tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post502168992420850470..comments2024-03-22T15:57:20.329-06:00Comments on Pensive Pens: IWSG August - Motivationdiedre Knighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-29251566742129391062021-09-01T10:57:44.371-06:002021-09-01T10:57:44.371-06:00Hi Beth!
I guess my curiosity is boundless when i...Hi Beth!<br /><br />I guess my curiosity is boundless when it comes to the journeys we writers face. It's often just the encouragement I didn't know I needed ;-)<br />Thank you for visiting! diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-34727326991140551512021-09-01T10:51:54.764-06:002021-09-01T10:51:54.764-06:00Hi Hilary!
Yes, thankfully, the project is comple...Hi Hilary!<br /><br />Yes, thankfully, the project is complete. I think we'll take a break before tackling the next one ;-)<br />Good to see you as well!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-15616106283320689982021-08-29T11:28:28.311-06:002021-08-29T11:28:28.311-06:00Wow! I can't believe I missed your blog last m...Wow! I can't believe I missed your blog last month. What a fascinating glimpse of the life between O'Henry's popularity and his 'real' life. I'm now a fan of your work!Beth Camphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682622561621269515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-71110644700431335672021-08-24T02:18:19.840-06:002021-08-24T02:18:19.840-06:00Hi Diedre - I hope that Great Room upgrade is now ...Hi Diedre - I hope that Great Room upgrade is now well on the way to being finished ... sounds fun, and will make life easier for you all.<br /><br />Writing is always tricky ... I know Anne Lamott's book, as too Save the Cat ... thankfully I seem to be able to draft, sometimes I get stuck - but not often.<br /><br />Good to see you - cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-59520272436102470622021-08-18T13:14:19.698-06:002021-08-18T13:14:19.698-06:00Hi again!
Ha! The essence of Twilight Zone is wha...Hi again!<br /><br />Ha! The essence of Twilight Zone is what caught my attention. Glad you enjoyed!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-45480425652780398392021-08-18T11:10:26.008-06:002021-08-18T11:10:26.008-06:00>>... "She pretty much flipped over it....<i>>>... "She pretty much flipped over it." Assuming that was a good thing,...</i><br /><br />Well, "flipped" may not have been the rite word (and neither was "rite"), but I think she appreciated getting to see a different facet of my personality. And it didn't scare her away, so that was a hopeful omen.<br /><br /><i>>>... why on earth would you consider not writing again?</i><br /><br />You know the old adage, "Quit while you're ahead"? I often tend to hang around longer'n I oughta. (Kinda like I'm doing right now. <b>:^)</b><br /><br />Have you a terrific day, friend!<br /><br />~ D-FensDogG<br /><b><a href="http://stmccpresentsbattleofthebands.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS</a></b><br /><br />POSTSCRIPT: Oops! I nearly forgot the primary reason I returned here. I wanted to tell you that I now have rented and seen the movie <b>'O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE'</b> and I really enjoyed it a great deal! It was almost like watching a collection of E-Ticket 'Twilight Zone' episodes, and it's a movie I would DEFINITELY watch again sometime. Thanks for mentioning it!Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-44488756748958697022021-08-15T14:44:07.767-06:002021-08-15T14:44:07.767-06:00You do the same, Sandra ;-)
Thanks for co-hosting ...You do the same, Sandra ;-)<br />Thanks for co-hosting this month!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-50236345905031806732021-08-15T14:31:29.773-06:002021-08-15T14:31:29.773-06:00Thanks so much for sharing this information about ...Thanks so much for sharing this information about Porter with us. I found it fascinating.<br />Love your header.<br />Have a creative day.Sandra Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814573408898140885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-53131275759575555482021-08-05T15:27:48.815-06:002021-08-05T15:27:48.815-06:00Hi Stephen T!
"She pretty much flipped over ...Hi Stephen T!<br /><br />"She pretty much flipped over it." Assuming that was a good thing, why on earth would you consider not writing again? Glad you kept a copy ;-)<br /><br />Ha! An apology would be one gran milagro!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-60544809353781073832021-08-05T12:11:53.335-06:002021-08-05T12:11:53.335-06:00dIEDRE ~
>>... O. Henry (pseudonym). He was...dIEDRE ~<br /><br /><i>>>... O. Henry (pseudonym). He was an American short story writer whose troubles eventually earned him time in prison, where he had nothing else to do but write.</i><br /><br />Hokey-Smoke! I had no idea. In fact, although I've heard of him a godzillion and 14.6 times, I'm not sure I've ever read any of his short stories. I'll need to fix that! And now I definitely want to see "O Henry's Full House" very soon. You have definitely piqued my interest in the O. Dogg! (Are you surprised that I didn't mistakenly write that word as "peaked"? C'mon! Admit it, you ARE! ...So am I. ;^)<br /><br />April 24, 1983 -- I wasn't in jail long enough to do any writing (although 10 hours in a Mexican jail <i>feels</i> like about 10 years). However, in my early twenties I spent a lot of time writing in the "jail" of intoxication. I was a big fan of Kahlua back then, and I would stay up all night drinking Kahula and writing. That delicious coffee liqueur would get me so wired that I'd be simultaneously buzzed (or more) and wide awake, with my fingers doing the caffeine shake.<br /><br />I remember that back then my goal was to write the *perfect* stream of consciousness poem. NUTTIN' from those experiments survives to this day because I always discarded them as not being *perfect* enough. I always felt that too much "preconceived thought" sneaked in at times. <br /><br />Then one June morning in 1983, I accomplished the impossible by writing what I deemed to be the *perfect* stream o' consciousness piece. Except it wasn't a poem; it was a love letter to a girl living in Greece at the time. I was sitting in the bed of my truck with my portable typewriter, and parked on a little side street near Venice Beach. I had a hellacious hangover, which put my mind into some kind of Twilight Zone-ish alternative reality. I just started typing this letter to "T." without ANY preconceived notions about what I should say and without the slightest self-judgment about what was going on the paper. "T." and I were still getting to know each other at that time, and when I mailed that letter, I was a wee bit o' worried that it would scare her away but... no. She pretty much flipped over it.<br /><br />I still have a copy of that letter, and it's still one of my very favorite things I ever wrote. I probably should have stopped writing after that, because that low point was probably me at my best.<br /><br />Anyway... I got way off track here. But thanks for the O. Dogg inspiration! I will check 'im out.<br /><br /><i>>>... Does a pardon even matter once you've served your time?</i><br /><br />I don't know, but I'm still checking my mailbox daily for a letter of apology from the Federales!<br /><br />~ D-FensDogGStephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-28986461175282519162021-08-05T11:28:01.478-06:002021-08-05T11:28:01.478-06:00Oh good! I'll look forward - and help in any w...Oh good! I'll look forward - and help in any way I can ;-)diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-78423983782841195212021-08-05T11:26:36.656-06:002021-08-05T11:26:36.656-06:00Hi Hilary!
I was most impressed with Porter's...Hi Hilary!<br /><br />I was most impressed with Porter's acceptance of a well-deserved sentence while making the absolute best of it ;-)<br /><br />Happy August!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-25105778022444295962021-08-05T11:20:42.386-06:002021-08-05T11:20:42.386-06:00Ha! The term is so fitting ;-) Nevertheless, it al...Ha! The term is so fitting ;-) Nevertheless, it all looks so nice we've yet to hang anything back on the walls.<br /> <br />May our wrestles with words be few and triumphant!<br />diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-2912121612073248132021-08-05T11:13:09.095-06:002021-08-05T11:13:09.095-06:00Thanks, Cheryl-Lee. It's good to hear of other...Thanks, Cheryl-Lee. It's good to hear of other experiences so that I don't think mine is fatal - ha!<br />Indeed, you are one busy chipmunk. I don't know how you do it, but you're an inspiration!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-52540388259069062812021-08-05T02:17:39.335-06:002021-08-05T02:17:39.335-06:00Hi Diedre - glad the renovations are over and fini...Hi Diedre - glad the renovations are over and finished ... for now! Interesting book you've suggested, while Portern as have some othersn thrived in prison and set their writing careers out on the straight and narrow. His Pen name captures our thoughts ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-33377095769976112812021-08-04T18:33:01.119-06:002021-08-04T18:33:01.119-06:00I always refer to renovations as Contractor Hell. ...I always refer to renovations as Contractor Hell. So glad it's behind you now.<br /><br />I love Bird by Bird. It's one of my go-to classics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-31489012619685619192021-08-04T16:31:03.031-06:002021-08-04T16:31:03.031-06:00When I first started writing, I had no trouble fin...When I first started writing, I had no trouble finding time to write. After my first book came out, the time crunch started. Now after nine books, I'm like a chipmunk on a wheel and writing has to happen in short stops along the way. You are not alone. :-)cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05614478740889477584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-68953115576109373322021-08-04T14:41:43.729-06:002021-08-04T14:41:43.729-06:00I should be back to regular blogging in September ...I should be back to regular blogging in September after my trip. I still want to do the memoir someday before I die, but other things keep popping up too. Maybe our trip will rekindle my initiative.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-72202349912481736402021-08-04T13:43:28.817-06:002021-08-04T13:43:28.817-06:00Hi Arlee!
Here's hoping conditions will impro...Hi Arlee!<br /><br />Here's hoping conditions will improve - sooner than later - for the good of all in your state. Like you, I can't imagine moving. But if I made a change it would have to be a big one ;-)<br />I do hope you'll blog now and again. We miss you! Do you still plan to put your memoir in book-form? <br />Enjoy your summer trip!diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-72136111601195210012021-08-04T12:05:04.565-06:002021-08-04T12:05:04.565-06:00After we take our summer trip we are going to have...After we take our summer trip we are going to have to do some much needed work on our house. Not looking forward to the expense or inconvenience, but I don't see where we have much of a choice other than maybe sell our current house which would be nice if we could move to another state than CA. Don't think my wife would be willing to do that--not yet at least.<br /><br />I can always find excuses not to write and there is plenty that legitimately keeps me from writing. Now I'm hardly even blogging. But I'm retired so maybe I don't need to write? After the vacation maybe.<br /><br />Arlee Bird<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-57469370212014758302021-08-04T11:22:02.360-06:002021-08-04T11:22:02.360-06:00Hi Jacqui!
You won't regret it - I promise!Hi Jacqui!<br /><br />You won't regret it - I promise! diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-27469144391027673762021-08-04T11:20:08.623-06:002021-08-04T11:20:08.623-06:00Hi Alex!
Haha! What could it hurt, right?
Me too...Hi Alex!<br /><br />Haha! What could it hurt, right?<br /><br />Me too. Having it done is a huge relief ;-)diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-64132518738845530512021-08-04T11:17:40.644-06:002021-08-04T11:17:40.644-06:00Hi Natalie!
Sometimes all it takes is a single ch...Hi Natalie!<br /><br />Sometimes all it takes is a single chapter and I'm back on my game again ;-)diedre Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12772557495518846226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-54267177805258433592021-08-04T11:08:05.283-06:002021-08-04T11:08:05.283-06:00I'm constantly amazed by how many people love ...I'm constantly amazed by how many people love Bird by Bird. I really need to try this one out.Computer Tutorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00938856237984732342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3782231935569058555.post-65243295112870752592021-08-04T07:58:26.753-06:002021-08-04T07:58:26.753-06:00Just pardon the poor guy!
Glad your renovations ar...Just pardon the poor guy!<br />Glad your renovations are done.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com