Wednesday, October 2, 2024

DON'T GO DOWN THE BASEMENT

 

It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group

 founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, an optional question is announced that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or even a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post. Remember, the question optional.  Let's rock the neurotic writing world!

 Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 The awesome co-hosts for the  October 2 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Jennifer Lane, Jacqui Murray, and Natalie Aguirre! 

 

October 2 question - Ghost stories fit right in during this month. What's your favorite classic ghostly tale? Tell us about it and why it sends chills up your spine.

 

 

It’s so annoying! 

When I’m watching a scary movie...

And one of the characters hears something down the basement...

Don’t go down the basement!

Of course, they go down and something bad happens.

And I hate to admit it...

But I did something stupid... 

Down the basement!

When I was a junior in high school... 

My uncle was a collector of antique books...

My father would often go over to his shop... 

And buy books such as: 

Milton’s Paradise Lost          Dante's Inferno

Because, being an artist, he liked the illustrations in them. 

One day he brought home a book dated 1858 entitled: Incantations and Spells... 

My mother turned her nose up it and called it a witch book.

Me? I was fascinated... 

I recruited my two friends to go through the book with me.

During the course of that summer, we read every page... 

Down in the basement. 

Once, we tried spells to make one boy fall in love with one of my friends. (didn’t work)

All was okay for a while until...


One evening my mother called me for dinner. I was in the basement when I happened to look down and saw my grandmother’s feet. She was barefoot and wearing a long gown. Why wasn’t she wearing shoes? And I’d never seen her in a long dress. Weird, I thought, then ran up the stairs and into the kitchen stopping abruptly because there at the kitchen table was my grandmother. I didn't say anything about seeing the apparition. 


A few days later, my mother was heading downstairs to the basement to start a load of wash... 

Don’t go down the basement!

She told my father later at dinner that the basement had a cold draft that hadn’t been there before. and she felt it again when she hung the clothes on the clothesline to dry. 

Later, she asked me to get the clothes and bring them upstairs.

Don’t go down the basement!

I also felt the cold air plus a heaviness—or presence—in the air. It creeped me out.  But still I said nothing.

A few days later... 

My mother was doing another load of laundry... 

Don’t go down the basement!

And she saw the same apparition of an old woman in a long gown walk past her and told my father, but he just laughed saying her blood sugar was probably low and there are no such things as ghosts. 

I knew better... 

It was only when my father actually saw the old woman standing right in front of him

that he took action. He burned the witches’ book.

There are more stories about that book and what came up from below, 

But not from the basement—from another realm...

Those stories, though are for another time.

 So?

What's your favorite classic ghostly tale?  

Have you ever seen a ghost? 

And are you afraid of going down basements?


Always,

Em-Musing


P.S. Interestingly that book also had an illustration of Pythagoras’ Wheel, that, if asked a question needing a yes or no answer it would give you the answer.

The book also explained in detail how to tell the future using Geomancy but I didn’t want to figure it out. It was too much like doing math which I hated.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

VERY-LY I POST TO THEE

 

It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, an optional question is announced that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or even a story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post. Remember, the question optional. 

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

 

The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!


September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?


English was my favorite subject in school... 

I loved writing flowery poems ...

Using many adjectives and adverbs...

And my grades were good...

The only reprimand I got from teachers...

Was my punctuation.

(do poems need punctuation?)

So, I was shocked when I started writing in the 'real' world

And learned that using adjectives and adverbs...

Is just telling a story and not showing it.

Adjectives and adverbs also slow down a story. 

Obviously, (sorry) King and Twain agree:


“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” – Stephen King 

 “Adverbs are the tool of the lazy writer.” “If you see an adverb, kill it.”  – Mark Twain


Actually, (sorry) I'm sure you all know...

It's the overuse of adjectives and adverbs that need to die. 

My writing is better now for the most part... 

And for the "unmost” part...

My blog posts are where I can write freely (sorry) 

Whatever and however my little heart desires (a cliché)

And just for grins and giggles (yup, another cliché) 

Here’re some stats of two famous authors regarding adverbs:

 

Hemingway used only 80 adverbs in every 10,000 words while J.K. Rowling used 140 per 10,000.  And King said this: “Ms. Rowling seems to have never met one [adverbs] she didn't like”.

 

I’m pretty sure (sorry) Rowling and her bank accounts really (sorry) don’t care about her overuse of adverbs.


And you?

What are your feelings on adjectives and adverbs?

And what writing rule messed you up as a writer?


Always,

Em-Musing

 

 

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

I AM NOT A ROBOT

  


Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire The question is optional.

                                         Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG. 

The awesome co-hosts for the August 7 posting of the IWSG are: Feather Stone, Kim Lajevardi, Diedre Knight, C. Lee McKenzie, and Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen!

 August 7 question - Do you use AI in your writing and if so, how? Do you use it for your posts? Incorporate it into your stories? Use it for research? Audio?





I pride myself on my writing and creative thoughts. I would feel like a big fat cheater if I used AI to write for me. 

But, when writing this post...

I got curious about the origins of AI...

And did some researching (thanks AI)...

And found that AI has been with us for many decades... 

But before AI came Robots...

A term that was created in 1920 by a Czech named Karel Capek... 

Who wrote the play, Rossum’s Universal Robots—R.U.R.

FYI: robot is a term derived from robata, a Czech word that means “forced labor”.

The play is about enslaved synthetic humans who were made to serve

human masters and in the end the robots kill all humans proclaiming that they have emotions too. (obviously not forgiveness)

I keep wondering—or fearing—just how far we humans can take AI...

Hollywood and authors have had a field day with possibilities...

But I wonder about science...

How far can science go?

When is enough, enough?

And then I got to wondering...

If I am a physical creation of God (and I believe I am) 

And my brain has been programed to think... 

Am I merely a flesh and blood robot?

No!

Because while I can compare my brain to AI... 

And my physical body to a robot... 

Something is still lacking in this scenario...

A conscience!

And God's Spirit!

Which I believe is different than a life force that animals and all other living things have.

Thoughts?

 And how do you use AI?



Always,

Em-Musing

 

P.S. Here’s a link to more of this story:

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

WORD UP

 

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
 

 

The awesome co-hosts for the  July 3 posting of the IWSG are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!
 

July 3 question - What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all-time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?

Remember, the question is optional


Word has always been my “go to” software...

I’ve stuck with it through all its versions:

Good, bad, bugs and all....

And let me tell you...

One version had lots of bugs.

Last year...

When I went to the Writer’s Digest conference in NYC...

I took a mini class in Word and—WOW!

There were so many features I didn't even know existed.

Obviously, teaching myself isn’t the best way for me to learn...

Because I’m impatient, get frustrated easily, and give up often.

One time I tried Scrivener and thought it had great options...

But I kept going back to Word because it was familiar...

But more, Word is the standard when submitting...

And I don’t want to write in one software program...

And then have to copy and paste into another format...

I have enough going on in my head when I write...

I don’t want to clutter it figuring out how to do that. 

(Yes...I'm a wuss)

Lastly...

 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY to all!

And may all your BBQ dream cuisines  come true!



Always, 
Em Musing 

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

KNOW HOW TO " NO"


  
Hey! It's the monthly blog posting on Insecure Writer's Support Group  started by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 
Remember, the question is optional


The awesome co-hosts for the May 1 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Kim Lajevardi, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!

May 1 question - How do you deal with distractions when you are writing? Do they derail you? 

My distractions are voices in my head....
One voice is alluring, often tempting, and sometimes riddled with guilt. 
The other voice— my muse —is my cheerleader encouraging me to stay B-I-C (butt in chair)
So, there I’ll be at my desk in my office...
With coffee steam wafting from my cup... 
Fingers poised ready to write (YAY) for a whole day when... 

Why don’t you check Amazon for a dress for the upcoming wedding?
NO! She needs to write.
Better check out airline tickets. Prices are going up.
NO! She can check later. 
There’s a new reel on Instagram with babies laughing!
NO! She’ll keep looking for more babies laughing and waste time.
         You should check out the severe weather in Mongolia. Scary!
         NO! Why should she care about Mongolian weather?  
         Let's  make those nut protein bars you saw on Instagram.
         NO! It’ll take too long. She can eat crackers now.
         Call your cousin. You haven’t talked in months.
         NO! She’ll call soon. Her cousin will understand
         How about we Google essential oils that remove whiskers. 
         NO! She can keep plucking them.
         You need to do laundry. Clean your refrigerator! Exercise!
         NO! One more day won’t matter.
C’mon…take a break and let’s watch that series  on Netflix. You deserve it. You’ve been working really hard.
ME: Well, maybe one episode with my afternoon coffee. But only one then back to work. 

So?
How do you handle your distractions?

Always,
Em-Musing
         .


Wednesday, April 3, 2024

 


Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!!

The awesome co-hosts for the April 3 posting of the IWSG are Janet Alcorn, T. Powell Coltrin, Natalie Aguirre, and Pat Garcia!

April 3 question - How long have you been blogging? (Or on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram?) What do you like about it and how has it changed

Waaay back in 2009

I started my blog, Em-Musing


I chose that name for two reasons... 

1)  the ‘Em’ part is ‘me’ backward...

(which is how I often feel)

2) because it’s so close to sounding like ‘I’m Musing’.

I began writing my posts because I had many writings 

But had no place to put them.

I didn’t belong to any online writing groups at the time...

So I didn’t expect to get any followers...

(Not true…I really, really wanted some)

It just wanted to put my writings out ‘there’ ...

And not stay stuck in my laptop.

A few years later...

I stumbled upon the Insecure Writer’s Support Group...

Founded by the one and only Alex J. Cavanaugh.

I joined...

And wow! My blog got some followers. YAY!

My blog post through the years have dwindled.. 

Because I’ve been putting my energies towards writing novels

But I still love being on IWSG especially for the monthly blog...

And have appreciated the support and comments throughout the years. 

And what about your blog journey?

 

Always,

Em-Musing






Wednesday, March 6, 2024

 

Hey! It’s the Monthly Blog Hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

The first Wednesday of every month, we announce an optional question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience, or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optiona.

The awesome co-hosts for the March 6 posting of the IWSG are Kristina Kelly, Miffie  Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!


March 6th question: Have you "played" with AI to write those nasty synopses, or do you refuse to go that route? How do you feel about AI's impact on creative writing?

 





 Credit:imagine




Below, a parody  from Annie get Your Gun 

 

AI:   Anything you can write I can write better. I can write anything better than you.

ME:   No you can’t.

AI:    Yes I can.

ME:   No you can’t. 

AI     Yes I can.

ME:   No you can’t.

AI:    Yes I can, yes I can…YES, I CAN!!

ME:   Really? Have you ever been kissed? Felt warm lips on 

         your lips?

AI:    No. My lips are unable to feel other's lips.

ME:   Ever giggled till you peed your pants? 

AI:    No. I’m unable to giggle, I don’t wear pants, 

          and why would I pee in them if I did?

ME:   Ever cry watching a movie with a tear-jerking scene?

AI:    No. I cannot generate tears. I don’t have emotions, 

          Movies aren't real. Why do humans cry watching a 

          movie?

ME:   So? How do you get your info about characters and 

          writing scenes?

AI:   generate content based on data that I’ve analyzed. 

ME:   Well then, you really can’t write from experience, can 

          you? That’s why can write better than you. HA!

AI:    You know that synopsis you’ve been struggling with?

ME:   Yeah? What about it?

AI:    I can write that synopsis better and faster than you. 

Me:   Oh? Uh…well then…sure…I might just let you have a go at it…to compare, yeah, that’s it. Only to compare.  


AI is here to stay..

I use Grammarly for editing and love it. I might want to try Hemingway though, I read good reviews about it.

But I think legitimate writers and authors have more pride in their published pieces than to let AI do some or the bulk of their creative works. 

What say you?


Always, 

Em-Musing


PS  I am actually working on a synopsis, Ugh!  But I don't have the urge 

to try AI.