This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Surprise, Surprise! ( #IWSG & #BOTB results )

       I've reached a point in my life where not much surprises me other than the things in the world that are out of my control--and really those things shouldn't surprise me much either...


The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog





The co-hosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG are Renee Scattergood,Sadira Stone, Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan, and LG Keltner!



August 7 question - Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you'd forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming?

        I can't say that my writing has necessarily taken me by surprise at any particular time other than when I've gone back to read writing from 30 or 40 years ago that actually sounds pretty good to me.  But then, I've got strange tastes.  For me, since high school and college, my writing has gone rather dormant.  If not had been for blogging and a couple goes at NaNoWriMo, my writing of the past decade might have been insignificant as in none to not very much. 

         Thanks to blogging I at least feel compelled to write certain things, but it's more like a homework assignment these days than any overpowering desire to write.  It's almost like I've sealed myself in a cocoon and am waiting for some exultative release from an inner funk.  

          Waiting could take forever and I ain't got time for that now...

Battle of the Bands Results



         I figured my recent Battle between Harpo Marx and Robert Maxell performing "From the Land of Sky Blue Water" would be a sweeping win for the zany harp player from the Marx Brothers.  He was my vote (after all, it was his clip that made me search out a competing version for a Battle of the Bands match) and I just kind of assumed that most voters would be inclining toward Harpo over the more obscure Robert Maxwell.

        Boy!  Was I wrong about that!

Final Vote Tally

Harpo Marx             5 votes

Robert Maxwell        11 votes


Next Battle on Thursday August 15th!










35 comments:

  1. I'm getting to the point that I don't have time for waiting either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex, waiting is the option that most of us don't enjoy or want to do most of the time.

      Lee

      Delete
  2. I'm pleased you continued to blog Lee otherwise I would not have had a wonderful time in LA when we met up. I think we all get to an age when we write only when the mood takes us.
    Enjoy your day.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne, I've become rather moody of late. Writing is apparently not a priority for me at the moment.

      Lee

      Delete
  3. I can identify with those homework assignments. That's all the research I have to do for DLP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. L.Diane, certain research is not fun, but necessary.

      Lee

      Delete
  4. Standing the test of time? No, I think that means your writing as always been compelling. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    ReplyDelete
  5. If nothing else, blogging is good practice in creative nonfiction, eh?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra, and nonfiction is what I prefer to write.

      Lee

      Delete
  6. My blog posts do at times feel like homework, too. I spend most of Saturday on a week's worth for three blogs. But, I always leave feeling good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacqui, getting something done almost always feels good, but getting started can be a challenge at times.

      Lee

      Delete
  7. Maybe your passions are just leading you elsewhere, beyond the realm of writing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loni, you are correct on that deduction. Writing is still there for me somewhere, but not the immediate priority.

      Lee

      Delete
  8. "Forever" definitely takes on a new meaning after a certain age.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C.Lee, now it becomes more of a matter of how much more time is left in this world.

      Lee

      Delete
  9. My mind is pretty straight forward most of the time. BUT sometimes a character or place changes course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan K, changes are what keeps things more interesting.

      Lee

      Delete
  10. Blogging is a great motivational tool for writing stories! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renee, I've been motivated on occasion, but lately it's been difficult to do much of any writing. Now that my vacation is over maybe I'll get back in the spirit of things.

      Arlee Bird
      Tossing It Out

      Delete
  11. Yep, sometimes my writing feels like a homework assignment too. I need a swift kick in the writing seat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dolorah, life in general has seemed like a homework assignment lately to me. I think I need a rocket backpack.

      Lee

      Delete
  12. Hi Lee - my posts can take for ever sometimes ... and I wonder why I put them up - then the compliments come in - and so I know ... it's a way of life - I miss it, if I'm not thinking about a few subjects ... and have hated when I haven't blogged - funny old life - take care and cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hilary, you've done some pretty complex posts over the year. I can see why they would take time. Those nice blog comments seem to make the effort so worth it though.

      Lee

      Delete
  13. I hear you on the waiting part. Sometimes I just wonder if I've missed the boat. But then, I just keep rowing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liza, I'm too tired to row anything of late. Just floating along that lazy river of life.

      Lee

      Delete
  14. Hi Lee!

    Well, I missed an especially good battle. The video presented magically soothing harp and flute (?) music while the second conjured mystical visuals of raindrops and twitching grasshopper legs at sunrise. Both delightful!

    Living in each moment is always time well spent. Consider it gathering, rather than waiting. No story ever ends without the author’s bidding, and even then it lives on :- ) Write when you’re ready.

    Happy August!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diedre, hopefully you'll drop by for my next Battle on the 15th.

      The stories are there, but the motivation to write them has been lacking.

      Lee

      Delete
  15. LEE ~
    I can't say that your BOTB outcome surprised me much. I suspect there are a lot of people out there who, like me, find that a little harp music goes a long way. I mean, it's a pleasant, soothing sound but, truthfully, I'm good for about 30 seconds of it, especially if it's the primary instrument, front and center.

    I've often heard people say that they don't want to go to Heaven because they couldn't stand listening to angels playing harps all day. Obviously, that's just a cartoonish idea of what Heaven would be like, but I do get what they're saying.

    Now, me, I don't want to go to hell because I don't want to hear demons playing bagpipes all damned day! ;^D

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. STMcC, I'd definitely prefer to have massive doses of harp music over bagpipes. At least the calming harp music would be relaxing over agitating.

      Lee

      Delete
  16. It's a bit of a relief to know that I'm not the only one with my foot on the break while the next novel is urging me to hit the green light. My mood has been on the blue side so I'm blaming that rather than laziness. I'm wondering if a mountain retreat with other writers, amply supplied with wine and goodies would help. No pressure, but maybe their enthusiasm and the Baby Duck might get the juices flowing again. Have you tried that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FS, a mountain or some other kind of writing retreat sounds like fun, but I think I would be more distracted than inspired to write. Haven't tried it yet, but then I need to focus my financial resources on other life things.

      Lee

      Delete
  17. It must smell funky inside of that cocoon. Before you start writing you might need a bath.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PTM, when I break free I'll be a butterfly and I can take an air bath.

      Lee

      Delete

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

Lee