Writing Courses

I've been leary of writing courses and workshops for a long time. Sure, as writers we need to better our craft and understand how the business works so we aren't taken for a ride. But most classes/workshops don't really push me forward. No offense to those who take the time to make these classes/workshops work. I think it takes a lot of guts and talent to even think of one of these. And I'm sure there are people who grow through the use of them.

For me, it's a way to procrastinate and keep myself from actually writing. The thing that has really worked for me is my writing coach -- who I don't see anymore due to, well, financial decisions we had to make as a family. But Judy, you were seriously the best thing to happen to my writing!

Now I've found something that I think will give me the push I need and practical information I can learn from in my learning style. Holly Lisle has been writing for about 15 years and making a living from her writing and writing related endeavors for that same amount of time. She has recently started a course called How to Think Sideways. The inaugural class is underway and sold out. But I encourage you to take a look at what she's offering and if you're interested in this course, get on her mailing list.

The first lessons, which I will not be sharing due to copyright and my wanting to support Holly in this way, are dealing with why you don't write and moving past excuses. This was really helpful to me. I make excuses all the time. Most of these aren't grounded in reality. Facing my excuses using Holly's exercises has helped me to reframe these excuses and give me a mantra to move forward. In essence, I'm removing the power of the excuse. And that's powerful stuff!

That's just week one. Week two is more about finding your writing sweet spot. I have no idea what this means because I haven't started reading the lessons for this week. But I'm intrigued. And know I will find something useful that I can apply right now to one of the three works I've started. Yes, three. I have three going right now and one whispering to me. This, too, can be procrastination. I need to focus on one and get it done. At least that's what I tell myself, lol!

Thank You For the Music, The Songs I'm Singing

I love ABBA. I mean, I really love ABBA. I saw ABBA - The Movie. I owned several of their records. Okay, I was really young when all this occurred, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I loved, and love, ABBA.

I've seen Mamma Mia! every time it's come to my city on tour. I saw it once in NYC. Naturally, I had to see the movie. I waited for the chaos of opening weekend to pass and on my half day off from the day job, I went to a matinée. And I'm glad I did because I have got to see this movie again! And paying matinee prices means I can afford to actually go again. And go I will! I see a girls night in my not so distant future - a night of music, eye-candy, belly laughs, and maybe a tear or two. Ah, the fun!

If you haven't seen this delight of a movie, well, why the heck havne't you? Embrace your inner dancing queen and go for it! You know you want to.

iTunes fun!

I've done this before and I'll do it again. It's just that much fun!

Stick your iTunes, iPod or other music device on shuffle and for the first 15 songs, post the first line of the lyrics on your blog so your blog friends can guess what you listen to. No skipping through songs just to look cool. And yes, we all try to do it!

So, here are my 15 songs. Have fun trying to guess them. I know I had to listen closely for a few of them, and they are on my freaking iPod! How much music can one woman listen to? Apparently enough for over 12 days of listening.

1. Your smile lights up a room like a candle in the dark, and warms me through and through

2. I've been cheated by you since I don't know when

3. Peace is what they tell me, love am I unholy -- Torn by Creed. Guessed by Nicole H

4. I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined and heard my cry.

5. For his age he is wise, he's got his mother's eyes. There's gladness in his heart, he's young and he's wild

6. You say you wanna live some, move out into the fast lane.

7. Welcome to the real world, she said to me condescendingly No Such Thing by John Mayer. Guessed by Gabby!

8. You can't imagine so many monkeys in the daily mail, and all of them coming anonymously so they leave no trail

9. Got your invitation to the dance, wear your party dress

10. The tar in the street starts to melt from the heat and the sweats runnin' down from my hair

11. This old world well don't it make you wanna think damn

12. The wind blows hard against this mountain side, across the sea into my soul

13. I want you to know that I'm happy for you, I wish nothing but the best for you both --You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette guessed by Sue!

14. Why should I care? Why should I care? Girls of fifteen sexually knowing...

15. Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell, Jimmy Rogers on the Victrola up high

Dr. Horrible!

I'm not usually all fangirl. Okay, I am but not usually on this blog. It's time to change that, at least temporarily.

I lurv Joss Whedon. I think he's a genius with his storytelling and character development and world building. Buffy, Angel, Firefly - come on people! These are some of the best shows that ever hit television. Especially Firefly, in my opinion.

Well, during the writer's strike, Joss started working on a little independent project known to the world as Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog. Joss strong armed Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion to play the key male roles in this little love triangle. Felicia Day plays the object of their desires. But wait...there's more.

These two men are super hero and super villain. How cool is that? And they sing! Seriously kids, they can all sing. I wasn't too sure Nathan could pull it off, having never heard his voice before, but I'm a believer now. Oh and he struts around in all his arrogant goodness. It's a sight to be hold. But as nuts as I am about Nathan, it's Neil Patrick Harris who tugs my heart strings. *sigh*

Yeah, you totally have to watch this. The first act is up now on http://drhorrible.com/. Act two airs on the 17th and act three on the 19th. They all come down on/after the 20th but are also on iTunes and there will be a DVD release with extras coming soon to somewhere near you.

I have to admit, I already bought the iTunes season pass and I will be buying the DVD. Joss, you had me at evil laugh!

Renovations

Renovations are time consuming and suck. The end product is great! The blood, sweat, tears, dust, swearing, money, time, and general pain of renovations sucks. I'm tired. I'm sweaty. And I want to curl up with a book. Or with my computer and write.

Wish me luck. It's going to be several days of renovation "fun". Lucky me.

Happy Canada Day!

Living in the USA means I don't get a chance to really enjoy Canada Day. Unless I take the day off, I work. There are no fireworks in the town I live on July 1st. And when I smile and say Happy Canada Day, people look at me like I'm out of my mind.

But I'm Canadian and love my country, even if I don't live there. So, Happy Canada Day! Kiss a loved one. Delight in being Canadian or knowing a Canadian. And if you don't have fireworks near you, make some of your own. *grin*