Top 5 Reasons why after the week I had, I am Exhausted:
I am exhausted because for the first time in my life I wrote over 20,000 words of pure unadulterated creative fiction from my mind in 7 days.
I am exhausted because instead of going to sleep at a decent hour, every night this week, I stayed up late to write.
I am exhausted because in order to keep up with my peeps and tweeps, I have to communicate on “social media” at some ungodly hours.
I am exhausted because my mind is constantly racing about what I am going to write about for the next 20,000 words of pure unadulterated creative fiction in the next 7 days.
But, really, I am exhausted because one of my collegues took me to a jazz club last night And even though I was exhausted, I stayed for all 4 sets. Whitney Houston, Anita Baker and Babyface songs with a jazz twist, I had no choice. I had to stay.
CJW – Cigar, Jazz & Wine
And, to be perfectly honest with you, I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this week. If being exhausted is the price I pay for doing what I love, then YAWN and bring it on.
Quick Shout out to my new followers from a week ago:
Last month I found myself writing a lot of short stories. I guess I was warming up for JuNoWriMo, which I am 6 days in and happy to say on goal, so far. Out of all this actual fiction writing, a few issues and questions have come up that I would love to have my fellow writers advice and input on. I mean, who better to tell you what you are doing wrong, then your friends. We are friend, right?
Let’s Open it up to the Group:
Is there such thing as to much dialogue in an a story? I am concerned my WIP is starting to look more like a screenplay instead of a novel? How do you determine the right balance between dialogue and description?
How do you express someone laughing or crying or cringing without coming right out and saying that “Emilynn laughed”? or Is it ok to say what type of physical reaction your character is having?
Yesterday I found myself writing a scene in my WIP and when I went back to read what I wrote, I literally did not remember writing it. It was really good though, so I didn’t panic to much. What is your “in the zone” writing experience like?
In the last month, I have written a few reality short stories, two scenes from a scary (not quite horror) stories, and my WIP which is an international/romantic/comedy/drama. When my goal is to become a better writer, is it ok to write in all these different genres or am I spreading my creative mind to thin? Should I just stick with getting good at one?
Thanks again to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this forum for me to share my insecurity’s in a calm and supportive environment. I really look forward to hearing everyones feedback. New Lotus design. What do you think?
I have heard of a furniture auction, an estate auction, and an art auction. Hell, I have even hard of a bull auction. I am from Texas after all. But, until a few days ago, I had never heard of a wine auction.
I have never seen a more disgusting display of wealth, power and decadence in my life. It was so much fun.
Wine Bible for this auction.
You enter this restaurant under tight security and are handed this book. You can’t tell from the picture, but the book weights about 4 pounds and is hard cover. It holds the key to every bottle, case and magnum of wine they are going sell over a period of three days; about 1,500 lots.
From this book, you can find out the name, age, region and description of each wine. They also used a lot of strange acronyms such as owc – it means original wooden case. All of this effects the price of the wine.
The book is also filled with all of these clever descriptions for the wines in each lot. My absolute favorite description said that the wine, “had a tomato sex appeal” I am not kidding.
Here is another actual description as seen in the bible (book).
Typically the cases of wine would range between 40,000 and 60,000 HKD. That is about 5,000 to 7,800 USD. Here is the board which tells you which lot is up, the list price and what the previous lots sold for.
We purchased Lot 150.
Now the best part of the wine auction is tasting the wines. You have wine dealers and vineyard owners walking around to all the different tables to let you taste their prized possessions. They are a crazy eccentric group of people.
I got to sample a 1971 Lynch Bages Cabernat. That wine is older them me. It was so good.
I also sampled a 1982 Chateau de la Tour Cru Clos-Vougeot – isn’t that a mouth full. And a 1991 Chateau de la Tour. Now I have no clue what all that means, but it was some really good wine.
Simple the best
But, my favorite was the Armand De Brignac Champagne – Vintage NV – Ace of Spades, Brut. A 36 bottle lot sold for 10,000 USD. A little over list price. But, this was the best Champagne I have ever tasted. It was just beautiful. But, the funny part was that when it was brought to our table I guess in order for me to relate to the wine, the sommelier told me that the champagne was endorsed by none other then P Diddy himself.*
*Actually it is endorsed by Jay Z and I knew this already. I didn’t correct him though. No need to embarrass him.
All in all, I would have to say this was one of the best outing I have been too in my five years in China. These people treat wine line a business transaction. It wasn’t the type of auction that I am used to. No fast talking auctioneer and no screaming and cheering when you won the bid. It is frowned upon evident by the weird stares I got when I clapped after we one a particular active bidding war.
But, everyone was so nice and we got to drink wine. A lot of wine. And, I can say that the rumor is true. You don’t get a hangover when you drink good wine.
Anyone else been to a wine auction? Was it the conservative atmosphere that I described or was you experience different? What is the oldest bottle of anything that you have drank?
Emily has the right idea. We are all unique and it is reflected in our writing style. I mean, who wants be like every body else anyway. How boring is that? Thanks Emily.
Star Wars: Episode IV New Hope (1977) – I did not see this movie when it was first released, but I feel in love with it before it was redux. But, I did enjoy having the opportunity to see it in a movie theater upon its re-release in 1997. Thanks so much Mr. Lucas.
It was just innovative. That is what I loved about it. It was a cool story and had unlimited possibilities and the underdogs won. This was the beginning of a life long love of any and all things Star Wars.
Best Movie Quote: “May the force be with you.” – That’s to easy.
First Song/Band:
We Go Together – Grease Movie Soundtrack (1978) – It is the first album I ever got and I played this song over and over again. I still know all the world to it.
“Who put the bop in the bop shi bop shi bop? Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?” – Classic lyrics right there.
First Book:
How to Eat Fried Worms (1973) – It was original published in 1973 by Thomas Rockwell. Has been reprint several times since then and been turned into a movie. It is a story about a 10 year old named Billy who made a bet with a neighborhood bully. He had to eat 15 worms in 15 days. If he was able to complete this feat, he would win the admiration of his peers and money to buy a brand new bike.
Every year, my elementary school would have a book fair and I was able to buy 20 books at time. It was my favorite day of the year. I got this book at one of those book fairs and have read it at least once a year since.
First Person:
My mom – And, not just because it’s Mother’s Day. My mom is a great lady and she taught me how to love life and be grateful for all my blessings.
I can’t wait to read other people’s first. Thanks to Alex Cavannaugh for a making my Monday better.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 