The new blog is ready!!! I'm still adding links to the sidebars, and trying to make the word count meters display properly - but it's now up and ready for viewing. :)
http://mysteryrobin.blogspot.com
This blog will be active for a little while longer, but soon I'll switch over completely to the new blog. I'll give you all a heads up when that happens!
Robin
Friday, June 29, 2007
Just wondering...
Every once in a while I wonder if my life is at all normal.
An example.
I lie down to go to sleep after a long bout of putting the toddler down. DH is already lying down, sprawled on my side of the bed. Grrr... So I put my pillow on his arm and lay on it.
Him: I've been having spastic muscle twitiches in my arm. Don't be alarmed.
Twitch. The whole pillow moves. Twitch. Twitch.
Him: I hope this isn't bothering you.
Twitch.
Me: Move your arm or I'm naming your son Harlequin.
Said arm is moved.
I think this doesn't happen to most people...
An example.
I lie down to go to sleep after a long bout of putting the toddler down. DH is already lying down, sprawled on my side of the bed. Grrr... So I put my pillow on his arm and lay on it.
Him: I've been having spastic muscle twitiches in my arm. Don't be alarmed.
Twitch. The whole pillow moves. Twitch. Twitch.
Him: I hope this isn't bothering you.
Twitch.
Me: Move your arm or I'm naming your son Harlequin.
Said arm is moved.
I think this doesn't happen to most people...
More fun at the ER!
Some random facts I accumulated after my last ER bout:
1) Spiders *can* spin a web in the bathroom between the morning shower and returning in the afternoon. My daughter was right!
2) Said spiders are not disturbed by vomiting.
3) Bleach tablets in the toilet tank seem like a great idea till you get that close to them. Must reconsider.
4) ER's have improved since I had the last baby - they now have these fun tv/monitors attached to the bed. This saves DH from having to bring his laptop and DVDs for long stays. Although, with 2 kids to keep busy, DVDs are pretty much out the window.
5) IV tubing is strangely fascinating to 1 1/2 year olds. Nooooo!!!!!
6) The cafeteria can be a great adventure.
Also, a conversation with my 6 yr old. I'm sitting on the sofa, holding a bowl in case I throw up while DH is finding everyone's shoes:
Me: Could you go get mama's flip flops from my room?
Her: Sure Mama! As soon as I hear those words "going to the hospital" I will do anything for you! (glancing at bowl) Um... except rinse out that bowl if it gets full of throw up...
Me: Fair enough.
1) Spiders *can* spin a web in the bathroom between the morning shower and returning in the afternoon. My daughter was right!
2) Said spiders are not disturbed by vomiting.
3) Bleach tablets in the toilet tank seem like a great idea till you get that close to them. Must reconsider.
4) ER's have improved since I had the last baby - they now have these fun tv/monitors attached to the bed. This saves DH from having to bring his laptop and DVDs for long stays. Although, with 2 kids to keep busy, DVDs are pretty much out the window.
5) IV tubing is strangely fascinating to 1 1/2 year olds. Nooooo!!!!!
6) The cafeteria can be a great adventure.
Also, a conversation with my 6 yr old. I'm sitting on the sofa, holding a bowl in case I throw up while DH is finding everyone's shoes:
Me: Could you go get mama's flip flops from my room?
Her: Sure Mama! As soon as I hear those words "going to the hospital" I will do anything for you! (glancing at bowl) Um... except rinse out that bowl if it gets full of throw up...
Me: Fair enough.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Get ready... get set...
Almost ready for the big blog unveil! I'm going to discontinue this blog and launch a new one, focused mostly on writing, and mysteries in particular. It'll have the working title of my WIP, status counters, industry links, and a cool new template. Stay tuned!!!
I'll announce the addy here, and leave this up for a little while before making the big switch. :)
Robin
I'll announce the addy here, and leave this up for a little while before making the big switch. :)
Robin
Saturday, June 23, 2007
A nod to the grand dame...
This week I picked up The Moving Finger, by Agatha Christie. The back of the book said "a puzzle fit for the masters!" What fun, I thought!! About halfway through, though, I was pretty sure I had it all figured out.
Yawn! I suppose I've just read too many mysteries.
Not so! She surprised me and pulled it all together beautifully!! A cozy at it's finest. :)
Yawn! I suppose I've just read too many mysteries.
Not so! She surprised me and pulled it all together beautifully!! A cozy at it's finest. :)
Friday, June 22, 2007
Blog revamp coming
Just a heads up that cool things are coming the way of this blog. Stay tuned for the big unveiling next week!!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
To use a pen name or not...
Please weigh in!
Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros:
1) You get to name yourself and how fun is that! You can even make it match your genre
2) A degree of separation for your family from potential rabid fans (ha!)
Cons:
1) It's not *your* name on the book, which you may have been hoping to see your whole life. Of course, I certainly adjusted to a married name...
2) Won't the rabid fans figure out who you are anyway?
And just to be clear, I'm mostly concerned with someone off balance and protecting the innocent (ie, kiddos)
Thoughts? Do you plan to use a pen name? Do you like the idea? I'm thinking of using the last name Evonovick - location, location, location. Ha!!! (not really)
Here are the pros and cons as I see them:
Pros:
1) You get to name yourself and how fun is that! You can even make it match your genre
2) A degree of separation for your family from potential rabid fans (ha!)
Cons:
1) It's not *your* name on the book, which you may have been hoping to see your whole life. Of course, I certainly adjusted to a married name...
2) Won't the rabid fans figure out who you are anyway?
And just to be clear, I'm mostly concerned with someone off balance and protecting the innocent (ie, kiddos)
Thoughts? Do you plan to use a pen name? Do you like the idea? I'm thinking of using the last name Evonovick - location, location, location. Ha!!! (not really)
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
P&P Redux
I'm rereading Pride and Prejudice right now - mostly because I've read the story so many times that I can be half alive and still understand it! But I'm also analyzing it as a writer for the first time.
I heard someone say "Thank goodness no one ever told Jane Austen to Show not Tell!" And it's true, she tells frequently. For example:
She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
So, why does it work? What I've noticed is that first she shows, then she tells, then she shows some more. Also, her showing is so clever and subtle, that without the occasional tell, the reader might not get it entirely. As it is, the telling allows her to be more interesting with the way she goes about showing.
The other thing I've noticed is she isn't afraid to let you dislike Darcy in the beginning. He's so iconic to me, that I love him from the first page - now - but when I read just the words on the page and try to forget how it turns out (and banish the lovely image of Colin Firth from my mind) I realize he isn't terribly likable at first. And even though she lets you know he's handsome, he isn't so handsome as to sway Elizabeth or the reader. Instead, it's the charming Wickham who holds the sympathy cards.
Anyway -just a few writerly thoughts on the ever interesting Austen!
PS Hostess has turned against me. All I can eat now are the sausage, egg, and cheddar breakfast sandwiches at Starbucks. I shudder to think of the fat content - but I hope they have a slightly higher nutritional value than a Twinkie!
I heard someone say "Thank goodness no one ever told Jane Austen to Show not Tell!" And it's true, she tells frequently. For example:
She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
So, why does it work? What I've noticed is that first she shows, then she tells, then she shows some more. Also, her showing is so clever and subtle, that without the occasional tell, the reader might not get it entirely. As it is, the telling allows her to be more interesting with the way she goes about showing.
The other thing I've noticed is she isn't afraid to let you dislike Darcy in the beginning. He's so iconic to me, that I love him from the first page - now - but when I read just the words on the page and try to forget how it turns out (and banish the lovely image of Colin Firth from my mind) I realize he isn't terribly likable at first. And even though she lets you know he's handsome, he isn't so handsome as to sway Elizabeth or the reader. Instead, it's the charming Wickham who holds the sympathy cards.
Anyway -just a few writerly thoughts on the ever interesting Austen!
PS Hostess has turned against me. All I can eat now are the sausage, egg, and cheddar breakfast sandwiches at Starbucks. I shudder to think of the fat content - but I hope they have a slightly higher nutritional value than a Twinkie!
Friday, June 08, 2007
I'm alive... barely
Just a quick post to say that I am sick. All. The. Time. I'm far enough in to the 1st trimester that I don't remember not being sick, and have far enough to go that I can't see the light yet.
Writing while sick is hard! Partly because as I run from my laptop to throw up, my 1 1/2 yr old pulls keys off of it. Eventually they don't go back on!
Thank the Lord for Hostess. I honestly haven't bought them in 5 years and now it's the only thing standing between me and death by starvation... not to be dramatic... ;)
Writing while sick is hard! Partly because as I run from my laptop to throw up, my 1 1/2 yr old pulls keys off of it. Eventually they don't go back on!
Thank the Lord for Hostess. I honestly haven't bought them in 5 years and now it's the only thing standing between me and death by starvation... not to be dramatic... ;)
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