Day Williams Al-Mohamed

On the thin line between creative genius and the biggest idiot on earth

Trying to catch up

There is so much going on…and not going on right now. New job, new projects, getting back into fencing, new year of writing with submissions already on their way out…I’m just having a hard time keeping up. Unfortunately, it means my blog and my podcast have been neglected. But rather than make excuses and lament my lack of presence, I hope to simply write.

Today was all about wedding invitations. I never realized there were so many different kinds, and yet there isn’t any that is quite what we’re looking for. *sigh*

I’ve submitted three pieces for potential publication. I’ve got my fingers crossed and I set us up to attend Balticon in May. So now, in keeping with my vow from last year, I’ll have to complete a major writing project or I cannot attend.

Wednesday is the first meeting of the local Coast Guard Auiliary and it is my intention to attend. This is in relation to a promise I made myself a long time ago.

And finally, both Renee and I have been out doing a little geocaching and photography. Below is a photo by a downed tree that was just amazing.

"Tree Root"


It’s Official!

Gorgeous Wedding Cake from O Holy Sweet

Gorgeous Wedding Cake from O Holy Sweet

We’re getting married. I’m excited and terrified.

 

 

 

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Left Brain versus Right Brain

Spinning Lady - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise?

Spinning Lady - Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise?

So, are you Left Brained or Right Brained?  If the dancer spins clockwise, you are Right Brained.  If the dancer spins counter-clockwise, you are Left Brained.   

Saw this on the website for the Herald Sun. The theory of the structure and functions of the brain suggests that two different sides of the brain control two different “modes” of thinking. And while brain research confirms that both sides of the brain are involved in nearly every human activity, we do know that the left side of the brain is the seat of language and processes in a logical and sequential order. The right side is more visual and processes intuitively, holistically, and randomly.

Most people have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes.

Left Brain:  uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, forms strategies, practical

Right Brain:  uses feeling, “big picture” oriented, imagination rules, can “get it” (i.e. meaning), impetuous 

I wonder how this impacts my writing and work? Because of my job, I have to be organized and fact-based and detail-oriented; yet I know I rely heavily on my “intuition” as to how a piece of legislation is likely to go when the votes come in, and on where a story needs to go. The question is, how can one take this information and use it to help with the process of how things get done. Just musing aloud.

Other resources with more information about Left Brain thinking vs. Right Brain :  http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/learn.html  by Dr. Frank Templeton.


I’ve been having a lot of trouble with my writing. Finding time, getting motivated and just getting it done. Today, I decided to go back to an “old technique.” Find a favourite coffee shop, get comfortable and write. When I lived in Chevy Chase, I think I spent more than 10 hours a week at their Panera Bread Company. To be honest, I haven’t been as successful since then. So, while Renee worked, I got to writing at Teaism.

Penn Quarter Teaism

Penn Quarter Teaism

Right now, the Cat Vacuuming Society of Northern Virginia Writers Group (CVS) is in a new phase – CVS 2.0. We’ve all been together for about 4 years now. 90% of us have been published, either short stories or poetry and we’ve all got novel-length projects in the works. But, as a group, we’ve (to be honest) stagnated a little bit. So we’re now on a new major push to support each other and to push each other towards full-length publication. DLThurston and NRBrown, who are both members talk about CVS 2.0 more in their blogs, so I shall leave it to them to explain better.  Check out their blogs for the full posts.

From DLThurston:
…a posse.

It’s the new way things are done.  Groups come together, they support each other, they push each other.  One person talks to someone in the industry, and if they don’t quite meet the need, they have someone else they can pimp.  This is social networking within the creative industry.

Look out world, the Cat Vacuumers are coming.

From N.R. Brown:
CVS 2.0

I’m tired of being a fan.
I’m tired of being a wannabe writer.
And I’m ready to do something about it.

This year, attending Balticon was not as fun as it had been in the past. Why? Because I wanted to be a guest not an attendee…ok, not even a guest, but I wanted to be there as something more than a fan!   Coming back from Balticon, I shared this with the other members of CVS (my writing group). Now, with their help we are pushing CVS 2.0!

My results today:  3 pages. 

Not great.  But for me, pretty good.  I think that perhaps the biggest lesson I need to learn is that any progress is good progress.  And not get overwhelmed when I don’t get as far as I’d like each time.  Any additional words count.  Now I just need to replicate it every day.  Hmm…just not sure my budget can afford daily coffee-shop visits. 

Suggestions?


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