I was originally going to do a writer workshop on show vs tell in writing, but then as I researched the topic, I saw there was already so much good stuff out there, including a great article or two by our own Shirley Jump, that I didn't see the point in adding material that would just be redundant.

So, then a friend asked me my opinion on backstory... I thought, well, I could do a mini-workshop on backstory, but really, Jen Lewis already discussed that a week ago, and I think it was a good discussion, so why repeat it so soon?

In the end, I decided to just share with you the jumble of thoughts or what's been on my mind this week, hoping you might find some of it interesting.

Topic #1:

As much as I am a hard lobbyist for buying new books, I bought a used book this week (GASP!). I know. It's the first used book I have bought, probably in 3-4 years, but I felt I had to do it. Why? Because the series I was reading and completely wrapped up in decided to switch to hard cover for the 7th book.

That completely pissed me off. I hate that, among all other writing industry things that irritate me, the mid-series switch to hardcover is the one thing I cannot tolerate. I live in fear of it ever happening to me as an author, because I know it's not the author's fault. She has no say in these decisions, but, alas, she lost out on the sale because I will not be manipulated that way. Especially in a country where the unemployment rate is now bordering on 10%, it seems like an ultimate act of bad faith to lure readers along for several books or so and then slam them with deciding between a 1 year wait or paying triple the price. Frankly, it would still piss me off even if everyone had a job and was doing well. I have no problem with hardcover books per se(though I prefer paperback), but if you want hardcover, start that way. Or, when a series is over, put it out in hardcover, OR, release HC and PB together, because people who like HC will buy them b/c they prefer them -- but don't try to use people's attachment to a series to force them to pay more.

Some will, but I found a used bookseller and I got the hardcover at a paperback price. Sorry, but I had to do it, and I'll do it again if I have to.

Topic #2:

I had some thoughts about Facebook and Twitter... I am new to both, and enjoy both of them, but they are very different. It's interesting to see who likes which one more. My husband prefers Twitter for it's simplicity. You do one thing at Twitter, and it's very narrowly focused. Exchanges of lines of dialogue no longer than 140 character, which is actually very nice in some ways, but also limiting.

Facebook is more expansive -- you develop more of a presence, can do the one-liners, but you can also develop more substantive conversations and find all kinds of distractions, like filling out "notes" (usually lists of something like "25 things about you" that other people can see and share, or "Flair" (My personal favorite) where you can choose for yourself, or send to friends, little buttons with cute sayings on them.

For that reason I thought maybe you can get to know people better at FB, but you know, it hit me, how well can you get to know anyone on these sites? Your friends are your friends before you get there. You may find a new friend, but I think it will be a small percentage of the people you actually come into contact with -- I have met one or two new people I could imagine being able to get to know better.

I have tried to be very selective about whom I add to my friend lists, but I still find there are probably at least 30% of people on my list that I don't know well or never speak with. I have to think about that -- I will either approach them and try to make friends, or maybe "unfriend" them. I suppose it comes down to your personal philosophy of why you are there, if you really want to get to know people, or if you just want to develop your own personal marketing database (which I don't really think works -- people ignore you if they aren't interested, no matter what). I'm really more interested in being with a group of people who really want to know me, even superficially.

I find, at least on Twitter, even though it is only 140 character conversations at a time, I do talk with people more personally. I like that. So, it will be interesting to see how it all works out.

Topic #3:

My back, neck, and legs have been aching, and sometime in the last week or so, my fingers started going numb. Not good. Too much FB and Twitter? Maybe. So I thought, time to get off the computer or...try something new.

I had been joking with Mike about putting my computer on the kitchen counters so I could just write something every time I pass by and I would get a lot more done. I discovered that this isn't a new idea, but it was new to me -- a little research showed that standing to use a computer actually is better for you. Several famous writers have done their work standing up (including Ellen Hartman and Charlene Teglia...). Other info said that by standing, you build muscle tone, burn more calories, have more focus, less sleepiness, have better circulation etc.

So, I promptly decided I would try it and brought my laptop in and I did, in fact, write all yesterday afternoon in an upright position. By dinner time, I was tired and my back and legs ached. But...interestingly, my hands and fingers did not hurt at all. And, when I went to sit to watch the news and have dinner, I didn't want to sit for long. I passed on evening computing, and went to get sewing done, sitting and standing alternately for another 3 hours as I sewed, ironed, pieced.

I woke up achy this morning, but not in a bad way -- in the way that tells you you are using muscles that haven't been used for a while. I figured I would still sit down in the morning for coffee, email, etc -- I lasted for one cup of coffee. Sitting was intolerable, so I got my second cup of coffee, brought in the computer, and here I stand. I do feel better. It's only been a day, and aches aside (those will pass), I also feel like I'm already holding my back straighter, standing taller. I slept well, and my hands don't hurt today.

Here's another blog by someone with the same idea. I wonder how it worked out for him? I can stand in front of my kitchen counter just fine, but that's probably because I move a lot. I can walk away, stretch, do whatever. I write or do something at the computer for maybe a half hour, then I move - unlike when I'm sitting for hours and get up achy and numb. Also, a nice carpet on the tile floor for cushioning and Birkies or Haflingers work fine. You really don't need any fancy set up.

I'm going to keep doing this, and we'll see what happens, but already, there seems to have been shift. I like standing.

So I hope you'll stop in to chat with me about any or all of the topics above, your opinions, what's on your mind this Friday...in 140 words, or more, if you like. :)

Sam