Day 25: Return from Blogcation

Yes. I'm back after a little blogcation -

Did I cheat a little on my original goal? No doubt. My goal of writing every single day for 365 days turned into a goal of 365 posts - which left me so much leeway that now - I've used my loophole to avoid writing for twelve days.

But I came back.

I gave myself permission to not log in and write. I told myself it was okay because I was "thinking about writing" the whole time - unfortunately - there's no machine to take my thoughts and turn them into words on a page (see The Tommyknockers).

And on one level, I am thankful for that (see picture). On another - wow - the amount of writing that I would have finished by now. No one would ever, ever want to hear all of the garbage that runs through my head at any given time (no - trust me - you really wouldn't! stfub :)

So, given there's no Alienware to sub-atomically turn my thoughts into novels - I need a clone. With a clone - one of me could do my day job and one of me could write all day. On second thought, I might need two clones. One for day job, one for running the house (OMG, the house could finally get cleaned!), and the final one for writing all day. Hmm. Scratch that - I need three clones. One for day job, one for housework, one for writing, and one for gaming (thank you Blizzard and Battle.net for beta free weekend!).

This reminds me of David Brin's Kiln People. It's been years since I've read the book, but from what I remember, people could make duplicates of themselves to go about their tedious tasks - or illegal activities- while keeping the "real" person safe and sound. I can't tell you how much time I spend at work trying to figure out how to be in two places at once. Sometimes, I think I'm close to figuring out how to make it happen.

Once I do, I'll write about it - or "I" 2.0 will.

Sneak Peek: Visit tomorrow for a discussion on Stephen King's latest novel, The Wind Through the Keyhole: A Dark Tower Novel. 

NOTE: All of the books I write about, can be found here: My Little Bookstore!
NOTE 2.0 Check this out Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Day 24: Special Announcement

JK Rowling announced her new book The Casual Vacancy release date of September 27, 2012.
The Casual Vacancy is her first adult novel:

"In the novel, the unexpected death of Barry Fairweather leaves Pagford, the small town he lived in, in shock. Pagford appears to be a peaceful, serene town, but underneath that, it is a town at war. Fairweather's death leaves an empty seat on the parish council, and this causes the biggest fight Pagford has ever seen." (Huffington Post)

I also learned the JK Rowling website linked here and above is her new website that launched today. Good luck with it, though, I tried to check it out, but the "timeline" navigation leaves something to be desired.

I did read her Harry Potter series and I'm looking forward to reading her adult fiction. I look forward to reading something that maybe she didn't feel so pressured to write. Some of the Potter series felt rushed and unedited. I saw her speak several years ago (side effect - I was there to see Stephen King) and was quite impressed with her tales of writing the last few novels. Even then, she hinted there was an adult novel - not related to HP in anyway - and that was 2006, now that I do the math.

I think what I love most about this announcement ...

Can you feel the electricity? That moment of excitement that comes with the announcement of a new novel that could be huge? Did you stand in line for Harry Potter books? Twilight? Have you ever seen so many readers gather with such anticipation you could almost reach out and touch it? You walk around, watching the "real" fans decked out in full Hogwart's garb - and most aren't children.

You line up the night before, just to get a spot - to buy a book. You spend hours talking with other book lovers about what could happen in the next book - what's already happened in the previous books. You talk about the movies - the possibilities - and who would be Hufflepuff and who would be Slytherin - because either might be more daring and fun than Gryffindor.

Whether you even liked the Harry Potter series or the Twilight series, you can't deny they brought about an astounding level of excitement about reading around the world that's never been seen before. Of course, word of mouth is much better than the old days - now we have the internet (Thanks Al!) to share good-reads globally.

Will The Casual Vacancy draw the same excitement? Who can predict? 

But, considering most children who began reading the series are now young adults - I'm guessing this could be a pretty exciting September.

We'll have to wait and see (to paraphrase Paul Sheldon).   

(Visit J.K. Rowling's Amazon Page)

Day 23: Zombie Typist

Here we are - Day 23 - the big 2-3. Yup. That's right.
I'm not even a month in. And for those counting - yes, it's been more than 23 days - but I've decided I will stand by my 365 posts - but they do not necessarily have to be consecutive. I will let myself have a day off now and then - especially when RL is a bit hectic.
I know - it's a cheat - but if I don't guilt myself about not writing, then the guilt won't keep me from coming back and facing my own failure.

The biggest thing I haven't worked out - the best time to blog.
For some crazy reason, I keep working on this late at night, while my dog, Dusty, lays on top of me chewing up his toy. Overall, I feel I'm doing pretty well if I'm done by 2am. So yes, when I say I'm sitting here asleep while blogging, I really am many nights (which is why some stop so quickly hehe).

Here's an unexpected side effect of this whole thing -
I can't get to sleep for a couple of hours after I close my MacTop2 - then once I fall asleep, I can't stay asleep for another two hours.
Some days I come home and nap after my "day job." Most days, I don't.

So, here I sit, eyes barely open, struggling to stay awake, knowing my minutes are ticking away - Until I reach the conclusion that I just can't keep it up for tonight and tell myself I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Really.

And maybe, just maybe, tomorrow I will try starting earlier.

Much, much, earlier.

Day 22: Part Two: Books, Kindles, or Zombies?

So, where was I? Oh, right -

Love books - what about ebooks and zombies?

On the ebook front - I adored my Amazon Kindle. Instead of one or two books... I could carry so many. I got a lot of the free classics right away. I finally had a way to flip between the different books I was reading.  As for actually reading on a Kindle, once you're reading, you forget you're not holding a book.

Another thing I quickly loved about the Kindle - I've had some weird issue with my hands for the last 10 years or so (not arthritis) and holding some of the bigger books became unbearable at times. Even trying to hold open paperbacks was a struggle some days. Holding the Kindle - even the larger 2nd Generation - never bothered my hands.

The readability on a Kindle is amazing. Not only does the Eink display look like a page out of a book, you can change the font size from smaller to larger - whichever way works for you. And although no one would ever/should ever purchase a Kindle for the Text To Speech, it offers hours of entertainment, in and of itself. Try it some time - the word "baby" is probably the funniest word to hear on a Kindle.

Clearly, I'm an ebook fan. I was reading ebooks before the term "ebook" was named. I am not a fan of reading off a computer screen - I'm guessing it's the lighting (but I can spend hours on Pintrest.com and DYAC on my computer...).

So - it's clear - I'm a book fan. I'm an ebook fan.
Did buying a Kindle curb my "real" book purchasing? Sure. Of course it did. Now instead of $80 book purchases every few months, I spent that much about every six months. 2 things changed - 1. I now take my Kindle with me (or Kindle app on phone) and double check prices. 2. When I do go into a real bookstore - I spend money in the store and on my Kindle at the same time - which often is double the amount I used to spend on books.

Today - I still own my original Kindle, but I also have a Kindle Fire. The Fire is compact, touch screen, sleek, and downright beautiful. But, I can't put it into a baggie and sit in the hot tub with it and I can't see it well in direct sunlight. That's where my older Kindle comes into play - along with real books.

I also cannot believe airlines make you turn off your eReader in take off and landing - but because they do, I still carry a book or two when traveling (looks like that might be changing!).

So there it is - Real books vs. Kindles - Questions?


Why did you not discuss Nook or Sony's eReaders?
Right - I'm not going to discuss Nook at this point because my choice remains Kindle. As for Sony's eReaders - I played with them a lot through the years and, although they have great features missing in Kindles (one great feature - Removable Memory Cards - SD or otherwise), I felt they were bulkier, heavier, and slower to "turn" the pages. (FINE: Nook - touch is not as responsive, the Nooks in the store crashed every time I tried to do anything - overall performance was lacking in comparison - there.)

What on earth do Zombies have to do with this conversation?
I thought you'd never ask -
When the Zombie Apocalypse occurs - electricity will vanish - trumping all eReaders.
Books need no batteries.

I win either way.

Day 22: Part One - Books, Kindles, or Zombies?

I've weighed in on the debate between real books vs. ebooks with friends and family for several years now. I remember the excitement I felt as a child digging through the stacks in the public library.

As a teenager and an adult, I had always carried a book in my bag (okay, at least one book, sometimes two). If I didn't have it in my bag, it was only because I tossed it out into the car at the last minute. A few years ago, I remember my friend seeing a book sticking out of my bag and she asked, "So, what? Are you  planning to be bored?"

Even though most of the people in my life are readers, I've never quite been able to fully explain my need to have a book with me at all times. I mean, you never know when you might have a couple minutes to read. Out to dinner - your friend goes to the bathroom and you're just sitting there - Standing in line at the grocery store, bank, post office, etc. - Going to the restroom yourself...

Anyway -

I vividly remember the first time I saw my daughter's friend's Sony Ebook Reader.  I wanted one. I wanted it so bad I could hardly see straight. I love reading, but I read what my mood fits, so I'm often in the middle of two or more books at one time (see previous posts for current list!). I went right out to Borders (bye bye Borders, so sad) and fondled the ebook reader. I didn't get one right away - in fact, the first Amazon Kindle came out and I still didn't get one. The biggest thing that kept me from it immediately - cost. That first Sony reader was over $300. I can't remember the first price on the Kindle, but I remember it being pretty high as well.

So, did I break down and get an ebook reader?

You bet your butt I did.

I first picked up the second generation Amazon Kindle. Honestly, I picked Amazon because I've been buying from them for so long and often that I used to get Christmas presents from them in the 90s. I remember the mailman (ahem - "postal carrier") asking me once how I liked Amazon since he was delivering it so often to my apartment. This was before the shipping rates were jacked up - but I only went to Barnes & Noble to pick up books I needed (or wanted) immediately (rarely went to Borders as their shelves were not as well organized and I struggled to find anything).

I digress - to be continued...


Stay tuned tomorrow for Part Two - Books, Kindles, or Zombies?

Day 21: World of Words

The blank page haunts me.

Again.

Not for lack of words - they roll around in my head all the time. But as stated from the beginning of this blog (okay, by "Day One" post) and my friend, Liz, pointed out - I avoid writing. So here I am - avoiding.

Again.

Have you ever loved doing something so much that your biggest fear is failing? Have you ever loved doing something so much that your biggest fear is succeeding? I'm pretty sure I suffer from both of these. But in the end, what does it matter? I swim around in my own words, struggling to write. Struggling not to write. 

I've tried a plethora of tools to aid in my writing - pencils, pens, typewriters, computers, laptops, books about writing, books about not writing, digital voice recorders, tape recorders... 

I thought maybe if I got a degree - or two (yes, thinking three might be the trick...). Maybe if I had a room to shut myself into (which I promptly gave the kids) - maybe if I went out in public...

Maybe if I stop using ... and - I could come up with something good. Maybe if I stop using the word "maybe" in every sentence...

Words rolling and riding with no etc and no dashes to hinder the flow. Building sentences, thoughts, and ideas into a story. A moment. 

That moment. Where you're hooked into the life and love of some character created out of someone's imagination constructed of real emotions with dream-like qualities. That instant when visions of another world fill your soul. The moment where you visit a land built purely in imagination.

If only someone can find the words.

I'll keep looking for them and get back to you.

Day 20: Visual Happiness

Check out PulpFactor.com for more amazing affirmation posters!

Day 19: Look over there!

I am certain no one noticed anything funny over the last day... surely I didn't miss a day or anything! I figure I gave a visual break and a post in one day - and I just needed to go to sleep. I tackled a migraine and am back and at it - ready to come up with more words to put together into sentences.


Today, I saw this posted on Pintrest (from Etsy.com). 

Of course, it got me thinking - Okay, What do I love? I mean, other than the obvious - family, friends, and pets.


At first, I thought - Writing ... I love writing. 
But then I thought - Could I write about writing in relation to this "motivational poster" because in reality, I avoid doing what I love every day - I avoid writing. 
So then, I asked myself, "Do I love writing?" 
     I mean yes -  I'm haunted by words and ideas and stories and thoughts. But does that really mean I love writing. 
            Is it love or is it insanity? 
                    Or maybe there's no difference.


With that answered - What else?


I love reading - and I do read every day - maybe not as much as I'd like, but I'm almost always in the middle of two books.


Currently, I'm reading (oops! 3!) American Gods, Selection Event, and Explosive Eighteen. In all honesty, I've really got more than that going, but those are the three I'm working on daily - if only a few paragraphs here and there. 


These books couldn't be more different than the other. 
Neil Gaiman's novel, American Gods, is ripe with science fictional characters drawing on mythology. The main character, Shadow, is dark, mysterious, and oddly trusting and loyal. 
Wayne Wightman's novel, Selection Event, is a futuristic view of society following the fall of man. Martin, the main character, is thoughtful and tough - and definitely a survivor.
Janet Evanovich's novel, Explosive Eighteen (A Stephanie Plum Story!) is an entertaining chick-lit novel about a female bounty hunter. (It's also a novel I wouldn't have bothered picking up years ago - now I view this type of novel as my "candy" - a fun and entertaining read, lacking grit you can sink your teeth into, but fun as all hell.)


Obviously, I can't get too much into these novels as I haven't finished them, yet. I'm almost done with the first two and barely into the third. 


So yes, I do love reading - I love books. I love holding them, carrying them, and sharing them (not necessarily in the "loan out" sense - I might not get them back! So, if I really want someone to read a book I love, I buy it for them haha). Sharing a book is so much more than just loaning out a book, anyway. It's getting into the ideas, thoughts, and emotions that novels/stories evoke.


My friend, Liz, and I used to sit and read together for hours. Sometimes we'd read the same book, most often we read different books. She used to say she enjoyed watching me read a book. I'm all over the place. I can't sit still. I read for a bit, then I put the book down and look around. It looks like I'm bored - but in reality - my mind is filled with the story. I'm walking down the path laid out by the author. I'm living the moment - basking in the words. I have to take time to live in the world. 
   To join the world that's been created for me (I know, I know, not me in particular - but since Stephen King writes "Dear Constant Reader" when addressing readers - and I happen to be a Constant Reader, I just imagine they are all writing for me, so there...).


And I do join the world while I'm reading and when I put my book down and stare off into space, often with a smile on my face or a tear in my eye.


Okay, I don't want to prattle on (see Annie Wilkes), but I think I'll pick this back up tomorrow - if that's the way the wind blows...


X

Day 18: Let Sleeping Zombies Lie

Fiction is the truth inside the lie. ~ Stephen King

It wasn't easy to talk myself into logging in here tonight and write. I spent at least 30 minutes telling myself It's fine, skip ONE night. As you can see, I went through the thought process about the whole deal and ended up here. Doing this. All the while my dog, Dusty, is half laying on me as he bathes and pants.

I guess there were plenty of April Fool's pranks online and otherwise today.

Twitter announced they are changing tweets from 140 characters to 133.
(oh my!) I know I was worried.

That reminds me of a funny joke. 

(To clarify: This refers to a Gilda Radner joke)