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For now, I have returned

2/17/2018

Wow! Didn't realize I've been gone so long. Where did the time go?
Tomorrow is my birthday. It's time to really get serious about this writing thing. Of course, I've said this before, so...
My plan is to update on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
It will be pretty personal at first but then I hope to start updates on projects and such.

4 Reasons Sean Bean could be Mr. Darcy and 1 Why he Shouldn't

10/4/2015

I found this movie at Walmart and was all excited. Then I read the back cover. It wasn’t a documentary on the early career of Sean Bean.
<sigh>
So I went home with only Ripper Street, staring my other favorite actor.
It got me thinking: Matthew MacFayden plays Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.
Why couldn’t Sean?
He’s English, he’s hot, he’s…well, He’s Sean Bean.
But when I really thought about it I realized, he could be Darcy, but probably shouldn't.

Four Reasons Sean Bean could play Mr. Fiztwilliam Darcy:

He can be stern and brooding and a bit scary--The Hitcher, Wicked, Robot Chicken
He’s a daring entrepreneur--Ca$h, Soldiers of Fortune, National Treasure
He’s heroic and noble--Lord of the Rings, Age of Heroes, Sharpe Series
He’s Family Oriented--Patriot Games, Silent Hill

And one Reason Why Sean shouldn’t play Mr. Darcy:
*** Nobody wants Mr. Darcy to die. ****

Seriously? Raise your hand if you didn’t see that coming.

Neil Gaiman, Romance Author

9/20/2015

Hey, it could happen.
I’m about to do something I never do. I’m going to discuss writing romances in a scholarly way, sans heaving bosoms and throbbing members. I usually scoff at this type of thing.
Now, I’m going to really freak people out: I’m in an online class discussing writing romances. If Matthew MacFayden can be Mr. Darcy and Laurence Fox can propose to Jane Austen, then there must be something to all this stuff, yeah?
So, what does this have to do with Neil Gaiman?
I can make everything relate to Neil Gaiman, but this was an assignment for class. I had to look on my shelf of favorite stories and apply the elements of romance novels to them.
As hard as I tried, I couldn’t make Primal Fear, Red Dragon, or Sandman work. (though I had a good go with the Lord of Dreams.)
To my surprise, though, Stardust did. I know die-hard fans will scoff, but I think Neil wanted to write a magical romance. He’s all mushy like that sometimes, in his own slightly altered reality.
(Although I am suspicious at times that maybe Neil is just a Puppet and the stories are the Ventriloquist.)
The Synopsis: Stardust ***spoiler alert***
For those who aren’t fortunate enough to have read it.
Tristran is the son of Dunstan Thorne of Wall, and Una, princess of Stormhold. When he’s 18 he dreams of traveling and marrying his love, Victoria. This is in Wall, England.
Meantime, in the magical world of Stormhold, just beyond the wall that gives Wall its name, the king dies but not before tossing a ruby in the air. The prince who can make it turn from white to red again will be the new king.
The ruby hits the star, Yvaine, and makes her fall to the ground. Now, as we all know, fallen stars look like people. Tristran vows to get the star for Victoria, crosses over into Stormhold, finds out who he really is, falls in love with Yvaine, and lives Happily Ever After, (HEA ending) as king of Stormhold.
So, here’s the analysis:
The Elements: ***spoilers abound***

Society Defined: Very much rural England, classes defined, as evidenced by Victoria looking down on Tristran. In Stormhold, magical kingdom, political intrigue. Wall is the dividing line between the two worlds. Just like you aren’t supposed to cross political lines, you aren’t supposed to cross magical ones either.
The Meeting: It does take us a little while into the story to get to the meeting because Neil sets us up for it. We really don’t like Victoria and know she’s not good for Tristran. We know immediately when Tristran meets Yvaine they’re made for each other. He literally runs into her, knocking her down. He’s surprised she’s a star but ties her to him with a piece of the silver chain his mother gave him. Yvaine is angry at him, yet goes along with him.
The Barrier/Conflict: What doesn’t try to keep these two apart? The princes and witches wanting the ruby and Yvaine’s heart. The fact Yvaine will turn to dust if she goes to England through the Wall. Even Tristan’s infatuation for Victoria gets in the way.
The Attraction: After Tristan saves Yvaine from the witch, and they get rescued by Shakespeare, they start talking. They dance and Yvaine shines—literally. (She’s a star, afterall). Shakespeare recognizes it and mentions it to Tristan.
The Declaration: There are several times they say I love you: when Tristan is a mouse and Yvaine doesn’t think he can understand. At the Slaughtered Prince Inn Tristan admits Yvaine is his real true love. Yvaine shines—literally-- when she’s near Tristan. When Yvaine tells Tristan No Star Can Shine with a Broken Heart, implying he mended hers.
The Point of Death Ritual: Tristan lets go of his infatuation with Victoria. Yvaine gives up her heart to Tristan.
The Recognition: Tristan realizes he’s not some lowly country bumpkin, but a man worthy of a Star’s Heart. He realizes Yvanie is his true love. Yvaine realizes she’s found the love she watched from afar for hundreds of years.
The Betrothal: at the end, Yvaine saves Tristan. The implication is they will be together forever, even if he doesn’t formally ask for her hand. I think the biggest point: when the ruby returns to red in Tristan’s hand when he tries to return it to Yvaine. It binds them together because it’s what brought them together in the first place.

The optional elements are there, too.

The Wedding/Fete/Dance: The coronation with Yvaine and Tristan on the throne and Tristan’s parents in the background. The Babylon Candle at the end of their happy lives (kids and grandkids) hurls them into the heavens where they will be stars forever shining together.
The Scapegoat Exiled: Victoria dropped—literally—and Humphries now frightened of Tristan. Witches defeated.
The Bad Turned Good: The dead princes excited about the wedding and set free to the afterlife.

     As outlined, Stardust has all the elements of a romance, including the HEA ending. But is it a true romance? The main plot is the relationship between Tristan and Yvaine, so yes, it fits the whole thing.
It’s a cool story. Nothing too complicated yet intricately written.

For more on the elements of Romance:
Popular Romance Project
Romance Writers of America
Of course, for more on Neil and Stardust:
Neil Gaiman

First Impressions

9/15/2015

creative space Dad and I designed and built--with help.

Who inspires you?
Artists like to talk so esoterically about who influenced their work: Hemmingway, Van Gogh, Beethoven, Lovecraft, whoever.
Or they may deny influences and say they're brilliant all on their own.
There may be some merit to that but if you think about it, we all are influenced by at least two people: our parents. Even if you don't have two or even one, or call some besides biological your parents, psychologically we are influenced by those who donated genetic material to us.
I'm glad my folks are the creative type. Oh, if you ask them, they'll say the aren't artists.
Maybe not an artist proper, but that doesn't mean they aren't imaginative. They imagine and figure and create things. My dad always had books. He does carpentry. My mom is crafty and plays the piano. I remember before church on Sundays sitting by her on the piano bench singing hymns. Some may not call what they make art, but I do. And, it's often useful art: shelves, repairs, blankets, cabinets. And it's fun cute things.
Growing up in a creative home made me want to be creative too.
So, while others have influenced my style, I have to say my first impressions--my first inspirations--came from my parents.
They are inspirational, encouraging, amazing people.

a few of Mom's crafty ideas.

Electronics Holder designed by Dad.

Nourish Your Inner Artist

7/28/2015

art by Bethie--living the red curly dream

I’m sitting on my patio watching the sun set listening to Laurence Fox and Amanda Palmer. Good times, except the bugs are coming out. At least there aren’t too many mosquitos—thanks, Cutter spray!—it’s dry so I have the water sprinkler on. A creative, happy place to be.

In many of the posts I’ve been reading the authors reference Julia Cameron, especially her book The Artist's Way. I finally, after all these years, picked it up from the Library. (Yay, Library for having it!) I was reading the first section (The Basic Tools) and found this: As artists we must learn to be self-nourishing.

What does she mean? Self-nourishing?

What she means is I have to feed my artist. I have to take her out, have fun with her, pamper her, listen to her. But I also can’t just let her stay up watching TV and eating honey buns all night. I have to make sure she eats healthy, creative things. I have to make sure she goes to bed at night and learns what she needs to. I have to make her do her homework. She has to have a little bit of discipline along with the wild creative abandon.

How do I do this?

Exercise: I’m a writer. I write, even when I don’t feel like writing. I write about nonsense and see what comes out. I also use writing prompts and challenges. This goes for any of the arts—if you’re a painter, paint, a sculptor, sculpt.
Finish: I’m not good about finishing things. So, I hold myself accountable by telling writing my writing buddies, online groups. Also, classes help. And, not getting discouraged. Like anything else, practice makes you more persistent. I did NaNoWriMo in 2014 and told so many people I was going to get the T-Shirt that I had to finish. Now I have something I’m editing. I need to find another incentive to continue this process.
Ignore others: the naysayers. We know who they are! Those people who say “get a job” or “why would you do that?” or “That’s okay, I guess.” Not feelin’ the love sometimes, but that’s when I have to believe in myself—to find nourishment within myself. What I’m creating is important. –that’s not arrogance, it’s confidence.
Seek fellow artists: they give me encouragement and constructive criticism. This makes me a better artist.

Writing—and other artistic endeavors—is a solo endeavor. Maybe that’s why the motivation to create is from my inner self—my inner artist. I’m not saying ignore others. I’m just saying they won’t always be your fan club. These are just a few ways you can be the charter member so the others will want to join and be your fan.

People need nourishment to grow and thrive. We can’t focus on the outside at the expense of ourselves. If we don’t feed our inner self we won’t be any good for those around us. As artists, that means to create. To take what’s inside and put it out.

How weird is that? In order to Nourish our Inner Artist, we don’t take in. We put things out: pictures, words, paintings, sculptures. Whatever our creative genius wants to share.

Art may be a solo endeavor, but it’s doesn’t have to be a lonely one.

Note: Amanda Palmer and Laurence Fox don’t actually play together, but if they did, it would be interesting.

I owe, I owe...

7/25/2015

I was reading the post about Neil and the Library and realized I haven't turned in my library book...No, no, not from April, but from last week.

I always plan to get stuff in on time, and then I sleep and it all falls apart!

Oh well, it keeps them in the business of free books...

Go to the Library, says Neil

4/11/2015

most recent library expeditions

I went Books a Million and found so many marvelous things to purchase. However, a small voice inside me said “Go to the library”

Now, there were other voices, but since this one sounded comfortingly familiar I heeded its advice. How could a voice telling you go to the library ever be wrong?

Libraries should really come with a label though. WARNING: Proceed only if you have time to be filled with awe and wonder.

I went to see if they had this one book so I didn’t have to buy it. Two hours and five conversations later I came out with eleven different books and videos. And that was putting some back. I read about Acadian history, Greece, writing, art, comics, Winston Churchill---all for the low price of FREE.

I love the way in the library everyone is on an even playing field. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have. It doesn’t matter what your education level. You can be interested in one thing or everything. The only requirement is to promise to enjoy the stories then return then unharmed for their next adventure.

I can do that.

A series of small explorations available at your public library is Neil Gaiman’s book of short stories called Trigger Warnings. If you love Neil Gaiman you won’t be disappointed. My only disappointment was the waiting list for it.

Okay, I admit, I couldn’t wait. I'm now a proud owner. It is Neil, after all.

I was going to write on that but I kept hearing “now write about the library.”

The comfortingly familiar voice revealed itself. Neil’s a big fan of public libraries as well.

What do Neil Gaiman and Libraries have in common?

They both take you to magical, dangerous, amazing places.

“GO TO THE LIBRARY”

Previous Quote

1/14/2015

September 18
“If you insist that no one can determine which beliefs are right and wrong, why should we believe what you are saying?"

"We are all exclusive in our beliefs...just in different ways."

Timothy Keller --in his book The Reason for God

Unkeeping a Journal

2/5/2013

Review of Heather Sellers “Unkeeping a Journal”

Sellers, H. (2011). “Unkeeping a Journal.” Writer’s Digest Yearbook presents The Writer’s Guide to Creativity, 111-113.

            In this excerpt from her book Page after Page, Ms. Sellers offers an emancipation proclamation for the long held captive journal. It’s hard not to find a writer who doesn’t keep a journal, but having a kept journal that tries to conform can stifle the soul. Ms. Sellers sets her journal free by removing the rules that want to dictate journaling. She lets it be as complicated, simple, ugly, beautiful as it wants to be. It can change personalities from day to day. Her journal is free to be as small as one sentence. It doesn’t feel the need to be tended daily. It’s a place for new projects, self-interviews, proposed titles. It’s home to ideas, snippets of overheard conversations, and important numbers. By emancipating her journal, Ms. Sellers has noticed a funny thing: ideas are free to come. The more the ideas are written, the more friends they invite. The more her writing is nurtured. The more her writing grows.

            Unkeeping a Journal is an interesting take on journaling. For me personally, it wasn’t new per se, as my notes have never been kept. But it’s always encouraging to hear someone else confirm what you know.   For those who feel journal writing is beyond them or are afraid they’re journaling wrong, Ms. Sellers offers advice to the contrary. In journaling, there shouldn’t be any rules so there’s the reassurance one can’t fail—unless one chooses not write anything at all. Ms. Sellers succeeds in encouraging writers to think outside the box in their journaling, and therefore, not only freeing, but growing their creative process.

            As this was an excerpt from a book, I am compelled to check it out. In a Google search I did find her website and am eager to see what else Ms. Sellers has to say on other parts of writing.

To visit Heather Sellers check out her website:
http://heathersellers.com

Being Social

11/10/2012

Today was the Bayou Writer's Group annual conference. I learned so much that my brain is just oozing inspiration, and not just learning about writing. I also was reminded of the need for socialization. It's fun to talk to others who share your same interests. They don't look at you like you're crazy if you say "I'm writing...."
Networking used to mean going to conferences and meetings. It used to just entail shaking hands, exchaning cards, etc...
Now, though, it's a whole new ballgame with teams like Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, LinkdIn joining the competition. It's hard to know how and where to start.
After the conference I came home, made some coffee and started google searching. What better place to find out about the internet but the net itself, right?
Maybe this sounds very basic to all those who've been doing this for a while, but I started with YouTube and watched some videos on how to use twitter. I think I've doubled my tweets in the last hour alone, and have downloaded a free book found there.
So, besides writing, my new venture will be to become more versed in Social Networking--including updating this site.
Plans are for weekly, if not more.