Lead, Follow, or Get the Hell out of the Way.

 8/24/08

I've been writing for nearly twenty years now. I had two epublishing experiences, several books involved, and they were memorable adventures, but not in a good way, especially the last one. My favorite kind of story is one that's not fettered by word count or strict content, but having just written two manuscripts bound for NY, writing by guideline can be fun, too. I was surprised to be able to step out of my plus length novel into a strict 60,000 word length without a single problem.

I've begun editing the novel that will be out under my pen name, this fall, I'm told. The cover artist has contacted me. She now has my book info and 'faces'. But I've been at this step before and come up with just a slapped cheek to show for it. Still, I've been designing the website for my mystery identity. Anonymity gives me many options for content.

Another project hovering in the background for decades is a young adult story about surviving childhood abuse. Perhaps it's the emails about my upcoming thirty year high school reunion. I'd RSVP-ed that I'd go, but as the time grows nearer, I am plagued by uncomfortable memories of my home life at that time. I've often considered writing an adult survivor or young-adult novel because abuse destroys lives, even though the victim lives. The idea that I could help someone else survive it with less years of residule pain than I've been through inspires me. When I'm ready to touch that subject, the correct format will just come. I have faith.

My fantasy adventure series, Guardians of Eternity, is under consideration of my new publisher. I'm told to expect a contract for Book One: Rogar of Hamun. This mind bending series takes place in the afterlife, the fate of the whole universe heading toward destruction. It's my favorite series. My editor is reading Book 2.

Instead of writing, I've spent the summer with the Fife and Drum Corp in my town. For anyone unfamiliar with that, it's Colonial Re-enactment, parade style.
It's been fun, learning to socialize again after hiding away for years. Next year I hope to be in the drum line on snare. For now, I'm in training, and the corp seamstress. The Revolutionary War has always been my favorite time period, the forming of our nation. Learning to sew clothing from 1776 has already been a rewarding new project in many ways. Though I wouldn't want to wear a floor length dress every day, and work in it, men and women never looked sharper than this period. Is there a novel or two in my head for this time period? Definately.

~ * ~

Favorite Movies
A short stack, and growing longer, of mine are:

Transformers

An Unfinished Life 

Pride and Prejudice
(1995 BBC miniseries)

The Snow Walker

Aliens

French Kiss

Whale Rider

Anne of Green Gables

Finding Neverland

Muriel's Wedding

Batman Begins
Batman: The Dark Knight

National Treasure

What's Love Got to do With It?

Dead Ringer
(1964 Bette Davis  I loved the twists at the end)

Les Miserables 
(1998/ Geoffrey Rush, Liam Neeson)

The Indian in the Cupboard

 The Mummy

The Others

The Mighty

Bad Santa

Hellboy

Ever After

Wuthering Hieghts
(Juliett Binoche, Ralph Fiennes)

Emma

 Little Women

Kull The Conquerer

Willow

Seabiscuit

Lord of the Rings

Ace Ventura Pet Detective

My Cousin Vinny

Fifty First Dates

Legend of Sleepy Hollow
(Christina Ricci Johnny Depp)

Legend

Star Trek - Nemesis
(Crashing the Enterprise into the other ship, spectacular!)

X-Men 1 & 2

Nicholas Nickleby 

Sense and Sensibility 

Give me a Long Island Ice Tea, or a double shot of Bailey's Irish Creme, and a bowl of popcorn makes a perfect afternoon.

Favorite Shows

Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares
 
Any documentary on Egypt, our earth, Archeology, or space

America's Funniest Home Videos

SpongeBob Squarepants

Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe

How It's Made

Good Eats

Unwrapped

The News

CSI
Andrew Zimmern - Bizzare Foods

Star Trek TNG, Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, Voyager

Biographies