Haftime usually schools me to what’s new and hot in music.
But she has like, a life, or something. Had no time for me today.
So I’m sitting here this morning, bumping the same song on repeat that I’ve been listening to all weekend.
I know Haftime wouldn’t approve. But this is MY new music monday since she left me stranded.
Check out the conversation I had with myself about this new song I’m LOVING.
Went to an animal shelter today. Fell in love with a dog named Oliver. If TH vetoes the adoption of this mutt with a gimpy hind leg, I will file for divorce in the morning.
Oliver is five months old. He was found on the streets of Harrison, New jersey. The vet is not sure what breed he is. But she expects his leg to recover fully without treatment.
For now, he can only take short walks.
He’s very energetic.
I want this dog. And I’ve never had one before.
TH wants to visit more shelters since Oliver is the first dog we laid eyes on.
That’s funny. He didn’t say let’s look at one more baby when Tog appeared. We just knew she belonged with us.
Okay. I’m being dramatic.
But I want this dog.
TG and Tog are already in love. And so am I.
TH and Tog sleeping in. Me and Tog at Starbucks. Double tall soy cinnamon dolce latte for me. Bagel for Tog.
Edits due for novel in ten days. I may need a tiny extension. I’m petrified. I know EXACTLY what needs to be done . I know which characters need tweaking. Which need to be completely omitted. I just have to sit down and barrell through it.
In the comments this week someone likened rewriting to math. You add multiply subtract divide. Finding the perfect equation of words.
I’ve never been good at math but I do feel like a mathemetcian or an architect when I revise and edit. I get this deeply satisfied feeling in my stomach when I read what seems like a well executed sentence.
I am very grateful to my dear readers. Blogging is helping me as a writer. I’m especially grateful to the eight members of my online writing group. Reading and commenting on your prose has helped me immensely with my own.
THings I Will Keep In Mind As I Revise
1. Keep it moving. Snappy pace is important. Don’t let the reader out of the room.
2. Don’t get attached. Certain sentences, plot points and even whole characters may have to be scrapped. Be ruthless.
3. Read your dialogue aloud. What sounds good in your head doesn’t always sound realistic.
I begin revising in earnest first thing Monday morning.
This weekend I write without writing.
Fellow writers: do you know what I mean by writing without writing? I’ll be thinking about my book all weekend. But no writing.
If you happen upon this random Saturday post tell me what you’re up to today. Are you writing? Thinking about writing? Wishing you were writing?
I’d love to hear from you…
Photo: Tog and her Starbucks crew
I am a fashion reject. Back in January, I wrote a post about how I wanted to step up my game and dress like a grown up–even though I work in solitary confinement as a freelance writer.
I’ve never been a fashionista. I like clothes. But I’m never sure what looks right on me. I’m too lazy to try things on and I feel like I never have the money to buy things that I think would make me fly.
Truth is, flyness is an attitude. A way of life.
And that’s not me.
I can pull it together for a night on the town. But in my day to day life, how I’m dressed doesn’t figure very prominently.
Until now.
A few months ago, I took a good long look at myself. (And my closet). And I did not like what I saw. Grubby sweats, ratty jeans, flats from Target that were run over, t-shirts that didn’t fit, dresses that were too big, too small, too old.
It’s frivolous, I know. And in the grand scheme of things, who cares what we’re wearing?
Work with me. I need a minute to be frivolous and completely gratuitous.
I asked my good friend, we’ll call her Little Miss Brown, to critique five days of outfits for me. Little Miss Brown is an executive at a luxury goods retailer. And she’s effortlessly fly. Always.
I told her to be no-holds-barred.
My goal is to look chic, pulled together and slightly sexy, (but not too sexy), every day. I’m almost 36. I have two children. And I schlep them both around a lot.
My hair’s going gray. And I can’t get in the gym as often as I’d like.
I’m getting old.
But that doesn’t mean I have to look like a schlub.
Herewith, everything I wore this week. And LittleMissBrown’s verdict. Gulp.
Gave up the blackberry for the iPhone. This is my first attempt at mobile blogging from the iPhone. This should be interesting. I’m gonna try to add a photo too. Here’s a pic of tomorrows blog post. It’s a good one. Don’t miss it.
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Aliya S. King 