This was a week filled with lots of ups and downs. I guess that’s a life constant, but this week it was bold.
I finished my copycat story. It was such a great feeling. And writing a story like that, with a more analytical approach, was very satisfying. I almost felt like I knew what I was doing, which is not normal. Do I think the story is really good? Not exactly and I even thought back on things I could add, but it is done enough for Story a Day Critique Week! So, I will look forward to comments from my fabulous peers.
Next up, the romance I’m to write this year. Time to start fleshing that out. I’ve got some ideas, but nothing concrete. I find it so hard to make those commitments. There’s something about the whole world of possibility that’s safe. I guess it’s because I don’t have to do anything.
Recently I was listening to YALLWrite: The Story Corpse with Victoria Schwab, and she noted that her favorite part of writing was the possibility. I felt so relived that I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the start of things, the walking around imagining the scenes and relationships part of writing. I need to make a mental note to really try and enjoy it while starting this romance.
On a sadder note, our sweet Pickles left us last week. She was 18 and had been a part of the kids lives for as long as they could remember. She wasn’t the most affectionate, but she was definitely a force in our house. Coco fed her a steak the day they came to euthanize her. She was an adorable, stinky little gremlin. I miss her.
On an upbeat note, I traveled to Atlanta over the long weekend and visited my parents. Because of my illness over the summer, the visit was long overdue. Both Mom and Dad are doing well, and both are aging which can be a little bit of a mind-bender. They’re visibly different, like parts of them are sloughing off, and they’re thinner physically. And Dad is especially different now that his dementia is more pronounced. He seems to remember the recent, but the old memories, not so much. He’s processing speed is super slow, too. Takes him a long while to respond. It was certainly different, but no less affectionate. So that was nice. Mom was Mom, just a little thinner and less mobile. She was consistently super affectionate and strong headed. I had a nice time visiting my sister and her family, too. One of my nieces and my nephew was there. They’re adorable. It’s nice to spend time with family. There’s something about it that’s comfortable and easy, even when you don’t see eye to eye on things. I’m grateful for that.
My sister recently got a juicer and I think I might be obsessed. It was delicious and we made a few different concoctions using apples, beets, celery, spinach, lemons and pineapple. So good!!
As for my recent purchase, it seems only one cat likes the auto cat litter and she’s in there all the time. Weird cat.
Pffft! She made the better purchase, I’m thinking.
As I mentioned before it’s critique week at Story a Day, so I’ve got lots of reading to do. I’m very excited. I enjoy that part a lot and learn more and more about my own writing by doing it. I still feel like I suck at my comments, I don’t know if I notice as much as some of my colleagues. I remember applying to train as a coach with Jennie Nash – that was a big fail. I think I’m too much of a reader, I get sucked in and don’t realize the craft part, only my feelings. I’ve gotten better, but still I struggle. That’s part of the learning that will never end thanks to my writing obsession! Gotta love it!
And speaking of bold downers…
Peace!