kimlajevardi

It is time once again for my monthly posting for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). This month I am also happy to be able to co-host. If you haven’t looked through the array of blogs that participate, rectify your oversight right now by clicking on the picture above and then surfing the links. Do it!

The awesome co-hosts for the August 4 posting of the IWSG are PK Hrezo, Cathrina Constantine, PJ Colando, Sandra Cox, and Kim Lajevardi (me)!  

Optional monthly question – What is your favorite writing craft book? Think of a book that every time you read it you learn something or you are inspired to write or try the new technique. And why?

Good question! My new favorite is Story Genius by Lisa Kron. It is an amazing how-to on using your MC’s internal struggle as a third rail to build a story which invests readers and makes every page worth turning. It has been a game-changer in the drafting of my third book, increasing both character and story depth as well as the speed with which I write. I recommend it to anyone who wants to level up.

Time for some fun news.

The headline on this one is a bit misleading–there’s not really a visible dispute–but the owls are too cute to pass on.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doorbell-camera-owls_n_61089abbe4b0e882ab620e0b

We’re not so different from our Neanderthal ancestors. I heart science! https://www.usnews.com/news/news/articles/2021-07-16/just-7-of-our-dna-is-unique-to-modern-humans-study-shows

I leave you with another type of inspiration. Music helps me in more than just my writing. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/j5-yKhDd64s

Happy Wednesday! It’s the last one for July 2021, onward to August, even if the temps we’re facing could roast the sun. Hot days deserve music. Enjoy a few songs instead of news pieces today, these and a bowl of ice cream of your choice of course. 😉

Welcome back! Yet another summer Wednesday is here, and it’s rapidly disappearing. Do I sound like a broken record? I know, I know—but time is ridiculous. 🥴 I’ll get over it. Until then, news.

This first story is a great big example of “not even if you paid me a million dollars.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/london-sky-pool-twitter-snark_n_60b656b6e4b0c5658f991636

I would be beside myself if I found a 4.6 billion-year-meteorite in a horseshoe footprint. Major science love! https://www.livescience.com/rare-carbonaceous-carbonate-meteorite-found.html

I leave you with one of my favorite songs. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/veiuRiPgmso

Tis yet another Wednesday in 2021. A hot, summer Wednesday where the news of the weird is needed to distract once again. I definitely found distraction-worthy pieces, and a song. I never forget the song. 😉

This first story cause me to chirp out a very clear “nope” as I read. I do not care if they’re garters. I would never sleep there again. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/18-snakes-under-bed-georgia_n_60ef639ae4b01ba8eed238fa

In science today, the darkest fish in the ocean. I’m drawn to these creatures because of the lack of reflectivity of their skin. Story reasons is all I can say. I heart science! https://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/meet-ultra-black-fish-ocean-s-depths-n1234340

I leave you with a big song. Sometimes music needs to go big. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/EbKvBT9F0Vo

Welcome to the first Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for my Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) post. If you are a writer in need of a posse of insecure comrades, join. If you’re just a curiosity seeker, click the image above to find the blogs of participating writers. It’s a win either way.

Some of the blogs to begin with are our awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting Pat Garcia, Victoria Marie Lees, Chemist Ken, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

The optional July 7th question is – What would make you quit writing?

This is going to be a short answer. The only thing I can imagine that would make me stop is death. Writing seems as necessary to me as breathing, so–yeah. Great segue into my weekly news, huh? 🙂

Did you know the going rate for a little slice of hell is $590,000.00? https://www.huffpost.com/entry/urine-saturated-home-dubbed-little-slice-of-hell-listed-for-590000_n_60cb9179e4b0f1fe8fe8add5

Proof that science and creativity are natural bedmates, and we owe so much to that marriage. Unfortunately, it is not always without consequence. Join me in remembering the amazing contributions of Hans Berger. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hans-berger-telepathy-neuroscience-brain-eeg

I leave you with a song. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc

Welcome back to another Wednesday post. I hope wherever you’re reading this from isn’t insanely hot. Cooling thoughts if you are. Until then, news distractions.

This first story shows we all remember our own boneheaded moments. Empathy as a norm is a good thing. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hbo-max-intern-email-twitter_n_60ce1e19e4b0dd017427fb4c

My science news this week is fascinating, and not just because it means our ancestor is known as Dragon Man. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210625120419.htm

I leave you with a song. Enjoy the throwback, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/61cceAXnC6w

I’m a bit busy this week, so I’m taking the week off. See you in seven.

This Wednesday is live from the surface of the sun. 100 degrees, y’all. My brain cannot adult at that temperature.

Cat stories solve everything. Well, except when the cat in question steals everything. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_60c4e876e4b0583aec450f6d

In science news this week, space and volcanoes in the same article. My science love is off the charts with this one. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/06/europe-announces-mission-study-volcanoes-venus

I leave you with a cool song, maybe the coolness is contagious. I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc

Wednesday has rolled into being once again.You know what that means, don’t you? News and music nuggets.

This first story has such a good doggie. I’m glad he’s okay. https://www.khq.com/news/dog-ejected-from-car-during-sunday-crash-found-on-sheep-farm-herding-sheep/article_fc15bfe6-c805-11eb-ae68-7fb69c0af0d6.html

A major new study shows waking up as little as one hour earlier can help relieve some depression symptoms. Science can do so much to help make peoples’ lives better. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210528114107.htm

I leave you with a oldie. Enjoy! I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/iX_TFkut1PM

It’s the beginning of the month once again, which means it’s time for my codependent posting for Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). Check it out!

Many thanks to our found Alex J. Cavanaugh and our co-hosts today Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, Lee Lowery, and Rachna Chhabria!

Optional question: How long do you shelve your first draft?

I prefer to let my rough draft breathe for a few weeks. Subsequent drafts get far less time between, but I definitely need more after the first one to reconcile the words my wild drafting brain spits onto the page.

Time to feed the news-loving side slice of my brain.

This first story has the most badass teen girl I’ve ever seen. I’m glad her dog is okay. https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_60b6e37ae4b00a703139b2bb

In science news today, a truth about elephants I didn’t realize I desperately needed to know. 330 mph is insane. I cannot even imagine. https://www.livescience.com/elephant-trunks-are-supersuckers.html

I leave you with a song. Enjoy, and I’ll see you in seven. https://youtu.be/ZXhuso4OTG4