Forty Years Old

When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it. ~ Mark Twain

Welcome to the beginning of my fortieth year! You know what one of the best parts of my birthday is? That Charity has to write a blog entry over at the Wet Noodle Posse. So, C... no pressure or anything... but, um... I'm waiting.

Your Birthdate: January 11

Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world. You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm. Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche. Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done. Your strength: Your inner peace Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds Your power color: Emerald Your power symbol: Leaf Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Now that that's out of the way...

I found a short story in my file that excited me for a change. I worked on it like a maniac, changed it A LOT and added a couple thousand words (of course, I deleted about the same amount... so it's a wash). Then, last night while I was vacuuming the black fur off my carpets (I love my dog, but some days...) I had an epiphany! I thought of the perfect last line (well, three lines, actually). The best part is that I now know how it's going to end, which is the problem with the other umpteen stories sitting there, unfinished.

Then, as I got all dozy in bed last night, I thought of my next line in the manuscript. It seems simple enough: "No." But the thing is that she's asked him a questions that he originally said "Yes" to, and it changes the whole feel of the story.

In fact, as I write this, I'm getting all excited again and need to stop this and go write that.

Then, I'll have to make time to do a bit more editing on Judy's novella. I'm really enjoying her story, even though it's depressing as all get out right now. She's really got the whole "drag your character down as low as possible" thing down pat.

I'm playing a really old Rick Springfield CD right now, and it's got one of my fave songs: "Why Are You Waiting?"

The chorus is simple but powerful -- he's talking about standing outside the door (of success or progress or to the place he's always wanted to be) and he's afraid to go through.

Then comes this:

Why are you waiting? (this is loud and on a heavy beat)

What if I fail? (Just Rick by himself)

Why are you waiting?

What if I fail?

You won't fail, you won't fail, GO! (loud again)

Don't we all feel that way sometimes?

I can't submit that story or novel. It's not done.

You've been polishing it for five years now. It's done. Submit.

What if I'm rejected?

Submit it.

What if I'm rejected?

Who'da thunk I'd get deep thoughts from bubblegum rock?