FRIDAY STIR FRY - Learning Curve

So, I received my first round of edits from Breathless Press for my novel Beyond The Horizon. Wow. Talk about intimidating. I have to learn how to use Track Changes in Word. I'm sure it's not that hard, right? After all, I wrote an entire novel, surely I can do this in a few days. Yep, that's right, my deadline is less than a week from now.

I also found out there are different styles of quotation marks - straight and curved and you can pick which one Word uses. Who knew? I had to Google how to do that, because the ones I used are wrong and need to be changed.

Mind you, I'm not complaining. After all, I've dreamed of saying the words edits, publisher, and deadline for a long time. It's exciting! I just have to keep telling myself that. It's exciting! Plus, I have so many people pulling for me and cheering me on. I can't fail. It's not an option.

I need to load up on caffeine, chocolate and pizza. See you next Friday.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - The Aging Process

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Why is it hard for some people to get old and for others it seems to be a breeze? I've never really dreaded a certain birthday - like turning 40 or 50 or even now closing in on 60. I mean, what are you going to do. But, some people resist it, screaming and kicking the whole way.
And this resistance attacks both men and women.

Case in point - (names have been eliminated to prevent embarrassment)

A friend of mine is 40ish and a bartender. The other night some 21 year old sorority girls came in and ordered shots. Of course, he shamelessly flirted with them. They had a function to go to and for some reason needed a relative to go with them. One asked my friend if he would pretend to be her dad. Talk about deflating his ego. It was like seeing him get kicked in the gut. I of course thought it was hilarious.

There comes a point in every one's life when it hits you in the gut that you're not as young as you used to be. It could be aches and pains or somebody believing you are old enough to be their dad. Handle it with grace people. Because the alternative to aging really sucks.

FRIDAY STIR FRY - If Wishes Came True

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I've determined my day job is trying to kill me. I don't know what I ever did to it except show up most every day and work. I think that's where the problem lies. I show up. And I work.

We had somebody quit in our department and our supervisor has been out for a few months taking care of her husband. That left three of us to do five work loads. And, apparently, they are not going to hire anybody. No wonder I'm stressed and wore out. Plus our clientele are extremely demanding and needy. And my co-workers get on my last nerve. I could go on, but I'll spare you any more of my pain.

My wish?

I wish I could just stay home and write. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to do that. It would require moving into Public Housing so my rent and utilities would be paid. Not the worst place to live, but not my favorite either. I would have to be careful with my meager pension. No frivolity. Or, son, I could move in with you. Just kidding. Pick yourself up off the floor.

I wonder if I could stand to be by myself that much? Would I drive myself crazy?

People ask why I can't quit since I'm close to being published? Don't writers make a lot of money? No. Not unless your name is Stephen King or Nora Roberts. The money just isn't there. I write because I enjoy it. There's nothing like creating characters and telling their story.

That old saying comes to mind. "Be careful what you wish for." So true. I know there are things in my life I thought I wanted, but later I realized it wasn't such a good thing.

Do you have a wish?
Are you sure you really want it?