Public Schools and Other Institutions

I'm not sure if I've written about this before, but I don't like libraries. I just don't like em! I don't know why my tax dollars have to pay for a building to house a bunch of old musty books. Now, as a book lover, I like the idea of libraries, and I think they had a place in our history, but I think that place is long gone. I think they're too expensive and outdated. I bet I could buy old Kindles for every public library user and it would be less administrative cost, more books, and easier for everyone involved. Want to read a book? Go to the city hall and sign out a Kindle. Download the book you want. No grubby old books with dog-eared beat-up pages, filthy and gross. No old women with stern eyes yelling at you about your book being late. Why not have private libraries. Public libraries . . . They're right up there with Doctors' Offices in my book. 

I HATE doctors. I can't think of another industry where I could set an appointment with someone and then when I arrive they make me sign in and wait, then half an hour later they "seat me" or in their case take me to another holding room where I wait even longer. If I made people who came to visit me wait in the lobby, then wait in my office, then I pop in to speak to them for five minutes before dismissing them or handing them over to my assistant, I'd be fired. 

Jenga Stories

I read a really great post on Twitter (HERE) which is so full of great advice that I plan to repost in many different ways over the course of the next few weeks. This first one is on Jenga Stories. 

What’s a Jenga Story? Took me a second too, but it’s basically where you start with the end in mind. Nathan, in that link, brings up a couple of stories that use this form, Pulp Fiction, Saving Private Ryan, are his examples. 

Moments to Memories

 I ran into a meme today that I really wanted to share. I do this often. I'll hit things that I think are interesting, intriguing, compelling, or telling, and I'll catalog them HERE. It's been a while, but here's one. 

It was a simple cartoon, but it hit me. There was an older fella, grandfather type, who was sleeping in his bed with his wife, also older, a grandmother. They're both smiling as they sleep. Then there is a second image, this time the man is alone and there is a definite lack of someone next to him. His wife, the grandmother is gone. And you can tell the man is sad that he's found himself alone. 

Weekly Writing Status Update - 1

 I started reading another book on writing. This one is called Intuitive Writing by Jaqueline Fisch. It’s supposed to be a book about how to write more and with more focus. What I’ve found is that when she says “writing” she means all writing. Copy writing, writing emails, newsletters, etc. etc. Now she does talk about creative writing, which is why I picked this up, but the author means it all. 

She also encourages the reader to complete the chapter exercises. So I’m going to use this space to do just that. 

First Line in Love Will Tear Us Apart

I'm reading a series of series. I've just finished a few and now I'm back into the Stranger Times series. This is the most fun of all of my series. 

I love the characters. They're fun and it's light. Love this series. 

A Game of Thrones Again (Again)

I've been into series books lately. So, since I'm in to series, I went back to a series I've read several times. Game of Thrones . . . or more correctly . . . The Song of Ice and Fire.

I've read this several times. I read A Game of Thrones when it first came out. Then when A Storm of Swords came out I read Game of Thrones again, then read Storm of Swords. When Clash of Kings came out, I read Game of Thrones, then Storm of Swords, then Clash of Kings. See the pattern?

Second Time Reading Third Deadly Sin

 So, you read so much about not looking at screens before you go to bed, how it effects your sleep, that I decided a while back to listen to the advice and give it a try. The first book I read before bed was a book about Rangers, the next was a horrible book on Delta Force. The problem with these books is that in some respects I’ve lived the live, I know how hard it is, there is no mystique about being wet, muddy, tired, or pushed beyond your limits. And if you can’t actually write well . . . Pass.

ANYWAY, back to the point. I’ve been doing this for several months now. And does it seem to be working? Seems to be. 

First Line Right Now (at Night)

So, you read so much about not looking at screens before you go to bed, how it effects your sleep, that I decided a while back to listen to the advice and give it a try. The first book I read before bed was a book about Rangers, the next was a horrible book on Delta Force. The problem with these books is that in some respects I’ve lived the live, I know how hard it is, there is no mystique about being wet, muddy, tired, or pushed beyond your limits. And if you can’t actually write well . . . Pass. 

ANYWAY, back to the point. I’ve been doing this for several months now. And does it seem to be working? Seems to be. 

Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis

I heard a great podcast this morning that was all about ophiocordyceps unilateralis, a fungus that infects ants and drives them manic or insane. The podcast likened this fungus in ants to the idea that people need leaders, or that leaders are better and more apt that people. It was a bit of a libertarian podcast as you can guess. 

It's an interesting concept, the zombie ant, and anyone can easily see how it could be translated into a terrific zombie movie or zombie series. Fungus that is supposed to infect ants crosses over to infect humans. It writes itself to a degree. 

Make a Schedule

 I'm reading "How to Write Alot" by Paul J. Silvia. Yes, this is for a class  . . . my very last class thanks very much. It's on Writing and Publishing in the academic world. So, it should help me move forward on my white papers, my dissertation, and other writing projects. 

I'm trying to also apply his tips and tricks to my personal writing life as well. These . . . among other things . . . are the things I think would be fun to include in a podcast on writing if I ever decide to do "So I'm Writing Another Novel."