In the Past Seven Days I…

Went camping, enjoyed cool fall mornings and warm afternoons.

Took a walk and got some great pictures of autumn ready to rock the Ozarks.

Spent some of it sick, guess it was too much coffee; maybe too much bread.

Flung into the Muse Online Writer’s conference ready to make hay.

So far, I’m doing all right. Just like most of the attendees, I took way too many classes.

With so much to offer each year, the choices are attractive and I simply want to write better.

So I dive right in ready to go.

It’s Thursday, and payday. It’s gotta be deposited and poof! There it goes, and back to the house I go, ready to take on more of the Muse.

Two chats later, I take a stroll through the forums making sure everything is cool, after all, I’m a moderator. I’m all decked out; got a badge with a lion wearing a crown and “moderator” written sideways. In my signature I have Moderator in red, bold font, just so you know who I am.

The house is quiet, but it won’t be for long and it wasn’t. Not in a good way either.

We have this friend; he and his lady have some big issues. She’s crazy.

(I know another person just like her too; someone I’ve known for a long time. But, that’s another story.)


I step outside for a smoke petting my old lady cat when hubby drives up with a friend.

The friend brought an acoustic guitar, cool, I think, maybe he can put some music to my lyrics. I’d forgotten about this guy; extremely talented; he can sing too.

Hubby explains that he’s kicked the girlfriend out of the car because she‘s crazy.

Yay.

She’s a good person, but needs a therapist.

Three times the girl showed up, cussing, shoutin’ and spittin’ mad.

The night ends on a silent note which is great. I don’t know what happened to the couple and hope things work out for them.

The weekend comes. The conference is nearing its end and husband is laid off. Three weeks earlier than I expected, but the good thing about it is he can work on honey-do list. It’s long and will take him all winter to finish, hehehehhehehe.

Saturday night I decide to go to hubby’s audition. Not really an audition, but it is. The lead singer does not show up and the bass player won’t show until midnight I am told. I am reassured that all is okay and they’ll just have fun jamming. Did I mention the guitar player with girlfriend issues is part of this project? We go by to pick them both up and all issues are resolved with me giving girlfriend a hug and a stern warning.

I have to admit the jam place is awesome and without going into detail for the sake of not revealing what they have. These boys could put on a concert, outdoors, without assistance. And Oh My God is it loud! They have great original material and made a new friend. I think I will show him my song lyrics and see what he thinks. He’s one of the writers of the group, maybe he’ll have suggestions.

Sunday brings the writer’s conference to a close, I learned some valuable techniques. I also learned I don’t have to write ten hours a day, all in one setting. I don’t have to feel bad that I can’t accomplish what some can. I have to work, I have a house I love and do not want to live on the street, so I work. If I even write for only fifteen minutes, actual writing time, nothing else, I have more than I started with. I tried it yesterday and got a full page done in a half hour.

If there are any aspiring writers or writers who believe the craft of storytelling is organic matter begging for manipulation, and there is always room for improvement (and there is, don’t kid yourself into thinking you know everything there is to writing) I suggest registering for Muse Online Writer’s Conference for 2011. Below are the details. I’m setting a goal of presenting two manuscripts to pitch at the next conference, possibly earlier. Muse Online is open year round with workshops and pitch sessions. So, follow the information below and get acquainted with Lea Schizas the founder of the award winning Muse Online Writer’s Conference. A wonderful woman who I have the deepest respect for.



All you have to do is visit our website, bookmark it, click on FORUM, and sign up for our general forum, then to scroll as stated above. If they don't take the poll then they will NOT see the 2011 private forum next year. We are not hand holding any writer. No more yahoo registrations. Vote on the poll and you are registered.


For updates as to who will be our presenters, what workshops, who the agents and publishers will be next year I suggest you bookmark our website:

 

http://www.themuseonlinewritersconference.com/

and visit often throughout the year because we are going to be holding more workshops and pitch sessions throughout the year and the calendar of events will be mentioned on the website. All new workshops will be held in the GENERAL FORUM so please make sure to participate in that forum throughout the year after the conference and continue mingling and supporting one another.

Night Stalkers or Day Trippers?

I enjoyed Aron Wong's article about who has the upper hand when it comes to night owls and early birds-


Benjamin Franklin believed that “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” His basic formula is as follows:

Sleep early + Wake up early = Health + Wealth + Wisdom
- from Aron Wong's article Night Owls vs. Early Birds

I do enjoy getting up early, drinking coffee and watching the sun rise, but not for work

It is the nature of most animals to sleep through the night. It is supposed to rejuvenate the soul and repair your body from the daily grind. However, there are nocturnal animals and they do just fine.
My mother is a night owl, as a child growing up, I remember her staying up late into the night. These days, due to her medication she takes and no longer in the work force, she sleeps when she's sleepy.
My father was a cop, therefore he slept when he had the chance. His shifts rotated on a monthly basis and it wasn't until years later did he really establish a sleep pattern. But I think he was the early bird who took naps. Now he is in eternal sleep and does not worry about bedtime.

I have an IQ of 126. I think I got most of that when I worked the fifteen + years on the swing/graveyard shifts. I did make more money. I slept better too because I woke without the aid of an alarm clock. I like being up late at night when the rest of the world is sleeping and the house is quite, it's prime writing time for me.

If I had business to conduct during the day I could get it done before I went to bed. Now I have to take off work....I go to bed by eight pm and rise by three am (using an alarm clock). I think my IQ has dropped to 100 and I cry when I look at my paycheck.

.

For more information about this debate:

http://www.bmj.com/content/317/7174/1675.abstract

And....
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200911/intelligence-the-evolution-night-owls




To visit Aron Wong's blog on this subject go to:
http://www.lookingformylife.com/home/2010/3/16/night-owls-vs-early-birds-who-will-win-morning-or-night-peop.html

Why The Fuss?

Big Bang Theroy or Let There Be LIght?




Which of the two do you think happened?



Since I tend to think on both sides, I agree with both. I think that when God said "Let there be light", all at once gasses formed and a huge explosion occured. The whole Universe as we know it came into existence in this manner. Just because The Bible does not go into scientific detail as to how the Cosmos came to be does not constiute or dismiss the idea of a Big Bang, or evolution. Rational thinkig would suggest science played a large part in God's making of the Universe, but people have died, fought and debated this issue from standing one side or the other, never just looked at it on neutral ground. How stupid are we to think it is one way or the other? Who do you think put that idea in Scholar's and Thinker's heads? Not God.

Fall is here and so is Muse Online Writer's Conference

Cool, crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons signal the beginning of my favorite time of the year. Autumn. Gardens are harvested and plowed. Birds begin their migrations toward warmer climates and the talk of deer season begins it's fevered pitch. The smell of woodsmoke fills the air and aromas of baking goodies fill the kitchen. Shorter days signal trees to begin their glorious displays of color.

It is also time once again for the Muse Online Writer's Conference. One week filled with intense study of prose, grammar, and camaraderie. This conference is different from all others. You get to stay home for one thing,  and attend Muse Online in your jammies should you feel inclined. This is the fifth year of the conference and each year it gets bigger and better. Each year more publishers and agents sign on, each year more workshops are added, and for the second year in a row, you can pitch your great novel idea to a publisher or agent if you wish. It is my fourth year of attending as I firmly believe that writer's should never think they know it all when it comes to perfecting the craft. This once a year event is motivational, inspirational, it is a chance to mingle with other writers and form bonds. You can find a critique group, form a critique group, find and meet new friends who all share the writer's woes. You have mountains of support and the founders are there to help you should you lose your way.
This conference only lasts a week and with so many workshops and chats to choose from it's hard not to overload yourself with them. Even when the conference ends, the site is open year round as they offer workshops and guest speakers too. The best part about Muse Online it is free to attend, but donations are accepted.  And they always need volunteers for moderating the forums and chats. However, registrations are closed for now but next year's registrations will begin shortly after the conference is over. If you always wanted to write a novel and don't know where to start, or an accomplished author, Muse Online Writer's Conference is a great place to go. If you would like to check it out click on the link in the side bar of this blog or here http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com

Words when written, crystallize history; their very structure gives permanence to the unchangeable past- Bacon
A writer is dear and necessary for us only in the measure in which he reveals to us the inner workings of his soul- Leo Tolstoi

ROGER MUSE MOOSE

Is Drinking A Sin?

There are those who say yes, and those who say no. If done in moderation it's okay. Jesus drank wine. Wine is made from grapes, grapes are fruit, fruit is meant to be eaten and pulverized into juice.

I say it depends on the situation.

If you have a drink with dinner, or an after dinner drink, I do not believe this constitutes a sinful mark against your soul. Should you decide to sit under a tree or a sandy knoll on the beach to watch the sun set with a bottle of Corona or a Michelob, no that's enjoying your life and appreciating God's art.
If you attend a party and have a few too many is that a sin? I say it depends on the actions you take thereafter. To get behind the wheel  in a severe intoxicated state is commiting a sin because you take the risk of causing injury or death.
Should your intentions to commit a sinful act stems from drinking, then yes it is.

Go over the top everyday, I'd say you're addicted.


Should you live your life by the bottle then yes it is a sin. Why?
Because you chose to let it lead you down that path.
For more on this debate go to http://philthompsonlive.com/

The Week in Review

Today 9-11, is a day of remembrance; a day to give pause and reflect. This day in September is a day we should never forget. Where were you when you heard about the attack on our country? I was watching the whole thing unfold. The horror I felt when I watched the plane crash into the second tower, the overwhelming sadness as the skies fell silent; the mountain of grief when the towers collapsed. The days that followed were numbing, I stayed glued to the television it seemed, hoping for survivors. I cried and cheered for the brave souls who overtook the plane in Pennsylvania. This is a day to remind us just how venerable we are and still are. We are not safe anymore. This was one time in our recent history where everyone in the world came together. Too bad it took such a terrible incident as an attack for us to do so.

This past week has been a busy one for me. I've got my classes for The Muse Online Writer's Conference in October and from the looks of it, I'll be burning the candle on both ends! This is my fourth year in attendance and I will also be moderating this year, an honor to volunteer for such a great event.

Labor day weekend was a relaxing time for me. Just to get away and be able to have some much needed R&R where I could work on my book without interruption was great medicine indeed. Well, maybe I'll let the butterfly have a look and see what he says.....

It is my hope that this week you are happy and at peace with yourself. Satisfied with all that you do and loving your life.

Getting in order

Hello to all my fans! I know you're wondering where I've been and what's happened to me. Although this is no excuse it is one of my main issues. The lab job I took in May of last year has nearly occupied any extra time I enjoyed when I worked in Water Treatment. Oh how I miss that work schedule. I have strayed from my love for writing during the winter and found myself playing online games. I became addicted to them, not realizing how they ate up the hours I needed to be writing.
Trying to manage four blogs, a website, Myspace, and Facebook did nothing but create mass confusion and a desire not to do anything because of time related issues. My husband switched jobs and now works the same hours I do and so sometimes my alone time is not alone. However, he is not to blame (all the time) and he supports me as only he knows how.  (I plan to pursue my musical interests because of him and the band projects he lands.)
Then there's my cats. Why is it they have to pile themselves on my keyboard or my lap?
I think I've taken a step in the right direction and decided to eliminate some things (not the husband, he's cool.....for now)
As of now, Stuff From The Attic will remain my sole blog site, everything goes here. For me that's made it better already. I have many things planned this year and goals to accomplish, but I needed a moment to think.....
As for my novel "Savant", it's on the back burner. In order for me to make it work right and be believable I need in depth research. I thought I might have had a publisher interested in the book, as it turns out I never received a response back even after several inquiries. Am I upset? No. I really wasn't ready for that, I needed more time and it needs critiquing rounds in my critique group.
What's going on with me today? Glad you asked. I still plan to do some writing oriented issues such as interviewing authors and reviewing writer's websites and blogs. I also have expanded my horizons a bit and have written a couple of songs. I hold many interests in writing, almost all types of writing is intriguing to me and want to write in the ones I like and see what happens. Book reviewing is also an interest of mine and so expect to see a few of those tossed in too.
The projects I have now? Another great question. I am working on a novel I started in November of 2008 called A Day of Reckoning. I decided to work on this one and get it finished because of the content of the story dealing with current issues such as immigration. There are older postings about this project but as the novel comes to a close, I will post more about it at a later date.
As I mentioned I've written a couple of songs, just words, no music put to it yet because I don't know how. I wouldn't mind learning the guitar, but my hands are small, and arthritis has taken it's toll, so I need to find someone who can play and get song to words and see where that goes.
Sometime back I wrote a piece here entitled "What's the purpose of poison ivy?" This particular post seems to have received more comments than other posts and so I plan to follow this up with a reposting of that along with other things which I wonder what their purposes entail. Like mosquitoes....and fleas.....It promises to produce some controversial issues because I plan to come from all sides, biblical, scientifically and personally, for instance, I believe evolution is part of God's plan. I'm sure this is a subject that is not new, but I'm taking it on.
So, I will be coming to my one and only blog more often, staying away from the cute little games and run the husband out of the room. Some of you will probably notice I reposted some material from the former blogs onto this one, but I will have made some revisions and updated them, so they won't be the same.
I'm looking forward to a great year, I believe many wonderful things are in store for me. As the saying goes, "Less is More"!