Time to Change Things Up
I am currently slogging my way through Camp NanoWriMo and bemoaning the fact that I did not get a single word written during Camp Nano in April. The self -flagellation reminds me that if I had only done the work in April I would be doing rewrites and edits instead of staring at a blank screen, trying to figure out what my outline notes meant.
Another worry for me has been nicknamed the Covid-15. That’s the fifteen pounds the average person gained in the first months of sheltering in place. I’d previously worked very hard to eat healthy meals, drink water, and exercise. But with the quarantine, the lethargy that affected my writing also affected my healthy habits. Months of sitting at a desk, followed by sitting on the sofa, and topped off by sitting at the dinner table, well, let’s just say I developed a fear of weighing myself. Eventually I had to face the fact that some of my clothes were uncomfortably tight.
I forced myself to the scales and was relieved to learn I’d only gained six pounds. It was still too much. Even worse was the result of sitting. Walking to the end of the driveway a couple of times a day just didn’t do the trick
My reasoning, such that it was, was that I deserved a break from work and good habits because it helped deal with the stress and worry of Covid-19. Things would be back to normal by summer.
Obviously, that hasn’t happened. Parts of the country reopened to devastating results, so the quarantine continues, at least in my state. My family continues to practice social distancing and #stayingathome.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the next leg of the pandemic can’t be the same as the first four months. I have set goals and planned baby steps for walking and exercising more, I’ve swapped my cola for water (most of the time), ceased eating so many carbs, and exchanged frozen veggies for fresh.
I’m also creeping my way through Camp Nano. I may not hit my goal, but I am writing every day. Those are great starts.
Now that things have lasted longer than we’d hoped, is there anything you’re going to do differently?
Once More Unto the Breach #CampNano
I think I’m addicted to NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. Every November, I sign up with millions of others around the world to pledge to write a new 50,000 word novel in thirty days. No one is expected to have a polished novel at the end of that time, rather a draft that you can edit and turn into a finished work. Sounds good, right?
It is. It is also incredibly stressful. Writing is not easy. In fact, is it one of the most difficult ventures I’ve ever taken on. Sometimes the words flow like water. Most of the time, however, it’s like bleeding on the page. Stripping pieces of your soul. Add to that, trying to write at a much faster pace than I manage normally, and you have a grueling, stressful process.
Camp Nano, which takes place in July, is a kinder, gentler version of NaNoWriMo. You still have 30 days, but it’s not in the middle of the biggest holiday season, and you can pick any project you choose—something new, or a project you’ve worked on before. You also don’t have to add 50K. My goal is to finish the novel I’m working on by adding 20K words. I should be able to accomplish it.
What both programs have in common is the camaraderie, the sense of “I’m not in this alone”, unlike the rest of the months I write. As I’m also a competitive person, the drive to claim the winner’s badge also helps me to focus on achieving my goal.
So…here I go. Wish me luck.
CSA and Me
Scientists and epidemiologists insist, pretty much across the board, that the pandemic isn’t over and I trust science. I understand that the more people who #stayhome the greater our chance of eliminating the virus. Or at least buying us time until there is a treatment or a vaccine. Consequently, I’m not going anywhere—for the most part.
I’ve had to take the dogs to the vet. I’ve had to go to renew my license. And I took a drive around the block for curbside pickup of a couple of Cafe Mochas because my partner was going a little stir crazy. I wore lined masks for every outing, kept interactions brief, kept an appropriate social distance, and only left the house for necessities. Starting this week, however, I have to pick up my CSA.
My bounty for Week 1. Yum!
CSA. Community Supported Agriculture. This is a program that supports local farms. You buy “shares”, which gives the farm money to buy seeds and other supplies in advance of the season. In return, you get a “share” of the farm’s yield.
I am now obligated to go out into the world every week to pick up my farm shares. A part of me wonders what the heck I was thinking. My partner and I buy into CSAs because we support local farming, largely because I know the vital role they play in our food chain. I think corporate farming is a bad idea, but I’ll save that for another post. (In case you’re interested, this is a pretty good article.)
It’s a risk, I know, going out every week. But sometimes, you have to take risks, or as my mother would have said, “put your money where your mouth is”.
Huh. I just realized that I’m doing that quite literally.
Time is Moving Weirdly. Or is it just me?
A serene beach with the shade of a palm tree.
I’ve been home with my partner since March 13, except for a very anxiety-riddled visit to the vet (no contact delivery and pick up of my pooches) and a quick stop at Dairy Queen (we were RIGHT THERE. Don’t judge me.) For the first month, I was in a fog. Panicked all the time. Unable to sleep or eat. Obsessive. Hypochondriacal.
Thankfully, it did eventually end. Then I became focused on being productive. WRITE. CLEAN. ORGANIZE. Work on the yard. Get arts and crafty. There are days that I am very productive.
There are also days when I get up, have a cup of coffee, glance at the clock—and it’s 3:30PM. Then suddenly it’s 9:00PM. Then 11:00PM. What the hell?
I have a few guesses about what happens. Sometimes, it’s a social media time suck. Sometimes it’s a Netflix binge. Or more likely, my to-do list is SO BIG I wander around my house unsure of where or how to start.
The consequence is that I accomplish nothing on those days. Zilch. In fact, it’s all I can do to drag my exhausted for no reason self to bed. Fortunately, I found a fix for it. I pick ONE thing that I MUST accomplish each day, instead of my usual multi-item list. I nearly always do more, but when I don’t, I can still look back on the day and feel good about it.
Does this weird passing of time ever happen to you? How do you deal with it?
By the way, this beautiful picture here has nothing to do with what I’m writing about today. It just makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy, too.
It's Okay. It is.
A cup of tea…and a moment of peace.
There are so many unimaginable things going on around us today. It is difficult to take it all in, let alone focus on it for extended periods of time. It saddens me to know that several of my friends feel guilty about not being able to watch the news all day, or go to every rally, or even stay on FaceBook and chat with their friends about world events.
But it’s okay. It really is. You don’t have to overload yourself with news to the point of hopelessness or stress. You DESERVE to binge-watch Cloak & Dagger and lose yourself in their quest. You are WORTHY of the respite that comes from taking a long walk, or sitting in nature watching the birds. And you are entitled to give your self a break, make a cup of tea (or the beverage of your choice) and escape inside a book.
So take a step back from the insanity and find a few new reads. Here are some free (or pretty cheap). Just click on the picture.
Be well.
Myth and Magic, Free EBooks for Fantasy Lovers
Sexy Short Reads, EBooks $4.99 and Below
Welcome to My World, free fantasy and SciFi EBooks
Pineapple Fried Rice
Sometimes you just have to go for it.
I’ve been craving Asian food since just before the lockdown, I mean, quarantine. So tonight I took the plunge to make some.
Mind you, any other time I’ve tried to make Asian food it came out HORRIBLY. I just could never replicate the taste of my favorites. Egg Foo Young. Lo Mein. Korean Barbecue. Tempura anything. So today I was looking up recipes (#foodporn) and I didn’t have the ingredients for any of them.
But I was determined. So I combined a couple of different recipes and made a leap of faith in my improv cooking skills. Mom was, after all, a caterer.
Here is the result—Pineapple Fried Rice and Tempura Shrimp. OMG, it was delicious. I used these ingredients:
jasmine rice
onion
whole salted cashews
raisins
frozen pineapple
soy sauce
curry powder
eggs
I am so excited. My mom would be proud of me.
Tho I did cheat with the shrimp. I had some frozen, already tempura’d shrimp in the freezer.😊
Next on the agenda: Homemade Eggrolls
Taking Care of Ourselves
We’re all talking about the effects of isolation on our mental health. One of the suggestions experts are making is to start a journal. The theory seems to be that this is such an unusual time and circumstance we would value a record in the future. That sounds like a wonderful idea. I wish I had been able to do that.
But the pandemic and social isolation/social distancing have had the opposite effect on me. I’ve kept a journal for most of my life. During stressful times in the past, I have written up to 10 pages a day dealing with the circumstance. Journaling this spring should have been easy. I am, after all, a writer.
Since early March, it has been difficult for me to “orient to time”. I do clearly understand day-to-day events but often not the exact date. Time compresses, too. I often can’t remember if something happened last week or the week before. My sleeping has become erratic as well. At least twice a week I find myself still awake at 5 am, with the sun peaking over the horizon
Yesterday, I picked up my journal because I thought it had been a few days since I had written. The last entry was April 3rd. My new plan is to follow Julia Cameron’s recommendation for Morning Pages. This means writing for three pages, longhand, in the style of stream of consciousness. The idea is to do this first thing in the morning to have a clear mind for the day.
I don't want to. But I will. It will help me keep track of time. It will also enable me to discharge some of my anxiety on the page.
I also found a few things that really help me to reign in my uneasiness. Besides writing, I find deep breathing to be helpful. The Calm app is for iOS devices is a goto for me, There are options that you can get if you pay for them, but the breathing exercises are free (so far) and they really help. Calm Of course, the master of breathing exercises is Dr. Andrew Weil. You can find his exercises here: Dr.Weil
If that sounds too boring to you, many places are offering virtual tours. I find it pretty meditative to watch an aquarium, or meander through a museum. Here are a couple of links to explore. YOu might find something to take you away from your worries, if only for a little while.
Best Virtual Tours According to Goodhousekeeping
Best Virtual Tours According to Town and Country Magazine
How are you managing? Be well. Stay safe. #stayhome if you can #washyourhands
Legacies and Outer Banks: The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous 4/5 Stars
This week I’m offering a twofer. I recently finished watching two series.
The first binge-worthy show was Legacies (two seasons), which is a sequel to both Vampire Diaries and The Originals. It features characters from both shows with a focus on their children.
I have to admit, I watched Season 1 and 2. After the first season I was hooked. The characters were quirky and interesting, the plot moved along quickly and drew me right into the story. I found myself really caring about the kids and feeling their joy and pain as it unfolded. The second season started off similarly.
Slowly, I started to notice that threads were being left untied. One of the main characters turned into a villain (for which the groundwork had been nicely laid), but very quickly became a bit of a caricature, complete with a new hairstyle, goth clothing, and dramatic make-up. Oh, and she gained the ability to fly. The story lost me for a few episodes. However, I’m glad I stuck with it, as it redeemed itself and wrapped up nicely at the end. The good guys prevailed.
Outer Banks is also a show about an ensemble of high schoolers. I found myself recognizing all of them from my youth—The poor hero, a good guy who is making the most of a challenging life. The bad boy with an abusive father but with a heart of gold. The newly rich girl who struggles to fit in and the uber rich girl who falls for the poor good guy. A star-crossed trope for sure, with some of the worst and corniest dialogue I’ve ever heard. Many of the secondary characters are stereotypes and are overacted. BUT…I could not stop watching.
Each of the teenagers in the main cast is engaging and likable. The story pulled me in from the start and I stayed along for the ride, rooting (occasionally aloud) for them to succeed in their quest. And the view—I may have been destined to love this show because the scenery was everything I love the ocean waves and the beach.
There you have it. Both shows receive a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. Imperfect, yes. Engaging, yes. An absolutely fun.
The New Binge #stayhomesavelives
As I mentioned last week, I’ve been isolating due to the pandemic. I’ve finished ALL the baking series. I’ve finished all the supernatural series that seem worth watching. I’ve seen all the comedy specials that looked hilarious. So now what?
Yay! Webinars!
Webinars
I know, right? But today alone I’ve watched several. One on writing, one on marketing, another on relationships, and still another on COVID-19. (That one was particularly informative.)
Given that many of us are isolating at home, companies are showcasing their wares through offering free opportunities to learn something, see something, or do something. Occasionally there’s a sales pitch involved but not always. And there is something for everyone.
I admit I often learn about them from a newsletter I subscribe to. But you can easily find them. A quick google search found a host of opportunities.
webinars for writers
webinars for librarians
webinars for artists
webinars for librarians
webinars for gardening
It’s a simple google search “Webinars for—” whatever. Try it and see. Oh—here’s a list of several about Earth Day. You’re welcome.
I Bake, and I Blame Netflix
SCONES!
The Great British Baking Show. The Great British Baking Show Holidays. Sugar Rush. Sugar Rush Christmas. Zumbos Just Desserts.
I’ve watched every episode that Netflix has. Hour after hour of mostly delicious looking bread, cake, pastries, tarts, cookies, donuts, trifles. It was like a gateway binge, because it led me to Food Network.
Buddy vs Duff. Chopped: Sweets. Spring Baking Championship. Holiday Baking Championship. Kids Baking Championship.
I have never been a baker. Way too much science for me. Don’t get me wrong. I cook. My mom was a caterer so I learned from the best. I have an extensive repertoire that continues to grow. But baking? I’ve tried it. In the past I’ve made rolls and pies from scratch. Once, I recall, I even made a soufflé or two. But aside from the occasional batch of cookies, I hadn’t baked in years.
Until now.
Come on! Seeing all those yummy treats day after day made me crave them. Now that we’re in the apocalypse, I mean, the mandatory stay at home orders, if I wanted any I had to make them myself. Damn it.
Besides Cookies Galore, I’ve made biscuits, banana bread, cranberry orange bread, and waffles (from scratch). My next attempt will be scones. I can’t decide what kind—I have the ingredients for cranberry, cinnamon, lemon-cranberry, maple oat nut, and raisin. What should I make?
After I master scones, I’m off to the big time-I’m going to make bread—if I can find some yeast. Or maybe I’ll make my own. Damn you, Netflix!
Cover Design: It’s My Story
Mad respect to those talented people who have an artistic sensibility and a grasp of design concepts. It seems to be a complex amalgamation of concepts that leads to something visually appealing and effective.
Photo credit to Deposit Photos
I’ve recently thought about what I want the cover of my soon to be released books to look like. No matter who ultimately I ask to design them, I’m going to need to be able to tell them what I’m looking for.
Apparently, all genres have a specific set of expectations when it comes to covers. My books are all Urban Fantasies. Covers are expected to be dark and contain a representation of the protagonist.. The character should be somewhat front and center, and there should be mystical or magical elements. Many covers use the magical elements to frame the character’s image.
Some people argue that rules are meant to be broken. Operating outside of the status quo might get some attention. The other perspective, however, is that readers won’t even notice your book if they don’t recognize the genre.
What do you think?
Staying Home is the Greater Part of Valor: What are you doing with YOUR time?
Hi there. How’s your new normal going?
Cup of coffee sitting by a laptop. Credit: DepositPhotos
Much respect to the teachers who are battling it out, trying to teach online when many have never done so. Make no mistake, teaching an online class well is harder than teaching an on-ground class. Of course, if you aren’t diligent or don’t care, it could be a breeze, I suppose. But dedicated teachers want their students to learn, and want to bring them a little bit of normalcy in this difficult time.
As for me, I am staying at home as much as possible—the exceptions being going to the grocery store and the pharmacy. I’m in a high risk group, and so are people I love, so staying in is the better part of valor..
Always a bit of a loner, I’m surprisingly okay with this. I’m teaching myself how to use a graphic design program. I’m taking an online course in publishing. I’m coloring. Lots of coloring. (It’s a pretty addictive app.) I’m binge-watching Netflix and Amazon Prime offerings, like the Great British Baking Show, Black Lightening, Happy (LOVE Christopher Meloni), comedy specials, and a couple of really bad horror movies. Like Revenge of the Were Rooster.
Yeah. Don’t ask.
Then there are house projects. I reorganized my office and rearranged my living room. I’m also writing. In fact, April is Camp Nano, where I pledge to write at least 20,000 words this month.
But enough about me. If you are a first responder, medical personnel, nonprofit employees, or you work in a drug store or grocery or restaurant or deli…THANK YOU. One lesson many are learning and that I’ve always known is that YOU are the backbone of our society. Not the corporations, not the government. You. You have my unending gratitude.
How is everyone else doing? I’d love to hear how you’re spending the time. If you have a Netflix recommendation, I’d love to hear that too.
Be safe. Be well.