Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

 Notice the housetop above the Subway sandwich shop.  Subway is in front of the house, there is an insurance agency to the right of Subway.  I drove around the back and found the house blocked in off the alley by the concrete block back wall of the Subway building.  I drove around the other side of the building and there were double glass doors with a 

Kwik Shop sign on the doors.  

So, this begs some questions. . .

Why is this house here?

 Is it possible to get into the house?

Why did the original business (Kwik Shop) build around the house rather than tear the house down?

If you work at Subway, when you go into the back of the business, can you tell when you're in the house?

What questions do you have about this strange phenomenon?

What were the original business owners and the property owners thinking to let this happen?

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     I AM MARILYN

She’s the blond stand out

Smart, beautiful, talented

The family white sheep


© Lydia Lowe  12/22/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

This man's face tells a story.  His eyes are windows to his soul.

Notice the lines, the shadows, the bags and sags of his skin, the expressive eyes.

 How old is he?
Who is he?

 What has his life been like?

 Why did the artist decide to draw this particular man?

 When was this drawing done?

 Where is he from?  Who are his descendants?  His family?

Think about what his back story could be and where his story goes from here.

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     SINGING IN AN EARLY SPRING

19 degrees outside today
frost clings to
rooftops,
cars,
fenceposts,
and
highline wires,
a bird begins to sing in the
tip top of a leafless winter tree,
another arrives, joins the song
flitting through the air, black bodies gleam
twenty
more
silhouettes
againest
the
sky arrive 
landing in the prickly branches
joining in the song!

© Lydia Lowe  12/08/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

More wisdom from the Midas Muffler sign

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     LAUGHTER

today I was surprised
by laughter
a slow smile graced my face
where,
earlier,
a heavy heart, worry
ruled my world
then for a little while
that lifted
it's like a vacation
from my life
                            a
                               breath
                                         of
                                             fresh
                                                     air

© Lydia Lowe  12/07/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

  
Overheard at a community Thanksgiving dinner at Applebees:

"Seat me at the bar, I don't want to sit with strangers".  Seriously?  Who does she think will be sitting next to her at the bar?

I had no problem sitting with "strangers".  Why?  I've never met a "stranger", everyone's a friend that I haven't met yet.

For today, say "Hello" to someone you don't know.

And if they are happy on the inside, they will be thrilled that you spoke to them.

If they are angry on the inside, they will be angry that you spoke to them.

Happy people like "happy" and angry people like "angry".

It's a win-win!!!  HA! HA!

Have a great day!

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     MELANCHOLY

another cold day
and three months gone
clouds, snow, and ice, greet me
crusty windshields
on cars,
crusty roofs
on houses,
a crow sits there
upon the high wire
who calls and calls and calls
in mournful tune
that's right buddy,
I silently agree
it's cold outside and I'm so tired

© Lydia Lowe  02/24/2010

A Little Something Extra . . .Saturday

     There are some exciting changes a foot for this next year, here on "Chalk Outlines".  There will be more poems, photos, quotes, a short film? (possibly; it's shot but not produced) and maybe a short story or too.  I have a funny short story that I read at Open Mic night at the library and there was a lot of laughter!

     I'll be adding some pages, which will appear as tabs across the top of my blog entries. One of these tabs will have the ordering information for my books.  This will happen sometime after the first of the year. 

     As you know, I wrote a novel for National Novel Writing Month last year, entitled "Confusion".  It was scheduled for release near the end of this year and would have been for sale on Amazon.  Unfortunately, that deadline has more or less come and gone.  This novel is still in rewrite and I am hopeful it will be available for sale in 2012.  It depends on how the rewriting process continues to go.  The novel I wrote this year, "Bounce On A Wire",  has turned into a trilogy and it won't be ready until sometime in 2013.  I will keep you posted on my progress.   

     If you would like a copy of my blog posts, in several different forms, they will also be available for sale under the "books" tab next year.

     The year's not over yet.  There are more poems, photo's and quotes ahead to round out the year.

     MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

© Lydia Lowe  12/03/2011

And Now . . .

 . . . Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

     -the madness of NaNoWriMo is officially over.
    
     -returning on Monday, I'm switching back to poetry-Monday's, photo-Wednesday's, and quotes/prompts-Friday's, to finish out the end of the year.  Enjoy!  See you on Monday!

Post NaNoWriMo

     Today is the last day for the competition.  Many people are finishing up their novels and many more have given up completely.  I am glad that I'm done and already have my noveling winners certificate hanging on my wall of fame.
     I work so hard and with such singlemindedness throughout the month, that when the competition is over I go through a variety of different feelings.  At first, I'm just so glad to be done.  It's great to take that first night to just relax.  I don't write, I don't even crack open my laptop.  I don't think about plot lines or characters or what direction the novel is moving toward.  I putter around the house and put things away, marvel at all the extra time I have, take out the trash, water my plants.  Just relax and get back to normal daily chores.
     But then Day #2 hits.  I'm not a big fan of Day #2.  The main reason is that I feel like I'm at loose ends.  The novel is done.  It's too soon to start the re-write.  I've put all the art projects that I usually work on away, so that I can focus on my novel.  In order to get back to work on those art projects I have to get them back out and re-aquaint myself with where I was at in the process.  This requires some thought and planning, with a brain that's fresh off noveling so this becomes to much trouble to pursue.
     Now I'm cranky and out-of-sorts, so I try some special activities.  A special supper or a trip to browse through a bookstore, a long walk, anything to take the edge off.  But of course, nothing works.  I just have to get through the cranky phase and move on.  Sometimes this phase can last a few days. 
     So, I'm glad that the novel is done, more or less, and I'm not anxious to get back to it just yet.  But there's always that cranky period to get through and that part I'm anxious to move past.  I keep on moving forward . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #27

     WOO HOO!!!  WINNER!!!   Yes!  I did it.  Another successful National Novel Writing Month has drawn to a close.  My official word count: 51,747 words.  The official count on the website is always different.  (Last year I actually gained a few words.)  This year I lost 10 words.
     This year, it was touch and go.  I had so many distractions and so many obstacles to overcome.  2011 has been a rough year all the way around.  It seems to be wrapping up a bit better, though.  And at the end of November, I finished my novel.
     Not only did I finish my novel, but I learned a lot more last year than I thought I did and this year I have created a trilogy.  I've always wondered how an author goes about deciding whether a book is worthy of more than one story.  This year I discovered just how multiple books come into being.  I didn't set out to write a trilogy, it just happened.
     So, there is the original story, which I unfortunately did not get completed, although I know where it's going and where it will end.  Then there were two characters who entered the story and demanded their own story.  They convinced me that they could add to the original story and once they fleshed out the story were worthy of their own book.  By then another character showed up that didn't really have a stake in the original characters but was more interested in what the two new characters were doing.  His back story convinced me that he might be in line to have a story of his own.  So, I guess I'm set up for several more years of NaNoWriMo. 
     I can't believe that I did it, again.  I won.  Yeah me!!!  Now it's time for a nap. 

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #26

     Nothing to add to the word count yesterday.  Saturday's are not very good day's to write.  They could be, if I'd organize my day better.  But really, everyone needs one day where they don't get right into the day immediately and can take some time to just putter about the house and relax.  With that said, writing generally relaxes me more than anything else that I do.  Except maybe when I'm on a deadline, like I am now.  Sometimes the deadline is not as relaxing.
      I should finish my novel today.  Or part of it.  Rather than "finish it" let's say "reach 50,000 words".  I really think I'm looking at a trilogy.  I also have a thought that this story may change considerably during the re-write stage.  I have all kinds of things cooking in my brain right now.
     See you tomorrow at the finish line . . .

 © Lydia Lowe  11/2011 

NaNoWriMo #25

      I'm now up to 49,643 words, having logged 1,660 more last night.  I am so close.  Unfortunately, I probably won't have time to write today.  But hey, that's O-Kay.  I'm very close.  Tomorrow I'm going to finish this up, at some point.  It won't be the actual ending because there is too much story left to tell.  I'm just going to write until I get to an ending point that sounds good.  Probably a chapter ending.
     While I wrote yesterday I kept the thought of a trilogy in the back of my mind, and I think that I've figured out a way to do that.  Remember Devlin from a few posts back?  Well, he was just going to be a brief plot point in the story.  But I think I'm going to have enough back story on him to give him his own story.  It's all tangled up with Gwendolyn and Zelda and not as much with Ann and Ann Marie.  Perhaps that's how I'll end my story, with Devlin's back story.  I just hope Devlin doesn't bring a bunch of his friends with him or I may never be able to end the original story!!! 
     I can see the finish line from here.  It's just so beautiful. . .the sunshine beaming down on the tape across the road up ahead.  Sprinting towards the finish line . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #24

     Logged another 3,320 words on Thursday.  I now have a back story for Zelda.  Back stories take up a lot of words.  In the re-write, I'm sure the back story will be abbreviated or even eliminated for Zelda and Gwendolyn.  These are more character studies than actual story plot points.
     I'm slogging through the word count and getting the novel written.  I like it better when the plot is moving, fast.  The first draft is always going to have issues.  I'm just getting the story down and trying to find out what the story is about, who the characters are, if there are any other characters that want to spin-off.  Apparently there is another story within this one.  I'm wondering if I could possibly make this into a trilogy?
     Hmmmm. . . could this be a three-fer ???

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #23

     I forgot to update my word count last night.  Honestly, this is the first time that has happened.  Updating my word count is what I'm all about.  So, my word count, which currently sits at 44,663 words, is two days worth of word count.
     I am so tired.  I've come a long way but I'm tired.  I've got 5,337 words to "win".  The end is in sight.  I have the day off tomorrow and I'm going to try to finish my word count.  I don't know if that will happen right now, but that is the plan. 
     The 50,000 word limit is a far cry from the finished story.  My novel grew the more I wrote and turned into something that I never expected.  I learned a lot more last year, when I wrote my first novel, than I realized.
     Needing a nap, or a good-night's sleep, or both . . . 

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #22

      I added an additional 1,660 words last night.  Slow going since the big word send up last Saturday.  So maybe I'm not adding huge numbers to my word count, but I'm consistent.  Sometimes slow and steady is all you need to win the race. 
     I have this evening and full days; Thursday and Friday.  I'm sure I can push forward to the finish line with that strategy.  I'm hoping that this weekend I can finish up.  The finish line is closer all the time.
     Gwendolyn did produce a new friend, Zelda.  Those two are something else.  I have got to write their story next year.  I thought I would take a break next year, but these two characters arrived out of nowhere with a story of their own and they've been hinting that it needs to be told.  Hinting?  Did I say that?  I guess if you can call grabbing the front of my shirt and shaking me while repeating "we need a spin-off", hinting. 
     Then there was the mysterious Devlin, who was watching the watcher who carelessly left behind something of value.  What's that all about?  Did Devlin leave something behind or was it the watcher?  That's unclear at this point.  Devlin's not a bad guy, he's just named that way!!!  HA! HA!  (I love that line from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"  Jessica, the pin-up girl says, "I'm not a bad girl, I'm just drawn that way".)  I think I've trotted that reference out before.  Sounds very familiar.
     Headed toward the finish line. . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #21

     Not much for a word count yesterday.  I added on 1,413 words.  But at least I added to my word count.  There are times that adding to the word count is so slow, it's like torture.  I think that 7,000 plus, word day really took it out of me.  I need about 12,000 words to finish. 
     I'm already planning where I'm going to frame and hang my winner's certificate.  I might be getting a little bit ahead of myself, but I can see the end up ahead and I still have such a long way to go on my story.  50,000 words is only going to scratch the surface of what I'm writing. I should have no trouble reaching my goal.
     My story last year was a good one.  It had layers and dimensions, several plot twists and a decent amount of characters.  This year, though, I am blown away by how much my story telling skills have grown.  By leaps and bounds. 
     I have parked my paper boat (it was taking on water and my words were disappearing) jumped on a paper airplane and headed out.  Yes, this is a lot faster and it's easier to see where I'm going from up here.

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #20

     Few words were written yesterday.  It was hard to sit down to write, after the blow-out that was Saturday.  Yesterday, I just wasn't feeling it.   I wrote but not for long and not many words,
     Tonight I have a meeting to go to and it won't wrap up until about 9:00 p.m. so I doubt much will be written tonight.  Although today, I'm feeling ready to get back to it.  By tomorrow night, I bet I'll be chomping at the bit to write. 
     I have roughly 13,000 words to go to finish.  The end is in sight.  Yeah!  I wondered this year if I was going to make it or not.  It's looking better and better all the time.  Still not there yet, but I can see 50,000 words from here.  Faint on the horizon, but it looks like a bright, shiny, happy place.  (Of course, maybe that's the glare off the binocular lenses.)
     Headed off to 50,000 word land on the NaNo map in my paper sailboat . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

This Just In . . .

Total word count yesterday . . .7,626!!!

NaNoWriMo #19

      I made a giant leap forward on my novel yesterday.  I went from 28,984 to 36,610.  That's like a lot of words, or something.  I don't know if I have enough gray matter left to figure up how many words that is right now.  Maybe later on.
     I feel completely brain dead.  I'm not sure which way is up at this point.  I have sat so long in one spot that I feel like I have become attached to my recliner.  I think I'm going to have to have someone cut me free from the chair.  (Not really, but it sounds cool, doesn't it? or maybe not, at this point I have no idea-everything seems pretty funny, although not necessarily funny HA HA but more like funny strange-am I rambling? does any of this make any sense?)
     At least now I'm caught up and I've made a giant leap forward.  Plus I solved my plot problem!  YES!  I thought this story was about a possible reincarnation but it turns out, that it isn't about that at all.  It's about something else entirely.  Think "Quantum Leap" meets "Back to the Future" or something like that.  Maybe not entirely those two movies, but pretty close.  No, come to think of it that's not right at all.  I'll figure it out and get back to you.
      I can't believe how complicated the plot has become or how many characters have showed up that I hadn't planned on.  It's pretty amazing.  This book is going to be way more that 50,000 words.  The re-write is going to be something else yet again.
     On to day #20 . . .


© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #18

     I got absolutely zero writing done last night.  Another late night.  Two in a row.  However, I did get to go to "Get The Led Out"---which is a Led Zeppelin tribute to "the music"  band.  Watch for more info on my ReVue blog.  I was covering the concert for my blog.  It was one of the best concerts I've ever been, too.  Pretty amazing.
      My word count is suffering, though.  So, I'm going to play catch up today and see if I can blow past the stats.  Today's word count is 31,666.  I'm sure that 666 thing is not meant to discourage anyone in the event they do or do not make their word count.  It's just how everything adds up and so on and so forth.  Currently, I am sitting at 28,984 words.  This is my word count from Wednesday night, which was impressive then, but now I am behind, again.
     When I last left my story, Gwendolyn (don't call her Gwen) had taken over the story for a whopping 5,016  words.  She let me know that she had a friend who was coming along with her in a day or two and was probably going to need about this many words, too as she had a back story to tell, just like Gwendolyn.  Then Gwendolyn demanded her own book.  Talk about pushy!  Gwendolyn was just suppose to tie up a lose end.  That was it.  And now, I find out that she didn't even do that, she just created a need for more clarity, so who knows how many  more characters are going to show up before this is all over.  I wonder if they will need their own books too?
     A word of caution---if a character named Gwendolyn shows up and wants in on your story, do not invite her in.  Not even for a little while.  No matter how good she makes what she's selling sound.  Close the door firmly and tell her to check out the next book over, you do not want to buy what she is selling.
     Perhaps she's found a home with me, and won't bother you.  But you never can tell . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #17

     Last year was much easier.  My story was nice and tight.  I had minimal characters and the story followed a moment in a family's history.  Albeit a quite bizarre moment that most families don't ever experience, involving shovels and bludgeoning.  And a cover-up by local officials, specifically a small town sheriff.  Plus it was based in part on two local crimes from way back before the turn of the twentieth century.
     I had a formula that I made up on my own.  I'd start each writing session with a blank document and an idea from the night before where the story was suppose to go.  I was writing the story chapter by chapter.  (I would make a note at the bottom of the main document before I quit writing for the night.)  Then I'd write the next days section (chapter) and attach it to the main document when I was done.
     This worked out for me on a much better level.  I don't really know why.  I think it made me more aware of where I was at in the story and the natural progression/flow of where the story was going.  I needed to keep my characters straight and the story straight in my mind because I was starting out clean every day.  Plus it gave me a starting point and I could think on it all day as I lived my life. 
     This year I've just added onto the end of the document as I've written.  There is no clarity for me.  I've lost the characters, the direction, I have an unformed plot twist I can't seem to solve, the whole story seems a little murky.
     Also, this year, I'm dealing with more characters, the plot is more sophisticated, and it is revolving around a current real life event that may or may not take place in 2012.  This event has been O-Kay'd by the United States government but Canadian officials are having a hard time deciding if they want in on it.  If they don't vote "yes", it won't happen.  I came across this by accident during some research.
     Still plugging along. . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #16

     I had an excellent writing night last night.  These cold evenings really do it for me, somehow.  I began the night at 23,968 and ended at 28,984.  Total word count for the night: 5,016.  Wow!  I started early and wrote until well after I should have headed off to bed.  I was completely exhausted.  So, I was surprised when I woke up at 6:00 a.m. wide awake.  Amazing!
     Some of my time last night was spent on listing my characters and their main contribution to the story.  I had lost a few of my characters and one of them, I have no idea why he's even there.  He really doesn't serve any purpose and he doesn't do anything.  He just made a brief appearance and he's outta there.
     I also spent some time outlining the story and where it needs to go.  I have a plot detail that is stubborn and I can't seem to resolve it.  It's a sticking point and I may not be able to resolve it.  I guess if worse comes to worse, I can take care of it in my re-write. 
     I was feeling really good about my word count and how far I had come, until I pulled up the stats for today and I'm about where I need to be at this time for the month of November.  I won't get much writing done today.  And Friday night is going to be a bust, too.  I have a concert to go to for my other blog-ReVue.  Maybe on Saturday, I can get caught up again.  All I've done this year is play catch-up.  It's my crazy life. . .which will be on display again. . . tomorrow.  Tune in . . .
    
© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #15

     As of last night, I am 1,032 words from the goal for yesterday.  Of course, then today hit and I am way behind again.  I'm not giving up.  I'm going to stick with it to the end.  I intend to make it to the goal-50,000 words. 
      It's hard, sometimes, to keep banging out the word count.  The last two nights I've spent the entire evening working on my novel trying to get caught up.  Three hours every evening.  I don't get much done at home at night after work.  But I keep telling myself that it will all be worth it and in December (or at the end of 50,000 words) I will get back to my life again.
     Last night a new character showed up-baggage and all.  Gwendolyn took over the story and would not let up all night.  Then I find out that she has a friend that she's going to drag into this story.  She won't make a return appearance tonight but she will be back soon. 
     In fact, she has suggested a story of her own.  Gwendolyn  (don't call her Gwen)  came complete with an entire story and characters.  Apparently she has been waiting in the wings, "watching" for the right opportunity.
     Her story is a bit different and I'm thinking that next year, for NaNoWriMo, I may just have to write it.  If not before.  I was thinking of taking a break next year because this year has been such a struggle.   But now, I'm not so sure.    

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #14

     The planets aligned.  The moon shown down.  And I added a hefty amount to my word count.  I started the night at 18,624 words and ended the night at 21,269 words.  That translates into 2,645.  I didn't quite make up the ground that I needed too (I'm still behind about 3,731 words) but I'm back in the game.  I need to hit 30,000 by Friday to stay on track.  Can I make it?  I believe I can.  That's only 8,731 words away.  I'll just keep plugging away at it. 
     Last night didn't go quite the way I had it planned.  I had a late day appointment, a trip to the grocery store (I price shop so I ended up at two grocery stores) didn't get home in time to walk but had groceries to put away and dinner to fix, clothes to wash, and then finally the night was clear to write.  Too many distractions.  Tonight should be better.
     Tuesday night there is nothing to watch on basic cable.  Absolutely nothing.  There is no t.v. to tempt me.  No appointments to go to, no stores to stop at, nothing to put away or wash, I don't even have to fix dinner because I have leftovers from last night.  So, clear sailing into my novel tonight.
     I was amazed that I could pick up right where I left off and get right into the story.  At this point, people are fading in and out for no apparent reason and I found out that there is a new character that is going to show up tonight.  I had no idea.  She wasn't in the original plans.  I didn't know she even existed until last night.  People were fading in and out and apparently she saw to much.  I didn't even know she was on the deck.  But after I wrapped up my writing for the night, she asked me if I was going to start off with her character tonight.  She apparently has a backstory, too.  A new character complete with baggage.  Who knew?
     What does she have in store for the current cast of characters?  Tune in tomorrow . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #13

     Yesterday was a bust and today, I'm just not feeling it.  I've thought about giving it up for this year.  My heart just isn't in it with everything that's going on around me. 
      Some of it's good, like beautiful weather and I want to be outside.  I've been raking leaves and going for walks, went to the park this afternoon and scuffed through the red, orange, yellow leaves that have fallen.  The leaves look so beautiful laying in the overlong green grass.  I got to see a couple of cat friends that I always stop to pet and talk to on my walks.   (And then, some of it's not so good.)
     It's not looking like today is going to generate any new word count.  I'm not quite ready to give up yet.  Tomorrow evening, I have cleared everything from my calendar and I'm going to spend the evening writing.  Hopefully I can get back on track.  I hope that actually works out.  I'll keep you posted . . .
    
 
© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #12

     I spent the day in Hutchinson visiting family and friends.  I got there early and stayed late.  I didn't get home until after 11:00 p.m.  No writing took place today.  None at all.  I thought about my story, the characters and what they might be doing if I had time to sit and write everything out formally. 
     I wish sometimes that what I think about the story, the plot twists and all could just be spoken out loud and written down somewhere.  Surely there must be some sort of program that could just transcribe everything I say into the written word as I go about my day, so I can keep my word count high.  Funny thing, I saw a program on the NaNo website that can do just that.  They are a sponsor this year.  The sponsor company is "Dragon".  There are a lot of other great sponsor's listed on the site.  Just go to the Donations/Store tab and a list will pop up.

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #11

      I don't know what happened this year with NaNo and my novel.  The story is solid but for some reason,  I just can't get on with the writing.  My word count is stuck at 18,624.  (There are a lot of outside factors at work here, things going on behind the scenes).
     For today, it's a bust.  Nothing to add to my word count.  I'll try again tomorrow.  The official marker for today is 18,333 words.  I'm just a little bit ahead of that with my 18,624.
    
© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #10

     I didn't learn my lesson about writing in bed, from the night before.  I had a rough day yesterday and I was so wound up.  I knew that the one thing that would calm me down, is to write.  So, having not learned my lesson from the night before,  I snuggled into my big comfy bed and began writing.  Yes, you guessed it.  I "faded" off to sleep. 
     Typing in my sleep is something I'm obviously becoming quite good at.  Last night I typed "But Mayo Clinic"  and I vaguely remembered that I deleted and retyped so that it would be in all capitals.  The Mayo Clinic has absolutely nothing to do with my story.  No matter how you look at the story, this is never going to work its way into my story. 
     I'm wondering if I'm receiving messages from aliens, ghosts, spirits (or are those two the same things?) or if my subconscious is trying to tell me something.  Maybe something about the value of the Mayo Clinic?
     Could it be, no, wait, maybe, oh my gawd, commercials!  That's it.  Commercials in my subconscious.  Is there no where those ad guys won't go?  Who'd have thought that they could channel the subconscious?
     I really need a good writing day.  And soon, because for two nights Ann Marie has been fading and she can't quite pull it together, and I'm nodding off to sleep, and my word count is not moving forward very fast.

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #9

     I think that my characters and their journey are starting to affect me directly.  Last night, so tired, but I wanted to get some more of the story down.  So I set up my work station on my big comfy bed and began typing the story.  Everything was going along fine.  I'm thinking this is a terrific idea.  I should write like this more often.
     Ann Marie is fading on the deck when - I faded, and dozed off.  I know, I know, my writing is so exciting it's putting me to sleep.  HA! HA!  When I popped my eyes back open in less than a second I had typed the word "value".  I had no idea, first of all, that I could type while asleep and second, I have no idea what the word "value" means.  It had nothing to do with what I was writing at the time.  It made no sense in the context of the sentence that I was writing.
     I wonder if my subconscious was trying to tell me something?  Were my characters reaching out to me from the pages of the book?  Have I channeled some ghostly spirit from beyond the grave?  What does the word value have to do with the story?  Is this significant?  Am I over-thinking all of this?  Is that the point?  A cosmic trick to make me think that this is significant when clearly it is not?  (Like sands through an hourglass, so goes the thoughts in my mind or something like that.  Isn't that a soap opera on T.V.?  Stop me before I think again!)
     Welcome to my world!  Yes, I am always like this.  Step inside my brain; walk through the beaded curtain, look around at the exhibits, touch the furry cats, there are peanuts available to feed the people I've collected over the years,  be careful-some of them are biters, step up on the barrel top, feel it slip out from under you as you slide down the chute to the exit.  Don't forget to tip your waiter on the way out.  More tomorrow . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #8

     So here we are, in the second week.  I must admit that I am struggling a bit.  Last year, I flew through the second week and didn't look back.  I questioned why everyone thought this week was so difficult.  I didn't think it was.  And it's not difficult, this year, for the reasons that everyone who participates says that it is.  Not for me anyway.  My story is going along fine.  It just hasn't taken off. 
     Last year I had times when the story would take off without me and all I could do was hold on and type as fast as I could.  I had a rough idea of where it was going and it made it there, more or less, well before the deadline when I could download.  I kept hoping, while I waited for that portion of the site to open, that I wouldn't forget to load my novel for the final count.
     Last night, a strange development occurred.  Well, not really.  I knew where I was going but just not how I was going to get there.  One of my characters walked across a balcony, in the early morning sunlight and faded out, just a little bit, briefly  How did this happen and why?  No one knows.  Apparently, the 1860's were a very confusing time.   
     Tonight's portion has virtually written itself, though.  So that's good.  I can see the plot and where it's going in the future.  Now if I could just get the sense that the story is taking off in a mad dash?
     I was talking to a friend last night and told her about my NaNo adventure.  I explained about my book from last year; how I came about the story and gave her a brief synopsis of the story.  She said that it sounded like a terrific read.  Last year's book was: "Confusion".  So then I told her about this year's book; where the original story came from and a brief synopsis of where the story is going.  She said that it sounded good too.  She likes to read.  Maybe I've found an editor?  
     I'm thinking there's going to be another "fade to grey" again tonight.   Until tomorrow . . .
    
© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #7

     My energy is up but I'm having trouble getting that energy to run down my arm, onto the pen and across the paper in the form of words.  I'm not way behind, but I'm not on track.  Losing a Saturday writing night, kinda blew my momentum.  My writing time last night was productive.  I added a healthy amount of words to my word count and I moved the story along.  And I have tonight's idea ready to go.  Plus it's raining, so it should be another productive writing night.
     Andy (yes, I stuck with the name) and Ann Marie had a long talk last night.  Maybe she's not quite the ditz I took her for earlier.  Tonight there is a surprise planned.  Something that no one will anticipate happening.  I'm going to bring all four of my main characters together.  Maria, Flynn, Andy and Ann Marie, which is going to be tricky.  I hope I'm up to the task.  I'm going to need some time to write it out.  (Tuesday is a notoriously poor T.V. night.  Thank goodness!)
     This is going to involve some thinking on how I'm going to pull this off.  I don't know if I'm up to the challenge but if it doesn't turn out exactly like I want it, well, that's what re-writes are for, right?  Of course they are.  Better to dive right in and get a little dirty and muck around a bit.  Something will come of it and I can polish it in another draft. 
     The gear's are turning and I'm focused on my technique right at the moment.  I'll have more tomorrow, so tune in then. . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #6

     I had a much better writing night last night.  I only wrote for any hour but got an amazing amount done.  I'm not sure why that happened or how, but I'll take it.  I'm not feeling nearly as tired as I was last week.  The first week of NaNo is always the hardest.  This year it seemed worse than last year, but maybe I just don't remember.  Once I get into the swing of things, along about the second week, everything evens out and I hit my stride.  I passed 10,000 words last night.
     Well, last night it was the all Andy show.  All Andy all the time.  (I think I'm going to change his name to something else.  I keep thinking Andy Travis from WKRP while I write.  Maybe I'm channeling that character.  He was the only sane one on that show.  Until that one episode where he wondered if they'd turned him as nuts as they were.  Maybe I'll change his name to something like, I don't know, maybe Frank.)      
     Andy seems to be the most down to earth character I have.  He's just really solid.  Nothing weird, nothing strange.  No drama.  He's just "the guy" whose trying to live his life as best as he can.  Ann Marie has turned into a flake and I did not see that coming.  Not at all.  She finally met up with Andy, and he is enchanted.  Figures.  I think he might try to "save" her.  That's what he's thinking right now, anyway.  I don't know if she needs saving yet or not.  Probably not.  He might.
     It's raining outside and there's thunder.  The perfect night to get a lot of writing done.  I can't wait.  Mood weather.  Of course, when I left off last night, it was sunny and bright.  Hey, freak storms come up all the time.  You just never know.   I'm headed toward 20,000 words . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #5

         Didn't get much of anything written last night.  There just wasn't time yesterday.  I wrote a lot of different things for a lot of different reasons but nothing for NaNo.   I came up with all kinds of plot twists in my mind but nothing ran down my hand onto the paper.  It was time for a break, really.  But now today, I'm back, I'm refreshed and looking forward to a night of writing dangerously.  I think I'll blame it on the earthquake in Oklahoma last night, that was felt all the way into Kansas.  Unfortunately, I didn't feel it or even know it happened as I was on the road and heard about it once I got home.  Oh well . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo #4

     I can't keep anything straight right now.  I'm just kinda going around in a daze.  This always happens near the end of the first week.  It takes about that long to get into a writing routine.  And to not let it matter that everything else in my life is in a mess.  I'll set it all right beginning December 1st.  But for now, it's all about the story.
     Last night it was suppose to be Flynn and then Andy telling their stories.  But that darn Ann Marie!  I was going along with Flynn, finding out that he has a vulnerable side and is maybe not quite as fearless as he pretends to be.  He's feeling his age and his limited abilities, but he's pressing on.  I think he's trying to impress a girl.  He really shouldn't do that because I can tell you, it's going to end badly.
     Then it was Andy's turn to advance his part of the story.  I had his name titled and his section ready to go.  When out of nowhere, Ann Marie just took over the story.  She just gushed and I couldn't shut her up.  You see, she just got a job and she was so very happy.  I guess it was about time to start mixing it up and interweaving the story.
     Anyway, I'm not sure where the story is going from here after all these unexpected developments.  But I'll keep you posted.  I know the ending just not how I'm going to get there.  Stay tuned for further information.

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011 

NaNoWriMo #3

     I'm so tired.  The first week is always the hardest.  I have to have complete quiet to write and it's hard to remember where I left off the night before.  I can't get up in the morning and  I'm so tired when I go to bed at night.  I keep looking at my word count and I don't seem to be getting very far.  The month seems far to short and it's only the third of November.  I keep forgetting things and my apartment is a huge mess right now.
     But then something generally happens without my even realizing it, along about the second week.  I get to the point that noise of any kind, no matter how loud or annoying, just disappears into the background while I write.  My characters start living interesting lives, I think about them during the day and try to decide what they will do on the page that night.  I bounce out of bed in the morning to get in a little writing before work and I can't quite give up and go to bed at night.  My word count explodes and I actual quite paying any attention to it.  The word count just doesn't matter.  I become more efficient with my time when I do things other than writing.  It's very strange, indeed.
     Last night Ann Marie made it to New York.  She seem's to be a bit of a ditz.  I'm not sure why.  She's not suppose to be.  I mean, she's no brain but last night was kind of ridiculous.  True, she is clear across the country and in a totally new environment, but still . . . 
     Maria told this heart wrenching story about the loss of her family.  She just took over the story.  To add insult to injury, the guy running the whole show paid her for her work, but didn't pay her for her family's work.  I mean, they were dead after all.  Of course, they died while they were working for him.  It was kind of an Upton Sinclair writes "The Jungle" moment.  (For those who haven't read The Jungle, go do that right now.  It is an incredibly good book.)  Oh, then he fired her.
     Tonight, Flynn is back.  He wanted to come back last night.  He's a media hog!  I've got something planned for him later that he's not going to like very well.  I'm kind of wondering if he's going to let it happen.  He's become a pretty strong character, especially for a bit player.
     Check in to tomorrow for more teasers . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

NaNoWriMo Day #2

     Yesterday, was easy.  A title, OMG!, I wondered if one was going to show up in time.  I was feeling pretty pleased by the fact that I had a title.  Until last night . . .one of the male characters, Flynn, decided that he wants to change it to "Dance on a Wire".  He pleaded a pretty good case and I was just about to change it.  Well, O-Kay, I was actually going to change it.  When I tried to, though, I wasn't able too.  Maybe once the title is set it's set. 
     So, I just told him it can't be changed now.  He laughed at me and said, "Who are you trying to kid.  I'm from the 1860's and even I know that anything on a computer can be changed at any time."  He made a valid point.  I'm not as tired as I was last night when I finished writing, so I'll check in with Help on the NaNo site and see what I can do about the title.  I don't want Flynn to get all "1860's" on me again tonight.  HA! HA!
     My first night I wrote 2,466 words.  I thought that was fine.  I have no trouble getting started.  I just dive right in.  I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm doing so I just get my hands dirty and see what happens.  I was feeling fine about my word count (until just a minute ago when I looked back at last year's count and realized on the first day last year I was at 3,490 words after the first day, man that has got to be a misprint-some blog god's must have gone in and changed that over the year).
     I think that my character's must have had something to do with that.  Last year they were all present day folks who just liked to bash each other in the head with shovels and such.  This year they are all mysterious and when I question them they throw around buzz words like "1860's" and make title changes and I think Flynn may just go rogue on me.  He's not even a main character. 
     Then on the second night, last night, I did another respectable word count of 1969 words and now I'm at 4,435.  I'm thinking that's another good showing.  So I go to log in my count and now I have two days worth and the stat meter is able to measure my progress and suddenly I find out that I have 45,565 words to go to the goal.  Wow, that seems like a lot of words.  Here we go again . . .

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

I Have A Title. . . plus a word count!

"Bounce on a Wire"

2,466 words

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

National Novel Writing Month

Tuesday is the first day of NaNoWriMo.  I went to an organization meeting

at the Smoky Hill Museum on Sunday.

We had seven people show up.  Hopefully, they will still be there at the end.

For those who are unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo,

this is a month long celebration of writing

where participants write a novel, 

50,000 words,

in a month.

Last year, I completed this adventure and wrote a novel.

There were probably a dozen people who started

the journey with me and maybe three, who finished.

One of the things that helped me last year, was watching

my writing buddies word counts and

trying to keep up and pass them.  Eventually, though,

the leader in word count just blew right past me

and there was no way to catch him.  By then,

well, it was close to the end and I had reached my word count.

Keep watching this blog for updates, photo's, excerpts, etc. throughout

the month of November.

© Lydia Lowe  11/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Week



What's your idea of the "good life"?  



A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT

a lone frog's voice thrums
then goes silent
begins again

as the darkness swirls
slow rising fog
blots out objects

softly, slowly, floating higher
invisible air dons its mask

blackness turns opaque
shiny air wisps
crickets singing
in the slick grass

© Lydia Lowe  10/24/2011

A Little Something Extra . . .Saturday

Here's a project that I put together on my own.

It's a giant granny square that I just kept putting rounds on until

it would cover the pillow form that I had,

which was a 12" pillow form.

Is this the front side or the back side?  You choose.

                                                The yarn is Tweed Stripes in the Lakeview color.

I used a J crochet hook.

I started out with 6 ch stitches and formed a ring and then worked a traditional

granny square pattern using 3 double crochet stitches and 2 ch stitches at the corners and

in between the 3 double crochet stitiches.

There are 15 rows.

I turned the square so that it formed a diamond across the front of the pillow

and then put it together across the back in a criss cross pattern.

The pillow is covered in a light green fabric that is actually the back side of an

army green fabric with gold vines that I didn't much care for.

It's a quick an easy project when you want something to do with your hands but you don't

want to have to think about it too much.

Is this the front side or back side?  You choose.

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

Something to ponder from the Midas Muffler sign
This is the sign that brought us such good advice about "unicorns" a while back.

A Picture's Worth . . .

Contest Update!!!

DonkeyWolf blog hosted a contest to celebrate the publishing of a new book,

"PUSH Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art",

which I posted here on Oct. 1. 

The results are finally in and unfortunately, I didn't win. 

But four very talented people did and you need to check out their work. 

It is amazing!!!  

PUSH Contest

Mondays Poetry Moment

     HEARING AIDS

hearing aid, dreaded word
make it small, smaller, smallest yet
hide it in your ear
hide it on your glasses
hide it in your shirt pocket
deny any and all use of it

cell phone, Bluetooth technology
make it big, bigger, biggest yet
display it on your ear
show it off
connect with friends
I am important, you should know

isn't a Bluetooth just another hearing aid?

© Lydia Lowe  10/19/2011

A Little Something Extra . . .Saturday

I'm participating in a block of the month on the Internet.  It's "Home Sweet Home" and you can find it at the following address: http://pacificpatchwork.typepad.com/quilt_happy_quilt_often/2011/02/new-block-of-the-month.html aka "Quilt Happy, Quilt Often".  This BOM began in February and runs for 12 months.  Here's what I've completed so far:

Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct.
I need to complete:
O = Nov.
M = Dec.
E = Jan.
I should be finished with the stitchery and felt objects by January 2012.
I'll have another update in January or February with the completed project.  Stay tuned . . .

                                                                               

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

According to this quilt label, Maggie and Mary Wallerius were sisters and in the early part of the 20th Century they hand sewed and hand quilted a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt.  The very quilt that this label is attached too.

Why did these two sisters decide to make a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt?

Why did they make it together?

What might they have discussed while making the quilt?

Whom did they make the quilt for?

And what the heck is a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt?



A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     OCTOBER'S END

Shiver without a jacket
Sweating with a jacket on
Finally tied around my waist

Walk through wind blown, dusty grass
Scuff through leaves with black shoes on
Dust finding the crevices

A raven flies overhead
Settling in on top of
A locked family monument

Wind whips through the Cedar trees
Ruffling Raven's feather's
Inky black bird's mournful call

Uncomfortable twitters
Nervous laughter, dark remarks
By the group of passersby

Macabre cemetery walk
On Halloween afternoon
A tour of tombstones and tragedy

© Lydia Lowe  3/23/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

Without music, life would be a mistake.

. . .  Friedrich Nietzsche



A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     MOON GLOW

creamy, pale, orb
candlelight hanging suspended
in an inky black pool,
framed within smoky, yet bare
tree limb silhouettes
there is no man in the moon
this night
no face shows across the
flattened, polished, disc
misty outline softens the globe's
edges, as it rises
yearning to break free
from the pull holding it captive
to raise its brilliant bulb above the
inky black bars imprisoning it

© Lydia Lowe  7/26/2010

A Little Something Extra . . .Saturday

     If you check out my "Notable Links" on the left hand side of my blog, you will notice that they are constantly evolving and changing.  One of my favorite sites is "Feeling Stitchy".  If you haven't checked it out, please do.  They have a stitch along each month and I just love it!  There is a free pattern and weekly updates, plus they feature some of the work of those who are participating in the stitch along.  Right now they are doing a Halloween stitch along.

     Back in August they advertised a contest through DonkeyWolf.  I decided to enter. The contest closes at midnight on September 30.  I'll let you know how I do.  I submitted a piece of my stitched work and an essay of 750 words about why my work is awesome.  Keep checking my blog for updates.

PUSH Contest

     Speaking of contests, "Feeling Stitchy" is also sponsoring a contest.  It's called "Covered in Stitches".  Check out their site to find out what the contest is all about.  The contest ends on November 7th so you still have time to enter, if you're interested.

Covered In Stitches

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

A library is infinity under one roof.

. . . Gail Carson Levine

She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.

. . . Louisa May Alcott

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     ROAR

She is thin
thin is in!

He is fat
fat's where it's at!

Both on Harley's
roar down the road,
away they go!

© Lydia Lowe  9/26/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt and
poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.
. . . Leonardo da Vinci

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     HAIKU

Monarch butterflies
are the most holy of bugs
flying stained glass wings

© Lydia Lowe  9/19/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever on the road.

   . . .Jack Kerouac

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     I AM . . .

I am that girl
sitting on the beach
in autumn
hair flying around my head,
I brush strands from my face
only to have it whip back around.
I push the long sleeves
of my beige silky knit
oversize sweater up to my elbows
I  pull my legs up in front
of me, bent at the knee
I wrap my arms around
my jean clad legs
just above the rolled up cuffs.
I dig my bare toes
into the sand.
hear the surf.
feel the spray.
sitting there, as I watch the sunset
blaze purple and green
across the sky.


© Lydia Lowe  9/12/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back.
 That is the point that must be reached.

   . . .Franz Kafka

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

     ONE DAY . . .

One day, I will live
above a storefront
in a loft apartment space
my half opened windows, full of
red geraniums in clay pots,
I sit down on the interior
window ledge,
I gaze out on the city,
as day slips into night,
a cool summer rain begins to fall
and cars splash through
puddles down on the street.


© Lydia Lowe  9/05/2011

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

See how this tree bends, twists and turns.  It's lost some major branches but it's still full, green, lush, and growing.  It's different and unique.  The tree reminds us that we are all unique, different and that what makes all of us original and interesting, are our life's experiences.  The tree has a lot of stories to tell about its life in the park.  Just as we all have stories to tell one another about our lives.  Spend some time connecting with strangers that you meet throughout your day.  Say "Hello" to someone that you pass by in your travels.  You never know where that might lead you.

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

Last Monday, I posted the final poem that I wrote during Lori Brack's writer's workshop. 

This Monday, I had planned a tribute poem to celebrate that event. 

Instead, I found a fitting quote which I'd like to share. 

Here it is:

"The beginning is always today."

- - -Mary Wollstonecraft

Whatever project you are thinking of undertaking, today is the day to start.

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

I think I speak for everyone when I say that this is good advice that we can all use!

A Picture's Worth . . .

Mondays Poetry Moment

        UNTITLED

Volcanic rock is full of holes
Sometimes rocks whisper out loud
Brightly shining liquid joy
The wrap up of something great & new & wondrous for tomorrow

© Lydia Lowe  8-22-2011

*written at Lori Brack's writer's workshop

- - -This poem was written in a round.  I started the poem with the first line, then passed it on to the person to my right who added the next line, then it passed on to two more people.  Each time the paper was passed the line that had just been written was hidden, so that the next person did not know what the previous line was.  It's interesting to see how the poem develops and what it becomes.

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

 Flash Fiction:

Telling a story in as few words as possible.

Ernest Hemingway is said to have written the shortest "flash fiction" story in history.

Here it is:  For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.

 (This is an extreme example.)

Flash Fiction is generally a story written with no more than 1000 words but generally, those who write using this form keep their stories to 500 words or less.  Typically, it has a traditional beginning-middle-end story arc.  Brevity is the key.  Keep the writing tight.  If you've never written Flash Fiction before, try it now.

A Picture's Worth . . .

Answer to Mondays "Riddle" Poem

Did you guess the answer to yesterday's riddle poem?

Yes?  No?

The answer to the riddle is:  a wallet!

Mondays Poetry Moment

        A RIDDLE FOR YOU


First came the cow
I picked my favorite
Filled him with green
He followed me everywhere
Today when I reached inside him
All the green was gone!


© Lydia Lowe  8-15-2011

*written at Lori Brack's writer's workshop

Can you guess what I'm talking about?  Give up?   Tomorrow, I will reveal the answer.

A Little Something Extra . . .Saturday

I have published my first novel. 

Previously, I had published poems in various literary publications.

This is my first novel.  Check it out.

Currently it is in the proof copy, re-write stage.

It will be available for purchase, very soon.

Post It Quote/Prompt of the Day

"What I value more than all things, good humor"
-Thomas Jefferson

A Picture's Worth . . .