[Writing Post] Stubbornness and Questions
This will come as a shock to NO ONE – but I have Journalist in my blood. I’m a WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, (especially) WHY person. It’s what drives me as a writer. It’s what gets me in trouble probably with my parents (when I was a wee one), teachers, and others along the way. I like to question. To understand. To see beyond the surface (mostly). Yes, it’s frustrating when things (like tech or math) are beyond me and try as I might I just DON’T GET IT.
Which is why I’m still talking in circles with my website hosting company for double-charging me for hosting this year. 1) Their initial chat window does not allow for screen caps or attachments, so I couldn’t provide documentation for the error their system said didn’t exist. 2) Once I COULD provide information, I still had to convince them their system was wrong and not me (No, ma’am your account was NOT double-charged according to our system, can you provide proof?) 3) Proof provided, “Oh, yes, ma’am, I see that now, we’re refunding one of the charges. So sorry for the inconvenience. Do you still have questions?
The newest acquisition. Hand-crafted resin and pewter DRAGON pen.
Stevie Ray Vaughn’s handwritten lyrics and notes. Shivers up the spine.
So, that’s part of what I’ve been doing – that and hanging on to my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training by that same stubborn sheer will thing. Totally don’t know why I did that. Which is part of what’s thrown my writing off kilter – statistics taught by a person for whom English is at best a Second Language – maybe even tertiary. Yeah… that happened. And the pollens are trying to kill me.
BUT… We went to Austin this past weekend to the Stevie Ray Vaughn exhibit – and lunch with Renee Babcock. Also spent some time with Kat Stephens and the Famous Monsters of Filmland (or something) convention. Met Daniel Roebuck – who’s one of those character actors I LOVE. He’s been in EVERYTHING and is so versatile and warm and funny. And bought an awesome pen.
Daniel Roebuck – hard working character actor. Totally want to write stuff actors like this want to be in.
THEN hey! Last night? Last night I DID STUFF. I wrote fiction words. I worked on a pile of filing/decluttering. I ACCOMPLISHED STUFF! I didn’t do a lot of words, but they’re new words. They’re progress words. Which means even though I’m heading out of town again next week, maybe I won’t be in quite as much of a fog when I get back this time.
FORWARD PROGRESS!!!!!
[Write the Story] A Romantic Scene in an Unromantic Place
Prompt: A Romantic Scene in an Unromantic Place
Words: blacksmith, tongue, woman, spark, musical, blind, Bible, barbecue, elbow, bundle
Story
Tara shifted her bundle as she made her way down the street of the village. She dodged rambunctious children chasing and being chased by dogs and chickens. Smells of slowly roasting meant already scented the air, trumpeting the arrival of the town barbecue. She breathed deeply and smiled as she greeted the blind woman carrying a basket of fresh bread. “Good morning, Mamie!”
“Good morning, Tara, great day for a feast.”
Tara took Mamie’s elbow and guided the older woman across the square.
“Be a dear, Tara, and pick up my pot? The handle was repaired.”
“Of course, Mamie.” Tara veered off toward the blacksmith’s shop. She could hear the nearly musical tings of the hammer striking the anvil as she slipped through the door.
Sunlight streamed through the upper windows and struck the blacksmith with a golden glow on sweat-sheen muscles. Tara tried to speak, but her tongue froze.
He turned, holding a hammered gold cover for the village’s Bible. His clear blue eyes met hers and sparks flew, both between them and from the fire behind them. It had to be a sign.
“I…would you… pot…Hello.” Tara couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Barbecue! You should come!”
” Cooper. I’m new. And starving.”
Word Count: 205
Written: 4/26-27/17 – sometimes there’s a distraction. This was a “meet cute” exercise, and I need to work more on it.
[Writer Post] Times They are a Changin’
My Day Job Organization is in “Transition”. A lot of it. That’s what happens when executive leadership changes. No one knows what’s going to happen in the long run. This is also my last week of training for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt — then I have to complete my project (or find out if the transition stuff will make my project obsolete before I even do it). There’s no danger (currently) to my job, which is great because I do love it.
So there’s some “Brain Goes Ow” because of the training. And with a trip, 2 weeks home, trip, 2 weeks home (lather, rinse repeat) concentration is half shot to heck. Or more than half. I’m trying to keep everything going and getting just everything back in gear.
But it’s a struggle right now. It really is. But everything will get better. There will be an even keel again.
But for now? Brain Zombie. But hey, but hey… three day weekend coming up that should help.
Circumstances…
Due to training at work, catching up from last week’s conference, and family events… this week’s blog posts are going to be off schedule.
Just FYI.
[Write the Story] Magic Interferes with New Orleans
Prompt: Magic Interferes with New Orleans
Words: matriarch, throat, impossible, vinegar, apology, slice, microwave, raspberry, choose, snore
Story
Father Richard Leloup carefully placed the massive tome on his desk. The microwave dinged in the corner. He took out the bubbling cup of hot water and added the raspberry tea bag. He hoped it would help his scratchy throat as he opened the book. An envelope slid out. He sliced the seal and removed the page. Suddenly his tea tasted like vinegar.
Beware! Before you choose to continue this path, know the peril before you!
Magic may seem as commonplace as a snore to you now, but it wasn’t always such. There was once a time when magic seemed impossible. This, before you, is the history of magic in New Orleans. From the time it began until my end, for it is ever-growing, ever-evolving, ever-devouring the city I love. Make no mistake, magic will be the end of New Orleans for it feeds off greed, depravity, all the things that New Orleans make no apology for.
Continue your quest at your own risk. Magic has a life of its own, and it’s darker than most souls. Your soul will be at risk.
Leloup stared at the page signed by Marie Leveau, voodoo matriarch herself. He felt a shiver race down his spine and fear spike in his chest, but it was too late to turn back now. He had to find a way to use magic to defeat magic before everyone in New Orleans died. He couldn’t let that happen.
Word Count: 241
Written: 4/17/17
Note: I wrote a story for DIRTY MAGIC: NEW ORLEANS. This piece is in that universe.
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[Writer Post] From the Road
I’ve been trying to figure out what to do about the blog today – since I’m at a work conference in San Antonio. There was a train of thought at one point, but that’s totally derailed. Puns totally intended.
Discovered it takes extra-extrovertiness when you’re being all pleasant and networky with a group where you don’t know a whole lot of people – and they’re not “tribe”. But I did find out I know more people than I realized — and it’s easier if you do presentations, because then SOME conversations start with, “Oh, you spoke at that class…”
But I totally “Dude Packed” for this trip. 4 days of essentials in a carry-on and personal item. I picked up a bunch of swag, so there will be some challenge packing for the trip home.
Then totally discovered a friend – who also works for the same organization – is here at a DIFFERENT conference only a couple of hotels away. Coincidences do kind of happen.
I did do a tiny bit of writing this week. Now feeling a bit…done. But look… a post.
[Pen/Pencil Review] Shachihata Artline BLOX Mechanical Pencil – 0.5mm
This week’s pen is the other of the Christmas pens from JetPens. It’s the Shachihata Artline BLOX line. This is, I guess, technically (from the name) a pen more designed for artists, but this particular line is geared to those who love LEGOs or MegaBlocks (which means Kids of All Ages). I bought these are “stocking stuffers” for both Jimmy and myself at Christmas – one fiber tip pen and one pencil apiece. Today we’ll talk about the pencil.
This pencil is the Blox 0.5mm mechanical pencil. I bought the claimed the orange and blue. Jimmy ended up with the red and yellow. This pencil is more normal in length. It’s about 5.5″ capped or uncapped. The cap does not post. The end of the pencil is a green push in plunger. There is no eraser.
It’s triangular with interlocking knobs (like a LEGO but not) on two of the three sides. There’s tapering to the point so that there’s some nod to ergonomics. It’s not as weird and uncomfortable as it first appears, but it’s definitely NOT streamlined. It’s more comfortable than it should be and relatively light but balanced so you don’t get as fatigued as you probably should. It’s supposedly a “drawing pencil” but I don’t know how much someone would really draw with this? It’s more along the “novelty” lines because, hello, non-branded LEGOs you can write with.
The lead feeds in from the green plunger in the back end of the pencil. The led that comes with it is okay. I have just put extra because it doesn’t come with a lot of lead. It’s a decent pencil that doubles as a toy. The clip is non-existent, so snap them together or something, there’s no securing it to anything else It’s also a decent price point – less than $3 each It’s an okay pencil.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – The it comes with pretty decent lead. The mechanism works well.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – It’s neither completely uncomfortable, but it’s not comfortable either. The grip is smooth plastic, but you have to adjust your hand to keep the interlocking bits from digging.
3. Material – 1 – This is an inexpensive plastic with toy bits.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – Physically the pen is well-made and designed to do what it’s supposed to – write smoothly and comfortably. HOWEVER, it’s also a novelty. The triangle design and interlocking bits may not suit a lot of people. The cap does not post, so could be lost, but attaching it to one of the sides is a bulky option.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s pretty cheap. It’s $2.60 on JetPens. For a decent quality fiber point with toy accents, it’s an okay price point.
That’s 4 of 5 bronze pencils.
[Write the Story] Unsolved Mystery
This one comes to you via watching way too much House of Cards – which is such a fascinating show for being weird, twisty, amazing, depressing, and depressingly amazing.
—-
Prompt: Unsolved Mystery
Words: murder, green, agreement, traditional, carpenter, snake, sugar, kidney, congress, jam
Story:
“What have you gotten me into, Sugar?” Dirk muttered under his breath, rubbing the sore spot above his kidney.
Sometimes the PI business was dangerous, but this was more than even he bargained for. Dirk Carter wouldn’t have it any other way. Sure it wasn’t like traditional TV and movie portrayals, but his other option was being a carpenter. He was allergic to sawdust.
“Come on, you snake, show your face.”
He wasn’t sure who he addressed, after all he was outside Congress watching and waiting. The leads led here, though no one believed a murder even actually occurred. In fact, it was the one thing every law enforcement agency were in agreement on. Nothing indicated a crime.
“And they’re all wrong!” Dirk slammed his fist into his steering wheel—avoiding setting off the horn and airbag and revealing his stakeout. “And there he is.”
Dirk followed his quarry at a discreet distance—after all, no matter how invested he was he wasn’t green. He’d done this before. Countless times. His quarry zigged and zagged as if anticipating a tail. Dirk kept up until a traffic jam interrupted his forward progress and thoughts.
He pulled over and parked, going on foot. He caught a glimpse of his quarry ducking down an alley. He moved quickly. That was his mistake.
“You think you know something others don’t?” a voice said in his ear. “No one will investigate her…or you.”
Everything went black.
Word Count: 241
Written: 3/31 – 4/2/17 (House of Cards influenced)
[Writing Post] Perceptions and Development
This is an odd week. Not sure why. Just is. This time next week, I’ll be winding up a Day Job Conference in San Antonio – hopefully celebrating a successful co-presentation. This past weekend I attended DFWCon which is a writers’ CONFERENCE (not a convention – there’s quite the difference).
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I’m one of those “ambivert” people — I like being at social gatherings (and yes, conferences are social gatherings) but the GOING to the gathering is something I dread. This was one of those times. But hey, I paid a lot of money to do some writerly professional development, by golly I was going to suck it up and go.
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Really glad I did. I actually went to panels and took notes. I talked to amazing authors. I chose not to pitch to editors or agents — there’s nothing I feel is anywhere near the point I would feel comfortable trying to sell just yet — but now…goals. I also have some panel ideas to pitch to the programming folks for panels.
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It also did the thing that I wanted it to do. Let me catch up with writer friends who have books coming out in July. It also did a bit of a butt-kick to get back to writing work…Really, really want to do that. Really, really am going to do that.
Also came up with a plan for a couple of other things. Which also means getting ones butt in 12 kinds of gear. The Spring has been busy – the Summer is ramping up to be the same.
The books I mention here are coming out in July. They’re written by really awesome women who write really awesome books. Please consider pre-ordering. The Kara Connolly is a time traveling, Olympic archer who accidentally creates Robin Hood — can’t wait to read this one!
[Pen/Pencil Review] Shachihata Artline BLOX Pen in Green
This week’s pen is one of the Christmas pens from JetPens. It’s the Shachihata Artline BLOX line. This is, I guess, technically (from the name) a pen more designed for artists, but this particular line is geared to those who love LEGOs or MegaBlocks (which means Kids of All Ages). I bought these are “stocking stuffers” for both Jimmy and myself at Christmas – one fiber tip pen and one pencil apiece. Today we’ll talk about the pen. Next week, the pencil.
This pen is the Blox 0.4mm fiber tip. I bought the green one for me and the red one for Jimmy. Both for Christmas and because we have complimentary favorite colors. This pen is LONG – especially with the cap posted (which is does do). With the cap posted, it’s over 7″ long. It’s about 5.5″ capped or uncapped. The cap can either post to the end of the pen or you can snap it to one of the sides.
It’s triangular with interlocking knobs (like a LEGO but not) on two of the three sides. There’s tapering to the point so that there’s some nod to ergonomics. It’s not as weird and uncomfortable as it first appears, but it’s definitely NOT streamlined. It’s more comfortable than it should be and relatively light but balanced so you don’t get fatigued from it being a giant pen. It’s supposedly a “drawing pen” but I don’t know how much someone would really draw with this? It’s more along the “novelty” lines because, hello, non-branded LEGOs you can write with.
The 0.4mm point doesn’t detract from the ink. The green is rich and dark. The lines are smooth. There’s only a little “scratch” from it being a fiber tip. Not sure how long it’ll last before the tip frays or breaks but it seems solid. It’s a decent pen that doubles as a toy. The clip is non-existent, so snap them together or something, there’s no securing it to anything else It’s also a decent price point – less than $3 each It’s an okay pen.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – The line doesn’t skip, has minimal blobs, and doesn’t smear easily. The cap posts well.
2. Grip and feel – 0.5 – It’s neither completely uncomfortable, but it’s not comfortable either. The grip is smooth plastic, but you have to adjust your hand to keep the interlocking bits from digging. It’s can be quite long with the cap posted but it’s both light and pretty well balanced.
3. Material – 1 – This is an inexpensive plastic with toy bits.
4. Overall Design – 0.5 – Physically the pen is well-made and designed to do what it’s supposed to – write smoothly and comfortably. HOWEVER, it’s also a novelty. The triangle design and interlocking bits may not suit a lot of people. If you don’t like really long pens, don’t post the cap. If you don’t post the cap, attaching it to one of the sides is a bulky option.
5. Price Point – 1 – It’s pretty cheap. It’s $2.10 on JetPens. For a decent quality fiber point with toy accents, it’s an okay price point.
That’s 4 of 5 bronze pencils.