Month: August 2019

#AccountaClub Friday, August 30, 2019

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Here we are at Friday again, it’s so strange how that seems to happen so quickly lately. Especially here in the last bits of summer.

So it won’t be a long one today, I’m still in my post-finishing phase, which usually means a bit of a writing break. Though I’ve had some ideas I want to try out.

And, of course, editing time.

On the fitness front, I did my five workouts but it was a tough week. Monday had more technical issues, and I ended up doing a previously-recorded workout. The whole week felt very challenging, I don’t know if it was me or the routines themselves, but still, I got here.

Got it done. And the truth is that even if I feel sluggish getting to a workout, I’m never sorry I did it.

And that’s me. How was your week?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

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Ten Word Photo Prompt: Close

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Photo by Daria Rem on Pexels.com

It’s ten word photo story time! Using the photo above, write a ten word story. Exactly ten words.

Ready? Here’s mine:

His final wish?

Powers.

But Enchanted Well was very deep.

#WednesdayWisdom: BACK UP YOUR FILES.

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Hey. You. Yes you. Right there. Reading this. Back up your files. Like right now.

This morning, I had some technical difficulties and as I sat staring at a disturbingly blank screen, I realized I hadn’t backed up recently, and certainly not since I finished the first draft of a novel.

First draft.

Of a NOVEL.

All’s fine and well and peachy keen now, but you better believe that the moment I saw that sweet, sweet home screen, I backed up. Just as my computer had been telling me for days.

Maybe it wanted to teach me a lesson. They’re getting smarter all the time.

So some real wisdom for a Wednesday. Have a wonderful day.

And also back up your files.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#TuesdayThoughts: Hypocrisy on the brain.

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(Hippopocrisy?? GET IT??)

So if you’re a twitterer–and maybe you are and maybe you aren’t–a right-wing “free speech” advocate who bemoaned the “loss” of First Amendment freedoms in a column became so upset with a college professor who called him a bedbug, he told on him to his university provost.

Poor irony is so overworked in this cartoonish hellscape in which we now reside.

Apparently the original tweet got nine likes and zero retweets, but the retelling of the tale, complete with whiny complaint letter, has, at the time of this writing, roughly 63,000 likes and 10,000 retweets.

Ain’t that a bedbug at an allegedly high-end resort.

It got me thinking about characters, because honestly who would believe that guy was real. Sadly he is. And a little too over-the-top and on-the-nose for fiction, and did I mention the hellscape?

But humans are rife with hypocrisy, and not only does that make for a fantastic character trait, it can also help move your plot. What happens when their hypocrisy is revealed? How do they react?

What do they do?

In this case, they go on news shows and whine some more and claim that the letter to the professor’s boss wasn’t to get him in trouble or anything and free speech except if it hurts his own specific feelings and why is everyone picking on him?

You get the idea.

So how is that received? What happens because of that? In this world, he’ll probably get another juicy column out of it, but let’s stick to the rational world of fiction.

Have a great Tuesday.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#MondayThoughts: Thinky.

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Didn’t even think twice about the second cup of coffee today. I got down to the bottom quarter of the cup, it was cold, I was going to reheat and I thought, hey, a fresh cup would be so much better.

And a fresh cup it was.

I started my day with technical difficulties, my the livestream of my workout didn’t work, and eventually I just did the one they’d aired on Saturday. It’s a bummer, today was one of my favorite trainers, but I love the one from Saturday too.

Still, it put me behind. I don’t know what is happening with Daily Burn, but it seems to be a frequent issue lately. It’s frustrating.

It’s a gray, rainy day and I love it. I can feel Fall in the air. I’m not ready for it, but it’s not like we can fight it off. The seasons change, that’s what they do.

Meanwhile, finishing my first draft means time to work on some other things that have been brewing, and this time I don’t mean coffee. I hope you have an awesome Monday.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#AccountaClub Friday, August 23, 2019

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It’s Friday! That means it’s #AccountaClub time! And this week, I have writing news.

I have finally, finally finished the first draft of the manuscript I’ve been working on since about the time of the dinosaurs.

Well, maybe not quite that long.

But a long time, nonetheless. Can I get a woo-hoo?

So yes, editing lies ahead, but it’s been a long time since I finished a novel draft. Good week in that respect.

Fitness, five days, five workouts, though this week was quite a drag. We were doing benchmarks, where we test our progress over the year, and I improved my numbers so I guess that’s a win. Still I’m happy to have a rest day tomorrow.

And that’s me. How was your week?

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

Ten Word Photo Prompt: Mistaken Identity

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Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

It’s ten word story time! Using the photo above, write a ten word story. Exactly ten words.

I actually intended to use a different photo this week, but this one just caught my attention.

Here’s mine:

Common misconception: all time travel in London happens via TARDIS.

#WednesdayWisdom: Now

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I’ve always thought the beauty and the interesting bits were in our differences. I’m fascinated by the nuance of lives different from mine; it’s one of the reasons I so love to travel.

Now those differences are used as handholds to tear us apart, to isolate us, to break us into smaller chunks much easier for authoritarian regimes to swallow. Make us each independently concerned for our very survival.

Crowbar the fissures.

Our days have been quite chilling up until now, but I fear worse days ahead. So this is what I ask of you.

Remember that there are others also fearing for their futures, for their safety. Remember that differences are not a marker of competition but of humanity expressed in another way.

Remember we owe one another our support. Remember we need to see the obstacles ahead, not only our own, but those faced by others as well.

Or those obstacles will take root, broaden, and imprison us all.

Take the time to let someone else know you see them today. Hope your day goes well.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#TuesdayThoughts: Yep

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Is today another two-cup of coffee day?

Probably.

How do I feel about that?

Ask me later when I’m trying to go to sleep.

Today there’s an odd golden light through mist or rain, not sure which. It looks a bit like sunset, though it’s only 10:30 in the morning. But time’s been weird, so who really knows.

And yes, I have that other cup of coffee now. Sitting right there beside me. Doing its thing.

At least today I feel more mellow than draggy. Not extra-perky, not by any stretch of the imagination, but at least conscious in this reality.

Which is about all anyone could ask for, really.

So I’m taking my coffee and doing Tuesday. Have a great day.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.

#MondayThoughts: Dragging

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I am just not in gear today. I have another cup of coffee going, there was never an “if” with it, and I’m trying to get myself in motion.

My shirt was on backwards this morning, to give you an idea.

The weekend was great, busy and fun, and the truth is I ate all the things I wanted to eat. Whether that means I’m on my way to a headache I guess only time will tell.

Though at least the coffee seems to be kicking in. Thank goodness for that.

It’s bright and sunny after a partially rainy weekend. Yesterday started with bold thunderstorms, and it seemed impossible that the Air & Water Show would happen. But it did. I didn’t see much, I was too far away from the lakefront, but the planes buzzed overhead now and then anyway.

Confession time. I had a little bit of chocolate with the second cup of coffee and I think that’s the miracle worker.

Well I’m off to try to climb the mountain of Monday. Have a wonderful day.

Check out  my full-length novels: 
Aunty Ida’s Full-Service Mental Institution (by Invitation Only)   
Aunty Ida’s Holey Amazing Sleeping Preparation (Not Doctor Recommended) 
Her Cousin Much Removed
The Great Paradox and the Innies and Outies of Time Management.
And download Better Living Through GRAVY and Other Oddities, it’s quick and weird and FREE!
Peruse Montraps Publishing
See what I’m writing on Medium.