kimlajevardi

It is once again time for the monthly Insecure Writer’s Support Group posting. This is a wonderful chance for light-sensitive writers to reach through their computer screens to the larger web. Come witness the stunning poltergeist effect. It is quite entertaining.

The fantastic co-hosts for this month are Misha Gericke,  Christy LK Hill, Juneta Key, and Joylene Buter!

This month’s question is: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

Being a writer has changed my reading experience in two primary ways. First and foremost, I’m pickier. There were few chances before I began writing more seriously in which I would put a book down after getting a few chapters into it. Even so-so books had to be finished. I had to know. I’m plot and character hungry and have always been. Only very bad books escaped my hunger before.

And now? I struggle with some of the so-so books. I have such huge to-read stacks to fuel my writing. I just can’t take on many of the mediocre ones any longer.

This is also partially connected to my second biggest change: I read as much for craft as story. I rarely noticed craft elements when I use to read before. As I said, hungry. Devour might even be a better word for how I use to read. But now, I pause and admire or criticize POV decisions, character arcs, single book and series arcs, etc…

I can see behind the walls now.

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Time for the weekly news. I will stay clear of the bright, red news dominating in the U.S. at this moment. I. Just. Can’t.

This first story seems like an interesting and helpful product, but as the comments address, it could get weird. Kudos to Frito Lay, though. Good idea!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tostitos-breathalyzer-twitter-reactions_us_5890b148e4b02772c4e94c45?section=us_weird-news

I hate sagging pants as much as the next girl, but psychological counseling as a stepped-up consequence? Pardon me while I roll my eyes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sagging-pants-bill-mississippi_us_588aed2ce4b0230ce61b2e9c?section=us_weird-news

In science news: I love volcanoes! So beautiful!

http://www.livescience.com/57701-lava-firehose-steams-into-ocean.html

That’s it for me again this week. See you here in seven.

Welcome back one and all! It is Wednesday once again, all of a sudden in my corner of the world. I hope the week is treating you well. If not, the news can be your treat. If it is, a cherry on top.

It was nap time, and people had the nerve to disturb his nap. Geez.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sea-lion-naps-on-roof-of-a-car-because-its-the-weekend_us_5885e317e4b096b4a232d6f7?section=us_weird-news

The guy became his own lending library. I think the library felt it was a legit reason to return the book late, especially given the “unexpected journey” aspect of it.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/The-Hobbit-book-returned-after-38-year-10871211.php

Using angular momentum to encode more information in beams of traveling light is brilliant. I can’t even come close to understanding the totality of the how, but it fascinates me regardless. Science!

http://www.livescience.com/56942-physicists-send-twisted-light-message.html

That will do it for me tonight. Seven more earthly rotations before I see you again. I can’t wait! 🙂

It is Wednesday once again. Fast, huh? Rather than feeling old by the speed at which the Earth rotates and repeats, I have some news for you. That and a cup of hot chocolate for myself. Small pleasures soothe everything. 🙂

This first story explains my mouth. I’m just honest.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/swear-often-honest-study_us_587493a0e4b099cdb0ff47ad?section=us_weird-news

He is HUGE. Yikes!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/massive-alligator-florida-video_us_587cfd1fe4b0e58057ffa976?section=us_weird-news

Multiple Earth impacts creating debris that could come together as our moon versus a single impact is fascinating. There is still so much we don’t know, but science keeps trying to figure things out. I heart science!

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/many-tiny-moons-came-together-form-moon-simulations-suggest

That will do it for me tonight. Same time, same place next week. See you in seven.

Welcome back to another hump day. With Wednesday here, Friday is closer. Sigh …Three-day weekend on the horizon. I can’t wait. News first, though.

At first I thought this story was yet another example of people wasting time online, but that was before I watched. It is strangely satisfying. Calming. Very weird.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/video-road-surface-australia-viral_us_5875e28fe4b05b7a465c7f44?section=us_weird-news

The poor giraffe’s not greedy. The silly family just forgot to bring his cone for him. When you want a cone, you want a cone.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/giraffe-steals-ice-cream-cone_us_58757246e4b092a6cae3b1a4?section=us_weird-news

This is an interesting step. I had two very different reactions to this, and, ultimately, could think of at least two different outcomes depending on its implementation. But I’m more curious about what other people think.

http://www.livescience.com/57461-army-wants-biodegradable-bullets.html

That’ll do this for me tonight. I will see you in seven.

Welcome back for another month of writers reaching out to writers. We’re a quivering, twittering mess with crunched up Kleenex and empty coffee pots, but we have stories to tell. Come hear them. Read them. In exchange? Coffee, lots and lots of coffee.

The wonderful co-hosts this month are Eva @ Lillicasplace,Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner!

Prompt question for today – What writing rule do you wish you’d never heard?

I had to think hard about this one. There isn’t one specific rule that drives me crazy, but that’s mostly because I ignore anything that drives me crazy. 🙂

You think I’m kidding, don’t you? I’m not. If I had to give anyone writing advice, it would pertain to following the rules only as far as they advance your work. Since there isn’t a playbook writers can follow to craft “the story” that everyone will love, take all rules, advice and feedback for any value provided and chuck the rest.

Time for some news.

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This first story reminds me of the guy who burned his house down killing a spider with a flame thrower. I think there are much easier ways to get rid of old Christmas trees. But then again … Mythbusters should probably hire this guy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/exploding-christmas-tree-swedish-dynamite_us_585e341ae4b0d9a594587557?section=us_weird-news

Nice move. This cop is a good guy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/22/policeman-shows-speeding-motorist-do-tie/

In science news this week, yet another layer in the extinction of certain dinosaurs. Not only does this more fully develop our understanding, but it loosely informs my WIP. Win-win.

http://www.livescience.com/57368-dinosaurs-eggs-long-incubation-time.html

That’ll do it for me tonight. See you in seven.

Welcome back to the final Wednesday of 2016. It has most definitely been a wild ride this year, but the science news I have is proof that it is still quite a remarkable time to be alive. Wait for it. It’s worth a hint of patience because the other stories are good, too. 🙂

I laughed so hard my sides hurt. I think I’ll watch it again when I check how this posts. So funny!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/planet-earth-with-human-screams_us_585d42a4e4b0de3a08f505eb?section=us_weird-news

Yet another time where I need to ask: People need to be told not to do something so stupid? Really?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/frozen-lake-golf-ice-sweden_us_5860dfbee4b0eb586486cfd7?section=us_weird-news

You’ve been patient, haven’t you? The ISS teemed up with our fantastic earth to demonstrate the beauty of our home.

http://www.livescience.com/57318-incredible-earth-pics-snapped-from-space-station-in-2016-video.html

That’ll do it for me and 2016. Next time you read this page, it will be 2017. Which means, I’ll see you next year.

Welcome to Christmas Eve four times removed, or would it be three times? Whatever. Hi there. It’s Wednesday yet again and time for some news tidbits to tantalize your taste buds. I bet that made you hungry for chocolate more than news, huh? Tis the season for that as well.

I don’t have chocolate for you, but I do have news.

This first one had me at first asking who would have a life-size mannequin seat-belted in their car. Once I read further, I understood. But what I don’t get is the kind of dipstick who could not predict having that kind of mannequin belted in could lead where it led. Was he really surprised the cops busted into his car? Some people refuse to think outside their own little bubbles.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/police-frozen-woman-mannequin_us_58566e8fe4b08debb7898d34?section=us_weird-news

This will probably gross most people out, and I must admit that the worm ones look awful. But … I have eaten a cricket stir-fry that was good. It was at a science conference, and it was well done. The crickets added a crunch without adding the funky flavor I expected.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bug-infested-holiday-food_us_5859bd6fe4b0eb58648476bf?section=us_weird-news

Last but not least, science. This new study shows that motherhood not only improves your life but may also streamline the brain. I like thinking of my brain remodeling into a sleeker, better model of itself because of my son. A few months of poor memory and bad sleep is worth all of this and more.

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/growth-curve/motherhood-might-actually-improve-memory

That’ll do it for me tonight. Merry Christmas to all of you out there who celebrate this weekend. Happy Holidays to everyone who celebrates one of the assortment of other holidays which take place this week and weekend. 🙂

Welcome back, Wednesday! It’s a bumpy day as a rule, but today was quite smooth. It’s probably the pre-break sedative effect. Two more days! Time for some news.

I know it is incredibly juvenile and the guy most definitely lost IQ points, but the slo-mo is so cool.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/slow-motion-soccer-face_us_584ec200e4b04c8e2bb096e8?section=us_weird-news

Following along with the theme of cool posts, this guy’s holiday decorations. Holy cow!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/acdc-christmas-lights-thunderstruck_us_584e5cbfe4b0bd9c3dfd5b02?section=us_weird-news

In science news, a mesmerizing 1st place video which  is not only stunning but furthers our science understanding. Brilliant!

http://www.livescience.com/57207-nikon-small-world-video-awards-2016.html

That’ll do it for me tonight. See you back here in seven.

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Time for a tasty bit of December news.

How do these people have so much free time to a) actually search out random crap like this and b) attempt, record and share random, stupid crap like this?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/super-sage-apple-challenge_us_58433132e4b0c68e048129bd?section=us_weird-news

This makes me happy. So many good people out there trying to make a difference in the world. I always get extra mushy close to Christmas.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Wyoming-police-to-dole-out-donated-money-for-good-10690798.php

In science news this week, something that blew my mind in terms of marrying the essence of humanity with space exploration. 3D printing laughter. Can you see it? Can you actually visualize what laughter looks like?

http://www.livescience.com/57087-launch-3d-printed-laugh-into-space.html

That’ll do it for me tonight. I’ll see you again in seven.

Happy Hump Day! I have the correct day this week. Amazing, I know. I can tell time, too. And it looks like it’s time for some news. 😉

First up is the last thing I would see before I ran screaming from my apartment for the last time. I would be out of there. Sayonara. Adios. G.O.N.E.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/toilet-snake-south-africa_us_583f466ce4b0c68e047ea7e0?section=us_weird-news

The loss of the squirrel is as sad as the alderman’s injuries, but the irony is undeniable.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/22/503007930/chicago-alderman-warned-about-aggressive-squirrels-then-one-took-him-out

A gathering of galaxies. It sounds like a movie or book title to me. But in reality, just another science discovery. I love science!

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/giant-gathering-galaxies-discovered-hiding-far-side-milky-way

That’ll do it for me tonight. See you in seven.