Saturday, April 23, 2011

Rain, rain, go away....

Saturday morning and I am sitting in front of this post trying to come up with something interesting to write.  Can you smell the smoke?
 
Let's see, writing group went well last night, I had decent feedback. I'm not sure how to address some of their comments within the story yet.  I'll just have to think on it.  I plan on writing today but I've had a late start and I have a family lunch to go to shortly.

My niece Gexy turned 15 this week.  I can't believe I am an aunt to a 15-year old teen.  When did that happen?  And can we stop the aging process please?  Like right now.  She had her first student show at Pratt's Saturday Art Program last Saturday and I am blown away at her talent.  Gexy has a quirky brain and I like being surprised by her interpretation of the way she sees the world. Interesting to say the least.

I'm trying to organize my brain to what to do after lunch.  There are errands to run, kitty litter to buy and box to clean out.  There are chores in the house to take care of...blah!  This is the time when I most need someone else to take care of that for me.  Who am I kidding?  I'm sure I will tackle it when I get back from lunch this afternoon.  And fit in some writing.  Hmmm maybe I'm approaching this all wrong.  Perhaps today I'll try to fit in the chores and just write.  If I want to finish this novel this year, I need to make the most of my weekends on this project.  Yes, my head is on straight now.

Which reminds me, someone sent me a manuscript of their novel and I'd also like to take a read of that as well.  I'll convert it into a PDF and upload it onto my Nook.  And there is also Kathe Koja's book, Under the Poppy.  I've been wanting to read this book for ages but I was waiting for some down time.

All right, I'm off to a birthday lunch.

Peace,

Lily


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Sticky ZZZZZZZZZZ

Last night, writing was a bit grueling. Let me rephrase that. I’m dealing with a difficult scene. On the one hand, I was able to carve out some language and incorporate some new ideas after last week’s feedback. On the other hand, after two hours of work, I only had 790 words added to the chapter. It was going but each new sentence or turn of phrase came out painfully s-l-o-w. My first reaction after 2 hours of work was “that’s it?!” But a teeny voice in the back of my brain was celebrating. It means two more hours of work on a manuscript that was neglected for a week while I transitioned to my new place. It means 790 more words than I had the day before. It means that I have worked every day this week since Sunday on this story. It means I am that much closer to finishing it. So the teeny voice is getting heard for a change. Phew!

It’s a grey day in Noo Yawk Sitty and the low grade migraine that I have had for the past three days is slowly…very slowly starting to subside. I know there is a storm front heading our way and once the storm passes, I hope this migraine will go with it. My skin has felt cold and clammy these last couple of days. Cold damp weather is not good for the Kapha constitution. Blah! Ooo it just started raining. It’s a light foggy misty kind of rain. A wimpy kind of rainwater that barely leaves drops on the windows. Meanwhile, my very straight hair (heavily weighed down with product) is frizzing up. Dammit!! Hehehe.

Uhm gosh, what else? Oh yes, I accidently spilled a cup of my tea onto my work station’s keyboard yesterday. So now the letter ZZZZZZZZ gets stuck. I tried to wipe it down with paper towels and I thought I managed to dry it all but alas I think all the nasty dusty crud has mingled with the sugar from my tea to make it a sticky ZZZZZZZZZZ. What crap, I may have to go in with a damp cloth between the key spacing to clear it out. Bleck! As you can see I am very busy with very important tasks at my day job. All right, I guess I need to get my day started.

Peace,

Lily

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

It's been a minute since I last wrote a blog entry

Gosh, it’s been a minute since I last wrote a blog entry. Let me start off with the writing. I took my first chapter to my writing group last Friday. They gave me some excellent feedback, both on what’s working and what’s not working. The holes in the logic of the science that I thought I had worked through apparently still have some problems. It was important for me to hear their feedback and it’s already helped on how I’m compensating in the upcoming chapters. I like figuring out ways to change/adjust the story accordingly. I also have to adjust timeline. I thought I had figured out the dates properly but after their feedback, I can see the mess. Hehehe. But I am not disheartened in fact their positive feedback has motivated me to finish Chapter 2 so I can bring to writing group this week.

On Sunday, for the first time since I’ve moved into the new space, I worked on my manuscript for three long, quiet hours. It was a slice of heaven. My sister Vick went to the museum then to yoga so I had the place all to myself. And I worked straight through until lunchtime. Then I took a much needed break and spent some time stretching. I spend way too many hours in front of a computer so it helped to move and twist my body a bit.

I also wanted to share a bit of the NYFA function I attended on Friday. It was great fun and I managed to meet four new artists at the event. A sculptor, a filmmaker and a couple of painters, oh my! I saw some of my fellow bootcampers at this little shin dig so did some catching up with Ged, Rachel and Katy. But I was completely fascinated by the sculptor who wants to write. T. is from Argentina so English is her second language but I encouraged her to write anyway. To just do it! We, creative types, need to spend time exploring those internal nudges. It’s honoring the impulse and if the call is strong enough then we should take a risk, take a leap of faith and see where we land. She has written one page so far and I hope she continues. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by answering the call that beckons us. Am I being woo-hoo enough?! All right, I’m off my soap box…gosh, I can’t help myself. I just want to see artists thrive and succeed in their creative pursuits. Seriously!!

Anyway, that’s all she wrote today…gotta get back to the admin grind.

Peace,


Lily~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 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.