Creative Writing Series II: Woman

The second image in my creative writing series...Woman...

1) Essence bled from her shattered glamor as death whirls around her fractured soul; scattering her mortality to the winds like a gale over the dry desert sands.

2) Enchanting insolence clear within her eyes; her last breath fades as the tempest rifts her being to nothing more than a rotting illusion in the darkness.

Hmmm...any good, or over the top???

Creative Writing Series 1: The Autumn Tree

So, because I'm in a writing funk I've decided to do a creative writing series in which I randomly choose a photo and describe it...creatively. Let's see how this goes...and if anyone wants to comment or give their own creative descriptions of the photo...please feel free to do so.

Okay...the autumn tree...hmmmm...

1) Fall reveals itself in the blazing passion of its fiery veil; bursting forth from its splayed bows, gnarled and twisted with the ages.

2) An enshrouding mantle, ablaze with the embers of the coming equinox; shadowing all beneath its sprawling limbs.

3) The Great Mother's hand, shaking off Her summer cloak to revel in the coming autumnal splendor.

Writing blah's...makes me cranky...

I have the writing blah's, which is making me a bit cranky...I don't like it one little bit.

I'm currently writing a major murder scene for my first novel, and frankly...I'm just not into it. It's like my brain just shuts down every time I try to think about it - and no - I'm not squeamish about the scene, I just can't come up with anything worth writing about. I know basically what I want to happen, but when I sit down to put it to paper (or computer screen)...I get nada! I think it might have something to do with the other books I've been reading lately. I've been reading a lot of books in my genre by bestselling authors and they're a bit intimidating. The way they make the story just pop into my head like I switched on a movie screen - and there's the story, unfolding in front of me (or in this case, my mind). Maybe I'm subconsciously sabotaging myself because I'm afraid I'll never be that good. I don't know - I've just hit a mountain size boulder in my road to writing and I can't find a crane strong enough to move it. Hmmm...does anyone know how to use dynamite?

My New Found Love...

So I have always put all of my "to do's" on a list I try to carry around with me hoping that I don't lose it. This of course, never works - and it's never long enough. I always forget something...did I call in my prescription refill...when is my son's next dental appointment...and the really fun ones...oh shit! it's their birthday TODAY!!! With the ever growing list of things I need to remember and get done...a list on a bunch of post-its crammed in my purse isn't cutting it...and makes me feel like - well - see above picture...

But I have found my new true love...and in my parenting magazine of all places. Who'd have thunk it?

No, it's not some hotty to drool over...it's even better! http://rememberthemilk.com

I can now set up lists and reminders at the touch of a button. I can put in all of my appointments, birthdays I need to remember, projects I need to work on, when I need to place orders or call in refills, even make my grocery list and it organizes everything for me...and it's FREE!

I can set it up to email me a reminder in advance, or send me a text on my phone or IM. This is brilliant! And I can print everything off when I need it and not have to worry about losing it...because I can always print it again.

No more...oh, I need to remember to put that on my grocery list...and I complete forget about it 5 seconds later. I just pop it into my tasks list and I don't have to worry about forgetting anything ever again!

So let's all just take a big breathe together...and inhale...hold it for a moment...and exhale...can't you just feel the relaxation, I know I can :-)

Some of you may think this is silly...but trust me...it's almost better than a hotty to drool over...almost. My sanity is very precious to me...

The Insanity...Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh

I think I've just about lost my mind. I can't stop editing my own book. As I continue to write, I also read books in the same genre from best-selling authors. I like to see how they present their scenes, do they curse, what kind of language and descriptive phrases do they use, how do they tell their story. There's a definite pattern to how they decide how much of the protagonist's background they introduce and when; as well as those about other characters and locations, how they set up each scene in a chapter, etc. But the more I read, the more I keep going back to my own writing and try to emulate their style. It obviously works - otherwise they wouldn't be best-selling authors, but I really need to find a stopping point with my own writing.

I can see the little publishing wardens tracking me down and dragging me off to the writer's insane asylum...I know they must have one of those out there somewhere.

I realize that I need to go back and edit my own writing before I hand it out to others - and go back again, and again, and again...(you get the picture)...until an agent and/or publisher like what they see and want to take me on as a client; but I think I'm definitely crossing the editing line. I'm barely on chapter seven! I MUST BE STOPPED! Someone make the little editing voices in my head go away! At least until I finish the book and can go back and look at it as a whole...maybe they make a pill for this?

World Domination - I Don't Think So!

dic·ta·tor   /ˈdɪkteɪtər, dɪkˈteɪtər/[dik-tey-ter, dik-tey-ter] noun

A person exercising absolute power, esp. a [supposed] ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.


What is it with people who think they can do what ever they want when ever they want? You know the types; they refuse to work as a team, they try to tell everyone what to do, and they don't realize that there will actually be real consequences for their actions.

I mean, what are they thinking?! Do they really think it's acceptable? That this is how you get anywhere in life? That this will make friends, family, or co-workers respect you? NO, NO, and let me say it one more time, NO!

It makes you think, what was life for said world domination hopeful growing up? Who squashed WDH under their big, fat boot to turn them into such a crass, egotistic sociopath with the uncontrollable urge to control absolutely everything around them?

If Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung didn't succeed in their plots for world domination, what makes WDH think they will?

This is not a dictatorship! They lost...and so will you! If WDH had even one iota to a brain cell in their head they'd realize that they are only bringing about their own inevitable destruction...

Why can't we all just get along?

My Harvest

In light of the tragedy that has hit my family and loved ones I considered not posting anything on the holiday, but the more I think about it, the more I find it appropriate to think about all of the accomplishements in my life. To take a look at all of the things I have to live for.

The past year has brought a lot of changes for me. My son is now three years old and he and I are both still in one piece. Any mother can attest that this is a major accomplishment. A few bumps and bruises along the way, mostly from my son tackling me, but we're still here!

Renovations are still coming along on my home (slowly), but I'm getting there. And once the market picks up and we can sell, my little monster ninja and I will get to move into a larger house...two car garage...a backyard...my own office...no more stairs...ahhh...the luxury...

I've really motivated myself to start writing my book, and I'm now on chapter seven. This is a project I never thought I would pick up again...but it's never too late :-)

I've found doctors and specialists to really listen and help me overcome the medical issues from my complications during my pregnancy with my son. It took 2 1/2 years to finally get here, but I feel like I'm heading in a good direction and am feeling better.

And traveling...I've always wanted to travel and see the world...last summer I spent 2 weeks traveling through England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland and this year I'll be spending a week in Salem celebrating Samhain (Halloween). Next year my son will be old enough to travel with me...we're going to drive to Williams and take the Grand Canyon Railroad to the Grand Canyon. He loves trains and I think he'll have a great time.

My job...who would have thought that I would actually end up in a position where I use my college degree? I've just received a promotion and am now the Event & Communications Coordinator for the school I work for.

So I've had a pretty full year, a lot of changes, a lot of accomplishments. And I'm actually looking forward to what this year has in store for me.

What are your accomplishments?

Blessings in Life

It's a shame that so many rarely count their blessings or take the time to think of what they are grateful for in life until something tragic happens. I'm no different, I try to remember, but life keeps throwing things in my path and I'm so busy just getting through each day, I don't. So in this world of economic crisis, crime, bigotry and hatred, some people may find it hard to feel grateful for anything. But there are so many things that we should be grateful for, there are always those who have it far harder than we do.

So what am I grateful for? Air to breath, food to eat, a roof over my head, my job, my health, my body that functions and does what I tell it to, my son and family who are always there for me, my experiences (even the painful ones) that have given me insights and led me to become the person I am today, the happiness I feel, the love I have in my life, my friends and co-workers, my car, my hobbies, money to take care of most of my expenses, the places I've been able to travel to, just about every aspect of my life.

What has me putting these thoughts into writing? Like I said, we usually don't take the time to do this until something tragic happens. I've found out that my uncle took his life yesterday. It seems odd that he chose that day to end his life. For those of you that know me, you know I celebrate the Wiccan holidays. Yesterday was Lughnasahd (basically our version of Thanksgiving). A day to look back over the year and be thankful for all that we have. It's also the first of three harvest festivals, again, being thankful for the bountiness of what we have in our lives and our accomplishments.

I can only assume that my uncle wasn't able to see any of those things. I've certainly had times in my life when I've been depressed - really depressed. But I never woke up one day saying this is it, I've had enough of life - and chose to act on it. I can't begin to imagine what my aunt and cousins are going through right now. I lost my father four years ago, but he died because of his health. I've never experienced someone that close to me committing suicide. I haven't seen my uncle in years - since I was a kid, so I'm a bit removed from it, I suppose. It doesn't seem real yet.

My aunt is alone right now trying to deal with this tragedy, my cousins all in different states. So I'm also very grateful that I'm surrounded by friends and family. I would never have to go through anything like this alone. My hope for my aunt and cousins is that through the pain they realize that we are here, even if we're separated by states, and we love them.

My uncle will be brought here to be buried next to his mother, so we'll be with all of them soon. And so I send up my prayers - take care of my uncle, let him know that he was and still is loved, and that we will miss him. Brightest Blessings and a safe journey.

What are you grateful for?