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| Howdy, fellow word nerds! I've added another blog to my Attack of the Blogs folder in my portfolio, to be updated at least a couple of times a month, both here and on my website. If you're interested, check it out here! "Mental Health and Wellness " |
| Digging through my portfolio to find some Halloween-related stuff to post on my website and came across this oldie but (I hope?) goodie from a few years ago. Hope it gives you the feels in a scary/good way! "Halloween in the Suburbs" |
| Quick question: Anyone else get an unsolicited email from a religious fanatic detailing scripture that provides definitive evidence that Barack Obama is satan? No? Just me? See-- ya come back after a long time away to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon writing for fun instead of for work, and this is what you get. Go away gracej@fl-k12-edu.one. I didn't ask for your rambling conspiracy hate trash. |
| Was that in your personal email or your WdC email? |
Reply
| 🐕GeminiGem🎁 - WdC! Weird, right?? |
Reply| Ugh. I need some hugs, y'all. I've abandoned social media an LinkedIn because it's all the same, so I'm asking everyone here who I've always considered my people to give me a little... ? I don't know what I'm looking for. I guess something not ugly, even if we disagree, can we at least acknowledge that this shit happening in the US is a seriously alarming situation for all of us? Here's my point, I hope it resonates... Listen, gents, even tho it's not your lane (sorry, but true), I'll put in into a perspective that I hope you can understand from our POV: Even if we decided together reasonably and equally that bringing a child into the world was NOT a good idea for anyone, especially for the child- it would make zero difference. We'd have to do what the politicians that don't know who we are from Adam's cat say. That's what no choice means. No. Choice. For any of us. You're next, people. |
| I think the government is cleverly dragging America into a fight because there’s too much complacency. Then, I see you have to join a group of socialists in our community for an organized rally against R v W? I worry ignorant youth has stumbled into a fight where more informed voices need to say, ‘you’re pulling our leg, right? Back into the Middle Ages, or deep, Deep South (talking hill people, sorry all other conscientious Southeners)?!We really have bigger issues and this…? Only other wonder…has someone pinched our president to see if sleeping, or worse? To unify, need a strong leader. Country fractured. 911 woke us briefly. Cop brutality got our attention. Gun violence is just numbing. All of it seems to strip us of hope, access to power, dims voices that shut up and pay for overpriced coffee, gas, go back to work and try not rage another driver off the road. Whew! Fingers…rest. Next! |
| They've been working towards all of this for a long time. Taking us backwards, taking away our rights and freedom. They began reducing what was taught about how the US government works in schools as soon as The People began to vote to improve this country- when civil rights became equal rights. Too many young people knew that voting - including and especially at the local level - made a difference. They've been chipping away at how much kids are taught about their local government, how the local government can effect the state government and the state can effect the national, since the 1960s. They took away Civics classes and turned them into a few chapters in "Social Studies." Then it further reduced. Why aren't kids voting? Why aren't even middle aged folks voting? Because so many of us don't realize how much we could be changing in this country if we could only get organized - without being teargassed. |
You guys! I finally wrote something!!! Give it a read and lemme know what you think if you get a sec!
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| I don't think it can be overstated how much I am moved and gratified on a personal level that somehow my story made it to the finals in the quills. The last time I had the luxury of logging on here I gushed about how much of an impact this place has had on me- now I can say that includes my self-esteem. I am honored like you have no idea. Thanks a million times- there are so, so many talented and inspirational people on this site, I'm blessed to be able to call it home, and to call you guys my word family... |
| OK my lovelies- you're all in serious jeopardy of receiving sloppy, tearful virtual hugs (from me). I've been away from WdC for so long because I've been working like a crazy person who works a lot so I miss my magical place of great people, creativity, and support. SO after what seems like an eternity I log in to find happy birthday wishes, happy WdC anniversary wishes, AND I got tagged with some GPs by some anonymous person playing GP pranks on hapless members of this fine community. Have I mentioned how much I love you guys? -TPB |
I've just edited an item in my portfolio:
This one's earned a place in the pantheon of my sick and twisted horror folder- second-place winner of the sure shots contest  . Give it a read if you've got the time and let me know if you've got suggestions for improvement... |
| Leaving the house and interacting with other people is a good idea if you like to write stories, correct? Someone convince me... |
| Whenever I go out in public I am always observing people. I watch their mannerisms, interactions, and gestures that I can use. I listen to their conversations when possible for little pearls of wisdom. I take note of what they look like for future character descriptions in whatever I write next. To be a great writer, I think you need to be a great observer. Anyway, it works for me. |
| I've got a question... I'm sure I'm not alone when I say a LOT of my characters are based upon people I know, either loosely or not so loosely. Some of these characters may not always be portrayed in the most flattering ways, or they may not be likable at all, but they're authentic and meaty enough that softening them up would be detrimental to the story. It would make them shallow and unrelatable. At some point, someone you know is gonna read what you've written and recognize themselves. At some point, they may not love what they read. (Or maybe they'll be flattered, but obviously that's kind of a non-issue.) So the question is, how do you guys smooth this over with your family, friends, acquaintances, whomever? I'm not sure just telling them not to take it personally would be adequate for everyone. Oh and by the way, thanks for being wonderful, WDC people. You guys are the best. -TPB |
un: 
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Congrats on writing your story - I'm looking forward to reading it...tomorrow! 
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