Mom has been in a cranky mood today - sort of like a three year old who has gone without a nap. It's really difficult when she's like this - constantly into things, wanting to help but causing more problems than actually helping. Anyway, that's put me off the mood to write, plus no nap. I know there will be no problem sleeping tonight.
I was up for quite a while last night reading Kate Walker's 12-Point Guide to Writing Romance. It's a pretty good book. I would have scanned it in and posted a picture of the cover - but I still haven't liberated the scanner. Anyway, it has some exercises to use for character development and I was messing with my hero Jordan (no Summers, he was named 2 years ago) and I came up with a revelation. Jordan is the middle of two brothers. Ethan, the eldest, has always been the responsible one, the smart (intellectually) brother. Ross, the youngest, is a typical youngest child - adored simply for being last, free of familial expectations because he would always be the baby. Jordan was stuck in the middle and spent his life trying not to be invisible. The best athlete, the prettiest girlfriend, etc. He had to be the best at everything he did in order to stand out, to be something other than the "middlin child". There's more to it, but this was the thing that stood out the most. I'm the baby, so I really can't relate to the middle child syndrome (might have to look up birth order stuff - wow, research!), but I can relate to being overshadowed by a sibling and feeling the need for the spotlight. I tried working a bit on the story and would you believe after all those days of yelling at me, no one was talking. I hate when that happens.
Spent a while today cleaning the room - more of the getting organized stuff. So that, the humongous shopping spree at Wallyworld, coupled with no nap, has made Eve a tired little camper. I know there were some other things that I had planned on doing here, but hell if I can remember what? I'm off to bed now.
28 comments:
Sorry I'm late to the party! Being sick sucks. Try saying that fast 4 times! Been running around w/ Dh. Hey, we took a trip to Wally World today, too! I swear we spend more time in there than anyone! I will be back to checking all my friends blogs earlier tomorrow. As for now, BED! Night, Brandy
I've been to Wal-Mart twice today. Went and got groceries and forgot the dang milk. So I went back later and ended up buying two Jennifer Crusie books, a new trash can for the downstairs bath, and a table cloth. Also milk, beef stew and Ding Dongs. Weird combination, yes? Going to sleep now. Good night.
I'm a middle one. My sister, first born, was always my parents' pride and joy in my eyes. Plus she's very, very brainy. My brother is the baby, so was always the one my parents' soft spots in my eyes. Plus he is also very, very brainy. I'm the one in the middle. The one who should have been my brother. The less brainy one. But it didn't take me long to realise that, actually, I'm my daddy's little girl, always have been, and always will be. Plus, we get on very, very well. So there are drawbacks to being the one in the middle, but the surprise is even nicer when you find out that, actually, you're your parents' favourite.
*the one "in" my parents' soft spots. Tsk.
Also, hope Mom settles.
There is a show on DIY or one such network about organizing rooms. You should restore your room to it's original condition and apply to be on one. How cool would that be?
I have Kate Walker's book in my TBR pile! Maybe I need to pull it out and get started on it.
Brandy - hope you're feeling better. A lot of people are down with this sinus stuff. Mom started with the sniffles yesterday.
Butterfly - if our Walmart were closer I'd probably be there twice a day. Beef stew and Ding Dongs - yep, that's quite a combination.
Diane - the two older children were the apples of Dad's eye, and my brother and I are mom's. I'm hoping mom has a better day today because after blogging this morning and getting some bills paid I'm sleeping. This 4 hours sleep Monday night, 4 hours Tuesday and then no nap Wednesday is dragging me down - gotta go to work tonight, which means another late evening.
Hey Jana - welcome! Spring Break is almost here sweetie.
Scott - um ... no! Once I get this room organized I am going to try very hard to keep it this way.
Sandy - it's a good book. Kate Walker has been publishing Presents for a long time (at least it seems like it) so I figure she must know what she's saying. Kate Hardy suggested the book to me and its pretty good. I will always buy "how-to" books from published authors.
The 12-pt book sounds interesting--might have to check it out. It's amazing some of the really interesting story twists you can get just by thinking about the character's past, even "ancient" past. I hope things go better today with the cranky no-nap mom!!
I wrote yesterday... this is a big accomplishment since I haven't done that since October...
On birth order - it should surprise no one that I am the oldest - yes the bosy one - I have three younger brothers (27, 22, 15, - yes that is 1 and 5) which I supposed prepeared me well for motherhood to 4 boys - sheesh!
Joely - I recommend it. There will be a nap today come hell or high water. She went to bed at 8:30 last night and it is now 7:44 a.m. and she's still asleep. I should go check on her, but I hate to if she's just sleeping because I'm loving having this quiet blogging time.
Dennie - fantastic on the writing! Yes, I think you were well prepared.
It seems like you've accomplished a lot with your characters, they sound very interesting!
As for birth order I'm 2 years and 9 months older than my sister. I am not allowed to say 3 years because when we were growing up she wanted to be as close to the age as I was and now I want to be as young as she is.LOL
Hope your mom is settling down and you get a nice nap.
Susan - She slept until 8:00 - which does not bode well for this evening. The later she sleeps the later she stays up ...
LOL on the age thing - my sister won't allow me to tell anyone my age in her presence since she's 11 YEARS OLDER THAN ME!
Eve--I'm a middle child. Third of four, & middle girl. I have all those complexes! LOL. I do so hate to be categorised.
But you have pretty much nailed him.
Hope your mom has settled down.
She seems to be in a better mood - at least she's not cranky. I know its the Alzheimer's and, since she's nearly 78, I can't just send her to her room when she raises her voice or throws a fit.
Toni - I don't think you could ever be categorized ;)
I don't know where I fit into this family thing anymore. For 11 years I was the youngest, then my dad got remarried. Now I have 2 older stepbrothers, 1 older stepsister, 1 older sister(always had her) and 1 younger stepbrother.
Peggy - yes he's getting clearer and that really helps.
Christa - I think it depends upon where you were in your formative years or something like that. I've looked at the youngest child stuff and it isn't very close to me - but environmental issues have a big influence.
Just heard some sad news - and considering yesterdays brief discussion about teen idols - actor Jack Wild has died. If you're going "who?" - then let me remind you. I had a huge crush on Jack Wild from his time on HR Puf 'n Stuff - yeah, him. He was also the Artful Dodger in the movie version of "Oliver". It makes me sad when idols from my childhood/teen years pass on. He was only 53.
FOr most of my life I was the youngest. I can tell you that my older brother (middle child) has classic middle child syndrome *ducking*
Then mom died and dad remarried and gleefully informed me that I was no longer the baby of the family, I'm now second to youngest. I'm still recovering from the trauma of it.
I found my way over here from Kate Hardy's site and I just wanted to say thank you Eve for buying my 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance . (I already thanked Kate H for recommending it to you)
I'm glad it helped you.
>> Kate Walker has been publishing Presents for a long time (at least it seems like it)
It seems like a long time to me too! In fact,it's 20 years! My first USA book came out in 1986 - August 1986 in fact. Since then I've published 45 books - with a couple of new ones due out this year.
Just wanted to wish you good luck with your own writing. I'll be really pleased in the 12 Point Guide helps you towards being published
Good Luck!
Kate
Thank you for stopping by Kate! When Kate H. recommended the book I thought "why not - what better source for writing romances than someone who has and is writing them sucessfully." I knew you had been writing for a while because there are a heck of a lot of Kate Walker books on our bookshelves.
(Look everybody - it's Kate Walker *ggg*)
Cece - you're no longer the baby! How sad. :) I didn't like being the baby - I always thought mom and dad should have one more so I could have someone to torment. *gg*
Hope your feeling better!
As an only child, I get to be all three, though sometimes being a single one isn't all its cracked up to be.
Lis - that's why I don't fall into the typical "youngest child" category. There is 7 years difference between the next to the youngest and me, 11 years between the only girl and myself. I was close to an only child as the boys didn't have a lot to do with me so I was pretty much on my own.
How well I know that stage, Eve. My mother would be upset that she had so much to do. That was her mantra for the whole time I was back in Canada, and it carried over into the Alzheimer years--when she really had nothing to do. She insisted that her drawers had too much in them.
So once in a while I'd try to clean up--and out--her drawers. As soon as she saw that I wanted to take some of the things away, she'd tell me not to take this or that, etc. So dutifully I'd put it all back. After this happened several times, I just refused to sort things anymore. It was so frustrating, time-robbing and in my own state of illness, just plain stupid. I had my own things to clean out at home. I'd usually end up crying on my way home and then going to sleep for the rest of the afternoon.
And you're right, they do go back to being almost like children. My father had similar phases after his stroke, where he'd grin like a little boy over something he had done. It's hard to see your parents like that, isn't it? They are so unlike themselves.
Oh, birth order: Yeah, I'm the oldest by about 5 years 8 mos. I always had to be the "responsible" one but I also got good marks.
However, the genius-type was my oldest brother. He was 15 when he finished school and went to work. He learned everything about computer programing on his own. He just didn't want to be the youngest at university--that brought a lot of conflict with my father. Oh, and because he wanted to fit in with the older group in his class, he also got into all kinds of trouble.
The next one was 9 yrs 5 mos younger than I. He was the most creative one of us and started out as a photographer and went on to doing desk-top publishing.
My sister is 11 yrs and 4 mos younger than I am. I functioned as her second mother. She used to be painfully shy and wouldn't even stay at her friend's place down the street overnight. My mother and I were the only ones she'd stay with as a child. She was also smart and ended up being the youngest R.N. in Ontario, Canada at the time she finished her nursing topped in marks only by a couple of the older ladies in her class who'd gone back to nursing as mature students. Yes, she was always the baby. Yet despite all her shyness, she blossomed as a nurse and ended up being the youngest one of us to really leave home. I was the bad penny that always turned up back home after a few years away. When she was maybe 12 or so, the rest of us predicted that she'd have the first grandchild. And she did.
About birth order: It is certainly not an exact science. There are so many other incidents in life that make you the person you are. I'm still trying to figure myself out. To a certain extent I was bossy, but after I was away for 10 years, everybody else decided that it was time for them to boss me around. After all, I was "new" to Canada and the cultural change that had taken place during the 70s. Now they do it because I'm single and they're married. Of course, I seem to be a lesser person in that state. I think my mother felt that way too.
But, Eve, don't let that bother you. Just be the person you are.
Sorry, I am way latel...in fact it almost tomorrow already :)
I am sorry you are having issues with Mom...just remember she can not help it...did she ever *find* her voter's registration card :) :) :) I must say that one cracked me up for the rest of the day :)
Birth Order...I am the oldest by 2 yrs and 8 mos :) I got SOOOO very tired of having to be the responsible one...which is why I rebelled in college!!! My youngest sister is 9 yrs and 3 mos younger than me...I was more her mom than her sister until I moved out of the house. But I am bossy, not as much as I used to be though :)
(snort) Not as bossy as you used to be - my, my, my ... LOL
I think that parents are always going to put more responsibility on the oldest child and be a little lax with the youngest (depending on how many children and how many years apart). But it's been interesting comparing notes.
Nope, the voter card is no longer an issue until something and someone brings it up.
You think it's almost tomorrow where you are - I'm one hour closer!
Ruby, I've been trying to get mother to try on her clothes to see what fits and what doesn't (she tends to wear the same things over and over), but I just can't get her to budge. "oh, we can do that tomorrow".
I think when you leave the family group for some time, dynamics change, people take on new roles while you are gone, so when you return you just can't return in the same position as you were before you left (does that make sense?) You sound very proud of your siblings.
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