Killing the Inner Critics & Enjoying It
Another lovely day begins aboard the Revenge. Sin sits upon the steps to the wheeldeck, hands on her chin, observing 2nd Chance at the bar. Terrio wanders by, takes a seat next to her.
- “Who are all those folks Chance is serving our rum to?” she asks.
- “Huh? Oh, them. Well, Chance invited them aboard, she’s gonna get them drunk and then throw them to the Kraken,” Sin calmly stated.
- “Seems a bit bloodthirsty for our cheery bartender. They deserve it?”
- “She thinks so. She’s got me convinced it’s a good idea. And the Captain agreed.” Sin turned her head and gazed at Terrio. “They be critics.”
- “Well, just because they have opinions don’t mean…” Terrio stopped at Sin’s shaking head. “OK, explain.”
- Sin points to one of the people mulling about, “That one? Called Parental Disappointment. The one in the nun’s habit? The Strict Grammarian. Him in the cap and gown? Academic Expectations. The three dressed like cheerleaders? The Inappropriate Peer Group. There’s Fear, huddled under the bar stool… The Perfect Plotter is looking through Chance’s Bar Bible, see that scowl?”
Terrio held up a hand, “Ah. Inner Critics. How the hell did she manifest them?”
- “You know Chance, she does magic.” Sin stood up and shouted, “HEY! YOU! Get your hand offa that line!” She sat down, looking disgusted, “Always thinks he can do better.”
- “Benjamin Better?” Terri chuckled, having seen the list fall from Sin’s pocket and snatched it up. “Where is Paralyzed Polly?”
- “I think she’s clinging to Chance’s left leg.” Sin chuckled. “I may invite mine aboard next week…”
- “We could take turns…” Terrio thoughtfully watched the bartender set her critics at ease, listening to them while keeping the tankards full. All the while, to the starboard side, the water boiled and tumbled as the Kraken waited for the feast…
Aye, I be a bloodthirsty little pirate writer. I admits it. Wants ta join me in this endeavor? Years ago I began puttin’ names ta the critics that plague me. Those nasty little voices that nibble at the back a’ me brain when I write.
I used ta pretend they was a useful bunch, but I’ve given up me belief in that. They all be scoundrels, wasters of time, negative naysayers from the getgo. I gots a full roster of ‘em.
There be Doubtful Dougie, who never has a positive outlook on anything. Bored Betty and… Hey! Get back here! ‘Scuse me…
- Scurrying over to the rum barrel, Chance snatches a pile of paper away from a skinny old woman. “Get over there and quit editing my synopsis, Enid. I like it the way it is! There’s hard lemonade…and I think the label is on crooked…”
The woman hurries back to the bar. Chance calmly sneaks around all of them, ankle height, fixing cuffs and a long chain, which snakes from ankle to ankle to ankle. Sin meanwhile is removing a section of the railing and easing out a plank over the water. She takes a heavy cannon ball, which anchors the chain and balances it at the end of the plank. Keeping a sharp eye out for the signal, she waits. Feeling the tug, the critics have stepped out along the narrow piece of wood...too busy natterin’ at each other to recognize the danger. Plus they be a confident mob, always sure they have a place to roost. Until today.
I do beg yer pardon. I just don’t want to miss any a’ them. Where was I? OH, ‘course. So, these be the worst a’ me inner critics. I figure they be back, but maybe they be better behaved. Some time in Davy Jone’s Locker do ‘em good. I’ve decided I want ‘em scared. I want ‘em terrified. They do not help me! EVER!
- A chorus rises from the end of the line, “Should…should…should…”
- Hands at her ears, Chance begins to chant, “LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA…”
A splash sounds from the behind the bar and Chance looks over. Sin shrugs. “Couldn’t wait, one of them started to chant ‘not good enough’ at me. I had to throw them in.”
Sounds logical to me!
Yer turn. What lousy good-for-nothing inner critic would you like to see tossed to the Kraken? You ever tricked into thinking it’s all for your own good? Have you favorite critic? Or should I say, does a favorite critic have you? Speak up, Friday’s party is on, the bar is open, the bottles be stocked. Let’s watch the Kraken eat some inner critics… And be prepared, me hearties, they be sneak, these ICs and might mount a counter attack…
This day is for Sin, for J Perry, for all of us who waste way too much time dealing with these rotten scoundrels.
Books by the Crew
98 comments:
Great blog, Chance! I love the idea of throwing in my critics.
I've said before that my critic is a gum snapping teenager, bored with me, with my ideas. I'd like to see her swimming from the Kraken. I hope her hair frizzes.
Most of the time, my inner critic says what I'm doing isn't original enough, or points out the things in my WIP that still need help. SOme of the trick is just trying to tell it to be patient, that I'll get to that stuff.
This makes sense to do this today since we brought them all out yesterday. There are two LOUD IC's I'm dealing with right now. The one that taunts me about how I put everything off until the very last minute, and the one who nags me about eating too much but then promises she'll shut up if I do one more shot of cool whip from a can. Or give her a Hershey Bar. I really don't like that one.
Now, in a couple weeks when I get back to writing, I'm not sure which IC monster will come out. Either the one that taunts, "I told you if you stopped writing for so long you'd forget how to do it" or "What excuses not to write can we find now?" It would be great if we could throw her over today then I won't have to mess with her then.
I think something must be wrong with me. I got a little misty eyed. LOL
I think I will dedicated next Wednesday to killing inner critics. This is the best idea ever!
I still have your email in my inbox, MM. I haven't been writing much, but when I'm feelin' the sting of the inner critic, I think about you telling me that I should restrict myself because of the norm and that it's okay for me to be outside of the box. That one day, I'm going to break through and I'm going to do this, but until then the most important thing for me to do is write and believe in it.
Which all sounds really easy to tell someone until you're actually expected to believe in yourself and believe in your voice and what you can write. It makes me the Paralyzed Polly. I am the deer standing in the headlights. I am the girl who is standing on the edge of the cliff, adrenaline rushing, and wishing she could jump, but her feet are anchored.
Which goes to show you I have no real way with dealing with inner critics other than to fret and listen to start to panic.
You know, Sin, once I get this final paper written (15 to 20 pages is doable in two days, right?) and a couple finals done next week, it's back to the writing. And we've always said we'd do this together. So, when I go back, you go back. We had a deal. :)
Even if we write dreck and we (meaning you) delete it all, we're writing!
I know. It's a daunting prospect to actually sit and write and be committed to doing it. I've thought about doing it for so long, I will actually be afraid I don't have it anymore. At least with you writing papers, you've written something.
Yeah, I gotta throw the Parental Disappointment overboard, definitely. The Sheepish Shameful Puritan who blushes when she admits she writes romance novels--and thereby, *gasp* sex scenes. And definitely gotta find that bastard who keeps telling me I'm not enough. Not talented enough, not disciplined enough, not experienced enough (how can you write romance when you suck at it, Frannie?)--seriously, he's getting his legs cut and thrown to sharks. The Kraken is too good for him. I want him to suffer and be ravaged by sharks first.
Writing about the Seychelles and business management styles is not exactly writing fiction. And if my dedication to getting these things done is any indication, if I ever do get a contract for a book, I'll write the damn thing 15 minutes before the editor wants it. LOL!
Hellie, you are awesome. And I honestly think you should stand from the rooftop at MU and shout to the Gods that you write sex scenes and you're proud of it.
And it's not daunting if we keep it in perspective. We're telling a story. You do that all the time. You tell about how that idiot cut you off getting on the freeway (okay, that was me) or how your undead monkey got drunk that time and fell out of the crow's nest.
So we're telling through writing it instead of saying it. We're not building the Pyramids or curing cancer, we're just telling stories.
I wondered why you picked Seychelles as your island of choice to relax at for a month. I had to google it to find out where it was--and I still think you're crazy to pick that spot. Pirates lurk on that side of the country--and not the Jack Sparrow kind.
My massage therapist thought you were crazy too, when I told her.
Me, it's still Grand Cayman. I could write a paper about Grand Cayman--I could write odes.
I'm not sure, Terri, that saying telling a story is like writing is reassuring to me. I've been told repeatedly by friends I'm the WORST storyteller because I bore them silly with backstory.
There's a lesson to be learned there, clearly.
We may not be curing cancer; however, our stories are expected to transport, to provide escapism, to make someone feel like they're reconnected in some way or they've learned something about themselves in some way--and that's a lot to expect from a story.
Actually, they leave the Seychelles alone. I didn't say I'd take a cruise around it and the pirates only bother merchant vessels.
The Seychelles have no disease, they're out of all extreme weather tracts so no hurricanes, tidal waves, or tsunamis. One, steady, beautiful temperature year round. No beggars, or homeless like you find in the Caribbean and crime is very low. It's ideal.
Are you trying to stop Sin up from ever writing another word?! It's *perspective*. You want to make something less daunting, you put it in perspective. Even those trying to cure cancer can only do one test at a time, track the results and move to the next. If they told themselves every morning, I'M TRYING TO CURE CANCER! they'd be freaked out all the time. LOL!
And the part that makes writing the story better than just telling it is that you have the opportunity to take your time and take out all that backstory before the big reveal. LOL! Bonus!
I still want to go to Grand Cayman. One day when I change my name and run away, I will go there and lay on the beach 24 hours a day.
I'm so predictible and boring. Gah, someone put me out of my sad existence.
Ter, you wrote about bad pirates? Did you mention us? LOL
REALLY? That does sound ideal.
Yeah, you couldn't pay me money to go to Jamaica again. But Grand Cayman didn't feel unsafe. And the beaches were gorgeous.
I also told my massage therapist that I went to Cozumel.
"Oh, that's a great island! Low crime rate."
"It was an island? Man, was I drunk."
I've been to Grand Cayman and I'm not knocking it. Gorgeous! The whitest sand and the greenest trees I've ever seen. (I've clearly never been to Ireland to see their green.)
But I prefer the no hurricane perk and to be honest, the Seychelles are a whole hell of a lot further away which makes me feel better. It's called "getting away" for a reason. LOL! I want DISTANCE!
I'm just saying I write better than I talk. That's all.
And Sin's a brilliant writer, and she knows damn well if she said she wasn't going to do it anymore, I would stalk down her ass and camp in her living room until she threw up her hands and said, "FINE! I'm not quitting! Now will you leave?" and I'd say, "Nope, not until you show me you got something. Get on it, hoss..." And then I'd watch Talladega Nights with Mattycakes.
I didn't like Cozumel. But I think it was because it was our first cruise stop, the first thing I saw was a starving dog, and I got land sick. (I know, I'm weird.)
Morning! I see the fight be in progress... Keep eyes sharp taday, crew. Now that they know what we be up ta, they will start usin' stealth ta stay aboard!
Marnee! Gun snappin' teenagers ain't ever shown patience nor originality, I says we toss 'er in. We can use a pack a gum ta lure 'er ta the rails!
Terrio! The Taunter and the Enabeling Nag, let's shut 'em up now and teach 'em the meanin' a fear!
- "Wow, look at the Kraken go! Who knew a teenager could talk even when bein' devoured!?"
I did not get land sick--but we did drive around in a Jeep all day, bouncing around--so maybe that was enough like the cruise ship.
Or maybe I just don't get sea sick or land sick. *shrugs*
I get everything else, so I think I should be granted one PASS and that was probably it. "Voila! We will give Frannie the gift of sea legs! Then we will have her live in Missouri!"
Lord, Chance, isn't it like 6:30 in the morning where you are? What are you doing up now? (Or have you just not gone to bed, you crazy thing!?)
I'd never been land sick before, I'm guessing it was two straight days on the water? I don't get sea sick ever, but I get car sick. Makes no sense. If I read one sentence while riding in a car, I'll puke out the window. But I can sit on a city bus, facing backwards, and read an entire book. Tell me that's not screwed up. LOL!
Chance - The Enabler. Thank you for giving her a name! I really don't like her.
Sin - Me hearty mate! Yer makin' me all mushy eyed now! Gots ta wipe me misty away and 'elp ya stalk Boxey Bertha. We'll dangle 'er from the yardarm, use 'er as bait fer the sharks the Kraken invited!
- HA! Look at 'er, standin' still since she don't know which way ta go! I think she been hangin' with Paralyzed Polly too long! What's she shouting? Cliche! HAHAHAHAHA! Not the way Sin writes it, sweetheart! Have a nice death!
Now, pull out yer cutlass and let's stalk Polly. I threw 'er in once, but she be a tenacious bitch... Trust me, she be more scared a' you than ya are a' 'er. She's all 'bout fear and we know ya be fearless.
- Splash! Ooooo! I like how 'e's squeezin' 'er tight. She's gonna 'member this and hesitate at whisperin' in yer year. If'n she comes back, just hiss at her, "Kraken! Kraken! Kraken!"
Hellion - Quick! The Sheepish Shameful Puritan be scolding the hotties! We gots ta stop 'er afore she convinces them all ta put more clothes on!
- Cutlass ready!?
- Ah! Good one, Cap'n...once her skirt be slit she lost all 'er fire. SSP's be so easy ta embarrass. Avast! Let's slice her pantaloons ta ribbons afore we dangle 'er, upside down and see if we can get Bruce the Great White ta do a flip fer 'er!
Now, we gots ta keep our eyes sharp fer the Not Enough clones, they be legion...
There! On the Starboard! They be tryin' ta sneak aboard...cannons!
*BOOM!
Nice shot! Look at all them pieces bein' snatched up!
This might be the most violent day we've ever had. LOL! I can almost here the IC Revenge captain yelling, "PREPARE TA BE BOARDED!"
Aye, it be early on the Wild Coast, but we be headin' fer a road trip in an hour or so... I woke up, I gots up. I be so lookin' forward ta slaughter taday!
Cozumel isn't an island...it be on a peninsula... I think... Sounds like I may a' been on that cruise. Cozumel, the Grand Caymen...
Me beach 'a preference fer vegetatin' be on the Turks & Caicos. It be called Malcolm's Beach. I saw a picture in Caribbean Life and fell in love... I gots ta earn lots a money afore I can see meself shipped there!
Violent!? Terrio - Ain't seen nothin' yet! We be fighin' fer our very lives!
With occassional breaks fer rum, since we needs the refreshin'!
I be goin' ta the Northern California Pirate Festival tomorrow, so I be gettin' in the mood. Plus, me therapist told me ta vent more...
- Ya scurvy pack a' mangy mongrels! Come ON! WE'LL SEE YA ALL SENT TA DAVY JONES LOCKER!!!!
Terrio! Behind ya! It's Ravenous Rita...!
Sin ta the rescue with her sharp stars... Let's toss her ta the Lock Ness Monster. I see the Kraken be bringin' friends ta the feast!
But venting is good. I'm all about venting. One of my best skills.
You're going to have me twitchy by the end of the day.
Last Chance requested we see 'bout banishin' her Inner Hermit... I be callin' him Harry. (sorry, Cap'n, I know ya be fond a' the name...)
Harry be the sort who keeps ya at home, doin' nothin'... Mayhaps watchin' television... Anythin' that keeps ya from reachin' out ta touch other humans, be it in person, via the internet, phone...
Death ta Harry! And his companion in fear, Safer Sally! Safe is no where ta be...literally...
There be blood in the water...toss 'em in!
That gives me an idea, can we throw over Vic the Volunteer? He's always getting me inta shit.
Twitchy? Here, have a Kraken's Feast, newest addition ta the bar... Aye, it be green but that ain't slime on the side, trust me.
Oh! I fergot the blood red cherry ta celebrate all the killin'... Here ya goes!
Aye, the Bings be extra red and plump this year!
Never fear 'bout bein' snuck up on...we be lookin' out fer each other on this ship!
Egads! It's Safer Sally's cousin! Buried Feet Billy! How the 'ell did he make it aboard with his feet deep in that bucket a dirt? Don't matter, he'll sink faster wit' that weighin' 'im down!
Right now I have one mian Inner Critic - The one keeping me from really getting started on my very first book.
It's the one telling me not to start becuase then I'll find out I really don't have any talent. That if I just keep putting off starting, then I won't see my dream shattered.
Yeah, he's a hell of an inner voice. And he's officially been winning for 10 years.BUT, I've been gathering ammo lately and will be sending him packing soon.
Bloospray...right. Make that bloodspray!
Vic the Volunteer... Oh, Vic, we gots a job we needs ya ta do fer us... Think ya can clean the Kraken's teeth? There be bits a' the last attempt ta board in there and it be 'urtin' the poor beast awful...
*snicker. Such a sucker!
- 'Course it's safe...here, use this toothbrush, 'e likes this one...
Ooo! Bloospray, nice!
Sabrina, you need to toss that critic STAT!
Or maybe we need to send her a copy of that book, eh, Terr? I think she needs it. Seriously, Sabrina, if you read it, you'd realize, "I could SO write better than this!"
Sabrina...hmmmm. That be a tough one ta touch...
Stalled Stella? Nah, she be fer those who 'ave some words on the page... How 'bout...
No Start Stanley... Now, the way ya deals wit' 'im is ya start sideways... Tricks 'im inta not knowin' yer actually writin'... Stan can be a major roadblock. But treachery works ta see 'im standin' in the road 'e thinks yer gonna take while yer off on a detour...
Fer example... "HEY THERE! STAN! ALL THE ACTION BE TAKING PLACE AT THE STERN... YEAH, OVER THERE... BY THE NOOSE ON THE DECK!
Got's 'im! Now, feed 'im ta the sharks, the Kraken or Nessie? I say let's divide 'is attention even more, and dice 'im up...pieces ta all of 'em!
Aye, Sabrina...don't wait fer soon. Open yer laptop today and write a page. Trust me. One page...
Here, have a Kraken's Feast and if'n that critic tries anything, just fling some slime on 'im!
Wow, the ship is extremely bloody this morning! The way things are going we should all be typing our little hearts out by tomorrow morning!
I think there are several that hound me (excuse me if I can't recall their names - I feel like I'm playing one of those specialized Candy Land games where none of the people are who they're suppose to be! LOL)... definitely a little Parental Disappointment, and a little Sheepish Shameful Puritan, but a whole lot of the Gum Smacking Teen.
It's funny but the older I get the less worried I am about what other people will think and more concerned that they'll be disinterested. That didn't click with me until I read Marnee's post but I think that's huge.
I had to think for a second. What book? Then I realized THAT book. Yep, that will give anyone the motivation to say, "I can do better than this!"
Sabrina - Now that you've outed yourself, you do realize you have to write something. Hell, start with something short. Drabbles got me going. Write 500 words using the quote, "Get off the cross, somebody needs the wood." Doesn't matter where ya fit it in, just make one of your characters say it.
No more than 500 words, then let us know when it's done so we can force you to share. LOL! Really, I'm not kidding. I LOVE writing these short little things and having to keep to 500 words makes you a master at only keeping what you need.
Ah...Irish. The Bored wit' ya Betty. That be a subtle one, I grant ya. Seems like nothin' ya puts tagether gets a rise from this lass...until ya feel like it be no use. If'n ya can't entertain Betty...ya must be the most dull person on the earth...
I bet she ain't bored today! Invite her ta the ship and serve 'er up some excitement! We knows ya ain't a gift ta the yawners... WE KNOWS IT! So... How shall we entertain Betty?
Sin could dance...see how those stars flash? I could jungle me knives... Bright ain't they? Terrio be showin' off her skills wit' the cutlass and the Cap'n be slicin' shirts offa the hotties with her whip... Irish, how 'bout ya show Betty how ya can shoot a cigarette outta her mouth...
Oh! We fergot ta face her sideways! Never mind! Less jus' toss 'er overboard and let the Kraken deal with 'er. Her face weren't nothin' ta bring tears ta the eyes a' the men anyway!
Terrio - I likes the phrase! I may accept that challenge... Sounds like somethin' me H/H would taunt each other with in me latest WIP...
Come on, Sabrina...we can takes it!
Fer those who might be interested... This be where I plan on spendin' me Saturday. Relaxin' after a' day a' slaughter on the Revenge...
http://www.norcalpiratefestival.com/mainpage.htm
Hullooo! Revenge friends! My, my, you are a blood thirsty group today! JUST what I need, a few bloodthirsty pirates to help me drown my husbands project managers!! oops sorry I got off subject. WOW! Inner critics are the devil, I think the hardest part, well for me anyway is actually admitting I have one or two or three or...Sin maybe I need a couple of drinks today! I am in what is that mood called? Oh ya bitchy! Terrio do you think I could learn to use on of those ummm sword thingys over there?
Hazzuh! We can teach ya how ta use them cutlass, a smart pistol, a loverly blunderpuss... Cap'n is a master a' the whip, as befits all Captains, and Sin knows all the ninja arts... We gots sword masters, those that can hit a fly from a shoulder with a belaying pin...
Let's jus' set up the fools that be badgerin' ya inta a nice bit a raft...oh...say...out there! Now, I'll shows ya how ta aim the cannon...
*BOOM!!!
Now, don't that feel better? Ain't it interestin' how the sharks churn the water up like that?
Aye, admittin' these scoundrals hang about we writers be the first steps ta wisdom in dealin' wit' 'em!
I got a flyer for a Ren Faire in Bristol (WI), which would be QUITE the road trip, but tempting. *LOL*
Sin, you up for a road trip?
All slaughter aside, I finds the worst a' me critics are those that disguise themselves as wantin' what is best fer me. The ones that hide behind a veil of seein' me do better, or improve me education, or teach me a lesson that I be glad fer later on...
Aye, the academics. Or so they likes ta call themselves. I be doin' good with the ones from the family of fear...after nearly dyin', they don't hide well from me anymore. Ya knows them...the ones that whisper that it be much safer not ta put yerself out there... You might jus' DIE!
Ha! Trick's on them, been there, done that, so they don't hold much power over me.
But the academics...the priests, shamans, teachers...they be me worst enemies right now.
"Now what lesson can be learned from this...?" Leticia the Lecturer whispers at me. "Let's pause and make sure we understand why this happened before we move forward, shall we?"
She be a great waster a' time...
Here's ta the academics, forever may they feed the Kraken!
Terrio - This be no reflection on you and the help ya been givin' me in understanding the RT stuff. That be the good side a' opening eyes ta the options life offers.
I mean the ones that wants ta dig at every nuance and uncover scenarios so far out there, they are in outerspace. Like me thinkin' I be pitchin' and once I say the title of me book, eyes will roll... "Oh, the one JF wrote about in RT..." Wave of a hand, "Go away, dear..."
Like, never gonna happen! But...me academics try ta convince me the lesson be about not takin' such chances and if'n I do, I deserve the dismissal...
"And what have we learned?"
LA LA LA LA LA LA!
- SPLASH!!!
Thanks, luv. I needed them taught a lesson 'bout meddlin' here on the Revenge. I likes how the cap and gown floats on the water... Ain't that nice?
Ahoy! Mates, be sharp eyed and ready to repell all boarders. I be headin' out wit' me DH. Be checkin' in at every opportunity...
Keep up the good work...and feed the Kraken!
*ears perking* Did you say ROAD TRIP!!
Omigosh, I love road trips!
I'm debating a road trip to KC for this concert the Tuesday after Independence day. I need to exude a little extra energy. Remember the high I was on after 10 Years. Imagine what I could do with this... I could write like a fiend.
Okay pirates…I’ll be taking you up on that challenge. 500 words using the quote “Get off the cross, somebody needs the wood.”
Since I’m finally home this weekend, after weeks of being away, I’ll try to have it done by Monday.
How’s that for a deadline?
Thanks for the push!:) Oh, and the book 2nd Chance emailed me about - I received a free copy and just haven't read it yet - I might just have to now!
Sin, my road trip is for a Ren Faire. *LOL* You know, where they dress up crazy and sing drinking pub songs. I don't know if that's your kind of writing inspiration--I just find road trips to be good for the soul.
However, I remember you after a musical road trip, complete with dancing and wild behavior, and you wrote like a fiend. I vote for the KC road trip. That one is a definite. Is my soul sister going with you? I know she has better taste in music than me and attends these things with you when she can.
Sabrina, we'll hold you to it. *grins* Just because we're alcoholics here, doesn't mean we'll forget to ask on Monday.
I'm partial to the "wood" sentence too, but since Terri is pillaging our private conversations *LOL*, I'll throw in the other quotation we were using: "We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low."
I always like a choice about what I do my madwrite on. Not too many choices, but two is good.
Yeah, Chance probably knows the book in question too. *LOL* I just know Terri showed it to me when I visited her in May. *LOL*
I just heard 10 Years a little while ago. I *heart* Yahoo Launch.
Sorry, kidlet is here wit me and we headed out for some lunch. School is officially out and by tomorrow, I'll officially be footloose and fancy free. For the next 10 weeks at least.
Lady Jane - Chance is right, I can teach ya ta use all the weapons at yer disposal. Slice 'em, dice 'em, chain 'em, and mame 'em, that's what we do. To IC's that is.
Yes, that quote is straight from Hellie. I was busy and needed something in a flash and it was in the front of me mind. LOL! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I would play this game too, but I have 20 pages of a final business paper to write by Sunday night and I haven't started. You do 500 and I'll do 5000 and we'll meet back here Monday. LOL!
Wonder if I can work that phrase into this paper....
Yes, I'm waiting for confirmation from Manda. Then I have to get my vacation days approved (which is me, marching my ass into the DR's office and tell him) and take off.
That was KC thing. Gah!
Why couldn't the CK thing be ON Independence day. I have that Friday off and I would have flown over and tagged along. LOL!
But you have to be prepared to mosh. I'm going to be deep in the pit.
Omigosh!! That would've been so GREAT!
I have off 2nd-5th anyway for Independence day so I'm having a nice long vacation and only having to take two days. LOL
You can do it, Sin! *shakes black pom poms*
Oh, I'm too old for the pit. LOL! I'll enjoy a cold water on the lawn while you have your fun.
I'm going to try for 500 words this weekend.
You can still fly up for the 4th of July, Terr. I just won't have any exciting live musical events for you. *LOL*
Tempting. Though that's only 10 days before I leave for Nationals. Hmmmm.....
Oh, yeah, I forgot about Nationals. *LOL* You'd probably smother me in my sleep anyway. "Can't. Listen. To. Any. More. Updates. About. Harry. Potter."
I'd just have to keep feeding you rum and playing Nickelback over and over. LOL! No deals on plane tickets. Dang.
The 4th, I'm sure, is a big travel weekend.
And it falls on a Saturday too. That's okay, I'll be enjoying the quiet and calm. Moving furniture, writing, possibly doing other things. ;) We'll see.
No, this place is an old club theatre (sorta like the Blue Note, Hellie). No cool water. This concert isn't for the faint of heart. I'm so stoked!
We be here! 30 minutes and the DH has the big interview...we'll see how it goes! Weather be nice here in Petaluma and the NASCAR folks are already crowdin' up the roads...ought to be a nice race on Sunday.
500 word Monday! Yer on!
Take that, ya malicous mischeif makers and evildoingness! We can write! We do write! We be writers!
I see Doubting Dougy going down fer a third time. Ah, nice ta have the deck back ta r'selves. The bar is fully stocked and I figure the rum wasted on the ICs be well spent. I think the Kraken is gettin' ideas 'bout Nessie...
Think all those rum soaked ICs is affectin' 'is judgement?
Good luck DH!!
Sin! I looks ferward ta hearin' how the music sends ya inta the atmosphere...and pages will fall from yer fingers like rain...
Sabrina, sorry. I think I gots a free copy last year! Ain't that funny! Wonder how many they sell since they be givin' so many away. Never read it, tossed it inta me donate bag right off...
Me inner critics are bitchy by I also have a mondo guardian totem that seems ta protect me from the things that might really damage me! Like really bad books...
Aye, me jitters would be better if'n we were back ta full/regular health insurance... And I might get more writin' done if'n he's workin' away from the house during the week.
*Sob
Nah, I be good. We done this afore!
What music ya be thinkin' a takin' time off ta go hear, Sinster?
And if she sings, "Falling" or anything older like off Comalies, Unleashed Memories or their EP, I'm never coming home. I'm going to be following them everywhere.
Lacuna Coil- with Seventh Void, Dommin and Kill Hannah. Kill Hannah is a local band (from what I hear) and I've listened to some Dommin (the CD isn't out yet, but very good goth stuff) and Seventh Void is good metal. But Lacuna Coil... *biting lip* I totally would have Cristina Scabbia's love child babies if it were possible.
Hee, hee. Why not? One a' the authors in my local RWA group spent a year followin' the Moody Blues around the country.
You do know who they are, right?
And I have heard of Lacuna Coil, even if I haven't heard their music. I trusted ya wit' Evanescence, I'll have to find some LC ta listen to. I do find, when I'm feelin' particularly bloodthirsty and frustrated that some really, really loud music in the minivan with a strong bassline and powerful energy...makes me feel better.
Cristina Scabbia? Ya need ta borrow me imaginary phallisetti, dearest?
Yes, imagine me...bright red Dodge Caravan, head bopping up and down as some loud metal music makes the whole thing vibrate. Good thing I live in Santa Cruz and it's just the norm...
If you are going to listen to Lacuna Coil, you must find Unleashed Memories or Comalies because I think those two express the music of LC better than anything else.
hahahahaha *laughing myself overboard*
The caravan is cracking me up.
I'll have ya know that me Caravan is Inferno Red...the brightest bit a red ya ever saw! When it's clean, which it ain't very often. We be savin' water in California...
I'll write the songs down and plug in me headphones and find 'em. I got nothin' else ta do while waitin' ta see how the interview went. Nice Starbucks here...
I do take it easy on the head bopping, as me neck ain't as flexible as it once was...
"Falling Again"
"Distant Sun"
"The Ghost Woman and the Hunter"
"Heaven's a lie"
"Self Deception"
"Reverie"
"When a Dead Man Walks"
"A Current Obsession"
There are plenty more but those are the one off the top of my head.
Reverie! That's me china pattern! Hee, hee.
Ah, Friday and the crew is off lazin' and preparin' fer the weekend. That's be fine...I'm gonna see if'n I can get Deuce ta take me out flyin'...without leavin' the ship.
Wait! Deuce! Get away from him Don't Deserve Dora! He's mine! Ya worthless hag!
Nice move, Deuce...ya flipped her straight into Bruce the Shark's open maw.
Ah, I love a good bloodspray ta begin the weekend... Now, let's work on those flyin' lessons...
*grin* I do love bloodshed. Please don't mind when I pass out from watch an artery pump blood. It always makes me a little queasy once my imagination gets a hold of it.
Ugh... gross.
And yer writin' vampire fiction? Sin...I worries 'bout ya...
Move on, girl! Look at how Nessie and the Kraken be courtin'... Uh...maybe not. That be makin' me queasy! How do they do...? Nah, don't want ta know...
I bet the slime 'elps... Sea monster lubrication?
Hey! I finished Terrio's challenge. A bit over 500 words... Damn, it's cold in this Starbucks! And no amount a' make believe sea monster sex is warmin' me up.
Sea Monster Sex...with slime. New drink!
There is nothing wrong with blood in itself. It's beautiful. It's the thought of me being near pain. I think I'm too entirely empathetic.
Ah, well... Pain sends me all shockey. I been known ta faint at havin' blood taken. I don't look, I just feel the needle and get all dazed.
I also been known ta rise to the emergency and handle another person havin' put an industrial sized stapler through her thumb, blood and all. Then turn around and hyperventilate when examin' a three day old wound of me own.
Jus' a matter a' perspective, I guess!
Really? I bruise really bad when I have blood taken, but the sight of it doesn't make me faint. Pain's really not an issue for me either. I have a high tolerance. But I think it's the thought of others in pain that I have issues with. It's even hard to write.
Ya be a true empath...
Crew, I 'ope ta be back aboard later. The DH has finished 'is interview, no decision for some weeks ta go, but he feels positive 'bout it...
We be off ta the hotel...
What a jolly time we had today crew! I hopes in the months ta come that ya all 'member today. When yer IC creeps back inta yer head, just whisper...wit' menace now... "Kraken!"
I be here ta remind ya, too! Resist the siren song a' the 'helpful' IC...it's a lie!
What a great blog! For me at least, the inner critics are the ones that keep me from getting anything done. The one that I would like to duct tape and throw in the Kraken has to be 'Benjamin Better'. That jerk won't shut up most of the time, and it's something that I've struggled with for a long time.
I will work on a scene for hours, then go back and reread it, to make sure that it flows the way I want it, and then "Benjamin" will appear, whispering doubts and crits in my ear. Sometimes I can wrestle him into submission, have him bound with massive amounts of duct tape and cowering in the corner, with nothing but a muffled "Mmmm mmmhmmhm". But most times, he wins the battle, and I find myself walking away from the computer in disgust.
Is there a magic potion out there that I can take to make them go away? (I tried Grey Goose and Cran, but sadly that was counterproductive although tasty).
Welcome aboard, Amanda! I'll tells ya, we debated the kill 'em wit' booze scenario on Thursday last. Consenus? Don't work long 'nuff ta be really affective as the booze quotient must increase exponentially to the point of infinity...and blah, blah, blah.
I likes yer spirit a' duct tapin' yer scoundral. Now, ya gots 'im tied up, let's see if Nessie and the Kraken can enjoy untying 'im! My! What a bloody mess they be makin' of it! But silver, red and blue look nice...
From now on, when ya hear the blighter sneakin' inta the room and hoverin' at yer ear, just turn yer head and hiss... "Kraken...Kranken...Kranken"
Wit' luck, this 'ill send 'im coverin' inta the corner without all the muffled complaints.
Honestly, we believe on the Revenge that the best way around these things is ta just keep writing despite the ICs. Sin puts on headphones and writes with music on loud. I sit in me local Starbucks and let the hum a' the folks around me keep the buggers away.
And keep fightin' 'gainst them! And share yer struggles, we'll be there, fightin' 'em off, too! The more the merrier when it comes ta these sorts a' battles.
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