Walking in Fire...Tale of a Writer

My brain has been focused on the evil day job and so I have had to really focus on the writing projects this week. After work has become my writing and editing time. And with the evil day job having had it's own problem, this time is most important. Well except coffee dates, those are important in their own right. Now t's time for the check-in. Hey Ho, and Away we Go....

This Week:
   *Reading: On the last part of The Golden Compass (Phillip Pullman). In the home stretch and I am sneaking time to read in every available moment. I finally got past the first part of Wicked (Gregory Maguire). The Munchkinlander part is REALLY EFFIN" SLOW. It has picked up in part 2 and I feel more vested in it. Have not started Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie) yet.
    *Writing: wrote on Sunday (ROW80), write a little on Monday (just a paragraph, but I started developing some character for a new story. It's slightly Top Secret. Might post some on WIPpet Wednesday later this month. Wrote poem yesterday.
    *Editing: finally a pen to the currently WIP and a backstory to the WIP, called Love in Ferns. Also edited a short flash fiction piece that I am not sure what to do with, yet.
    *Social Media: finished reading all of Sunday's ROW80 entries, that is 4 a day  and 5 or 6 Monday and Tuesday. Keeping up with Twitter most day, except Tuesday. Had a coffee date with a friend I hadn't seen for any length of time and got to schedule a photo shoot later this month. Get to show off the new red hair with NICE pictures.
     *Housetending: keeping up with the basics at this point. Nothing new on the carpets, yet.

This Week (Upcoming):
     *Reading: finish Golden Compass this week. Start Subtle Knife and the next Julie Anne Lindsey cozy mystery and Murder on the Orient Express.
     *Writing: write daily on Love in Ferns and Top Secret Story.
     *Submissions: THIS IS THE GOAL TO WORK ON THIS WEEK!!!
     *Editing: pull out the Real Road Trip and attempt to pick up where I left off.
     *Social Media: visit 4 blogs daily. Start to follow some of the regular ones. Learn to up keep my email and social media sites. This might take some planning. Any ideas would be welcome.

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that knows you have a life. It is a Blog Hop. Come on over and visit!!

Today is Wednesday. It's WIPpet Wednesday. The brain child of K.L. Schwengel, is a Blog Hop for WIPpeteers. You take the date and do some funky math and share a piece of the WIP you are working on. Date is 6/16/2015, so taking 6/17 you get 1 + 7 = 8. 8 lines from Love in Ferns. This is the beginning of the story, before the previous two snippets (if you are keeping track).

From MorgueFile

There was a thud. It was a decidedly Callie-like thud. “Come on! You can’t keep me in suspense,” she called. 

I couldn’t turn towards her.

The air was heavy with humidity and clung to everything. I was sweating, but I couldn’t stop. After all I had gotten this far, right? I thought to myself. Stamping down the foliage, “It’s not much farther,” I called back, feeling nervous that if I turned to look at her I would lose my nerve.

A-Musing Phone Tag (see what I did there?)

I went a little outside the box today.  I took the concept of today's prompt and wrote a full dialogue and then whittled it down to a poem length. I had a bit fun with this one. A phone tag conversation between a writer and her muse. It's a little lengthy, but I am thinking of turning into a full 1 act. Hope you enjoy both versions.

Also, I am writing about the Muse of Lyric Poetry, Erato.

L is for Lyric Poetry

Today, I challenge you to write a poem that takes the form of a dialogue. Your conversant could be real people, or be personifications, as in Andrew Marvell’s A Dialogue Between the Soul and the Body, or Yeats’ A Dialogue of Self and Soul. Like Marvell, and Yeats, you could alternate stanzas between your two speakers, or perhaps you could give them alternating lines. Your speakers could be personifications, like those in Marvell and Yeats’ poems, or they could be two real people. Hopefully, this prompt will give you a chance to represent different points of view in the same poem, or possibly to create a dramatic sense of movement and tension within the poem.

Topic: Phone Tag between Writer and Muse

Poet:
Hey Erato. I know it's been awhile. But, well I was wondering... I want to write a poem. Want to write it with me? Looking for inspiration.You going to be around?

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

Oh, come on, really? Fine.

Beep!

Okay, Eri, give me a call when you get in. Thanks! I am not doing anything tonight. Give me a call, please.

Poet:
Hey you, I'm waiting. Where are you? I know you're there. Pick up.

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

It's, Cin. Time to write a poem, Girl. I really need to talk to you.

Beep!

I'm serious. Why do you do this to me, right when I am totally ready to write. Leaving me here to sit in front of my blank computer screen. Waiting. Call me when you get in.

Poet:
Eri, are you home yet? I'm still waiting.

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

Really? Are you trying to irritate me, Girl? You cannot possibly still be out. I really can't write this all by myself.

Beep!

Please, Erato, give me a call as soon as you get home. I'll be up for a while. Prolly working late tonight on this poem.

Poet:
Eri, I feel asleep. You still haven't called.

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

I really in need your help, Eri. I don't think I can write this by myself.

Beep!

Everytime I try to write something about anything, I just end up with a blank screen and feeling irritated. I thought we were a team. What happened? I need you.

Poet:
Eri, it's Cin. I really need to talk to you. I'm on a deadline here...

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

Eri, if you are busy can I have Calli's or Euri's number?

Beep!

Please? I really need this. This is important...

Poet:
Okay, Erato. I'm done. You don't wanna help? Fine. I guess I will...

Please leave your message at the sound of the beep.

...have to write this myself.

Beep!

Don't ever ask for my help then!

Muse:
Cin, it's Eri. I'm sorry I just got your messages. I was out with Calli and Euri, big job with the Boss. I mean HUGE!

Sorry, not here. Leave me a message.

Did you happen to finish your poem. I am so sorry that I didn't get back to you. I hope you aren't mad. Please give me a buzz. Will be around kicking back some ambrosia and playing the harp.

Beep!

You sounded really mad. Are you?

Muse:
Cin?

Sorry, not here. Leave me a message.

You haven't called me back. Are you really that mad at me?

Beep!

I have a fantastic idea for a song, wanna hear it?

Muse:
Eri here. I think I stepped in it big time. I'm sorry, Cin.

Sorry, not here. Leave me a message.

I am really sorry. I didn't mean to leave you in the lurch on this project.

Beep!


Call me, please.

When a Poet and Muse Talk

It's Cindy!

Cin, it's Eri.

~PAUSE~

Oh, hey.

You still mad?

~PAUSE~

Actually, no.

Did you finish that poem you were talking about?

I did.

And?

~PAUSE~

It made it on the calendar.

Wow! That's wonderful, Cin. Congrats!

~PAUSE~

Thanks!

~PAUSE~

So, what are you doing tonight?

Nothing.

Me neither. Wanna hang?

~PAUSE~

Actually yeah, I do. I'm missed you. I'm sorry.

Me too.

~PAUSE~

~LAUGHTER~

Even muses get busy.

Yeah?

Can I come over about seven?

Sure.

Cool! See you then?

Yeppers.

Bye. 

Toodles.

~~~~~~~~~

A brief update on my ROW80 progress. My weekend was a bit busy, but I got to see 6 new show grow organically awesome theatrical productions. How are you all doing, Dear Readers? What have you been up to?

This Week:

   *Reading: plowing through The Dragon and the George (Gordon R. Dickson).

   *Writing: making my daily goals for NaPoWriMo and Blogging A to Z. 

    

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a blog challenge that allows you to set your goals and report on your progress, sharing your experiences with fellow writers, and sharing your work with other. It is a Blog Hop! Come on in and stay awhile!

Pit of Doom and climbing out again...

I am a bad writer. I didn't post a regular blog on Monday or Tuesday! I am sorry, Dear Readers. I said I was going to, and then I didn't. I feel horrible.

But..........

I have some better news. I wrote a story on Sunday, a full and complete story. It's called "Road Trip" (a tentative title right now). This story is a bit over 3200 words and still need review and revision. But, I always feel so good when I finish a piece of work, either story or blog. Here's a little snippet that I am pleased with.

Oblivious to the lack of enthusiasm on Marcie’s part, the blonde turns back the road, “This is going to be great.” She goes to turn the radio on; there is a burst of static and then nothing. “Damn, I wish Daddy would just get me a brand new car.” The blond balls her fist and give the dash a thud, causing the radio to burst alive with music, but to kill the dash control, as her speed now registered 120 mph and the gas gauge on empty. “Really? This is a thorough pain in the ass. I mean, Bonnie has a brand new Mercedes, and Marcus has his new Hummer, but I get Daddy’s old relic that is a piece of SHIT,” she shouts at the car. She balls her left fist and thunks the dash console. The dash comes alive. “There, see? No problem, right, Marcie.” She looks over at Marcie, who is mostly hanging out of the window, silently mouthing something.

Also, this week, I have finished "Lirael" and started "Abhorsen". Also looking at what series I am going to pick up post "Abhorsen Trilogy". Maybe finally read "Wicked" or Hugh Laurie's "The Gunseller", or maybe start Margaret Atwood's "MaddAddam Series". So, many books! ALL TEH BOOKS!!! Or, Dear Readers, what are your suggestions for summer reading (or in general)?

I have not visited fellow bloggers, but am going to start tonight to visit at least 3. Better late than never, right, Dear Readers? And from this point I will visit fellow bloggers. I am coming off of a weird week, weird last night. It might have to do with the rough news in the world the past few days, or I was just moody. I do get that way sometimes. I have to pull myself up and out of my Pit of DOOM (my own words), usually with music, improv/theatre, or writing. I am feeling better, so I think I am on the mend.

I had improv rehearsal tonight, and it was totally what I needed. Something about watching the little known facts about the War of 1812 using a bra as sling shots with thumb tacks and bowie knives; or catching Loose Lips Lenny in the Police Showers; or asking questions at the armory about the new bop-it mace. Oh, the things that come out of improv! If you know what "Whose Line is it Anyway?" is, that is what we do.

I have been fighting with the Muse lately, she has left me for someone else. I have been trying to coax her back with everything from cookies to promises of devotion. Susan Werner says it best about Mistress Muse. She only loves you when you are struggling and love her alone. Once you find success, she will leave you for someone who appreciates her more than you did.

Remember to go and visit the Blog Hop, see the hard work of my fellow AROW80-ers, Dear Readers. I am looking into an interview with VCRfromHeck and some small reviews of "Ben and Me" and "Willie the Operatic Whale", part of the Disney 's Mini Classic collections, also a forthcoming review of "The Hunger Games" book versus movie.

There is also a bit of summer left that I plan to enjoy and share with you all. Have an amazing rest of the week, Dear Readers. I have a request, I want to write some but I need some topic. I am not sure what I want to write, but I need your help, Dear Readers. I need topics. Everything and anything. Leave me topic and some love, and I'll see you around the interwebs.