Thursday, March 14, 2013

A Day in The Life: Mother, Writer, Music Lover

This morning, The Goo dallied at breakfast. It was weird.

I'm not saying she doesn't savour her meals. She does.

I think.

It's just that this morning she had been in Diva! Mode flinging herself on the floor and repeatedly throwing my phone so when she smiled at her Peanut Butter and Jam (nope, not Jelly) sandwich and said, "Triangle"...I didn't know what to expect.

I certainly didn't expect her to take her time to nibble and chew with contemplative pleasure. I could have taken a picture but she doesn't like paparazzi and I didn't want her to toss my phone. She went late to school, holding a sandwich in her hand. She was happy. I was relieved.

Right now, I'm listening to Maria Mena's single Just Hold Me. I love it. Favourite line - If I like rejection, I'll audition. I'm having a Coke from The Can. I'm not supposed to, but I was out in the sun, and this is how I choose to celebrate surviving it. Tastes good. I may have another.

In about two hours, I'll be out in the sun again to go pay for a 6 month online writing course. I hate being blocked, and for someone who has always had fear as a bed fellow, I've decided I would rather write than be afraid of writing utter crap.

What's the antidote for fear? Information. Knowledge is Power. I used to be able to say that in Latin (thanks to Catholic Boarding School). Anyway, writing course to be paid for today. I made a deal with Cho (my BFF) that I would start writing short stories come April 1st.

Am I the only one who sees the irony in that?

Maria Mena is on repeat. I really like this song.




Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Road To Hell...

...is paved with Good Intentions.

That about sums up my efforts with Good Intentions. I don't think I have ever had writer's block. Technically, I can't even say I believe in it. I know when I have failed to write it's often because I'm too tired, too lazy or too out of sorts to write. With Good Intentions, it's possible that it's a combination of all three, or just one out of three, or maybe I'm just blocked.

The thing is the more I think about the story I want to write, the less I want to write it. It's just not enough 'story' to justify the work required. Or maybe I'm being lazy.

I tend to internalize a lot of things, and my characters are doing that as well, and stories are about externalizations of conflict not gut burning emotions. The obvious solution would be to have them act out because of their emotions but anything I think up feels so contrived. Sigh.

I'm such a basket case.

Papa Goo thinks I should dump them and do the short story thing. Believe me, I am sorely tempted. Not writing is making me feel guilty which makes me feel out of sorts which impinges (Word of The Day) on my ability to write.

A vicious cycle.

...Sigh. That's my Good Intentions update.

How's your day going?


Monday, March 4, 2013

I Luv Love Stories

Happy New Month! (Papa Goo hates that btw)

Anyway, I've been out of touch. Know why?

I've been suffering from withdrawal. From what?

Romance novels.

If you take a look at what I've been reading since the beginning of the year...

2013 Reading Challenge

2013 Reading Challenge
Timendu has
read 68 books toward her goal of 200 books.
hide



It's clear to see that I've been reading way too many romance novels. It made me realise that...

I'm Timi and I'm addicted to love stories.

There I said it.

But, I am master of my...wants and no matter how much I want to read a Sharon Shinn or (sob) Jude Devereaux novel, I won't. Cos I...I need to open my mind and read some of the other wonderful stories in other wonderful genres out there.

Sob.

Even if I really don't want to...

Right now, I'm struggling through

  • 26A by Diana Evans (Intriguing book. Slightly mental. Half of the time I'm like 'what in the world am I reading?')
  • Digital Fortress by Dan Brown (Mr. Larry Brooks of storyfix.com said read Dan Brown so I decided to start from his first book. There seems to be some sort of love story playing out so I am somewhat mollified)
  • How to read like a writer by Francine Prose (Yes, I'm still reading this...I've got nothing to say in my defense)
  • Earn what you're worth by Nicole Williams (Currently stuck on a navel gazing exercise...no offense...)
  • Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes (I'm actually enjoying this. Why am I not going through it faster? It's no love story...)
  • Side Jobs by Jim Butcher (I can't continue this until I read the next book, or books in the chronological order. Unfortunately, according to Wikipedia, Harry Dresden's love interest does not return till Book 12...Why Mr. Butcher, why?)
  • The Mrs Club by Ekene Onu (Actually haven't started this but I probably will tonight. It's for the Unnamed Book Club so Yay!)
  • The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams (Stephen Fry said to read this slowly in the foreword so that's what I'm doing)
In other news, here's my playlist of the moment:
  • Eternal - Sanctus Real
  • Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
  • One Touch - Nicole Muellen
  • Set Fire to The Third Bar - Snow Patrol
  • You Can't Hide - Sanctus Real
  • Prayer to Love - Jaci Velasquez
  • Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
  • Prodigal - Casting Crowns
  • Washed by The Water - Needtobreathe
  • Real Life Fairytale - Plumb
  • Jesus, I lift my eyes - Jars of Clay
  • Wait and See - Brandon Heath
  • It Will Rain - Bruno Mars
  • With You in My Head - UNKLE featuring The Black Angels
  • Every Time I Breathe - Big Daddy Weave
  • Trust - Sixpence None The Richer
  • Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Frank Sinatra
  • Jesus - BarlowGirl
  • God will lift up your head - Jars of Clay
  • I Speak Life - Donald Lawrence
In my next post, an update on Good Intentions and an interview from a make up artist.