The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
The Road Goes Ever On - J.R.R. Tolkien
I started my advanced novel writing course a few months ago, and on Monday I turned in my final session. I'm now anxiously awaiting my final critique, and I wonder what kind of parting advice I'll be getting. Will this lead me on to some larger way, as the poem says? I cannot say; but I sincerely hope this is not the end!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
'Tis the Season
Yule by Kenneth Klein
Amongst the oak and holly leaves
The wren and robin sat between
"Come", the wren croaked, "I shall sing
A song of winter cold.
"My brother is the far-flung crow
The black death-watch upon the snow
The swordless Horned One to him goes
When Autumn sun wanes cold.
"My Sister of Dark Night is queen
The hag that lives the moons between
Her womb is barren now of seed
Her lover grey and old.
"And where have you been, robin brother?
Gone to see your white-breast mother?
The white snow covers up her bowers,
She's taken her home of old."
Amidst the oak and holly leaves
The robin silent sat between
Until with sweet voice, calmly
He began a merry song.
"Long has my White-Crow Mother been
With your brother, Black Winged Bran
Until her belly stirs within
As Yuletide sun grows strong.
"And now at sunrise, silent stark,
Between the days and the Winter dark
Rekindled is The Fire's spark
The Oak King sounds the horn.
"In the forest's icy gleam
There goes a shadow, swiftly seen,
The holly and the oak between
The Green Man is reborn.
"So tell me truly, dark-eyed wren,
Where will you the Summer spend?
Until The Wheel is turned again
And Winter casts its thorn?"
But wren's reply was never got
By a golden arrow he'd been shot
And darkness died upon the spot
The holly and the oak between.
The Oak King is now berry-crowned
The Green Man, born the forest 'round
But the wren lays cold upon the ground
The holly and the oak between
And young lads on the darkest night
Their golden arrows swift in flight
Will sing until the morning bright
The sun to welcome in:
"The wren, the wren, the King of the birds,
On Yuletide Day was caught in the furze.
Up with the kettle and down with the pan,
And give us a penny to bury the wren."
I certainly don't know how others feel this time of year, and it is not something I often discuss. It probably sounds weird and mystical, and likely crazy, to others.
After Samhain (Halloween to all you 'normal' people ;), there is a change in the, for lack of a better word, energy in the air, and as each day marches toward Yule, or Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate, the feeling grows stronger.
It is a kind of mixture of the excitement we felt as children waking up to presents, and something inherently darker. Not bad, necessarily, but dark and unfathomable. I feel it strongest at night, and as silly as it may sound there is a sense of magic in the air that has nothing to do with consumerism and presents; but instead of a night repeated over millions of years holding the vast knowledge of the Crone in all her glory, and the hope of the Maiden and the Oak King for the year to come- from the first Longest Night to this one.
Yule, to me and many others no matter what their religion, is a time of rebirth. Whether it is the rebirth of the Sun God, or the birth of the Son of God, it's when we begin the transition to longer days and shorter nights after the longest night of the year. A renewal.
Some Celts believed, unsurprisingly, that the God of the Old Year represented by the Holly King would battle the God of the New Year, the Oak King, and the year continues only because the Holly King loses. On the Goddess side of things, we see the transition from Crone to Maiden, who carried the Oak King now born on Yule.
A lot of Triple Goddess/God transitions, traditions, and lore can be interpreted differently by everyone. It's all interesting and highly individualized.
The point to all this rambling, is to ask everyone to take the time to enjoy that magic in the air, no matter your beliefs. The Longest Night will continue on into the future, for as long as the Earth spins ever on it's axis, but the number of the Nights we experience are numbered; and we should appreciate them while we can.
On the writing front, I got my feedback for Session 4, and I am now working on Session 5 due on Dec. 16th - wish me luck!
Also, for your viewing pleasure - Lindsey Stirling's Celtic Carol.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sometimes, I get a Good Feeling!
"That adrenaline, never giving in // Giving up's not an option, gotta get it in // Witness I got the heart of 20 men // No fear, go to sleep in the lion's den"
Have you ever been so incredibly nervous and excited about something that your chest feels strange, and you've determined this must be what the beginning of a heart attack must be like? That is how I feel each time I submit new portions of my writing to my instructor for the writing course, and I log in to find she's posted her response.
It is such a rush of adrenaline that I almost forget how to breathe.
Each time I submit a new session, I think, "This is it, she'll come back and say my story is going nowhere, it's gotten boring, and I'm wasting my time." The fear kicks the adrenaline into high gear, and my heart is beating as if I'm running for my life.
Isn't that the truth, though? I really am running for my life - a life where people read my work and greatly enjoy it.
Any way, she didn't say that I sucked. There was less technical feedback this time - I do try hard to fix my mistakes and actively incorporate improvements into my writing. It doesn't always mean I'll succeed, though. As any person can tell another - bad habits can be hard to break.
What makes my spirit soar, like every happy event in my life happening happening all in one moment, is this:
"I really like your story—very different. What delightful characterization, excellent use of dialogue and your narrative introspection has the perfect touches of voice that makes Nyx come to life."
If I could sing and/or dance, I would probably be doing one or both. Instead, I'll get close to hyperventilating in excitement.
Alright, deep breath. Time for session 3 to begin.
Have you ever been so incredibly nervous and excited about something that your chest feels strange, and you've determined this must be what the beginning of a heart attack must be like? That is how I feel each time I submit new portions of my writing to my instructor for the writing course, and I log in to find she's posted her response.
It is such a rush of adrenaline that I almost forget how to breathe.
Each time I submit a new session, I think, "This is it, she'll come back and say my story is going nowhere, it's gotten boring, and I'm wasting my time." The fear kicks the adrenaline into high gear, and my heart is beating as if I'm running for my life.
Isn't that the truth, though? I really am running for my life - a life where people read my work and greatly enjoy it.
Any way, she didn't say that I sucked. There was less technical feedback this time - I do try hard to fix my mistakes and actively incorporate improvements into my writing. It doesn't always mean I'll succeed, though. As any person can tell another - bad habits can be hard to break.
What makes my spirit soar, like every happy event in my life happening happening all in one moment, is this:
"I really like your story—very different. What delightful characterization, excellent use of dialogue and your narrative introspection has the perfect touches of voice that makes Nyx come to life."
If I could sing and/or dance, I would probably be doing one or both. Instead, I'll get close to hyperventilating in excitement.
Alright, deep breath. Time for session 3 to begin.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Session One Complete
Whew, what a rush! I'm taking a course to help me write my novel, where every 10 days I turn in 10,000 words to the instructor. She reviews the chapters and sends me feedback on what needs to be improved.
I just finished fixing up the first few chapters, though I am sure they still need a touch-up or two. The feedback was great; constructive but still positive. Best part of all? She likes the story! A person can be taught the mechanics of writing, but as someone once said - it is very difficult to teach the craft of writing.
Since I was basking in the glory of my review from the instructor, the news that neither of my short stories placed in the Wirter's Digest Annual Competition didn't hit me too hard.
On to session two and the next 10k!
I just finished fixing up the first few chapters, though I am sure they still need a touch-up or two. The feedback was great; constructive but still positive. Best part of all? She likes the story! A person can be taught the mechanics of writing, but as someone once said - it is very difficult to teach the craft of writing.
Since I was basking in the glory of my review from the instructor, the news that neither of my short stories placed in the Wirter's Digest Annual Competition didn't hit me too hard.
On to session two and the next 10k!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Hard Work, Work
"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
- Colin Powell
It sure has been a while! Things got a little crazy around here, but hey, that's life.
I decided to take a 15 week, advanced novel writing course to help me with my book. I write 10,000 words every 10 days, and it gets reviewed by Terri Valentine - a published author and screenwriter. It is an amazing opportunity, and I am so thankful I was able to participate in this course.
In the wee hours of the morning today, I turned in my first 10,000 and I am excited to get started on the next 10.
Also, I am anxiously awaiting the results of the Writer's Digest Annual competition, for which I submitted two short stories.
There is also a Sci-Fi/Fantasy contest that I am debating entering. I was thinking of doing a supernatural spin-off on my surrogacy experiences. It should be interesting!
- Colin Powell
It sure has been a while! Things got a little crazy around here, but hey, that's life.
I decided to take a 15 week, advanced novel writing course to help me with my book. I write 10,000 words every 10 days, and it gets reviewed by Terri Valentine - a published author and screenwriter. It is an amazing opportunity, and I am so thankful I was able to participate in this course.
In the wee hours of the morning today, I turned in my first 10,000 and I am excited to get started on the next 10.
Also, I am anxiously awaiting the results of the Writer's Digest Annual competition, for which I submitted two short stories.
There is also a Sci-Fi/Fantasy contest that I am debating entering. I was thinking of doing a supernatural spin-off on my surrogacy experiences. It should be interesting!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
The Pursuit of Perfection
"Don't let perfectionism stop you."
- Laurell K. Hamilton
That is the title of the blog post by one of my favorite authors, and I think it goes a long way to explain why many writers never get past, or even complete, their first draft. It is certainly a helpful piece of advice, and reminds writers that there will not be just one, two, or even seven drafts of a novel.
I would love to point out, "Oh, that is easy for someone who is already a successful published author," but honestly you hear the same advice on most blogs by authors. It may be taking a slightly different slant on the topic, such as the great swampy middle and Jim Butcher, but all in all the advice is the same. Put your head down and drive on.
So that is what I'm going to do. I'll still probably try to get it right the first time, but I'm sure it won't happen.
- Laurell K. Hamilton
That is the title of the blog post by one of my favorite authors, and I think it goes a long way to explain why many writers never get past, or even complete, their first draft. It is certainly a helpful piece of advice, and reminds writers that there will not be just one, two, or even seven drafts of a novel.
I would love to point out, "Oh, that is easy for someone who is already a successful published author," but honestly you hear the same advice on most blogs by authors. It may be taking a slightly different slant on the topic, such as the great swampy middle and Jim Butcher, but all in all the advice is the same. Put your head down and drive on.
So that is what I'm going to do. I'll still probably try to get it right the first time, but I'm sure it won't happen.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
The Grammar Fascists
"If you think an apostrophe was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus, you
will never work for me. If you think a semicolon is a regular colon with
an identity crisis, I will not hire you. If you scatter commas into a
sentence with all the discrimination of a shotgun, you might make it to
the foyer before we politely escort you from the building." - Kyle Wiens, "I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why."
As some of you may know, I frequent a writing website known as Writer's Digest. It is a great place for information, articles, classes and so on for the writing world. When I hopped on over there today there was an article that caught my attention immediately. "Grammar Rules: CEO Stands Up For Grammar (& Why That’s Important)".
As far as grammar is concerned I'll admit to a bit of a teeth grinding, hair-pulling reaction to some of what I see on the internet. Let alone the mistakes I find in writing which has supposedly been through the hands of someone paid to catch said mistakes.
I am nowhere near perfect in the eyes of the Grammar Gods, and as such I rarely call people out on their mistakes. For one, people who make these mistakes probably do not care enough to fix it. I mean really, these are probably not people who lay awake at night fretting over the proper uses of there, they're, and their.
Secondly, the inevitable back and forth of, "I won't listen to what you have to say because your grammar is horrendous!" and "Oh yeah, well your just a grammar Nazi!", gets old after the millionth time. (Hah, see what I did there?)
Sure, it can be difficult to get past how people write in order to comprehend what they're writing about, or even enjoy the writing. *cough* Fifty Shades of Grey *cough*. Does this mean we should belittle and chastise the people who make these mistakes? Eh, I personally don't think it will make a difference. Does it make them stupid? Not necessarily. Will they come across as such? Probably.
On the other hand if they are complaining about people like the CEO above for not hiring them, I find I have little sympathy. People should understand there are certain expectations that come with certain jobs.
"If u tiep lik thys", or "Me to! I'll be their in a second", the person should not be surprised if a company passes them over during the hiring process. Spelling is a whole other animal, and it seems to be taking just as much of a beating as grammar these days.
A writer who writes this way, in my oh so humble opinion, is just lazy. Why say you are dedicated to a craft, but only learn how to do half of it? It would be like a carpenter learning how to cut, carve, whittle and what have you, with wood, but not learn how to put it together properly.
Boggles the mind, it does.
Any way enough of that. Are there grammar mistakes in this post? Yeah, probably. Like I said before, I am certainly not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. That is one of the pitfalls of writing an article on grammar; people will inevitably try and find as many mistakes as they can and blast you for them.
Aside from people whose fields of interest or careers are specific to the proper crafting of grammar, I feel a certain leniency should be applied. It does not, however, mean all rules are out the window for everyone except them.
As some of you may know, I frequent a writing website known as Writer's Digest. It is a great place for information, articles, classes and so on for the writing world. When I hopped on over there today there was an article that caught my attention immediately. "Grammar Rules: CEO Stands Up For Grammar (& Why That’s Important)".
As far as grammar is concerned I'll admit to a bit of a teeth grinding, hair-pulling reaction to some of what I see on the internet. Let alone the mistakes I find in writing which has supposedly been through the hands of someone paid to catch said mistakes.
I am nowhere near perfect in the eyes of the Grammar Gods, and as such I rarely call people out on their mistakes. For one, people who make these mistakes probably do not care enough to fix it. I mean really, these are probably not people who lay awake at night fretting over the proper uses of there, they're, and their.
Secondly, the inevitable back and forth of, "I won't listen to what you have to say because your grammar is horrendous!" and "Oh yeah, well your just a grammar Nazi!", gets old after the millionth time. (Hah, see what I did there?)
Sure, it can be difficult to get past how people write in order to comprehend what they're writing about, or even enjoy the writing. *cough* Fifty Shades of Grey *cough*. Does this mean we should belittle and chastise the people who make these mistakes? Eh, I personally don't think it will make a difference. Does it make them stupid? Not necessarily. Will they come across as such? Probably.
On the other hand if they are complaining about people like the CEO above for not hiring them, I find I have little sympathy. People should understand there are certain expectations that come with certain jobs.
"If u tiep lik thys", or "Me to! I'll be their in a second", the person should not be surprised if a company passes them over during the hiring process. Spelling is a whole other animal, and it seems to be taking just as much of a beating as grammar these days.
A writer who writes this way, in my oh so humble opinion, is just lazy. Why say you are dedicated to a craft, but only learn how to do half of it? It would be like a carpenter learning how to cut, carve, whittle and what have you, with wood, but not learn how to put it together properly.
Boggles the mind, it does.
Any way enough of that. Are there grammar mistakes in this post? Yeah, probably. Like I said before, I am certainly not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. That is one of the pitfalls of writing an article on grammar; people will inevitably try and find as many mistakes as they can and blast you for them.
Aside from people whose fields of interest or careers are specific to the proper crafting of grammar, I feel a certain leniency should be applied. It does not, however, mean all rules are out the window for everyone except them.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Go, baby, go!
"Dreams get you into the future, and add excitement to the present."
-Robert Conklin
The new revision was a hit with the literary agent, and she told me to send my manuscript her way once I have it completed!
Whoo!
I'm still excited about the class, and the new perspective it has brought to my writing. I found the missing link for some of the ideas about the story I thought would never come together, while others were sadly scrapped in the face of literary harmony.
It was an amazingly positive experience, and I'm looking forward to this next step.
-Robert Conklin
The new revision was a hit with the literary agent, and she told me to send my manuscript her way once I have it completed!
Whoo!
I'm still excited about the class, and the new perspective it has brought to my writing. I found the missing link for some of the ideas about the story I thought would never come together, while others were sadly scrapped in the face of literary harmony.
It was an amazingly positive experience, and I'm looking forward to this next step.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Revision and Heart Palpitations
When I sent in my, regrettably, late revision to the workshop teacher, I told her how sorry I was about the mix-up. Then, I saw her reply in my email inbox and I couldn't breathe....just to find out it was her letting me know it was okay, but no comments on my revision yet.
Now my heart is going insane, I'm anxious, and extremely nervous. Around one in ten to half the people in the workshop get asked to present more of their work, or get offered representation. While that would be amazing, I am already over the moon that an agent believes my writing is great. Of course, it doesn't stop me from crossing my fingers she'll want more.
I might be more nervous than the day I got married. At least I knew that was a sure thing, all this waiting is like proposing to someone and they haven't given you an answer yet.
GAH!
Now my heart is going insane, I'm anxious, and extremely nervous. Around one in ten to half the people in the workshop get asked to present more of their work, or get offered representation. While that would be amazing, I am already over the moon that an agent believes my writing is great. Of course, it doesn't stop me from crossing my fingers she'll want more.
I might be more nervous than the day I got married. At least I knew that was a sure thing, all this waiting is like proposing to someone and they haven't given you an answer yet.
GAH!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Time Zone Fail
I had a major headdesk moment today; I forgot the workshop runs on Eastern time and not Pacific time. This means I turned in my revision three hours late for the biggest FML moment of the year.
I'm going to go cry in a corner now.
I'm going to go cry in a corner now.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Good, and the Suprisingly Not so Bad...
I got my first critique back from the literary agents, and while there are things that need to be fixed the overall tone of the feedback is positive.
My strengths were labeled as:
Some of the things she takes issue with get explained in the very next chapter...but I can see how they should be incorporated in the first ten pages; since most literary agents don't go beyond that.
My brain is already brewing on how to change the first chapter, and I'm so excited I can barely type!
I took a five hour right before getting the message in my email, fate, maybe? Should I try to type out some of the new intro tonight, or wait until I'm not running on four hours of sleep, adrenaline, and a caffeine high?
We'll see... Right now I want to do nothing more than jump up and down and scream my somewhat success to the rooftops, hah!
My strengths were labeled as:
- Good writing (booyah!)
- Intriguing heroine (woosh goes the bullet I feel like I dodged)
- Engaging voice
- Interesting premise (whoo!)
Some of the things she takes issue with get explained in the very next chapter...but I can see how they should be incorporated in the first ten pages; since most literary agents don't go beyond that.
My brain is already brewing on how to change the first chapter, and I'm so excited I can barely type!
I took a five hour right before getting the message in my email, fate, maybe? Should I try to type out some of the new intro tonight, or wait until I'm not running on four hours of sleep, adrenaline, and a caffeine high?
We'll see... Right now I want to do nothing more than jump up and down and scream my somewhat success to the rooftops, hah!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Something from Nothing
Major philosophy aside, there are times in life where a person must put themselves, and their wallets, out on a limb to get what they desire. Those of you who know me, know that I truly despise spending money on myself; and it can make me feel a little sick to my stomach at times. It sounds a little more extreme than it is, but it certainly doesn't make me feel good. Now, my husband and daughter are a completely different story, but that is beside the point.
I broke down and purchased a 'class' through Writer's Digest. In this class, a literary agent will review and critique the first ten pages of my manuscript. As anyone who has submitted a query knows, you're not going to get a reason why your query was rejected. It is a short, 'No, thanks!' In my previous post, I stated how this can be a little nerve-wracking; because you don't know if it is an issue with how you presented your manuscript in the query, the content is horrible, or if that agent isn't looking for something in your genre right then.
Having instant access to a literary agent who is actually going to read the manuscript would be all words synonymous with 'amazing'. The hitch in this, however, is spending the money for the class. As a lot of people in the world do, I tend to pull my punches in certain areas to keep from being disappointed too badly. Spending the money for this means I am taking a step in the direction of becoming far more serious about my writing. It can be a little scary, and I don't want to feel like I wasted the money. Right now, it's just time I'm spending.
I'll close with a fortifying quote, and try to get over it. In all honesty though, I probably won't feel any better about it until after the class; so wish me luck!
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
- Michael Jordan
-source-
I broke down and purchased a 'class' through Writer's Digest. In this class, a literary agent will review and critique the first ten pages of my manuscript. As anyone who has submitted a query knows, you're not going to get a reason why your query was rejected. It is a short, 'No, thanks!' In my previous post, I stated how this can be a little nerve-wracking; because you don't know if it is an issue with how you presented your manuscript in the query, the content is horrible, or if that agent isn't looking for something in your genre right then.
Having instant access to a literary agent who is actually going to read the manuscript would be all words synonymous with 'amazing'. The hitch in this, however, is spending the money for the class. As a lot of people in the world do, I tend to pull my punches in certain areas to keep from being disappointed too badly. Spending the money for this means I am taking a step in the direction of becoming far more serious about my writing. It can be a little scary, and I don't want to feel like I wasted the money. Right now, it's just time I'm spending.
I'll close with a fortifying quote, and try to get over it. In all honesty though, I probably won't feel any better about it until after the class; so wish me luck!
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
- Michael Jordan
-source-
Saturday, June 9, 2012
I Bet it all On a Good Run of Bad Luck
"Destiny is a good thing to accept when it's going
your way. When it isn't, don't call it destiny; call it injustice,
treachery, or simple bad luck."
-Joseph Heller
Sometimes in writing, or anything that a person puts a lot of themselves or their passion into, you come across moments where you think, "Is this really what I'm supposed to do? Am I actually good at this? Am I deluding myself?"
I'd like to say that my faith in my writing is unshakable, but I'd be kidding myself. Who doesn't have those moments of self-doubt lurking behind every corner? For writers, it is the waiting period after sending a query out. Then when you get rejected you try to keep a smile, say thanks for your consideration, and move on. They say the project isn't right for them, and not what they are looking for. Then you begin to wonder; "Is it right for anyone?"
Bring on the pity party!
-source-
Any way, enough with the depressing thoughts. They extended the deadline for the Writer's Digest Annual Competition, so I submitted another short story. A lot of times when I listen to music the song will give me an idea for something to write; that was this one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of them places, and October seems so very far away. Yeah I know, it's only a few months, but everyone has experienced that feeling of waiting and hoping for something. It takes for freaking ever!
-Joseph Heller
Sometimes in writing, or anything that a person puts a lot of themselves or their passion into, you come across moments where you think, "Is this really what I'm supposed to do? Am I actually good at this? Am I deluding myself?"
I'd like to say that my faith in my writing is unshakable, but I'd be kidding myself. Who doesn't have those moments of self-doubt lurking behind every corner? For writers, it is the waiting period after sending a query out. Then when you get rejected you try to keep a smile, say thanks for your consideration, and move on. They say the project isn't right for them, and not what they are looking for. Then you begin to wonder; "Is it right for anyone?"
Bring on the pity party!
-source-
Any way, enough with the depressing thoughts. They extended the deadline for the Writer's Digest Annual Competition, so I submitted another short story. A lot of times when I listen to music the song will give me an idea for something to write; that was this one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of them places, and October seems so very far away. Yeah I know, it's only a few months, but everyone has experienced that feeling of waiting and hoping for something. It takes for freaking ever!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Crazies
"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."
- George Bernard Shaw
After reading a humorous family situation (funny only because it is not my situation) on a forum I frequent, and the fact that Nyx will soon be confronting her own lovely family, has me thinking; why in the world do people put up with so much crap from some of their relatives, a.k.a. the crazies?
Yeah, okay, so they're faaaaaaamily. That doesn't buy you a lot of points in my book. Family do not automatically get to crap on other people just because they have the same DNA, or are married to people who have the same DNA. That just won't fly.
I'm not saying throw down the gauntlet for every infraction, but geez, some of the things I see tolerated purely because of blood relation makes me shake my head. This is my thinking on the subject; "Would you tolerate this from someone not related to you? No? Then don't tolerate it from them." Lack of respect is lack of respect; no matter who it is coming from.
Any way, Nyx hasn't become as enlightened as me yet, and persists on punishing herself for the sake of family. Just like with any other family, there are a few people she would really miss if they weren't in her life, but do they truly make up for all the garbage slung her way by the others? Probably not, and like everyone else she'll have to come to this realization on her own.
Until then, a few words of advice:
Don't feed the crazies! It's like giving a Mogwai food after midnight; nothing good can come of it. In fact, feeding the crazies will just spawn little gremlins, but instead of killing you through normal means, (like catapulting you off of your stair lift), they slowly wear your soul down with guilt and passive-aggressive comments at every family function.
- George Bernard Shaw
After reading a humorous family situation (funny only because it is not my situation) on a forum I frequent, and the fact that Nyx will soon be confronting her own lovely family, has me thinking; why in the world do people put up with so much crap from some of their relatives, a.k.a. the crazies?
Yeah, okay, so they're faaaaaaamily. That doesn't buy you a lot of points in my book. Family do not automatically get to crap on other people just because they have the same DNA, or are married to people who have the same DNA. That just won't fly.
I'm not saying throw down the gauntlet for every infraction, but geez, some of the things I see tolerated purely because of blood relation makes me shake my head. This is my thinking on the subject; "Would you tolerate this from someone not related to you? No? Then don't tolerate it from them." Lack of respect is lack of respect; no matter who it is coming from.
Any way, Nyx hasn't become as enlightened as me yet, and persists on punishing herself for the sake of family. Just like with any other family, there are a few people she would really miss if they weren't in her life, but do they truly make up for all the garbage slung her way by the others? Probably not, and like everyone else she'll have to come to this realization on her own.
Until then, a few words of advice:
Don't feed the crazies! It's like giving a Mogwai food after midnight; nothing good can come of it. In fact, feeding the crazies will just spawn little gremlins, but instead of killing you through normal means, (like catapulting you off of your stair lift), they slowly wear your soul down with guilt and passive-aggressive comments at every family function.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Memorial Day
Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping
Words by G.W.R.
Music by Mrs. L. Nella Sweet
published 1867
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, Dear ones days gone by,
Here we bow in holy reverence, Our bosoms heave the heartfelt sigh.
They fell like brave men, true as steel, And pour’d their blood like rain,
We feel we owe them all we have, And can but weep and kneel again.
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do.
Here we find our noble dead, Their spirits soar’d to him above,
Rest they now about his throne, For God is mercy, God is love.
Then let us pray that we may live, As pure and good as they have been,
That dying we may ask of him, To open the gate and let us in.
Kneel where our loves are sleeping, They lost but still were good and true,
Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting, We weep, ‘tis all that we can do.
As a writer, sometimes words will strike a chord in my soul like music, pictures, and even real life events could never hope to touch.
You don't have to agree with war or politics to recognize those who have fallen in the service of a belief that is greater than them as individuals, but made greater by those individuals.
There are times where grand words are needed, yet others where simple ones will do. In honor of those who have passed; I offer my thanks to all of you.
~~~Memorial Day History~~~
Friday, May 25, 2012
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