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Blog Archives February 2008 |
February 1st, 2008--Old Clunker Okay, your applause is embarrassing me. What, don't stop! That car just keeps going. Maybe because in its fourteen years its only gone 100,000km (although, I think that may have been jiggered with). Naturally the 'check engine light' glowed red all the way to the recycle depot and back. (It's the car's way of giving me the finger.) Being the dutiful and diligent driver that I am, I ignored it. When I went out again later, it forgave me. Just as I figured it would. Just as I know it really, really wants me to paint it all funky. In case you are thinking I am an abusive car owner, I did check the manual. I figured maybe it was giving me the tall finger salute because it was feeling pissy for having a low battery. You how helpful the manual was? "See dealership." Thanks. In hell, I will. Anyway, that car just keeps trucking. That's why I love it. I do need to get the clunk in the front end checked out. It's weird though, the car places here in town seem to know less than I do when it comes to cars. How many times did I have to have them check the tires before they discovered that they were dangerously out of round? Quite a few. So, any bets on this clunking? I'm guessing boots or CV joints. Although, funny story. Less than 2,000km ago, I had them inspect the front end (and specifically the steering) not once, but twice. Oh, it is all merry. Right, because clunking is natural? Just because it is a clunker, it doesn't mean it should clunk. Oh, so cool! On the Spectrum they are doing a Sheryl Crow thingy with all her songs and stuff starting on Monday on Sirius Radio. I'm a little pumped. I can actually remember the first time I heard Sheryl Crow. I was driving Mikey (my car--that, in fact, I did paint up all crazy) along the gravel road East of home and when I heard her I was like, "I'm buying her album." My then-boyfriend (I was in high school) always referred to her as "Your Sheryl Crow". There's this one song that always reminds me of the summer where I was supervisor for honey extracting. Long story. Had to be there. Moving on.... Anyway, the poor Shadow. It needs a new windshield, but that need keeps getting sent to the back of the line, kind of like the outlying schools around here when it comes for renovations. But anyway, I discovered that when you use the big worn out shovel to shovel the snow off your car, it doesn't leave tiny little scratchy trails like I anticipated. Gouges in the already exfoliating paint. Don't tell my husband. I'm betting he won't notice until the summer when I wash the car. He hasn't noticed yet and it has been a couple months. What, read about it here? Nah, he doesn't read my blog! Oh, and I told him about the broken shelf in the kitchen. In case you were wondering. That story was basically the most exciting thing that had happened in my day. Plus, it is kind of fun to watch the little vein in his forehead grow when I tell him about things that have broken on our 2 1/2 year old house. February 2nd, 2008--Renovations So now the kitchen in my manuscript is hanging out in the front yard and there are a pile of walls all sitting in the middle of the manuscript, making not a lot of sense. Plus, there are a couple of armchairs that I have gotten myself attached to. I mean, I recovered them myself. I am attached. But they have to go. So, into the alley they go, sitting dejectedly in the dumpster called Version 528. But that's okay, because the completed project will be better. All that poorly done grout will be gone. No more loose tiles. (I hope.) Except, on a lark I sent out a query. Even though I promised myself I would ease off for a bit. And more has been requested. And the garage is in the attic. And stove is in the bathroom. And I have company coming. Oh god. February 4th, 2008--Reset <Sigh> I am not a visual person. Seriously. Ask me to describe the man of whom I have kissed everyday for the past eleven years. Okay, he doesn't count. He actually freaked me out because I could actually remember his face after I met him the first time. So, here is the dilemma. I am a writer (eeek, I said it). And I have to describe things. Which isn't a problem, really. I can do that. I just forget. To me, describing my characters physically and setting the scene isn't super-important. I mean, I have some favourite books that I have re-read over and over. Ask me to tell you what colour hair the protagonist has. Can't do it. Ask me to explain her motivations or desires. Bang. I can do that. So the whole setting the scene thing is hard for me. How important is it, really? I've read that you have to leave room for the reader to interpret the text and get themselves involved by adding their own details. Okay, fine. How many details? All of them? (I'm kidding. Mostly.) P.S. The Puke Counter is now off. We have passed the 48 hour mark without any cookies projectiled. It is surprisingly difficult to type on a keyboard while remaining completely horizontal so you don't spew on your laptop. And I'm not talking spewing forth words. February 6th, 2008--Editing Ditty One day I fell February 6th, 2008--Signs I do and on one particular manuscript, I am. I won't tell you what the signs are because, well, I guess I don't want people laughing at me. Or at least give them a reason to point while they laugh. Anyway, sometimes, I think that things pop up at certain times to show me that I am on the right track. Sometimes serendipity gives me a nudge. Sometimes something appears along when I need it. It gives me hope. I can do this. This will happen. February 7th, 2008--Hard Stuff I have learned so much in the past month. I have gotten so many tips. I have done so many exercises. And so I am slogging away at my manuscript. I'm on page 162 of a whittled down 237 (single spaced. I've managed to cut a whole 7 pages in this edit). And it's hard. This is probably the hardest edit to date. I am trying to make it absolutely the greatest, tightest, most meaningful, consistent, purposeful thing. I'm trying to maintain tone, style, and sound. I'm trying to cut excess. Every line needs a purpose. Every line its best. Every comparison true to the main character. Every beginning and end hooking the reader. Every paragraph driving the work forward. Every character true to themselves and their way of speaking. I'm setting the scene. I'm making it come alive to the senses. (Ah crap, I forgot about smell.) I'm being elusive. I'm leaving room for the reader to make the text their own. I'm exhausted. I think I'll go be a singer. It looks easier. Well, except for the whole singing in tone and pitch and all that. Oh and I can't read music. But that shouldn't be a problem. I know how to dye my hair and swear. I can snarl too. Look out ACDC, here I come. February 9th, 2008--How is it Possible? I may have to brave the elements and go rent a movie. But you know what that means. It means that I will then have to stop and buy some pie or something to go with the movie. And seeing as we have no supper ideas... I'm editing and playing with our child while hubby writes a 10 page paper. Ha! 10 pages. Double spaced. That's what? Only 2500 words or something? I've edited how many thousands of words today so far? Ah well, I've always been a babbler. It's not his fault I'm working on HUNDREDS of pages. Single spaced. In some ways, it would be nice to switch. It's so gratifying to actually be able to start and finish a writing project all in one day. I suppose that is why I am blogging these days. It's like, yep, I wrote that today. I conceived it, wrote it, proofed it, posted it and it was DONE! February 10th, 2008--Most Days We did rent movies last night. '10 Items or Less' was quirky. I liked it although it took me a moment to catch up with what was going on. It may have been the homemade pizza I was stuffing into my face along with the cookies and other garbage that was distracting me. Or the fact that some little person likes to talk during movies and is able to make an impressive amount of noise even when she isn't talking. 'The Jane Austen Book Club' was awesome. My hubby said it was sweet and that if he was a girl, he would have really liked it but that he would watch it again. That man is a fabulous guy. When I get down on myself because the wheels of life are grinding on me because I don't fit in a lane, he cheers me up and somehow gives me a new, quirky perspective. Like maybe they are grinding on me, because I am making my own lane. How do you think new lanes are made? That almost makes me sound like I'm doing something groundbreaking. I'm not. I'm just not fitting in any molds. As usual. For instance, I've been asked to speak at a tech conference, but I'm not a 'techie'. I used to teach skiing, but I'm not a 'jock'. I hit the Dean's list at university often enough to graduate with distinction, but I'm not a 'brain'. I'm just me. And most days, that's enough. Okay, funny and almost related, the song on the radio right now is by Konic and is called, "My life is sh*t but I am funky." Har, har. February 10th, 2008--The First Five Pages: Tone But, I'm back on the exercise bus. (The writing kind, not the body kind.) Don't even make me think of the circuit class I missed yesterday nor all the Words of the Day backed up in my inbox or the list of words I've written down that I haven't looked up. There are an impressive amount of words out there that I cannot define. Tone is interesting as it differs from sound and style, but they all work together to give the read a general, overall feeling. Tone is incredibly important, if you ask me. Tone is what can turn you on or off a book. Anyway, I tried re-writing my first page in different tones. Happy, angry, sad, and nostalgic (a bit tricky in a dialogue-heavy page written in first person, present tense). It was interesting because as my character went through different emotions as she tried to figure out what was going on in the scene, I found that I either had to change a lot or very little to make it change to the tone I was applying like a coat of paint. It's amazing how changing one word can change the tone. It is so subtle and easy to affect. It makes me want to write a checklist to refer to before I write a scene. What is the tone? What is character feeling? Who is the character? What are they trying to accomplish? Where are they? How does it feel? Smell? What is the purpose? Where is this scene taking the character? The book? Except of course, my checklist would be a mile long and I would never actually get the word on the page. Then I tried writing in the omniscient point of view. Ugh. It would be so hard to not let everything out of the bag. I wanted to explain EVERYthing, just because I could. Silly, I know. It makes me think that, yes, I think I did pick the best point of view for this particular piece as well as my style. So there you have it. It. Gets. On. My. Nerves. Wanna hear my version? It goes like this: It's time to put the cross away, cross away, cross away. Who is guilting? February 11th, 2008--10 Items or Less Keep (in no necessary order): 1) The wonderful fluffy foot of snow that is blanketing the great outdoors--how I wish I was skiing in this stuff. Face shots! Wonderful, wonderful powder. Not Keep (in no particular order): 1) Worries February 11th, 2008--I Take it Back February 11th, 2008--Bawling Back up! Back up! Back up! I'd rather my car die right now. I take that back, I don't want that either. Come on little Compaq, don't go gently into that good night! February 11th, 2008--A Memorial Service: Mondays in February Have Always Sucked Compaq was a beloved member of the Oram computer family. Compaq leaves behind his spouse, Toshiba laptop, several years his senior, and two young children HP desktop and HP laptop. Compaq, although having fan and heat sync issues early in life, was able to overcome his health hardships due to the success of a warranty transplant program. Compaq went on to have several manuscripts typed on his keyboard, many webpages created, thousands of emails exchanged and many wonderful images enjoyed on his glossy high resolution screen. Compaq, although a heavy guy weighing in at 8.8lbs, was until today, a computer that just wouldn't quit. There was nothing that he could not do. As a desktop replacement, he had a large, glossy screen that was a pleasure to look at. He had a great memory and could really ram things. He was quick to start up and just as quick to shut down. He loved to surf as well as to travel. Sadly, this morning Compaq experienced mild screen problems that progressed quickly. Although files were immediately backed up at the first sign of problems, a full recovery was not possible and Compaq was soon reduced to nothing more than a large paperweight. Support was called online, but according to Stuart B, "You have contacted the US Help Line, please contact the Canada Help Line and purchase a new Video Card." Due to the inability to locate a video card through transplant services, Compaq is unable speak or see and therefore attempts at resuscitation were abandoned despite the attendance of the family's techie. He was stuttering in his start up screen and surrounded by family at time of his passing. He did not suffer as death was quick. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Best Buy in the family's name. Compaq is an organ donor and will have parts auctioned off online. February 12th, 2008--Coincidental? After doing some online banking and preparing to enter a writing contest, my laptop had a fatal seizure. Was is coincidental, or did I simply let the lightning out of my eyes again? February 12th, 2008--How To End It Obviously, this is a less than ideal way to end a hundred-thousand word story. So, I was reading and came across the answer. I want the full circle effect, that is what I have been 'circling' around in my mind. Therefore, I need the reappearance of a word or phrase. So, I did it and it is much better now. It feels done, finished, and there is a certain satisfaction in that as both a reader and a writer. The End. February 12th, 2008--How Can This be? What I don't have is the desire to edit. I have a two hour window where I can just get to it and what am I doing? I am blogging. Why? Is it because I don't have the comfy couch where I am balancing my laptop and a cup of tea while being flanked by two cats? Is it because I am facing a wall? Is it because this chair is hard as cow sh*t left out in the sun to bake and flake?
Hmm...maybe if I make the font really big and the wireless keyboard and mouse reaches far enough, I can sit on the hide-a-bed and edit. Then it will almost be like old times. Or maybe I'll just blare some punk on my surround sound. (Is it sad that my monitor has better resolution than my television and that I have surround sound on my computer?) I never said I wasn't a geek. For Heaven's sake, I was emailing before it was even a Windows based application. There is no hope for me... Maybe there is hope...I just tried to resize the pictures I took of my used to be office--the couch--and my now office and because I am in Vista and everything is different including my photo program, I gave up. Really easily. I'd rather edit than learn yet another new photo program and how to resize pictures YET again. Why the hell does this family always have to buy the latest and greatest tech crap anyway? Why can't all our computers just be the same already? <Sigh.> February 13th, 2008--Full Circle And so, I have discovered on this round of my never-ending edits that my paragraphs need help. When it comes to nonfiction writing, I've got it down pat. Start with your statement, premise or fact, back it up and move on. (Basically.) Well in fiction, I just popped the old ‘enter’ key whenever. Reckless abandon comes to mind as I look over my work. Okay, not that bad. But when the paragraphs would get long, sometimes I’d break it up before my thought was over. So now I am going through with the focus on going full circle. I start a chapter with an idea and end a chapter echoing it (hopefully) or resolving it. But of course, with the all important hook to keep people reading on. I am also extending that idea to each chapter section, and each paragraph. And my paragraphs are getting a bit better, I think. Plus, I am making sure that I am carrying my themes throughout my work. I got some advice from someone that isn’t fully sitting well. Yes, you have to carry the character through the story along with their quirks and characteristics, but I feel that there is a point where you have to let off for fear of insulting the reader. They don’t need to be constantly reminded on how the character frowns at everything or whatever their quirk is. That aside, it is fun trying to carry thoughts and ideas throughout the work. It is amazing where things pop up. No wonder it takes some writers so long to pump out their books. I finally understand. There are so many layers that it is impossible to add them all in on one or two sit downs. This is the paragraph where I should be echoing the first paragraph, resolving it or coming full circle. But I’m not going to because this is a blog and I need to get back to applying the latest Lukeman tip to my never-ending round of edits before the glorious snow distracts me. February 14th--Word of The Day Happy Hallmark Occasion, everyone. You would think for someone who writes romantic comedies I would be a little more...romantic. But I'm not. I am listening to the everso romantic and amative melodies of Alice Cooper at the moment. That gets a girl in the mood. (Suppressed mirth.) If you want to read a truly great love poem, or simply the best poem ever, try doing a search for 'The Cinnamon Peeler's Wife' by Michael Ondaatje. If I could write like that, wow. Happy day, everyone. February 14th, 2008--Let's See I have been blogging on the wonderful website, Agentquery.com as well, so I will bring some of those entries over in a bit. First, let's see if I can find the right green for my 'title' and get this puppy posted. Okay, I give up on the font colour thing. It keeps changing other crap on me. I swear I am only highlighting the one title and changing the green with one little click. And what is it doing? It is changing various titles around the page to 'black'. Like what the hell? Whatever. I'm going to try posting. I'll deal with colour issues later. Because this is some strange computer glitch that is so typical of me and computers. For instance, somehow yesterday on agentquery, I had turned on the weird little foreign language accents on my vowels. Things like this usually happen to me when I am on desktops. Even my hubby can't figure it out. Now I recall why I loved laptops. They don't seem to get messed up for me in the same way. For instance, we had a computer that I (guaranteed) would seize up 9 out of the 10 times I used it. How many times did I seize up my last two laptops? Well, I probably have enough fingers to count them on. Hmm...now where is the 'publish' button on this thing? Okay, 'put', that sounds right. Hmmm...error? I don't like the sound of that. FTP this, FTP that... Firewall. Crap. I don't have any of the firewall info. Site Definition dialog box? Where the heck is that? That's it. I'm getting out the manual! Okay, this is starting to piss me off now. The manual and the program are at odds with each other. Grrr... Which means I can't get into the dialogue box and change a setting so I can post. Alright, now I've gotten into the dialogue box, but because this isn't strictly a new site...it won't let me change what I need to change in the FTP thingy. Which means I have to call in the reinforcements or at least do more research, because I am pretty sure I know what the problem is, I just can't get in to change it. So if this ever eventually posts...you know I have been sucessful one way or another. (Probably another.) To see the rest of February 2008, please see Blog Archives in WordPress. Thanks for reading! |
