Changing things up / Happenings In The Outhouse 22-Feb-2019

A few weeks ago, I was irritated at the slow pace I've been writing my new fantasy epic.  At the rate it's going, and the actual scope of this immense project, I don't feel I'll have it completed before the end of 2019.

Don't get me wrong.  I've been writing quite a bit.  500 words here, 750 there.  And at a fairly steady pace.  But I knew something had to change.

You see, I've been using the previous written pages as an outline.  Well, I had two tabs open on the screen.  One with the new pages, the other with the old.  Going back and forth was getting a bit daunting.

I knew where the story was heading.  So, I sat down with a tablet and read ahead a half-dozen scenes.  I scribbled notes on what I read.
Then, I closed the other tab, set the tablet off to the side, and wrote.  I referred to the notes from time to time, but after a while even the story took on a slightly different direction.  It was better.

It's okay to change things up.  If what you're doing isn't working as efficiently as you'd like, brainstorm on what could be done differently.  Experiment if you have to.

And if one thing doesn't work, try something else.  Find the most efficient way to create.  You'll thank yourself in the end.

Independence / Happenings In The Outhouse 15-Feb-2019

I want to thank all of those who reached out to me to express their gratitude concerning my grandfather.  The heartfelt outpouring has been humbling.

I went to visit with my grandfather Ray on Groundhog Day.  Prior to this visit, I was on the fence about even seeing him.  I was one of a few grandchildren who helped to celebrate his 95th birthday last April, and we always see him when we celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving at my parents' house.  Between my wife and my sister, they convinced me to visit.  And I am both glad and blessed that I did.

Seeing him in such a vulnerable position was difficult to witness.  A hospital bed was situated in the living room, and pictures from his entire family (including his late wife Adelyne, who passed away close to 15 years or so ago) lining the walls.  He slept for a bit, but when he was awake, boy did he love to talk.

At one point, he looked over at me and said something profound.  "Mark, all my life, I've been very independent.  I've always done stuff myself.  This," he said, indicating the current living arrangements, with his children giving him literally 24/7 care (two of his children had come from Lacrosse, Wisconsin, and Bremerton, Washington while the rest live nearby), "I don't like people having to wait on me, hand and foot.  Even the most simple things, I can't do without help."

Independence.

I cherish my independence and have instilled that notion in my three children.
Being independent is another reason why I have chosen to be an indie author when compared to a traditionally published one.  Bookbub recently published a post about each of these paths.  Very interesting read . . .

If a project doesn't work, do something else / Happenings In The Outhouse 08-Feb-2019

For the latter half of 2018, I struggled to write.  It wasn't that I didn't have something to write--I was working on my second romance novel written under a pen name--but, for whatever reason, I wasn't satisfied with it.  Each word was like walking through a thick pile of sludge.

Looking back on it now, I know where I went wrong.  There were parts of the story that didn't fit.

So, I put it on the back burner and wrote a novella titled Garbage Day.  Then, I decided to work on what I had wanted to work on all along: my epic fantasy novel.  I am currently around the 12,000 word mark and it's going very well.

When you find yourself struggling with your current writing project, stop.  Do something else.  Then, when you finish that "something else" look back at the other project.  It's okay to put it on the back burner and work on another project, one you really want to do.

A life, well-lived / Happenings In The Outhouse 01-Feb-2019

Have you ever read an obituary?

I have--I know, morbid huh?  Most obituaries are nothing more than a cold recitation of facts about one's life, a list of living relatives, and who preceded in death before them.  But every once and a while I come across ones that make me pause.  It could be the same listing of facts, but written in such a way--with a bit of humorous flair, perhaps--that make me smile.  It could also be that their list of accomplishments seem vast when compared to mine.  In fact, those are the times when I feel like such a loser when compared to them.

But I shouldn't though.  Everyone's life is different, no matter what age they leave this earth.

Today's post was originally going to have a different slant on a completely different topic--reviews.  But I will save that for another day.  The reason is my grandfather (my mother's Dad) is on, what my Mom she calls, his final journey in this life.  He is 95 and, up to this point, has been the product of good health.  Sure, he's had some bad spells here and there, but overall he was doing fine.  Lately, however, he has taken a turn for the worse.

Reflecting on his life (at this point, he is still alive and kicking, but all of his children are around him, caring for him 24/7) he is the epitome of a well-lived life.  One does not have to cure cancer or invent some doohickey that changed the world in order to have a well-lived life.  I will obviously be sad once my grandpa passes away.

But at the same time I will rejoice.  Rejoice at his life, well-lived.

Reflect on your own life.  Live a full life, starting at no matter what age.  So many wish for retirement days to be right around the corner, then kick the bucket with nothing to show for it.  Find your purpose.

Find what defines your life, well-lived.  Not a well-lived life.  But life, well-lived.