The Wisdom~Writing Wombats CCCXXXI~

Er, first? Is that possible?!

FIRST!!!

Well, shoot! Blowing raspberries at Lisa! Speaking of that whole writing thing and Nano, I suppose I should give that a shot. Nary a word written today.

Third!

And now I'm ripping out my air card and throwing it across the room so I can go Nano.

Mwhahahah!!!!!

First boy!

Well, darn. I was trying for first East Coaster. Nope. That'd be Laurie. First original wombat? Nope, Lisa beat me to it. First girl? Hardly.

How about first to call it a night and go watch the phillies? Yeah, that's me.

First!

First man!

oh good lord.

*snort - just b/c you worked so hard for it! :)

Guys are so amusing. I just love 'em.

Fight! Fight! Fight! (Just trying to start a rumble.)

Oh yeah?

Yeah, you want to do the man dance? (I stole that from The Way of the Gun)

oh, but first, if you want to read nice things about me (I didn't pay her, honest!) AND see me in my jammies, go here.

If not, that's okay, too.

I love Taz.

You guys sure had a wonderful time.

That looks like SO much fun, Judi...

I put up the Phantasmagoria winners HERE.

The winning entries are featured on Terrifying Tales and I will be needing addresses for the winning wombats. I attributed all the entries and linked them to the author's Gather page. As always if someone would like to have their entry deleted, for any reason, please just email me and I'll be on it ASAP. Thanks again, it was a blast.

As usual I will be sucked into paper writing, test grading, and Nano this November. We'll see how long I can delude myself into believing I can do all three.

How did I do this before? Having them all here. Must find the strength. It will so quiet when they leave. Blessed quiet. A deep longing sigh.

I must be a hermit and have never realized it. My stomach doesn't agree with the time change. It's sure it's dinner time, and it's not. I need a nap, yes I do.

First grouchy person.

Awww, just cuddle that baby and the grouchy will all go away!

All right I just saw a flyer for a benefit for the local preschool here. Tell me if anything seems weird.

Jewelry, Handbags, Stationary, BioedenTooth Stem Cells, Make-up, Dry Cleaning delivery service, SkinCare, and much more…

I'm going with BioedenTooth Stem Cells as being the "weird" thing. Just a guess though.

Just a guess? What the heck is it? And isn't a bit odd to offer at Holiday Boutique sale?

No clue. Did you google it? Maybe it's wine glasses or something. :-)

No, it's a stem cell collection business using teeth. Thankfully they let them fall out of the kids rather than ripping them out. Ick!

Wow, just wow.... I was hoping it wasn't what it sounded like. Ick, indeed!

The tooth fairy started a side business, I suppose.

No, I'm not procrastinating. Not. Not. I just like to see my icon dominating the entire thread. Doin' a Dana or something like that.

So you do what with them? Put them on your face along with the make-up and skin care products? Or do you make mosaic tops for the tables you found at the flea market?

I thought it was the "stationary"--as opposed to "moving"?

Volunteers Beaker. Can't expect proofreading for what they get paid. Still less disturbing than stem cell banking.

I need to keep Beaker around to help with my homonym problem. I didn't even recognize the error.

I haven't written a word all night. sigh...

I'm preoccupied with planning a trip to Vegas between Christmas and New Year's. I can't decide on a hotel. Oh I know where I WANT to stay, but it's expensive. EXPENSIVE. I'm a simple girl. Do I really need a 700 sq foot suite w/sunken living room and a 17" LCD TV in the bathroom that has a roman bathtub and separate enclosed shower? Maybe....

Off to write. I'm afraid to look at Dale's Nano numbers. I'll probably burst into tears.

You absolutely need a 700 sq. ft. suite with a sunken living room. Think how it will console you over the money you lose in the casino.

If I get that suite, I won't want to leave it to do any gambling. It's GORGEOUS!

Sounds like research for an upcoming novel.

Second grouchy person. But Wendy doesn't count because it's her thread so... FIRST grouchy person!!

Okay, I looked at the Nano numbers and my only two male contacts, John and Dale, BOTH made me cry. Meanies!!

Now that I'm done pretending to pout. WOOT, Dale!!14K+ You da man!

I'm going to write now.

Yep, here I go.

I'm not feeling it, but I need to do it anyway.

Prolly need to boot up "Write or Die".

sigh... I hate weekdays. Work SUCKS all my creative energy out.

So I'm going now...

Yeah.

To write some words.

Here I go......

Going now.

Yeah......

Love to Sia.

Yes! Sia, thank you for sharing Roland (and his courage, and his wit) with the rest of us. He will be missed.

So true. Sia, your family's in my thoughts and prayers.

I HATE the 200 words I've written today. HATE HATE HATE them.

200 words. Sigh.

Pushing off to write more. Going to hate them, too ...

Hugs for Sia. It just seems unfair that Roland had done so well, then took a turn for the worse. Wishing peace and offering prayers to Sia and her family.

I'm enjoying the world series. Could this be the night? We'll see.

Yes, Massachusetts does have this strange candlestick bowling. The pins are skinny and it is really easy to miss them. One of my colleagues caught me in action. I'll have to see if he can send the picture to me.

Tonight, we reconnoitered directly to a Cape pub after a day of planning that had featured the usual gnashing of teeth and other fun stuff. It will be good to head back home tomorrow afternoon.

I just figured it was like one of those fair games. Thought the distance added a degree of difficulty, and the weighty ball concerned me, but didn't stop me. All those years of softball did not go to waste.

Our street is closed all day tomorrow for repairs and repaving.

It's going to be inky-stinky when they start laying that asphalt. I need to find some clothespins for my nose.

What nose, Rand? All I see are two perfectly round, yellow eyes and a bow shaped mouth with two pointy bottom teeth. If you have a nose, I don't see it.

It's in the back.

I find that highly disturbing.

I get it--you can see where you're going and smell where you've been.

Please note, I did not say "where you went" because that could be misconstrued as a vulgar comment, and I am never vulgar.

I think Dale is participating in NaNoWriWeek instead of NaNoWriMo. 15000 words? Seriously? WTF.... He'll be done with his entire novel by Sunday.

My 7200 are paltry in comparison. :-(

And I reread what I wrote that first night on Nano at midnight. OMG, it's horrible. Just horrible. I'll have to rewrite the entire opening. In December. I ain't cutting a word until then.

Jamie you're still awesome, Dale...insane. I'm at 1664, so you're toasting me.

My Nano's the opposite. My first 3,600 words were good. (well, relatively speaking) It's the 2,000 I've written the last two nights that suck. I blame work, too. By the time I regain my focus on the story enough to write weller (see?) on a weeknight, it's time for bed. Like now. *sigh*

Totally identify with that, Jill. I think we should get a month of paid vacation during Nano. I'll bring it up with my boss. See what he says. And then watch him laugh himself stupid.

Says the woman who had 25000 words after 10 days of last years Nano. Yes you Jamie. Cracks the wet noodle.. Jace needs his story dammit!

Mine all suck, Jamie, if that's any consolation.

Still waiting for the "humor" voice to surface.

Mine suck.

I have zero for the day, so sucky or not,yours are still better than mine!

I did 5645 words today, which I think is a record for me for one day. I was shooting for 6000, but unless I get another burst of energy I won't make it. I think this the third time I've done more than 5000 words in a day, and every time I tell myself never again. It's a lot of stress on both mind and body, and there is still a lot of Nano to go. I love the word-count though.

Ooooh! Just saw my son's traler for The Road. During the World Series, no less!

Way cool.

Yay!

I never get to be first on a Wombat thread, so I am claiming to be the first mountain woman. So what if this is the fortieth comment!

Not much happening in my Nano right now. sigh I'm going to give it a go again after DH is off to bed. I get so little time with him during the week.

sending love and peace to Sia and her family

Dana, thank you for Ravenous Wednesday. I had such a good time today!

Pat, it was a delight to have you on the blog! Adele says so too!

Good to know I didn't wear out my welcome!

Wanda, I forgot -- one of the stories in the anthology is my "The Stygian Night." That was my slushpile contest entry -- I turned it into a short story. You will be the first to read it!

Hugs to Sia. I can't imagine how she has coped with so many problems and sorrows in such a short time.

What is this? A mini Dana?

I'm procrastinating. I have to do a No Whine discussion article. And I have to write a sentence for my WIP. So much work! :)

Yep, a mini Dana.

Now that I have the floor, I find I have nothing left to say.

Okay, I can think of something. My blog tour is half over today, and I know that I am going to miss it when I am through. It's been a kick visiting all those blogs.

I went looking for the yaks again today, and the silly beasts weren't interested in being photographed, so I got pictures of chickens instead.

Didn't want to stop yakking long enough? (I slay myself.)

Yakking would have been more fun. They were napping.

I hate it when that happens.

I am going to repost my original comment. folks.

I should be posting those here on gather as I planned, but this is more fun.

Well, I guess that's my signal to get to work. Later, all.

Hmm, apparently I'm starting another Dana?

This is too easy, folks!

I'm going to fill up your thread while you are writing.

I could write my sentence here.

But would that be cheating?

He looked down and discovered he was wearing a hot pink and lime green fake fur loin cloth.

When he'd actually paid for rose and willow slubbed silk.

Except in his new world, there is no money and nothing to buy. Poor thing.

Okay, that's it. I finished my MyWriMo stint for the day.

Heck, if NaNo could be done on chat threads, I'd do it too. Good Dana, btw, Pat!

If I wrote a Romance the main heartthrob's name would be DEX BLOOD -Too obvious, you say? And the terrible heartbreaker's name, the bitch's name, Synthia Aristocracci

Just thinking out loud, oddly enough. Don't judge me. HEHE

Later on, talented people ~

If it's parody, sure. If not...prolly not, IMO...

It's my try at humor, Lisa.

Go Yanks. Not to be confused with yaks.

pfft.

Who set Pat B. loose? OM goodness woman.

I can't be the first cranky person because it's my thread? Well that just sucks rocks. lol
Pat S., I cuddled the baby and am no longer cranky. I'm still very tired.

Paul, those would indeed be novel names. Horror Romance cross-over. Interesting.

Later Bats

There, I surpassed John. I now have 7575 words. A visually appealing number. I'll be catching up with Dale this weekend. Yep.

But by then he'll be even farther ahead of you, she said comfortingly.

Ah, but Laurie has never seen "Determined Jamie" writing over a weekend before.

Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa!

I need more chocolate....

OK, I officially give up for the day. A koala bear just walked into my story.

I blame Jamie.

Good night, 'bats.

I get off work at noon tomorrow, btw. Just sayin'.......

Wow, I'm seeing some impressive Nano numbers! Go Wombats go!

As for me, I'm working on my dreaded synopsis. Ugh.

Sherrie, you have all my sympathies and any chocolate I have laying around. Honest, I hate doing synopses more than just about anything! Sooo, is this going in the GH this year??

Yay! Sympathy and chocolate. I feel better already!

On the GH, I'm on the fence. How about you, Pat? I know you were concerned about the deadline's proximity to Nano? Did you send your GH materials in? Hmmmmm???

Still waffling, still reviewing. Which is what I'm doing instead of Nano. Or together with Nano. Or on days like today I say 'to the devil with it all' and sit on the lanai and read books about Anne Bonny, my last year's Nano! And tomorrow is shopping day, so there will be no writing then, either!

That sounds like a couple of fine days to me, Pat! Sometimes, getting away from writing is the best way to recharge.

Selfishly, I'm kind of hoping you enter the GH, because I'll probably be going this year (mostly because Nashville is driving distance and all), and I can obnoxiously root for you.

Sherrie - enter it!!! You HAVE to, woman!

And I can obnoxiously root for Sherrie! And I'm trying to talk our Beth into making that leap as well! Honestly, Sherrie, I'll have no idea until the last possible minute, and I'll either hit send on the "payment" button or will toddle off to the lanai with a Manhatten and well-wishes for someone else! Honestly, the contest circuit has not been kind to me this year, so I'm thinking it's sort of time to move on to something new. We'll see. And definately, you should go for it!

Maybe we should ALL enter. I can see it now. A Wombat sweep! Golden Hearts! RITAs! Whooooo!!!!

What category would everyone be entering? Mine would be romantic suspense.

Hey, Sherrie -- I entered in romantic suspense a loooooooooooong time ago. Good luck!

and won...

Wow, that's great Laurie! VERY impressive!

GH? Not sure... Sounds like a contest.

Like I said, Sherrie, it was a loooooooooooooooooooong time ago.

I said this on the last thread but it bears saying again, here.

Thank you. I was still shaky when I spoke with Judi, but I had good friends around me to hold me in person while I cried and my lovely group here, that does the same and so well, even at a distance. It warms my heart, more than you realize. :-)

Jamie, well put. Honey, no one knows what to say at a time like this, but you said it well.

All we can do is let the living know we care. And you all have. I made tears come to my eyes, but in a good way.

Laurie, love the quote and I cried my eyes out when I read that passage as a teen. Truth be known, I would still. And yes, he's in the light now, and no pain.

I'm crying with you, but he is in the light, and there is no longer pain.

Sia, I've already said my words to you. Sending more of the same as you traverse the next few days.

Yay on your nano numbers.

Thank you Dana for handling my blog so very well. What a wonderful discussion, and Lisa, for all your comments as well. The talented Fredsti's strike again.

Pffft, on my rude anonymous stalker. Just remember the wisdom of ducks with water, let it slide off.

James, what a nice thing to say about Roland. He's sorta been part of the wombat threads, here and there, since this time last year. He was a good man, a caring brother and son. And, my friend. He will be dearly missed.

I have share a scene from last night with you all.

Roland and his wacky critters. He wanted to be outside and around his family and he wanted a party. On an afternoon so perfect it hurt your heart to see. A gorgeous fat moon to watch bathe us all in silver light. We played music, gave him a hard time. We shared laughter and love. And picked on him about his hair (he couldn't get it the 'bed head' look to totally go away, but not for the lack of trying), just sibling stuff.

Franz, which Roland had raised from a day old Gosling, along with his harem, all came up yesterday afternoon. Franz took it upon himself to inspect Roland's wheelchair, mouthed the shiny silver, made sure no bugs were on it. He was very serious about his job, you see, making all sorts of rumbling noises. Made Roland laugh. Once Franz was assured the chair was *perfect* settled at Roland's feet, with his ladies in a semi circle around the chair. Believe me, he was standing guard. All Roland had to say was, "Franz, behave!" and he would settle down and let people approach Roland. Funny to watch a goose occasionally pick at something on Roland's slipper and I swear, to watch him you'd think that he was asking, periodically, "You okay?"

Roland has a pet Banty rooster (also raise from the egg). Well he has to fly up on the handle of the chair. Oh Franz did not like that. He rose up to his considerable height (not to mention, the sucker has to weigh 45 lbs, at least) and honked and fluffed his wings like he was going to fly up and get the little rooster. Poor Banty gave a distressed cackle, walked up closer to Roland and peck at his ear, as he always does. I think Franz told him he had about 15 seconds to move or his butt before Franz took it apart, feather by feather. lolol! Banty flew off about 15 feet away and crowed, as if to say, 'you don't scare me', ruffled his feathers and off he strutted. Testosterone at it's finest.

It was a great picture, Roland, with his Silver cat attached to his lap against his side, Roland tapping his foot to the music, a flock of geese surrounding him, family scattered throughout the yard, the beautiful afternoon sunshine. Seeing Roland throw back his head and laugh.

I want to treasure that view of him the day before he died. It was a good day.

After reading both threads now, my mind is calm enough to turn off and go to sleep.

Thanks, 'Bats.

I'm so glad you had this day, Sia. I can totally picture it. It's beautiful. I hope for a fraction of this grace for me and for my loved ones when our times come.

What a wonderful treasure and tribute, Sia.

Sounds like pure magic, just beautiful, funny, and utterly perfect.

I can so see that scene, Sia. What a beautiful one. Keep it close.

Ah, Sia, may we all pass with laughter on our lips and dear friends and loved ones by our sides. Hold fast to this memory.

Wow. If I ever put a chraracter named Roland into a story, you can bet your last penny that character will be fully enfused with grace and dignity.

Perfect, Sia. Just perfect.

Now I'm all misty. Wonderful, wonderful time.

What a truly wonderful memory to carry on with you, Sia...and for Roland to take with him into the next phase.

Sia, what a loving and beautiful time for you all. Beauty in sorrow, sadness in the midst of family love. I know you'll treasure those moments forever. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Surely the most wonderful day Sia. You brought us all with you to see Roland. He's bathing in the light, free of pain and illness. Awaiting the arrival of all his loved ones, each in their own turn. Blessing to you all, Sia.

Sia, what a beautiful visual you have painted about Roland and his minions. I'm so glad you had this day together.