On being a writer

Okay, so I am having some troubles getting into the habit of writing. At least, anything other than random thoughts, like this piece. I have started a few pieces, but nothing's finished yet. I have read that I am like most writers. We all seem to have issues getting into writing. Which is odd, considering how much we all say we want to write. Giving up t.v. hasn't really helped 'cause I just play computer games instead. I would love to get your ideas on what's worked for you. Let me know how you keep going. Thanks for the help.

The Meeting (dialogue only)

"Whoa, check her out!"

"Ummmm, I'd like to rub up against that sweater!"

"And those legs... they go alllll the way up!"

"She doesn't look too inviting, though. She won't even catch my eye."

"Let's see if she'll accept a drink. Hey, Garcon! What's the lady in red drinking? Send one over, will ya'."

"Well, will ya' look at that? She won't even take a drink. Is she leaving?"

"Check out this moron! Can't he see she's leaving?"

"Oh, no! Too bad about the drinks, buddy."

"You've gotta be kidding me! Is she actually falling for that "innocent boy" routine?"

"Well, I guess you can never tell... who's round is it?"

The meeting (assignment #4)

The blond sauntered in looking fabulous in a short, leather mini-skirt and tight, fuzzy red sweater. A faux fur draped over her arm rounded out the image. Scanning the crowd a frown creased her forehead. Glancing at her watch she smiles, grabbing a seat at the bar and draping her coat over the stool next to her. She orders a drink and daintily nibbles a few peanuts while waiting. She glances around as she sips her martini, arching her eyebrows at what "some people" choose to wear clubbing. She tries not to make eye-contact with any of the obviously single men in the room, but it is difficult with all of them already looking at her. She turns back to the bar hoping to avoid any of their oft-repeated pick up lines. As she orders another drink she glances again at her watch, frowning at the display. She taps her brightly polished nails on the bar top, her sigh audible even over the buzz in the room. The bartender comes bearing two drinks, but she waves them away, choosing to leave rather than wait any longer. She turns quickly to retrieve her coat and crashes into a man behind her, knocking alcohol flying. There are cries from people around them as they stammer their excuses. The man puts the glasses down and uses a handkerchief to dab at the droplets on the woman's face and arms. She laughs, grabbing a wad of napkins to do the same for his suit and tie. Checking to make sure that her coat is not damaged, she sits back down, gesturing for him to join her. They shake hands as introductions are made. As the man orders drinks for them gentle music begins to play.

Day Three and counting

Today has been one of the longest days ever! I stayed home from work because I'm not well and it really shows how much faster a day goes by when I'm at work. I suppose that wouldn't be the case if I didn't like my job, but I do, so it does.

I have finally told my husband that I am blogging and why. He thinks I'm crazy! He can't imagine giving up t.v. for any reason. He says that there is always the possibility that I need to be on medication of some kind for this weird disease. (He's very silly.)

I have told some other people about it too, so I'm hoping that (eventually) someone may comment on my page. However, I will continue to imagine a vast audience regardless of the facts. Someone has to be interested in what I have to say, other than me.

I received my second edition of Writer's Digest today. There are some great ideas in the magazine and on the website. Check them out if you can. Tonight I will be spending some time working on one of the suggestions that looked interesting.

Two characters meet in a bar. Write the scene without using dialogue. Write the same scene using dialogue.

Let me know how your ideas. I'll post my finished piece next time. Have a good one.

Day, and assignment, Two

Here I am on my second day without t.v. Today is NOT as easy as yesterday because I am fully aware that tonight I will miss Supernatural. It's hard to come to terms with missing all that hunk-ness, not to mention the freaky show. Actually, it may make life a little easier in one way. You see, I have a tendency to get a bit freaked out by the "scary" nature of the show. I usually end up reading far into the night for fear of turning off my light. Yes, I am 34 years old (in 10 days), but sometimes I'm more like my 9 year old.

For those of you following along (not much of an audience yet, I must say) this blog is the first assignment that I have given myself after reading Writer's Digest. For assignment number two, I am going to write letter to 3 people. The first is an old family frien, my brother's god-father, who I haven't seen since Jay's wedding. I am also going to attempt to get in touch with my best friend from high school (meaning we haven't spoken pretty much since then). I'm not sure how I'm going to get in touch with her, but wish me luck. Then, being highly into A Million Little Pieces, I thought I would write to the author, James Frey, to let him know how much I like his book (controversy aside). I let you know what kind of luck I have and what, if any, response I get.

Well, I'm off to see if I can find my friend and how to get in touch with James. Have a great day! I'll talk at ya' later.

Blogging for the first time

Welcome to Life sans T.V. This is my first attempt at blogging and I have given up t.v. to do so. Hence the name. I have always wanted to be a writer... scratch that. I am a writer! I just don't spend a lot of time writing (which makes me like many writers I have read about). So, I have given up t.v. in the hopes that I will be able to take an hour a day, or more (or less...) to write. I got the idea from Writer's Digest, a magazine which I gave myself for Christmas. Actually, I gave me a subscription to it, not just one magazine. Anyway, there was a suggestion that blogging is a good way to get into writing on a regular basis, so here I am.

Since this is only my first day without t.v. I haven't noticed any serious withdrawal symptoms. Yet. I have noticed that I keep wondering what will happen on some of my favorite shows. Lately I've gotten into Criminal Minds, CSI, Bones (ah, David Boreanaz) and Supernatural. And, of course, there are the old favorites like Desperate Housewives and Hockey Night in Canada... Okay, not really the same thing, but you get the idea. For some reason Monday and Friday are the slow nights for t.v. as far as my schedule goes. Which is good because Monday's are, well, Mondays (meaning I am dog-tired after the first day back at work) and Fridays I have skating. Yes, I'm in an adult figure skating class. (We are currently working on our routines for Carnival, but that's another story for another time.)

Back to life without t.v. I have tried this before, but not to such an extreme. A few years ago (more like 5 or 7) I realized that I was watching 3 hours of t.v. a night!! And, I would get very upset if I had to miss a night, because all the shows I watched were serials, like Dawson's Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (meaning, if I missed an episode I was lost). Finally, I decided that my life was being run by t.v. "This is not good", I thought. So, I managed to cut down the my two favorite shows (Buffy and Angel), both of which were cancelled not too long thereafter, sending me into a t.v. frenzy. Luckily I have gotten ahold of myself once again. We'll see how long it last this time.