Brrrr

There was a blizzard. That was interesting. You know, maybe instead of drinking red wine all day I should have attempted to get some writing done? I botched that opportunity. All is well though, I've got three robust and descriptive chapters carved out of the book I'm working on.

I'm kind of loving it. It's funny, when I start to really crank and get an hour or so in, the characters start to speak to me in their own voices, unsolicited by the voice of my mind. This is where some of the best stuff comes from, in my humble opinion. They tell you what they're actually wanting you to convey to the reader and sometimes make choices or conduct actions that all out surprise you. It's quite the phenomenon.

I don't have a real plan for when I'll be done. June? July? Seems reasonable. I don't want to rush the process. I couldn't rush it actually, I have to take things in stride. Too much upfront and I'll burn out. Then again, not enough writing will slowly drain any interest I have in it.

Ummm... in other news, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and I'm joining a friend for late breakfast food and pints. Should be fun. I don't know that anything productive will get done, but I will certainly take some pictures. I'll also take a cab.

Sláinte.

Barry

Writing & Reading

Hello again whomever reads this,

I don't update my blog too often, do I? I guess I'm sorry about that but it is hard to care since I haven't much to say. I've been writing and reading a lot since December.

Nothing really of note yet. I'm working on working on a novel. Outlining, trying new ideas, and waiting for something to grip me. I try and write something new every week or so, if for no other reason than to keep me somewhat sane and productive. Nothing real has come of it. Everything I write seems bleak and somehow rehearsed, but I can't imagine why.

I've considered drinking a whole bunch of wine and going at it, or maybe even smoking some weed and seeing what that does. I assume I'll just fall asleep either way. I don't find motivation in much anymore, another mystery unsolved.

Reading, on the other hand, has been going well. I always had a tough go of reading to be honest, but since the turn of the year I find it quite relaxing and enjoyable. Perhaps 2017 is the year where I read more and write less? If nothing else, it helps with inspiration. Not so much the aforementioned motivation. In fact, most authors I read are so talented that it discourages me.

Blah.

Barry

Catching Ideas

I don't know how many butterfly catchers are out there reading this today, but I have much respect for you. It's a difficult job. I find that catching ideas to be a similar crazy effort. They seem to be everywhere, flying above my head and near my ears. I can hear them. Ideas don't want to be caught. They are free little things and enjoy going wherever they like, changing whenever they want.

I have so many of them and they all seem interesting in their own way. I am having the damnedest time figuring out which to capture and nurture. I promised myself I would start writing my new work on November 1st and I plan to stick to that. I suppose I better get a bigger net...

I hope you're well. Thanks to those who bought a copy of Fly, Pigeon. Your support is greatly appreciated. The book will be for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble soon, as well as here.

Talk soon.

Barry

Printing & Sales

Happy Saturday everyone. I've been up since 7am, editing, and my eyes are bugging out. Fly, Pigeon is being printed this week and should be available for sale in the next couple of weeks. You can find it for sale here, or in the Etsy store I've got to set up. This website will accept all credit cards, and Etsy I believe is just Paypal. I'll look into that. The book will be a paperback, because I love paperbacks, but if there is a request for an eBook, I will likely do that as well.

I'm excited to get the story out there and see what people think. It's a novella, so the read is smooth and won't eat up half your year. I hope you all really enjoy it.

There is a chill in the air and some wine in my near future. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased about that. New England autumn is rarely matched in beauty and its peaceful nature. No pun intended.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Barry

Moving

Hello all. I wanted to update you and let you know that I will be moving over the next two weeks or so. No, it won't take me two weeks to move, but I've got to pack and get everything in order. Having said that, my timetable has been delayed to some degree. I'm still working away, but this perfect Rome of mine will not be built in a day. I don't like being behind schedule, but it is a reality at this time.

I'm continuing to edit. Editing really sucks. Revising is cool, but editing is a bore. Are they the same thing? Maybe. Revising to me includes adding in new parts and changing things around; it's a more sweeping set of changes. In my opinion, editing is simply fixing typos and putting commas where they should go. It's a far less rewarding task, but one that needs to be done.

I'll be moving on or around October 8th, and the first thing I will set up in the new place will be my computer and typewriter. I'll get to work right away and have the Fly, Pigeon story done.

I've all but wrapped on the brainstorming of my new novel for this winter. I would have loved to have had something finished for Christmas (they make good presents) but that's just not going to happen. The long and gray instance of the coming season will probably carry that book into the spring. Ho hum. It's a lucky thing that life is long.

Talk soon.

Barry

Tools

There are two books I use every single time I sit down to write. They are super helpful and, if you don't own them, I would recommend ordering them online or visiting your local book merchant. The first of the two is On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.  This book is wonderful because it offers an in depth look at King's own start with writing, carrying you through his young adult life, and into his time as an accomplished author. He essentially explains how he made it, but the story is inspiring and written wonderfully as you'd come to expect from the master himself. The second part of the book is more structured like a textbook, however, don't let that turn you off. The knowledge he passes through his words is presented in a manner that feels friendly and conversational, unlike any English or writing courses you may have taken in college. Get the book.

The other book that is invaluable is The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. I happen to have the Fourth Edition, but earlier editions don't necessarily have White involved with them. This book is definitely more the style of a textbook and doesn't offer personal experience as King's does, but the assistance it provides is something every aspiring writer needs to learn, or, at the very least, refresh themselves with. This one has everything, from where to use commas, to commonly mistaken phrases. It guides you away from mistakes you may not even realize you're making and helps you stay "clean", that is, put forward the best work you can. This one is a must.

One quote I picked out from The Elements of Style was:

"Writing is one way to go about thinking, and the practice and habit of writing not only drain the mind but supply it, too."

Love it.

Barry

Conventions & Other Items

Last week I watched the Republican National Convention and this week I watched the Democratic National Convention. Both were interesting in their own ways, but some things jumped out at me.

First of all, the RNC was a complete circus. I have never before seen a larger group of maniacs in my life. That includes both some of the featured speakers, and most of the audience. Scott Baio was the first person I listened to. Yes, the same Scott Baio from Charles in Charge and Joanie Loves Chachi. I don't know why he was speaking (although he eventually tried to explain it) and he sounded like a complete and absolute moron on methamphetamines. I'd like to say I'm joking, but his words were hollow and narrow minded, and it's difficult to think otherwise. Speaking of meth, Rudy Giuliani was so jacked up with screaming "one America!" over and over, that I felt like I was listening to a dictator blast his new world order messages over the airwaves. When Chris Christie came out and presented his mock prosecution against Hillary Clinton, I found it overwhelmingly disturbing, most notably, the people in the audience hollering "Guilty!" over and over again. It was reminiscent of the Romans height of power, their coliseum, and the insane nature of sending Christians out to fight hungry lions. The people who condemned Hillary's actions with the guilty charge were wide-eyed in the crowd, with nothing but miles of blank space behind their excited and angry eyes. Horrifying. I won't say anything regarding Trump's speech because it was largely not him, that is, it was written by someone else and a far cry from the off-the-cuff antics he usually delivers at the podium.

The DNC was a circus as well, though much different than the RNC. The Democrats decided they would forego the crazy nature of their "friends" across the aisle, and instead, pretend the American public are as stupid as they believe us to be. Speakers at the DNC thought it might be a novel idea to float the same old garbage our way and pretend like we wouldn't notice. Education? They'll take care of it! Healthcare? No problem! Where Donald Trump has no idea how to organize and roll out policy and party platform, the Democrats have the same old shit. The words Barack Obama delivered in 2004; the "change" that he was going to bring, is a carbon copy of all the things Hillary is planning to do. The manifestation of the entire hoopla was Hillary hugging Barack. We get it. You're the same animal. The only speaker I actually thought was interesting at the DNC was Michael Bloomberg (an Independent, go figure). I thought his speech was interesting because he roasted Trump, calling out all of his failed business attempts, and listening to a BIG billionaire spear a small billionaire was fun. I really enjoyed the beating. Bloomberg stating "I'm a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one," was a true highlight. In the end, Hillary, whether you like her or not, made history as the first woman presidential candidate on a major party ticket. It's nice to see some progress in that regard.

Look, I don't pay much attention to politics, but I do find them interesting at times. I drank a couple of beers while watching in my pajamas, and I listened for anything that seemed too good to be true. As it turns out, the RNC was really good, but chaos, and the DNC wasn't true, but so American, it was hard not to listen and feel comfortable in my stars, stripes, and stupidity.

Go America?

Barry

Update

Hello! My, it has been some time. I apologize for falling off the face of the Earth. I had a lot going on with family, friends, and social situations that took me away from my work here. Whether someone is reading this or not, it doesn't make a difference. I have to get back into the swing of things. So here's the update.

1. My typewriter ribbon snapped. It was old. I ordered a new one and am going to get back into doing 2 to 3 Instagram posts per day. I've been limited to using an app lately, and I don't care for it.

2. Fly, Pigeon is still being worked on. I will have another chapter up by the end of Saturday this week.

3. I have a camping trip coming up in New Hampshire and I'm totally psyched for it. I don't know that I'm as thrilled about not having cell service, but isn't that the point of camping, to reconnect with nature? I'll try my best to find love amongst the leaves.

I hope all of you are doing well and summer is going smoothly. If you're not living in the United States, then I hope whatever season you’re living is beautiful.

Talk soon.

Barry

Shootings

Orlando. Baton Rouge. St. Paul. Dallas.

These are American city names. I'm sure you know that. These are places where death is happening, where families are being torn apart, and where hearts are breaking. I understand the inevitability of natural disaster. Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake. We cannot control those things, but rather only do what we can to be prepared. I understand war, in that countries will war. Soldiers will war. And yes, it's all in the name of some god or belief systems that clash together violently.

But these American shootings? The mass murder of people in a nightclub? Undereducated police officers with quick fingers killing Americans? Snipers with a plan murdering police who are attempting to keep the peace? All of this shit is horrendous and backwards. The brutality this nation inflicts upon itself is astounding and it's now at the point where I almost can't believe it's real. Forget watching television. I won't do it. I'll read news stories if I trust the outlet, but when it comes down to it, CNN and Fox are going to report the same thing. Americans are killing Americans.

Maybe it's education. It feels wrong to point a finger at the American education system given all of the teachers making such little money and working with larger classes every year. So I'm not going to blame teachers. It has to be the curriculum, and what we learn. Maybe I needed to know about Beowulf and perhaps learning algebra was important. It was what I didn't learn that has come to hurt me. I didn't learn enough about peace, community, understanding, grace, mercy, and hope. Is that not something teachers should be putting into each and every class? We can't rely on parents to teach those things simply at home. There needs to be a larger effort to educate young people on how to be better older people. The idea is huge and minds greater than my own surely could start to work on this. Peace isn't just going to arrive. Understanding needs to precede it.

The killing needs to stop. The shootings must end. There are so many other tragedies that are unavoidable. We need to get this one right.

Publishing

I'm planning on self-publishing this coming spring. I won't lie, I've not read much about it, but it seems to be the easiest (albeit expensive) way to go about getting my work on shelves and into digital handhelds like Kindles or Nooks. It will probably take a real effort to get it done, but it is one of my life dreams, so there really isn't a choice here. If you have any ideas, or would care to share perhaps your own experience, please feel free to do so in the comments below. If you prefer, you can message me directly through here or on Instagram (link also below). I look forward to hearing from you.

Barry

Days Growing Shorter

I'm not a pessimist. I just think it's great that today is the first day that the hours grow shorter. Yesterday was the longest day of the year, and as a fan of autumn, I'm looking forward to the darkness rolling slowly closer. Summer is fine for a little while, but my heart warms when the night grows colder and the dried leaves curl. Turning up the collar of my coat, I move ever closer to you.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing; doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." -Edgar Allan Poe

Barry

Every Day

Writers know that writing every single day is a must. There is a very real understanding that whatever you make might turn out like shit, and that's okay, because with every letter typed or scribbled down, you become better. The same should be said for whatever your passion is in life. There are folks who enjoy cooking or working out. Other people live to paint or are in theater. Waking up every day and putting something out there is moving forward, regardless of what the final product is. Some of the meals you make are going to be under seasoned. Performances you give on stage may suffer when you forget a line. Just keep at it, for it is all ultimately for you. Do it every day; for in every lump of coal lies a diamond.

Barry

A First Post

I'm obligated to post something here in order to begin editing this site. Keep in mind, it's under construction, and you very well may leave with dust beneath your fingernails. I hope that if you continue to visit me here, or on Instagram [@barryaruda] that you will be able to enjoy yourself and leave feeling, if nothing else, differently. It is my goal to channel my emotions here through serial writing, poetry, and the wonderment of word. Thanks for reading.

Barry