Still Alive

Hello dear readers!

I am still alive and well.

Actually, I'm a little better than well. It's hard to explain.  My doctor is trying a new medication that is supposed to help the depression and anxiety at the same time (What a magical substance!!  Must be from the wizarding world...), and I have a feeling that it may just work.  My last round of meds had a few side effects that were less than desirable.

Life is extremely busy.  This was probably the wrong time to sign up for so many teaching hours at the dance studio or start taking a college class, but I am confident that I will be able to meet all of my obligations.  I even wrote this weekend!  And it was in "What is Right: Year Two!!"

I know what you're all thinking:  "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!"

And you're right.

Still, I am happy with the progress it's making and hopefully will find some free time to update soon.  Perhaps this weekend.  (Do NOT hold me to that.  Anything could happen between now and Saturday.)

I do have a paper due this week, so I must focus on that first.  School is important.  :)

All the same, keep your comments and reviews coming.  They inspire me quite a bit and make me consider things this brain has forgotten.  In the meantime, I'll continue writing.

Emma is back in school!

Hello, dear readers!

Yes, the title is true.  I am back in school!  When I "graduated" in 2008, I did walk in the graduation ceremonies.  I remember my feet hurt and no one knew the words to the school song, but we all knew the words to "Country Roads."  There was even a girl sitting behind me questioning why we weren't singing "Country Roads" and that she didn't know the words to the other one (I had never heard it before graduation, either.).

It was only after graduation that I found out that I did not complete all requirements.  Nice little graduation present there.  There I am, surrounding by family, my feet blistering in my shoes, and a nice little note in the envelope that was supposed to hold my diploma:  "You have not completed the required coursework..."

I was livid.

I took this class in high school, but the credits were lost in translation somewhere along the way between transfers.  I did not know this, and neither of my advisors (yes, I had TWO) caught this.  Neither did I.  I thought everything was finished and I was going to leave with my diploma and student debt in tow behind me while I went off in the adult world.

Some of that happened.  I did leave school behind, and I took my student debt with me, but no diploma.  One class short.  Luckily, this semester, I was able to enroll in that class so that I can finish my degree.  Woot woot.

My first paper is three pages long.  Three pages.  The last paper I wrote was thirty pages long.  I have a feeling that this class is going to go well.  And it's online!  I didn't have to change my work schedule at all to take this class!  It's pretty awesome.  :)

Now I just need to figure out my first paper topic....

Ideas

Hello dear readers!

Ever have so many ideas that your only hope was to snatch a notebook and write them all down because you didn't want to forget them?  I have woken up with ideas, had ideas show up during a shower or while I'm washing dishes (plot bunnies are hydrophilic little critters), while I'm in dance class, while I'm driving - well, you get the idea.  They show up all the time, and usually when I have no notebook available.

I am currently sitting on two great ideas for fanfiction.  One takes place after the Final Battle in Year Seven, and the other takes place during...and after the Final Battle.  It's kind of hard to explain that one.  :)  All the same, they're both awesome stories.  The first is full of reconciliation between characters that make all my feels go a little psycho.  The second is more of an exploration of a situation.  In other words, characters are put in an impossible situation and I kind of sit back and watch.

They're both AMAZING ideas (if I do say so myself...).  I just haven't had time to really put them down on paper, and I know that some of you might actually lynch me if I start new stories without updating the old ones.

My current count of original fiction ideas stands at thirty-one.  Yes, thirty-one.  Three and one together to form a number that matches my age.

Some of them are awesome, others are close to my heart, and some are annoying little idiots that can't seem to keep themselves out of trouble.  One of the characters, Michael, is in the hospital at the moment.  It's not a bad injury, but he did just get over an illness.

They're all in a bit of trouble at the moment.  Cathy just got kicked out of classes...again, Kal is having some issues with a dark wizard, Jade is, well, hiding, and a few others are running.  There is a lot of running.  It's like Doctor Who in my head.

Yes, this does signal the end of the Illness-That-Can't-Be-Named.  Updates are coming!

Lacking Inspiration and Other Tales of Desperation

I cannot name the dread disease that has befallen me in the last week, my dear readers.  To name it is to claim it, and if I claim it, then it will hang around for a while and make itself at home.

I try everything I can to dissuade this unwelcome visitor, every tip or trick other writers have taught me to be rid of it.  I wish that there was a spray of some kind to rid myself of this little pestilence. 

I can't even finish a blog post because I lack the inspiration.  Can't get much more pathetic here....

Just can't....

I cannot express my love for this video...

I found this video online and I just love it.  I thought I would share it with you.

What Sorcery Is This?

Against all odds, dear readers, I have actually managed some progress this month in Camp Nanowrimo.  I know, it's incredible!

I am the happy writer with 41,309 words to her name and it just keeps coming along with more and more words every day.  I'm not sure where this is coming from really, as two weeks ago I could not have cared less if this had happened.  IT IS HAPPENING!!!  :)

The best part is that nothing is wrong with it.  I know that sounds strange, but there is nothing wrong with the story at the moment.  The characters are cooperating, the plot is moving along nicely, the setting is perfect, the dialogue is good.

Wait a moment....

This almost never happens to me.  It is usually an uphill battle the whole way, fighting characters, forcing dialogue....

Hmm.  I probably shouldn't question this until after I reach my goal.

I'll keep you posted.

Looking for Recommendations

Hello dear readers!

I am happy to report that I am doing a little better these days and those low feelings from my last blog post have abated somewhat.  I have been careful with my sleep, taking my meds (which finally appear to be working!), trying to eat right, and getting some form of exercise every day.

I hurt my back a few weeks ago and I had to drop out of dance for the summer.  That may be what tipped off that last heavy bout of depression that made me so apathetic about everything.  Going from two classes and a couple of volunteer hours a week to absolutely nothing in a hobby can throw anyone off track; I suppose that is why I felt as though a huge chunk of my life was suddenly missing.

Things are a bit brighter now and I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with time to relax and plans to hit a library for the full day (I know, I'm soooo exciting!).

I was thinking today that I'd like to join a book club as something to do.  I mean, I enjoy reading, but I lack discussion partners.  If I mention a book I'm reading at work, I am often met with confused stares or a recommendation for the latest steamy romance bodice-ripper.

I checked the book club at the public library, but they're not meeting again until September.  September feels so far away.  Can anyone recommend any online book clubs you may have used in the past?  Or, maybe a really good book you've enjoyed?  Maybe a discussion will start on my blog? I need some more adventure in my life, and well....