Tag Archives: writing

Lame Wrist to Forehead Saturday?

Posted on June 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having yet another very bad Saturday, as I am plagued with yet another headache. Yes, I am keeping track of my headaches in a little notebook. When I feel I have gathered enough data, I will return to my doctor (it is actually a nurse practitioner or physician assistant or some such) and say, “Help!” However, my purpose in making a blog post is not to complain (I know, could have fooled you), but to entertain.

I only said “entertain” to rhyme. My purpose in writing a blog is the purely selfish one of wanting to write every day. The fact that some people kind of sort of like reading it is a delightful by-product that feeds my petty ego.

You may have guessed that I am being a little silly today. I feel that after my stressful week, a day of blah-blahing at the keyboard, trying to be funny might be nice. For me anyways. For my readers, of course you are the judge. Since I did not do a Lame Post Friday (although some may have found yesterday’s post, as well as many others, fairly lame, but let’s not go there), I thought Lame Post Saturday would be OK. Then I thought my bad headache and lack of productivity made a Wrist to Forehead post also eligible. Of course now I must strive NOT to have a Wrist to Forehead post tomorrow, but we’ll see how that goes, won’t we?

I tried to get a few things done today. I went for a long run including a pretty good hill this morning. That was nice. At least, parts of it were nice. You know how that goes. My run made me determined to make it to the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY, for new running shoes, a mission which I also accomplished (and I might write a blog post about) (preview of coming attractions). After that, my headache felt even worse and I could do no more than come home.

Last week I tried to get things done despite my headache, because I had people coming over in the evening. My headache blessedly left me by the time my guests arrived, and a good time was had by all (perhaps I should have written about that). This week I decided to give myself a break and nurse the damn headache. Migraine Relief, decongestant and two naps later, I feel a little better. A cup of coffee seems to be having a beneficial effect which this morning’s cups lacked.

So life is getting better. It shall improve more when my wonderful husband Steven returns from work. We are still getting used to the large hole left in our hearts and lives by the sad departure of our beloved dog, but we help each other. Sorry to bring up my poor Tabby again, but I’m sure other pet owners understand.

Ah, now I’ve done it. I ended on a down note instead of being entertaining. That puts the wrist back onto the forehead, doesn’t it? Tune in tomorrow, when Mohawk Valley Girl says, “Where the hell should I put my wrist NOW? Don’t answer that!”

Hit Pause, Write Post, Hit Play

Posted on June 1, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

We’re having Femme Fatale Sunday. That is, we are watching movies with murderous dames (these are movies from the 1940s; I’m allowed to say “dames”). You probably guessed I was not vamping around in ankle-strap pumps myself. Although that might be fun sometime.

Usually when I write about movies in the blog, I prefer to stick with the cheesy variety. Today, however we are enjoying some classic films noir, Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice. Both are based on novels from James M. Cain, a notable writer of pulp fiction back in the day.

I love film noir, but I must confess I like it for the plots above all else. Other aficionados of the genre (doesn’t that phrase sound nice?) appreciate the cinematography, the play of shadows and the use of light and dark. I enjoy that too, but for me it is the story that keeps me coming back for more. Sometimes I’ll watch a picture that is advertised as a film noir only to be disappointed. The woman will be femme but not fatale, the movie as a whole will lack that moral ambiguity that I treasure.

There is probably a much better discussion to be had here, but right now I am having a lazy Sunday watching movies. I may pause to make some popcorn.

Excuse Me, I’m Having a Lame Here

Posted on May 30, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have two days left of Finish That Novel May. Earlier I was toying with the idea of denying I ever said that.

“No, no, what I said was, ‘I MAY Finish That Novel.’ You misheard me.”

The writing took a turn for the better since yesterday. I wrote and wrote. Maybe if I cancelled all my plans for the weekend and wrote non-stop… I think we all know that is not going to happen. For one reason, I have had weekends when I had no plans at all. I have not written non-stop. For another reason, my plans are important and not just for me. I have a life outside of this novel.

And there we have it. Am I allowed to have a life outside of being a writer? I’m sure there are people out there who would say (hear it in that squeaky, nyah-nyah voice we mimic people we hate in): “If writing is important to you, you’ll write.” And then they go on to list all the things THEY have given up to write. Which is nice, if it is the things they HAVE given up and not the things they would have given up if, in fact, they wrote and didn’t just go around telling others how to write.

Oh, OK, other writers do make sacrifices of things they might like to do in order to write. So do I. Sometimes. Perhaps I need to sacrifice a little more. The thing is, I have always been of the opinion that the more you experience, the more material you have to work with. That, and when I was younger, I really wanted to LIVE. I had spent a lot of time sitting at home reading or writing stories. Once I got older, I got out and DID things. I guess I kind of got in the habit of it.

Of course, going out and doing things is good for a writer of a daily blog. But we’re talking about a novel today. On the other hand, we are writing a blog post. A Lame Friday Post. And I declare it done. I am going back to my life. Maybe write a little more on that novel.

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Non-Sequential Chores

Posted on May 29, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sometimes you just have to do something, anything.

I know, this is under the heading of “Well, duh” advice. However, I have had it demonstrated for me three different times today. Four if you count the library. This being Non-Sequitur Thursday, I think it will be appropriate to tell three small but differing stories with a common theme. Think of it like Love Boat or Fantasy Island (if you don’t get the reference, consider that another non sequitur).

Finish That Novel May is not going well. I seem to spend a lot of time looking at what I have and asking, “What is this? Where do I go now? Oh crap!” Well, today at lunch I just started writing a scene. And it was good! It was important! And dramatic! I finished that scene and I wanted to pump my fists in the air and shout, “Yes! THAT was a scene!” I started another scene during the two o’clock break, wrote a little more of it just before going home, and I walked out of that place wanting to sing.

I went to the library and worked on another chore that needs must be done, but feel less triumph over that so shall not count it as proof of today’s opening sentence. However, I was fortunate enough to find a few good books at their ongoing book sale before I left.

At home I was hit with a huge wave of I Can’t Do ANYTHING! I felt down, dumpy and sad. Then about ten or fifteen minutes before Steven was due to arrive home I said to myself, “Just clean till he gets home.” I couldn’t believe how much I got done. Not everything, of course, because my house is kind of a sty. But I felt much better and was able to greet my husband with a big smile.

Till I confessed all the stuff I had not gotten done, then I felt a little sad again. One thing I had been going to do was to make a tossed salad for tomorrow’s lunch, including hard-boiled egg.

“Do you want me to start the eggs for you?” Steven asked. I said OK, because if I couldn’t manage to make the salad I could always eat the eggs for breakfast.

Full disclosure: I forgot to check on the eggs to see when they started boiling. Luckily Steven remembered before the water had boiled away. I made the salad. The eggs were just right.

And that made me feel good enough to tackle the other chore I had been putting off for today: writing my blog post.

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In My Defense, It’s Wuss-out Wednesday

Posted on May 28, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

So this guy at work got ticked off, because he said I was stalking him. In my defense, my doctor told me to get a hobby. Well, I guess it wasn’t MY doctor, but it was A doctor who wrote the article somebody shared on Facebook. At least, I think it was a doctor.

OK, the above paragraph is completely fictitious. None of the guys at work are the least bit bent out of shape about me stalking them. However, I thought of that for possible use as a humorous Facebook post. That is what I think about when I’m at work (it is the kind of job where you can let your thoughts wander). I try to think about my novel or blog or any other writing projects at hand. When I have no thoughts about any of those, I try to think of humorous Facebook posts.

Some of my readers who are also Facebook friends may now be saying, “Huh. She doesn’t share any of those with us.” How unkind! I thought I was mildly amusing on occasion. Unfortunately, sometimes I think of some really good bons mots then can’t recall them when I sit down at the keyboard.

The same goes for my blog posts. However, full disclosure: today I did not think of a good blog post. But I thought for Wuss-out Wednesday, a humorous Facebook post would do.

Just a Note

Posted on May 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

This blog, you may have noticed, has hit a dry spell. I can blame it on trying to train for the Boilermaker 15K or on Finish That Novel May or, today for example, on the headaches with which I am occasionally plagued. But it may just be me. Operator error, as it were.

I have completed four years of writing this silly blog, and I have not missed a day (except for once when the electricity went out and I posted late) (and occasionally when I have typed in my posts early and set WordPress to publish them at the proper time, although I don’t think that counts as missing a day). Every writer hits a dry spell. Oh well, I suppose some do not, or else they lie about it. And I’m sure many non-writers feel that dry spells are just laziness or self-dramatization.

Where was I going with this? Ah yes, my dry spell. I’ve been eking things out with Pedestrian Posts, Running Commentary, and Posts About How I Can’t Write a Post Today. Many bloggers simply take a little time off. I’m afraid if I do that I will never start again. No loss to the blogosphere, you say? You could be right, although it is unkind to point that out. It would be a loss to me.

I like posting something every day, even if it is just a note to my readers telling them I do not have much to say. I will say thank you for reading. Writing a blog has made me a better writer and a more consistent writer. And it is very fun. I hope you’ll tune in tomorrow, when I will try NOT to have a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

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Tarp Today, Gone Tomorrow

Posted on May 21, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had hoped not to have a Wuss-out Wednesday, but it was going to be either a Wuss-out Wednesday or another Running Commentary. And I didn’t run. Other bloggers do not stress over this kind of thing, they post whatever and drive on. I shall do that today.

I have been working on my novel during breaks at work. And, I’m afraid, talking about it. Tuesday as we headed out for the 2 p.m. break, I mentioned that I had killed another character. Of course I hadn’t killed him — or her; the murderer had. My co-worker asked had I wrapped the victim in a tarp. I had not, but what a good idea, especially for that murderer. After all it wasn’t enough that he — or she — killed — that person. He — or she — would want to rob — that victim — of all dignity.

It is very difficult to talk about my novel and not give away any plot points. Now you know that more than one character dies. Is killed. But to complete my story about me writing my story, I told my co-worker I would have to change too many things to wrap the body in a tarp. Then today, I reconsidered.

“This should make you happy,” I said to him after the 9 a.m. break today. “I wrapped that body in a tarp.”

He was happy.

I don’t know if the body will stay in the tarp. Perhaps I should know these things, especially since I have set myself the goal of typing “The End” by May 31. However, I can’t worry about that now. Right now my purpose is to write a Wuss-out Wednesday post. And here it is.

See you on Non-Sequitur Thursday.

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Spoiler Alert: I Get Endorphins!

Posted on May 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would avoid Wrist to Forehead Sunday with a Running Commentary. For one reason, I had a GOOD run this morning! After all those whiny posts about how much my legs hurt and I wanted to stop (but kept going), I thought it might be nice to write about a run I enjoyed.

I was not sure I would even be able to run this morning. We were out much later than usual last night, having a marvelous time. Then I could not sleep when I finally closed my book (hey, the Earl of Essex was about to get into BIG trouble with Queen Elizabeth, these things are hard to put down). However, I knew I would be glad I did it, so I got myself dressed and out the door before I had a chance to talk myself out of it.

Wanting to run uphill but tired of going up to the college, I headed for Steuben Road. That road goes up for quite a ways, then another road takes you back down, making kind of a V. I could not remember how long it was before you get to the V but seemed to think it was a ways. No matter. If I felt I was going too long, I could always turn around and run back down the way I came. It’s not my favorite way to run, but it’ll do in a pinch.

Up, up I went. Almost no traffic prior to 7 a.m. on a Sunday. I like that, especially since the shoulder on that road is not as wide as the one on Lou Ambers drive. One stretch was all woods on either side of me. I’ve seen deer there, so I kept looking. Of course, I’ve also seen deer in front yards right down in the village proper, so seeing wildlife is always a possibility on my runs. None greeted me today, though, so I enjoyed the sights of trees, a little stream, and houses when I saw them.

The run was not going badly. I didn’t feel awful. I didn’t even mind going uphill. Of course I wasn’t going very fast. I never go very fast. And time was not passing too slowly. I kept calculating in my head how long I should run uphill for, so as not to make my total run time too long. I want to improve, but doing too much too soon is a mistake.

I reached the turn pretty easily. Perhaps I am more along in my training than I had thought. I even ran by the first turn, the one that really makes a V and on to the next left, which I knew would also take me where I wanted to go.

Some of these houses are very nice. I saw some porches that just cried out to be sat on. Of course I did not stop and sit. I may do that on my own front porch or back deck later, glass of wine or beer optional. I noticed a classic sports car that needed work. I could not tell what it was (I don’t really know from cars), but I placed it in the ’60s by the lines. Maybe ’70s. My dad restores old cars. He’s worked on some real beauties.

Soon I was back down on German Street. Instead of heading for home, I crossed the street and ran down Lansing. I would run around some neighborhood streets, to make it a nice, long run. My last longest run so far this year had been 46 minutes. I thought I ought to at least equal that. Since that had increased my run time for more than the recommended 10 percent, I did not feel that I needed to go 10 percent more than 46 minutes, but a little more than 46 would be OK. I guess my training schedule is not scientifically planned. What do you want from me anyways?

I was seven or eight minutes away from my house when it happened. I started to feel terrific! This was awesome! I LOVE running! I wanted to put my hands up in the air and shout. I realized that at long last I had gotten some of those endorphins. This was GREAT! Would I get endorphins every time I ran this long? How cool would that be? Would I get endorphins while I was running the Boilermaker? If I did, I would probably go ahead and put my hands up in the air and shout. After all, why not provide a little more entertainment for my fellow runners?

My run ended up lasting for 48 minutes. My euphoria lasted all during my cool-down walk with Tabby. Ooh, I was so happy with myself. I even felt optimistic about working on my novel. In fact, I have worked on my novel.

Sorry to inject a slightly down note, but I’d just like to mention: I stated in a comment once that writing is SO much easier than running. It turns out I meant blog posts, not novels. It is much easier to run than to write novels. However, it is easier to write blog posts than to run. Just saying. I intend to keep doing all three. Happy Sunday, everyone.

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I Haven’t Even Mentioned What I’m Wearing

Posted on May 17, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Goodness, do I ever wait till this late on a Saturday to make my blog post? I suppose sometimes I do, but those are the days I am at this point gearing up for an evening of relaxing at my house with my husband and dog. It is my favorite way to spend a Saturday or almost any evening. However, this evening, adventure beckons.

A month or two ago, we went to dinner with friends, then a show atIlion Little Theatre, then for drinks afterward (I may have written a blog post about it) (I just checked: two, in fact). It was such a delightful evening that when the final show of the season came around, one of the people involved (believe it or not, it wasn’t me) suggested we do it again. Naturally Steven and I jumped on board.

Knowing this was happening, why did I not make my blog post earlier? That is a good question. Well, I was kind of busy. I went to the laundromat and worked on my novel. By “worked on my novel,” I mean I wrote my sister the novelist a letter lamenting my plot problems (which passed the time nicely at the laundromat), then sat at home, staring at pages of novel and notes, thinking, “What the hell am I going to do with this?”

I finally began to write one of those back cover blurbs, to try to get an overview of the thing. I think it was helpful. Tomorrow I will look at it again and try, try, try to figure out what to do next. Maybe I’ll call the novelist sister and get her advice. Or maybe that will be another stalling tactic.

In any case, I must leave soon for tonight’s adventure. I had meant to write a really fast, three sentence post, then try to do an unprecedented second post later tonight. However, I think this one can count. See you on Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

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What About That Ghost?

Posted on May 14, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think it was a very good idea for me to announce on this blog that this is Finish That Novel May. I am indebted for the idea to fellow bloggerMark Bialczak. I am also indebted to Mark because he KEEPS BRINGING IT UP! (did you hear me saying that in a mock exasperated voice?)

Perhaps on Lame Post Friday I will philosophize half-bakedly about how most of us really do not like to be reminded to do the things we “ought to” do. For now I will admit, it is good to have someone keep me on the straight and narrow. I keep working on my novel, because I think, “I have to Finish That Novel! My blog readers expect it. Mark Bialczak is going to ask about it.”

Today I wrote the beginning of another scene before starting work. While I worked, I wondered if I really needed the scene. I continued the scene on the next break, because I feel that when you can write something, you should. Back at work, I thought of another scene to add, and then saw how I could change a previously written scene to add something.

Spoiler Alert: The change involves the ghost. There is a ghost in my novel, and I have not given this ghost nearly enough to do. Today I thought of a few more ideas. But what about that other ghost?

I apologize for speaking so elliptically (is that the word I want? Perhaps I mean obscurely or cryptically) (no, I am not writing with a thesaurus in hand) (and yes, I realize that none of those words are synonyms). I mean, for not explaining what really happens in the novel so my descriptions of what I wrote will make more sense.

In my defense, it is Wuss-out Wednesday. I am allowed to wuss out a little on my blog post. But since today is May 13, I have 18 more days to NOT wuss out on my novel!

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