Somehow the ritual of a Thursday Thirteen list makes Friday’s approach seem just that more real. Don’t you agree? Please enjoy!
Tag: Darla
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Tired of Wiping Out Words as You Type?
A while back I became completely frustrated with the insert key on my keyboard, particularly when editing an existing story. There is little more counterproductive than typing merrily away only to discover that it took out a bunch of other material.
So I looked it up and finally found this magical tidbit of information. Somehow I have misplaced my file, so I owe Tech-Reciipes.com for supplying the information this go round. Anyway, here is what you do, as listed on the website:
1. Start Microsoft Office Word (opening a document is fine)
2. Click on the Tools menu
3. Click Customize
4. Click the Options tab
5. Click Keyboard
6. Under the Categories dropdown box, select All Commands
7. Under the Commands dropdown box, select Overtype
8. Under the Current keys downdown box, select Insert
9. Click Remove
10. Click Close until the dialog windows close.Voila! I hope this saves someone else some time and heartache.
Now that I shared this trick, can anyone tell me how to shut off the grammatical symbols created by the apostrophe key? I seem to turn this function on and off at random. Today I have been ending up with things like Ïwent to the store,” she said, änd picked up those apples you like.” When what I meant to type was, “I went to the store,” she said, “and picked up those apples you like.”
It gets annoying having to hit the space bar an extra time to avoid the Ï, ä, and the like every time. Anyone else have this problem or know the fix? Well, in the meantime I’m going to go back to my current WIP and see if I hit the right key strokes to turn this annoying “shortcut” off again. Happy writing!
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Flash Fiction Friday
We at the Writer’s Retreat wish you a safe and fun weekend. Happy reading!
A. Catherine Noon
This is an older one that I wrote that has two additional chapters. I’ve been thinking of adding to it, to round it out, but thought I’d share these because I like them. Enjoy!Ok, here is something I cooked up for my first picture prompt. I really like it, but should give a content warning advisory.
Lucius Antonyhttp://luciusantony.blogspot.com/2010/01/flash-fiction-friday.html -
Thursday 13 for January 14th, 2010
Please enjoy a sample from the minds of our writers. Our lists are random and hopefully a fun read! Let us know what you think. And hang in there ’til Friday!
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Thoughts on Creating a Page Turner
As I explore forums catering to professional and aspiring authors, my eyes are opening to the strong opinions people form on things such as character point of view. I never in my life have stopped to consider POV when picking out a book to read. Give me an interesting plot for escapism, some intriguing characters to care about, and I’m there.
Likewise as I write it’s mainly what the characters have to say that decides the format of my fiction. But hoping to get my work published means I should pay a little attention to what book buyers want. Right?
A pleasant part of that has been simply reading more contemporary fiction. Another way has been to sample from the countless experiences shared by considerate authors blazing the trail.
Not all has been delightful. For example, I have read that particular styles of writing are actually expected for certain genres. Allegedly, an aficionado scans the first paragraph counting on a certain formula.
I won’t even begin to list what genre follows which blueprint because, frankly, I find the notion disheartening. If that is the case and my offering doesn’t fit will my effort be passed over without a second glance?
It’s a sad thought. So tonight at my desk I’ll advance the plot and not worry about fitting into a mold.
Yet the discovery calls to mind a writing class recommended some months ago by a friend of a friend. Initially enthused, I sat and listened at some length to this stranger’s discourse. It seemed that this lady wrote steamy romance stories that were on the cusp of being published. If I did what she’d done, maybe that could be me!
Quickly I learned that she writes erotica not out of passion but because she thinks she can turn a fast buck. The seminar she touted like a sales pitch sounded as if the “professor” focused less on the craft than how to market material to publishers. And her almost religious fervor made me wonder if she’d get a commission by recruiting others to her cult. As you can imagine, I gave the course a skip.
I am happy to report finding more encouragement than disappointment. Granted, I have yet to officially introduce my works to the world of publishing. My focus remains on telling the story and doing rewrite after rewrite until the end product satisfies me. I’ll worry about the rest later.
So you tell me, gentle reader, what keeps you turning the page?
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Flash Fiction Friday
We hope you look forward to a wonderful weekend. To start you off right, please click the links to read from our contributing authors. Thanks for reading and remember that feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Thursday 13 for January 7, 2010
Every Thursday, the writers of the Writer’s Retreat participate in the Thursday 13 meme and this Thursday is no exception. Enjoy!
And a brand new TT-er, Matt Mason!
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Creative Thinking Beets Kicking the Can
My other half frequently praises that I am quite clever. This is an unusual case-in-point with which I had to agree. It involved canned quail eggs.
We have a wonderful international grocery store not far from our house. You can stroll and shop for hours. Often we spend hundreds of dollars only to return home with many exotic items we have no clue how to properly prepare and serve. My coveted quail eggs were a perfect example. I thought the little bites would be good on salads. Wrong. Straight out of the can they tasted overwhelmingly metallic. That’s not something I usually notice but this was nearly intolerable.My only prior experience with the tiny eggs had been raw over flying fish roe in sushi restaurants. It’s quite delicious. Likewise, I’m sure the people who normally buy these petite gems boiled and packed in light brine know exactly what to do. No doubt the target shopper renders them into an extremely tasty treat.
What might the experienced aficionado add? Fish sauce, perhaps? Maybe the perfect infusion of Asian vegetables? Add rice for a great meal. But I’ve got good rice and no amount of tasty vegetables was going to save these. Perhaps some unfamiliar balance of spices would be key. Perhaps I should go to cooking school.
I don’t know. But, however bad tasting, this was food. And I’m notorious for hating to waste food. When it’s an animal product I’m especially radical. While I may never become totally vegetarian, I have standards.
In this situation, the solution was presented by my husband’s decision to pickle some regular store-bought chicken eggs. I figured that sounded pretty good, though he usually can’t leave them alone long enough for me. The eggs are gone before they reach that really dark and deliciously burgundy stage I crave. You know? When the combined sugars and vinegar soak all the way to the yolk, I’m there. Yum.
Then it occurred to me. Why not pickle the little quail eggs? So I got a tiny container and made the cutest pickled egg mix I’ve ever seen. And they tasted great! I’m tickled pink, no…
Beet red. Heh… Sorry.
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Flash Fiction Friday
It’s that time again. We hope you had a safe holiday and can kick back to enjoy a little fiction.
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Thursday Thirteen
Well, it’s the final Thursday of the year. I’ll kick us off with something silly and rely on my wonderful fellow writers for anything weighty or meaningful. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy!