I’m not feeling too inspired with my writing lately. I thought once the kids were in school I’d get right back to it, but instead I’m tired and all of my thoughts keep jumping off of cliffs.
So I’ve been knitting. I single crocheted the seams together (because I hate sewing). This means the seams don’t look as neat and tidy and they could, but this sweater is intentionally ‘sloppy’.
I quite like knitting sleeves. They’re so quick! Especially these short ones. The first one takes a little bit more time as I’m working out when to decrease and just how long I want it to be. Then I get to just follow along for the second one.
I just came home with these books from Target. I’m apparently trying to reconnect with my love of poetry as well as my love of horror. Watering the Soul had me tearing up at the store. It’s beautiful. Heartstopper is something entirely different and my kids are reading them as well, so…
And yes, these are also new books I’m itching to read. I quickly finished the Anita Blake book I was on so I could start one of these, but instead, I’m reading the next Blake book. They have that effect. Plus Edward- I mean Ted Forester- is in this one! (The Killing Dance).
What’s really funny, is I showed my mom The Butchering Art while she’s visiting and she asked if it was her book. She just read it a bit ago and I just bought it. We’ve done this a few times. I mean, it’s not like I got any of my tastes from her or anything. (She loved it, so I’m even more excited!)
Then I’ve got this one in my purse for emergencies. Plus another book I keep in my work bag (The Menopause Manifesto) in case I have time for some reading there.
I feel some guilt for the amount of books I have been buying recently, but I swear I’m done for a little while. The kids are going back to school and I’ve got a book to write. Until then, I know what I’ll be doing.
I spent most of the day reading Bloody Bones, trying to speed through without missing anything.
My friend who introduced me to the series just sent me a fan picture Laurell K. Hamilton shared online. I’m so happy to have someone to geek out with.
I keep thinking of this friend as I’m reading. Besides the obvious themes being my taste, the main character’s feelings about coffee, sexism, being petite, her anger issues, and her constant exploration of right versus wrong were all reasons she thought this story would resonate with me.
I, too, see aspects of my friend in the protagonist as well. The quick wit, the practical fashion sense, the directness, and she’s a total badass.
That picture message led to talk of the books. I mentioned I had forgotten what Jason was like in the beginning. We love Jason. Such a great character! Then I mentioned that I still don’t like Richard. She laughed into a puddle. I do believe we’ve had this conversation before.
I wasn’t going to buy so many books this Summer. I was supposed to focus on what I already own, because I really want to read them all.
I’ve mentioned before that I’m finding my way back to enjoying horror again. I think having young kids and being on my own a lot kept me from being able to indulge in imaginary fears. I was pretty full with my own real ones.
We’ve reached a stage as a family where we can all relax more. We’re all at various stages of healing from our more harrowing years because of that. We’re all feeling safer. More secure than ever before.
This, in turn, has allowed me to start diving back into my love of horror. I can explore these dark themes and ideas again and it feels wonderful. Finding books that fit my tastes has been tough, but that hasn’t stopped me.
These are my latest finds. T. Kingsolver wrote The Twisted Ones, which I loved, so I’m going to try The Hollow Places. Then, The Overnight Guest caught my eye. A psychological thriller. I’m hopeful. After that, I almost lost hope of finding another to get the half off.
The Butchering Art jumped out at me and I got really excited. The Victorian Era has long been fascinating to me. The prudishness and propriety next to the scandalous and brutal is wild. I’m also fascinated by the history of medicine in the Western world. In the hunger for answers almost erasing all the humanity from medicine. And, I’m a sucker for history told as a story.
So, I guess it’s a good thing I’m taking a little break from writing. I’ve got a lot of reading to do.
I’m slowly making my way through this project. I lost my tally sheet at some point, but it was pretty easy to figure out where I was.
It’s still relaxing, but with all the handwriting I’ve been doing, and my job as a massage therapist, I’ve had to be careful how much time I spend on it.
I also ran out of yarn, again. I thought it would be a standard color, but the seasons have changed and this color was no longer on the shelves. So I’m switching to this blue. We’ll see how it works out. So much for my purple scheme.
I’ve got so many sweater ideas. I need to start sketching them out before I forget. If only I could knit faster. Oh well.
So, the problem isn’t that I’ve been watching too many sappy, heartwarming romances. I mean, I am writing a romance. It’s my kids. No. Not them specifically. The lack of uninterrupted time.
I don’t want to keep lurching along with my story. It’s getting really choppy. But school starts soon and I’ll have more time then. So I’m taking a little break, but I’ll still be thinking away at it.
In the meantime, we’re going to be working on getting the house in order and the younger two into a Fall sleep schedule. Wish us luck!
I’m slowly making my way through this difficult bit. It’ll need a lot of revision, but I can do that after I get a lot farther along. When the exact feel of what’s happening is clearer for me.
Part of my issue, I’m sad to say, is that I’ve been watching Heartstopper too much. It’s so sugary and youthful. I can’t quite get into a dark enough headspace with all that sweet romance swirling around with it. I do intend on some wholesome moments later on, but right now is not that time.
To help remedy this I started working on Carmilla. So far I still love it. The ease with which a scene is painted, the emotions enwrapping your own. The dark foreboding clear and yet mysterious.
So onward I trudge through my character’s tangled memories and how they influence his current issues. Yay for character development!
I’m going to work on it tonight. I swear. I have just been working up to it. I don’t really want to have to write this scene, but it has to happen. Even trying to explain it makes me feel queasy.
I did have to do a bit more research for it, which led to distractions. I started reading Carmilla online, but it doesn’t work for me, so I bought it. I’m really excited. Then I found The Mad Women’s Ball on my shelf and remembered buying it for inspiration. Well, more to help me be in the right frame of mind for writing.
I’m still making my way through the Anita Blake books. I’m frustrated that I accidentally skipped a book. I misplaced it the last time I was rereading them. Then I read The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and wanted more, but the library doesn’t have it. So I picked up some Riverdale comics. They were fun.
Now that I’ve done enough messing around, it’s time to get down to business. One bit at a time. As long as I can keep it on track, all will be well. Chow!
I’ll happily admit it. I love this series so much. The sweetness. The emotions. The representation. I’m so happy about the representation.
My kids found the graphic novels first and devoured them. Repeatedly. I was hesitant to let them watch the show because of the rating, but they were so adamant. So, we sat down together so I could monitor content. We plowed through the first season and kept it on repeat for a few weeks. We have had some of the best conversations. My kids love that I’m just as giddy for the show as they are.
I have also become aware of old wounds that I had learned to ignore. Just before watching this, I had some childhood abuse resurface and I was working through that. Then this series opened up other parts of my youth that I see differently now. It’s helped soften the process. Makes the accepting easier.
My whole life I have always seen people’s sexuality as private, personal. I’ve always seen love as a fluid thing. To hear others express the same feelings about coming out, the same fears and expectations of it all that I have felt is a relief. I never had a coming out moment. I never felt part of any group, letting the world assume I was straight wasn’t intentional.
I feel like this is the first time I’ve seen a bi character that wasn’t some kind of freak. We finally get a normal, sweet, down-to-earth type. I can see much of my own experiences in this show. I love how the group accepts him as bisexual and doesn’t question if he’s sure. I love watching him be able to be himself.
There are a lot of layers that create the beauty of this story and the ability of Alice Oseman to create both the books and tv series is incredible. The actors are amazingly talented and I really appreciate their ability to take this story on. I definitely recommend both in whatever order you prefer. I’m going back through season one before watching season two again. Definitely a comfort show.
I’ve taken to sitting on my porch when writing. I live in a very quiet neighborhood and what noise I do hear is soothing. Comforting. The weather was perfect for it the other day. Mildly threatening clouds with a cold, clean breeze. Today the air is thick of irritants.
I’m trying to delicately balance the benefits of my neuroses’s with their less than helpful drawbacks. The folder not only keeps everything in one place, but protects it all against damage from me. The composition notebook organizes the finalized background information, quick references of important plot details to keep me consistent, lists of important references to foods, plants, colors, cultures I’m pulling from, and a quick reference to what’s in each chapter as I’m writing so I can remember what secrets I’ve revealed and when.
I’m using graph paper for building, room, and grounds layouts. The lines help with perspective and keeping me contained. Grounded. Coloring them in was a dangerous endeavor, but I was able to stay focused and not get carried away. Everything is easier to describe now that I have it all laid out. I even drew some clothing designs and a few fountains for the garden.
I’m having so much fun with this. Weaving in so many of my favorite things. Little references to other tales that have become part of who I am. Allowing myself to play as much as the story allows, which is a lot. So, I’m going to get back to it!
The Accidental Domestic Goddess 