Writer Gatherer Picture Taker

March 24/10 - I'm immersed in Project Gather and Organize. If all goes well I'll soon have all of my files, photos, genealogy research and miscellaneous back-ratted junk condensed from three computers to one. It's a larger task than I imagined when I embarked on this journey. And to make life a little more interesting, I'm scanning all of my photo albums and scrapbooks. In the spirit of in for a penny, in for a pound, I'm labelling to enable cross-referencing by person, place, or thing. Sigh.

Project GO started out as a nice little walk down memory lane but I'm beginning to view my scanner with fear and loathing. I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. With wildfire season lurking on the horizon I'll find some peace of mind in knowing that I can grab a couple of jump drives and keep my memories safely tucked away in my pocket.

May 7/10 - Wow, time flies when you're having fun. Yay, I finished scanning my albums. That's the good news. The bad news is that some anal retentive demon has possessed me and I'm re-organizing and co-ordinating all of my albums and genealogy files... I'll spare you the gory details.

Just wanted to check in, I haven't written a word on my blog break, but all is well. Miss you guys!

All you Moms out there enjoy your day Sunday! I'm heading out tonight to visit the ranch we used to live on, do a little rock hounding, and soak up the sights.

The light green patch to the left is where our old house is, this shot is taken from across the muddy mighty Fraser River. It takes about and hour and half to get there from this point.

The town of Lillooet - getting closer, a quick drive through town and then we'll start the climb up the switchbacks and backtrack along the river to reach the ranch.

The Pub in Lilloett. As far as I know it's still within the boundries of the law to drink and ride... Not that I personally have of course.

Confluence of the Bridge and Fraser Rivers. Taken from the single lane bridge.

The cut on the left side hill is part of the 45km final stretch of the narrow, winding, dirt road to the ranch. It's a bit of an adventure in the winter when it's a sheet of ice.. Did I mention it was also an active logging road?

Me on a hike, rounding up miscreant yearlings out on an illicit alfalfa run.

I'm hoping to round up a few more of these beauties to grace my window sill. Have a great weekend all!

P.S. Phone your Mum.

Unplug Week

I'm taking part in B.J. Anderson's monthly UNPLUG WEEK which starts tomorrow, March 15.

I've put together a new list for tackling my revisions... I'll let you know how that goes, but, so far so good. I also plan to look at my WiP's with these Writing the Perfect Scene tips in mind. This technique sounds abundantly logical in theory.

I can't wait to see what transpires when my left brain collides with my right. Let the games begin.

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself. ~Truman Capote

If you missed the linkage in my last post, I found the scene writing info at 102 Resources for Fiction Writer's. 

Have a good week all!

Nuggets of Writerly Goodness

I stumbled across a great site yesterday: 102 Resources for Fiction Writers. It's a veritable goldmine of linkage - I explored in that cave for a few hours.   

The Alchemists Name Generator may come in handy for naming some of my off-planet characters,

and I had to check out the Cliché Finder while I was there.

There's about a hundred more where those came from. I don't recall hitting any dead links, so that was a bonus. Let me know if you come across any good nuggets!

Answer to Yesterday's What Book Am I?

In the first scene of Dirty Dancing (in the family car) Baby Houseman is reading:

The Plight of the Peasant by Gregg MacPherson.

I attempted to google for info and/or a cover shot of the author and book, but they're either obscure or the book jacket was created as a prop. The title is in keeping with Baby's intent to study the economics of underdeveloped countries.

One of my characters in Valkrey's Moon is reading, and I just noticed that I neglected to put a title on the book. I'll have to rectify that missed opportunity to show a bit more about my character.

Are any of your characters reading a book? Do they have any magazines cluttering their coffee or kitchen tables? What are your character's favourite books or magazines?

What Book Am I?

Is there anyone out there who hasn't seen Dirty Dancing?

"Anyone? Anyone?"  Sorry - wrong Jennifer Grey movie.

Recall the opening scene of Dirty Dancing: The Housemans are in the family car on their final approach to Kellermans - bucolic scenery visable through the windows of the '63 Olds. Daddy and Mommy are in the front, Baby and Lisa in the back.

Lisa is sitting primly, in a lovely dress, and gazing with critical intent into an ornate object. The article in her hand appears to be a hand mirror. Ahhh, she's inspecting her perfectly made-up face and her sleekly contrived hair-do. No jumping out of the shower, shaking the hair dry, and running out the door for that girl.

And then there's Baby: She's curled up in the corner of the backseat with a book in her hands, sans makeup, wearing cut-off blue jeans, and sporting a sensible low maintainance home perm. I'm guessing that she had no interest in curling and fussing with her hair. In fact, ten bucks says that her mother made her get that perm. (If you're reading today Mum - I'm not bitter:)

There is of course dialogue in this scene, but I've got a pretty good grasp of the characters from the visuals alone.   

Did you happen to notice the title of the book Baby was reading?

RGR Award Lottery

Hi ya'll! Welcome to the first ever Ranch Girl Ramblings Award Lottery. (RGRAL) If you've commented on my blog anytime between the first of January 2010 and now--you are in possession of a RGRAL ticket. I'm gonna grab a big 'ol hat, toss all your names in, and have the cowpoke draw some lucky winners. 


Many thanks to Al at Publish or Perish for rewarding me with the Prolific Blogger Award. I enjoy Al's posts and his awesome photos depicting his life down under. 

The rules of this award are:
1. Every winner of the Prolific Blogger Award has to pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers. Spread some love!
2. Each Prolific Blogger must link to the blog from which he/she has received the award.
3. Every Prolific Blogger must link back to This Post, which explains the origins and motivation for the award.
4. Every Prolific Blogger must visit this post and add his/her name in the Mr. Linky, so that we all can get to know the other winners.

And the winners of the Prolific Blogger Award are:

L.T. at  Quest:Published
B.J. at  B.J. Anderson
Jarmara at  A Mission Impossible for the Nightwriter
Diane at That's What I'm Here For
Diggestive at Writing about everything and a few lists
Whispering Writer at Airing My Dirty Laundry One Sock At A Time
Fragrant Liar at Fragrant Liar

Thanks to the fabulous Tamika at The Write Worship for gifting me with the Butterfly Award. Tamika spins beauty and thought into her words, making her blog a wonderful place to stop for a visit.


And the Butterfly Award goes to:

Tabitha at Through My Eyes
Linda at Writing Out West
Bane at Bane's Blogging Blues
Bridget at J.B. Chicoine-Unsupervised & At Large
Angie at Notes From the Writing Chair
Stacey at Stacey's Respite
Kat at Virginia Kate Sagas

I'd like to thank the 'Poke and his hat for acting as my random generator.

Can anyone come up with names for the characters in the massive hats? I have a few ideas for the gal, she like - totally owns that large tacky hat. But I'm having a serious Where's Waldo moment with the guy here.

They say to avoid stereotypical characters, and he does boast a style all his own... yet I'm sensing a fail here.

Let's say you witnessed this guy commiting a crime. (Other than the glaringly obvious fashion offense) How would you describe him to the authorities? Come on, give it a shot.

Photo credits: Guy in Hat    Gal in Hat   

February Reading List & Yay!

 Pulitzer 1994

Thrillers

 

Romance

Time Travel

Also by Richard Matheson - I Am Legend

Yay! We broke down and bought a new computer so I`ll be spending some time setting everything up, updating, transferring files, etc. etc. etc. Wish me luck, I think I`m going to need it!