Pardon Me, But Maybe Complaining Will Help!

I try not to complain much. Complaining out loud often alienates people. Complaining to yourself is like mumbling. No one really hears you and they don't understand. The only one who likes to hear complaining, I am convinced, is my wonderful chiropractor, Dr. Paul Molloy. www.chiconcord.com

After all the corticosteroid shots I got in my lower back, and then the needles to 'burn the nerves' off, the procedures may have helped for a few weeks, but the pain in my back, is back!! This is most distressing. I've tried to think positive, as science has proven that having a positive outlook can aid in having positive health, but my increased discomfort has decreased my outlook.

Dr. Paul suggested I try a few alternative therapies. I am so hoping massage therapy and hot tub therapy will be of great value. My back and hips and top of my femur bones are killing me. Several years ago I let a massage therapist student give me a free massage, but I didn't feel any benefit from it. I was left feeling unaffected. But I will go see the professional that Dr. Paul personally sees, and see if I can get some comfort.

Also, hubby and I will share a hot tub therapy once a week ($6.00 each for 1/2 hour). Not only will we love the hot water sinking into our weary bones and hurt muscles, we can cuddle, too. We have often discussed that our next big purchase will be a hot tub. The older we get the more we are convinced we want one for the pure luxury of soaking in the heated water and relaxing mind, body, and soul. This water therapy will either convince us we do in fact need one, or that we don't. I am open to letting the therapy decide for us.

Sorry to complain so much! Do you have aches and pains, or mental anguish, and wish to use this post to complain?
If so, please do!!!

The Monkey Wrench

Oh, let's say you had a situation and you did the pros and cons to make an unemotional decision as to what course of action you should take. You list your pros. You list your cons. You sugar-coat the cons so the sting doesn't seem quite so bad.

You come up with a decision...oftentimes justifying the outcome if it leans towards impractical. Such is my case...I made a decision, then someone threw in the proverbial 'monkey wrench!' Oh, well, I will 'pros and cons' again and find a way to brainwash myself into believing the cons aren't so bad. I really want my situation MY WAY...

Know what I'm talking about??? If you have experienced 'mid-life crisis' I've no doubt you have an inkling. Even younger people must sometimes choose between actions/decisions that are responsible or risky. I just think with age comes the more life-satisfying situations that can mean the difference between work and play.

Would you like to share your pros and cons process and how you justify making sometimes impractical decisions...
Please Reply!

Backstory

A lot of time, effort, daydreaming, planning, creativity, and (if you're blessed) talent, go into writing a story. One doesn't just 'bang it out' and be done with it. When the first word is written so begins the writing and editing process. This journey can take months, years, or a lifetime...

When beginning a novel the author must first decide where to begin the story. Should you begin with your character's childhoods, which are truly the beginning? Or just pick up the story as something crucial is happening in their current lives?

I do not hold myself to rigid rules. First, I take my 'clay-of-an-idea' and think about my characters for weeks or months. I get an idea of how I might like to see the story end, and then chart my character's courses on their roller coaster rides with attainable prizes at the end. Sometimes my characters take over the story and I must abandon MY ideas and go with theirs. As one rejection slip from Harlequin warned me "Don't be so predicable!"

Then I must contemplate what tactic will be most effective in showing my reader who my characters are? What is important to my characters? What tone do I want to set at the get-go?

When delving into a new project, I start with action or dialog that is of paramount importance to forming my character's personalities. Is he/she pushy, formal, smart or ignorant. How does he/she interact with others who play major roles in the story? Will showing events from childhood aid the reader, prompting them to immediately care about my characters? Or should I interject backstory as the story progresses? Sometimes backstory seems fake and plopped on the page causing it to sound forced, and hence slow the pace.

I follow my own rule: If I feel the backstory is significant and makes a good scene with compelling dialog, it is better to show firsthand how this event will eventually shape and mold my character's current and future lives.

Backstory has it's place in my novels, but my backstory is usually just minute details. I dish out the good stuff first-hand!

How about you: how much backstory do you like? Are you a writer who wishes to share your thoughts on the writing process? (Please do!)

Are you a reader of good quality books? What genre do you prefer? Who are your favorite authors?

Please Reply!

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