Dust From a Distant Sun

That meme that's been going around

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:20:45 GMT

Your result for The Fan Fiction Personality Test...

The Mindgamer

Everything is possible, nothing is ever really over.

Fanfiction is a creative outlet for you. You don't intentionally write it, it just happens. You find inspiration in several fandoms, but are not obsessed with only one.

You like to explore "what if" situations. What if this character had never made this very choice? What if this event had taken place sooner, never, elsewhere? What if these people had never met?

You are likely to write Alternative Universes, fan seasons or sequels and just follow your (sometimes pretty strange) plot bunnies.

Take The Fan Fiction Personality Test at OkCupid

Wolfgang story wordcount

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:14:49 GMT

I think I'll have to add another tag for this since I am determined to continue writing my NaNo story until it finishes.

My new wordcount is: 60,025.

Yes! I passed 60K. Plus, I have these scenes in my head to write, such as the main couple painting the nursery in their home, or a wedding. Things are... coming together. I even got a good compliment by email tonight by a reader who asked me if I was going to get this published because she could see it happening. Awwww. :)

Well, no one will publish an incomplete story, so I better get back at it.

So happy new year

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:52:32 GMT

I have an hour and a few minutes left in this first day of 2010 (in my time zone).

Happy New Year! :)

Some people say that the beginning of a new year dictates what the year ahead will be. Well... yesterday involved lots of shopping and visiting friends, and today I was home on the phone with good friends and cleaning my bathroom and closet. So there it is, whatever it is.

I did want to mention that I am still working on my story that began at NaNo. I've shared the story with seven people, but only three got back with any feedback. First was gracie_musica, and her enthusiasm was a godsend to me. It felt like I was sitting on something that was awesome, and I wanted to share the awesomeness with someone who could appreciate it. After that came responses from andyboal and one of my coworkers. All three have been wonderfully encouraging.

One aspect that has amused me greatly is that different characters have clicked with each of them, and at times it surprised me because there are moments when I feel that my most fleshed-out characters are the main character (Wolfgang) and one of his sisters (Sarah). The fact that my other characters seem real to people is a relief!

So I will keep writing on that story to have it done in time to redeem my coupon for a proof copy of the novel. I can do this. I can do this...

Huh?

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:05:51 GMT

What's with all this best of the decade lists? Yes, I know it's 2009 and in a few days it will be 2010, but did Y2K teach us nothing?

The actual end of the decade is 2010. We've got one more year to include in what being a decade is. I don't inherently dislike lists, but this just surprises me.

Typing of lists and memories, I'm not doing a "this was my year" post as I have done at other times. I had a good year. End of story.

Unrelated, and probably grouchy sounding... a few days ago I went through the Burger King drive-thru and ordered a Whopper combo with cheese, no catsup, no onions. When I picked up my order there were all sorts of little ketchup packs in the bag. Um... folks? If I don't want it on my sandwich, I'm probably not going to want it on the side, either.

I'm fairly sure it was included for ease of the employees and the idea that it's better to have it when I don't want it than not have it when I do. But... I just said I didn't want any. So that's a pretty safe assumption, don't you think?

Writer's Block: James Cameron’s AVATAR

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:31:01 GMT

James Cameron’s AVATAR is in theaters today. What about this movie interests you the most?

Sponsored by AVATAR. In theaters December 18. Buy tickets now.

View 257 Answers

At first: Nothing. In fact, I was really confused with this one and the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender. It took me a while to realize they were two distinct movies.

I was not goign to see it, but I finally looked at the trailer.. and that made the difference. It just seemed an adventure story I'd like. Plus, at his best Cameron is a great and satisfying filmmaker.

Read this in today's Dear Abby

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:58:38 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I'm a 43-year-old woman who has never been married. My boyfriend, "Phil" -- with whom I share a wonderful relationship -- has been divorced three times and has made it clear he does not want to marry again.

We're in the process of buying a home together, and I cannot let go of the hope that one day we'll live in it as husband and wife. It has always been my dream to find that one "right" person and settle down. In my eyes, Phil is that special person. I feel cheated that because of his failed marriages my hopes and dreams don't matter.

Phil loves me and is good to me, but I have mixed emotions. I feel that having shared an exclusive relationship for two years and the fact that we are now buying a house together means we should be married. Must I accept the relationship we have? -- DREAM LOVER IN MINNESOTA

===

My first reaction on reading that is GET OUT! Get out now!

Call me cynical if you like, but from my experience those "maybe X person will change" hopes never do become reality. On a related note, it's like we have trouble believing people when they tell us who they are. So if the guy in that scenario says he has no intentions of marrying again, I would believe him instead of hoping for something else.

Alice? Bah, humbug!

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:30:04 GMT

So there's a TV movie Alice on SyFy soon, and there's the also soon Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland.

I feel like I am the only person in the world who simply doesn't like the Alice story. I was telling someone that there are several stories where a good cast has saved me from a product I might not have liked. (Yes, Twilight movies are an example, though an easy one.) I just don't like Alice at all, and not even the Burton awesome cast will convince me otherwise.

New notebook computer

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:10:04 GMT

Yesterday I was stimulating the economy in buying myself a new notebook. I had a few reasons for doing this, but the 2 biggest factors were actually wanting to finish my NaNo story so I could redeem the CreateSpace free proof copy voucher AND that my desktop PC has for a while now been spontaneously turning itself off. That problem might not be as dire as it could be. I haven't noticed a loss of data, but it sure is annoying!

I am not trying to buy everything in sight. I tell myself not to be so spendy, particularly when I have to start my car payments in a week.

For the record, I have never really been a fan of laptops. I find the mice frustrating enough to say "no thanks." It was using an old IBM ThinkPad to write the NaNo that changed my mind. Plus, with only a few hours to get to know my new notebook, I really love it! It's lightweight, pretty, has more computing power than my desktop PC, and the thing that makes me giggle:

It has a remote control.

Seriously. A computer with a remote control. I am SO amused.

Songs I am obsessiong over lately

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:30:09 GMT

"Closer to You" by The Wallflowers or jazz cover by Cassandra Wilson

"Burning House of Love" as covered by Great White but originally by X. (X clip is live, unlike other links)

"Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke

Finished my 50K a few minutes ago.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:50:40 GMT

As far as NaNoWriMo is concerned, I have crossed the finish line with about 9 1/2 days left to spare. No, I am not done with my story. That has been the raging fear... that I was too ambitious for what I wanted in the story and could not complete that in a month. It was really completion of the story that was driving me on because I want to see it get born.

But I'm technically done, so let it be noted as such.

Favorite description of the day (so far)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:35:02 GMT

I have been listening over and over again to Jakob Dylan's "Closer to You", performed either by The Wallflowers or Cassandra Wilson. I've always liked this song, but this week I REALLY like this song.

I was telling someone about Jakob and how he's a good-looking man. Supporting that is a quote from a recent Times Online article:

a sternly handsome man, whose perfect jawline and chiselled cheekbones seem designed by a Mills & Boon committee

Well, hot damn! [Read the article: here]

Article from People magazine about sexiest rockstar here (It's a jpg. Am trying to be considerate of flists.)

Mostly NaNo related with a side of emo

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:09:04 GMT

So I've got a secondary character in my NaNovel who drinks lots of milk. I never knew this about the character until Friday night, but for some reason it totally made sense. He manipulates electricity and has to restore the internal electrolytes in his body with milk. It made sense to me on Friday night, and I thought I was freakin' brilliant.

Except I've single-handedly decimated a gallon of milk (sans about one glass full) over the weekend. Yeah... that's taking thoughts of my character a bit far, I think. At least he wasn't a murdering druggie.

The other thing is that thanks to gracie_musica, I now have lots of new music, and over the weekend I was playing Panic! At the Disco, particularly "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." I've always liked the song, but now I have the song. And repeat. And repeat.

I should pair that song with Fall Out Boy's "Fame < Infamy" and just have a dancing good time. They both put me into that unthinking zone of "feel this and move!"

Oh, and my NaNo has passed 38K. There is a possibility that I could be done (with the 50K) before the next write-in on Saturday. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll be done with the story. Waa waa!

Yeah, go ahead and say it. You know you want to. "Go and cry in the corner, emo kid."

I can stay in that corner, too, because I have two young relatives whose birthdays have passed (the 8th and 15th), and even though I bought cards ahead of time, I forgot to send them. Way to be a responsible auntie.

Pearl Jamming

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:04:35 GMT

A few weeks ago I bought Pearl Jam's Backspacer from Target. I think it was the day after I got my new car, actually. I hadn't listened to it really until yesterday. I like the album, and it's the first one of theirs for me to own. The other songs I know are just the singles.

Now here's the thing: I love the song "The Fixer." The more I listen to it, the more I think it's the perfect little pop song in 3 minutes. I think a song like that is what songwriters aim for. Tim Finn, a round about friend of Eddie Vedder's, had discussed such things when going into one of his more recent albums.

Taylor Swift

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:18:25 GMT

She's a pretty young woman (old girl? she's only 19...), but even though I think she's pretty, I also think she's strange looking. It's very odd. Whenever I see her face, she also reminds me a bit of a chipmunk or possibly feline with squinty crossed eyes. It's very strange to me to see her and feel both "pretty!" and "something's not quite right..."

Random observation inspired by this article: Swift Wins 2nd BMI Award for Top Song

Hey, look what I just got to work!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:38:45 GMT

Cool beans, huh?

Nano update

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:26:37 GMT

My word count is now over 20K. For those of you paying attention, that means I've completed 40% of the total goal in one week.

Yeah... I'm tired and sore and going to bed.

Good.
Night.

Fumblerules

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:45:31 GMT

Before I get to the fumblerules, let me post a day early and wish a Happy Birthday to soniabunny. I hope it's fantastic! :D

.

And now.... Fumblerules.

Since I'm in a writing mode for the month, I came across this yesterday while looking up the word "obfuscate". My NaNo main character is a lawyer, so he'll definitely be using obfuscation. Then I came to these funny rules of grammar. Enjoy them, and laugh because you understand them.

1. Make sure each pronoun agrees with their antecedent.
2. Just between you and I, the case of pronoun is important.
3. Watch out for irregular verbs which have crope into English.
4. Verbs has to agree in number with their subjects.
5. Don't use no double negatives.
6. Being bad grammar, a writer should not use dangling modifiers.
7. Join clauses good like a conjunction should.
8. A writer must be not shift your point of view.
9. About sentence fragments.
10. Don't use run-on sentences you got to punctuate them.
11. In letters essays and reports use commas to separate items in series.
12. Don't use commas, which are not necessary.
13. Parenthetical words however should be enclosed in commas.
14. Its important to use apostrophes right in everybodys writing.
15. Don't abbrev.
16. Check to see if you any words out.
17. In the case of a report, check to see that jargonwise, it's A-OK.
18. As far as incomplete constructions, they are wrong.
19. About repetition, the repetition of a word might be real effective repetition - take, for instance the repetition of Abraham Lincoln.
20. In my opinion, I think that an author when he is writing should definitely not get into the habit of making use of too many unnecessary words that he does not really need in order to put his message across.
21. Use parallel construction not only to be concise but also clarify.
22. It behooves us all to avoid archaic expressions.
23. Mixed metaphors are a pain in the neck and ought to be weeded out.
24. Consult the dictionery to avoid mispelings.
25. To ignorantly split an infinitive is a practice to religiously avoid.
26. Last but not least, lay off cliches.

Quoted from: http://www.yaelf.com/aueFAQ/miffmblrlsdntsndbl.shtml
There is another set on the page if you want to click through.

Grammarian rant

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:14:00 GMT

A few times in the past few days, I have seen people writing "peaked" when the proper word should have been "piqued." It bugged me because it's both wrong, and I had assumed the individuals writing these sentences knew better. Not quite.

So, here's my sharing moment, thanks to peak/peek/pique.

It is tempting to think that your attention might be aroused to a high point by “peaking” your curiosity; but in fact, “pique” is a French word meaning “prick,” in the sense of “stimulate.” The expression has nothing to do with “peek,” either. Therefore the expression is “my curiosity was piqued.”

An amazing number of people write about “mountain peeks.” A peak is a summit; a peek is a glimpse.

Okay, I feel somewhat better now. Carry on, this time armed with correct grammar.

Nano day 3

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:46:19 GMT

I am over 8K words right now, which puts me a little ahead of the game, and I'd like to write again before I go to bed. I have some ideas just tickling my brain.

What I learned today: I'm talking too much and describing too much. It's not that it isn't important, but I'm predicting that the final product may get reorganized. How about some more plot to my plot instead of all that internal think-y stuff?

I also learned that if I'm bored, I should end the scene as quickly as possible and go write something else. I'm going on the assumption that if it bores me, it will be that much worse for whoever may eventually read this.

Plus, I had my main character's family all acting like stupid idiots because I as a writer couldn't decide for them how to solve the problem. Not a fault of the characters but a fault of me. So I ended the scene with the main character going to to outside to play football with his nephew as a way to let off steam while the grown-ups figured it out later and "off screen".

Nano day 2

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:01:32 GMT

Before hanging up my proverbial pen, I reached 6,421 words. I only aimed for the modest daily average, so these extra words are helpful. So far so good at taking the advice not to delete or let your inner editor out.

One of the exercises we did on Saturday at the kickoff party was to write our inner editors on a card and hand them over to our Municipal Leader, Tasha. I wrote my self doubt thoughts on there, the things that had been attacking me in October when I even thought to participate. Those thoughts have tried to come back, but the fact that I have symbolically handed them over to someone else has been liberating. "No, I don't have to deal with this any more." And I move on and am getting a nice, respectable word count.

And now for some bass. I practice some, wrote some, and now... practice more.

Nano madness begins

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:02:48 GMT

On Saturday (which still feels like today but isn't), I went to my local NaNoWriMo kickoff party and had a great time with the people there. I even found a few who really do live close to me instead of in the big town where we'll all meet.

Talking with everyone was great and it was a reminder in a way of how it was for me to be in the Honors Program surrounded by talented, intelligent and creative people in all sorts of disciplines.

For my first timed writing, I wrote 903 words in 20 minutes. I'm going to live and die by my kitchen timer this month. If I can sustain that level of productivity, and I am under no such delusion that I can, that means I could theoretically finish this novel in 18.5 hours.

Just some fun with numbers for you.

I'm going to go do something else and then come back and do another timed sprint. If I'm lucky enough, I will have my daily minimum done by sleeping. That would be awesome.

Writers and Car news

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:37:03 GMT

I just found out I share my birthday with Leo Leonni. I already knew I shared my birthday with the co-author of The Communist manifesto, Karl Marx, but finding out Leonni is also very cool. I really loved his book A Color of His Own. It's a children's book with a great story about self-acceptance, and it also teaches colors.

For the car thing, I'm just loving it. It makes me very happy right now. I was discussing this with my friend Joe, and it went somthing like...

Me: I love my car... *blah blah blah, stuff about how new car is so awesome*
Joe, channelling inner 4th grader: If you love it, then why don't you marry it?
Me, later when it wasn't as funny any more: Because that's not legal in the state of Louisiana!

I have a car with OnStar, and the car itself has its own phone number. Joe tried and succeeded in calling me while I was driving down the road. It was so cool. I was listening to the radio, and then suddenly, the radio muted so the call could come in. The only bad thing is that it works like a cell phone. No matter that he initiated it, it ate up my minutes. So it's a lot of "OMG, that's so cool!" with very tiny bit of "bah humbug" about the minutes.

I wonder if Verison has cheap prepaid plans. I will have to investigate, particularly since even in the most remote areas I've been able to send and receive calls with my car. I tell you, all the voice commands remind me something right out of Star Trek. "Computer! Calculate the distance to Baton Rouge..."

New car smell

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:53:36 GMT

So... I bought a new car today. Got a 2009 Pontiac G5 and drove it off the lot with only 41 miles on it before it was mine. It's awesome.

My family always teased me I'd drive my car until it fell apart, and that's what happened with my Ford Focus. I was on my way to church on Wednesday, and it just gave up the ghost. I had no power up a small incline, and when I pulled over to the shoulder it was deader than dead.

I got a great rate financing, and my monthly payments are below $300. I'm all ways of pleased. I may even have to post pictures of the new baby.

Story I wrote

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:36:58 GMT

Had the pleasure of talking online to a friend of mine, and after telling her about my intended NaNo adventure, I looked through an old file of stories I had. I found one I'd forgotten I wrote. Just a short one about a man named Andrew and his prized photo album.

I didn't remember that I'd written it, so reading it again really did feel like using fresh eyes. It's not too bad for a quick short. I'll post it after a cut.

===

In the wings the dancers gather, and the actors move between them finding their places. The traveling company is in the normal disarray and confusion before start of the show that they bring to the people. They see a new town nearly every night. Home and family is a distant memory except for those reminders they bring with them.

For one woman, it is a locket with pictures of her children inside. For another, there is a child’s toy that he keeps to remind him of his family. Still there is another man who has a photo album that appears almost ordinary in that life, yet it is not.

The man, the leader of the acting troupe, scarred by experience and years, gives his all to entertain. If he were a clown, he’d offer smiles to all and hide his tears inside. He does what he must simply because it is what he must. Anything less than his best is not acceptable, so he goes on.

In his quiet moments, he reflects. He reflects with the album. Within are photographs of the troupe and of him with the woman he loves. No one else knows of this love for her for he can’t declare it yet. He bides his time. Maybe at the next show or the tour in the following season. He must wait. But while he waits, he watches.

His eyes look lovingly at the album, and his fingers stroke the pages of paper that was once smooth. He has touched the paper so much, he knows it as well as he would know the contours of his lover’s skin. With his eyes, looks at the photos, whimsically wondering if it would be possible for the photographs to fade from overexposure to the eyes. If he looks too much, will the images go away? That only makes him want to watch even more to guard into memory against that day should it ever happen.

He only looks when he thinks he’s alone, not allowing other people to intrude upon the ceremony of his memory. Not willing other people to have a sway on his emotions because he already knows that which gives the greatest pull. It is the woman he sees, and it was her that made the book for him, such an innocent gift that touched his heart beyond words that could or should be said.

The others around him know and make jokes at his expense, but they quiet when he is near. It is him that the audience comes to see. If his ritual helps him act his part to perfection, the rest of his troupe dare not fuss too much. Some lines are not crossed, though they are danced near with flirtatious glee.

As the time to begin nears, the stage manager walks to the door and knocks. Hearing nothing from the dressing room inside, he knocks again louder and lets himself into the room.

“Time to take your place, Andrew,” he admonishes.

Looking up from the album with his tired eyes, the master actor takes a moment to adjust to the lighting in the room. He’d been too focused on the images, and putting his loved ones into memory. Andrew blinks back to put his thoughts into rights. Yes, the show must go on as all in their craft say.

He walks to the wings to find his mark, and before he knows it, the play begins. In the audience she is there for real, one of the performances she tried to reach. For him. And he knows it, and it makes his world right somehow. For the time he is under the lights, all is well knowing she is there.

But when the lights dim, he waits. They both wait with the only comfort between time being sheets of paper that have been caressed unto submission and the photographs that lie there waiting to release their spirits.

Stuff

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:01:41 GMT

Sang karaoke for the first time tonight. I did Journey's "Who's Cryin' Now" and The Beatles' "Ob La Di, Ob La Da".

My bass teacher and I had a conversation today in which he opened the veil a little bit. It was nice, and I thanked him for the privilege of having a truly personal glimpse. I also pointed out what I know to be true about things between us, proving once again that eventually stuff I think about him and "us" will eventually be said to him.

I'm going ahead with the NaNoWriMo for 2009. I've been finishing one nearly novel-length fanfiction as a warm-up for the real thing. Today I hit the wall, and it's been a week. Maybe this is what it feels like for the 2nd week of NaNo. I felt ornery and angry about the whole story-making endeavor.

I did get a laptop from work to write my story on. I'm actually enjoying using it for the first time in ever. Usually have no patience for using built-in laptop mouse pads, and that translates itself to frustration with a laptop as a whole. This one is a really nice IBM.

I told myself that if I did NaNo I would not allow my bass playing to suffer. For that reason, I've been quite diligent in the playing. My flaky home internet connection has actually helped in that regard. I have time to do lots of interesting things when I'm not mindlessly surfing the internet. We've heard it before, and it's true for me.

Oh, for NaNo, I've been doing some research, and I think my lead character is a conscientious objector. Remembering that, I went to look up e.e. cummings's poem "I sing of Olaf glad and big". It was one of my favorite poems from when I was in university English. I found this literary analysis of the poem in the databases through my library (yay, knowing how to do research!)

"It may be difficult, given its contemporary currency, for today's readers to perceive the visceral impact of the word "Fuck" that Cummings drops at the end of this stanza, but needless to say, at the time the poem was published (three years before Joyce's Ulysses won its obscenity trial and beat back the censors), anyone of delicate sensibilities not already inflamed by Cummings' anti-hero would have been standing at full attention."

The bolding above is mine. I realize that's an official analysis, but that is really bad writing. Come on. If it's truly "needless to say," the statement would not have been there in the first place. So really, that was a dumb and backwards way to point out "we really need to say this in case you didn't know it already."

Lastly, I've got some new music. Two weeks ago I bought Madonna's 2 disc edition of Celebration, and it's a great collection of her hits. The only song I'd put on there that isn't already is "Human Nature", maybe even "Causing a Commotion", but otherwise it's truly like all the best in one place, even hard to find songs from movies.

Yesterday I got Lady Gaga's The Fame. It's a fun album, but I like her singles best because that's what I know. I don't care for the song "Brown Eyes," though. It totally doesn't fit the rest of the album. It turns out I really like the songs "Just Dance" and "Paparazzi" even if the lyrics are suspect at best. I'd been seeing a lyric quote from "Paparazzi" for a while now but only within the last few days found out the song it was from. Here I'd been thinking it was sad and desperate, which it is, but not on behalf of the person who'd been quoting it.

Also, I was driving really fast when listening to this dance music. Thankfully, no tickets and I slowed down and acted more cautiously.