Pics of my office

                     
                  This a blind my DH affixed to my ceiling so I could add inspirational pictures to it.  I have two of these up.

a desktop fireplace from my Mom

I have a driftwood fetish :S  this one reminded me of a dragon so i picked it up

a branch I painted

                                                an electronics free desk :)

books

                                                                   more books

                                                              and more books

                                                      That's me!

                                                              cool end to a stick I bought at a fleamarket

                                                             I call these my ugly flowers

                                                                shhhhhh

                                                        my favorite fairy

                             

I'm obsessed with post-it notes

                                                         a cauldron of clips

                                                               chest of thumb drives

busy few weeks, library desk space, and life

I have missed writing here, really enjoy my little unloading sessions.  I've had my son home a lot with me lately and so I took the opportunity to do things around the house, although you'd never know it, this house is perpetually chaotic...I hate to admit it but I am a huge pack rat.  I really am trying to overcome it though...I have to weed out some of this mess.  I think I need a few days (or months) of ebay and facebook auction listing. 

So on Friday I took the kids to school, they didn't miss the bus, I just decided to take them to school.  on the way there I had to swerve out from a branch in the road. I told the kids that it was cool and I debated on turning around to pick it up.  the kids think my dead tree/branch obsession is silly, but they were encouraging me to turn around and go get it.  I didn't.  But on the way back it was still there so I pulled over.  It was bigger than it looked so I was having some awkwardness at putting it in the back seat of the van.  A car went by and a group of boys were hanging out the window laughing at me.  I wanted to yell at them "so what my obsession is funky tree branches, when you get older you'll probably collect bellybutton link."  but I refrained.  LOL

I came home and tossed it over the fence and went up stairs to sweep and dust the top of the stairs (what I call my library).  A few weeks ago I went to Frenchy's  to try and find curtains for that area.  I decided that whatever color I found that had two panels I would go with it, I just wanted curtains.  I found two sets of curtains and am in absolute love with them.  So it decided my color theme.  Here's my curtains:

 

 

So as I went through the day thinking of the area I started scavenging around the house and set up the desk with an orange color theme:

 

 

This is a desk that I say is a computer free desk, and where my oldest son does his homework and I edit and write longhand.  So as I went about the day thinking about the branch I tossed over the fence I got thinking of how I can incorporate that into this space, and so I told my DH I wanted spray paint.  He went out today and bought me a can.  I haven't added it to the room yet, but here it is spray painted(it's an awkward angle...my son took the picture): 

I'll post a picture when I add it to the room.  I think it's pretty, and I'm excited for it to dry so I can bring it in and put it somewhere.


~R

ps: it's in the house, going to put it somewhere better than this tomorrow.



Dictionary, and writing, of course

It was a busy week, so busy that I totally forgot my sons appointment with the dietician on the 9th and only remember it this weekend.  I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on.

So my old trusty electronic dictionary kicked the bucket(I've had this for about 15 years):

 

 

 

So I started scouring websites for a new one and low and behold:

 

 

This dictionary (on the right) is so much better than my old one it makes it laughable.  It also has a grammar and punctuation guide which is so handy.    and then I found a wikireader(on left) for only $20.  It has millions of Wikipedia articles and doesn't require the internet.  How cool is that?  This summer when I'm writing at the park or in the back yard,  I'll still be able to research.  I think it's cool, my kids and husband think it's stupid :P

 

I have been really enjoying my current WIP, and it feels so great to be writing...and not just writing, but writing...um, well, what would the word be for what I am trying to say....writing unleashed, I guess.  For lack of another word.  I can't stop.  My mind is just glued to it.  While I'm eating I'm thinking of this novel, while I'm showering, and even when I'm sleeping.  It's a different kind of a thing for me.  and I love it.

Probably the whole story will be crap to someone else, but I'm enjoying it so far.

~R






Writing and sickness

Hi there peoples, bet you thought I'd abandoned you.  sorry no such luck of that.  Was looking through old pictures and came across my books from witches moon and thought I'd share a picture, in case you're interested:

The smaller ones spine was broke when it arrived...it took a little work but I fixed it enough to make it look okay.  I really love them. just thought I'd share.  Just Google Witch's moon if you like them.  they are a bit costly but really well made.


Son #1 has been sick...swollen tonsils and tonight he has a fever and feeling pretty dizzy.  It'll probably circulate through us all.  My daughter was sick already.  I'm amazed son #2 hasn't caught it yet.

I have been writing...galore!  When 2pm rolls around I have to literally peel myself away from my desk.  Love the story, it's so fun to write.  There is so much going on I don't have time to get bored.

Well I started the blog late so I have to head to bed...quite tired tonight.

~R

Long-hand writing, plus a clean office

So today with the kids being home from school, I resorted to writing longhand.  I wrote probably 12 pages...which will probably only translate to 4 but that's okay. 

I cleaned my office tonight...it was in desperate need of it.  I got a whole shopping bag full of old papers from off my desk that were no good...it's unreal the clutter that can accumulate.   I do believe it's time to list some things on ebay or facebook auctions, this house is getting pretty packed and soon it'll take a whole search party to come find us through this mess.

DH and daughter have had a pretty crappy day, not feeling too good, and Son #2 has been giggly all day which is never a good sign.  Weirdly enough that is usually a sign that he isn't feeling too good.

It feels nice sitting in a clean office.  I'm anxious to do some writing tomorrow morning. 

Finished reading my sister-in-laws book last night and am going to start The 100 Year Old Man...tomorrow.

~R

A Starving writer

DH went on a morning trip a few hours away to get a new-to-us furnace, since ours needs to be replaced.  

The kids enjoyed their Easter, and I cleaned.  I had planned that tonight I'd come up and write, but here I am, upstairs, and my eyes are refusing to stay open.  I did read through he last chapter I wrote and decided I liked it okay for a 1st draft.

I find that while I work, if there is no one around to chat with, I think a lot.  And today I was working and started concocting a story in my head unintentionally.  So now I have this whopper of an idea in my head, that I have to set aside until I finish my current WIP. 

I can not even explain what a thrill ride I am on with this current WIP.  I am having a load of fun!  Someone else will probably read it and wonder what I was loving so much about it, but maybe not.  We shall see, someday, maybe. 

well I'm treating myself tonight with an ice cream Sunday.  So I think I'll go down and have that now, and maybe read for a bit.

Hoping to get up early tomorrow and try to get at least 1 hour of writing in before son #2 wakes up.

~R

Writing with my sister's mouth going a mile a minute

I spent the day at my Mom's babysitting my special needs sister so that mom could have an outing.  I made supper (beef and broccoli) and rolls, and then after supper I pulled out my laptop to try to write.  She decides now is the time to start singing.  First she started singing to the neighbour, who we call Peanie.  A version of Ricky Skaggs song Honey won't you open that door, except she was substituting 'honey' with "Peanie'.  After singing that for about an hour she started on Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill, and now as I write this she is singing to the top of her lungs "Momma Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys."  Hard to write with that noise going on...but she's happy, that is for sure.

I'm about to give her a roll with jam and cheese, maybe I can get a few minutes in while she stuffs her face.

Happy Easter!

R

This and That and the Other Thing

The weekends always turn out to be slow when it comes to writing.  I did write a little but not as much as I had hoped. 

I went to my moms at about 3:30 yesterday.  made supper for her and us: homemade fries and sloppy Joes.  I made some buns for her as well while I was back there.  we played about 9 games of dominoes.  I really suck at that game, out of the 9 games I won 3.  Mom was determined to stay up until my sister got home, but at about 1:30 we caved and went to bed.  She got home at around 3:30 and instead of staying the rest of the night I went home and slept until 11:30am day.
Son #2 was extremely crabby today, and I wanted to take him outside but there was a huge dog hanging around and I was too nervous.  I think it is my neighbors dog, really hope the dog don't ruin my whole summer.  Hope he keeps it in the house or on a leash at least.  So I ended up putting Son#2 in the van and going for a ride instead...a couple of hours out of the house seemed to do the trick for him.

I finished Stephen King's Cujo today, so this evening we watched the movie.  It was good, but like always the book was so much better. 

My dog is at my feet sleeping and growling at the same time over sounds she hears downstairs...hopefully she figures out soon that it's just DH talking on the phone.  I think she thinks she's scary.  It kinda cracks me up when the doorbell rings and she starts barking like a wild woman, and when I open the door the person always looks a little timid until they see the runt.  She has a big bark, makes her sound so much bigger.

Well maybe I will get a few words in tonight.

~R

Much Ado About Nothing

I'm writing earlier today since I'm going to be gone during my usual posting time.  Spending the night with my Mom, so she won't be alone.

I've been writing this morning.  Invented a futuristic car today, interesting little car if I should say so myself.  If I ever decide to try my hand at drawing maybe I'll do a  sketch of it. 

It's Easter weekend. With the whole family on weight watchers that means not as much candy as before.  For candy my daughter asked for a chocolate rabbit, small bag of chocolate Easter eggs, and a bag of apples(she's an apple monster).  Son #1 wants a family size bag of doritos, whoppers, and a Cadbury premium dark chocolate bar.  Son #2 can't talk but if he could I know what he'd ask for: a kitkat bat. a reese bar, bbq Pepperidge crackers and a box of macaroons.  Everything will be eaten in moderation of course.   Not much candy if you consider the overload we use to get...good for me both health wise and moneywise.

When I was younger my mom use to hide Easter eggs and big nest and buy us gifts and candy galore.  I remember one easter my mom bought me a get in shape girl set, I was on cloud nine.  i still have the tape and the ribbon some where packed away.  Then as we got older we opted for a weekend out of town that weekend instead. 

Well going to write a bit before I have to leave.

~R

I'm in a writing frenzy and my house hates me

I cannot help but share this story with you all. 

So I started writing 30 minutes earlier than usual this morning.  I was writing up a frenzy up until noon in which time I ate my dinner and chatted with my DH for 30 minutes.  After he left at 12:30 I rushed back upstairs before he was even out the driveway, I do believe.  My fingers were itching.  So the words were just spilling like crazy, and it seemed like I'd been writing for a long time and I glance down at the clock on my screen and start to freak 1:59?  Oh no, I need to quickly save my progress, get my phone and my cup, turn off my light, fish the dog out from under the desk, and lock up my office(I do this to keep the cats off my desk, and my son from ripping up all my papers).  I rush down stairs to prepare my son a snack, set it on the sideboard where he knows to go get it (can't leave it on the table since my little dog samples it while I'm gone to the bus).  I put on my boots and coat, and then stand looking out the window over the hill, waiting until I see the bus.  It gets here at 2:09 like clockwork everyday! 

I wait. 

Hm, this seems to be taking longer then usual.  Where is the bus?

2:10

They must be doing a bus drill today, I think.

2:11

It's getting hot in this coat.

1:12

what???  how did that happen?  1:12?  I am going totally insane! 

I rush to the sideboard and seal up his snack.  Fling off my coat. Kick off my boots, and rush upstairs for 45 more minutes of writing.

__________

I am loving this writing frenzy, but I really have to force myself to do housework.  I find myself cutting corners, or being satisfied with just the basics.  Friday, the kids will be home...I'll give it a good cleaning then, I guess.

~R

My tongue is burnt and my fingers are sore

Ahhhhhh, the feeling of having written.  It's a good feeling, I really hope my muse don't decide to up and leave me, right now he's really cranking out the inspiration and I am loving it! 

Something odd happened today, I was writing along, happy to have finally met Mitch after hearing about him off and on, although I was NOT too happy to have to meet him under the circumstances...not pleasant ones that is for sure.  When in between wallops to the stomach he decides to ask me "why in the heck are you calling me Mitch? Don't you watch my news reports at all?  And if you're just going to stand there and watch me getting the crap beat out of me, you could at least call me by my name.  It's Phillip."  So I had to find and replace all the Mitch's and now I have a happy Phil...well not really since I left him suspended to rafters in agony, with a bunch of thugs demanding answers from him between punches.  :(  Sorry Mitch...er, I mean Phillip.

Well I made the most yummiest seafood chowder ever!  It was done early so I set it aside until it was time to eat, but it kept calling to me, and so, I caved.  Shouldn't have but I had a few bites of the deliciousness and yyeee-ouch, burnt the very back of my tongue, practically down my throat...now my tongue feels all weird, almost fuzzy.

It's almost time for the Easter bunny, are you ready?

~R

My Brother Stole my Writing Time...and Frenchys, of Course

So this morning I had to take my daughter to the dentist, we left an hour and twenty minutes early so I could have some time in to frenchys #1.  Son#2 was in desperate need of some t-shirts for school, since he stains up ALLL his t-shirts and I can not get the stains out of them for the life of me.  (ANY TIPS ON REMOVING GREASE (PEANUT BUTTER, MARGARINE,) STAINS FROM T-SHIRTS, DROP ME A LINE IN COMMENTS BELOW). On the way to frenchys my daughter says to me.  "I really hope I find something nice at frenchys, so I can at least have something good about this trip!"  She absolutely hates the dentist, works herself up so bad over it that she actually gets a headache, and gets so dizzy...pretty much ruins her whole day.

Anyway, so we go to frenchys and she comes out happy as a lark!  Why would a girl who's going to be 16 in about 3 months come away from a used clothing store happy?  You'd think because she found some cool clothing, or shoes, right?  Nope, she found a skelanimal (this one), two pokemons (a Pikachu and a mantyke), and her biggest find of all a plush backpack Gir...all for under $5(together).  To her that was a happy trip!  In her defense at frenchys #2 she left with a pair of jeans, and two jackets, so she did get some clothes.  And as suspected she left the dentist with a raging headache.

We came home and after chatting and eating dinner, I had 1 hour left to write, only to get up stairs and have a message waiting for me from brother #4...so there went my writing time, but I always have fun chatting with him so it wasn't a total loss. 

I did get a bit of writing done tonight, and I'm heading off to do some more...on to a new chapter.

~R

Not Much writing to report tonight...

I battled a headache in the morning, and later in the afternoon gave the house a scrub down, made hot chicken sandwiches, rice, and cream of mushroom cabbage for supper.  Made buns and dough flockers(thanks to mom for reigniting my love of dough flockers..mmm).

Tomorrow I have to take my daughter to a dentist appointment and get my frenchys fix, but I should be able to manage at least 2 hours of writing.

We bought a new-to-us rocker-recliner...ahhhh, so comfy.  Almost like new.  I foresee a lot of reading going on in that chair.  Son #3 loves it.  He prefers it over his chaise, so I don't know how much use I'll be able to get out of it.  He already ran my DH out of it once.

I bid on an infinity candle and won it. yeeehaw.  Was I ever excited.  I already have one of them that is larger.  See:

 

 

 

Well time to get a few words in before I head to bed.  Maybe I'll have more for you tomorrow.

 

~R

do all girls fall in love with bad boys?

First off, I'm not writing a romance, although I have intentions of letting me feisty Pia have a romantic interest.

The title is referring to me...

Help I've fallen in love with my antagonist!!  He comes across as a very nice professional man, but I know his thoughts and there is nothing nice about them.  He's conniving, and cocky, but he's so darn determined, and I just love his way of thinking.  He's only doing his job though, so we can't judge him.  For the record this is the picture I have as inspiration for my character who I call Calloway:

Do any of you do this...get visuals for inspiration?  I started doing this when I was a child and it stuck...seems a bit silly maybe, but it works for me ,and I find I write better if I get a collection of pictures to help me visualize the story.  I always create the character first though and then find a picture to work around him.  This picture of Terrence Howard reminds me of Calloway except the space between the eyebrows would be a little wider apart and the hair is cropped so short it's nearly bald. 

Staying up a little later tonight because I have the itch in my fingers and I can't ignore it.

Basically, Calloway is calling me...

I must listen!

~R

ahhh The bliss of writing without blocks...and chickens :s

I'm loving this writing frenzy.  Having so much fun getting to know my characters.  I think I'm enjoying the antagonistic characters as much as I'm enjoying the protagonist.  I have this weird character trait of one of the protagonists that makes him so fun, and bit funny to write. 

I went grocery shopping tonight and broke down and picked up a new microwave too...our old one can not be too safe, the lining inside is so worn. 

I took my oldest son with me shopping, he is a hoot to take shopping, keeps me laughing.  He doesn't stop talking the whole time, and usually it is about stuff that I have 0% interest in, but I nod and play along.  We went to a house just outside of town to pick up a pair of pants I'd bought for my daughter.  I pulled into the yard and she had chickens and roosters walking around her yard.  I freaked out!  I stayed in the van hoping the woman would notice and come out, but she didn't.  I told my son, "I'm just going to get out and hope the chickens leave me alone."  I stepped out of the van. They were just going about there merry way, so I thought, "okay this is gonna be alright."  Until I started around the house for the back door, and then they started following me.  I was freaking out, so I took off on the run to the door, knocked once quickly.  and then just opened the door and invited myself in.  The man kind of looked offended by that too.  :)  I got the pants and went on the run back to the van, the chickens and rooster running full speed behind me, clucking.  And sure enough I got in the van and my son was laughing his head off.  As soon as we got home it was the first thing he told my husband.  Glad he was entertained, however I'm traumatized!  Aghhh I hate chickens!

Overall a good night, if you can forget the chicken ordeal.

~R

Good writing, good food, Crazy Family

I woke up at 5am this morning with my whole head throbbing...I was so depressed because I was so certain that meant I'd have a headache all day long and all my plans would go down the crapper.  Hoping to avoid all that I got up and took two Tylenol...and then did what works for me...warning this is not classy by any means, but I stuck some vicks vaporub up my nose and then wrapped a heating pad around my head.  The combination of the three worked, because I woke up feeling fine!

I put child #3 off to school and then started right away to straighten the house.  Child #1 and #2 left for school.  I finished what I had to do and put chicken in the slow cooker with a blend of herbs so that we could pick it and have chicken soup over the weekend (a favorite of mine and DH). 

I headed up stairs at 10am to write, and holy guacamole did I ever have fun, I love days like today when the words seem to be coming faster than my fingers can type.  Just before noon I rushed downstairs and put some pork in the oven for stew for supper, and then rushed back up to write some more.  2pm seemed to get here on the double and I ended up having to stop right in the middle of a super fun scene.  Ah well in the morning I should be able to get back into the swing pretty quickly.

So when Child #3 got home I finished up the stew and the house was smelling divine, but then DH called and said why don't we save the stew for tomorrow night and head out at 5 to have some Chinese food.  So that's what we did.  I overate, and now I feel uncomfortable.  Been eating like a bird since July 2012, my body isn't use to this much food.  The food was good, but this ISN'T a good feeling.

Every time we go somewhere the two older kids don't want to come with us, just this short trip to Digby with everyone talking, and fighting for airtime. made me very grateful they don't come with us all the time.  Child #3 (who has autism) did not enjoy the loud chat and was screaming and slapping the back of the seat.  My daughter who was setting next to him got the brunt of his anger, so part way home she had to slip into the back seat to get away from him.  I know it's not funny, but it made me laugh because Elijah is always so calm during road trips.  he loves them, they soothe him and make him so happy, but with my daughters mouth going a mile a minute he was just so overwhelmed.

*yawn*


~R

My day in a nutshell...

Today was a snow day, so I spent the day playing Harry Potter scene-it with my son, cleaning, and I made a couple batches of strawberry jam. 

My office has been slowly beginning to look like something akin to the aftermath of a bomb explosion, but I guess I will just let that be for a few more days, since tomorrow from 9-2 I intend to write up a storm. 

I slept in this morning until nearly 10am, a new record for my youngest son since he is usually up no later than 7.30.  When my husband left for work at 8:15 he came in to say bye and then after I went to sleep I had the most weirdest dream.  Here's the stickler, I can't tell you what it was, since I really don't know.  I'm hoping it will come back to me eventually which is sometimes accustom.  All I remember is that feeling of utter aloneness in a peach-colored room that was completely devoid of any décor or furniture.  I also remember a panicky feeling of not having my kids with me, but I remember someone coming in the room in jeans, a man I think.  I wish I could remember the jest of it, but alas I can't.

It's hard to believe it will be 6 months since my Dad passed away.  I still find it hard to believe.  I go about my day, and in my head it's like he's still alive.  Then when I think of it, or someone mentions it I get that quickening in my chest(like a flutter), and light headedness you'd get when you are finding out about it for the first time.  I wonder if that ever stops? 
I have really stayed up far to late tonight...it's past midnight. :s

~R

To research, or not to research

I'm trying to write without researching, honest I really am, but wow this is hard. I'm on a scene in my novel where one of my characters, an Egyptian woman, is in a poor community in Cairo, at a faith healer's hut.  I want to stop and look up info, and it's killing me not to.  I know zilch about any of this, so I'm trying to trudge along and fake it...and then worry about the facts later.  It is tough.

It's snowing like crazy outside.  My crazy dog was taking high steps in the snow but she managed to do her business and rush back in.  She is NOT a snow dog, that is for sure. 

On a happier note, I'm writing a lot more nowadays, and though I complained earlier about not researching I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the fact that over the last couple days I've actually made my daily word goal.  I'm trying to be more disciplined, TRYING to stick to a goal.  I'm hoping that by the end of the school year I will have the rough draft of this novel completed.

 I happened upon this today...plagiarism is never pretty.

It's passed my bedtime, which is probably why this is so jumbled.

~R

Therapy...aka writing. Lonely dog, and cold feet.

It felt nice to write in quiet today, but Tajma (my dog) was really lonesome and demanded a lot of attention.  I managed to give her some attention, and after a while of cuddling with her she was content to sleep on my feet and keep my toes nice and warm. 

I finished On Writing.  a wealth of info in it!  The one thing I can't understand-- and I have had a few other people tell me they do the same thing--is how in the world he writes with music on.  I guess there are different strokes for different folks, I really don't think I could do that, but one day I mean to try it.  Maybe the music will drown out that nagging voice that keeps saying "what about that pile of laundry downstairs". 

One of the things my DH has been telling me for years is to forget about research and just write the darn story.  Stephen King says the same thing.  maybe they are on to something.  Anyone else out there write first and research later?

It has been extremely cold today.  No amount of wood in the furnace could warm me, and there is a storm on the way.  Maybe the kids will have a snow day on Wednesday.

~R

Plotting, Writer's Schizophrenia, and Me

209 pages into Stephen King's On Writing, and I am just really glad I decided to give this another go.  I had been writing my current WIP (titled:Merge) without a plot, but then it seemed like plots were the way to go.  Me and a friend decided to become crit partners and she sent me her very nicely done plot and I was like "hmmm, this may be what I am missing." Because I've been having a hard time concentrating and staying on task (sleep deprived, I believe now.)  So I stopped writing,  to plot....*sigh*.

Now after reading Stephen King saying he don't plot...I realize that I was okay not plotting, so tomorrow I'm giving up the plot and going on to to the writing.  In my ebook Don't Open 'til Christmas, I didn't plot.  I did make a visual board of my characters, because I need that, but I didn't plot.  I just had a slight barebones idea in my head and I had no idea what was going to come of it.  I loved the thrill of not knowing. 

Another thing about this book that gave me that 'aha' moment, is that he says that he learns things about his characters as he writes them that he had no idea about and so he enjoys getting to know them.  Makes me want to say to my daughter, "see I'm not a loony, or at least I'm not the only loony in the world."  She makes fun of me because I'll say things to her like "I know I was going to make her run upstairs to hide, but she wanted to go in the back room instead.  I had no idea why, until we got there and she told me there was an exit out of the house in that room and that's why she wanted to hide in there."  I know it sounds nuts, but it's true in a weird way you won't understand unless you're a writer.  Or I'll get writing and have it all worked out in my head and my character will say to me, "oh yeah I forgot to mention I can't hide in that closet because I'm claustrophobic...and I feel like screaming at her 'why didn't you tell me this before I worked the whole thing out in my head!!!" 

Anyway I didn't get upstairs until about 10 minutes ago, it's been a busy day, so I have to end this here and head to bed now.

~R