Writing, Research, and Recovery

Harry Lloyd as Will Scarlet in BBC's Robin Hood

I fell last Tuesday when we had the big storm...the one that started with freezing rain, then turned to sleet before finally turning to all snow. Initially, I didn't feel like I'd been injured, but later that afternoon, I began feeling sore. I'm mostly fine now, but my left wrist has been giving me a little trouble. I think I probably have a mild sprain. I've been taking it really easy with it, keeping it as immobile as I can. Most of my keyboarding has been with one hand, so it's been slow-going. I'm on the mend, though, thanks to the steps I've been taking to minimize the use of "the bad hand." I've also been using Tiger Balm, and that's worked wonders over the past two days. :)

During all this, I've been watching a lot of Robin Hood (the most recent BBC series)...well, really only one disc. I need to send it back so I can get another one. Anyway, I've been inspired to write a Robin Hood story of my own. During my recovery, I've been doing a lot of research on the Robin Hood legend--the characters, the "real" outlaws, the earliest tales--and I have to say, it's been a blast! I've been coming up with lots of ideas for my story, and I'm still at it.

As for the characters, my story's hero will be Will Scarlet, not Robin Hood, though Robin and the others will be in it. I thought it would be interesting to concentrate on a member of the outlaw band who doesn't really get a lot of attention (at least not from what I've noticed, but I haven't seen or read everything there is about him). He was in the earliest tales, and of all the outlaws, only Will and Little John were with Robin until the end (though Little John was the only one with Robin when he died).

I'm using names of people believed to be the real Robin, John and Will, too. I'm basing their physical appearances on the ones who played them in the BBC series I mentioned, but their personalities will be based on research I've been doing combined with my own imagination. I hope I can do them justice!

I began a short this morning, and it's currently sitting at 801 words. I think it's time to take a break, but I want to get back to it after lunch.

I haven't knitted or crocheted anything since the day I fell. Once my wrist began to bother me, I set it aside. I don't want to injure myself further.

Anyway, since my wrist is feeling somewhat alright at the moment, I wanted to post a quick update here to let you know what I've been doing. I guess it turned out to be a bit longer than I intended, but that's good. :)

Hope this finds you all healthy and happy!

Lois

Two Sunny Days In A Row Really Lifts My Spirits!

I started today around 7:00 a.m. by writing some feedback. I still have one other feedback to write, but I'm saving it for tomorrow morning.

For those of you here who are on Twitter, is it a sign of rudeness not to participate in things like Follow Fridays? I've had people include my name in FF tweets, but I've never returned the favor simply because I don't have the time...and I don't know how to keep track of everyone and how to include them all in my tweets. Suggestions, anyone?

Today is Jeff's last Friday off for a while. I'm not sure if we have any plans or not. If not, I plan to work on the outline for my screenplay. I'd like to have some kind of plotting chat, but don't know if I'll be able to.

Jury duty went well yesterday...for the most part. When they let us go for lunch, the bailiff asked if anyone needed a ride. I raised my hand, but he didn't see me and didn't say where to meet him, so I assumed I could catch him out front of the building. Unfortunately, he went out the back way and didn't see me, so I missed him. However, the judge saw me and asked if I needed a ride and he took me in his car. :) Obviously, we didn't talk about the case at all. He was really nice and it was quite an enjoyable trip. When we got there, he joked about setting the bailiff straight. The bailiff apologized and I got to have lunch with everyone else! :D After lunch, we went back and wrapped up the case. I was home by about 3:00, I believe.

While I was waiting for Eric and Chelsey to pick me up, I went to Coffee & A Good Book to find some books about India, modern day slavery and Hinduism as part of my research for the screenplay. I was only able to find books on Hinduism, so bought a couple of those. Next time I'll try Brandenberg Book Sellers. They have way more books than Coffee & A Good Book, but I love both stores. :)

Yesterday got up to at least 61°. It was sunny all day. Today's supposed to be partly cloudy with a high of 63°, but so far, I don't see a cloud in the sky. I love this weather! *happy dance*

And now I've got to go get something to eat to relieve this gnawing in my stomach. Then I'll take a shower and get to work (if we don't go out).

Have an excellent day! :D

Lois

It's Research...But FUN Research!

I'm very late getting on here today. I wrote two feedbacks this morning, then posted them. I'm waiting to hear back on whether I have to make changes or not. Yesterday, I had one to edit and one to write and was able to post them both without further edits. Hopefully, I'll have the same success today! I still have another feedback to write, but I'm saving it for tomorrow morning.

I worked on my screenplay yesterday. I got through the first part of the second act. Today, I'm hoping to get through the second part of the second act. I'd like to do some actual writing, too.

I should have three new Netflix DVDs in the mail today...two of them are Hindi movies. I have another Hindi movie coming, too. My normal Netflix warehouse didn't have it, so it's being sent from a different one.

Research. It's all in the name of research. ;)

Jeff and I watched Kaminey last night. He hadn't seen it from the beginning and I wanted to see it again (I'm getting pretty bored with Ghost Hunters). Finally, Jeff understood what the movie was about! :D And I still can't get over Chandan Roy Sanyal's acting. He played the hero's whacked out druggie best friend, and he was eerily good at it. I can't wait to see what his future movies will be like.

I participated in a chat with a couple of my writer friends. I designed a new chart so I can keep up with my students. Milli's planning to offer it on the Web site, too. :) Anyway, I did that while I was chatting, then I worked on the screenplay. Talk about multitasking! :P

It's sunny again today...and it's 54°! :D

Well, as usual, I have a lot to do. I'm going to sign off for now.

Have a great day!

Lois

I Need A Second Wind

I've just "fixed" four feedbacks for students' assignments. Now I'm wiped out! :P I'm going to finish up online, then get something to eat and start work on my own writing. I have a new assignment to write feedback for, but I'll do that in the morning.

I started the groundwork for the screenplay/ novel. I worked out five of the seven elements (hero [and his flaw], hero's ally, opponent, the hero's enabling circumstances [that allow him to hang onto his flaw] and the suggested course of action [suggested to the hero from the opponent]). Today, I'll work out the last two elements: the hero's life-changing event and jeopardy. Then I'll start working out the actual story. I can't wait!

I did a little research yesterday for a new scene, too. It may be a stand-alone scene, or I may make it part of the story. I'm not sure yet. Either way, I'm working on my new characters, and that's the important thing. :)

Jeff and I watched Mutant X last night, so I've sent that out. Yesterday, it was windy and the flag went down on the mailbox, so the mail carrier didn't take our mail. Today, there's just a light breeze and the flag's still up, so there's hope. :)

I don't know if I'll make it to Sweet Bay tonight. It will depend on how much I get done and if I have time.

The sun is shining today! It's still chilly at only around 30°, but the sun is shining! :D

Have a great Tuesday!

Lois

I'm Just Too Darned Impatient

Since I've just "discovered" Vivek Oberoi, I did some research on his movies last night and discovered Raajneeti, Prince - It's Showtime, Rakta Charitra, and Kurbaan. Having seen him in Mission Istaanbul and loving his acting, I'm eager to pounce on these movies when they come out. Of course, I'll have to wait awhile, and everyone knows waiting is hard work! LOL

I've been reading a lot about Vivek, and I think it's great that he's so involved in the charities his family's organization is involved with. They help young girls who live in poverty, giving them food, education, etc. This means a lot to me, as I've been doing a bit of reading on slavery. It's rampant in India, which is a sending, receiving and transit nation for human trafficking. It's really a desperate situation, and I'm glad to see the Oberois doing something to help!

I wish I could go help in some way, but I can't. :( I've always been appalled whenever I hear about human trafficking and how widespread it is. We are very fortunate to be in a country like the United States, where we can live free. There are many, many people who aren't so lucky.

Right, on to lighter subjects. ;)

I only wrote two character journal entries yesterday. I did a lot of research, too, as you can see. I've got a lot of reading to do, but I'll take it a little at a time. I want to do my story justice, and I want to be as accurate as I can be with the subject matter. I plan on making this story into a screenplay as well as a novel.

As you can see, I didn't have to go in for jury duty today. YAY! :D My next date for that is the 23rd.

The weather is really cloudy again. We have a slight chance of snow this morning, then a 50% chance this afternoon and tonight. I'm way ready for summer. I have to keep reminding myself that with all this cold, there is zero chance of wasps flying around. :P

Anyway, I've got to get to work. I have feedback to write and studying to do before I can work on my own writing.

Have a great day!

Lois

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve!

I got some writing done, but not much. I hit a snag and had to do some research. After doing the research, I realized I needed a plotting/ researching chat, and managed to get on with P. That helped a lot, and now I can continue the character journal entry today. :)

Jeff made dinner last night: Chicken Parmesan with pasta. It was yummy, as all of his cooking is. :)

And today, I'm fixing dinner. I spent a couple of hours getting everything ready for a beef stew and it's all in the slow cooker. All I have to do is check on it periodically and add the peas later this afternoon.

I'm hoping to go to Sweet Bay tonight. I don't know if anyone from the Yetis will be there, but I've got a good reason to go if no one else is there: Grapevine Video free movie downloads! :) One of them is a Felix the Cat cartoon. I love Felix! :D

I also may try to download some free digital scrapbooking stuff from RAK Scraps. I don't have anything "Christmassy."

Anyway, for today, I'll be working on one or two character journal entries, doing some editing in my Nano Novel, and chatting with P (and hopefully M.) about the Romanian part of my latest story.

And, if I'm lucky, Sweet Bay. :) That would give Jeff some time to finish his Christmas shopping.

Have a great day, everyone! :D

Lois

More Christmas Shopping

Today, Jeff and I are going to the post office (I need to print out an address label for Leah's package), then we'll do some Christmas and/ or grocery shopping. We still need to buy gifts for Eric, Chelsey and Josiah. I also still have a couple things I need to get for my mom. And Jeff still needs to shop for me. I want to stop back at the candy store and get some more fudge, too.

I wanted to read some more in New Moon last night, but opted to watch La Femme Nikita with Jeff, instead. I'll be sending it back, along with Escape to Grizzly Mountain. I'll be getting Alistair Simm's version of A Christmas Carol next. :)

I still don't know what to fix for Christmas dinner. Jeff says, "whatever you fix, don't fix goose." I wish I could get a nice big slab of lamb, but I don't know where I'd get it. :( We'll figure something out, though.

I'm hoping to get to do some more writing this afternoon or tomorrow. If not, I'll definitely be doing some on Sunday. It's hard for me to want to write, but not be able to. :(

I got photos of the tree, plus a few others. I'll be getting more. I still need to edit them, but at least they're on the laptop.

I've got an idea for another book, too. It will be an ongoing project, as I have time, as I'll have to research traditional Cherokee stories. It'll be a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun...and educational for me.

Well, I'd better go. I've got a few things to do before we can go.

Have an awesome day! :D

Lois

Writing, Shopping, Holidays...All That's Missing Is SNOW!

In spite of not getting much done yesterday while I was babysitting, I jotted down quite a bit last night, in regard to backstory for three of my new characters. Today, I'll be exploring them more...personalities, their friends and families, etc. I want them to be as well rounded as I can make them. I'm really loving this!

I still need to do some research on the Apache, too.

And at some point, I'll need to start working on the female character. But for now, I'm concentrating on the first three, since they'll definitely be in a story together. I'm not sure if the female character will be in the same story or be in a story of her own.

Anyway, I plan on treating today like a Wednesday Writing Sprints day. I'm going to work on my writing, research and character development as much as I can.

Jeff is assuming he has tomorrow off, which is goofy (he should already know for sure); but if he has it off, it would be a great day for us to do our shopping and run some other errands. Saturday is 10K Day and I'd love to participate, if at all possible.

We were talking about our Christmas budget this morning and we still haven't decided on what to spend...at least I don't think we have. O_o And I don't know when we'll get a tree, but I'd love to do that tomorrow.

We also haven't decided when we'll go see New Moon, but now I'm thinking we should just wait and get it on DVD. We're going to get some fudge for the stockings, too. We love to buy it at one of the shops down on Main Street. We'll be doing that again this year. I've mentioned this before, but the woman who owns the shop makes all the fudge herself and she always remembers us when we shop there. She's very friendly, and I think she was the one who ultimately made me feel good about our move down here. We had a great conversation with her. :)

Jeff and I were also talking about what we would do if he started taking two week vacations in the summer and none in the winter. What would we do? He'd like to see his mom and step-dad on the west coast. And we'd like to go see Montana and northern Maine. I told him I would love to go check out the Van Buren, Maine area. It's on the northern border. I've seen photos online and it looks like a great little town. :)

And now I need to hurry up if I want to get anything done today.

Have an awesome day!

Lois

Wednesday Writing Sprints

Today is Wednesday Writing Sprints over at the writing forum, and I plan to use the day to work more on my new characters. I actually have four I'm working on this month. I haven't participated in Wednesday Writing Sprints for a while, so I'm eager to get started!

I'll also be working on my Xander Greywolf novel some more. I work on it a little each day, first reading some of the stories in the Mi'kmaq Stories books, then reading my novel and making changes, corrections, etc.

My To Do List:

Must Do:

• Continue going through Mi'kmaq books in search of stories I can integrate into my novel
• Go through some more of the novel making changes and additions, small edits
• Work on character development for four new characters
• Library

Would Like To Do:

• Brainstorm new short story
• Drawing and sketching
• Read from new screenwriting book, taking notes
• Other reading

I did some research last night, but I have more to do today...for my new characters. I'm really excited about them, and I'm keeping a journal about them (not a character journal yet, but I'm thinking of creating new categories over at Native Heroes for them...once I have enough to go on).

I'm still excited about Xander's story, too, but I'm anxious to finish the first draft so I can set it aside for a while, and revise it later.

I'll be babysitting for a while today (four hours or so), so character development seems a good fit. I can research and make notes, but I don't have to give it my full concentration like I do with my noveling. And it'll be good to spend some time with Josiah! :D

Have a great day!

Lois

Work, Work, Work...Fun, Fun, Fun!

Dinner was great last night. It was a lot of fun. Jeff and I passed on the movie though, since we would have gotten home late. Jeff is working today. So we talked about possibly going to see it (New Moon) sometime soon...just the two of us. As I said yesterday, we don't often go out on "dates," so this would be fun. :)

Today, I've got two feedbacks to write. Once those are done and I post them, my student will have graduated the course. Awesome! :D

Other than the feedback, the only other thing I have planned is to search through my Mi'kmaq stories and see which ones, if any, I can add to my novel. If I can't find any that fit well, I'll just have to search for more stories.

I need to start making a short Christmas list too, so Jeff will have ideas for when we go Christmas shopping. I'd like some good art markers and some illustration board, but there are other things too, such as a specific yarn, The Graveyard Book, etc. I need him to give me a list too. He's a little hard to shop for.

And I totally forgot to pick up some Christmas cards, so I'm hoping to do that later this week.

I need to go to the library too. I'm hoping Chelsey can take me tomorrow (her friends are still in town today, but I'm not sure for how long).

And now I'd better hurry up and finish on here so I can get to work.

Have an awesome day!

Lois

My Own Personal 10K Day - Update Two:

I've added 2,055 words to Sons of the Wild Frontier: Phoenix Rising, bringing my total to 4,312 (before working on Mira, that is). I don't have an excerpt this time.

I'm trying to find out what frontier scouts were paid back around 1825. Fox was about to take a job as one before getting sidetracked by the Poker game and getting mixed up with the gang. It's not easy! If I can't find the info. I need, I may have to change some details. I don't want to have to do that. :(

Anyway, it's been a pretty good day, in spite of the constant rain and thunder until about an hour or so ago. Now I've got to go get dinner started. I'm going to start work on Mira after that...but on paper. I need to start outlining it.

Have a great afternoon and evening! :D

Lois

Family Tree Research

If I write, I'll write later this afternoon. While Eric's at work, I plan on researching the family tree. I've got some information to check out that an Ancestry.com customer service representative e-mailed me, so I'll be doing that right after I add Chelsey's information to the family tree.

Of course, now storms are moving in. :/ I hope they don't last too long. I just unplugged the laptop. I can only go so long before having to plug in or shut down.

Wish me luck! :)

Have a great day,

Lois

It'll Be A Writing Day Today

I never wrote anything yesterday, so I plan to do that today. I'm going to work on the Zane Greywolf novel. If I have time, I also want to work on the Sons of the Wild Frontier novel and the other, newer one I recently outlined.

I also have ideas for an alternate reality (well, I guess it's more of an alternate history) story in mind. I need to jot down the ideas I have so I don't forget them. Jeff and I were talking a little bit about it this morning and I think it's a cool idea, so I'm going to go for it!

I'm thinking that if I get over eager and start working on the Lucky Raven rewrite early, I can write the alternate history story during Nano. ;)

Much of yesterday was spent on Family Tree research. I traced one part of my grandfather's (on my mom's side) line back to someone named Radulfus DeSandford, born 1104 A.D. in Sandford, England. He died in Parish, England, but I don't know the date. I can still go back further, too. I chose to stop because I was online for a very long time and it was past time to shower and fix dinner. :P

Anyway, today and tomorrow will be taken up by writing. I plan to do more family tree research on Thursday.

Oh! One last thing: I want to ask for prayer again. Eric and Chelsey went to the emergency room again last night. This time it was for a problem Chelsey's having. I don't want to say what it is, but it's serious...at least that's what they said when Eric talked to them before they went out. Please pray that this issue would be completely healed and that both mother and son would do well from here on out. Thank you!

Have a great day! :D

Lois

Genealogy Trumped Writing

I ended up researching all day. :P I didn't do any writing, but I did trace my grandpa's (on my mom's side) tree back quite a ways. Of course, I haven't verified everything yet. Right now, I'm just trying to get as much information as I can. I'll check for accuracy later.

Tomorrow, I'll begin with writing so I can be sure I'll actually write! LOL!

Have a good evening!

Lois

Note: The above photo is of my new grandbaby, Josiah, just after he was born.

Well, I've Outlined...

Yep, that's right. I've outlined. But I've got the basics down for Sons of the Wild Frontier: Book One and now I just need to see what else I need to research. I need to add the details. I don't want to have to stop every few pages and research things for the story. If I do it beforehand, I can just write the story and have fun with it. That's the best part, after all...the writing! :D And I do enjoy outlining, as well. It's just that nothing compares to writing the actual story.

Tomorrow, I'm going to work on the character journals and maybe the Zane Greywolf story. I've been wanting to work on his story some more, so yeah. It'll be nice, like visiting an old friend. :)

I may work on a Lucky Raven short, too...sans outline. ;)

So, that's been my day, for the most part. Jeff is home and I'm going to get off here in a few minutes.

Good night, all!

Lois

Today Didn't Go Quite the Way I Planned It...

But it was productive, nonetheless. Instead of starting the day with the scene I started during 10K Day, I started with research. Since I plan to write a series of stories taking place throughout the 19th century, I needed to find a timeline of events that took place in the West. I found one and printed it all out.

That done, I moved on to some reading. I started William W. Johnstone's Destiny of the Mountain Man. It's great! I'm really, really loving it. :)

Then I began outlining my next great story. It'll be more modern than the Fox and Sawyer Redman stories (for which I needed the timeline) and it will have a little romance, a little drama and, hopefully, lots of edge of your seat action. I've got most of it outlined...all but the final few scenes. I didn't outline it in lots of detail like I've been doing with the others. I wanted to give it some flexibility.

Then I ended the day with that scene I'd started during 10K Day. I have to say, I'm loving it. It still needs a lot of work, but I've got the bones down. That's important!

I'm planning to have an equally productive day tomorrow, but I'm done for today. It's getting late and I'm about ready to get off here and get ready for bed.

Have a great evening!

Lois

Note: The above photo of Jay Tavare is not mine. I found it online and I don't know who owns the copyright.

Outlining, Research...And Not Much More:

This morning, I outlined and did research. That's all I did, writing-wise.

On the bright side, I've got a good start to my Zane Greywolf story.

And I've decided to change Lucky Raven's story to the late 19th or very early 20th century. Instead of a motorcycle, he'll be riding horses. ;)

Lucky's original 1952 Triumph Thunderbird:

And Xander, Zane's brother, will be driving a newer model of Lucky's original mode of transportation, the Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle! :D

Xander's newer 1981 Triumph Thunderbird:

Note: I don't own the copyright to these photos. I found them online and I don't know who they belong to.

And I researched the 21-gun salute and the three-volley salute, for Xander's funeral.

All in all, it's been a fairly productive day, but I wish I'd been able to do more. I still might do more after dinner, but we'll see.

Now, I really must go take a shower and get dinner started.

Have a good afternoon!

Lois