166/365 writing

I have been writing something or another since I was an adolescent.  I remember the first poem I wrote was about the Vietnam war, using the American flag to symbolize blue eyed young men, the white of their spirit, the blood they shed.  I received praise and awe from my family, and that set the tone.  I would write many poems throughout the years, untill my first novella, when I was about 20.  An embarrassingly autobiographical story that I'd cringe to read today.
In college I wrote a novel with Evie, for a 12-credit independent study.  That was a lot of fun.  Also very autobiographical, though.
My last novel (finished last year) actually began in the 80's.  I'm proud of that one. 
Writing has been my salvation over the years, keeping tomes of journals, saying what I could not say aloud.

a long ramble and some pics

It's 5 am. I've been up all night. Not a case of insomnia, but an intentional act.


I wrote some on my second novel (tentatively titled: Patria)... just a few pages, but it was a surprise to be doing it, because it is not something I am actively pursuing.

I wrote a longish piece "about me, and what I want in a man"... this may or may not be printed in this blog post, depending how I feel.

The sun rises in about one hour, and I am going to try and hold out on sleep, to see if I can get to the roof and take some sunrise photographs. It's supposed to be clear skies.

There are fog horns bellowing in the harbor. Always a welcome sound.

Must remember to change lenses....... from the 18-55, to the 55-200. See if I can zoom in on any particularly colorful sunrise clouds. It's always an iffy situation, whether there'll be a worthy shot on the "roll". I'm getting quite tired, and that doesn't bode well for my enthusiasm to do this.

For fun, this evening, I joined a free online dating service. I've never done such a thing, but it will be fun to see what, if any, responses I get. Actually I already got one, and it was sweet, and I wrote back to say hello. What led up to joining the service was the thing I started writing "about me, and what I want from a man"... But of course they don't really provide a space where writing such stuff is appropriate. (Actually, I ended putting in the section titled.summary of me.  Here it is, if you want to waste some more time reading. I don't considerate it a finished statement.

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about me and what I want in a man

basics... that he be Caucasian, at least as tall as me (5'6"), preferably taller. whether he has hair or not is not a consideration, but I do enjoy a beard and mustache, and glasses are always a plus. He can be pleasantly plump, (like me?), though I prefer men of leaner proportions. Of course, with age comes a little spread on all of us, so that's to be expected... and speaking of age, he should be between 55 and 65 years old. Unmarried, whether it be widowed or divorced, or a confirmed bachelor, there shouldn't be a ring on his finger, and old ties should not be holding him back in any way. If he carries a lot of baggage, then he'll have to do it on his own. I've got my own stuff.

not so basic

I like a man of high intelligence, whether it be street smarts or book smarts (though this alone is nothing without a little street smarts). A man who has a lot to say, and likes to make me laugh. If I'm laughing it's a good sign.

A man who can make me laugh. Yes, I know I said this already, but it has to be reinstated. It is a strongly desirable quality. BUT, I don't want one of those men who thinks everything is funny when it's not. They are inappropriate laughers, and that irritates me.

I like spontaneous little gifts. Gifts tell me that he's been thinking about me. Flowers are always welcome, and chocolates once in a while. A bottle of Chanel No.5 goes a long way. The simplest things can show he cares.

Religion is not very important to me, but I despise the fervent religiosity that overcomes some people. If he goes to church or temple every week, that's his prerogative, but don't expect me to be joining you. I stopped going to church when I was about twelve years old. Once in a while I break my abstinence from church, when witnessing a wedding, or a baptism or something. I do like the pageantry of it all, and the way the alter is smudged generously with the frankincense and myrrh. In my heart I follow the teachings of Native American spirituality. If this were to be shared with a man, it would be truly magical, but it is not a quality I think is so easy to find. At any rate, it should be respected.

Someone who supports me in my writing, photography, and crafts, and who himself has hobbies and interests. The more we can learn from each other, and share, the better.

I enjoy sitting together at home, just talking or reading together, or watching television, or movies. Making dinner at home for ourselves.

I love to go on rides to the country, and seek out some lovely stream or waterfall, and go to the open fruit/vegetable markets on the side of the road. It is a chance for me to take a lot of pictures. Oh, a man shouldn't be surprised if I have the camera up to my eye half the time. And I'll be taking pictures of him, too, so he'll have to deal with it.

I think I still have it in me to go camping, but having some type of RV sure would be nice. But any way you look at it, I love to be in the country.

The man I want can be a little brusque at times, but basically he is a sweetheart by nature. Someone sensitive to my own sensitivity.

I want to explore things that are new to both of us, or things that are old to one of us, and new to the other. I want to have fun.

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The sky is getting lighter, but the sun is not expected to rise for another half hour. I'm not too sure what's the best time to go to the roof... like how much before? I'll play it by ear. The birds are chirping, and I've finished my second cup of tea.



6:02 am

Well I got up there a little later than I meant to, having missed the "rising", but caught the "risen". So many contraptions up on the roof (for mobile phones and such?) that it's hard to get a straight on shot of the sun. Too much trouble climbing over the tinny encasements of wires and such.

The moon was still quite bright, as it won't be setting till sometime after noon.

In the other direction was the Verrazano Bridge, which I usually give a complimentary shot, despite the dullish sky.
 

friday afternoon

I have finally finished writing my novel! It is over 500 pages printed out, and I feel a definite loss now that it is written. Of course, that was only the first draft, and there's lots of work to be done on it now. But I wrote "The End", and I'm glad for that. I can't believe I wrote that many pages, and I'm proud of myself. Granted, I don't think it is the best of novels by a long shot, but I did it, and that's what matters.

Today I deleted about a dozen blogs that I was following. People who have apparently stopped blogging...mostly those who haven't made an entry in three months or more. Except for a friend who doesn't get a chance to blog with her busy life, and hasn't blogged in a long while. I follow around 46 blogs now, and most are fairly consistent with their blogging, and I keep up with all of them. There are quite a few bloggers who never respond to my comments by making a comment on my blog, and that can be a little annoying. You would think if you put out the effort to comment, that they could at least say a little something. I don't get that, but still I follow their blogs and continue commenting.

Today I printed out a picture I had scanned of me and my mom when I was 5 years old (she was 32)... I made a birthday card for her, which is August 24th; she'll be 84. The writing on the card isn't so great, but I know she will love it because I made it. I will write LOTS of words on the inside, because I know how much that means to her.

july has come

It's the first of July, and half this year has gone already. Time rushes on.

Today I have been writing on my novel. Surprisingly enough, six new characters have just entered, all of them sisters, I had not planned on this, and am intrigued as to why they have shown up. The only way I find out is to keep on writing, but I'm taking a break right now.

My characters are drinking raspberry leaf tea, and I wish I had some myself, but Lipton will have to do.

It's a blue sky day, with lots of puffy white clouds. Temps in the 80's but it's nice and dry, which is a pleasure.

Hope all of you have a fun and safe weekend.

friday ramble

The weather has been damp and rainy for days. Getting tired of it now. I guess I don't enjoy the rain as much as I used to, now that it creeps into my bones, and makes me achy. Ah, age... such a joy. NOT.


The other day I babysat for Logan, along with my sister. He is such a little wonder to watch. When he says "hi Barbara" my heart just melts. I love watching him run to the trees when we're outside, and patting the tree. He likes when I pat it, too. Someday we've got to teach him to hug the tree. His spirit is so bright and in touch.

I sit here with nothing much to do or say, so I figured I'd say it in the blog. Awfully boring for you, I suppose! But of course you could just click the X is the upper right hand corner.

I just read two good books.... one was Water For Elephants, and the other was The Art of Racing in the Rain, which is told by a dog, and so so good. I recommend them both.

I'm working on my own book today, which isn't ending so soon, apparently. It's 400 pages on a Word document, so I imagine that's only about 200 real book pages, I don't know. I keep thinking I know where it's going, but these characters have a mind of their own, so you never know. Can't wait to finish it so I can read it beginning to end and start a second draft. This could take years, but at least I could say I did it.

I haven't continued my second novel, because it's just too crazy to be writing two at the same time. I just have the beginning part, which I blogged here. Maybe I will continue writing it in November, for the Nanowrimo (National November Writing Month). By then, maybe I'll know what it's about, hahaha.

Well, I'm just rambling, so I'll end here. Hope you are all having a fine day.

new novel bits

At 117, 000 words, I have not yet finished my book, October... wow, is a lot going to have to be cut from that one, I think.  Anyway, I've started writing the sequel to it, despite its not being finished yet.  Thought I'd share a little of that new writing, and maybe you could tell me what you think.

Working title: PATRIA

Chapter 1 The Station

Siquee

Siquee Adante sat on the wooden bench outside the FastStone train depot. The seat was curved from so many backsides waiting in its hold. He wore his best leathers. Buckskin britches and jacket, and a colorful ribbon shirt his sister had made for him many years ago, grown faded and soft in blues and yellows. In his hands he held a homemade dream catcher that he had crafted during many a lonely night without Patria.

The road was his home for many months out of the year, and it was only once in a blue moon that his path crossed close enough with Patria, so as to allow them time together again. Having never legally married, they were nevertheless half-sides, together now for over thirty years.

He hummed a little song as he waited, and tapped his foot. His long hair had several more streaks of grey in it than the last time he‘d seen her. He smiled, thinking of her hair, already shining like silver.

His fingers played with the dream catcher, and he frowned at spots he thought could have been crafted better.

He rose now and then, looking down the tracks, though he was aware of having arrived early.

His nose caught the fragrance of snow on the air, and this was not unusual. The season was never late in coming. It was good. Winter always brought Patria back to him.

He could see her in his mind’s eye, ever young, with brick colored hair ; her rich earthen eyes seeing more than just your face.

****

They first locked eyes at a dance he was performing with his troop in Raleigh, West Virginia. Each time he turned the circle towards her direction he found himself staring into those eyes, and yet he did not miss a step.

When the dances were over, and other troops took the center ring, he walked in what he thought was her direction. She did the same. Come the long way around they were within eye distance again, and he felt as if he were still dancing.

She was traveling with her sister, Siima, a raven haired beauty, herself. But Siquee’s eyes were for one woman only.

“Patria?” he asked, when she told him her name.

“Yes, Patria!” she laughed. She was direct right from the start, and it made Siquee’s heart laugh and leap.

“My name you can say! Not your name! Sookie?”

This made Siquee laugh out loud, and he repeated his name to her several times until finally she was able to say it. He told her she smelled beautiful, like a flower he could only imagine. She beamed.

“Where are you from.” Siquee asked.

“Oh, I am from everywhere.” she said in her exuberant way, but giving a dark eye, and not saying.

“What does this mean, this Siquee?” she asked, changing the subject.

“An arrow goes straight over the ridge.” Siquee said.

Patria raised her eyebrows.

“Patria means me, I am Patria.” She said.

Siquee could barely look into those cavernous eyes.

“Good meaning.” he said seriously, shaking his head in agreement.

******

He could feel the train beating in the earth long before he could see it coming.

***



Patria





Patria Solvania bathed in a tub of elderberry bark and cinnamon,
wildflowers, and sage. It was an old recipe for a bath that her and her sister, Siima, God rest her soul, would bathe in before a day or night out on the town. You could smell this flowery earthen fragrance before even seeing the two of them. They could find their way back to each other by the scent upon the air.

She hoped the train would not erase her scent.

She dressed in raw silks, sewn together by her own hand, gathered throughout, with stars embroidered upon them. She made a whooshing sound as she moved. Her silver hair was braided to one side. She penciled in her eyebrows, where she had all but lost her hair, and put on her barely pink frosted lipstick. She made up like this everyday working in the store, but this time it was different for her, more special.

“So, Samson,’, she said to the white cat, ‘you be good for Optavia, yes? Be nice to doggie, too!” She cuddled the cat under her chin, and Samson purred and pushed his head into her chin.

“I’ll give him lots of love, Patria, I promise.” Octavia said.

Octavia and Wesley were a couple from the village who were friends with Patria. They would be watching her coffee and herbs shop while she went to be with Siquee.

They drove her to the train station in Westwood, Colorado, and bid her farewell.

Patria knew that Siquee would feel the rumble of this train long before it pulled into the station at FastStone.

nano down the draino

On the day Nanowrimo started (Nov 1st), I had completely forgot about it. That night, I managed to eek out 747 words, not even enough for a minimum needed word count for a day, but it was something. Now it is the 8th day, and I haven't written a word more. My mind has been very preoccupied by the malady of the quotidian, so to speak, and writing hasn't been one of those preoccupations.


I haven't yet finished the first novel I started during the last Nanowrimo. I'm over 111K words, and I can feel the ending in my hands. It's hard to get started on a new novel, especially when it is somewhat of a sequel... But it should stand alone, it's just that this one's main characters were secondary characters in the first novel.

Thus my lack of updates on my Nano-progress. Not sure it'll get any better from here on out... it may just be bad timing right now.

september at last

So, it's September at last. The worst of summer will be on its way out soon, and boy, am I glad about that. It's the season I like the least.

I have finally backed up my novel onto a cd.... well 101, 000 words of it. Now I don't have to panic if the computer goes down someday. Glad I finally got around to doing that.

There's nothing much going on in my little world lately. Just wanted to get my first September post in here.

evening ramble

The weather has cooled off from the intensive heat and humidity. It is a relief like you wouldn't believe.

I've had two cups of coffee late tonight; just couldn't resist.

It's quiet out for a saturday night. Seems more like Sunday. Look, we are nearly at the Ides of August. The summer moves on more noticably now. Before you know it, the days will turn moody with September, and the hint of the next season.

I keep track of the days now by watching my grand-nephew grow.

I've been writing some on the novel, and have gotten past the 100K mark. I congratulate myself for that, although the writing itself is sorely under par, I believe. Not sure what the main character's epiphany is going to be, but I feel like she must achieve one in order for there to be some point in this novel. What it is, and when she will achieve it, is beyond me at the moment. I want it to end so I can start working on it, if you know what I mean. I guess the more I write the more opportunity I'll have to hatchet it on the first revision. But I've got to finish it first. Who knows how many more words that will take.

I miss making dolls. I haven't been able to replenish my supplies, so there's no clay or anything to work with. I have the main character of my novel making dolls, so I do it vicariously through her... but she is better at it than I am . :)

Come the Fall, I will have to get supplies again.

friday night

I was writing my novel, and came to what was a flimsy ending, saying in one paragraph what should have been said for another thirty pages, probably. This made me feel like I was done with it for a couple of days, so I started editing it from the beginning. I kept having a nagging feeling that I wanted to write more, and felt bad I had ended it.... As if I didn't have the power to undo that.. or do it up better, rather. So, tonight I deleted that last paragraph, and I will be continuing to live with my characters for a while longer. Forget trying to edit on the computer; I need a hard copy for that, and have no ink in the printer right now.

My niece, who was due on Nov. 27th, still hasn't given birth yet. She is anxious as can be, and we are all anxious for her. Come on, little guy, come out and greet the world!

I am finding it hard to believe it is December. I'm not feeling very Christmassy yet, and I think that could change when the baby comes.

The 18th anniversary of my father's death is December 8th, so this is usually a rather down period of time for me. It would be something if the baby was born on that day, transforming it completely. Of course, it is already transforming this time, I believe.

I think about the 18 years since my father has died. I have never been the same since. I never truly regained the joie de vivre that I used to have. He was the dearest father, and my best friend. Such a large presence in my life that his absence is a huge hole unable to be filled, no matter how many years go by.

met my nano goal!

Woke up early this morning and wrote over 4,000 words. I have met my goal for the month, with a grand total of 50,131 words so far. The story isn't ended yet, so there will be more to come, but for now, I am going to take it slow, just glad that I reached the goal that I had set... 14 days ahead of time!


Yay me!

nano update

Been a couple or three days since my last NaNo update.  I'm up to 42,070/50,000, so I'm well on my way to finishing the month's desired goal.  I don't know if this thing reads like a novel or not, since I haven't reread anything, otherwise I'd get started with editing, and really hold myself back.  There's so much dialogue that I think it reads more like a stage play than a novel, but at least I am writing it.  I don't particularly think that the whole story can be wrapped up in another 8,000 words, but I'm trying for that.  I can fatten it up when I start doing the rewrites in the future. 

if wishes had wings, I'd be flyin'

It has been years since writing at such a pace as I am now. I had forgotten what a lonely profession writing can be. My characters are interacting, having new experiences, and talking a lot, and I am lonely when they are not talking, and I'm not busy writing. It's a strange phenomenon, waiting for the company of your characters. I think that's why I've been writing so much.

Today is Wishcasting Wednesday and Jamie Ridler asks: "What do you wish to dare?"

These wishes are so wide open that almost anything can fit into them! I wish to engage life.. that is the first thing that came to my mind. That means leaving my house to do more than go grocery shopping, or for a drs. appointment, or to visit with my mom just occasionally. It's about getting out there... somewhere, anywhere, and engaging people... becoming "part of". I miss people much of the time, miss nature, miss life. Of course, I wasn't always like this, which is why I'm able to write stories.

My niece/god-daughter, is having a baby this month, and I look forward to that new life instilling life in me, as well.

write on!

I amassed about 4,000 words between midnight and this morning, far exceeding my expected output. Different parts of the story were coming at me, so I wrote several different scenes. It'll all be worked out after November, when revisions are in order. Right now, every time I think I'm going to run out of words, some scene or dialogue comes to me. My total as of now is 22,707 words. I want to get to the halfway mark of 25K as soon as possible.

another overnighter

7am in Brooklyn, New York, and it's 45°F/7°C.


I have been up all night writing, on and off, since midnight. Since I was a kid these were the best hours for me, and I have written tomes of journals at these times. Don't know how many words I wrote tonight, as I'm only keeping track of my totals, and that was 14K+ when I stopped writing.



It should be a fairly uneventful day, except for a drs. visit to get some prescriptions. On that note, I had mentioned sometime back about going through some cardiac testing... I have done that, and the results came back that I have a fine heart, and good carotid arteries, so a large scare I felt has been relieved. The cause of my passing out episodes remains a mystery, and may have been due to a drop in blood pressure, I really don't know. I'm just glad my heart is in as good a shape as the doctor said it is.

wishcasting wednesday

It's wishcasting wednesday, and I haven't participated in this in quite a while.

Today question is "What do you wish to experience?"
Since I am into this novel writing adventure, that is primarily where my head is at these days.
I wish to experience days of easy writing, followed by diligent and excellent revisions (after November). After that, I wish to experience the joy of having a book published, and becoming a best seller! Heck, I may as well put that out there, right?

a novel insomnia

I get up in the middle of the night to keep writing my novel. Everytime I approach this I think there will be nothing new to write, but words come out. I am far beyond the point I thought I'd be at, with over 11,000 words this morning. My characters seem to want to dialouge an awful lot, and I was not really expecting that. I want to work at more description, and perhaps some character contemplation, if that makes any sense. Much of the dialouge is stitled, not quite right, but I can't make time for editing as this is not about editing and making perfect, but gettng the words on the page so that in the winter I will have a real first draft to work on. I truly haven't written at this rate in 30 years.

NaNoWriMo progress report

5479 words on Day 3.. I am ahead of my desired quota. 

NaNoWriMo begins

Nanowrimo has started (as of midnight), and I've decided to do 5 or 6 15 minute stints of writing at a time, unless I'm on a total roll. This would get me to my desired daily goal of approximately 1700 words. I started at midnight, doing my first 15 minutes, and wrote 347 words, which put me right on target. That's pretty much writing non stop, no redesigning a sentence or even having enough time to think of another one that's not as corny as the last. But I will not critique, I will not critique.

It's not easy going; I am pulling things out of my head from I don't know where. But it happens if you plow through, and basically throw caution to the wind, so to speak. This is writing by the seat of my pants kinda stuff.

I have the whole day (Sunday) to finish of my next 5 writing sessions, depending on how long I go on each of them. They have to be at least 15 minutes, that's my minimum. Not as easy as it sounds. There's also an extra hour to the day, so I can utilize that, as well.

Afternoon update:  I've written 1927 words, so I got my quota done for today. Yay! :)

upcoming project

I must be crazy. I joined up to participate in this year's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). (see my personal user badge at the right, which will give you my word count, starting in November.) I don't know what possessed me to do such a thing, and I am daunted at the scope of it. The target is to write (mind you, quantity counts over quality in this case) 50 K words during the month of November, starting (anew, no old stuff) at the stroke of midnight on November 1st. That's something like 1700 words a day! And I am starting at zero these days. Some people are doing enormous pre-nano tasks, like writing a short story every day, just to get in the groove! Hahaha... if I have that much to write, surely I'll save it for my word count when it starts.
I have an old very-unfinished novel that I won't use words for in this new venture... since there is to be no old writing.. but I think my story will come from that one. I'm not sure, I have to see what happens when I start writing this thing from scratch. Sometimes, oft times, writing takes you where you'd least expect.
I'll try to keep my blog updated with my progress, and if I'm really writing that much.

I feel a nervous excitement about this. I think that's good.
Maybe I will spend the next month trying to flesh out a plot and some main characters. A little preplanning can't hurt. What a crazily ambitious venture. I have not known myself to be too ambitious these days, but it is a familiar feeling from days gone by.
This is a project that forces one to kick the critic off one's shoulder, and just muddle through, bringing out garbage and gems alike, as long as you bring it out and get it on the page. There may be many pages of non-cohesive writing; bits and pieces, as I've been known to do. But that will be okay (I have to keep reminding myself). When the muse doesn't move me, sheer perseverance must... maybe the muse will hop on board if given half the chance.