Wednesday, August 10, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge : Day 22

Alright, pushing on to the finish!  Today's feature photo is brought to you from... wait for it, wait for it... freestocks.org!  (Incredibly creative name, no?  But it is nice to sometimes find something called exactly what it is).  The quality there is excellent, and the price unbeatable (we knew that already, right?).  How excellent you ask?  Well, you are free to browse their categories (fashion, food and drinks, city & architecture, people, animals, objects & technology, and nature), though I wasn't super impressed with the selection (spoiled, I guess, looking at all kinds of quality photography sites).


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge : Day 21

Wow, we're already at the three week mark!  (And incredibly, I missed the two thirds mark yesterday.  Incredible, except for that I do know myself a little, and a math-related fact like that is completely forgettable).

To celebrate, I will give you yet another Jordan Matter photo.


Monday, August 8, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge: Day 20

I'll make this brief.  The picture is from Unsplash, taken by Tony Webster  (hailing from the oxymoronic Madrid, Iowa).  Have at it.




Sunday, August 7, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge : Day 19

So today I decided to try a new source for pictures: Morguefile.  There appear to be a variety of photos there, of varying quality.  While there are still some stunning options, there are also more amateurish/less spectacular to wade through.  Also, unless you modify/alter/change the picture, you have to credit the artist (not that that's a bad thing, but just to make a note of that, since that's buried in the terms and conditions you probably won't read).

So, I am happy to present to you this photo svklimkin (no, I don’t have any other name to credit him).


Saturday, August 6, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge : Day 18

As tempting as it would be to have recourse to the familiar picture sites I've used already, I thought I'd look at Gratisography.  The selection there includes plenty of interesting photos, many of them quite whimsical.  I chose  to start with something on the more moderate side.  Would love to see what you can come up with for this one!


Friday, August 5, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge : Day 17

I'm sure I've said it before, but it bears repeating: the pics at Unsplash are amazing.  The panoramic vistas particularly, are steadily wearing on my resolve to not use pure nature pictures (the ambiguity as well as absence of human characters & actions decided me against them- at least for now).   But, there are a plethora of other fantastic options, so I hope you enjoy this picture from them, and find it inspiring for your writing.


Thursday, August 4, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge: Day 16

You know, I think these dramatic pictures might make me think harder but also more creatively for a writing idea.  They relate to common human experiences, and yet, demonstrate them with flair and their own distinct flavor.  So, I'll take the liberty of presenting yet another Jordan Matter photo.  I bring you: "The Dictionaryphile"
(Because we all just have those moments when we want to fall asleep with that tome of meaning;-).

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge: Day 15

I don't know about you, but the past few pictures were beginning to feel a bit prosaic.  Not that fire is all that still, and not that they each had plenty of quality material to grow inspiration.  But they didn't bespeak action and drama, if you know what I mean.  So, I decided to go back and browse through the work of NYC photographer, Jordan Matter.   Take this picture for inspiration.




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Her alarm clock said four on the dot.  That was an hour earlier than usual, she didn't- no, she had a flight to catch!

The suitcase was already packed, the checklist looking happy with all its checks, and there was just the lovely list of daily home things to run through before she left.

Matt off to work?    Check.
Maria scheduled to come later for house cleaning?   Check.
The reports sent to Kyle?  Check.
The meeting notes sent to Jared, Anna, Frank... oh, and Jenna, she needed to do that. 
  

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge: Day 14

Wow, two weeks already!

OK, I'm not going to say it's just flown, that it seems like just yesterday that I started writing, my pen has just been running ink so nicely.  I won't lie to you.  While it does seem hard to believe that time moves so quickly (seems to speed up in direct proportion to your level of busy-ness), I can hardly say that writing everyday has been super easy.  Mostly it has involved carving out time earlier in the morning (read: getting up earlier), and drawing inspiration from random sources throughout the day.  

Because, nice as it would be to claim that everything I've written has been solely inspired by all the lovely pictures I've been putting up here- that's not how it works.  It probably hasn't worked that way for you either. (Unless, perhaps, you spend more time staring at the image for inspiration, and connect with visual things better.  Maybe.).

But, that's fine.  In fact, that's one of the things I like (and am better enjoying) about writing; the way it makes you notice things differently.  Inspiration is supposed to come from around you; the picture is merely a spark, a little arrow that you can point in any direction you choose.  While you journey with your writing, you can pick up other ideas to add and weave into your developing piece.     

So, take today's image (from Unsplash again- loving the quality there) and then make sure you keep your senses open for other inspiration.  Draw on your memories.  Explore your environment for further inspiration.  And, to paraphrase Ernest Hemingway, "Just sit down to the keyboard and bleed."


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Perhaps this is plagiarism.  If it is, though, we should all just give up and go completely crazy.  For this is a tale millennia old, but not half as well-known as it should be.
Not one in a hundred people will be able to guess the original with the names changed...


“This is it?  There aren’t any other cisterns?”  The panic rising in Adrian’s eyes creeps into his voice as looks over at his friend and fellow guardsman, Marcus.  Both stare into the city’s nearly empty water tank- the sides are dry except for a shallow pool at the bottom.  And they both know that will be gone soon enough.  The blockade has done its work.

Adrian starts as he hears the shouting outside the walls swell like a sudden wave of thunder.  The siege only seems to be wearing on one side- the side of the outnumbered defenders: their side.

“When there’s no more water…” Adrian starts to mutter.

“That’s not our decision,” Marcus cuts him off, rising quickly to his feet.  “And we didn’t defend our city the last three weeks only to give up now.  We’ve got to make our report to the general.”

“And that is all?”  Commander Felix looks up at them with weary grey eyes, the exhausted grey face of a man pushed past his limits of physical and psychological endurance.  A famine, and then a siege, a siege he knows they do not have the supplies to withstand.

“Yes, sir.”  Adrian turns and slides out of the tent, recognizing the dismissal.

“You are dismissed.” 

Still Marcus stands there.  “Sir, I am asking for permission to go behind enemy lines.”

The general peers at him in the dim light of the citadel’s lanterns.  Marcus is a common soldier, young, not yet promoted- but… he can’t be asking permission to leave at this critical time, can he?  Yet what can he hope to accomplish, leaving by himself?

“If I can decapitate the snake, we can survive the siege.”

“Assassinate General Leo?  You’ve never even seen the man!”  The incredulity in the general’s voice is loud in the dark room at the heart of the citadel.

“Fate willing, yes.  Or die trying.  There aren’t many other options now, are there?”  Marcus’ eyes flicker for a moment before returning to their customary wall of stoicism.

One word and a thousand images dart through the minds of both men; their enemy’s reputation for fierceness and torture is no secret.  But if the city falls…

The general swallows, then nods.  “You may go.  And, if you do not return while we yet stand… you will be remembered bravely, a spur of courage to the others.”

Marcus nods, salutes, and strides out swiftly.  The thing must be done quickly- before the assault is successful, and, more importantly, before he loses his nerve, he reminds himself as he wipes his sweaty palms.


“We will be ready to begin preparations for the final assault tomorrow?”  General Erik’s turns suddenly to one of his many assembled captains, standing stiffly at attention on the left side of his chair. 

“Five days from now, your lordship,” the officer murmurs in reply as he bows.  He wisely keeps his head down, while his superior glares at him with eyes that wouldn’t melt even in the fire of the brazier that keeps off the chill night air.  No other man has half the intimidating presence that has kept the soldiers strong throughout the long weeks of the siege.  But they have been long weeks… For a few moments, the general sits silent, clenching and unclenching his meaty fists. 

“This city!  Is it worth this?” he thinks to himself.  Three long weeks, no negotiations, and every day taxes his army in a way that only those in command are fully aware of.  And the unreasonable chills of foreboding this place gives him… 

“We must shorten the time,” he demands, rising and striding towards the exit of the meeting tent, preceded by his royal secretary, Arsenio. 

Leo is on the threshold of exiting, when Arsenio falls with a gurgling cry at his feet.  Four guards leap toward a shadow as Leo jumps backwards. 

The struggle is fierce, but brief.  “Wait, bring him in here.”  The soldiers do not dare disobey that imperious voice, and bring their prisoner into the dim light of the meeting tent.

“A spy?”  Leo spits out the word with disdain as he sits back down.  This doesn’t ease the cold feeling in the pit of his stomach, but at least he can hide it with barking.  “What use did you have with the life of my secretary, spy?”

Marcus raises his head, staring coolly into the general’s grey eyes.  

“None.  A pass of bad luck.  But that will not be enough to keep you safe.”

Leo laughs.  “Safe?  I sit outside your walls, where I have you penned and nearly defeated.”

Marcus’ gaze is unflinching.   “I am but the first.  The braver will come after me.”

“Braver?  You will burn to death if you do not reveal their plans.”  Leo’s sneer is almost exaggerated in his attempt to cover that cold feeling.

The four guards gasp as their prisoner twists his right hand free, only to thrust it into the flames of the brazier.  There he holds it, still staring directly at the general.  “Braver.  I only wanted to be the first because I feared to hear the fate of any before me.  We have hardly begun.” 

Leo gazes with a sort of fascinated horror at the hand burning in the flames.  This soldier would give up his sword hand to impress him?  What sort of people is this?  That chilly knife twists his insides again, turning more savagely as he sees the faces of his stunned officers in the light of that fire.  

"Release him.  He has proved his own courage,"  Leo croaks.

"Then," Marcus says clearly, pulling his burnt hand out while the guards back away, "I tell you freely what you would never have gotten by torture.  Three hundred and seven others have pledged their lives to accomplish where I have failed.  You will never be safe, and will die surprised."

Leo stares back at this bold enemy, then snaps his fingers at the guards.  "See that he makes it back into his city, and goes nowhere else."  

"Commander..." one of the officers begins.

Leo glares at him.  The glare melts, however, as his gaze shifts over all the other officers in the tent.  There is no way he can lead them to attack a city like that now.

"Well, gentlemen, you are prepared to send a delegation for negotiating?"      

Monday, August 1, 2016

30-Day Writing Challenge: Day 13

Almost to the two week mark!  I don't know how well to say this is going, since I'm resisting the strong temptation to go back and read what I've written on past days- I'm pretty sure I would delete most of it.  But, pushing onward, we've another picture for today, this time from PicJumbo.  There are a lot of categories, though not a whole lot to choose from in all of them, at the free level.  Which is why they offer a premium level, of course.  Still, the pictures are nice, and you might just find something neat in you inbox (if you sign up to receive free pictures).  Fulfilling writing to you!



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This is going to a be a simple article on simplicity (I know, the picture practically drips the word, doesn't it?)

I'm going to avoid the difficult areas, (cough --relationships, big-time priorities, life-goals--) and leave those for you to reason out.  You may or may not choose to apply the techniques I'll address for other, simpler things (like your closet; yes, this is slightly geared more towards women than men).  I know, unambitious of me.  But, let's start with, well, the small and simple.

If you know clothes just pile up in your closet from year to year, the clothes-hanger tip will be optimal for you.  Simply:

  •  turn all your hangers backwards on the glorious day you wish to start organizing and voila!  You've done almost all that is necessary on one glorious day (it may not seem all that wonderful a day, though, compared to it's one-year anniversary, when you will behold the marvelous fruits of your labor).  
  • Hang your clothes the opposite way the rest of the year  This is how you will keep track of what you're actually wearing.
  • Check the date of that glorious day one year later, and you will easily see what you haven't worn for a year.  If you have quality pieces that you simply don't wear, list on Ebay.  Otherwise (or in the case that it doesn't sell within a few weeks), support your local Goodwill (or other charitable thrift stores- you may know of one connected to an organization or church in your neighborhood).  
This tip can be applied over shorter periods of time (every few months), but you just want to make sure you're not clearing clothes that are simply out of season.


Another simplifying tip is the one-in-two-out rule.  While that ratio isn't set  in stone, it keeps things easy and simple.  Whenever one thing comes into your house (a gift, a deal steal you couldn't pass up, etc), choose two things to get rid of (either the profitable or charitable route).  Not an easy rule, but incredible for simplifying space and possessions.


I strongly believe in keeping organized files (maybe because I have so many).  Initially organizing a mass of files isn't easy, but definitely worth it.  My personal rule is to make a new folder (or sub-folder, as the case may be) for any group of 5+ documents.  Folders and sub-folders make finding any document much simpler, and makes your files in general more streamlined.  And, if there's something dated and no longer necessary, it does pay to remember that it's not criminal to dispose of.


Organizing and simplifying may not be your favorite hobby, but you will thank yourself later, when, instead of searching and searching for something, or pushing through piles and piles in your closet, you find a simpler, clearer space, neat and orderly.

What do you do to simplify your life?