Greetings Dear Readers,
My beloved wife and I have discovered a fun past time for our leisure hours. I have mentioned Second Life before on this blog. As always I find that I am drawn to people and the amazing diversity that is our world.
I am using this post to say hi to few who have impressed us with who they are or what they do.
Celtic - I really admire your search for truth and am honored to be a part of the discussion.
Cat - Your assistance and kindness to my spouse are immeasurable to me. I want to hear more of the story, QWERTY.
Rin - Cosmos has become a home away from home. Thanks for hosting the awesome concert. You could probably sell tickets next time.
To the rest of my readers, I know that you look here for information on my writing, but this rounded needed to recognize some real people who use the anonymity of a game to do good. It is the good you do when no one is looking that shines the brightest.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
21 March 2007
13 March 2007
Standing in the Sun
We are getting the first signs that Winter has decided to make way for Spring. The calf deep snow in our yard has dwindled to slushy puddles of grey-white crystal and tomorrows temperature is reported to reach the 70's.
As I emerged from the house yesterday afternoon the sun glistened on the receding snow and fell on my face with warmth for the first time since Fall. As a rule I like winter, but that first sensation of warmth gave me a boost I have not felt in some time. My wife will undoubtedly begin her forays into the budding new world, while soon I will enter my constant battle to avoid the extremes of heat that accompany summer. For today, however, I relish the sun and standing in it without feeling hot or humid.
As I emerged from the house yesterday afternoon the sun glistened on the receding snow and fell on my face with warmth for the first time since Fall. As a rule I like winter, but that first sensation of warmth gave me a boost I have not felt in some time. My wife will undoubtedly begin her forays into the budding new world, while soon I will enter my constant battle to avoid the extremes of heat that accompany summer. For today, however, I relish the sun and standing in it without feeling hot or humid.
Photo by Aramis Thorn, Smyrna, April 1998
One of the things I noticed was the first bits of our daffodils poking their way up beside the house. Daffodils are one of the things that scream Spring to me. Soon they will reach up to embrace the sun now on my face and the life cycle will kick into full gear. For now I am standing in the sun, enjoying its warmth and listening to the dripping of melting snow preparing to rejoin the clouds and become Spring rain. I could stand here for a long while but the keyboard calls as some of my characters want a word with me.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
06 March 2007
Schedule Changes
It has been said that when men make plans God laughs. So often it seems that when I make writing plans life gets in the way. It forces one to choose where loyalties lie and how determined they are to write. Currently in our home schedules are in flux and such minor things as meals times and shower access are challenged.
I like things orderly and scheduled. I like to know what happens next. Right now the challenge is to get everything done and still be disciplined in my writing. There is little or no give when it comes to writing. Either you do it or you do not.
In truth no matter what happens next, I must maintain a constant. That constant is that I must write. If I do not then I stray from the path. The other constant is that I must do it and maintain my responsibility to my wife and children. If you propose to write then you must acknowledge that you will spend your life juggling these two constants. Your arms get tired but it is worth it.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
I like things orderly and scheduled. I like to know what happens next. Right now the challenge is to get everything done and still be disciplined in my writing. There is little or no give when it comes to writing. Either you do it or you do not.
In truth no matter what happens next, I must maintain a constant. That constant is that I must write. If I do not then I stray from the path. The other constant is that I must do it and maintain my responsibility to my wife and children. If you propose to write then you must acknowledge that you will spend your life juggling these two constants. Your arms get tired but it is worth it.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
23 February 2007
One Flu in a Cuckoo's Nest
Greetings Dear Reader,
Writing has been blurry and delirious this week. On Sunday evening I felt chilly. One must understand that I rarely feel cold. By Monday morning I had fever, chills, and congestion. My fever topped off at 105 on Tuesday evening. Apparently I held several conversations I do not remember and talked of things both wonderful and strange. My fever broke by Wednesday afternoon but I still feel achy and tired. Unfortunately my wife is just entering the fever stages of this same Flu and I hope she has it easier than I.
I just reread some of the things I typed into my computer during my delirium. They will never see the light of day as they make some of Lewis Carroll's drug induced prose seem like formal writing. The delirium and Flu are departing but in their wake they leave a new perspective on some things.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Writing has been blurry and delirious this week. On Sunday evening I felt chilly. One must understand that I rarely feel cold. By Monday morning I had fever, chills, and congestion. My fever topped off at 105 on Tuesday evening. Apparently I held several conversations I do not remember and talked of things both wonderful and strange. My fever broke by Wednesday afternoon but I still feel achy and tired. Unfortunately my wife is just entering the fever stages of this same Flu and I hope she has it easier than I.
I just reread some of the things I typed into my computer during my delirium. They will never see the light of day as they make some of Lewis Carroll's drug induced prose seem like formal writing. The delirium and Flu are departing but in their wake they leave a new perspective on some things.
- I am sure I drank about 4 million gallons of water, juice, and Propel this week.
- I ate some wonderful Hot and Sour soup from my favorite Chinese place that the owner prepared special for me when he found out I was sick.
- I am still confused about the feed a cold-starve a fever thing. What do you do when you have a cold and a fever?
- Most of all - The writer in me has some real craziness lurking beneath the surface and I should never let it out.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
14 February 2007
A Year Older, An Unexpected Distraction, and a Second Life
Greetings Dear Readers,
A YEAR OLDER
This week sees me a year older and a wonderful weekend to show for it. Avalon, my beloved wife planned an excellent birthday for me. We ate well, played games, and I got to spend a great deal of time with her. Many friends were around me and my youngest son, Bezel made a special trip to see me. All said it was a wonderful time and I will cherish it.
We started on Thursday morning with the unexpected rival of Bezel. He came in during my writing time and startled me from my creative reverie. Always a welcome invitation. He and a school chum had drive over night from GA just for my birthday. My sons took me to a favorite Wimpy Bar for lunch and we had breakfast for dinner.
On Friday we went to my favorite diner for breakfast and then to the movies. In the afternoon we played indoor miniature golf and then went to a bar that gives free beer on or near your birthday. In the group of eleven of us that went out for dinner, four of us had birthdays last week. We also had three designated drivers. After dinner we returned to the house and played a wonderful social game called Apples to Apples. Eleven over tired and slightly over indulged adults playing a word game is the perfect recipe for hilarity.
Saturday morning, my actual birthday, we started with bagels and coffee. We saw Hannibal Rising which was surprisingly well done. For dinner we ate at a great local Taco joint and all were satisfied. We spent the remainder of the day sitting around relaxing.
Sunday morning many of us went to church and then to lunch at a new Mongolian Barbecue. It is more upscale and the food was excellent. Bezel and his friend had to depart in the late afternoon for the trip back to GA but it was a joy to see him. Maxim and his intended bride stayed around for a while but Avalon and I went to a friends house for dinner.
AN UNEXPECTED DISTRACTION
Just prior to leaving for dinner on Sunday I felt a sharp jolt in my gums above teeth numbers seven and eight. After a night of extreme discomfort I was honored with an emergency root canal Monday morning. I have one of the best dentists in the cosmos and he made the procedure as bearable as possible. His staff has a unique ability to make one feel safe and genuinely cared for. Thanks to the folks at Dr. Fred's.
The subsequent pain and recovery left me with little brain power for writing so I tried a new venture that I will recommend with caution.
A SECOND LIFE
If you have not discovered Second Life, you should give it a tour. It is a virtual world created on line that you can join for free. www.secondlife.com The world has a real economy and you can be virtually anyone you wish to be. It is self directed and non linear. My Second Life name is Aramis Merlin. Give it a try and look me up if you wish. I am thinking of starting a freelance virtual writing business.
A YEAR OLDER
This week sees me a year older and a wonderful weekend to show for it. Avalon, my beloved wife planned an excellent birthday for me. We ate well, played games, and I got to spend a great deal of time with her. Many friends were around me and my youngest son, Bezel made a special trip to see me. All said it was a wonderful time and I will cherish it.
We started on Thursday morning with the unexpected rival of Bezel. He came in during my writing time and startled me from my creative reverie. Always a welcome invitation. He and a school chum had drive over night from GA just for my birthday. My sons took me to a favorite Wimpy Bar for lunch and we had breakfast for dinner.
On Friday we went to my favorite diner for breakfast and then to the movies. In the afternoon we played indoor miniature golf and then went to a bar that gives free beer on or near your birthday. In the group of eleven of us that went out for dinner, four of us had birthdays last week. We also had three designated drivers. After dinner we returned to the house and played a wonderful social game called Apples to Apples. Eleven over tired and slightly over indulged adults playing a word game is the perfect recipe for hilarity.
Saturday morning, my actual birthday, we started with bagels and coffee. We saw Hannibal Rising which was surprisingly well done. For dinner we ate at a great local Taco joint and all were satisfied. We spent the remainder of the day sitting around relaxing.
Sunday morning many of us went to church and then to lunch at a new Mongolian Barbecue. It is more upscale and the food was excellent. Bezel and his friend had to depart in the late afternoon for the trip back to GA but it was a joy to see him. Maxim and his intended bride stayed around for a while but Avalon and I went to a friends house for dinner.
AN UNEXPECTED DISTRACTION
Just prior to leaving for dinner on Sunday I felt a sharp jolt in my gums above teeth numbers seven and eight. After a night of extreme discomfort I was honored with an emergency root canal Monday morning. I have one of the best dentists in the cosmos and he made the procedure as bearable as possible. His staff has a unique ability to make one feel safe and genuinely cared for. Thanks to the folks at Dr. Fred's.
The subsequent pain and recovery left me with little brain power for writing so I tried a new venture that I will recommend with caution.
A SECOND LIFE
If you have not discovered Second Life, you should give it a tour. It is a virtual world created on line that you can join for free. www.secondlife.com The world has a real economy and you can be virtually anyone you wish to be. It is self directed and non linear. My Second Life name is Aramis Merlin. Give it a try and look me up if you wish. I am thinking of starting a freelance virtual writing business.
07 February 2007
Distractions From the Craft
Greetings Dear Readers,
Nothing is so discouraging as the things of everyday life that attempt to distract us from our craft. If it is not household errands or maintenance needs it is getting lost in the necessary research required to do the writing. I thought that I would offer a few tips for writers that I have gleaned over the years. I cannot promise you success if you do these things, but I can promise productivity. Some of this comes from Stephen King's "On Writing." The rest is experience and research I cannot recall.
I have other ideas but will save them as they require further development and more space to properly teach.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Nothing is so discouraging as the things of everyday life that attempt to distract us from our craft. If it is not household errands or maintenance needs it is getting lost in the necessary research required to do the writing. I thought that I would offer a few tips for writers that I have gleaned over the years. I cannot promise you success if you do these things, but I can promise productivity. Some of this comes from Stephen King's "On Writing." The rest is experience and research I cannot recall.
- Read "On Writing" by Stephen King. Read it again.
- Read every day - you must continue to grow if you are going to reproduce.
- Write every day - a writer writes
- Pick a time every day that you will write and only vary it when totally necessary.
- Choose an amount of writing you will do during each session and stick to it. Increase this until it becomes your practical creative limit. I write 5000 words a day (Say thankee Sai King).
- Pick a genera and stick to it. You can dabble in other things for fun but only after you get done with work.
- Have a first reader; someone who will be honest with you but kind and gentle; someone you trust.
- Have a good editor; someone who has no interest in anything but fixing your poor spelling, bad grammar, and plot holes.
- Have a first circle; a group of people who are not fans and will give honest feedback on your work.
- Submit something for publication every week; yea verily every day if possible. It does not matter how much you write if no one reads it.
- Know that you are worth a decent paycheck. Never undersell yourself or your work.
- Pick a date to quit your day job if you have one, and work toward it.
- Watch your diet and exercise. If you allow a job that involves sitting to steal your health you will not be able to accomplish as much and you will not look good on the dust jacket of your book.
- Find a writer's conference that has a track record of helping writers.
- Get an agent when you feel you need one.
- Set up a web site and blog to showcase your work.
- Never quit.
- Let me know when you get published.
I have other ideas but will save them as they require further development and more space to properly teach.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
29 January 2007
The Idea Factory
Greetings Dear Readers,
Authors are often asked where they get their ideas. The answer to that is as varied as the writer being asked. Twice in the last week I been ambushed by a new book idea and had to pour the first chapter and outline from my brain before I could rest.
I almost always write in the mornings but these ideas have both burst forth as night, keeping me up past my bedtime. I am not sure where the writing is taking me but as its humble servant I will follow. The Idea Factory, deep down in my brain, is an evil beast. Unless I listen to the Idea Factory it howls, kicks, and screams like a petulant child. Lately the factory has been suggesting things that I would not normally write. Keep in mind that the Idea Factory's form of suggestion is to cut off all higher brain functions until I meet its demands.
After some polish I will post a tidbit of the new stuff and you can give me feedback. In the mean time, I have other things to attend. So I have a challenge for you folks out there. You tell me where writers get their ideas. I will post the results later.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Authors are often asked where they get their ideas. The answer to that is as varied as the writer being asked. Twice in the last week I been ambushed by a new book idea and had to pour the first chapter and outline from my brain before I could rest.
I almost always write in the mornings but these ideas have both burst forth as night, keeping me up past my bedtime. I am not sure where the writing is taking me but as its humble servant I will follow. The Idea Factory, deep down in my brain, is an evil beast. Unless I listen to the Idea Factory it howls, kicks, and screams like a petulant child. Lately the factory has been suggesting things that I would not normally write. Keep in mind that the Idea Factory's form of suggestion is to cut off all higher brain functions until I meet its demands.
After some polish I will post a tidbit of the new stuff and you can give me feedback. In the mean time, I have other things to attend. So I have a challenge for you folks out there. You tell me where writers get their ideas. I will post the results later.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
25 January 2007
Some Things are Free - E-Sword Bible Software
Greetings Dear Readers,
There may not be a free lunch but thanks to Rick Meyers and his work the Bread of Life is free. In an age where prices rise and everyone wants to make a buck, Mr. Meyers and created and
maintains and excellent web site that offer free Bible software. The link to the right will take you the the e-Sword web page. Here you will gain free access to a free download of the Bible software as well as many translations of the Bible, commentaries, dictionaries, study aids, maps, and other important works of Christian literature. Rick Meyers accepts donations but makes it very clear that his software is free and is not to be sold to anyone. My intent is to thank him for his efforts and encourage you to take advantage of this easy to use packaging of vital literature.
I personally use it daily for study and research. I find it easy to use and invaluable. Thanks Rick.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
There may not be a free lunch but thanks to Rick Meyers and his work the Bread of Life is free. In an age where prices rise and everyone wants to make a buck, Mr. Meyers and created and
maintains and excellent web site that offer free Bible software. The link to the right will take you the the e-Sword web page. Here you will gain free access to a free download of the Bible software as well as many translations of the Bible, commentaries, dictionaries, study aids, maps, and other important works of Christian literature. Rick Meyers accepts donations but makes it very clear that his software is free and is not to be sold to anyone. My intent is to thank him for his efforts and encourage you to take advantage of this easy to use packaging of vital literature.I personally use it daily for study and research. I find it easy to use and invaluable. Thanks Rick.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
22 January 2007
Snow and Circuses
Greetings Dear Readers,
With a fresh four inches of snow on the ground and a winter day settling in around me, I dove into this morning's writing with passion. The craft is work and the work is what we craft. I was disappointed to see little interest in the offer of a preview of my new novel but that is not why I write.
I reread some of RJ's notes on my last book and they really pumped me up to push the world in which Foster Father and The Praetor are set. Many of the characters in those books still have things to say. Some of them are calling rather loudly for my attention and I will head them. As I work on Magi, The Judas Scroll, and A Tale of Two Thieves, it is necessary to monitor my continuity carefully. I am trying to do so without be to repetitious. Yet another high wire act for the constant writer. I intend to finish at least two of these this year and hopefully the second volume of Sheetrock. Let me know which title piques your interest and I will post a snippet.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
With a fresh four inches of snow on the ground and a winter day settling in around me, I dove into this morning's writing with passion. The craft is work and the work is what we craft. I was disappointed to see little interest in the offer of a preview of my new novel but that is not why I write.
I reread some of RJ's notes on my last book and they really pumped me up to push the world in which Foster Father and The Praetor are set. Many of the characters in those books still have things to say. Some of them are calling rather loudly for my attention and I will head them. As I work on Magi, The Judas Scroll, and A Tale of Two Thieves, it is necessary to monitor my continuity carefully. I am trying to do so without be to repetitious. Yet another high wire act for the constant writer. I intend to finish at least two of these this year and hopefully the second volume of Sheetrock. Let me know which title piques your interest and I will post a snippet.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
10 January 2007
Welcome Back
Greetings Dear Readaers,
I trust that you Holy Day season was joyus and restful. Thanks to my Wife, Sons, and wonderful inlaws I had a great Christmas and adventurous new year. I am currently filling out my spring tour schedule. On the top of my list is setting up a visit to RJ's wonderful students.
I have started a new book and am going to send hints about it to the first five people who post on this blog entry. Be sure to include your email address in the post.
An adventurous part of the Holy Days was that a couple of days before Christmas, Beorn, our male ferret separated his right front elobe. After spending most of the day at our WONDERFUL Vet, his joint was reset and splinted. He was supposed to wear this splint for fourteen days. Instead he pulled it off on Christmas Eve. To our joy he is just fine. We kept him caged until after the first to protect him from himself. He still favors the leg occastionally but otherwise is his same enegetic self. I am thankful to God for the Christmas miricle of a healthy ferret. It may be the best gift my beloved wife received.
Be sure to take the time to learn something new this year. I am returning to something I used to do. I was once a competative archer and my beloved Avalon gave me a bow for Christmas. We are going to shoot together.
Welcome back.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
I trust that you Holy Day season was joyus and restful. Thanks to my Wife, Sons, and wonderful inlaws I had a great Christmas and adventurous new year. I am currently filling out my spring tour schedule. On the top of my list is setting up a visit to RJ's wonderful students.
I have started a new book and am going to send hints about it to the first five people who post on this blog entry. Be sure to include your email address in the post.
An adventurous part of the Holy Days was that a couple of days before Christmas, Beorn, our male ferret separated his right front elobe. After spending most of the day at our WONDERFUL Vet, his joint was reset and splinted. He was supposed to wear this splint for fourteen days. Instead he pulled it off on Christmas Eve. To our joy he is just fine. We kept him caged until after the first to protect him from himself. He still favors the leg occastionally but otherwise is his same enegetic self. I am thankful to God for the Christmas miricle of a healthy ferret. It may be the best gift my beloved wife received.
Be sure to take the time to learn something new this year. I am returning to something I used to do. I was once a competative archer and my beloved Avalon gave me a bow for Christmas. We are going to shoot together.
Welcome back.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
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