Month: April 2007

Boom. Inspiration.

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I started writing a book! I know, a million would-be authors have started the Great American Novel, but at least I’m almost a published author, right? 🙂

Seriously though, writing a novel is a different beast. I’m thinking about characterization, plot, etc. I know I have the writing ability, I know I have a great idea — the next part is the moxy to put it together. Generally, writers are not shy on ideas. Heck, everyone has great ideas for science fiction books. The problem isn’t with writing ability either. Lots of people can write. That just leaves the moxy.

Over the next , we’ll see how the process goes. I’ll even write about it here. The process. Maybe the book too, who knows.

Well, wish me luck. Maybe updating my imagined audience about the process of book writing will motivate me. My hope is that I’ll be motivated by the story, and I’ll want to see how it ends.

I guess this is day one. Today, I’m researching characterization a bit, to help avoid common pitfalls. My luck, I’ll discover some common pitfalls I’d have never fallen into in the first place. Oh well. 🙂

Take the green pill, Neo

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I just recovered from a 16 hour headache. It was a doozy. I feel better now, and I don’t have gas either. Odd thing to mention? I agree.

In our medicine cabinet, we have sinus headache medicine. They are green pills, which a person with a hurting melon takes every 6 hours to feel better. The problem is that some time over the past few months, we changed brands or something. See, now, the sinus medicine is orange. We still have green pills mind you, but they happen to be gas relief medicine.

So yes, inappropriate though it may be, for the past day I’ve had quite a prolific abundance of gas, and quite the shortage of headache relief. As a father and husband, I take a certain amount of vulgar pleasure in being able to clear a room with my methane emissions — but since I was alone in the bedroom with a horrible headache, it wasn’t quite as fulfilling.

I asked Donna to bring me more medicine this morning, at which point we discovered my error. It wasn’t quite as funny at the time as it is now, but needless to say, we got a little laugh out of my pain.

The moral of the story? Read the label. And maybe take both pills, because man did I have a lot of gas.

Hardcovers, and SFWA

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The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) have an election coming up, and a ton of rhetoric and flame wars are going on. I’m not in the association, so I won’t be voting — but if I could, I’d be voting for John Scalzi for president. It’s no secret that I’m a Scalzi fan, but there’s much more to it than that.

Let’s face it, there are are a lot of books out there. A lot. Many, if not most, of them are good. Yes, there may be an occasional book that you hate — but really, that’s just you. Someone likes it. So for someone picking books to read, it’s difficult. I hate to admit, but more often than not, the title and cover art are what sell a book to me. Maybe a cool author name too. That makes me sad.

Here’s the real deal — Scalzi is a very accessible author. He’ll return your email. He’ll send you a free autographed book. (Well, maybe not, but he’ll let you download some books for free, so that’s something.) He’s someone that I want to support, not only as an author, but as a family man supporting a wife and child. It’s his willingness to be accessible that brings out that desire in me.

What does that have to do with hardcovers? Simple. I only buy hardcover books when I want to support the author, and not just read the book. If it weren’t for John Scalzi’s website, and Wil Wheaton’s blog — I’d never own hardcover books they wrote.

No, it’s not fair, but it’s true. Writers need to know that, and if Scalzi becomes SFWA president, at least the SF&F ones will hear it. Unfortunately, there is more to being a writer than writing.

Skunk!

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So Tigger got skunked. Yep. Right in the face. When I smelled it, I ran outside to bring him inside, so that he wouldn’t tangle with the skunk I smelled. Too late. When he came running to me, his face was still wet from skunkiness. It was truly disgusting.

So Tigger will be spending the night outdoors, and tomorrow, we’ll be using a bunch of tomato juice on our furry, albeit stinky, buddy.

In a related story, I guess spring is finally here. Snow seems strangely inviting…

Spoonerism!!!

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I never knew this was a real thing! I do it all the time, because I’m a silly guy, but apparently it’s something definable. It showed up on my “word of the day” list, and I thought it was really cool!

Spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.

For example:
“I tooked the curkey” (I cooked the turkey)
“A sacon bandwich” (A bacon sandwich)

I do this a lot, much to the annoyance of my family. I must warn you, however, if you start to automatically speak in spoonerisms, you can get into trouble. When you’re discussing Robin Hood with your 8 year old, be careful with Friar Tuck. You’ve been warned.

So I’m not loved by all…

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I found out today that one of my co-workers reported me as being, “incompetent and having lazy work habits.”

4 years ago, that would have devastated me. Now, it makes me chuckle a bit, but ultimately feel bad for that person. Over my career working for this school district (a bit over 7 years now), I’ve seen all kinds of folks. The ones that blame others for things tend to be the least happy. In fact, it’s rare to find someone that has any real joy in their work anymore, at least in the school. There are a few, but they’re definitely the minority.

Also, it turns out I am competent, and I have a great work ethic. I do have poor organizational skills, but that’s why we recently hired an assistant for me that is great with organization. I think administration folks like myself tend to be the focus of anger quite often. It’s easier to be mad at someone else than to admit responsibility yourself.

Anyway, I hope you all are doing well. It turns out I have walking pneumonia, and will be able to return to work on Friday. Yay!

Sick

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I’m sick. It’s an interesting kinda sick too. I had a backache yesterday, which I assumed was because I’m slightly overweight and getting older — but it turns out it was a precursor to this icky funk I’m in now.

My back feels a little better, but this morning I feel like I’ve been avoiding the doctor for a week. I’ve never felt so miserable so quickly. Anyway, the doctor says I have a virus, and a really contagious one at that. I’m quarantined away from everyone, including my family. So here I am. In my writing room. Alone.

Have a good day everyone! I’ll try to do the same.

UPDATE: Donna called the doctor back to find out how long I’m on quarantine. AT LEAST 3 DAYS!!! What do I have, ebola or something?!?!