tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2423790385938291162024-03-17T19:59:17.929-07:00Author on the LooseRuminations, Rants and Reviews of stuff.Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.comBlogger510125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-49103386223682873352023-07-21T11:22:00.000-07:002023-07-21T11:22:11.627-07:00Wait! Come Back! <p> Yes, I know I told you I was giving up blogging. And I did. But I finished my MFA and now I'm going full steam ahead in my writing. I have a new blog set up here:</p><p><a href="https://charbennardo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://charbennardo.wordpress.com/</a><br /></p><p>I created the site as part of my MFA requirements. It's rudimentary at the moment, but upgrades will be coming. My blog will be under the "Let's Chat" page. Eventually I'll add a newsletter. First, I'm working with an editor for some independently published novels that will be coming and am waiting on the editorial letter from my thesis professor (she's awesome!) on my thesis novel. That novel, and some others, I plan to sub to traditional publishers and editors. </p><p>So pop in to the website or right into my blog: <a href="https://charbennardo.wordpress.com/2023/07/21/3-2-1-launch/" target="_blank">https://charbennardo.wordpress.com/2023/07/21/3-2-1-launch/</a></p><p>Feel free to send suggestions (but not here, this blog and site will be phased out). You can send me an email at: charlotteebennardo@gmail.com. (<b>NO SPAM)</b></p><p>It's good to be back! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt5C3j-9Gw6AkA8KVgLSYGJE_z5pFHIv3pDV_zqNpdQltom20leFs31vTR38FXzUh64fghIN1ozX4EsJ2_FUB-8cJmIlUPC-N7s9RST43B9LKAKfqj2NkL-HmOjn9uiq4MBgXX_Zs48gfGY3P-X2kzi8WeSl7JmTgzBwSzt8qZpyoMvunehOkT-7pTwB9/s5736/pexels-andrew-neel-3178818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5736" data-original-width="3824" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnt5C3j-9Gw6AkA8KVgLSYGJE_z5pFHIv3pDV_zqNpdQltom20leFs31vTR38FXzUh64fghIN1ozX4EsJ2_FUB-8cJmIlUPC-N7s9RST43B9LKAKfqj2NkL-HmOjn9uiq4MBgXX_Zs48gfGY3P-X2kzi8WeSl7JmTgzBwSzt8qZpyoMvunehOkT-7pTwB9/w327-h491/pexels-andrew-neel-3178818.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Andrew Neel: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-woman-sitting-beside-table-while-using-macbook-3178818/</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: PlusJakartaSans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Cantarell, "Helvetica Neue", Ubuntu, sans-serif; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-25301326689783506252022-03-03T07:26:00.005-08:002022-03-03T07:26:45.815-08:00Sweet Sorrows<p> Alas, the time has come.</p><p>To give up this blog.</p><p>To move onto other uses for my time.</p><p>The sad fact is few people read blogs anymore- people have progressed to Instagram and TikTok. This blog is a dinosaur. And while I loved writing it, there are better uses of my time. Being in a graduate writing program takes a LOT of time. I'm currently in two classes and each one demands at least 15 hours a week (only more with me because I'm paranoid about being out of school and want to make sure I have done everything possible to complete my assignments). Plus, I have so many writing projects:</p><p><span> 1. Finish book I started writing.</span><br /></p><p><span><span> 2. Write book which will become my thesis.</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> 3. Find an editor to help polish the other books I've written which have kind of languished.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> 4. Independently publish my novels (traditional takes too long, it's a draining process where I have no control over any aspect, and there are fewer publishing houses for hundreds of thousands of writers).</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> 5. Create a new website and social media platform (which means I have to learn more of that stuff).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p>To those who've stuck around, thanks. I'll post when I have my new website up. I'm hoping to recapture those who've left and draw in new readers. For now, I'm leaving this blog site up. Just one other announcement: I'll be here! Come out and say hello! I'm so excited about getting back to normal! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlBMfjOVF2zZABXMf0Sk-rlev-Ijt0Q1KQIZVhX1g2gqP-VG7LArUf-t89hDfbpjAvhEVXZI_fh4vqCQJg8DmCF7f8nxaV_vbJWMQufByIoLU2zDg3Bc8rNA8h-8Lode1XGMzIjrhhMdqiaG1385F4OWFlfeBJDRGFn2CmLa_yunzMtpjB9-703-cSiQ=s1275" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="825" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlBMfjOVF2zZABXMf0Sk-rlev-Ijt0Q1KQIZVhX1g2gqP-VG7LArUf-t89hDfbpjAvhEVXZI_fh4vqCQJg8DmCF7f8nxaV_vbJWMQufByIoLU2zDg3Bc8rNA8h-8Lode1XGMzIjrhhMdqiaG1385F4OWFlfeBJDRGFn2CmLa_yunzMtpjB9-703-cSiQ=w358-h553" width="358" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping to hear about another festival in Bucks County, PA. If I'm accepted, I'll post those details here, on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So thanks for the memories... Being seeing you around, kid. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-88873019837393103122022-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:002022-01-26T11:52:31.672-08:00Spring Cleaning?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisOY7mDw4aslCkdiZcvUwsggeuGVE9yTb7Qhmx6LaAe3xEylaqMv9t7xydOTner1pi5zBFgm9qc4WMQelUj8lISDrXNwb6Bp-dvkKnY5IgiIpbf_HKc4XNgivr4P4U4W9JaFWwHNiH-7FBasYMVp0_IaKjbGZlVEJm_llKB6rz_kpSajXOEkG3p8GEGg=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisOY7mDw4aslCkdiZcvUwsggeuGVE9yTb7Qhmx6LaAe3xEylaqMv9t7xydOTner1pi5zBFgm9qc4WMQelUj8lISDrXNwb6Bp-dvkKnY5IgiIpbf_HKc4XNgivr4P4U4W9JaFWwHNiH-7FBasYMVp0_IaKjbGZlVEJm_llKB6rz_kpSajXOEkG3p8GEGg=w449-h299" width="449" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@juanpphotoandvideo?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/trash-near-door-1549528/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><br /><p>Spring is definitely on the way, even if it is taking its sweet time. Soon, our thoughts will turn to spring cleaning (won't they?). Here are the top 5 things I want to clear out:</p><p>1. Putin, Trump, O'Connell, Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Fox News, and a long list of politicians on both sides of the aisle. I think we've all had enough and need some fresh faces who aren't destructive.</p><p>2. Winter. I'm so done. Bring back sunshine and flowers, and not shivering my freckles off when I traipse through subzero temps and/or snow on my way to the Y to swim.</p><p>3. Use of the word "unprecedented." I may have mentioned this before, but after 3 years in the pandemic, nothing seems unprecedented anymore.</p><p>4. Clutter. I'm cleaning out books I don't want, papers I don't need, and clothes I won't wear. And old stuff in the medicine cabinet.</p><p>5. Any show or mention of the Duggars, the Kardashians, Snooki, OJ Simpson, Antonio Brown, Caitlyn Jenner, Melania, (Kan)Ye, and all the other media hogs. Let's clean out the TV listing also, there are a lot of shows that I'm so tired of because they've been overrated, overdone, redone, or bad from the start. We all have a bunch on our hit list, so you don't need me to list mine; and we probably agree on a good number of them.</p><p>Now, back to work. I'm cleaning out my email, making notes for my MFA final project, thinking about a new romance series for after graduation, and cleaning off my desk. </p><p>Remember: 53 days until spring, 109 until I open my pool. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-35612417250037310492022-01-10T17:43:00.002-08:002022-01-10T17:43:46.268-08:00Term Lessons<p>Yep, I've been absent. Not because I'm being lazy, or went on vacation, but well, holidays and my son visiting from California, and finishing up the first term of my Master's degree. I've drafted a few posts, but then forgot to post them. I'm sure you understand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9fHxRVeNc8Ums79qwzixM1IN2unyDmGiG-dIDLlWlJWUcjlvnKyQWhpNGgRp9VViW0q2BJf-lpCKNSkr-bPelM9ZEBhQPOll0qyl4jZ9ESuhjKysDZEDV9pO-lPxLNSfqPySwjLYM_KMGnlDZgW5KkUm_628pNie89RGfLs-z7qygNKwV26Pcc25Fw=s3075" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="3075" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil9fHxRVeNc8Ums79qwzixM1IN2unyDmGiG-dIDLlWlJWUcjlvnKyQWhpNGgRp9VViW0q2BJf-lpCKNSkr-bPelM9ZEBhQPOll0qyl4jZ9ESuhjKysDZEDV9pO-lPxLNSfqPySwjLYM_KMGnlDZgW5KkUm_628pNie89RGfLs-z7qygNKwV26Pcc25Fw=w403-h267" width="403" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by Pixaby, courtesy of Pexels</div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>But it's time to get back into the routine. Here are five things I've learned after finishing my first term (which you can apply to high school or secondary school):</p><p>1. It's better to order the MLA citation book rather than try to figure it out online (even with those sites that offer to put it in the right format; you either have to go through your school or pay for it). The book shows you in a simple, easy to understand format how to cite anything. It was well worth the $20 I spent. And surprisingly it's quicker than going the online route.</p><p>2. Start reading ahead of time- don't wait until the first day of class (or even the day before). There are novels and articles, videos, and so many other resources that you need to be familiar with just in the first week. If you wait to read, you'll run out of time when you have to write your papers and submit them. </p><p>3. As you read, even the novels, first write down the citation. It's best to keep a Word document with the citations listed in MLA format so when you write your paper, all you have to do is copy and paste the citation. Saves a LOT of time.</p><p>4. Also, as you read, take notes on your novels. I use Post-Its with notations on anything that I think is important, like plot twists, characters, etc. Then I do a chapter-by-chapter summary, a few sentences so I can quickly determine where certain information or quotes I need for my papers is located.</p><p>5. Print out copies of articles for easier reference. When I have to write a paper, it's easier and quicker to have the articles at hand rather than going back online to access them, even if they are bookmarked. Plus, I can keep them for future use.</p><p>Let's see what I'll learn by the end of next term. But I'll be checking in before then.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-55027599840000973232021-12-07T16:49:00.001-08:002021-12-07T16:49:52.984-08:00Before It's Too Late... <p> Yep, it's crazy time with the first term of grad school coming to a close, but I wanted to take the time to </p><p>1- Thank my friend, Darlene Beck Jacobson </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-YUXTcYr42tBbTPz2BSMLxsZt4FI95G4UlzgiS3WmOybEcIKtv7EXAaveYeuStIMHKe7HApEVHKZ0orkrC1ACH7JhxmKVDY23MB_iIM3klgQw11QFqWvFWC1Z_GHAyBNNBthPbmdHoof3dFMkItAkTMX3Fy2U0GauRJC1QtUDWz9ATuT2mns44mIdSQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-YUXTcYr42tBbTPz2BSMLxsZt4FI95G4UlzgiS3WmOybEcIKtv7EXAaveYeuStIMHKe7HApEVHKZ0orkrC1ACH7JhxmKVDY23MB_iIM3klgQw11QFqWvFWC1Z_GHAyBNNBthPbmdHoof3dFMkItAkTMX3Fy2U0GauRJC1QtUDWz9ATuT2mns44mIdSQ=w491-h276" width="491" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">for featuring many wonderful books on her blog, including mine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. And tell you to get over there and browse and buy! Go <a href="https://darlenebeckjacobson.wordpress.com/">here</a> and leave a nice comment too, okay? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All these authors work so hard and the pandemic has hit us- no in-person events, which we love because we get to greet and meet book lovers and fans. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Ask you to please leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon. Most of us depend on reader reviews, we don't have a publicity person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. And have yourself a nice holiday. Look for news of forthcoming events here, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=kidlit%20authors%20club">Kidlit Authors Club</a> on Facebook and Twitter, on the <a href="https://smack-dab-in-the-middle.blogspot.com/">Smack Dab in the Middle Blog</a> and on the individual authors' pages. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Holidays! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></div>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-5636487757998778902021-11-21T17:26:00.001-08:002021-11-21T17:26:30.677-08:00The Sure Fire (I Think) Way to Succeed (In Writing)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wd_Zd3hRv3hYOmihzAvclslstslazNn0IbzTs9ZCkIKrOJlwViktebVmhx_WpimHOndbvg_YA1fnCxued8-f-pOiYDByRORd5wgmkE3vLYFUBCJDCCVg3mjO6QMJ_8xVjlwphliU7TN1/s1920/pexels-artem-podrez-4492160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wd_Zd3hRv3hYOmihzAvclslstslazNn0IbzTs9ZCkIKrOJlwViktebVmhx_WpimHOndbvg_YA1fnCxued8-f-pOiYDByRORd5wgmkE3vLYFUBCJDCCVg3mjO6QMJ_8xVjlwphliU7TN1/w500-h281/pexels-artem-podrez-4492160.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@artempodrez?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Artem Podrez</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/positive-woman-using-laptop-and-taking-notes-4492160/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Yep, it's been a while since I've put up a new post. I've been busy with all the papers for my MFA classes. Then I was sick with bronchitis, things with the 'rents and other issues. So, I'm still alive! Now with the holidays closing in, things will get even crazier. One thing I skipped this year was NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) because it would just be too much. The things I learned in NaNoWriMo, though, are helping me during my quest for my MFA:</p><p> 1. Make it (school) a priority. Just like with trying to get the daily word count in for NaNo, getting the papers and schoolwork done has to come before exercising, socializing, and yes, sometimes even family. They don't need me to cook every meal, fix every little thing.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfjRRk9bSTS8Xd_eLe1WVBziwsICxItyI_9W2byMvhXeutdKvuF-_tREJaqWOd6dGZJZmq8ayIAIc_0NNEZzbpCE4szIhqrm95Tn446LbMUEmJ5VeXzdI1lFCiqgvqFB66undE3g7X7Hj/s2048/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-6010267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfjRRk9bSTS8Xd_eLe1WVBziwsICxItyI_9W2byMvhXeutdKvuF-_tREJaqWOd6dGZJZmq8ayIAIc_0NNEZzbpCE4szIhqrm95Tn446LbMUEmJ5VeXzdI1lFCiqgvqFB66undE3g7X7Hj/w341-h372/pexels-tima-miroshnichenko-6010267.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@tima-miroshnichenko?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Tima Miroshnichenko</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-black-fire-extinguisher-6010267/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><p><span><span><span> 2. Don't wait till the last minute. I didn't start my daily NaNo writing at 8 p.m. when I was tired after a full day of family and home. Some assignments are posted early, so I start them as soon as I can. The rest are posted on Monday, by which time I've finished the other assignments. Basically, I'm a half week ahead. Life comes up and emergencies happen. By working ahead, I'm not caught off guard. </span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWdHNlmIFLp6ERNFeCFaKdWtzQyGQ8ODSBLW_PZOA1bRGYqfrVfmRA_2F2E4W9ce7P6zVpeGQtvtUnEtU_hHNN8mvu7ksdK9rbZ117Q-rEs0W5fqzQLvp6MkFHI6ATxWbhV5r-YQ5VXR5/s1920/pexels-black-ice-1314544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWdHNlmIFLp6ERNFeCFaKdWtzQyGQ8ODSBLW_PZOA1bRGYqfrVfmRA_2F2E4W9ce7P6zVpeGQtvtUnEtU_hHNN8mvu7ksdK9rbZ117Q-rEs0W5fqzQLvp6MkFHI6ATxWbhV5r-YQ5VXR5/w453-h302/pexels-black-ice-1314544.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@black-ice-551383?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Black ice</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/alarm-clock-lying-on-multicolored-surface-1314544/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></div></span><span><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span> 3. Get supplies and resources ahead of time. Whether it's books or sticky notes or a daily calendar to keep word count, have everything at hand. That also means eating before you sit down and getting your water bottle filled. I have everything I need when I sit down to work. The only reasons I get up: bathroom, doorbell, and to stretch after sitting so long.</span><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPIHC7uokb_FSOuSS_-U7I4OzyGnvMxPVkWJrM-hB2GXOstyamGigZ53eXSDwqSKM2a8U_4YdpkarudtKJdx7pwo644Lf7rrRLS3oBkNesNVhUZgnk6I1TZpvW5UCotEC5SXvPV2rXKWG/s1920/pexels-kindel-media-7054800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1920" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPIHC7uokb_FSOuSS_-U7I4OzyGnvMxPVkWJrM-hB2GXOstyamGigZ53eXSDwqSKM2a8U_4YdpkarudtKJdx7pwo644Lf7rrRLS3oBkNesNVhUZgnk6I1TZpvW5UCotEC5SXvPV2rXKWG/w466-h262/pexels-kindel-media-7054800.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@kindelmedia?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Kindel Media</a></span><span style="text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/desk-notebook-office-notes-7054800/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></p></span></span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span> </span>4. Do the prep work. For writing, that means the research so once you sit down, you can write without having to stop when you're in the midst of a scene. For my MFA, it means reading the resources ahead of schedule so when I start my assignments, I'm familiar with what I need to do and have an idea what I'm going to write.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><br /> </span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kmtUgOS7J5LupqNbCIbu7bWD0XdLl3xB0n1E3ABX54-NoO_JWmR-wxgdGdJ6wLce8yi_LpbiEWQ0D-6oATcjsCBJO4tDxpolnrLavGUCIxzc2pDJsqkpZTkfqHQXTNr0du-xjCZh7AJ4/s2048/pexels-ivan-samkov-4240497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kmtUgOS7J5LupqNbCIbu7bWD0XdLl3xB0n1E3ABX54-NoO_JWmR-wxgdGdJ6wLce8yi_LpbiEWQ0D-6oATcjsCBJO4tDxpolnrLavGUCIxzc2pDJsqkpZTkfqHQXTNr0du-xjCZh7AJ4/w261-h392/pexels-ivan-samkov-4240497.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@ivan-samkov?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Ivan Samkov</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-a-notebook-4240497/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span> </span>5. Make a punch list or simple outline. When I write a novel, I always make a list of things that need to happen. This way, I always know where I'm going. With MFA papers, I have a guideline when I list the things I need to address in my papers. </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJt8WJdrsteNz3zySv9LRU3na7y-zGqd4SE9od_YQTTKm30HbUGDlNtZgWIrrmZZslzonR1-KyNOE4zC8lKRUIODNf97P5lafGohLWd37UxD7x7BbIl2dms49jXskyUlZwGwN85EYxcQo/s1920/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-1226398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJt8WJdrsteNz3zySv9LRU3na7y-zGqd4SE9od_YQTTKm30HbUGDlNtZgWIrrmZZslzonR1-KyNOE4zC8lKRUIODNf97P5lafGohLWd37UxD7x7BbIl2dms49jXskyUlZwGwN85EYxcQo/w405-h228/pexels-suzy-hazelwood-1226398.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@suzyhazelwood?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Suzy Hazelwood</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/notebook-1226398/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's my secret for success. Feel free to copy my formula. I'll keep ya posted...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char </i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. I've gotten all A's so far, so I really believe I can do this! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-4708841760404361822021-10-28T13:03:00.001-07:002021-10-28T13:03:59.166-07:00Check Up Time!<p> Yes, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Day, so go GET CHECKED! Get that mammogram! You may just save your life, and encouraging others may save theirs!</p><p>But what I was referring to was rather checking in on how it's going with my MFA. I've always wanted to get my Master's, as I may have previously said, but jobs, marriage, kids, and life got in the way. But I made the commitment. </p><p>Honestly, I thought about dropping out after the first week. It has been <i>decades</i> since I was in school. I didn't doubt my intelligence (my mom says I'm smart), but I doubted my ability to handle the tech aspect. I had to learn how to navigate different software programs, and since this degree is online, everything is electronic, from discussions to book groups to chatting with your professors. Several times I had to reach out to younger classmates, my professor, and my advisor and admit my confusion. </p><p>Well... I never expected the encouraging support I got. It really humbled me. All the times I'd spent encouraging other writers that they could finish their novel, that criticisms were meant to help them, that the journey may be arduous but worth it- I now received that encouragement back. I'm feeling more comfortable with my progress (I've gotten 3 A's!) even though at the beginning of each week (they're called modules), I have that momentary panic attack. I tell myself to sit down and write <i>something</i>- that it can be fixed later. After a day or so to mull over my draft (actually, I think about it all day and sometimes into the wee night hours), I know what I have to do. Strictly following the rubrics of what is expected in each assignment keeps me on track. Every Monday a new module begins, but I don't wait until then to start; some writing assignments are posted already because resources need to be read and analyzed. So, by Wednesday, I have half the work done for the following week. Staying ahead by a few days allows me to feel no guilt for biking/hiking/swimming, going out to dinner, etc. </p><p>July 2023 is graduation, and early starter that I am, I'm already thinking about what to wear when I walk across the stage to get my diploma- and what my gift to myself should be. (I'm thinking a nifty little sports car....but in red.)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry8SxktDqY-FPnjTaN-eendLMyGBPaw9zAyWnSCvvXe7c_hHpdgU59Pb5ZW9rHrJWEau4b4lztdgINKzuybTFcrxoVPptTy0TloEjalUWm6D4GaFNFEwFe0bG6bMnIRihilRz1VhqE6UD/s1920/pexels-sevenstorm-juhaszimrus-575386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiry8SxktDqY-FPnjTaN-eendLMyGBPaw9zAyWnSCvvXe7c_hHpdgU59Pb5ZW9rHrJWEau4b4lztdgINKzuybTFcrxoVPptTy0TloEjalUWm6D4GaFNFEwFe0bG6bMnIRihilRz1VhqE6UD/w452-h339/pexels-sevenstorm-juhaszimrus-575386.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@sevenstormphotography?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/yellow-chevroelt-camaro-parked-outside-of-building-575386/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-31429882836304499932021-10-08T11:48:00.002-07:002021-10-08T11:48:28.886-07:00Things I Don't Understand...<p> This world is a strange, beautiful, confusing, amazing, and weird place. And sometimes very annoying. This is what's bothering me today:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3s-NL-XkySSPBVJK8P5yYCEeotzbUyuIQtKQlNhN1tD6xc31Sg20eIwH7Xjj7aX049NfoWpa1XU1KDZF8qdxuQodaacGDQ-NPqux7y0McoFlfkNHSJhS7MVzk2whK0UGuilWXPTI9q73/s1920/pexels-cottonbro-4769466.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3s-NL-XkySSPBVJK8P5yYCEeotzbUyuIQtKQlNhN1tD6xc31Sg20eIwH7Xjj7aX049NfoWpa1XU1KDZF8qdxuQodaacGDQ-NPqux7y0McoFlfkNHSJhS7MVzk2whK0UGuilWXPTI9q73/w389-h259/pexels-cottonbro-4769466.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a;">Photo by </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">cottonbro</a></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a;"> from </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-in-blue-shirt-sitting-on-brown-wooden-chair-4769466/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></div></span><p><br /></p><p>1. HOW MANY TIMES DOES MICHAEL MYERS HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE HE'S REALLY DEAD? What are we up to, like Halloween 6? Enough. There are so many great authors out there with fabulous scary stories. Make one of their books into a movie and move on from Michael, Jason, Freddy, the Blair Witch, etc. </p><p>2. When you record a show, like, say the Buccaneers vs. Falcons game (Go Tom Brady!), or, a favorite TV show like <i>Manifest, </i>and it goes over a few minutes, the last few are cut off so I MISS THE ENDING!!!!!! I <b>hate</b> that. It made me say some bad words. Cut out a few commercials so it doesn't run past time! (At least I can watch it online... but still!)</p><p>3. How come we don't see more women like Halle Berry, Angelica Houston, Bette Midler, and other greats? These women are fabulous, yet... we see all roles played by 20-30 somethings. </p><p>4. Why are most people ignorant when it comes to using apostrophes? "...more record's will be..." NONONONONONONO. <b>NO APOSTROPHE</b>! <i>If it's plural, just add an s.</i> If you're showing possession, like "Mikey's car" then yes, apostrophe and s. For all that's (contraction of that and is so yes, an apostrophe!) holy, LEARN THIS! </p><p>5. WHY do my cats just nibble their food, then walk away, only to sneak back to eat from the other's bowl? IT'S THE SAME FOOD. <b>EVERY. DAY</b>.</p><p>There are a lot of things that annoy me and I don't understand, but I'll stop here. Next post, only positive things, to balance the energies.</p><p>Till then,</p><p><span style="color: red;">P</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">E</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">A</span><span style="color: #04ff00;">C</span><span style="color: #01ffff;">E</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">!</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-65755759723883442672021-09-15T18:39:00.000-07:002021-09-27T14:05:35.036-07:00Ready....Well, Almost<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Before I start diving into academic reading, writing, and angsting, there are a few things I need to do first. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPwMVTAeoJoMqIhauHjQMXwuDn1m4ISKmgrPlK5z1X9gxp6XLe0xqwC1IoLyz8NFEEFeYhz5_zwo6MZkdoawfw6k4nnKxJe9ie2uN7wi95HO7Mzyuc8OIUbcWnT5S_r01TZA-hVU_Zk/s2048/pexels-august-de-richelieu-4261800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KPwMVTAeoJoMqIhauHjQMXwuDn1m4ISKmgrPlK5z1X9gxp6XLe0xqwC1IoLyz8NFEEFeYhz5_zwo6MZkdoawfw6k4nnKxJe9ie2uN7wi95HO7Mzyuc8OIUbcWnT5S_r01TZA-hVU_Zk/w265-h396/pexels-august-de-richelieu-4261800.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif" style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@august-de-richelieu?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">August de Richelieu</a></span> from <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/little-girl-taking-online-classes-4261800/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. Clear the calendar. I've resigned as a trustee from my church, left the critique group I started years ago. I've declined volunteering opportunities. I've alerted people that I need as much time for schoolwork as possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. Clean out. The office, old files, and junk on my computer have all been tackled. I don't want to wade through stuff I don't need or use.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. Buy it now! As soon as I know what books and supplies I need, I'll get them <i>that day.</i> It will give me time to not only make sure I get everything I need, but look over things and start reading and assignments early.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Plan for the unexpected. Homework and quizzes are due on 11:59 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. I have handbell practice on Tuesday (I had to keep one social activity), so I need to make sure that I don't wait to the last minute in case something comes up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Believe and breathe. I <i>know </i>I can do this, but I have to keep <i>believing, </i>especially when things get tough<i>. </i>When things get tough, and they will, I have to breathe through the panic and push ahead. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I think I'm ready.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-14509598232562601882021-09-07T10:54:00.000-07:002021-09-15T18:39:38.411-07:00Round 2: Don't Do This To Me...<p> Ok, I've finished the book I was reading/critiquing. I'm happy to say that it did improve. BUT... still a few things to rant and whine about:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0VeAES3cAcwI4O8K7Ip8YRW9LRFODbyp5Viw1zeefvfbZ1HsXynOsbVThck45clB5bQRQcwTmt0r4abC2C016c7VbFsN7fUa6Lp8M88nDFMQ94FVWF-T-I-d-mCwmKWpMeFgQ5d0acXQ/s1920/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3760790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1920" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0VeAES3cAcwI4O8K7Ip8YRW9LRFODbyp5Viw1zeefvfbZ1HsXynOsbVThck45clB5bQRQcwTmt0r4abC2C016c7VbFsN7fUa6Lp8M88nDFMQ94FVWF-T-I-d-mCwmKWpMeFgQ5d0acXQ/w376-h250/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3760790.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@olly?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Andrea Piacquadio</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/mad-formal-executive-man-yelling-at-camera-3760790/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><p><br /></p><p>1. During a love scene, too many authors have their female characters make a 'mewling' noise. What the hell is that? Does she have cat DNA? There are groans, moans, grunts, gasps, whimpers, whines, murmurs, sighs, pants, gulps, and breaths. The <i>Oxford American Thesaurus </i>doesn't even list 'mewling' and <i>Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language </i>lists 'mewl' as: "verb, the sound of a crying child." Soooo not what should be used in an adult love scene. Please authors, stop using it, it sounds wrong on multiple levels.</p><p>2. I understand there are regional and cultural trends for some words, like y'all for all of you, and some authors don't use swear words (after all, your mom or kids could be reading your work), BUT... don't use stupid words: freakadilly, freakadilly circus (really, you had to go there twice?) crapple, and Christmas on a cracker. And if your alpha male character uses them? I'm liking him a little less. If you can't use the milder 'damn' or 'hell' then be nebulous- "He swore" and save us the cringe. </p><p>3. If a character, male or female, constantly lectures, I'm out of there. No one likes a nag. And to have a strong male character sit still for two or more pages of being lectured and nagged means he isn't so alpha. And, honestly, I think he's a twit. Who would stand for that? I love my parents, but I didn't listen to that much nagging. Ok, the character needs some tough love and brutal, honest words, but after a while, I wanted to tell the lecturer to shut up and look at her own life. She was sounding like a mother, not a lover. And life always comes down to learning the hard way; few of us learned our lessons by being lectured into a coma.</p><p>4. Even after a thorough lecture, what character or person has instant understanding of their psychological or emotional issues? If it were that easy, every person with an issue could go to someone to lecture them extensively and fix the problem. Self-realization. Takes. Time. </p><p>5. This one issue irritates me not only because the author used it, but because she should know better: misused clichés. The saying is NOT "eat on me." It is "eat at me." Again, there may be regional or cultural differences, or even current slang that change a saying, but this one is just WRONG. </p><p>I finished that book and went on to the next one. Here are two more things that irk me:</p><p>1. When I submitted a romance story, I had two editors tell me that the romance/attraction had to be immediate. </p><p><i>No</i>.</p><p>1- Many readers and authors, even other editors and agents, hate the 'insta love' aspect- falling in love immediately. I can see attraction, but I refuse to do it in the first chapter because I need to show readers who the main characters are; a little background, a little trouble in their life, etc. I refuse to have two characters meet in a dumb way- like the overused 'spills his coffee on her' trope. I need at least 2 chapters to set the scene. A great number of books don't get to the romance/meet/attraction for several chapters and that feels more 'organic' to use a cliché. Heck, even Cinderella and Snow White didn't meet their true loves for at least two or more chapters. </p><p>2. Covers. I have heard many times that the cover should accurately reflect some aspect of the novel. Don't show me a cover with a guy/gal on the cover who doesn't look anything like the character described- wrong hair/skin color, or a setting that doesn't appear in the book, wrong dress for the era, etc. I feel like the publisher cheated; offered me something and pulled a switcheroo. </p><p>Okay, I think I'm done with my criticisms, rants, whines, and desk poundings. </p><p><br /></p><p>Wishing you all sunshine, unicorns, world peace, and great hair days-</p><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-27975564840166266002021-09-03T07:42:00.001-07:002021-09-03T07:42:50.673-07:00Don't Do This To Me...<p> I'm doing some fun reading before I delve into required reading for school. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0qyq-u6zk4SJad5dTCXvaeNAw5PGkpLvZkrzn7Xw3oYbN9jh9Kt3_G-yTdr6X_HolXKqRcNu9l3VqD0O59UUK3lMSfYdzPVAxq4i7_YfnRIjAkb4ZbGaKd89xqFUcadFayl8CMofMErw/s1920/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3807738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0qyq-u6zk4SJad5dTCXvaeNAw5PGkpLvZkrzn7Xw3oYbN9jh9Kt3_G-yTdr6X_HolXKqRcNu9l3VqD0O59UUK3lMSfYdzPVAxq4i7_YfnRIjAkb4ZbGaKd89xqFUcadFayl8CMofMErw/w445-h296/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3807738.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@olly?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Andrea Piacquadio</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-shirt-showing-frustration-3807738/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></div><p>I'm annoyed.</p><p>I understand authors have different styles from mine, but there are certain habits that just irritate me to no end. It doesn't matter if the author is a newbie or a world famous figure. The book I'm currently reading boasts that the author is a NY Times bestseller, and the category is contemporary romance. To set the scene, it's 'alpha male, self-made rich CEO type.' Here are my Yes - Def No notes:</p><p><b style="font-style: italic;">YES </b>- alpha male, muscular, tough, worldly cowboy. </p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO</i> - I just met the character and I KNOW he would NOT use a word like "freakadilly." That silly word is more suited to the effervescent, optimistic female main character. If the reader can pick this up, why didn't the agent/editor/copyeditor?</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">YES</i> - Describe the scene, the mood, the thoughts, the kiss, etc.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO </i>- Don't stay stuck in the 3 -3 pattern: 3 lines of 3 adjectives. That's a total of 9 descriptive adjectives (especially when you repeat them....). Overkill and tedious.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">YES </i>- Show the kiss.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO </i>- Diminish the tension because we're so in her head that there was no kiss back action from her. this gorgeous guy is giving her a lethal kiss and she's.... contemplating. </p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">YES </i>- Tell us he left town ten years ago; we get a picture of a strained homecoming, tense relationships.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO </i>- Don't keep repeating it, we remember.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">YES - </i>Close eyes during a kiss.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO </i>- Don't give me 2 pages of thought and action before she closes her eyes. Is she staring at him the whole time? </p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">YES </i>- There are always doubts about a budding relationship.</p><p><i style="font-weight: bold;">NO </i>- Please don't make the 26-year-old female character sound like a high school teenager: yes he likes me, no he doesn't, yes, no, yes, no constantly. </p><p>Also, the punctuation and sentence structure didn't always jive; too many times the sentences were choppy and there were too many unnecessary exclamation points. It made the text read as juvenile. </p><p>Purple prose. Too many times the prose got out of hand and I found myself skipping ahead a few lines.</p><p>Crepuscular? Who uses that word? As Beatrix Potter (<i>Tales of Peter Rabbit)</i> said, "the shorter and the plainer, the better."</p><p>I get irked when a love scene is so dragged out with too much thinking; the character is stopping in the middle of physical action to give us a treatise on life, love, and the future. </p><p>I'm barely halfway through the book. I don't think the second half will be much different, but I'll finish it with the hope that it will improve. I'll let you know how it goes.</p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span> </p><p><br /></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-56551059831261467212021-08-23T08:24:00.000-07:002021-08-23T08:24:49.811-07:00The End of Summer Vacation<p> The end of August brings a few last hurrahs; swimming on the more rare hot days, planning the last summer BBQ/party for Labor Day, enjoying the final theatrical production of crickets and fireflies. Soon to come, if not already, there are chilly nights, back-to-school and work routines, and gearing down to indoor living. </p><p>Those changes are happening in our house. Two sons return to college in the next few days, we're planning when to close the pool, and fall cleaning will soon commence. The biggest change for me will be that I will work for one year and nine months on one novel. No #NaNoWriMo this year. That one novel will be the project for my MFA- my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (emphasis on speculative writing- Science Fiction and Fantasy- with a minor emphasis on Romance). It's long been a dream of mine to get my Master's and with the chaos, uncertainty, and upheaval in the publishing sector (like many other sectors), I feel this is the time. My boys are pretty much independent and my husband retired, so this is 'me' time. I'll still be doing my blog, although I can't promise a better regularity. It may even get worse... I've cleaned out my office and files, set up new files for coursework, and have resigned from several groups, one being my critique group. It feels strange to pull back from them, but I know the demands of school will make me glad I did withdraw. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURtIZJMFgUmY155R5LjEBV-4AEK04Gz_x-TJZtGMY7r07JRiwazIzIja0fprO7wkl_voL1lcBgR6hJYPEOIQKs8YAGpMPuZVnDTEwMcgRg56giBoInfB68lUNDGE5DbBR8fjruDAf9Lb_/s2048/pexels-cottonbro-4769486+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURtIZJMFgUmY155R5LjEBV-4AEK04Gz_x-TJZtGMY7r07JRiwazIzIja0fprO7wkl_voL1lcBgR6hJYPEOIQKs8YAGpMPuZVnDTEwMcgRg56giBoInfB68lUNDGE5DbBR8fjruDAf9Lb_/w260-h391/pexels-cottonbro-4769486+%25281%2529.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">cottonbro</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-white-shirt-with-brown-wooden-frame-4769486/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></p><p>I will make one final book event appearance, at the beloved Collingswood Book Festival on October 2, 2021 (info <a href="https://www.collingswoodbookfestival.com/">https://www.collingswoodbookfestival.com/</a> ). It will be great to see old friends, make some new ones, talk writing, sign books, and generally have fun. I hope to see you there.</p><p>So, wish me luck, and I wish you all luck in your upcoming endeavors, and don't be afraid to send chocolate for those hard days to come.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-9969148007940267852021-08-02T07:45:00.001-07:002021-08-02T07:45:12.465-07:00Judgement Days<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLki0e11_HgnGpGh_BEKRS_y5AeGQjy46LRhU-GL5RvMPZwnALdmJYjc2AwL3R1MsUOogS69T7DsdjyW2oiZtJe4K9cTcmjyCsxT7jcn-xmgxAqT5Xwi1BJXT6auc_MXrkfAt0DhMwYGn5/s2048/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-6120397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLki0e11_HgnGpGh_BEKRS_y5AeGQjy46LRhU-GL5RvMPZwnALdmJYjc2AwL3R1MsUOogS69T7DsdjyW2oiZtJe4K9cTcmjyCsxT7jcn-xmgxAqT5Xwi1BJXT6auc_MXrkfAt0DhMwYGn5/w244-h367/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-6120397.jpg" width="244" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@n-voitkevich?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Nataliya Vaitkevich</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/healthy-sky-man-art-6120397/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span> </span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The controversy surrounding Simone Biles' decision to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Olympics has shown all too clearly how many judge her. Without discussing any merits (or lack thereof), Simone and other public figures face the same thing authors do- constant judgement. </p><p>In no way am I equating the difficulty of her position nor the harshness of public commentary to what other authors and myself receive, but it's akin. Authors are constantly judged: by editors, agents, bloggers, libraries, booksellers, review organizations, readers, other authors, and even family and friends, to say nothing of our own judgements. Too many people say "toughen up" to athletes, artists, authors, and others in the spotlight because we "chose" to be in the spotlight. </p><p>Um, not necessarily. Like Simone, I want to use my talent. She does impossible, death-defying leaps and flips, I write stories. Just because we exercise our talents and the world views them, doesn't mean that we should be open to any and all criticisms. Yes, it comes with the job, but no, that's not a free license. While most of the criticism and judgement I've received as an author has been constructive and made me a better writer, not <i>all</i> of it was, even by industry 'experts.' Sometimes it felt patronizing, condescending, even cruel. Kind of like a middle-aged broadcaster sitting on his butt who never excelled in anything athletic telling Simone that she's weak and an embarrassment and she needs to toughen up mentally because he doesn't understand the sport or the situation. Armchair gymnast. But she has shown herself to be graceful, poised, and defiant. A class act all the way. That's the lesson, hard as it is to bear (trust me, I know), that authors, especially beginning ones, need to learn. We are creating an entertainment and as such, it opens us up to criticism from all sides. Some can deal with it, others can't. Even with a bestseller, there's always commentary from those who don't write about the next success, the next achievement, and how long till then, and what the public expects. One can study and memorize all the moves a gymnast makes, but in the end, without having performed them, the person criticizing is not a total expert. Likewise, one can read all the books, write critical essays and point out flaws, but if it's from the perspective of someone who doesn't write, well, it's not the absolute. I've been given bad advice from experts, but the thing to remember is the perspective- it's theirs and it won't necessarily be the best from <i>my </i>perspective. </p><p>I'm not going to tell anyone to get a 'thick skin' which new writers are constantly advised. Take from the criticisms what you will, what you agree with, what works. In the end, it's your journey and sometimes you have to ignore the noise from the crowd and do your own thing. </p><p>Keep writing- and believing in yourself. Be a Simone Biles.</p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-10541729359043347842021-07-28T07:10:00.001-07:002021-07-28T07:10:29.000-07:00If Not Now, When?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSayMil8TUFbiXy1zqVA2VQxPVqMEjhVkK79VmboSr_KeL2CsJAKT-pNnMQM0xbarSHzUcJCj_2RbxlGmNVs9Gii4xPgjyIoLeNTR5zkRlPd85bIN_GDvuDXBeWoScAcf72itArOptTxp/s2048/20210726_212034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSayMil8TUFbiXy1zqVA2VQxPVqMEjhVkK79VmboSr_KeL2CsJAKT-pNnMQM0xbarSHzUcJCj_2RbxlGmNVs9Gii4xPgjyIoLeNTR5zkRlPd85bIN_GDvuDXBeWoScAcf72itArOptTxp/w154-h205/20210726_212034.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My posting has been sporadic, but hey, pandemic, now it's summer, things are opening up again (at least for now), and I'm considering some life changes. I'm not going to say now because I'm only in the thinking stage, but no, I'm NOT going to:</p><p>Move.</p><p>Give up writing.</p><p>Enter a nunnery.</p><p>Divorce the hubs.</p><p>Join a biker gang.</p><p>Renounce all worldly possessions and live off the land.</p><p>Fly into space.</p><p>Sometimes, we need change; it wakes up the emotions, makes us feel vital, gives us a needed charge, or gets us out of a stale situation. Drop in and check up on me. </p><p>In the meantime, do something for yourself, I'm sure you deserve it. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char </i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-16187070201255359102021-06-28T08:09:00.001-07:002021-06-28T08:09:24.557-07:00Be Happy, Dammit!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZWw9zugTWEpEserwq8z8N5OHmBiEK5P27NhQAodN-Tdj6rShlLIeC8-pP_VIPcMFmYkcq7kcN3doEFSs-zYQbrxK1PMKS1cuq7COfOHZ7RUhl4dzjc5ZOMZL3opJxIwUBtGiJpzIiixr/s2048/pexels-cleyder-duque-3350730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZWw9zugTWEpEserwq8z8N5OHmBiEK5P27NhQAodN-Tdj6rShlLIeC8-pP_VIPcMFmYkcq7kcN3doEFSs-zYQbrxK1PMKS1cuq7COfOHZ7RUhl4dzjc5ZOMZL3opJxIwUBtGiJpzIiixr/w321-h428/pexels-cleyder-duque-3350730.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@cleyder-duque-1585619?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Cleyder Duque</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photo-of-woman-in-black-top-3350730/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know where I got this list from, (apologies to the author) but it bears repeating. It's been a tough almost 2 years for all of us, although some people have suffered more. Mere words like "Be Happy!" seem almost like cruel platitudes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nevertheless... I firmly believe (having learned the hard way) you can't get true happiness by depending on others; it has to come from within. Here are 6 precises for a happier life:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Don't let the past haunt you; the mistakes have been made. Learn the lesson and move on. (Just don't forget the mistakes and repeat them!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. No one can make you angry, unhappy, resentful, bitter, etc. unless you let them. (yeah, I struggle with this one too because of all our relationships and interconnectedness, but I try.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. No one controls your life or destiny. It is in your hands. Take and maintain control. (Another tough one because of bonds with others.).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Your future can always be changed. You are not stuck anywhere if you don't want to be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. You are not dependent upon others for your life; use your brains, talents, ambitions, and soul to find your own path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Nothing is guaranteed in life- not love, health, success, friendship, or luck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are things I do every day to be happy: I write, I collect my strawberries, I work in my garden, I go biking, hiking, and swimming, I laugh with my family, and I take some solitude time to read, care for myself, or just be. Discovering what makes you happy can lead you to many new things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy exploration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-48070958255209727082021-06-21T08:20:00.002-07:002021-06-21T08:20:43.451-07:00In the Garden of (a Writing) Life<p> My meditation garden looks FABULOUS! this year. 😁 I've worked hard on it, but I do every year. Whether I'm contemplating going on strike because the males in my house are making me insane, or killing off a character, I find that putting my hands in the dirt and planting flowers, pulling weeds, and trimming bushes helps me think. Here are the results of my gardening:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireFFiwvEkhzKs-0W_RsxwNKIfl2ADbGHAcfQUwO_IdOdgibpGL0BmWzURngLk5YGwN4Xmk6eQqUjdLeGkFXDnJ-H5F-8QPZhGBomAGrFntqeIi_ztA1XbPfhV8QN1EfwHvqdoklmwFI79/s2048/IMG_20210615_145914_730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1669" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireFFiwvEkhzKs-0W_RsxwNKIfl2ADbGHAcfQUwO_IdOdgibpGL0BmWzURngLk5YGwN4Xmk6eQqUjdLeGkFXDnJ-H5F-8QPZhGBomAGrFntqeIi_ztA1XbPfhV8QN1EfwHvqdoklmwFI79/w269-h329/IMG_20210615_145914_730.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> My Star Gazer Lilly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbJT-oMm5lAQ1RbYvjjnsNmzGmmF6y9tV4Bu0Yf5_yoo259GAOqLwbzmS-ni0hko77nCYLv0VS48dcJBd43-f6hotSQcLizn6_NiI8SEyqYBbEpTjBNkHyMMuowQ7ng1hguEeI7Yx4AkX/s2048/DSC_1170.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbJT-oMm5lAQ1RbYvjjnsNmzGmmF6y9tV4Bu0Yf5_yoo259GAOqLwbzmS-ni0hko77nCYLv0VS48dcJBd43-f6hotSQcLizn6_NiI8SEyqYBbEpTjBNkHyMMuowQ7ng1hguEeI7Yx4AkX/w408-h229/DSC_1170.JPG" width="408" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Snow white Yarrow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyrG3Wwzq5vhBC44BDLWD6y3utxgpgOLbw2974RLf7vxi2_zWem4uq12FdRRcwQnJa9LI7m2f7d2aF48Eco0KunxRavtsnH3lBdTMO07s6qnBIaMuIh__xz0tAKR7Ci7Ie7R31qwJ3Trg/s2048/DSC_1171.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyrG3Wwzq5vhBC44BDLWD6y3utxgpgOLbw2974RLf7vxi2_zWem4uq12FdRRcwQnJa9LI7m2f7d2aF48Eco0KunxRavtsnH3lBdTMO07s6qnBIaMuIh__xz0tAKR7Ci7Ie7R31qwJ3Trg/w201-h357/DSC_1171.JPG" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunny Day Lillies and Coreopsis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYllLaX-SWegg6uresNonVmOO79KGI5dZE934JkXlPotpVh_3ESnAPb38V3eWk1wwxeatVv-q8EMQjwIgtKwDIw1YxtLrgvxXadRx1ql4m0qJg0lRXPagEMbaK97jYI7WJP6GjXhpENIo/s2048/DSC_1172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYllLaX-SWegg6uresNonVmOO79KGI5dZE934JkXlPotpVh_3ESnAPb38V3eWk1wwxeatVv-q8EMQjwIgtKwDIw1YxtLrgvxXadRx1ql4m0qJg0lRXPagEMbaK97jYI7WJP6GjXhpENIo/w380-h214/DSC_1172.JPG" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My purple Irises finally bloomed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPN0fi36AQXttCBOxkWx6odlRiPag8j1Yow4XC76BowabcZfI7A-h8TZ1xcPgiv5Vgv8Ti-5u7z9zrH2sFI-c4yGbTik99fW6tmeCv-To1jpvTD02MBiQepzJ98F580dOWQE93b1TkDYg/s2048/DSC_1145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPN0fi36AQXttCBOxkWx6odlRiPag8j1Yow4XC76BowabcZfI7A-h8TZ1xcPgiv5Vgv8Ti-5u7z9zrH2sFI-c4yGbTik99fW6tmeCv-To1jpvTD02MBiQepzJ98F580dOWQE93b1TkDYg/s320/DSC_1145.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perky Purple Petunias</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZfqNYliobWbJmfwzgoZjlhwFbhj5a_E9qUmplVsSsCDesETmeqHqKm95t3NFfsQnk_MIdkK0rs7u6KVCEW9L8W_rk5zdu-4DquBG6HfbixvtibLbwAwG3rZ-cBjRMA71c5nVf8WKD7ob/s2048/DSC_1153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZfqNYliobWbJmfwzgoZjlhwFbhj5a_E9qUmplVsSsCDesETmeqHqKm95t3NFfsQnk_MIdkK0rs7u6KVCEW9L8W_rk5zdu-4DquBG6HfbixvtibLbwAwG3rZ-cBjRMA71c5nVf8WKD7ob/w352-h198/DSC_1153.JPG" width="352" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty Pink Astible</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihANV0ol-uUH2gwPQ2z5ti9m_BFhdjFbcjguXJDDuDXT7Ne50GsM97NtaYpDg1HW7dOMZb_qydRqiZFkWzTxSjIkZFBxMpc907VsDZvD137jk9ZPjS-J88c94jr1wtaezsBdciIUIKhHFI/s2048/DSC_1155.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihANV0ol-uUH2gwPQ2z5ti9m_BFhdjFbcjguXJDDuDXT7Ne50GsM97NtaYpDg1HW7dOMZb_qydRqiZFkWzTxSjIkZFBxMpc907VsDZvD137jk9ZPjS-J88c94jr1wtaezsBdciIUIKhHFI/s320/DSC_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hosta (or as 2-year-old son said, pasta!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRg4XqAumsNf9tzb1mGBnkDGNwRxGaFK4qQkkdWQ2raP8zHYYtz4NHvNXG5qTIhknhkj9AuT_Yyktj2xQQB9eO1Lz12Y0dP-6jHjLwwT5olN4zbWuZwyBh248RFwkcWtz2TW8wLqg_j2C/s2048/DSC_1147.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRg4XqAumsNf9tzb1mGBnkDGNwRxGaFK4qQkkdWQ2raP8zHYYtz4NHvNXG5qTIhknhkj9AuT_Yyktj2xQQB9eO1Lz12Y0dP-6jHjLwwT5olN4zbWuZwyBh248RFwkcWtz2TW8wLqg_j2C/s320/DSC_1147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Classic Marigolds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVbXhX2wqII64GFSp8SHEM6mHqKlV_c0w1otdpffpFEguHiePDW6-wakNEwWyMEnjmIjbty5oRP70X8gG2-R0Xan-OGk7zkvZqvHGS7s85p2LMOQgrN3E3GS1A78ftR30Sz6t7B2EI5mo/s2048/DSC_1152.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVbXhX2wqII64GFSp8SHEM6mHqKlV_c0w1otdpffpFEguHiePDW6-wakNEwWyMEnjmIjbty5oRP70X8gG2-R0Xan-OGk7zkvZqvHGS7s85p2LMOQgrN3E3GS1A78ftR30Sz6t7B2EI5mo/w363-h204/DSC_1152.JPG" width="363" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mini Daisies, one son's big favorite</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnBgc3gzk__w1Eor7M19xBLrh-5hKsssCoi8xch1qQzP5RWZqsFBwdCuGjN2z6qNR2TpnQosCM8VgyhfFRBQduXs8L7AsMhxzwkbufJJ5YMKjw9qTfdPBCDW37Dbvqh_cp9PJDH60zE_8/s2048/DSC_1150.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnBgc3gzk__w1Eor7M19xBLrh-5hKsssCoi8xch1qQzP5RWZqsFBwdCuGjN2z6qNR2TpnQosCM8VgyhfFRBQduXs8L7AsMhxzwkbufJJ5YMKjw9qTfdPBCDW37Dbvqh_cp9PJDH60zE_8/s320/DSC_1150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lustful Ferns</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliXm9ISFTjJapEETZ5hyphenhyphenb6yoCiPNORM2IlNnsKno000yYF-MNBqcQu9wf7TP8etwn6OWyiY3vICys1ymu2Q1Ijj1ABa6bLKuZQLyyx0yPNK3BBbk9YeUozyuemCRZTtYW8Xnrf3_H9I7P/s2048/DSC_1154.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliXm9ISFTjJapEETZ5hyphenhyphenb6yoCiPNORM2IlNnsKno000yYF-MNBqcQu9wf7TP8etwn6OWyiY3vICys1ymu2Q1Ijj1ABa6bLKuZQLyyx0yPNK3BBbk9YeUozyuemCRZTtYW8Xnrf3_H9I7P/w402-h226/DSC_1154.JPG" width="402" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool Coleus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbLtbFzSeU1_XTWaOYFYfCbwExUi2SR1VGxR8PfpUg2WvJ03Is8ufWMMaOdXTOGv1ZaJgqAHINgZl_p0GXL-ZQh2KwOA5wAu2drzCgqHRkNVS6ZM_-MK19Lm01SSK9rOyz4y6y9jgl-Tm/s2048/DSC_1156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbLtbFzSeU1_XTWaOYFYfCbwExUi2SR1VGxR8PfpUg2WvJ03Is8ufWMMaOdXTOGv1ZaJgqAHINgZl_p0GXL-ZQh2KwOA5wAu2drzCgqHRkNVS6ZM_-MK19Lm01SSK9rOyz4y6y9jgl-Tm/w361-h203/DSC_1156.JPG" width="361" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Um, I forget </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdisadrjBHhEvu2O7RImfRT8z1gLyF7du6Cll99BFBG3mSLQslk9VsNDuP3zRLhlnMk8DvPWxebrJ0X4_L5ptuMlDQIOPpJJmZGAU-cvFVU9B1_HwTJXaEvUVSsGcLN9aHMCboZssJ1R/s2048/DSC_1148.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cdisadrjBHhEvu2O7RImfRT8z1gLyF7du6Cll99BFBG3mSLQslk9VsNDuP3zRLhlnMk8DvPWxebrJ0X4_L5ptuMlDQIOPpJJmZGAU-cvFVU9B1_HwTJXaEvUVSsGcLN9aHMCboZssJ1R/w199-h354/DSC_1148.JPG" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, forget this one too</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My garden is kind of like my writing life; some days/years are better than others. Sometimes plants- and novels- die. Or are too weak and I have to remove them. Others, like the lusty fern, take over and have to be trimmed. Some plants, like some manuscripts, just never thrive and the next year I have to try something else. Plants such as marigolds are always dependable- like a good character that gets a sequel. Yarrow, which some might consider a weed, has beauty in my eye, like some of my stories, even though others may not see it. Coleus is a new plant I'm trying this year, like a new idea for a novel (series?) I have percolating. Going through my files, I find stories that I'd forgotten, like the plants I have and I don't remember their names. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My writing, like my garden, requires constant attention, although there are times when it's best to let both rest and go fallow, storing energy until its time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So today I will pull a few weeds- in both the garden and an old manuscript so both are pleasing to the senses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course I'll be doing one of them poolside. With a cold drink. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpgx6h-b62iyb6c2gQXbq481zXIY1D_6mnj_PMmzU0pguT-iVew3gFC2U3BZAWwSzuYAbkIxPt3qNWV34vNl3h2ZrN-zwPT4DdOoaHjRbeDqb2-St-B8qsozXFeVsAJZ0RadhMfn6Tv6M/s2048/IMG_20210518_170318_425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1695" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpgx6h-b62iyb6c2gQXbq481zXIY1D_6mnj_PMmzU0pguT-iVew3gFC2U3BZAWwSzuYAbkIxPt3qNWV34vNl3h2ZrN-zwPT4DdOoaHjRbeDqb2-St-B8qsozXFeVsAJZ0RadhMfn6Tv6M/s320/IMG_20210518_170318_425.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Happy Summer!<div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-83301584808590592972021-06-10T09:56:00.001-07:002021-06-10T09:56:58.884-07:00To Boldly Go...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfMK0qEO2jbzN3QfdA3y8rVwCcPTHZSkT-fdlr2ox9pTQJMKnxXAyWY_JfXUpIWc6RfTDMr2R7pl1brZmsvkR_c_aFXm40Mfi8vEfy6iuHgGqcfkdgB3jYQDssCof-ia9rFS-ZA_-cg2Y/s1920/pexels-jens-johnsson-66100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="1920" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfMK0qEO2jbzN3QfdA3y8rVwCcPTHZSkT-fdlr2ox9pTQJMKnxXAyWY_JfXUpIWc6RfTDMr2R7pl1brZmsvkR_c_aFXm40Mfi8vEfy6iuHgGqcfkdgB3jYQDssCof-ia9rFS-ZA_-cg2Y/w394-h341/pexels-jens-johnsson-66100.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@jens-johnsson-14223?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Jens Johnsson</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-arrow-signed-66100/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></span></p><p>In a new direction. </p><p>(And yes, I know that's grammatically frowned on- split infinitives. It should be: Boldly, to go... or To go boldly.... Humor me).</p><p>First, I went to Home Depot and my library <i>without a mask. </i>I'm fully vaccinated and there weren't many people in the buildings. I felt like a rebel, or even one of those people who selfishly buck CDC guidelines. Even with relaxing guidelines, I still felt BOLD. </p><p>My new writing direction is romances. I still have some sci fi, paranormal, young adult, new adult, and middle grade novels to be pubbed, but they are on a back burner for the time being. The reason for going with romance? It's one of the largest selling markets. Humans just love the idea of being in, falling in, and staying in love. That's reason enough to venture into this market. I'm as big a sap for a good love story as anyone. But another reason is there seems to be (so far) less politics. The companies that publish romances have such a broad base that there's room for everyone. I'm not saying that they shouldn't broaden their diversity- I'm just saying there's alot of room. And, it seems that so far (fingers crossed) celebrities are sticking to writing children's books. So while there are a LOT of romance authors, we don't have to worry about a celebrity stealing the spotlight and money that could benefit a number of authors for whom writing is their livelihood.</p><p>I'm hoping to hear from a publisher soon about the trilogy I've just finished. I'll keep you posted. Wish me luck.</p><p>In the meantime, wishing you all <span style="color: red;">L</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">O</span><span style="color: #fcff01;">V</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">E</span>, in whatever form makes you happy-</p><p><span style="color: #01ffff; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-9763399182691048212021-05-09T20:35:00.006-07:002021-05-09T20:40:32.809-07:00For the Love of Science Fiction <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQqyH0rXn245ICG_wGVl9t3id9BYCfRvkxB13IJc3exvIcQbZbrkjXpziD5AKpbVFVcbuGTgWnG_WDCvRknLqKpc1TH-RCV2L-ku3oLoR0240WRyxqmquj2QsAAqz3BTtCy7SKDNPlMiA/s2048/pexels-pixabay-2150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQqyH0rXn245ICG_wGVl9t3id9BYCfRvkxB13IJc3exvIcQbZbrkjXpziD5AKpbVFVcbuGTgWnG_WDCvRknLqKpc1TH-RCV2L-ku3oLoR0240WRyxqmquj2QsAAqz3BTtCy7SKDNPlMiA/w420-h302/pexels-pixabay-2150.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo courtesy of Pexels, Inc.</span></div><p></p><p>Is anybody out there?</p><p>I love Sci Fi (science fiction); I write it, read it, and watch it on TV/movies. My dad worked at Grummas, building the Lunar Module which eventually took Neil Armstrong and the others to the moon and I was fascinated. Like anything else, choice is personal, but here are my fave Top 5 Sci Fi stories (not in order of preference):</p><p>1- <i><b>The Martian</b></i> (by Andy Weir). Matt Damon plays an astronaut stranded on Mars trying to survive while NASA works out a plan to save him. Great cast performances, the science is believable, the effects and characters sterling.</p><p>2- <b><i>Indepdence Day</i></b> (by Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich). Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch, and Randy Quaid are hysterical and quirky in this story about alien ships invading Earth. The special effects and fast pace keep you glued to your seat.</p><p>3- <b><i>Alien</i></b> (by Dan O'Bannion and Ronald Shusett). Holy smokes, this movie about an alien invadingn a space freighter and hunting the crew gave me nightmares for a year. Sigourney Weaver was the unexpected hero and the special effects- i.e. the Alien- still make me shiver! </p><p>4- <i><b>The Empire Strikes Back</b></i> (by George Lucas). Iconic for all time. Luke. Darth Vader. Leia. Han Solo. And the Droids. Everyone knows the story. If you don't love it, we can't be friends good.</p><p>5- <i><b>The Matrix </b></i>(authorship unclear- the Wachowskis or Sophia Stewart). While Keanu Reeves is fantastic in any movie he makes, I think the Matrix is his best work. The whole premise- that humans are 'power cells' for a giant hostile computer matrix is mind bending. I wish I could conceive something this brilliant. </p><p>There are tons of others that I love- the first in the <b><i>Dune</i></b> series, <b><i>Edge of Tomorrow</i></b>, <i><b>Terminator</b></i>, <i><b>Star Trek</b></i> (2009), <i><b>I, Robot</b></i>- there are so many to love! </p><p>And it makes me want to go write a sequel to my original sci fi- <i style="font-weight: bold;">Lethal Dose.</i> (I plan on doing that anyway....) </p><p>Happy Reading and Reaching For the Stars! </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char </i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-21062080752402068462021-04-27T16:17:00.000-07:002021-04-27T16:17:38.762-07:00A Poem at Month's End... And a Warning to Editors...<p> In honor of National Poetry Month, I'm posting a revised edition of a poem I wrote a number (too many to admit to) years ago. At the time, it was a contest winner on the Write Side Out blog/website (which no longer exists). For everyone who's tried or is trying to get a traditional publisher, this is for you:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oNOpX_ge5eQEk0RpSU5XkxZcn4w4JYXNNpdLUwz8mVNmNdeo1BRD_sw-R7E-ohp3wgY0dpnoOAByAfZTgpLGOULdQRCd_QcibFJp5YNrHRwnQ_5ulTNWWx3ek5udBZlvggni7IiVy8US/s2048/IMG_20201028_000152_844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oNOpX_ge5eQEk0RpSU5XkxZcn4w4JYXNNpdLUwz8mVNmNdeo1BRD_sw-R7E-ohp3wgY0dpnoOAByAfZTgpLGOULdQRCd_QcibFJp5YNrHRwnQ_5ulTNWWx3ek5udBZlvggni7IiVy8US/s320/IMG_20201028_000152_844.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mr. Mink is looking at you, Editor</span> </div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dear Editor, I Have Your Cat</p><div style="text-align: left;">Dear Editor,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have your cat.</div><div style="text-align: left;">What, no contract?</div><div style="text-align: left;">To Monserrat,</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll ship your cat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Refuse to deal?</div><div style="text-align: left;">There's no appeal,</div><div style="text-align: left;">cat's fate you'll seal.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I swear, for real.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, change your mind?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your cat you'll find</div><div style="text-align: left;">once contract signed</div><div style="text-align: left;">and deal we bind.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't want too much,</div><div style="text-align: left;">just fame and such,</div><div style="text-align: left;">fat check to clutch,</div><div style="text-align: left;">then lunch- NO DUTCH.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ignore this note,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and this I quote,</div><div style="text-align: left;">cat packed on boat,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and then I'll gloat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What can you do?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Except boo hoo.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Choose- cat or you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My book debut...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Exclaimer here, I have two rescue cats currently and would never hurt any creature (except spiders that invade my personal space, i.e. inside my house and alligators in my pool). So I'd probably only steal the cats and secretly keep them. ;) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></div>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-64263753225795067162021-04-21T18:07:00.001-07:002021-04-21T18:07:36.912-07:00Stepping Back <p> It's all overwhelming - things going on in the world when most are beyond our control, things we've got to or want to or need to do, and simple exhaustion from it all. So this week, no rants, no advice, no trying to motivate or cheer. Sometimes we need to just...be. So here's greenery, stillness, nature, and the quiet hush and promise of a spring day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9v8JMkEnaj8KtQSCB8MJclqllBmb6y239Fc_EH-qtaEXAdHJNSsgu_zis9z8_6BD_6PJQlE9UGMsdhE4JeQId-TmqVIuTnul0XWoCwFqb01sDQVyOcWpQysTFOF_IipsZJ5aVF1D2R4a/s2048/IMG_20210417_121445_048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1704" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9v8JMkEnaj8KtQSCB8MJclqllBmb6y239Fc_EH-qtaEXAdHJNSsgu_zis9z8_6BD_6PJQlE9UGMsdhE4JeQId-TmqVIuTnul0XWoCwFqb01sDQVyOcWpQysTFOF_IipsZJ5aVF1D2R4a/w331-h399/IMG_20210417_121445_048.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUnI5ZOT6UFXJddRjbN4x97IVGfMhTqHaG54a_ZC3wixwrKkIQJsGmjt3R6tthpBq3bDW5tlvJ88wtb19FdVJtNKQxG-nkiCYUG0akBdVa1tNNMsH284Xb810-ux64WiiPM1MP8eRDqrN/s2048/IMG_20210407_141848_817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUnI5ZOT6UFXJddRjbN4x97IVGfMhTqHaG54a_ZC3wixwrKkIQJsGmjt3R6tthpBq3bDW5tlvJ88wtb19FdVJtNKQxG-nkiCYUG0akBdVa1tNNMsH284Xb810-ux64WiiPM1MP8eRDqrN/s320/IMG_20210407_141848_817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOvGwe7oDNv8Dvc3Bu9nzXSXQxt9jBD46-fy2frUj7OGAD70CpNIsBlcIzcUE6au8weioFPhlHIDoL0t34Xgul4V99oSez_YWkd_WzqhxlBpdBTmWMKQmOJpCJ5kJbl2CbEx63DwszrEy/s2048/DSC_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOvGwe7oDNv8Dvc3Bu9nzXSXQxt9jBD46-fy2frUj7OGAD70CpNIsBlcIzcUE6au8weioFPhlHIDoL0t34Xgul4V99oSez_YWkd_WzqhxlBpdBTmWMKQmOJpCJ5kJbl2CbEx63DwszrEy/w286-h508/DSC_1095.JPG" width="286" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajwJ7Dz_Fs56zp-dGzUXomBSQKB0vL69FPloKHg_Ida8JA8Rv9XaeysMgyQjornI7n0n3N9FrTH39ZL50WIsBTXzW4lOjVXZyIC2x2axaElUUBAQoMjDDa-sNIsgYRFNMe3cCGDHli3ND/s2048/IMG_20210408_123311_091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajwJ7Dz_Fs56zp-dGzUXomBSQKB0vL69FPloKHg_Ida8JA8Rv9XaeysMgyQjornI7n0n3N9FrTH39ZL50WIsBTXzW4lOjVXZyIC2x2axaElUUBAQoMjDDa-sNIsgYRFNMe3cCGDHli3ND/w426-h426/IMG_20210408_123311_091.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zsbs4mYF8ZiF5cHl1zLqOlM7PQVIuyGNboNdXW3fHPR7A5HgCCmEmJU40Joa3ymcbWhqkNHeg3McdMYGZhfCLSppo7qxjt3U3jXgn7ZDO0-o2LSNNYMEwksn3kzg7CVIjKWuWksGk0yV/s2048/IMG_20210413_110151_728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zsbs4mYF8ZiF5cHl1zLqOlM7PQVIuyGNboNdXW3fHPR7A5HgCCmEmJU40Joa3ymcbWhqkNHeg3McdMYGZhfCLSppo7qxjt3U3jXgn7ZDO0-o2LSNNYMEwksn3kzg7CVIjKWuWksGk0yV/w425-h425/IMG_20210413_110151_728.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob8nQUth2zLXPSxzONWJ1soKNrmtjqFi-PN9IcLJ4UIAW-u9hdr6XCpNEOLOLPgVovUsJ2UEcHNElSf8sEpW5-y9dChHqKPOCKIlJ89t1hI4gamdQ4LLaV-eS4x-01ga_K_WJMUkHIdPs/s2048/DSC_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob8nQUth2zLXPSxzONWJ1soKNrmtjqFi-PN9IcLJ4UIAW-u9hdr6XCpNEOLOLPgVovUsJ2UEcHNElSf8sEpW5-y9dChHqKPOCKIlJ89t1hI4gamdQ4LLaV-eS4x-01ga_K_WJMUkHIdPs/w497-h280/DSC_1088.JPG" width="497" /></a></div><br /><div>Remember to take care of YOU. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wishing you moments of peace, clarity, and confidence.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></div>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-69305956829196145152021-04-07T08:44:00.001-07:002021-04-07T08:44:39.074-07:00Springing out in Spring<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDZEf_XSUtpggvVJeSC7hZlLg96bNFGgSD-1UpJamXGaIujPIGkyhiY4sVx3Yqkf2C13dNKg2RhY7uFODb4PwDBnKJr0gQgLxso7pw1nnE6V35E_PAzbsxwiDJAhB9AxzMQjw9rYsvRjZ/s2048/pexels-taryn-elliott-4098990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDZEf_XSUtpggvVJeSC7hZlLg96bNFGgSD-1UpJamXGaIujPIGkyhiY4sVx3Yqkf2C13dNKg2RhY7uFODb4PwDBnKJr0gQgLxso7pw1nnE6V35E_PAzbsxwiDJAhB9AxzMQjw9rYsvRjZ/w359-h449/pexels-taryn-elliott-4098990.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Photo by </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/@taryn-elliott?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Taryn Elliott</a></span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> from </span><span style="background-color: #e8e8e8; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "segoe ui", roboto, oxygen, cantarell, "helvetica neue", ubuntu, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-pink-cherry-blossom-4098990/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Pexels</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I was a kid, every spring my father would cite one of his favorite poems:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: medium;"><b>Spring is sprung, </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: medium;"><b>the grass is rizz,</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: medium;"><b>I wonder where the flowers is.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Absolutely awful poetry, but Dad wasn't one for flowery prose. He was more of a non-fiction type and I think he gleefully recited this poem to irk my grandmother, who for many years, was the only person to have earned an almost perfect score on the New York State Regents English exam. (She was told that no one could get a perfect score, so they witheld a point just because.) You did NOT want to play Scrabble with this woman. Even as an author with a college degree in English (okay, yes, I graduated with Honors and also have a degree in Journalism), I refused that challenge. But reciting this terrible, grammatically incorrect, and almost grating bit of poetry every spring is a ritual. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now that that's done, it's time to do other spring things:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">House: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Clean and refresh my gardens</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Wash house windows</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Gather stuff for the garage/yard sale</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Plant veggies and flowers</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Think about and plan a vacation/family visit (now that we'll all be vaccinated. Safety first!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And it probably annoys some people, but I have a list for my writing. (I love lists- I'm so much more productive):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUciQfh3bDqUAVcgUyT3hwwgV-nC525EALuXtIfdEf2V2rHX0Z1YnPoiZkVMnE1IXt1QTomfWRI-f7S5Mszyw3w2Dx5CtLB-uBnJHBTuTdGS9Lz0yq7ULUmgAnT9csZJcAyD7B6LnYqF/s2048/DSC_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NUciQfh3bDqUAVcgUyT3hwwgV-nC525EALuXtIfdEf2V2rHX0Z1YnPoiZkVMnE1IXt1QTomfWRI-f7S5Mszyw3w2Dx5CtLB-uBnJHBTuTdGS9Lz0yq7ULUmgAnT9csZJcAyD7B6LnYqF/w439-h247/DSC_1084.JPG" width="439" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Weed through my manuscripts. Some for total overhauling, some for putting back in the draw for another time, and some for sending out on submission.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Clear out my office. I'm getting rid of clutter- old draft copies of pubbed novels, like the <i>Sirenz</i> and <i>Blonde OPS</i> books. They're published and now out of print (but ebooks are still available!), and it's been a few years so I don't have to worry about someone falsely claiming that the work is theirs. Also, I move my plants outdoors for a bit of fresh air. Oh yes, and I get rid of books that no longer bring me joy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Plan and make notes for the novel I write over summer. I like to write on my patio or poolside. (This is a different novel than the annual #NaNoWriMo project.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Look at my calendar for book events, like the Collingswood Book Festival. As events and places start to open up, I'm anxious to get out and talk to PEOPLE again. I'm so done with virtual events (which while they sound like a nice idea, aren't really well attended and even after all the work you put in to make a good presentation, sales don't happen). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Review what my writing focus is going to be: writing new novels, revising existing novels, or subbing out novels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Spring, with the sunshine and warmth, flowers and greenery, gives me such energy. I feel a pressing need to bike for miles and hike new paths. Mostly, I want to <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Get Things Done</span>. Summer, with its lazy and hazy days of high temps tends to make me a bit languid by noon. I want to swim in my pool, have friends over for a cool drink, and lounge by the firepit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, I'm going to ride the wave of energy for as long as it lasts, although with this pandemic, now that we're approaching 'normal' again, I don't want to be distracted by all the things I can do once more, like going to a restaurant with friends/family or a theater. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hoping spring brings you all kinds of good things, good people, good vibes, good energy, good intentions.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></div><p></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-33563533189049568392021-03-29T09:22:00.002-07:002021-03-29T09:22:20.382-07:00Clearing Out and Cleaning Up<p> This time of year is special to me- </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8jnYgGD3DHgewqrvvUY5ilJoEFG8qMQEmDOpjkArj8ZW7tfGubU4JgNo2eFxv6hV3KbeHzBDdH_KYI7X2N_aW5CFgxnQWH0ZtM-IaOSFHJxjkstUKhW72o_bnm0xticsko_q2mzlNY8t/s2048/DSC_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8jnYgGD3DHgewqrvvUY5ilJoEFG8qMQEmDOpjkArj8ZW7tfGubU4JgNo2eFxv6hV3KbeHzBDdH_KYI7X2N_aW5CFgxnQWH0ZtM-IaOSFHJxjkstUKhW72o_bnm0xticsko_q2mzlNY8t/w466-h262/DSC_1069.JPG" width="466" /></a></div><br /><p>Here's one reason why; flowers are blooming and they cheer me up after a hard, dreary winter. Spring is here and it means warmer weather and getting outside. It means, especially this year, of being with people (socially distanced, of course). It means a new start. Honestly, I think we should celebrate New Year's on the first day of Spring. Who thinks of doing anything in the middle of winter except hunkering down?</p><p>Because of flowers, warm weather, and longer days of sunshine, I'm energized. Sometimes I feel like a solar panel; in the dark I'm listless. When the sun hits, I'm all full of energy and raring to go into action. Unfortunately I can't work in my gardens because the fallen leaves are still protecting precious insects and small animals. (Once it stays above 50 degrees F, they can be cleared.) It's too soon to open the pool and outdoor bar. But there is plenty more I can do. </p><p>1- I replaced the curtain rods in my dining room because I took down the heavy valances. More light filters through and the room feels bigger and brighter. That should make my plants grow like monsters too. </p><p>2- I spent four hours at my church cleaning the grounds, mulching gardens, and planting pansies. We will have outdoor services from Easter on, until hopefully by September the church can be opened. Meeting fellow members and working (socially distanced, of course) gave my spirit such a lift. The hardest part of the epidemic has been the isolation. I got to catch up with church members while I got my hands into the soil and the church looked so welcoming. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNhqi2qM3DGPMmJyCsmikijQ4xmayAiKVKkwazfrSP9kwLrXb-7lmRL27p_SnK15hJqRKZIlg-ZhUDuMakwxWNreX5sEJQK9W3S2EoOgo-PMAYhjPsqF-az4-sDhQsH9o8TiVoAAMiVD6/s2048/DSC_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNhqi2qM3DGPMmJyCsmikijQ4xmayAiKVKkwazfrSP9kwLrXb-7lmRL27p_SnK15hJqRKZIlg-ZhUDuMakwxWNreX5sEJQK9W3S2EoOgo-PMAYhjPsqF-az4-sDhQsH9o8TiVoAAMiVD6/w464-h261/DSC_1068.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><br /><p>3- I bought a monitor for my laptop. I don't use a pc because I don't want to juggle and transfer stuff between two computers. The problem is my laptop, when it sits on my desk, is too low for comfortable viewing. The screen isn't high enough and my neck gets a crick after a few hours. Plus, the keyboard is not at an optimal level either. I'm tall with long arms and it's like being in a cramped airplane seat. Most things are meant for the average, shorter person. This monitor can be adjusted by heighth and angle of tilt. And yes, the larger screen is easier on the eyes. The new keyboard makes it so I don't have to have my laptop right next to me, causing cricks because I'm turned partway, trying to type and view the screen. </p><p>4- </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PT_f7puEu0I9hrIRuq1kRg5MLBMhCVc2C9sI69dwkG0rdf2uv5OT8iOETrIwdYWauYTYbIxA9WO75AJWbyA1zCEVZ0djEWg6dSCA2LARQzlXbB-eAreAjQqU9NXazGX18SRP3hF6t5d3/s2048/DSC_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PT_f7puEu0I9hrIRuq1kRg5MLBMhCVc2C9sI69dwkG0rdf2uv5OT8iOETrIwdYWauYTYbIxA9WO75AJWbyA1zCEVZ0djEWg6dSCA2LARQzlXbB-eAreAjQqU9NXazGX18SRP3hF6t5d3/w201-h357/DSC_1059.JPG" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been decluttering slowly. Last year I had a yard sale but didn't get everything sold and I've put more on the 'For Sale' pile. In the meantime, I'm listing things on Facebook's Marketplace and Neighborhood pages. It takes at least a month or longer to make a sale, but every sale means more free space in my basement or garage, and more money for the kids. (Most of the stuff I sell are their toys and sports equipment or old twin bedroom sets, so I'm dividing the money between them.) And in case you're interested, the above Christmas Poinsettia and Ribbons set has complete service for 12, with extras like a gravy boat, two salt/pepper sets, 2 extra dessert plates, 8 juice glasses, 11 cocktail glasses, all perfect condition, $75.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5- I've been throwing away old versions of manuscripts. Since some of my published books are out of print, there's no sense keeping the previous copies. Almost everything is stored on my computer and extra hard drive, and I have the bound books, so I don't need the paper copies. (I kept them in case there was ever a claim by someone that I stole their work- I could show a clear chain of creation.) Into the recycle pile and I have another clear shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6- I've made a list of all my unpubbed manuscripts and am slowly going through either marking for revision, total overhaul, or to be set aside until a better time while I rethink it. I will send the revised manuscripts out on revision. And if I decide to, I can always Indie publish within a month. Either way, I'm not letting them gather dust any longer. I put a lot of hard work in them and it's time for the words to work for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7- My husband and I plan to eventually downsize, so I'm making (another) list of things that need to be done to get top dollar for our house. As each child moves out on their own, I'm painting the rooms and refinishing the floors. (Plus, since they're taking their stuff with them, more space!) I'm simplifying the gardens and addressing jobs like spackling a bumpy wall. It's not so overwhelming when you tackle one task at a time rather than thinking about all the jobs to be done. And, I like the satisfaction of crossing something off my list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking at all the things I want to accomplish seems a bit daunting, but I'm only looking at one or two at a time. Today, my blog is done (on time...!). Next, I'm finishing typing in the final revisions on a requested R&R (revise and resubmit for non-authors) so it's ready to go April 1st. Later I'll hike about 3 miles. Maybe I'll vacuum the family room too. So while I have four things on my list, it's okay if I don't get to the vacuuming until tomorrow. (It's not like we can have visitors....yet.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you're feeling the renewed energy and motivation to do things that need or you want to get done-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span><p></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-21187838737623298182021-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:002021-03-15T10:48:05.940-07:00Silver Linings and Such<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKXnQaCCVOV1XL-g6v1Q_tt8phHit95T7AXGGRjO36tl8tIyNjFwlZmN1mXnfvePahqi41x_BQLvIdcRCI11gkcByRyrNVn3VHSTLozK2QJgebnbGfVCTtoVXUATpSJ10K8OqOpEkNI7O/s1920/pexels-pixabay-414083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKXnQaCCVOV1XL-g6v1Q_tt8phHit95T7AXGGRjO36tl8tIyNjFwlZmN1mXnfvePahqi41x_BQLvIdcRCI11gkcByRyrNVn3VHSTLozK2QJgebnbGfVCTtoVXUATpSJ10K8OqOpEkNI7O/w488-h325/pexels-pixabay-414083.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy Pexels</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p>2020 sucked for almost everyone. Some had it worse for any number of reasons. Now, as the end is near for this pandemic, I want to focus on positive things. I'm basically an upbeat and optimistic person, which is probably why I don't like angsty books or stupid drama over inconsequential things. Here is a short list of good things I found (not in any order of importance) to be happy about:</p><p>1. We welcomed my grand niece, Savannah Rose, into the world. Such a cutie!</p><p>2. The vaccine was created in record time and in several months, I hope to be vaccinated and enjoying simple pleasures like a movie and hugs again.</p><p>3. My husband retired which means we can travel (maybe I can get him to finish putting up the molding around the house too).</p><p>4. My eldest son achieved Honors in Rutgers School of Engineering. </p><p>5. My nephew graduated high school and is doing well in college.</p><p>6. My middle son is back in college with a determination to succeed that thrills me.</p><p>7. My youngest is working in the pharmaceutical field with a bright future and recently got a promotion and raise. </p><p>8. None of my family suffered illness or death due to Covid-19. </p><p>9. The trees are budding and spring is only days away.</p><p>10. I'm revising a manuscript for an interested publisher.</p><p>I could make a longer list of things that have gone wrong, but what's the point? There will always be challenges and I prefer to look ahead with hope. </p><p>Wishing you more good things-</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-54169069727498289922021-03-10T09:51:00.000-08:002021-03-10T09:51:05.355-08:00Another Classic Bust<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTMaCsm8UMMVUmCziFn-eF5ztR-PdbKdpU32kaFoIrvmiEwAoj6oHLm1CPTR8ESFR8ZtTc-W-6BjRW7XfqhyphenhyphenLn_A3BNU0pjV7oHGnQNEpv1fT0Q5VVY_EFUB5fTUvvw20xKMbXenxvnV-/s2048/DSC_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTMaCsm8UMMVUmCziFn-eF5ztR-PdbKdpU32kaFoIrvmiEwAoj6oHLm1CPTR8ESFR8ZtTc-W-6BjRW7XfqhyphenhyphenLn_A3BNU0pjV7oHGnQNEpv1fT0Q5VVY_EFUB5fTUvvw20xKMbXenxvnV-/w409-h230/DSC_1055.JPG" width="409" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Leaving the Scientology part out of this discussion, I tried to read L. Ron Hubbard's <i>The Kingslayer. </i>It's considered a science fiction classic. </p><p>Ugh.</p><p>If writing about the future, maybe things that were problematic in the writer's time would have been worked out. Society does change, even if it isn't perfect. The issue with this book arises in chapter 2, page 16. A chauffeur named Henry is described as: "...Henry, a huge Negro of no expression whatever..." Now this book was published in 1949 and the term 'Negro' was acceptable and widely used. (I'm not justifying it- I'm only saying it was part of the culture, so don't @ me). What I find offputting is the fact that Henry is portrayed as a servant. From the beginning of this book to wherever I left off, there are no people of color in high level positions. It's a really white world. No way am I saying that this book should be banned, burned, or consigned to oblivion. It is what it is and there is no rewriting history. However, L. Ron considered himself super intelligent, a genius in the field of psychiatric and/or mental sciences. The guy was a kook, a con man, and believer in outrageous science fiction, 'spiritual' and magical practices. Hey, everyone's free to believe what they want. My issue is why his writings about the future didn't forsee a time when all humans were equal and represented as such. If he truly was that brilliant (he wasn't) he could have projected a better society. This book feels so outdated even though it's set in the future. </p><p>In my opinion, this book does not deserve the title of 'classic piece of literature'. In no way, whether talking about the writing or the content, is it memorable. Back to the bookshelf, unfinished, it goes. Onto the next unread 'classic'. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242379038593829116.post-88379469978438374372021-02-22T06:59:00.000-08:002021-02-22T06:59:42.739-08:00A Classic Bore<p> We all have those books we've been meaning to read, some of which are considered classics. As an English major, I've had to read a lot of them. Some I enjoy, like Shakespeare's plays, Charlotte Bronte's <i>Jane Eyre</i>, Robert Louis Stevenson's <i>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</i>. </p><p>Then, there are those that are painful to read, like anything by D.H. Lawrence, most of the works by Hemingway, and what I'm currently reading, <i>Emma</i> by Jane Austen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByJVudNgxkwaKHdm8-rWCORleYqfp6Wm-8ceewUE-Q0yFFyDhAbok-fYKq1vNeUUGPuJ3GHb3UuOswpcE9iPK2LvYecx3pgw92On3dgbftb7ZKHpKvcJ0MvaZ_U-fJnZT7mbmVGIeYYof/s2048/DSC_1044+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1155" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByJVudNgxkwaKHdm8-rWCORleYqfp6Wm-8ceewUE-Q0yFFyDhAbok-fYKq1vNeUUGPuJ3GHb3UuOswpcE9iPK2LvYecx3pgw92On3dgbftb7ZKHpKvcJ0MvaZ_U-fJnZT7mbmVGIeYYof/w260-h462/DSC_1044+%25282%2529.JPG" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Honestly, I don't see the appeal of this drawn out, verbose, repetitive novel. It took a whole chapter to describe a character's 'character.' Jane, you could have done it in a paragraph. WHY is this a 'classic?' Because it was written a long time ago? Because other novels by Jane have been a success? All I know is that it's pedantic, tedious, and a real torture to read. And it's an obvious example why high school students hate reading these books. I'm in the middle of chapter 5 and the last page- 391- is looking like it's a universe away and I may never get there. Clearly it was a favorite among the British but not so much among Americans. No one I know seems to have read it. </p><p>Will I finish it? Doubtful. But I'll keep it on my nightstand and delve into it when insomnia hits. Clearly I should be out cold after a chapter or two.</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Char</i></b></span></p>Author on the Loosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13371105720422860639noreply@blogger.com0