Is That Progress I See?

Lately, progress is like some elusive legendary creature slinking around beneath the sea. I catch glimpses of it, only for it to then flick its tail at me before disappearing back into the deep. 

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WRITING

Published - My 400 word story, DEAD LINE, up at Dread Stone Press.

 

Novel/Novella - I had to rethink and redo so much of it these past couple of months. I really hope it will be worth it and a better story will result.

 

Two fun and inspirational posts for you:

"10 Things Lego Has Taught Me About Story-Building" by P.A. Cornell, over on the Writers Helping Writers blog 

 

"Are You Giving Yourself Writing Credit?" by Jessica Conoley, over at Jane Friedman's blog. 

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WATCHING

Movies - We really liked "Jerry and Marge Go Large" (Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening, and Rainn Wilson.) Sometimes, the dark corners of my mind need some light shone into them. 

 

TV – "The Night Agent" on Netflix was great! My husband said it reminded him of "24" (the original series), which is one of his all-time favorite shows. So enjoying "Not Dead Yet" with Gina Rodriguez – funny, quirky, heartwarming and heartbreaking, all in 30 minutes! 

 

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Have you seen progress – on anything! - lately? What keeps you going when the glimpses of it are few and far between? Have you watched anything you'd recommend?

Frog Moments

As I write this post, it's raining outside and two baby frogs are hanging out on my office window. They startled me at first because, as you all know by now, when I see something moving at the window, my first thought is monster/psycho/zombie. But now I'm enjoying watching them, enjoying their company. (And as long as they stay outside, they're adorable.) 

 

I mention this moment because it made me smile. I've been kind of "meh" about stuff lately, everything from reading to writing. There are some reasons and there are no reasons, if that makes sense. I've struggled with this before, but this time around, I'm having trouble shaking it. So I'm trying to focus on positivity, on things that make me happy, laugh, bring me joy, and I thought I'd share a few recent examples in case you all also need a "frog moment" or two.

 

WRITING 

Here are three posts that should - hopefully! - shake off any writing blues:

Advice for the Demoralized Writer by James Scott Bell 

Stay in the Fight by John Gilstrap

The Most Significant Choice of Your Writing Career by Jessica Conoley

 

 

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READING

How about a feel good read that includes books, libraries and a cast of quirky characters you'll love to root for? Then make a note to pick up The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson! (I got my hands on an ARC – it's out 8/31/21.)

 

 

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WATCHING

We went old school and thoroughly enjoyed re-watching "Jaws" and "Jurassic Park." We're also re-watching "Seinfeld" from Season 1 – still hilarious! 

 

I have fallen hard for "Firefly Lane" (Netflix.) It's not my usual thing, and I'm not exactly sure why I enjoy it so much, but hey, not everything needs to be analyzed to death, right? Unfortunately for me, I thought it was a self-contained show, so when the last episode ended on a cliffhanger you can probably imagine the angst and drama in my house when I realized what was happening. And yet, I am so in if there's a Season 2!

 

 

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WALKING

I'm really struggling with the walking challenge, but I'm determined to keep going, to make at least some progress this summer. 

 

Miles walked as of 7/30/2021 = 187/500 (Click here for what this craziness is all about.)

 

Seen on a walk . . . around the house to the patio - 

Hibiscus  

Photo by Madeline Mora-Summonte 7/2021

Hibiscus -

Photo by Madeline Mora-Summonte 7/2021

 

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If/When you feel "meh" what do you do? Do you have any recent "frog moments" you'd like to share? Any suggestions for feel good books/movies/TV?

 

Forward into February

For some reason – and no reason – January had me stymied at almost every turn. Even so, I'm choosing to focus on the positives! Here are some highlights: 

 

WRITING 

Since one of my stories tied for first place in a Crystal Lake flash fiction contest in 2020, I was invited to participate in their Best of the Best challenge, only open to contest winners. Let me just say this: Whew! That was some tough competition! My story didn't win or place, but I'm honored to have been included in that bunch.

 

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READING

2021 started with the suspenseful The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard. It not only gave me the creeps, but also offered a creative twist to the alternative POV structure. So well done! Loved it!

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WATCHING

TV-wise, we're trying some old-but-new-to-us shows, like "Justified." I can't even begin to tell you how much we're enjoying it! [Please no spoilers in the comments! We're only up to season 3 or so.]

 

Movie-wise, we watched "Don't Tell a Soul," starring Rainn Wilson. So well acted and full of great twists! 

 

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TORTOISES

We had some cold-for-Florida weather, which meant the tortoises had to stay inside. But it finally warmed up enough for them to wander the patio, taking the occasional break to sit under the grill.

 

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WALKING

Seen on a walk: A man, dogs on the seat next to him, pulls his golf cart up to the stop sign. Music drifts over from the cart. The song? "Sweet Child o' Mine" by Guns N' Roses. 

 

Miles walked as of 1/29/21 = 28/500. Hmm, this might actually be more miles than I walked all of last year. (Click here if you're wondering what this craziness is all about.) 

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How's your year going so far? Have you read or watched anything good? (Again, please no "Justified" spoilers!) Are you making progress on any challenges or goals?

Hey, Watch It!

Well, Game of Thrones is over for the season and the new Fear the Walking Dead (the TWD spin-off/prequel) doesn't start until later this summer, so I'm in a TV-watching rut. 

I do watch less TV now that my husband and I no longer have traditional cable. We have Hulu+ and HBO Now, and we occasionally buy some episodes from iTunes. I've also been doing more binge watching. 

But I'm still on the lookout for some new stuff to grab me and not let go. What are you watching and loving right now? Why? Is it the characters/actors? Does it have great, snappy lines of dialogue? Is it funny/heartwarming/creepy? Is it "trash" TV that's perfect for vegging out in front of? I'm open to all kinds of stuff so please, share away!

TV Time...or Is It?

I used to watch a lot of TV. I used to watch repeats of repeats. And although I still think there's nothing wrong with curling up with some good old episodes of some classics/favorites - I want to, I need to, limit my TV time. (I hear my husband cheering in the background.)

Now, I wish I was one of those people who never, or rarely, watches TV. Or even owns a TV. They always just seem so much more creative and peaceful and tuned in to real life. But I'm pretty sure that's not going to be me any time soon. I admit it: I like TV. 

However.

There's a lot of junk on and I get sucked in very easily. (My husband is nodding vigorously at this.) I don't know why, but I do. So, for me, it's more about limiting what I watch. If a show sounds intriguing or the preview looks good, I'll give it one episode. Maybe two. If I'm not hooked, then it shouldn't make my line-up. (It's similar to my system for keeping books - I have to really like it/love it for it to find a home on my shelves.)

I record most things then watch them at my convenience. I also pick up DVDs of shows I might've missed the first time around. (A great example of this for me is "The Walking Dead" - I heard so many great things about this show around the Internet, I finally got the first season on DVD and whew! Loved. It. I cannot wait for the rest of Season 2...)

This is where you all come in. Please share your TV habits. Do you watch TV or no? Do you even own a TV? Tell us why. Tell us how this affects your lifestyle. What are some of your favorite shows? Or tell us about ones you heard were good but maybe haven't gotten around to watching yourself yet. 

(If it was up to my husband, we probably wouldn't even own a TV but I managed to get the tortoises to vote with me - a few leaves of basil was all it took - so the vote went my way, three-to-one.)

To Watch or Not To Watch?

Sometimes I think I watch too much TV.  Scratch that - I do watch too much TV.  It's less than I used to but more than I need to.

The other night, I watched The Emmys and I was so excited to see some of my favorites win - Jim Parsons from "The Big Bang Theory," Jane Lynch from "Glee," Eric Stonestreet from "Modern Family," and the shows "Modern Family" and 'Top Chef" themselves.  I like smart, funny, and sometimes just fun characters, lines and scenarios.  I also like the dark, dramatic twists and turns people and plots take in shows like "CSI:" and "Law & Order: SVU."  It's all still stories, whether on the page or on the screen.  So, what's wrong with taking time to sit, watch and enjoy?  Absolutely nothing...unless it takes too much time away from other things, like reading and writing.

And I admit it:  it does for me, at least lately.  Sometimes I just want to be told the story instead of having to tell it.  Sometimes I just want to watch it instead of having to form it in my mind.  I'm older, and I've gotten lazier. I've let myself get lazy.   

But not anymore.   

Don't get me wrong - I'm still going to watch TV because I do enjoy it, but I think I'll look at it more like chocolate - a little of the good stuff goes a long way.  And there is definitely good stuff on TV.  But not only on TV.  You just have to get up off the couch and go find it.