Archived Messages from December 6, 2002 to Februrary 13, 2003
+Christi+
Cheri, do I ever know what you're talking about. Four years ago when I finally decided to get serious about writing (something I'd wanted to do since I learned to read), I wrestled with the same feelings of inadequacy regarding grammar (and vocabulary to be honest, but all writers wish for more, more, more!). I started to read voraciouly like I used to when time was freer, studying the classics as well as modern writers, and I couldn't get enough books on writing. And I tried to keep writing.
I don't think there's anything like reading to enlarge a vocabulary even if you already have an expansive vocabulary. And on grammer, try to notice when you're unsure grammatically, and pay attention to the next book you read (or even the posts of people you trust) and I'll bet you'll spot the answer there! That said, I don't think a class could be anything but a good thing. Heck, I'd like to go back to school for a few classes once my son starts going to school! Good luck, I know you'll figure it out.
Randall, Judging from your passionate description I'd say you HAVE created a real person. I can see her mighty well from that description. BTW, I adore Winston Churchill. Now that's a man.
Welcome back, Ramon! Have you aged so much in such a short period of time? Drop the house chores and pick up a pen; it'll take years off! The chores will always be there when you're done.
P.S. Still into wrestling?
Debra, I think your presentation is great. I don't know about guaranteeing success for every person who reads Sweetie, but I know nothing about presentations of this nature; maybe exaggeration is crucial to getting what you want. Anyway there is no doubt about the passion you have for this subject. I don't see why this should not happen for you. Good luck!
Mel, I'm so glad! Your excitement has rubbed off once again. Made my writing all the easier today--I did 650 words! I think you'd be an excellent shortie mistress if you ever had the time for it. You COULD give us one for Friday ... ? ! If no one wants to take that position maybe each one of us could take a turn and give an assignment for a given Friday (or Mondays, whatever people like best). I'm sure someone would volunteer each week--would have a spur of the moment inspiration for an assignment/shortie. Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?
Teekay, You know Mel's right on the money on that don't you? I feel lucky that I get to read your stuff for free, because one day it's going to cost pullllllenty! Bird by Bird will inspire you fiercely, go girl! I think the way Anne Lamott puts it is you only have to write enough to fill a one-inch picture frame.
Pamela, For that matter there are a ton of closet writers who never are discovered, who lock their manuscripts away in a trunk until the day they die. I wonder if those writers just don't care to be published and do it for the love, or if they are terrified of the thought of someone else reading their writing. Showing people my writing used to rank right up there with public speaking, but thanks to the folks here I'm pretty much over it.
P.S. Interview with Darkness. Cool!
Jerry, Pamela reminded me of how you had to arrest your friend for being a serial rapist. I think there's a novel in that story. You could change things enough to avoid a lawsuit, you could! But listen, you had me riveted. Couldn't have ripped me away from my screen for love or money during that tale.
Howard, You must be a hobbit. Second breakfast, I love it! And holy crap, that's thirty six years since you've seen the guy! How did you recognize him?
Randall, I gotta find out what happens in this installment later; hubby just walked in and has that 'will she ever get off that damn thing' look on his face. I don't blame him either; I wrote (and internetted) from 7:00 till 10:30 last night. Better go make up. :D
Bye guys,
Christi 2-12-2003 21:44
Synchronicity from Pamela:
(Not for assignment, this just happened)
My book is calling me and I was just reading through the rough draft, written too many years ago with some changes between then and now, and I found a single page I didn't remember writing. We have just been talking about the villian's point of view and that is what was on this page. I have mentioned the dialogues and now I remember that I wrote this with the idea that the Darkness would speak directly to the reader from time to time. This was written years ago but I won't do any editing, tell me what you think (It's kind of creepy but remember that it's not really me and that the views of the Darkness are not my own):
"Darkness Speaks"
Well, we don't see anything so wrong with being dark, I mean, everyone has a right to their own existence, don't they, bad as well as good? What would all the good people do without us, tell me that, or the whole world, for that matter? If things were good all the time, then it wouldn't be good, it would just be mediocre, it would be the norm, you would have nothing to compare anything to. So we're doing the world a favor, really, silly humans always seem to need something to struggle against anyway, don't know why they can't just be ignorant and happy like the animals are. Besides, hee, hee, hee, it's just so damn fun to be bad. There's lots of us around, you know, making people do all kinds of crazy things, you've heard us spoken of many times. People say stuff like "I don't know what got into me" or "I wasn't myself" or, one of our favorites, "the devil made me do it." Not that there's really a devil, of course, not with the pitchfork and tail and all that, we're more of an intangible force. It's human nature that personifies us, like they do with their God image, this nice old man sitting on a throne in the sky watching every sparrow that falls, please! Animals know about the forces, both good and bad, but humans, in their incredible vanity, must create fantasies in images of themselves. Oh, we like the myth of the devil and the fires of hell and all, it's so quaint. Silly people don't even realize that we create hells for them right here on earth. Hitler was a great favorite of ours, oh, the wonderful cruelty perpetrated back then, it was glorious to behold! We're around on a smaller scale too, of course, like when people commit suicide, when they screw their best friend's wife, when they abuse their children, when society glorifies guns and violence, when people drink or drug themselves to death, stuff like that. You disapprove, I suppose, but that just shows how stupid you are. You don't even know how much fun you are missing, you just don't see at all how grand it can be to be Darkness.
Pamela 2-12-2003 21:02
Randall
Well, what the hell. The site is kinda slow tonight.
LaMorte de Tiki
WHERE THE ROCKS COVER THE FLOWERS by Randall Henderson
"Matt and Tiki eventually left Burrowing Coyote and returned to Tiki and Joseph's old homesite. They built a small rock hogan on the ruins of Tiki's home. It was now fronted by an immense, fresh water lake. Robert had topsoil hauled to the site and transplanted aspen, pine and spruce trees along the shoreline. They enjoyed a happy existence there for many years, fishing and gardening.
Eighteen years after emergence, an aging Tiki stepped outside one summer morning with her fishing nets to discover Matt dead. He had died from a heart attack and was in his favorite chair facing the lake. She knelt painfully by his side, kissed his hand and wept for she knew her life was to be one of loneliness.
However, a gentle hand touched her shoulder. The sun blinded her weak eyes as she looked up. Her vision cleared and she observed a tall robed figure standing before her.
"Tiki my child, have you forgotten my teachings so quickly?" Hassam asked gently.
Tiki stood painfully, torn between joy at seeing her old master and knowing Matt was dead.
"Hassam, it has been a long time my friend."
Hassam chided her. "Only yesterday sweet child of man. But you have forgotten my instructions."
Tiki wiped her eyes on her shawl and nodded sadly. "Yes, I suppose so. I have forgotten many things with age wise one."
Hassam laughed. "That's okay daughter, because *Weay Linn awaits. New lessons and adventures will be mastered." Hassam said happily. "We will have companionship this time Star Tiki."
"Companions, Hassam?"
"Oh yes Tiki, you're time is now. Come with me through the doorway of transmigration. In a month or so we will meet our companions high in the snow capped Andes Mountains above the wide, green Pacific Ocean."
Tiki managed a brief smile. "Who will journey with us Hassam and where will we go?"
Hassam indicated Matt's lifeless body. "Matt is now fulfilling certain responsibilities to Jehovah, but he will be there when we arrive. Joseph and a dog with the impossible name Run Run will be at our rendezvous as well. I thought perhaps a stroll under the Pacific to the Isle of Stone Men might be in order. After that who knows, perhaps Cathay?"
Tiki walked away with Hassam. When she turned for one more look at Matt she gasped. Her own lifeless body lay next to him. She sank to her knees sobbing and covered her face with her hands.
Hassam shook his head, then cleared his throat. "Really my child. This is no time for tears. Your youth is restored, you are with me. Why are you sad Star Tiki Wou?"
"For Matt, for Robert, for me. I don't know," Tiki wailed.
He kneeled in the sand beside her resting a lean arm across her shoulder. "You're sad because of uncertainty. The future isn't clear, for the first time in your life the next moment will be a surprise."
She wiped her tears and angrily looked at him. "What should I be happy about old windbag guide of mine?"
Hassam looked offended. "Why, you should rejoice. We are not leaving Matt. We are going to him and Joseph and that dog with the funny name. Robert and Andrea will join us one day. You have shed that old husk of flesh and are now glorified for His purpose. We will educate you and send you back one day as a bright shining new baby." He grinned at her. "Boy or girl, your choice."
He helped Tiki stand. As they walked along the shore he gestured grandly with his right hand. "I too have known turmoil and the shock of death. Did I ever tell you about the time I was thrown from the wall of Jerusalem during the First Crusade?"
Through her tears Tiki smiled up at him. "No, I don't believe so."
Hassam shifted his walking staff, resting it on a robed shoulder. "Took three armored French knights with me as I fell. There was a resounding crash as we bounced off the rocks below and into eternity. I remember how blue the sky and managed to turn my head before entering death. A young blonde headed knight was lying alongside. He glared at me and gasped 'Infidel' as he died. Can you imagine anyone, calling Hassam, infidel?"
A youthful Tiki laughed at the image.
Two months later they were deep in Weay Linn and headed west with Run Run and Hassam happily leading the way. Tiki walked contentedly with Matt and Joseph on either side.
Tiki smiled. All was."
Since Tiki has BOTH her husbands with her after death and the DOG Run Run as well...I guess you can take it with you.
(Grin)
Randall
*Weay Linn are immense tunnels that stretch from South America to Asia. They are a part of numerous South American Indian legends.
Randall 2-12-2003 20:45
RANDALL
Evening...
We have discussed words per day. For some reason when I was writing "Flowers." I kept track of the day and word count. I kicked the novel off in the September of 1997
5,862 words--------------------11-30-98
9,449--------------------------12-05-98
13,684-------------------------12-08-98
16,711-------------------------12-12-98
18,489-------------------------01-01-99
26,682-------------------------01-03-99
28,559-------------------------01-06-99
37,134-------------------------01-09-99
40,833-------------------------01-10-99
43,921-------------------------01-17-99
48,985-------------------------01-21-99
61,364-------------------------01-24-99
70,611-------------------------01-29-99
77,017-------------------------02-06-99
82,254-------------------------02-14-99
85,665-------------------------02-20-99
85,956-------------------------02-28-99
91,227-------------------------04-07-99
93,283-------------------------04-22-99
95,651-------------------------06-03-99
98,150-------------------------10-03-99
100,601------------------------02-13-00
109,587------------------------06-01-00
116,796------------------------07-10-00
120,929------------------------11-23-00
133325-------------------------11-24-00
133494-------------------------02-12-03
So you can see I haven't done a lot lately. However, I have rewritten, deleted and added...so the word count may not reflect recent labors. As you note...some of the three day totals are awesome. That is when I would plant my buns in a chair early in the morning...arise only for food and bathroom and pound the keys till bedtime. (Sure Debbie and I had a lot of problems about then, but it couldn't have been the writing. Right?) You see my friends, and I'm sure you are the same way, I never had to plan the story. It just came out.
Stress test okay, meet with the Sawbones Monday.
Randall
Randall 2-12-2003 20:22
Howard, I'm a big believer in synchronicities (meaningful coincidences). If your gut tells you to do something, do it! There are so many places we're meant to be at a certain time, it's a shame not to honor those urges and miss out on something special.
I've got an interesting writing assignment for you. Write a short piece about the time(s) that a synchronicity marked a turning point for you. It's fun and revealing and may remind you of something siginificant you should pay more attention to!
Sunny 2-12-2003 17:21
CHERIE -- Your local bookstore, (especially Borders) should definitely be aware of writer groups in your area. They're for the most part helpful, though you do occasionally run into one started by a wannabe who's just looking to gain attention. They can be unpleasant.
I had a pleasant surprise this morning! I stopped at a local restaurant for second breakfast, sat for a minute in the parking lot, debating on whether I really had time for this, then went on in.
Once inside, I spotted a guy I'd been in the service with over in Germany, whom I hadn't seen since September 1966! It was great talking with him and his wife. Gotta do that again!
Especially the second breakfast part...
howard 2-12-2003 16:26
Wow, so much inspiration, Carol, 1550 words in one day, that's FABULOUS, Christi, your assignment has inspired me to finish the promised houseplan so I can get back to my writing. Today I got two elevations done in pencil on graph paper (which is how the whole plan is done), yesterday I did a somewhat rough but recognizeable perspective drawing, now I just have to make ink copies OF everything and send them off, then it's back to my characters who are, thankfully, starting to make a lot of noise in my head.
I'd like to say something about published vs. unpublished, which is mentioned from time to time. In my opinion, whether a writer is published or not has absolutely NOTHING to do with how good he or she is. Besides talent, there is always an element of luck involved too and goodness knows, there are tons of talented, creative people out there who never get the recognition they deserve. Look at past artists and writers who labored in obscurity and died in poverty who are now recognized as masters. A man won a Pulitzer several years ago for a book that had been rejected 13 times (how could he stand to keep sending it out?). So if you are unpublished, you are in very good company and it IN NO WAY reflects on your talents, I have read some really good stuff in here from those who haven't been lucky enough to trip over the publishing pot like I did (a matter of being in the right place, meeting the right person, etc.).
Hi to Ramon and also to Cheri, sorry I haven't greeted you yet. I agree your vocabulary sounds good but if you want to improve it, you might start jotting down words you encounter in your own reading and looking them up later. Sometimes you can infer what they mean, but with writing them down and defining them, you can add them to your own repertoire. I think there are few people of any age who really know what they want to be when they grow up. Debra, your presentation sounds good, you might want to throw a few statistics in there for good measure. Jerry, how awful for a friend of yours to end up being the rapist, how could your other friends look askance at you for arresting his ass, would they expect you to look the other way just because you knew him? Richard, checked out your site, I love your photo of yourself, it looks so film noir. Congratulations on your new baby girl, what a wonderful distraction, watching a new person growing and discovering the world.
It is just galling to think about what Jack and now Randall are going through (sorry!), hope recoveries are swift, sure and relatively pain-free. I got stapled once too and it looks so wierd, like a zipper across your tummy.
Pamela 2-12-2003 16:09
Hi All :-)
CHRISTI: YAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHH, oh no! What a horrible feeling. (This is in regard to the terse letter - in case you're wondering)
HOWARD: You sent off a manuscript? I must have missed a post somewhere along the line. Good on you!
Well well well, if it isn't RRRRRRRRRRRRRROGER, er, I mean RAMON. Welcome back :-)
And BEN, I forgot to mention BEN, and GARIESS. There are big dark holes in the places they used to occupy here.
MEL:Oh....*sniff* Thankyou. :-S (weak and tremorous smile)
JERRY: It's ghosts he's looking at.
I challenge you to write a flash fiction about that one. 1000 words or less. (if you're in the mood)
DEBRA: Same advice to you - don't imagine the Governor naked.
I wish you all the very best with it.
CHRISTI: I think it's almost time to immerse myself in Bird by Bird. I'm pretty sure that'll do it. I keep remembering the part about writing only as far as you can see, or something along those lines.
Maybe remembering isn't the most appropriate words.
Pencil sharpeners to the ready..........................
GO!
Teekay 2-12-2003 16:02
Mel:
Thank you. I found a few more typos and took out some (its).
Carol:
It's okay. Thank you!
Debra 2-12-2003 15:08
**Mel**
Hi, you-all! What a great bunch of inspiring and inspired writers! :-}
DEBRA: Excellent content! A few typos or missing words, I expect you'll catch. (Is this an oral prsentation?) Be careful of your usage of the word "it." In adjacent sentences, "it" refers to different things and can get confusing - better to put in the word "it" stands for, in most cases. Sounds like a final sentence might be missing to wrap it all together... Good luck with this! Your Sweetie is such an important book!!! :-]
TINA: Any chance of inventing a Chocolate-flavored wine? :-P
CAROL: 1555! 1555!!!!! My muse just fainted. She's been partying way too much and can't remember what REAL work is like. You go, girl! :-)
CHERI: Chicken soup for you, too. And tea. And OJ. At least, if you're not up to writing, you can listen to soothing or inspirational music and maybe write mentally until the music puts you to sleep. Sleep's the best medicine - feel better soon! re: writing/school. Consider a double major. You can do accounting while you're polishing your writing techniques. There are also some great grammar/punctuation sites on the 'net. Start with JACK's links off the webwitch.com page. For vocabulary, read, read, read, and use my trick: consult your thesaurus regularly or whenever the words you write seem dull to you - find replacement words!
RICHARD: I would love to submit the first 3-4 chapters soon... The problem is, I keep changing the nature of the first 3-4 chapters! New beginning scenes, new characters, new POVs. For I am attempting to write one of those highly discouraged forms for a new writer (not that I'm new, just unpublished) - a layered story, like a person looking at a picture of a person looking at a picture of a person looking at a picture... And my polishing techniques are rather slow (I hear TINA, HALLEE and BEN murmering "THAT's an understatement!" as my editing for myself is even slower than for others - oh boy, am I in trouble!). I've only been working on this--my first--novel for...um, ah, MANY years! It's had plenty of timeouts in the closet to convince me it all needs major re-working! Thanks for your helpful thoughts on the matter! :-)
SUNNY: Punctuation is fun. It's also so easy to over-use. I do it myself all the time! :-{ Take a period to lunch. Leave the rest home for occasional treats. BTW, I need every one of your organizing books!!!
TEEKAY: Dinner with the Mad Hatter?!!! Oh ho - stop it! I'm at work and laughing--no, bellowing--out loud is NOT polite to my adjacent cubicle dwellers! You are too funny! Keep at it. :-] BTW, there SHOULD be a bidding war over your novel - get it out there, for real, you crazy/crazed, talented writer! (I'm going to laugh all day at your clever wit - what a way with words! heee haaaaaaaaa hooooooo!!! You, like RANDALL, should be writing humor pieces for magazines, at least, and giving everyone such great lifts in their day! :-)
JACK: Keep healing!!!
RHODA: A (((HUG))) to you too, just because. Are you still working on that Highland historical novel? :-) I love those settings.
CHRISTI: Um, I think we're identical. I write skimpy first drafts, just to get the basic plot down, then every time I re-read, I add in needed character details, setting descriptors, etc., etc. And if I don't escape this "try a new beginning-again" trend, I'm going to have enough characters and story concepts to write a Library of Congress-full of books! Although your 500-word assignment took me through, I hope, the last new beginning I need to begin re-telling my story! :-) And I spent last eve., while not official writing, sorting outline plotnotes and realized I need a comprehensive timeline for my 6-book series where events intertwine so I can keep the first book on track! I'm getting closer to continuing the next draft! :-) re: a steady something for writing inspiration here... hmm, your "give me 500" challenge spurred many of us into action. If we get shorty night up and running again and maybe some other inspirations sprinkled through the weeks (variety is best!), we may all turn into regular writers yet! :-]
How about it, folks? What shall we do for shorty night tomorrow??? A poem/paragraph using words that start with the letters in your first name? Maybe too intense... A character sketch using only actions, no other descriptors? I don't know...any other ideas??? MARY, where are you???!!!
RANDALL: Forgive my memory skipping a groove. I STILL adore your story elements. :-] And that Churchill quote is priceless! I think I'm somewhere between the writing being a mistress and a master... If it ever becomes the tyrant, my family will not appreciate Mom turning into the HULK so she can get her daily writing DONE!
RAMON: Welcome back! Stay! Pull up a pen and write about the longest writer's winter you ever had (that is, the longest dry spell without writing). :-] I commiserate but I'm looking for my writer's Spring now!
Okay! Okay! I'm going...! Y'all, write well today, and report back here tomorrow! I need your inspirations!
Mel 2-12-2003 14:04
Hi All :)
I knew I’d get burned naming names based off my memory! My apologies TINA – you are the author of the Arizona piece. So it is to TINA, I say, good job!
CHERI – your question is one I’d say we’ve all had to struggle with at one point or another. As someone else said, only you can make the right decision for you. I’ll just tell you my decision with the matter. When I decided to pursue my writing seriously, I took a variety of online classes. Some free, some for a small charge. I did avoid the ones I couldn’t afford. I ran into good teachers and some not so good. The same ratio you’d find in any school. I’ve also attend a couple of writing conferences hosted by our state university that were very helpful. All of these gave me a basis of the basic rules of writing and the inspiration to keep going. While I can understand and fully appreciate a desire to have a back-up profession, that just isn’t practical in my life. So I’ve got no choice but to make the writing work – somehow! Follow your heart and your instincts, that’s the best advice I can give. {{hug}} Just ran across your post on vocabulary – I’m not sure what you mean by it being a problem. Your posts here don’t show any weakness that I can discern. Perhaps your vocabulary is simply your unique "voice".
SUNNY – I can’t agree with you that your contribution to this world is "small". Your spirit comes through your postings and you do indeed bring "Sunshine" to the site. (btw- my favorite "Sunny/Sunshine" was my very first german shepherd. She lived up to her name very well too!)
JACK – you take care and be well too!
CHRISTI – I’m not worried about all the changes I keep making. I just keep reminding myself that I’m still an apprentice in this great journey and I’m learning with every change I make. I think I did spot a cherub dancing out of the corner of my eye. I’m like you too in first drafts, and second, and well, I’m up to 6 at the moment. I’ve tried working with an actual outline, but that just isn’t the route for me. I do know each version gets just that much stronger, so I’m not going to worry about it – yet. Yesterday’s word count all got put into a letter to the Senators. Two pages, single spaced on the VA problems. I’m getting good at getting their attention though!
RANDALL – awww! Well, let’s see, what can I suggest to help you get that story finished?? Umm, ever think of the series angle? Flowers is fantasy if I remember right and serial fantasy books sell nicely. Or should I just accuse you of being a perfectionist and leave it at that? Hehehe {hug} Good luck with the future surgery. Strange, Jack and you with gall bladders, then my Mom mentioned hers this past weekend – is it gall bladder season??
RAMON – hello, its nice to meet you! Good luck with getting back into the groove of writing. Write whatever you can, whenever. Each word brings you that much closer to your goal, and your dreams.
DEBRA – I honestly don’t feel qualified to comment on your speech to the Governor. But I wish you the greatest of luck in getting this pushed through and into the school rooms.
Time to see how many words I can add to the story today ------ have a good one everybody!
Carol 2-12-2003 13:53
This is what I'm going to say to our Govenor when I meet him this month. Let me know what it might need.
One of our now infamous ex-presidents stated that domestic violence is the largest killer of adult women in the United States and should be fought as aggressively as any other life-threatening disease. Although, I don’t know off hand the narrow definition of a disease, I do know the broad one, getting it will it will adversely change your life or end it and everyone is susceptible. That describes domestic violence perfectly. Domestic violence then can be described as a chronic and often fatal disease. If there were a safe vaccine we would all be getting it. There is one and it is education. There is a problem only a few people are receiving the education or vaccine only after they get the disease? Even more numbers are getting the disease and still getting no education at all.
The best time to get this vaccine is when you are in high school. There are three huge reasons for that. One, high school is where this disease first starts. The second one is high school students are like ripened tomatoes. They are at their peak to receive information. After high school it goes down. The third is with this disease whether you get it personally or a loved one gets it you’re affected. Plus it occurs in same sex relationships and though it is seldom reported women are capable of abusing their husbands too. That’s everybody.
Simply put Vaccines are only useful when they are received. They are only useful when they penetrate the patient and become part of them. What good is a vaccine if the needle is the size of a table leg and it can’t penetrate the patient? Sweetie is directed at the patient. Once any person reads sweetie they understand everything they read. It’s an absolute impossibility not to. After reading sweetie the person will understand the most important facts about this disease like a professional would. They will be protected for life. Most educational books on domestic violence aren’t given to people until after they become victims. It has been proven it is far too late at that point. Most books on domestic violence are clinical, technical or testimonial. That information while being accurate most times doesn’t penetrate the reader at all. Most books can be compared to that vaccine with the needle the size of chair leg. It can’t penetrate the patient or make it far too painful to receive at all.
Sweetie has taken all the most important facts about domestic violence and turned them into digestible and pleasant vaccine. The only thing left to do it make this vaccine mandatory. By doing that we can make Rhode Island not only the first state but the leader in eradicating the leading cause of death in adult women in the United States. If we leave it voluntary, people only get it after they get the disease or not get it all. In short nothing will change even though the cure has come. The reason why it’s the leading cause of death in so many reflects this little known fact. Even if this year a person is strong, vibrant and resistant to this atrocity it is no guarantee that they will stay that way. There are so many highs and lows in one person’s lifetime. It’s just one of those facts we can’t escape. Making it mandatory will protect everyone for every year they are alive.
There’s more. When we see a person who has been hurt in an accident of some kind we see a victim. Many people will be called upon to help a family member or loved one who is trapped in domestic violence. More often then not, they do nothing to help. That’s because they don’t see a victim. For every person who becomes protected they will also become a person who will finally see a victim. When people see a victim, they will help. Domestic violence is so prevalent because not enough people realize these people are trapped by their own humanity and really need help. So if we can call sweetie the vaccine, we can also call it the vaccine that cures in two ways. It prevents the person from becoming infected at the same time creates a person who can help those who become infected.
Debra 2-12-2003 12:53
HOWARD: I’ve looked at the library and unless it just isn’t advertised very well, they don’t have a local writer’s group. Believe me, I looked when I was AT the library and I looked on their web site as well. I do need to check at the local bookstore and perhaps at the nearby Borders. The community college offers courses however I’m a little strapped for cash and time at the moment. I could probably get unemployment to pay for the Accounting courses, but I’m a little doubtful about the writing courses.
CHRISTI: Yes, I know what they say about opinions! I guess the reason I feel I need to take a course is that I feel I lack the knowledge for grammar, vocabulary, and possibly punctuation as well. Of course, in this day and age, with the use of MS Word and spell check, the grammar and punctuation aren’t much of a problem. The vocabulary however could be a major weakness. Let me know what you think about that would you?
JERRY: It’s been at least ten years since I took those courses. I probably know more about operating computers now than I did then but you are right about the accounting software. I work for a bank and they don’t use any of the latest software (which most employers ask that you be familiar with). Also, I’m not sure that the credits I earned would still be accepted!
I guess I'm just not sure of what I want to be "when I grow up"!
Cheri 2-12-2003 10:42
Gariess:
Could you email me. I don't seem to have your address any more. I need to speak to you today.
Debra 2-12-2003 10:12
RAMON: I know where you're coming from. I did the same thing. It is hard to get going again. I started small, first writing a little in a journal. I promised to write everyday. That hasn't happened yet but I have been writing at least every other day. I also picked up to books that have helped me to become more inspired. Also, visiting here is the BIGGEST incentive to keep going!
The people here are great! I've tried a number of times to find something similar elsewhere on the net and have failed miserably.
The books I mentioned are "If You Can Talk, You Can Write" by Joel Saltzman and "A Writer's Workbook" by Caroline Sharp. Some of their ideas are very similar and both are inspiring. If I need a boost to start writing, all I need to do is read a chapter or two of either book and I can feel the juices being to flow!
One thing I do daily is stop in here and read all the posts. I may not post myself, but I lurk every single day!
Good luck and keep going!
Cheri 2-12-2003 9:13
Hello one and all. Back when I was a little bit younger and considerably less stressed I used to visit here quite often. It even got me back into writing again and I made some friends along the way. Of course so much time has passed since I last posted a message so no doubt most of you still here would have forgotten me which is good since we can reaquaint from scratch. On the off the chance that I am lodged somewhere in the cerbellum I have this quote from the sensational rock bank "Creed":-
"Hello my friends we meet again,
Its been a while, where should we begin?
Feels like forever."
I have to admit I have done the worse thing a writer can do - stop. Now I am finding it hard to get back on track and the stress at work and the non stop attention my house needs, I find I just do not have the energy. But I'll give it ago.
I've been flicking through some of the chats people have been having and I see nothing has changed; interesting people engaged in stimulating and controversial conversation topics, whilst finding the time to encourage and inspire fellow writers.
God I have missed this place. Will make more of an effort to visit more.
Take care whatever you do, wherever you go, and whoever you're with.
RAMON
Ramon 2-12-2003 8:21
Jon - Cat Question for you. As you may or may not be aware, a cat now owns me. His name is Smoky and since acquiring me and the wife, he has grown for a little speck that fit in the palm of my hand to a large grey house cat and shows some distant relations to a Siamese cat.
What I want to know is this. Watching my new owner, I find that, from time to time, he looks around the room and focuses on something in the room, but when I look, there is nothing there. What the hell is he seeing? What can cats see that we poor people cannot?
Just wondering, maybe you can take it up with Pussy, who's been noticeably absent on this recent return, and let me know.
Thanks
Jerry (filling the notebook) 2-12-2003 0:06
Just noticed that the television that I leave running when I'm doing things like posting on the Notebook has some real Godfother like men testifying before Congress. I stopped for a bit to see who these thugs were and was amazed to find that it was the director's of the FBI and the CIA.
That's frightening, and the way they are testifying, they sound much like Marlon Brando did in the Godfather too.
Both are tough looking. That's good I guess I'd much rather have a couple of tough looking charcters in those offices then some pansy assed civil servant wh has never worked a day in intelligence or law enforcement.
Jerry (Yet AGAIN) 2-11-2003 23:58
Someone I forget who now, was struggling with their villain. I thought of this and knew I had read somewhere about an author doing this very same thing. This author invented one of the worst buggy men who ever haunted millions of dreams in recent years, Hannibal Lector.
If you have access to his latest book, The Red Dragon, the forward delves into this very problem, and I think he did a nice job of explaining how he wrestled his villains into line.
Jerry 2-11-2003 23:53
RANDALL
Evening friends...
Thank you Jon for the award. And yes I know Portugal is the most powerful nation on the earth. 1. because they are not waging war with anyone, this indicates how smart you guys are ... 2. I understand their women are gorgeous, (AND INTELLIGENT!) high on my list ...3. Americo resides there and 4. it is well known in academic circles that the citizens of Portugal are descendants of the Atlantis survivors! Way to go Jon!!! BTW...got any hidden power crystals left over? You know, from the old days, before the earthquake and flood?
Christi :-) ... let me tell you about Ms. Star Tiki Ney! :-) She is a bitch in the purest form! She entered my dream many years ago and has sent me down the path of incessant literary pursuit. :-) A hard-hearted, browbeater! She haunts me ... daily. I see women I imagine as Tiki...have spent hours thinking of her and what she might do... and wondered if I created a real person? Tiki is a people user, willful to a fault, bull-headed, obstinate, arrorgant, way too powerful and of course ... beautiful. Naturally!
Thank you Pamela for the kudos. I slave over the book and wonder for what purpose? Reference the above paragraph about Tiki and her slave driver ways!!!
Mel we have discussed this before. It is possible that we were and/or influenced on levels of thought unknown to us. I tried to make Tiki as human as possible yet the center of a great deal of supernatural power. Stunning power that is available when she needs it. Otherwise Tiki is as human as the rest of us ... except ... DNA tests indicat she is a descendant down through her grandfather and father versus the usual female genetic links. (As is Robert, her only son.)
(Pause)
I'm debating whether to get into this DNA thingee now and where I got the idea. There are a lot of things in "Flowers" that might offend some folks. Heather pointed this out to me last year and I deleted the possible inflammatory material. This could fall into that area...
Carol...I am incapable of finishing "Flowers." Every time I sit down and dial it up, I think of something else to add and add and add. Heather has or had problems with my ss submission to P. Simply, I cram everything I can into the story.
Great advise Richard! Really. I agree. There comes a time to let it go, I just wish someone would tell me when!!! :-) I like this quote... "Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public."
Winston Churchill
Jack...any advice? My gall bladder will soon be only a memory! Maybe Friday or early next week.
A last word... GOL DURN IT!!! Well, three words. My Tiki post last night was all screwed up. I messed up the format and it looked like a glob of words. For those of you who read it, many thanks for working your way through the mess. I'll add an additional segment later on ... (a thought) ... might I serialize it here? Hmmmmmmmmmmm...
Good night
Randall
Randall 2-11-2003 23:11
Cheri - If you go back to college and take accounting back up, things may have changed so much that you wouldn't recognize the accounting you took in the past. I guess I don't know when you took accounting but the computer age has changed so rapidly and along with it I'm sure that accounting software has gone the same way.
I went back to college, and while not on my own decision but that of Workers Comp, when I was in my mid 40's and had a wonderful time, I absolutely loved every second of it, and managed a 4.0 GPA on during the entire two year period, including my two month internship with a District Court Judge acting as his paralegal. Education is so very rewarding and something you should surely consider.
In addition to full time, there is, of course part time college, as well as online courses, some free some that cost, others that are actually through an accredited college. A bit of online research will show you what's available out there.
Jerry 2-11-2003 22:32
Hey ya'll! Just going to jump right in.
But ... Heather!!! Some of us are tinkerers with a purpose! My first drafts are skimpy on detail and other crucial things. I'm one of those weirdos who goes back over and edits again and again and again until I have a story worth sending out. Sometimes I have the barest outline of a story--it's not even close to jumping off the page yet. Each time I go over it I'm breathing a little more life into that outline. And then there are those times I restart a story fresh with a brand new concept, maybe even a different protagonist, and I'll do this three or four times before I hit gold. Hard way to write. It just seems to be what works for me. And there's not one of us here who's methods are identical--it's as individual as your fingerprints.
YAY MEL!!!!!!! You are inspiring me more with every word! I'd like to come up with a steady something, something that everyone could feel good about. Any ideas?
Howard, Forgot to say ATTA BOY for sending off that manuscript! I'm crossing every ligament possible for you.
Speaking of submitting, does anyone here have any stories they'd like to share? Man it's tough. I quit keeping track after number 30. I've been waiting for three manuscripts that have been "out there" for coming on four months. One of the markets was an anthology collecting stories about fathers and daughters, and when I checked their website I saw that they had chosen the book cover and had a publishing date (next month). It pissed me off so badly that they had never even sent me a rejection so that I would know I hadn't made the cut, so I whipped off a terse note saying I was wondering when they were planning to get back to me on my story (knowing full well it was all over), and guess what? I got an equally terse note in my email box stating that they were still considering my manuscript for the collection. AGH! Foot in mouth, when will I ever get rid of the taste of musty tennis shoe?
Carol, Don't worry about changing your openings! As I said above I do the exact same thing. Nice to see I'm not the only one. One of these will stick and you'll be happy with it and cherubs will dance and angels will sing. It ain't over till it's over. :) I haven't had a 1500 word day in some time; nice one! Oh, and that was Tina's Arizona piece. See what namin' names does for ya? Heh heh.
Get well soon, Cheri! NO one can answer the question you're asking but you. And I don't believe you need college classes to become a great writer, or I'd be signing up for them yesterday. I think classes can be very helpful but there's nothing like writing to make you a better writer. This is only my opinion and you know what they say about those.
Awesome, Richard! I've never felt so inspired to write as I do now after reading all these wonderful posts.
Sunny's back! It's so nice to have you here again. I just knew it would be that way, once published. We can't ever as human beings give ourselves credit for what we've done, only for what we're going to do, eh? Maybe that's the way our brains work to cause us to continue to strive for more.
I loved what you said about the pleasure of the journey. I've heard it said from just about every author I admire that that is where the true joy is found. It's hard to remember when you're a stuggling writer with goals and dreams, but publishing really is the tedious part. But the creation ... Wow.
Rachel and Sunny, I guess I'm not alone in my fear of public speaking. I've heard that it's the number one fear period. But the thought makes me want to pass out or barf or something. You've got guts of steel, Rachel! I could learn much from you two about accepting speaking as a necessary part of writing.
Teekay, Me too! That's exactly what it's like! You're thinking to yourself, Wow these people have no idea I've gone stark raving mad right in front of their eyes. But the jig'll be up when they notice the unfocused eyes and the facial spasms and the drooooooool.
Welcome back, Jack!
Rhoda, I'm afraid I left you out in the naming of names. Now I'm kneeling before you and blubbering for forgiveness. You were on my mind but apparently I hit fast forward. Glad the gang's all here.
Orf to write! May all of you have a writerly and/or wonderful day. Thanks for posting. Inspiration is flashing into (and hopefully out of, later) my fingertips!
Christi 2-11-2003 22:28
Richard - Finally made it to your web site. I downloaded your book, it looks interesting.
Strange as it may seem, the last major case I had was a serial rapists, when I finally caught the bugger, it turned out to be one of my best friends, a friend who I shared many a cup of coffee with, a friend who's guns I had maintained for him for several years, a friend who gave my son his first job pumping gas at his gas station.
The whole town was so amazed that I busted his ass and sent him off to the pen without batting an eye. Sort of made my friends think again of our relationship, but then they all knew me well enough to know our friendship would never be a problem between us if they did something so stupid.
What amazed me though is the number of times we sat there across from each other drinking our coffee and talked of what we'd do if we caught that SOB that was rapping women in our little town, I'm sure he must have swallowed a time or two when I expressed my desire that one of our good ladies in our town would pull a 12 gauge from under her bed and blow the bastards head off.
Jerry 2-11-2003 22:20
CHERI -- Our community college offers several "community ed" courses each spring and fall, and there are always a few writing courses included. They've offered a wide range of mini-courses in different genres -- from childrens' fiction to short story, to nature and travel, to op-ed pieces -- even poetry, and a couple of related things like "copyright" and "how to get published." It's a very good way to learn, and to connect with local writers and writer groups.
Check with your local library or bookstore also, for lists of online courses offered by these small colleges. Many of them (ours included) offer both credit and non-credit writing courses occasionally. They can be very helpful.
howard 2-11-2003 20:05
EDDIE,
I do entirely agree with RACHEL'S last post. I think RACHEL and DEBRA are the best of people. But I do agree with you also. There are better places to discuss politics, but I never go them, because I never get on the Internet and say to myself, "I am going to the Notebook or where ever else and express my political opinions today." It is never like that. Sometimes I just read something on the Notebook and I feel compelled to respond. Oftentimes, not to long after I post it, I ask myself, "Now why did I do that? I really should have kept that to myself."
I suppose I just feel comfortable here, but I never want to abuse that feeling and take it too much for granted.
I also add (((Hugs))) to you, EDDIE.
And (((Hugs))) to JACK. JACK, thank you for being so kind and generous, and wise. I wish I could be restrained as you are. I know that however you believe or what ever you think of things that you have good, well-thought out reasons. I also know that you are just as passionate about your beliefs as any of the rest of us. I hope you feel better soon and that you heal up well.
Rhoda 2-11-2003 18:45
Rhoda: Do not worry. It is my intention now that I am able to sit up and have gone through most of the day without narcotic pain pills to try and archive things. Once I do I will edit out the inappropriate HTML and otherwise make sure everything gets posted correctly. If there are political comments coming out, I am not surprised. I will stay mumb and not fire it up any further. I am assuming given previous comments I have made on a broad range of issues you will have my take on things already without asking :-) . Take care everyone and be well.
Jack 2-11-2003 16:53
Hi All,
EDDIE: 72 Font((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) from the antipodes.
DEBRA: Yes, it's true. Ironic huh? Wish I could remember their names, but my brain doesn't have the capacity for remembering German names - lucky for me my ancestors migrated.
RACHEL: That sounds absolutely fascinating! I would love to study that type of thing, maybe I will one day - here's hoping.
I'm glad your oration went well. Whenever I've had to deal with high stress situations my body goes into a type of shock. I look normal, and automatic pilot goes on, but inside I'm having dinner with the mad hatter.
Now you've got me well and truly curious about the 'issue'. But I shan't push.
MEL: I don't fancy wine much either. My in-laws have this homemade rich red wine and a dollop in the ste...er, casserole gives it a lovely depth.Ymmmmmmm.
CHRISTI: Pfft, dread your emails, as if!
Well, your challenge worked wonders, I finished my novel, edited it, sent it to a couple of publisher who LOVED it and now there's a bidding war over it.
What?
Oh, you've heard this one before?
:->
So......how's the weather?
Taz (ugh, sorry Nana) aka Teekay 2-11-2003 16:47
Ok -- deep breath. I guess it's my turn to show some vulnerability. I've just spent the last 45 minutes reading everything that's been posted in the Notebook since this past Sunday morning. I was away, and left just as the political fire here was raging.
Now that I've caught up with all that's happened, once again I'm speechless. There's just no other place like the Notebook.
I met my current husband (we were married last May) in a Beach Boys chatroom, so I know how deeply and quickly bonds can develop on-line. I credit him with giving me the support and encouragement I needed at the time to attempt my first book on my own. I went through 3 agents and God knows how many proposal re-writes before I found the agent, and then the editor, who truly understand what the heck it is that I'm trying to do.
I know that I've achieved alot in my career, with a well-received book and good PR, but everytime I begin something I've never done before, in a sense it's like starting all over again. And when people say, "Wow, you've published a successful book!", it makes me laugh because I'm impressed by everyone else's book but my own!
The problem is that I'm always looking ahead to my upcoming projects, and in that respect I don't give myself credit for what I've accomplished thus far. But as I read about everyone else's efforts in here, I recognized that there's as much victory in every 500 words as there is completing, and then maybe publishing an entire work, and that I should get more pleasure out of the journey.
So I'm doing Christi's assignment (thank you, Christi!) and picking up whatever bits of wisdom and knowledge I can about the writing process. (I know that I have an editor who will edit my sentence structure for me if I need it, but can anyone tell me why I automatically use so many commas, dashes and semi-colons?? ;-)
I used to have several pen pals when I was a kid, because I love to learn about different ways of thinking. I, too, don't like to watch conflict in here, but that's more of my perosnality than anything else. I actually admire those of you who have the guts to say exactly what you think, which applies to just about everyone in here. And that's why I feel a little of my own risk-taking is in order. Please don't think that because someone is comfortable standing up and speaking in front of hundreds of people that it is easy to be open in a forum such as this. I'm Exhibit A on that one.
The reason I'm writing my book, Organizing for the Spirit, is because I love to encourage people to become who they really are, and all they are capable of being. I believe that that's my small contribution to the world and I feel very strongly about it. If one person I positively influence turns around and influences someone else, and so forth and so on, that eventually leads to alot of people being helped. And if I have to go on TV and do interviews and other things that are not comfortable for me, so be it. This is, in part, why I believe I'm here on earth this time around, and what I can do to help heal.
So, that's part of my story. I also want to say that I feel so badly for those of you in emotional and physical pain, and I wish you nachas (good luck) and peace. I'd name names but I have an atrocious memory for them, and I don't want to go through the anguish of those who've tried to do complete lists!
I love hearing the tales of others, fictional and real, because they remind me of what makes us unique, and what binds us together.
Love you all,
Sunny 2-11-2003 16:33
Hi MEL,
How do you know when to stop editing and when your book is ready for submission.
Great question. I think you can go on editing for ever. There has never been a "perfect" book, ie error free.
I would suggest you submit the 1st 3 to 4 chapters with a synopsis whislt you are still polishing the whole manuscript.
At some point you have to have the confidence to sit back and be happy. Only you can decide when that is. Be honest with yourself, if you still think it can be tweaked or improved, then do so.
I find that leaving it for a couple of weeks helps. Your mind get get very fuddled and muddled and time out gives all your thoughts time to settle.
Hope this helps.
Richard.
Richard My site
2-11-2003 16:10
Hi Christi,
Thanks for the motivation.
567 words rattled off (slowly) yesterday. Your idea worked wonders. :-)
Richard
Richard My site
2-11-2003 16:04
I've got a question that really needs an answer!
I feel I'm not qualified to continue writing the story I've started. I think I really need to take a course either an English or Writing class. What do all of you suggest?
Since my job will be ending later this year, I need to decide if I should simply go back into the work force or go back to school and get a degree. AND if I do go to school, should I continue on with the Accounting degree I started years ago or go more towards some kind of writing field. Understand this, I already have about a years worth of credits toward an Accounting Assoc. degree and I do enjoy the field. But do all of you think I should do BOTH or one or the other(as far as college courses go).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Cheri 2-11-2003 15:56
MEL: Nope, I didn't make it to the funny farm, I made it to the sick bed. Dang sinus blockages. I didn't even make it to Tae Kwon Do! AND only got two sentences written in my journal yesterday. UGH!
Oh well, guess I'll have to try for 500 today.
I don't dream as much as I used to and it's quite depressing really. Many a time I've dreamed of flying. Not flying in an airplane, but flying by my own powers. I did a short essay on it but I can't locate it right now.
If I find it I'll post it.
Good writing to all!
Cheri 2-11-2003 15:34
Hi All :D
I’m having so much trouble staying connected to the internet today. So, I’m trying to write up my post offline and hope for the best doing a quick copy and paste. Ha! More than one way to skin a cat.
First off – another thanks to CHRISTI – I’m afraid I exceeded your 500 though and made it up to 1555! Only trouble was, I wanted to simply add to my novel, but I had this line running through my head. So, giving in to the muse, I ran with it and found myself finally having an opening that I like. Poor Viv has seen, I think, about 6 different beginnings so far. So ---
Thank you VIV for beginning so understanding and patient with my wacky way of writing. We write such different genres, yet we’re able to bounce off each other, give each other ideas, and open new doorways and windows to our work. Thanks for being my buddy, buddy.
Randall – This is the first time I’ve read this portion of FLOWERS and I must say – I like it a lot! You managed to raise a lot of questions in this piece that the reader will want to keep reading and discover the answers for. Now finish it dear man! {{HUG}}
I’m so tempted to say hi to everybody by name, but I’ve seen how others with better memories than my own try only to find a name missing so --- Hello everybody!
To everyone suffering in body and spirit, I send my love and prayers for a return to health.
Rachel (I hope I’m remembering the right name here, but if I’m right --) – I’m so jealous of the house you describe! I love my own, but some of the features you mention, would make this place absolutely perfect. And I agree about the tire swing, there’s nothing like it. I’m still after my hubby to put up my swing. We’ve got the poles, the rope and the board. Just not the labor (and the thawed ground at the moment) to get the job done.
I’m not posting my writing of yesterday since the board is currently quite full. Anyone wanting to take a peek and give me some rough thoughts is welcome to give it a read. Just let me know.
(Just did a quick read through of this post – so, so, so – well, sew buttons on your pants, zippers are out of style! Hehehehe )
Oh, yeah – and DEBRA -- nice job on the Arizona piece! You did a great job of bringing it to life for all of us with your use of all the senses!
(ok, Carol Floy, shut up and let someone else talk for bit ---)
Carol 2-11-2003 15:19
Rachel, I know exactly what you mean about things always being with you, long after you've identified them. I'm like that with very close friendships. After being burned by my very best friends when I was a teenager, I have a tendency to let new friendships develop only to a certain level, and then not let them go further. It's pain avoidance, I know it, and I have to work very hard to overcome that tendancy. But I don't want to miss out on the joys of having close friends, so I force myself to get past my old habits. It will always haunt me.
Mel, Mel, Mel... some dishes simply must have wine in them. Not just any wine, it must be matched to the dish, but so tastey! ;-)
Someone asked about nicknames... my dad called my 'Kid', my mom calls me 'TJ' my hubby calls my 'Luv'. Many friends have simply called my 'Tee'. The only one I've hated was 'Tina the ballerina'.
Tina 2-11-2003 14:54
Well said, HEATHER! :-) Now if tinkering was just not in my bloodstream... I'd still not be published! BWAAHAA HAAA HAA! 8-]
Mel again 2-11-2003 14:33
***Mel***
CHRISTI: WARNING: Potentially wet substance being posted in your direction... It's a BIG, sLoPpY Kiss 8-P and a GREAT BIG (((((((HUG))))))) to go with it for your wonderfully inspiring 500-word writing assignment yesterday. It was just what I needed to break a long stint of no-writing AND to finish a new opening scene I'd been considering but hadn't written in its entirety until your challenge. :-] Now I feel like a writer again! Well, at least on the road to where I should be headed, anyway! I dedicated 556 words to you last evening. Without your challenge, I would've never started or even kept at it so long, as it was late (for me) and I wasn't sure where to look for the words. The ones I wrote are nothing special but the fact that I wrote them - got started again! - is most significant for me. So, my writing friend, THANK YOU for the inspiration. :-] (Uh, do it again today, did you say? Uh, um, er, whew! *pulls collar to relieve constriction in throat* - er, ah, okay, I'll try!) (My muse wants to know who said that??)
CHERI: Um, sorry I jumped off the wagon to the Funny Farm. Maybe you escaped too? :-) I hope so!
CHRISTI, RANDALL: "crystalline dreams turning to printed mind-numbing drivel" ... yup, that's the way my dream-stories end.
RANDALL: !!!!! I think our muses have, at one time or another in the past, gone drinking together or something! Your FLOWERS is very different from my SHARDS, but still some similar elements have touched our creative levels. Crystals, rainbows, mind-blowing natural/supernatural phenomena...I even have a heroine who is very much like a Native American...
TEEKAY: Curry? Blyuck! >-{ Make it oregano or thyme, and forget the wine (or have the wine separately if you must - wine adds nothing to the taste of anything, in my opinion!) - SORRY if I offended any wine lovers! It's the only 'whine' I know.
RACHEL: Me three! I'd love to see a pic of your intriguing home. SOunds like a wonderful setting for a gothic romance or something! :-) Glad your speech went well. Worse than public speaking, I hate "The FLY" movie and that poor deranged science experiment! (But "help meee" must be one of the most popularly quoted lines of all movies!)
HOWARD: Groooaaaaannnnn! I was afraid someone would say the edits are never done! It must be a matter of courage then, when you make the momentous decision to let your literary baby fly the coop. Good luck with your latest story on its rounds! :-]
EDDIE: More (((((HUGS)))))... Got lots. Keep coming back whenever you need 'em.
JON: Wise words perch between your ears! Your human must be spoiling you properly. An extra catnip treat for you!!
JERRY: Welcome, fellow Lutheran! :-] I was a "Methodist" for so many years I never realized how close to "home" I was until I started attending a Lutheran church a few years ago. I love the beautiful choral liturgies and the holiness of the sanctuary. Not all churches have that anymore. I am glad to find some peace for my soul Sunday mornings amid the rest of the week in the harsh world.
PAMELA: I see the scenes in my head too and let the visual drip into my writing arm...I run into trouble whenever I rush the words, whenever I don't sit and steep in the mental visuals before I try to recreate them in text. BTW, your memory is good!! I just checked Saroyan's HUMAN COMEDY and there is mention of an Ithaca, although it's off a Sante Fe/San Francisco train, so I don't think it's my Ithaca. Salinger's Glass family was in NYC, I think. And I liked your villain advice, to "find his distorted reasoning and make it your own while in his skin." :-] I, like TAYLOR, I think, just don't like to BE in his skin! 8-o
I am so enjoying the spurt of writing talk going on here! :-] Keep the ink flowing, you-all!
Mel 2-11-2003 14:30
Hmmmmm. Here's something I heard on the radio last night. It was an interview with a musician, of course, but I don't know who, since I turned on the radio after that was announced. :o>
"...It's either a good song or it's not. If it's not, you won't make it into a good song by tinkering with it."
The musician was talking about how years ago, the artists went into the recording studio well-rehearsed, and songs were recorded in only one or two takes. These days, songs are recorded and then tinkered with for ages, so that a song can be engineered into something 'most likely to be a hit'. But, as it was said, a crappy song won't become a good one by tinkering around with it endlessly.
THIS APPLIES TO WRITING AND EDITING!
Oh, yes.
I know I heard this snippet of interview for a reason!
All ye tinkerers - hear ye, hear ye! Arrest your hands and pens from thy tinkering! If it's good it's good. If it's not, don't spend a year messing with it. You could have learned why it did't end up as a good piece of writing, and gotten on to better work.
That's right. I will take my own advice if I have to swallow it with five gallons of orange juice and a dose of gravol!
:oD
Heather 2-11-2003 13:58
Eddie,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was away from the NB when this happened. Please accept my heart felt condolences to you and your family.
Teekay,
I’ve been taking religious studies classes. We did the west last semester and are not onto the east. I’m taking philosophy, psychology, anthropology, religious studies, you know the ology stuff ;o) My religious studies prof is also pretty heavy into the political sciences so we have some pretty wicked discussions in class. I love the the classes I’m taking all compliment one another. When I am organizing my class selections I do think of that. I try to get courses that will work as a team. I love hot pots! You and I cook the same way (yummy)!! My presentation went well. It went very well. By the time the question period began I was comfortable and at ease. I don’t have a problem with speaking clearly or at a good pace. I’m awesome at that. I just have a problem with people looking at me. I hate when people look at me. That is what I like about the internet, nobody is freaking looking at me. Last night I told myself reasonably that the class was looking at me because I was sitting at the front of the class addressing them. That seemed to calm me. I have other issues around public speaking, but the biggest is just that I don’t like being the center of attention. I’m the great deflector. If anyone puts something on me, I try to push it off to another, unless it is a private sort of thing, then I just love it and roll around in the attention. Kind of strange eh? I know what is at the root of my discomfort with public speaking and with being looked at, that doesn’t mean I can just make it be gone, though yesterday evening was a large step in the right direction of moving away from this issue. It will always be there, always be a part of me, but it doesn’t have to define who I am and how I act. Know what I mean?
Rachel
Christi,
Sure i’ll send you a picture. I guess I better get on this.
Jon,
My brave heart send you a warm hug. I think that Rhoda, Debra and I are fine. We all have strong feelings and positions. It doesn’t mean we don’t like each other, it just means we don’t like every little bitty thing about each other ;o) Who does? There are things my family and friends do that drive me nuts, it doesn’t mean I don’t love them.
Rachel 2-11-2003 11:41
Fran Pam-am (one childhood nickname)
Finally caught up on everyone's postings and excerpts, wow, I'm impressed! Jerry, you have really got me curious about what is going on with Richard and how such a simple situation is going to change his life. Randall, poor Tiki really is having a day from heck but it appears inevitable. Your descriptive writing of freaky events was great, that stuff is so hard to do.
Mel, as far as editing tips, what I do is read my stuff like I haven't written it myself, as a reader rather than a writer, it helps in ruthlessly chopping out my precious words (writing is not for the anal-retentive!). I think this works for me, Bantam hardly changed anything in my manuscript, just added some periods here and there to my long sentences. Richard, my new book definitely has film potential, sometimes I just watch a scene in my head and write down what I see.
Eddie, my heart weeps for you, I know how hard is was to hear Michael's favorite song and the anger you feel at your helplessness over his leaving. Jon beat me to what I was going to say about the song but I think it bears repeating: I think Michael CAN hear his favorite song, as well as music that you can't hear. Nikki should also know that he loves her and doesn't care anything about their little spat, it is so insignificant and he especially, from his vantage point, can see this clearly. I think maybe if you closed your eyes sometime and took deep breaths and tried to stop the noises of the world (meditation), you could feel him near you. I feel certain that he IS near you and wishes he could tell you all that he is all right. I followed your advice and went and gave my daughter a big kiss, know that I have cherished her more than ever after hearing of Michael's leaving. On the political front, I'm with you, gonna stay out of it, it's too depressing anyway. When I said we couldn't do anything, I didn't mean that we can't try to change things for the future, just that we can't alter the events of the past which have led up to the crisis going on now, I don't think we can change radical extremists whose hatred has been boiling for years or previous foreign policies which may have contributed to it. I don't think we can alter the fact that they hate us, or that they will try to hurt us, but we can alter the fact of our own fear so that they do not win even if they kill us. It's true that words without expressions are limiting, I mean for this to be apolital and uplifting but don't know if it is coming across that way. We all leave here sometime and I don't think that is a bad thing. When your number's up, your number's up and I think it's a waste of time to worry about it when you could be smelling the roses.
Debra, thanks for the update on the Sweetie books, I don't give a hoot if you're self-published (or never published, for that matter), I'm just glad you haven't had to set yourself on fire to get attention for your work. I think boys could use some education about abuse too.
Mel, was it "The Human Comedy" by William Saroyan that was set in Ithaca, or am I thinking of the Glass family of Salinger's?
About getting into the villian's mind, that can be hard and also a little scary to do. We have to use our imagination (which is what makes us writers) to try to understand the impossible, or what would be impossible for us ourselves to do. Many books offer the standard bad childhood for the villian or sociopathology, being unable to feel anything unless it is extreme, like the act of killing someone. I don't want to go into too much detail about my book (don't want to spoil it for you when it comes out!) but I have kind of a dialogue with the devil type of thing going on, which I'm actually having a little fun with ("Oh, if we only had cheeks, tears would be streaming down them from laughter..." after doing something nasty to someone). On the other hand, I DID go crazy in prison and had demons of my own, which I am drawing on for this, I just have to be sure that they don't come back again. Personally, I think the ugly creatures bothering me were real, since 1800 mgs. of Thorazine a day did nothing to dispell them and they didn't leave until I had a big showdown and told them to f**k off. I've been off medication for years now and they haven't been back. Anyhow, I think some people (and spirits) are just plain mean and, as a reader, I prefer these types of bad guys since I get too sympathetic over the ones with horrible childhoods (I even have sympathy for terorists who have been brainwashed since they were children and know not what they do). The villian acts upon logic, it is just unlike that which most of us follow, find his distorted reasoning and make it your own while you are in his skin.
Randall, I meant to mention that I love the fruitcake recipe, though it does dispell the rumor that there is just one fruitcake in the whole world making the rounds. Hope your stones are doing well and that your wife has recovered (nothing too serious, I hope?).
Howard, congrats on sending out a story, good luck!
As a hippie who still believes in the power of love, and a peace-loving Libra, I'm glad to see that cyber hugs and kisses have been exchanged and animosity has departed our pages.
Pamela 2-11-2003 1:35
Jon! Welcome home! You look even more dapper than usual.
Tina, What a way to start! I think your twenty paged edit ROCKS! Keep it up! I meant to tell everyone that if they didn't feeling like writing they could edit a couple of pages. Editing is writing of a meticulous nature.
Heather, Thank you for all your work on P**. My gosh what you've done with that! Hey, I meant to include compiling and submitting as well. Glad to see you back here, and in glorious form as well. I adore your posts!
Okay, (breathing hard) I managed 560 words. It was tough but man am I glad I did it. I acheived a turning point in my story that I didn't know was going to be there. Where does this stuff come from?
Anyone want to do it again tomorrow?
Christi 2-11-2003 0:24
Heather:
Everything you say helps me. Keep it coming.
Jon:
You are so nice. I miss you. Where have you been? I have never heard sweet and Debra together before; I like it.
Eddie:
I'll say a prayer for you. Grief is so lonely. I find with grief it's that split second or two when you are blocking it out and it's kicking the door to get back in. It's that brief moment whre you are holding back the knowledge with both feet braced on the ground and both hands on the door. It doesn't matter how long it's been either, you find yourself there over and over. It's more painful than letting it in. Like when you were listening to the music, for a second you felt........good. Then it wanted back in.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know that doesn't help. We need better words.
Teekay:
Is that a true story?
Jerry:
Thank you for thinking of me. I've been kind of moody lately huh? Sorry! When they elevated the level to orange I went off the deep end.
Debra 2-10-2003 23:57
Ok, ok I can't do HTML code anymore, but the links work any how, click on them their neat, well I thought they were neat.
Last Sunday mom was saying how happy she was that my wife and I have changed back to the Lutheran faith and now attend the same church as the rest of the family.
I explained to her that had I been introduced to the Church when I was a kid, I would probably have been a Lutheran all the time.
Her explanation, we didn't have enough gas money to drive to town for church back then. I let it slide, but geeze back when I began driving, gas sold for .29 9/10 per gallon. We lived 25 miles from town so if our car only got 10 miles per gallon and I think it probably did a bit better then that, it would have cost 65 cents to drive to town, another 65 cents to drive home, so that's a bit over a buck and a quarter. Even back then I think we could have afforded a buck and a quarter every week, hell once a month maybe, we went to town once a month for groceries and booze, if they just got one six pack less of beer it would have covered the cost.
Oh well I was too young to remember back then anyhow I guess but she never explained why we never started going when we moved to town. We could have walked if there wasn't enough gas, we only lived, at the most six blocks from Church.
I guess I can't blame them though, I never started going when I got married and moved away either till I was introduced to the fact that none of us will live for ever, and a guy should be at least on a last name basis with God when that time comes.
Enough bitching.
Jerry 2-10-2003 23:45
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Jerry Testing 2-10-2003 23:06
Why, Jon, I am honored that you would think my words helpful toi Debra, and thank you for the prize!
Debra? Hope they actually did help...:o)
Heather 2-10-2003 22:32
Eddie - Your daughter is definitely in need of a hug! Pass it on....:o) A similar thing happened between my husband's brothers right before the youngest brother killed himself before Christmas. Although Lee did call Danny to say that they would get together and work things out and sort through the misunderstandings and hurt feelings, he never did. He was dead the next night.
In time your daughter will remember more of the good times and the little things, and she will not hurt so over the fights. I'm sure there was more than one, but with not being able to resolve the last one, it isn't an easy thing to live with. I don't have much advice on the matter - heck, I still feel guilty on and off about some things that happened between myself and good friends that have died. There's no repairing it afterward because they're not here. But I do take comfort in the fact that my love for them far surpassed anything I did or failed to do at any particular time. Maybe that's my advice right there.
MORE HUGS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, EDDIE!
TEEK - I am thinking...purple....charoite, or amethyst...
lovely!
Heather 2-10-2003 22:29
So much for that attempt at privacy. I didn't realise the programme would set that up as a link. Doh.
Thanks for the prize Jon. I'm honoured to the point of misty tears... ;-)
Tina 2-10-2003 22:22
Hey Christi! I edited 20 pages of 'Shadow'. Now I have to pack, and my realtor is coming over with some papers. Thanks for the boost to get at least some writing done.
And about needing fresh eyes to re-experience your surroundings... I do that here at home on purpose. I just stare at the hills and try to imagine seeing them for the first time. This valley is magically beautiful, but it's easy to forget how beautiful. Children and guests are wonderful at reminding us of that.
Eddie, music plays so deeply to our emotions. When my dad died 2 years ago, we drove down to the coast that night. We had to sit at the ferry for 2 1/2 hours waiting for the first run. At the dock, they have a huge screen that shows ferry times, advertising, movie previews, and music. They must have played JLo's 'Love don't Cost a Thing' video 20 times. Even yet, I simply cannot listen to it. If I hear it anywhere, a sharp pain lances through my gut. Same thing for the love song 'My Heart Will Go On'. My mom chose that as her dedication to my dad at his memorial. I almost bawl every time I hear it.
(((((HUGS)))))
As for my e-mail, I won't put it in the regular tag 'add e-address for instant spam' spot. I'm trying to keep my new address clean for as long as possible. It is airjunkies@shaw.ca
Tina 2-10-2003 22:18
JON -- Thanks for reminding me! I meant to comment on TINA'S "You can TASTE Arizona..." when I first saw it -- Brilliant, gal! I love it!
howard 2-10-2003 22:15
T Kaye -- No, the poke in the eye was not mine. It is a very old one that I just received again from my sister. Dunno who wrote it, but it seems to somehow fit in today's insanity madness political arena... We keep on running up to peek through the hole in the fence, and the bozo on the other side just sits there waiting to poke us in the eye all over again. We never learn. :-(
howard 2-10-2003 22:10
Yo, all.
Here are some prizes.
To all the Canadians in this forum. To Rachel because she's a brave heart, to Tina because she wrote a very inspiring post about one of the American states seen from above, and to Heather because she gave the best answer on the fears of our sweet Debra.
A prize for Randall. The fact that he proclaimed Texas the most powerful nation on earth is not only a great statement but also the second best joke of the year after Rumsfeld's trip to Germany. He is wrong of course, the most powerful nation on earth is Portugal. But humor is always a prize-winner.
Note: these are not the prizes of the year. The prizes of the year 2002 will only be given if there will be no war and if Jerry stops nuking people.
Now will Rachel, Debra and Rhoda join their hands, please, and send me a kiss.
Eddie: how can you be sure that Michael cannot hear his favorite song any more?
Jon 2-10-2003 22:07
+Christi+
Hiya, Cheri! I sure like you.
Teekay, I'm mailing you toot sweet, so watch out! :) Just kidding; I'd never want you to dread my emails. Mwah HAHAHA!
Mel, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!! I know just what you mean. I made up a saying that fit my particular writing fault (the worst of many) and pasted it all around my house to remind me. "Procrastination never did a thing for anyone." (I left out the 'damn' but it's insinuated) Did it cure me? Nope. Do I look right past those made-up signs? Sure do! Maybe I should make a subliminal tape.
PS *whispered* hey, psst! I'd be happy with 250 (100?).
Honestly I'll be happy if everyone just cracks open something they were writing on, or begins something they wanted to start, or catches up on their journal. Even two sentences written is two sentences closer to THE END. Doesn't that sound fantastic? I'm gettin' the goosebumps thinking of those two little words.
Jerry, Great tip on the commas. Man, I try, and try, and try, but, they always, seem, to, sneak up, on me! Nice job on the assignment! Can you drop and give me 500 more by the end of tomorrow? Maybe someone else will take over shortie night for Mary for the time being (nudge nudge). The reason I'm doing word amounts is because so many here are working on novels or short stories or articles.
Can't believe I forgot to sympathize with you Randall! I loathe the ER. Nothing like a good old emergency to happen so's you can wait ... and wait ... and wait ....................... *clunk*. Hope the wife is feeling good, and I hope you will be very soon.
And Randall? Why you so mean to Tiki? :) I myself have a hard time weaving my dreams into stories. This is not for lack of trying, but each time I find that what seemed so crystalline to my dreaming mind comes out on paper as mind-numbing drivel. Yeesh.
Rachel, Me too, me too! I'm dying to see your house. I just drooled all over myself whilst reading your description of it. It's the perfect backdrop for a story. I've never even SEEN such a house, let alone lived in one. Pretty please???
Eddie, I think of you so often. I can't explain why really, except that I empathize like hell with you. It's just about the worst imaginable thing. I think people are afraid to even speak of losing a child for fear of it happening to them. I have lost only one close relative and the pain from that experiences still hasn't left me. It has mellowed a lot and most of the anger is gone, but it still hurts. I hope you have access to a lot of hugs and a really good punching bag. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} from Arizona.
I'll check in later because I still haven't written my 500. Orf.
Christi 2-10-2003 21:59
Randall
Good evening everybody...
Screw politics...at least for now! :-) I sometimes call my novel "Flowers." This is to simplify a six word title. And this is basically the dream that started it all in 1997.
From WHERE THE ROCKS COVER THE FLOWERS
Randall Henderson
Joe Dan led them to a thick grove of juniper, which lay to the right of his tent. "Be careful I haven't cut any of this so it's pretty rough going."
The men helped the ladies through, but it was a struggle. They reached a wide area where immense, lichen covered flat rocks covered a large meadow like area.
"It was the biggest, prettiest ram I've ever seen." Joe Dan explained. "I chased him for an hour before he came through here. You can see where my horse came through those trees over there. The ram was standing here and I rode up to rope him. But my horse broke through one of these flat rocks. It's right here. Look how beautiful they are."
Robert walked to look at the broken rock. Joe Dan's horse had cracked the rock to expose a cavity only an inch below. Matt and Robert squatted next to the broken rock and began to enlarge the hole. The rock broke easily as if rotten. In the afternoon sun a brilliant gleam reflected back into their faces.
To Star Tiki, it was the suns reflection in a mirror.
Robert heard his mother gasp and quickly looked at her. She was staring at the rock crystals, obviously horrified and backing slowly away shaking her head. Tiki kept retreating till the thick wall of juniper stopped her.
"What is it?" Robert went to his mother.
"I didn't see it, I didn't know! This is it, the last sign Robert! We are inside the legend! I always hoped we could escape this, but it's going to happen! Andrea is the one. She will speak the words." Tiki moaned and held onto her son to keep from collapsing.
Andrea was in front of Tiki and Robert and saw nothing but the shimmering jeweled crystals glistening in a stone container.
Joe Dan knelt beside Matt and they cleared away the surface rock until a large area was cleared. Contained inside the large rock were hundreds of gleaming crystals. A rainbow would be pale compared to the multitude of colored crystals that gleamed and winked in the setting sun.
Andrea was drawn to the glittering crystals. She knelt and gently touched one. It was solid and beautifully shaped. Some were very small, slender as a straw, others three to four inches tall, an inch wide. She lay on the ground with Angel Kay sitting next to her. Red, blue, green, purple, orange, seemingly no two crystals were alike in color.
"So beautiful. What caused this formation?" Angel Kay questioned.
"I don't know," Joe Dan admitted. "Someone does, but not me. Matt, any ideas?"
Matt, still in his sheriff's office uniform shook his head. He was watching Tiki and Robert standing away from the others. He sensed something was wrong.
"I haven't got the slightest idea. But I'll tell you one thing. Look at the many rocks around us. They're all the same. If each one contains these crystals, it will be a hell of an attraction for tourists."
Andrea lay on the ground, lost in the beauty inches away. She looked up at Angel Kay. "This is so beautiful, why they're just like little flowers. Beautiful delicate flowers, frozen in stone. A diamond is such a small thing, nothing too compared with this. Beautiful little flowers, captive inside a rock."
Yards away, Tiki was shivering violently. "Last sign, oh no, my authority! It's collapsing, coming for me!" She whispered hoarsely, "Robert hold me, it's approaching!"
Robert felt his mother stiffen. Tiki groaned as the Web of Authority slipped from her command. Previously in tune with earth's own resonance within a specific vibrational frequency, Tiki's powerful magnetic link of dominion evaporated. The energy of the planet channeled to her without control. She leaned backward, and began to shudder. Tiki's hair bristled outward, her teeth chattering, her eyes rolling back into her head. She was struggling for control, but losing. Robert knew what was about to happen. Her power was surging, in, then out in wider and wider oscillations. At the end it would collapse, shorting her out. He saw the crackle of fire on the ends of Tiki's hair. Oh no he thought, it's been so long, we thought it was over. He looked at Matt for help.
Matt and Joe Dan were only a few feet behind Andrea and moving quickly to help. Tiki collapsed and began to convulse, flailing at the men holding her. Her control ceased and the splendid Web of Authority shattered like a delicate crystal spider web. Tiki's was defenseless as the effect of a collapsing system concentrated upon her.
Angel Kay turned and gasped at the sight of Tiki thrashing on the ground.
Andrea, oblivious of what was occurring behind lifted her head and spoke to no one in particular, her voice full of wonder. A prophecy thousands of years old was upon her. Behind her in spirit a hundred Ancient and Holy Ones stood in reverence of the moment.
"Oh Tiki! What a beautiful place this is. Where the rocks cover the flowers."
XXXXXXXXXX
Tiki screamed and screamed and screamed. She saw the Whisper of Jehovah, poised above the earth, the moon spinning out of control. She watched the earth's oceans lifting, attracted by a massive object, miles above their seabeds following the immense body as it swept by. She saw great ice sheets buckle, exploding, shreds of ice flying upward drawn by the gravity of a celestial object moving parallel to the orbit of the earth. She heard the great thunderclap of electrical discharge as magnetic fields of two great spheres collided, fought, then broke free. She saw gigantic spires of water collapsing and surging outward, tidal waves a mile high racing over the earth obliterating every vestige of life. She saw the great rainbow circle, overcome, shattered, dissolved. She felt Mother Earth groaning inside, tearing apart, she saw a red-hot magma torrent forth. She watched mountain ranges collapsing inward, others breaking free and jutting into the air, rock and dust smashed by a billion tons of sea water. She saw gigantic atmospheric storms form and died in minutes. She saw hurricane winds scour the earth ripping burning forests from collapsing, dying mountains.
Tiki felt the intense pain as animals and humans died. She heard their screams of fear. Tiki saw tunnels collapsing where many had fled for protection, buried by tons of falling rock. She saw Burrowing Coyote and other faint figures, trying vainly to reform the great rainbow circle of protection, smashed down, crushed by the Whisper of Jehovah.
Tiki screamed until she couldn't scream again.
Her authority collapsed inward overloading her mind with horrifying images of the death of humanity. The crystalline matrix so carefully nurtured and maintained over a lifetime lay in ruins, leaving her open to powerful Earth vortices of tremendous potency. An energy surge, a veritable avalanche of the cumulative memory of humanity slammed into Tiki. It blew her mind like a ten-cent fuse. Three strong men couldn't hold Tiki as the convulsions threatened to tear her apart.
Yeah...Tiki's having a bad day. But things get a lot worse...
Randall
Randall 2-10-2003 20:55
Debra - I downladed a PDF document on Homeland Security. I was going to Email it to you until I realized I don't have your email, so I posted it on my new homepage, click the link. It's in Adobe Acrobat format so you have to have Adobe Acrobat reader installed to read it. Acrobat is a free download at http://www.adobe.com if you need it. Once you have it loaded I think (?) you can save it to your hard drive and browse it at your leasure. It does have some good stuff.
Oh anyone else who's intrested feel free to click the link.
Jerry Homeland Defense
2-10-2003 20:39
Here's a little something which happened to me today.
I got into the car and switched on the radio. My son's favourite song was playing. This obviously upset me greatly and I cried like a baby. Then I got so angry that I almost smashed the front of the radio switching it off.
It is just so wrong that he can't hear it any more. His ears aren't hearing anything anymore. I can't listen to it again.
That's what happens to you, Anger - sorrow You get the emotions mixed up.
Later,
Ed
Eddie French 2-10-2003 19:21
RACHEL: What are you studying?
Hot pots never fail. Throw in some meat and vegies and beef stock and worchestershire sauce and some curry powder and a dash of red wine, salt and pepper to taste. make up lots of extra to freeze for more days such as this :-D
You know when you see someone you don't know fall over in the street. You feel embarrassed for them for a little bit and be thankful it isn't you. Well, public speaking is sort of the same thing.
You'll be just fine, take deep breaths and know that nobody is going to be judging you - much, and if they do it won't be for long. Speak calmly and what ever you do DON'T imagine anybody naked. It's terribly off putting. :-D
EDDIE: I agree.
Teekay 2-10-2003 18:41
Christi - sorry about that, I couldn't find your challenge, and forgot who did it, thanks for the assignment, it was good to get back to writing again. I read what I had posted and discovered I forgot to go over it with a comma magnet. My old English 101 instructor in college told me to REMOVE the comma key before I began writing, I should have listened. I usually go over my work and remove 60% of the comma's then I still have a couple of dozen extra's in the work. Somehow they insert themselves every time I take a breath no matter where my work is at the time. Guess I'll have to go on a comma diet.
What I posted was very rough but it was fun anyhow. Now if we could just get shorty night going again, I feel all the new folks could show us a thing or two...
Jerry 2-10-2003 18:39
Hi Teekay,
I'll send you a pic some time soon. Likely next week. I will be so happy when today is over. I had a unit test, I've got another, did the pre-lim for an exam and have just produced a twenty page paper that is the basis for an oral presentation that I need to do this evening. I hate public speaking. People say I'm good at it, but I hate it with all my heart. I need to go make dinner. Help meeeeeeee. Heeeelllp meeeeeeeee (grin/wink).
Rachel 2-10-2003 18:20
Did I really make those spelling mistakes?
Shame on me.
Eddie French 2-10-2003 17:43
Teek,
I do enjoy reading some of the lively politics on the notebook. The decision to keep my politics and or beliefs to myself is mine alone. As JERRY says 'somebody has to stay outside to remind you all of the sweeter things in life'
I truly believe in the old adage:
'I detest what you say, but I will defend your right to say it with my life'
Of course, you must take that literally....WHAT YOU SAY... this precludes any actions which might physically or emotionally harm another human being.
I was not always like this.
I have killed in time of war, for my country (This was what I believed at the time but hey, I was in the nether region of 18 - 21 years of age) I have had many people try to kill me, close up and fairly personal. (One day I will write about it all) In fact, I have around 80 pages already, but I've only just entered the active service zone.
Over the years my wiewpoint has changed somewhat. I cherish life so much more, and that did not just start after Christmas Day, as some of you will already know.
No....if I want politics I can get that anywhere, I choose not to join in here. (Now somebody is going to post something which goes right down to my soul aren't they!!) I know how it goes, it's called 'SODS LAW'. :¬)
Let me revise my position just a little:
I TRY VERY HARD TO KEEP MY POLITICS OFF THE NOTEBOOK
But you can debate all you like for me. Most times I enjoy reading the debates. As an observer I learn so much about you all.
The problem with the current debate is that it is too close to real for comfort and it is upsetting lots of people, and not surprisingly so. Just try to debate - not fight. There will be enough of that in the comming month.
Take care all.
Ed
Eddie French 2-10-2003 17:40
MEL: I'm not going to the funny farm, just to the shops for some more pens and stuff.
Don't feel like poking out eyes today.
RACHEL: Ooooh yes! Take some photos and email me some. I can picture it anyway :-D
TAYLOR: It was only that last bit about 'teaching you something', and only because during my epic story writing adventure which lasted such a very brief time I really did find myself on a journey of discovery. It was really quite thrilling.
RANDALL: Now that you've told me a secret, I shall share. My middle name is.................Kaye.
Did you guess? :-D
Cracked up about you wondering if you should call 911 for the ambulance. They deliberatley make you wait you know, just so's you won't come there for the hell of it - as if!
Teekay 2-10-2003 17:26
Hi All,
EDDIE: My heart goes out to your daughter, it must be tearing her up.
I know you're in a very different place from me right now, but I do disagree with what you said about not viewing political viewpoints and such on the notebook. I guess if no one wants to hear what the other person is saying, then they won't read it, or won't respond. To drag a really old and shaggy looking saying into it - it takes two to tango.
Personally, I think it makes the notebook richer and gives us something more to contemplate. I know myself, that reading all the differing viewpoints has added facets to my view of things.
We don't have to allow the opinions of others to hurt or offend us.
HOWARD: That's really good! Is it yours? Did the notebook inspire you :-D
DEBRA: Once upon a time there were 2 friends who lived in Germany, one was Jewish, the other was not. Despite their differing religions they had a great deal in common and spent a lot of time together. Both were incredibly intelligent men, both were scientists. Both were working on a project regarding nuclear physics.
One day the Government of Germany decided to implement his plan to make a perfect nation, and Jews for one weren’t included in the equation. Thus it was that the Jewish man went to America as a refugee.
Hitler then set the German man to work making an atomic bomb. The German man had a great deal of trouble with his conscience regarding this, and somehow managed to meet his counterpart and told him in a rather obscure message, what it was he was asked to do, wanting his friend’s opinion. The friend, misunderstanding the question and advice his friend was after took umbrage that he should be working on such a weapon which was intended for the annihilation of his people and made the bomb for the U.S.A. while the other guy went back and told Hitler that what he was asking was impossible to achieve in the time frame given.
America got the bomb first, but for his conscience and love and respect for his friend, how very different the story could have been.
I love this story.
CHRISTI: HAHAHAHAHHAHAAH good one :-D
MEL:: Right with you, I'll just grab my bag. The muses fault! I should've known.
Going all y'all.
Teekay 2-10-2003 17:07
MEL -- As one of the others who has been "officially published," I can say that the edits are never done! Even as I was reading my (only published)essay in Stories Worth Telling for the first time in a real live book (at the book signing in Barnes&Noble, no less)I pencilled in some changes! Even now there are things...
Seriously, as we continue to learn and develop as writers we keep finding new ways to flog words into doing their work more effectively -- into saying what we wanted to say, rather than what we said.
I submitted a short story last night, and even as it went out I saw a change that I should have made. Oh well, I'll make corrections on the back of the next reject letter...
:-)
howard 2-10-2003 16:43
MEL: Between making and eating dinner, going to Tae Kwon Do and getting things ready for tomorrow, I'll be lucky if I have time to write my name!
I am trying to write a little something in my journal, since I've neglected it too long already(SIX DAYS!). It won't be 500 words(I can't count that high in one day!) but it will be something.
Hello to RICHARD! I only post now and then, but I'm always lurking.
Good writing to all.
Cheri 2-10-2003 16:03
Cheri:
Don't worry about me leaving. I always hated people who quit playing monopoly when they were losing. Yes, I'm wrong a lot. I can take it as good as I can dish it.
I don't like to see people fight either. A couple of the giants here have done that and threatened to leave and it always broke my heart. They didn't thankfully.
Pamela and Mel:
Thank you for your kind works. I am working like an idiot over here. I have a call blinking right now on my phone that is from the tv station. They want to do a story this week. Also, about the govenor's office,I did get in first, but it's because I got in line first. I didn't cut anyone. I know no one said I did. I just want to make sure that was clear.
Pamela:
Everyone here knows this, but you, I think. Sweetie is self published. I am doing everything but setting myself on fire and dancing on the highway. It is one way of getting a commercial publisher to notice me.
For the meantime I am not quite a published author in the tradional sense. This world has changed so much since that term came out. But sweetie is every bit as good as I say. Soon it will be required reading. It will. No girl should ever leave high school again without being prepared for what might to come, domestic violence.
2-10-2003 15:43
Good for you, JERRY, for jumping right on CHRISTI's 500-word challenge!
I'm - uh - gulp! - going to attack said assignment tonight at home (I'll get the hubby on his computer game, the youngest child to bed, the next two up maybe watching a movie, and I'll sneak off to the bedroom and CLOSE THE DOOR, if that act doesn't bring them automatically to see what Mom's doing!!!)
If I don't --erghhh! -- complete this assignment, CHERI and I are headed straight to the Funny Farm by midnight (unless, of course, CHERI completes the assignment without me and leaves me chewing her dust!!!).
Happy writing, all! ;-]
mEL 2-10-2003 15:31
Was it Carol who said we should write 500 today? I think so but my heads a bit fuzzy today from the stupid pills that the Doc has me on, at any rate, I always love an assignement, and I'm attempting to get back my long short story (or was it a short long story?) from memory since I lost the damn thing when I had to reformat (but that's another story!).
Oh Eddie, great to see you posting again, stick around we need your level head to keep us straight when our emotions overcome our good sense. I've been guilty of that so many times in the Notebook myself but there's always someone there to give me a good smack.
At any rate, here's the first 700 or so words...
Richard Atkinson loved to shoot.
Not that he was a great hunter, the opposite was true, he loved animals and would never harm the hair on any of his wild friends, but he loved to shoot.
He spent much of his off time at the local police range. The range wasn’t much, just a berm that the City Crew had pushed up with their front-end loader and a gravel walk way from the shooting line, so marked by five fence posts designating the five shooting positions, and twenty five yards away was a half inch steel cable pocked with plenty of holes the result of shots missing the targets that hung from the cable. There was a shack of sorts, he thought it looked a lot like the entry from an old trailer house long abandoned with a slab of press board, now falling apart from the lack of paint or any other maintance. There was a padlock on the door but it was left open many years ago when the police decided to allow local citizens to use the range when they weren’t using, and they only used it a couple of times a year to qualify to carry their sidearms as required by the State.
Richard opened the door and retrieved a hanging target frame. There was already a target attached but it only had six or seven holes in it. He leaned it up against the building and drew circles around the holes so he could see which holes were going to be his, then walked the twenty five yards down to the cable and hooked the frame up against the cable and hung the man silhouette target, then turned and walked back to his pickup where he retrieved his old army .45 pistol. He walked to the line and took aim at the target, but never squeezed the trigger as he heard a car approaching through the muffs that covered his ears.
He turned and watched as his old friend Sam Anderson drove the patrol car down the dirt trail that led to the range. The car stopped beside Richard’s old Dodge pickup truck, Sam got out and began walking to the ready line. Richard shoved the old beat up pistol in his belt and went to meet his old buddy, the smile on his face told Sam that Richard was glad to see him. The frown on Sam’s face told Richard that he may not like what was to come.
“Sorry pal, the police range is off limits to all but Department Personal, orders of the new Mayor.”
“Shit!”
“Hey, not my fault.”
“I know it just pisses me off when some idiot who hasn’t got the brains to pour piss out of a boot takes office and begins ruling like some mini-Hitler.”
“It’s not like that Rich, the Mayor’s right, we should have put this place off limits years ago, do you realize the position we would be in if you shot yourself in the foot, hell we’d be liable and you could sue the City for millions, and in today’s world you’d probably win!”
“Just a minute, I’ve got something to do,” Richard said as he drew the old army pistol from his belt and aimed it at his left big toe. Then began to laugh and put the old gun back in his belt.
“Sorry about this but I have orders to lock up the targets and lock the gate too, so your going to have to leave, now, I’ve got other chores that the new Mayor has put on my new list of things to do. What a pain in the ass, but I’m sure you and the rest of the guys who use the range can find someplace else to shoot, heck if you find the land I’ll even try to get the City to push up another berm as a backdrop.”
“Ok,” Richard said, as he walked over to the old pickup and tossed the pistol on the seat, after dropping the magazine and jacking out the round from the chamber, then drove the old truck back to town.
Little did Richard know that this incident would change his life forever.
Jerry 2-10-2003 14:58
MEL; I'm coming right behind you to the funny farm!
ON POLITICS AND WAR: I'm scared just like everyone else, but feel helpless. I'm praying that the right course is taken and as few lives will be lost as possible. What else can I do? Mostly, I stick my head in the sand and hope when I come back up for air all will be clear and peaceful.
Please don't fight. That's one thing that hasn't changed since I was a child. I never could stand it when people I cared about fought and yelled at each other. Don't leave either, I'll miss anyone who leaves.
PEACE to all who wish it and love in my thoughts and prayers to all.
Cheri 2-10-2003 14:44
*Mel*
Hi, everyone! A snowy, blowy Monday here in Ithaca, NY...
CAROL: The NB is a great big room (or many little adjacent rooms?), thank heavens, with many conversations going at once. I'm veering onto the veranda where I think I heard you struggling with character passion. That is the meat of fiction writing, I believe, and so vital to the success of any story. And it's the very same thing I'm wrestling - I will THINK I have a scene written the way it echoes in my head, then I re-read it and realize the characters are still flat; their true passion hasn't been captured by the words at all. I can FEEL their passion but to put it into the proper words... So, here I am, still back at the beginning... sigh.
DEBRA: I'm so glad your SWEETIE book may be considered as required reading for your state's schools!!! What a trip! :-) One of the best rewards I can imagine for any writer is to have your work not only noticed but adored enough to be useful to many lives. One life, one writer CAN make a difference in our world!!! You go, girl! :-]
TEEKAY: re: procrastination? Nah! It's ALWAYS the muse's fault! :-) Now let's head to the stationery store and buy some shiny new pens to oggle, and maybe some nice clean writing pads (do you prefer spiral, legal, journal books, or ... ???) ;-]
RANDALL: You and your wife get all better now, y'hear? We can't have any more people falling apart at the seams. The quota's been overfilled this year as it is! (((HUGS, GOOD VIBES, Chicken Soup, and prayers coming your way)))
TAYLOR: re: The villain's mind (see remarks to CAROL on character passion) - this is part two of my troubles, I think. It IS difficult to portray the nasty guy(s) when all you want to do as a writer is get to the happy ending and give that baddy what he/she's due! It did help me immensely, however, the day I mentally took my villain to lunch in a secluded restaurant and, boy, did I learn some incredible stuff about him!!! I'm still trying to mold and shape that new slab of clay he slapped on my writing desk - trouble is, I was never much good at the potter's wheel... but I'm not giving up! You hang in there too and try a few different versions - we can play "Will the real villain please stand up?" If you stumble on the best villain scene before I do, let me know! :-)
RICHARD, SUNNY, JACK, RACHEL, AMERICO, ALLEIN, EDDIE, LITTER, and all others who have officially been published at least once, HOW do you KNOW when all the writer's edits are complete and the story is ready for submission? I keep telling myself, I'll just know, but at every re-read, I find more stuff that needs a face-lift...aarrgghhhh!!!!
CHRISTI: Your 500-word assignment is just what I need. Already I hear my muse (or is it my conscience?) making excuses: I already blew my lunch-hour doing other things, I have to finish work, the bus home will be bumpy and too dark for writing, I'll get home and be so distracted by husband and children that the idea of writing anything will completely disintegrate in the hustle-bustle and noise of the household...and then it's tomorrow when the syndrome will repeat itself... aarrgghhhh!!!! 8-/
One of these days I'm gonna pop if I don't do some serious writing soon -- and I mean more than the mental stuff! (I'm so glad you're all writers and you know what I mean by mental stuff, heh heh, so I know you won't send for the guys in the little white coats yet... at least, I hope you won't... um, is anybody coming with me to the funny farm this trip or am I on my own? ergggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Mel 2-10-2003 13:54
Hey friends!
Eddie, I'm with you. Thank you for the reminder.
Teekay, Yippee! Woo hoo! So excited! Never thought of myself as a taskmaster. *sound of whip cracking* Get going, girlie. Drop and give me five hundred!
You too, Richard!
Anyone else? C'mon, it'll feel sooooooooo good. I'll check in at the end of the day. Written words, they're addictive.
Howard, That got a real, live outloud laugh! HAH!
Here's one of my favorites:
There is this gang of lifers in prison. All know each other; they've been together for years. They all know one another's stories, each man's claim to innocence, their kids' birthdays.
What they especially know is the jokes they've been telling for the past thirty years. These jokes have been told so many times that the convicts begin to shorten them to one sentence, and then to a single word. Finally they have shortened each joke to an allocated number.
Every time Moe says, "32!", the bunch melts into hysterics. When Hal yells "14!" they all laugh and pound each other's backs with tears in their eyes.
One day a new guy is admitted. He sees the group of lifers and is attracted to their obvious comeraderie. He watches them for weeks, and one day he walks up with a gleam in his eye and shouts, "25!"
There is not a sound. Every man in the cafeteria is staring dumbly at the new guy. Hal is actually shaking his head in disgust.
"What'd I do? Why didn't anybody laugh?" new guy asks.
Hal walks off with Moe and says, "Some people just don't know how to tell a joke."
Christi 2-10-2003 12:38
Haven't read all of the lively weekend conversation yet, just wanted to post something I forgot to include in my last one: !!!DEBRA!!! HOORAY FOR YOU, GOOD WORK, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'RE THE BEST, YOU GO, GIRL !!!!!! Getting to meet the governor without having to wait like everyone else, yes, why just meeting him at all is GREAT! More congratulations heaped upon you for the success of your "Sweetie" stories (books?) being introduced into the schools. Could you tell me a little more about them, I gather they are about abuse which is great, kids definitely need to be educated about that. Such naughty writers we are that we got so imbroiled in politics that we did not take the time to recognize your wonderful success, at least not right away. So I propose a toast to Debra and her wonderful accomplishment: HEAR, HEAR, CHEERS, SKAOL, WELL DONE, HOORAY FOR YOU!
Pamela 2-10-2003 12:38
Eddie,
I really liked your comment!! I totally agree with your thoughts.
I came to this forum to find fellow writers and I was amazed at the [olitical debate going on and some of the anger flying about the place.
But as I've been told, that is what a forum is for, to exchange views, make new friends and have heated debates!!
But I loved the sentiment of your message.
Richard
Richard Amazon
2-10-2003 12:18
Who was it asking us to post our email???
I knew there was a reason I stopped doing that a couple of years ago, the reminder is now all over my email box!
Since I put my emial on this page, I've had: Enlarge your Penis!! Get your Email List HERE!!! You've WON a free ticket to ten PORN sites! Collect your prize HERE! and about fifty other STUPID SPAM!!!!
This on my email address I reserve for my kids and close friends (those here included)
I stopped posting my email address when we switched to the new ISP, and have been STUPID SPAM free, or very nearly so, with only one or two sneeking aboard since then, but NO MORE, now my clean email address is SPAM CENTRAL!!!
I don't blame anyone here, as I'm aware that there are SPIDERS that harvest email address from sites like this but I surely do regret posting my new email here last week.
The bad thing about all this is that I have TWO spam email address that I use EVERYWHERE but here, guess I'll have to move this site to one of them too if I ever put my email address down again. Trouble with that is that I only clean them once every week or two so will miss emails from my friends here.
Jerry 2-10-2003 11:08
America may export actors, movies raunchy music and....porn, but we also gave birth to electricity, cars, the phone, planes you know the list.
I know someone will post yes and the a-bomb. Yes, and the a-bomb.
The man that invented it, discovered it or whatever you want to call it regretted it for the rest of his life.
We are the land of the free for pete's sake. We're going to have a few klunkers blowing up in our faces.
The point is, freedom gave birth. Without freedom no birth.
Freedom is evil's greastest enemy. That's why evil hates us.
Debra 2-10-2003 10:56
Even this inspires me!
Here is a new Jack Dooley episode.........
I remember when I was a wee nipper. The protestant school was a few streets away (Imagine Victorian terraced streets)
One day a rumour went around our school that the 'Proddy Dogs' were going to wait outside the school at 4 0'clock and beat us all up.
Partnerships and friendships were tested sorely for a few days prior to the big day!
Please don't think that I am trivialising the real trials that await you in the future. It's just the scale and the heartbreak that differs.
I feel for all of you.
For the first 35 years of my life I listened to the sceptics informing me that I lived on an American Aircraft Carrier parked off the coast of the USSR. It was called The USS Great Britain.
Go find one of your kids right now and plant a huge wet kiss on his/her cheek. When they look at you like you've gone nuts....just smile and walk away.
Ed.
Eddie French 2-10-2003 10:54
DEBRA,
The pornography issue was only an example. I mentioned it because it is often brought up by people in the Middle East.
The fact is on a gut level, many in the Islamic world connect American freedoms and American civilization with our vices. They have a distorted impression of our world brought partly about by our own media. They don't see the balance of that because the media does not promote it. If all I knew of the United States was what I saw on network television, most major fashion magazines, and what I heard through pop music, I would reject this culture also and think it a blot on humanity. Fortunately I know that these images are aberrations. Well many in the Middle East don't know that.
I am not disputing anything you have said, DEBRA. But I do not fear them overpowering us and coming over here and forcably enforcing their will on us. That will never happen.
When the United States falls, and most great societies do, it will be of our own doing. The thing that will destroy us in the end will be when we believe that we are entitled to greatness and wealth. It will be when we lose our humility and our ability to examine our actions as a nation. It will be when we lose the ability to have free political and social debate. It will be when we are so drunk with our own wealth an power on individual levels that we no longer care about the corporate good. Selfishness, greed, and personal evil are the bane of any society. These are the real enemies, and the scary thing is that you can't blast them away with rifles or bombs. They reside within the human heart. I believe only a right relationship with God can cure these evils, but when the majority of people forget God and do not seek his truth, and they look at their own selves as God, then the society they inhabit is in trouble.
Rhoda 2-10-2003 10:50
Rhoda:
One more thing. America has citizens from absolutely country on earth. We have immagrants from every country. Word of mouth is more powerful than any form of communication there is, still today.
People don't just think we are only about our actors and movies and songs. They know we are much more than that. Go to our airports and borders some day. Talk to these folks.
They all know America is the land of the free and the home of the brave and yes, and uncle or two peeing in the flower garden.
Debra 2-10-2003 10:38
Howard:
That's a knee slapper or is it an eye poker.
Debra 2-10-2003 10:21
Rhoda
I don't really care who created cruelty. I know it's been around a long time. I respect the Iraqis. I don't respect Osumma. He thought the goings on in Afghanistan were right. It seems like evil always wants the same thing. I can see all the religions and evil sitting around a round table for centuries. All the religions will want faith, hope and love and evil will wants rape and pillage.
Next century religion will want faith, hope and love, evil RAPE AND PILLAGE.
I respect other religions not evil.
Those fundamentalists are not religious people. You can't have both, rape, pillage and faith. It's an impossibility. I have heard arguments to that one. I can't hear another one. They are liars and hippocrates and I don't have once of respect for them. I watched a documentary shortly after, THE DAY. They were saying true Islam was cut out of every minute of the day during Taliban and Osmma rule in Afghanistan. They were just going through the motions five times a day. The rest of the day, RAPE AND PILLAGE.
I saw a famous Iraqi American person speak the other day. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was amazing. I knew she wasn't Catholic like me. I respected her hugely. What she said about life under Saddam made my nails curl. She wasn't lying. She wants to go back and make a life there,right now she can't. I don't think this is about oil.
I cannot say war or no war. I'm not qualified. I am qualified though to say...... rape,........ pillage...... BAD. It would make a great t-shirt. Wouldn't it?
You mean export pornography? Right? I don't know about pornography. I don't have any research on that. I have one question though. Are we forcing people in other countries to view it? I'm not crazy about porn. If we take man power and times it by problems to solve and divide it by new problems coming every day, where do we put most of our energy. I'm sure it isn't in sex as revolting as porn is. I would love to have time to stamp that out too. Imagine the other side of that argument. I mean let's face it.
Look at the problems I'm having trying to get everyone to agree we don't want our families shredded by rape, murder and kidnappings.
Can you imagine the problems I'd have then. My head would be on a stick by noon.
Palardy's trying to stamp out revolting sex, GET HER.
Rhoda I do respect you immensly.
Debra 2-10-2003 10:16
This somehow makes sense...
There is this guy that was walking by an Insane Asylum one day and
he hears people chanting "thirteen, thirteen, thirteen" and his
curiosity gets the best of him.
So he decides to look through a hole in the fence and as soon as he
puts his face up to the fence someone jabs him in the eye and as he
pulls away in pain he hears the crowd chant "fourteen, fourteen, fourteen"
howard 2-10-2003 10:12
Taylor:
I never got the feeling that you don't care about anything. In fact, since you mention the planes flying over head, I want to mention something that has stuck with me ever since THE DAY.
They halted all flights. THEY SHUT THE SKY DOWN. I still remember how quiet it was.
I had never ever noticed in my life how much brackground noise there was from planes flying over head. I live in the middle of the Northeast. So it's busy here.
The quiet wasn't a comfort at all. My girls noticed and they were only two then. The birds noticed. The squirrels noticed. My dogs noticed. I'd be sitting on the step of my deck and Max would lift his head, and I just knew he was thinking, it's quiet too quiet, and it was. I never realized there was a constant low hum ab