Submitted a Halloween Story called The True Believers this week to here: http://whortleberrypress.com/ Just got the email that it’s in. Accepted. It was inspired by one of my favorite places, the Pensacola Lighthouse. I recommend a visit if you get the chance. Climb to the top and look out at the Gulf of Mexico. Awesome. I haven’t been to the top lately- they don’t go all the way up on the haunted tours- need to get back out there and do it.
across the access road from the lighthouse
I got a recommendation to visit one of these places in NYC. They are cupcake shops. Check it out:
I got chocolate and #2 son got vanilla. Spouse got the brownie. None of were overjoyed. The cakes were kind of dry. It was 8 pm when we got them and I didn’t eat mine til the next day. Maybe that was the issue. Don’t know because the person that recommended it is a Manhattanite and she said they were delicious.
Oklahoma City TImes
Here Come the Brides – Bobby Sherman
To quote a Bobby Sherman song “Oklahoma City Times”
” I”m not livin’ my life to go out with a whimper but a bang
I want someone to remember me by deed, if not by name
Who cares if I own a mansion or just a cabin in the pines
But I gotta be more than just two lines in the Oklahoma City Times”
Sums it up- I want to be remembered for my personality and how I treated people. I hope I’m living my life in such a way that people would be remembering good times and a good friend. There may be a few people that wouldn’t but they wouldn’t be there.
Had a plan for a story for a Halloween anthology- had the first ten or so lines rattling around in my head for a few days. It was going to take place in New Orleans- or near New Orleans, I should say. At Oak Alley. But, little did I know, the trip to Pensacola Lighthouse with Cynthia Eden on the 4th of July weekend for a ghost hunt was still lurking in the old noggin.
Started the story and lo and behold, these characters were NOT at Oak Alley, they were at the lighthouse. Rascals. Didn’t let me in on that one til the writing process was underway. I always say I like to be surprised by my characters and they got me this time.
looking up the spiral staircase
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain an idea without adopting it” Aristotle.
This is one of the ideals I try to live by. I will listen to others’ ideas and opinions and consider them but I always stay true to myself. I believe in sharing our thoughts and giving everyone a chance to have their own say. I recognize that we may sometimes have to agree to disagree. That’s the best way to handle differing opinions. I might even like your idea and adopt it- but it’ll be my decision and I’ll give anyone the same courtesy. Never, never try to impose your own will on another person. (unless it’s your minor kid and you don’t want him or her to behave like a heathen!- LOL! and even then, let them be their own person).
Used the research I did for a full length manuscript that my alter ego is writing for a fun little short story. I decided to put the info to good use by writing something short to submit under my own name. I hope it will be accepted. I think it is a fun little story. Submitted it late this afternoon. The guidelines were under 6000 words, romance, jungle theme.
I have 5200+ words, romance and it occurs partially in the jungle of Costa Rica. AND I have the greatest, coolest name ever for the hero. The name alone inspired me. So, how could it miss??
Stay tuned for an update on the submission. As soon as I know yea or nay, I’ll post.
Trying to change is sometimes not worth it
books in a stack (a stack of books)
The best advice I ever received was to stay true to myself, especially as relates to my writing process. I’ve tried two different times to change the way I work based on advice from friends that are also writers. Friends who think the way I write is crazy- I usually write 4-5 chapters in order, then the ending comes to me and I write the last chapter, then the second to last chapter. AND, I might even write a scene that comes to me and insert it somewhere in the middle. I do not do an outline. I let the story lead me. New characters pop up and cause some havoc with the protagonist. If I planned ahead, I’d never have the fluidity to have the story “happen.”
The first time I tried to change, the joy was completely sucked out of my writing. I took an online class from a member of my RWA chapter. All the rules and instructions tied my brain in knots, so I had to let go of the teacher’s lessons and go back to my way. The other time I tried to change was very recently on the advice of another RWA chapter mate. She edits each chapter as she goes and then moves on. Tried that. Got bogged down at Chapter Two. Couldn’t move on. Edited the hell out of Chapter One.
That’s when I finally took that advice. Be true to your own process. So, I’m back to my wonky, wild, weird, writing style (How was that for alliteration?) and I am humming along again on my newest manuscript. Next time I’m tempted to change, someone please remind me that it probably isn’t worth it.
Sometimes she’s a bit crazy. Yesterday, I was over at my parents’ house for Sunday dinner and my mom was looking at all the little slips of paper with drs. appts on them. She had some for her and some for my dad. She decided she better put them all on the calendar. When she got to one particular day, she said, to my dad, “La. You have two appointments on the same day less than an hour apart. Can you do that?”
I said, “did you just say La?”
My dad said, “yes, she did.”
My response? “If I had a fictional character say that in one of my stories, some critiquer would say that word would never be used in a real conversation!”
And today, she came by my house while I was at work and told my 16 year old that he better get up and get ready to go to the orthodontist before “your mother comes flying in here like a witch on her broom to get you.” THEN, she tried to deny saying it. Shoot, any woman that would say La in a general conversation would call her daughter a witch. I just know it.
Don’t you hate it when you get up with a song in your head and can’t get rid of it? I’m there today. Driving me around the bend- round and round it goes, no matter what I do. Am ALMOST looking forward to the sound of the vuvuzelas at the World Cup Finals today just to banish the sounds of Let My Love Open the Door from my noggin. Geez- that’s desperate, huh?
GO NETHERLANDS!
Not Confused; Sad
Each war is different, each war is the same
Wow. I read some of the answers to this Plinky prompt and am a liitle dismayed at the number of people who are confused about everything in life. I think of myself as a rational human being and I am rarely confused. I am sad at war and man’s inhumanity to man but confused? No.
Mankind is emotional and flawed – all of us. We are all egocentric and sadly, it makes for a world in turmoil. I try to make my little corner peaceful and hope for the best but people have always been and will always be flawed. I’m not confused about it but I do hate that we can’t all get along. I’m all for “live and let live” but I sometimes think I’m in the minority. Sadly, people have died and will continue to die in the name of religion. I wish it weren’t so.
Ramblings of a Writer 