Tori’s Writing Hole

Let’s face it, we all make excuses. I’m queen of excuses - I’m sick, depressed, busy - I make them all the time. Well, yesterday I decided to stop. I’m going to plow ahead, no matter what. (I hope I don’t end up wanting to eat these words, for my computer does not look tasty). I started a novel - it’s only one page of miscellaneous words, but it’s there. I’ve written four online articles in the past two days. I finally updated Wordpress and I feel like I’ve stopped avoiding writing.

I’m also taking pains to keep myself busy in the house - cleaning (yuk) playing with Julia and just generally not sitting and feeling sorry for myself.

I hope this works.

well, at least of my writing life. Well, in this case it’s actually writing getting in the way of writing as well. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trying to find writing jobs. Unfortunately, this leaves me little time to write blogs and poetry and stories - what I want to do. Sigh. If only people would pay me to blather on and complain.

Julia’s developing like crazy into a wacky storyteller in her own right. Evidently, the star of her stories is a "real princess" named "Fishy". Not sure what her naming convention is - she’s got Smushy-smush the friend and has named her stuffed cat "Poof". At least they’re not all Sally or Mary or something.

We’ve learned more about Smushy - in case you were interested. She eats grass and drinks juice, she sleeps in the bed with Julia and she gets a bath when Julia washes her hands. I know you’ve been dying for an artist’s interpretation of what this creature looks like, so here you are - Julia’s Smushy-smush:

Tags: writing, mom, imaginary friend

I know, you’re sick of me saying this, but darn it - I’m going to write a book. I’ve gotten further than before this time - this time I downloaded SOFTWARE. See, I’m thinking if I actually dedicate something to just writing my book, I’ll work better. Sounds great, right? Um, well, something has to give me a swift kick in the arse.

I wanted to use yWriter, a freeware application that is supposed to be great for organizing outlines, thoughts, character models, you name it. Unfortunately, it is not available for Mac. Why not, dudes at yWriter? Don’t you know that most creative people (sorry Windows users) use either Macs or Linux (gotta nod to my penguin peeps).

So I searched for a viable alternative. Jer’s Novel Writer is free, well, sort of. It’s super-nag ware, annoying you more and more as you use it. Not good. I will get angry at Jer. And it’s $30 if I don’t want to get angry. So I’m thinking about Scrivener. It’s also not free - but you get a nag free 30 day trial and then the cost (for me, a lowly student) is $34.95. Plus they’re British, and spell things differently like "specialised".

Anyone with experience with either of these is welcome to give me advice. I’m trying, Mom!

Tags: writing, software, free

After spending an entire day on schoolwork yesterday, I managed to catch up enough to let myself know I can finish school - at least this semester. I couldn’t give up after getting a paper back on the same day with a grade of 95, could I?

So psych is invading my brain and I’ve read enough text to blind a normal person. But I’m writing papers, completing assignments and generally getting back on track.

Next month is National Poetry Month. I’m gonna write a poem a day. Seriously. Good or bad, I’ll be writing. That’s the important thing. Perhaps after next month, I’ll finally have enough material to cull from to pull a chapbook together. Lord knows I’m not getting published anywhere. (moment of self-pity).

Technorati Tags: college, poetry, school

Well, my birthday was last Sunday and I had a pretty great day. The day before, sis in law Erin did a great koi tattoo on me that I will always cherish. Six hours in the chair - we had some bonding time indeed! She is such an excellent artist, I recommend that anyone in the NY area goes to Express Yourself Tattoo in New Paltz.

Brother Adam and Erin also got me some great jewelry for my stretched ears and an awesome glass necklace.

Mom and Dad also hit the spot with a feng shui kit and other stuff for my growing spirituality.

Of course, Julia’s gift had to be the greatest - stomach flu. Ugh. It made the rounds, hitting all of us and her grandparents as well. I’m surprised Dakota didn’t end up puking.

Today, I got my wisdom teeth out. All four, all impacted, all under “twilight” sleep and nitrous, as well as numbing juice. I am swollen, sore and miserable - but I hope this is the end of the pain and that I’m not going to end up with a dry socket or any other mess. I’ve been good - soft foods, no straws and no booze. Oh, but that booze sounds good. Probably not a good idea to mix with Vicodin.

I’ve been writing again - yay! I wrote my first sestina. I’m not a structured poetry person, so this is all new for me. Probably not the best example of the style, but I did it. YAY!

Technorati Tags: birthday, gifts, stomach flu, teeth, poetry