Posted September 22, 2009 at 12:52 (General)
Writing my current manuscript has taken longer than I would have expected. Don't know why this one gave me so much trouble at the beginning - maybe it was because I knew how it would end but couldn't see the right place to start the story. I've had lots of input from friends and relatives and that has helped immensely.
I think perhaps it is because of the 'dark' nature of this story that I kept holding myself back from tackling certain scenes. Finally, the time just seemed right and I was able to forge ahead.
This past weekend was the breakthrough that I'd been waiting for. The past five days have seen the climax and the end of the story unfold very quickly - of course my characters gave me a jolt at the end like they always do. There was a twist that I hadn't foreseen to go along with all the twists and turns that I had already incorporated.
So it is with a sense of satisfaction that I was able to type the final paragraph of Oak Cliff late on Monday. Now that the rough first draft is finished it is time for the real work to begin. Edit, revise, and edit some more. It's been a long road for this one but I think the outcome will be worth the wait.
Funny thing, though - my mind is already racing ahead and trying to choose which story of the six currently in my 'to write' pile I should write next. I feel like we need something with pirates - what do you think?
Posted by Marion at 12:52 2009-09-22 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
What Happens When You Drive Through a Rainbow
Posted September 17, 2009 at 18:44 (General)
On my drive home from work today I drove along the beach road as I sometimes do. Although the sun was brilliant there were some of those very light showers that Hawaiians refer to as Pineapple Juice.
Off in the distance I could see a large lovely rainbow arching over the two sides of the road - the left side disappearing into the trees over on the mainland while the right side seemed to extend out over the Gulf of Mexico. I drove along in pure bliss as I watched the scenery unfold around me. On the south side of the road the sea oats have already turned brown and in some cases the seed pods have already dropped their precious cargo into the sand. As I approached one of the larger dunes and drove around it I wasn't quite sure if my eyes were deceiving me.
There, straight ahead of me, and partially covering the roadway was the end of the rainbow. I blinked a couple of times to be sure I wasn't seeing things. Even then I discounted what I was seeing because rainbows never seem to end in a visible place. I was sure it would shift back out over the water (a mere 25 yards to the right) at any moment.
I kept my eye on the rainbow. I kept my car at a steady pace afraid that if I sped up even the littlest bit I would scare the rainbow off. (Silly, I know.) And in a matter of seconds my car was moving through the prismatic colors of a rainbow. I was in total awe! The inside of my car fleetingly reflected the rainbow's dazzle.In a matter of less than five seconds it was over and the rainbow was behind me.
Had I really done that? Yes, I had.
Had it somehow physically changed me as a person? I certainly didn't feel any different.
Had I entered into another dimension? No, I'm sitting here at home and blogging on my compter.
Had it altered my life in some way? Absolutely!
I truly don't know of anyone who has driven through a rainbow. I'm sure someone has, besides me. I felt so totally at one with the universe, as though Mother Nature/God had decided to grant me a special priviledge reserved for only a few. I certainly don't know what I did to deserve this gift but I will cherish it all the rest of my life.
ALBINO SQUIRREL HUNTERS: Check out these websites
Posted by Marion at 18:44 2009-09-17 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
Looking for Something?
Posted September 16, 2009 at 08:14 (General)
Welcome to the Hunt for the Albino Squirrel!
Don't forget to check out these other websites:
Posted by Marion at 08:14 2009-09-16 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
Monday Monday
Posted September 14, 2009 at 15:30 (General)
Isn't is amazing how quickly a week goes by? And why is it that the older I get the more quickly the weeks flash past?
Actually, I'm quite relieved to have it be Monday since I've spent the past four days nursing a malady of the digestive system. Now isn't that a fancy way to say I had a tummy bug? This one was a doozy! Started with tummy cramps (like I ate something bad), progressed to dizziness (I think Gloria, my guardian angel, guided my car home from work last Thursday), and finally topped out with nausea. That was a real trip.
So for three days I didn't eat much - just those old bland things that our moms would feed us when we were sick: saltine crackers, dry toast, ginger ale, tea with honey. I'm here to tell you though that those remedies do work with the added bonus of dropping about five pounds in the process.
Today is the first time I've gotten back to real food. Nothing more wonderful than chicken noodle soup and a baked potato. The dizziness is gone as is the nausea. Just teeny, tiny twinges in the tummy but hopefully they'll be gone by tomorrow.
Hope you all are staying well. Don't forget to wash your hands and eat some soup!
Posted by Marion at 15:30 2009-09-14 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
Well Here We Are Again....
Posted September 07, 2009 at 11:54 (General)
There's a wonderful song by Cher that starts with those words. And how appropriate those words are for almost any situation.
Today being Labor Day means that we are at an ending/starting place for lots of things. For example: the official end to summer and the start of back to school; the end (hopefully) of really hot temperatures and the start of cooler nights.
For me Labor Day signals the unofficial beginning of autumn. Autumn is my very favorite season. As we get into cooler temps it almost feels like nature is letting out a deep breath. With students heading back to classes life falls into a routine once again. Everything takes on an orderly sequence.
I wish for all of you a lovely, peaceful Labor Day and end of summer.
Posted by Marion at 11:54 2009-09-07 | Trackbacks (0) | Comments (0)
