Schedule

I'm learning not to make up schedules anymore.  I just added 3 more books to my research list, so I may or may not be done with all my research by February now, instead of January, like it was supposed to be.  That's what I get for trying to be thorough, and write a good story.  I'd have more to say, but at this point, I've just been reading a lot, and sleeping less.  Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and I think this year is one of the most disappointing, interesting, and frankly, gut wrenching years I've ever experienced.  I can't even figure out how I made it except with my usual amount of charm and good looks.  Ok...just joking.  There's really a lot of stuff that's been happening/blowing up in my face, this year, I can't even begin to think of.  I suppose I should try to reflect on all the pluses and minuses and all that, but I'd really like to just forget about most of it.  I would think you folks might do something similar, though with different results.  All I can really offer to you as a new year comes, is that for all the dopey junk that comes along in life, I'm still here, for some reason, so you should be too.

Merry Christmases

Its that time of year again.  I know people are excited about this.  I really do.  I just can't seem to get excited too much.  I wish I could, its just this year has really taken a toll on me.  I'm just tired a lot, greying a little, and have seen pretty much every relationship or connection to anyone kinda stretched in many ways.  Somehow I've managed to still get a few things done here and there, and try to persevere anyhow.  I'd share some of the gory details, but this time I thought I would try to be uplifting and all that crap.  So with that in mind... I managed to scrape together a few pages of literary genius the past week or so...and its been pretty good so far.  I'm thinking I might need to change a few things in the edit, but its moving, which is something I've been trying to do for a long while.  This dumb little story seems to be doing all the right things, so far.  I think I've got the coolest ending for this thing too.  That's what I'm gonna be mulling over this Christmas I think.  Kind of a great little gift to myself.  Alright kids...its Christmas Eve tomorrow.  Enjoy your plans, your time with friends and loved ones, and whatnot.  That's cheer-y enough for you, right?

Lost A Little

I'm mildly misplaced on an ending to my story.  I was getting a lot of ideas up till about today.  Last couple of days I've been fighting an occasional headache, and I think that ulcer I thought I managed to ditch, is rearing its ugly head.  Just have been feeling like death a little the last couple of days for some reason.  I'm likely to be pushing 80 hours this week, a lot of 10 hour plus days, so I can't get anything done, as far as writing goes.  Although yesterday, I did seem to crank a good page or two.  I guess things are started taking off, but not very consistantly.  I haven't done any Christmas shopping either.  Although its not exactly like I've got a lot of people to shop for.  I just get gifts for my daughter, which is frigging awesome, since I can save money just buying for her, and it gives me a great excuse.  "Sorry I spent a little much on the kid, this year."  Perfect.  Good plan, ain't it?

January...I Think

I've got till the end of January to finish all my reading, for this story.  I've got books 4 books on espionage, 2 on Special Forces, and a couple on politics.  This should be fun.  Sort of.  This is probably the most I've ever done in trying to prepare for a project.  So far...I'm behind because I wanted to be a lot farther along than I am, but that's price I pay for being distracted by the internet all the time.  I did manage however to find out a solid piece of information that I need.  I also need to track down some calendars from the 80s, or at least something generic I can find online.  There seem to be a steady flow of idas still too.  At some point I need to draw up an outline.  I haven't been getting as much done as I like, but I have been getting more consistent with things.  Instead of trying to get large chunks done at once, and being disappointed when I didn't get something done, I've just been trying to focus on smaller, more manageable blocks.  Seems to be working so far.  Just not today.  I wasn't feeling too hot, so I've been kind of doing a lot of nothing.  Just a bit lazy too...  I need to start getting this handwritten draft moving, and then I plan on typing it out before finally sending it in for editing.  Hope this works out, I need to do a handwritten version, because I'll be taking my computer in to be fixed, and I'd like to work since my laptop will be gone for several days.  I've been able to take down all of my notes by hand, and there's something about being able to handwrite something too. 

I've been thinking about getting really dark in this novela too.  The real world is exceptionally brutal, and I think I'd like to reflect that in my story.  There's not always opportunites for heroes and the heroic to get the villian to reveal his master plan to them, or stall for time while the henchmen try to work over the hero trying to get information from him.  I wanted something entertaining, but real as I can make it in my limited ability.  I think it'll make for a better story if the my hero can solve his own problems, as opposed to relying on the villain to tell him, or something like that.  I guess I need to get back and do some reading, I'm pretty behind, and should try to do some catch up.  Happy Sunday knuckleheads.

My Feet Are Cold

My feet are cold.  I guess that's not really too exciting or anything.  Anyhoo... I did manage to cut a few more things down in my writing process, so I should be really flying soon.  I've been progressing rather well so far, through the everything, I just wish it was faster.  My impatience now isn't so much in wanting to finish something quickly, but to see what the final product looks like.  I've got a few pages done already, and I need to get some more reading done, but I am very happy for the way things are going.  There's still a bunch of ideas I've been getting too, got one on the way home from the Walmart today too.  I'm working on a little character bio now, and then its back to reading on Special Forces tactics in a while.  Most of the story has been developed for the most part I think, but I'm trying to learn about tactics and all that, so it sounds right. I got a lot of notes this time around too.  Its really crazy.  I've got 14 pages of note so far, with more to follow.  So either I'm taking this writing thing more seriously, or I just need all that info.  I guess I'll find out in a few months. 

Today is also the last day of November which is weird for some reason.  This has been the slowest fast year ever.  Things went by kind of fast I guess, but I think with the anticipation of the election, time just seemed to drag.  I'm trying to find other things to look forward so time will slow down a little.  I turned 31 this year, and it seems like I was just some punk kid a few minutes ago.  I keep finding gray hairs too, although I guess it doesn't matter to much, since I'm hot no matter what color my hair is...  Oops...just kidding its not November anymore...I guess it switched months on me while I was writing.  Time travel is great isn't it?

Turkey Day

Today I slept in till about 11:30 or so, which was nice since, I couldn't get to sleep till about 4 a.m. last night.  I pretty much sat around all day, messing around, but I did manage to get another page done today.  I've been able to get off to a really good start so far on this last story.  Its got about four different things happening at once, but it should die down soon, as the events become more connected.  There's quite a bit going on, but I think I'm doing a halfway decent job of making sure its understandable.  There's supposed to be a lot of background stuff thats going to come together later on.  Its seems like its going good.  I'm a few pages in now, and the thing is just taking off.  I had Thanksgiving by myself this year, which was one of the best decisions ever.  I didn't endure some of the irritating conversation that happens with family, and whoever.   I drank a little too much too fast on an empty stomach and eventually ended up on the couch for a while.  Oops.  Anyhoo, it was a fairly productive day.  Sadly I have to go back to work tomorrow, but tomorrow is Friday, so it shouldn't be too bad.  I hope.  Happy Thanksgiving peoples.

The Realm of Plausibilty and the Not-So-Plausible

I had an interesting idea of trying to make this last story go nuclear, but I'm not sure if I'd be drifting away from the plausible and onto something thats completely in the realm of fantasy, although who doesn't love an atomic weapon in a story?  I was shooting for realistic, but I didn't want to make it completely off the wall.  I did manage to scrap some cool little plot twists so far, and I think I am going to make my story take place in the 80s instead of the present.  Its gonna give me some ideas that'll will fit with what I want to accomplish, but I'm a little hampered since its a slightly less advanced age I'm dealing with.  I'm off to a good start though.  I'm three paragraphs in, and its going ok far.  I'm not too stressed out about the start of this, and that's not often the case.  I usually freak out, and panic out things.  There's a shot I might have a good story to write for a change.  Gotta love that, right? 

Confused No More

After being completely up in the air, I think I've found something pretty friggin' cool ideas to go with for my final story.  This has to be the most ambitious thing I'm going to attempt at least on a fictional scale.  I've been back and forth on this enough, but I think I'm getting all the right things to click.  I even managed to get started on the first couple of paragraphs today, and its not even that bad.  I might be able to keep what I've written so far instead of throwing it out.  Nice huh?  I can see the growth between this project and all my others, as this one is much more serious, and much more realistic, I guess, too.  This project is starting to bring back some of the fun I had when I first started writing.  Guess it helps to actually care about what you're doing.  Who'd have thunk it?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Crazy

I've narrowed some things down.  I think I've got all my counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and counter-whatever else is left, to about maybe...10 books or so.  I'm getting good at picking out some of the junk, I was going to waste my time on, to just the really important ones.  I've narrowed it down to all things that are more recent in our history, like the war on terror.  There's a lot of difference in technology between our era, and say, the 1940s when a lot of spy stories take place.  World War 2 is sort of the go-to for spy stories, because everyone hates Nazis and its one of the easier things to develop imagery for, rescuing the French girl from a Nazi held chalet, to deliver the microfilm...yada, yada, yada.  I actually love those World War 2 espionage thrillers.  Some of my favorites books are about that.  Its just I feel like every drop juice has been squeezed out of the orange, if you catch my drift, and I can't think of anything good.  I feel like there's always a good idea floating around, you just have to find it.  I'd like to work on my dialogue too.  It just doesn't seem natural to me...I know what I'm what trying to convey, its just dialogue is so...forced, or something.  There's this thing where its like I just have to give up and write dialogue, not because I want to, but because I have to.  I've probably mentioned this a time of two.  I think its a product of writing a lot of essays in college, I didn't learn all the in and outs of writing conversations.  I'm getting better I suppose, I just suck at it.  I'm gonna have to work on my witty one-liners and pickup lines I guess, because you do have to fit them in the spy novel of course.

El Sigho

I managed to get some note done today, but not much else.  I was actually going to try and do something productive tonight, but I got held up by at least a good 40 minutes in traffic, as I was traversed about 6 miles in those forty minutes.  I have no idea why it was moving so slow, but there was no reason for it, other than a little rain.  People act dumb in LA when it rains.  Anyhoo, I've been busy trying to figure out how to analyze current events a little better, so I can fit some kind of realistic scenario.  My problem is I'm not all that patient with this pre-writing process junk, and I just want to get it done already.  I'm thinking it might be a good idea to put off publishing and try and get the spy novel thing done before I publish and put it into the revision, that way I save some time and money down the road.  I can't imagine trying to do all the stuff needed to publish three separate times.  It'll take a little longer, but I think it could be worth it.  It was close to what I intended to do in the first place, so this could work out nicely.  Also.  Its Friday.  I have no idea what that means other than I get to sleep in tomorrow a little bit. 

Post Election Depression

Well thanks America for voting the wrong way.  Yeesh.  Somehow this might be the fitting end to this year.  I'm not into that Mayan crap, but let's be honest here, things are pretty bleak, and about to get worse.  I just can't fathom why people want Obama running their lives, and driving up the cost of everything.  It makes no sense to me.  This is the most corrupt administration ever.  And he gets a free pass from the media, and you're called racist if you criticize him, even though he's also half-white.  Its crazy.  People complain about spending, but when they're guy does it, its suddenly ok?  Its ok not to respond to a terrorist attack?  Its ok to hand cartels guns so law abiding gun owners get blamed?  Its ok to take personal healthcare decisions out of the hands of the people and put into government run programs?  Yeah...this isn't going to end well... 

I'm gonna try and do a little writing I suppose, if I can't fit into my busy schedule of depression and cartoon downloading.  I'm trying to figure out if I can maybe work on two or three books at the same time.  I'm thinking one or two of these might be a good thing to have done before the next election.  Anyway, its something I have to think over.  I'm a little weird right now, and I need to figure out a good timetable for all this.  I'd like to finish about 7 or 8 books before the year is out.  If I can finish those books off, I think I can get some early stuff out of the way, and I can maybe spend some time around Christmas and New Year's working on a plan for just reading in 2013.  Alright its now time to think about getting in my five minutes of writing in for the day.  Sheesh.  Onwards and upwards...

A Plea to You Before The Biggest Election Perhaps in Our Nation's History

Tomorrow many of you will go to the polls and vote.  Typically people have their decision made up the night before the election, and tomorrow is probably the biggest day in history, in a very long time.  I'm not gonna ask where you stand on abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, gun rights, etc, etc.  I'm simply going to mention economics.  I'm a single dad in California, I live under the poverty line, and work typically 40 to 60 hours to be there.  I made $3,600 less this year than last year.  That's with Obama as president.  I literally can't imagine what next year will look like, or the year after.  I'm worried I could be on the street, and lose just about everything.  I implore you to vote Romney tomorrow, because he is a business man, and understands what is needed to balance a budget.  We have 6 trillion in new debt, and the Federal government is the largest its ever been.  There's no reason to blow money at a rate like this, and in your heart of hearts you know this isn't right.  I'm asking to simply vote on economics.  If you take out the social issues, which aren't really the main focus of Romney's campaign anyway, you're left with the same system we've had since our founding. 

Its capitalism vs. socialism, and really its capitalism vs. communism.  I'm broke, I don't fault the wealthy, for working hard and achieving things.  And if it really came down to it wouldn't you rather be rich too?  Obama says he's the champion of the middle class, but the middle class income has dropped under his so-called recovery.  I work for a small business, I can tell you I live in the reality of how business has been cramped, and bogged down.  This is an election of values.  I'm trusting you have some, or there wouldn't be things you are passionate about, or care about.  This election is not about the social issues, which are important to us, on either side of the aisle, this is about how to make prosperity for ourselves and for our children.  You know how to make and recognize prosperity, government does not.  Tomorrow is your opportunity to show that you know how to run your own life better than government does. That's what this is about in a nutshell.  I simply can't afford to have government spend its whatever it wants whenever it wants trying to get me to live a certain way, and I think you know you can't afford it either.  Go to the polls tomorrow with that in mind.  Thanks for letting me borrow your time.

A Little Election Humor

Here are my old "teleprompter pickup lines."  I was going to put them in my book revision if I could, but since the book isn't ready yet, here you go.  They're meant to make fun of fun Obama, but feel free to try them out on unsuspecting women. 


"You have a beautiful readout..."

"I love it when you tell me what to say."

"Do you need help with your power supply?"

 "I could totally lose myself in your video monitor."

"You have the prettiest camera lens I've ever seen."

"Can I check out your software?"

"Can we spend some time programming each other?"

"You have such a nice tripod"

"I always feel so important with you around."

 "Can I plug you in?"

 "You have such a nice casing."

 "I'm just here to make sure all your parts are in working order."

"I just want to make sure you're getting the right amount of electricity."

"I brought the non-streak glass cleaner this time."

"I love the heat from your power connection."

"Your lens says 'no no' but your power light says 'yes yes.'" 

"You look so good in that carrying case." 

"Made in China?  Baby I thought you were made in heaven."

"Just once I'd like to give you something to say."

"The gentle warmth of your power supply, lets me know you're burning energy for me."



I know, I know, they're kinda chessy. 

Sunday...

I'm going to knock off some more books off my reading list I think.  I've been doing that a bit anyway, but I need to step it up.  I looked at my library, and realized I still need to ditch a couple of hundred books.  I'm trying to unload some more, but it seems like I take in 10 books for every 20 I get rid of.  I'm working on trying to get back up to whipping through a book in a week, but I seemed to have slowed down more and more over the years, and it seems like my memory is getting worse and worse too.  I can't tell if its aging, or the lack of not having to use my brain for too much more than driving a forklift these days.  I'm also having trouble telling if I'm repeating myself when I blog.  This might be a problem later, for my writing, especially if I'm trying to write mysteries, and spy stories.  Its tough to remember what clues I dropped where in a story, and what nuance I wanted to convey...  Wow, I just used nuance in a sentence.  Fancy.  I'm really just tired of life.  I don't mean in a despair sort of way right now, just tired.  I'd like a nice solid month in Hawaii.  That's not too much to ask for is it?  I've got a lot more notes this time around than I have before too.  I guess this is so I can remember things.  I'm trying to be better with it, especially since I hate doing them.  Diagraming, and outlining, are things I really despise.  I used to pride myself on having a good memory, but I guess those days be over.  And so children, I leave you with this, take notes, because one day you'll be thinking you're going to remember something that was a brilliant idea, and find out later you didn't remember at all.  Fin.

Saturday

Its been kind of wacky day.  I was going to sleep in till 10 or 11 today, and had that plan destroyed when some guys were taking down a tree or something at 8am.  If 10 or 11 seems late, keep in mind I stayed up till 2 or 2:30 last nite, and I don't usually sleep too well during the week.  SO...I go to the bank, and can't cash my check because its drawn on a different bank, so I have to deposit the check instead, which means I can't get at the money I need.  Then I took a nap.  Then I watch a movie or two, and now I'm working on a book title for the novel, and maybe just maybe work on finishing that last story for the book revision.  I used to have a great knack for getting motivated if I missed a day of writing, but now I'm worried I'm getting lazy about it a little.  Anyhoo, I guess thats it.  Tune in tomorrow, when we find out whether or not I was able to get any work done tonight.  Ha.

Meh

I get to sleep in this weekend.  Yeah, baby, yeah!  I'm super tired, mostly physically, and could use the time to myself.  I'm on empty.  Its getting closer to the holidays, so I hope I can expect some time off then too.  There's really a lot to do as far as research is concerned, and I'd like to knock some of it out before the year is out, since I'm not too likely to finish the book revision this year like I wanted.  I'm already two months behind of where I wanted to be on it, but I guess you can't rush greatness.  I think I can finish all the counter-terrorism, and espionage type reading in a few months, but I gotta organize a list for the history book, and I gotta work a little harder at putting that list together.  Sometimes you can track down other materials by checking out the bibliography in the back of a book, so you can see what books, and things, were used for that particular book.  I did that a little in college, when I'd writer a paper, and needed other sources to cite.  Its a handy little tool sometimes, and makes you look scholorly and intelligent, because you found a bunch of sources and are well-read.  Yadda yadda yadda.  I'm gonna be reading well into 2015 or 2016 I guess, maybe longer.  Chicks dig smart guys right?

Dear Diary...

Heh, just kidding about the title.  Today, I got some cool stuff, all espionage-y and whatnot.  I got some books on the Secret Service, the CIA, and a few wacky conspiracy ones, but the best one has to be the book of Reagan speeches.  I was a just a kid during his presidency, I don't really remember much of the 80s really, and I thought it'd be good to read about the best president of the modern era.  So there you go.  I'm working on a title now for the novel now.  I say "working" but really I haven't got started on it yet.  I've been consumed by trying to read up on spy stuff, that I haven't given too much time to finishing the stuff I'm working on, or the stuff I want to start working on.  Oh yeah, and its officially Christmas time, the Starbucks cup I got with my coffee said so...

Its Halloween. Yay or Something

I made it home today before dark, so that means I didn't have to watch for little kids not watching where they were going in search for candy.  Greedy little monsters...  Why can't I have candy?  I guess I could go buy some...  Anyhoo, I'm still trying to find the right name for my character, and I need to start putting the kibosh on this anti-terrorism reading.  I found another ten books the last two days to add to my list, so I can pretend I know what I'm talking about.  I found a few things on the Middle East, and other parts of the world too.  I'm trying to decide what kind of scope to put this thing on.  Most spy novels have some kind of exotic local or something.  I live in LA, and I don't even know everything about this town.  I don't think I'm going to sweat out details on locales too much, as I am what's happening.  Most of this is more about the story then where it takes place... I guess I'm afraid of writing about places I've never been, and don't want to describe it wrong.  And in the last 60 seconds, I now have a name for my hero.  Huzzah, the night wasn't a total waste.  Now back to your regularly scheduled lives...

(Insert Clever Title That Makes the Ladies Giggle and Think I'm the Cutest Thing Since Sliced Bread)

Once again, I didn't get much done this weekend.  What little I have been doing has been mostly stuff related to the novel.  It's been mostly early ideas, and notes, a big part of what I was doing, was trying to get a feel more for what era I'm looking to write about.  I'm deeply convinced this needs to be a modern era thing.  I'm really concerned about plausibility.  I've read a lot of spy novels, and seen a lot of movies, and I while I've got a great appreciation for them, I don't want to sacrifice something for entertainment value, though entertainment is certainly a consideration.  Its mildly tough to explain.  I guess I'm looking for something with enough sophistication without a plethora of women in there, just for the sake of having them there.  I suppose that might sound somewhat hypocritical from me, but I guess I'm trying to be different a little or something.  I think I'm pretty close to getting all the research material for this ready too.  I've got a list of about oh...50 or so, different things to read and such for this novel.  I'm still trying to think up what to do for the American history book.  I need to spend more time on that, but I guess I've been focusing more of my time on stuff, that isn't gonna take several years to finish...  I'm need to figure out a format for the history book, for starters.  And I need to finish getting together the research list for that too.  All in all, its only about 200-250 books I need to read in the next few years.  No biggee.

....

I think I'm supposed to write another anecdotal entry about the wonderful world of writing.  For the past couple of days, I've been trying to think of new ideas, and new characters, but nothing seems to come together, that I'm real excited about.  I am making some progress, but rather than rehash the same ol' same old, I'm just going to say, I'm mildly pleased at the progress, but at the risk of repeating some of my previous complaints, I'll just leave it at that.  I'm doing my best to make this novel sound as plausible, and competent as it can be, so I'm trying to set the bar high on this.  Anyway, thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Hi Girls, I'm a Writer. That In Itself Is a Pickup Line. You Know You Want Me Now

Ok...so I'm working on three books now.  Yes, I'm know, try to hold back all your admiration...  Actually, I'm trying to eek to the finish line on the one, and I have to read probably a couple of hundred books for the other two.  But lets be honest, even though its going to take me at least a year to finish the novel, and probably several years to finish the history book, that's still mondo impressive.  I can tell you're impressed.  Does that sound a bit braggy?  Oh well, I'm starting to realize the weight of what I'm trying to undertake, and the time involved, and all that.  I usually have a general idea of what's involved in these types of things, sort of something like you get when get write a paper for school.  You have an idea what its going to take, and the impression you might get it completely sometime within the same decade.  Oh well, I guess I can tell people I'm a travelling scholar or something.  Ok, that's enough bad jokes for the night...maybe.

This Is Getting Out of Hand

I'm down to two projects for the book revision, before I can send it to be edited.  The problem is they're both taking a while, and one of them might have to become its own book, or something.  I think I might just have to sort of post it as part of something on my blog at this point, because this one little thing I was working on about guys and girls is requiring some extra thought, and I suppose...a little extra tact too.  Its not really something that demands to be in the revision anyway, and I'd rather take some time, especially since it's something that needs...some finesse on my part.  I'm need to find a nice transition for that mystery story I'm writing too.  I'm a little stuck on it, but I'm trying to write up to the point I'm stuck on in the plot, and see where that takes me.  At any rate, I might be done with that soon, but who knows?  It look me nearly a year to come up with some of this stuff, I really hope it doesn't take another year to finish it.

Slooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwww

Today, I got to sleep in a little, and take a nap, and I might go to bed early tonight too.  I guess, I'm just completely stalled this week.  I'm trying to productive today, I'm taking some notes, and things like that, but not getting any writing done sadly.  I've been learning the last couple of weeks, that it seems to be ok to take some off, instead of trying to force a story through.  I think I knew this already, but some lesson I guess I have to learn more than once.  But I did just finish getting some notes transferred to my notebook, so now I can work on that novel the way I want.  There something cool about writing a book the old-fashioned way, and I won't have to worry about losing all my stuff if my computer crashes.  Win/win situation.  Alrighty kids, I guess I'm done injecting more of my genius into your lives for the night.  Happy Thursday.

Tired

I have a day off tomorrow, which means I'll be sleeping in till noon or so.  Yesterday, I worked about 16 and a half hours, and got home some time after 1am or so I think.  I've been a little lightheaded today, and I think its from exhaustion or something.  I'm just sore and achy, and could use a 20 hour cat nap.  Somehow I'm supposed to connect this to my writing...well, at any rate, I haven't had a lot of time to write the last week or two, because of work, but I am trying doing a lot of notetaking for my novel, and history book.  Sorry it isn't more exciting, but things are slow, and I need a vacation or something...

Present Tense and Handwriting

I've been working on a story, thats completely written in the present tense.  Its a little slow sometimes finding words that fit, but its not as difficult as you might think.  I might try this on the novel too.  I've been finding out its sometimes a hard habit to break out of.  I was even briefly considering how to tell a story in the future tense, but that might be stretching things.  I might also try to handwrite a rough draft of the novel first too.  I wanted to try that this time, but it didn't work out because of time constraints.  I'd really like to try it once, but I seem to just break down and end up typing projects.  I'm not really under a time limit on these next two projects, so I'm thinking it'll work this time.  Alright you can go  back to your drinking, you drunks.

Crap

So apparently, I'm going to writing three books.  One is the book revision, one is the history book, and it seems I'm going to write a novel too.  I guess I'm a glutton for punishment or something.  I think I'm going to turn a short story into a novel, which means I'm down to two projects left for the book revision.  That's kinda nice, because it means, I'm closer to finishing it.  The novel should also give me a chance to work on something, that won't take as long to finish as the history book.  I think I'll need to do a little research, but I think the novel has some real potential.  I just don't find that a short story will be enough with this, and I don't want to leave anything out.  I try to unpack as much feeling as I can into projects, so I don't have regrets later.  And I just got a great idea for my little primer on men and women!  Holy crap, I'm a genius.

Slowly Getting to the Finish Line

I'm a little closer today, than I was yesterday.  I'm down to three stories, and that means, I'm almost done with this revision.  Finally!  I'm trying to close some plot gaps, but it shouldn't be too hard.  I hope.  So far, I'm picking up a few idea for the next project I guess, I'm a little disappointed by the idea its going to take me a very long time to complete.  I was thinking it could take a couple of years, to complete at the very least, a rough draft for the history book.  Its hard to see that far down the line a little, and its discouraging a bit too honestly.  I'm not a patient guy, and I like things done quickly.  I guess I should try and break it up into little pieces, that might make it seem like I'm getting something done, I suppose.  Anyhoo...I'm close at least on finishing this one.  And that's a big deal...even if it doesn't sound like it.

Booklist and the Final Four

I'm up to about 20 books and websites so far for my research list.  I've been thinking of sort of making it the Revolutionary War version of that Civil War classic history, The Battle Cry of Freedom.  I guess I'd like it to have the same impact, as Battle Cry did, sort of making it a definitive work, if I can.  I've also trimmed my projects a little, as I've been back and forth between doing three or four more stories for the book revision.  I thought as of about 30 seconds I was done to three, but I might just do four.  I have all four started already anyway.  Might as well see them through.  And in other news, its apparently October, and people are still going out their way to try my patience.  It seems like certain individuals really go out of their way to draw attention to themselves for whatever stupid reason...  Also my computer is throwing a fit, and keeps freezing a lot, so I better type faasss....

I Forgot About Pictures

I'm going to try my best to formulate complete sentences.  I worked about 50 hours in the last four days, and got home at 3 in morning today, and 6 in the morning the day before, so I'm having some trouble trying to stay awake.  I'm going to try and get some writing done anyway, just for the simple fact, I haven't really been able to get anything done in the last few days. 

I also had a strange thought that other day.  It seems in my desire to write an American history book, I forgot to think of something simple.  I need to find pictures, and maps, and things like that to put into it.  I thought of this months ago, but for some reason not when I actually decided to go ahead with the project.  I have no idea what kind of issues are involved in using pictures, or maps, if anything falls under the category of open domain, and what things I'd have to get permission for.  I suppose I can wait on this, but I have no idea even where to begin on that anyway.  I guess I'm going to try and get something done now, see you in the funny papers.

Prep Work

I've been bored the last couple of days at work, while on my lunch break, so I've started compiling a book list of books to read and use in my research for my American Revolution book.  I got about 8 books listed so far, and I think I've got a fairly decent idea of how to proceed with it, but I'm not sure yet.  I'm looking into the Founders' religion too a little, and I was even looking at things directed towards kids, so I could see how history books are geared towards people of different age groups.  Its been a while, since I wrote on anything historical, so I guess I want to be simple enough for anyone to understand it.  That's the plan anyway.

And in other news, I'm close to finishing another story, but I'm trying to find the right way to end it.  I know how the story will end, I'm just looking for the right way to end it.  I'm at some funky points in the last few projects for the book revision.  Just stuck a little, I guess.  I'm sure I'll get it out, its usually gets slow for a couple of days, while I wait for some genius to strike.  Of course it always does, I just have to patient.  That's believeable right?

Its the Only September 30 of 2012 Enjoy It While it Lasts

Yes indeed boys and girls, its almost October, and that means...its almost November, which means its almost election time, and almost my birthday, and almost Christmas, which means I get to buy myself presents.   Now following my stupid attempts at humor/logic I'm hoping to get the ball rolling hopefully at the end of the year on this book stuff.  I am self-publishing again, and that means investing in this little project so that it hopefully takes off and does well, and maybe gives me a little boost into my next project.  I'm still debating about whether or not to do a full history of the United States or just the American Revolution.  I feel like I could do a better job with just that the time period, since I could devote more time to a single period.  I'll know more as I get closer to starting it I suppose, but thats my next to gift to myself.  Yes I'm a very thoughtful giver.  I also need to start thinking about what to get my daughter.  I have no idea what to get a 4 1/2 year old...

Hopefully I Got It Right This Time

I'm hoping this is the last time I work on a preface for this book revision.  Here goes...


Preface

　

　

I’ll just jump right into it, I guess. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a kid, I think. I just wanted to do something that would be significant to somebody somewhere. Not sure if this going to do that or not, but this is me making an attempt at it. I got a daughter, and a handful of people that I could probably count on my hand that I love and care about, so hopefully this will mean something to them, and to you folks. I’ve been finding out that as far as leaving something of myself on the world, it really goes beyond one book.

I guess I don’t want to be cliché filled, or have some cheesy line here, but I guess in the process of this, I wrote things to those I love, and wrote a few silly stories about things that I think about, or have an interest in. This book will lead to others. I can tell already. I’m already planning future projects and ideas, and things to do. I think this is significant because I get to show people who I am, and what I am. I get to voice my love of some things, on my mind, and my heart, and somebody else will see it for a change. That’s what important to me. At least this time around.

Another One Done

I got another story done tonight.  That's two in the last week I think, and I'm close to wrapping up at least, the final plot points on the others, even if I'm not close to finishing writing them out altogether.  I'm getting some nice ideas to finish this all off, and then I'm going to start introductory work for my Revolutionary War history book.  That's gonna take me longer to complete, but I'm optimistic about it.  You have to cover more than just the war typically with that time period so you know why the war happened and things like that, so I need to find out what I should cover and things like that.  See?  I'm actually writing, not just calling myself that to pick up on women...  Although I really should be trying to pick up on women more...

Genius At Work

I think I have the setup for the last 5 or 6 projects for the book revision.  It sort of struck me, while I was driving around for work today, that I needed to fix a few things, but that they didn't need complete facelifts, just minor ones.  Its also gonna be less confusing for me, since instead of trying to fit things together, I'm gonna be able to have some breathing room a bit.  I'm sure this sounds all vague and stuff, but too bad.  I can't really give out details yet, but this isn't going to take as long as I thought it might now.  Yes, my lack of organizational skills, and stubborn desire not to plot things out ahead of time is finally paying off.  In other news, I've had this thing in my back that's been popping in and out for a few months, and it finally stiffened on me in a pretty significant way.  I'm having a little trouble breathing, and its pressing against my spine, shoulder blade, and a lung a little too.  I can tell its not a popped rib, its something in the muscle.  I'm not a chiropractor of course, its just I get this kind of thing happening to me enough, I can tell what's going on.  Anyhoo boys and girls, I'm going to go back to work to my soon-to-be bestseller, and figure out how to get myself into more trouble.

A Couple of Revisions Later...

Yes its Monday, which means there's only 4 days left in the work week.  Huzzah!  Tonight I should be done with a second revision of my World War 2 story, and yet another revision of my preface.  So far I'm actually getting something done this week.  I should have a couple of smaller items done this week or and next, but I'll still have some things that'll take a while to get finished, plus a couple of books in waiting that I'll have to start at some point too.  I'm letting the fact I'm behind, and that I've got some personal things going on, kind of muck things up a bit.  Que sera sera or some nonsense like that.  Ok kids back to the perpetual grindstone, enjoy the last Sept 24 of the year.

Sadly Thats the Way The Cookie Crumbles

As the year starts to roll closer to October, I'm realizing more and more that I'll probably be closer to finishing everything around...the beginning of 2013.  I've been hoping all year to be done by now, but sadly that's not the case.  Anyhoo, that's my news for 12:38 in the morning.  Back to your sleeping, or eating, or whatever it is you nite owls do.

Yes. Today is Monday. But Now Monday Is Coming To A Close So Now Its Only A Four Day Work Week

Its Monday night, and I should be writing or something.  I'm really not motivated but I'm going to try anyway.  In addition I'm always providing a lovely distraction for those for you stressed out by politics, work, or life in general.  Yes I'm here to provide a public service...or something.  Anyhoo, I'm really here because 12 of you figured out this says "Who Reads Anymore", and not "WhoreAdsAnymore" on the web address.  Heh.  I'm really just trying to give you fine folks a play by play of my daily adventures as writer extraordinaire and mystery man.  I'm inching closer I guess, I just hate the process.  Its tiresome, soul wrenching, and slow.  Ok, I'm done complaining now.  You can return to regularly scheduled Monday night now.

Weekend

I'm completely convinced that guys are more drama than women.  Just an observation.  Actually this might fit well into my little side project...better not give anything away right now, but its funny, in a non-humorous sort of way.  And I just made a little run down to the garage to look at how many books I have I was going to read.  I thought it was around 30 or 40...its about 60, and I haven't come anywhere close to actually getting the necessary materials.  I'm thinking this could go as high 150 now.  I seem to have a rather nice collection of opinion books, not too much actual history.  Its not so much that I want to read all that, its just I want to be thorough.  Its been a while since I've done research for anything, and I'd forgotten how much is involved.  I'm still trying to find some material thats concise, but still accurate.  And I have to try and figure out how to get more writing done on Sunday.  Originally I was supposed to go downtown somewhere, but I won't be venturing down that way till Wednesday, which means I can rest a bit.  Which is nice.  I'm going to try and maybe get in a good 9 or 10 hours of writing in if I can help it....ok kids thats it.  Tune in next time.  Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel...or something.

Another Thursday

I'm not really motivated today.  I'm getting a little writing done, but its not exactly moving.  I might've gotten more done tonight, but I spent some time starting to organize some of my books.  This history book is probably going to take some time to write, and I think I'm up to about 30 or 40 books as far as research reading goes.  And that's mostly books that focus on the American Revolution.  I still have to mind material that covers more than 200 years of the rest of America.  I'm thinking it'll be something comparable to a doctoral thesis, though longer obviously.  I'd like to try and keep it to about 400 or 450 pages or so.  Granted that might not sound like much, but I've seen history books that had very little to them, and I think if I can small font, I can get more information in those 450 pages. 

And in other news, I'm making some slight progress tonight on my other projects too, its just I'm having a hard time getting anything done for whatever reason.  But I am trying to fit some in tonight.  I'm trying to fit in certain things into the stories, and even into the actual formation of the story.  Not so much what I'm saying, but how I'm saying that.  I'll try and explain this better down the road I hope.  Alright enjoy the rest of your night.  Its the last September 13 of the year.

This Isn't Going to End Well

Today, I got off work early, made it home and in the front door, somewhere right before 2 in the afternoon.  And then the call came in.  Had to turn around and go right back out for some kind of crisis at work.  Then I get home sometime around 8 or 8:30.  I was hoping to get in a good a few good hours of writing, and maybe a Dirty Harry movie.  Sadly, I didn't quite reach that goal today.  What I did do however, was start to plan out how I going to work on that American history thingy I've been kicking around a bit.  I'm into the first paragraph now, and it actually doesn't sound half bad.  Taking a quick peek, I see that there's eight different writing projects open right now.  This being the newest.  I'm trying to be chipper or something tonight, because I'm somewhat certain, I'll have to drive close to 700 miles tomorrow in a rental truck I don't want to drive.  I guess I can enjoy the scenery...and the sitting or something...  Most of the time is driving, dropping off this, picking up that sort of thing.  No me gusta.  Anyhoo, I'm trying to be patient with stuff, because its not worth bursting a blood vessel, or gettig gray hair over.  At this point, I guess I need the money or something, and it'll give me plenty of time to work on my Nat King Cole voice... I may have just given out too much information here...

Some Important Stuff, and Some Not Important Stuff

Today is September 11, 2012.  Eleven years ago today, the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists, who killed thousands of my fellow Americans.  Today as has been the custom every year since then, people across the country reflect on those who died, and those who fight these terrorists.  Its amazing to me how much a country can change, and what can change in the lives of people, apart from a tragedy like that one.  The world is completely different for me and really for everyone else too I would think, I've been married, and now a daughter, and the world seems like it had a facelift or something.  Anyhow, I guess thats what I was thinking of today, and I hope you were reflecting on it in your way. 

As for the not important stuff, I'm thinking I might try to do a Civil War story.  I have no idea what to do with it...I wanted to put it in originally, but I nowhere to go with it.  I still don't really, but I'm thinking about giving it a shot.  And I'm still making some progress on the other stories too, so far I've got about 12 or 13 projects done, with maybe 3 done.  So thats something.  And now we return you to regularly scheduled boring Tuesday.

Wow

I have no idea what the heck is going on tonight.  I had a nice whiny rant here which I just deleted because at some point, I probably would want to slap myself.  Now I'm trying to make some room on my ipod and maybe do a little writing before I have to go to sleep.  This is the life.  Or something.  Sorry this is such a short entry, but let's be honest, I could just type "hello" and you'd be totally captivated right?

Its Friday, But It Doesn't Matter

Yes its Friday, the beginning of the weekend, but sadly I have to go into work tomorrow.  It sucks because I usually get to go in on a Saturday 10 or 11, something like that.  Tomorrow I have to be there at 9.  And that's really going to suck, since I wanted to sleep in, and I haven't been able to sleep really this week at all.  I guess I'm going to sleep on Sunday...  I'd like to get some more writing done too if I can.  Originally the idea was to have most of the book done by the end of September, or October, but thats not very likely to happen now.  I'm trying to see if I'll even have it all done by November at this point.  My page count is jumping up not by any great number necessarily, its just its growing more than I thought it would be.  I guess I have more to say than I thought.

Its Thursday Right?

I'm a little confused as to what day it is.  I think its Thursday, but it feels like a Wednesday.  The days have been rolling together something fierce this week.  My insomnia has been kicking in a lot, and I haven't managed more than about 5 hours this week.  It was less than that other nights.  I almost fell asleep walking today, it was kinda rediculous.  Tonight I shall be getting 6 hours of sleep, with hopefully about 20 hours of sleep this weekend.  That's living the dream right there.  I have to try and sell more stuff this weekend to pay a bill, and try to get some more literary genius down too.  I'm still going pretty strong this week.  I thought of another great little thing to work into a story today, so that's what I'll be working on this weekend.  I was under the impression, I could have this mystery story done in under about 20 or 30 pages, but its looking like it might go even longer than that.  Its kind of surprising, since I've been mainly a shorter story guy, but it could be interesting if it gets to be something of considerable length.  Ok kids thats my story, and I'm sticking to it.

What Just Happened?

It seems I've somehow managed to put together half the plot for a somewhat decent mystery story.  I'm as shocked as you are.  It's coming out of nowhere too, I have no idea whats happening, but I've been able to piece something together a little.  I'm even making progress, though small on things at the same time.  Its very wierd...very wierd...almost like its a conspiracy... Oh well.  So far there's been some really good things happening the last couple of days.  I'm also very sleepy.  I wonder if that has something do with it.  I slept in for about 4 days in a row, partly because of the Labor Day weekend, but I haven't been sleeping much more than 4 or 5 hours the last two nights.  Maybe the lack of sleep is making me think clearly or something... Alright I better get backand between I'm a professional or something.

I Really Didn't Want to Have To Do This...

Today, I was wondering whether or not I need to write a history/political book.  It would'nt be done in time for this election, which is sad, but I could probably have it done by the 2014 elections.  Providing of course there's still a country left, and we're still having elections.  I'm not sure whether to do a history of the country, or whether to do something on the history of the major parties.  I probably wouldn't be able to start at least a few months anyway...nuts...I feel like I have to, like its calling or something.  The thing is I'd really rather not do it, but I feel like nobody else is doing it, so why not?  I've also been thinking of visiting a police station, and doing some research for a mystery story, but those places freak me for some reason.  Not that I'm a criminal or anything either, its just I freak out for some reason.  I'd rather just find out from a book if I can, but I guess I'll have to see how it goes.  Ok, friends, have a good rest of your nite.  Its the last September 4th of the year, so you might as well enjoy it.

Happy Labor Day

I had an entry, but it got erased somehow before I could save it.  Que sera sera.  I was saying Happy Labor Day to you fine folks, and hoping you got to sleep in a little, and get a little chubby from the burgers and whatnot you had with your friends, and neighbors.  I was hoping to get some more writing done, but so far its been another day of slow movement.  Oh wells, it is a holiday or something.  I need to finish a story or two this month, so I can make some more significant progress.  Its just been much to slow the last few weeks, but I've got a good feeling again, so that's something.  Ok ladies and gents, back to the grindstone.

Annoyed, Boredom,and Having a Cookie

I'm in a mildly bad mood today, but I'm trying to get some writin done anyway.  My computer is moving rather slowly, and I'm just kind of bored in general too.  I did figure out a clue or my mystery story, that should prove interestig I hope.  I've been looking at a couple of stories today, and wondering if I'm going to do have some major editiing on them or not.  So far, I'm tryin to limit my editing to just a small block of it, and hopefully something good will come of it.  And now I just found out m little travel pillow exploded in the washer.  Fantastic.  The pillow was worth the $6.99 I paid for it, but the mess apparently is worth a rather large headache.  Now I feel like I've got pillow stuffing in my mouth or something when I don't.  I guess its like when you feel like you've got ants all over you when you've just killed a bunch of them.  Anyhoo, I'll try to forget about it, and get some work done I suppose.  I've made some good progress today, so maybe that'll make up for my pillow of a thousand pieces.  Oh and I had a pillow, but that didn't seem to cheer me for some reason, almost a waste of a cookie.

Its the First Day of September

Yes, its the first day of September.  That means soon the weather will be starting to get colder, because of you know, global cooling, and things give way to Fall, and then to Winter.  Hmm... I really thought I was going to have something clever to say today, but apparently I don't.  Oh wells.  I'll do a little writing, and maybe watch another movie.  Enjoy your day kids, its the last September 1st of the year.

Gutting a Story But For a Good Reason

I think I need to completely trash a story, but it should be alright.  I'm only about 3 pages in, and I think I found a better direction to use anyway.  It was starting to sort of stall on me, and I think if I change it up a little, it might flow better.  And hurray and hurrah, I'm making some progress on my little mystery too.  I think in another week or two, I'm going to have something that'll make sense and something I can work with.  Tonight I've been trying to get a rhythm going, and I'm actually having a halfway decent time of it.  I've been trying to visualize the story before I type, which has been helpful, but I could probably stand to make sure I do a better job of relating the imagery to the reader.  That's a little problem I've need to do a more thorough job of. 

I've been trying to tiptoe through my stories a bit at this point, and make sure things are going right, but its just taking a while, and it doesn't help, I'm being goofy on Twitter, or watching Rambo movies and stuff.  Ah well, can't always be creating literary masterpieces all the time, now can I? 

Break Time

I've gone back to trying to squeeze a day off from writing once or twice a week again.  It lets me recharge a bit, and then I feel like I have to catch up, so I work harder when I pick it back up again.  Its good motivation I think.  I'm done to about 5 projects left, and then I'm done.  I think.  I don't really get time off too much so its nice to kind of sit around and do absolutely nothing.  There's been some nice progress as of late, since I'm not all wound up, trying to finish in a hurry, and stuff.  I'm sort of a third of the way through trying to figure out a plot for my mystery story.  I've turned a corner of sorts with it, and hopefully I'll have an idea how to finish it soon.  I just realized in the last couple of days or so, that writing a mystery in modern times is a little diffcult because of all the forensic science and CSI-type stuff that's available now.  That won't always work in a mystery story, if you're trying to rely on sleuth's brain to figure out something.  Investigators don't have crime labs in their heads, so I think part of my problem is trying to tell a story, that might be able to fit in the 1950's, or the 1890's or some era where computers and the internet don't exist.  I want to be able to have it be something I could figure, or the reader could figure out.  Since its a short story, I don't want to delve into forensic too much, especially since I don't know anything about that kind of science anyway.  But for what its worth I am now a mystery writer, which is kind of cool, and yes I will be using that as a pickup line at some point.

I Had A Schedule

Well...since things aren't going as quickly as I'd hope.  I now have no idea when this book will get published.  And surprisingly what should have been a low moment, ended up being a good one.  Since I don't have any time constraints, I lost some of the pressure of trying to finish things, and I'm starting to get fill in some plot details I wish missing, because I wasn't stressing out anymore.  I got about 5 pages done I might not have otherwise, and I'm optimistic that things will move forward now.  I'm still working out a few things obviously, but now I can take my time and do it right.  Hurrah.

Stuck

I had a lousy day.  Spent four or five hours trying to fix something that didn't need fixing, and was on 5 different freeways, that ended up being a complete waste of time.  And now I'm trying to figure out if I want to read about puzzles, because I'm completely bored, and have no life.  I'm just trying to figure out what sort of puzzle to use in my writing.  On top of that I think I've managed to come up with a character that suits me for my mystery.  Finally.  I thought I would be farther along on all this by now, but things have gotten freakishly slow, after my initial start.  I'm not sure what my problem is.  I've been trying to keep at it, but its gotten horribly slow the last couple of weeks.  I have a sneaky suspicion I've been distracted, but in a good way.  I suppose I can try to relax a bit, and maybe read or something.  I am just really restless as of late, and can't seem to get anything good on paper.  At some point this will all fit together the right way, I just have no idea how yet.

Oooo! Methinks Something Good is Happening

I might be able to put in an extra story in the book.  I think I'm up to 6 or 7 stories now, with a few pieces here and there like poetry, and some letters, I wanted to include.  I might be able to push this up to around 100 pages.  That's a little better, since I think readers will be able to get more for their buck with that, and I can feel better about getting more done.  I'm still trying to figure out if I'm going to keep writing after this.  I want to make sure I get everything I can down and not have any regrets about leaving something out.  I've been trying to see if I've got any more ideas for books, but the best I can think of is history book, and even that sounds too arduous to undertake.  I can't really think of much of anything past that. I might be ok being a one hit wonder, if it actually ends being that.   

On My Way

I feel like I'm really devloping some characters for a change, as opposed to just writing dialogue for robots to say to each other.  I'm really trying to give some thought behind some of these things for a change.  Its kind of fun, because I seem to be injecting myself a little more into the stories, and the people in them.  I think it helps to do that, because it makes you care about the characters, because in some way, you're looking out for yourself too.  At any rate, I think its improving my writing, and I think I can get some story from having people involvment as opposed to character involvement.  Ok.  That's it.  Back to work.

Mystery Solved....A Little Bit Anyway

I think I'm on to something finally with this mystery story.  Finally.  I got a few ideas to toss around.  At least ones that didn't seem so bad.  Part of my problem has been worrying too much about how much about it, instead of it just come naturally to me.  I have some real good places to start now, so it should be a little easier to put a plot together.  I'm fairly sure I've got some good angles to work with for a change, I've already started on it, a little, and I'm a little happy about it, I'm not in a hurry to get my hopes up yet.  Stay tuned.

Saturday

Originally, I was going to try and blog everyday this week, just to see how it went.  I usually blog about every two or three days depending on whether I've got anything good to say of not.  I was going to try and write last night, but I didn't make it home from till about 4 o' clock and my body hurts and I'm having a difficult time keeping my eyes open.  I'm trying to write a mystery, but I'm completely at a loss what to do with it.  I tried to take a day off from writing this week, to give my brain some time to recuperate, and maybe think up something good, but that didn't work, and I ended up trying to write anyway.  So...I guess I'll just have to try a little harder.  Even as we speak, I'm getting an idea for something.  I really just want to tell one good mystery.  Some of these other stories, seem to be slowly coming together, and yet that's the story I'm worried about.  I figure writing a good mystery will give me some bragging rights, and in a way I'll be able to show myself I can put together a complicated story.  Its one thing to just throw a story together, but I want to be able to intrigue someone, to baffle them, to present them a puzzle, that's what the draw is for me.  To be able to sort of outthink people, and outthink myself.  So that' what I'm going to try and do with the rest of my weekend, trying to solve the puzzle of coming up with a puzzle...

Wednesday

I'm very excited by this woman.  At times, I wonder what she sees in me, then, of course, I say to myself, it is me after all...alright, just kidding.  I am seriously blessed by this woman's entrance into my life.  She deserves nothing less, than everyone who meets to love her.  My heart has been healing in ways I didn't think would happen to me, and I owe her a great deal.  She's been a great motivation for me, as I try to write, and sort out what it is I'm trying to do with my writing, and with my life.  I'm sure I'd be plugging away in my own way, like I've been doing,

I've been trying to find a story for this mystery, and I think I know why it bothers me so much, that I haven't been able to come up with something.  I think in my mind if I can write a good mystery, then maybe I can solve them too.  I feel like I may have said this already...  I've been trying to hone my own observationals skills for whatever reason, as though somebody's going to randomly consult me on a murder case or something.  At this point, I'd probably settle on smaller solving smaller mysteries like figuring out where my socks are, what did I do with the screwdriver I was using, etc, etc.  I seem to do better writing, if I find ways to connect things to my own life, so this might be a good idea, if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Tuesday

I'm trying to write song lyrics, and trying to figure out what to do with this mystery, and this other little sci-fi piece.  Its tough trying to find the right "voice" sometimes, because I'm either trying to write something about a woman, some humor story, or whatever, and then I've got to figure out how to be serious.  I'm very slowly making my way through the two serious stories.  I think I forgot how to be serious or something.  This might prove to be a problem maybe... 

Monday

Today, I had a 15 minute lunch, and made 4 separate trips to Fed-Ex today.  Of course that was after trying to figure out how to move a 400 lb piece of equipment with a forklift, a pallet jack, a little pallet jack, and some kind of roller thing.  The best part I'd have to say, was when I got into my car, and the temperature gauge read 116.  That might be a new record for me.  I made some attempts at writing, or at least at some very meager attempts today, but its not going to well.  I really need something for this mystery.  Its really bothering me I can't put this thing together yet either.  I will figure this out at some point.  I hope.

Sunday

I am not sure what kind of day this is.  I woke early because I got called into work, then didn't actually do very much work.  Now I'm going to do a little writing and read a little on bionics, because I'm hoping to learn a little about artifical limbs and how they work, so I can maybe use that when I eventually construct my own robot.  I'm also thinking of looking into some post-grad robotics work, so I can maybe get paid to tinker.  Could be nice to have a real job for a change. 

And I've slowly managed to work in some very very very very small progress on this mystery story.  I think I got a total of three lines in today, and that might be stretching it.  I'm very tired today, so I've been power napping a bunch, and now I'm trying to come up with some cloak and dagger stuff too, and its not really working for me right now.  It's a little tough to think clearly, when you're mind is tired and distracted in a million different directions.  The only thing you can really do is to keep plugging away at times like this.   

Not Really a Writing Entry

So...this is about that lovely woman I am completely enthrolled with.  This isn't a dirty entry, or something, its just an extremely appreciative mention of someone who means the world to me.  I'm even hanging up some of my James Bond leanings, and focusing all of my attentions on her now.  Seriously, she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life, and I have no idea why I'm being blessed in such a way.  I've never imagined a better fit for me than this woman, I just hope I am just as much a fit for her.  She's been nothing but wonderful, and uplifting, and wonderful, and lovely, and wonderful.  She's been a great shot to my writing, and my life, and I don't think I'd be taking as many chances with my writing, and really in my life without her.  I feel happier, and healthier, and more willing to take on the world.I guess that's what I'm doing now, taking on the world, in my own little way, because of her. 

Robots!

I think I may have found a hobby worthy of my attention...robots!  I have a newfound interest in being able to build not one of those boring ones that carrys a tray of soda and crackers either.  I mean one that answer questions, opens doors, and actually open a frig and get someone a drink.  And can make facial expressions, and have a whole range of abilities.  The problem I'm having with undertaking a new hobby, is that I know zero, zilch, nadda, nothing, the big goose egg, about electronics.  I barely know how to build a salad, much less a circuit.  Today, I found some books on robotics, I'm hoping will get me started and I made a list of some I'd like to track down, so I can teach myself electronics and stuff.  I guess I was too lazy to learn this stuff growing up.  So that's going to be my after-writing project. 

As for writing, I'm making some progress, but I may have to backtrack and edit some stuff out, because I think I might be confusing myself for the mystery story.  I finally managed to get some more jokes for my humor story too, and its about to get completely off the wall soon, so that should be entertaining...I hope.  Things are looking up, and its Wednesday, so that's a plus too.  Ok kids, back to grindstone or something.

Finished? Not Quite

Last night I finished a story, and I'm already trying to figure out how to make it better.  It seems far too concise in some respects, and I've already started a small edit, and expansion of it.  And now I'm looking at countries with space programs, for one story.  And apparently I didn't need to look at space programs, because I just wrote around needing that information.  I also just realized I'm writing the same things just in different words.  And now I'm trying to see if I'm being lazy, or if somehow that might help this one story along, because well, the main guy is supposed to a little frazzled.  I'm trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about, and its not rocket science or anything, its just I tend to be either completly off the wall, or rather serious.  I think for the most part people know me as a the goof-off, so I'm trying my best to feign intelligence.  I just realized I'm writing about a scientists and science, and I have a bad habit at getting flustered and nervous when I try to talk seriously, even about stuff I know a great deal about.  I think I'll be ok if I can concentrate on some of the other story elements and not worry about it a great deal.  Should be interesting.

Onward

I finished my second story last night, so now I'm just down to just three stories.  One of which is science fiction, and its funny, because I'm trying my best to sound intelligent or something, and I get a good chuckle from that.  Right now I'm attempting to figure out how to weight lift, write, and make bad jokes on twitter, because I'm something of a multi-tasker who can't decide on what I should be doing.  I'd be happy if I can come up with a clever name for this other story I'm working on.  If I can just think of something catchy, my night will be made.  I'm really hoping that this is the last time, I'll have to come up with a name that's as rediculous as I need this to be. Anyhoo time for more multi-tasking.

One More Maybe?

I may have stumbled onto another story.  And that would probably be the last one.  I think.  Its more or less a science fiction story, I just need to decide on an ending for it.  Overall, I've been making good progress.  I'm closing in on some of those elusive endings, and I'm hoping to be done with a couple of these stories, maybe by the end of the month.  That would put about a month ahead of where I wanted to be, and give me a chance to relax a little and figure out how I want to put everything together.  I'm still thinking about some smaller projects to put in, so the extra time will really be helpful to me I think.  I was thinking of putting in some illustrations, but I don't think I want to do that anymore, and I'll just focus on a book cover I think.  And now I'm trying to recover from my little choking fit I had a while ago.  Not the best feeling in the world, but what can you do?  I'm trying to see if I can finish a few pages tonight regardless.  Ok back to work.

I Think Its Thursday

I'm trying to figure out to close a couple of projects now.  I've been confronted with a good problem, that I think I've touched on in the past, but its finally starting to become more of an issue now.  I want to finish these with a good ending, and not just end something that ends the story.  I'm learning more about plot devices and how to put things into stories that I can use later.  I'm really worried about sounding repetitive, or contradictory too.  I think that's one of the tougher things I deal with, making sure I didn't contradict myself or something 10 pages into a story, that I said on page 1 or 2.  Anyhoo, that's the current battle, but at this point I guess I'll take that over where I was a few months ago.  So that's where I'm at.  I'm trying to crank this stuff out, but I forgot it long it takes to finish writing first drafts.  Oops.

The Last Entry for July

Last night I saw The Dark Knight Rises.  Let's just say there were parts I liked and other parts I didn't, and leave it at that.  Its still way better than that crap they we're putting out in the 90s though.  Moving on...I think in this month alone, I've done more writing than I've done in the last six months.  I'm still working out some kinds, but just in the past couple of weeks, I've cranked about 15 pages or so.  And that boys and girls is a huge deal, considering, I was wondering if I had much to write about in the last few months.  This has been one of the best months ever as far as writing and some personal things are concerned.  I seem to do well in the summer for some reason.  Hopefully I can continue this into August and beyond.  Stay tuned.

Single Daddyhood

Hopefully this came out halfway decent.  This is a rough draft of smething I worked up.  Enjoy.  Actually its a pretty serious topic...I guess enjoy anyway.


                                       Single Daddyhood and Whatnot

　

　

I can’t think of a bigger headache to deal with in life than divorce. Somewhere along the way
either you or your spouse decides there’s love lost, or maybe that there wasn’t love to begin with, or you

caught them in something, or whatever, and so whammo, half your stuff is gone. In the midst of all that

you’re trying to find some reason to go on living, and if you have kids, you’re trying to find a way to

shield them from some of the things that.

Divorce can be a mixed tragedy of loneliness, despair, and the joint bank account. Sacred vows

are suddenly forgotten for the all too familiar, “I can’t believe I married you. I’m going to my mother’s.”

I think the statistic is about 50 percent of marriages go the way of the dodo. And let’s not forget about

your friends. Well, let me just share about that. If you’ve got married friends, they tend to side with the

wife, because your ex is friends with the other wife, and the husband doesn’t want to start having

problems of his own for being friends with you.

If you happen to be the ex-husband, its automatically assumed you’re at fault for everything that

went wrong in the marriage. You’re wife could’ve been a liar, a thief, or Hitler’s sister, and still it’s the

husband who ends up racked over the coals. Just ask yourself, who gets the kids, because it’s not the dad

the court usually sends the kids home with. At the beginning, you get the idea you might be able to get

your spouse to change her mind, as you’re hopeful there’s some affection for you left over. You might be

able to convince her, plead with her, anything, something can change, things can be better. Of course it

not going to work, but you don’t know that at the time.

So after picking myself up off the floor, where you spent the night in the fetal position, somehow

you get up, and try to figure things out. So I call her. She’ll talk to me sometimes, and other times we

yell at each other, she even manages to slip in “I love you”, from time to time, but I eventually realize

she’s just stringing me along. There’s definitely some love lost, as you miss being with your wife, \

and kind of miss being the man, and protector of the family. At some point I was wondering if I needed to

die. Heaven at least would at least take the pain away. I didn’t have the courage to end my own life, but

I’d thought maybe God could do it for me. I just wanted the pain to end. Somehow I tried to hold it

together, not sure how, but I’m still here.

You get love letter from the county if you’re behind on child support, and one that comes every

month when you make a payment. When the court originally ruled, they had no idea I had a case for

separation before she filed for divorce. So when I get hit with child support they back dated it to when she

first filed, and suddenly I owe for 6 months of child support I knew nothing about, and getting nasty

phone calls. At some point things are supposedly fixed, that is till they take my tax returns. And if that

doesn’t sound bad, the government never corrected the problem, in a way. After I was caught up, they I

was still getting a letter that said I was behind every month, and every month the amount was bigger.

Somehow the state knew I was paying in one part of the office, but the records never reflected it.

And in case you think I was behind, I document my support payments three different ways to show I send

a payment. I had a checking account set up for myself, and one I opened for my daughter so she could

maybe have some money for college. That made me feel like they were stealing from my then, two year

old. I went a year having to cash my checks at the bank my paycheck was drawn on so the county

wouldn’t keep emptying my account for a bill I was never behind on, and the bank took a $5 fee for every

check since I didn’t have an account with them so its like a $5 dollar robbery every time. I wasn’t about

to open an account with those guys. The county’s worse than a credit card company, they mind ruining

your reputation and credit over it… Needless to say, it was eventually cleared up. I guess with all of that

its like you’re paying to not see your kid grow up. And that’s really infuriating, because you are trying to

do your best to make sure child is looked after.

You never really about that type of thing though, they’re not quick to call the cops on mother, but

on a father they will. I’ve heard and seen plenty of things in my time. And I’m not saying that there

aren’t some real losers out there. A deadbeat parent whether a mom or a dad, is really a tragic thing for

the child mostly, but also for the parent. I can’t imagine all the damage that is done by a child not having

a parent in his or her life. The only thing I can tell you is that as a single father, I’m doing everything I

can to be in my daughter’s life, to make sure she grows up to be a great lady, and even a mother and

somebody’s wife, or whatever it is she wants to be. Folks need to open their eyes and look at individual

people, not case file numbers. I’m tired of being punished for not being married anymore, like it was my

choice to leave my wife. I didn’t leave, she did. I try to obey the law, and even more important, try to make sure my child is provided for, and I’m constantly looked down either by government agencies, or by

other people. I suppose that’s the way this will play out, at least till she’s an adult, but if nothing else I

know who I am trying to be, if no one else does.