Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Andrea Kriz, creativity, Fiction, genre fiction, inspiration, Nature's Futures, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 16, 2022| 1 Comment »
What would you do if you could do anything?
The future will not be any% glitchless by Andrea Kriz in Nature’s Futures
I’m working from home. Or trying to. Since the news broke, it just doesn’t seem like there’s much point. Seeing each other on the screen. Or in person. It’s all the same, right?
Ever since we found out the Universe is a simulation.
* * *
Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, Artemis, inspiration, NASA, science on November 15, 2022| 1 Comment »
Will the Artemis moon mission finally fly? The answer seems to be, “Probably.”* The weather has been challenging but tonight’s forecast looks good. Here’s hoping all goes well tonight!
NASA’s new Artemis moon rocket is once again being readied for its first flight : NPR
A successful launch would be a key milestone for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to put the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface. The agency has not launched a space vehicle designed to send astronauts to the moon since 1972.
* Edit from the future: the answer is yes!
* * *
Posted in Food and..., Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, cooking, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Need a bite of encouragement? Ever wonder how gyoza are made, or how an architect might make it into the Michelin guide for his dumplings? All this and more, including dough “as tender as an earlobe” await your edification and enjoyment!
* * *
* * *
Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, first snow, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers on November 13, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily.
― A.A. Milne
“So it is.”
“And freezing.”
“Is it?”
“Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, “we haven’t had an earthquake lately.”
* * *
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »
It’s easy to feel small when you’re young, old, alone, overworked and overwhelmed, tired or broke. That doesn’t mean you are.
* * *
Posted in Likes, Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, democracy, future, history, inspiration, past, Thoughts, vote!, yay on November 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
One realization I had after studying a bit of history is how little say most people have in it. Traditionally, a limited number of people have been in charge of most things, usually to the detriment of the rest. (We remember the pyramids, for example, but what about those conscripted to build them?)
There’s a reason democracies attract people.
“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”
― Winston S. Churchill (often quoted, still true)
* * *
Today is voting day in the United States. Not sure where you need to go or what to bring with you? These sites can help.
* * *
Yes, there are a lot of forces trying to pull us apart, and there are many aspects of our economic and social lives that could be improved.
There are also many elements we agree on. Consider health, safety, education, holding doors for the elderly, giving up a seat for the pregnant, and of course, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The devil’s in the details, of course, and as anyone with even a passing acquaintance with the news or social media can tell you, we are flooded with examples of what’s broken on a daily basis. But that’s not all that’s happening, or all that is possible.*
There are a lot of ways to live and I happen to think that democracy is one of the best. (Just ask those pyramid builders.) That doesn’t mean the system can’t improve.
How can we make our voices heard? Vote.
How do we build a world that works? Together.
* For a break from doom and gloom, I recommend a visit to David Byrne’s Reasons to be Cheerful.
* * *
Posted in Likes, Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, abstract, creativity, inspiration, visual art on November 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I woke to light dancing through the curtains. This is my attempt to replicate that feeling.
* * *
Posted in Likes, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, genre fiction, inspiration, Motivation, Thoughts, time travel, writing on November 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Exactly one year ago today I decided to do a little time travel. You may remember I mentioned a site called FutureMe, an easy and fun (and free) way to write yourself a letter to be delivered at some time in the future.
My letter arrived this morning, delivering a boost from NaNoWriMos past.
Thanks, Past Me, I will.
* * *
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, inspiration, Thoughts, Writers, writing on November 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
One thing I like about being a writer is the rejection. That sounds weird, I know.
As I’ve mentioned before,* I used to hate the cycle, write, submit, be rejected, write submit, be rejected. Then one day you wake up and realize that rejection is no longer as painful as it once was. And some time after that, it occurs to you that rejection is really just another part of the cycle, winter to acceptance’s spring. Or whatever.
Don’t get me wrong, acceptances are definitely more fun. But they aren’t the only way to mark writing progress.
All I know is that my email tonight contained an editor’s, “Sorry, it was great and all but it’s just not great for me” email and it was Not A Big Deal. More like another hole in my writer’s punch card.
Rejection, and the possibility of it, used to dictate a lot of what I did or did not do with my writing. No longer.
Tonight, my first thought after skimming the rejection was, “Cool cool cool, glad they finally got back to me.” My second thought was, “What’s next?”
* A few examples: Making the Most of Rejection; Keep Writing; Exposure Therapy 101.
* * *
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, family, genre fiction, inspiration, music, Thoughts, writing on November 2, 2022| Leave a Comment »
It’s funny how much you can absorb without intending to. The other night I put on a classical channel in the background. An elegant but weighty piece came on and I looked up to see that it was by Brahms. Makes sense, I thought.
The next tune was lighter, a sparkling Baroque presence. Telemann. Ah yes, I thought.
Finally, a dramatic, Romantic sound that spoke of strength with warmth. Dvořák, of course.
Of course? What do I know about classical music? Nothing, that’s what. But my father played it all through my childhood and apparently some of it sank in.
It’s the same with writing, I find. I’m not great at picking apart a story into pieces like sixth-grade sentence deconstruction. (That may have something to do with my memories of actual sixth-grade sentence deconstruction. Ugh.)
Whatever genre I’m exploring, I prefer to swim in it, absorb it, dive deep until I am close enough to understand why some readers love it, even if I don’t.
That way, I absorb more than I know.
* * *
You must be logged in to post a comment.