#ROW80 peeps, you are welcome to scroll down to Point #3.
WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #1: A NOTE OF CLARIFICATION —
Just a general reiteration that Republicans are meanie-pantses. That is all.
WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #2: MY HAPPINESS PROJECT—
This is the tenth week of Andi-Roo’s Happiness Project, based on Gretchen Rubin’s blog.
Happiness Project Assignment #10:
Join or Form a Group.
Gretchen says,
“studies show that group membership
helps people feel connected
and gives a real boost to satisfaction and personal confidence.
It’s a way to interact with people who share your values.”
Groups are also a great way to be accountable for sticking with good behavior or enforcing habits. I admit it — I’ve been so antisocial over the last few months that I haven’t been participating in any of the fun things I used to do.
Also, it’s hard to justify driving anywhere when you’re a one-car family with limited income. That social cup of coffee is right out the window.
I do occasionally attend a writing group. I really want to get back into that on a more regular basis, now that (A) I have a specific writing goal, and (B) NaNoWriMo is almost upon us — November 1 is right around the corner, my fellow writers! Lucky for me, there will be meet-ups for this exciting event much closer to home! The writing group is about an hour away, quite a trek, but really worth it when I manage to show up.
I used to belong to a book club, but I found I was less than eager to read the selections and then it became a chore, which sort of defeated the purpose, to my mind. Plus, they meet on a night I can’t attend now anyway. *poot*
However, I did just discover a monthly scrapbooking meet-up that’s close to home, free, and meets on a night I’m available. Hmmm… adding that to my calendar now!
If you missed the first few weeks of my Happiness Project, or want to catch up on the Assignments so you can create your OWN Happiness Project, here are the links:
5. Go outside
6. Koan
7. Theme Song
9. Make a list
WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #3: MY WORK IN PROGRESS
I’m so excited to report that I have outlined the entire first act of my novel Green Market! I have a much better idea of the lead characters, their objectives, what they must overcome to reach that knockout ending I have in mind.
Yes, the other two acts are still somewhat hazy, but I’m much less intimidated by them. Act two seemed forever away, but now I know it’s not really that far off, and I’m really looking forward to our first meeting.
I just finished rewriting one of the scenes to expand it and make it better fit the outline. This is a really good thing, because as I reported last week, I had to nix one of my characters which meant deleting two whole scenes. My word count was sad. But now it’s happy — 1455 words, for a current total of 4414! Maybe not a whole heck of a lot for some people, but for this novice, that’s a veritable cornucopia of joy-joy-joy!
My favorite line thus far (since, given my last sentence, I can totally relate):
“Em was fine taking honey where she could find it, and letting flies go their way.”
WHAT’S UP WENZDAY POINT #4: BONUS MATERIAL
MOVIES:
We watched a couple DVDs this past weekend, both among our favorites: 300, which is simply beautiful and not to be equaled in its luscious use of colors, and INGLORIOUS BASTERDS, one of the most hilarious and yet grotesque films I’ve seen in recent years. Neither film is for children. Both are for adults who don’t suck. Meaning you really have to appreciate great scripts and acting talent. Plus? Hotties galore, along with superb soundtracks.
BOOKS:
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Bedside Table: Just finished CLOCKWORKS, Locke & Key #5, the graphic novel series by Joe Hill. I can’t say enough about this imaginative, gripping, and gorgeous story line. I zip through each book all too quickly. My son, too, loves this series, so it’s been fun to share with him. You hear “graphic novel” and think “comic book”, but be forewarned, this shit ain’t for kids! Very creepy, and sometimes even grotesque, material!
Next up is NICEVILLE by Carsten Stroud. Already started this one and like it a lot thus far. Each chapter is an alternating perspective, and since it’s a mystery, that keeps the reader from being able to guess too quickly WTF is happening. A bit of an other-worldly feel to it. Am curious to find out if there is scary magic stuffs going on!
- Living Room: SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury. Only a couple chapters in but already I’m wondering why I haven’t read this one yet! Love his writing style and can’t wait for the spooky story to unfold.
Next up: Love me some older sci-fi and speculative fiction, so I’ll probably attack more Richard Matheson or Philip K. Dick, or maybe even more Ray Bradbury. Not sure yet.
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Desk: PLOT & STRUCTURE: TECHNIQUES & EXERCISES FOR CRAFTING A PLOT THAT GRIPS READERS FROM START TO FINISH by James Scott Bell. This is part of the “Write Great Fiction” series. Finally decided that, since I’m a writer, I need to go beyond declaring myself as such and actually dive in, which means taking the next step beyond the act of merely putting my story down on paper. I need to further learn the craft. I’m not too proud to admit it’s been years since I sat in a classroom, so this series is right up my alley. Within the first four chapters I already figured out what needs to be reworked in my opening chapters, and have outlined the rest of the first act. This is reflected in my word-count for the week, which is finally progressing again!
Next up will be another in this series, CHARACTERS, EMOTION & VIEWPOINT: TECHNIQUES & EXERCISES FOR CRAFING DYNAMIC CHARACTERS AND EFFECTIVE VIEWPOINTS by Nancy Kress.
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iPod (audio book): ENTICE by Carrie Jones. Really fun Young Adult fantasy novel read by the very talented Julia Whelan. I’m disappointed to learn that the next book in this series (#4 — ENDURE) isn’t available from the library as an audio source. So I’m a goober; I requested it in “old school” book format. I tend to leave my “mind candy” reads for the iPod for easy listening while doing dishes or picking up the house, but I’ve already come this far, and I want to see where it goes.
Next up: #4 in the astounding epic tale of the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini, INHERITANCE: OR, THE VAULT OF SOULS. Have loved this series thus far! My son read the entire series already, and didn’t love the conclusion, but only because he hungers for more. The hubz and I listed to the first five discs of INHERITANCE on our way to-n-from TribeUp NYC, and he just finished it himself last week. The hubz LOVED the conclusion — not that he would argue against another book in the series! Now it’s my turn. Have attempted to avoid spoilers thus far, but I can already tell I’m going to be left wanting for more. Which, thankfully, Paolini has indicated will be delivered at some point in the future. *hoorayz*
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With Abbie: THE ANIMAL FAMILY by Randall Jarrell. I try to read a chapter of this fun book aloud every school morning. We’re over halfway through and loving it! This is an older book, and the sentence structure is slightly too challenging for Abbie to read on her own. It’s been fun sharing this with her.
Next up: I think we’ll likely return to the Chronicles of Narnia when this one is finished.
And that’s what’s up Wenzday.
Hope your Hump-Day is full of hump-ish good times.
I’d love to hear what’s up with YOUR Wenzday!
And please tell me how *YOUR* Happiness Project is coming along!
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