I got these through one of my Yahoo groups and they were too interesting not to pass along.
Some of these are just.......wrong!
Retired Hooters
Sheep Guy
Spider Man
Wonder Woman
Friday, October 29, 2004
Monday, October 25, 2004
Figuring it out....
I've just been opening the file for the current chapter and staring at it for the past week or so (I'll never tell exactly how long--or so-- is), not writing a damned word. I've tried opening files for different scenes/chapters and nothing comes along. I've even opened files for totally different stories...and again, nothing happens.
No spark, no words, no dialogue -- and worst of all, the voices in my head have been so very quiet. That's NOT a good thing.
Especially when I'm 30 chapters into a book and working on the ending. But, I think I've finally figured out some of the problem. That oh-so-horrid email that hurt might have actually been on que.
I printed out all of the chapters that I had of the book so far, and I went back and started re-reading. I think it's weird to read my own writing...but anyways, I digress.
I started seeing that my hero was more tainted than tortured after the fabulous mind/body fuck in chapter 24. I didn't actually want him to BE a monster -- but to FEEL like the monster.
It was as if the moment I realized it, I knew what I had to do. I pulled down my chapters from my Yahoo group (one reader caught me as soon as I did that...so much for trying to pull a fast one) and went to work.
Last night the words flowed. Scenes made sense. My Richard gave me another scene from his past that he's held private for so long. I know it was hard for him -- but it was instrumental in getting it right. So sitting here, tears flowing like there was no tomorrow, I worked on one of the most difficult scenes I've had to write thus far.
It's hard when your character hits the bottom of the barrel and you have to both take them there and bring them out again. So, at 5:15 a.m. this morning I finally went to bed, confident in the fact that a 2nd botched suicide in his lifetime was his wake-up call. But I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, shaking my head because what I'd written had been so raw and so exposed that I had a hard time shutting off the emotion from the actual scene.
I then kind of felt as if some weight had been lifted. It was as if Richard had wanted this scene to be in the book originally -- and had been trying to tell me that all along -- but that I had pulled back, trying to protect him from going through it.
I love my characters, I truly do. But Richard is so much a part of me, that sometimes it's hard to separate the boundaries of what's HIS shit and what's MINE. Sometimes it's equally hard making sure that what none of MY issues hit the page. In this case, I'm glad there is no blurring of the lines and that this issue is his and his alone.
Oh well, I guess I'm off to have another tear-filled day. It just seems to keep popping up.
Damn, I'm thinking I should buy stock in Kleenex....
No spark, no words, no dialogue -- and worst of all, the voices in my head have been so very quiet. That's NOT a good thing.
Especially when I'm 30 chapters into a book and working on the ending. But, I think I've finally figured out some of the problem. That oh-so-horrid email that hurt might have actually been on que.
I printed out all of the chapters that I had of the book so far, and I went back and started re-reading. I think it's weird to read my own writing...but anyways, I digress.
I started seeing that my hero was more tainted than tortured after the fabulous mind/body fuck in chapter 24. I didn't actually want him to BE a monster -- but to FEEL like the monster.
It was as if the moment I realized it, I knew what I had to do. I pulled down my chapters from my Yahoo group (one reader caught me as soon as I did that...so much for trying to pull a fast one) and went to work.
Last night the words flowed. Scenes made sense. My Richard gave me another scene from his past that he's held private for so long. I know it was hard for him -- but it was instrumental in getting it right. So sitting here, tears flowing like there was no tomorrow, I worked on one of the most difficult scenes I've had to write thus far.
It's hard when your character hits the bottom of the barrel and you have to both take them there and bring them out again. So, at 5:15 a.m. this morning I finally went to bed, confident in the fact that a 2nd botched suicide in his lifetime was his wake-up call. But I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, shaking my head because what I'd written had been so raw and so exposed that I had a hard time shutting off the emotion from the actual scene.
I then kind of felt as if some weight had been lifted. It was as if Richard had wanted this scene to be in the book originally -- and had been trying to tell me that all along -- but that I had pulled back, trying to protect him from going through it.
I love my characters, I truly do. But Richard is so much a part of me, that sometimes it's hard to separate the boundaries of what's HIS shit and what's MINE. Sometimes it's equally hard making sure that what none of MY issues hit the page. In this case, I'm glad there is no blurring of the lines and that this issue is his and his alone.
Oh well, I guess I'm off to have another tear-filled day. It just seems to keep popping up.
Damn, I'm thinking I should buy stock in Kleenex....
Speed-reading at its finest...
Fearful that some, not yet named, author might do some story spoilage...I finished the book I was reading over the weekend. You just never know when those darn writers will tell you how the story ends. Actually, I'd have finished it anyway. I tend to do that with good books.
And books that fall off of the shelves above my head as I'm printing out pages. I believe in signs. Damn, if that doesn't say, "READ ME" I don't know what does!
Anyways, if you read the Friday post then you'll know I was reading "The Night We Met". This is the 2nd book I've read by the author and I believe I read that this one was his debut novel. I can hardly believe that. He reads like a seasoned author. (chili pepper, maybe)
I won't tell you what happens....you'll have to go buy the book. But I will say this:
It is an incredibly entertaining read. It's fast paced, witty, and there are times when Murphy's Law just takes over. (make that...alot of times). Talk about a romance where 2 people are from opposite sides of the track. But, it works-- very well. I laughed until I cried, which doesn't happen too often. Definitely a book that I'd read over and over again.
Ok...so there's my book review for the day. Like I've said before. I don't really push too many books. But here lately, I've read some great ones. I've got another name on my "List of Authors" to watch out for and I can only hope that Rob Byrnes is hard at work on another book.
I'll put a list up--eventually-- of some of the cool books I've read recently. But for now--I've got to go look at some rewrites.
Ciao'
And books that fall off of the shelves above my head as I'm printing out pages. I believe in signs. Damn, if that doesn't say, "READ ME" I don't know what does!
Anyways, if you read the Friday post then you'll know I was reading "The Night We Met". This is the 2nd book I've read by the author and I believe I read that this one was his debut novel. I can hardly believe that. He reads like a seasoned author. (chili pepper, maybe)
I won't tell you what happens....you'll have to go buy the book. But I will say this:
It is an incredibly entertaining read. It's fast paced, witty, and there are times when Murphy's Law just takes over. (make that...alot of times). Talk about a romance where 2 people are from opposite sides of the track. But, it works-- very well. I laughed until I cried, which doesn't happen too often. Definitely a book that I'd read over and over again.
Ok...so there's my book review for the day. Like I've said before. I don't really push too many books. But here lately, I've read some great ones. I've got another name on my "List of Authors" to watch out for and I can only hope that Rob Byrnes is hard at work on another book.
I'll put a list up--eventually-- of some of the cool books I've read recently. But for now--I've got to go look at some rewrites.
Ciao'
Friday, October 22, 2004
What? and Why?.....
What the hell is this? And why is it the very first thing I thought of when I woke up this morning?!?
The dry, brown grass of the vast fields of the Savannah, teased by the gentle breeze, sways in the quiet, afternoon sun. Upon first glance, it's only dry grass, yearning for a drink of water. On looking closer, each blade bends and sways in perfect harmony with the next, as if the breeze has suddenly turned the field into a large, flowing river, taking what was first seen as something thirsting and needing, and transforming it into something so full of life. May the breeze in your writing mind be like the breeze over the fields of the Savannah; bending, shaping, flowing, and transforming your thoughts and ideas into something beautiful and alive.
Humm...I would have thought nothing of it if I'd only had that weird thought on waking once. But it's like the 3rd time. I don't know where it came from or what it means. Perhaps I'm obsessing over it subconsciously. Or perhaps I have a reader sending me subliminal vibes trying to get me to write faster.
*shrug*
Ok, so maybe it wasn't the very 1st thing...but the 2nd...the 1st thing was me getting pissed at the alarm. I mean, When you get to bed at 4...the last thing you want to hear at 6 is the damned alarm clock! Oh well, such is life.
I would have been in bed at a fairly decent hour FOR ONCE if I hadn't picked "The Night We Met" up off of the shelf. I swear I was only going to read a few pages--being that it was already 1 am, but that SO didn't happen. I wanted to keep reading, but my eyes hurt so much that I had to put it down. I guess that happens with as many hours a day as I spend reading/writing.
*sigh*
Off to work........I hope!
The dry, brown grass of the vast fields of the Savannah, teased by the gentle breeze, sways in the quiet, afternoon sun. Upon first glance, it's only dry grass, yearning for a drink of water. On looking closer, each blade bends and sways in perfect harmony with the next, as if the breeze has suddenly turned the field into a large, flowing river, taking what was first seen as something thirsting and needing, and transforming it into something so full of life. May the breeze in your writing mind be like the breeze over the fields of the Savannah; bending, shaping, flowing, and transforming your thoughts and ideas into something beautiful and alive.
Humm...I would have thought nothing of it if I'd only had that weird thought on waking once. But it's like the 3rd time. I don't know where it came from or what it means. Perhaps I'm obsessing over it subconsciously. Or perhaps I have a reader sending me subliminal vibes trying to get me to write faster.
*shrug*
Ok, so maybe it wasn't the very 1st thing...but the 2nd...the 1st thing was me getting pissed at the alarm. I mean, When you get to bed at 4...the last thing you want to hear at 6 is the damned alarm clock! Oh well, such is life.
I would have been in bed at a fairly decent hour FOR ONCE if I hadn't picked "The Night We Met" up off of the shelf. I swear I was only going to read a few pages--being that it was already 1 am, but that SO didn't happen. I wanted to keep reading, but my eyes hurt so much that I had to put it down. I guess that happens with as many hours a day as I spend reading/writing.
*sigh*
Off to work........I hope!
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
The AFA and Procter & Gamble
I got my copy of the Advocate in the mail yesterday. On page 19 there was a small article titled: "Religious right shelves Crest". I read through it and it wasn't a bad article. So P&G donated some money to lend support for some anti-discrimination measure. Good for them.
Then....I received an email from my Dad, something on the same subject, forwarded to him from the American Family Association. I have to say this, I love the man, but we will NEVER walk the same track.
In my original post, the one I lost while trying to publish, I posted the page from the email and had some smart-ass remarks included. Well, now I'm not in the mood for smart-ass remarks. Now, I'm just frustrated. Now I just want to sit down and cry and write nasty emails to these people. But what good would that do? Not a damned bit. These people are covered in so much shit, they'll never be clean....because it's not just on the outside...it's on the inside as well.
The email pretty much says the same thing that the info below does. I just found it disturbing and wanted to share. Here it is:
YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE
WE INCLUDED THE PROOF!
Then....I received an email from my Dad, something on the same subject, forwarded to him from the American Family Association. I have to say this, I love the man, but we will NEVER walk the same track.
In my original post, the one I lost while trying to publish, I posted the page from the email and had some smart-ass remarks included. Well, now I'm not in the mood for smart-ass remarks. Now, I'm just frustrated. Now I just want to sit down and cry and write nasty emails to these people. But what good would that do? Not a damned bit. These people are covered in so much shit, they'll never be clean....because it's not just on the outside...it's on the inside as well.
The email pretty much says the same thing that the info below does. I just found it disturbing and wanted to share. Here it is:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE
WE INCLUDED THE PROOF!
Ad in gay magazine undeniably proves P&G's committment to the homosexual agenda.
Suppose I told you Procter & Gamble created and ran an ad that showed two men (in fuzzy focus at top center of the ad) in bed after an apparent sexual encounter.
Suppose I told you the ad showed clothing scattered across the floor like the two men were in a hurry to get undressed and get into the bed.
Suppose I told you the P&G ad was captioned with these words: "You were more concerned with taking them off than folding them up." (In other words, the two men just could not wait to get into bed to have homosexual sex.)
Suppose the ad goes on to say that you can use Downy Wrinkle Release, a P&G product, to unwrinkle your clothes left on the floor in your haste to get into bed.
Suppose I told you this ad, which leaves the impression that homosexual sex is normal, thrilling and exciting, was created by P&G and run in a homosexual publication called Xtra.
I know you would have a hard time believing me. So see it for yourself. Click here to see the ad.
There should be no doubt P&G is aggressively promoting the homosexual agenda. A company doesn't create and run an ad that leaves the impression that homosexual sex is thrilling and exciting unless they support the homosexual agenda.It should come as no surprise when P&G supports homosexual marriage.
This is the company that has aggressively come out in favor of repealing the law in Cincinnati which forbids giving homosexuals special rights, but at the same time has refused to support the Ohio Marriage Protection Amendment which defines marriage as being only between one man and one woman.
Remember, this is the company that said they "will not tolerate discrimination [against homosexuals] in any form, against anyone, for any reason." To keep homosexuals from being legally married is discrimination [for good reason] that P&G says they will not tolerate.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Book Cover....
The cover of the book where my short story is going to be published.
"Ultimate Gay Erotica 2005" edited by Jesse Grant.
It should be out in December '04.
WooHoo!!
Monday, October 11, 2004
I can't believe it...
My sister, the one who never wanted to have kids, is pregnant. But here's the funniest part!! She had an ultrasound today and she's pregnant with TWINS!!! LOL! Sometimes life is just too damned ironic.
But really, I'm so happy for her and her hubby. She's got so many medical problems that this was like a freaking miracle that it even happened. The next 8 months should prove to be quite interesting.
Oh well, just had to share.......
But really, I'm so happy for her and her hubby. She's got so many medical problems that this was like a freaking miracle that it even happened. The next 8 months should prove to be quite interesting.
Oh well, just had to share.......
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Working backwards....
ok, so it feels really weird to be where I am at this point. I've got 1/2 of the book finished...and now I seem to have jumped to the ass-end. I see this as both a good thing and a bad thing. Good -- because I now know how the book is going to end. Bad -- cause I've got readers waiting to read chapters in the middle.
Humm.....but at least now I know how the book is going to end!! LOL!!
*sigh*
Ok, I must step aside and let the Wendy take a bow. She has managed to get me into the plot of another story....a collaboration between the 2 of us that we've been discussing for a while.
Here I am, 6 freaking books in various stages of plot/writing...and she pops up and says, "Oh, by the way I was thinking that we could..."
*rolling eyes*
'cause I just knew what her "....I was thinking" was going to inspire.
AND...I was right!
SO, instead of writing on CURRENT BOOK, doing 20-30 pages a day.....I'm stuck with lines, plot, and devastatingly handsome hero of an entirely different story getting in the way. I should want to cry, yell, scream, pound my head against the wall to make it stop -- but all I want to do is write.
Wendy, I love ya babe! But I hope you're ready for the ride :-) It should be -- interesting!
Guess I've bored you enough for tonight......
Humm.....but at least now I know how the book is going to end!! LOL!!
*sigh*
Ok, I must step aside and let the Wendy take a bow. She has managed to get me into the plot of another story....a collaboration between the 2 of us that we've been discussing for a while.
Here I am, 6 freaking books in various stages of plot/writing...and she pops up and says, "Oh, by the way I was thinking that we could..."
*rolling eyes*
'cause I just knew what her "....I was thinking" was going to inspire.
AND...I was right!
SO, instead of writing on CURRENT BOOK, doing 20-30 pages a day.....I'm stuck with lines, plot, and devastatingly handsome hero of an entirely different story getting in the way. I should want to cry, yell, scream, pound my head against the wall to make it stop -- but all I want to do is write.
Wendy, I love ya babe! But I hope you're ready for the ride :-) It should be -- interesting!
Guess I've bored you enough for tonight......
Friday, October 08, 2004
An unhappy reader...
Ok, so he wasn't just unhappy. He was pissed. Pissed at whom? Me. Why? Cause I disappointed him with my story direction.
As a writer, I completely understand that the readers are all going to gain something different from a piece of the story. As a writer, I expect negative feedback and less than pleasant critiques...
I'll show you a bit of the letter -- not all -- but some. It just felt *gasp* personal. He startes out saying that he thought my writing was publishable...umm....thanks...kinda knew that already. But then he launches into this -- here goes:
And then I read chapter 24 yesterday and was completely revolted by it. This chapter is totally out of character and totally out of touch with the rest of the story. The only way the Richard of the first 23 chapters would have had sex with the monster Broussard would have been under the influence of drugs and he obviously wasn't. He not only voluntarily had sex with a man he detested, a man who had caused extreme pain to those he loved, but he enjoyed it, said it was the best sex of his life. You expect the reader to believe that because he was 'turned on' he forgot about everything else. The Richard you introduced us to would never have done that. That he did do that means that to me he is now a monster in the same category as Broussard. I now longer care what happens to him. I no longer want him to get back together with Ryan. I especially hope he is never even in the same county as Andrew.
Umm, this is ok to a point -- because it's his opinion and what he's personally understanding. But then there was this:
You've lost me. You destroyed the story by losing control of yourself, by going off on some extreme whim. Maybe you're the one on drugs. My friend encouraged me to go on with the story. He and another friend also nearly gave up after chapter 24. He said the story goes back to the same kind of story it was before, that chapter 24 was an aberration, out of place, overly extreme and really was a mistake, but the story does recover. Tonight I tried to start chapter 25 but after just a few minutes gave up. Your hero is now a villain to me and I just don't want to read any more about him.
And blah, blah, blah....
But OUCH! That kinda hurt. I lost alot of readers after the shift in the story...but most of them trudged along, dealing with the shit that my precious Richard had to go through. The readers who are still with me today -- they've been able to see the point in the horrid events -- or most of them at least.
*GASP*
And he thinks I'm on DRUGS! LOL! It would probably be funny if I'd had something to drink before reading it. Just kidding!
*sigh*
But anyways, for people to think that I lost control of MYSELF and got carried away.....that's a little disconcerting. I knew what I was doing at the time -- and it all made sense.
What was worse...the hubby agreed with the reader, saying that he thought he was right about the shift in the story. (Not that hubby will actually read the entire story because of all of the HOT man-sex, but he knows enough to comment on) I wanted to shoot darts at hubby's ass last night.
I know, I know -- thick skin in the writing biz. But still, it shook my newly acquired oh-so-confident feeling when writing. Am I going to wonder about everything now?
Am I going to hold back so I don't offend people? As much as I want to -- I know that is the last thing I need to do. I did it with my first book because I thought people wouldn't be able to handle the graphic content, then ending up fucking myself up completely. Now I can't even get a decent rewrite out of it without totally changing the story again.
*sigh again -- yes, I know I do that alot*
Feeling like I've shed a little blood in battle. The scar will probably linger for a long time to come -- and might even be a hindrance in the next battle.......
As a writer, I completely understand that the readers are all going to gain something different from a piece of the story. As a writer, I expect negative feedback and less than pleasant critiques...
I'll show you a bit of the letter -- not all -- but some. It just felt *gasp* personal. He startes out saying that he thought my writing was publishable...umm....thanks...kinda knew that already. But then he launches into this -- here goes:
And then I read chapter 24 yesterday and was completely revolted by it. This chapter is totally out of character and totally out of touch with the rest of the story. The only way the Richard of the first 23 chapters would have had sex with the monster Broussard would have been under the influence of drugs and he obviously wasn't. He not only voluntarily had sex with a man he detested, a man who had caused extreme pain to those he loved, but he enjoyed it, said it was the best sex of his life. You expect the reader to believe that because he was 'turned on' he forgot about everything else. The Richard you introduced us to would never have done that. That he did do that means that to me he is now a monster in the same category as Broussard. I now longer care what happens to him. I no longer want him to get back together with Ryan. I especially hope he is never even in the same county as Andrew.
Umm, this is ok to a point -- because it's his opinion and what he's personally understanding. But then there was this:
You've lost me. You destroyed the story by losing control of yourself, by going off on some extreme whim. Maybe you're the one on drugs. My friend encouraged me to go on with the story. He and another friend also nearly gave up after chapter 24. He said the story goes back to the same kind of story it was before, that chapter 24 was an aberration, out of place, overly extreme and really was a mistake, but the story does recover. Tonight I tried to start chapter 25 but after just a few minutes gave up. Your hero is now a villain to me and I just don't want to read any more about him.
And blah, blah, blah....
But OUCH! That kinda hurt. I lost alot of readers after the shift in the story...but most of them trudged along, dealing with the shit that my precious Richard had to go through. The readers who are still with me today -- they've been able to see the point in the horrid events -- or most of them at least.
*GASP*
And he thinks I'm on DRUGS! LOL! It would probably be funny if I'd had something to drink before reading it. Just kidding!
*sigh*
But anyways, for people to think that I lost control of MYSELF and got carried away.....that's a little disconcerting. I knew what I was doing at the time -- and it all made sense.
What was worse...the hubby agreed with the reader, saying that he thought he was right about the shift in the story. (Not that hubby will actually read the entire story because of all of the HOT man-sex, but he knows enough to comment on) I wanted to shoot darts at hubby's ass last night.
I know, I know -- thick skin in the writing biz. But still, it shook my newly acquired oh-so-confident feeling when writing. Am I going to wonder about everything now?
Am I going to hold back so I don't offend people? As much as I want to -- I know that is the last thing I need to do. I did it with my first book because I thought people wouldn't be able to handle the graphic content, then ending up fucking myself up completely. Now I can't even get a decent rewrite out of it without totally changing the story again.
*sigh again -- yes, I know I do that alot*
Feeling like I've shed a little blood in battle. The scar will probably linger for a long time to come -- and might even be a hindrance in the next battle.......
Saturday, October 02, 2004
I've been reading more than I should...
and when I do that -- I'm not writing as much as I should.
Ordered "Trust Fund Boys" by Rob Byrnes a couple of weeks back. I put it up on the shelf, determined to read it when I didn't feel rushed with getting chapters done. I swear the damned book kept moving itself away from the others, making sure I noticed it.
I finally gave in and pulled the book from the shelf, telling myself that I'd just read a chapter and then get back to work. Seventeen parts and theories and 6 hours later, I've finished the book. So much for working heh?
The story was fun, witty, and so cleverly crafted. The characters were so very well developed and even though I wanted to choke him at times, I loved Brett! The plot is filled with twists and turns, but they're solid.
Rob Byrnes is an incredible author. I did a search and found another book written by him (Rob Byrnes, in case didn't get that the first 2 times I wrote it) titled: "The Night We Met". I've ordered it and am still waiting on the mail. I LOVE super-saver shipping but HATE the long delivery time.
I want it and I want it NOW! *stomping feet and being so very childish* I can't help myself --it's my generation. Yeah, that's a good excuse!
Anyway...you should really check the author out. I don't push too many books, but this one's worth it. Incredibly entertaining!
Just in case Rob Byrnes should ever pass through here....I bought your book dammit! -- and loved it.
*should have titled the email "How many times can I say Rob Byrnes..."
Ordered "Trust Fund Boys" by Rob Byrnes a couple of weeks back. I put it up on the shelf, determined to read it when I didn't feel rushed with getting chapters done. I swear the damned book kept moving itself away from the others, making sure I noticed it.
I finally gave in and pulled the book from the shelf, telling myself that I'd just read a chapter and then get back to work. Seventeen parts and theories and 6 hours later, I've finished the book. So much for working heh?
The story was fun, witty, and so cleverly crafted. The characters were so very well developed and even though I wanted to choke him at times, I loved Brett! The plot is filled with twists and turns, but they're solid.
Rob Byrnes is an incredible author. I did a search and found another book written by him (Rob Byrnes, in case didn't get that the first 2 times I wrote it) titled: "The Night We Met". I've ordered it and am still waiting on the mail. I LOVE super-saver shipping but HATE the long delivery time.
I want it and I want it NOW! *stomping feet and being so very childish* I can't help myself --it's my generation. Yeah, that's a good excuse!
Anyway...you should really check the author out. I don't push too many books, but this one's worth it. Incredibly entertaining!
Just in case Rob Byrnes should ever pass through here....I bought your book dammit! -- and loved it.
*should have titled the email "How many times can I say Rob Byrnes..."
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