Talent

Musical talent is something I lack.  I've come to terms with this.

My little brother on the other hand, is a rock star.  Sometimes we just make him sit and play, the guitar or piano, as we shout out requests.  Here's one of his latest:  Meant to be Stolen 

Side note: my husband uploaded it from his phone, I don't know what is up with the tiny sliver of a screen...

And in other news, my older brother and I have decided to coauthor a book, should be interesting, we'll see how that goes.  I'm way excited.

Is today really Wednesday?

Wow.  Monday being Labor day really threw me off this week...

Here is part five of the Becoming a Better Writer w/o Writing Series.

It's about making goals and rewarding yourself for accomplishing them.  I'm happy to say this week has gone much better than last week as far as keeping things in balance.  No I haven't gotten as much writing done, but I've still been productive, met my goals, and haven't gone crazy, or run away--so things are good.

Here's the video:

YAY! and Spy

So I officially met my 35,000 word goal!  Huzzah!  I'm guessing I'll need another 10k to tie the loose ends together but I think that's okay, my drafts are a little heavy when I finish them and this will give me some room to cut things out.

My new goal for September is to finish writing this first draft and then as hard as it will be for me...I'm going to take the advice that I haven't had to guts to use yet.  I'm going to let the manuscript sit.  And then I'm going to read it cover to cover and see how it sounds...

In the meantime, I have so many different ideas I'm just itching to start, hopefully this will keep me distracted enough to leave Parasites alone.  I have two ideas that have floated to the top, I'm not sure which one will win, but I'm excited to find out!  Yay!

So here's this weeks video...  (and in case you are left wondering we did eat the entire bunny in the process of filming and no it wasn't hollow)

BECOME A BETTER WRITER W/O WRITING PART 4--SPY

p.s. I know you have to write to become better at it...

Become a Better Writer without Writing PART 3

Hey guys,

I know you've been dying to know what's next in our video series, so here goes:  

Become a Better Writer W/O Writing...Live (PART II)

Hey guys,

Here's the video of the week.  Again, YOU HAVE TO WRITE TO BE A BETTER WRITER...but sometimes we need to procrastinate in the name of writing.  (Which is kinda why I've been making videos about writing :) )

5 ways to become a better writer without writing

My little brother likes making movies.  So we made one.  Just a few things before you actually watch the thing.

First off:
I KNOW you have to WRITE to be a writer or even to be a better one.  Just wanted to make that clear.

Second:
I'm not sure you'll ever think of me the same after watching this.

Third:
For better or worse, this will be a five part series--so stayed tuned for part II, coming next week.

...I guess I can't stall anymore...

Life Lessons from Sesame Street

So this morning while watching Sesame Street...


(Heck yes I watch Sesame Street. I know it's probably my best time of the day to do dishes, or fold laundry because the two-year-old is occupied... but why do dishes when you can sit on your couch with your toddler and watch Sesame Street) 


Anyway, I was saying... I came across this video and it totally made my day.  I think it's something everyone needs to hear (especially writers who are sick of getting kicked to the curb).

But... we are special, we need to dream big and realize we just need to keep our heads up high...


I'm the only me.  And I love me. 


My sister and I used to play the "I love me because..." game.  Which sounds totally vain and weird, but it actually is a really good self esteem booster to realize what you love about yourself... and realize being you is amazing--even if you're the only one (you know of) who loves you.


So what do you love about yourself?


Seriously.  


I love me because I can (usually) cheer people up when they are feeling cruddy.


What do you love about you?  I really want to know.       

Part 4: Fruit War (go back and start with part 1 first...)

Okay so this last video had nothing to do with Bruce, but while digging through little bro's youtube channel, I ran across this and thought it was so cool...

Anyway, I also wanted to extend warm welcome to Avner--my bro's new pet... who almost made me throw up just thinking about him... really you can ask my parents and brother about it. 

No this isn't really Avner--I think Avner is even bigger and blacker... but both make my skin crawl...

-Pearl

Part 3: Bruce and Matt

And more Bruce...

Part 2: Mattatouie

Pets have been on my mind with all the dog watching/adoption in the extended family...so I couldn't let pass the opportunity to pay tribute to Bruce, my little bro's tarantula of three years.  And even though I couldn't attend the funeral, which I heard was really nice, I wanted to pay my respects and show the best memories I have of Bruce.  

This is amazing!

Not that it has anything to do with writing or an update on my new "plan"...

but it's so cool.

So I decided to change my time line, I'm doing steps 3-5 all the same time, and hopefully this will save time. So I go through three chapters a day with a fine tooth comb and fix the world building, consistency and cut the fat... it feels like it's going well, I'm really pleased with the first nine chapters I've done.

Hopefully I can keep it up. I'm still giving this segment of the plan until july 11th, but hopefully I'll be moving to the next phase before then.

Bedtime stories... abbreviated

Around our house there have been many stalling techniques used lately, by baby pearl, in order to not go to bed...

One of the them is to yell 'Bredfast!' (or Breakfast) and run to the highchair and demand to be fed, only to throw applesauce/cereal/yogurt etc. on the floor.

another is to say 'Elmo Show!', in which I reply--No sorry.

Or the last one is...'Story!', even though we just read three. I am a sucker for books though, so I had to come up with a short cut to make the bedtime routine a little quicker.

So fun

Ah, Sunchips

So my little brother, No Beard, made these commercials for a contest, I'm kind of glad he didn't win, because I can post them on the blog now! Baby Pearl and I are in the first one with No Beard, and then Flying Dutch Pig, Grandpa Pearl and Sasa are in the second one...I love it, too fun.