Rambling

I am distracted today. It’s a mild day and I’d rather be almost anywhere else. I’m sitting in a corporate office, navel-gazing. I just went for a quick walk outside and bought myself a decadent latte. Whatever hasn’t spilled onto my black trench is being slowly sipped, savored.

The writing has been going…on Monday night I added another 860 words to my novel. Word count keeps me moving forward. Last night, I couldn’t bear the quiet nor the blank page so I ran from it, curled myself on the couch and read Stephen King’s latest book, Full Dark, No Stars. It’s a collection of short stories. I don’t know what I think of it yet since I’m only half way through the first story. I’ll write more about it when I’ve read more.

Another sip of bitter coffee. I want to gripe and complain about someone but I’m a bit tired of doing that. I’m staring at my scuffed up black sneakers…it’s time for a pair of new shoes. My cat has gnawed the leather off the backs of the ones I’m wearing. Maybe not the best choice in footwear but I woke up very late this morning, 7:36 am. They were the closest to the front door and easiest to slip on. I hauled ass as quickly as my stubby legs could take me. I managed to be only five minutes late.

I despise being late. There is something in my hardwiring that makes sure I arrive promptly with time to spare. Even when I try to be late for an event, I still manage to be the first one to arrive. I’m wound up tight. Can’t help it. Something in the genetic make-up. My dad is the same way.

I’m looking at the calendar. We have 20 days left before the end of November. I’m thinking about Christmas shopping for my three young nieces. The oldest is in dire need of some art supplies. The two younger ones want every girlie toy they see on commercials. My folks are always hard to shop for…there are just so many watches I can buy my dad. Oh!! And his birthday is this month too. Yikes. I need to make an effort to come up with a decent gift. Sorry, I know this is a bit of a rambling blog but my brain seems to be mired in the minutia of the every day. I’d really like to get some small gifts for everyone before December arrives. I just know once the holiday is in full gear, I won’t want to bother. I don’t really like the shopping crush that happens. Bah-Humbug!

Anyway, that’s all she wrote today…I’m going back to staring out the window.

L~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

PERFORMANCE: “Words, Music and Moving Pictures”

PERFORMANCE: “Words, Music and Moving Pictures”
Sat, Nov 13, 7:00pm; FREE, tickets at door
Location: Launchpad, 721 Franklin Ave, Bklyn
Subways: 2/3/4/5 to Franklin Ave; C to Franklin Ave

Three NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduates present their work: Documentarian and multimedia artist Ryan Murdock presents “Project: Butte, America,” a multimedia essay about Butte’s mining past and its questionable legacy. Playing the role of a subjective tour guide, Murdock narrates this combination folk-history-and-cautionary tale to live music.

Poets Liliana Almendarez and Wanda Phipps read from their work. Almendarez offers both new poems and pieces from her book, A Scorched Page (lulu.com); Phipps reads from Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems (Soft Skull Press), Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire (BlazeVOX[books]) and Silent Picture Recognize the World, a collection-in-process. Stephen B. Antonakos, a frequent collaborator, accompanies her with original compositions performed on the guitar.
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Hey folks,
Friday’s reading at Bowery Poetry Club had a sweet turn out. Thank you to all who attended. I told my sister Vick afterwards, there is always a moment during a reading when I can hear people intently listening to my words. I love the reciprocal nature of a reading where I get immediate “feedback” after sharing my work. It’s amazing to put this work out to a new audience.

Next reading is at Launchpad in Brooklyn, on Saturday at 7 pm.

Best,

Lily~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

I fully admit that for a good long while there I was “a bit” of a tormented writer working on my play. I see that perfectly clear right now. I finally let go of the death grip I’ve had on trying to complete the play and now I’m working on my very first science fiction novel. The tormented writer is gone and I’ve been enjoying the writing process again. Yep, you read that right…I’m actually enjoying the process. Let me say it again for the back row to hear it…I really love sitting down and writing again.

No more hemming and hawing, pacing in front of my computer trying to convince myself to sit in the chair and write. Instead, I’ve been sneaking a note here, a paragraph there, 1,000 words one day, 500 words the next and it’s coming along. The story is very rough but I know it’s a first draft. The story just needs to come out first. No holds bar. I won’t even go into what it’s about yet ‘cause it’s still in the newbie phase.

In fact, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t written on my blog more consistently. Working on this story, well it’s got me working…no drama, no pitching small fits over not knowing what to do next. I just sit there and I follow the story thread. That’s it. On most days, I really enjoy it.

So what has me doing this complete 180? I’ve been reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing and his words pried open and let some fresh air into this writer’s suffocating room. It’s shaken out the fearful writer and given me a good talking to. Now every night after work, I go home, eat some dinner and then try to hit a goal of 2,000 words. I haven’t quite made that goal yet but I’ve come close with 1,700 words one night earlier this week. Then I have a feeling of satisfaction like nothing else. The reality is I don’t know if what I’m writing is even any good but at this point in the process it doesn’t even matter. I think I’m finally hitting my stride. Thank goodness, I thought for sure I would have to come up with a plan B before I opened King’s book up. Screw Plan B, I’m going home to write.

P.S. Reading happening on Friday...check out 10.23 entry for details.  Peace

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.