Meandering Maunderings

So on one of the NaNo communities someone asked about killing a character- the writer wasn't sure she (I'm guessing she, I could be wrong) wanted to do that because she was getting attached to said character.

The overwhelming response was 'Kill her!' Wow, writers are mean.

But I do agree with the assessment. Bad things seem to happen to plots when the writer gets to be a bit too in love with her characters, and thus can't let necessary to the story things happen. It was just funny to read responses like 'Kill Your Baby' and 'Kill your darlings.'

One of the reasons that I have problems watching a lot of TV shows is simply lazy writing. By that I mean- fact check people, it's not that hard. I don't blame the actors- generally they're trying to do their best with the material given to them.

If you haven't watched Season Three of House, MD, and you plan to, I suggest you stop reading.

( Anne's Rant )

I guess it irritates me so much because of all the writers I know- in real life and on LJ- who do spend time trying to make sure their facts are straight. That look to find out details so that they don't throw their readers out due to a 'Huh, what? that's wrong.'

*grumbles* I'll still watch House, but I will be SO glad when this stupid storyline about the cop is resolved.

So two of my current Shiny!! distractions are in form of DVD- namely the Connections series with James Burke, and the BBC's Planet Earth.

Connections is just fun. I remember seeing an episode back in high school- and several of my classmates commenting on how boring it was. This confused me as I thought James Burke was really, really funny.

Planet Earth has some jaw droppingly beautiful footage. Some of the places they capture don't look like they could be on Earth! I haven't seen all of the episodes yet, but so far there have been at least one 'Oh, my God!' utterance. Watching the Planet Earth Diaries about each episode is fun as it shows the filming, and the challenges therein. Like trying to FIND the piranha in order to film the feeding frenzy, or having a male polar bear deciding that your camp looked like a good place to hang out.

They're both useful in providing 'Oooh hey!' moments that lead to ideas for various stories. The ideas don't always lead anywhere... but the mental exercise is good, yeah?

On that end, I have actually been working on re-working my NaNovel about Chris and Claire, rather consistently even! The paragraphs that ilona_andrews has been dissecting have been very useful. I'm been keeping her advice in mind and looking at my own writing, and hopefully the changes I'm making are improvements. I've been making the hubby read the various revisions, and he has indicated that the changes are good. The opener is certainly less chaotic, involving far fewer point of view changes.

Now the goal, to continue working it, keep the magic of the story going, and finish it! Or at least, finish part one and get part two up and running.

Bleah, I'm sick and I don't like it. Which seems to be a common thread on my FL these days. I actually stayed home from work today! *gasps in shock* just couldn't manage to drag myself in. Considering that I then slept the entire morning away, I would say that my taking the time off was needed. Sasha was thrilled- she had a lap to sleep the morning away on! At least I made someone happy!

Other than that, not much to report. The husband isn't feeling all that great at the moment, luckily he only have to work tonight and tomorrow, and then he has 6 days off. This whole working three days, having six off is pretty nice. Though the 12 hour overnight shifts are a pain. Apparently this nursing this is working out for him- he's already had a couple patients (and their families) request that he be their nurse when he's working. He's also charge nurse many nights. Now if only it weren't nights. *grins*

Now I just need to figure out what to do with myself. My secretarial job is... lacking. I do like the people I work with- they are amusing in many ways. The work itself... not brain challenging. But in his economy- I'm very grateful to HAVE a job! So I won't whine about my current employment. I just need to work on getting to where I want to be.

For years and years I always thought that what I wanted to be was a writer. When I was 9 and we got our first computer- an Apple IIe- I plunked my little self down and pounded away at the keyboard. I was writing my stories, and learning how to type in the meantime. I still don't type 'properly', I have no clue about that whole 'home row' or whatever. But I do pretty well even so. However, I took a long break from writing after college, and only in the last few years have I tried to pick it up again.

What I need to do is imply carve out more of the time I'm currently wasting for writing. I think I'll write the motto 'it can be fixed later' onto the backs of my hands so that I keep getting reminded. Then of course I'll have to actually go back and do the fixing...

One of the issues I get frustrated about is the concept of smart people doing stupid things. I hate reading it, or seeing it in movies/on tv, and I don't want to do that in my own writing. However, sometimes smart people DO do stupid things, for a variety of reasons. I also get terribly frustrated by 'bad guys' who are bad simply because they're bad. In my own writing- I seem to have a hard time just coming up with bad guys.

I know that characters can't be perfect, that they have to make mistakes. Interesting stories are not made up of people always making the right decisions, and always having things work out. At the same time, the idea of characters always making the wrong decisions/conclusions makes me want to throw a story across the room! I know they can't always be right, but do they always have to be wrong? I guess the moral is, I just need to write and see what happens. Along the way I'll learn more about writing, plot building, and all that stuff. ;)

Wow, this entry started off as a simple update, and wandered off into my musing about writing. Neat.

Folks, with the weather advisory- it's looking like it's going to make more sense to cancel again... I would really like to see people, but I'm also really tired from a mostly lousy weekend. :(

I just put up a suggestion on the Nano Forums that we hold off on any 'official' meetings until Jan 5th, though we can keep the reservations at GW and meet if we want to (before the 5th). ;)


Thoughts?

So... last night was a NaNo-Write in. I got to Schuler's at just about 7pm, which I had lsited as being the start time. It was lucky I was there on time since I had my last PT appointment at 6 pm. I get there, and rearranged the tables, with the manager's permission. Then ordered dinner, sat and waited... got my food, and waited. I was beginning to feel very self-conscious when reynai showed up. Little while later lordling showed up, so I didn't feel so bad reserving space for 10 people. (three others came later, including kindachang )

It was a very successful chat-in, not so successful write in. Did NOT get many words in yesterday. Will have to remedy this. At least we have the loooooong write in tomorrow at the Internets Cafe, that should really help.

Hmm, I just got my 'daily Chinese horoscope e-mailed- my horoscope for today? " "

Is that bad?

Involved many, many NaNo words. Friday was the kick off party- and was much fun, though I have hoped to have more people, and I was fighting a nasty migraine most of the night. Things got worse when I got home. :(

Saturday, much writing. Sunday, much writing- this time lazycatsteve and I were joined at our home by zen_kitty and donuthunter. That was a lot of fun. :) We very rarely have people over, so the animals didn't quite know what to make of it at first. *laughs* But eventually Kyle settled down, and we sat around talking, laughing, and even doing some writing. By the end of the evening, however, my wrists were threatening to walk off on their own if I didn't give them a chance to rest! I am very proud of my hubby for writing as well. So far am loving his story!


See: Many words



Still not quite feeling 100% and I don't know what's up with that. :(

Oh, I did find a whole bunch of people from elementary school on Facebook. Including the guy I had a HUGE crush on for I think the entirety of my time there. I sent him a friends request- which he has already accepted. :) So not only do I find him, but I see that he's in LA. I dig a bit deeper and it seems he's an actor. This leads me to check IMBD- and he's got a profile! He's been working bit roles for the last 10 years, including an episode of Gilmore Girls! He's cute too. *laughs* It just amazes me that someone I went to elementary school is living in LaLa land as a working actor! He was always the star of our school plays though...


In other news, there's not much other news. Just back at work, and feeling sorry for my poor Claire character. The story just started and already she's having a bad couple of days.

Hey, look- dragons!
Firstly- an as-yet-unamed MALE Red Sox Dorkface! :) It's taken me way too long to get a red male dragon- and this one is thanks to zen_kitty! :)

Vampire Eggs:

more animals

I need an arctic fox icon...
(please note the above fox is NOT an arctic fox, it just reminded me...)

Michigan weather is doing it's thing- which means for the second day in a row I woke up with a migraine. Zomig to the rescue! Feeling much better now, but so tired! I did NOT sleep well last night, and in addition to the migraine I woke up grumpy.

Okay, so I had a mini-meltdown last night right at bedtime. I told hubby I just wanted to have a good cry. He told me to go ahead if I wanted and that he would hold me. (Do I have a great guy or what?) I didn't want to, really, because that leads to stuffy noses and headaches. But I ended up doing so anyway. And of course ended up with a stuffy nose and headache. There was one plus- after I quieted hubby realized he forgot to set coffee up for this morning...

I tend to cry when I get frustrated. And I've had several little frustrations pile on top of each other and... yeah, hello tears! I think I got most of it out of my system last night. A 'good cry' can be cathartic. So no worries about me- I'm better now (though first thing this morning... not so good. ;) ).

Not sleeping well, and migraine meds added together make for a sleepy kitty. Good thing lunch is coming up- I may be able to snag a 15 minute nap. For some reason they have a problem with me doing these things at work. I don't get it. ;)


In other, positive news, I'm actually feeling writing creative again, this is a big plus. The Chris/Claire story has much to do with that. I've been focusing more on Claire lately (as those who read sashegrey have seen) so it may be time to give Chris some attention. Though should that be Chris from before or after? (this makes sense if you're me. ;) )

Hmm, hubby starts a three-evenings-in-a-row work series tonight. This means I won't see much of him this weekend. Which is never happy making. I may have to wander to the bookstore or internets cafe and do some writing on Saturday (so as to not disturb his sleeping).

Sasha was also being adorable last night. She kept trying to get in between hubby and I (while we were trying to cuddle) so SHE get get her share (and then some) of the attention. Being told no didn't bother her at all, she didn't listen, but that's to be expected. ;) Eventually we did have to kick her off the bed because biting and grabbing hands is not an appropriate way of 'requesting' affection. She did eventually forgive us.

So how's things by all of you?

I was thinking of heading to the book store to write this evening (even though this was a internet cafe week. ;) ). Hubby is working, and I'm more likely to get some writing done if I, you know, leave the house.

Anyone want to come keep me company/get some writing done?