[Life] Updates and Accountability
I meant to be more active here. And I need to be — but still figuring some content things out.
It’s been just over a month now since the “DRP”. So far everyone is playing the deal straight. We’ll see how long that lasts.
The challenge has been getting the new routines down. Figuring out the creative writer thing (AGAIN) and finishing up some last commitments tied to the Day Job. I co-taught a Public Information Officer class to end a certification program for regional folks. A couple of folks actually asked if I would come back for that. The answer was an easy YES. I’m still getting paid, and I made a commitment to those professional, wasn’t going to abandon those folks. It was a good class.
Something I have learned about myself. When it comes to teaching a process – math, how to do something in a software, etc. – I am a bad teacher. It’s faster and easier to just do it myself than to try to explain it. The last time I did that virtually, it was virtual and I nearly broke my mouse trying to get the person driving the screen to move where I needed them to. BUT…if I’m facilitating a discussion, just imparting knowledge and best practice? I can do that all day long and enjoy it. (It’s completely exhausting, and how do people ACTUALLY do that all day long every day???
This week, though seems to have clicked into place for what I’ve been intending to do all along. Creative stuff in the mornings. Other things in the afternoons/evenings. Have I landed on ONE project to work to completion? No. Have I been writing and working on multiple projects? Yes, I have, which still means word counts and forward momentum. Along with doing “Business of Writing”.
To that end, I’ll be participating in Scrappy’s SpecFic Symposium on the University of North Texas campus on April 26. The event is free but seating is limited.
It’s been an adjustment, which is obviously not COMPLETELY ingrained in muscle memory, but it feels good. I’m also reading more, which is also a pleasant change. With all the STUFF going on around us, it’s nice to be able to step away from doom scrolling or mindlessly playing a game on my tablet and focus on a good narrative. I want to shout out all the authors out there writing cozy, silly, just plain FUN fiction (and throwing some deeper things in there) the need is great and you’re stepping up to fill the need. I applaud you and hope to see you in the ranks again very soon. I have some short stories in the pipelines and working on some longer things.
It’s happening!
[Writing] Finding My Footing
It’s Week 2 of the New Chapter.
Been a little slower than I thought it would be. But…as my therapist always tells me, I’m being gentle with myself. Or at least trying to.
It’s kind of like rearranging a room, you make a bigger mess/chaos before it all gets back into order. I’m in the giant mess portion of my adjustments.
Today, I dug out my old submission spreadsheets – which are WOEFULLY out of date. But also found stories that I’d finished but never sold – at least, I don’t think they did? Records got muddled, but some I know did not. I’d found a print out of one of them and did a quick clean up. Starting the submission process for that one now. I have a few others printed to just read through first – just read – THEN edit. Then try again.
So that means I have 2 stories out, which is more than I’ve had in the past. It’s been a long time since I’ve done spec short fiction work – hence the low hanging fruit first.
I’m working on some other projects, too, both long and short.
It’s a start.
First Update of The New Chapter
Here we go… remembering that I have a website and I should use it.
It’s Day 4 of this new chapter thing, and it’s…going? I am keeping my previous work “schedule” of doing stuff at my desk in the mornings and when I need to do stuff, it’s in the afternoons. There will be some doctor stuff messing with that in the next few weeks, but that’s expected.
What isn’t quite expected? I’m going through some random notebooks and papers and making sure there are things in the computer. I have snippets of stories and thoughts that are dated back to 2020 that I started and abandoned. Yep… that’s a thing. That’s what I’ve been battling for the last several years. I would start writing and something would happen (usually Day Job related) that would throw everything out the window.
I’m getting these things entered and feeling these potential projects to see if something triggers a time to be finished.
Because in the Writer 101 FAQ – “Where do you get your ideas?” Oh, honey, ideas I’ve GOT. Follow through? That’s something I sometimes struggle with.
Also need to see if I have some stories that never sold that might need a new polish and a new lease on submission (just to re-ignite that muscle memory).
New Chapters
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated (or heck, even thought about) this website. Most of you will have seen the poll on my socials asking about what you want to see here.
If you want to weigh in and haven’t seen the social posts:
Audience Participation:
One of the things I need to work on is my website. If you pick “D” – please come with suggestions. I’m prying creativity out of the dark recesses of my brain where it’s been hiding.
What do you want to see on a writer’s website these days?
A. Bring back the pen reviews
B. Reviews are great, but I want to know more about “X” Pens
C. It’s the writer’s life for me… or, stories from a retired convention runner?
D. Something else completely.
One person asked “what do you want to use your site for?” (That’s a paraphrase).
Honestly, I have to re-establish some relevancy in this ever changing tech world.
So, we’ll see where this takes us.
[Pen/Pencil Review] The Mithril Mechanisms Chess Knight Pen
SoonerCon is one of my favorite science fiction conventions. They have great programming and an amazing Art Show. I love hanging out with some of our favorite artists and meeting new ones. Especially ones that create wondrous works in ink pens. Allan Seyberth is just the newest one. He had an amazing display. He’s currently a hobbyist who is just starting to sell his work, so hopefully we’ll be seeing him at more art shows (maybe Fencon in February 2024).
I had a hard time choosing just ONE to bring home, and I am happy with the one I chose. This is the Chess Knight. This pen is also a piece of art. It’s crushed silver and black segmented acrylic on black and satin chrome. What that MEANS is the body is a waved checkerboard to represent the chess board. The satin chrome cap is etched with chess pieces. The black metal clip is the “horse” knight piece with a rook as the topper. The cap is a screw on cap that also screws onto the black base to securely post.
The grip is a long, narrower taper black that has a rounded lip before the tip. It came with a thick Schneider refill in black that is a smooth and supple ink. But Allan mentioned that he created the pen to also take the Pilot G2 refill, so I had to try. And it does take the G2, and now currently has a black G2 refill in a 0.5mm point. Because I do love me a good extra fine point. It’s just under 6” with the cap posted, just under 7” with the cap posted, and just over 4.5” uncapped.
This pen has a decent weight and heft with a decent balance. It should be more awkward to write with but it’s actually quite comfortable. Allan mentioned that this was one of the more complicated pens he’s built to date, taking three attempts to get right. Fortunately, know that he has the knack, there may be more. Which is a good thing.
This one was $50, which was the average price of the pieces Allan brought with him. For the quality of the craftmanship and the intricacies? That’s VERY affordable. It’s a functional work of art that is completely refillable with easily available refills. The trick will be finding them. He’s still rolling out his online presence and this may have been his first outing to sell them. But I had to share this one, so if you see them in your travels, you can snag them.
The Numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 It works well. The design should be bulkier than it is. The fact it is takes multiple refills makes it easy to use. The cap is a secure post.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – The grip is smooth, so no serious ergonomics, but the taper to the grip is narrower than you’d think, but not so much that it throws off the feel or balance. There are some ridges that could cut into the finger if you choke down.
3. Material – 1 This is chrome and metal. It’s completely solid and strong. The threads on the barrel and tail end make for a secure capping and posting. It’s a solid work of art.
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s amazing. Allan has a great eye for detail. This is intricately designed and sturdily built. It’s a great piece of artistic engineering.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s not expensive for being a handmade piece of functional art. I will say that all day long, but it’s not a BIC. These pens start out at $50, which is low for this kind of craftsmanship.
4.5 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Pen/Pencil Review] The BIC 4-Color Ballpoint Pen – Flerken Edition
I found out recently that fellow Yard Dog Press authors, Phillip Drayer Duncan and Tracy Morris talked about pens and this blog on Phillip’s Future Best Seller Podcast. Which means, I should keep up the work…right?
While in East Texas a couple last weekend, I picked up a BIC 4-Color pen with Flerken on it from their The Marvels line (I also got the Captain Marvel).
The BIC 4 color pens have been around for DECADES. I remember getting them mumblety mumblety years ago in school. I had some great nostalgia seeing them in Firefly Lane (which please watch on Netflix if you want to laugh, cry, cuss, and work through emotional baggage). Little has changed in the BIC 4 color pens. The basic ones all come with red, black, blue, and green ink – the “fashion” ones in some combo of pastels. The barrels might have some different colors, but you knew what you were getting all those years.
This is no different. The barrel, if anything, maybe a bit less wieldy? It’s completely plastic. Not ergonomics. Everything about the pen is functional. It’s not so wide that it’s uncomfortable. The length is good at about 6” long (a touch longer with the point extended). The clip is molded plastic but solid and the stylus works on both my phone and iPad. The ink is typical ballpoint – there’s a bit of smearing with the darker colors if it doesn’t sit for a second. The green ink is still the weakest link, but it’s hard to find a green ballpoint ink that is dark and rich like the other primary colors.
These pen come with the default 1.0mm points. Which okay, fine. That’s what happens. But… if you know where to look on Amazon? You can get 0.8mm refills. Which I did. The inks are an easy (ish) tug out and push in to fit into the casing. The retractions are the same over the decades, you push down on a color to extend the ink and click another color to retract the ink.
The Numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 It works. It wrote right out of the package in all four colors and the stylus is functional
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – It’s a, plastic, no frills pen. It’s hard plastic. No grips.
3. Material – 1 For an inexpensive plastic pen, it’s solidly built. The cap and barrel are secure. The licensing is not coming off..
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a classic BIC4-color pen that hasn’t changed in decades. Except for the stylus. Something needs to give in green ink.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – I’ve only seen this at Office Max (yes, Max – but probably also at Depot) – and down with the specialty pens. It’s running $7 there – which isn’t BAD for four colors and licensing, but it’s also not the world’s most economical pen. The inks on Amazon were also $7. But it’s still worth checking out – especially for economy of space.
4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Pen/Pencil Review] BIC Cristal ReNew Re-Fillable Pen and 2 Refills, Black
Today is National Ball Point Pen Day, which seemed like a good time to another pen blog – and to start making it more of a habit. And there’s nothing more classic on National Ball Point Pen Day than a BIC stick pen.
Today we’re talking about the BIC Cristal ReNew Re-Fillable Pen. I know it’s a mouthful, but I’ll get into the particulars. This is something I think Jimmy found mentioned somewhere, and I bought on Amazon. I bought this in August of 2022, but it’s still available on Amazon.
What makes this one different from basic BIC Cristals? It’s metal and it’s refillable. In fact, it’s the only BIC that come with refills. It’s very much like a typical BIC. It’s the same hexagonal barrel with no ergonomic grip. It’s everything a classic Cristal or Biro is but metal.
They run 5.75″ capped and 6.5″ with the cap posted. The barrel is a silver matte metal with a shiny silver plastic cap with the open top like a classic Bic stick. This comes with a barrel and two 1.0mm refills. There’s a slider at the base end of the barrel that pops the ink out easily – sometimes TOO easily – and the ink just pushes in and seats.
The refills are typical tungsten ballpoint does allow ink to flow easily. Being me and being partial to fine points, I’ve set aside the 1.0 mm and replaced those with the 0.7mm inks that I’ve harvested from the fine point BICs I’ve collected along the way. Since BIC Cristal/Biro are fairly universal, they fit just fine.
A wish is that BIC will start selling refills in the two point sizes to make this barrel a true long term investment. Because if I want more fine points? I have to buy the plastic pens (many times imported) and then pitch the plastic pen barrels – which is not sustainable and kind of defeats the purpose.
It’s not an inexpensive pen. So that makes the case for the refills becoming more readily available.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 0.5 It’s decent. No frills. No padding. Ink can be a bit clumpy and the refill mechanism can pop the ink out if you’re not careful.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – It’s a classic no frills pen. The grip and feel is hard due to metal. But you’re not buying this pen for the grip, let’s be honest.
3. Material – 1 It’s solidly built. The cap and barrel are secure. The metal is durable. The cap seems to be a stronger plastic than the normal BIC.
4. Overall Design – 1 -It’s a classic BIC pen that hasn’t changed in decades. Except for the materials and the ability to refill it. It’s a good feel
5. Price Point – 0.5 – It’s more expensive by far than your typical BIC. It runs about $10 on Amazon. There are no separate refills – so you have to harvest them from other pens, but the idea is spot on.
4 out of 5 Bronze Pencils
[Pen/Pencil Review] Sharpie Goes Sherpa
It’s been one hot minute, hasn’t it? I have so many pens and pencils to review – and so much guilt for not doing it. Guilt that I’m trying to let go of by getting started once more. I need to just do it. So, okay, we’ll start slow, maybe not every week again at first, but I’m setting that intention. It’s been way too long, and I’m tired of circumstances dictating what I’m able to do.
So, getting started again. Back in the day there Paradise Pen Store existed and they made Sharpie Shells. These Sherpa Shells were a $20-$50 cover for a Sharpie some limited edition, some not. They also worked on some other pens. I love the 4 to 6 that I have. But…Paradise Pen company went away. Someone else may have picked up Sherpa, but I’ve lost track. Then at Target a few weeks ago, I found this package.
Sharpie has been trying to do stainless steel versions of their products with varying success. This is a steel case, like the Sherpas but with the Sharpie logo. It’s 5.75” long capped, just over 5” uncapped, and 6.25” cap posted. Where it differs from the Sherpas of the day, is that there’s no “neck cap”, just a metal collar that keeps the Sharpie secure in the cover. The cap is slightly sturdier plastic with a metal clip
Why do you need this since you have to put regular Sharpie in it? You don’t. Not really unless you’re concerned about destroying a Sharpie? It is definitely built to take a beating. It makes the barrel a bit thicker for MAYBE more comfort in writing. The package runs $12-$13 with the case and 5 Sharpie fine point markers – which is SO MUCH cheaper than the Sherpas, so you don’t have to worry about scuffing up a limited-edition case.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – I am not going to knock off points because I was a bone head trying to put it together. It does what it’s designed to do – make an ordinary Sharpie more durable?
It has a good weight and balance.
3. Material – 1 The barrel is steel. The cap is hefty plastic. It feels solid and rugged.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s a well-put together idea. I suppose there are those who want a nicer looking Sharpie, and these give you that. And they probably make them a lot more comfortable if you use Sharpies for autographs or other long-term use. But it’s not “pretty” like the others.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – The package is $12-$13 for 5 markers and the case. The case only works for the marker and not other pens, and I’m not sure the thing is necessary except for hard use? The materials are solid enough that it’s probably worth the cost if that’s what you’re looking for.
4 out of 5 bronze pencils.
New Year…It’s All About Heart
This is a life update story. And it might border on both TMI and TL:DR
After 3 years of adulting (and yes, and adulting sucks), I finally found out something I’ve been struggling to learn. I finally, finally Know what’s been going on with what I thought was my Dad’s heart valve AFib.
After THREE YEARS of intermittent tests, heart monitors, etc. of trying to find out why my heart decided to go “WHEEEEE” at random times with no notice, rhyme or reason.
It is not, in fact, AFib at all.
It’s not nothing. But it is something. And it’s finally explained after my regular cardiologist said I was fine but not explaining why I was fine… I saw an electro-cardiologist (yes, a heart electrician). I am…actually fine. But it’s not nothing.
My heart is strong and healthy. My arteries are good. I have not had a heart attack ever. All the annoyances and feelings of not being listened to have led to narrowing down the diagnosis. But… I have something called “Sinus Tachycardia” — and not “inappropriate sinus tachycardia” just appropriate? – which means my heart has ADHD. I have “SQUIRREL!” Heart.
The sinus node is working properly but its sometimes, and this is the technical term the doctors used, twitchy. Or, if the sinus node is the heart’s conductor, mine is Bugs Bunny. It just decides to run amok.
I am assured that is this not dangerous. It’s not going to kill me. I now know why I’m on the meds I’m on. I know what to do about it and maybe what I can do to mitigate the occurrences (more interval type exercise, but what I’m doing now is the right thing).
For my friends with chronic conditions, I know you know the amount of giddy relief I’m feeling tonight. Just to KNOW. And even though it’s what my regular cardiologist said – I know what it MEANS. And, that, my friends, is EVERYTHING.
[Pen/Pencil Review] A Slow Return — the Dallas Pen Show
It’s been a long time since I’ve done any kind of blog. There’s been a lot of–stuff. A lot of stress. Maybe some fog from some low-level anti-depressants I took for some menopause symptoms that failed. But now SOME things are settling down (others will be a constant thrum for the next year to 18 months). Writing is coming back, and it’s time to revitalize ye olde blog. I don’t have a solid plan moving forward, but there’s some moving forward.
I have such a backlog of pens to review, it’s almost overwhelming where to start. But we’re going to start HERE…
This weekend was one of my favorite things – the Dallas Pen Show. For the last few years it’s not been on the same weekend as FenCon, so it’s not a whirlwind of a shopping trip. It’s a just a slower more savored shopping trip. They do have workshops and panels, but we’ve never stopped to do those.
This was also a bit more sedate – we’re doing home renovations, so the budget and the desire to spend money wasn’t quite there. I mostly hit up inks. Colorverse has space themed colors that I’ve been wanting to try. I’ve discovered the joy of using a syringe to refill cartridges to make refilling fountain pens easier.
I also had to get the yearly limited edition Retro 51 built specifically for the pen show. This year is an armadillo theme. It’s fun. I did pick up an “every day” carry Pelican fountain pen.
So, here we go… it’s not much, but yippee. Something new. I don’t know that there will be a once a week on a specific day review, but I’m good with doing my best to get one new pen blog each week moving forward. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding through these trying times.
Now… to get back to some fiction!