Confessions of a Hoarder

Something "inspired" me to clean out my closets today - all four of them. Not sure what it was, but it could have been Stephen's hint last night that pack rats drive him crazy. Maybe it was directed at me, maybe not. But apparently it hit close enough to home to motivate me to take on the goliath project for the first time in oh . . . eight years?

That's right. I probably haven't sorted through my "hanging memories" since Stephen and I married and I moved from my house in Tulsa. Even then, I'll admit I didn't get rid of what I should have. Instead, I hauled most of those "memories" with me to my married household.

Why is it so hard for me to get rid of old clothes? After all, most of what I've separated hasn't been worn for at least the last two years, some even longer. Shouldn't it be enough to know that someone else will make much better use of some still very-wearable items?

But even today, as I held up each hanger for consideration, I found myself thinking:

1) Oh, I'll fit into that again someday. (Yeah, right.)
2) I might need that suit when I become a famous author. (When it happens, I'll buy new suits!)
3) Maybe this will come back in style again sometime. (If it hasn't yet, it never will.)
4) All this needs is hemming. (It's only been waiting to be hemmed for five years now.)

And let's not talk about the shoes!

Anyway, what better time to clean out my closets than on Labor Day weekend, when everybody else is out on the lake, seeing a movie, traveling or eating out? None. Besides, it's only Saturday. Now that I have more room in my closets, there's still plenty of time to take advantage of the Labor Day Sales!

Friday Flash Fiction

My friend, Madison Woods has a great flash fiction series going on her blog -- write a story in 100 words or less!

This week, I decided to give it a try. She usually posts a picture to use as a prompt, but this week used a mental image instead. Some of the stories that resulted are chilling, so that's also what I've attempted with mine.

I'll warn you - it's not my usual fare. In fact, it prompted my husband to ask, "Where did that come from?" I think I scared him. :)

At any rate, the photo I found will scare you:

INITIATION

     Is becoming a Delta Rat worth searching the morgue in the middle of the night? At least the other initiate, Todd, is here searching for clues too.
     The drawer’s icy handle nips my hand.
     A dead body!
     Next drawer. Whew! It’s empty. A note flutters in the cool draft.

     Lie on the slab. You’ll know when your time’s up.

     I lie down. Close my eyes. Wait.
     Footsteps!
     Todd whispers, “Time’s up.”
     I start to sit up, then . . .
     He slams it shut!
     I scream. “What the—”
     Cold. Pitch black.
     He taps the drawer. “Sorry. You lose.”

Thursday Already?

My friend posted a blog (ClaireCroxtonRomanceAuthor.wordpress.com) today about the progress she's made on several projects. Feeling rather frazzled this past week, it inspired me to think about what I've accomplished.

1) Completed a new short story.
2) Sent a total of 13 short stories and poems to two contests.
3) Submitted two short stories to a literary journal.
4) Submitted a short story to an anthology.
5) Appeared on Madison Woods' blog. (Well, okay, actually she interviewed about a week ago, but it appears this week, so I'm counting it anyway!) And thanks, Madison, for some excellent and thought-provoking questions!
6) Lined up a blog series that I'm REALLY excited about. (To be announced soon!)
7) Added three pages to my work-in-process, Broken Dreams.
8) Posted a blog entry on Character Body Language.

I think it's important sometimes--especially when frazzled--to sit down, take a deep breath, and think about all that you've accomplished.

So all in all, I'd say this was not a bad week, at least in terms of my writing. But, outside of my writerly world? Well, take a look at my desk and guess what I'll be doing tomorrow.

Character Body Language

In the midst of surfing the internet while trying to find needed focus to finish a new short story, I came across an article that may be of interest to writers:

"What Is Your Body Language Saying?" -- Real Simple Magazine

Every body movement, every expression, tells a story. This article provides excellent information on body language that can be applied to our fictitious characters. Here are a few examples:

Brushing hair off your face - may be a sign of nerves or flirtation.
Nibbling your lips - an attempt to comfort yourself.
Pursing your lips - a clear sign of anger.
Standing with legs apart - dominance and determination.
Hiding your hands - a movement of deceit.

All of these movements, as well as the others listed in the article, provide a means of "showing, not telling" about your character.

There. I'm motivated and focused. Back to writing.

Music Time Machine

This morning as I drove in to town, I listened to Gayle King interviewing Jimmy Webb. I must admit, I almost changed the station, thinking he was a new artist I probably was too old to appreciate. But I told myself, "Oh, just listen for awhile. You might learn something."

Boy, did I.

Jimmy Webb is the creator of two of my favorite songs, "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park." The very sound of their first chords can whisk me back to a time when I was ten years old and my parents were about to divorce. And though at that age, I'd never been in love, I'd certainly had crushes and therefore, thought plenty about love. (Or, what I thought was love, anyway.)

For me, these songs defined lost love in such a poignant way, that now that I think about it, they must have been a spark to my desire to put my own feelings in to words.

Wichita Lineman

And I need you more than want you.

And I want you for all time."

Does that not just rip your heart out?

 

MacArthur Park

Someone left the cake out in the rain.

I don't think that I can take it,

cause it took so long to bake it.

And I'll never have that recipe again.

I'll admit, when I first listened to the lyrics of "MacArthur Park," I did not yet understand about metaphors. So, I couldn't understand why someone would write about leaving a cake in the rain. And what was it doing in a park in the first place? However, many years and many life experiences later, I see the words as a powerful representation of loss.

Thank you, Jimmy Webb. Your lyrics takes me back in time, and they still inspire me today.