Category: Nonstop To Nowhere

Got Me Wrong?

6/16/2014

I have to say that some people have really disappointed me lately. It seems that things I've said, posted, or mulled over while working on Obsidian and Nonstop to Nowhere the past month or so have completely freaked people out, and that they "don't know how to take me."

I've been a writer for 13 years, and doing fiction for the past 7. People should know me well enough by now to expect more than a bit of weird out of me, especially when I'm working on a novel. Add that I've actually been working on 2 pieces with a supernatural bend of late and, well, you shouldn't be as surprised as you are. At least, I thought they knew me better than that. I'm disappointed to find out that they don't.

George R.R. Martin is notorious for killing off characters in A Song of Ice and Fire and the Game of Thrones series based on the novels, but I bet people in Albuquerque aren't digging in his backyard looking for corpses. And here I am an indie author in Columbia, SC, and people freak over what I believe and what I'm thinking. I don't understand it. As a writer, I'm an artist, and you go where the art takes you. If you fear the darkness in life and humanity, fine - just don't project it on me. The darkness does exist, and I'm not afraid to explore it through fiction. Many people find that easier than dealing with the demons that pester us head on. Does my research freak you out? It's fiction for goodness sake - believe what you want. Am I pissed off because I'm not talking much? You should be glad I'm being quiet for a change. Does the fact that I'm pondering on truths that are uncomfortable scare you? Yea, that whole thinking thing is a bad habit of mine. I do it all the time, so why worry about it now? Dig for skeletons if you must, but please resod the yard when you're done.

People have some weird ideas about me. Well, go on and have them. Far be it from me to even delve in your head when my own is full enough. I'm an opportunist. If you give me the power, I'll take it. The question is, what are you up to if you're projecting this amazing stuff on me? Now I'm interested to see where this is going. Sometimes, reality really is stranger than fiction.

There's that darn psychology degree being a pain again, eh ;)

That's all today. Take care, and have a good week.

Bye!

This and That

6/8/2014

I’m on a quest. The undertaking: get Nonstop to Nowhere complete and turned in for the Nightlife Anthology and a good, solid fourth draft of Obsidian done before our schedule fills up again in late June. That gives me a couple of weeks to make some good progress on my current writing endeavors without rushing through them. But isn’t that the trick, because once I get in, I want to keep going as long as I can before time runs out or my eyes feel like they’re going to fall out of my head. It’s a balance of attentiveness and patience, because you writers know how it is. Once you’re in a “groove” you don’t want to get out of it – so you wind out rushing when you meant to slow down and pay attention. I can do it. I know I can.

So we upgraded our phones, and I downgraded my alarm clock. Sometimes top of the line, high tech works for you, and sometimes it doesn’t. I envy those of you that have had the same alarm clock for 20 years, because I’m lucky to get 3 years out of mine. I even had one to start burning in the middle of the night! (I had a really good excuse for oversleeping and missing church the next day.) I don’t understand why alarm clocks die on me, but sometimes it’s better to accept what is and give up figuring it out. From now on, I’m not investing much in alarm clocks. I got a simple one from Best Buy for $20. Watch it last through the Apocalypse now that I wrote this paragraph and posted it online.

On the homefront: Rick, Zack and Chloe are doing well, as is my family. Mom and Dad are both enjoying Dad’s retirement. They say it’s good to have time home together without him being stressed out over long work days and deadlines. He still does an occasional project here and there, but it’s not full time – heck, it’s barely part-time, and they’re enjoying life. Rick’s father is a yo-yo. Between the recent brain surgery and dementia, it really is a “guess where it’s at today” game. Therapy continues and some days are better than others, but we’re told that’s to be expected. At least he’s been moved to a unit that specializes in dementia care – such as it is. I’m starting to see why the elderly complain about their medical care, because doctors definitely don’t seem to know what to do for them, especially where dementia is concerned. That’s been an uncomfortable realization that makes me more than a little nervous. But everywhere else things are rolling along this day much as any other, and we’ll take that.

It’s come to my attention through, shall we say, “alternative means” that some people aren’t sure “how to take me.” Straight is the best way, just like wine or whiskey. ;) Seriously, I know I’m a hard nut to crack, and I’ll share a secret with you on why: I’m a borderline introvert/extrovert. I know, of all the characteristics to be borderline on, it’s the one that probably has the biggest impact on character. Sometimes I don’t know what end of that fence I’ll fall on in a given day, so I understand that figuring me out is probably more work than people are used to doing. For this reason, I’m not exactly a popular person, and the “in” crowd doesn’t have much appeal to me, and I tend to be a type that stands alone and socializes here and there with lots of different people. But really, it shouldn’t be that much harder. Like all other people, I have a lot of interests, and it isn’t that hard to draw me out, whether I’m having an isolated day or an outgoing day. I even have a cheat sheet on some ways to get me chattering on the “About Me” tab on this website. Yes, I’m unique, but not impossible.

I’m making good progress reading through the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I’m about halfway through Book 4 now (A Feast for Crows). Game of Thrones fans, you really should read these books. They’re amazing. I know 5 books in a series looks like a lot, but you get hooked and read through it fast. Of course, my progress may slow down now that I’m diving into my writing and then things will get busy again late month, but we’ll see. If I keep my intended pace, I may have time to read, write, and keep things moving. It’s possible now that my TV shows are in reruns (except Game of Thrones, which only has 2 episodes left in their season).

And no conversation is complete without a mention of the weather. Well folks, it’s hot and dry in central South Carolina. Highs in the low to mid 90’s and the skys have closed up. After several weeks of daily rain in May, June has us parched. That’s typical for us. I’ll take the heat, though. All that snow, ice, and “polar vortex” crap over the winter was stupid. I’m southern, so I’m built to slow cook, not deep freeze. At least the world is alive in the hot sun with blue sky and green trees everywhere. I’ll take that over the chill and gloom of winter. But the thing I like best are the long days. Sunrise at 6:30 a.m. and sunset at 8:30 p.m.? Heck yes, I’ll take that. I love long, hot days! That’s when the world really does feel alive. One challenge I face, though, is with my work on Obsidian. That story takes place in January, so weaving a tale where you can feel the darkness of the story is kind of hard when reality is approaching the height of summer. I’ll work it out. No worries.

So there you have where it’s at in my world – just this and that, and all is well. I’m happy with where it’s at and I can’t complain. Life is good. I hope you’re all doing well. Take care, and have a great weekend.

Bye!

My Own World

4/10/2014

That’s a sign I have in my office at work. They know I’m a writer, and this is certainly appropriate so they’ll remember that when I get a little “out of it,” that’s where they can find me. I’m not afraid to admit its certainly been the case for the past week. I have been in own world, and I’m not exactly fighting to escape it, either.

It started last Thursday when the tendons in my right wrist flared up. Apparently, I had been typing more than I realized, and those muscles and tendons had something to say about it. Between work, book promotion, and publishing the “When a Pet Dies” article, I suppose I didn’t realize I was wearing myself a bit too thin in the wrist. Almost a year of no problems, I grumbled, and then it warms up and this flares up. Oh well. So I was off the computer over the weekend, and once I finished with the volunteer project at church Saturday morning, off I went. We had free movie tickets from Christmas and free HBO this weekend, so with that and my books, I caught up on all my fantasy worlds. Come Monday, the wrist was better and I’m back to writing again (but I’m limiting myself, because it does get stiff after a while, and I know not to push it too much or I risk more longstanding problems, which I don’t need). Now, a week later, I have no clue what’s going on out there. Aliens could have landed in the Walmart parking lot, and I wouldn’t know it. But my latest rewrites on Nonstop to Nowhere are done. I started reading A Clash of Kings (the second book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series or, if you prefer the TV version, Season 2 of Game of Thrones). And I’m all caught up on the Marvel Universe (S.H.I.E.L.D. is compromised by HYDRA – who would have thought it?).

Sometimes fantasy is more interesting than fiction. Hey, it beats wars, rumors of wars, political chaos, weather disasters, meetings that feel like beatings, excessive pollen causing allergy woes, and wondering if the vending machine in the break room is going to actually give you a drink when you put money in it. Boring! And frankly, I’m a planner, not a gambler. I got my Claritin D, set up files for my next round of meetings, and stashed an extra Cherry Pepsi in the refrigerator in the file room. There. Reality solved. I still need to do rewrites on Rearview Mirror, and that sounds like a good thing to start on next. I may get Nonstop to Nowhere done by the July deadline too, if I quit changing it and stop getting distracted by all of the other good fiction out there. Well, the free HBO is gone now, and summer reruns are coming soon. It’ll work out.

I had a dream the past few nights about wandering around alone, looking for people I knew. Oh, there were people all around me, because I was in a public place, like a store or a mall, but it wasn’t people I personally knew, and I was looking for familiar faces. Every morning, I woke up knowing that nobody’s left or abandoned me. I’m the one that’s wandered off into my own little world. Well, what can I say? I’m a borderline introvert/extrovert. I guess I’ve gone into hermit mode for now. It doesn’t mean anything bad. It just means that I’m being a writer. I’m in my own little world. Again.

That’s all today. Have a Happy Friday tomorrow and a great weekend.

Bye!

Got Me Wrong?

This and That

My Own World

Escape Reality

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