hypolimnion ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 8
A colder and deeper layer of water in a lake.
This one reminded me of a time in my youth, MG/Early teens, that I spent with my cousins in a sleepy little rural town. It was a 'wonder years' type of experience that I cherish.
We ran around unsupervised, as if there were no such thing as evil in the world. We rode bikes and skateboards down to the lake, stripped down to our suits and swam out to the floating dock. The girls layed out to tan while the boys performed cannon balls at just the right angles to disrupt our peaceful sun worship. We squealed and laughed and talked about all that was important in our tiny little world. Every once in a while we dove off the edge into the refreshing water to break the heat. Then one cousin suggested a competition worthy of only the most daring soul. The task was this: dive under the dock, grab the anchoring rope and descend hand over hand as far as your breath allowed. You would know how deep you went because after the first 15 feet the water temperature would change, and again every 10 feet after that.
The first time your toes dipped down into the layer of cold water was exhilarating. You pushed your way through and the coolness washed over your entire body, then your toes touched warmth again. Cool, warm, cool. The sensations kept you wanting to push further, all the while calculating distance in the back of your mind, until the desire to breathe came to the forefront. One more level and you would let your survival instinct drag you back up through the parfait of contrasting temperatures. Your face broke the surface and you were gasping and laughing and shouting your amazing depth count to the astonishment of your peers.
One summer day on the lake stretched out for an eternity. When the sun began to set we swam back to the shore, and rode to the house where we were greeted with burgers on the grill and soda bottles on ice. Homemade ice cream, and turns riding around the block on the back of our uncle's motorcycle. At bed time, we stayed up under the covers with flashlights, reading. Everything was right in the world.
How about you? Any stories from a childhood summer that you hold dear? Feel free to share, I love stories. :^)
This one reminded me of a time in my youth, MG/Early teens, that I spent with my cousins in a sleepy little rural town. It was a 'wonder years' type of experience that I cherish.
We ran around unsupervised, as if there were no such thing as evil in the world. We rode bikes and skateboards down to the lake, stripped down to our suits and swam out to the floating dock. The girls layed out to tan while the boys performed cannon balls at just the right angles to disrupt our peaceful sun worship. We squealed and laughed and talked about all that was important in our tiny little world. Every once in a while we dove off the edge into the refreshing water to break the heat. Then one cousin suggested a competition worthy of only the most daring soul. The task was this: dive under the dock, grab the anchoring rope and descend hand over hand as far as your breath allowed. You would know how deep you went because after the first 15 feet the water temperature would change, and again every 10 feet after that.
The first time your toes dipped down into the layer of cold water was exhilarating. You pushed your way through and the coolness washed over your entire body, then your toes touched warmth again. Cool, warm, cool. The sensations kept you wanting to push further, all the while calculating distance in the back of your mind, until the desire to breathe came to the forefront. One more level and you would let your survival instinct drag you back up through the parfait of contrasting temperatures. Your face broke the surface and you were gasping and laughing and shouting your amazing depth count to the astonishment of your peers.
One summer day on the lake stretched out for an eternity. When the sun began to set we swam back to the shore, and rode to the house where we were greeted with burgers on the grill and soda bottles on ice. Homemade ice cream, and turns riding around the block on the back of our uncle's motorcycle. At bed time, we stayed up under the covers with flashlights, reading. Everything was right in the world.
How about you? Any stories from a childhood summer that you hold dear? Feel free to share, I love stories. :^)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Gynotikolobomassophile ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 7
Okay, I just LOVE enormously long words that mean something simple or silly, can you tell?
This one means 'one who nibbles on women's earlobes'.
Seriously.
This one means 'one who nibbles on women's earlobes'.
Seriously.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Fescennine ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 6
Def. - marked by the use of vulgarity or obscene language.
My lunch hour was fescennine, once I crunched down on the foreign object and broke a molar. Endodontics, while not my favorite past time, would be very helpful today; however, no one can see me until Monday. I am predicting a rather fescennine weekend, as well.
Typically, I am able to use substitutionary words during the course of daily conversation, my favorite being 'Monkey'. I was able to use 'Monkey' several times this afternoon, but in-addition-to rather than in-place-of. So now I have random moments of %$#@&. Physical pain is not my forte. I am no stranger to it, but I enjoy a relatively healthy, pain-free existence... and I like it that way. It's possible I will have to render myself mute via a tequila-induced coma until such time as I can receive medical attention. Mostly because I get charged a quarter every time I use a curse word, and I'm fairly certain I rang up a $5 lunch today.
Feel free to join in, the Monkeys and I will be doing some Prairie Fire shooters with a little salt and lime, and it's liable to be slightly fescennine... let's see if I can still say that after a couple of rounds.... I guarantee I'll still be able to say 'Monkey'.
My lunch hour was fescennine, once I crunched down on the foreign object and broke a molar. Endodontics, while not my favorite past time, would be very helpful today; however, no one can see me until Monday. I am predicting a rather fescennine weekend, as well.
Typically, I am able to use substitutionary words during the course of daily conversation, my favorite being 'Monkey'. I was able to use 'Monkey' several times this afternoon, but in-addition-to rather than in-place-of. So now I have random moments of %$#@&. Physical pain is not my forte. I am no stranger to it, but I enjoy a relatively healthy, pain-free existence... and I like it that way. It's possible I will have to render myself mute via a tequila-induced coma until such time as I can receive medical attention. Mostly because I get charged a quarter every time I use a curse word, and I'm fairly certain I rang up a $5 lunch today.
Feel free to join in, the Monkeys and I will be doing some Prairie Fire shooters with a little salt and lime, and it's liable to be slightly fescennine... let's see if I can still say that after a couple of rounds.... I guarantee I'll still be able to say 'Monkey'.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 5
It is a real word, I swear, that means......... Good.
I'm using this as a reminder that my writing needs to be tight. I mean, seriously? Did we need that many letters to say 'Yay!'? I have found in my voracious reading that there are some really great books out there, and some really not great ones, but there are also some good books that could be great if only the writing was a little tighter.
We should be going through our MS with a fine tooth comb, slashing every word that isn't necessary, making sure our chosen language style isn't burdensome... before we let even our beta reader/agent/editor look at it. It then becomes less work for them as they read through, and less work for us on the other side.
Once I have scaled down to the bare bones idea of each sentence, I can then reread and decide if I need to be more descriptive in some areas, or if there is room for more showing in others. I ask myself questions:
Does this paragraph make sense?
Does this sentence adequately present the image I am trying to describe?
Is this grammattically correct?
Is there another way I can say this?
Is that the absolute maximum amount of 'that's' that I can use in that sentence?
Where the hell is my thesaurus?
It's all basic writer 101, I know, but it works.
And it's all eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious, ya know?
I'm using this as a reminder that my writing needs to be tight. I mean, seriously? Did we need that many letters to say 'Yay!'? I have found in my voracious reading that there are some really great books out there, and some really not great ones, but there are also some good books that could be great if only the writing was a little tighter.
We should be going through our MS with a fine tooth comb, slashing every word that isn't necessary, making sure our chosen language style isn't burdensome... before we let even our beta reader/agent/editor look at it. It then becomes less work for them as they read through, and less work for us on the other side.
Once I have scaled down to the bare bones idea of each sentence, I can then reread and decide if I need to be more descriptive in some areas, or if there is room for more showing in others. I ask myself questions:
Does this paragraph make sense?
Does this sentence adequately present the image I am trying to describe?
Is this grammattically correct?
Is there another way I can say this?
Is that the absolute maximum amount of 'that's' that I can use in that sentence?
Where the hell is my thesaurus?
It's all basic writer 101, I know, but it works.
And it's all eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious, ya know?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Discommodius ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 4
No, this is not the lack of a toilet-like structure, as some might surmise based on the root-word.
I know, it was like I could see into your soul just then.
The actual definition of discommodius is as follows: inconvenient.
This is somewhat related to your original thought process, especially if you have recently consumed a 52 ounce cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper from Quick Trip. However, it has much farther reaching implications. It reaches all the way to my cubicle, in fact.. It is the definition of my eight-hour hiatus from life Monday through Friday.
I try not to be a complainer, I really do. I like my job. I like what I do, I like the company I work for, I like my boss(es), I like my coworkers, I like my paycheck, and I like my benefits package. I just feel like I could be a more complete person if I could multitask a little more. I am able to execute my duties and do several loads of laundry at the same time. I have the ability to run the dishwasher while I work. It is possible for me to conference call while Wet-Jetting the hardwoods. Yet, to date, I have not come up with a plausible argument convincing my employer that my position is 100% telecommutable.
Utterly discommodius.
I know, it was like I could see into your soul just then.
The actual definition of discommodius is as follows: inconvenient.
This is somewhat related to your original thought process, especially if you have recently consumed a 52 ounce cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper from Quick Trip. However, it has much farther reaching implications. It reaches all the way to my cubicle, in fact.. It is the definition of my eight-hour hiatus from life Monday through Friday.
I try not to be a complainer, I really do. I like my job. I like what I do, I like the company I work for, I like my boss(es), I like my coworkers, I like my paycheck, and I like my benefits package. I just feel like I could be a more complete person if I could multitask a little more. I am able to execute my duties and do several loads of laundry at the same time. I have the ability to run the dishwasher while I work. It is possible for me to conference call while Wet-Jetting the hardwoods. Yet, to date, I have not come up with a plausible argument convincing my employer that my position is 100% telecommutable.
Utterly discommodius.
Corybantic ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 3 (ish)
Wildly excited; frenzied.
This word completely contradicts the emotion I felt when I realized I forgot to post yesterday! Aaaaccckk! Early Onset Fail!! Oh, wait, maybe it was really close to what I felt.....
I would not consider myself a highly emotional person in terms of expression. When I get happy I rarely jump up and down screaming for joy. When I'm sad one would never find me in the fetal position blubbering in a pool of my own tears. When I'm angry I'm not a red-faced beastly annihilator. I don't normally go to the extreme on any level, I consider myself a fairly moderate citizen.
However....
Last week, after having suffered a horrific blow followed by a miraculous save, my favorite American Idol contestant, Casey, sang the most beautiful rendition of Elton John's 'Your Song' that I've ever heard. At the conclusion, I not only squealed out loud like a little fangirl and clapped, but I became verklempt, and almost cried.
Yes, you read that correctly. After years of staunchly maintaining that these teenage girls who scream and cry in the presence of musicians are obviously emotionally unstable and in dire need of a priority evaluation, I have succumbed. Don't get me wrong, I do not recant. It's possible I am in need of some type of evaluation. Okay, probable. However, for the first time in my life I was moved by the performance of someone I don't know from Adam. I have liked songs, even loved songs; I have been impressed by performances or shows. But I cannot say I have ever been moved by the performance of someone I wasn't already emotionally connected to.
This is a first, on multiple levels, but I dare say I was positively corybantic.
This word completely contradicts the emotion I felt when I realized I forgot to post yesterday! Aaaaccckk! Early Onset Fail!! Oh, wait, maybe it was really close to what I felt.....
I would not consider myself a highly emotional person in terms of expression. When I get happy I rarely jump up and down screaming for joy. When I'm sad one would never find me in the fetal position blubbering in a pool of my own tears. When I'm angry I'm not a red-faced beastly annihilator. I don't normally go to the extreme on any level, I consider myself a fairly moderate citizen.
However....
Last week, after having suffered a horrific blow followed by a miraculous save, my favorite American Idol contestant, Casey, sang the most beautiful rendition of Elton John's 'Your Song' that I've ever heard. At the conclusion, I not only squealed out loud like a little fangirl and clapped, but I became verklempt, and almost cried.
Yes, you read that correctly. After years of staunchly maintaining that these teenage girls who scream and cry in the presence of musicians are obviously emotionally unstable and in dire need of a priority evaluation, I have succumbed. Don't get me wrong, I do not recant. It's possible I am in need of some type of evaluation. Okay, probable. However, for the first time in my life I was moved by the performance of someone I don't know from Adam. I have liked songs, even loved songs; I have been impressed by performances or shows. But I cannot say I have ever been moved by the performance of someone I wasn't already emotionally connected to.
This is a first, on multiple levels, but I dare say I was positively corybantic.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Bibliophagist ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 2
One who devours books, literally or figuratively.
Nom nom nom.
I seriously can't get enough, and the idea that I have to spend time doing other things, like working or sleeping, is depressing. I didn't list eating because I have been known to multitask at meal time!
I am currently reading The Dark Path by Luke Romyn, and I am having a hard time concentrating on this post as I cast sidelong glances at my Kindle. I can hear it calling to me... 'read me. Read Me. READ ME!!!' My Kindle can be demanding. I love this book, and in the spirit of my 'B' word, I am hungry to get back to it. I can only say this: within these pages lives a character that I want to know. I can't wait to read every chilling word about him, to stay with him till the end, and when the end comes I already know I will mourn the completion of the story.
Okay, that's it, I can't take it any more. This post is over, I'm starving.....
Nom nom nom.
I seriously can't get enough, and the idea that I have to spend time doing other things, like working or sleeping, is depressing. I didn't list eating because I have been known to multitask at meal time!
I am currently reading The Dark Path by Luke Romyn, and I am having a hard time concentrating on this post as I cast sidelong glances at my Kindle. I can hear it calling to me... 'read me. Read Me. READ ME!!!' My Kindle can be demanding. I love this book, and in the spirit of my 'B' word, I am hungry to get back to it. I can only say this: within these pages lives a character that I want to know. I can't wait to read every chilling word about him, to stay with him till the end, and when the end comes I already know I will mourn the completion of the story.
Okay, that's it, I can't take it any more. This post is over, I'm starving.....
Friday, April 1, 2011
Adoxography ~ A to Z Challenge: Day 1
To kick off my debut in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge, I thought I would start simply and just pick an 'A' word. *cough*
There are many 'A' words that I am incredibly fond of; however, I added a new one today, a writerly word that actually appropriately describes my attempts at the craft.
The word is ADOXOGRAPHY - meaning, good writing on a trivial subject. Keep in mind, 'good' is completely subjective as well as relative. But trivial? I can so do trivial! The actual Webster's definition might say something like favorable writing, and I can say something nice about almost anything. So I'm warming up to this cute little noun. Plus, it has an X in it! X makes everything cooler.
So, how does one go about procuring new words for their arsenal if there is no dictionary to be found, you ask? The internet is a vast and wonderous macrocosm, filled to the brim with every imaginable thing. So you could start here.
Well, this has been a lovely start to my April. I am very thankful for Tossing It Out to provide me with the motivational tools necessary to continue my blog, and help me develop the discipline required to become successful.
And I'm having a great time, to boot!
There are many 'A' words that I am incredibly fond of; however, I added a new one today, a writerly word that actually appropriately describes my attempts at the craft.
The word is ADOXOGRAPHY - meaning, good writing on a trivial subject. Keep in mind, 'good' is completely subjective as well as relative. But trivial? I can so do trivial! The actual Webster's definition might say something like favorable writing, and I can say something nice about almost anything. So I'm warming up to this cute little noun. Plus, it has an X in it! X makes everything cooler.
So, how does one go about procuring new words for their arsenal if there is no dictionary to be found, you ask? The internet is a vast and wonderous macrocosm, filled to the brim with every imaginable thing. So you could start here.
Well, this has been a lovely start to my April. I am very thankful for Tossing It Out to provide me with the motivational tools necessary to continue my blog, and help me develop the discipline required to become successful.
And I'm having a great time, to boot!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Thirty Four And A Half Hours
Until... VACATION!! Woooooo hoooooooo!!!
I know, I really should learn to express my emotions, you may be vaguely aware of my elevated mood...
The one thing that I did not expect so intensely was my desire to get the heck out of dodge. I expected to be very happy, and to be impatient, with a side of short-timer's disease, but I truly did not expect the overwhelming urge to be anywhere but here for a week prior.
I am guessing I really need this vacation.
I have a few hopeful expectations for it, as well. I'm looking for writing inspiration on this trip, as well as relaxation, a renewed connection with the Latin Lover, and a refreshed attitude to bring home with me. And if I can lose 5 pounds while eating whatever I want, that would be a nice touch. I don't ask for much really, I'm pretty low maintenance.
I am ready to start getting my Romantic Suspense novel on paper now, but I am still wrestling with the whole pseudonym issue. Anyone with 2 cents, or even 1 cent for that matter, please feel free to advise!
I know, I really should learn to express my emotions, you may be vaguely aware of my elevated mood...
The one thing that I did not expect so intensely was my desire to get the heck out of dodge. I expected to be very happy, and to be impatient, with a side of short-timer's disease, but I truly did not expect the overwhelming urge to be anywhere but here for a week prior.
I am guessing I really need this vacation.
I have a few hopeful expectations for it, as well. I'm looking for writing inspiration on this trip, as well as relaxation, a renewed connection with the Latin Lover, and a refreshed attitude to bring home with me. And if I can lose 5 pounds while eating whatever I want, that would be a nice touch. I don't ask for much really, I'm pretty low maintenance.
I am ready to start getting my Romantic Suspense novel on paper now, but I am still wrestling with the whole pseudonym issue. Anyone with 2 cents, or even 1 cent for that matter, please feel free to advise!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
To Pseudonym Or Not To Pseudonym
I've run across a new problem... I have multi-genre story ideas. It makes me feel a little ADHD to tell you the truth. I've been reading that once you develop a platform for your writing, readers can feel confused or betrayed if you jump from one genre to another, but I have inside me an idea for a Romantic Suspense novel... AND a YA Dystopian... AND a Thriller...
I have very eclectic reading tastes (I read anything I can get my hands on), and so I trend toward very eclectic writing. Will my future readers be able to cope? I have thought that I should at least use a pseudonym to separate the romance from the rest, but is that really necessary?
As readers and writers, what do you think?
I have very eclectic reading tastes (I read anything I can get my hands on), and so I trend toward very eclectic writing. Will my future readers be able to cope? I have thought that I should at least use a pseudonym to separate the romance from the rest, but is that really necessary?
As readers and writers, what do you think?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Prolific Promise
I have had a quiet March, but it looks like April will be quite the opposite! I have entered a challenge issued by Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out, called the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. I'm pretty stoked about this as it will keep me working all month on my blog.
I have been underground writing out my new story ideas and doing character development, but I have a hard time balancing blog time, writing time, and reading time along with the rest of my life activities. Especially when I have a mini vacation coming up the 18th through the 21st, the first real vacation the Latin Lover and I have taken without our kids in 10 YEARS... no kidding. I am so looking forward to this trip, I think my brain went on vacation last Thursday and it's just waiting for us to catch up.
What do you do to keep it going? How are you able to blog regularly and keep up with the rest of your writings, and life events?
I have been underground writing out my new story ideas and doing character development, but I have a hard time balancing blog time, writing time, and reading time along with the rest of my life activities. Especially when I have a mini vacation coming up the 18th through the 21st, the first real vacation the Latin Lover and I have taken without our kids in 10 YEARS... no kidding. I am so looking forward to this trip, I think my brain went on vacation last Thursday and it's just waiting for us to catch up.
What do you do to keep it going? How are you able to blog regularly and keep up with the rest of your writings, and life events?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Too Tired To Tweet
Every time I call my 81 year old grandmother on the cell phone I gave her 2 1/2 years ago the call connects, I can hear her somewhere in the distance saying "Okay, now, which button is it?", followed by a disconnect. She then calls me back from her home phone, and tells me I need to teach her how to answer "that damn thing".
Now, my grandmother is a highly intelligent woman, so I have to ask myself how she came to a place where something we take for granted is too difficult to master? How is it that one becomes unable to keep up with progress?
The answer is, it sneaks up on us when we're not looking.
When we're young and single and only responsible for number one we have the attention span required to grasp every new advance out of the box. But once we're married and/or have children, when we become responsible for not just another person's well being, but their schedule, as well as our own (and maybe it's for 3 or 4 or 5 other people) we start purging our lives of things that are less necessary, like what-in-the-heck does "4G" stand for, anyway?
We also start becoming more judgemental of things that threaten to take our time. For example, I have never nor will ever have a 'MySpace' page. It reminds me of an online dating site on LSD. And yet, the more civilized Facebook finally dragged me, kicking and screaming, into the world of social networking in 2007. In my estimation, this was all I had time for. I could check my email on my Blackberry, and go home and lurk on Facebook for a bit while doing laundry. What else did I need?
I can see how I might have looked up one day, through the ancient eyes of an elder, and not known where my tidy, easy, little world went. Except that the Latin Lover talked me into upgrading to a Droid. "What do I need with a touch-screen," says I? "I LIKE my buttons!" 2 months later in a text: OMGSH, I luv this phone!! I think I could control NASA from here!!
And Tweeting? WTH? What's a tweet? If you tweet does that make you a twit? I don't need ONE MORE THING to keep me from doing the laundry, right? Except that now I find out that writers can use it as a marketing tool. A what? Well, read THIS BLOG for starters. And then jump over to THIS BLOG and scan through the comments for Nathan Lowell and the thread related to what he said.
The good news is someday I am going to be an 81 year old author who can use a cell phone, and a BlueRay player, who Tweets, and posts, and touches screens.
But by then my granddaughter will have given me a holographic monocle projection device, and I'll be asking her to teach me how to answer the damn thing.
Now, my grandmother is a highly intelligent woman, so I have to ask myself how she came to a place where something we take for granted is too difficult to master? How is it that one becomes unable to keep up with progress?
The answer is, it sneaks up on us when we're not looking.
When we're young and single and only responsible for number one we have the attention span required to grasp every new advance out of the box. But once we're married and/or have children, when we become responsible for not just another person's well being, but their schedule, as well as our own (and maybe it's for 3 or 4 or 5 other people) we start purging our lives of things that are less necessary, like what-in-the-heck does "4G" stand for, anyway?
We also start becoming more judgemental of things that threaten to take our time. For example, I have never nor will ever have a 'MySpace' page. It reminds me of an online dating site on LSD. And yet, the more civilized Facebook finally dragged me, kicking and screaming, into the world of social networking in 2007. In my estimation, this was all I had time for. I could check my email on my Blackberry, and go home and lurk on Facebook for a bit while doing laundry. What else did I need?
I can see how I might have looked up one day, through the ancient eyes of an elder, and not known where my tidy, easy, little world went. Except that the Latin Lover talked me into upgrading to a Droid. "What do I need with a touch-screen," says I? "I LIKE my buttons!" 2 months later in a text: OMGSH, I luv this phone!! I think I could control NASA from here!!
And Tweeting? WTH? What's a tweet? If you tweet does that make you a twit? I don't need ONE MORE THING to keep me from doing the laundry, right? Except that now I find out that writers can use it as a marketing tool. A what? Well, read THIS BLOG for starters. And then jump over to THIS BLOG and scan through the comments for Nathan Lowell and the thread related to what he said.
The good news is someday I am going to be an 81 year old author who can use a cell phone, and a BlueRay player, who Tweets, and posts, and touches screens.
But by then my granddaughter will have given me a holographic monocle projection device, and I'll be asking her to teach me how to answer the damn thing.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Not Just Another Stupid Holiday
Eight months ago my Latin Lover, my husband, and I underwent a terrible, terrible separation. We almost didn't recover. But December 7th we were given a second chance, and we chose to take it. Through the healing process I have struggled with trust issues, and security issues, and the idea that his love may be lacking because he doesn't express it in ways I know him to be capable of. It is a long and rocky road to recovery.
But today, when I was content knowing that someday we would have the intensity we deserved, my magnificent man threw me a curve.
He began texting in the morning: Ha
Then every hour or so, a new one: pp
Y
Va
Le
Nt
In
Es
Da
Y
It took all day, but he wanted me to know he was thinking about me all day, and he wanted me to think of him. And then, the most precious gift... a Facebook post for all the world to see that read:
True love stories never have endings... 4350 days and counting... Happy Valentines Day To My Wife.
I cried for 10 minutes.
Then when he walked through the door, I threw my arms around him and cried some more. It's the best Valentine I've ever gotten. More even than the sense of love I felt, he gave me a strong, beautiful hope. Roses?! We don't need no stinkin' roses!
But today, when I was content knowing that someday we would have the intensity we deserved, my magnificent man threw me a curve.
He began texting in the morning: Ha
Then every hour or so, a new one: pp
Y
Va
Le
Nt
In
Es
Da
Y
It took all day, but he wanted me to know he was thinking about me all day, and he wanted me to think of him. And then, the most precious gift... a Facebook post for all the world to see that read:
True love stories never have endings... 4350 days and counting... Happy Valentines Day To My Wife.
I cried for 10 minutes.
Then when he walked through the door, I threw my arms around him and cried some more. It's the best Valentine I've ever gotten. More even than the sense of love I felt, he gave me a strong, beautiful hope. Roses?! We don't need no stinkin' roses!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Some Days Are Just Utilitarian
I would like to say that I am creative every day. I would also like to say, "I'm afraid I don't have change for your $50 bill, all I have are these hundreds."
There are days, like today, that are just an incredibly long run-on list of To Do's. Nothing exciting, nothing creative, nothing even remotely approaching fun. But the truth of the matter is, we have to get those things done and out of the way to make time for the mystery that is tomorrow.
I don't mind chores and errands. It gives me time to rest my creative self and stop real life from building into an overwhelming mountain of stuff needing done. That does, however, put a lot of pressure on tomorrow to be entertaining and inspiring... I hope it doesn't let me down.
It rarely does.
There are days, like today, that are just an incredibly long run-on list of To Do's. Nothing exciting, nothing creative, nothing even remotely approaching fun. But the truth of the matter is, we have to get those things done and out of the way to make time for the mystery that is tomorrow.
I don't mind chores and errands. It gives me time to rest my creative self and stop real life from building into an overwhelming mountain of stuff needing done. That does, however, put a lot of pressure on tomorrow to be entertaining and inspiring... I hope it doesn't let me down.
It rarely does.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Difference An Hour Can Make
Truthfully, this post should be titled 'The Difference 3 Ounces of Tequila and a Half Ounce of Grand Marinier Can Make'. About an hour ago, I was feeling very creative, a little introspective, and peaceful, for lack of a better word. Therein lies the problem. One Double Margarita, and One Special Margarita later, I have a lack of better words. I'm feeling a little more relaxed, but my brain feels constricted. I recall what I wanted to post about, but I don't know if I'm capable of actually getting the words out. Let's try, shall we? I can't let the stress take me down.
I was thinking about when I first wanted to write, and I was shocked to discover it was in grade school. My best school work was done via essays with my own illustrations. In Junior High, I took creative writing classes and art classes and, needless to say, that was where the rubber met the road. I excelled in the writing class and barely passed art.
Nowadays, I feel repressed and... dare I say it... afraid to write. I have no idea how one gets to this point in their lives, but I have this unexpressed part of myself. I don't know if it's because I think I'm a crap writer, or if I have too many other unexpressed issues, but it really does look like I'm *GASP*... blocked.
I know, I know, that is a fictitious state of being, but I don't know what else to call it. I did discover something this year, though.
I am a kick-ass editor. AND I LOVE IT. I can proofread circles around folks, and I have a wonderful enough grasp of the english language to know when you've screwed up. I still adhere to the idea that I probably cannot edit myself a fraction as well, and will be procuring an editor for my own future work, but I can read anything in the english language, and make it better.
It's like that commercial, 'we don't make the plastic you use, we make it better'. I can do that with your web content, I can do that as your beta-reader, I can do that with your ebook.
But, I have no degree, and no portfolio to speak of. So would I hire me? Probably not. I have submitted an offer to a website that I respect; one that had a definite issue, so we'll see if I can get my start somewhere.
So am I crazy? I mean, who loves editing? Who can do a better job than spell-check in most cases? What kind of literary maniac knows that your punctuation, or lack thereof, bites?
I know, it's just me. But in that case, I've got a corner on the market, baby! And looks like neither hell, nor excessive tequila can stop me! Sweet!
Just promise me that tomorrow you will NOT tell me how many times I insisted that I love you, man. No really, I love you.
I was thinking about when I first wanted to write, and I was shocked to discover it was in grade school. My best school work was done via essays with my own illustrations. In Junior High, I took creative writing classes and art classes and, needless to say, that was where the rubber met the road. I excelled in the writing class and barely passed art.
Nowadays, I feel repressed and... dare I say it... afraid to write. I have no idea how one gets to this point in their lives, but I have this unexpressed part of myself. I don't know if it's because I think I'm a crap writer, or if I have too many other unexpressed issues, but it really does look like I'm *GASP*... blocked.
I know, I know, that is a fictitious state of being, but I don't know what else to call it. I did discover something this year, though.
I am a kick-ass editor. AND I LOVE IT. I can proofread circles around folks, and I have a wonderful enough grasp of the english language to know when you've screwed up. I still adhere to the idea that I probably cannot edit myself a fraction as well, and will be procuring an editor for my own future work, but I can read anything in the english language, and make it better.
It's like that commercial, 'we don't make the plastic you use, we make it better'. I can do that with your web content, I can do that as your beta-reader, I can do that with your ebook.
But, I have no degree, and no portfolio to speak of. So would I hire me? Probably not. I have submitted an offer to a website that I respect; one that had a definite issue, so we'll see if I can get my start somewhere.
So am I crazy? I mean, who loves editing? Who can do a better job than spell-check in most cases? What kind of literary maniac knows that your punctuation, or lack thereof, bites?
I know, it's just me. But in that case, I've got a corner on the market, baby! And looks like neither hell, nor excessive tequila can stop me! Sweet!
Just promise me that tomorrow you will NOT tell me how many times I insisted that I love you, man. No really, I love you.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sounds To Avoid
Living in the Midwest, one may enjoy the full range of seasons throughout the year in all their glory. Spring is a true awakening of the earth, with gorgeous colors, delicate aromas, the sounds of new life. Summer is green as green can be, the glorious heat enticing us to the pools and lakes, thunderstorms a pounding symphony. Fall slowly transforms the green into a collage of reds, yellows, oranges, while the atmosphere begins to cool, to calm, the aromas turn to spice, and smoke, and earth, the wind a musical swirl. Then Winter ushers in the peaceful snowfalls, the distinct smell of cold, and the sounds.... the sounds. The sound of snow crunching under tires, the sound of sliding, the sound of a truck grill striking a break-away light pole, the sound of said light pole plummeting and crashing on the road below.
Ah yes. The sounds of a $1000 deductible.
Ah yes. The sounds of a $1000 deductible.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Flash, Aaaaaahhhhhhh!
Behind her the noise escalated, pushing her to run faster. She was ahead of it by seconds, but those precious few might be enough. If Dana had called in a report, she would never have had this opportunity. It was a split-second decision that saved her life. Climbing higher up the hill she felt the lick of the swell up to her ankle, and made the last desperate push to escape harm. Dana glanced down and saw she wasn't being followed. By anything. She turned to see the village, and everything in it, swept out to sea.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monkey Butt Powder
I know, but it's all I've got.
We were watching the playoffs on Sunday with friends, and at half time we started a rousing game of Crazy Willis. During the hand which my Latin Lover trumped my bid, and I realized I might not recover, I exclaimed, "OH, Monkey Butt!" To which one of our friends replied, "They have Monkey Butt Powder, you know. They sell it at places like CVS." To which I smartly retorted, "Shut up, Nuh-uh!"
I have yet to google it. I'm afraid I will find it true... or false... I don't know which would be worse.
We were watching the playoffs on Sunday with friends, and at half time we started a rousing game of Crazy Willis. During the hand which my Latin Lover trumped my bid, and I realized I might not recover, I exclaimed, "OH, Monkey Butt!" To which one of our friends replied, "They have Monkey Butt Powder, you know. They sell it at places like CVS." To which I smartly retorted, "Shut up, Nuh-uh!"
I have yet to google it. I'm afraid I will find it true... or false... I don't know which would be worse.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Shout Out Weekend - Day 3
Last day of the weekend... farewell, beautiful freedom-ish...
Today's shout out goes to an established writer of both print and ebooks, whose encouragement to indie authors is unparalleled. I am currently reading Cherry Bomb on Kindle, and one entire section of my bookshelf is dedicated to the rest of the Jack Daniels series in paperback.
JA Konrath, you are an amazing writer and an inspiration, and I have been devouring every word from your blog, A Newbie's Guide To Publishing. The information you are providing on self-publishing is fantastic, and I haven't missed a post. I am also in love with your stories... I am crushin' on Phineas Troutt, big time. ;^) I can't wait to find out how Jack takes down Alex once and for all!
I purposely got Cherry Bomb on my Kindle in support of the ebook cause, but I will probably also buy it in print because I hate to have pieces of a series missing in my library, and someday they will be worth way more than the paper they're printed on, when eBooks rule the world.
Today's shout out goes to an established writer of both print and ebooks, whose encouragement to indie authors is unparalleled. I am currently reading Cherry Bomb on Kindle, and one entire section of my bookshelf is dedicated to the rest of the Jack Daniels series in paperback.
JA Konrath, you are an amazing writer and an inspiration, and I have been devouring every word from your blog, A Newbie's Guide To Publishing. The information you are providing on self-publishing is fantastic, and I haven't missed a post. I am also in love with your stories... I am crushin' on Phineas Troutt, big time. ;^) I can't wait to find out how Jack takes down Alex once and for all!
I purposely got Cherry Bomb on my Kindle in support of the ebook cause, but I will probably also buy it in print because I hate to have pieces of a series missing in my library, and someday they will be worth way more than the paper they're printed on, when eBooks rule the world.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Shout Out Weekend - Day 2
Today's shout out goes to an UBER-entertaining blog that I refuse to miss:
Tawna Fenske at Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing
Tawna's blog is entertaining, informative, and addictive. If her books are even remotely as fun to read as her blog, I will not hesitate to own them all, and pimp them shamelessly!
Ms. Fenske will be on a trip next week and may not post as regularly, but I guarantee I will be checking every day, just in case.
Tawna Fenske at Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing
Tawna's blog is entertaining, informative, and addictive. If her books are even remotely as fun to read as her blog, I will not hesitate to own them all, and pimp them shamelessly!
Ms. Fenske will be on a trip next week and may not post as regularly, but I guarantee I will be checking every day, just in case.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Shout Out Weekend - Day 1
I am dedicating this weekend to the amazing bloggers I follow.
Friday's are always an exciting day for me because I get to jump over to Random Thoughts, and read C.R.Ward's latest installment of her serial fiction piece. She alway's leaves me thinking, "Dang it! Why do I have to wait until next Friday to see what happens next?" Her stories are intriguing, well written, and entertaining. I find myself wanting to download the whole thing so I can read all night until I'm done.
This, painfully, is not an option. meh.
So, I faithfully visit her blog every week (almost every day) to read whatever treasure she has posted. Thanks, CR, for sharing your vision with the world, we are better for it!
Friday's are always an exciting day for me because I get to jump over to Random Thoughts, and read C.R.Ward's latest installment of her serial fiction piece. She alway's leaves me thinking, "Dang it! Why do I have to wait until next Friday to see what happens next?" Her stories are intriguing, well written, and entertaining. I find myself wanting to download the whole thing so I can read all night until I'm done.
This, painfully, is not an option. meh.
So, I faithfully visit her blog every week (almost every day) to read whatever treasure she has posted. Thanks, CR, for sharing your vision with the world, we are better for it!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful
In my region of the universe it has snowed about 6 inches since 2pm, and we're expecting more. On the way home my Latin Lover rescued a stranded motorist, then he came home and cooked dinner, and five minutes ago he walked the dog before bed... in a blizzard. And he makes me laugh.
Srsly?
It doesn't get better than this.
Srsly?
It doesn't get better than this.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
...Because I Have To Take The Dog Out
You know when life just gets in the way of everything you could be doing, want to be doing? I try not to make excuses but really... I sat down to the computer and immediately the dog begged to go out. Just like the minute I go to jot down my story ideas my kids start hollering, "Mom! Come here! It's an emergency!" The kind where they can't find the other sock, or do I know where the brush is? I sit down at the computer to write... as soon as I'm done paying bills online...
So now, the dog is crossing her legs and nodding toward the door, and because I don't have the patience to teach her how to flush, I should go.
We will try again tomorrow.
So now, the dog is crossing her legs and nodding toward the door, and because I don't have the patience to teach her how to flush, I should go.
We will try again tomorrow.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Happy Birthday
Today is my oldest son's birthday. He was born on MLKJ's birthday in 1991, the day after the ground war started during Desert Storm... and we were having a snow storm here that day.
I am proud that he has been able to get a handle on his life, and I look forward to his future successes.
And I am thankful that he hasn't caused so many gray hairs that people stop telling me I look too young to have a 20 year old....
I am proud that he has been able to get a handle on his life, and I look forward to his future successes.
And I am thankful that he hasn't caused so many gray hairs that people stop telling me I look too young to have a 20 year old....
Friday, January 14, 2011
Derailed
I started to tell a story that was going to have an amazing ending, and to be as accurate as possible I was going to take a direct quote from an email I had received. In the course of looking for the email I received a follow up email that totally ruined the story by taking away my happy ending.
How does a story recover from a hit like that? Is there any way to resurrect it, even when your character is no longer getting the resolution they desire? Do you scratch it and begin anew?
These are the things I'm pondering as I lay in the ashes of my happily ever after... what do you think?
How does a story recover from a hit like that? Is there any way to resurrect it, even when your character is no longer getting the resolution they desire? Do you scratch it and begin anew?
These are the things I'm pondering as I lay in the ashes of my happily ever after... what do you think?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Arrrrggghhh... 1-11-11
Missed posting yesterday! But I must report that I did write yesterday: A list of 12 Benefits I received from my recent life experience. Today's actual post will occur later; this is just honorable mention for yesterday's success.
TTFN
TTFN
Monday, January 10, 2011
Open Wounds
Josie felt the warmth of it running down her elbow. It stung like hell every time she moved, but there was nowhere to go but forward. He hadn't meant to hurt her, he was actually trying to hold her close to keep her from falling, but the stitches had ripped. The healing process was one step forward, two steps back. She wanted to be whole, wanted to be able to operate at one hundred percent, but only time could help her now.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Once Upon A Time...
...there was a Queen. She was married to the King and they had a kingdom, carefully balanced on the point of a spear. The Queen had to conduct her life on her side of the kingdom, while the King conducted his life opposite her to maintain consistent balance. The Queen could not see through the fog beneath the kingdom, never knowing the depth of the peril below, nor could she approach the King closely enough to inquire without tipping the kingdom. Then one day after many years, the King announced he was compelled to go on a journey and, without warning, leaped from the edge of the kingdom and disappearing into the mist. The kingdom began leaning in the Queen's direction, her side dipping toward the foggy peril below. The accumulation of the King's half, the walls and facades, baggage and flotsam he had carefully placed to balance his side, began crumbling and sliding across the kingdom, crashing into the Queen's own precious walls and accumulation of comfort items, things she collected to replace the space that should have been occupied by the King. It all tumbled downward as the kingdom tipped, and the Queen realized that everything she cared for was destroyed, her King was gone, and she was about to be dragged into the terrifying unknown. Just as she was pulled to the very edge of the worthless kingdom, about to be swallowed up in the fog, the tipping mass halted with a giant thud. The Queen let her foot dangle over the edge, and felt earth beneath her toe. She let go of the last handhold she had found and slid from the kingdom to land on the solid ground. The mist swirled around her and she felt alone, but she was alive, and well, and not terrified any longer. She found that as she walked the fog parted for her revealing small, wonderful areas where she could begin building her own realm. Soon after, she heard footsteps approaching, and a figure emerged to stand in the clearing. It was her King. He bowed before her and declared that while his journey was necessary, it had led him back to the Queen. He vowed his eternal love and commitment and asked the Queen to allow him to join her and build a new kingdom together. She had always loved him, and welcomed him with open arms. They were now able to walk together and conduct their lives arm in arm, not worried about upsetting the balance, but standing on a solid foundation. However, it was not happily ever after, because the story is still being written; instead it is To Be Continued...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Ah, Yes, Writing Every Day
Saturday looked like this:
Sewing Scarves
Vin Diesel
Folding Underwear
Girl's Basketball
Applebee's
NFL
I bet I can find something to write about in there, huh?
Sewing Scarves
Vin Diesel
Folding Underwear
Girl's Basketball
Applebee's
NFL
I bet I can find something to write about in there, huh?
Friday, January 7, 2011
2011 Goals: Baby Steps, It's A Process
Here are my three Goals for 2011... yes... only three. And they're not profound, they are 'let's develop good basic habits for once' goals. I will start here and maybe by the end of this year I will have over-achieved! But we're shooting for three.
1. Write EVERY DAY. Something... anything... either here, or elsewhere and posted here.
Seriously. This is a must.
2. Enter and FINISH NaNoWriMo November 2011.
2010 was the first year I didn't even enter since, like, 2003... and I have never finished. I will finish this year.
3. Try at least one other creative outlet this year.
Photography, painting, drawing, sculpting, the culinary arts; something to exercise unused parts of my brain. Of course, then post about it here.
That's it... simple, doable. If I can't reach these goals, then I may have to take remedial breathing classes.
2011 = WIN!
1. Write EVERY DAY. Something... anything... either here, or elsewhere and posted here.
Seriously. This is a must.
2. Enter and FINISH NaNoWriMo November 2011.
2010 was the first year I didn't even enter since, like, 2003... and I have never finished. I will finish this year.
3. Try at least one other creative outlet this year.
Photography, painting, drawing, sculpting, the culinary arts; something to exercise unused parts of my brain. Of course, then post about it here.
That's it... simple, doable. If I can't reach these goals, then I may have to take remedial breathing classes.
2011 = WIN!
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