Dang.

[erastes]

Not a word I've ever said in my life, but also poot.  No internet connection at all today at Dad's. Weather, probably—it's freezing cold, cloudy and raining. I've officially HAD it with Winter Kthnxbai.

Dad discussing retirement homes today. Today he's of the opinion that he should go into a home, so I will make an effort and see what's available. He'll probably change his mind tomorrow, but we'll have to see what happens. (of course later in the day he denied having had this conversation and does not want to go into a home at all!)

I realised, over the last week, that I've been the beta and prodder of about five writers—and every single one of them has stopped writing, and in most cases have faded away completely. One might be considered unfortunate, but five must be considered to be carelessness.Note to self: don't do it again.

The thing about the network connection is that I don't seem to be able to take it on the chin and get on with YANNO—LARGE HINT TO SELF, STUFF THAT NEEDS DOING like the final edit for Muffled Drum or writing something else—instead of which I stare, bichon-friese-like at the connection icon, as if something is going to magically change. i walk around the house with the laptop in case the bedroom or kitchen might get a better reception. (God alone knows what I'd if I connected in the bathroom (no euphemism implied) – set up a desk in there???)

Or I re-read the saved friends page I have. Or-even though I can't post them, i write blog posts.

Ahem.

Also this is very wrong. Hilarious—and I want one (Looks speculatively at Lili) but really really wrong Actually it would work better with Severus because he already has a black tail that has a bend in it. But he has black blobs….Stop me from buying food colouring…

Comments

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

OMG.

IT IS STARING AT ME. IT IS STARING AT ME WITH ITS BLACK EYES OF INFINITE EVIL. (bichon Frise)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

and Pikachu too!!

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

I want my mummy.

Situations

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

Hey-- am I one of the five? Lord knows you have beta'd me, bless your pea-pickin' heart. And lord knows I haven't been productive for months. But if I'm on your list, I hope it's temporary. I have trouble focusing on anything more than a few minutes these days, but I hope it's just something that can be fixed. I have five stories to finish, for godsake!

I understand your frustration with no internet. I had internet but no computer for weeks. Bummer!

Thinking of you and your dad. You're in a tough spot, and you can't make decisions for him while he can still make them himself. And it's a bit of a nightmare.

Best to you.

Re: Situations

[erastes.livejournal.com]

eek - no, counting you that would be six. or five and a bit.

Don't forget the chat at 3pm EST -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karendevinkaren/

Re: Situations

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

five and a bit.

Humph. So now I qualify as "a bit!?" lol With friends like you...

Well, I haven't really quit writing so much as just not being able to stay focused on anything longer than a few minutes. But you and Alex and Charlie and Lee just keep right on no matter what happens. I hope it's just a nutrition thing. An herbalist I know said I need to take Vitamin B and also Fish Oil supplements. She may very well be right, from what I read on the internet. But with so many prescriptions drugs fighting it out in my system, I don't want to start them without asking my doctor first.

Who is publishing Mere Mortals? I love the cover.

I hope to pop into the chat until the school bus gets here, anyway.

Chat

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

Well, I just tried to get into the chat and for some weird reason, had to re-join the group. I'm waiting for the confirmation e-mail, which hopefully won't take too long. The way my luck has always gone with these online chats, the school bus will pull up just about the same time the confirmation arrives -- if it arrives.

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

My theory is that if people need prodding, they probably aren't going to carry on anyway. They've got to have their own drive and do it without any encouragement from anyone if they're going to carry on writing in the long term. You can't give them a drive they don't have, no matter how otherwise talented they are.

[lyras.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much what I was going to say, only better. I've watched a few face-to-face writers' groups over the past few years, and they all seem to start off with enthusiasm and then peter down to one or two members. And there's only so much effort you can put in to encouraging the ones who have promise.

[jenniferkoliver.livejournal.com]

Argh! I know the internet connection woes - it can be the most frustrating thing ever. Hope you get to a stable connection soon!

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

That's one cute bitchin' frizzy you've got there.

I hope you aren't counting me. I'm just dormant.. I hope. You are a Greata Beta than most and I DO appreciate it!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

No no, not you - you've just published a book! I'm talking about people who have just stopped.

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

And I don't believe I congratulated you on the new book! Way to go! I'm so glad it doesn't take you 20 years the way it does me. I honestly don't know how you guys do it. Book after book after book while I am still contemplating my belly button lint.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

8.3 books in six years? Not all that fast, really.

Hey, Energizer Bunny!

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

8.3 books in six years? Not all that fast, really.



uh .... faster than 2 books plus 4 short stories in 20 years!

[essayel.livejournal.com]

That little dog has eyes like the penguin in The Wrong Trousers.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Yes. EVIL! bichons are definitely planning the overthrow of creation.

[stevie-carroll.livejournal.com]

Ack on the internet woes. My problem is when I'm waiting for Day Job stuff and can't get on with writing in the meantime, because it might just turn up.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I may have to surreptiously put him on Broadband without him knowing it because I do need the net, and the research - andthat's my excuse!!

[crawling-angel.livejournal.com]

*feels the poke*

I haven't written for over a year really so me being even more MIA isn't anything you've done/said/inferred. There is a long and worrying story behind that. (Maybe I should write that one instead? Oh, no...it'll only bore people to death). I was sort of just getting my head back into gear when work landed an essay for me to do in a month so yes...I haven't even done that and it's due in on 7 March. You can tell I was born on a Wednesday, eh?

*loves as always*
Me, Dave and Aleksander and his baby (& Puss from his new home)
xxx<3xxx