Writing the Wrong Way?

Today marks the 190th day of consecutive writing, thanks to The Magic Spreadsheet.  Lately, most of my writing have gone toward a story plot that I've been working on.  To be honest, it's kicking my butt!

I failed to take my own advice and now I'm paying the price.  What advice is that?  Oh so many!  You can boil it down to me not doing any planning before I start to write though.  It seems that I like discovery writing, even though I do not think that's the way I want to write.  Not long  pieces anyway.  I don't mind knocking out a short story off the top of my head, and as a matter of fact, that's kind of the way I like to do those.

Something novel or even novella length is going to require some planning on my part though.  My question is, how do I make myself do what I know I should do.  That's not something that's happened yet.  I guess that's something I need to work on.  Either that or just go to writing short stories all the time, but that's not the plan.

One of the advantages that I can see in this approach is that I've got an idea of who the characters are now that I'm writing an outline.  I know that's kind of backwards, but I can't tell you how many times I've heard to find what works for you and that there is no right or wrong way.  Maybe all that's true.  Maybe, just maybe I'm not writing the wrong way after all.  I probably am though.

So I'm going to keep on plugging away at it.  Maybe I'm doing it right or maybe I'm doing it wrong, but either way I'll let you know how it turns out.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm out for now, but I'll be right here write 'n things!

Blood Oranges - Book Review

"Blood Oranges" by Caitlin R. Kiernan, writing as Kathleen Tierney, is a departure from the sparkly vampires that have assaulted popular culture of late.  There is no need to fear if you are a fan of the lighter side of vampires though.  "Blood Oranges" does not take itself too seriously and manages to be a fun, and gritty ride through the underbelly of the underworld.

I was intrigued when I first heard "Blood Oranges" promo-ed on the Writing Excuses podcast.  A demon hunter who gets bit by not only a werewolf but also a vampire, and in the same night even.  That's some kind of luck, and according to the brief description offered on the show, it only worsened.  I knew right then that I wanted to read this, but I was already in the middle of one book or another so I put it on the back burner.

When the book was nowhere to be locally found in paper, I downloaded it from the Kindle Store and took to it.  I was not disappointed.  I'll admit that the language was a bit more brusque than I had imagined it would be, and if you are easily offended by strong language then consider this fair warning and step away slowly.  To be fair though, the language makes sense for the characters in the book, and when you consider the fact that they are all manner of lowlifes, well, how would you expect them to talk?

The main character, Siobhan Quinn, tells the story first person.  It is her story to tell after all.  Most of what I've read over the past years has been some form of third person with varying viewpoints scattered throughout, so this was a big change up.  It was refreshing to read from a different point of view and to hold that view from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the book from beginning to end and hated to see it end so quickly.  I do not know what the future holds for Siobhan Quinn, but if she is going on more adventures, sign me up.

Being an At-Work Vegetarian

Apples are very filling and make a great lunch.

There are lots of people nowadays, focusing heavily on their health.  Diet and exercise get a lot of play in the media and it seems to be on everyone's mind.  It seems to be very easy to think about these things without putting those thoughts into action though.  It's easy to constantly tell yourself that you need to exercise more or eat better without actually doing it.  Today, I want to share with you an easy way to improve your diet.  I know it works, because I have put this into practice.  You may get some funny looks from your family or co-workers, but it's worth the effort.

The trick that I'm referring to is what I call being an at-work vegetarian.  Most people don't include enough fruits and vegetables in their diets, choosing instead to eat the fast and easy fare that so often tempts us even though we know we should pass.  Fast, fried and fatty food is the norm at my workplace just as I suspect it is at most places around the country.  I decided a few months back that I would make a change for the better, and I have yet to regret it.

My normal breakfast consists of a smoothie.  Most of the time I use kale, banana, mixed frozen berries, chia seeds, coconut water and sometimes plain fat free yogurt.  You can of course find what works for you, as a smoothie.  Smoothie recipes are everywhere!  Mine changes from time to time depending on what I have.  (I blend it in the morning and pack it to work for breakfast)  It is delicious, nutritious and a stark contrast to the grits, eggs, and sausage that is so often eaten on the job.  The absolute best part is how people look at you when you sit there, drinking your smoothie while they are eating a "real breakfast."  It's like they think you are absolutely insane, but that's okay.

So how about lunch?  I go for an apple.  Apples are so filling, that I find just one holds me until I get home in the evening.  If one apple is not enough for you though, by all means eat some more!  Another apple or some grapes or whatever you want.  It's a fruit and veggie plan we're on here, preferably raw, and there's no limit on how much of it you can eat.  Expect some funny looks when you sit down by the guy devouring a half of fried chicken and mashed potatoes with your apple though.  Fair warning.

When I get home, I try to eat a sensible dinner, but even if we're having burgers or something not so healthy, I know that I've eaten healthy all day and can cut myself some slack.  The key is to be flexible, but not too flexible.  Too much flexibility will land you back into your same bad habits.  That's my experience anyway.
It's not going to be easy at first, but if you are searching for a good way to fit more fruits and vegetables into your diet, this is the easiest way that I have found.  Good luck and good health!

"Riddick" - The Sci-Fi Story of a Man and His Dog

We went out to the theater last night to catch the 7:30 showing of "Riddick."  "Riddick" is the third movie in the series that started with "Pitch Black" starring Vin Diesel as a murdering escape convict somewhere out in space.  Much like "Pitch Black", he is again fighting alien monsters on a deserted planet.  Well, it worked in "Pitch Black" and it works again here.  We enjoyed the movie, but I got more than I bargained for when I sat down.

"Riddick" is one of those movies that does more than one thing.  Sure, the main story line was Riddick and his fight to stay alive, focusing on his struggles with both the alien creatures and the mercenary crews that come looking to take him out.  The thing that I didn't see coming was the relationship that Riddick builds with a creature on the planet that is basically a big dog.  He gets it as a puppy and raises it up to be his loyal bodyguard.  They go everywhere and do everything together.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!   SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

So when one of the mercenaries kills Riddick's dog, it's a real emotional moment in the movie.  Okay, there wasn't anyone crying in the theater, but still, you know what I mean.  What started out as a kill or be killed thriller, turned into "Old Yellar" for a little while there in the midle.  I wasn't expecting space dogs at all!  It was a touching story thrown into the sci-fi killfest and it worked.

They took the time to make Riddick a full character, not just a the killing machine that he obviously is.  It's easy for the characters in these movies to be so one dimensional that you're just watching for the fights and battles.  Don't get me wrong though, I love those movies, I just saying that a little more character development would not be a bad thing sometimes.

At the point in the movie when Riddick could have easily sacrificed his dog to get away from the people after him, he chose not to.  Like many of us would, he put his life in peril trying to save the life of his friend.  He ultimately failed, but that's beside the point.  It was a little thing to do, but it worked and made Riddick more human than he could have been.  

If you're looking for fighting and action don't be discouraged, there's plenty of that.  Just don't be surprised when you go check out "Riddick", if you get more than you expect.