Struggles and Gratitude

The Tug of War - JM Staniforth

Over the last few weeks, I’ve struggled to keep moving forward in all of my ventures. A few good days followed by a bad day and then back up again I go. Sometimes, I think I’m on a yo-yo ride.

I do realize my problems are much smaller than others. In fact, they’re no more than a mere sneeze in the big scheme of things. But, sigh, they are my issues, and they need to be worked through.

It will all work out, day by day, one positive thought leading to the next one.

Caution: No one worry, these are only motivational issues and such, nothing life threatening or anything.

~~~~~

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe

Moving on to, what’s that? Thanksgiving Day! It’s right around the corner.

I hope everyone is preparing for a wonderful meal and lots of family sharing.

In celebration, I thought it would be a good time to share my gratitude list (in no particular order), all those things I’m thankful for and which keep me moving through my days, one after another.

I am thankful for:

• My creativity 
• My precious kitties – Tike and Prissy 
• My critique partners 
• My craving of searching for more: spirituality, personal growth, learning new things, taking risks 
• My day job, which keeps me warm and feed
• My home, which gives me shelter
• My man, who on occasion understands me
• Everyone I've encountered on my journey in both writing and tarot 
• Readers of my work, both short stories and novellas 
• Every breath I take, every lesson learned and every mountain in which I’ve climbed or will climb 
• My Soul, and the chance to experience life 

Tike (left), Prissy (right)

Keep writing, reading and have gratitude!

Living with Half a Brain

While exploring new story ideas, I tend to venture onto Google and research a little. My latest idea brought me to an article I found interesting. Sometimes Google leads me astray, but I feel there’s a point in such directions, so I read if it catches my attention. Can a human survive with only half a brain? The logical answer would be no. Or perhaps yes, but the person would be a vegetable. Right?

During my wanderings, I discovered a person can indeed live with half a brain or even a small sliver. Now don’t ask me to explain how. I haven’t the slightest idea.

A Chinese woman, discovered to only have the right side ofher brain, lives a normal life.

A 44 year old male, only having a tiny amount of brain matter, lives a perfectly normal life with his wife and two children.

The article goes into more details and theories on the question: if one can function without part of their brain, than how can it be different parts of the brain control different aspects, when these two people are perfectly normal without all the parts?

 
I’m sure you are wondering what this topic could possibly have to do with something I would write. Paranormal Research, of course. I was looking for the term related to someone creating physical matter with their mind. And although the article I found finally made it to this topic, it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but how interesting is it to know that you can indeed live with only part of your brain?   

Could it be that the conscious is more powerful than we are lead to believe? Do we actually create our own reality with our conscious? And if this is all valid, why could we not create physical items with our consciousness?

Would you like see more topics such as this on the blog? Articles I come across during Google sessions, what if scenarios and brainstorming session posts? I’m attempting to broaden my readership, but don’t want to lose my follows who already support me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on directions you might want to see the blog take.

Beware of Vampires!

Vampires walk along side us as we travel through life. No, I'm not talking about blood suckers. Soul Suckers - They latch on to you and drain your energy, leaving you exhausted.

I've been lucky in my writing career, so far, not to have ventured upon one of these creatures, but I have heard horror stories from others in the profession.

I do, however, have a few lurking in my life, outside of the business. Best method of dealing with these awful things is to avoid them at all cost.

How many of you are laughing at this point? Bet you have one in your closet right now.

Some signs to watch out for when identifying a vampire. Angry people - they complain about the most off the wall things you can think of. Blame-shifters - nothing is ever their fault. Self-important - nothing you could do would ever impress these people. Self-pity - Had a bad day? Bet this one can top it and will.

Words from my most endearing vampire, "Oh, so it's just online." These were the words I received after telling the vampire of my latest accomplishment, my novella "Escape to Love".

So, now, do you recognize that vampire who's made a home in your life?

Computers Crash!

Don't fall victim to every writer's worst nightmare - computer crash!

I've heard horror stories of losing all your hard work to a computer crash. Till last week, I'd never actually experienced a total crash.

Friday night, I completed my novella, Seduced by Darkness. All I had to do was edit and send to publisher.

Something told me to take that extra second to back it up to my flash drive, and I did.

The next morning, the computer was incapable of starting up. Recovery DVDs + screwed up DVD drive = dead computer. I haven't given up, but for now it sits to the side, and I'm using my back up computer. She's a slow girl, but she'll get the job done till I can figure out my next step.

Thank you to all writers who have ever shared their horror stories. You saved my life! I have most everything backed up to flash drives thanks to all the warnings.

Yes, I lost my favorites. (I'd just started using a new browser and had it on my list to do - backup favorites.) I can't think of anything else that wasn't backed up. But, as in a move, one day I'll go searching for something and discover it was lost in the crash.

There are many alternatives for backup - flash drives, DVDs, external hard drives, online storage. As a safety precaution - back up your work.

How do you back up your work? How often?

Quotes

"People want to know why I do this, why I write such gross stuff. I like to tell them I have the heart of a small boy... and I keep it in a jar on my desk."—Stephen King

Home Sweet Home

Here is a photo of my new home.

Unfortunately, a few days of no internet service turned into a few weeks.

The day after we moved, we found out there would be a delay in service due to the issue of a necessary bury drop because the line had to go across the road.

The good news is this gave me plenty of time to get everything unpacked without worrying about internet business. Of course, I haven't wrote anything during this time either, which is not good news.

But we are all settled in and I'm geared up to move forward once again.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

New Home

I'm sure you've noticed the lack of posting this week. I recently bought a new home. I'm currently in the process of moving. This may continue for a few more days, but be assured I will be back posting regularly soon.

Famous Opening Lines

What makes an opening line become famous? Is it the words chosen? The rhythm produced? It's length? It seems strange that so much is put upon that first sentence of a piece of writing, but throughout history this has been the case.

Call me Ishmael.--Moby Dick (1851), Herman Melville

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.--1984 (Nineteen Eighty-Four) (1949), George Orwell

He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.--The Old Man and the Sea (1952), Ernest Hemingway

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.--A Tale of Two Cities (1859) Charles Dickens

From short, to long, these sentences are proclaimed to be some of the most famous first lines in our history.

A table, two metal chairs, and Anthony Tyner occupied the small musty room.--The Keeper(2010) Cher Green

It seems like a good opening line. What do you think, does it compare?

How do your first lines compare? Share some of your most admired first lines in history.

E-Books

I've been thinking a lot about E-books.

The process of creating and publishing seems easy enough.

You can find these e-books everywhere, both free and for a low cost.

The whole non-fiction and tarot adventure has gotten wheels turning in my head. There are so many topics out there that could be explored with a little research. Non-fiction is an interesting field.

Have any of you considered moving toward publishing your own eBook (fiction or nonfiction)? Have you already stepped in this direction?

I do plan to look further into this. I will keep you informed of my discoveries.

Fiction or Non-Fiction

As writers, we struggle to fit our love into our life. We produce, submit, and shrug when yet another rejection arrives in our mail. "Maybe, next time," you say. We continue to create our fiction worlds and send them out for an editor's approval.

Is it worth it? Yes. If you don't believe me, ask my friend, Terry W. Ervin II, author of Flank Hawk. It may take you years to break through the publishing world, but think of the joy you'll experience when it happens.

Until then, is it wrong to dabble in the world of non-fiction? Are you selling out on your fiction dreams? Not really. While you're publishing, even non-fiction, you are putting your name out there for others to see. You could consider this a form of self-promotion, preparing the world for your fiction.

Is the non-fiction world easier to break into? I'd say yes, if you have the qualities of a good writer. There seems to be a bigger market for non-fiction pieces. I have not researched rather the quantity is higher than the market for fiction, but when it comes to fiction magazines, how many are you aware of? It just seems that the magazine industry publishes more non-fiction than it does fiction.

This is not to say to quit submitting your fiction. You can't get published unless you send it out. Also, the more you send out, the higher your chances will become. Don't gage your possibilities by how many other writers are sending work out. In this game, it's you against the opinion of an editor. The more he sees your name cross his desk, the more likely he'll give you that break if you write quality work.

One avenue of breaking into the world of writing is to publish articles with an online company. There are many out there willing to pay you for your written articles. The income is pennies per view, but think of the experience you could get from the writing and setting an actual deadline for finishing a piece.

A couple of these locations are eHow and the Examiner. These are only two out of a hundred or more. Research your possibilities and choose what best meets your abilities. Google 'writers wanted' and you will find a lot of possibilities.

Good luck in your ventures as a writer. Feel free to share opportunities you find. A writer is always looking for new outlets and opportunities.

Disappearance

I want to take a moment to apologize to my followers for not posting last week.

I jumped out of National Novel Writing Month straight into house shopping. I've found my new home and am now going through the steps of purchasing and will hopefully be moving in in January. Bear with during this time. I will try to get some new content posted as soon as possible.

Thank you for understanding.

Monsters Of The Eighties

In honor of the coming holiday, I'd like to delve into the monsters of the eighties.

It was a time of great horrors. We were introduced to monsters in our dreams, scary dolls, cars with personalities, vampires, and so much more.

My favorite was Freddy Kreugar: Nightmare on Elm Street. What could be scarier than having someone stalk you in your dreams? The only escape is to stay awake. You can only do that for so long. The producers went on to introduce sequels to the original, but none were as good as the first. Now there is a remake coming out. I wonder if it will even come close to the introduction of this wonderfully horrifying nightmare. http://www.nightmareonelmstreettrailer.com/index.php

Who was your favorite? Why?

Stories That Flow

Have you ever noticed that some stories work you to death, while others just flow from your fingertips?

I’ve been working with one story that has been through many edits. I’m still working on it. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m not working it to death. Am I telling the wrong story? Do the characters wish to remain unknown? This story has taught me a lot. I believe my writing has improved considerably from reworking it.

This thought occurred to me because of another story I wrote a month ago. It flowed from me so magically and after one edit it was ready to send out.

If only they were all that easy.

Maybe some stories are meant to be lessons, while others are precious gems waiting to be shined slightly.