Categotry Archives: Uncategorized
Messing Around
Today I’m just messing around. I’ve been meaning to update my blogroll for a while and stuff like that. I was going to crack a joke, but now I’m not sure where I put it. Hey, can anyone out there tell me how to put a YouTube thing on my blog? I’ve got a couple I’d like to share. And not even the cookie one on Jill’s blog, which is a good one, BTW. Alice
CM the Scientist
If you’ve ever considered using a scientist as a character in an Historical, go check out today’s blog. Alice
Sing a Song of Pyrex
I love Pyrex! I have their pots and pans, their pie plates, bread pans, and a remarkable collection of their storage containers. I love the way they clean up when you burn something onto them, the way they handle freezer to microwave or oven, the way they don’t get pitted in the microwave even if you leave them in for WAY too long. I adore the rubber lids. I love the way you can see what’s in them at a […]
FYI
My real name is Cris Goodwin. But call me Alice. Never let it be said I didn’t tell you. . Alice
Challenge 3 Has Begun
This round’s challenge: Write the first of a six chapter story in which an accident, shipwreck, plane crash, and/or carriage accident leaves two people stranded together so that they are forced to deal with a problem. The chapter is to be no more than 10,000 characters long. A rainstorm, journal, and portrait of a woman, man and/or child must appear somewhere in the chapter. No more than three attempts to write such a chapter may be submitted. Easy, right? . […]
More Reading as a Writer
As I said before, reading with a writer’s eye on technique has it’s pitfalls. I talked a little about how it’s done, but I didn’t give you much reason to try it. And maybe I should. Off the top of my head I can only think of one really good reason. The fiction that readers love is the final authority on what is and what is not acceptable in fiction. I originally went on and on about it, but decided […]
Inspiration
I get inspiration in all kinds of ways. For me, writing is like day dreaming on paper. Only with a little more organization. Most of my books, both the original idea and much of the follow through, have come when I am day dreaming. I keep telling my family I really am working while I stare out the window. They say they believe me, but I’m not sure I believe them. When daydreaming doesn’t work – like when all my […]
Writing Logs
I’ve gone through all kinds of logs, tracking everything from the number of minutes I sat in front of the computer to the number of pages I revised while writing. What I have now appeals to my accountant’s soul. I put the date, the name of the file I worked in, the page count when I started, the page count when I finished, the change between the two, and the page numbers of the pages I actually worked on. Seems […]
One Shot Deal
This blog entry is not going to stay up very long. It goes against my grain to put myself forward quite this much. But I know some people like to see who they are talking to. So here goes: Picture deleted. The bright thing over my head is the angel at the top of the Christmas tree. This was taken a couple of days ago. And yes, you know the guy on the left too. Or at least some of […]
Something for the Crapometer
I was going to post a gingerbread man recipe today, but think I’d rather make a salute to CM, who has submitted something to Ms Snarks’s Crapometer. All I can say Courney is good luck, and remember she is more interested in her spiky shoes than the dreams of us mortal writers. If she says it’s good then celebrate! If not, then get a second opinion.
Remodel
Can you tell I’m under construction again? That brown theme is way too elegant for me, no matter how much I love it. If I can get the bugs worked out of this one – like not having a stupid line through each of my friend’s names on the blog roll – I’ll keep it. Alice
Tis the Season for Cookies!
Seems like this time of year a lot of people turn their kitchens into bakeries. Patricia McLinn not only bakes cookies to give to friends, family, and neighbors. She used to send cookies overseas to our troops. She can’t now because all the people she knew over there have come home. BTW, you can send all kinds of other things to people in our troops, even if you don’t know them, through www.AnySoldier.com . Just not home-made food. Twinkie anyone? […]
Cyber Space
Something weird is going on with my blog, and it’s got me intimidated. A few days ago I noticed that the number of viewings on my blog had doubled from my regular high. I’ve hit the number before, but not without stirring up trouble. I attributed it to May’s writer’s round up, which would be wonderful, because it could be repeated. It turned out Avon had announced the winners of it’s Bottom 503 Awards. One of my entries was included. […]
Bloging Fiction
I’m toying with the idea of posting an ongoing story here, like maybe each Friday put in an episode. What I have in mind isn’t likely to be warmly received by editors with an eye to publication anyway, so I’m not concerned about using up my First North American Serial Rights on a blog or anything. What I’m afraid is that I’m not good enough to pull it off. Oh sure, I could write it easily enough. But could I […]
Reading Through Writer's Eyes
Warning! Taking this advice may significantly reduce the number of books you enjoy reading. Do not try this if you are not willing to do anything and everything necessary to become a good writer. Those who are already published may or may not see the same benefits as those who are not. I still clearly remember the day a writer on a panel at a Science Fiction convention announced that becoming a good writer had ruined her as a reader. […]
