Tags
2013, Country Strong, Garrett Hedlund, Goals, Jesse Lee, New Year, Sherry Isaac, The Artists Way
i CLOSED 2012 WITH A BANG!
bUT, i CAN’T TELL YOU ABOUT THAT PART OF MY EVENING. wHY?
wELL, DUH!
i WRITE STEAMY ROMANCE FOR LOVE (NOT MONEY *SIGH*). BUT i TRY TO KEEP THIS SITE pg13.
i TAKE MY RAUNCH NAUGHTY TO COMMENTS ON OTHER BLOGS.
jENNY? nATALIE? aUGUST? yOU’RE WELCOME, OR i’M SORRY.
i DON’T KNOW HOW TO SHUT ME UP EITHER.
[hOLD ON, FIXING CAPS lock. Phew! There we go.]
Yes, I know that you know that I knew I had CAPS LOCK activated from the first sentence forward. I chose not to change it, because…
I chose not to change it.
Apparently, comments are also where I take my blog voice. My Ace Bestie and Career Coach (bless her heart), Sherry Isaac, thinks I do my best free writing under the guise of comments.
LET’S PRETEND
Let’s pretend I’m bouncing from blog-to-blog leaving Novellas as Comments in my pud-muddle wake. See? That’s the thing about Blog Comments. Each topic is a shiny bauble to read and enjoy for a few minutes before I overpay (two cents worth) for the proffered penny for my thoughts.
They don’t have to be related topics. They don’t require order. They don’t force me into over-thinking and under-writing.
NEW YEAR’S EVE, 2012
Ignore the BANG! I am so not disclosing anything about that here. Deal with it.
I chose to throw out the old.
No. Not The Hubster.
I threw out the tummy fluff, fat-cell-glee-inducing Holiday goodies.
O-U-T, OUT! Into the trash. Just to be safe, I tossed used Kleenex and day old coffee grounds on top of that heap.
AND, I cleaned my Kitchen! Yes! Do I know how to have fun, or what?
Yeah, I’m kind of leaning toward What the…?!?, too. But, in a world where a clean kitchen is a happy kitchen, I chose to start 2013 with a happy *heart* of the home.
*HEART* OF MY GOLDEN (Where *italics* merits segue points)
On my last post, I committed to getting ALL INN ready for the Golden Heart.
I succeeded. Sort of.
*Scenes and sequels are free-written* through to the Happily Ever After.
I could beat back my Synopsiphobia, and make the entry deadline. But, I choose not to enter. Why?
It’s because of the words between the stars. The *scenes and sequels free-written* stars. Some are so short, a reader would suffer whiplash. Some contain a plethora of notes to Inner Editor, Gracie.
[Gracie: This sucks. Fix it.]
I achieved what I hoped. I solidified the plot in my Noodle Noggin, moved words and dialog snippets from brain to paper. I broke free of Edit Crazy Glue Syndrome.
Now, I want to organize my work and write right — right through to the *Happily* Ever After. I will have a polished manuscript to pitch at or before Nationals.
But, in the process I’ll have a *happily balanced* life. No. I did not spend this entire time writing. But, when I wasn’t writing, I was thinking I should be writing, which made me feel guilty about not writing, which logically led to…
…buying a new steam cleaner for my bathroom and kitchen floors.
*HAPPILY BALANCED* 2013
This is where I get to share my favorite words for 2013. Some of these may seem counter-intuitive. That’s because they are.
That’s where BALANCED plays; The Teeter to my Totter of hopes, dreams, and shenanigans. So, what are these favorite words?
[Truthfully? I’m kind of anxious to find out, too. I have no clue which words I’ll pick.]
Focus
Whoa! That one’s a sleeper.
FOCUS on the now. Stay In The Moment. Don’t make impossibly long lists and attempt to introduce strict discipline into my life and days. Besides, just the word makes me want to wander off topic, and not fin….
Explore
Geographically? More free-to-be-me road trips are essential. I’m a weird duck. I love to drive. I think and drive. I *sing* in my car.
It’s the only place with Gloria is a Singing Sensation (!) Acoustics.
*Sing*
…as if no one is listening.
[Because it would be a travesty if someone were.]
I listen to both Country Strong CDs for hours when I drive. And, I sing. My current favorites?
I thought you’d never ask
I’ll treat you to the refrains, because they have me mesmerized.
KISSIN’ IN CARS (Original artist, Jesse Lee)
***Vamping in Cars***
If this world I’m livin’ in
Thinks I’m givin’ in easy
You’re gonna find out I only go down kickin’ and screamin’ I’ll never stop chasin’, and dreamin’ and wishin’ on shooting stars, And I still like kissin’ in cars. .[That is only my car in my imaginary world. The police took it back when I drove it home from the party. Those wascally wabbits.]
TURN LOOSE THE HORSES (Garrett Hedlund)
Turn loose all the horses and watch them run
Take time to take in the setting sun
Throw back a keeper just to watch them swim
Forgive your enemies and love your friends
EMBRACE
This word covers a wide range of sub-topics. So many I choose to share only those that toast my marshmallows on this chilly January 1st, 2013.
Forgive your enemies? I don’t know that I have anyone I would call a personal enemy. There are people who annoy me. I annoy people.
[Pausing for a collective gasp of Noooooooo Way!]
Still waiting…
Oh, alright. Moving on.
I generally live by the rule that we each own our own tidy block on our side of the street. I own my mood and actions. Others own theirs.
If I’m delusional in that belief, and you believe I fall into enemy territory, please send an email off loop. Title it, BITE ME, so I’ll know not to smile when I see your name on the inbound.
Embrace your creativity! As a writer blessed with writing buddies and fellow bloggers, I hear this quite a bit.
Until recently, the phrase took me on an express train to YebbitVille. Yebbit, what exactly does that mean? Yebbit, how exactly do I go about doing that? Sherry Isaac and I began a journey with The Artist’s Way five weeks ago.
I’m beginning Week Four today. [Yebbit, it didn’t say I had to be perfect.] I can’t properly summarize the power this self-help book offers, but — if forced to put one phrase to it — I would choose Find and Nurture your Inner Child.
Embrace balance and accomplishments each day! This is where that counter-intuitive comment comes into play.
While I don’t embrace long, all-encompassing lists that leave no time for In The Moment glee, my hiatus with ALL INN taught me that I need to FOCUS.
[ACK! There’s that word again!]
In 2013, I want to be able to look back on each most days and not feel as if my day is a jumble of knotted noodles. That takes FOCUS on priorities and doing the next right thing.
The “next right thing” is rarely a nap, steam cleaning the bathrooms to avoid writing a tough scene, or taking my MasterCard on a ride down the slippery slope of Sassy Flamingo’s credit card machine.
TO THAT END…
I am going to publish this disjointed Glob post as my first GET ‘ER DONE mission for 2013. Well, that’s a lie. I’ve already crossed “wake up, brush teeth, make bed, check email, drink coffee, make breakfast, eat breakfast, and pet dogs” off my list.
Jeepers! A productive day already? Is the next right thing a nap?
No?
Then, post some dang comments so I can let my creativity fly in comment responses. Until next time…
Make it a wonderfully wonky day and Happy New Year!
Gloria Richard 
Writers write. That’s what they say anyway.
I’m with YOU though. The self-editor in all of us can keep us from doing that. I love your free association or free writing drill. It looks like it keeps things flowing.
Keep it up Gloria!
Your 1st Fan,
Kathleen B
Happy New Year, Kathleen and thanks for the visit.
Yes. Writer’s write. I rarely go a day without writing something. The key (for me) is to let my creative side play, and bring in Inner Editor Gracie when it’s time to get the words ready for Prime Time.
I feel I’ve (finally!) found a writing paradigm that balances creative flow with semi-polished plot progress.
Fast drafting (20 pages per day) gives me hives. On the flip-side — unleash Gracie’s perfection too early in the process? I’d end up with the best dang one page novel to show for a decade of writing.
It’s all about balance. Just like most of life’s challenges.
BAHAHAHAHA! Gloria, you absolutely crack me up in your posts and the comments you leave on other blogs. LAUGH.OUT.LOUD. – that’s what you make me do and I am always amazed at the seeming ease with which you do it! Talk about “creative flow”! What a gift you have.
Happy New Year!
Patricia! Your comments always make me grin. Even if you sent me a joke “bite me” email, I’d smile.
My hat? Agatha? I lost her in Pennsylvania. I know the last scene she played. My aunt Katie said something like “Get that damn hat off your head!” When I revisit PA this year, I know who my prime suspect will be. Then, Agatha and I plan to head to Toronto for political asylum. I’ll make sure to see you then.
I’ll do my typical “aw shucks” rubbing toe of my sneaker in the dirt on your compliments. You are The Best!
Happy, Wonky New Year to you, too!
I’d like to attend the parties you’re attending. Then I might drive off in a red car that looks like that one.
Only you can decide the best road for you. Whether or not it’s in a stolen car. haha
Keep driving. Even folks who take back roads and alternate routes arrive at destinations. Some of them have better stories due to the interesting sights.
Oddly enough, ALL INN is a better story because of the highways and side trips I’ve taken (in my car and on blog comments). Keeping the suspense close to home added depth to the plot.
I wanted character arc for a side-kick, but everything I thought of came to me through books I’d already read. Not good. Along come a series of blogs on Kegels and Hoo-rah! an idea pops and blooms for that side-kick character that not only gives her a unique twist, but also makes Alpha Male squirm when he’s recruited as an unwilling “consultant.”
Things happen for a reason.
Now, it’s time for me to do my job and keep the momentum going.
You are welcome to tag along anytime! The screenwriters for Thelma and Louise ruined my ability to use that reference point for a wild adventure when they chose to turn them into criminals who drove off a cliff. Drat!
My favorite word of your favorite words? Explore. I also love this: “I love to drive. I think and drive. I *sing* in my car. It’s the only place with Gloria is a Singing Sensation (!) Acoustics.” That is so me. How do you know me so well? I often feel bad about my love of driving, but dang it if it isn’t therapeutic to get in the car, roll down the windows, blast the music, and sing like no one’s listening. (Except that guy in the car next to me at the stop light who’s eyeing me warily. Whatev’s, buddy. That’s what I say before I peel out in my bitchin’ Honda Civic. Don’t be too jealous, I’m usually just going to the grocery store.) Music of choice? I can’t commit to any one song or genre. My music tastes are strictly driven by my mood. Lately, it’s Mumford & Sons and The Wailin’ Jennys, which I realize says something about my inner emotional state. I’m just rollin’ with it for now.
Yay for finding a writing method that you feel good about! So happy for you. I *think* I may have found mine, too. (I’m keeping that hush hush for now because I don’t want to scare it off.)
Here’s to a fabulous year of writing, creativity, and singing in the car! Happy New Year to you!
PS ~ I tried your mini novella method of commenting and I must say I kinda like it. Not so sure if others will, but whatev’s. I’ll just write it and peel out like I do in my Civic. 🙂
See? Isn’t it fun to write Novellas as Comments, Tami?
BONUS! You get to share (and I get to learn) tidbits of information about you that you might not otherwise share.
Explore! Gaaah! I could do an entire post on that one word. There’s me. Emotional, inner child, and sensual me. There’s IN THE MOMENT flights of pud-muddling.
There are new artists to learn, new languages to master, new books to read,
You may be the first person who admitted a love of traveling by car. Most look at me as if I’m either (1) super woman, or (2) addled when I say I’m going to take a road trip from Texas to Pennsylvania and beyond. No itinerary. No preplanned hotel reservations.
The directions from Toronto to Texas helpfully (or, hopefully?) provided by The Hubster when I left for my last road trip? Hit the dumpster at my first gas stop. I knew how to read a map before I knew long division.
I’m not “stuck” on a specific genre in songs, either, but I obviously lean toward Country Rock. Layer in the oldies from back-in-the-day and I’m golden.
Perhaps I need a road trip to wherever in the world you live so you can introduce me to fresh music.
The out-in-the-open cousin to “sing when no one is listening” is to dance like no one is watching. That, I do. Regularly. Anywhere and any time a beat hits my feet.
Back atcha on the happy, creative, singing, dancing, pud-muddle hopping 2013, Tami!
Yes, you should take a slight detour to the NW on your way to PA this year. Just turn left at the Rockies and head west. I’ll have the wine chilled and waiting. 🙂
I, too, like to dance it out when no one’s looking. I do my best moves during those one-woman dance parties without fear of them showing up uncensored on youtube. Benedict likes to have one-man dance parties in the kasbah when I’m not there, though he thinks I don’t know about them. I’ll leave him to his delusions, just as he unwittingly leaves me to mine.
Where in the world do you live, Tami? I may be in Northern California this Spring on another adventure.
I wonder if I could get a gig as a travel writer. Humor column dictated while driving, serious work on the WIP when I get to my room for the night.
I’m a hop, skip, and a jump (that translates to about a four hour drive) north of the California-Oregon border. Where at in Northern California are you headed to this spring? You could totally pull off being a travel writer with a humor column. I’d bet you have some interesting adventures on your road trips to share in those columns.
No idea what you just said–could be the sinus meds– but I lEIk it. Happy New Year Glowie! Here’s to a stellar Week Four!
Poor
ShnSherry![Insert big hug Emoticon guy here.]
It’s jsut liek the worst thing in the world to have my tyop buddy sick and unable to communicate on the first day of 2013.
Rest. Sleep. Take sinus medications. Eat chicken soup. Drink tea. Stay warm.
And, for the sake of all that remains sane about you, do not try to make sense of this post.
I didn’t.
Oh, Sherry, it must be the season. Woke up today with a sinus headache sneaking into my noggin. Is it because it’s January?
Hey Gloria! You snuck in a post while I was off not checking my computer. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Glad to see you out and about in the blogging world again. I’ve been checking my reader list faithfully and waiting and it’s finally here! Gloria is posting again. WOOT!
And what a sexy picture for your PG13 blog. You go girl! (Too bad they re-po’ed the car.)
Happy New Year and here’s to finishing All Inn by Nationals. Cheers!
I’m ALL OVER 2013 being THE BIG YEAR.
Big adventures for me and my car (not the red Roadster *sigh*). Big adventures in my writing world.
Yeah — er — on that picture. I know I was showin’ some sass there, but how can one sit in that car and not want to vamp it up?
Happy New Year to you, too. Nurse that cold. I’m staying in front of the fire today b/c it’s been a booger of a year for icky colds and I just turned the corner.
Get busy saving for Nationals. I want to see you there, cutie.
I have a feeling that you would be REALLY fun to hang out with in real life. As it is I have really enjoyed reading your blogs and comments here in the blogosphere
I think you’d be a hoot to hang out with, too, Susie.
Since both of the first two novels in my series are placed in the Rockies (near my imaginary tree house), do not be surprised if I pop onto your blog one day to tell you I’m at your local Starbucks wearing one of my writer’s hats.
The fun we could have!
That would be so great! Please let me know! susielindau@gmail.com or the blog works too. 🙂
Gloria, I love that you threw out the Christmas goodies that we could otherwise apply directly to our hips. I wasn’t so strong and have been indulging and not exercising, a bad combo.
Glad you feel on track again for All Inn. I can’t wait to watch you perfect your pitch!
I found a “sleeper” bag of THE BEST CANDY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD in the pantry today.
I purchased it for a little soiree here this week.
I had been in the habit of having just
onetwenty-seven in moments of weakness.I honestly walked to the door to the garage twice carrying that plastic bag. This one treat…the taste had always passed the “worth the calories” test. But. No. I. Could. Not. Keep. Them.
I did it. I unzipped the bag and emptied those precious treats into the trash.
Send Xanax. I’m having a panic attack thinking about them out there in the muck of used Kleenex, coffee grounds, and chicken bones.
Now, I will take that same discipline (sans panic attack and Xanax) to ALL INN. Bring on 2013!
Hit a weird key. Dang gremlins…
Happy New Year to you and your family! *Clonk* Oopsy. I clinked a bit too hard…
Never apologize for enthusiasm in your toasts, Susie.
Happy New Year to you and your family (two and four legged). KER-Plunk!
Gloria,
I just loved this. And I think my favorite part of all:
“I chose not to change it.”
Those words, those six respectively scanty words culminate to create a very powerful declaration. Sometimes we should choose to change things, and sometimes, things are better left the way they are. Eyebrows for one; you keep plucking those things, trying to the arch just right, and eventually you end up with two or three hairs that won’t wouldn’t lay down if you offered them champagne and strawberries and a tousle between the sheets. 😉
By the way, you look gorgeous in that car. Or . . . maybe that car looks gorgeous around you. Yes, I think that’s better.
Happy New Year to you!
~ Cara
Gloria,
You – pin-the-tail-on-where’s-the-darn-donkey you! You – swing-the-stick-on-the-where’s-the-darn-pinata you!
When I read your post, I felt like grabbing you by the shoulders but you kept pinging away like a pinball machine, like Pac-Man on the run.
You make me laugh each time. Is it bad to say I couldn’t live in your head?
Here’s to 2013: a focused, balanced and creative year.
Big hug!
KA-SNORT! and BWA-HAHAHAHAHA!, Carole.
This may be my very most favorite comment on this Noodle Noggin post. It may also be the most honest.
No! It is not bad to say you couldn’t live in my head. It’s a relief, actually.
If you think what I wrote was confusing and hard to pin down, you don’t want to dally in the naughty thoughts I chose not to put on this post. Or, the other off-the-wall thoughts and clips I couldn’t cram into my restricted writing time.
Yes! To a focused, balanced and creative year. Whatever path we each take to get there.
My path? For the sake of self-esteem I’ll use the kindest word I can find: convoluted.
Big hug back atcha!
If your convolutions want to pitch you on the road again, there’s a room waiting for you in SC. I might not pin the tail on the donkey right away, but I’ll get it, I swear!
xx
Aw. I love the Country Strong soundtrack! 🙂 Uplifting post and ever so you, Gloria. I have a strong feeling that your coming year will be filled with happy growth and progress. Keep rocking it!
PS “You’re welcome” is the right answer!
Um. You’re Welcome, August?
I, too, have a strong feeling this coming year year will be filled with happy growth and progress.
I am just hitting my rhythm! And, yes. I am enjoying the journey.
Amending my answer to “duh.”
A tad slow on the uptake, August. I was en route home from dinner when your “Thank you” made sense.
My mind wandered back to the beginning of this post wherein I offered “Thank you” or “I’m sorry” for my Novellas as Comments (especially the sensually and/or double-entendre charged ones). Phew! on the “thank you.”
I’d hate to have to reign in my glee over your GB series, and its resultant journey of discovery.
Gloria, I’ll try to avoid a novella length response … Okay … I lost my computer on Christmas day. Merry Christmas, kid. I got back to a semblance of normal yesterday and today I’m “catching up.” Since you are the second blog that mentioned music, I decided to listen to Crosby, Stills, et al Judy Blue Eyes …
Ah yes,” Friday evening … Sunday in the afternoon … what’ve you got to lose? Tuesday Morning, please be gone I’m tired of you … what’ve you got to lose? ”
Days and nights melded and without access to the computer, I was like a beached whale … me … the one who came from radio with all my electronic gadgets gone.
This is a new year and since we all lived to see sunset on December 23 … I think we owe it to ourselves to make the most. According to the Mayans we’re now living on borrowed time.
Here’s the refrain … but it’s in Spanish … devil’s song … and then it’s gone … over … and the speakers get silent … go listen to it and be happy … we are going to keep on this wonky journey until we get somewhere. Of course, you’re drive is classier than mine, but maybe we’ll meet in the middle of the country … I’ll take a bus … or donkey express … you bring your ride and we’ll take a back road somewhere and open her up until we both scream bloody murder. HAPPY NEW YEAR … I’m glad to be back … glad to see you back.
Now I have to go figure out how to open up the documents on my external hard drive. Lessons, lessons … every day they expect me to learn something else :):)
In the spirit of taking a road trip, I’ve switched to Marrakesh Express … All aboard the train ………………
Bless your heart, Florence.
You can do this! I know you can.
I got a new computer for Christmas (yeah!) and it has Windows 8 on it (yeah?). Just when I thought I knew something…
But, I never want to stop learning, and chasing, and wishing on shooting stars.
And, I still like kissin’ in cars. 😉
I’m doing the Artist’s Way as well! I’m really enjoying the journey so far. Right now, I’m about to enter week 5, and I’m a bit nervous about spending an entire week without reading. I’m trying my best to get my fill today and tomorrow. I’m actually blogging about my own progress through the Artist’s way on my blog (the-positivity-project.com).
Another person on The Artist’s Way path! I’m thrilled to find another Artist’s Way fan.
Today, I get to write the letters from my 80 YO self to my present day self. Being the
indecisiveover-achiever that I am, I plan to write two letters: one from 80 YO me if I don’t make looming changes in my life and behavior, and one if I do.I bopped over to your site, Christine. Synchronicity! I have a post planned for tomorrow on Optimism. I think a ping-back to your post is a MUST. Any blog named The Positivity Project is one I should (and will) follow.
Pssst. Don’t blab it about, but I’m kind of sort of planning to bend the rules on the reading restriction. Blogs are conversations, right?