Okay, I know this is silly, but I am dangling on the horns of a dilemma:
Which do I read next? Both are nice, big, fat, juicy books I'm looking forward to reading in equal measure --
Dragonfly in Amber (book 2 of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series - I just finished a re-read of Outlander a couple weeks ago)
-or-
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (which I got for my birthday last month and have also been dying to read)
HELLLLPPPP! {g}
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Friday, January 05, 2007
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Trucking Along
Well, I broke my pattern for this novel and got about a thousand words written of a late-in-story section. And I was *so* going to do this in A-B-C order this time. Oh well, as they say, whatever works.
I was surprised to find out some things about a couple of characters today. One I thought was good is bad. And I finally got a picture of the personal nemesis of my heroine -- the whole dude, actually, as there was only sort of "the Dark Side" up to this point, with nobody but nameless henchmen. I think the bad-guys discussion on the forum birthed this one for me. [g] I also learned who is at the top of the food chain on the baddies' side.
All in all, a pretty productive day (night...morning...whatever, yeah, it's 4:26 in the morning; what an idiot I am!)
G'nite!
****
TRACKING...
Accomplished one end scene, whole. :)
I was surprised to find out some things about a couple of characters today. One I thought was good is bad. And I finally got a picture of the personal nemesis of my heroine -- the whole dude, actually, as there was only sort of "the Dark Side" up to this point, with nobody but nameless henchmen. I think the bad-guys discussion on the forum birthed this one for me. [g] I also learned who is at the top of the food chain on the baddies' side.
All in all, a pretty productive day (night...morning...whatever, yeah, it's 4:26 in the morning; what an idiot I am!)
G'nite!
****
TRACKING...
Accomplished one end scene, whole. :)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Random Thoughts About Writing
My last thought before I sat down at the computer - fresh coffee in hand (no, in cup, actually) - arrived in sort of a bubble of giddiness: “Do you know how much I LOVE writing?” (Don't ask me whom I was thinking it to. [g])
It's one of a few select creative activities that I can totally immerse myself in: writing and painting (quasi-artistic, not house) foremost among them. I guess it's about making something from nothing. I bet God enjoys His work, likewise.
I can write and fiddle with my writing for hours on end, days on end, even, barely coming up for air or sustenance or human contact, though my family doesn't let me get away with it for long.
On one hand, this is a wondrous, transported state of being. I create; I am my creations – in the sense of experiencing all that they do, vicariously – and I love the work involved in trying to perfect the creation.
On the other hand, it works really well as a way to escape tending to the laundry, dishes, paperwork and other such less pleasant responsibilities demanded of someone running a household, which can create discontent within the family/community.
Why does there always have to be a price? Polarity? Consequences? Struggle?
Questions for the Ages, I suppose. But I'll continue to take it as it comes and deal with creating balance as I need to.
Because, seriously, do you know how much I LOVE writing? [S]
*****************
Tracking...
A little more fiddling with the current scene, prep for posting in exercises.
It's one of a few select creative activities that I can totally immerse myself in: writing and painting (quasi-artistic, not house) foremost among them. I guess it's about making something from nothing. I bet God enjoys His work, likewise.
I can write and fiddle with my writing for hours on end, days on end, even, barely coming up for air or sustenance or human contact, though my family doesn't let me get away with it for long.
On one hand, this is a wondrous, transported state of being. I create; I am my creations – in the sense of experiencing all that they do, vicariously – and I love the work involved in trying to perfect the creation.
On the other hand, it works really well as a way to escape tending to the laundry, dishes, paperwork and other such less pleasant responsibilities demanded of someone running a household, which can create discontent within the family/community.
Why does there always have to be a price? Polarity? Consequences? Struggle?
Questions for the Ages, I suppose. But I'll continue to take it as it comes and deal with creating balance as I need to.
Because, seriously, do you know how much I LOVE writing? [S]
*****************
Tracking...
A little more fiddling with the current scene, prep for posting in exercises.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Inspiration In The Arena
I don't want to say much about my wonderful family here (especially without their permission), but I can't share this entry without mentioning my only brother. He's a world-champion pool player and a craftsman of fabulous, gorgeous, custom cues. The road to success in his chosen endeavors has been fraught with ups and downs all along the way, just like it is for writers and, frankly, anyone with a dream and a goal.
He once shared with me something that kept him encouraged when things were not going so well. It's one of the most inspiring pieces I've ever read and in case you've never seen it, I wanted to share. In case you have, read it again. It's worth it.
The words are an excerpt from one of Theodore Roosevelt's speeches CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC (the entirety of which is also worth reading). This segment is commonly known as 'The Man in the Arena'.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC,
'Man In The Arena'
April 23, 1910
He once shared with me something that kept him encouraged when things were not going so well. It's one of the most inspiring pieces I've ever read and in case you've never seen it, I wanted to share. In case you have, read it again. It's worth it.
The words are an excerpt from one of Theodore Roosevelt's speeches CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC (the entirety of which is also worth reading). This segment is commonly known as 'The Man in the Arena'.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC,
'Man In The Arena'
April 23, 1910
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