And that "it" can be everything from making a plot or opening scene work to making the current life situation work with your writing. I am finding myself facing both of those challenges right now. I promise not to make this into a "poor me" post. This is a post, hopefully, that will let you... Continue Reading →
Transitory
I've got ten hours left, then I make another transition. Which is only relevant to writing in that it's real life, and it's really messing with the writing. One major transition in a year would be enough, but you know about making plans. You have to have backup plans. Something will go wrong... and that's... Continue Reading →
Let’s Plan Ahead
I was talking with friends (which is in and of itself a really nice thing to be able to do. Real humans! Live! In person, with hugging and everything.) about plans. My plans, my son’s plan for his life... which is a great plan, but as I was pointing out, when you are not-quite sixteen,... Continue Reading →
I’m Late, I’m Late!
I honestly forgot what day it was. I’m on vacation and the days have begun to blur... plus, there are so many cogs whirring in the background I’m beginning to feel like I’m caught inside a clock and time is outside pressing in. I’m being vague, but life is in motion for me, and mine.... Continue Reading →
Beached Writer
Sand between the toes, most higher brain functions turned off. We’re enjoying a week on Padre Island with #1 Daughter, aka the Organizer, and the grandkids. The two-year-old, who is clearly preparing to raid and loot the world, demands shark and alligator videos whenever we’re inside. But the six-year-old has discovered the joy of personalized... Continue Reading →
Hiatus
I'm posting this in advance to be published Thursday afternoon, because I don't expect to be in a position to do anything useful that day. My second knee surgery is happening just before that, and based on the last time, I will still be totally doped up on pain medications come Thursday. Seriously, that stuff... Continue Reading →
When the music dies
“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see... Continue Reading →
A Farewell to a loved and loyal dog
I’m in a somewhat bleak spot – I had to take my dog into the vet for that horrible last trip yesterday. She was the second last of the animals we brought out here from South Africa (one cat survives). That was a ruinously expensive exercise – it cost us about 1/3 of what we... Continue Reading →
Seeing through a glass, darkly
Unhurried imagination. That phrase occurred in a passage Amanda quoted in her Tuesday column, and it… so to speak… caught my imagination. Because that’s not how my imagination – or Amanda’s, to judge from her comments – works. Ha! Imagination should only be so polite as to present itself in long, leisurely segments that fit... Continue Reading →
The Three Roads
The book I'm supposed to be plotting resembles a vast desert sprinkled with various artifacts -- a couple of characters here, some dialogue over there, an enchanted swan in the distance -- with nothing but echoing emptiness between. The part of my mind that's supposed to be dedicated to writing seems to be skittering merrily... Continue Reading →