Skilled Enough to be a Blogger and Crazy Enough To Love It
It’s not just Blogging it’s a Way of Life
Blogging Makes me Happy
I’m a Blogger, what’s your Superpower?
Blogging is Kind of my Thing
Being a Blogger is Easy. It’s like Riding a Bike only the Bike is on Fire…
Eat. Sleep. Blog
The thought of my new finance planner putting me on a monthly budget makes we want to buy all seven---one for every day of the week---in case I have to curb my frivolous spending too much once he hands me The Plan. (Did I mention I went on a mini buying binge at L.L Bean and Lands' End, too, just in case I don’t like what’s coming from the guy?) But the fear of my blog being discovered by my neighbors should someone see me walking about with one of those cups in hand or on my deck table keeps me from ordering any of them. So I spent a half hour trying in vein to find my blog on the internet with only my full name and the word ‘blog’ to go on. Thanks to a very famous person who shares my name any reference to me or my various blogs have got to be a zillion pages back on Google. In conclusion, I could probably stand in the center of our green space and shout that I'm a blogger and no one would care or could find me if they did. Still....
I ended up getting a 14 oz, stainless steel travel mug that says “Writing is my Drug of Choice.” I figure I can walk around with that ambiguity and when people ask what kinds of things I write I’ll say, “Whatever crosses my mind” which is true but if pressed I might mention the three times I’ve taken part in the ‘National Write a Novel in a Month’ event and how I once achieved making the 50,000 word mark and another year getting close to it. I’ve been thinking a lot about doing the NaWriNoMo again. In fact after the coffee cup and mug shopping binge I woke up in the middle of the night with that exact thought pushing its way to my conscious mind as I walked to the bathroom and back.
God help me, I’m even thinking about setting the novel in an independent living apartment building. Hint, hint a thinly disguised, fictionalized version of my life only with a plot. I’ve never been good at plotting so it’s a good thing I have from now to November to get an outline of one sketched out. And with that in mind I’m tempted to buy the cup that says, “Please do not Annoy the Writer. She may put you in a Book and Kill you.” That would a fun inside joke to walk around with on campus, wouldn’t it. I’ve gone so far as to bookmark that cup to buy should I decide to do NaWritNoMo again. The last times I did it were 2015 and 2013. It's a lot fun to take part in their message board and to read advice and pep talks from famous authors who also chime in on the board.
Jeez, I just remembered the joke-comment I made about the CEO hiring a hit-man to kill off residents so they could re-sell our apartments! Maybe that could be the bones of my plot and maybe I need to start researching how to structure a murder mystery? This could put a whole new spin on the kinds of conversation tidbits I collect here. Descriptions of accidental falls and doors left ajar and security guards missing when needed could take on a whole new meaning in a murder mystery.
I’d rather write a romance but senior citizen romances strike me as pathetic---like the guys are mostly looking for cooks and nurses and the women are looking for deep pockets so they don’t have to eat cat food. I'm likely doing a disservice to my peers but I cannot imagine any guy my age inspiring me to stick my tongue down his throat or me showing him my southward pointing nipples. Although getting undress for the dermatologist is probably more traumatic than having a tryst with a guy in my age bracket. Is this too much information?
If you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo here’s what their website says: “National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30. Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought fleetingly about writing a novel.” In the book written by the founder about the writing event he says words to the effect that you have lower your expectations of writing the Great American Novel to writing one that won't make people want to vomit. It's a first draft written quickly to help kick your creativity into a higher gear. I'm getting excited just thinking about it and I've got my writing seat in our cafe` picked out. And, yes, I would admit to taking part in the event. Half the fun in doing it is doing it in public. ©
š A mystery is a great idea…maybe you will entice someone else to write too. I think having a mug proclaiming yourself as a writer is another winning idea.
ReplyDeleteThe event has local meet-ups too and if they are at the same place they used to be it's very close to where I live now.
DeleteMy daughter has participated in NaNoWriMo and made it up to semi-finals, I believe. November is never the right time for me. I'm always working finishing a first draft or editing, or else working long hours on articles for the options-related newsletter for which I wrote. Now health issues interfere with my ability to put in long hours on anything. I hope you go for it. I'll be cheering you, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe first couple of years of NaNWriMo were held in the summer but the young guy who started it changed it to November because he thought the weather was too crappy to go anywhere. He obviously didn't consider Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping and all the other stuff that goes on that time of the year. It does unlock your creativity to care about speed rather than polish.
DeleteIt does. My first novels I wrote with speed, but I'm guilty now of editing as I go, which slows momentum.
DeleteThere is merit to doing a first draft quickly then going back to edit but I worry someone would find the first draft and laugh too much so I tend to write a page, then edit it. Can't do that with NaNoWriMo and finish which is the whole point which unlocks creativity in plots. At least that's what the founder says and I believe it.
DeleteGood luck with your book. I once started a novel at NaNoWriMo but soon stopped. A. Even I could see it was rubbish. B. My heart just wasn't in it! Now, though, you've made me think I might take another look. I have written one book, Not So Sweet Toffee, which was ostensibly written by my cat (I know, I know, not everyone's cup of tea!) and said cat, Toffee, has nearly finished her second! As for your neighbours, you know what Lord Wellington said: Publish and be damned!
ReplyDeleteI've actually read a dozen or so mystery book written by dogs and I had a dog blog. I really like writing through a pet's voice. They can say things you can't. Writing rubbish for NaNoWriMo is probably the norm. The re-writes and polish comes later. In the book the founder rode he says that 50,000 word start in re-writes could end up to 75,000. Another blog, Dee(Coming Home to Myself) in my blog roll has written several 'cat' books. Small world!
DeleteThis post made me remember how it was, back in the day, when bloggers were being discovered and fired from their jobs. One became famous as Diary of a Fired Flight Attendant and there were two others who became famous (can't think of their names right now). The result was bloggers began to put locks on their blogs. One would have to request a password to read.
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DeleteI could see how you could blog yourself out of a job if you put too work place stuff out publicly or spent company time doing it. I have clicked on a few blogs only to receive a message that indicated that I'd have to be vented to get into it. Now I know one reason why.
I'm chuckling about buying an insulated coffee mug from Etsy. Mine are all from my husband--freebies from his workplace(s)--and have the name of tool companies, businesses, or actual power tools on them. LOL. I'm so butch.
ReplyDeleteWe had a few with the names of snowplow manufactures on them, so I get it. I like to think of it as supportive wife thing, and not 'butch.'
DeletePoison. Women often do poison. Yes, once you say you blog, your anonymous days of drawing on examples will dry up. The writing mug is probably a better choice! (I had to put in your name and "widowhood blog" and you come right up -- but how many people would think to do that. I only did because I know the name of your blog.) You've read the Thursday Murder Club series, haven't you? (Only two so far!) They make retirement home living sound really adventurous! Maybe that's what you need there -- a murder club! I love the idea of your writing a book -- you have a wealth of material already.
ReplyDeleteWith the plot I'm thinking of the murderer would the CEO who would have lots of ways to knock someone off including access to lots of prescription drugs. Money would be his motive.
DeleteYou're right, if you include the word 'widowhood' with my full name my blog does come up in a search but with just my name and 'blog' it doesn't. People here know I have written family history, self published books so me revealing I'm taking part in the NaNoWritMo won't be a total shock. I will not reveal the blog.
I have read the Thursday Murder Club and I'm reading another series book set in a retirement community with a bunch of retire detectives trying to solve a murder. If I write one I'm thinking of making a grandson of a resident a private detective who starts thinking there are too many deaths where his gram lives. He is there to visit often because he's got a thing for the concierge. I might have to actually start writing it to know if the mystery or the romance becomes the domain theme. Like I said, I'm good at plotting. But it's fun thinking about it.
Jean, I think a murder mystery with a romantic twist would be a great read! I thought your idea about "killing off" residents for financial gain is worth pursuing.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of you buying up all the things you might need or want made me smile. Nobody wants to face the wrath of your financial advisor. lol
See my reply to Jeanie above.
DeleteExcept for investments which I've never gotten into I've always been good at handling money. Never ran up credit cards or debt. So this will be a new experience for me, especially the part about having a man tell me how to budget myself. LoL
My first thought about your blogging cup was that your neighbors would want to know the name of your blog and you would be found out that way. If you don't want them to read it, then that would be risky to let them know you write a blog. Good luck with your book writing. You have so many interests and so many wonderful stories that you will have lots of good ideas!
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to reveal the blog here but I kind of don't think it would matter if I did. Back when I was in the Red Hats they knew I blogged and blogged about our outings and only one person out of the 20 every read any of the entries. She was would-be writer too who was interested in starting a blog. The average person doesn't really care about reading blogs the way those of us in the blog community do.
DeleteMy dermatologist has been the only man to see me in my bra and panties in the last four years since I became a widow. They always give you that paper gown to put on, but I think it's a nuisance and it usually winds up on the floor anyway by the end of the skin check. I didn't put it on this last visit. I told him "I think the modesty ship sailed a long time ago."
ReplyDeleteBeen a lot longer than that for me...since widowhood. Those paper gowns are useless!
DeleteYou’re right! I love this next post of yours. I vote for the mug about putting someone in your book so you can kill them off. š¤£
ReplyDeleteDeb
I love the insider joke that mug would be even if I don't do the NaNoWritMo.
DeleteDetective Levi and the Missing Coffee Mug. I can see it now! I've purchased personalized mugs for all four of my family ... I may just get one for me!
ReplyDeleteAnd remember, you do not have to take the financial planners advice and/or you can modify it. When I put a budget on paper there is no way I can live on my income!!!
I love the idea of naming a character after Levi.
DeleteI'm glad you said that about the financial planner.
Got a kick out of the sayings on mugs. Good luck to you if you do the novel contest again.
ReplyDeleteI had a great time shopping for mugs and cups. They have SO MANY!
DeleteBeing a Blogger is Easy. It’s like Riding a Bike only the Bike is on Fire… is the one I like best Jean. Everyone knows I Blog and few I know read Blogs anyway, we're a Breed apart, us that Blog or Read them. You probably have nothing to worry about, but I do understand your desire not to unintentionally offend anyone who might read themselves into a Post. There are people I've known most of my Life that probably don't 'know' me like my Blog Community does... and I'm sure many Bloggers kinda like the apartness from their Real Life that they can escape to here under the cover of some anonymity of sorts, depending on how transparent or specific they wanna be? I think a Murder Mystery set in a CCC would be captivating... and probably not good for business? How upscale Senior Accommodations ensure proper turnover for maximum profit probably does cross the Minds of Residents at times, No? *LOL* When I watch real life Homicide Shows, the more affluent the people, the more apt they are to Kill for Money, it's kinda Weird, one would think it would be the Poor... but No, those with means are more apt to Off one another for the Insurance Policies! Who knew?
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about bloggers and readers and friends. When I first started blogging I put a link in a Christmas letter and my mailing list, back then was almost 100. I think only two looked it up and only my niece has been reading me since then.
DeleteMysteries set at CCC isn't all that unusual I'm finding out. Not that I care because I'd be writing it for fun, not publication.
PS: Your paragraph about Old Timers Romance had me rolling!
ReplyDeleteI really do feel that way.
DeleteLove the "Do not annoy" cup.
ReplyDeleteEffie Leland Wilder wrote several books after 85 about an assisted living community she inhabited that were delightful to read. She wrote 5 books by the age of 97. "Out to Pasture" and "Over the Hill" were two that I thoroughly enjoyed.
50,000 words with a time limit would give me nightmares but you go girl.
I've read a couple of Effie's books. The word count doesn't bother me as much as having something to say. LoL
DeleteI like a good mystery and my cup with a straw that keeps my drink cold, just saying
ReplyDeleteIt's never been my favorite genre but lately my reading choices have been branching out to sample them.
DeleteYears ago I wrote a post titled "No Mo Wri Mo," which pretty much summed up my feelings about that particular project. It's just not my cup of tea, no matter what the cup says on the outside. Still, I know plenty of people who've participated and enjoyed it; perhaps this will be the year for you to give it another go. Your writing cups did remind me of a bumper sticker I saw years ago. It was red and yellow, and the woman who had it on her car explained that she'd gotten it at an expensive writing workshop in Colorado. It said -- in large letters -- "Shut Up and Write."
ReplyDeleteI think I saw that on a coffee cup. I really liked the social aspect of NaNoWriMo. Did a couple sessions in a coffee shop with others and every night I'd take part on the message boards. I feel in love with message boards before blogging.
DeleteI think you made a good choice in not choosing a cup that identified you as a blogger. You need to be free to tell us all the funny stories you encounter. I like the writer cups, though.
ReplyDeleteI've never considered doing NaNoWriMo. I'm such a slow writer. I admire anyone who could do it.
Writing fast does unlock your creativity but you have to keep reminding yourself it's DRAFT and not to edit along the way.
DeleteWhy not write your novel -- what else are are going to spend your time doing?
ReplyDeleteThat's a loaded question. There's the weekly lecture, Mahjong, exercise classes, book club, group meals, laundry, painting, blogging, quilting, jigsaw puzzles, reading and keeping my apartment reasonably clean between housekeeping appointments. There is always something that needs doing or I want to do.
DeleteMany decades ago, I worked at a small college where one of the senior faculty published a murder mystery under a pseudonym. She clearly had a good time naming buildings on her fictional campus after people she liked and making people she didn't like villains. The former college president (with whom she had a beef) was murdered at the beginning of the book and the current president (with whom she had a testy relationship) was named as the murderer in the final pages.
ReplyDeleteI can see how that could e fun. LoL
DeleteAs you were explaining to us about a story written at a senior living facility it reminded me of the Steve Martin/Martin Short show about the 2 seniors trying to solve a death/murder in their apartment building. And the fun insues. All the tenants and their quirky personalities. It's a fun and interesting romp so I think that kind of thing written by you in a senior facility would be a fun read! Please go for it. I'll buy it. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I write it I won't publish it. The challenge is in the doing.
Delete“Writing is my Drug of Choice.” Love that!
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