April 27, 2006

Inspiration, sometimes known as The Whack Against the Head

I’ve been in a real writing slump this past month. Actually two. It was driven home when Studly noticed something was wrong and sat me down for a talk.

“Okay, Babe, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.” No truer words were ever spoken.
“You’re not yourself. What’s going on with the new book?”
“The exact same 1200 words as before.”
“Drag it out and let’s talk about it.”

After much whining and procrastinating I dragged out my two wrinkled pages of crap and handed them over.

“Aah, yeah. I see your problem.” Ya gotta love a guy of few words. “It’s just not clear.”
“Actually, I thought it just stunk.” Okay, maybe I’m being a bit harsh on myself, but the self-pity route seemed a good choice even if it was non-productive.

“First off you can’t have the guy’s dick “jumping to life”. Dicks just don’t do that. And if they did it would hurt.”
“G told me the same thing, or maybe it was Melissa.” His eyebrow cocked and the yummiest look swept into his chocolate eyes. “G is a woman, Studs, from my critique group.”
“Good. Now let’s get back to work.”

And so we did for over an hour. Studly has an amazing eye for sensitivity and logic in writing. Then again, Studs is a pretty amazing guy all around.

The next morning I sent off two samples of the first chapter to Beth and Yasmine. Beth liked the first while Yasmine is still scrutinizing my measly offerings. They both agreed one specific line had to be worked in somehow.

The first piece was sassy and bold, a style more suited to my nature per Beth. The second was refined and laid back. The characters in the first of this four book series were that way. Not these two new ones. They are smart, streetwise, and well-educated. Therefore the style of the book has to be action filled.

Now here’s my point. Are you ready? Grab my hand and we’ll take this leap of faith together.

You have to write your book true to your characters. I guarantee you it will not work if you force a style onto your hero and heroine that isn’t natural to them. Nope! I hear your refusal to accept the inevitable and I’m not listening.

Trust me on this – you will not have the inspiration required to write 50,000 plus words if you don’t listen to your lead characters. They know what they’re talking about.

Auf Wiedersehen, I’m off to Austria to help Wolfe and Eleanor sort out the fiasco they’ve gotten themselves into!

Sloane

April 21, 2006

Hell Yeah, I’m Proud to be an American

I promised myself I would never do this, never give notoriety to people or groups who are a drain on this nation. Now it’s come close to home and I can’t stop myself from lambasting one of the most evil factions of our country.

There is not one person in this country who is ecstatic about the war in Iraq. Families are ripped apart and changes happen within them that can never be repaired. The death of a serviceman or woman affects not only the family and friends of that person, but also the general population. Let me tell you a little story about just such a situation.

Lance Cpl. Philip John Martini was born July 10, 1981. His was an American family just like thousands of others. They loved, argued, and laughed as life moved them forward. One day young Phil decided he’s alter the direction of his life and joined the Marine Corp. His tour of duty took the proud man to Al Anbar, Iraq. A gunshot wound took his life. What was kept alive after this tragedy was the memory of a decorated young man even though his family and friends deeply grieved.

Be prepared, for now comes the horrific part of the story.

There is a church in Topeka, Kansas that has taken the Lord’s word, twisted and contrived, to express the filthiest evil to ever be on printed pages and web sites. Studly printed out the pages because he knew I’d never believe it if I didn’t read it for myself.

This sick, self-appointed cult of insanity teaches, teaches mind you, hate. Not only do they teach it, they practice it with a vengeance. Their pastor, I refuse to capitalize the low life’s title, encourages his mindless minions to go forth across our country and picket the funerals of service people who died in Iraq.

But they don’t stop there. No, not these cowards. They also go to the Veteran’s hospitals carrying signs proclaiming “God Hates America”. How would you like to see that when you’re laying there with a limb or two blown off in the war?

Their web site is a demented display of chapter and verse quoted from the bible. The words are correct but this despicable cult has turned them against the people of this country.

At Lance Cpl. Martini’s funeral this band of cowards got the surprise of their lives. There were over 300 motorcyclists and a crowd of strangers, good people, lined up along the parkway of the church prepared to do whatever it took to keep LCPL Martini’s family and friends shielded from the hate mongers. The police contained the river of slime to across the street and down the block from the church.

I am ashamed I was not there to show my support of a fine soldier. I am exceedingly proud my personal Marine took time off work to go and protect his now dead brother. I have pity in my heart for the unthinking fools who follow this Hitler-like man of the cloth. And I pray God will lift the shroud covering the eyes of the madman’s congregation.

If anyone is interested in their web site, please enter your email address in the comments. I refuse to type their address here so the pervert can’t google his church and celebrate the attention he is receiving. This may not be to clear to you all but I’m very upset about this and beginning to babble.

Sloane

April 14, 2006

Happy Easter

The Christian world is preparing for one of its most religious celebrations – Easter Sunday – the day Jesus arose from the dead.

Two years ago friends and I nestled into the theater to watch Mel Gibson’s “The Passion”. The impact of this production left me speechless. I recommend you rent this acclaimed film. The actors, their performances, and the cinematography surpass every other movie.

Yes, the subject matter is sensitive, especially at this time with all the unrest in the world, but make an effort to look beyond the religious aspect. Consider Jesus as an every day man caught up in the hysteria of his people, a scapegoat if you will. The atrocities he suffered, by what we determine an advanced society, are heart wrenching.

It is phenomenal to me the brutalities we inflict on our fellow humans in the name of righteousness. Over the centuries we obviously have learned nothing to better our relationships with one another.

To all of you, of every faith, I wish you peace and a new found respect for each other.

Sloane

April 11, 2006

Do you see the test pattern?

Before I yank out all my unnaturally blonde hair I’m going to try this one more time.

Here goes!!!!!

April 3, 2006

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had a wonderful week-end. The dance team performed better than ever and came away with two gold ribbons. It was totally awesome. Bob Fosse would have been proud, those little ladies danced their hearts out.

Aurora has some interesting sights including a casino I did not visit, didn’t seem right with the kiddies. Our Comfort Suites hotel room was large enough for all four of us to be, well, comfortable. The location was excellent because right next door was Walter Payton’s Roundhouse Complex, excellent food and service at reasonable prices.

But the best, the very best thing, was our girls won two gold ribbons. WooHoo!!

Sloane, the overly proud grandmama