kimlajevardi

Welcome back for another Wednesday posting. It is stinking hot over here, like hovering near 100 degrees hot. Ick. All the more reason to do indoor stuff like reading news and listening to a song. See how helpful I can be. 😉

This first story shows both incredible forgetfulness and a inexplicable amount of paper hoarding. I never would have found a paper ticket after 42 years. Hmm…well, guess his conscience is now clear. Happy driving!

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Man-pays-off-ticket-nearly-42-years-after-it-was-15333428.php

In science today, the science of smell. I guess you can say I’m nosy. 😉

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200702144119.htm

This song is one of my comfort songs. Enjoy!

That’s all for me tonight. See you in seven.

It is the first Wednesday of the month once again, so it’s time for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). If you are a writer who needs support, join us. Click the link above and fly off to the sign up. It’s worth it. Do it, do it. 🙂

Our fantastic co-hosts this month are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!

The optional question for this month is–there have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?

I would like to see the industry weather the pandemic. I want our bookstores, especially the indies, our publishers, and all us writers to make it through with markets intact and with stories to help inspire our collective lives. We need stories, and we, especially, need to connect with each other through the lives of characters. So much processing takes place in the pages of fiction.

Heavy, I know. Time for some silly news and a song. Heavy and light today.

*****

It may be the only time he’ll pretend to be Bigfoot, but it is brilliant.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bigfoot-zillow-real-estate-listing-california_n_5ecd3fc0c5b6bf4e76de6484 

In science news, flying snakes. It’s fascinating how much we can learn through 3D-modeling their movements, but I would gone if I saw a snake flying through the air.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200629120156.htm

Last up, my “keep going and write until your fingers bleed” song.

https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc

That’s all folks. See you in seven.

It’s the middle of the week once again, which means it is time for some news and a song. Consider it my gift to help you make it to the weekend.

That little boy is so poised. I would have shit my pants. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/italy-boy-bear-encounter_n_5ecdd4a3c5b6ed2bae791652

Today’s science shows how volcanoes have helped shape our history. I can never pass up a volcano story. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/g32959057/volcanoes-human-history/

Today’s musical sampling is Billie Eilish. I love her! https://youtu.be/GB_S2qFh5lU

That’s all for me tonight. I’ll see you in seven.

It’s Wednesday once again. Fast, right? The saving grace of the race of time is long, bright days. It’s half past seven as I write this, and the sun is still up. I enjoy that very much. Small wins, my friends. Every day brings small wins.

This first story made me grin. Not only did Ms. Stejna beats the odds to recover, she topped it off with a cold one. Good for her. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/coronavirus-grandmother-bud-light_n_5ecf13a0c5b61b971d4e47dc

In science news, a chance to stop drug resistance in its tracks. https://www.livescience.com/anti-evolution-drug-could-fight-antibiotic-resistance.html

And for your musical sampling this evening, another personal favorite. I crank the stereo every time it comes on. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/w8KQmps-Sog

That’s all for tonight. See you in seven.

It’s Wednesday once again, but it’s not the same old news post. I have decided my weekly posts need some spice. Previous posts have included music or art when I needed a boost myself. Now, I intend to replace one story with either a song or piece of art. I need it, and I doubt I’m alone.

I clicked on this first story because I wanted to see the bears in the coaster, but I watched all the way through for the hypnotic effect. It was oddly satisfying. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/roller-coaster-teddy-bears_n_5ed0c35fc5b6d7d25853f62b

In science news, evidence that having a full childhood with parents who care and teach you, even if it drives you crazy, makes you smarter. Well, at least for corvids. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/06/humans-these-big-brained-birds-may-owe-their-smarts-long-childhoods

My ending note tonight is a perennial favorite—Hotel California. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/vcmjDPDOk7c

That’s all for me tonight. See you in seven.

It is Wednesday once again, boys and girls. The first Wednesday is Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) posting day. Join us, read us, or buy our anthology. You won’t regret it.

This month I am again turning over my IWSG post to info about the newest anthology. Here are the deets if you are interested in submitting a story:

Theme: Dark Matter

Submissions accepted: May 6 – September 2, 2020

Guidelines and rules:
1. Word count: 4500-6000
2. Genre: Science Fiction
3. How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your full contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges.

Now, time for some news.

*****

This first story involves bribing a bear with yummies. I could be tricked with Krispy Kreme doughnuts too.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/black-bear-krispy-kreme_n_5eceed8ac5b614e5f8b6f538

Snot palaces–seriously.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/larvaceans-snot-palaces_n_5ed82401c5b61583150ba2b6

And in science news tonight, mapping circuitry in associative learning. Understanding how the brain links events to form memory can help us understand disorders in memory and memories associated with stress. Power comes from understanding. I heart science!

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200508112903.htm

That’s all for me tonight. I’ll see you in seven.

I’m taking a break. I’ll see you in two weeks.

Welcome back one and all! It is Wednesday yet again. A weird and wild Wednesday, as is the nature of days in 2020. Weird days deserve music.

This song reminds me of when I was young. It’s also a part of my current WIP playlist. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/TxrwImCJCqk?list=RDTxrwImCJCqk

I heart Billie Eilish’s music. https://youtu.be/TxrwImCJCqk?list=RDTxrwImCJCqk

Who can go wrong with a song with my boys? I love Supernatural (older seasons), and I enjoy the heck out of this song. https://youtu.be/P9vIhGMtAHE

That’s all for tonight. Stay healthy and I’ll see you in seven.

Welcome back, boys and girls. Another month has come and gone which means it is time once again for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). We are the preeminent group of nervous Nellies, shaky Susans, and anxious Alexes. Don’t miss out. 🙂

The co-hosts for the May 6 posting of the IWSG are Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Chemist Ken, and me. 

The optional question is: Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?

I’m not very ritualistic per se, but I do have habits. One of my most important habits is how and when I write. When I’m drafting, I can’t sit for hours and write brand new words. I need time to think and time to let my mind wander. So, I tend to chunk write when I’m in first draft. I will write for thirty minutes or so, setting a word count goal, and then I will do something else. I might workout, eat a meal, or  watch a show. When I come back after that one, two, or three-hour break, I can add more words. Today, for instance, I did four sprints, adding 300 words each time. It’s a habit that seems to allow greater inspiration to power up my perspiration, and it is, ultimately, how I achieve the greatest number of words.

When revising or editing, on the other hand, I need longer chunks. I can sit for two, three, or even four hours rewriting a scene or tearing it apart. Deep concentration is what I need when I’m editing, not inspiration, so I schedule my writing sessions accordingly. Again, work habits, not rituals, but I do swear by them.

Before I move on to the news today, I want to share the excitement of IWSG’s newest anthology Voyagers: The Third Ghost. It is now available from Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo, and Goodreads. Pick your copy up today.

Now, it’s time for the news.

******

This first story is a hint of fun in an otherwise sad experience. Lock downs worldwide are testing even the strongest of us. If you must get caught breaking the rules, though, it’s best to have the enforcers come dressed as Star Wars characters.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/darth-vader-coronavirus-philippines_n_5eb03394c5b64d204964088e

Another story about lock down, but this story has a hero who provides the damsel in distress with a bunch of beer. Good on you, Coors.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/olive-veronesi-i-need-more-coors-light_n_5e94c962c5b6cc788ead7639

And in science news, tipsy elephants. Blame it on the genes. 🙂

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/why-mammals-elephants-armadillos-might-get-drunk-easily

That’s all for me tonight. I’ll see you again in a little over seven.

Welcome back! It’s yet another lockdown Wednesday in my neck of the woods. I hope you all are staying healthy whether you are home or out fighting the fight. Since we could all use some distraction-worthy news, it’s time I share.

So, um, while we’ve all been busy, aliens visited. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pentagon-releases-ufo-videos_n_5ea7318cc5b6dd3f90890e71

His wife must be so tired of him by now. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/banksy-bathroom-rat-paintings_n_5e975295c5b65eae709e2f76

Who knew you could gain perspective on molecules by “plucking” their chemical bonds. I heart science! https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-strummed-molecule-chemical-bonds-like-guitar-strings

That’s all for me tonight. Stay healthy! I’ll see you in seven.