There and Back Again

Seriously I feel a bit like Bilbo Baggins.

The tour company was like the perpetual wizard leaving a perpetual mark on a perpetual door for a perpetual burglar to join a crew of perpetual dwarves.

The wizard was a tour company. But instead of a burglar, they needed a tour guide, and in the words of Justin Timberlake, “iz gonna be mayyy…” So sally forth I went, into the sunset. And as it turns out I found some amazing sunsets.

Sunset in the Grand Canyon.

But that’s besides the point. Is taking people on vacation for a living fun? Why yes. Yes it is. Does it also sometimes suck? Why yes. Yes it can. Quite a lot. But I figure that’s life anyway. Or as they say, all sunshine makes a desert and all rain makes a marsh. It’s a balance of both that makes a lush garden.

Oh, didn’t I mention another dream I’m currently pursuing is tour guiding? Some of you knew, I think. Now all of you do. I always thought if I could travel and write for a living that would be a good life. We’ll see if that yields true. So far I feel like there’s so much to the tour gig I don’t have as much time for writing when I’m doing it. Though I did think a lot about story and plot. And I really do enjoy thinking.

But having taken quite a long hiatus from blogging, I’ve tried to rekindle my motivation for doing this. And if we’re being honest, I still haven’t gotten to full flame readiness. The thing is I like all of you people and it’s hard to stay away. So I don’t know what the future of Lit and Scribbles is blogwise, but it’s evolving. I may even try occasional vlogging (after all, I have Gloria’s example to follow).

I’ll probably be discussing the six weeks of travel, I’m getting back into Row80, because life feels empty without goals, and I’ll see whatever tidbits I can throw this way, but my current blogging goal is a Tuesday/Thursday post, with a Wednesday Row update in between. That’s all the chunk I can bite off for now.

So what were you up to this summer? Follow any dreams? Accomplish some major goals? What do you do to stay motivated with blogging?

A Short Pause

I’m sure you’ve noticed, the blog isn’t getting much attention these days. I’ve got lots of life happenings I don’t want to whine about here, so I haven’t much. Anyway, I think things will be okay, it’s just I’m feeling a lack of motivation for the blog. I think I’ve got burnout.

But that’s not to say I’m quitting. Just a short pause. Look for all new posts this January. For now I need a little hiatus. I may still get on your blogs and bother you there. And if you leave me a comment I may chat you up, but no new content here until January 2014.

Until then, enjoy a little Christmas cheer from one of our favorite captains, Captain Picard.

See you in 2014!

Guest Blogging: Searching for Superwomen

I’m guest blogging again this week over at Searching for Superwomen, the brainchild of Emmie Mears whose book Shrike will be hitting bookshelves in the near future. Click on the excerpt to read more.

I still remember the comment as clear as my feelings for the Star Wars prequels. Those are the kinds of things that stick with you. We were playing Street Fighter II, probably one of the best fighting games of all time.

And what was this? A lady fighter? Oooh, yes please! But then came the comment: “Why do chicks always choose the girls?” Oh, I don’t know, probably the same reason you “dudes” always pick the guys. Don’t be hating on the awesomeness of Chun Li. Just don’t!

Feel free to leave me a comment either here or on SFSW. And if you haven’t checked out SFSW before, please do! There are all kinds of posts for the geek inside, ranging from Doctor Who to Supernatural to Buffy and everything in between.

Guest Blogging Today

‘m a guest blogger today over at my friend and published author P.C. Zick‘s blog Writing Whims. Please come and check out my article entitled Editing Smackdown, where I take you through the journey that is polishing a novel. Click on the excerpt to read more.

Editing. Is it a word you dread or embrace?

I thought editing meant finding typos and grammar errors. I didn’t realize that real editing and revising was about to smack me down, and smack me hard.

And while you’re there, feel free to check out P.C.’s other many amazing posts and learn from her experience.

Anything you would add to the editing advice from your own experience? Please feel free to leave comments either here or on Writing Whims.

Spammers Greatest Hits: Part Deux

Back by popular demand, it’s Spammers Greatest Hits: Part Deux. I think I’ll make this a monthly event, as long as my spammers promise to stay creative in the way they spam me. This time we’re going to add a few more spammer comments for your viewing pleasure. (See the original greatest hits here.)

SPAMMER ONE

Our first spammer guest for this greatest hits session is SportandFitnessVideos.com. You know, if you’re going to spam me, you could at least try pretending like you’re a real person. I mean, one of my favorite spammers Davis bothered to punch in a fake name. *sigh* Anyway, here’s what Sport has to say:

Attention! Lit and Scribbles, now with no need side-effects! Your favorite spam comment appeared to be at the net the simplest factor to be aware of. I’ve been thinking about this a lot and I think what he meant to say was: “unquestionably believe that that you said.” So there you have it!