Tag: inspiration

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where no one has gone before

I recently discovered that Star Trek: The Next Generation is on Netflix.  This fills me with a ridiculous amount of glee.  I have been watching it every evening this week, starting right from the beginning.

Star Trek is a part of my DNA.  Some of my earliest tangible memories are around watching the original series with my father.  It was the first Sci-Fi for me, and it influenced a lot of the person I became.

But, it’s been a long time since I watched any of the shows and I’d been craving a bit of nostalgia, so I climbed in and made my home there this week.

It’s amazing really, how much you remember…and how much you forget.  Last night I hit the episode where Tasha Yar dies and I’d forgotten really that it was in the first season, and I didn’t anticipate the bit of tears that came upon me during the funeral scene.  Tasha was never one of my favorite characters.  I never felt that they really gave her any real structure or sense of completeness in her character.  Shame, because she really could have been an amazing character with the depth that only comes from the kind of childhood that they hinted at, but never fleshed out.

I also suddenly remembered that my early female crushes were all red-heads.  Gillian Anderson of X-Files was the first one I remember actually figuring out that what I was feeling then for her was the same as it was for any male celebrity…but rewatching the first TNG episode set on the holodeck and featuring Captain Piccard’s favorite fictional detective, Dixon Hill, I was suddenly reminded that Gates MacFadden is a gorgeous woman.  gates

As evidenced here!

Well, my Saturday calls.  My coffee is gone and it’s time to get moving.  I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, Readers!

 

 

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early morning in the office

I’m the first one in the office a lot of days.  Today is no different.  I’m the only one here, at least for a little bit longer.  Outside the window, the sun is bright and blinding when the scattered clouds aren’t hiding it.  The alarm system on the door was tripped before I got here, and I can hear it beeping, which is highly annoying, so I’m hoping someone gets here soon who can reset it.

The coffee is hot and fresh, so that bodes well for the day.   It’s a busy one, with lots of meetings and training a few folks to take over some of my job duties while I’m out on vacation.  I doubt I’ll manage to write much this trip, but I’ll be collecting ideas!

I’m going to be working on a post that I’ll set to post on the 13th of September, when I turn 50 years old.  I’ve been pondering it for a while, and my notes are extensive!  Expect it to ramble a little bit.

In other news, I started re-watching Star Trek: The Next Generation last night while I was busy organizing stuff for my trip.  I don’t think I remembered how clunky those first few episodes were.  I know, it takes any show some time to find its footing, and with such a diverse cast, it isn’t surprising.  However, it is still a favorite, and I love the story telling of Trek.

Makes me wonder how something I’ve written would fare on the screen.  Could it hold its own while the cast found their footing?  Ah well, a dream I suppose.  Not a bad thing to have on a Wednesday morning.  It goes will with my coffee.

Ah, and there’s Ted to turn off the alarm.  Thanks, Ted.  I guess that’s my cue to return you to your regularly scheduled Wednesday, and get back to that cup of coffee, and meeting prep.

Happy Wednesday, Readers!

Remember, if you want to follow along on my upcoming shenanigans in Paris and Italy, you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook Photography Page or my travel/photography blog.

 

 

 

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saturday means writing

My weekends, when not completely eaten up with familial or other obligations, usually begin with writing.  I drink coffee and throw words at the page on whatever project I’m working on until either (or both) the coffee or the words run out, then I get on with the day’s chores.

This morning I woke up with a headache, so I’m hoping the coffee will help chase it away.  I need to go out eventually today, to pick up some prescriptions and a few groceries, but hopefully the headache will be gone by then.

I haven’t decided yet which project to work on, but I haven’t quite finished that first cup of coffee either.  I’m leaning toward the fun of the epic fantasy story, because my two primary characters are my happy place right now and the plot that was previously a bit vague has come more strongly into focus this week.

What about you, dear Readers?  What are your plans for the weekend?  I hope they include a good book or two!

Have all of mine yet?

Forever– For the vampire lovers

Through Shade and Shadow and In Gathering Shade – For those who like their contemporary fantasy with a taste of reality.

Looking to follow me socially?

Find me on Facebook or Twitter!

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it feels so good

Today has been the first real writing day since my step-father passed away in May.  It feels so good to be making words happen again.  I have a lot of other things to do this weekend, but the first was writing.

I have a lot to chose from when I sit down to write, and today I chose to work on a fantasy project that I’ve started a few times, but hadn’t quite found my way into.

This is a project that involves an ostensibly medieval society, with certain elements in that society a fair bit more advanced.  It involves female warriors and scholars who help to maintain the peace between two civilizations who have not yet discovered the world outside their island. It is the first in a series that will follow a young lady named Fred as she discovers not only herself, but the wider world and all that has been done to protect the world she knows as she becomes one of those who protect it.

Today feels good, it feels like this is the way I needed this story to go.  I’m at just over a thousand words right now.

I plan to write until I’ve at least hit 2000.  Then I’ll turn my attention to other things that need me…like laundry and housework.  The other things I’ve barely done since May.

Right then, back to making words.  Happy Saturday, Readers!

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the first harvest

It’s hard to fathom that we are here at the first of August.  For those who follow various Pagan religions, today is the First Harvest, known by various names in various traditions, with different ways of marking the holiday.

Despite their differences, most of them are ways of celebrating the first fruits of the planting done in the spring, and largely we are talking about grains; wheat, corn, etc.

In times past I might have baked bread on the first of August to share with friends, but this year it’s just plain too hot in my little kitchen!  Although, I have to admit, it’s been hotter where I live than it is right now.  I anticipate there are still some warm days ahead too.

There may be a little harvesting though, at least in the area of writing.  I have a weekend in which I don’t have to run out to Stockton to help my mother, so I am anticipating that some words will happen!

I am also starting to gear up for my trip in September!  This weekend I am doing a thorough cleaning and inventory of my camera equipment so I can decide what all I am taking with me.  When I travel, I try to post to my travel blog (when I can get internet anyway), which you can find here.

I will also be posting pics to my instagram account, and either of my Facebook Pages: My Author Page or my Photography Page.

On that note, I should get to the day job, and the cup of Death Wish Coffee sitting there seducing me.  May your harvest be plentiful, Readers!

 

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coffee in a paper cup

Today began with dropping my favorite coffee mug (well, one of them, in this case the one I keep in the office) on the floor in the office kitchen and smashing it into about five pieces.  Smashing, no?

I shook it off and got some coffee started and set out to dig through my email.  I’ve been down with a stomach bug since Sunday. So, while I worked from home yesterday, I ignored a lot of stuff.

In forty days I leave on vacation.  Two weeks in France and Italy with my good friend from England.  The history and art geeks in me are so excited I can barely function!  I got the city pass I bought for Rome in yesterday’s mail, and I’m just buzzing about it.

Italy has been on my bucket list since before I had a bucket list.

And now that my step-father’s memorial is over, and after this weekend we should have my mother completely moved into her new place, that means I now have time to turn my energy back to writing.  I wrote about a half a chapter this last week, and it felt really good.

I have some major editing to do on Where Shadows Fall before I can get it submitted to my editor, but I also have two other projects on the burners again after a long absence.  With any luck, August can be the month of finishing that trilogy and getting it into the publisher.

For now, I’m reclaiming the day with coffee out of a paper cup, and a new order into Death Wish Coffee for a new favorite coffee mug.

Smashing!

 

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hello again

It’s amazing how time flies by and suddenly you realize you haven’t posted to your blog in weeks.  After my stepfather’s passing, there was pride and in between and since has been the never ending parade of tasks involved in helping my mother move on.

She moved in with my brother and his family yesterday.  We aren’t done with her old house, but will be by the end of the month.  There’s always so much to do: cleaning, odds and ends to move, etc.

Next weekend is the memorial, so there’s prep for that too. Somewhere in the middle of that, I’m working the day job, and writing and editing as I can.  It leaves little left over for being social, or updating blogs.

I hope all is well with you, Readers!  May the Wednesday fill you with joy and provide you ample kindness.

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summer comes

I’ve always dreamed of getting to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge on the Solstice.  While I’ve seen Stonehenge, it was closer to the Winter Solstice than the summer version.

I’ll admit, summer isn’t my favorite season.  The heat and the sun don’t treat my worn out old body kindly.  But I do enjoy the sunsets and sunrises, when I get the chance to see them.

It’s also the time of the year when I’m the busiest.  This weekend is Pride, and I’m excited for that, especially because I’m bringing my niece to her first Pride.  I don’t mind the busy, but by the time this weekend is over, I’m going to need a really long summer nap!

When I get home tonight I will have a small, impromptu little ritual to honor the turning of the wheel and invite the burning light of summer to clean out the cobwebs, burn out the dark that has collected in the corners (and everywhere else) and bring forth the growing things that have lain quiet in the earth.

I may even try to get out and find a spot of sun this afternoon, though looking at the gloomy skies outside my SF office window, I’m not sure that there will be any to find!

Blessed Solstice, Readers.  May it bring forth a bounty in your life!

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it feels good

There is something about a quiet office in the very early morning when you’re the only one there that is very nice.  I needed to get in early to make up for completely missing yesterday.

I’m dealing with some terrible side affects from a new medication increase, and that on top of the migraine I woke up with made for a really bad day yesterday.  Today, however, is a brand new day.

To help start the day out on the right foot, I popped into McDonalds as I got off the train, and bought a sack full of breakfast sandwiches, which I handed out as I walked the half mile to work. I ran out just as I reached my building.

I can look out these office windows, where I am privileged to work a  good job and see those who are struggling just to stay alive.  It feels good to be able to do something, no matter how small, to help.  No matter how my day is going, it is improved by taking a little time to share a meal with someone or offer them a smile.

I mean, it isn’t monumental.  It doesn’t solve the problem of poverty or homelessness. But for one brief moment there is a human connection, a kindness, something shared.  And it feels good.

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#amediting

I am knee deep into editing an anthology of awesome stories told by amazing female writers.  It’s a wonderful assortment that spans sci-fi, fantasy and horror and in some cases mixes them together.

It’s always interesting to me how individual writers interpret a prompt or theme.  The theme here is all about rebellion and ghosts, about fighting for what you believe in, winning, losing, the things we sacrifice, willingly or not, along the way.

These ten or so stories tell tales of women in crisis, women in triumph, women in defeat and so much more.

I really can’t wait until I can share these with you!  Keep your eyes on this space!