Public Enemy #1

You know how you have these fabulous intentions and these detailed plans, and you are SURE you are going to succeed? You have the goods—talent, persistence, STAMINA... But somebody keeps getting in your way? Sound familiar? Well I've SPOTTED HER! I now KNOW who she is! The person who keeps getting in my way with all her wily... erm... wiles... Are you dying to know?

Thank you Mari for your sleuthing! I couldn't have found her without you!

http://www.growersaunaturale.com/nudify.php?imageid=567

Seriously though, this site Mari found, when SHE was being HER own Public Enemy #1, she came across by plugging 'Nudify' into google (see what a good friend her Public Enemy #1 is of MY Public Enemy #1? It really is quite shocking we haven't conquered the world yet). I love a business with a sense of humor...


In Good Company

Seems a lot of us have been blogging about overwhelmingnesstion... errrr... Too much on our plates... Helena at Becoming Layla joined me in the overwhelmed category...  and Jessica at Alliterative Allomorph did the same...

I have seen great advice to get past it.  Patricia Stoltey gave some very Zen ways to take a short break and then get back to task. Mari gave some good ways to AVOID doing what I should, and Tara reminded us WHY I do what I do.

So I thought maybe the answer was to spread a little writerly love. I found this at Lola's Place:


My Lesson

I managed to get out of my own way and accomplished several of the things on yesterday's lists. Oh sure, there is still PLENTY to do, but when I put my nose to the grindstone, work an hour, reward with a limited break, work an hour, reward... I got two BIGGIES at work out of the way, plus some of the home stuff... And I ate on points! (and there was much rejoicing)

Today (tomorrow, from when I am writing) is my first 'double delivery' of Thing 1 to swimming at 5 am, but I am just going to match her for my exercise mornings—it will give me an extra workout each week, which can hardly hurt.

So I just wanted to thank all you wonderful friends who, from the same boat, managed to encourage me anyway!

Belligerent Burrower

Yeah, me. What of it? Sometimes when I fly by the seat of my pantslessness, which I pretty much always do, I forget stuff. I don't mean to... my intentions are good... but the fruit gets rotten, or the email doesn't get responded to, or... you got it... I forget to tell all of YOU something cool is going on!

Now hopefully this month you will forgive me as TWO somethings cool are going on, and I got the word out pretty darned well about BuNoWriMo... Pretty much everybody who's anybody who didn't have a conflict is participating, knowwhatImean? We have 110 participants! And THAT is a flipping success. I just don't think you could call it anything else.

(and I am at 20,503 words=41%!) Now if you are pretty sure you are SOMEBODY, and you don't have a CONFLICT it is not to late to join us... the daily word count is creeping up, but thus far I've managed better than 2500 words a day, so I figure you could join as late as the 10th and STILL do it. Come on... All the Cool kids are doing it! *cough*

Along with that... can I tell y'all a secret? You won't tell, right? The Burrow, with the wind up of this WriMo, is launching an author blog with ALL of us... I'm really excited, partly because I love my Burrowers so much and it's fun to do something together—we have a synergy as a group, I think that is... well, if not magical, at least somewhat insane... but insane in a good way.

Wait... but I was going to tell you what I forgot to say! Right.

In JUNE, The Burrow website, where we've been doing projects together for about a year and a half... in fact a year and a half this month! Well, we have a FUN FEATURE... See... a few months ago, you'll remember Lee at arleebird's Tossing It Out, hosting a 'Blogging A to Z' yeah? The Burrow decided this month we would DRABBLE A to Z, and some of these drabbles are PRETTY DARNED AMAZING!

What's a Drabble, you ask? A Drabble is a short work of fiction: exactly 100 words (no more, no less) that is a fun exercise in both brevity and word play. The term is a Monty Python one, and since the majority of us practice Digression as religion, the Python Cast are minor deities.

Normally, we write Drabbles to images... something originating in the Steinbeck Cafe, an online literary cafe (now, sadly, out of business) where most of us first connected as writers... THERE we would choose a work of art and all write short stories, but at the website, because of... you know... the attention span of most people (not EVERYBODY can read something... say... as long as my blog *shifty* and keep following... but we felt the drabbles gave us maximum opportunity to show our breadth (we are a very varied group) without anyone (and nobody called me out by name) hogging all the attention.

Anyway (is that the point, I see just ahead?) THIS month, we've all taken letters—randomly assigned, though I haven't examined the random letter generator... I suspect there was also an effort to spread us out, as I got C, J and W... but each day a new letter is revealed... We even have our first guest Drabbler (we plan to have some more as time goes) this month—Marjorie is joining us... though I forget her letter...

So go over and check us out! A new letter is revealed daily—making today, what—I—wait... no... Sundays don't get letters and we've had 2... so G? (I particularly recommend D. Jason would lead you to believe he is a blushing wallflower, but he is among the cleverest, funniest people I know) So hopefully peeking NOW, when you can see several, will be incentive to also go back later in the month when a few more letters are up... or that is the goal...


In other news...


In keeping with the B Theme. (did you notice there is a B theme?) I have a big thanks for one friend B and a hysterical image from another friend B to share with you today...


Naked World Domination Tour gets Sound Track!

You got it! Heard it here first! About a week ago, B. Miller gave prizes on her Pay It Forward deal—one to the fabulous Karen Gowan for all her fine work advancing the cause, and one (randomly selected) to yours truly—My prize—a copy of the Literary Mag with B.'s latest published short story—and can I just say it is FABULOUS—B. Has incredible skill with words—a gift.

Some of you may have seen posts recently on description—Elizabeth had one yesterday and Charmaine maybe Thursday... the CONSENSUS is it is harder than snot to do right, but you know what—B. has it DOWN. Reading, you can actually see and feel and taste where you are (in the story I mean... it would be weird if you couldn't sense where you REALLY are)... it is SO VIVID, but done with a touch where it is all just brushed on in passing—you barely notice noticing... none of that heavy handed narrator telling... all just the observations a character makes, told in beautiful prose. And the contrast between the beautiful prose and the main character, who you learn is in the middle of doing something REALLY DASTARDLY! Powerful stuff. I recommend all of you go over to her blog and follow the couple links to things available ONLINE, and it will prove you may want to order one of these hard copy versions too—this one is a journal called Fissure...

But that wasn't the songs part... the OTHER prize was a Mixed tape of Songs B. picked just for ME! There were silly songs, artisty songs, and Tarty songs, and it is PERFECT for the Naked World Domination tour. Most of it I hadn't heard, though a few favorites (maybe 7 of the 23) I had, and a few had familiar components (like I have heard a few Vampire Weekend songs (love Oxford Comma—what writer geek wouldn't?) but hadn't heard Horchata, the one included (and I can say this proves I like the band more broadly than just their couple geeky songs).

So for all of you on board with the Naked World Domination Tour... We are WIRED FOR SOUND!


And then the biggest laugh I've had in a long time, courtesy of another B. friend... hopefully he won't mind me sharing with my 200 best friends, as anyone FRIENDS with him, saw on Facebook, and nobody else will have a clue who he is...

Y'all know I'm from Idaho, right? Redneck country? I'm a bleeding heart and never fit in there much, but I know a few really fabulous people that fall into all of the stereotypes, though in this case, in a much more humorous, good-natured way than those stereotypes might allow. (he has a very quick laugh, and I love that)

What helps with the mental image here though, is this guy is about 6'3” with a FULL beard... does some of his poses with his guns and his game (like a good Idaho boy)... This was his Sunday status:

Wide awake @5? Have I said I was shameless? Let the dogs out,walk down stairs, hear (dogname) howl, run upstairs, they have the 11yr old paper girl surrounded!! I open the door and yell, they come running, then back to her wagging and licking. Instead of tossing the paper she brings it to me... I've been hiding behind the door in my bikini cut man panties and racy blue sling...think my face may have been red....

MAN I wish I had a real picture... I love that mantie look on a really big guy *snicker*

Twelve Ways I'm Grateful

On the twelfth day of Christmas her Tartness gave to us...

Twelve ways she's grateful

Eleven days vacation

Ten Books that changed me

Nine Crisco Twisters

Eight Solstice Wishes

Seven Success Secrets...

Six Writing Tasks

Five Sii---illy Songs

Four Cross-Dressed

Three Christmas Lists

Two Tartlet Minis

And a Boy Toy on a Hay Bale

I have so much to be thankful for. I spend a lot of time playing, grumbling... in reality though, my life is pretty good. Here is just a partial list of the things I am truly grateful for.


The Cantankerous Fart I call Husband

He nags and picks... and he has the most absurd, morbid sense of humor... but he is my compliment... the Yang to my Yin... without him I'd forget I had children, I'd never do a chore... I'd surely be a crazy cat lady. I'm grateful he keeps me on track.

The Drama Queen in Teen's Clothing

The world revolves around her—every being and creature in existence only existing to do her bidding... the highs are high, the lows are low... but she still calls me mommy sometimes—she likes to hold my hand when she's not telling me off for failing to buy something for her. Natalie is such a colossal set of contradictions, and I wouldn't trade her for anything.


The Bottomless Pit of Sarcasm

He has four snacks every night after dinner—he is THAT hungry... it never stops. Still, at five and a half feet tall he only breaks 100 pounds on a good day. His humor is dry, he knows he's smart (and tends to mock people who don't quite measure up). In any given conversation I get some clue that he's mine... I adore everything about him.

Joely B-Bolio

Our nutso little dog who has to greet each of us every morning and every time we come home. He is quirky and smart... holds a grudge for a while if you wrong him (like making him get off the couch) and likes to hide his face...

Calius Insanus

The cat who leaps at us when we walk through the living room—who chases anything thrown, and who loves conversation, but hates to be held.


My Extended Family—far flung and missed

It is the worst thing about living in Michigan... Most of my loved ones are in the Pacific Northwest and I truly miss them, especially this time of year.

Some Talent with Words

I may not be published yet, but I believe it is a matter of time. I think I've got some skill, and I think it really is just a matter of persistence and timing...


My New Friends who share a love for Writing

Between Facebook and Blogging I have met some truly incredible people. I love making friends with people who share common ground—common interests and goals. I feel so lucky to have found this way to connect with like minds.


My Old Friends I've Managed to Reconnect with

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that facebook has reconnected me with so many people who I'd formerly either lost, or just not managed to talk to as often as I like.

My Potterverse Family

You know who you are. You people created the Tart, you know... I mean I was always tartish, but it took a group who loved to laugh and play—where we could mix brain power with silly antics. I love you guys!

A Job I Like

I know I want to write novels for a living, but I'm grateful for a job that pays for my family's living and that for the most part I enjoy. My coworkers are FABULOUS, from my boss, to the research tech, to the admin, to the students I theoretically mentor. It's a great bunch.


Our Cozy Little House and The Continued Life of our Car

Oh, sure... I'd love a BIG house. I especially would love a library that had a fireplace, a comfy chair and floor to ceiling books, but it's nice to have a place that is HOME—it holds everything that truly and deeply matters to me. And thankfully... the car is still holding up.

From Platform 9 3/4

I am dedicating a couple days to Harry Potter related stuff, as… well… you’ll understand if you read… Who was it who suggested that we begin at the beginning? Bilbo Baggins? Winnie the Pooh? I swear I can hear Pooh say it. And far be it for me to dismiss a silly old bear without his due consideration and poke in the belly. I suppose the beginning for me, though I didn’t know it at the time, was when my daughter (then 6) brought home Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone from her school library. I was sucked in from the start, to JK Rowling’s humor and way of putting things, and after I’d put my daughter to bed, I closeted myself away with the book and fell in love. Santa brought us the first three of the series for Christmas, and the Goblet of Fire followed on my next trip to Sam’s Club. We had to wait for the 5th, which at that point was only marginally hard, but Order of the Phoenix made me a die-hard fan, forever and inexorably. In 2005 I joined a fan site (HPANA) and sought out the community forums to find other fans to discuss the books with. I found a place called the “Wizard War” dedicated to predicting what would happen in the next two books. There I met not nameless people, throwing out ideas and disappearing, but real people who visited daily, with well thought out ideas, personalities (and quirks), silly banter… an online family of sorts. And a lot of silliness ensued. Without them, though, I don’t think it ever would have occurred to me to dig as deep, explore as far, connect as many dots… and without that, I don’t think I ever really would have understood what was required to write. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always written, but before this it seemed a muse-inspired random occurrence, like getting hit by lightning… sometimes it just happened. But that isn’t how it is. It is, in reality, a list of a lot of pieces that all need to fit, that can be connected through the puzzle of prose. A broad outline of main events, sprinkled with details, and then connected through the relationships of the characters becomes a book. I tried my hand at this first with a story called The Other Prince. I had a theory that Lord Voldemort required all Death Eaters, as initiation, to kill their own fathers. I decided to explore it through Eileen Prince (Snape), who I imagined went to school with Tom Riddle. And amazingly, I found a readership, but more amazingly, I finished my first ever very long work (it runs about 200 pages) and was sucked into writing for life. So I just need to thank those Wizard Warriors who pulled me in, and helped me understand what went into a true book, and my earlier readers (Tara, you’ll always be my first!) and the seed planters who encouraged me to write something entirely original (Natasha, this one’s on you). And Cheeser-when I get my book contract, I promise to become a site supporter rather than a moocher… *sniffs*

Hugs from the Naked Chick

I’ve been told that I am a GREAT hugger. I’m tall and have long arms and can engulf just about anyone in safe softness. I guess that squishy thing may be at the heart of the matter here. There will always be a lot of me. But when someone who doesn’t know me is looking at the lineup of hugs being offered, they don’t know that sometimes more is more. At first glance it can be intimidating… there is too much. Do you see where I’m going? My novel, like me, is large. Thick characters steeped in deep relationships, and all of it has to do with a complex, carefully woven plot. If engulfs and embraces and gives pleasure, but it is more than someone unfamiliar with me is quite prepared for. Trimmed of the fat, it will still be an Amazon Queen, but in that delicious, tempting way a stranger may be more willing to give a try. I’ve trimmed an average of a thousand words a chapter thus far (only 7 in, of 35) and it hurts a little, but only those who love me deeply will miss it. I figure my long range goal is to have a wide readership who can’t get enough of me, so I can give up the diet and dish the hugs and novels as they were meant to be, but in the beginning, it is inevitably about aesthetics. That said, I am taking applications for a personal trainer, dietician, and masseuse. I will also listen to offers from Sugar Daddies so I have time to both trim the fat, and work on my next project. Men uncomfortable with their feminine side need not apply.