Hair Update: Think I’ve adjusted. At least I no longer do a double take on myself in the mirror. I do still run into friends or acquaintances that stare at me with that “You look familiar but who are you again?”
I shower a lot more, simply to reset hairstyle and I use the blow dryer and curling iron regularly. The latter two were so foreign to my lifestyle that though I owned both, my 6 year old asked me what they were.
It is still weird to have so much hair constantly near my face. I always used to french braid it. Now I can’t even put a ponytail in it, let alone a braid. I do use headbands and clips often.
It is confirmed that I look like a poodle when I curl it with the overnight foam curlers I used for pictures/dances. Actually, it was more like a poodle who managed to escape halfway through the grooming since some of the curlers didn’t even have enough hair length to stay in. My pillow was dotted with loose curlers by morning. No, I couldn’t bear to take a photo of it.
Writing: I have managed to get down some more words for my new opening of Secrets of the Dragon Seal. It’s a touch rough in spots, with gaps or editing notes here and there. At this point I figure any progress is good.
I’ve been having my Husband read it as I write and gauging his reactions. That led to a long discussion late last night. We even did research of watching random opening sequences of movies (courtesy of Netflix) to discuss amount of backstory, character or forward plot is introduced.
One of the big questions that came up was whether or not I start off in Diana’s head. As I had written it, I was keeping my distance until I could have dialogue explain her empathetic magic.
However, being that it happens to be one of my USP (unique selling points) for the book, we decided that I need to nail it and get it in there ASAP. Easier said than done since I’m still figuring out how to show it without head-hopping and it feeling like sloppy writing with a convenient excuse. Part of me thinks that it’s one of my “million-dollar questions” in that if I can figure out how to make it work then the book will practically “write itself” (when I said something like that last night my Husband immediately proclaimed “Bingo!” … as if that made it any easier to figure out).
We also had a discussion of personalities, using the Meyers & Briggs system.
Artwork: I finished a drawing of a friend’s book heroine. I think I did a really good job on it. It’s simple pencil on a paper a few inches larger than standard printer paper. Typically I do little more than the face – no clothing or accessories. With this one I show to her waist, complete with symbols and any jewelry mentioned in the book. I took a long time to do it, but it wasn’t a promised commission with any sort of deadline. The friend is just very dear to me and this was meant as a gift. I plan to feature it in my NAF blog post next Friday.
I’ve continued my digital drawing of Diana’s pendant and started a rough experimental one of the Column (both from my books). The pendant is nearly at a point that I can share. For a first go at digital art I think I did well. The only thing I’m still struggling with on it is the chain/rope/ribbon. I toyed with a background and played with the flare tool in Illustrator, but from my Husband’s reaction I probably overdid it.
Motherhood Class: I started a personal development class over the internet/phone. It’s taught by Mary Black – a mother and woman that I highly respect and admire. (And I’m not just biased because she’s my sister-in-law).
We had our first conference call this week. We discussed:
- good & bad forms of “guilt” and how to use it or lose it
- loving yourself
- getting out of the “box” (as defined in “Anatomy of Peace”)
- leveraging change through focusing well on one goal and celebrating success. As Harv T. Ecker says “Success breeds success.”
Most of it is stuff that I’ve been exposed to through my Husband’s self-improvement quests. However, it was nice to have the reminders and personal attention. This week will be a personal mentoring phone call one on one between me and Mary.
I have been exposed to enough stuff that I don’t believe in there being some big “happiness” secret out there to making it all work that I just haven’t heard of. I’m taking the class for:
- the personal mentoring – for help with application and loving accountability
- long exposure. The class will spread out over about 2 months. Hopefully that will help me with consistency.
In other random news,
I took my 9 year old roller skating and she loved it. “I love rollerskating even better than video games!” She now wants us to go at least once a month. I’m the one who is still recovering from the bruises… backsides may be softer to land on, but it still hurts when that backside lands on the side of your skate instead of a flat surface. Oh, and I proved the value of wrist guards with another tender bruise there.
I’d usually say I’m actually quite good at roller skating, but with due respect to the above info, I won’t bother.
I miss you, and having discussions with you and Stanley! Can I join the motherhood class:-). Sounds great. Good luck with writing and drawing…fun!
I miss you too. The class is a paid one so I’m not sure how jumping in now would go over. I think she intends to offer it again. If you want, I can tell you about how it goes and see if you’re interested in signing up for the next round. You know the teacher, it’s the Mary Black who came to the Lemi conference that you invited me to.
I want to know how it goes as well. Let me know when the session is I may be interest as well.