Sorry I haven't been around for three whole weeks! Where does the time go? The last time I posted here was on my 35th birthday!
Okay, so the first thing to say is that I had another aticle in LDSLiving's online magazine. Yes, I am angling to get into the print version, but this is okay for now. Here's the link:
http://www.ldsliving.com/magazine/show/2035/Bye-Bye-Debt
By the way, this article has actually generated some buzz. The editor of the magazine has been forwarding responses to the piece and they're in general pretty great! What's more, they added my byline and included a link to my personal finance blog. So on Tuesday, when the piece came out, http://personalfinancegym.blogspot.com had 100 hits! I've never had that many in a day before, so that was a red letter day!
I have actually updated my finance blog too. This newest entry reveals some secrets about credit scoring. Check it out! Share!
I have also put two new pieces on http://powersderived.blogspot.com. One is about S.909-- the new hate crimes legislation. The other is my commentary about FOCA. Both are good and informative-- as well as entertaining reads.
As for other writing, I'm finishing a project for my biggest client. I'm also looking to get on with a major company to do regular work for them.
I might not be able to get a full time job, so I'm going to have to make this freelance thing work. Anyway, I'll do a writing exercise shortly. Back soon!
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
So just how many senses are there?
Alrighty then. ....
Trying to think of a clever opening.
Oh well, nothing doing. Here's today's writing exercise:
Write, for ten to fifteen minutes, a narrative in which the setting is described in terms of the senses. All of the senses. That would be the five: touch, taste, hearing, smell, sight.
Now I think we do have a sixth sense: one that we should trust more than the others, but that is neither here nor there.
Nor thither, nor yonder, nor hither.
What were we talking about?
Oh yeah, my writing exercise. So I'm going to write, not exactly freewrite, but more or less... freewrite, for about fifteen minutes. The setting will be described as regards the senses of the character.
This is a continuation of my last writing exercise. Please go to: http://quitandwrite.blogspot.com/2009/04/writing-exercise-flunky.html if you need to review that post.
In the eternal words of Mario the plumber: Here we go!
I dug my fingers into what I had thought were almost rotting boards, expecting on some level that they might tear into spongy bits. Not so much. Splinters slid, smooth and hot, up under my fingernails.
I stopped scrabbling at the boards and tried the wiggling strategy.
The T-Y, let's just call it TY from now on, to save time, shall we? grunted/farted in its mouth, its sharp teeth jabbing through the skin of my right ankle. "Stop you must! To the ship we go! Food delivered it must be!"
Even through the terror and heavy smell of fish clogging my nose, I mentally paused to figure out that last one. The food had to be delivered. Was I the food?
No, TY had torn open my cash-filled backpack and had declared that I had food.
I wasn't the meal. Was it going to eat my perfectly hard-earned cash?
"Let me go!" I shouted, twisting and jacknifing my body to try and get some purchase on the wet boards. By now I felt splinters and slimy moisture on my stomach, my shirt having found its way up to my chin.
A post. Through the fog I saw rope tied around a vertical post. I flung my body at it. The moment my fingers reached it, I stretched and snaked my arms around it. It stunk like... well... hundred year old wood would stink after being next to the ocean for so long.
TY mouth-farted again. "Let go you will! Late you make us!"
"Screw that!" I yanked hard. Fire in the ankle and the flavor of agony in my mouth, tasting like a hot copper penny. Yeah, my foot just about came off. Wasn't going to do that again. Scrapped that plan. Let it go the way of the dodo.
You get the point. I wanted to keep my foot.
"Food you have. Delivered it we will!"
"Where the hell are you taking me?" In hindsight, I have to say I had adapted well from a perfectly calm heist, I mean... okay, my money was ill gotten. Okay, it was from blackmail.
Anyway, that had been a normal con, but now I was having a conversation with some kind of cold-blooded dog-lizard. I heard seagulls fighting in the background; creaking masts and hulls against the pier. And there I was, gripping what felt and tasted like a driftwood post while this creature chewed on my ankle. I was coping admirably.
"To the ship we go!" A firm tug ended the brief, but valiant on my end, battle: I really wanted to keep my foot. Keeping limbs was the better part of valor.
Realizing I couldn't win a tug of war against this thing, I focused on keeping the number of bruises and abrasions on my body to a minimum. My knees felt like they were bleeding from the rough bumping over the pier boards, my stomach was a pin-- or splinter-- cushion.
I was supposed to be getting home and hiding my latest earnings in my stash.. but no... TY had shown up and was now dragging me to a boat.
What was next? Was a munchkin waiting for me? A green witch?
Suddenly TY turned onto what must have been a boat, although since I was still on my gut, I really couldn't tell. A wash of light, almost warm in its yellow brightness, brushed my neck and head, expanding as we got closer to it.
Okeedokee, that's where we must stop. About fifteen minutes there.
Did I get all of the senses?
You can't tell, but I went one direction about 2/3 through, but didn't like it, so I went back and went this way. Tried going a little more fantasy, but didn't feel right.
So, I'll be back next week to do some more. Should be exciting, effervescent, and so deeply moving you will weep.
Crap, sorry... Van Morrison's on Pandora. He makes me get overwrought and poetic (mainly because I want to be like him, but can't pull it off). Gonna have to skip.
If you've enjoyed this song about Finland, or would like to know mo-...
Sorry again, got off track.
Right. Share this post. Share this blog. You have my permission to put a link to this blog on your blog, your Facebook, your MySpace, your whatever else.
You may even write the link on your forehead. In permanent marker. No seriously, that's just fine.
Just share.
Trying to think of a clever opening.
Oh well, nothing doing. Here's today's writing exercise:
Write, for ten to fifteen minutes, a narrative in which the setting is described in terms of the senses. All of the senses. That would be the five: touch, taste, hearing, smell, sight.
Now I think we do have a sixth sense: one that we should trust more than the others, but that is neither here nor there.
Nor thither, nor yonder, nor hither.
What were we talking about?
Oh yeah, my writing exercise. So I'm going to write, not exactly freewrite, but more or less... freewrite, for about fifteen minutes. The setting will be described as regards the senses of the character.
This is a continuation of my last writing exercise. Please go to: http://quitandwrite.blogspot.com/2009/04/writing-exercise-flunky.html if you need to review that post.
In the eternal words of Mario the plumber: Here we go!
I dug my fingers into what I had thought were almost rotting boards, expecting on some level that they might tear into spongy bits. Not so much. Splinters slid, smooth and hot, up under my fingernails.
I stopped scrabbling at the boards and tried the wiggling strategy.
The T-Y, let's just call it TY from now on, to save time, shall we? grunted/farted in its mouth, its sharp teeth jabbing through the skin of my right ankle. "Stop you must! To the ship we go! Food delivered it must be!"
Even through the terror and heavy smell of fish clogging my nose, I mentally paused to figure out that last one. The food had to be delivered. Was I the food?
No, TY had torn open my cash-filled backpack and had declared that I had food.
I wasn't the meal. Was it going to eat my perfectly hard-earned cash?
"Let me go!" I shouted, twisting and jacknifing my body to try and get some purchase on the wet boards. By now I felt splinters and slimy moisture on my stomach, my shirt having found its way up to my chin.
A post. Through the fog I saw rope tied around a vertical post. I flung my body at it. The moment my fingers reached it, I stretched and snaked my arms around it. It stunk like... well... hundred year old wood would stink after being next to the ocean for so long.
TY mouth-farted again. "Let go you will! Late you make us!"
"Screw that!" I yanked hard. Fire in the ankle and the flavor of agony in my mouth, tasting like a hot copper penny. Yeah, my foot just about came off. Wasn't going to do that again. Scrapped that plan. Let it go the way of the dodo.
You get the point. I wanted to keep my foot.
"Food you have. Delivered it we will!"
"Where the hell are you taking me?" In hindsight, I have to say I had adapted well from a perfectly calm heist, I mean... okay, my money was ill gotten. Okay, it was from blackmail.
Anyway, that had been a normal con, but now I was having a conversation with some kind of cold-blooded dog-lizard. I heard seagulls fighting in the background; creaking masts and hulls against the pier. And there I was, gripping what felt and tasted like a driftwood post while this creature chewed on my ankle. I was coping admirably.
"To the ship we go!" A firm tug ended the brief, but valiant on my end, battle: I really wanted to keep my foot. Keeping limbs was the better part of valor.
Realizing I couldn't win a tug of war against this thing, I focused on keeping the number of bruises and abrasions on my body to a minimum. My knees felt like they were bleeding from the rough bumping over the pier boards, my stomach was a pin-- or splinter-- cushion.
I was supposed to be getting home and hiding my latest earnings in my stash.. but no... TY had shown up and was now dragging me to a boat.
What was next? Was a munchkin waiting for me? A green witch?
Suddenly TY turned onto what must have been a boat, although since I was still on my gut, I really couldn't tell. A wash of light, almost warm in its yellow brightness, brushed my neck and head, expanding as we got closer to it.
Okeedokee, that's where we must stop. About fifteen minutes there.
Did I get all of the senses?
You can't tell, but I went one direction about 2/3 through, but didn't like it, so I went back and went this way. Tried going a little more fantasy, but didn't feel right.
So, I'll be back next week to do some more. Should be exciting, effervescent, and so deeply moving you will weep.
Crap, sorry... Van Morrison's on Pandora. He makes me get overwrought and poetic (mainly because I want to be like him, but can't pull it off). Gonna have to skip.
If you've enjoyed this song about Finland, or would like to know mo-...
Sorry again, got off track.
Right. Share this post. Share this blog. You have my permission to put a link to this blog on your blog, your Facebook, your MySpace, your whatever else.
You may even write the link on your forehead. In permanent marker. No seriously, that's just fine.
Just share.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Stopping by...
Okay, I've actually been busy and productive.
No creative writing for about a week now, mainly because I have too many other actual paying and very soon to be paying projects I'm working on.
I wrote over 5000 words today, as part of 4 expository passages and 3 articles for www.helium.com.
Here are the links to those articles on www.helium.com, along with a link to another I adjusted and re-submitted. You should check them out, because they're all actually pretty flipping awesome!
http://www.helium.com/items/1387563-how-to-deal-with-inappropriate-advances-from-your-boss
http://www.helium.com/items/1387626-how-to-develop-compassion-in-yourself-and-your-children
http://www.helium.com/items/1387775-how-to-avoid-road-rage
http://www.helium.com/items/1388115-how-to-organic-garden
Also, if you love these articles, or even if you don't, please don't forget to share them. Use Digg, Delicious, Reddit, StumbleUpon, and even Technorati.
Now, as for what I'm doing tomorrow. Big changes a'comin'.
This blog will be re-launched tomorrow. I am not sure if it will be re-named, although I doubt it. If you want to know what will be different, come back tomorrow!
I will also be re-launching my newest blog: http://powersderived.blogspot.com which is a political commentary blog. The format and overall content of the posts will be adjusted to become more readable.
That's not all! I will be launching yet another blog! This one's address: http://personalfinancegym.blogspot.com/
As part of all of these changes, I am going to be learning how I can help you, my lovely readers, share the posts that I do. This might require some kind of technical training, but I believe there is a way to put tools to Digg, Delicious, Reddit and the other article sharing sites at the end of each of my posts.
If anyone has any advice on that issue, that would be appreciated.
So that's all.
Oh wait. You might ask why all of these changes?
Because I have been learning how to use the Internet to build a brand, gain readership and actually make a little bit of (little!) residual income.
That's why.
carpe somnium!
No creative writing for about a week now, mainly because I have too many other actual paying and very soon to be paying projects I'm working on.
I wrote over 5000 words today, as part of 4 expository passages and 3 articles for www.helium.com.
Here are the links to those articles on www.helium.com, along with a link to another I adjusted and re-submitted. You should check them out, because they're all actually pretty flipping awesome!
http://www.helium.com/items/1387563-how-to-deal-with-inappropriate-advances-from-your-boss
http://www.helium.com/items/1387626-how-to-develop-compassion-in-yourself-and-your-children
http://www.helium.com/items/1387775-how-to-avoid-road-rage
http://www.helium.com/items/1388115-how-to-organic-garden
Also, if you love these articles, or even if you don't, please don't forget to share them. Use Digg, Delicious, Reddit, StumbleUpon, and even Technorati.
Now, as for what I'm doing tomorrow. Big changes a'comin'.
This blog will be re-launched tomorrow. I am not sure if it will be re-named, although I doubt it. If you want to know what will be different, come back tomorrow!
I will also be re-launching my newest blog: http://powersderived.blogspot.com which is a political commentary blog. The format and overall content of the posts will be adjusted to become more readable.
That's not all! I will be launching yet another blog! This one's address: http://personalfinancegym.blogspot.com/
As part of all of these changes, I am going to be learning how I can help you, my lovely readers, share the posts that I do. This might require some kind of technical training, but I believe there is a way to put tools to Digg, Delicious, Reddit and the other article sharing sites at the end of each of my posts.
If anyone has any advice on that issue, that would be appreciated.
So that's all.
Oh wait. You might ask why all of these changes?
Because I have been learning how to use the Internet to build a brand, gain readership and actually make a little bit of (little!) residual income.
That's why.
carpe somnium!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Reporting on my morning's work
Well, I spent far too long checking e-mail and updating my various networking sites, but I finally settled in and did some writing.
About 800 words this morning (some of it actually just a rewrite of something I'd already done), bringing the grand total to 5150 words.
Hey, 51/50 is the name of a Van Halen album.
I need to get right to writing when I get up so that I still have time to hit the gym immediately after and then get back home in time for breakfast. All this because I usually try to be in the office around 9AM.
Today, however, is different, although I should have been able to get to the gym anyway. We WeXL folks are participating in a business and technology expo today and tomorrow, and we are getting there by 8:30AM for a networking breakfast type thing.
In any case, as I wrote this morning, I made a decision. I'd been writing in first person, but was struggling with that. I mean, it seems like a lot of YA stuff is in first person, although not all of it is. However, I just feel like I can tell this story better in third person, so I decided to go for it.
Hey, Melinda and Kristi's work is in 3rd person... I think.. and it's good stuff.
Anyway, I have to go get ready for my day job.
So far so good. I invite any readers to follow me on Twitter, check out my political blog: http://powersderived.blogspot.com and to take a look at my online portfolio: www.helium.com/users/45690
May the Farce be with you.
carpe somnium
About 800 words this morning (some of it actually just a rewrite of something I'd already done), bringing the grand total to 5150 words.
Hey, 51/50 is the name of a Van Halen album.
I need to get right to writing when I get up so that I still have time to hit the gym immediately after and then get back home in time for breakfast. All this because I usually try to be in the office around 9AM.
Today, however, is different, although I should have been able to get to the gym anyway. We WeXL folks are participating in a business and technology expo today and tomorrow, and we are getting there by 8:30AM for a networking breakfast type thing.
In any case, as I wrote this morning, I made a decision. I'd been writing in first person, but was struggling with that. I mean, it seems like a lot of YA stuff is in first person, although not all of it is. However, I just feel like I can tell this story better in third person, so I decided to go for it.
Hey, Melinda and Kristi's work is in 3rd person... I think.. and it's good stuff.
Anyway, I have to go get ready for my day job.
So far so good. I invite any readers to follow me on Twitter, check out my political blog: http://powersderived.blogspot.com and to take a look at my online portfolio: www.helium.com/users/45690
May the Farce be with you.
carpe somnium
Friday, August 1, 2008
Are you feeling hot, hot, hot?
Judging by thermometers in the area, the temperature in Provo, Utah hit at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit today.
Sheesh. Why oh why do I live in a desert?
Anyway, onto the writing thing. The Cabin is now at over 50,000 words. I've done 2378 words so far today and probably 2000 yesterday. Or so. I think there are likely about 8000 words left. Just a guess.
I have mixed feelings about finishing this book. The final scenes are pretty heavy- not necessarily in tone, but in what they need to accomplish. I need to show this guy's journey accurately, making where he ends up be worth a reader working his way through the book to get to it.
So I'm a little anxious. I almost don't want to finish it, but at the same time, I really do. I feel like I've got some great momentum going and I need to not waste it. I want this book to be good, and I'm willing to do what it takes.
As soon as I can get some feedback on the stuff I'm sending with my query for this book, I will get it sent out. I had wanted to have the queries out already, but there's no rushing excellence.
So that's it pretty much. If you haven't visited my other blog: http://gruntandsweat.blogspot.com you should do so. It's kind of fun and maybe more interesting than this one.
I'll be back.
carpe somnium
Sheesh. Why oh why do I live in a desert?
Anyway, onto the writing thing. The Cabin is now at over 50,000 words. I've done 2378 words so far today and probably 2000 yesterday. Or so. I think there are likely about 8000 words left. Just a guess.
I have mixed feelings about finishing this book. The final scenes are pretty heavy- not necessarily in tone, but in what they need to accomplish. I need to show this guy's journey accurately, making where he ends up be worth a reader working his way through the book to get to it.
So I'm a little anxious. I almost don't want to finish it, but at the same time, I really do. I feel like I've got some great momentum going and I need to not waste it. I want this book to be good, and I'm willing to do what it takes.
As soon as I can get some feedback on the stuff I'm sending with my query for this book, I will get it sent out. I had wanted to have the queries out already, but there's no rushing excellence.
So that's it pretty much. If you haven't visited my other blog: http://gruntandsweat.blogspot.com you should do so. It's kind of fun and maybe more interesting than this one.
I'll be back.
carpe somnium
Friday, June 27, 2008
Friday night lights?
Maybe not so much.
Actually I have only see the movie with this moniker, not the TV show. I like the movie somewhat. But truth be told, I number among the hordes who wonder why Friday Night Lights doesn't come on on Friday. Of course, maybe their network caught that error and has rectified the glaring problem.
Shows how in touch I am.
I have just sent off the two first chapters of The Mars Betrayal to my editors and am filled with self-doubt. If they hate it again, I am not sure what I will do next. So here's to hoping that they don't think it's crap and excoriate it again.
I think it's good. <-- (this said in a small voice)
Before I get back to writing, I am going to do a writing exercise: I will freewrite for two minutes on a random topic. Today's random topic is: Cannibals.
I begin now.
Cannibals really may have had it right. Think about it. They left no waste of their kills and they left no man behind. It's like a combination of Marines and Nader-ites, a totally unheard of combination to date, so it really makes sense.
What if I wrote a story about a cannibal boy who somehow got separated from his family just before the big tribal feast and then was transported to a modern society such as in LA. He could meet a girl and fall for her, but be so hungry that he kills and eats her parents. All the while she is a vegetarian.
But what would be his motivation and chapter and scene-level goals?
Maybe he's just hungry.
Okay, now I'm done. Hehe. Pure silliness.
So I shall now get back to work on The Mars Betrayal, but will soon be interrupted by a fellow named Luis. This is not precognition; Luis has an appointment for a company overview, and I have to do that overview.
Any readers who are reading this (I can't seem to figure out how to get rid of the redundancy in that phrase), por favor spread the word of my little blog. I know I had originally planned on just doing this for a year, but the writing thing is picking up and I am sticking with it for good. Now I just need people to read this, comment on it and give me validation.
Writers are needy. If you didn't know this already, file that eternal truth away somewhere safe. Maybe in your fire safe. Or your icebox.
Gotta run. I'll be back later. Oh, I want to hit 7000 words on The Mars Betrayal today.
carpe somnium
Actually I have only see the movie with this moniker, not the TV show. I like the movie somewhat. But truth be told, I number among the hordes who wonder why Friday Night Lights doesn't come on on Friday. Of course, maybe their network caught that error and has rectified the glaring problem.
Shows how in touch I am.
I have just sent off the two first chapters of The Mars Betrayal to my editors and am filled with self-doubt. If they hate it again, I am not sure what I will do next. So here's to hoping that they don't think it's crap and excoriate it again.
I think it's good. <-- (this said in a small voice)
Before I get back to writing, I am going to do a writing exercise: I will freewrite for two minutes on a random topic. Today's random topic is: Cannibals.
I begin now.
Cannibals really may have had it right. Think about it. They left no waste of their kills and they left no man behind. It's like a combination of Marines and Nader-ites, a totally unheard of combination to date, so it really makes sense.
What if I wrote a story about a cannibal boy who somehow got separated from his family just before the big tribal feast and then was transported to a modern society such as in LA. He could meet a girl and fall for her, but be so hungry that he kills and eats her parents. All the while she is a vegetarian.
But what would be his motivation and chapter and scene-level goals?
Maybe he's just hungry.
Okay, now I'm done. Hehe. Pure silliness.
So I shall now get back to work on The Mars Betrayal, but will soon be interrupted by a fellow named Luis. This is not precognition; Luis has an appointment for a company overview, and I have to do that overview.
Any readers who are reading this (I can't seem to figure out how to get rid of the redundancy in that phrase), por favor spread the word of my little blog. I know I had originally planned on just doing this for a year, but the writing thing is picking up and I am sticking with it for good. Now I just need people to read this, comment on it and give me validation.
Writers are needy. If you didn't know this already, file that eternal truth away somewhere safe. Maybe in your fire safe. Or your icebox.
Gotta run. I'll be back later. Oh, I want to hit 7000 words on The Mars Betrayal today.
carpe somnium
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Holy smoke...
I'm 3 for 3.
Okay, so if you've read many of my earlier posts, you will know that I have been writing for a company called ChartedCourse part time to keep some bills at bay. Of late I have been working primarily in my office at their corporate offices, actually doing my fiction writing there as well.
Anyway, I am the National Sales Director's Assistant, in that he and I hit around ideas regarding training and sales development. We're also good friends. I am also now functioning as a sales team leader and am actively recruiting sales people who want to make some good $$ while helping people get their finances figured out.
So today I led the corporate overviews for three prospective recruits to the sales team. All three committed to a second interview. Not bad eh? The reason this is so good is that as I get this team going I can actually get a commission percentage increase, which will be a healthy thing for my bank accounts.
This is supposed to be a writing blog, though, so enough of that. Should I sell my soul a little?
Nah.
The Mars Betrayal is at 6042 words. I will do a tiny bit now, then some more later. I need to run an errand or two, stop at home, then come back to the office tonight at 6PM for another overview. Of course, this one is with a guy who has scheduled twice before, so I'm winding up for his last strike basically.
If you haven't read How to Win Friends and Influence People, I recommend it.
I am still planning on sending two chapters of The Mars Betrayal to my editor on Friday. The thing is that I would like to have the whole new version done. This may be because I am a masochist and want to have my editor come back again saying it sucks so that I have to do it all over again.
Maybe I ought to work on those first two chapters a little more before sending them... but then my internal editor is being allowed to run amok before the story is done.
What to do?
No clue. I'll think of something.
I've added links to some blogs of new friends. Check them out.
carpe somnium
Okay, so if you've read many of my earlier posts, you will know that I have been writing for a company called ChartedCourse part time to keep some bills at bay. Of late I have been working primarily in my office at their corporate offices, actually doing my fiction writing there as well.
Anyway, I am the National Sales Director's Assistant, in that he and I hit around ideas regarding training and sales development. We're also good friends. I am also now functioning as a sales team leader and am actively recruiting sales people who want to make some good $$ while helping people get their finances figured out.
So today I led the corporate overviews for three prospective recruits to the sales team. All three committed to a second interview. Not bad eh? The reason this is so good is that as I get this team going I can actually get a commission percentage increase, which will be a healthy thing for my bank accounts.
This is supposed to be a writing blog, though, so enough of that. Should I sell my soul a little?
Nah.
The Mars Betrayal is at 6042 words. I will do a tiny bit now, then some more later. I need to run an errand or two, stop at home, then come back to the office tonight at 6PM for another overview. Of course, this one is with a guy who has scheduled twice before, so I'm winding up for his last strike basically.
If you haven't read How to Win Friends and Influence People, I recommend it.
I am still planning on sending two chapters of The Mars Betrayal to my editor on Friday. The thing is that I would like to have the whole new version done. This may be because I am a masochist and want to have my editor come back again saying it sucks so that I have to do it all over again.
Maybe I ought to work on those first two chapters a little more before sending them... but then my internal editor is being allowed to run amok before the story is done.
What to do?
No clue. I'll think of something.
I've added links to some blogs of new friends. Check them out.
carpe somnium
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