Thanks for stopping. Another picture…another 100 words.
Workouts usually cleared Sonya’s cluttered mind of garbage, but today it made it worse. How was she going to decide between the two men? One had the power and promise to save her people and her lands. The other had untapped potential and pulled at more than her heart. She didn’t dare risk everything her family died for. What could she possibly get back in return?
Love
Nonsense. It was known throughout the lands, only the weak choose love. A fat ugly tear rolled down her cheek and splashed on the table. Somehow she knew, love required more than strength.
Hope you enjoyed my flash today!! Don’t forget to follow the link to get to the other FFF posts. Flasher Fiction Friday. Or click away on the links below.
Happy Six Sunday. Thanks for visiting and I’d love to know what you think!! I’m continuing this week with another 6 from my Novella WIP. Last week: over the last two weeks actually, Jake has been rolling out his plan. Lydia has been anything but scared away. This week: they’ve just made plans to go back to her place…after they get their work done. He’s taken hold of her hand and it’s taken both of their attentions.
A humming filled her whole body with contentment. She felt at home in his firm grip. His thumb caressed the back of her hand. Her knees threatened to soften, but her shoulders straightened fueling her strength.
She tugged on his hand and dragged him back to the table. “Let’s get back to work so we can get out of here.”
I like the way she thinks. Thank you so much for stopping by today!! I’d like to know what you really think of my 6. I need the advice, I’m a newbie and have much to learn. I have good news to share. I sent this WIP I’ve been sharing to my friend for its first non-me read through. YEAH!! Gosh I hope she likes it. I’ll let you know.
Don’t forget to check out the other Six Sunday authors. Lots of good stuff at Six Sunday. Try to find a new favorite today. happy hunting!
The 2nd round of 80-days in 2012 is almost done. How did I let so much time slip through my fingers? The project manager in me is telling me to start on lessons learned. Sure I worked my way through my to-do list each week, but I’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. Next round I’m going to need to make longer range plans and create my weekly goals to keep me on schedule. I started my novella towards the end of January and I’m still working on it –>grumpy face. Oh, wait, I have happy news to share!
Just last night I finished the edits I knew I wanted to make. I did one more read through and…sent it to my friend to read. Squee!! But not so fast, loads of tasks got pushed aside this week in order to get my edits done and now there is only one more full week left in this round.
It’s time to dig in and get as much done as we can.
The Goals – week-10 results
Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done
Write 2,000 words each week– not done, only 180 words were added, but again countless words were cut. I was in editing hell once again this week.
Spend time editing at least 2-times each week– done! I spent 3-days editing this week. I was at my in-laws for 3-days this week too so I’m thrilled I got as much done as I did.
Finish reading current craft book and start another– no progress this week, total bummer. I still plan on starting a new craft book before this round ends. WEEK-11 PRIORITY
Participate in Before You Hit Send Self-Editing Workshop in April– the workshop is over and I’ve incorporated what I’ve learned.
Turn 2nd-draft chapters to my writer friend for her critique– DONE!! ~~~happy dance~~~
Workout a minimum of 200-minutes a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit– I was out of town 3-days this week, so my workout schedule got raked over. I kept to my water, sleep and calorie goals, but I only got in 2-workouts. WEEK-11 PRIORITY
Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week (the 52-moves is like the ballet bar for Nia lovers): Front Kick. Lift your thigh, tucking your heel in toward your buttocks into Ready Position. Look in the direction you intend to kick. With your hands at heart level and your palms flexed, kick your foot out and to the front. IMPORTANT TIP: Push down into the earth with the supporting foot, and use your hands and arms to maintain vertical alignment and balance. Keep your supporting leg unlocked and spring loaded. Benefits: builds balance, coordination, confidence, and strength.
Finish the. Sanjana bars and start the Opal bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)– No progress this week, total bummer WEEK-11 PRIORITY
Listen to the Nia sound track for the Sanjana routine each week and add Opal when I get to their bars– done
Plan out and start participating in the last of my needed continuing education credits for PMP certification– I’m going to need to do 4-hours a week of education all summer long to get it all done before my certification comes up for renewal. I’ve known this was coming and I’m not looking forward to it. I’ll start my training this week. WEEK-11 PRIORITY
Lots of good and lots of bad. I’ll keep moving forward. I would be pleased to see my movement go a bit faster though. But nothing really should get me down this week. I got my WIP off to my CP!!
Back to my regular patterns this week. I have writing links for you and a music pick from Jeff. The video is a funny clip from Fred Armisen’s show “Portlandia”
The coolest thing: Kristen Lamb you are awesome! She has created a place for writers to not be alone 😉 you can chat with other writers in your genre and it’s a place to learn from WRITERS. Hurry, click away, come back to my list later I Bring You…A Gift–A New Era for the Digital Age Artist
“Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood” by St. Vincent, from the album “Actor”
St. Vincent is actually Annie Clark. I think she got her break playing with the Polyphonic Spree. She’s a wonderful singer/songwriter/guitarist.
Her music is so interesting to me. I can hear the influences, but the way in which she stirs them up and spits them out is very unique to her. I think it starts with her guitar style and musical knowledge. She’s not the average singer/songwriter nor is she the average guitarist.
I’ve heard that she writes the tunes on the guitar and then deconstructs them in the studio. I really like that idea and the end result. Sometimes it can be a little too out there for me but then, after a few listens, I’m back in again. That’s the point, it seems – draw the listener in right away but also give us something to discover over time. I think all truly great music does this.
I’ve also seen some clips of her playing her songs stripped down to just voice and acoustic guitar. It’s clear that all the studio production is merely a means to create interesting layers to already great tunes.
Plus, she has Matt Johnson (Jeff Buckley’s drummer) on drums. Musically, you can’t go wrong with that guy in your band!
Thanks for stopping. Another picture…another 100 words.
“You will tell me where she is.”
“Never”
“Don’t be so sure. Not many are capable of withstanding my techniques.” She dragged the frozen cube along his throat inflaming the part of him that would never be human.
“You don’t know me anymore. You don’t know what Leah and I share. You sent me back here, you knew the risks.” When she didn’t reply he continued. “I love her.”
“Foolishness. Even if what you say is true, Leah wouldn’t love you.” She stepped back and watched his body flourish as he thought of her. “No, it can’t be.”
“It can.”
Hope you enjoyed my flash today!! Don’t forget to follow the link to get to the other FFF posts. Flasher Fiction Friday. Or click away on the links below.
Happy Six Sunday. Thanks for visiting and I’d love to know what you think!! I’m continuing this week with another 6 from my Novella WIP. Last week: Jake started to roll out his plan. He scolded, stalked, & invaded her space and did any of it scare Lydia? Hell no, she asked if there was anything else. This week: we pick up with the very next 6.
And there it was again, his eyes darkened into deep erotic pools of promise. She wanted to watch his eyes for the rest of eternity. Heat rolled off his body, seeped into her, and pulled her closer. His hand, still under her chin, snaked around to cup her nape locking her in place. Her breasts pressed into his chest, there was no denying her need to be touched. He removed the last bit of space between them and pressed his hard length into her belly.
Thank you so much for stopping by today!! I’d like to know what you really think of my 6. I need the advice, I’m a newbie and have much to learn. Don’t forget to check out the other Six Sunday authors. Lots of good stuff at Six Sunday. Try to find a new favorite today. happy hunting!
Since I joined ROW80 at the beginning of this year I’ve been working on my schedule or more succinctly, not getting distracted. There are so many distractions, some good, some necessary, and some should be warded against. I’m glad I’ve been working on this since my schedule is about to get frickin chaotic. The first thought: it will be impossible to do it all, there’s no way. But what would I cut from the schedule. There will be no more time spent going down that rabbit hole. Sometimes super busy can be a good thing. Since I don’t want to lose my mind, I will need to stay on point and keep distractions in their place. As soon as I started thinking: I can do this…the dark clouds broke up. But now I got to get busy putting my plans together or else these check-ins are going to get ugly.
It’s time to cut the fat and let priorities reign.
The Goals – week-9 results
Spend at least 1-hour a day with my characters- done
Write 2,000 words each week– not done, only 964 words were added, but countless words were cut. I was in editing hell this week. Plotting for the next two MS has begun, so no more excuses WEEK-10 PRIORITY
Spend time editing at least 2-times each week– done! I spent 5-days editing this week, but it’s still not ready to send to my friend. I want it sent by the end of next week. WEEK-10 PRIORITY
Finish reading current craft book and start another– spent more time here again this week, but I’m not done yet
Participate in Before You Hit Send Self-Editing Workshop in April– the workshop is over. I keep revisiting my notes though
Turn 2nd-draft chapters to my writer friend for her critique– The above says 5-days spent editing, but on each of those days I could have done more. Until yesterday, during each editing session I let ugly thoughts bog me down. How many stages of editing grief are there?
Workout a minimum of 200-minutes a week and round it out with plenty of water, sleep and my calorie limit– I got just under 200-minutes this week and everything else was good…almost done.
Study one of the Nia 52-moves each week (the 52-moves is like the ballet bar for Nia lovers): Fast Clock. Begin by marching in place in the center of an imaginary clock on the floor. Use the clock like a map. Step out to a number on the clock and immediately to a new number. For example: step in the center of your clock > step forward to 12:00 >step back to 6:00 > step to the side to either 3:00 or 9:00 > step back to the center. Gradually increase your speed and keep your shoulders and arms relaxed. Benefits: improves stamina, agility, coordination, and the ability to move and breathe faster
Finish the. Sanjana bars and start the Opal bars (i.e. studying the song/movement structure)– My mirror notes are looking good. It’s time to finish the bars for the last couple of songs in the routine.
Listen to the Nia sound track for the Sanjana routine each week and add Opal when I get to their bars– done
Plan out and start participating in the last of my needed continuing education credits for PMP certification– Two weeks ago I made big progress here and these last two weeks nothing. However, I’m going to sacrifice this task again this week in an attempt to make a final push on the WIP
In an effort to keep my spirits up, I’m including some pictures from my gardens. Hope they brighten your Sunday.
My list is a little short this week, but the links are prime grade A stuff. I’m changing things up this week as well and giving my hubs a break. Please let me know what kind of inspiration the video at the bottom gives you.
There is a theme this week and it’s hitting home with me. How are you sitting in your writing life? Do you need to be reminded of a few of these things too?
Jeff will be back next week with a new music pick. This week I wanted to celebrate the start of So You Think You Can Dance season 9. It’s going to be another tremendous season, but I wanted to share one of my all time favorites from the show. Chelsie and Mark from season 4 performing NappyTabs “Bleeding Love,” this is their finale performance. Chelsie is now on Dancing with the Stars and Mark is the head dancer for Lady Gaga.
I love many things about dance, but the best part has got to be the story telling. The cross over link for me between my dancing and my writing is the story. NappyTab’s choreography here is superb, but it’s the way Chelsie and Mark feel the story through every cell in their body. The title is Bleeding Love and that’s exactly how I feel by the end.
I hope you enjoy their performance AND I hope it inspires you to write.
Happy Six Sunday. Thanks for visiting and I’d love to know what you think!! I’m continuing this week with another 6 from my Novella WIP. Last week: Jake created his fool proof plan, or was it an excuse to touch Lydia again? Men, got to love ‘um. This week: as Lydia walks back into the room Jake is waiting for her and accuses her of holding out on the team. He tells her she can come to him with anything and he stalks towards her. She agrees to be honest next time.
“That’s all I’m asking for.” He stopped in front of her and tilted her chin up with his finger.
“Next time I’ll come to you.” She searched his eyes for they seemed to be saying more. She bit her lower lip and held her breath in an attempt to hold onto the shared moment. “Is there anything else, Jake?”
Thank you so much for stopping by today!! I’d like to know what you really think of my 6. I need the advice, I’m a newbie and have much to learn. Don’t forget to check out the other Six Sunday authors. Lots of good stuff at Six Sunday. Try to find a new favorite today. happy hunting!
Happy Saturday! What? It’s Memorial weekend? OMG, what am I doing inside. I have weeding to do, plants to put in the garden, roses to train, books to read, a MS to edit…and more blogs to read 🙂 I have a pretty collection for you today and don’t forget to listen to Jeff’s music selection today. You won’t regret this listen, it’s powerful.
Alan Chin posted this week Writing Tip #36 Story Starter Questions. Very interesting collection of 12-questions. A quick test to see if your plot is missing something.
Janice Hardy at The Other Side of the Story had a brilliant line at the beginning of her post on plots this week: “The house is story. Decorating is plot.” Loved the rest of the post too Author, We Have a Problem: 4 Tips on Plotting Your Novel
Dialogue
Writers It The Storm had Tiffany Lawson Inman yesterday!! Dialogue is King
Vickie Motter from Navigating the Slush Pile described the points of the pitch and how it’s different from your query: May Conferences: The Verbal Pitch. Don’t miss her next post either for help with the twitter pitch Speaking of pitching…
Social Media
Ashley Barron added another post in a series and this one includes hashtag strategy #helpful 🙂 Blogging: Twitter & The Hashtag
This is a tune called “Surely” from the group Black Dub. It’s Daniel Lanois’ passion project. He’s a super famous producer (U2, Bob Dylan, the list goes on and on) known for his warm and unique sounds. He’s also a great guitarist, songwriter, and singer.
He formed this group after he heard the singer, Trixie Whitley, during a recording session. Her father was a famous singer/guitarist/songwriter named Chris Whitley who, sadly, passed away several years ago. It’s clear that she has music in her blood – an incredible talent.
The drummer is one of my absolute faves, Brian Blade. He became known as a jazz player but has since played with quite a vast array of artists (Seal, Joni Mitchell, etc…). He has his own groups – a jazz group where he plays drums and a solo outfit where he sings, writes the tunes and plays guitar. He’s an unbelievable musician!
So, you can see that with this sort of line up the music is going to be amazing, and it really is! With all of these unique voices they still have such a great group sound. I think they record live together most of time which is very cool and a bit of a lost art. I think it really comes through on the record – a live vibe, real musicians reacting and playing together in the moment.
S.J. Maylee 