Inspiration - Just Write...

Yesterday was all about finding a writing style that works for you. Here are some quotes about getting that story on paper. Not worrying about publication or GMC. Writing for the sake of writing. Enjoying the process.

The faster I write the better my output. If I'm going slow I'm in trouble. It means I'm pushing the words instead of being pulled by them. ~ Raymond Chandler

Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience. ~ Henry David Thoreau

There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be. ~ Doris Lessing

All three of these speak to me - the first because I have sat at the computer pushing words, and hating every minute of it. The second, yes, I have waited and regretted - a lost idea, the perfect reply to the hero by the heroine, a plot twist late at night gone by the morning light. And the third because I do get caught up in the 'laws' and worry that my writing doesn't conform (therefore will never be published).

Which one speaks to you today, People of Blogland?

Writing by the Seat of My Pants...

An interesting comment on Friday Fiction this past week has got me thinking, yet again, about how I write. I'm a pantser. I go with the flow - creating as I type - no outline, no plan, no direction. OK, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, I do have an endpoint in mind when I start out. Usually, it's the Black Moment. The part of the story where everything looks doomed to fail, the heroine's worst fear is realized and there is no falling back on her hope that all will be fine in the end. Yep, rose-colored glasses are knocked off and the future looks anything but bright!

I think this relates to my love of reading - and please don't send hate mail - the last chapter first. See the last chapter starts my brain thinking "How will the author get to this point? Will the clues be easy to spot? Where will the turning points come?" Exactly how I go about writing.

Recently, I've been stalled (like you all don't know that already). And I believe it's because I've been trying to change my writing style. Conform, if you will. And it doesn't work. Julia's comment, asking me if I was writing Mickey's story on the fly, made me confess that I was writing it as it came. It also made me understand that I feel comfortable writing that way. It feels right. There's an excitement. There's the question when I sit down at the computer as to where the story will go, what will the characters dictate. It's freeing. I love it.

I wrote an article for Prairie Chicks last year about Pantsers Vs Plotters (a race to 'The End' between the two different writing styles). I'm posting it on my For Writers page for anyone interested. And I'm going back to my style - I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me.

So, People of Blogland, pantser or plotter? Do you do anything that doesn't conform and have questioned your methods and eventually stalled? Care to share your writing process with us? Any last chapter readers out there (be brave, no one will send you hate mail - I hope)?

Yummy Biscotti...

I've already told you about our evening out - but I didn't tell you about the nibblie I contributed. Sun-dried Tomato Biscotti! These little treats are wonderful - savory, a little spicy, and crunchy. I've made them twice now, both with great results. And, surprisingly, they're easy to assemble and bake. Thought I'd share the recipe with you, in case you're ever needing something to take to party and don't want to show up with the standard dip and chips (although if you did, you'd see me hanging around your bowl for most of the night).

Sun-dried Tomato Biscotti

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt, dried oregano, chili flakes

1/4 cup grated mozza cheese

3/4 cup grated parmesan (the real stuff)

3/4 cup almonds (chopped)

2 large eggs

1/3 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup olive oil or oil from sun-dried tomato (I use a combination)

3 sun-dried tomatoes (finely minced)

Coarse salt (sea salt)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.

Stir flour, baking powder, salt, oregano, chili flakes; mix in cheeses and almonds.

In separate bowl, lightly beat eggs with wine; stir in oil and tomatoes. Stir into flour mixture until dough is evenly moistened.

Divide in half and form each piece into a 12" long log (flatten top somewhat). Place on cookie sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt (I tend to like more, totally up to you). Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until small cracks appear and loaves are firm to the touch.

Slide loaves onto a cookie sheet (carefully, they are crumbly) and slice crosswise into 12-15 slices (depending on how thick you want your biscotti). Stand upright on the cookie sheet.

Reduce oven to 325 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes. Turn oven off and let biscotti cool in oven for an hour.

Enjoy with a glass of wine, a cocktail. Fantastic with soup. Equally as good with a slice of cheese and a glass of milk. And if you're anything like me (who loves all things salty), you too will be left with just the empty basket (yes, the picture is of the empty biscotti basket taken to the party on Saturday night - The Husband and I ate the few left overs for our supper on Sunday).

I've probably asked this before, but I'll ask again - sweet or salty, People of Blogland? And does anybody have a savory shortbread recipe they can recommend?

Let Me Drink Wine...

A wonderful evening down the road at a neighbor's place last night. Chili and Chowder - yep, nibblies followed by two kinds of soup, a chili, and baked beans. Then dessert! Yummy, yummy, yummy.

Then there was the wonderful group that gathered. Friends from up and down the road who really hadn't been together in one room since the frenzy of Christmas parties culminating in a New Year's Eve bonfire and feast. It was good to visit with those I hadn't seen for a couple of months, those I had seen just last week, and those I see on a regular basis. Caught up, shared some laughs, solved all the world's problems (as tends to happen when friends gather - really, these politicians have no idea).

Now all of this would have been even better (not really, but I'm going for a point so bear with me) if I could have had a glass of wine. Lent! I had thought I was giving wine for 40 days. Two days ago I hear that Lent doesn't end until Good Friday. What? That's 5 days longer than 40 days. So I did some Google searching and do you know there's about 4 different versions of Lent? The forty day version takes me to Palm Sunday (today - that's what I had envisioned). Then there's the Good Friday version if you took Sundays off - Sunday's off? No one told me I could have Sunday's off - where's the self-discipline there? How am I learning to live without something if I can have it on Sunday's? I also found another version which would take me to Easter Sunday. Um? No!

I've explained before that I am not a Catholic, so I don't know anything about Lent. But I do know that I gave up wine for the 40 days as I had promised! Would have been nice for the 40 days to have ended last night. Oh, well - the friends and food more than made up for that glass of wine :)

How was your weekend, People of Blogland? If any of you out there participate in Lent, let me know how you did - and which version you're most familiar with.

(Oh, and I'm very proud of myself for giving up wine for 40 days! Wonder what I can do for the next 40 days?)

Paint and Parentheses...

I was going to try and do a paint poll today - but time got away from me yesterday as I was working over at the house after the day job ended and then we had some running around to do in town. But, I do have a link: http://www.para.com/en/fc_insp_weekend.aspx

If you're interested - once you get there, click on "Show me the colors" (is there anyone else thinking Jerry Maguire and 'show me the money' right now?). Then click on the 'cozy' color palette. This is as close as I can get to what I'm thinking. The green represents a couch we have (very gray/green), our other furniture is beige/taupe. I'm planning (if I can take the leap - those that know me know I'm not big into colors for walls and trim - neutral is my middle name) to use the burgundy color (I think they call it 'come as you are') for the baseboard and window/door trim. Then the 'afternoon nap' (more tan/sand than that, the paint sample is a little too yellow for me) (great name, eh) for the walls. The main bathroom has beadboard on the lower half and gray fixtures; so I'm thinking of the burgundy on the beadboard and the 'deep breath' (who comes up with these names?) for the upper walls.

Now the bedrooms are a whole different matter, and with fear that I'm going to use up my yearly allotment of parentheses, I'm going to hold off on that discussion for a different day. I know the the spare bedroom and my office (another bedroom - oops, another set of parentheses) will be a caramel color with white trim. Our bedroom and bathroom, well the jury's still out on that one.

Question for you, People of Blogland, have you ever bought those paint sample cans and tried a paint ahead of time? Are you a 'color me crazy' kind of person or more a neutral person? Oh, and I'm serious about that "I Can't Decide" shop - just looking online at the paint samples have given me reason to question my decisions all over again. *sigh*

Friday Fiction - Mickey Spencer, AC ~ Part 5

Hard to believe this is the fifth instalment of Mickey Spencer, AC! Time flies when your panicked and stressed :)

Last week's crossword clue was 2 Words for Surveillance (10,9) - and the answer is Undercover Operation. Remember to play along - if you think you know the answer to this week's clue, leave it in the comments section and then come back next Friday to see if you were right. As always, anyone joining us for the first time - Mickey has her own page at the top of this blog. That's where you'll find all the previous instalments (all in one place, no need to go hunting).

I hope you enjoy!

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Mickey Spencer, AC ~ 4 Letter Word for a Sudden, Abrupt Movement (or Jack Warner)...

I slapped the notebook on the table hoping no one saw the slight hesitation between the extraction from my ‘gym bag’ to the exaggerated smack against the slime covered Formica. Then I went digging, pulling everything from my purse and piling it on the table, with the exception of my personal ‘stuff’.

"What the hell are you doing?"

A quick glance toward Hot Dick and I knew he was control freak. His surreptitious glances around the room, his less than relaxed posture proved his discomfort at having the tables turned. See how he likes being the deer caught in the headlight.

"Here we go!" I pulled out a pen, placed it on my notebook and slid everything back into my purse, inwardly cringing at the amount of cootie I would be taking home.

"Everything OK, here?" Ray Dixon himself, hand towel slung over his shoulder, stood at the table.

"Fine. Could I get another beer?"

"Sure thing. You?"

Jack downed the remainder of his beer. "Please."

"Oh, do you mind?" I pointed my pen at the ring of liquid my beer had produced then pulled my notebook toward me. "Thank you so much for meeting me, Mr. Smith. As I said on the phone, I’m working on a follow-up story about the woman who went missing from this area two years ago."

Mickey’s hand shook slightly as she wrote ‘Mr. Smith’ at the top of the page and waited for Dixon to leave.

"Nice cover."

"I wouldn’t have had to think of one if you had informed me ahead of time that this was Dixon’s bar and we would be starting surveillance tonight." Mickey kept an eye on the bar and Dixon. He was on the way back to their table. "You said you were working in this area at the time of her disappearance?"

Jack paid for the beer. "Thanks." He waited for Dixon to leave. "This is perfect, Mickey. You’ve established the perfect cover. Now, no one’s going to question your presence down here and you can keep an eye on Dixon right under his nose."

At least he didn’t use ‘first’ and ‘B’! I scribbled something on the paper as if Mr. Smith had just answered my question. Then it dawned on me. I tried to keep my voice neutral. "You want me to come back here? Every night?" I didn’t have to exaggerate the inflections at the end of my questions.

"I’ll watch him during the day and you can take the evening shift."

Mickey wrote ‘jerk’ on the paper and then scribbled it out. "I can’t be down here every night."

"You can’t be watching him during the day, you have a job."

Crap on a stick, he had me there.

"I think you should take tomorrow afternoon off and meet with Carol. You’ll – "

"I’m not taking a sick day for this."

"No, no, I’ll make sure you get your regular pay. You’ll need to ask her questions about Ray’s schedule, his patterns, what’s changed that makes her think he’s screwing around on her. I’ll meet you at The Pub at 4 and we’ll go over our notes and get you ready for your first night of surveillance."

Mickey wrote in her notebook, then tapped her pen against the table. "What if I run into trouble?"

"What did Charlie’s Angels do?"

The word ‘jerk’ was too tame for Jack Warner. I wanted to lean across the table, tell him to go to hell, and dump beer in his lap, but the man signed my paycheques and I couldn’t walk out of the bar without a job. I also wanted this case, my first case, more than I wanted the satisfaction of wiping that smirk off his face. I inhaled and stuffed my notebook and pen into my purse.

"Interview over?"

"Yes, Mr. Smith. I believe I’ve heard all I need to from you."

"You should give me your card."

If I was going to become a gumshoe, I had better start thinking like one. I pulled my fake business card from my pocket, pissed that he would now have another one to use against me. I shook his hand, shouldered my purse, and left the bar. Mental notes – fire up the printer and produce some business cards for my new persona, journalist, AND purchase some Mace.

~Copyright: Janet S. Corcoran 2010

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So, People of Blogland, any news to share? How's the writing going? Any great lines or brilliant breakthroughs you'd like to post in the comment section (I'd love if you did)? How about just letting us know what you're working on - anything causing you undo panic and stress?

A Window by Any Other Name...

Is still a piece of glass that allows so much more light in now that we've made ours bigger!! I've lined up (hopefully, you know me and formatting) the befores and afters. You'll also see the pot lights we've had installed:

As you can see, the boys are busy drywalling and mudding. Again, so nice to not be living in the mess as that mud turns to a fine dust when dried and sanded - coating everything in a white film. I really need to get on the paint color decision - I think I have it, but I'm still waffling.

I have decided that someone should open a "I Can't Decide" Shop - you walk in and are offered 5 choices (5 tile options, 5 paint options, 5 lighting options, etc) and you choose one. Choosing one out of 5 is much easier than choosing 1 out of 350,462! Have you seen the range of paint chips at the hardware store? Some of them don't even look different, just on a different paint card! I know it's really nice to have options, but a few only, please.

So, People of Blogland, are you window people? Do bigger windows matter to you? Do you love natural light or will any old light do? And would you shop at a store that offered only a few options instead of millions?

Inspiration - Video...

It's a video inspiration today - some of you might have seen this already, but if you haven't, take the time to watch. And it's not really about writing, but it is about believing and doing. Thanks to my nephew, Dave, who forwarded this to me.

This is a True Story. A son says to his father: 'Dad, would you be willingly to run a marathon with me?' The father, despite his age and a heart disease, says 'YES'. And they run that marathon, together.

The son asks: 'Dad, can you run another marathon with me?' Again father says 'YES'. They run another marathon, together.

One day the son asks his father: 'Dad would please do the Iron Man with me?' Now just in case you wouldn't know, The Iron Man is the toughest triathlon in existence: 4km swimming, then 180 km by bike, and finally another 42 km running, in one stroke. Again father says 'YES'

Maybe this doesn't 'touch' your heart, but wait until you watch the clip...



Whatever you want, you can do it - if you believe, and work hard. Happy Wednesday, everyone :)

Infomercials, Writing, and a Snippet...

Confession time - I love infomercials. Really, a half hour of total mindless television that sucks me in every time with it's lure of healthy juices, meals in minutes, a steam cleaner that will revolutionize the way I clean my house, and a super-fit body in only 60 days. And if I was a more impulsive (the total opposite to compulsive - bordering on obsessive), I would be knee deep in gadgets, gizmos, DVD's, and exercise equipment.

The 'get fit' ones tempt me the most. All of these real people who go from flab to fab in 60 days - with a smile on their face, no less - whisper to the part of my brain that wants to believe, wants to see results in the first week. So instead of putting down my bag of chips and picking up the phone to make that one call that will change my life forever, I imagine how my heroine, Jane, would see these infomercials.

Remember, Jane is my girl struggling with losing weight and making over her life in time for her ex-husband's marriage to the secretary he was dictating to while still married to Jane. For the query blurb to this manuscript, click on my Contemporary WIP page at the top of the blog. I think the marketers of these extra long commercials are targeting people like Jane - people who want to believe with all their heart and soul that there is an easy way to get fit and toned in 60 days.

So, this is a bit of a scene I wrote (which will never be in the actual manuscript - I don't think) while watching infomercials:

Jane came across the first of seven infomercials all touting the answer to a bulging stomach, unsightly flab, poorly defined abs, and the dreaded double chin. Everytime she hit the remote control she came across another half hour segment suggesting a program that would give you the body of a twenty year old. She wasn't twenty, and even when she had been that young, she had never looked like that. By the third "You'll be amazed at the results" infomercial, Jane was sitting on the floor in front of the television searching for tell tale signs of airbrushing. Or stunt doubles. Come on, there's no way an overweight woman can lose 50 pounds and end up looking like she'd been working out in the gym for her entire life. No. Way.

I may never succumb to the tempting infomercial (although I really, really covet the Bullet Express and Montel's blender, er, Health Machine), I will certainly use the concept for my writing. A plethora of ideas awaits those willing to watch a half hour of mindless television!

So, People of Blogland, do you watch infomercials? Have you ever been tempted? Did it work (whatever the product was)? Do you use TV as a fodder for your writing - even as an quick writing exercise to flex those creative muscles - guaranteed to have you looking, feeling and writing better in 60 days?

**The sad thing is we only get a dozen or so channels since we don't subscribe to cable or satellite - yet, there are still tons of infomercials on day or night. Whatever happened to real TV? Ooh, a blanket with sleeves - gotta go...

Squeaky Clean...

Spring sprung and I could hear my mother's voice in my head whispering, "Spring Cleaning"! With less than two months until we move into our new house, I spent a great deal of time Spring Cleaning the house we're living in now. Why? Because it's spring! That time of the year when windows get opened to air out a winter full of smells. That time of the year when furniture needs to be moved and corners cleaned thoroughly. That time of the year when quilts and blankets and throw rugs get hung outside, beat with a good stick and left to absorb the fresh smell of spring!

I can't help it. When the sun brings warmth after a winter of chill and the breeze blows gently, I need to be cleaning. It's an obsession - either that or a mighty fine example of brainwashing. I always thought it would be smarter to clean thoroughly after summer, when the dust and dirt of months of windows being open and people trekking through the house with their shoes on leaves the house in less than perfect shape. Or just before New Year's with the promise of renewal. OK, because I think those times are perfect for 'spring' cleaning, I actually do it. Now that's not brainwashing, unless I've brainwashed myself.

Since I do this thorough cleaning spring, fall and just before New Year's, I also use the time to move furniture around. I love moving furniture around. There's something about change that energizes me (accounts for over a dozen moves around the country). In the house we're living in right now, I can't move the furniture around (no room) and I ached with that need over the weekend. In my new house, I can move the furniture around - 6 or 8 times a year if I wanted to, but then that would mean 'spring' cleaning all those times and I am not brainwashing myself into that schedule!!

Any spring cleaners out there in Blogland? Am I the only one who was brainwashed growing up into believing that spring meant a thorough clean of the house? Any one else obsessed with moving furniture around - anyone, I'm not the only one, am I?

Blog Cancelled...

On account of SPRING! It is absolutely beautiful here on Canada's East Coast - we reached a temperature of +18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) yesterday. Forecast today is for only 6C (43F) and rain is predicted for tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. But spring has definitely sprung!

And because of that I got nothing done writerly wise yesterday. Am I the only one who has problems focusing on desk activities when the sun shines brightly and the breeze is actually a warm one? I want to be outside! Sitting in a lawn chair with a good book. Perhaps it's a good thing rain is on the way - I have things to do!

So, People of Blogland, are you in the throws of spring today? How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Do you find it difficult to concentrate at a computer when the sun is begging you to abandon everything inside and come play outside?

SPRING - Yay :)

Book Club - All Things Irish...

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of the Book Club. We had a grand discussion about March's theme - Irish books. Now this could be anything Irish - authors, about Ireland, Irish characters. We were a small group, so no real great books to report on. I read a Roddy Doyle book (The Woman Who Walked Into Doors). I am a huge fan of Mr. Doyle's and noticed, as I was checking things out on the web, that he has a follow-up book, Paula Spencer. I'm going to have to search it out and have a read. Anyone who remembers the movie The Committments - that's based on a Roddy Doyle novel.

The big thing about Book Club is that one of the members had the book Push. This is the novel the movie Precious is based on. I stuck my hand up before she even had finished talking about the book because I wanted to be first to borrow it! It's sitting on my bedside table - and I can't wait to dive in. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those books that I just can't put down - the kind I cart around the house with me. In the kitchen to savor a few words while I cook up some eggs for breakfast. In the bathroom while I brush my teeth. Next to my desk for my hourly breaks from The Day Job - much more tempting that Spider Solitaire. Yes, when a book is that good, it becomes a part of me. I need to invent a book sling so the book de jour can be fastened to my body for any spare moment I have to read.

Today is an estate auction (*rubs hands together*) with the "No glass" rule in place - but rumor has it they will be auctioning off Blue Willow China!! Then over to the house to continue with cleaning. Again, the Book Sling (tm) would come in handy. I could sling my book across my chest, positioned for perfect reading with the stupid 'progressive lens', and clean the walls at the same time. I tell you, I think I'm on to something :)

What's on your bedside table, People of Blogland? Anything of interest? Have you read Push? Have you seen the movie Precious? Would you be interested in a Book Sling (tm) or am I the only one who reads whenever and wherever?

Friday Fiction - Mickey Spencer, AC ~ Part 4

Last week's answer for the 9 letter word for extortion was indeed blackmail. I think I'm going to have to try and make these clues harder - or not!

For those just joining us, the previous sections of Mickey's story are all located on the Mickey Spencer, AC Page - check out the links across the top of my blog. Don't forget to play along with the crossword clue if you want - leave your answer in the comment section and then check back next Friday for the answer. Here's Part 4:

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Mickey Spencer, AC ~ 2 Words for Surveillance (10, 9)...

Why did I suddenly feel like I had made a pact with the devil? I had forced myself to rearrange Jack’s expense account, impressed with my innate ability to move numbers around with a click of a mouse and the proper use of C’s and D’s while Jack pled his case. The Three Dicks had spent two hours in conference and I had seriously considered emptying my desk and deleting my private files on the office-owned computer when Hot Dick poked his head into my cubby; two thumbs up in triumph.

"I’ll meet you at The Anchor tonight at nine."

"What?"

"We’ll need to discuss Carol’s case. You know The Anchor on 36th?"

I was wrapping my head around being out at night, in the dark, at the same time ‘Magnum, PI’ came on Retro TV and stupidly responded in the affirmative. Now, I was wishing I had paid closer attention as I parked my 2001 Own-a-Wreck on a street that had forgotten to pay its power bill. Hopefully, my late model rust-mobile wouldn’t be jacked.

With my purse clutched against my chest, I inhaled in preparation for the short sprint across the road and into The Anchor Bar and Grill. Grill or no grill, I wouldn’t be ordering any food during my visit to the establishment. Luckily, I met no one on my record setting run.

My silent thanks died on my lips as smoke billowed out the door the moment I opened it. And the smell of stale beer, greasy food, and body odor assaulted my delicate nasal passages. Someone bumped me from behind, pushing me further into the den of grossness. A silence settled over the joint and I swallowed hard, squared my shoulders and headed for the bar, or the direction I believed the bar to be since my eyes were still watering from the smoke.

"What can I get you?"

"She’ll have a beer. Make it two, bud."

Mickey turned toward Jack, trying hard not to sigh in relief. "Hey!"

"Follow me, I got us a table at the back."

Like a fly to fly paper, I couldn’t get any closer to Hot Dick unless I rode piggyback. I could feel the eyes of the patrons, those still conscious, boring into me as I moved through the crowd. I maintained a visual on Jack’s broad shoulders encased in a denim work shirt and then slid into the wooden chair he held for me.

"Are you going to the gym after this?"

"Huh?"

He tipped his chin toward Mickey’s purse, still clutched to her chest. "Your duffel bag?"

"My purse?"

"That’s a purse?"

She pulled the purse closer and inched the chair into the table. "Carol’s case."

Jack chuckled. "Testy on the purse issue. Check." He pushed one of the beer bottles across the table. "Cheers, Mickey."

It was a bottle, how contaminated could it be? I balanced my purse with one hand and took a sip from my beer. "Carol’s case?"

"All work and no play. OK, Mickey, if you’re going to take Carol’s case, you’re going to need a plan."

Moments slipped by and I realized he was waiting for me to come up with the plan. This was my moment, my time to impress him with all the knowledge I had accumulated over the years watching gumshoe movies, old TV detective shows, reading dime store novels. "We should put surveillance on Carol’s boyfriend." Wow, years of fantasizing about being a private eye and that’s all I had?

"First, you need to call Carol and set up another meeting outside business hours. You don’t want Evan catching a wiff of either you working a case or Warner and Sons taking on an infidelity assignment."

"Second?" I jumped in hoping he’d follow my lead.

"B – "

Geesh!

" – you need to find out as much about Ray Dixon as you possibly can, and a fast as you can."

Mickey unzipped her purse and extracted a notebook.

"You’re kidding, right?"

"What? You’re giving me good advice and I don’t want to forget it."

"You’re also drawing attention to yourself. Now. Here. In front of Ray Dixon and his very curious, very drunk, bar patrons."

~Copyright: Janet S. Corcoran 2010

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So, People of Blogland, how's your writing coming along? Any news to share? Any great lines you'd like to post in the comment section - we'd love to read them? And anyone interested, I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks today - A Recipe for Writing - come on over and check it out.

Game Day - Deserted Island...

Nathan Bransford had a great post up yesterday about bringing a book to a deserted island (one book - what would it be?) and it reminded me of a question we played a couple of times on Girls' Night Out. This is not as literary as Mr. Bransford's post - first clue: played on Girl's Night Out! So, why not - get your thinking cap on and come up with the answer to the following:

If you knew you were going to be stuck on a deserted island and you could take one person and one thing, who and what would you bring? And why?

I loved my friend Raylene's answer - George Canyon (country music star/hottie) and his guitar so he could sing to her.

Me - Clive Owen (movie star/hottie) and a favortie romance novel. First, I'd read it by myself, picturing Clive in the hero's shoes while he built me a shelter from palm trees, traversed the wilderness for food and water, and rubbed two sticks together to make fire. Then, I'd read it to him, after he had a cool shower in the waterfall/lagoon to refresh himself. He'd read it to me, in that sexy, deep voice. We could act it out...well, you get the picture. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

K - People of Blogland - a person and a thing...with you...on a deserted island...feel free to elaborate...

Inspiration - Patience

I try to be patient, really I do. Sometimes, I forget that 'all good things come to those who wait'. Here's my reminder to practice patience...

Patience: A minor form of despair disguised as a virtue. ~Ambrose Bierce

Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday. ~A.A. Milne

...AND continue to work toward my goals and dreams.

Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience. ~Anonymous

For those interested, I Googled the idiom quoted in my first paragraph. I found this:

'Ah, all things come to those who wait,'

(I say these words to make me glad),

But something answers soft and sad,

'They come, but often come too late.'

Violet Fane (1843-1905) in her poem Tout vient ß qui sait attendre.

Let's hope that's not the case ;)

Feel free to comment on which quote moved you today, People of Blogland. And have a wonderful Wednesday!

Signs...

I'm a firm believer in signs - coincidences are not merely random events, but suggestions put forth by the universe. Now, some of these suggestions are usually cryptic and fly right over my head, until I have perfect hindsight and slap my forehead in understanding. Others are so blatantly obvious if I didn't take note and act, I would kick myself for years to come.

Such signs are flashing neon above my head these days. I spoke last week of my decision to revisit Lady Bells. I was inspired by the story of Stephen Parrish and his endless re-writes on a project he believed in with all his heart (the link is in my post "Two Steps Forward, One Step Back"). Yesterday, Alannah Lynne guest blogged on Plotmonkeys about her bevy of rewrites on a story she believed in. Another sign pointing me in the direction of a rewrite.

Well, I began that re-write last night. Karyn is expecting an e-mail with the first 50 pages - and I can't give it to her because I feel like I'm going in circles. Before, my rewrites of Lady Bells have been reworking the same ingredients. All the stuff in the pot, just stirred counter clockwise, instead of clockwise. And that's what I started with, again. But something doesn't feel right. Something is missing.

Here are the things I think it could be:

My Voice - since writing blogposts for Prairie Chicks, starting up and writing every day here on the Journal, and working on short and contemporary fiction, I think I've found my voice - that element that makes my writing unique. When I read Lady Bells, I don't hear that voice. But how do I infuse a medieval murder mystery with my off the wall, quirky humor?

Lady Bells' Conflict - She needs to have an element of fear when it comes to her new husband. Right now, all I've got is that she believes, from his actions, that he is exactly like her father. Not enough, in my opinion, to keep her at the distance she needs to be in order for all the plot threads to work. And what is there can be 'fixed' with a simple conversation - you know what they say about that type of conflict!

The First 50 Pages - I read this thing and as soon as I get past those first 50 pages, into the meat of the story where she slowly discovers all is not right in her new home and her husband is hiding some really nasty secret from her, I love it. It moves along at a good clip, has some awesome sexual tension, and the subplots all make perfect sense. Those first 50 pages - meh!

Hugh's Character Flaw - He stalked a young woman right after he negotiated for Lady Bells' hand in marriage. OK, the young woman was Lady Bells, but he didn't know that. It eats at him, the resemblance to his father's infidelity, but it's there and may not come be the perfect light for a hero starting out in his marriage. Back in the day (medieval day, that is) this would not be an issue. Today, in a romance novel, it is.

Help! Help! Help! Perhaps the Universe could send another sign - just one more. Afterall, that would make three and you now what they say about things happening in threes!

Question for you, People of Blogland - would you read a medieval romance with a quirky heroine who gets drunk in the first 50 chapters, makes the assumption her husband is a womanizer and it will be just a matter of time before she's left in the role of dutiful wife and mother, and fears getting close to him because he's just like her father? Oh, and one more - do you believe in signs?

A Poem, A Video - and It's Only Monday...

There is nothing in my head,
Nothing in there, but lead.
Heat it up, pour it out my ear,
Still nothing to write, nothing I fear.
The clock beside me - tick, tick, tick,
And this ruddy poem - sick, sick, sick.
Writer's block, could it be?
To YouTube and let us see:



Yes, yes, that's what it is,
And it's my problem, not hers or his.
No one to blame,
No one to shame.
And the answer is simple,
Cute as a dimple.
As shown in that last line,
JUST WRITE, IT'LL BE FINE...

(You can always revise another time)

OK, People of Blogland, that has to be one of the worst poems, ever! I've been 'stuck' on my final version of the synopsis for Jane and Ryan's story and I needed to give myself a kick in the pants. This was my kick in the pants - and also a reminder that my fiction is much better than my poetry!

What's your take on writer's block? Do you believe it exists? Have you ever had to work through it, and if you did, what steps did you take? And didn't you just love the section of film showing the old lady, Maxine, at her computer and the caption "I'm out of bed and made it to the keyboard. What more do you want?"

Number 16...

When I left my job last summer, my co-worker Cathy gave me a book called The List, by Gail Belsky. She had heard about it on the TV (I think Oprah, but can't say for sure) and thought it would be a great gift. She also got herself one. The sub-title says it all: 100 Ways to Shake Up Your Life! Here's the website, aptly named http://www.shakeuplist.com/.

Now some of these items in the book are outrageous - things I wouldn't even think about doing (bungee jump). Some are in the realm of the possible ((learn to box). And some I can actually check off as completed (make a big move). It's a great book to thumb through and ponder the possibilities, and each item comes with a true story from a woman who did it.

As I was flipping through the book last night, I came across Number 16 - Drastically Change Your Hairstyle! What is it with women and their hair? I have straight hair that borders on limp and fine. I have pretty well hated my hair for my entire life - I can't grow it long because it just hangs there, I can't make it big and pouffy because all the hair product needed to produce that effect makes it look like I haven't washed it in a year, and the color resembles dishwater. I have friends who have beautiful long, thick, wavy hair - yep, they hate their hair (too heavy, unruly, course - and they, too, usually dislike the color they were born with).

Back to The List Item - I have changed my hair. On a regular basis. I'm sure that if I ever had a regular, more than 3 years, hairdresser, she would just get tired of me coming in roughly every eight months with the declaration that I'm going to grow it out/chop it off. You see, I think I need it to be longer and I just get the bare minimum trimmed off to keep it in some kind of decent shape. Then, I get to about collar length, the hair product/greasy thing starts to happen, I try and ignore it until I can't any more, then I march into my hairdresser's and demand she cut it all off. SHORT! I live with it like that, continually getting it cut short for about six to eight months, then I think I need to let it grow out.

I thought about 3 years ago I had the problem solved. I had chopped it off and kept it off for almost a full year. People complimented me on the pixie cut, I loved getting up in the morning and simply washing it (no gel, no dryer, nothing). I even had it colored because, yes, the grey was starting to depress me (at times I have pined for my dishwater color). My hair issues looked to be taking a back seat to my other issues. What happened, you ask? I saw a picture of me and cringed at the length, or lack there of. I immediately started the growing out process.

So, Number 16 on The List - been there, done that a million times.

Anyone out there want to complain about their hair? Feel free in the comment section to share your woes of the hair you were born with, People of Blogland. You know what they say, Misery Loves Company (I am at the "I hate my hair" stage, yet again). And stay tuned - I'll share more of the items in the book soon :)

Blog Changes...

How cool is this? Roni, at Fiction Groupie (again), blogged about setting up pages in Blogger. Now, you all know I've been toying with the idea of creating a website, but couldn't commit and had all kinds of excuses why I shouldn't. Well, good old Blogger came to my rescue - like a knight in shining armor offering 'pages' to add to the blog! That's right - you can now add pages to your blog just like a website, and it's super easy to do.

So, you can see at the top of my blog, just under my header, I have 6 new pages. Just click on the word and you'll be taken to a separate page. I've created a separate page for my writing articles, one for my short fiction, another for Mickey's Story (so no more linking back and forth), and a standard 'About Me' page. I also have a page for my WIP (works in progress), but haven't quite finished that one. I did this last night and by the time I got to that page, my eyes were crossed. I posted the whole thing to a blog post instead of the separate page and realized I was too tired to continue. Hopefully, I'll have all my WIP information up by the end of the weekend.
I'm also going to add some more links on my sidebar for blogs I've become addicted to - so watch for that. This is just so cool. I feel like a real author now - I know, it's not a website, but it's pretty darn close. Hope you enjoy the new pages (and I promise to change them up every now and then).
So, People of Blogland, do any of you plan on implementing the new Blogger Pages feature? Are you as excited as I am about this - or is it just too late and I've had too much coffee? I'd love to know what you think - and any advice on making my pages better (or ideas for other pages - you can have up to ten). Oh, and thank you, Blogger (and Roni) :)

Friday Fiction - Mickey Spencer, AC ~ Part 3

Thanks for playing last week - the clue was '6 letter word for fake' and the answer was PSEUDO! Mickey was very, very clever - I'm not that clever. I need some of you to be my ghost writers :)

Hoping to get a link in the sidebar to my fiction - until then, if you're just joining us, Mickey Spencer, AC, Part One is here and the second instalment, Part Two, is here. Now, for Part 3 - remember to leave your guesses to the crossword clue in the comment section and come back next Friday for the answer.

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Mickey Spencer, AC ~ 9 Letter Word for Extortion...

"I think we have everything we need to evaluate your case and decide whether or not it gels with Warner and Sons’ philosophy, Carol." Mickey stood up and thrust her hand across the desk.

The blond was clearly surprised by my concise interview and my blunt gesture indicating time was up, but with a quick glance at the clock I knew I would be facing more than Jack’s questions if Evan returned within the next ten minutes. I ignored both Hot Dick and the river of sweat running down my back and into my panties and hustled the woman out of the office.

"Thank you for dropping by."

"I’ll walk Carol to the elevator, Mickey. Meet me in my office in five?"

Five minutes – enough time to throw up, wipe the sweat from my face, and blink. I was going to need surgery to unstick my eyelids if I didn’t blink. Soon. Five minutes was also enough time to start cleaning out my desk.

Before Mickey had decided what to do with her five minutes, Jack was back and motioning for her to follow. He closed the door and offered her a chair, which she refused. With a shrug, he leaned against his desk and held out the expense sheet she had placed on Evan’s desk. "Make this go away."

"I can’t."

He pulled my fake business card from his pocket and flicked the cardstock corner with his thumb. I knew he was smooth, but talking a woman out of the contents of her purse? I was playing with a master. And I needed to stop worrying about the cost of eye surgery and start re-writing my resume.

"You make this go away and I’ll forget I ever saw this."

"It’s not like I actually worked a case or anything."

"I know that, you know that, but Evan doesn’t know that."

"Evan will still fire you today, with or without that expense sheet."

"You let me worry about Evan. You work your magic on the books and I’ll guarantee both of us will be with Warner and Sons for as long as we want." He examined the card. "If not, then I’ll fill Evan in on your fraudulent activities. Ironic, isn’t it?

Impressive, Hot Dick knew the definition of irony – wait, I had to think. I needed this job. Sure, I could live off cat food and sleep in my car, but my mom and my grandfather couldn’t. Already my brain was crediting Hot Dick’s expense account and debiting office supplies, advertising, and the entertaining accounts. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place and by the look on Hot Dick’s face, he knew it.

Mickey crossed her arms over her chest. "You have no proof."

"I’m a PI, Mickey. You don’t think I could find a half dozen people walking around this town with your business card in their possession? And what about your grandfather? I bet he’d love to tell Evan about his granddaughter, the private investigator."

He’d be so disappointed. "And if I get caught?"

"Evan doesn’t even look at the stuff you do, he trusts you implicitly."

Hot Dick pocketed the card, proving that he wasn’t about to let me off just this once. Well, I wasn’t going down without a fight. "On one condition."

His eyes narrowed. "What?"

"I’m taking Carol’s case."

"First off, we don’t take cases of infidelity. B, you’re not a PI."

At least he got the irony thing right. "Last I checked there was no licensing board for Private Investigators in Colorado. And if you don’t let me work this case, I’ll go to Evan myself and confess everything. Including your actual expense account."

"And risk losing your job and your grandfather’s admiration?"

I shrugged my shoulders, but it felt more like I pulled my neck in. Like a turtle. Must have looked like that, too, because Hot Dick chuckled.

The phone rang.

"That’ll be Evan."

~Copyright: Janet S. Corcoran 2010

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How's your writing coming along? Any news to share? A favorite line? It's Friday Fiction, let's talk writing :)

Kitchen Plans...

After posting pictures of the demolition, I've had many questions on the 'plans'. So, here's the 'plans' - the prospective kitchen...

Again, I apologize for formatting - and I'm not sure why the pictures came over from my computer in a much smaller version. Click on the image to see it in more detail, if you wish.

If you could redesign your kitchen, People of Blogland, what would be your number one must have? What in your present kitchen could you live without - or hate so much you'd never include it in a redesign? Corner lazy susans - yes, or no?

Inspiration - A Sailing Theme...

The first two speak to dreams and goals - the third to our journey as writers where learning and growing give us the strength to sail on.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind. ~ Seneca

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship. ~ Louisa May Alcott

Here's to big dreams and attainable goals. Happy Wednesday, People of Blogland :)

Taz Moments...

Taz - Trouble from A to Z - has The Best Life ever. This was her the other day, lounging about on her couch. Of course, she had just finished chasing her rope around the coffee table (video to be posted as soon as I figure out how to get it from my camera onto this blog).

This is another picture of her 'resting' while we spent a grueling day packing up the U-Haul to move across Canada. It was imperative that we did not pack her chair until the very last moment.

I would like to know where to sign up to come back as a pampered pooch. Someone to prepare all my meals, make sure I have plenty of water, dry my feet when I've been out in the rain, give me stuffed toys just because I like them, and allow me to lounge around all day if that's what I wish to do.

No Day Job.

No bills to pay.

No worries about having a bad hair day; the jeans getting too tight; that mark on my forehead that looks an awful lot like a zit, which can't really be because I turned 40 something, not teen something!

I think I'm going to try to find some time today to take a Taz Moment. Come on, People of Blogland, join me in a Taz Moment sometime today. Find a comfy couch or chair, put your feet up, and relax. Don't think about the bills, or the aging taking your body from "Woo, I feel great" to "I missed the memo telling me everything was going south, including my boobs". Enjoy doing exactly nothing. Then, when you're done, enjoy the next activity with the enthusiasm of Taz playing in the sprinkler ~

Don't forget, for a the 'big picture' just click the image :)

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back...

What a great day yesterday! From cake for breakfast to a trip into Halifax to attend the monthly meeting of Romance Writers of Atlantic Cananda, then home for, yes, more cake with my tea before bed. What are birthdays for if not to indulge?

The program at the meeting yesterday was conducted by Donna Alward and centered around whether or not an agent is right for you. I already know that to flog my 100,000 word novel, I need an agent. That's the route I've been going all this time. And Donna's workshop reiterated my decision to query agents before looking at other options. It was great to hear of others' experiences - and rewarding to learn that I'm going about it in the right way. I just need to get back on that horse and send some more queries out.

My original intent was to query 100 agents. I still intend to do that - but now I'm looking at beyond that timeframe. With e-books coming on strong and e-publishing becoming more mainstream, I'm now doing some research into that avenue. Wild Rose Press is one I'm seriously looking at. Two years ago I was definitely naive, and had some very rosey glasses perched low on my nose. Rejections and tons of reading about this industry have hardened me up - and given me the knowledge and determination to look at other options. My goal remains the same - get published. But how I go about that goal is evolving - as is my decision to try different genres to find and perfect my voice. I see it all as my learning curve - a necessary task!

I've also struggled with my decision to do major construction on Lady Bells - on top of the many facelifts she's already had over the last three years (my goodness, the poor girl could rival Joan Rivers for reconstructive surgery). I'm a huge fan of Janet Reid (agent with FinePrint Literary Management) and the other day on her blog there was a link to this. Yep - gave me renewed enthusiasm for Lady Bells. I ain't done yet, pass the scalpel!

So, People of Blogland, to agent or not to agent - weigh in on the debate! And, if you want, weigh in on the world of e-publishing/e-books. Don't forget to have a great Monday :)

Let Me Eat Cake...

From Pisces.com ~ my thoughts in blue:

The Astrological birth sign of Pisces (February 19 - March 20)is usually associated with being extremely creative, sensitive, and artistic, as well as a healthy fascination with the metaphysical and spiritual. Pisces are the most intuitive and spiritually developed of the zodiac birth signs.Aptly called "old souls", Pisces thirst for spiritual knowledge and personal growth (my constant visit to the 'self-help' section of bookstores makes perfect sense) . They are the twelfth, and last, of the Zodiac signs, and as such, tend to have a more finely tuned intuition, sixth sense or extrasensory ability to perceive others feelings.
The duality of the Pisces personality is best described as a constant ebb and flow, back and forth, straddling the physical, material world and the ethereal, divine realm where Pisces vivid imagination, powerful intuition and creative daydreaming feel like home (ha, not crazy).
Pisces are creators.Pisces are common as inventors, writers, musicians, painters, and dancers. Pisces make great friends and mates. Pisces are extremely loyal and caring (why does this sound like an ad to get a puppy?). Pisces often possess uncanny intuitive or psychic abilities (except when it comes to my own future).
PISCES - February 19 - March 20. Pisces is the 12th sign of the Zodiac and is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions. The two fish symbolize the internal struggle of the soul within a Pisces (accounts for my inability to make
decisions). Often, the fish are swimming away from each other in a circle
representing life after death or reincarnation. Pisces is considered a feminine
or negative sign. Feminine signs are considered more passive, receptive and
sensitive than masculine/positive signs (Female/negative, male/positive - when did traits such as receptive and sensitive equate with negativity?).
Pisces are sensitive, humane and often idealistic. People born under this sign react emotionally to everything making them compassionate and sensitive to those around them (reason I can be a blubbering idiot at times - hurting over dead animals on the side of the road, I kid you not). Rather than taking an analytical approach to
life, pisces react to the feelings of others and as a result can be very influential when they choose to be. In the right situaltion a Pisces can be capable of incredible deeds (um?). The positive nature of a Pisces and the fact that they are tuned into the feelings of others makes them socially popular (tell that to my lonely, pathetic teenage self).Being able to read and react to situations makes Pisces one of the most adaptive signs in the Zodiac (have to agree - have often referred to myself as an iguana). They are very intuitive and as a result can be flexible and prosper in many different situations. The intuitive nature of Pisces also makes them a very creative and imaginative sign. Pisces are often artists, writers and dreamers (I dream daily of being a writer). The
strong intuition (did I mention that I knew we would get the house even before we went to look at it the very first time?) of a Pisces can also mean that they are very spiritual (Amen).

At least this look at my astrological sign didn't mention 'rose-colored glasses', most of them do. Yes, I am a dreamer. Yes, I am a adaptable. Yes, I am a Pisces, through and through. Yes, it's my birthday - Happy Birthday to Me :)

What sign are you born under and does it reflect who you are accurately, somewhat accurately, not at all? Have a great Sunday - I'm off to eat cake...for breakfast!

Revisions and Renovations...

If you start with good bones (ie: First Draft, finished)...

The structure will withstand some modifications.

What was OK, doable, adequate...

Can be made better.

Start with something...

And revise/renovate to expand, elaborate, improve.