Operation Bum Glue: The Bipolar Plotter

My MLK weekend was filled with continued plotting. I realized how bipolar my feelings are toward my plot. I love it, I hate it, ideas fly from my head, I can't think of a single thing, and so on and so forth. Not that this is unique. This is undoubtedly the feeling that most authors have most of the time when they're plotting, right? Right??? Writers chime in, make me feel average in this respect!

I ended up adjusting the way I was using my index cards and it ended up making a huge difference in the flow of my thoughts. Instead of cramming multiple ideas onto one card for one scene, I just jotted quick notes onto each card and grouped them as needed. It really freed me up creatively because I could mix and match items instead of feeling locked into the placement of ideas on those original cards.

It's time to delve back into the writing tomorrow morning since I've taken this week to do so much plotting. Making another appearance in my workspace will be my 5 Days a Week goal tracker that Mary got me for my 24th birthday. It'll be a great way to track my word count and feelings about Operation Bum Glue as I work toward some future goal dates.

And a note about Operation Bum Glue success so far... uh, what success? That might have been a bit harsh but OBG has been more plot-focused than writing focused and getting up in the morning is still killer. I have a very difficult time dragging myself out of bed and out of the warm cocoon of fleece blankets I've created for myself. I have a good feeling about OBG going forward, but looking back I think it gets a "needs improvement."

Interruption

I interrupt Operation Bum Glue for the following picture:

I promise this won't turn into the blog of the cat pictures but I had to post this. Dexter will no longer drink out of his water bowl. He prefers the pink cup.

I Am a Spending Machine!

Alright, not really. In fact, I sometimes have such a hard time making the decision to spend money that I have to call Mary, my mum, and further consult with my coworker before I make a purchase. Some might say I'm cheap but I like to refer to it as frugal. My hesitancy was the case with both of the items below. Then I overcame the feeling. I might have to live off of ramen for the next two years but that doesn't mean that I'm not in love with every purchase. These are the sacrifices I must make.

Coat with Capelet
Very victorian and a very beautiful, dark grey. The capelet is removable! This will go very nicely with my other green, red, plum, and black coats. If you thought my goal was to have a rainbow of coats, you would be correct.

Italian Glazed Hollywood Regency Fish Lamps (50s)
I've been eyeing these for a very long time. I visited FrenchBlue & Co. almost twice a week checking to make sure nobody snatched up these lamps. I even strategized with my family about how to make an offer on the fishies. Then, miracle of miracles, the fish went on sale at price even lower than what I'd planned to offer and I couldn't say no. I plan to put either a black or midnight blue drum shade on them once I get them rewired.

Up Next: THE KINDLE

2010 Goal Tackling

Women in Politics was one of my favorite classes at Texas A&M. We explored the challenges women face in the political sphere within the U.S. and we briefly touched upon gender issues outside the states as well. I loved being a communication major and I wouldn't change it but it would have been so interesting to minor in women's studies or perhaps do a double major. Since I can't be back in class, one of my goals for the new year is to tackle several books related to women-specific topics.

The first book on my list is Notes From the Cracked Ceiling by Anne E. Kornblut. The book sounds fascinating, especially given my aforementioned interest in women in politics.

Next up would be Girldrive by Nona Willis Aronowitz. The book explores the role of feminism in the lives of women today through interviews with almost 200 women. I read a book called The F-Word: Feminism in Jeopardy by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner as part of my WiP class and I think this would be a nice tie-in. Plus, I've considered myself a feminist from the time I could first attach meaning to the word.

Rounding out my short list is A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx by Elaine Showalter. I think it's fitting considering the fact that I am and woman and I write.

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Are there any topics outside the realm of your usual reads that you plan to tackle this year?

I have a soccer game this weekend. It's at 1:12. IN THE MORNING. Why?!?!?!?!

Operation Bum Glue: Day 22

I enjoy reading my daily horoscope. So sue me. Yesterday's read was quite fun:

Today, Taurus, you should be feeling especially energetic and enthusiastic. Therefore, this is a great day to start a new enterprise, perhaps involving your home, or just about any kind of life enhancement. More than one opportunity could present itself to you. One could entail creative activities and the other might be more mundane. Undoubtedly, whether you decide to take both or only one, you're going to be busy for a while. Work hard!

Cue Operation Bum Glue: Day 22 and my progress with the WIP! My new Sunday morning ritual seems to be arriving at B&N at opening, nabbing The Best Spot Ever, and settling in for an hour of pleasure reading before I delve into my work. Yesterday I spent a bit of extra time on my character development and I worked with index cards to help flesh out my plot a bit more. It seems I can never plot enough. It also seems to free up my creativity what with all the colored markers and visual nature of using index cards as opposed to using a formal outline. I had a revelation about my turning points as a result of my work and it feels good to move forward on that front.

Sleep seemed to elude me last night. I'm realizing to the fullest extent what it means for ideas to swim around in one's head in bed. I now keep a small notebook (thanks Santa!) handy on my bedside table so I don't forget anything. Most of the ideas will go into other parts of this current work or in future novels though it would have been nice to come up with something for my current scene to help move me along. I will take all the help I can get! But alas, my notebook didn't help me yet I did get a few words on the screen as I sipped my cup of Constant Comment this morning. I'm holding off on final word count because I'd like to get more tonight.

Total Word Count: TBD
Time Writing: TBD

Inspiration for Today:

Nothing is so fatal to the progress of the human mind as to suppose our views of science are ultimate; that there are no mysteries in nature; that our triumphs are complete; and that there are no new worlds to conquer. - Humphry Davy, lecture (1810)

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Design Fate

The other day I came across this interior designed by Miles Redd. This room is me in so many ways. I'm a huge fan of bold black and white stripes, I've wanted a kilim-inspired rug for quite some time, I'm drawn to large white pottery pieces, and I want a cluster of mismatched frames as a focal point on my wall just like this room. I'd change the drapes to a rich green, the couch would need to be more tailored, and the cheetah print chairs aren't quite my style but in general, this room screams Stephanie.



Then imagine my surprise when I discovered this interior by the same Miles Redd. I discovered the above room only yesterday while perusing a favorite blog but I've had a clipping from a magazine of the below bedroom for about 5 years. This is my dream bedroom and I had no idea they were the same designer until a fortuitous Google search this evening. Basically, this must mean that Miles Redd is my design soulmate, right?

Operation Bum Glue: Day ?

I'm clueless as to what day of OBG I'm on. I'll figure it out in the upcoming week but it's not all that important since it's been awhile since the glue has been effective. Yep, no writing. Today is a fresh start. I wish yesterday would have been the day, being the first of the year and all, but I'll manage.

What I have been doing is cramming in a lot of craft. I still think my preparation going into the writing was part of what held me back. I'm the kind of person that doesn't like doing something unless I can do it well or unless I know that it might not be the best but it's improving. I'm in the latter mindset right now.

When I'm not working on craft, I'm reading. A few recent reads:

Second Sight by Amanda Quick
The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alexander McCall Smith
Succulent Wild Woman by SARK

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