Flash backs, Dramatic Scenes, and Confession

Once again I offer another movie synopsis for review. The movie was filmed in 1937, so I do not believe I will be giving away a secret that could not be found on the internet.  I chose this film because of the dramatic scenes and flashback qualities. I believe as a writer that experiencing these moments in film will greatly enhance a author's abilities.

The first part of the movie details how a naive young school girl becomes entangled with an older more worldly man while her mother is away.  She is suspicious about his motives, but in a typical schoolgirl fashion, continues to fall for his charming personality. She finally starts to relax a little around him and he takes her to a crowded but out-of-the way cabaret. A spotlight shines on them and everyone sees them kissing in a corner. He sands up to protest and, dramatic moment here, the cabaret singer promptly faints and is moved to the lobby for the next act to appear. That next act showcases western shooting. The cabaret singer steals a gun and shots the gentleman in the back. Next we see her in a courtroom with another dramatic scene. Continue by clicking HERE: 

Telephone Operators and the Interent

What do we do without the internet? I am quite used to being connected on a 24/7 basis. Imagine my surprise when in the middle of remodeling my bathroom, I decided to Google a painting technique and there was no internet. My phone and iPad were useless as well.  There are some perks in living in the country but internet access is not one of them. I am waiting on the internet access plan for all to take effect.

For the first time in many years I found myself on the 411 look up line with a frenzied sounding operator.  After my service was troubleshot and restore, I decided to look up telephone operator statistics. 

 How many telephone operators are still on the job nowadays? 

My current WIP has an unfortunate Telephone Operator from the 1930’s, so in the process of researching her role I will be gathering information on operators then and now. In 1919, according to the Communications Workers of America there approximately 200 local telephone companies with approximately 20,000 operators. By 1938, telephone operator employment had swelled to almost 145,000. According to an Occupational census in 2011, there are now 14,890. This was apparently, a job that offered security in the past and now is almost obsolete as technology continues to improve. 

Back to the internet issue that is of utmost importance to my wired little mind.  I called 411 the first time and got a disconnected number. The second time I called I got the number for a satellite company.  I had no option but to continue calling the alternative number I received for them.  Obviously the former telephone operators should have a customer service job with them, as I had to go through about forty keypad prompts.  The operator there ever so kindly looked up the number for me. When I finally got through on that number it was only to tell me the previous number is experiencing trouble with their telephone line. I decided to take another route and try to get through to technical service through sales.   I look at the numbers written on my notepad and feel like I should create a flowchart while I am waiting for a live person to answer.

I also took the time to program all of the numbers I received into my cell phone so I never have to go through this again. After my service was troubleshot and restore, I decided to look up telephone operators.  There are currently about 15,000 employed telephone operators. In 1938, there were approximately 145,000. 

Writing on Wednesday Blog Hop

I am so excited to be easing back into blogging. Tomorrow I will have a review of a nifty instant camera that is catching on big with the younger crowd. As a writer however, this camera appeals to me for quick instant shots or inspiration shots.

Aaand we're back!

This time I am proud to say that Jane Bussey from Writer's Muses one of the blog hop co-hosts is taking over this week and I just love the picture she chose. But before we get to all of that, time to feature the amazing creativity from last week.

Age is Just a Number by Chessny Smith

Birthday Wishes by Kimberly Gould

A Morning Conversation and Late for Work by Scott Taylor

Charmed by Carrie K. Sorensen 

The Magic Pen by Landa

Let The Games Begin by Me

And the rules are:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.

2) There is also a 500 word maximum.

3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.

4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!

5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Here's this weeks photo:

And here's this weeks words:

Jet

Chuckle

Hour

Grandmother

Missed

Okay, that's the prompt! Once you have your story written, post it below!

Upcoming Downloads and Story-A-Day

I am on a medical hiatus from work at the moment, so my blog posts may be quite sparse.  I have lots of new ideas on the back burner along with a fabulous download or two. These downloads will be available free for a limited time before that go off to be published for exclusive workshop use.

Around the web today: 

http://storyaday.org/files/2012/05/StoryFest2012_250x173.jpg

If you are in the mood for interesting short stories, please check out Story-A-Day.

The lovely SARK had a great Creating Miracles conference call this week.  Be sure to check out the replay here: Sark and Creating Miracles.  Here awesome posters are now being sold on her website once again.

Stay tuned as I pass along bits of wisdom  have gathered from various workshops a well as the fabulous freebie  within the next few weeks!!

Writers Wednesday

Okay, third times a charm. I've tried writing this post twice and my laptop keeps freaking out on me...so here we go!

We had an awesome turn out last week! I'm so proud to share the posts we received -

Enchanted by Chessney Smith

At the Top of the Stairs by Syndey Aaliyah

Alicia's Soul by Chasing Revery

Dogwood Days by Jade (this is from a prompt a few weeks ago)

By the way, if you ever see a writing prompt from previous weeks ago that you would like to respond to, go ahead! I will still promote it with next week's post!

Here are the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.

2) There is also a 500 word maximum.

3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.

4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!

5) We were going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because we know full well that asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventilate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Here's the photo (taken from this link)

Here are the five words (taken from this link)

Stars

Envelope

Wave

Nail

Desert

Once you have your story ready, post it below! 

My First Blog Award!

This is the second best Award I have received lately and the Best Award (and first haha) I have received for my blog.  The first was the “Hardest  Worker” award along with a shared  “Best Attendance” award  from the lovely derby girls on my team!

Nicole Pyles over at The World of My Imagination presented this award to me.   I promptly printed a copy onto photo paper and hung it above my desk! Thank you Nicole, I am honored.

Now, I must tell ten things about myself before I pass it along.

And then I must give the award to five other bloggers!

(By the way, at the end, if you are one of the recipients, just right click and save the image to your desktop if you want to use it on your own blog acceptance speech!)

It was so hard to chose 5 bloggers to award this to, but here they are:

Sally K. Witt , Chessny Silth, The Writing Nut, Donna Yates, My Random Mind and the bonus blog is by a friend and fellow derby girl Teralyn Pilgrim at A Writer's Journey. Teralyn's blog is amusing and insightful.

Alright, ten things...here we go:

1.       I am in my late 40’s and still try to play roller derby. It has taken me a year longer than most because I could NOT skate on quad skates AT ALL.

2.       I collect Houses and items from A Christmas Story movie. I actually visited the house in Cleveland and ever get there GO! My favorite Christmas Movie!

3.       I loved dried beef from a jar with laughing cow cheese and can a make a meal out that.

4.       I have a serious Coke Zero addiction.

5.       I do not play facebook or role playing games, although the Game of Thrones intrigues me.  My favorite tv show.

6.       I would love to learn to play the violin.  I have one now I have to find a teacher.

7.       I don’t listen to the radio.  I have a rhapsody subscription and listen to what the mood strikes me.

8.       I have a playlist about Civil War songs I listen to when working on the Civil War book in progress.  

9.       I am studying the Buddhist philosophy.

10.   I would love to work in a holistic environment and assist people with the issues they may have.

Cuckoo Birds, Depression and Writing Prompts

My Cuckoo bird vs the real one 

 

My blog has suffered here as the gloominess of depression has settled upon my person like a damp melodramatic fog.  I am writing some about it over at View from a Cuckoo’s Nest. I also took artistic license with the cuckoo bird itself. As you can see, mine is much cuter and I found a mascot at a dollar type of store so that settled it for me.  Now my bird needs a name, any suggestions? I suppose I should have used a Phoenix as one rising from the ashes of depression, but frankly I have always been a little cuckoo and I believe it fits me better. Besides have you looked for Phoenix bird stuff lately?   J

So, as I try to regain control of the darkeness, I thought I would post some awesome writing prompts. I use these are part of my therapy, but I think they will be beneficial to everyone. 

"Think about a time you thought, It's not fair. Write to tell the reader about something that happened to you that was not fair." This came from the great site : Prompt Genorator at http://jc-schools.net/write/create.htm.  This prompt could cultivate many stories from Chick Lit to YA or even a thriller.

Some other great sites are:

Creative Therapy – These appear to 2010 and prior but there are some really good prompts to be found there.

Self-Help-Healing-Arts-Journal  - offers prompts, affirmations, art projects and much more

The Writing Reader has an excellent article on How Depression Feels here.

Write to Done has an article on 31 Ways to to find inspiration for your writing.

I believe Utter Randomonium has the definite collection of writing prompts sites. 

Also be sure to check out this marvelous site: BloomingHumans where they will be discussing appreciating the  past and dreamseeding the future. 

Please feel free to post any depression, writer's block or just uplifting stories!