Twisted Fairytale

For the past twenty minutes I find myself plagued with images of Paris after dark. A city filled with lights and rivers. Ancient architecture that has seen more life than any of us will ever imagine. The Louvre, with its exquisite collection of paintings and sculptures. Representations of societies long passed. *dreamy sigh*

My condo disappears for a bit while I take this imaginary field trip. My muse is a traveler. Of time and space and the world. She enjoys the dusty desert pyramids of Egypt with its golden mysteries buried deep inside. She partakes in the ancient festivities of the Greco-Roman Temples, stadiums, and royal houses. She recites Irish lore and Scottish myths in vivid songs. Has told me countless tales about the rolling green pastures and the magical fae.

I admit, I’m jealous of my muse. She gets to have all the fun. I, however, get to live vicariously through her. She’s introduced me to Princes, Kings, senators, councilmen, forensic investigators, movie stars, magical beings, lovers, haters, families, villains and even a few normal people, like you and I. Each of these have left a little imprint in my  heart, forever changing my landscape. These people live and breathe in memory. I try to make them live and breathe on paper too.

Some people wonder why I spend so much time writing when the payoff isn’t ‘NY Times Bestselling Author’ *yet*. My reason is because writing is breathing. Writing is life. Think about it. Greece may be beautiful,  but through the eyes of a forsaken goddess cursed to spend an immortal life among mankind while each of her lovers perishes? Those large, empty ruins suddenly take on new life, don’t they?

Its days like these, when I’m in my little condo on a dreary day wishing I’d gotten that Peppermint Mocha Latte I’d been dreaming of at work, and sitting to wait out the repair of a broken water main, that I realize that writing is my freedom. My escape.

I write,  hence I live.

Which is why I want to start a new feature on my blog. I would like to have a different author every month. They’ll be my highlight author. They can tell me all they want about their muse and the wonderful journeys they’ve taken. And I in turn, will pass these great tales onto you. Who knows? Gifts and games may even be included.

Interested? Drop me a line.

I’ve always loved that character from Moulin Rouge. I think the funniest thing is in the beginning when he keeps falling asleep during rehearsal. Little things like that really make a character memorable.

I’m feeling particularly narcoleptic today. I’ve been fighting sleep for the past 8 hours, hoping to stay up long enough so that I get to bed early (if that makes any sense at all). Except, I’m fighting a losing battle. Even as I type, I’m yawning and rubbing my watery eyes.

I’m not complaining, mind you! I’m thrilled. Because, I have even more good news. You know how yesterday I was thrilled about having hit 20k?! Well, just last night I wrote another 3k! PROGRESS! *does happy dance* I was up wayyyy later than should be allowed for me, especially cause I get silly if I don’t get enough sleep. But I managed to pull it together for work. In fact, I had a really great day. (Sidenote: Melissa if you’re reading this *waves hello!!*).

But you know, you pay for those dream nights with miserably long days. Ha ha. Is it awful that I’m wishing a nap might bring the muse back for round two? I can take her, you know. I’m not afraid of her madness. I AM however, afraid I won’t wake up in the morning. I have an 8am curtain call. The last thing I need is to look like death warmed over. It’s not particularly appealing to customers. Plus… we just got points for being ‘well groomed’ (whatever that means). I don’t want to disappoint.

I’ve gotten into the nasty habit of wearing hardly any makeup when I’m really tired. Which is a BAD habit ,by the way. I mean, if I’m really tired, wouldn’t you think I need MORE makeup? To hide the hideous dark circles? Note to self: eyeliner is your friend.

My tummy just rumbled so I believe I will go have one of those yummy cheesecake pudding cup things I like so much. I will leave you with this. My favorite scene from Moulin Rouge. Where the Argentinian plays a more intense role. *Oh come on, anyone who knows me at all knows that I enjoy humor like the next person, but I’m a goner for the melodramatic. Give me angst anyday.*

I broke 20k last night. It feels like it’s taken forever. It really has only taken 27 days, but in retrospect, it feels like a lifetime.

NaNoWriMo was good for two things. To get me to actually start the story, and to motivate me to work on it daily (nearly) daily. My word count has left little to be desired. I will most certainly NOT make the 50k in the next 3 days. But I can live with that, knowing that I’m halfway done with a story that’s not even due til the end of December.

So I celebrated tonight. French Fries and diet soda. Ha ha. Can’t get too crazy now. I may also have an ice cream sandwich. Because darnit, I deserve it. My plan, through December is to continue on my semi-daily schedule of writing and not let it waver so that way, I may even finish the whole thing before deadline! That’d be heaven, really. The sooner I can get edits done, the easier my life will be.

Not to mention the new story which is still biting at me pretty violently. I get visions for it every single day. The playlist I made for it is absolutely perfect and I can’t wait to get to it. So, in the meantime, I really have to focus. My incentive: new story. My goal: 50k novella due for my publisher before deadline. Doable? I have no idea.

From my Sony Vaio!

Thats right, I got Sony to work! I’m so excited. This is going to be so much nicer. I can read in bed. Write in bed. Play Mahjong in bed (you know, on days when I’m procrastinating with my writing of course).

I have been trying to get my writing in order. But this awful ear infection seems to have spread and turned into some sort of full on cold/flu. So, I’m doped up on cold meds and not thinking too clearly. I wrote a paragraph or two, but unfortunately, my mind is blank and all I want to do is sleep. So I’ll try some challenges tonight and see if I can get any work done.

How is everyone’s Monday? It’s rainy and dreary here. A good day to nap and get lost in the rain.

I can’t believe it’s already Monday tomorrow. It feels like the weekend flew by.

I spent most of it sleeping, still battling this stupid ear infection. My vertigo was strange today. I woke up, showered, got dressed, etc… and then, sat down, and nearly fell asleep. The world was a foggy mass. Very strange and dreamlike. I asked hubby if I’d in fact been dreaming, and he just laughed, took my chin and shook my head. Nope, you’re awake.  He must have seen how delusional I was though. He tucked me right back into bed. *sigh* Have I mentioned how much I love that man?

On another note, I’m having some trouble setting up my wireless router for my laptop. I thought it would be easy enough. I didn’t want to pay the tech people another $150 after offering to pay them with my firstborn child and all. (I know, Lisa, those deals never work,  but how else would I pay for my computer?).  Maybe I’ll figure something out tonight. After I finish cleaning this room and scrubbing the bathroom and doing the dishes. lol Hmm… maybe it’ll have to wait til tomorrow.

Hope you all had a productive weekend!

Well, I survived. My very first Black Friday in retail. Granted, it’s Barnes and Noble. Our version of Black Friday isn’t quite what you’re used to. It’s not the crazed, violent, topple over each other at 5am to buy a large plasma screen television type thing. It’s more just a flow of customers so steady you hardly have time to pee, much less think. Thankfully though, they were all mostly in a good mood. I’m sure our Christmas Blend coffee had something to do with it. People love that stuff.

The day went by quickly enough. I had pleasant work partners today. Two people I really like being around, so that helped. Overall, I’d label this mission: SUCCESSFUL.

Of course, as a consumer, I couldn’t go through Black Friday and not make some sort of insane purchase of my own. I mean, look at me, do I look sane? Ha ha. Ok, don’t answer that. So, I am now the proud owner of a Sony Vios Laptop. My heart is still beating a bit rapidly for my taste. I nearly had a stroke when I was given the final price, even with the markdowns. But, *sigh* it’s worth it. I need it for my writing. When I go on vacations, it really is inconvenient to not be able to write. Even if it’s only 20 minutes, before bed. So, this is my solution. A gift to myself,  I guess you could say, for my hard work this year. Let’s hope it pays off. *bites nails* Seriously, my chest hurts. lol

And if that’s not dramatic enough, I’ve also acquired a new pet!!!!!!!!!!  That’s right, I am the proud mommy of an adorable kitten. I’m not certain of his breed yet, but soon as I get him home, I’m taking pictures! His name is L.G. Stands for little guy. Ha ha. I know, how original. I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted someone I could have random conversations with who look at me intently as though they were listening. Ha ha.

So overall, today has been great. Other than the icky inner ear infection that’s causing serious vertigo, I’m feeling positive. So yay for that.

Happy Friday guys!

Consider me completely corny,  but after arguing endlessly with my NaNo story, I decided I needed a little something positive to contribute to it. Because really, I was starting to develop a very violent hate towards it, which just isn’t fair. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I tried to bring my characters visually to life.

Here’s what I ended up with:

Those are my main characters, in all of their 1950s Hollywood glory. And seeing them… ‘in person’ suddenly got me excited. Like, OMG, can you imagine if THESE guys bickered the way Chase and Lexi do? It’d be a riot. So, I don’t hate my story anymore. Quite the contrary, I’m starting to think that it might not be so shabby once I get it off the ground. Yay. Finally. A spark of hope in what’s been a very very dark tunnel.

I’m back! Actually, I was back yesterday, I just did not have the time or patience to sit and write out a blog post. I would have been all extra snarky anyway. Not exactly pleasant.

Let me tell you a bit about my weekend. It was actually really nice. As you guys know, I went to Vermont to visit with some friends. I miss them terribly, and although I moaned and complained most of the car ride up, under my breath like a petulant child, when I actually saw them, all thoughts of inconvenience disappeared. We chatted until the wee hours of the morning, had strawberry daquiris (YUM… sooo good), ate home made pizza, and just overall, caught up with gossip and such. The next morning, we pulled ourselves out of bed and headed out to get ready for a day with their new friends whom we were meeting for the first time. My darling Erin made a turkey dinner with the works and I was impressed to say the least. When everyone arrived we played Boulderdash (the best game in the world, btw) and Taboo. And we ended the night with some yummy Butterscotch Pie.

Sunday as we were leaving, Matt fell and broke his ankle. *Sigh* Yea, we saw ourselves out as he hopped the ambulance to the hospital. That boy is far too accident prone.

So, we get home, and I’m wiped from the weekend, I lay down for a nap and I’m out for like 3 hours! Then I have to rush and get up to go to my work meeting! Sunday night holiday meeting to prepare for Black Friday and to give us a heads up on our seasonal goals and such. Only, I’m not paid to be there the miserable 2 hours, and I have to open the store at 7am the next day! I didn’t even leave work until after midnight! All for the sake of stupid get together games? Yea, I was not a happy camper.

Yesterday I worked until 3pm, but didn’t leave until 4. Then, I went and had dinner at the inlaws. That was nice. Baked Ham is delicious. By the time I got home, I was already exhausted again (notice a pattern here?). But, I had to write, because well all weekend I did nothing but obsess about how behind I am. So I wrote out the end of the chapter I’m currently working on, and hated every word. But whatever, I’ll worry about that later. Right now, I’m just glad I have an idea where I’m headed. Somewhat.

I meant to blog yesterday, but as you see, I’ve been a tad frazzled. So here I am. Complaining to all you lovely people, because you’re all great listeners. Ha ha. And because I just finished some lunch and am planning to do some serious cleaning, even though I should work on my WIP again. *shakes head* Procrastination, thy name is Isabelle.

I’m off for the weekend. Hubby and I have planned a trip to Vermont to visit with some good friends. They moved away several months ago now, but honestly, I miss them terribly. We used to get together like almost every weekend when they were down. The four of us sort of share a brain. When we play games like Taboo, it’s just madness. So the weekend should be a lot of fun.

I’m going to try really hard not to obsess over the novella. To enjoy myself and come back refreshed so I can put a serious dent in the NaNo story. I’m bringing a notebook, in case the inspiration strikes, but I doubt it will. For the NaNo story anyway. I just gotta stay positive.

I hope you guys all have a great weekend. Write tons and tons for me.

Happy Friday! See you all with crazy stories about my Vermont adventures when I get back.

It’s been raining all day. Not that I mind. I happen to like the rain. It’s so relaxing. But my hair seems to mind. It’s a giant puff ball of unmanageable curls at the moment. Although sexy bed-hair works on most people, I’ve been turning the house upside down looking for a hat all morning. I think I may want a beret. I know it sounds insane,  (because who wears those anymore) but I found a really cute red one, cable knit, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.

I love hats. They’re so fun to wear. I always feel like a character when I have one on. I own a really amazing large brimmed hat that flops a little bit. I always feel like an old fashioned movie star. I tend to wear cherry red lipstick with it. Can’t help it. They just seem to go together.

Speaking of lipstick, you know, I recently spent $68 dollars on makeup. *faints* I know! I was like, WHAT?! When did makeup get so expensive, what the heck?!  And I didn’t get fancy either. Just basics. Eyeliner, mascara, foundation and a few lipsticks. Those alone were like 8 bucks each. Sheesh. Even thinking about it makes me cringe.

On another note, I broke 13k on my novella WIP last night. The one for NaNo that I’ve been struggling with. All in all, when I’m focused, it tends to go pretty smoothly. I just have to stop complaining and suck it up. On a positive front, I found two actors who visibly represent my characters well. So as a distraction, I went in search of pictures. Expect a possible fanart up soon. LOL Because I’m a total geek.

Hope you’ve all had a great Thursday!