FRIDAY STIR FRY - the writing life

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I've often said on here, at work, at the bar and anywhere somebody will listen that I would love to quit my job and write full time. What a wonderful life I imagine that would be. Ahhhh .....

A writer friend of mine did just that a few weeks ago; quit her job and is staying home. I so envy her. If only I had the balls.

Unfortunately, some sort of income is needed. Although, I've published a book, my royalties so far would buy a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs and a pound of bacon. Barely enough to survive a week. I'm still several years away from drawing Social Security. My meager pension wouldn't last me long. What to do?

I need to win Powerball. In fact, I'm going to go buy a ticket right now. See ya later.

(if any of you have some ideas for me, please comment)

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Fun?

                            I realized this week I haven't done anything fun in a long, long time.

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A friend at work told me she was going to see Lynyrd Skynyrd this weekend with a bunch of girlfriends and stay at the casino. Sounds like fun to me. She told me I should come along. I proceeded to explain to her that since it was an outdoor venue, which would require walking a ways and carrying a lawn chair, my knees would not let me. Made me sad.

I decided to funnel that sadness into my writing this week and I wrote some pretty good stuff. (if I do say so myself). Writing about emotions is always easier when I'm feeling some. Whether it's happy or sad it doesn't matter. It also helps me feel better to get it out on paper. Yes, I'm limited in what I can do, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun with what I'm able to experience.

Do you write through your emotions whether it's stories or a journal and does it help?

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Musings From The Past Week

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RIP Robin Williams

Like most everyone else, I was shocked at the news of his death. I don't own many movies, but one I have is The Bird Cage. I laugh out loud every time I watch it. One of my favorite interviews is from Inside The Actor's Studio. Classic. Please take time to view. And pay attention to the end when he talks about heaven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDy5GlUuf8


We also lost a great film actress, Lauren Bacall. Her passing signals the end of an era; when movie stars were glamorous - not attention seeking, bat shit crazy, like many today. RIP

Other musings: I've had back trouble this week, so not much writing done. I've mainly just been sitting in my recliner with a heat pad. I even had to take a sick day off work. I hardly ever do that. But, I think I'm on the mend. Knock on wood.

Plans this weekend: I've been kinda lost on where to go with my work in progress (WIP). Part of the problem is I've cobbled it together in bits and pieces. So, my plan is to sit down, read through what I have, rearrange things, and try to write it in a more linear fashion. When I get a handle on it, I'll post more excerpts.

I also have three blog stops I need to complete before they all give up on me. And with our writing conference coming up in about a month, I have stuff to do for that. Here's a link if you want to check it out.

http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/conference-2014/oracon-2014/

Leave your musings in the comments. All are appreciated.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - This and That

              

         Another edition of this and that. No theme, just observations from the week past. 

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What has happened to human intelligence?
I'm not claiming to be the smartest roll in the basket, but compared to some people, I'm a genus.
We have a lot of forms where I work. Way too many. But they are pretty self explanatory. Sign here, date here, answer yes or no. Do I ever get a correctly completed form? Maybe 1% of the time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about people who are truly challenged. I'm talking about people who appear to be fully functional. They drive, they have kids, they work. Some of the worst offenders are caseworkers helping their clients. Scary. Filling out forms seems to be a true challenge for them. Like the sign says on my desk. "There is no life guard in the gene pool." Man oh man, I wish there was.
Enough about the hell I call work.

I participated in my first book signing last week. Technically not a book signing, since my novel is e-book only. I was next to three other talented writer friends, which made it easier. I didn't feel like a total pimp. I gave away an origami book featuring my cover, the first 1000 words and buying info. At least half were gone at the end of the night. I did have a bump in sales ranking on Amazon over the weekend. So, maybe my efforts were not for waste. I might participate in another one down the line.

As treasurer for Ozarks Romance Authors, I'm really busy gearing up for our annual writing conference. Collecting registration fees and compiling lists. Have I mentioned I'm not a number person?

If you are interested in attending a great conference, find more info here: 

  http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/conference-2014/oracon-2014/

Oh, and somewhere in all this mess, I need to write. 

How was your week??

FRIDAY STIR FRY - Excerpt Time

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I promised to post an excerpt from my work in progress on my Facebook page this week. I lied. This week flew by like a Sharknado. My internet was down at home for two days which makes it very difficult to access Facebook or this blog. Those are my excuses. At least while the internet was down, I got some writing done. 

This is from Coming Home. Jennifer is starting to doubt her commitment to her fiance'. 

        Scott pulled into the motel lot. "Can you be ready in fifteen?"

Jennifer stared at him. "Sure. I'll just crumple everything up and throw it into my bag."

She slammed the car door and unlocked her room. Sitting down on the bed she wondered what her next move should be. Did she really want to go back with Scott?  His actions made Jennifer wonder where his heart was -- not to mention hers. Perhaps a little time apart would clear her head? Plus she had to figure out what to do with that damn building.

Scott's car horn sounded. There's my answer.

Jennifer walked to Scott's side of the car. "I'm not going back yet."

"What are you talking about, Jennifer. Of course you're going back. I need to get back to the office and we have a lot of plans to make. Now pull yourself together and come on."

Jennifer crossed her arms and backed away from his car. She tightened her lips and shook her head. "I need a little more time here."

Scott stepped out of the car and ran his hand through his hair. "Jennifer, you're obviously not thinking clearly." He reached for her elbow. "Come on, I'll help you pack."

"No, Scott," she tried to sound forceful and stepped farther away from him. "Are you listening to the way you are talking to me? I'm not a child."

"Well, you're acting like one. There isn't anything here that can't be taken care of from Chicago. Let your lawyer earn his keep. Lord knows, he's probably charging us an arm and a leg."

"Us? Scott there is no us. This was my mother and this is my estate. You seem a bit too anxious to get your hands on it, if you ask me."

"I'm just being practical. One of us has to be."

Jennifer's resolve tightened like a cinched belt. "I'm not going to stand here and argue with you. I'll call you before I come home."

Scott finally managed to get a hold of her arm and jerked her closer.

"Ouch, Scott, let go."

Next thing Jennifer knew Ron grabbed Scott by the shoulder, spun him around and pinned his arm behind his back.

"That's not how we treat a lady around here."

"Let go." Scott spoke through clinched teeth. "Or I'll sue this flea bag motel right out from under you."

"Ron," Jennifer touched his shoulder.

He pushed Scott farther away from her before letting him go with a shove.

Scott caught himself on the fender of his car. He whirled around and pointed a finger at Ron. "This is none of your business."

"I don't know what the argument is about. I only know you weren't treating Jenny in a gentlemanly manner."

"What do you know about manners? You're so fresh off the farm, you stink of manure."

Ron put his hand into a fist and drew back his arm. Jennifer stepped between them.

"Stop it, both of you."

Ron dropped his arm to his side as he continued to stare at Scott.

"Let's get some things straight." She looked at Ron. "I don't need protecting." She turned to Scott. "And, I don't need to be told what to do. I'll see you in Chicago in a few days." Jennifer turned around and stomped back to her room. Slamming the door, she leaned against it, suddenly feeling drained.
                                                             

                                                       ***

Please feel free to comment below. You won't hurt my feelings. Well, not much.