Where the Bodies are Buried

My dreams keep getting weirder and weirder. The other night, what my dreaming self thought to be a church with attached graveyard ended up being a private home. That wasn’t scary. The live inhabitants’ ominous activities threatening me inside the house turned things nightmarish.

Sad to say, that’s been my imagination’s sole outlet. My writing challenge project, supposed to be a lighthearted romantic comedy, morphed into an unrelated satirical story before petering out on the ninth. Oh, well. I’m not upset since I considered skipping National Novel Writhing Month altogether, both this November and in 2019 (!) for various reasons. I do need to let my fellow writers know I’m still alive.

~grin~

And that nightmare brought to mind a question. You see, here in Ohio one can often find tiny cemeteries on private land, especially on multi-generational family farms. The picture below is from Island Farm on Roanoke Island North Carolina. I think the epitaph is wonderful.

Fannie B. Dough
Born July 14, 1826
Died Aug. 2, 1894
Age 68 yrs.
As a wife, devoted;
As a mother, affectionate;
As a friend, ever kind and true.

Would an attached burial ground sway you from buying an otherwise ideal home or would you simply honor and care for these harmless neighbors’ plots? What about where you live now? Have seen any private ancestral cemeteries?

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The Other Side of the Tracks, Wisdom of the Ages, & a Change of Heart

Taking a walk today, I chose a different route and parked near a downtown railroad crossing. Heading south on the bike path confirmed that old lamentable stereotype ‘the other side of the tracks’. Each rundown residence rather depressing, I noticed the nearby senior center’s HVAC units surrounded by a heavily chained and padlocked fence topped with razor wire (!), no doubt to thwart scrap metal thievery. I’ll stick with the familiar northern path in future.

If I do return, it will be to help the wary cats teaming near one pitiful intersection. That area needs someone like dear Strayer intervening.

Our pampered Jezebel won life's lottery.
And she's blissfully clueless

In a striking moment of foolishness earlier, I struggled to open a powdered drink mix before realizing I still held a fork. The tines were pointed toward my eye. I had to chuckle and wonder if my wisdom stems from growing cynicism and a dark sense of humor rather than aging.

Either way, I’m happy to say both my eyes and eyeglass lenses remain intact.

Meanwhile October is coming to a close and, as Pam of The Whimsical Way kindly noted, for many years I’ve engaged in a month long writing challenge each November. The current state of our world decided me to skip this year. Then it dawned on me, a focus on writing prose is just what I need. I even started a new short story three times before stalling. Now these new characters will have a chance to tell their tale, which has a title but no actual plot.

Do you have any special November plans? Are you, unlike me, the type to organize before undertaking a new project?

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Crazy Time

I have been busy falling behind writing toward my National Novel Writing Month project, and thus have been a bit absent here. I’m experimenting with this Comic Sans font that some writers swear boosts their output. Not sure it’s working because I’m almost two full days’ word count behind, but real life issues have been dragging me down this November.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share something that a local friend posted on our NaNoWriMo FB page. Truer words could not be spoken (though I thought the last word was ‘bat’, which I find even funnier… Heh…).

Doesn’t the best comedy have a ring of truth? And what do you think of this font for blogging? Be well! 

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A Novel Idea & One Horrific Article

This April, for a writing challenge I have continued my work-in-progress (WIP) revamped during National Novel Writing Month last November. It’s been a joy spinning the romantic yarn and exploring the plague upon poor young Arick. He and Lita, I’ve decided, are going to make a formidable team against supernatural forces of evil. For a change, my tale is spooling toward novel length.

Today I realized how and why a man from each generation of Arick’s family suffered his burden, saving innocents from accidents and murder. Their bloodline can be traced back to the evil and cruel Delphine LaLaurie from New Orleans in the early 1800s. The society woman’s heinous crimes were familiar to me thanks to “American Horror Story: Coven” several years ago. In my tale, her monstrous spirit lives on even as her descendents pay for her crimes following a Voodoo curse.

Reading some details on the Mental Floss website proved more hair-raising than fiction. Seven other atrocious tales round out the article. In case you share my morbid fascination, you can find it here.

Do you like horror movies/shows?

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A Change of Perspective, Getting My Freaq On, & Solution to a Tree/Knee Problem

Now that November has ended, and along with it the National Novel Writing Month challenge, I have over fifty thousand words of new beginnings on a story. Well, there is more to it than that, and some good scenes, but nowhere near an ending.

That’s okay.

I’m having fun changing the point of view from first person to third. I decided better storytelling would result from more than just Lita’s viewpoint and had fun writing some experiences of her young love interest, introducing his friends and family. I’ll be getting back to that tale soon, later today or tomorrow morning.

Now, about my early Christmas present, my portable Soundfreaq bluetooth speaker is tremendous. I’m listening to the “Hardware” movie soundtrack on it as I type, charging the battery at the same time since my playtime over the last three plus days finally drained the initial charge. My husband is amused and happy, stating that this will keep me entertained for a good long while.

About my right knee, we took a poorly planned trip to Florida before my mother passed away. I didn’t consider the fact my chosen dates butted up close to Independence Day and how many more cars that would put on the road. Slamming the brakes over and over in my stints through bumper to bumper traffic, I damaged the cartilage.

Somehow, my husband got clear sailing every time he took the wheel. ~grumble~ I’m blessed the joint isn’t more painful, but our steep cellar stairs are not doing it any good.

That’s where my Christmas tree comes in. The artificial beauty reaches my seven foot tall ceiling and, with ornaments, takes up four giant totes which are (of course) stored in our basement. I can’t ask for help as my husband couldn’t care less about my holiday decorating. And, anyway, he doesn’t help with Halloween despite my repeated requests and his love of that décor. But for the first time since 2015, I feel like having my tree up.

~sigh~

So, it took some thought, but I came up with a better solution involving our nice new back deck. Unlike the indoor stairs, that new deck staircase is wide and well measured, not steep and narrow. Yesterday proved to have perfect weather, ideal timing since that’s when the idea occurred to me.

Now I just need to get going on the decorating. ~grin~ On another bright note, I found my giant stuffed ‘Santa’ Christmas bear a whole lot easier to lift after the past few years of resistance training.

Yes, those are skull lights above these festive creatures...
Talk of removing them earned me adorable pouts.

Have you been watching SpaceX satellite launches (The Geek Embracing portion of this post; minutes ago we enjoyed another live webcast)?

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The Plot Thickens, a Christmas Memory, and How Not to Hoe

I used to wake with story ideas first thing most mornings. While writing is a tremendous joy, I hadn’t realized how much I missed that wakeful muse until its return two nights in a row.

Friday’s was at 2:30 in the morning, all but sitting me up in bed and popping open my eyes. But I won’t complain. It’s more a joy, even, because I later remembered the idea that woke me while having been too groggy to make note in the darkness.

This morning I plan to start my NaNoWriMo project’s opening over again following a new and, I think, more interesting scene which should meld fine into what follows. I’m excited.

But first, let me tell you I wrote Saturday’s NaNo quota in near record time. As a result, I decided to meet with other participants upstairs at the Gem City Catfé. It’s a neat place new to me. I hope to bring my husband and pay to play with their shelter kitties (bringing one or two home as a result would be nice).

In the ninety minutes or so spent there I got to visit with a close friend and still accumulated five hundred new words. The owners have gone so far as to put a sign in their window welcoming NaNoWriMo writers.

That was a nice touch.

Not so nice was the excitement encountered before my second to last freeway exit. I was about to leave I-75 and head east on Route 35 when the pickup truck two vehicles ahead of me lost something long and thin.

Did you guess it was a garden hoe?

They must have been landscapers. I hope the perpetrator saw it happen and secures all tools better in future. It’s hard to say (and here’s my holiday memory). My older brother once lost a Christmas tree off the bed of his truck and didn’t notice. He pulled over upon realizing Mom and I were no longer following him down that country road.

Then it occurred to him he shouldn’t have been able to see out the truck’s back window. Heh… Good times.

Anyway, that hoe tumbled end over end through the air. The car ahead of me almost drove off the freeway. I’d like to congratulate him or her for quick reflexes and skillful handling. Thank heaven that stretch has a wide shoulder and nobody was tailgating for a change. My swerve was much less dramatic, the hoe having come to a rest just left of center in my lane.

I can only hope nobody got injured. No northbound traffic backup on my way home indicated a major accident, at least.

Have you ever drank matcha?

PS The Catfé was out of chai (!) and so I tried this green tea powder suspended in milk. I cannot recommend the beverage, whose aftertaste I found cloying, like muddy grass. Ugh…

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Opening Scene – Setting the Tone for ‘Awakening Arick’

In an unprecedented decision, I’m opting to share the beginning of my story written yesterday. The following is around 570 words, so don’t feel obligated to read the entirety. It does include mild profanity (the… uh… opposite of heaven mentioned twice in the first sentence). Hope you’re having a good Friday!

Snippet:

“Lita, where the hell have you been? Why the hell are you limping?”

“Nice language, Ben. Here’s your beer,” I said, plunking the six pack on his kitchen table. “I think I sprained my ankle.”

“You’re such a klutz.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” I waved a backhand over my pained leg. “But this wouldn’t have happened if you had come to my house like I wanted. The fridge is stocked with all the beer you can drink.”

“I’ve told you before, Lee. I’m more comfortable in my own place.”

He still didn’t honor my request for even so simple a thing as not using that stupid nickname. I shook my head and closed my eyes. This rundown apartment in a smelly tenement was all he could afford. The clutter could be helped but he junked his place up the second I finished tidying. He cracked open his third or fourth can of Bock.

“Besides,” he continued, “nobody told you to walk to the store.”

“It’s around the block, Ben. For crying out loud. And I wanted to clear my head.”

The man had the nerve to snort. I could almost hear his standard joke about there being nothing in my head to start. Purse in hand, I pulled out my car keys. He blinked at my hobble toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Where I’m more comfortable.”

“Where’s that? Your fancy house in the country?”

“Anyplace you aren’t, Ben. I’m done.”

At least he had the grace to gawk. I shut the door on his fat grimace.

Not for the first time, I found myself grateful for never having given him a key. Of course I had his inferiority complex to thank in part.

“Funny,” I muttered to the worn stair treads, “he never minds me earning more money when it comes time to pay the liquor bill.”

Ascending to the ground floor hallway, I looked up in surprise. An aged woman stood with a little dog at her feet, clapping her hands. The light smacks wouldn’t carry far. Her bright smile would show on satellite.

“It’s about time you left that no good bum. You ever notice that he only drinks the cheap stuff when you’re not around?”

I blinked at her. She had a point.

“You deserve someone who doesn’t take you for granted.”

“Thank you. I agree.”

“Good luck, my dear. I hope to see you around sometime. Now go find a good man. Or woman. Maybe a parakeet. Anything would be better than Ben Transon.”

In my mind I pictured the attractive fellow who caused my misstep leaving the market. He didn’t so much as glance in my clumsy self’s direction but I saw the way he looked at a woman who might have been his grandmother. He held her bagged groceries while she got situated on her powered wheelchair, then he secured them in the attached basket and made sure she crossed the street safe before going on his way.

Ben couldn’t be bothered to carry his own booze. On that note, what was I going to do with all that beer I’d bought in an attempt to lure him over? Over every season, Bock came out with some limited edition brew. A summer shandy took up refrigerator shelf space next to this autumn’s pumpkin spice.

Reaching my car, a solution occurred to me. Of course! My friend Nan invited me to her neighborhood block party.

Those were always BYOB affairs.

~

I’m always curious as to whether the occasional use of italics, especially in dialog, is distracting or useful. I guess you can tell which way my opinion leans.

What do you think?

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November Again

Hope You Had a Happy Halloween!

Hard to believe the year is coming to a close. Time moves so fast since I left the workforce. I’m blessed to have so much time to write for my enjoyment.

On that note, November means it’s time for National Novel Writing Month. I believe this is my eighth year of participation. The goal is to write fifty thousand words before December rolls around.

To be honest, I almost didn’t sign up this year. I wanted to work on unfinished tales from my series. There are so many project ideas resulting from prior writing challenges (I also wrote fifty thousand words for ‘Camp NaNo’ in both April and July).

A friend changed my mind. It will be his first attempt, and he told me he looked forward to my encouragement.

~gulp~

How could I back down after that? So, I am setting aside my beloved series and plan to rewrite something else started many years ago. Back then inspiration came from another writer’s original characters shared, of all places, on a fanfiction website (now defunct). I wanted to finish his or her story, in fact.

But this talented person (whose interesting pen name was DonkeyJaws19) was nowhere to be found to ask permission.

Thus, a very different original tale came into being. Today I’m going to start fresh on ‘Awakening Arick’, a tale of magic and love, adversity and discovery. Arick is a very special young man with no clue as to his potential.

First, I need to clean my two fresh water aquariums. It should have been done a week ago. If I start writing now there is a good chance the chore will be postponed yet another day.

I can’t have that. Guilt is weighing my mind as it is. But once I get moving the whole process only takes about an hour.

Wish me luck on the challenge. Should be fun.

Do you keep fish tanks?

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Happy July First!

Today I started yet another writing challenge such as back in April. Unlike November’s National Novel Writing Month, these so-called ‘camps’ encourage participants to set a goal that can be very different from fifty thousand words. I no doubt mentioned that this past spring. And once again, I decided to stick with 50k.

To hit that goal by the thirtieth of the month, that means writing 1,667 words every day. As a local friend noted, I tend to reach that like proverbial clockwork. Today’s beginning was no exception.

But I just realized today that July has 31 days (I’m not very observant ~grin~ or reliant upon the calendar). Rather than readjust my well ingrained thinking, I’ve decided to stick with the usual desired daily count. That way, a win is in the bag!

Final Photo of the Lost Cat We Rescued - Miss You, Styx (aka Dillon)

Are you doing anything that has you excited this month?

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Characterization – Or How to Beat Lazy Afternoon Fatigue

The other morning I fulfilled a promise to go grocery shopping with my partner. I even made myself slow down instead of racing through the aisles. That was tough, though it helped listening through headphones to Black Veil Brides.

(stupid food, don’t you know I don’t have time for you during NaNo?)

Andy Beirsack of BVB

At least we left with lots of meals planned. That’s good. But then I drove us home where it took more precious time hauling and stowing all our finds. By one o’clock in the afternoon I had not written a single word toward my National Novel Writing Month project.

That decided me to go back out to a favorite writing location. There’s another market (pricier than where we shopped) with a public use area up on a mezzanine. I have a great time sitting up there above the produce department, spying on shoppers when my eyes and mind need to wander a moment.

It was really fun the day before Thanksgiving. The holiday brought out shoppers I don’t normally see, like the young couple who could not keep their hands off one another. ~leer~ For a moment I thought she might shove him against the strawberry display for a thorough grope.

(but that’s just my vivid imagination, which brings me to the real point)

On the way to the market I felt a creeping fatigue, probably due to the big fat deli sandwich I crammed down my throat while putting away groceries. Oh, and don’t try the blood orange flavored yogurt. Nothing like the fruit, this stuff was a sickly sweet glob of goo.

Anyway, driving through one neighborhood not far from our own I felt half tempted to turn around. However, I was not dangerous behind the wheel and figured writing would wake me up. How delightfully true that turned out to be!

I ended up creating a new character, secondary but with close ties to a main protagonist. As my word count reached the daily goal toward the coveted 50,000 due on November 30^th I had lined up my next day’s story arc.

Meet Kyros 'Andy' Andropoulos, Renounced Greek Heir
Thanks to Mr. Christian for Posting his Image

On that note, I’d better get going on that. The hour surpasses my magical 11am starting period. And those words don't write themselves.

What have you been up to today?

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Adventures in Writing – Experimenting with Music

Many of my fellow writers rely on music to set the tone. I am no different, except perhaps in musical taste. Instead of  atmospheric instrumentals such as most of my friends choose, I prefer hard driving rock tunes whose words are engrained on my brain. Mouthing the provocative lyrics by the band Korn is not distracting. In fact, I find my fingers fly across the keyboard.

Yesterday a tease from my partner about my obsession over Palaye Royale (“You’ve abandoned all your pretty Japanese bands.”) made me decide to experiment. For a change of pace I pulled up the visual kei concept album ‘merveilles’ by Malice Mizer.

As it turns out, the sometimes sweeping violins and oft sentimental tone of Gackt’s sweet baritone actually drove a main protagonist out of the room. To be fair, Nickolas was too ticked off at Alexandra for reasonable conversation, anyway.

Late, Great Malice Mizer Drummer Kami
He Also Inspires My Vision of Nickolas

And I decided what to do if the direction stalls out my National Novel Writing Month word count. I can always have Nicky and Alex ‘make up’ after Johnny leaves the room. ~wink~ We shall see. As I type this I’m in my key writing time and need to get back to NaNoWriMo.

What should I experiment with today? Any suggestions?

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Back Up, Back Up!

No, my title is not asking you to move out of the way of the television set or something. ~grin~ This is more about learning a lesson from others’ mistakes.

As you may have read in my (many) previous mentions, November is National Novel Writing Month. Authors around the globe challenge themselves (and one another) to write fifty thousand words in a period of thirty days. For those interested in the math, that’s an average of 1,667 each day.

Some find it easy. Some of us struggle. Still others have a technical glitch and lose partial or even entire documents. I’ve been there. It’s not fun.

No Fair!

After commiserating with not one but two lovely authors who lost chunks of writing within the last few days, I realized my own recent failure to back up my work. So, the other night, I transferred everything written in Scrivener software into a Microsoft Word document. Then I emailed it to myself for good measure.

Have you created a backup of all your documents and digital photos recently?

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States!

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Oops

During National Novel Writing Month I like to update my word count on the official website throughout daily writing time. Yesterday I entered the wrong number and didn’t notice until later, when I found this:

Do you think I could write fifty thousand words between November 18 and the thirtieth?

Hmmmmm...

I don’t think so. But believe me, some folks I’ve met could.

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Introducing My Favorite OC

Nearing the mid point of National Novel Writing Month is always a bit of a big deal to us participating novelists. As I type I’m planning to attend a gathering at the lavish new city library (actually a day early on Tuesday, November 14^th). I look forward to seeing what all the hype is about!

In the meantime, our great municipal liaisons are making the effort to keep us all motivated. And in honor of the midway party, one of these kind ladies asked for a brief introduction to our favorite original character. So, I decided to share here, as well.

Nickolas Sean Angelus Gravan is half Greek, half Irish, and one thousand percent rockstar aspiring werewolf. He sings me to sleep with the voice of Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode and haunts my dreams.

Nick Gravan, Rocker Extraordinaire
Lead Guitarist & Backing Vocalist of BloodMoon

Would you like to meet him?

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Killing Time

My partner has a tendency to say, “I was just killing time” when I apologize for interrupting something being read or watched. My response is to mutter, “Murderer.”

In all seriousness, that statement does tend to bother me. Another careless remark I hear is “time is free.” No, I argue, it’s the most precious commodity we have.

On that note, it’s time I get writing. It's National Novel Writing Month and fifty thousand words aren't going to write themselves.

What’s your favorite time waster?

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Interesting Gibberish (Or How to Choke Your Inner Critic)

Experienced National Novel Writing Month participants will tell you the path to success lies in never editing while you write. And it’s true. You have to keep forging ahead or you will never reach fifty thousand words in a month (or perhaps never complete your story, period).

I do, however, have a tendency to clip untidy bits while writing. If an obnoxious word or phrase pops up I hit the <enter> key twice, move my cursor back to the sentence above, and continue on. That way those words I typed in the interest of fiction count toward my NaNo total, which I figure is more honest than counting the words from blog posts or emails, etc..

Today I read yesterday’s nonsense and had to laugh. And by sharing here, I am really sticking it to my inner critic. Ppphhhhbbbbbtttttt! Take that, you spoil sport! I think Julia Cameron – author of “The Artist’s Way” and other creative boosting workhops – would be proud.

Below is the gobbledygook that cracked me up:

gave him a How is that We the Father Richards the priest behaving rudely them saw Backing me up the behavior he seemed who which of us to hand the note it unwilling on walked sounding vague into in pressed to clutches

How do you defeat your inner critic?

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National Novel Writing Month

Here we are again – November first. Today begins the mad dash to write fifty thousand words in a month. The Office of Letters and Light began the challenge years ago, calling it National Novel Writing Month (NaNo for short).

A Main Setting for "Blue Moon" - Loveland Castle

Somehow, even while working fulltime, I managed to meet the goal by the November 30^th deadline every year since 2011. Granted, unlike others, I never did anything with them. I’m honestly more adept at short story writing. All the same the word count should be easier than ever now that I’m retired and have no plans to travel for the US Thanksgiving holiday.

This morning, however, presented me with a snag. Planning to rewrite “Changing Your Stripes” from my novelette series, I wasn’t feeling the love. Perhaps it’s because the tale is too polished.

In addition, the stories all max out at around thirteen thousand words, tops. And therein lies salvation. Divergence is guaranteed if I want to make the goal. So why not write another piece of the overall puzzle and move on from there?

As of 1:15 this afternoon my word count has tripled. Still below the day’s goal of 1,667, I’m almost halfway there. And I’m having a great time telling about the wedding of my two original characters’ close friends. Now, back at it…

Do you participate in NaNoWriMo? If not, any other fun goals for the month?

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Time Marches On

Time marches on, and March is nearly over. I cannot believe it's almost April. Time for the A to Z Challenge! So, I decided it best to get the badge on my blog the moment it crossed my mind. The creators did a lovely job, by the way...

Isn't it Pretty?

No time like the present, right? Well, that little task made me realize that I never updated my National Novel Writing Month winner's badge. Silly me! November was ages ago. At least that has been done at last. Thank you to the Offices of Letters and Light for the image's ongoing accessibility.

Meanwhile I decided to set a theme for this year's challenge. I've written little blurbs about music groups represented in my collection. For fun I also concocted names for bands and an equally imaginary factoid.

I hope you'll join me. Do you plan to embark upon the blogging challenge? If so, let me know in the comments and I'll make sure to stop by.

Happy April!

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How to Win at NaNoWriMo

It's National Novel Writing Month! Come check out the Writer's Retreat blog and read how I survive and thrive...

Darla's Writer Wednesday

Happy writing!

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You Know it's November When...

It's National Novel Writing Month again! As a result of procrastination, I decided to share a late night notion.

You know it's November when...

Your friends and family know better than to call just to chat.
Comfortable pajamas become a wardrobe cornerstone.
Laundry day results in writing sprints between loads.
You memorized the keyboard shortcut for strikethrough rather than delete any output.
Timers aren't used for baking.
You mine every experience of your life (and everyone in your vicinity) for plot ideas.
Headphones have become a daily accessory.
Online chats inevitably include cat photos, talk of weapons, or word wars.
You type until your hands are numb because leaving the patio for a sweater would cut into your writing time.

How about you? Notice anything unique about the month?

As a bonus, here are two of my distractions:

Are You Done Writing Yet?

Yogurt Face

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