The Project: Setting Up

My brilliant writing project is starting to get underway. I’m attempting to get my ducks in a row. I was going to put a row of ducks in the pic up there, but realized we are all different with some things in common…  and I liked that picture. I am thrilled to have the people I wanted agreeing to participate . They are very creative folks. I know this because they are nearly all part of my family. Yup, no bias here!

I was sitting at dinner with my aunt a few weeks ago. My Aunt Sandy is much like a sister to me, as she is only four years my senior. We lived together off and on growing up. We fought with each other, laughed, and cried.  Today we share stories that make us laugh so hard we cry…

Anyway, at dinner I shared with her about mom wanting me to write and how I was humoring her. Then it struck me! Sandy has always wanted to write. My youngest son, Da (pronounced Day, and no his name is NOT a tribute to Felicia Day,) already writes and has numerous characters developed (just found out he has about 17 nearly fully developed characters.) My middle son, Hagardly, writes music and comics; I knew he would be a tremendous creative talent. I was so excited my hands started their flailing in Applebee’s.

My aunt just stared at me, then started to smile. I told her about the Star Wars fiction writing group that I am part of. I explained how we all collaborate to make a story happen. I excitedly told her our litte group of creatives needed to do the same thing! We needed to write a book collaboratively! She listened, but there was something in her eyes. She asked some questions, but I knew she was intrigued by the idea.

Our current stage of the project is being set. I created a Google group for our coordination efforts. I invited everyone. Now it’s time to move forward into character development. *rubs hands together in excited anticipation* 

Everyone can be a part a part of the project. I am going to create a blog chronicling our efforts. Each of the participants will be posting about their own experiences and processes, how well it’s going, what our thoughts are…

Only problem is.. We still need a name for it! Twitter Contest For The Win! I’m going to offer a $15 gift certificate to Amazon.com for the winner of the naming contest. I hope that will entice people to help me name our blog.

Exciting times ahead! I hope you will all join us in our journey, it won’t always be smooth, but I’m thinking it will almost be an internet writing version of reality TV! (eewww, did I really just say that?)

Brilliant Idea…

I’ve had one of my great inspirations!

I get them from time to time and often don’t act upon them. Then many months, or even years later, I see someone else come up with the idea I’d had so much earlier. In one case, it lead someone to several book deals. Other times, I’ve written a proposal only to see someone else implement my idea and get the credit.

Shadowcall can tell you I’ve had a few where we work. He recognizes when I get them as I’m pretty boisterous and make excessive use of my hands when when inspiration hits me.

Alas, much of the time my ideas don’t get fully implemented and it is a little discouraging.

However, I have been inspired.

My mom has pushed and gently prodded me for awhile now to write a fiction novel. I started writing short stories and playing with a writing group about 3 years ago. I enjoy it, but it is more work than I’d ever realized. I also understand now that writing is often not just the work of a single person. There are proofreaders, editors, collaborators, to name a few.

Early last week my mom attempted again to entice me to write. She said she’d be the editor. My mom is a great editor and an even better project manager. She’s also very much into selling books and is herself an avid reader. I thought I would just *humor* her. I asked her questions about the “book.” Things like settings, characters, and the like.

However, things have changed and I’m actually inspired to write the book. I’ll be sharing more about how it will come into being later. For now, though, I need a new blog site and a name for it. The blog shall chronicle the collaborative effort I’m attempting to create.

I’m considering holding a Twitter contest to name the blog. I wonder if an Amazon gift certificate would be an appropriate contest gift for the winner…

 

FEEDBACK, please!

Brand New Day…

There is a song in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog called “Brand New Day”. I love that song. If you listen to the words, the hero… ummm, villain…; okay Dr Horrible, makes his commitment to the Dark Side ((to borrow a Star Wars term)) and begins singing the song with great resolve. When Billy ((Dr. Horrible’s version of Clark Kent)) gets to the chorus he sings: It’s a brand new day and the sun is high All the birds are singing that you’re gonna die How I hesitated now I wonder why It’s a brand new day   I kinda leave out the gonna die part though. I’ll often be found singing it often at the beginning of many of my days and starting my good morning tweets with the phrase, “It’s a Brand New Day!” Today is a brand new day for me. I had a huge disappointment yesterday, but today I chose to keep on track with my life. I refused to let depression set in. It’s strange, a few short months ago I could feel the depression sitting there, waiting for me to embrace it, but it isn’t there this time. I cried a bit yesterday, howeverI think the crying was cathartic; cleansing; a time of mourning. But today is… A Brand New Day! I’m in a great mood; I have a smile on my face. I’m accomplishing things. Yes it is… A BRAND NEW DAY!!!! ((List of victories are on Something Different))

Holding On…

 

So… I am facing my first real significant test.

I just experienced an enormous disappointment. It’s okay though. I’m going to turn this into a victory, somehow. I am going to stay on my diet, I am going to keep exercising. I will beat the urges. Frankly, I don’t have the urge to binge eat. Overeating used to be what I did for comfort. It was a way to stuff down the feelings. Maybe I am just numb right now and those feelings and urges will happen, but I hope not.

Yesterday had a few disappointments as well, they were really rather minor compared to this.

Thank you to all my friends and family for the support you’ve given me over the months and years. You have no idea how much my friends and family mean to me. This is about all I can deal with right now.

More later I’m sure…

~~To know, know, know me…

 

…is to love, love, love me…~~

That’s a song, from way back when. ((apparently Amy Winehouse remade this.)) 

Lots of people really do like me when they get to know me. Not everyone of course, but most do.

I have friends in:

·         the real world

·         MMO worlds

·         the fiction writing world

·         the Twitterverse

·         Facebook

·         roleplaying realms

·         military mama’s

·         Boy Scouts…

Those are just some of the areas in which I’m involved, I have many casual acquaintenances as well.

Here is my challenge; I want to promote my blog so people will read it and comment upon it. I know it seems a little self-serving, but I enjoy sharing my ideas with people. Often I’ll get private messages or email about the blog giving me encouragement and very positive feedback, but that’s not sharing with the other readers.

I really like discussions and forums, so I’m going to begin asking people to join in the topics with comments! I know it’s a little weird because I write about what I’m interested in. This isn’t chatting about me, but instead the topics I’m interested in and passionate about. If you are also interested in them, or have questions, or even disagree let’s talk about it!

I want to bring more people here, I want to share things with all my friends and their friends and find new friends!

Here is MY challenge to YOU! At the minimum, leave a comment to this post. If you blog, be sure to leave a link to it, including what you blog about. I want to know what you are interested in. Let the other readers know your connection to me; there are many of us that have several things in common.

C’mon, give a girl a hand!

Also, if you are struggling with something in your life, check out my Something Different tab at the top.

 

((photo link))

LISTS!!!

I went back to college at 40; the class I dreaded the most was English Composition. I discovered I am a very good writer. At one point, my teacher said I was so good at writing because I wrote about what I knew. I do write on things I’m passionate about, or tend to have a strong opinion.

I am working to be a better writer and I want to share what I write with others. My current project is working with problogger.net on their 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. You all get to … ummm, reap the benefits… or suffer the torture… you choose, of what I experiment with for the next 30 days. Yesterday was day one, I haven’t shared that with you yet!

We are being challenged to write a list. I love lists! I try to put most of my work emails and reports and others things into lists so people can read the majority of the content easily. To this end, I’m going to create a list of the things I’m currently passionate about! *wicked grins* although you could just look at my blog cloud to see the same thing.

Ready? Set? GO!

·         MMO’s – Massive Multiplayer Online game. Often it’s MMORPG, with the RPG meaning roleplaying game. I love these games. Why? Not so much for the game, but for the Multiplayer part. I LOVE PEOPLE! I’m a social person. I’ve always enjoyed playing games on computer, but add in the social aspect and I’m totally hooked. Not addictively anymore, but it’s so amazing to see people come together to achieve common goals. I build teams and the principles for real life team building absolutely applies here in MMO’s.

o   Star Wars Galaxies (past favorite)

o   Star Trek Online (looking to a near future)

o   World of Warcraft (current)

·         Family – I’m 50 now. I am not oriented on raising my boys any longer, but I am interested in their lives and watching them mature, grow, and supporting them (hopefully not financially) to become the amazing young men I know they can be.

o   Hagardly (writes music and is starting a comic series based on MMOs)

o   Da (pronounced Day. He’s a fiction writer who is incredibly intrigued with the psychology of relationships)

o   Mike (In the Army, and has a true artist’s heart. He plays instruments by ear and wants desperately to be an actor)

o   Mom (terrifically smart woman)

o   Extended (so many, and I love them all, even when they make me crazy)

·         Role Playing – This is the area that I get to still make-believe in. I get to be someone I’d not, but it’s not crazy, it’s accepted and enjoyed by me and others. Star Wars is usually my chosen universe for RP, but I’ve dabbled in Star Trek and it has a tremendous appeal for me.

·         Writing – I’m exploring my new found love of writing. I’ve written short fiction stories that have won an award. I’ve writing dozens of boring technical manuals, but now… I want to explore reaching out to others.

o   Twitter (fast, furious, fun).

o   Blogging (therapeutic)

·         Something Different – The clickable tab at the top of the page. This is my current passion right now.

·         Internet and/or Celebrities – I’ve always been a little fascinated with the entertainment world, from the days of my youth.

o   Felicia Day – She is an incredible young woman. I enjoy following her career because she’s utilized the current technology to make her dreams happen. She’s worked hard and is probably the biggest celebrity on the Internet and will be in other media soon as well if things keep going as they are. She’s a writer, actress, singer, director. Those are things I always wanted to do, and so I feel a certain kinship with her. I’m twice her age, but she’s a role model. She is a gamer girl who is loved and adored by so many people.

I’ve spent time explaining my fascination for her here, because many of the people my age have been asking why I’m so intrigued. This is why: She’s an Awesome Geek Chic!

o   Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog – Jos Whedon – what an amazing talent. Firefly, Dollhouse. My boys and I all have the DVD’s for Dr. Horrible. If you haven’t seen it, just stop what you are doing, and go watch it now! It’s on the Internet. DO IT! DO IT NOW!

 

… and that concludes today’s list of Zannniee’s Interests!

 

My Brain…

I don’t understand my brain, but Shadowcall says, “I would love a running conversation between hemispheres of your brain while you are using WordPress. I think it would make a great comic!”

Now, I’m going to believe he meant that as a compliment. I’m choosing to take it as such. He and I have had some fabulous conversations over the years on so many topics. They are usually pretty animated and most often fruitful in their outcomes.

Many of them have led to blog topics or my discovery of Twitter and Tweetdeck.

I’m liking the idea of a comic though. I wonder how that could come about. Only problem is, I can’t even draw stick men well. *grins*

This is short, but I’m attempting to blog at least four days a week.

Wonder if I’d be the only one who’d find my thoughts amazing… erm, amusing!

Dreaming at 50…

 

Many years ago, when I was still in high school, I thought about writing. I wasn’t sure what I would write about and I didn’t have a clue how to write fiction even though I loved reading it.

 Due to my interest in role playing in the SW universe, I started reading some of the published fiction. I didn’t want to be inaccurate in the portrayal of my characters. Timothy Zahn has great stuff and my all time favorite author is Aaron Allston. Allston’s stuff can make me laugh out loud at the antics of Wes Jansen and then bring me to tears in the very next chapter. He’s able to evoke my emotions and I read all his books.

A good friend of mine, Halyn, is a fantastic writer. I would venture to say he’s on par with Allston, if not better. People hang on his writings, begging for more. He’s written a lot of fan fiction for the Star Wars universe, including a story about one of my characters.

Halyn has won contests and even edited some of my attempts at writing, one of which also won a contest. He’s just a great, extremely talented young man.

He also let me see some of his world and real life writing processes. I’m a decent proofreader and have been fortunate enough to proof a few of his offerings. I’m going to try to imitate his methods and maybe produce a work of fiction.

Halyn gave me a hope that maybe someday I could write something more. Something people would want to read.

Shadowcall is another dear friend of mine. He is a photojournalist with an incredible, natural talent. He’s encouraging me in my blogging attempts, giving me constructive criticism and feedback. We started our blogs at about the same time and he discovered Twitter and shared it with me. Both arenas are changing my world and perspective on what I can accomplish.

50 isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of seeing my dreams come true…

Victory!

It was only one of many battles; the war isn’t over and won’t be for awhile.

STILL.

IT.

WAS.

A.

VICTORY!

Does it really matter to anyone what my battle was or what my war is? Probably not to too many people, but what I’m learning is to win my war; one battle at a time, even if no one else cares.

What is this war I’m talking about? If you need to satisfy curiousity, click on Something Different at the top of this blog.

Some people have actually clicked on my Something Different tab at the top without any prompting. It’s the area where I’m beginning to document my battles. I’ll win some, lose some. Hopefully there will be more wins than losses and eventually the War will over and I am the victor!

I’ll continue to blog about all the other things I’m passionate about here on the main page. Things like my kids, role playing, MMOs, the celebrities that intrigue me such as Felicia Day ((you *knew* I would put that in there, didn’t you!)) I enjoy the interactions of people and the dynamics. Especially people who’ve never met each other, but still there a connection formed.

I want to write. I want to connect with people. I have more than one battle going on, but the Something Different page is for my current,most difficult War.

I miss…

…roleplaying.

 

I suppose it goes back to being a kid and playing pretend. I also really really really wanted to be an actress when I was growing up. I dreamed about being Batgirl’s sidekick. I’d even dream about it at night when I was 5. *grins* No, I’m not giving away my age here, I did that two posts ago.

I used to role play for hours and hours in Star Wars Galaxies. I was a beautiful blue Twi’lek and very wrapped up in my Cantina and being a spy. Together with my friends we’d weave wonderful stories.

Then it was simming with another group of friends, again in the Star Wars universe. This time a Force sensitive green Twi’lek. Aedaria was amazing and fresh and learning so much from her teachers. My friends knew so much about the Star Wars universe and I knew almost nothing. We would gallivant about the galaxy saving people from the bad guys. The stories were fabulous.

I like the world of pretend and make-believe. I love reading fiction, placing myself into the world to see it for myself.

Roleplaying let me be part of the fiction, writing the story as we go along.

*sigh* I miss it.