Thursday, August 21, 2014

Quote #35 - Marilyn Monroe

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Random #19


Sometimes I wonder if I should print out all the story bits I have on my computer. There are loads of files. Some are transcribed from my notebooks, some are ideas that have popped into my head while working on something else, others...I'm not sure where they've come from.  So, I have all these files.  A lot of them.  I continue to put things, save things, on my computer so that I know they're safe.  They're also easier to find if I want a certain something, versus flipping through the stack of used notebooks.  But should I print them out, put them in a folder maybe, so that I can casually open it up, grab a piece of paper, and continue?  Would I come back to these half-formed ideas if they were more tangible, existed more physically?

I'm about to type up another one of those pieces.  A great beginning to perhaps a short story, I think.  I want to finish it, I want to finish all of them. Maybe I will print them out, make myself my own little book of ideas and beginnings.  I like to think that they all have potential.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Last Week #9 - Non-Fiction Draft Done!

I finished my most recent draft of my non-fiction.  I'm so excited that it's finally done.  I feel like I've been working on it for ages.  I'm putting it aside now, as I always do when I finish a draft.  Then I'll come back to it in about a week.  I'll go over it, I think, one more time.  Then I'll be making a query letter.  I'm very excited and also scared.  What will happen to my little non-fiction book?  I can't think about it too much right now, or else I'll drive myself crazy. 

Here's a little snippet: 

They shut down, went out of business.  I heard from a store owner in the same plaza, that one day a big truck showed up and emptied everything from inside.  They broke a contract with one of their suppliers (or something like that) and some of their equipment was perhaps repossessed?  I wouldn't be surprised, but that's rumour and speculation.  All I know for certain is that they are no longer in business and this happened not long after I was laid-off.  The owners had been local, but maybe they moved away.  I haven’t seen them since my last day.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Quote #34 - Michael Jordan

"I can accept failure.  Everyone fails at something.  But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Random #18

Every have a movie trailer get you to pick up the book?  That's happened to me with The Giver.  I don't know what it is about Jeff Bridges.  I watched a bit of an interview with him, talking about looking for something, and coming across The Giver.  In the trailers I watched the lead character running with a baby, trying to save the child and it got to me.  So now I'm immersed in Lois Lowry's story.  Why was he running with the baby?  After reading about half the book now, I have a feeling I know why he's running with the baby.  I hope they get away.  I suppose I'll know soon enough.

So, a good movie trailer can do two things, get you to buy the book and watch the movie.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Last Week... #8 - So Close To Finishing (Non-Fiction)

I did a lot of work last week.  I'm so close to finishing the revisions and additions to my non-fiction, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm actually thinking about my query letter now, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself.  I'm waiting until this latest draft is completed before I change my focus.  Since I'm finally using the computer to type stuff up, instead of writing it by hand, I thought I'd include a quick snippet. Hopefully it doesn't give too much away.  

*

Where will that leave me eventually?  Will I lose the job I currently have?  I don't know.  I don't think so. My boss has talked about the future of the company and how much he expects it to grow over the next few years.  Yet, other bosses/owners talked about the same thing and what did it get me?  It got me unemployed, desperately seeking a situation that wouldn't leave me penniless.  Over-dramatic?  Maybe.  But I did lose my job four times.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Quote #33 - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Wishing is not enough; we must do." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Random #17

It has come to my attention that there is no Gamora merchandise anywhere. I've read a couple articles and been unhappy.  Where is Gamora?  I just saw Guardians of the Galaxy.  I LOVED it. But I can't own any Gamora stuff?  Is this true?  If there is some Gamora merch, I would love to see it.  Mostly, I'd love a t-shirt, with all the Guardians or, I think one with Gamora and Nebula; it would be cool.  

Monday, August 4, 2014

Last Week.... #7 - Creativity and Downside

Last week I managed to get done all the hand-written additions to my non-fiction. I enjoy writing by hand.  I feel more connected, more creative.  The downside? Now I have to spend time adding all the handwritten stuff into the draft on my computer.  That will be my focus for the next week or more.  Hopefully, I can get it all done and maybe throw up a sample here.

I'm also thinking of including all the previous week's blog posts here.  Too much work?  Maybe, maybe not. We'll see what this coming week brings!