Alice Hoffman interview and The Universe takes me by the hand

I'm not quite sure what's going on but for the first time in months I feel like I'm on the right track. I'm not sure if it's serendipity or the Universe taking me by the hand or maybe just plain old dumb luck, but this week I've stumbled onto exactly what I needed at the moment I needed it most.

First it was the Kelly Howell mention on Anne Stuart's blog. Then it was the wonderful link I found on CurtissAnn Matlock's blog and the information Susan Wiggs is providing in her Plotting from the Inside Out workshop. And now Caroline Leavitt led me to this Alice Hoffman interview that really resonated with me.

About two years ago Anne McAllister opened me up to Twyla Tharp's THE CREATIVE HABIT which powered me through the end of a difficult manuscript..

Maybe there's hope for me yet.

Enjoy the interview.

The Lost Weekend

I guess I don't have to tell you how I spent my weekend. I now have stacks of backup CDs and DVDs scattered all around me. I even backed up onto SD cards, a compact flash, and a thumb drive. Me, paranoid? Nah. Just absolutely certain the laptop is going to go belly-up any second.

This is exactly the way it happened last time. A few shots across my bow which I ignored and then POW! The laptop breathed its last, taking with it a good portion of unsaved book-in-progress. It wasn't fun, I can tell you that. The good thing is this laptop is still under warranty so a new hard drive should arrive tomorrow. The question, of course, is do I have the guts to make the switchover now while it's still a matter of choice or do I wait until my hand is forced. I have to admit the thought of transferring everything to a new hard drive, installing all the programs, blah blah blah, makes me want to jump out the bedroom window.

But nothing makes me want to write more than having to play computer doctor. It's an instant shot-in-the-arm to my muse. Assuming I have a muse. I think she's playing Blackjack down in Atlantic City, knocking back frozen margaritas and flirting with the Wrong Kind of Guy while I struggle with the book in progress.

Some girls have all the luck.

Bad C Drive! Bad!

Bad C Drive! Bad!
Originally uploaded by wickedsplitty5

Thanks for the input! (Now I need more . . . )

Thanks, guys, for giving me your take on my Great Blog Makeover. I really appreciate the help. Here's what I've been thinking: it seems to me that websites are kind of last century these days. Everything's The Blog. We're all looking for more info faster and I'm starting to feel that a once a month newsletter on the website just isn't enough. It feels kind of static to me. Maybe too formal.

I could keep the monthly newsletter and still put the blog on the front page of the website if you think that's the way to go. Let me know your thoughts either in Comments or at my Gmail address. (Don't ask about the troubles I'm having with Earthlink. It used to be I didn't get my mail. Now I can't seem to send it.)

We had a fabulous day today down the Shore. Sunny, not too hot, deep blue skies and the Atlantic City Air Show right there on the beach. WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! It was probably the most exciting thing I've ever seen. I've seen the Thunderbirds on television but it's nothing, absolutely nothing, compared to watching them in person. I was the one who didn't want to go. Who cares about some stupid Air Show anyway? I'd rather drive on down to Cape May and stroll around in search of yarn shops and saltwater taffy.

Boy, was I wrong! If you have the chance to see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels or anything similar, jump at it! It's one of those life experiences you'll never forget.

I brought my camera and planned to take some photos but once the show started, my brain shut down! Thank God for YouTube.

Ch-ch-changes

I probably shouldn't say this but I hate this blog. I hate the way it looks. I hate the way I promise myself I'm going to write every day (or every other) and I disappoint myself every time. I hate the title of this blog.

See a theme emerging? I thought so!

What I'm thinking of doing is asking Willa the Wonderful Web Designer to incorporate this blog into my website and make it look more appealing. I'm also thinking of ditching my monthly reader letter at said website and using the blog as my page one. The downside of which is the fact that I would have to post here regularly and frequently.

The question is: can I do it? Can I make that commitment and keep it?

Questions I've got plenty of. Answers? Not so much.

Manana

Superstickies picture
Originally uploaded by wickedsplitty5

(link from Lynn Viehl's Paperback Writer)

Women In Art

I'll spare you the lecture on the scarcity of women artists over the centuries and let you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of women as art in this amazing video by Phillip Scott Johnson.

Enjoy!