One of those days

9:55 am
On days when I don’t have a lot on my plate professionally, I like to write. This is one of those days.

Unfortunately, some days nothing comes to mind, and I either stare at a project I can’t get myself motivated to work on, or I stare at a blank page. This is one of those days.

Maybe it’s the lack of sleep. Or the lack of exercise. Or the lack of sex…nah, it’s definitely not that.

Whatever the cause, my creative juices are running a bit dry right now. I think I will take a walk around the capitol square to clear my head. Be right back.

10:15 am
Ok, I’m back. It’s a bit chilly out there. Not nearly as warm as it was yesterday. Brrr.

Anyways, my head is a little clearer, but I am no closer to feeling motivated to write anything creative. So, I guess this blog will have to suffice for now.

Interestingly, there are no protesters out today (I live in Madison, WI). The Republicans are in DC collecting their payments for selling the state out to corporate interests, so I suppose there’s no reason to shout at empty offices. Still, after the last few weeks, it seems odd for the capitol square to be so empty.

The various projects I am working on are coming along. The story for the anthology has its first scene done. Had to edit it a little, as I had forgotten to introduce a major character. But, it reads nice, and I think it’s a pretty good start.

Worked a little on Life of Rage as well. It’s interesting because I sometimes have a hard time with making it sound like an orc is speaking to the reader. I keep wanting to use more sophisticated language. And while I am not presenting orcs as dullards who speak broken English, they aren’t all that articulate either. So, there’s a balance that needs to be struck. Using simpler variations of words, and inserting certain colloquial words like “ain’t” and “wanna” helps a lot. I’m also staying away from “accent” words like “yer” for your. But, the superior attitude my narrator has towards “squishys” (humans) is fun to play with. I want the reader to certainly feel condescended to, and borderline insulted. I think the hard part is explaining the actual rules as an orc. Once I get into writing the world background, and about orcs themselves, the voice may come a bit easier.

Today is officially the last day of school for this term. I have a project due tonight that is about 75% done. It shouldn’t take me long to finish it up. And then I am off for at least one term. If I decide to go back to Capella, I will have to change my major. The Counseling Studies program is kind of useless. Even if I get a Masters in that, it doesn’t actually qualify me to do anything professional. There are further licensing requirements that I would have to pursue. So, if I stick with Psychology, I will have to go into a clinical study program, which entails many hours of…well, clinical study. Basically a second job that pays nothing. I’m not sure I have the time or resources for that. I am looking at other options. My feeling right now is that I have a pretty stable job, all things considered. I don’t actually need any more education to further my career. So, maybe I should focus my educational efforts on something I have always wanted to study. I’m looking into programs for an MFA in Creative Writing. One such program has classes that run the gamut of the entire publishing industry. I think that would be very cool.

Wow. Over 600 words. That’s not bad for a blog that literally started about nothing. Maybe now the writing muscles are warm and I can do something more substantial…