Sports, Baseball Cards, And Other Unfamiliar Things / Happenings In The Outhouse 27-Jan-2023

Most, if not all, who know me, know that I am not a sports fan.

So why in the world did I start writing a book about baseball (and baseball cards) is truly beyond me.  But that's the way creativity works, I guess.

My current work-in-progress is a Middle Grade novel, inspired by my oldest daughter when we were out tossing a softball around many years ago.  The title struck me right away (I will share this at a later time), and I've had it on the backburner for a long, long time.

When I started it last summer, I didn't quite know the exact direction the story would go.  Well, truth be told, I never know the exact direction any story I've written goes right from the beginning.  Stories unfold as they're written, like opening a Christmas gift you have no clue as to what it is.

I knew the story was going to be about baseball and softball, the latter I'm slightly familiar with as I used to play on a youth softball league in my younger days.  Most of the kids in the town I grew up in played on this league, boys and girls.  But it soon delved into unfamiliar territory when baseball cards came into the story and, soon, baseball and sports in general.

I've done enough research to not completely botch it, but I know there will be details others may point out.  I don't care if I botch it, but I do care to write it with just enough authenticity that it appears I know what I'm talking about.

If you run into unfamiliar things, embrace it and learn.  Not that I'm going to turn into a sports fan or even an expert in baseball card collecting, because I'm not.  But learning new things has been quite fun.  Who knows where it will all lead?

It's Okay To Reset On Stalled Project / Happenings In The Outhouse 20-Jan-2023

I'm not saying my current work-in-progress is stalled completely, but I'm at a point where I'm not clear as t the direction of the story.

All I need is time to think.

I've had a few things going on in the past week that has stalled this project a bit, but not completely.  My mind is still working, sorting out details and asking questions as to the direction on where the story is heading.

Never fear, it will be done.

So I took a few days, hit the pause button, and am now refocusing on the project.  I have no doubt that it will turn out well in the end.

Quick Update / Happenings In The Outhouse 13-Jan-2023

Been a busy week with other non-writing activities--and writing, of course.

I am currently over 52,000 words in my current work-in-progress, a middle grade baseball-related novel.  My initial deadline was February 1st, but that will more than likely be pushed out a little bit.

But no worries, the story is plugging away and I'm loving it!

The Past Isn't Always Your Future / Happenings In The Outhouse 06-Jan-2023

"I'm always bad at math!"

Or fill in math with something else.  Listen to what you're telling yourself.

Listen for the word . . . "always."

If always is followed by something negative, stop thinking about it.  Strive to think the exact opposite.  I recently had a conversation with a younger person who said they were always bad at math because their Dad was bad at math, so therefore they will always be bad at math.  I wanted so bad to reach across and yank the word "bad" and "always" from their mouth.

Then, I tested this person on some flash cards.  Out of two hundred, this person got . . . three wrong.  That's it.  Just three.  And it was multiplying large numbers too.

If you find yourself saying that you're bad at something, do something to fix it.  Or remedy it in a way in your favor.  For myself, I'm not much of a DIY person and would rather hire someone to do a job professionally.  The time spent on other tasks I know I'm good at, to help pay for those who are good at other tasks, is time well spent.

But if I truly had to, I could figure out a way.

Because there always is a way.

What's In Store For 2023 And Beyond / Happenings In The Outhouse 30-Dec-2022

2022 was an interesting year for me, not to put it too mildly.  I saw a lot of changes, in both my work and personal life--and it's all for the positive!

What about 2023?

First, by the end of the year, I reviewed the number of podcasts I subscribe to and compared it with the ones I actually want to listen to.  Once again, I decided to cut many out of my feed.  I cut out roughly half so I no longer see them.  Why did I do this?  Because I found my time was best spent elsewhere instead of listening to needless podcasts.  Or, better yet, watching them add up in my "to listen to" feed and never getting around to them.

I also plan on focusing more on writing, now that certain aspects of my life are in order.  I am currently at the 45,000 word mark in my current work-in-progress.  I am planning on finishing it by February 2023.  Then, I will have to decide what to write next.

I do have some writing education courses stored up that I've been planning on taking for the past few years but for whatever reason have not done them.

2023 will also be the year of concerts.  As of this writing, there are 4-5 my girlfriend and I are planning on going to, and we're sure more will pop up as the year progresses.

The future is bright for sure.

Lessons Learned From A Vince Neil Concert / Happenings In The Outhouse 23-Dec-2022

Earlier this month, I went to a Vince Neil concert at a nearby casino.  It was a blast.  The guitarist and bassist were both from the band Slaughter (who will be playing at the same casino in the middle of January) and the drummer reminded me of Animal from the Muppets.  It was a smaller venue, but the crowd had a great time.  And the band looked like they were having the time of their life.

For those who know me, I'm a huge fan of 1980's hair metal.  Rock bands like Poison, Motley Crue, Skid Row, Warrant, Def Leppard, KISS, Van Halen, Cinderella, Tesla, and countless others (look up Hair Nation on SiriusXM and those are many of the bands I love).

Now, I had read articles prior about Vince's decline in his ability to sing.  But that didn't stop me from going and having a great time.  Heck, it was 1/4 of Motley Crue!  Less than an hour from my house!

And during the concert, this was evident.  However . . . the band made up for it by singing much of the vocals.  And what the band didn't, the crowd sure did!

They improvised.

How many people in life go through struggles, pitfalls, and then just quit?  Vince could just hang up his microphone and say, "I'm done!"  But he doesn't.  He keeps going on, keeps playing, keeps entertaining.  Because at the end of the day, that's all that matters.  What they may have seen as a weakness, they used as a strength.  Vince highlighted the great talents of the other band members.

What are you struggling with that can be turned around?

You Are No Mick Mars / Happenings In The Outhouse 16-Dec-2022

First, a quick update on my work-in-progress.  In the past month, I have doubled my word count.  It is over 44,000 words.  I am slating to finish by January 2023.

In late October 2022, Mick Mars, the guitarist for the heavy metal band Motley Crue, announced his retirement from touring with the band due to a medical condition he has been battling for several decades.  The next day, a guitarist named John 5 was named as Mars's replacement in the upcoming tour.

People love nostalgia.  If you don't believe me, watch the skyrocketing popularity of Stranger Things and everything 1980's.

People also love things to remain the same.  Bands to remain the same, authors to remain the same, companies to remain the same.  Even life in general, people crave it to remain the same.

But like everything, change is inevitable.

I am not familiar with John 5 and I can imagine people saying to him, "You are no Mick Mars" and dismissing him.

If that is the case, you are a fool.  Go to YouTube and search videos of John 5.  He is an amazing guitarist.  Rarely does a band have the same lineup for their entire career span.  And in reading John 5's bio, I am super impressed.

No, he isn't Mick Mars.

Then again, he shouldn't be.

And you shouldn't be whomever you are trying to imitate.

I'm not Stephen King, Rowling, Patterson, or Grisham.