The Other Place

I'll confess to making a new blog. Hopefully, this one will be posted in more frequently than not, because it's a holding-place for my poetry and songs. From all accounts, poetry is notoriously hard to get published, and you don't get paid much for it. Sooo...

I figure,... well then,... why bury it secretively in the basement of an old-haunted house? Even bad poetry can be read and critiqued by friends and family. This is your chance to bookmark the spot, because unless I think the poem is interesting I won't tell you I posted it from now on. For a while old stuff will be going up, but after that things may slow down a little.

(BTW the first two poems are brand new, and the inspiration for making a blog for them comes from finding that A., my pastor's wife, has such a blog too. She told someone else to post their stuff and I took the advice. *grin*)

And now... Go to "ECHO." If you lose the link, you can always find it in the profile section, because I'm not being quite that secretive. I chose the blog name on a whim, but when I looked up the full definition it turned out to be fitting. Here's hoping God can be glorified in even the smallest writings.

Zette appreciation day

I can't say I know her all that well, but Zette published my first article ever in Vision.

I'm still surprised.--But I'll be published again, one day, because it gave me hope that I can learn to write well.

Zette's time management and ability to push through pretty much anything to get writing done stands near the top of my list of things I want to emulate. Her generosity in helping so many people meanwhile is, I must say, the primary personality trait I hope to develop. I've learned a lot from her free writing classes, and that's only one of her pursuits at Forward Motion.

Thank you, Zette.

To view the rest of the participants in Zette Appreciation Day go to Stray Thoughts, Margaret Fisk's blog.

Blogging, IM and the good old-fashioned pen-pal

Well, I'm not really sure where this is going. This topic rose in my mind and I thought it might be interesting to explore. Heh. Let's see what happens, shall we?

I read recently that the generic American culture needs to explore the idea of knowing one another mind to mind more deeply, that it's too easy to base friendship or love on superficial things like similar activities or visual attraction. I found it intriguing to consider. How many of our acquaintances do we really share our thoughts with?

I, for one, like having a place to talk. This blog serves a purpose, both by letting me collect my thoughts and by making it easy to share them with the people (family and friends) who want to know what I think and what's going on in my life. For me it isn't "publication" or changing the world, though I have been guilty of wanting people to discuss with me or at least comment here. *laugh* Certainly, this way of sharing with the general group of people who might be interested is valuable. After all, there have been newsletters and such for a long time. This is simply a new format.

IM has the benefit of making writing each other even faster than email. I've enjoyed the opportunity to get to know people better. The experience of IM has a lot to do with the personality of the person you chat with and their ability to type. With some, you must be doing something else while chatting--they either type slowly or are multitasking themselves. With others, the back and forth of conversation lacks only visual cues and tone of voice.

In contrast, the standard pen-pal arrangement of the old days is becoming rare.

A friend of mine, who is unable to be online, recently asked me to write her. Frankly, the idea of me managing to write a letter, keeping track of it till it gets into the envelope, finding the address (which is usually floating around on a scrap of paper), stamping it and carrying it to the box is...hard for me to conceive. I've never been good at it, even when I was required to write my folks from boarding school when I was a kid. Miraculously, I managed it and within a couple weeks heard back from her. It's not the same as a conversation, that's for sure, but the knowledge that she put forth the effort to write, keep track of, address and stamp that missive makes it special. After all, unlike the easy communication of the internet, you really have to WANT to keep in touch with someone to go to all that effort.

My conclusion? Well, it's too easy to lose track of people, to fail to talk to people--even those who you see regularly, and to fail miserably to break past the insulation surrounding people these days. With reservation and self-protection a part of our culture... with so many ways of being misunderstood if one is willing to be open and freely accepting of others... with so many dangers inherent in the world around us... any method of keeping in touch and developing friendships is a good thing.

Writing has the benefit of removing a couple of the natural barriers between people--the influence of appearance, voice, clothing, smell and other input are lessened or removed. We must come to an opinion of others based on what they think.

Is this a good thing? Who knows. Like anything, this can be misused. What is said of the tongue, in Proverbs for example, can easily be redirected to any form of communication. It makes very clear that the tongue has both the ability to heal and the power of destruction. What do you think?

A new way to write

Random Story Generator Link

One day there was a arbitrary rock. The arbitrary rock was quite content to live in a archive and eat cliffs.

Suddenly, there was a comforting knocking sound coming from the bank. The rock jumped in fright. It decided to swim to the tunnel, and got there just in time to see a cheerful gem standing there! The gem waved a humorous road and the rock turned into a acceptable Venezuela. One quite unable to leap!

The gem shimmered and disappeared, leaving a few bushes in its place. The Venezuela picked up the bushes and popped one into her open hand. The gift of speech befell the Venezuela, who exclaimed,
"What a knowledgeable day! I think I shall pick cats!"

Off went the acceptable Venezuela, sneakily running and skipping, finally tripping on a armored artist and toppling headlong into a arbitrary painter. Needless to say, it succumbed to a green death.
The moral of this story?

If you are thinking of becoming a rock, never open a tunnel until you are sure there is no cheerful gem lying in wait.

Above all, live pleasantly. The cats you eat may be your last!


Ah, Even better...

One day there was a fascinating grass. The fascinating grass was quite content to live in a tank and eat brushes.

Suddenly, there was a purposeful knocking sound coming from the arches. The grass jumped in fright. It decided to dive to the gum, and got there just in time to see a pessimistic window standing there! The window waved a eliminated vest and the grass turned into a anticipated livingroom. One quite unable to blast!

The window shimmered and disappeared, leaving a few piglets in its place. The livingroom picked up the piglets and popped one into her open mind. The gift of speech befell the livingroom, who exclaimed,

"What a adverse day! I think I shall pick oceans!"

Off went the anticipated livingroom, trivially running and skipping, finally tripping on a armored pacifist and toppling headlong into a fascinating visionary. Needless to say, it succumbed to a bitter death.

The moral of this story?

If you are thinking of becoming a grass, never open a gum until you are sure there is no pessimistic window lying in wait.

Above all, live violently. The oceans you eat may be your last!

Aiera needs to get moving!

I need to get writing, here. Until now I've been writing toward scenes I'd written when I was still enthralled with this story. Maybe I should just do that again.

It's more fun to connect the big scenes than it is to just write and write to reach them. I think I'm going to jump to the last chapter and, maybe, one of the other major upcoming events next, then write to them. Oooh, that sounds fun!

*grin* It may not seem normal, but it works for me! *considers using this method on Beauty and the Beast also* I need to come up with a better title. That one is too overdone. Beauty's Beast was one alternative I came up with, but I'm not sure he's really hers after all. Hmmm...

A new discovery!

I found PBwiki a while back. They're saving my life in regards to keeping track of my writing via multiple computers. Check out the PBwiki tour! You might find a use for them too.

It's been a good weekend, but today was GREAT!

My brother stopped by!!!

I love seeing him. *grin*

I've been enjoying plotting my newest novel idea. This week our class is finally stepping into world building! Yay! It's my favorite part. The assignment was great; full of interesting questions. I'm looking forward to how my idea develops as it continues through the process. I tell you this, these outside questions are making the world far richer than it would ever be if I tried to dredge all this from my mind unassisted.

"Magic", in my worlds is actually technology or inborn abilities. I just can't make myself write magic of the "traditional" kind, and I don't really want to. (Spells are out this year, m'dear.) If there is magic, it certainly will be misused power and thus evil in nature. However, I find my characters using this word when they encounter things they can't explain. I think, in my mind, that is what the word magic has come to mean.

Magic: n. That which cannot be explained by the viewer.

*laugh* Is God "magic", in this sense? Yes! I love the mystery and power of Him. Could I begin to understand what He is capable of? No! Yet this is His ability, His power and His incredible nature. That what He does, I cannot do, is wonderful! It's good to know He is greater than I can imagine.

Chapter 16!

After a few false starts in chapter 13, the story seems to be flowing well in first person. Seeing as how I started the new point of view in the fourteenth chapter, this will mean extensive editing,... not that the book doesn't need it anyway. I think writing in first pulls out more of the details for me. It's very likely I'll simply end up switching back to third, however. Though I am leaving my decision up in the air until after my crit group gets back to me with their comments on my question.

Would you read a book that was written in first person from the seperate perspectives of three people? I read one recently which I thought worked rather well. The problem? I can't remember the title to save my life. Maybe I'll have to make a practice of writing down what I read.

Would you like to see what Aiera is going through right now? If I get enough of a call for it I MIGHT let you read a scene from my book. Maybe. *She says with complete assurance that she WON'T have to go hunting something suitable.* I know how few there are who read this blog. *Walks away feeling safe.* Of course, I won't complain too much if I'm wrong. *grin*

Update

It seems I cannot both write and keep up with my blog... I'm working on that.

Anyhow, news... um...

We had an exterminator in to get rid of the fleas that somehow made it into our carpet from the neighbor's cats... Hopefully, the bug bites will now disappear and my kids will stop looking like they have oozing sore sickness (the scratching does ugly things to their skin).

The doctor says my constant winter congestion is very likely allergies and gave me a sample medication to squirt up my nose (ewww!). It works miracles! Perhaps I won't be miserable all winter after all.

I have completed a chapter for my book, which will never be part of my book. I call that progress! *grin* ...of a sort. At least I know Ermor and his history better now, so his upcoming starring chapters in the book will be less stilted.

Aiera has made it through her encounter with Theron at the counsel meeting, even though I'm not at all happy with the way it came out on the page. As Aunt Val says, "That's what editing is for!" I have a tough transition here, because it's not nearly as planned as the rest of the chapters. Then I'm off into my next exciting maneuver.

Hooray! I've been waiting for this part for a long time! And, NO, I'm not telling what it is! Buy the book! *laugh*

I must confess...

I have not yet submitted my poems... I will! I WILL do this... maybe once I've done it a time or two the process will become easier.

Thinking and Acting

"Crash and burn." The phrase is representative of what usually happens for me between the thought and the action. My life would be incredibly profitable if I actually followed through on even a small percentage of my grand plans.

Perhaps I should be cautious about telling others of my ideas, it just sets them up for the same disappointment. Yet, I must view life with hope. It's just too depressing otherwise. So... maybe I can learn to follow through.

It is this that God is working on in my life. Follow-through, otherwise known as responsibility or... perhaps it is simply an attitude of service.

Writing, my big plan, is certainly a service to others. I'm exceedingly grateful to all the authors who have written the poetry, articles and books which have inspired, encouraged and entertained me through the years. If I could do that for someone, even in a small way, it would be worthwhile. (In the meantime, perhaps I'll apply some of this character I'm learning to the kitchen and laundry.)

Invisible Walls...

I have discovered that not all walls in life are visible. I've been trying to ignore one for some time recently, persuading myself that because I couldn't see a wall... or a reason for a wall... that it wasn't there. However, I've crashed into it often enough recently, to realise that not all reality can be seen.

I did glimpse the wall, putting on the glasses of futility and depression for a moment, I saw the wall, tall and wide, spanning a grey landscape full of gaping holes pouring out gaseous emissions, poisoning the atmosphere and clouding out the sun. I don't like hopelessness. I don't like that view of the world. I quickly took the glasses off. Yet, I cannot deny that the wall is there. Even in the midst of a glittering landscape, full of restful scenery and undiscovered paths, I have to believe in something I have touched so often.

It comes to this: God doesn't always guide me the way I would go, and He doesn't always direct with pointed signs and unyielding walls. I could climb over... I could burst through... I could persuade myself that because I don't see the wall, it isn't there.

Do I want to?

The path left to me, if I recognize this wall as real, is rocky and steep... Yes, even when viewed with hope and the knowledge that God provides all my needs. He never promises that the paths He will lead me upon will be easy. I've learned that the hard paths always result in the greatest treasures, however. So... it is a choice between hardship and growth, and a pleasurable walk without any assurance of value.

I think I'll believe in the wall, trusting that God is guiding me to this harder path. It will change what I do... where I spend my time... how much I write... Changing priorities is always a bit of a shock to the system, especially when faced with what seems to be two equal values... or even one that appears to be more valuable on the surface... yet a still small voice prompts the heart repeatedly to another path.

Who knows, perhaps I'll get published yet... committing more time to writing at this stage in my life feels like lunacy. It means I'll have to give up other activities I enjoy... even things I consider meaningful... but, when I get hints from every direction that this is what I should do, I think I'll just have to trust it is the guidance I've been looking for, and recognize that if God has other ideas, He'll surely prompt me.

No, I'll not be giving up what I've been learning recently about discipline, fulfilling my role as wife and mother, and making sure I take time to study God's Word. I'll be giving up my little pleasures... and while writing is pleasurable to me, it comes with pressures I am fond of avoiding.

Pray for me. I'm sure I'll vacillate. I want so much to do God's will, yet it is easy to create distractions and excuses.

So... should I actually submit poetry???

Here's the thing... I think I'm just afraid everything will come back with a grand "NO!" and that would be hard to take, so I'm not submitting anything...

I suppose it would help if I actually found places that might use my stuff.

Eh, I KNOW that if this is what God has for me to do I should be doing it, and acceptances and rejections will work out under His hand... I actually told David I'd submit some poems this week. Augh! What was I thinking?

Reading, Writing and Meaning

I've been pondering writing recently, and thinking about what makes something worth reading, versus simply ok... or so bad you don't even want to remember reading it. What do I look for in a book? Why is it that I read some things, like the Chronicles of Narnia yearly while other books get stacked into boxes to await an exchange at the local second-hand store?

I've decided that what I look for is truth. Now this may seem ironic, as I tend to pick up science fiction and fantasy more often than not. (It seems to me that fantastic settings are capable of making truth even more obvious than it might be in real life.) Yet, it is not just any truth for which I seek.

It is obvious that there are many who ascribe to "truths" that are in no way universal. A murderer feels he has the right to control the lives of others with death. Thieves express their sense of ownership in ways generally condemned by the rest of society. Yet, the "truths" that permeate our consciousness every day may be just as wrong. An emphasis on causing others to serve us, ignoring the reality of God as He shows Himself through creation, following the crowd without thought or reason... all these things and more are common. Though many do them and claim they are the best way, there is little truth in the reasoning behind the acts.

How does this affect fiction? When I find a book that takes a real look at the lack of substance in these beliefs, I catch hold of that truth in a new way. Yet even a book that shows the emptiness of false "truth" doesn't hit the must-read list, though I may keep it.

It is when an author manages to show the existance of solid truth that they capture me. This doesn't need to be a religious revelation, either. Saying that right is right and wrong is wrong, showing that foolish actions always result in pain somewhere... yes, admitting that there is Someone greater and higher than all else... these are the themes that bring me back to a book again and again.

No author manages to highlight every truth, and sometimes the truth is hidden in the author's world-view and not highlighted in the story, yet it is this for which I look.

How many people seek truth in their reading? Are they even aware of this hidden drive? How can I meet people with truth in my own writing? It wouldn't be worthwhile to write something that had no depth and carried no meaning.

I want to reveal God... if not His name, at least His character and His workings. I want to make Christ recognisable to someone when they meet Him in a friend, so that the simple truth will ring a bell within them and they realise they've been shown this before. Whether they want it or reject it, I want truth to be seen or felt in my writings.

I'm writing again!

Well, poetry, anyway... I'm not really sure it counts. After all, I have been known to slam around the kitchen in a rage, rhyming out my frustration... or to pray in poetic song... or to break out in random poetry for no reason whatsoever. *grin* If it counts, it's the easiest form of writing out there, so I'll take it right now.

I haven't posted in a while...

Well, ok... In a very long time. Life is full of interesting twists and turns.

Today, I am writing nothing...nothing I write. Tomorrow, who knows?

Now here's a great quiz for an author!!!

Tina, Jer, pay attention. I expect to see the results in your blogs soon. :) Anyone else who visits can take it too. LOL
Which Classic Story Role Do You Play?

You Are The Key Character
"It's what I was meant to do."
You are the true enigma. No one knows much about you, you do not understand much of yourself, and your life seems to carry no purpose. Yet regardless of everything around you - everyone knows that you are here for some reason, even if no one yet knows what that is. Things seem to simply fall into place for you. Almost as though some force is working either through you, for you, or around you. No matter your troubles, ou have been sent here to unlock something. This is your destiny.

Which Classic Story Role Do You Play?
brought to you by Quizilla

More Thoughts on Titles

A title is a scary thing.

Now I know that a title could be changed at any time during the publishing proccess...but still! This is the initial part of my book that everyone will see; it gives the story identity.

People will say, "Have you read The Title by New Author yet?" or "Don't read The Title by New Author. It's boring, you can tell by the spine. Here, read The Intriguing Title by Witty Author instead." Professional naysayers will head their blurbs and articles with The Title. Browsers scanning books on a website will click 'find out more' based on The Title.

So, it behooves me to come up with something interesting, exciting and grand. Indeed, it must encapsulate the story, grab attention and call up an aura of mystique. The only problem? I have up to, oh, say seven words to capture my audience. And I say this in a general way, because authors have gotten away with entire paragraphs plastered on the front cover. However, even they are forced to choose just a few words to adorn the spine so I don't think they have much of a head start.

An average bookstore worm will see only the spine and pull the book to read the fantastic recommendations, only if The Title lures them. Now, everyone knows that the goal is to become The Author. One who writes in luxury while slavish fans camp out in store aisles, waiting for the stockers to arrive with the latest plot. At this point one could name each book The Next Part III and it would still sell. (Of course, the story would still have to be consumable...one might say.)

I have not yet arrived at this admirable state of existance. For now, I am trapped by the need to attract attention. And I must look, seek, dig, tear through my thesaurus and find the perfect words to set a trap no bookworm could possibly avoid.

My alternatives...

Let's see...

I could call it:
Aiera's Plotline!!!
Deeper Than Shadows...which is a reference you won't get till you've read a certain chapter or two...
Of Strength and Knowledge...not very catchy
Aiera...just stick with the old boring version
Lost in Magic...but it's not really magic
Captured (something)
Gods of the Gods...LOL That would be interesting and it's even pertinent
Hmmm. I don't know.

Erm. Right. Thanks for reminding me.

I have now acheived a grand total of...

TaTaDA!

25,201 words

And I am now starting chapter 12 of the amazing... "Aiera (Working Title)" Don't you just love that title? It just CAPTURES the book, let me tell you.

And I won't even say it's beginning to get on my nerves. Maybe I'll make it my next project. One appropriate title coming right up!