Tori’s Writing Hole

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

Ah the legions of viruses… and/or bacteria, they do not leave me alone. I am still sick, three weeks now and going to the doctor. Ick. I’ve started another semester (did I mention I got two A’s for last semester? Well, I did. ) and have absolutely no energy to do my schoolwork and work freelance as well. I’m floundering, folks.

I still have to post my coconut cake escapade (with pictures!) but blech. I don’t even have the energy to do that. I hope whatever magic mojo the doctor has will make me well enough to continue, um, living.

Technorati Tags: sick, college, writing

Ok, so I don’t have a voice. For the last three days I’ve been coughing non-stop, making happy little tubercular noises and generally feeling like poo. The bronchitis got me, man. And laryngitis to boot. Which is super fun when you have a 2 year old who needs to follow direction, or even just listen to you. Sing “Twinkle Twinkle” Mommy? I sound like a toy with dying batteries.

The good thing is I’ve gotten some good poetry written, and I feel ok about that. Bad news is I haven’t really been cooking or doing much else except cleaning the house (mandatory) and sitting around drinking green tea.

Tomorrow’s Stephen’s b-day. I’m making a cake - and will post about that. Cheating and making chicken parm with jarred sauce too… sigh. Oh well, the cake will take most of the day. I just hope I get my voice back in time to sing “Happy Birthday”!

Technorati Tags: bronchitis, poetry, baking, birthday