BulgingButtons

November 2, 2013
by BulgingButtons 11 Comments

Fat and the Writing Lifestyle

November has come screaming in with the beginning of NaNoWriMo and the fantastic workshop I attended this morning. It was my first novel writing workshop, and it was so well done. The fact that it was also free and included a catered lunch was even better.

Then, once home, I discovered the NaBloPoMo challenge. I am such a sucker for challenges, especially ones that I think I have a chance at completing. This one, to publish a blog post a day, seemed like a no brainer for me. I post often, sometimes more than once a day. I signed up and grabbed their badge.

That got me thinking about other challenges, notably my 47 for 47 challenge. Uh oh. There are lots of items on that list that are yet to be crossed off. In fact, most of them. Oops.

The thing is, the more I live a “writerly” life, the further I’m getting from my health and fitness goals. Last night, as I produced my 2,300 words I munched on m & m’s. Hmmmm. Writers can eat grapes as they write. They don’t need m & m’s. I can also think about my characters or upcoming chapters as I walk on the treadmill. I need to keep this in mind as I immerse myself in words. I need to remember to take care of the physical, even while I’m focusing my energy on the mental.

November 2, 2013
by BulgingButtons 18 Comments

No Wonder I Look So Fat

That’s what I said when I watched this video. Ok, I’m kidding. I know the real reason I look so fat is because I am. But at least my videos and photos are an honest representation of me. Now before you read another word take a moment and click on the link above to watch a model transformed before your very eyes.

I knew models were airbrushed, and I knew that they were made leaner. I also knew that their cup sizes were regularly modified. What I didn’t realize is that their necks were stretched and their legs elongated. I didn’t know that their eyes were enlarged and moved about on their faces. It’s rather horrifying when you think about it.

Where do we draw the line between reality and fantasy when it comes to appearance? Cosmetics? Hair extensions? Fake tanning? Those are all very common appearance “enhancers” but some might argue that they’re dishonest too.

My personal opinion is that if you couldn’t be seen in person the way that your image appears, there’s some voodoo going on and it’s not on the up and up. My neck will never be longer, and I will not grow another inch taller, but I might tweeze my brows and put on a little lipstick.

No wonder we women look at ads and then turn a viciously critical eye on ourselves. “She must have more willpower,” we say. Well, yes, compared to me she doubtless does, but she’s also half digitized. In other words, fake.

Here’s to real women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and looks. There are so many versions of beauty that contorting an already beautiful woman into something less than human seems almost profane.

November 1, 2013
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

More NaNo as Promised

Well, this morning it was a mini-freakout, but tonight it’s a reality. I really have embarked upon writing a novel in thirty days as a result of the NaNoWriMo challenge. It’s crazy. It’s ambitious. It’s ill-advised. It’s genius. Truthfully I’m not really sure how I feel about it yet, but I do know this, I’ve begun.

I recently purchased some software called “Write It Now” and so far I really like it. It helps me organize my writing by characters, ideas, chapters, whatever. I know it isn’t the only software out there for novelists, but for a beginner like me it seems to fit the bill quite nicely. My opinion may change as the month goes on, but so far, so good.

Doing some preliminary work was extremely helpful. I have been thinking about my characters for a while now, and mulling over the events of the story in my head. There are definitely some fuzzy bits (okay, lots of fuzzy bits) and some questions I need to answer before I can write certain parts, but at least I was able to jump right in and begin drafting today.

So far I’ve written about 2,300 words. Yay me. I apologize in advance if I become a bit scarce over the next 30 days, but I’ll be working on that novel. Still, I have no intention of abandoning the blog, and I will certainly check it every day. Please feel free to add me as a writing buddy if you’re playing along (bulgingbuttons is my screen name). I would love to hear from other participants, and I would be thrilled with a word of encouragement here or there along the way.

Thanks! And stay tuned for the next great American novel, you just might happen to see it here first.