ROW80 Check-In 8/28/11 and Journaling...Re-read

First of all, I would like to thank the lovely people who stopped by and commented last week.  It really meant a lot and was so encouraging.  =O)  I actually have some good news.  One of my ideas that I had originally decided to scrap has found new life again! My research has given me a clear direction and I may actually get words on paper this week, or at least work out some kind of plot structure.  A new beginning...yay! Also, I have started keeping up with my journaling again.  I'm going to tweak my goals a bit today.

Goals:

--Continue research and work on story structure for revamped idea.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--reading books on the craft:  one hour daily 
--going to try to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm thinking of entering.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Re-read--Write about a book you've read that you would like to read again.


I'm a fan of re-reading.  There are actually several books I have read more than once.  I was just talking to someone about Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches trilogy.  Great books, especially the first one.  I am thinking that I need to re-read them.

Journaling...Six Word Saturday

On The One-Minute Writer today it's Six Word Saturday.  Here's what C. Beth says about it:  Six Word Saturdays is a weekly series over at Call Me Cate's funny blog, Show My Face. We do Six Word Saturdays monthly(ish) at The One-Minute Writer, but feel free to participate on your own every week--click the button below for more info! Have fun!

I love reading all day long!

Journaling: Friday Fiction...Pepper

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Pepper."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


Pepper ducked into the alley and pressed her back against the brick wall.  Peering around the corner, she saw the dark figure still approaching.  Whoever it was, he had been following her for blocks.  "He's probably one of my previous customers," she thought, but she didn't feel very confident about that.  She began searching the alley for something she could use as a weapon.  Finding a liquor bottle with its end broke off, she picked it up and went back to the wall to await her stalker.  She heard the footsteps begin to slow as he approached the alley.  She was ready.  As the figure cleared the wall, she jumped out and jabbed up at him with all her strength.  The man made a choking sound and fell to the ground.  Pepper gasped in astonishment.  Lying there, the broken bottle sticking out of his throat, was her pimp, Johnny.

Journaling...Forgot

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Forgot--Write about something you forgot.


I forgot to turn the water off while filling up the tub.  Pretty soon there was water everywhere.  We had to row out in a canoe!


True or False?

ROW80 Check-In 8/24/11 and Journaling....Book/Movie

Quick update:  Nothing accomplished in the past week...no updates, only journaled once, did not work on novel, did not work on a short story.  How's that for honesty?  *Hangs head in shame*  Once again, I'm sticking with the same goals list.  Not a difficult list unless you're a time-wasting procrastinator like me.  Must keep asking myself, "Do you want this, or not?"  Answer:  yes.  Reply:  "Okay, then, get off sit on your ass and write, damn it!"

Goals:

--I'm going to do research, but I'm also going to start writing and research as I go.  I'm starting with a very small word count of 500 words per week.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--I'm also going to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm going to enter.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Book/Movie--Reflect on a book you've read and a movie that was based on it.


My favorite book , Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice--which I have read four times--was absolutely massacred by its film adaptation.  In my opinion, the best book of Rice's Vampire Chronicles because of its rich telling of the history and origin of her vampires, it did not deserve such a poorly written film.  Honestly, the only redeeming quality of the movie was the soundtrack and, perhaps, Stuart Townsend, who not too shabbily portrayed Lestat--the best vampire character of all time (again, in my opinion).

Journaling...Surprise

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Surprise--What types of surprises do you like, or dislike?


I love surprises! I was the child who never snooped to find my Christmas presents because I liked being surprised.  I especially love the surprise gifts someone gives me that I totally didn't expect.  I just love the anticipation I feel.  It makes opening the gift all the more fun!

ROW80 Check-In 8/17/11 and Journaling...Special

I can't believe that it has been almost a whole month since I did a ROW80 update and wrote in my journal! As I stated previously, I hosted a week long read-a-thon and then I went on vacation.  I thought I would have time to at least to journal some while out of town, but sadly, it was not in the cards.  So, I'm back and the kids are back in school.  I'm hoping that I can start getting down to some serious business.  It's time to put the irons in the fire and keep them there.  I am doing a work-at-home gig right now too, but I think I can manage or I hope I can. ;O)

I'm going to keep my goals the same as my last update.  I should have taken a break from the challenge, knowing vacation is not feasible for writing unless it's an actual "writing" vacation.

Goals:

--I'm going to do research, but I'm also going to start writing and research as I go.  I'm starting with a very small word count of 500 words per week.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--I'm also going to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm going to enter.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Special--Write about a special object you like to use (for instance, a special coffee cup.) 


I am very picky about ink pens.  I must have blue pens with extra bold tips, which is a 1.6 or 1.7 mm tip.  I can never find them at local stores.  Last time I had an Amazon gift card, I found some BIC Cristal BLUE 1.6 mm tip pens.  The price may have been a little higher, but SO worth it.  They are awesome to write with!

Journaling: Friday Fiction...Ink

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Ink."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


The ink well tipped over on the desk and black ink spilled out across the pages, dripping onto the floor.  The cat who had jumped on the desk, thus knocking over the well, sat there licking his fur--unconcerned at the mess he had made.  The writer, who was so hopelessly blocked, sat with her head in her hands, despairing over the loss of her hard work.

Journaling...Hospital

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Hospital--Write about a time you were in the hospital (as a patient or visitor.)


I was in the hospital last summer for nine days.  I had severe cellulitis in my leg and developed a staph infection.  I was on IV antibiotics which had to be administered through an IV line placed in my arm internally.  The day I came home, I had an allergic reaction to the medicine and spent the 4th of July in the ER.  All told, I was on home health care and IV antibiotics for six more weeks.  I lost a lot of hair, but thank God, I didn't lose my leg.  I very well could have or, at worst, I could have died.  I was one of the lucky ones.

ROW80 Check-In 7/20/11 and Journaling...School

Writing is easy:  All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper 

until drops of blood form on your forehead.  ~Gene Fowler

Well, I made the decision to not do Camp NaNoWriMo after all.  I just can't commit to writing that many words per day right now.  I have a blog event next week--I'm hosting a read-a thon--and I'm still looking for a job and I leave on vacation on August 3 so I have to get packed and ready for that.  Have to pack for myself and for my two sons.  Fun times ahead...I hate packing for trips. =O(

What I have going on now in terms of works-in-progress:

--My current idea had to be tweaked once again.  I determined it was not going to work the way I had planned so I have to take the research in another direction.
--meanwhile, I came across another idea that I'm in the process of testing its feasibility.  Not sure if I'll work on both or run with just one at first.

My goals:

--I'm going to do research, but I'm also going to start writing and research as I go.  I'm starting with a very small word count of 500 words per week.
--daily journaling (see today's entry below)
--I'm also going to work on one, maybe two, short stories for a couple of contests I'm going to enter.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  School--If you could have changed one thing about a school you attended, so that it became a better school, what would you have changed?


While I loved the school district that my elementary, middle, and high school were a part of, I really wish they would have had an orchestra program in addition to traditional band.  I tried the clarinet in fifth grade, but didn't like it.  I know I would have loved to learn and play the violin or cello.  I think the school would have been all the better for having an orchestra.

Journaling...Recipe

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Recipe--In my old family cookbook, there is a recipe for "A HAPPY HOME" that includes ingredients such as "4 cups love" and "2 cups loyalty," blended "with tenderness."  Write your own "recipe."
Recipe for a Happy Day

• a great book to read
• some time for writing creatively
• plenty of peace and quiet
• hugs from the kids
• a kiss from the cat

Mix together well--The day will be happy when served.

Journaling: Friday Fiction...Torch

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Torch."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


He grabbed a torch from the castle wall and ran down the stone steps.  He had to get to the watchtower to sound the alarm.  Up on the ramparts, he had seen the huge row of riders and armed men marching toward the castle.  He ascended the steps of the watchtower.  As he neared the top, he stopped suddenly.  A look of horror crossed his face.  He turned slowly and began to tumble down the steps.  There was an arrow sticking out of his back.  When he landed at the bottom of the tower, it was driven further home.  As he lay dying, all he could think of was the terrible fate of the castle.  Without the warning of impending invasion, the castle and its people were doomed.

Also, I won another One-Minute Writing of the Day for my Friday Fiction piece using the word "Straw."  Yay! Here is what I wrote, in case you missed it last week:

The straw in the abandoned barn smelled musty and damp. He didn't care though. Any place was good enough for him as long as he could hide safely. He looked down at the iron shackle still hooked on his ankle. The master had kept him chained because he knew he was a runner. Somehow the chain had been weak and he was able to break it with a hatchet easily. He had been on the run for days before finding the barn. He climbed into the loft and settled down behind some bales of hay. He could hear the baying of the dogs in the distance. He could only pray they would not search the barn. As it turned out, a futile prayer.

Thank you to C. Beth for awarding it to me once again.  I'm honored!

Journaling...Loss

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Loss--Have you ever grieved the loss of someone you had never met in person? If so, write about that. If not, write about, well...anything else!


When he came on the movie scene, I fell instantly in love.  It wasn't just looks; it was his personality and the promise of what would come.  Who am I talking about?  Heath Ledger.  When he died, it was one of the saddest days of my life.  He was my favorite actor.  I felt like I had a connection with him.  It's hard to explain.  In the film, "The Patriot", his character's name was Gabriel.  I so admired that character and his portrayal that I named my older son Gabriel.  Kind of a legacy, so to speak.  I miss a person that I never knew, but I did know that he had great promise.  It was acknowledged with an OSCAR. So sad that it had to be awarded posthumously.  I do a tribute post to Heath on my blog every year on the anniversary of his death.  He deserves to be remembered.


You are greatly missed, Heathcliff Ledger.

Journaling...Peace

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Peace--For you to consider your environment a peaceful one, what is the most important element it must include?


I absolutely must have complete silence.  By this, I mean no yelling and bickering boy noises constantly in the background.  I love my boys, I really do, but sometimes I really need a Calgon tidal wave to take me away!

Journaling...Layers

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Layers--Respond to the prompt, "multiple layers."


The multiple "emotional" layers of being a writer:

• determination
• exhilaration
• despair
• mania
• pride
• excitement

Did I miss any?

ROW80 Check-In 7/10/11 and Journaling...Love/Hate

I didn't check in on Wednesday because it was only two days from the starting date and I didn't accomplish anything anyway.  Yeah, the Camp NaNoWriMo thing is not going so well so far.  I have my novel pretty well fleshed out in my head, but I'm having issues with actually putting words on paper.  I'm also realizing that I may have to throw in the towel on it, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  I have not made that decision yet.  I'm going to give myself a little more time to commit.  So, revamped goals:

• I need to write about 2400 words a day now if I'm going to meet the 50,000 word goal.
• daily journaling (see below for today's entry)
• work on flash fiction story (haven't decided 100% if I'm going to enter this month or not)

I have to keep telling myself...keep on keeping on.  All is not lost until you let it be.

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Love/hate:  With whom (or with what) do you have a love/hate relationship?


I love books and I love reading.  I hate how slow I read, how backlogged I am on review books, and I really hate how I let myself get distracted from reading...TV and internet being the culprits.  So that could also be a love/hate relationship with TV and the internet! That's a whole other story....

Journaling...Friday Fiction: Straw

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Straw."  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


The straw in the abandoned barn smelled musty and damp.  He didn't care though.  Any place was good enough for him as long as he could hide safely.  He looked down at the iron shackle still hooked on his ankle.  The master had kept him chained because he knew he was a runner.  Somehow the chain had been weak and he was able to break it with a hatchet easily.  He had been on the run for days before finding the barn.  He climbed into the loft and settled down behind some bales of hay.  He could hear the baying of the dogs in the distance.  He could only pray they would not search the barn.  As it turned out, a futile prayer.


Inspired by my current read, Roots by Alex Haley.

Journaling...Trip

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Trip--Write about a memorable trip you took before the age of 18.


When I was ten, my family went on a two week vacation tour of the New England states (some of them).  We visited Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.  We visited the Carnegie Institute, a marble quarry, a castle (Wilson Castle) that a man built for the woman he loved, and much more.  It was one of our best vacations! I so loved Vermont that I used to say I was going to move there when I grew up.  There's still time! ;O)

Journaling...Friday (Saturday) Fiction: Stock

Today is Friday Fiction at The One-Minute Writer.  Friday Fiction was rescheduled for Saturday this week.  The prompt is Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Stock".  From C. Beth...Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.


It was her first starring role in a summer stock production.  Her dream role--Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.  She was incredibly nervous.  Her stomach was flipping and churning.  She heard the hush as the audience quieted.  The house lights went down.  She stepped forward.  The curtain went up.  This was her moment...

Journaling...Job

Today's One-Minute Writer prompt is:  Job--Write about when you were laid off or fired, or you quit a job. (If this doesn't apply, write about another responsibility/activity that ended.)


At the end of 2008, I was asked by my old boss to come back to work part-time.  It was perfect because I really needed a job and they worked around my sons' school schedules.  Well, I worked for about ten months, but it was a private physician's practice and my boss was not doing well financially.  So in September 2009, I was laid off because they couldn't afford to pay me.  The bad thing was that I wasn't given any notice.