Back at the Keyboard Again!

Ta-da! We're back again! My computer has had it's brain washed, guts colonoscopied, and programs neatly reloaded. Looks like I won't have to break out the old typewriter after all. Am I ever dependent on this little old keyboard and tower. Hopefully they won't go all wonky on me again anytime soon.

Meanwhile, while I was down and out, my writing friend and critique partner, Mary Horner, tagged me in a quickie blog chain, after she was tagged by another writing buddy, Donna Volkennant. I've been asked to answer 4 questions about my writing process, then tag two other writers to do the same. I promise to make this quick and painless. After all, I only have a kabillion emails to catch up on. : )

   1.  What am I  working on?

Nothing. My computer has been on life support. I hope to get back on track after answering all those emails.

   2.  How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I typically write personal essays and fiction. I'm not sure my work is exceptionally different from other essayists or fiction writers. I simply focus on trying to write something I think a reader would enjoy.

   3.  Why do I write what I do?

I like the digging down into the dirt of writing an essay. It's a lot like self analysis, and I always learn something. On the other hand, writing fiction is fun. You can create any world, character, or situation you want. Sort of like being God with a keyboard.

   4.  How does your writing process work?

I nearly always start with a broad outline. I need the structure, although straying in other directions if the story takes me there is okay, too. 

Done! Now I'm tagging two wonderful writer friends to carry on the chain. First, I'm tagging Becky Povich, author of From Pigtails to Chin Hairs. Her funny and poignant memoir will definitely make you smile. So will her blog.

My second tag is the incomparable Molly the Wally. I don't know any other four-footer who can write an entertaining and delightful blog post every day, not to mention all her numerous other writing credits. She's pawsitively prolific.

Here's hoping both Becky and Molly will have time to fill us in on their writing process, too.

And with that, it's off to my inbox. I'm not complaining one bit. At least now it's possible to get there.

Modern Mouser

One of these days I'll catch that slippery little thing!

New Computer Blues

Thursday I brought home a new desktop and monitor. Between my son, daughter, and myself it is now hooked up and running. It has a different system from the old computer, so I am now relearning basics. In fact, I've spent the entire evening relearning.

It seems I have a lot to relearn.

Worse, I discovered that the new monitor, so highly recommended as the latest and greatest by the salesperson, does not have built in speakers. He didn't mention this fact to me. Truth be told, I didn't ask either, as I simply assumed it would be the same as my old monitor. Consequently, I am now soundless.

I don't want to invest more money than I already have, so I'm pretty sure that this weekend the monitor will be returned for a good old fashioned one.

With speakers.

Verified!

Despite the apparent demise of my desktop, today I was able to confirm my NaNo story. I'm operating on the laptop, which I typically only use to write; not post, email, or any other delightful tasks that I have had to "redo" in order to function properly.

Do you know how many different places you use passwords? And can you imagine how many passwords you can forget?

That's been my discovery for today.

Hopefully I'll be back to more regular posting soon, once I master the art of really working on my laptop.

Back to the drawing board!

The Secret Revealed

Let's see...the red five goes on the black six...

H'mmm. Have you ever wondered why the computer settings seem a little different than the last time you signed off after working on a project? Apparently some sneaky person (with way too much time on his/her hands) documented proof of what occurs when people are not firmly seated in front of the screen.

And that's the way it all begins. At first, it's only simple games being played. But then you notice visits to shady kitty websites. Mysterious packages of catnip arrive on your doorstep. You receive a nasty warning email for downloading bootleg meowsic.

I'm telling you, once cats figure out how to access the internet we're doomed.

Because a cat with a mouse is a very dangerous thing.