Somebody Messed Up

Somebody screwed up, badly. 

Turning Forty

Recently I had to console an internet friend who was just turning forty. It doesn’t look very scary from the other side of sixty, but to her it was traumatic. As we chatted away, I took a stroll down memory lane Yes, turning forty was traumatic, but it wasn’t my fault.

You know how it goes. Everywhere you see the handmade posters, “Lordy, lordy, look who’s forty.” People constantly ask you, “So, how does it feel to be over the hill?” and shit like that. Sigh I got a ton of it that year.

When I looked in the mirror I didn’t see an old person, I didn’t see my mother’s face, what I saw was someone who was being bullied and demeaned. It pissed me off; I decided to fight back. As the big day arrived I was ready. Driving around the last bend in the road I saw the expected signs, pink flamingos, etc. They party was on and the mean teasing ramped up, right until I blew out the candles.

ROW80 Check in and Book Review

Hi folks, it’s time for the old Wednesday check-in. This has been a good week so far and I’m expecting even better things as the week wears on.  So, on with the show.

The Goals

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

I’m right on track here. If any of you are wondering how to cope with turning forty, I’ll tell you how I did it in my next post.

Character Studies

He sits watching out the window while the buzz of conversation goes on around him. This man is neither young, nor is he old, at least not by my standards. He is tall and rail thin, yet I saw him walk in and he moves with the easy grace of a man who has spent a lot of his life on his feet. Squinting slightly against the sun’s attempts to get through the dirty window, he allows the creases around his eyes and mouth to show. That face has laughed a lot over the years, and many of those years have been spent in the sun.

For a moment he turned back to his companions’ conversation.  Smiling, he adds a comment in a smooth baritone voice that could easily hypnotize. They chuckle at his remark and he goes back to the view from the window. Who is this man?

She sits alone in a large room full of people. Her eyes are closed, yet her body is moving. This girl is young, late teens at the most, yet she has the ease and self-confidence of a much more experienced woman.  Her hair dances as he head moves, her face twisting into different expressions and contortions. Mouth moving, hands dancing in the air, she sings a silent song, no sound escaping her perfect lips. People watch her in fascination, yet she is unaware, her eyes closed to the immediate world.

Finally, as her hair swings aside like liquid silk, I see the ear buds and the cord leading to the device in her lap. Suddenly her eyes open and she makes eye contact. I smile and give her a thumbs up. She grins and waves, never pausing in her silent song, clearly devoted to the unseen audience who listen attentively on another plane that only she can see.  Who is this girl?

Who are these people? Characters in an upcoming novel perhaps? Well maybe, but in truth, they are just two of the people I saw on the boat the last time I went over to the city.

So, are you a people watcher like me?  Do you sing in the car? Careful, I might be watching. Tee hee  Yes indeed, this is how I often find characters for my stories. How about you folks? Have you seen any interesting characters lately?

Sunday Check-in

It’s been a good week and I’m pretty pleased with the progress. Before I move on to the goals, let me remind you a free copy of The First Key can be had from Smashwords in any e-reader format you desire. Just use this coupon code:  UZ27H

On to the goals:

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

I believe I did manage it, but if not I will get in two next time.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

I’m doing well here. Happy with this one.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Here’s where I’ve been focused this week. I’ve got over 3K words done and am pleased with the way it is going.  I am especially happy with this as we have had some beautiful Spring days and staying at the computer has been a challenge.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I have two manuscripts ready for the editor, so I’m right on track here.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

OK, I didn’t get a lot of reading time in, but I am buying a book today and will start it this evening. No more stalling. I have asked if you folks have a book you want me to read, I can’t believe all you guys are so shy. Wow.

6.      Publish two or more short works (between five and twenty five thousand words

The First Key is up and ready, remember to use the coupon.  The second is in the works.

I also made an author page on Facebook where you can keep track of my progress. Here’s the URL http://www.facebook.com/Prudence.MacLeod.author  Please drop by, check it out, and remember to hit the LIKE button before you leave. Thanks.

Well, that’s it for me folks, how are you all doing with your targets? Are you doing more gardening than writing? Come on now, ‘fess up.

Story Published and ROW80 Check-in

Hi folks, it’s check-in time again and I’m feeling a bit better about the state of affairs right now. So here’s how the week is shaping up, goals wise.

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

Got the first one done and the second almost ready to go. Life is good.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

I have managed to visit several more blogs this week. Wow, you guys are putting out some truly interesting stuff. Awesome!

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Ok, I’m over half way there this week. Looks like a few rainy days coming up so I should have no problem here at all.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I’ve got one ready for the editor, and another almost ready for her. I fully expect to exceed this goal easily.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

I’m still looking for a first book to read. Come on, one of you must have one just out. Come on, ‘fess up, you can trust me. (rubs hands gleefully)

6.      Publish two or more short works (between five and twenty five thousand words)

I just this day published the first of these. It is called “The First Key” It is a sci-fi story of about 17K words, available on Smashwords here:

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/152729

This should be up on Amazon by tomorrow. I'll publish a link as soon as I have one.

Now, as a bonus for reading my blog, here’s the coupon for a free copy It is good until June 25. UZ27H

Happy reading! Feedback is always welcome so don’t be shy.

So, how are you all doing this week?

Talking to Ourselves

We talk to ourselves; this is what we have come to in the electronic age. It all began with the magic of the pager. Important people began to wear pagers. (Doctors, lawyers, politicians, police detectives, etc.) Soon everybody wanted a pager so they could feel important too. Some young men were known to have carried garage door openers in their pockets. They’d take them out for a glance then pop them back into their pockets. This was supposed to make the girls believe these fellows were indeed important. Sad really. Tee hee

The next step was the cell phone.  As soon as they hit the market the whole world went nuts. Everybody and his dog wanted a cell phone. A cell phone meant you were important. Suddenly people were talking loudly in grocery store lines up, in their cars, in restaurants, cafes, sidewalks, etc. if a member of your lunch group got a call on the cell; everybody had to be quiet so the important person could complete the call. If you tried to speak, even softly, the person on the phone would raise a hand, finger extended, to silence you.

That wasn’t the end of it though, not by a long shot. Soon the cell phone morphed into a multi-use device. Now you can make a call, send a text, check your mail, take a photo or video, cruise the internet, play games, read a book, and a thousand other things I know nothing about.

So now we talk to our phones instead of the other people around us. We talk to ourselves instead of to the others in the room. I watched a young couple in a café. She was drop-dead gorgeous, and bored to tears. He was busy on the phone re-hashing a hockey game with his friends while he ignored her. I doubt he got lucky that night.

We also behave like drunk drivers. Everybody knows the results of driving under the influence, but stop and think. Are you any less impaired when you fumble with the phone or try to send a text, or try to see the GPS on the phone while driving? I’ve seen all that and more. I’ll confess to taking a call while driving, then suffering a beating at the hands of my conscience.

Please weight in on this one folks; I’d really like to hear from you on this one.

Wednesday check-in ROW80

I’ve had a wild and crazy two weeks, but that’s what keeps life interesting. At least that’s what I’m telling myself these days. It would have been so very easy to just put aside the writing and get everything else done, but you know what? You never get it all done, ever. So, in that vein, I managed what I could and actually am doing Ok so far this week.

On to the goals:

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

I believe I did manage one post, but if not I will get in two extras.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

This I did manage to get done. Not only that, I managed to get the damned WP membership thing straightened out so I can comment on your blogs without so much hassle. Bonus.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

Ok, I’ve got one K down, one more to go.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I have one almost ready for the editor, so I’m right on track here.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

I’m quite lost here. If any of you have a first or second novel you want me to read, or if you have a suggestion, please let me know.

6.      Publish two or more short works (between five and twenty five thousand words

I’ve got the first of these ready to go. I just need a cover for it and I can put it up.

Well, that’s it for me folks, how are you all doing with your targets?

Language

Ok, it’s time for the ROW80 check-in. I missed the last one due to a power outage compounded with a few personal issues. Argh, I hate it when life gets in the way of my writing. Sigh. We’ll just call this week a fail up to now and focus on catching up by next Sunday.  Oh well time for something in a different vein.

Recently I have come under a bit of criticism for my excessive use of terms of endearment in my writing. I’ve also been chastised for not using enough contractions. Ok, fair enough, I do use a lot of terms of endearment, but language is a truly beautiful thing. By being conscious of the way we speak, and deliberately manipulating that, we can create beautiful things. Here’s an example of a conversation I heard long ago out west.

A man walks into a coffee shop where he has not been before. The girl behind the counter is a stranger to him.

Girl. “What’ll ya have?”

Man. “Coffee, black. Make it snappy.”

“For here or to go?”

“To go.”

“Buck fifty please. Thank you, have a nice day.”

“Right.” Man walks out.

Now, let’s do it again as it would happen in Newfoundland.

Girl. “Yes m’love, what’ll it be today?”

Man. “Tall and black, my darling. I’m a bit pushed for time.”

Girl. “For here or to go?”

“To go.”

“There you go, my ducky. That’s a dollar fifty. Thanks Luv, have a great day now.”

“Bless your heart, my darling.” Man walks out.

I have been asked many times why people stay in Newfoundland, the climate is hard and life isn’t always easy, but people always want to go back there, why? Well the use of language is one reason, I’m sure. Those lilting voices and gentle terms of endearment are a big draw, definitely one of the reasons I stay here.

So I give you this, if you want a loving and happy life, speak loving and happy words. It is easy to be cynical or negative, but it breeds more of the same.  Use the words you speak each and every day to create a beautiful and loving life for yourself. Go ahead, try it. What have you got to lose?

Returned

In the words of Ray Stevens, I have returned.” The power is back on and I’m ready to roll once again. The power interruptions were a bit of a crazy thing. Something went SNAFU with the power company’s equipment that had nothing at all to do with the weather or terrorists.

Apparently, if a scenario is so remote as to be virtually impossible, there’s no need to have redundant systems in place to cover that eventuality. Right? Sure… Ok, so the impossible happened, but all has been made right once again, and here I am.

One of the side effects of the outage was me being unable to meet my ROW80 goals, or even to post a check-in. I did try to get some writing done on my stone age laptop (pen and paper), but I seemed to have started a new story and got nothing at all done on any of the current WIPs. Bugger!

Ok, so here’s me, nose to the grindstone, trying to get caught up by the end of the week.

So, what did I miss while I was in cyber-limbo, anything good?  Is there something new I should check out?

Power Outages

Hi folks, just a quick post today, I hope. The power company had a huge breakdown, you know, one of those things that can never happen so you don’t need backups? Argh.  Anyway, it will take several days to get all the repairs complete and the power will be shut off at intervals without warning so repairs can be made.

Does this drive me nuts? Yep. Did I ever replace that bad battery in my laptop? Nope. Gah. Wish I had? Oh yeah. Anyway, as soon as we get straightened out I can get back to regular practice. So, if I miss one of your blog posts, that’s probably why.

What will I do in the meantime? Why grab the Paleo laptop, (paper and pen) and keep writing, what else?

Be well my friends, I will return.

Check-in and Book Review

All right, here we are, getting down with round two.  This is going to be fun, as I believe I have set the goals within reach and still allowed myself a bit of breathing room. So, how am I doing so far? Let’s find out.

1.      Blog twice each week over and above my ROW80 check-ins

So far, so good. I posted yesterday and here I am checking in. Life is good.

2.      Continue to read and comment on the blogs of my fellow writers

I have read and commented on 16 blogs in the past three days.

3.      Write at least 2K words on a WIP each week

So far I’m just over 900 words and I have all week to get the rest. Looks good from here.

4.      I set out to publish six novels this year. I managed three last round, and two more between rounds, so that leaves me with one more novel to publish. I will see if I can get it out this round.

I’ve got one first draft almost ready for the editor.

5.      Read and review two or more first novels by new writers this round

Last weekend I read Time’s Enemy by Jennette Marie Powell. I really recommend you read this book. It is a great tale of time travel and the consequences of messing with the past. Jennette is a fine writer with a master’s touch at keeping up the tension. (You have to remember to breathe)

Time’s Enemy is Jennette’s first novel, or so I believe. This bodes well for the future for she will surely get better and, I for one, can’t wait for more adventures of Charlotte and Tony. You can get Time’s Enemy here:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80848

6.      Publish two or more short works (between five and twenty five thousand words)

I have one story at the edit stage now and will soon need a cover for it.

All in all I am well pleased with my progress. How did you do? Any suggestions for future projects?

If you have enjoy this post, please join the site, click button is at top left, or go to my Amazon page and “like” me. Here’s the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Prudence-MacLeod/e/B0079XOY8U

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Eleven Questions

Ok, I’ve been tagged once again; this time for the Eleven Questions game. This should be fun. Thanks go out to Lynette Burrows: http://lynettemburrows.com/lynettesblog/ for the invitation to play. First the rules:

The rules for 11 Questions:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Answer the questions on your blog. Create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

All right, here we go.

1.What book or series can you read over and over again without getting bored?

LOTR

2. What TV show character do you hate and why?

I almost never watch TV so that’s a toughie. I guess it would be Mary Tyler Moore. She’s just too much, you know? Just once I’d have liked to see her show up in stilettos, fishnets, and leather then whip the boys into shape.

3. If you were a super hero, what is your super hero name and your special power?

I am Prudence MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was born in the village of Glenn Finnan, on the shores of Loch Sheil, in the year of our lord twelve hundred and sixty-two. I am immortal.

4. What is your favorite ear worm (song that gets stuck in your head)?

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban.

5. If you could be any character of the opposite sex in any story, who would you be and why?

James Bond, because he gets all the great girls.

6. What was the worst job you’ve ever had and why?

I once worked in a foundry for several weeks. It was hot, dirty, and vile. At the end of every shift it took hours to clear all the coal dust from my lungs. Oh yes, the foreman was a pig.

7. What was your favorite TV show when you were growing up?

They didn’t invent TV until centuries after I was grown.

8. What mode of transportation (horse, automobile, bus, train, boat, airplane, space plane, etc.) would you never want to use and why?

Long haul bus because I’ve been there too many times.

9. What job/occupation would you never want to try?

Oh, now let’s see; I have tried quite a few, but I have avoided politics. I just don’t think I have a thick enough skin.

10. If you could tweet a warning or encouragement to one person in history, what would you tweet to whom and why?

Leonardo da Vinci. “A flying machine Leo? Seriously?”

Why? He was always going off on some wild scheme or other.

11. Tell us about one thing on your bucket list.

I still want to write and publish a small collection of erotic short stories. I actually have a few in rough draft.

Ok, that’s it for me; to tag a few unsuspecting folks.

1.      Lynn Kelley: http://lynnkelleyrandomactsofwriting.blogspot.ca/

2.      Jennette Powell http://www.jenpowell.com/

3.      Coleen Patrick http://coleenpatrick.com/

4.      Annette Gendler http://www.annettegendler.com/

5.      Kinley Baker http://authorkinleybaker.blogspot.ca/

6.      SJDriscoll http://sjdriscoll.com/

7.      Liz Schulte http://www.lizschulte.com/

8.      Charis Maloy http://charismaloy.wordpress.com/

9.      K.B.Owen http://kbowenmysteries.com/

10.  Jennifer Oliver http://www.small-escapes.com/

11.  Kara Flathouse http://eskimokissesandairhugs.blogspot.ca/

Ok folks, you’ve been tagged. Remember, only play if it is something you want to do. Now, here are your questions.

1.      What is the greatest thing you’ve found under your sofa cushions?

2.      Who is your greatest hero?

3.      If you went to dinner with your favorite celebrity, what would you order and why?

4.      What inspired the idea for your current WIP?

5.      Right handed or left?

6.      Laptop or desktop?

7.      You wake up in a strange room with a stranger in bed beside you, what’s the first thing you say?

8.      You suddenly discover you have the power of telekinesis, what’s the first thing you do?

9.      Who most inspired you to write?

10.  You get one big do-over in life, what do you change?

11.  Ballet or pro wrestling?

Well, that’s about it for me. This is all just for fun, folks, so only play if you wish and feel free to avoid any questions you would rather not answer. (We’ll talk later in private. Wink wink.) 

Lucky Seven

Ok, my turn on the lucky seven. First, my apologies to the many of you who have tagged me already. I meant to jump in early, but life got in the way, and in the confusion that ensued I have forgotten exactly who all has tagged me. On that note, I will offer a do-over. Leave a comment reminding me of your tag and I’ll have another go expressing my thanks for your kind thoughts.

However, for this time, I will first thank Charis Maloy for her tag. http://charismaloy.wordpress.com/

Now the rules: Go to page 77 of your WIP then go to line 7. Post the next 7 lines, just as they are, into your blog post.

If your WIP is not long enough, go to page 7

Next tag seven bloggers you like.

Oddly enough, upon close inspection, I actually have 7 WIPs, so here the excerpt from one.

““On a primitive planet, at the galactic rim, you will find she whom you seek,” Modra whispered into Jen-jen’s ear, then she collapsed back onto the bed; her spirit had left, and Modra was no more. She still had that blissful look on her face. Young Branah shivered to his core and looked away.

            As Jen-jen gently removed the cloak of office from the old woman’s body, a page burst into the room and ran toward her.  “Master Jen-jen, you are commanded to attend the Emperor at once,” he shouted as he stretched to his fullest height.

            Jen-jen smiled and patted him on the shoulder as she stepped past him.   “Tell the emperor that I am busy at the moment, but I will grant him an audience at the first moment of opportunity,” she said clearly.  The page’s face went ashen.  His head would soon leave his shoulders if he were to deliver that message to the emperor.”

Ok, there it is in all its first draft glory.  Now for seven bloggers you should check out.

Debra Kristi: http://debrakristi.wordpress.com/

Asrai Devin: http://comingalive.wordpress.com/

Melinda VanLove: http://www.melindavan.com/

Jessica O’Neal: http://thesexylittlenerd.wordpress.com/

Lynn Kelley: http://lynnkelleyrandomactsofwriting.blogspot.ca/

Susie Lindau  http://susielindau.com/

Jennette Marie Powell: http://www.jenpowell.com/

Ok, folks, you’re it.

Remember to leave a comment if you have already tagged me and I’ll do it again. Thanks for indulging a forgetful old lady.