The Force Is Middling In This One

Hello faithful readers whom I abandoned months ago to go into hard labor to birth my novel. How are my peeps doing? Well, I hope?

So you all know, I have banned blogging from my list of activities because, while it is fun and fulfilling, it detracts both time and juice from The Project of Which I Cannot Speak. I have eliminated nearly all endeavors in order to focus on producing this Great Work of Art That Is Going To Blow You Away.

Really.

I have kept in the occasional Zumba class... because my ass is big enough. Sitting 12 hours at work and then another 5 hours in front of The Novel, has to be counteracted with a little booty shaking.

I sleep.

I eat.

I drink wine.

I pet my cat.

And occasionally I bathe.

It is completely... freaking... ridiculous.

I am absolutely determined to see this through. Some people have the desire to complete a marathon. I have zero desire to run 385 yards - let alone 26 miles and 385 yards. Some people want to win Gold at the Olympics... climb Mount Everest.... or have sex with a porn star...

Not me. Numero uno, pretty much numero solo, on my cubeta lista is: write a damn book.

I would pick the hardest thing on Earth to accomplish.

So the other day while I was at work, I downloaded a free, Nook book called "Write Good or Die." I was hoping for a little hope and inspiration since I don't have a Xanax prescription.

The book was filled with short articles about the craft and pain in the ass of writing. I got to one article in particular that, although it wasn't as good as what I imagine narcotics to be, was insightful and, even better, made me laugh. I enjoyed it so much I decided to check out the author's website.

The author describes himself as living "in the worst city in the United States."

My first thought was, "Bullshit! I live in the worst city in the United States." (Actually...Modesto is now considered 4th worst, but still.)

I dismissed his claim and went straight for the meat and potatoes of his site... the free download samples of his books! I read the first one: "The Force is Middling in this One" and laughed my ass off.

That really counts for something - because I usually don't find people funny.... stupid... but not funny.

I enjoyed the sample so much, I am buying that book AND his fiction novel "Mercury Falls."

I also decided to challenge his assertion about the "living in the worst city" claim...and guess what?

He only lives down the road like 10 miles!

He lives in Ripon! Which is HELLA better than Modesto, but close enough that he lives in Modesto's second hand meth smoke.

I was really inspired by that; a talented writer, who is practically a neighbor! I thought - if HE could live in this god-forsaken area and finish a damn book and have it actually be successful, then so can I!

The Force works in mysterious ways.

Check out his site, read his samples and buy his books: Robert Kroese

Namaste,

C H EZ

Comments

[Julie Jordan Scott]

Hey, both of you could live in Bakersfield which is where I am sure the Meth smoke is much denser. I visited gold country last weekend which is VERY close to you guys... which automatically makes you live in a more desireable place than I do!

I am grateful you blogged and shared it. I miss your words. And I laughed, which is better than coughing which I can't seem to stop doing. UGH!

Love and hugs from a bit further south than both Modesto and Ripon!

[Rob Kroese]

Hi Shannan (and Julie)!

OK, I'm NEAR the worst city in the U.S. Ripon is a decent town. And yeah, Bakersfield. That's, um, nice too, I hear. :)

Thanks for the mention and good luck on your book!

[Sharon Bennett]

Hi Shannan, You will finish your book and be oh so Popular and successful so you can stop having to drive for hours each day for a day job. I am also glad to find that there is a successful author so close to Modesto (yes I agree about us living in the worst city) and will go visit his blog. Hang in there my friend. Since you just had a recent article published in Art Journaling, you are well on your way to being a famous writer. Sweet!

[Shannan Sinclair]

Thank you for your support, Sharon! I still have not forgotten about a "art" date at the Bean. It is still on my bucket list, too! ;-)

 
Shannan