The world has gone sideways since I last posted. I hope you are doing well and surviving under these circumstances.
I'm in the process of updating the website (yes, it's about time). The Bibliography is nearly complete, but the ebooks section needs stuff added to it. Please be patient with me as I work on this.
If you're looking for something to read, check out the Bibliography - there's a lot there, I'm happy to say. And stay tuned as I get to updating the ebook section.
And if you want a free short story, don't forget to sign up for my occasional newsletter!
Take care.
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Monday, May 6, 2019
A Realization
A couple of weeks ago, something hit me. It is, in retrospect, a fairly obvious observation. But for me, it was an epiphany.
In case you are new to this blog, I am a caregiver to my mother-in-law, who requires a lot of hands-on care. I am also a wife, a mother of grown sons and grandmother to the cutest little girl on the planet.
I suffer from some chronic health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and ADD. I use a CPAP at night. And yes, I need to lose weight.
I am also a writer who is struggling right now with getting writing things done. There never seems to be time or energy for that part of my life. I have been frustrated with how it is going.
Something hit me a couple of weeks ago, which made me look at things differently. What was this surprising thought?
My life isn't going to change for me. At least, not anytime soon.
I am going to continue to be a caregiver for the foreseeable future. I am going to have family obligations. My health may improve (indeed, some recent changes have helped), but overall I am going to have issues.
None of that is going to do me the favor of making things easier.
If I'm going to be the writer I want to be and successful at this, I can't wait for my life to make it easier. In fact, when you get right down to it, there is only one thing in the equation I can change.
Me.
I can change how I look at things and how I deal with them. I can change my priorities and put the writing where it belongs. I can stop looking at things as impossible obstacles and search for workarounds. I can be creative.
It's time to stop waiting for things to change, and start working on the one thing I can change. Me.
It's a little scary. I don't know if I can change. I'm not by nature a disciplined or organized person, and any changes will require a measure of both.
But something has to change. Because I want to write. I want to put my work out there for you to read. I want to tell stories and make you laugh, cry, or think.
So, I have to change.
Wish me luck.
In case you are new to this blog, I am a caregiver to my mother-in-law, who requires a lot of hands-on care. I am also a wife, a mother of grown sons and grandmother to the cutest little girl on the planet.
I suffer from some chronic health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and ADD. I use a CPAP at night. And yes, I need to lose weight.
I am also a writer who is struggling right now with getting writing things done. There never seems to be time or energy for that part of my life. I have been frustrated with how it is going.
Something hit me a couple of weeks ago, which made me look at things differently. What was this surprising thought?
My life isn't going to change for me. At least, not anytime soon.
I am going to continue to be a caregiver for the foreseeable future. I am going to have family obligations. My health may improve (indeed, some recent changes have helped), but overall I am going to have issues.
None of that is going to do me the favor of making things easier.
If I'm going to be the writer I want to be and successful at this, I can't wait for my life to make it easier. In fact, when you get right down to it, there is only one thing in the equation I can change.
Me.
I can change how I look at things and how I deal with them. I can change my priorities and put the writing where it belongs. I can stop looking at things as impossible obstacles and search for workarounds. I can be creative.
It's time to stop waiting for things to change, and start working on the one thing I can change. Me.
It's a little scary. I don't know if I can change. I'm not by nature a disciplined or organized person, and any changes will require a measure of both.
But something has to change. Because I want to write. I want to put my work out there for you to read. I want to tell stories and make you laugh, cry, or think.
So, I have to change.
Wish me luck.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Um...hi?
Yes, I know, it's been a while. Contrary to how it looked, I didn't die, fall off the planet, or anything quite so drastic. I have been dealing with life, and that has taken a lot of time and energy.
Part of what I need to do is organize my time better. This is important because a) I am a caregiver and my time isn't entirely my own, b) I work from home, and have no other boss besides me (unless you count the dogs), and c) I am not by nature an organized person. I can have good intentions but see them vanish in a puff of smoke because I didn't plan my day.
So I am working on that. This blog will be included in that plan. I am not going to promise to blog a set amount - not yet, anyway. I am pledging to blog more frequently, which may make at least SOME of you happy <grin>
If you're looking for stuff to read, I've had two short stories come out the latter half of 2018. "The Case of the Dead Son" is a part of my Eli Leafrunner universe and can be found in Fiction River: Pulse Pounders: Countdown! The second story, "The Devil's Muse," deals with a writer who sells his muse to the Devil, and the guy he hires to get it back. That can be found in Fiction River: Hard Choices. (Links are to Amazon, but you can get these anthologies wherever you buy your ebooks and such).
So I hope your 2019 is starting off well. I hope to talk to you again soon!
Part of what I need to do is organize my time better. This is important because a) I am a caregiver and my time isn't entirely my own, b) I work from home, and have no other boss besides me (unless you count the dogs), and c) I am not by nature an organized person. I can have good intentions but see them vanish in a puff of smoke because I didn't plan my day.
So I am working on that. This blog will be included in that plan. I am not going to promise to blog a set amount - not yet, anyway. I am pledging to blog more frequently, which may make at least SOME of you happy <grin>
If you're looking for stuff to read, I've had two short stories come out the latter half of 2018. "The Case of the Dead Son" is a part of my Eli Leafrunner universe and can be found in Fiction River: Pulse Pounders: Countdown! The second story, "The Devil's Muse," deals with a writer who sells his muse to the Devil, and the guy he hires to get it back. That can be found in Fiction River: Hard Choices. (Links are to Amazon, but you can get these anthologies wherever you buy your ebooks and such).
So I hope your 2019 is starting off well. I hope to talk to you again soon!
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Remembering Princess Leia
I was very saddened to learn of Carrie Fisher's death at the too-young age of 60 today.
Her passing left me reflecting on the role I and many know her best at: Princess Leia, the determined and tough young woman in the Star Wars movies. I learned today she was only 19 when she took on the role in the first film.
Leia was someone to admire. She stood toe to toe with Vader himself and underwent torture rather than reveal the Rebel's base. She suffered tremendous loss when her home planet was destroyed, yet it didn't stop her from delivering the Death Star plans to her people. She could shoot a blaster with the best of them and instead of standing back and letting Luke and Han handle everything she took matters into her own hands and played a role in their rescue.
Throughout the films she continued to deal with hardship but stayed determined to bring the Empire down. She was one of those in charge at Hoth, only leaving the base when there was no more to be done. With her help, Luke was rescued in Cloud City and Han retrieved from Jabba's palace. It was Leia that dealt the fatal blow to Jabba himself. And it was Leia who first encountered and befriended the Ewoks who played a role in taking down the Empire in a massive battle.
The Leia we see in the movie The Force Awakens has been tempered with more sorrow, but even here she is busy making sure the hard-won Republic that's been created can endure. She's a general now, and still very involved in things. (I could say much more, but don't want to give spoilers)
Leia was not your typical princess, waiting around for someone to save her. While she did get some help from time to time, she demonstrated an ability to be part of the solution, rather than being passive. She was strong, capable, and able to hold her own - definitely a woman to hold up as an example.
Sadly, her story now has an endpoint with Carrie Fisher's death. But I am grateful to the actress for bringing her to life for us. Thank you, Carrie and all who played a part in Leia's creation. She will be missed.
Her passing left me reflecting on the role I and many know her best at: Princess Leia, the determined and tough young woman in the Star Wars movies. I learned today she was only 19 when she took on the role in the first film.
Leia was someone to admire. She stood toe to toe with Vader himself and underwent torture rather than reveal the Rebel's base. She suffered tremendous loss when her home planet was destroyed, yet it didn't stop her from delivering the Death Star plans to her people. She could shoot a blaster with the best of them and instead of standing back and letting Luke and Han handle everything she took matters into her own hands and played a role in their rescue.
Throughout the films she continued to deal with hardship but stayed determined to bring the Empire down. She was one of those in charge at Hoth, only leaving the base when there was no more to be done. With her help, Luke was rescued in Cloud City and Han retrieved from Jabba's palace. It was Leia that dealt the fatal blow to Jabba himself. And it was Leia who first encountered and befriended the Ewoks who played a role in taking down the Empire in a massive battle.
The Leia we see in the movie The Force Awakens has been tempered with more sorrow, but even here she is busy making sure the hard-won Republic that's been created can endure. She's a general now, and still very involved in things. (I could say much more, but don't want to give spoilers)
Leia was not your typical princess, waiting around for someone to save her. While she did get some help from time to time, she demonstrated an ability to be part of the solution, rather than being passive. She was strong, capable, and able to hold her own - definitely a woman to hold up as an example.
Sadly, her story now has an endpoint with Carrie Fisher's death. But I am grateful to the actress for bringing her to life for us. Thank you, Carrie and all who played a part in Leia's creation. She will be missed.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
The Scariest Thing in Washington, DC
The scariest thing in Washington, DC isn't crime. I never felt in danger from anyone while I've been here and it's been a few days.
The scariest thing? Their escalators.
These things are EVERYWHERE. Especially around the Metro. If you are lucky, there's an elevator available you can use instead. Otherwise, you are stuck.
This is very bad for me. I HATE escalators. This is no mild dislike. I loathe them with a passion. Especially down escalators. I am always afraid I'm going to pitch forward on one of those.
I can mostly handle up escalators, though I don't like them. But some of the escalators around here are LONG. Throw in I am afraid of heights and you'll understand why that might pose a problem for me.
I am fortunate that my family is patient and understanding of this phobia. On one of the long escalators they surrounded me so I felt protected going up. When I had no choice but to use a down escalator not once but twice on this trip Don didn't laugh at me but stood in front of me and cheered me on as I gripped the handrail with both hands.
In time I could probably overcome this fear. But for right now, my attitude is, "down with down escalators!"
The scariest thing? Their escalators.
These things are EVERYWHERE. Especially around the Metro. If you are lucky, there's an elevator available you can use instead. Otherwise, you are stuck.
This is very bad for me. I HATE escalators. This is no mild dislike. I loathe them with a passion. Especially down escalators. I am always afraid I'm going to pitch forward on one of those.
I can mostly handle up escalators, though I don't like them. But some of the escalators around here are LONG. Throw in I am afraid of heights and you'll understand why that might pose a problem for me.
I am fortunate that my family is patient and understanding of this phobia. On one of the long escalators they surrounded me so I felt protected going up. When I had no choice but to use a down escalator not once but twice on this trip Don didn't laugh at me but stood in front of me and cheered me on as I gripped the handrail with both hands.
In time I could probably overcome this fear. But for right now, my attitude is, "down with down escalators!"
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday Musings: Rey and the Naysayers
Warning: this blog post will include some spoilers for "Star Wars: the Force Awakens." If you don't want to know, you might want to skip this post.
Spoiler space for those who are curious...
s
p
o
i
l
e
r
I'm not kidding, spoilers ahead!
s
p
a
c
e
Okay?? All right. I've been reading about how some people find Rey too perfect. The term "Mary Sue" has been bandied about.
Sexism charges have been laid against these people. "It's because she's a girl!" these people say, dismissing the critics and going back to how awesome Rey is.
There is no question that Rey is a great character. She's multi-talented. She can hold her own and doesn't need to be rescued. She's got the Force, for crying out loud!
But is she too good to be true? Is she unrealistic as a character?
Please remember that we are talking about a character in a movie that includes faster-than-light space travel, Wookies, and the mystical Force, so it should be obvious that we aren't dealing in reality here.
Any hero (or heroine) in the Star Wars universe is going to be larger than life. Luke Skywalker was a farm boy who could shoot a blaster as well as a Stormtrooper and a crack pilot off the bat. No one complained that Luke was unrealistic in his abilities - at least not to the extent that people were rushing to defend him as I see many defending Rey.
I've heard the complaint that Rey is perfect. I'm not sure I agree with that. She has her own set of flaws and weaknesses. When first confronted with her destiny, for example, she says "no way!" and runs off alone in the woods, WHEN THERE ARE BAD PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR HER. Finn had said they'd probably been tracked to the planet but she goes off by herself anyway, not telling anyone where she is going. That certainly doesn't strike me as a perfect move.
And before Rey fans cream me, her having flaws is not a bad thing. It makes her human. It gives her room to grow as a character. I'm looking forward to seeing how they explore her abilities and weaknesses in the next film.
Rey is a good fit for the Star Wars universe. To deny that because she's a girl...well, that's silly. And while feminists and I generally don't agree on much (which is another post for another time), this is one case I cheerfully side with them.
Rey is awesome.
Get over it.
Spoiler space for those who are curious...
s
p
o
i
l
e
r
I'm not kidding, spoilers ahead!
s
p
a
c
e
Okay?? All right. I've been reading about how some people find Rey too perfect. The term "Mary Sue" has been bandied about.
Sexism charges have been laid against these people. "It's because she's a girl!" these people say, dismissing the critics and going back to how awesome Rey is.
There is no question that Rey is a great character. She's multi-talented. She can hold her own and doesn't need to be rescued. She's got the Force, for crying out loud!
But is she too good to be true? Is she unrealistic as a character?
Please remember that we are talking about a character in a movie that includes faster-than-light space travel, Wookies, and the mystical Force, so it should be obvious that we aren't dealing in reality here.
Any hero (or heroine) in the Star Wars universe is going to be larger than life. Luke Skywalker was a farm boy who could shoot a blaster as well as a Stormtrooper and a crack pilot off the bat. No one complained that Luke was unrealistic in his abilities - at least not to the extent that people were rushing to defend him as I see many defending Rey.
I've heard the complaint that Rey is perfect. I'm not sure I agree with that. She has her own set of flaws and weaknesses. When first confronted with her destiny, for example, she says "no way!" and runs off alone in the woods, WHEN THERE ARE BAD PEOPLE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR HER. Finn had said they'd probably been tracked to the planet but she goes off by herself anyway, not telling anyone where she is going. That certainly doesn't strike me as a perfect move.
And before Rey fans cream me, her having flaws is not a bad thing. It makes her human. It gives her room to grow as a character. I'm looking forward to seeing how they explore her abilities and weaknesses in the next film.
Rey is a good fit for the Star Wars universe. To deny that because she's a girl...well, that's silly. And while feminists and I generally don't agree on much (which is another post for another time), this is one case I cheerfully side with them.
Rey is awesome.
Get over it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)