Archive for the 'The 4-1-1 on Me' Category

November 10, 2008 | DA Series, Draven Atreides, Life in General, The 4-1-1 on Me, Weekend Wrap-Up, Writing Movements

Saturday morning, my BF and I spent a few hrs at my parents’ house talking business with my Dad. Then I hung out with my niece for the rest of the day. She had a paying gig at PIR (Phoenix International Raceway…NASCAR was in town) and since she was there all weekend, she spent the night at my house so I could drive her back the next day. She was working the AAA Insurance booth, getting drunk people to sign up for ins and handing out sunscreen and chapstick. To drunk people. Nice, I know. But hey, for $15 an hr, I would’ve dealt with drunk folk from early morning to late afternoon, too. She has a paying gig for two days this week as an extra for a feature film being released in May 2009. Anyhow, we went to the mall, checked out the sales at Old Navy and Forever 21, then watched Juno on Showtime that night. I’d wanted to see that movie when it was in the theaters and never got a chance to. Glad I finally got a chance to see it. And I loved it. Ellen Page is so witty. And snarky. And funny as hell.

Sunday was a big loafin’ day. Had to pick my niece up in the early afternoon and then take her to my sister’s house. We hung out there for an hr and then we went home. No washing this weekend, although I’ll have to do it this weekend for sure. The hubby was sick all last week and then I ended up battling a sore throat and a stuffy nose. Sore throat is gone, but I’m still a little stuffy. I’m going to have to do some disinfecting this weekend, too. Apparently.

Writing Movement – I’ve got 7 pages cranked out so far. Please keep in mind that I’m not used to writing short stories, so this isn’t exactly rolling off my tongue. So to speak. I missed a couple of writing days last week and didn’t write at all today. But I’ll do some tomorrow as it’s a holiday and though I’m off, the hubby won’t be. Which means more Me Time.

So, how was your weekend?

Technorati Tags: Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR, AAA Insurance, Old Navy, Forever 21, Juno, Showtime, Ellen Page

November 3, 2008 | Book Stuff, DA Series, Draven Atreides, Life in General, The 4-1-1 on Me, Writing Movements

So, as you all now know, I’m a creating a short story prequel to the Draven Atreides series. I started writing it today and started out good in the morning: 5 pages (which is hella good because my goal is to always write at least one page a day). Then I was remembering something I’d read. Annette Lyon over at rent a car bulgariaWriting on the Wall had a great post a couple of weeks ago about How NOT to Start a Story.

Hint: If your book opens with your main character waking up, sitting in a bath, looking out the window, taking a shower, brushing teeth, driving to work, or otherwise not doing much of anything but thinking, or if your first chapter includes a flashback, you’re starting in the wrong place.

Well, she isn’t waking up, sitting in a bath, looking out the window, taking a shower, brushing her teeth or driving to work. However, she is thinking. And there is a flashback. A long one. I realize that this is how I had originally started DA Book One (it was the Prologue). By the time my second break in the afternoon rolled around, I felt the need to start over and cranked out 3 pages.

People, I have NO IDEA what I’m doing. I’ve never written a short story before. And actually, Heather Moore (another contributor over at Writing on the Wall) clarified it for me today: standard short stories are 4,000 words or less. Which means this story would be 13 pages long, double-spaced.

(Insert me rolling on the floor laughing in a slightly hysterical way).

Let the record show that there is no way in hell I can write a story—beginning, middle, end—in 13 pages! I didn’t like writing short stories when I was taking Creative Writing classes in college and now I remember why: Too.Damn.Short. Hence the name short story. Yes, I know. I seem to have forgotten how short.

Novellas, on the other hand, are 27,000 words (90-130 pages). This I can do. Possibly. But with great difficulty.

(Insert long sigh here)

So, I think I’m going to have to start over. Again. Completely. Maybe take a look at the DA Prologue and see if I can work from that. Or around it. And while I was liking the title “Sew Not Perfect” that’s so not going to work now. I’m going to have to come up with something else.

(Insert long, troubled sigh here)

Please send creative writing vibes my way. Thank you.

Technorati Tags: Draven Atreides, Annette Lyon, Writing on the Wall, Heather Moore

November 3, 2008 | Life in General, Movie Queue, The 4-1-1 on Me, Weekend Wrap-Up

Laundry and a flick. Sounds like some new place that went up on a corner, doesn’t it? Laundry and a flick. Watch a movie while you do your laundry. Someone needs to do that. LOL.

Hope you all had a great and safe Halloween. We didn’t do anything, not even greet trick or treaters. We’ve never done that. Even when I was living at home, we always kept our porch lights off on that day. When I got too old to go trick or treating, my parents just didn’t bother with the holiday at all. I could’ve dressed up for my job—we had a potluck and a costume contest—but my braids wouldn’t have been able to fit under the Storm wig. My other BF, K (my “bridesman”) called to tell me that he’s getting married in Oct 2009 and asked me to be his “best woman.” We’ve known each other for over 20 yrs (my family is still amazed that we’ve kept in touch for that long). He stood up with me when I got married 2 yrs ago. My answer was a resounding “HELL YES”. It’s a given, really. I would’ve been offended if he hadn’t asked. A wedding in Lake Tahoe. I’m looking forward to it.

Saturday, the hubby did the male-bonding thing with his BF and I spent the whole day at home. By myself. Reading. Mopping. Doing Laundry. Watching T.V. I love Me Time. On Sunday, the hubby and I went to see ROCKNROLLA with Gerard Butler, Chris Bridges (aka Ludacris) and Jeremy Piven (Entourage).

This movie was written and directed by Guy Ritchie and will remind you of one of his movies: SNATCH. Y’know the one where everyone, including Brad Pitt, spoke with really thick Cockney/British accents? Yeah, it’s like that. But all the accents weren’t Cockney/British. There was Russian and Scottish, too (courtesy of Handsome Gerry, because, y’know, he’s from Scotland). Oh, and Jeremy and Chris were Americans, so they didn’t have the foreign accents. Parts of it were funny and yes, there was violence, but it was surprisingly mild. I mean, considering what it was about, it was pretty mild. We liked it, though.

So, it’s November. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. There are also going to be some good movies out this month. I’m looking forward to the new James Bond on the 14th and the 3rd installment of The Transporter on the 26th (I love me some Jason Statham). What about you? What movies are you looking forward to checking out this month? How was your weekend?

Technorati Tags: Lake Tahoe, ROCKNROLLA, Gerard Butler, Chris Bridges, Ludacris, Jeremy Piven, Entourage, Guy Ritchie, SNATCH., Brad Pitt, James Bond, The Transporter, Jason Statham

October 27, 2008 | Life in General, Movie Queue, The 4-1-1 on Me, Weekend Wrap-Up

If you have an Old Navy in your town, please take a shopping minute and head down there because they’ve got sales up 75% off, not to mention the $2 sales they’re having. I made the mistake of buying some striped polo-type shirts for my hubby last Friday and ended up taking them back on Saturday. I guess he doesn’t like stripes. Or the shirt with the “more subtle” Old Navy logo on it. I got a large but their shirts fit him kinda weird. Kinda clingy. Unlike some guys, he doesn’t like shirts that mold to him, he likes them a little loose. And apparently, even the size wasn’t fitting him that well, so… I guess it’s the thought that counts. He can’t say I never bought him anything. I bought myself a couple of tank tops and some shirts to wear to work. Amazingly, it’s still warm enough here to wear short-sleeves and flip flops during the day. Although it’s getting cooler in the mornings and the evenings.

My BF and I hung out on Saturday. We ate at Chili’s, talked business and personal stuff, then went to see

Yes, I dragged her to see High School Musical 3. It was really odd seeing this in the movie theater, seeing as how the first two were only shown on the Disney Channel. I know I bought one, I just can’t remember if it was the first or second one. And I think I’m asking for both HSM 2 & 3 soundtracks for Christmas. Yes, I’m a dork like that. But I was thinking I could write it off as a business expense. Research. It’s all about research.

I loved it, by the way. It’s the last one and I can’t help but wonder which character’s (other than Zac Efron) career will take off. So far, only Zac has made the move to the big screen and we’ll see him again in April 2009. Can’t wait to wait to see it.

I know this is going to be a shock to you all, but we’re not doing anything special for Halloween this year. I know, I know. No Darth Maul, no Storm. The Star Wars gang walked Mill Ave last year (and I did it for the first time last year) and it was CA.RA.ZY. They didn’t block off the street so everyone–costumed and uncostumed alike–was vying for space on the sidewalks. Darth’s cape got tugged several times. People would walk by and tap on the helmets of Stormtroopers, people tried to stop them on the sidewalk to get pictures….did I mention it was crazy?

And then we spent the rest of the night at an Irish pub. Bor-ing. For me anyway, because I really don’t drink. Even though I got a lot of compliments on my Storm costume, it was a bitch when I had to use the bathroom. The hubby says if they’re doing Mill again this year–which they probably are–then he’s not going. And neither am I. Maybe we’ll go see a movie or something.

So, how was your weekend? What are your plans for Halloween? What’s your costume?

Technorati Tags: Old Navy, Chili’s, High School Musical 3, Disney Channel., Zac Efron, Darth Maul, Storm, Star Wars, Mill Ave

October 26, 2008 | How coolio is THAT?, Life in General, The 4-1-1 on Me

Last week, Miss Sarcastica gave me the biggest honor of slapping me with the “I Love Your Blog” award. My first ever blog award! How coolio is that?

They like me. They really like me.

She says that I motivate her. Sarcastica is an aspiring young author who’s taking her sweet time about starting something, but I know when she gets around to it, it’ll be good. That’s why I love her blog.

There are some rules that go along with this wonderful gift:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog - CHECK
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you - CHECK
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs - I CAN DO THAT
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog - ALREADY DONE
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs! GREAT. I DO THIS EVERYDAY ANYWAY.

So, without further ado, here are my nominations:

1.Crystal Green - Because if I ever miss Heroes, she does a recap on her blog. Oh, and she’s an adult romance author.

2. Stiletto Heights - because she’s an AMAZING artist. You should check out her Etsy store. And her letters to celebrities are pretty funny, too.

3. Mrs. Elf - because she’s a young fashionista-in- training. For someone who’s not so into fashion (that would be me), I love going to her blog and seeing the visual efforts of a look she’s trying to emulate. She puts her own spin on things and more often than not, it works for her.

4. Shrinking Violets Promotions - Marketing for Introverts. Need I say more? Ok, I will. Some writers tend to be a little introverted (raising hand) and I’m talking about personality-wise, not because our work dictates it. This is a safe haven of marketing help for us writers who break into a cold sweat at the idea of marketing ourselves. And we even have our Bill of Rights.

5. Rinda Elliott - the trials and tribulations of an adult romance writer juggling, well, writing and family. Oh, and she’s got this FABOO online store of author swag.

6. Writing on the Wall - fantabulous writer’s resource of all things writing.

7. YA Fresh - where YA authors Kelly Parra and Tina Ferraro talk about YA books and interview YA authors.

8. The Eco Diva - I’ve made the decision to go eco in my business as well as my personal life. This blog was a new find for me and I like that she reviews–and recommends–eco-friendly products and posts eco-Etsy finds.

9. Carrie and Danielle - How to live an inspired life, be true to you and make a difference in the world. Another new find and I really dig the Daily Q&A.

10. Suzy Q’s Sparkle Spot - I visit often, but don’t always comment. She used to be an AZ resident and her husband used to be Darth Vader in our Star Wars gang. Through her blog I can still catch up with her and watch her boys grow up. Oh, yes, and maybe learn how to quilt.

Technorati Tags: Sarcastica, Crystal Green, Stiletto Heights, Mrs. Elf, Shrinking Violets Promotions, Rinda Elliott, Writing on the Wall, YA Fresh, Kelly Parra, Tina Ferraro, The Eco Diva, Carrie and Danielle, Suzy Q’s Sparkle Spot