ROW80 Sleeping in...Checking in!!!

I am very proud of me this week. I finished up a week with some of the best youth actors in Schuyler Country (and surrounding areas) with "Zombeo and Juliet". So proud of those kids!Today was the first day of my time as Producer for KLP's production of "Tarzan" with another awesome cast. Not even off the high of Zombeo and onto the next. Although it is weird NOT being onstage for Tarzan. That just me, I LOVE me onstage time.

Anywhoo...onto the check-in!

I made progress on my goals and clear up some other goals that were not fully  formed prior to this week. Dear Readers, are we ready for bullet points? This week I have:

*I wrote 961 words. In just opened up a document and started typing. It felt good to just write. Not  sure if it'll will be part of any of my WIP's, but I like the scene I created. Quite emotional. A little reminiscent. But lovely anyway.

*I wrote a writer bio and a cover letter (have since revised the bio, still working on the cover letter). A bit of out of practice writing cover letter, and usually for job applications, not writing submissions. And thus submitted my first poetry submission in 10 years, maybe not that long. It's been a while, regardless. Working on getting a second submission send out by close of day today.

*Continuing to push through "Catching Fire", with the theatre projects, I haven't read as much. Things are starting to pick up now that Zombeo is over. I also have a new recommendations; the Oryx and Crake series. I had read the first (?) book "Oryx and Crake" but didn't know there were two other books in the series.


*Housework is mostly caught up on. There are a few dishes to wash, but the laundry, litter, lawn, and trash is done. Loving the new washer and dryer. DRY CLOTHES ARE AWESOME!! And the cold drinks in the new fridge. I feel so grown up buying new appliances. I also feel excited. Is that weird?

That's it really, Dear Readers. It might not feel like a lot, but after a tech week, it's a major improvement. I feel so productive. I hope to have even more to report on Wednesday. Also, the goals for the week include visiting at least 5 to 10 blogs and commenting on them, write at least 500 words (either on a WIP or just because), and pick up my 2011 novel "Tale of Memories" and work on that revision (at least 1 chapter).

This months improv show is fast approaching, so I have 2 rehearsal before that show and now Tarzan keeping me busy. Oh, well! NO rest for the Weary, Wicked, or Theatrically Bonkers!! That's me!!! I honestly wouldn't change it. This is me and it's what I do.

Have a GREAT WEEK, Dear Readers!! Remember to visit me peers over at the Blog Hop!! Be good to each other and be AWESOME. See the sign to the right. It speaks truth!!


Tonight Track:

A ROW80 Sunday check-in!

This is the weekend before tech week of Zombeo and Juliet. Been a slow day, it has. Yesterday was appliance shopping day. Being a grown up mean sometimes having to go out and buy a new fridge (the old one wasn't working as well and since it came with the house, we are unsure of how old the appliances are). The other major purchase was a washer and dryer . The dryer hasn't worked in 3 years, and since I don't want to have to buy a new washer later on, David and I decided to get a set and a fridge. I feel so grown up.

Anyway, onto the progress: I have been working on my poetry pages. I only have publisher right now and I am trying to lay out the poems, but it's guess work. I am not sure if it's going to look nice, or just cheesy. I want to get a better program than publisher, but right now I am trying to re-learn and play with the concept of publisher. What is a go program for page layout, Dear Readers. In some ways I want so artwork, or free slip art/photos (morguefile) to go with the poem. I am trying to something more grown-up looking. I could use some advise on this, if anyone has any tips or suggestions.

There is also the 30 days of online journals (from NaPoWriMo) that take poetic and/or prose submissions. Been pulling out some of my recent poetry for this past month and earlier in the year for submissions. I always get a little nervous when I go to submit my poetry. Poetry is a personal form for me and for me to let go of the poems and try them out on the world scares me a bit. But then I think, 'What the heck. I wrote this and some one should read it and enjoy it. I have to try; go out of my comfort zone. Right? So, my goal for Wednesday is to have a cover letter and bio prepared and submit to at least to online journals.

I begin tech week for Zombeo and Juliet, so this week is going to be a full one. Since the Tempest, my weeks have been slower and I think my brain, subconsciously wants something to do. Heheheh! No rest for the wicked. I also watched fellow thespians perform a production of Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam" and then hung out with friends. Today was a good re-coup/lazy Sunday. It was warm and sunny, and I wished I had gone outside for a hike. A good goal for next Sunday, weather permitting, to go a hike up at Spencer Crest Nature Center.

Still reading "Catching Fire", making progress and while chilling at Soulful Cup, the favourite locally owned coffee shop, I got some interesting ideas that I want to include in a story; cow wrangling in the middle of the night, a cow that follows people like a cat/dog, an octopus civilization (watch this video of an Octopus), and post war worlds (in the vein of Logan's Run). Not all in the same story, but that could be a real challenege too.

Have a great week, Dear Readers. Go and visit the A Round of Word Blog Hop, go and make something awesome this week, and remember, I believe in you.

Also, there's this:

A ROW80 Wednesday Wrap -up!!

Words by James A. Owen

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!!

Wednesday Check-in #AROW80 (a day late)

I was so gearing up for a good week. Started a second story with a writing prompt. I was back to journaling on Tuesdays and Thursday. When, wouldn't you know it I get sick. Seriously! Oh, well, I am feeling better and having a VERY slow week at work am home resting.

I completely missed AROW80 check-in yesterday. I was sleeping on the couch to MST3K's "Devil Fish" and then caught part of some guys travels to swim with Manta Rays. A surprised that my dreams didn't float away with me. I am on an antibiotic and have prescription Motrin for my recently pulled tooth (probably didn't help either). i am convinced that i should write something involving Manta Rays now!

Onto my goals. I haven't finished either story that I have started, but I am not deterred by this. The story I started a few days ago feels the most completable at this time. I found two writing prompts from Toasted Cheese and RocNaNo and started writing. It's currently the strangest story I have written, to date, something about gangs in a dying city with a god (or really powerful man) taking over the city and the surrounding suburbs. It will be interesting to see where it goes.

Tempest rehearsals and line memorizing have taken up more of my time. Feeling more convinced that I can portray Trinculo. My scenes are entertaining and going to be fun to perform, with mockery and violence.There are lots of moments that timing needs to be perfected, but the pay off will be hearing the audience enjoy it. Just as I did in Midsummer, I will be throwing myself into this role. I am going to record a bit of myself as Trinculo this weekend and will post (much to amusement and possibly horror, Dear Readers).

I am keeping the housework more or less up to date, which is always hard when doing a show and not being home. But, with my shorter weeks, it allows me to keep up with laundry and dishes. I have been able to see my sink consistently for the last two months. ~w00t~

The Lake Country Players junior players show will be auditioning this weekend, which means I am going to need to work on props and sets stuff. Thankfully it's a simple set design. But the best part it is a rendition of "Romeo and Juliet" but with Zombies and Zombie Hunters, "Zombeo and Juliet". It's gonna be cute and it keeping with my Shakespeare theme this year. If you are local to the Twin Tiers, you should could and audition (see Facebook event here).

Have an excellent week, Dear Readers! I'll be seeing you soon. Time to write some and make something beautiful for this world. Be good to each other.

Or the poster here ------------------------------->

Sunday Check-in: AROW80 February

It's cold and snowy. Big surprise, right?

I had some grand plans for today, but my head seems to disagree with me. Woke up with a mild sinus headache and I was determined to not let it get in my way. I set about doing household chores so they don't get behind including laundry, trash and cat litter cleaning and removal. Then I thought it the brilliant idea to arrange and put away the board games, and that my Dear Readers it turned into an hour project. By then, my head was pounding. Now, it's time for some Advil and brunch (since somewhere between waking up and the headache of a closet project I hadn't eaten yet), at the time of this blog. For a house of only two people, it gets messy rather quickly. Since David and I do theatre, often the house is neglected during shows. Not this year, though! Trying to keep up with it. But, sinus headaches don't help with that. So, my morning has been cleaning and clearing. Also, I am trying to find a plastic box with some of my jewelry (found it while taking a quick writing break).

More snow falling and I am thoroughly sick of snow and cold and everything in between.

AnyWHO...it's Sunday! What have I been up to (set up for a bad joke *here*)? Five-Eleven (in height). I got notification that my story "Crying Mascara" was not selected as a winner for the contest I submitted to. Feeling a bit bummed. Got to keep trying! I started a new short story yesterday. Not sure yet where it's going, but I think it'll might be a Doctor Who story. Haven't tried my hand at Fan Fiction yet. I have a great image of a willow tree in a rainstorm and I needed to have Doctor #9 leaning against the tree. Being an avid Whovian, I thought that there needed to be another Eccleston Doctor story out there. Also last year a friend and I started writing a Fan Film script, it got put on hold, but we would like to get a finished script and maybe get around to filming it. That is another project for a later time.

My super secret part of the super secret project was completed yesterday. It's not a huge deal, but it's a huge deal. And it occurred yesterday...more on that later. Sorry to be secretive, but SHHHHH....

Working on my next theatre projects this week. Tempest lines are coming along. I am starting to find Trinculo, but that little bastard is being difficult. I really love Shakespeare's language, but holy cow does it become a mouthful. Next, I am doing props for The Lake Country Players Junior Players production of "Zombeo and Juliet", should be fun. I am organizing LCP's 2nd annual 24 Hour Theatre event in Montour Falls. For anyone who doesn't know what it is, it's where theatre is written, directed, and performed in 24 hours. I discovered this back in 2011. I acted in a show that I had to memorize in about 8 hours. I played 3 different characters in the one show, each with different voices and mannerisms (except I couldn't do a Minnesotan accent to save my life.). Hehehe! The following year I wrote my first 1 act and acted in another. Hint: don't try to write a script and get only about 2 hours sleep and espect to have much of your lines memorized! I will write and direct, write, or act, but nothing more. I know my abilities and my limitations. I have been organizing this event and possibly directing one of the shows. It's fun and after last year there is definitely more interest in fellow playwrights and thespians.

I actually started saving money, either 5 or 10 dollars each week goes into my piggy bank, Wilbur. Been meaning to start, but you know how some things go, you forget and what not. Not this year!

Not much else going on, just trying to keep the pace going. Finding inspiration here or there. Spending my time on my various projects. This coming week, the paying job will take up a full 40 hours (am on reduced hours throughout the winter) as my boss is on vacation. It won't deter my determination. I'm more worried the snow and the cold is doing that job fine enough.

Dear Readers, I hope you have a great week. I am going to have a fantastic week, by Hell or High Water! Full of stuff and things. :-) I am going to have a non-ROW80 up later this week. Been brain storming for something fun, maybe something to fight the winter blues. Remember, I believe in each and everyone of you!

Check out other in A Round of Words blog hop!