Friday Funny and a Return to Crazy Writer Status

Happy Friday, everyone! Wait, it is Friday, right? Hold on…

Okay, I double checked. It is. Phew!

Well, besides being totally out of whack since the long Labor Day Weekend, my week went well. It started off on a high note with a trip to Aspen for the JAS music festival, and it has ended on a high note with a revival of my manuscript. It appears I’ve finally broken free of the swarm of butterflies that have been distracting me since round one of the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge.

Woot-woot!

I can always tell when I’m back on a roll when I turn into a “crazy writer”. Basically, I get irritated, impatient, and grumpy. All I want to do is write. Write, write, write! I don’t want to exercise, or do chores, or eat food, or watch TV, or hang out with friends…In a nutshell, if it doesn’t revolve around my story, I just don’t want to deal with it.

Yeah, I’m total a wackadoodle when my creative engine starts running at full steam…But don’t worry, I don’t ever succumb to complete hermit-ville. I do my best to find a balance between reality and la-la land. Try 😉

I know part of my “crazy” resurgence comes from the knowledge that my schedule for September is going to be–overall–calm. There are no imminent threats of butterfly swarms on the horizon. Which means I’ll be able to put all of my focus into my book. Which means I’ve got no excuses not to get a lot of work done. Which means I should probably stop rambling here and get to writing, huh?

So, in honor of my return to “crazy writer” status, here is today’s Friday Funny. Enjoy!

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How was your week? Anyone else thrown off after the long Labor Day Weekend? How about your manuscript? Is it on track? Or are you still being swarmed by the evil butterflies?

Jen’s Weekly Roundup

In case you missed my posts from earlier this week, here you go!

Music Monday – Somethin’ Bad – Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert

Book of the Month – The Maze Runner – James Dashner

How to Intensify Conflict & Deepen Characters—The Wound

Photo Credits:

http://www.reactiongifs.com/crazy/

http://www.teen.com/2013/12/11/celebrities/emma-stone-wingwoman-funny-gifs/

http://www.teen.com/2014/08/12/random-stuff/skinny-girl-problems/attachment/gossip-girl-blair-stop-talking/

http://www.yourtango.com/2014207592/tv-love-23-things-make-no-sense-pretty-little-liars-episodes-season-4-finale

Music Monday – Somethin’ Bad – Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert

Welcome to Music Monday! Yes, I know it’s not Monday, but I was out of town yesterday, so I’m breaking the rules…Yeah, I’m rebellious like that.

writing-to-music This past weekend I went to Aspen for the JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience. And it was awesome! Not only did I have a great time with my mom and sister, but I was able to kick back, relax, and bask in some beautiful Colorado scenery while listening to one of my favorite musicians, Carrie Underwood.

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10639534_10101749910537243_1052369699624072132_n To be honest, I’m not a huge concert fan. I always seem to get stuck next to the drunk idiot dancing, screaming, and grabbing at everyone around them while exhaling fumes of cigarettes and beer (Grrrrr…and BARF!). But the JAS music festival was surprisingly organized and tamed. It had a pleasant family/community vibe to it, and those who were on the crazier side kept to themselves and respected the rest of us.

It’s the best concert experience I’ve ever had.

10590531_10101749910482353_8731308387669672944_n

10653421_10101749910377563_8640838046765233212_n — Me and my favorite beta reader–my mom!

10460312_10101749910432453_6269179171120315654_n — My sister bundled up and ready for the concert!

As for Carrie Underwood’s performance, it was amazing! Upbeat, energetic, entertaining. My sister wrote down all of the songs she performed to make a CD later, and she counted 22 by the end of the night. That’s crazy! Carrie Underwood definitely doesn’t waste time during her concerts. She sings her booty off.

I also have to give Carrie Underwood extra props for handling Aspen’s high altitude. Only once during the show did she appear winded. It happened during the early part of the night. She made a joke about the altitude before trying to set up the next song. Just a few breathless words in she stopped, laughed, and turned to her band. “Oh, forget the setup,” she panted. “Let’s just do this.” It was funny. And totally understandable. I’ve lived in Colorado my whole life and I can tell you: it’s not easy to breathe here, especially if you’re not used to it. In fact, I’ve heard most artists who come to town need oxygen tanks to get them through their performances.

15717227-standard Now, although I love all of Carrie Underwood’s songs, there were two I couldn’t stop listening to during the four-hour drive home yesterday. Both gave me oodles of inspiration for my manuscript: “Two Black Cadillacs” and “Somethin’ Bad” .

I flipped a coin and went with “Somethin’ Bad”, Carrie Underwood’s latest hit with country star, Miranda Lambert.

Carrie-Underwood-Miranda-Lambert-Somethin-Bad-Video_2014-06-24_18-12-10 This song has so much energy and attitude, it makes me want to stand up and dance around with a “Whatcha ya lookin’ at punk?” expression. Don’t worry, I don’t do that…Well, unless I’m alone and nobody can mock me for acting like an idiot 😉 But, seriously, I love taking the badass emotions I feel while listening to this song and pouring them into my characters. It makes writing their rebellious, “whatever” moments easier, more enjoyable, and a lot of fun.

I also love the lyrics, “…somethin’ bad about to happen”. I’ve been working on some of the climatic chapters in my book recently, and “somethin’ bad about to happen” is definitely a theme. There’s lots of suspense, lots of dread, and lots of “dun, dun, dun”.

So, if you’re looking for a song that’s full of attitude, check out “Somethin’ Bad” by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert!

What song(s) are you in love with right now? Which one(s) offer you inspiration? Let me know! I’m always searching for songs that motivate my writing.

Photo credits:

http://michaelgalvis.com/

http://photos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2014/08/2014_nys_fair_concert_carrie_underwood_7.html

http://popdust.com/2014/06/24/carrie-underwood-miranda-lambert-somethin-bad-music-video-teaser/

Friday Funny with Butterflies and a Weekend Getaway

Hear ye, hear ye! It’s…Friday!

Well, I hate to say this, but the evil butterflies are back. I’ve been swarmed!

Ahhhhhh!

butterfly-distraction Blast those distracting, Look at me! Look at me! butterflies! I can’t get away from them. No matter how determined I start each day, and no matter how firmly I tell myself, “You will work on your manuscript now–you will!”, I lose my focus immediately and turn to something else that’s not my book. And when I do manage to sit down and write, my brain refuses to cooperate. It says, “Oh, look! This sentence stinks. Let’s fix it for two hours.”

On a positive note, I did squeak out one full chapter. It’s not great, and it needs a lot of editing, but it’s something. And something is better than nothing, right?…Right? Well, I’m hoping by this weekend I’ll get my booty whipped into shape and–

No, wait. I forgot. It’s Labor Day Weekend, and I’m going out of town.

GAH!

Fine, fine. I’ll admit, I’m more excited than frustrated about this upcoming weekend with all of its distractions. I’ve been looking forward to it for months. My mom, sister, and I are driving up to “a little place called Assspen“.

We’re leaving on Sunday to go watch Carrie Underwood perform at the JAS Aspen Snowmass Experience. It should be blast, especially since I get to spend quality time with my mom and sister. With life being as crazy as it is, and my sister having three little boys (all under the age of 4), the three of us rarely get to hang out together. I can’t wait to just relax and enjoy a day in the mountains with them.

And who knows? Maybe this small excursion is just what the creative doctor ordered? Maybe I’ll get back to town on Monday refreshed and ready to roll my sleeves up and get to work?

Yeah? Hopefully?

Okay, I have to. I won’t have a choice. I need to pull it together already!

With that said, it’s time for me to stop blabbing and get to writing! So, here you go. In honor of my butterfly-filled writing week, I present to you today’s Friday Funny. Enjoy!