Sunday Snippet: The Yup, Nan’s Got Nothin’ Again Edition
Yeah, again, I’ve got nothin’ this morning. Life has been a little bit overwhelming this week as I’ve tried to decompress from RAGT26. We headed to the lake, which always helps because life seems less burdensome here, but I still have to write and work on editing gigs no matter where I open my laptop. So, I’m writing like a fiend trying to finish this book by deadline, as well as editing like crazy on two projects.
Writer bestie Liz says when you have nothing, make a list. I thought about a list, but then I remembered that I have a list–“A Year of Journal Prompts.” Why wouldn’t that work for a blog, too? So I dug it out and found this one: “Pick a movie character you identify with.” Really?
Argh! I was going to skip that, but then I thought–you know, this could be a good exercise. A movie character I identify with… the one I truly identify with, not the one I’d like to be. I think my answer would have to be Jo March in Little Women. I’m not sure that’s a good answer, but Little Women was the first film that came to mind and Jo, the first character about whom I thought, “yeah, I know just how she feels.”
Jo was a good writer who longed to be a great writer… I get that. She was also a restless soul, yet so tied to her home and her family and what was familiar that she stayed close. I get that, too. I have restless times, where I just want to go…but I also cherish home and all that it means.
So, I’m going with Jo March as the film character I most identify with, and I’m going to ease the restless writer by getting busy writing the last few thousand words of book 4 in the Juniper Falls Ranch series. Levi and Zoey have been talking to me like crazy, even during the and then stuff happens middle part of the story. That doesn’t always happen, so I’m grateful.
I’ve got Book 3, Help Wanted, Cowboy coming out next month. It’s available for preorder, but I also have a few ARC e-books left so I’d love you to nab one to read and review if you’re inclined. I’d sure appreciate the support!
Gratitude for This Week: A starry-night walk down to the docks with Grandboy; Adult beverages with Mo on the new deck; Gracious neighbors who are keeping my pots watered back in the city (a million thanks!); Help from pal, Cindy, with putting our loveseat on FB Marketplace; lovely, lovely breezy days.
Stay well, speak out when you can–it’s the only way to save our democracy, always choose kindness, and most of all mes amis, stay grateful,
4 Comments
Patricia Barraclough
I don’t watch many movies and thiking back, most of them have been children’s movies. Actually, the character I relate to and would like to be is Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) in the Indiana Jones movies. There has always been so much out there in the world and I want to explore and see it all. In reality, I grew up feeling more like Cinderella, waiting for my prince to come. Luckily, he did and we are living happily ever after……..and I am still trying to explore as much of the world as I can.
Patricia Barraclough
Hit enter before I was finished. It was really nice meeting you at RAGT26. I didn’t manage my time as best I could, missing several things I planned to do. I still had an enjoyable time. Next time I will know better. I am glad you are back at the cabin enjoying the lake. I would think even work is less taxing in such a venue. I miss the peaceful lakes i grew up with in the Adirondacks. Maybe we can borrow a canoe when we are up there for a reunion in July and relax with a good paddle and float. Many thanks for Your hosting both the luncheon and dinner with an author. We enjoyed visiting with both of you. Oddly enough, we and the other ladies at the table sat together at that table the entire “week” and were surprised we had picked the same authors for the dinner. Take care.
Carol Light
So glad you’re enjoying your new deck, Nan, and have such pleasant surroundings for your work. Jo March is one of my favorite characters, too, although I now identify more with the character Kathy Bates played in Fried Green Tomatoes as I’m older and have insurance 🙂
Liz Flaherty
I think Jo is the soul spirit for so many of us. I know LMA didn’t love her girl stories all that much, but I hope she grew to realize their importance even during her lifetime. I’m sure she couldn’t have imagined how that importance would have stayed and grown all this time later.