Just some internet silliness. You can take the quiz here. What font are you?Sad, but so true.
Monday, January 5, 2009
What Font Are You?
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 3 comments
Labels: Meme, Sillinesses
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
13 Things To Take Your Mind Off Submissions
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Thirteen Things To Take Your Mind Off Submissions 1. Pick up another WIP. This is the ultimate BEST thing to do in this case. I have set myself up with a daunting quota of 10K words/week and bi-weekly check-ins with a crit partner. I just have to pretend those other stories I’m trying to sell do not exist. It works. Mostly. 2. Chatting, blogging, and now TWITTERING with friends. It’s a hoot. 3. Baking. I don’t know why, but when I get stressed, I cook more. I’ve kept my work well-supplied with cookies and muffins the past few weeks. 4. Actually getting work done. I threw myself at my job for a week. The fact that I now have nothing to do is testament to just how much I should be writing instead of wasting my time there, but c’est la vie. At least I’m caught up. 5. Re-organizing files on computer and backing everything up. I don’t know about you, but when I’m heavy in draft mode, I get sloppy – like, my desktop is invisible sloppy. A lull in your ‘writing press’ is the perfect time to go over everything, file it away neatly, and catalog it so it’s ready to work with at the next phase, whatever that may be. 6. Cleaning desk, filing and re-ordering office. I’ve talked about the importance of having a writing space. I find ‘padding the nest’ while I wait is a comfort, and also feeds into #1. 7. Shopping for mancandy and other inspirational pics. Just file under ‘research’. Heh. ~ INTERMISSION ~ ![]() See? What submissions? 8. Reviving an old manuscript. Sometimes I get too stuck in edit/prep mode after sending out subs and queries and I simply cannot find the creative gusto. So, I channel that self-depreciating energy into something useful. We all have that old piece gathering dust in the back of a drawer (or computer file) somewhere. Now’s the perfect time to go back over it, and have it ready to be the next ‘feeler’ if needs be. 9. Reading. When all else fails, read. It always, ALWAYS works for me. Reading reminds me of why I love writing so much in the first place. It gets me excited about stories, characters, and scenarios, also feeding #1. 10. Take a break and do something fun. I often neglect other parts of my life when I have my head down and fingers to keyboard. But every once in a while, you gotta push away from the desk and step away from the computer. It’s summer, it’s lovely outside. I’ve been going to the park with my hubby to play Frisbee. Does wonders. 11. Write something fun, just cuz. When I first started writing, it was merely for the pleasure of it. Sometimes I have to shelf even that daunting WIP and write something off the wall, on a whim, to remind myself of WHY I am putting myself through all this trudgery. 12. Find someone else to root for. This is why it’s so important to have a network of friends who are also writers. We inspire each other, console each other, understand each other. Whenever I’m feeling particularly nerve-wracked or over-stressed about the ‘feelers’, I take a step back and focus on someone else – cheering them on or giving them a boost. Makes me feel better, and spreads the love. Two birds with one stone. 13. When all else fails? Cybercrack. Like this. Or this. Or this. |
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Posted by Gwen Mitchell 10 comments
Labels: Meme, Motivation, Thursday Thirteen
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Quick and Dirty
I really am trying to be better about my blogosphere participation, but heck - Thursday is just a busy part of the week for me.
So, here's a quick and dirty list of sites I find useful for writing.
1. Behind the Name - any name from almost any culture. You can search by name, language, sex, or meaning.
2. Intertran - a good online translator. Mind you, it's probably best to have a somewhat working understanding of the language before dropping big blocks of auto-translated text into your manuscript.
3. Thesarus.com - I live here. I don't care what Stephen King says.
4. deviantArt - Talk about inspiring. I'll admit it - I feed off of other people's creativity. You can get LOST in there . . .
6. Futureme.org - Not only is this useful for sending yourself reminders and or setting goals for yourself, but some of the stuff people put up there is good author fodder. I mean - it's life's drama. That's what this is about, right?
7. theromantic.com - A collection of famous love letters. *sigh*
8. brainyquote.com - I love quotes - ideas that have been immortalized.
9. poets.org - I usually start here and look for something to detail a google search. The point is that poetry is word-craft in it's highest form. What writer wouldn't want to immerse themselves in that?
10. etymonline.com - This is one of the coolest sites I've found. It's great for creating your own universe terminology based off of root and linked words. Good stuff.
11. Okay, I'll admit it. I rely on Wiki more than I should. But research is not the fun part of writing for me. I usually stay vague enough that Wiki suits, and make the rest up.
What do you mean that's only 11 items on my Thursday Thirteen? Um . . .
Google counts as two.
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 5 comments
Labels: Meme, References, Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Sniff or Snort
I'm doing a fiction writing workshop with A. Catherine Noon through the Writer's Retreat Forum. It's been slow-starting because my slackerific ass has been virtually non-existent online the past month. But, I have been reading. We're on to chapter three: Characters.
Why is this relevant? One of my fleeting thoughts was wondering how to show and not tell things about characters. For some reason, I made the leap to integrating all the senses. And THAT got me thinking . . . what smells might affect a certain character in a certain way? Basically, the idea is that each person has a catalog of smells that have certain meanings to them, that evoke strong memories or emotions.
Here are thirteen scents that get a strong reaction out of me . . .
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
Leave a comment, and I'll link back to you here:
Adelle Laudan
Lia Morgan
Tempest Knight
Nina Pierce
Paige Tyler
Alice Audrey
Word Trix
A. Catherine Noon
Susan Helene Gottfried
Shelley Munro
Unhinged
Ms. Menozzi
Eaton Bennett
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 16 comments
Labels: Meme, Thursday Thirteen
Thursday, May 1, 2008
I Didn't Say It . . .
I don't know about you guys/gals, but I *LOVE* Google. So much that I've decided to do an 'Ode to Google'. But don't worry - that's not what this is. That will get tossed on my ever-growing WIP pile.
Instead, I'll share something that Google helps me with. I'm a student of philosophy. So, I'm always on the lookout for quotes. You never know when you can use something someone else said to back you up. And, truth be told, there are many billions of people more eloquent than I that have come before - so why not stand on the shoulders of genius, right? Heh.
That's why I love Google. I have 28 Google Notebooks - various collections of things, but one of them is a list of quotes I encounter that strike me. I've dug up thirteen of them for you this week. =)
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
Leave a comment, and I'll link back to you here:
Shelley Munro
Ms. Menozzi
Gina Ardito
Morgan St. John
Adelle Lauden
Tempest Knight
~Liz~
Tara S. Nichols
Brenda ND
Alice Audrey
Jennifer McKenzie
Jennifer Bianco
Kaige (Impulsive Hearts)
R. G. Alexander
Paige Tyler
A. Catherine Noon
Robin L. Rotham
Unhinged
Eaton Bennett
Dana Belfry
Chloe Devlin
Nicholas
Susan Helene Gottfried
Word Trix
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 12 comments
Labels: Inspiration, Meme, Quotes, Thursday Thirteen
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Drat!
Despite my best efforts to fly under the radar, I've been tagged again, though I'm blaming Fey for this one.
Here we go, quick and dirty. And by dirty, I don't mean in the good way, so get your mind out of the gutter! Srsly. *sigh*
You're feeling: Like I need a Red Bull in the worst possible way, but I'm not going to give in that easy. I still have to get through tomorrow.
To your left: My living room, complete with two lounging cats and one lounging humanoid of the weekend male variety.
On your mind: Red Bull. I'm rather single-minded by the time I reach this point. That, and the list of other things I must do when I finish this post.
Last meal included: Mom's chinese pepper steak, with a lemon fruit bar for desert. MMmm.
You sometimes find it hard to: Get up on time in the morning. If my body had it's own way with me, I'd sleep 10 hours a night instead of 5.
The weather: A nondescript grey. Could be rainy, could be sunny. I'll wait five minutes. *waits* Hm. Still grey.
Something you have a collection of: Post cards! I love them! Everywhere I go, I buy one and write to myself. I love receiving them too. I also have about 5000 basketball cards that I plan to go through, value, and sell on eBay. Someday. *snort*
A smell that cheers you up: Fresh mint. It's invigorating.
A smell that can ruin your mood: Alcohol on someone's breath. *shudders*
How long since you last shaved: Uh...
Current state of your hair: *snort* It's a custom style. I call it 'Saturday'.
Largest thing on your desk/workspace (not computer): TBR pile.
Your skill with chopsticks: I manage not to look like a fool, but I walk away hungry.
Which section do you head for first in a bookstore: Nowadays, usually the new releases, then the romance section, then the sci-fi/fantasy, then the general fiction. I can't wait until urban fantasy/paranormal has its own section someday, so I won't have to make such a big loop. *lol*
Something you are craving: Red Bull, dammit. Keep rubbing it in, will ya? Okay, and a pedicure.
Your general thoughts on the presidential race: Fey said it best: Is it over yet? When the hell is Bush getting kicked out? is it over yet?
How many times have you been hospitalized this year: Last time I was 'hospitalized', I was 12.
Favourite place to go for a quiet moment: Park up the street from my work. It lets me get worlds away from the workday.
You've always secretly thought you'd be a good: Make-up artist. I thought about it for a while. Still love it. But there are too many other things I want to do.
Something that freaks you out a little: Flying on an airplane. A lot.
Something you have eaten a little too much of lately: Lemon fruit bars from Dreyers. In fact, I think it's time for another one!
You have never: Scuba-dived, bungee-jumped, or sky-dived. And I never will.
You never want to: Ha. Two for one!
The three people I'm tagging: Most of my fellow mischief makers have answered these already, and I will spare the rest of you.
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 2 comments
Labels: Blogs Etc., Meme, Sillinesses
Thursday, April 24, 2008
13 of Gwen's April Reads
I'm betting that more than a few people I know will relate to this. I actually have four 'book lists': to research, to be bought, to be read (the list), to be read (the pile).
Here's a glimpse at April's pile for me.

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Gwen's April/May TBR Pile 1. The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova - recommended and loaned by my father in law. 2. Fiction Writing Workshop, Josip Novakovich - for my workshop with Cat on the WR Board. 3. An anthology of thriller short stories, to get my feet wet in that genre. 4. The Fiery Cross, Diana Gabaldon - this is the fifth book in the Outlander series, which I absolutely love. Looking forward to snuggling up with this one over my coming business trip. 5. Moon's Fury, CT Adams and Cathy Clamp - I try to spread my paranormal/urban fantasy genre reading around various publishers. This is Tor/Forge. 6. Kushiel's Scion, Jacqueline Carey - This is the fourth book in a series. I loved the original trilogy and the friends I've recommended it to have gone on to read the later books and recommended them to me, so I'm looking forward to this one too. 7. Dime Store Magic, Kelley Armstrong - A new name in paranormal for me, recommended by a friend who doesn't normally read paranormals. This Canadian author is published in the US through Bantam Books. ~Intermission~ ![]() 8. Industrial Magic, Kelley Armstrong - I was instructed to read both books. =) 9. Demon Night, Meljean Brook - I went on to the girls a while back how Meljean was my new hero. I hadn't read anything of hers yet, now I have, and I re-certify: she's my hero. Obvioulsy, I cheated and read this one already. Review will be coming. 10. Dream Chaser, Sherrilyn Kenyon - I have been meaning to read something of hers forever. I'm looking forward to checking out this very successful author, published through St. Martin's. 11. Dark of the Moon, Susan Krinard - I am hitting Harlequin titles hard over the next couple of months, this was my first toe in the pond. I read this one too. Review to come. 12. I picked up a pocket version of the Oxford Essential Guide to Writing. I do actually plan to read it. Bits and pieces at a time. 13. Swimming Without a Net, MaryJanice Davidson - I read a story of hers in a recent anthology, and really liked it, so when I spotted this on a fellow bookworm's shelf, I snatched it up. Now, don't go thinking I'm just a clepto who takes books out of people's houses. I traded it for some lasagna. |
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
Kathleen Oxley
Shelley Munro
Ms. Menozzi
Gina Ardito
Morgan St. John
Adelle Lauden
Tempest Knight
~Liz~
Tara S. Nichols
Brenda ND
Alice Audrey
Jennifer McKenzie
Jennifer Bianco
Kaige (Impulsive Hearts)
R. G. Alexander
Paige Tyler
A. Catherine Noon
Robin L. Rotham
Unhinged
Eaton Bennett
Dana Belfry
Chloe Devlin
Nicholas
Susan Helene Gottfried
Word Trix
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 12 comments
Labels: Meme, Miscellany, Reads, Thursday Thirteen
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday Thirteen Play Resumed. (Sorta)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
Kathleen Oxley
Shelley Munro
Ms. Menozzi
Gina Ardito
Morgan St. John
Adelle Lauden
Tempest Knight
~Liz~
Tara S. Nichols
Brenda ND
Alice Audrey
Jennifer McKenzie
Jennifer Bianco
Kaige (Impulsive Hearts)
R. G. Alexander
Paige Tyler
A. Catherine Noon
Robin L. Rotham
Unhinged
Eaton Bennett
Dana Belfry
Chloe Devlin
Nicholas
Susan Helene Gottfried
Word Trix
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 19 comments
Labels: Meme, Rants, Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Wheels of Glory, or . . . not.

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Pretty Life Online
Shelley Munro
Arlene
Ms. Menozzi
Irishcoda
Gina Ardito
Morgan St. John
Adelle Lauden
Tempest Knight
~Liz~
Tara S. Nichols
Brenda ND
Alice Audrey
Jennifer McKenzie
Jennifer Bianco
Kaige (Impulsive Hearts)
R. G. Alexander
Paige Tyler
A. Catherine Noon
Robin L. Rotham
Unhinged
Eaton Bennett
Laura
Dana Belfry
Chloe Devlin
Nicholas
Susan Helene Gottfried
Word Trix
Kathleen Oxley
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 30 comments
Labels: Meme, Miscellany, Thursday Thirteen
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Revenge of the Meme Gods
Other people who are doing/have done this: Liz, Catherine, Morgan le Fey, Eden, Kat.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
A. Catherine Noon
Kathleen Oxley
Word Trix
Kaige (Impulsive Hearts)
Alice Audrey
Susan Helene Gottfried
Chloe Devlin
Paige Tyler
Eden's Eternal
Shelley Munro
Debbie Mumford
Monica
Adelle Lauden
~Liz~
Jennifer Shirk
Crystal Jordan
Posted by Gwen Mitchell 19 comments
Labels: Meme, Sillinesses, Thursday Thirteen