Unplugged + Storm Clouds

I have a deadline and I don't know exactly when it is. My cable company has the audacity to expect payment for the wonderful service they provide. They suggest I try a period of being unplugged. Can you just imagine? If I suddenly disappear from your respective radar's for a while, you'll know why.

Naturally, being without an internet connection means there's more time to write (You guys know how I look for silver linings), but it also means there's a deadline looming to submit to the short story contest (among other pressing matters).

During my period of economic devastation, I've imagined how it must be for authors (and others) who really are starving. I was never the type to take things for granted and I've never lived beyond my means. Not really. Life just happens. Feeling the sting of poverty will make my future successes that much sweeter. One adores the sunshine more so after a long period of rain.

If this is of any help, banks holding mortgages will temporarily reduce your payment by 50% during periods of hardships. (IMPORTANT: There is a formula they use. I think your income must cover all your other expenses. In my situation, it did.) You'll need to make a balloon payment when the time's up, but it beats foreclosure.

In other exciting earth shattering news… That's about it. TTFN

Your new Commander-in-Chief

Spending the last ninety days in the slammer for overturning an ice-cream truck has allowed me plenty of time to think about my future. Whilst tossing salad, the hole before me triggered another brilliant idea – an epiphany if you will. Realizing that anyone with even modest leadership skills could run just about any corporation, and understand that any ruling committee, or government, would benefit from a creative ruler, and suspecting that a dose of insanity is required to accept such a position, I have some great news for you. I would like your collective support when I announce my candidacy for the Presidency of the United States.

Actually, I had little to blog about and I know you all missed me.

The unemployment I'm experience means more time to write. (Rejoice) When the cool folks at The Literary Lab announced their short story contest, I wanted to submit something, but longer form stories are more my thing. Condensing an idea to fewer than 2000 words is a discipline I've never had before. I started with an idea about an insane man that becomes President and does a great job, but it came in at 3500 words, and instead of the comic/horror/social commentary feel I was trying for, it wound up boring as hell. (To those experiencing the burning fires of the netherworld, I'm not implying that you're bored in any way – no offence meant.) I still wanted to try so I kept at it and came up with two awesome ideas.

Yes, the execution of the idea is what being a good writer is all about, I get that, but the idea itself (for me) is crucial. A talented writer could enthrall you describing his or her morning routine (or a description of a house), but I cannot. I need to feel passion for something to write effectively. Do you agree? I wish I could describe, say, the colorful leaves reflecting on a still lake and sustain it for 5000 words, but I'm not at that level yet. I should be able to entertain you no matter what the premise, but for now, I need the good idea to propel me.

So I managed to come up with a couple of ideas and lifelike characters which is making writing easy again. (And fun - J). The premise about the crazy Commander-in-Chief is admittedly lame. (I think it's been done before anyway. I'm sure there's a biography or two you could pick up. – ha ha) One story is done and the other is outlined. (Yes, outlined) I don't expect to win or even be seriously compared to the accomplished short-story writers that'll be submitting, but I'm having a blast doing them! I'll post them after the contest.

Oh, it's raining today in New York City. I absolutely love the rain.

The Mighty Atlantic

The first thing I noticed was that the ocean turned a beautiful shade of dark blue a few miles out. The Captain called the seas moderate. I called it exciting. My cabin was in the front of the ship (aft) so I was far from the pivot point of the middle. What that means is the six to twelve swells created a nice crest which brought the ship up, then crashed down when it hit the low point between the waves. I'm too lazy to Google what it's called. I loved it.

Entering the bay at St. Georges, Bermuda is a tight squeeze. There's only twenty feet on either side of the cruise ship. The Norwegian Majesty is considered only mid-size but the larger ships cannot navigate the entrance of the bay so I guess that made us lucky, or so the propaganda said.

A ninety minute stroll through St. Georges left me with an impression or two. First, it's hot. It was stupid of me to think August would be comfortable. Second, it's really a boring place. The waters are bright green and the topography of the area is equally gorgeous (the homes are painted white or a pastel version of whatever color you decide; someone said it was by law), but there's zip to do. Yeah, it's true, the sand on the beaches are actually a pale shade of pink like they advertise, but that was something I'm testifying to from a visit fifteen years earlier. There was no time for such excursions this week. Prices are triple what you would pay for the basic groceries. I forgot to check the gas prices. (Some reporter I turned out to be.) And the people are friendly.

The best part of the week was the cruise itself. It might sound a bit mundane, but gazing out over the horizon humbles a person. (Now there's a whole bunch of water!) I found a quiet corner in one of the lounges, hummed the theme to Titanic, and edited my manuscript - again. I made a lot of progress. …and to think I almost didn't go.

Bottom Line Time: I love cruises. We are already planning TWO for next year. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a group of us went together?

Action

I'm 46 years old. I'd like to think I'm not yet half-way through 'the big test' as I've learned to call it. If I were to list all the major decisions I've made throughout my life, 90% of them have been wrong. That statement is not meant to be dramatic, nor is it an exaggeration to make a point. It's the sad truth. A few years back I realized that no one was to blame for my poor judgment except me. My fault.

If your life is exactly where you want it to be, or you know what you want and you're on track, especially if you're young, then God bless you. There's little I can offer you here, except maybe to caution you not to base your decisions on pleasing others.

It appears we all share a dream of writing for a living. A few are succeeding and most are striving. Do what you gotta do. We're all intelligent enough to figure out what it is about us that is preventing the dream from happening. Fix it and get it done. If you choose to pretend that you're happy (if you're not), then someday you'll be posting something dark like I have today.

In spite of what I've admitted here, I'm actually a happy person making due with the cards I've been dealt. It's the occasional moments of reflection (putting it nicely) that remind me of who I am and where I'm headed. As the fog lifts, as it always has, I refocus my energy into achieving what I want. Well, I try my best anyway. The major advantage is that I am aware. I'm optimistic.

Have a good weekend. J

 

Are You Comfortable?

For the third day in a row, I have this migraine that won't stop. These headaches started about six years ago. I've been to two different doctors and they concur; there's nothing wrong, I simply have a headache. (I keep hearing the Governator in my head "It is not a toomah") If that isn't the problem, I notice my twenty-year-old chair is very uncomfortable and it makes my back hurt. Sometimes my kittens crawl up my leg by digging their nails into my leg like a mountaineer ascending a glacier. I now wear long pants.

Keep in mind that I hate complaining and complainers especially. I'm not doing that. I realize I need to be comfortable to create. I want to take advantage of my time off to write. I have the house to myself most of the day so it's peaceful; I have a pot of coffee all ready; I feed the animals so they don't bother me; and I turn off my house phone. Naturally there's an idiot outside beeping her horn because she's too damn lazy to get her fat butt out of the car to ring the bell, but I say nothing. I wait. I write a scene where a character shoots out the tires of the offending horn blower even though it has nothing to do with my book. I smile.

So obviously being comfortable is important. The air-conditioner is on. The coffee came out perfect today. I have two sleeping kittens purring away on the chair next to me, and my ancient dog is dreaming under the end table. -- I realize that my headache is gone! I rejoice. It's time to write a short story about an overturned ice-cream truck.

If You Dare

How many times can you read your own story before you get burned out on it?

Is critiquing a problem for you?

I know my characters and the incidents that shape them to the extent that I could tell you everything about them and their story from memory. The main premise and all the subplots are as fixed in its own universe and is as real to me as, well, reality. As I've posted before, I know everything they're thinking although sometimes I neglect to tell you, the reader. Obviously, fresh eyes can spot things mine can't.

I tried joining a critique group during the winter but time constraints, and frankly, being out of my league, prevented equal participation. Critiquing is also very difficult for me, and I'm aware it is something I need to grow out of if I'm ever going to get anywhere. Not wanting to hurt someone's feelings is a childish excuse for not pointing out flaws, if any, in an author's work. But more importantly, I don't know enough about the craft of writing to be of any use yet. Let's be honest. At this point, I really don't understand why I may not like something or how to express it. I should, especially if I intend to write stories. (Sincere apologies to Michelle.) I'm not selfish, I'm ignorant dammit!

So

I've created another blog where I'm posting chapters from my book for your consideration. I'm very curious what you all think of it. I understand that no one really has time to spare, but if you're in a teaching / critiquing mood, or you're just plain curious about what kind of crap I write, It can be found here - http://curiousstory.blogspot.com - I'm going to set it as a private blog soon for obvious reasons, but I'm keeping it public for a week or two so you can check it out privately without any pressure to comment. Thanks.

Please note - The other blog is now private. Drop me an e-mail for an invite. Understand that this is a process and the process continues... (how dramatic) I woke up at 3:00 am and discovered a better begining for the book. Kiss the Prologue good-bye! lol

Peace and Quiet

It's Sunday morning and the weather is beautiful. My kittens are purring away in the corner inside this little kitty condo with stapled on carpet. My ancient dog is sleeping in the corner. He's probably dreaming of days long gone. (or Fee-Fee) My wife is working on her Real Estate deals and the coffee pot is half full.

It's the perfect moment to write.

Oh yeah, I have to put a fence up in the yard that's been waiting for me for two days. <sigh>