There are a number of things I am grateful for; the most is My Friends. There are those of us who find ourselves in a torrent of Orcs, Urgals, Shades, Demonic Kings, Tyrants, and Thieves (both physical and mental, Dear Readers). There are these the lighthouses that shine upon our darkness and help guide us a way out. And for those moments with the ethereal Gods and Goddesses descend from on high to light the way through the forest, I am and will be forever grateful. Thus being said a thanks to Krissy and Sara for yesterday.
This week find me FINALLY FREAKIN" FINISHING "Inheritance"!! Gods by Damn to the Neitherworlds!!!
To say I am glad, Dear Readers, is an understatement. Those of you who follow me regularly know this, know that I have been struggling to finish "Inheritance" since January. But, as with any book, there is a price, that is sadness, a sadness of leaving the characters I have come to love and hold dear behind. I have said this before, but I am not going to review "Inheritance" right now. That's for a later blog. I must to clear my head.
Anyway, Dear Readers, "The Inheritance Cycle" is a good series to read. Even though at times it drags, feels too detailed (not that detail is bad, but sometimes 20 pages of Dwarven council is a bit much). The characters are different, the story is sound, if overly long at times. I did enjoy it. I might be less than other series, but it still enjoyed it. I might even say that it is a series to be put on the re-read shelf (and that is saying a lot). Not my favourite series, others hold that place, but "The Inheritance Cycle" is still a good read for fantasy lovers.
I have decided to do a full review later in the year. I have some to prospects, like NaPoWriMo and the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Also, I am going to continue into Round 2 of A Round of Words in 80 Days. This coupled with the upcoming storm of The Tempest going up April19th through April 26th (4 performances) with the Keuka Lake Players and 24 Hour Theatre with The Lake Country Players on April 5th. These are some of my challenges facing me this month and next.
I have learned a heck of a lot about managing my time and striving forward with my goals. There were a number of goals that I never come close to; but on the other side, I learned some new skills, made some new (better) habits, and pushed myself harder with my writing. There is SO MUCH more I can and will do. I am going to revise my goal from Round 1, add some new goals, and discard old ideas/goals that I do not think will work for me. It's not anything I am shamed off, in fact, I am that much more freer and confidant in my abilities to pursue those goals and dreams.
So, what have I been up since Sunday?
~Finished "Inheritance"
~Starting "The Hunger Games" tomorrow (need time to let "Inheritance"set in)
~Journaling twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
~Keeping up with the housework
~Starting hiking
It's a start and a decent way to end Round 1.
I have group rehearsal for the Tempest tonight. Will get to show off my stuff. Been feeling more like Trinculo lately. The director had to switch out our Stephano due to difficulty with the lines. But thankfully we have a new Stephano and the old Stephano still wants to be involved with the show. It was her first show EVER! That takes balls. She did an awesome job with what she could and for that I give her a huge ~DRAGON HUG~ and a toast from my bottle!! Other than that, it goes well. 24 Hour Theatre is going great. The excitement from the writer, directors, and actors is amazing. It's going to be good!!! The other theatre projects I am involved have started LCP's junior players Zombeo and Juliet (set master/props mistress) and LCP Improv. Like I said earlier, Dear Readers, it's going to be a busy April. But, it's what I do! And, of course, in between, find time to write. Oh, no rest for the wicked and the writers.
Come and visit my fellow writers and bloggers on the Blog Hop!! Have a great rest of the week, Dear Readers. Leave me a comment below. Spread some love. Enjoy the outside. And, remember that I believe in each and everyone of you and will not let you fall!!
So, again I misjudge my end of ROW80, but that's entirely okay. I have been busy in a number of ways, so I
don't feel bad. It's March 23rd and this morning is bringing LIGHT snow flurries. I am SO SICK OF SNOW of any kind. It's not even pretty anymore. Most likely is a passing flurry, or barely able to be considered a flurry. AROW80 is all about writing and knowing that you have a life. This is very true of me in the last month. Life is certainly keeping me on my toes. So, I have a plan to keep the snow away....
~INSERT UKELELE MUSIC HERE~
I am listening to my collection of Hawaiian music. Not something I normally listen to, but I love a wide scope of music and I got curious. It's a two CD set with about 30 songs. Makes me wish I was on the beach. Some of the songs are rather hokey; I prefer the instrumental, they tend to bring out the best feel of the sounds of Hawaii. I have never been to Hawaii. I would love to go someday.
And upon reflection the track list on the CD and the list of the CD case in NOT correct! I just listened to Bali Ha'i, but is labeled as Pretty Red Hibiscus. So, I get to guess what songs I am listening to . JOY! At least I know Pearly Shells. The good news, it's a version by Burl Ives, so I can forgive the cheap CD makers.
Anyway getting distracted with girls in grass skirts, flowery leis, and rainbow coloured drinks!
Mine and David;s wedding anniversary was on Friday. I took him out to Breakfast Saturday morning and he brought us dinner (how very mutual, right?). Saturday was a rather fabulous day of spending it together. We talked and enjoyed a nice, if damp hike up at Spencercrest Nature Center after breakfast. It was a nice day. Sometimes life gets in the way, it was a good way to reconnect with David. It's been 7 years of married life (married on March 21st, 2007, the first day of Spring), although we have been together since late 1999 (going on 15 years of being together).
Trinculo and Caliban are coming along, both David and I got to work us scenes together, filling in Stephano lines. As for memorization, we got this! Now it's firming up the scenes, learning the cure lines, which is hard we you rehearse by your self. The only way I have found that helps the cue lines is running the scene with others. Yes, I haven't forgotten to post me and my lines. I will make that a priority this week. Shakespeare is hard to memorize, but when you do get the words, it is really a beautiful language style.
Been making my way through "Inheritance", not slogging anymore. But with Tempest gearing up and my other Theatre projects I have less time to read. I usually am reading on my lunch at my day job. I am still on three days a week. Each week I hope for four days (It'll happen). There is less than two weeks until 24 Hour Theatre and Zombeo and Juliet's first read through is tomorrow, and there's Improv starting up (the season is April through August). Serious, no rest for the wicked! But, I really wouldn't change a thing about my theatre life. It's in my blood. I also have bought a number of used books recently Wicked, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, House of Leaves, and some Agatha Christie novels. I think I am going to spend the summer reading in the sun. Next series, Dear Readers, if you didn't know is going to be The Hunger Games.
The writing has been less drought-like. As I posted back on Wednesday, I did revise a script with a more cohesive plot and have been writing haiku and random poetic words to
keep the juices following in the mean time. Also, I posted a non-ROW80
blog yesterday, taking a look back at a series of Disney VHS tapes
(Disney Wiki - Disney Mini Classics) that I remember from my youth (some more than others). You should check it out, Dear Readers. There are at least a dozen of these tapes. I may do a full Disney month coming up. Either that or a Lesser known Fantasy movie month, in the vein of Rigoletto, maybe? Between that and the journaling, I am feeling more confident with my own zen writing.
It was a pretty good week, very productive and I feel great. A sure sign that Spring is coming, even if the snow is still falling. Thankfully, at the time of this blog has stopped. It's a new day and there a new chance to make something awesome. I am going to see some friends in their final performance of Elmira Little Theatre's"Mornings at Seven" later this afternoon. Have a great day and a Great Week, Dear Readers!
This Blog is part of AROW80's Blog Hop! Check out my fellow writers and bloggers.
You know the old adage, "When it Rains, it Pours"? It also goes for the opposite too; "when it's dry, it's a drought". Okay, I clearly made that part up, but it's kind of rings true. My creative juices have been a touch parched lately. The ironic part is that this morning it's pouring rain and threatening to snow later (that's remains to be seen). The good news is that most of the snow and ice has melted from my yard; the bad news is my driveway is now a mud pit and across the street I have mini Lake Erie.
I feel like winter's is taking on more stab at trying to reclaim it's throne. This winter storm has been dubbed Vulcan. This means that it's either going to be a logical storm, or that his going to smelt us into a sword with his forge. Vulcan is the Greek/Roman god of fire and the smiths, a patron of the crafts. He and Athena shared the duties as patrons of craft work, he with the fire/metal/forge and she with the woven/fabric/loom. Maybe that means that after the storm it will get warm again, as Vulcan will have forged Spring.
What Winter Storm Vulcan looks like in Corning, NY (picture from MorgueFile)
Okay, that a bit of a reach. I love the image, a large muscular giant forging a new sun/star to keep the peoples he watches over safe after the old sun has died. It even borrows from the old lore where Winter is the death of the Sun (God) and so the peaceful Vulcan, guardian of Fire sets to forges a new sun from the old and bring forth Spring to the Lands. Oh, that's good! Classic Greek and Celtic Mythologies merging into a new Myth. I might need to write that one down. My longest running WIP is a fantasy series and this myth could help me finally get a handle on the plot. I have so much background created, but nothing really in the way of plot, yet.
Since I got sidetracked by Greek myths, I should do something around these same myths . My name is Cynthia, who is also known as Artemis (Greek) or Diana (Roman). A goddess of the dark, the hunt, forest, wild things, and confused for the Moon (actually Selene, the actual Moon Goddess). Twin brother to Apollo and borne of Zeus and Leto (a mortal). She is a powerful and sometimes vengeful deity (depends on the story being told), but also mericful to women who have died 'swift and painless deaths' and wild things.
Connected
Guided
by the Moon,
Bore
the name Artemis:
Am
the Huntsman-in-Chief.
Goddess
of the Dark
Connected
to my Brother
Who
is Leader of the Light.
He
is Apollo and I, Artemis,
Both
of light and dark.
Cerridwen - The Magic Circle (Waterhouse)
Guided
by the Lion
And
possessed by Fire
Which
burns inside me, always.
Connected
by the Flame
Which
is ruled by the Sun.
I
have found peace,
Among
the light and the dark.
Guided
by the Circle
Where
is now I stand.
Am
the Eagle,
Thus
guided by All.
Connected
to the world,
By
the fire which we stand.
I am,
all that I am,
Now
kneeling before the King.
I
among Seven go to fight
The
Unknown demons.
The above mentioned poem is based a poem upon Artemis, my name sake; and have taken strength from her persona. She is my patron Goddess from the Greek pantheon and I also have as a patron Goddess, Ceridwen in the Celtic pantheon, she is of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration. She is the keeper of a cauldron of 'Poetic Inspiration'. This is most likely a poet, being inspired by a Goddess of Poetry. I can clearly go on and on.
Moving on!
I had not journal at all last week, partly because my schedule was goofed up and I was not able to devote my mornings to my journal time. Mornings are great for offloading some of my weightier thoughts, also I feel that in the morning (even if I am still sleepy), I am more aware of my thoughts and even my dreams (if i catch them early enough). Dreams are a fickle breed, like wild horses, very hard to catch. Morning is the best time to wrangle them, usually right about the time my alarm first goes off. So, I am back to regular journaling. Feels good too.
Been reading Inheritance like a mad woman, and am almost to page 600. I look at it and marvel at Mr. Paolini writing, but at the same time I get really irritated when he goes on for pages about some of the most mundane details. Sometimes you don;t need to be THAT detailed. On the up side, I really love his characters. I am also hoping that after Inheritance that I can make quicker work of my Goodreads 2014 reading challenge. I pledged to read 25 books this year and am getting a bit behind.
Tempest has had a long weekend break and as we are gearing up for more intense rehearsals, it was a nice break. I have spend time getting my last 2 scenes memorized. I can say that my lines are all in my head. Now is the time to get the lines perfected and into Trinculo's character. I want his voice to sound deeper, meaning I need to lower my voice (as best as I can being a woman). If I can borrow David's camera I want to record my first (only) monologue in the show. It might help me to find my Trinculo.
It's Raining, it's Pouring, the Old Man is snoring!!!
So, Dear Readers, what are you doing on this rainy day (or maybe it's snowing or sunny where you are)?
I am going to be courting the muse (see Susan Werner, Courting the Muse). I am home from the day job, because of the weather. Not a problem. I got this! Time to use the rain and the serenity to my advantage. I am the master of my own destiny.
Have a fantastic rest of the week, Dear Readers and Writers. I shall
have a new non-ROW80 post up by the end of the week. Keep smiling!
Remember to visit your friendly neighbourhood writers and bloggers at AROW80's Blog Hop!
Time for some more coffee and music. Maybe I can catch my Muse. Feeling
better this morning, even with the rain, I am cleansed. Going to make
the most of today. I want to offer something for you, Dear Readers (and
Writers). A writing prompt, maybe? I give you poems galore, but today I
offer you a writing prompt. As I have been given prompts in the past, I
shall pass it on. Write for 10 minutes, do not worry about grammar or
spelling. Just writing with reckless abandon for 10 minutes. If you feel
comfortable, please post to my comments section.
Topic: "When the Rain Stops..." and GO! Here's mine:
When the rain stops, I can only imagine what the world will
look like. I am drowning in my own little alcove. Watching from the windows,
like a stalker that is dry in a world of water and rivers and sheets of rain
pouring down.
I am even so lonely when it rains. There never seems to be
anyone around. Yet I watch and wait.
What will I do if the rains actually stop?
I cannot even fathom than. It's been raining for ever so
long. I feel like a princess at the top of the tower, waiting for her prince.
Just waiting. Even the world around me seems dull. I have books and paints, but
nothing really interests me. What I want is to be out after the rains have
stopped. When maybe I can set foot on the ground, feel the sun upon my face, and
dance with butterflies.
Yet, it is still raining. And my heart is damp, soaked
straight through. Just like the rain through the bare branches, soaking the ground
and the drowning the world in an Ocean of mist.
I just want the rain to stop. I want the sun to come out and
warm my bones; to dry the mud soaked ground and my dampened heart. Maybe
someday the rains will stop, until then I have to watch from the windows of my
own fortress. A place of solitude, where only I reside, with my books and
paints.
Maybe, I stop watching it rain. Maybe that is why I am sad.
Maybe I should go out of my fortress, my sanctuary from the world. Maybe the
time is right, and then the rains will stop and the sun will come out. Maybe I
can control the weather. Maybe it's all me?
Oh, when will the rains stop? Only when I choose them
to...will they? Will they....
It's a sunny day and I am just trying to wake up after having lost an hour due to Daylight Saving Time. Do we actually save time? I don't think so. I know losing and hour suck horribly. Need MOAR COFFEE!!
[After several more cups of coffee]
Okay, time to finish this.
I have all mah lines in mah head! They seem to be sticking, but now it making sure that I get all teh words that Shakespeare put in his play. [shakes fist to the heavens] SHAKESPEARE! Just kidding, I love it, but there are time when the words get in the way. We are a little more than a month and a half away from the show. Holy Crap!
For the last two days I have been painting. I seemed to have found the painting muse, Urania the Muse of Astronomy, and as I have been painting the Tardis, she seems fitting. Part of a social media project to make something for random people within the year 2014. I have a lot of Whovian friends, so it was naturally going to fall to Tardises and Doctor scarves. I have missed painting. There is something soothing and meditative about smearing paint across canvas or paper. Might paint a bit more before the weekend is over.
Been working on getting Lake Country Improv geared up and prepping for The Lake Country Players, 24 Hour Theatre at Old Havana Courthouse Theatre next month. Theatre created in 1 day! Theatre is coming alive with the melting of the snow and the longer days. It's exciting to see new writers and old professionals coming together to make something great. Lake Country Improv is gearing up for a FULL season this year at The Montour Falls Methodist Church, the last Tuesday of every month April through August 2014.
Finally getting through "Inheritance", am surprised that it's still good. I am enjoying it, even with the feel of Tolkien coursing through the veins and lines and paragraphs. I am hoping to get a bit more consistent with my reading after "Inheritance", not that I will ever truly be caught up on books. NEVER!
Been a little dry with the writing over the last few weeks. I am trying to at least write poetry, mostly haiku and blogging. I think I am focus on other project and those energies are getting re-directed. I am still writing. Been trying more writing prompts both on twitter and with my fellows at AROW80. It's not a bad thing. I have my WIPs "In the City" and the "Doctor Who" story, and I want to adapt my story "Crying Mascara" into a stage play (an 1 Act), and a few other smaller writing projects. I am going to focus on these in the coming months (March thru April) and see if I can get a bit more on track.
I want to thank you, Dear Readers, for the words of encouragement and advise. It has helped to get my brain focused, to try new things, and to not fall into a rut. Admin the some rough bumps that started this year, I am even more convince that this writing thing is for me. I enjoy it so much: blogging, poetry, stories/plays, novels, and such. Call me a Jack-of-all-Trades, I do a little bit of everything.
Upcoming shows April 2014
Dear Readers have a great week! I am going to be busy this week. Spring has sprung (mostly), it's time to enjoy the weather. Be good to each other and find someone today, tell them you love them (or that you care for them). I'll be around if you have need of anything.
Remember this Blog is part of a Blog Hop! Check out some of my fellow writers and bloggers! Pay it Forward.
Before I begin this week, I want to say that this has been an wonderful experience. I know that this round is coming to a close (but not yet). I have learned a great deal about my writing habits and what gets me inspired. Maybe I wasn't as successful at some of my goals, or life real did get in the way, but I really did have fun. I have a greater understanding of what I CAN do as a writer.
Okay, I still have time in this round to be productive... ~clears throat~
I am back to reading. Plugging along with "Inheritance". I started to get overwhelmed by the stories progress and I felt there was A LOT of similarities in the story with "The Lord of the Rings" stories. And don't get me wrong, I do love Tolkien, but I started this series because of the Dragons, not a story wanting to be "The Lord of the Rings." I absolutely love the books "Eragon" and "Eldest," even "Brisinger" was a more mature novel, in Paolini's writing style. I loved it, except for the really long and detailed Dwarven Parliament. The interwoven stories and the depth to the characters pulled me in. Inheritance is also good in the same way, but there are also moment that you are slogging through. My biggest beef is the battles, they play out like mini Helms Deep battles. I hit a hump in one of the chapters, where I didn't want to go on. There will be no spoilers here! I will just stay that in the chapter called "Conclave of Kings" I was overwhelmed (as stated previously). Two days ago, I made myself resume reading and to my delight i can still read it. I really was a small speed bump that made my head go 'AHHHHH' for a bit. I am clearly pasted my date of February 15th to finish "Inheritance". Oh well! I am getting the most out of this book.
I am making progress on my WIP. (Oooh, first time I used that. I see all my fellow writers using it and these are WIPs). The "In the City" may in fact turn into a longer story, maybe novella length, not too sure. I am just really intrigued by the current story flow. I want to see where I end up taking it. i find that when I start a story I will get bored with the premise. Now "Crying Mascara" (recently posted to my deviantart page, if you are curious to read it), that one was really easy. It flowed like some sort of gently flowing river until it reached the seashore and made passionate love to the sea. I know, what a strange way to describe a story. But, upon reflection, it's true. "In the City" could very well flow with the same passion, I just need to direct it more.
On the other side, my Doctor Who story (fan-fic) is proving to be harder to kick start. I will admit that the In the City" story has taken my fancy, but I've not given up hope. I like my base, now I need that thing to happen or that person to do that other thing to suddenly make the trickle turn into a roaring river. Maybe I should just listen to the sound of the Tardis Interior Hum to get inspired. There is something to the sound, because I have journaled to this sound, blogged, and written. Maybe it's algorithms. Maybe it's just cause I really like Doctor Who. I know.
"
Gearing up for more blog entries for non-ROW80 blogs. I am thinking that I want to do another themed month, maybe not a poetry one this time. Although, they are fun and I get some really interesting poems out of it.Again, I throw this out there all the time, but I love to get interesting poetry topics to write about. Leave me a comment below, and I shall compose a poem about your topic for you, Dear Readers. I am thinking of continuing AROW80 into the next round.
It's Sunday and it's snowing, again Dear Readers. ~GROANS~ Why does it have to be so pretty, when I am so sick of it's presence? I have a number of things to still accomplish today. So go out there, Dear Readers and make something amazing or go watch Sherlock and then make something amazing. I am going to be writing and rehearsing lines and meeting with Stephano (that would be Antoinette) later today to run lines (as I missed Wednesday rehearsal because of plague). Gonna be a full day, but feeling rather good this morning. Maybe an impromptu haiku for you this morning.
When March had begun
And the world is still covered
Know this, Spring will be.
Have a fantastic week! Like I said before, go out there and make something beautiful. Go and check out my fellow writers at the Blog Hop for A Round of Words in 80 days! Be good to each other and I believe in all of you!!!
Oh and listen to some Meghan Andrews cover of "Jolene" today, you won't regret it. Here's one of her original songs:
I started ROW80 with some lofty goals, thinking maybe that it would be easy. In some ways it has proven to be easy. While some goals seemed to be harder to get motivated to work on. It sounds kind of like a standard revelation, where you learn what you can and cannot accomplish in a set time.
That sentence doesn't feel right to me. There is more to it than that.
I am of the mind that everything I want to accomplish with ROW80 or anything in life for that matter I can still accomplish. I need to clear this up now. Everything I want to do with my life from writing to theatre to keeping my house clean I am going to. Obviously, some of these goals might take longer and I am okay with this. Today is looking at the goals I have set and seeing if I indeed need to revise any with that schedule. Actually, upon review of my first ROW80 post, I have actually done pretty well. Some of the goals I have really been successful on include:
1. Attempt to finish 1 short story in the month of January. Date: January 31st. (This is done. I wrote a short story and revised it. Going to send it out to a few test reader a see what they think. I am confidant that I can write a short story in both February and March.)
Write a short story or 1 act in February. Date: February 28th
Write a short story or 1 act in March. Date: March 31st.
2. Journal at least twice a week throughout ROW80 and continuing afterwards. (This has been easier than I thought. Even if I don't write five full pages and I am still devoting two days a week to journaling.)
3. Finish my Obscure Poetry Month with a poem a day. No missing any days. Date: January 31st. (This is still going on, but I have NOT missed a day yet, nor will I. Even though I am a little sick of rhyming. I am not lying.)
4. Finish reading "Brisinger" and "Inheritance". Date: Brisinger - January 15th (CHECK). Inheritance - By February. (Been plugging along on "Inheritance", but now I have some new books that I just buy and want to read, including borrowing a copy of a novel by Hugh Laurie, "The Gunseller". This is gonna push me harder to spend more time reading.)
Now, there are some goals that I have been struggling with, but I am still going to try complete them. The biggest of these are my novels form NaNoWriMo 2011 and 2013. I want to revise my first novel from NaNoWriMo 2011, "Tale of Memories".
I guess I need to put a measurable date. Okay, lets aim for March 1st; and there is also the 2013 novel "All them Goodbyes" to begin work on... TBD. I need to sit down and work on these. Part of me, I think, is afraid that they won't be any good. I need to work past this and at least try and see if they are good enough to get published. This really is my BIG goal and I need to devote more time to it.
I am glad that I am writing with more regularity though. I need more practice with writing, so one should not down play either. Some of these goals as they become habit I won't need to think about much. They will happen because they are habit. Thereby making the other goals easier to focus on. I think! That's what I am striving for anyway.
The hardest part this week to achieve any of my goals has been dealing with personal issues and that nice little Polar Vortex that has decided to descend upon the northeast. While very good for wanting to keep me in my study writing or editing; it's not great for always keeping me focused. When it's been this cold my ambition starts to freeze. Then I start to get distracted.
No matter. The Polar Vortex will not win, I am smarter than it! :-)
Tempest rehearsals start fully this week, so I will have my hands full learning Trinculo's lines and keeping up with the writing and editing and reading. Heh! I was never one for being complacent for long. I do love a challenge. Can't keep a good writer/reader down, Dear Readers! Especially if she is a theatre nerd!
I have an addition to my writing goals. I want to not only post my bi-weekly ROW80 update posts, but I want to return to posting a regular blog post during the week. I feel as though I posted this in a previous update. If so, my amendment is that each week I WILL post a regular, non-ROW80 blog post every Friday/Saturday. I did miss this past Friday/Saturday, but no matter. I have decided this, so thus this week begins the new goal. Always a chance to start fresh. Additional amendment: I am going to edit at least pages per editing session. Even if i do not edit everyday, when I do edit it will be pages per session. Subject to be determined when I will designate editing times (sessions).
I really have been enjoying ROW80. There is something good about being able to stick to my goals and move forward. I have more confidence in myself and am able to use that to make good things happen.
Stick around Dear Readers, there will be more excitement brewing with this blog. New blogs to write and therefore read. Much more! HUZZAH! 2014 is headed in an awesome direction and I'm going to keep the flow going. Have a fantastic week, Dear Readers. Go and make something awesomely beautiful. Be good to each other. I leave you with a poem from my Obscure Poetic Form Month, a Villanelle. The rhyme scheme is also posted for any and all who would love to try their hands a writing a villanelle. It's actually really fun!
1/20: Mirrors (via Tom Lawson)
Villanelle: A1 b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a
b A1 A2
Mirror Truth
A portal to another world, where everything is reverse
Where you can perfect the form of beauty or exercise,
By watching your own parallel universe.
There are things that are truly worse
Then staring at yourself as you glamorize--
A portal to another world, where everything is reverse
Trying to find ways to coerce
Yourself that the reflection you see is the prize,
By watching your own parallel universe.
How many times have you recited verse
Into the reflection? Only to feel it bounce back lies.
A portal to another world, where everything is reverse
And yet, here is the only place you can rehearse,
Telling the lies they you have thought wise
By watching your own parallel universe.
You cannot feel that this is the only way to converse,
As great as the time is spent watching the eyes—
A portal to another world, where everything is reverse
Today is a laid back day. I am home from work because it's been slow. So, I am taking advantage of the extra time on writing projects. Since my last update I am moving right along, "Movin' right along in search of good times and good news, With good friends you can't lose, This could become a habit! Opportunity knocks once let's reach out and grab it (yeah!), Together we'll nab it, We'll hitchhike, bus or yellow cab it! (Cab it?)"
I woke up this morning read a few chapters of "Inheritance". I hate to push aside my reading, especially when I have a serious reading goals to keep up with this year. Or there's the fact that anytime I go into a used book store or a Salvo (Salvation Army Store) when there is a fresh load of books on the shelf, I am dangerous. I now have the complete "Hunger Games" trilogy, a copy of "To Kill a Mockingbird", "Diary of Anne Frank", and "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie. I think I need to revise/create a book list for the next few months, if not this whole year.
Currently, I am on page 53 of "Inheritance" by Christopher Paolini, not too far in, yet. I am planning on diving into it one this week. Here's a thing; when I finished Brisinger I needed time before starting the next book. It was so much to take in. When I am reading series (mostly fantasy/sci-fi series), I usually need time to digest the story before getting thrown into the next story. It has to do with not wanting to forget the story in six months time and also because sometimes I want to savour the story I had spend A LOT of time investing in. Most of the fantasy/sci-fi series that I read are pretty intense and/or very detailed.
I have so many other series to read or re-read, not counting the small collection of Piers Anthony books given to me by my friend, Jane when she moved to Wisconsin.
This is why bookstores, both new and used are dangerous to me. I buy books. I already had a crap ton o' books (see photo for example). I often wonder if I will ever get through 'ALL TEH BOOKS' in my 'to read' collection. Then I remember this:;there is something gratifying in reading, getting lost into a world, feeling the words tickle your mind. Enjoy that description! This year I set to read 25 books total (on Goodreads.com). I have read 3 books so far. It would be great to surpass that number.
Last year I didn't quite make my goal of...(which I conveniently forgot
just now). Working on changing that. Maybe I should at least try to had a
schedule of books for the next few months. I am going to be learning
Shakespeare's "The Tempest" (playing Trinculo) through April and I think I an going need to have a more detailed schedule, This is so I can still make good on my line learning and still read 'ALL TEH BOOKS'. Let's start a general list of book and series I want to read or re-read this year (this list is a work in progress):
*Inheritance (by February 15th)
*To Kill a Mockingbird (by February 28th)
*Hunger Games
*Diary of Anne Frank
*His Dark Materials
*Ink Death (to re-read Ink Heart and Spell)
*Windhaven
*Mark Twain works (at least 1)
*Jules Verne works (at least 1)
Also, this morning, I started work on a short story that I started earlier in the week. Something that I started with the help of a writing prompt. One little picture of a birdhouse and a story came to me. It's exciting. I sometimes have trouble writing shorty stories. Not completely sure if it's a lack of inspiration or I get distracted by other projects. I'm a bit like Dug the Dog from the movie UP. "Hi! My name is Dug...SQUIRREL!" Oh, well, I'm feeling good about the story. It's a bit random. Not a full scale story, but it is a story. I really need more practice at writing short stories. Now, I just need to edit it today and have a complete first draft by day's end. That means I made my first story goal for ROW80! ~w00t~
Poetry update time! Yes, the obscure poetry month is going very well. I have been sticking to Villanelles, Terzanelles, Rondeaus, Triolets, Cinquains, and Pantoums. I think that I prefer to improve on these style instead of adding other forms to the list. Maybe for another month's challenge? Most of these forms requires rhyming and I am finding that I do need more work on my rhyming and rhythm. It's not so bad, really. I use rhymer.com as a tool to help me find words to use, but there are skills in finding the right rhyming words for the right poem/line, not just picking from a list. It's a handy tool and I will not stop using it, but the more I write in these forms the more I am able to think rhyme on my feet.
Yesterday's poem and the one I am most proud of so far this month:
1-21-2014: No two Snowflakes... (via Ken Corey)
Terzanelle: ABA'/ bCB / cDC / dED / eFE / fAFA'
No Two Are
Have you ever noticed the smaller details
of the delicate icy lace of a snowflake.
Once upon a time, when the Boreas's gales blows across the tundra at daybreak; Like the magnolias in the spring are, these of the delicate icy lace of a snowflake
float upon the winter's breeze and no two such are quite the same. Like the magnolias in the spring are these,
There are no pattern for their frame each one is uniquely in design and no two such are quite the same.
A rarity of beauty most opaline-- quite the sight, when you see how small each one is uniquely in design.
Made from the very own winter's squall. Have you ever noticed the smaller details-- quite the sight, when you see how small. Once upon a time, when the Boreas's gales.
1-21-2014 12:08 pm
This is going to be a full week, filled with Improv and LCP's Annual Dinner, and Tempest. Tempest rehearsals start gearing up this week. I am hoping to keep to my goals, at least to some of them. I know that with ROW80, if I need to I can revise my goals. That makes me feel good. I am also not going to overly worry about whether I make or fail to make these goals. I am just going to keep pushing as much as I can. When I just do it, I feel the most productive and positive about my work. That's really what I need to remember. Also this, "If you really want to do something, no one can stop you. If you really don;t want to do something, no one can help you." ~James A. Owen
I woke up thinking that is was a pretty good day. I will admit that I spent my morning being a touch lazy and watching Sherlock. Not that that's a bad thing! Oh, Benedict Cumberbatch, you of the awesomely strange name and delightfully charming mannerisms... ~sigh~ *rolls eyes at the thought*
Having a lack of cable, I had to resort to more nefarious tactics to get caught up with the Everyone's Favourite British Sociopath. Today, I was at home and what better way to pass the morning than to watch Sherlock? Right? So, guilty as charged, I watched Sherlock. But this update is not without it's promises. Sherlock is a breath of fresh air. The story lines are inventive, the characters are rough around the edges, even flawed (I also like Torchwood, guilty too), and it's British. While I think Moffat has gotten too big for his britches, he does know how to make a great show! What Sherlock brings to the table is a sense of what I want to do in my writing. There is an engaging story with characters that everyone loves. I might not write mysteries well (only once or twice for a class), but this formula can work for any genre/style writing. Watching Sherlock, Doctor Who, and even The Walking Dead is an asset to my story writing. I can learn to create better, more engaging stories and develop my characters better. Consider it homework!
AnyWho, the ROW80 update. Yes, I am getting a bit distracted here, what with the Cumberbatch. This week finds me getting comfortable with my journaling. A regular pattern of Tuesdays and Thursdays seems to be working out well. What am a learning? Well...That I have a lot of thoughts in my head for starters. It's deeply therapeutic though. I don't need to do it everyday. It helps me remember things that I had previously forgotten, gives me ideas, and sometimes I find that I will write something worthy to be included in a future blog, story, or poem.
Onward! I have read the Tempest. Auditions are tomorrow and Friday. I wish I could go to both days, but again things and events are starting to crop up. Maybe it's me, but I always feel that these things sneak up on me. No worries, I will not let my schedule get out of hand this year, but at the same time January was starting to look boring. What with the Holiday rush and bustle over, I think I needed to get to work. Maybe I was getting bored. I have decided what parts I am auditioning for. I shall not say until after auditions. I have loved Shakespeare since college, when I was able to gain a greater understanding of him as a writer and the language used. My favourite works have mostly been the comedies: "A Midsummer's Night Dream", "Much Ado About Nothing", and "As You Like It", but I am partial to [Insert Scottish Name Here]. I am excited for another chance to be involved in a Shakespearean Production. Now, to get over the nerves!
Okay, I read the "The Tempest" and finished "Doctor Who: The Clockwise Man", also have started "Inheritance". It's gonna get crazy with the writing/editing, reading, and acting all up in here. But, really the plan is to read either before work or before bedtime, maybe squeezing in a bit on lunch or mid-day depending. I don;t wanna read too fast, because then I will forget a few months after reading the book. Again, I just have to utilize my time as best as I can.
I started a story yesterday. I am not sure if it'll go anywhere, but I am going to try. Funny how many of my stories start with one line or concept; then somehow it snowballs into a complete story. Editing on the other hand, is proving harder devote time to. I AM going to devote some time to editing later tonight, I have let it pass too long, time to grab the bull by the horns. I feel that my mood from last week has hampered the editing drive (not that that's an excuse). No matter, I am doing quite well on my obscure poetry month. I have some good topics from my friends and readers; and am pushing to try new poetic forms and stretching the images into poems, even the more unique topics. I even have been doing some extra practicing on my haiku writing.
The hardest part of writing is the ambition, with inspiration being a close second. This blog has helped get me to write more with a greater regularity, but I still have trouble with story writing. That is what I want to change the most over these 80 days. I want to write a story a month, even if it's a short story. Maybe only a few pages, but a story nonetheless. Also, I want to include a blog that is not a ROW80 and since the updates fall on Wednesdays and Sunday, I need a new Blog Day. Hmmmm....maybe Friday or Saturday? I guess you will have to check back either day to see when I update! :-)
The boring update: I also have been trying to keep up with the housework and set about to organize some of this house. It means that some time has been diverted to clearing out junk, putting the holiday stuff away, and actually spending time with David. Pretty sure my house will always look like a tornado fell through the roof, but I like having a clean sink (I loath doing dishes), freshly laundered clothing, and the like.
My mood is optimistic today. Do you, Dear Readers feel something similar? Like the holidays knock the wind out of you? That January is a barren wasteland waiting for Spring to arrive? That there is plenty of time? Leave me a comment below about how you view January as a productive or counter-productive month. How you handle the feeling of complacency. And the like...
I have learned a heck of a lot about managing my time and striving forward with my goals. There were a number of goals that I never come close to; but on the other side, I learned some new skills, made some new (better) habits, and pushed myself harder with my writing. There is SO MUCH more I can and will do. I am going to revise my goal from Round 1, add some new goals, and discard old ideas/goals that I do not think will work for me. It's not anything I am shamed off, in fact, I am that much more freer and confidant in my abilities to pursue those goals and dreams.
