Things I Am Learning--and Have Learned

[paragraphs]

1. So that's what that means.

Multi-published author sartorias has finally cleared up for me in simple language what a Mary Sue/Marty Sue character is, and why such a character is a creation to be avoided.

A dead-on Mary or Marty Stu is the center of the story's universe because the author tells us so, either outright in the narrative, and through the subsidiary characters cheering ordinary or even stupid actions. Ever read a story in which the lead does dumb stuff but everyone claps and coos, "how clever" or the protag acts annoying, but everyone goes on and on about how funny--stylish--endlessly fascinating s/he is?

NOW I get it. This makes sense. Why didn't it before, you ask? Because I have always made original characters, and all mine were a part of me--couldn't see a thing wrong with that. So, I've been quite unclear where the line is drawn between okay and unacceptable, aka a Mary Sue. I don't think I've written any characters that could be classified as Mary Sue/Stu's. Based on Sherwood's paragraph above, I would be thoroughly disgusted with such a character so why would I write one? No thanks.

Check out the entire post--and the comments--for more thoughts. If you haven't visited Sherwood's lj before, and write or are interested in fantasy, you should look through her other posts. Good stuff in there, and in the comments. I'm always learning something new. Mary Sue Who Are You?

2. The Silent Treatment

Going on week 2 now that our admin, Stephnie, has inflicted The Silent Treatment on us all. I am so sick of petty, childish behavior I could scream. I have never seen someone with such a huge angry chip on her shoulder, not in my entire life! I have worked with her for three years now. I have tried, again and again, to befriend her, to be nice to her, to understand her passive-aggressive behavior, her quirks, her often inexplicable behavior and complaining. At times I feel I've succeeded, and things are relatively normal, but then it all plunges into the depths of wherever she wallows and stews and comes up again with new and imagined grievances. It is bizarre.

I have given up. I am done. If she cannot perform the simplest courtesy of returning a hello, or answering me like an adult when I ask the apparently horrid question, "How was your weekend" (she turned away from me) then I am done. As I told my boss it is not my job to make her happy, or the opposite. But she sure acts like it is.

3. Acorns

I like them, I realized today. Very much. They make me happy, acorns do--the ones on the ground that is. This time of year, the fall winds knock quite a few off between my office door and my car, and I take great pleasure apparently in crunching them beneath my shoes. Almost as fun as popping seaweed on JB's beach. Almost.

4. Quiet

Quiet days are nice, but I am not really enjoying it today.

5. Shakespeare

I am enjoying this show, Search for Shakespeare, quite alot. I'd recommend it not just for those who are fans of Shakespeare, but for anyone interested in that time period. The show is chock-full of information re: the society and times, politics, religion (Catholicism vs. Protestantism), battles and the everyday lives of the people.

6. Couch to 5k

I have new running shoes, and a goal--to run the Zoo Fun Run 2010 (April)--and now I have the program to get me there. www.coolrunning.com is the website where the program is located, and if there is anyone else crazy enough to do this with me, holler. :) (And I already know you are, momebie)

Why run? I don't know. I have a hard time finding mind-peace, and walking is awesome for that, so perhaps running would be even better? I don't know. I just feel the need to push myself physically, to get stronger, the clock's ticking and I worry if I don't get strong as I can now, when will I? I am 47, finally at a decent weight and feel and look pretty damn good, but that isn't enough. I am not strong.

I fear weakness, I fear being old and helpless, dependent on others. Getting strong as I can now will, I hope, and must believe, keep that possible future far, far away from me. I don't want to be like my MIL, I don't want to be like my dad's wife. I want to be Amazing. I've already come so far, but it is just not enough.

7. September

I will be glad when this month is over, quite honestly. For Nick. It's been a rough month, though he's done amazing, but if I could cloak him in a protective bubble so he could get his thesis done in peace and without stress, I would.

8. My claws have been popping out all day long, and I've had to fight hard to keep them sheathed. It has been difficult. Patience has not been my companion today!

9. Storms

Better post this before I lose it all. Storms, AGAIN!!! Got my candle lit, just in case. (We are so GREEN for this time of year...it is insane. Last year when Nick was here the world was brown and beige. Makes me sad he isn't here now, makes me very sad indeed).

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

*g*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Oh, you.

LOL.

I see you everywhere now, btw. Have I mentioned that? :)

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

I have a horridly unwieldy flist, and I guess a comment a lot, ;-)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL I am talking about your books! I see them all the time at bookstores. :)

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

You DO? Whoa! That's so cool! Thanks!

[blue-fjords.livejournal.com]

Dude, did you backdate this or something? I did not see it!

I salute your goal to run! That's pretty awesome, to do the Fun Run. I'll be rooting you on. I also want to get a lot stronger -- you are an inspiration!

I have neosporin for #8. :)

Your co-worker sounds on the immature side, and really annoying to be around all day. I hope that situation looks up soon!

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I started it and then didn't add to it for awhile cuz I got surly. LOL.

I did the GOOD MORNING! cheery happy greeting this morning and she STILL won't say anything. OY!

I SHALL KILL HER WITH KINDNESS!!

I am crazy to do this. Honestly. It seems impossible, but I thought it impossible to lose 72 lbs. and I did that, so...I CAN DO ANYTHING!!!!!

[valancy-joy.livejournal.com]

I like acorns too ... until one tried to kill me today. now I want to write alien acorns.

big HUGS on crappy co-workers. I know of this.

you can send the storms up here. we could use the rain.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL I read about the Killer Acorn!!! I will squish more for you today in retaliation!

[valancy-joy.livejournal.com]

stomp 'em! :0)

I'm staring at the offender with secret laser beam glare right now...

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I found sartorias's post on Mary Sues very helpful too. Like you, I often create characters by using different aspects of myself as a starting point and I'd done this for many years before I even came across the concept of the Mary Sue. I was pretty sure my characters were fine, but having the differentce explained so clearly was really useful.

Good luck with your new exercise goal. Running doesn't work for me because I was a sprinter when I was young and my chunky thighs are not built for distance running. However, I've found the kickbiking fills the same niche. It's much faster and harder work than walking, but I enjoy it much more than running at a pathetic jog that is barely faster than I can walk! :)

[ladyfoxxx.livejournal.com]

You know what I learned only in the last week. That when someone puts the length of a story as 5K or 20K that that means thousands of words. As in 5K = 5000 words.

For some reason I always thought the K was for kilobytes, so I always used to check the file size on my text file and put that as the length. I mean, duh.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL! That makes me smile for some reason. Yes, that means 'thousands.' LOL!

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Well, K is for kilobytes too, so you weren't completely wrong. :)

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY! I now understand when a Sue/Stu is a true Sue/Stu.

Oh I am insane, but why not. I do love the thought of your kick-bike. If the running fails--do you think you could do that with a dog beside you?

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

It's funny you should mention dogs...

You don't do it with the dog beside you, the dog(s) run in front, pulling the scooter. :)

Go here and click on "dog scootering" in the left hand panel. (http://www.kickbike.co.uk/)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEpj48CYFMY

You even have the right kind of dogs!

Though it still works with little dogs, but you have to kick more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkDJWgkqYfo

Even the huskies can't pull a person up hills, so you do still get some exercise, though not as much as if you do it without doggie assistance.

[rebbyrebs.livejournal.com]

I want this month to be over too.

OMG, Sky just took off her undies and now is running around naked.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

LOL my son loved running around buck-nekkid too. SO CUTE! LOL.

[misswinterhill.livejournal.com]

Useful! We've been talking in the writing class about Mary Sue, because the kids are well-versed in the lexicon of ye olde interwebs. I should link to the post from our class virtual learning thingywhat. There was some argument the other day about whether Bella in Twilight was a Mary Sue, and we eventually decided that a. she was and b. it was genre-appropriate and had sold shitloads of books, so c. we all decided to get rich by writing self-indulgent and indulged characters.

Then someone threatened to burn a copy of Twilight in the quad.

I envy you being able to run! I can't run well and I get discouraged when I try (asthma -- I sound like a 3-pack-a-day smoker sometimes!). So I'm walking the hounds instead (3 small dogs that have a limited sense of direction is sort of like walking cerberus, assuming that cerberus pees from three places too...) and listening to podfic and hoping for the best :) Congrats on the initial phases of it... we can hassle you on twitter to keep it up!!

I LOVE STORMS. Even when the lights go out! That's when you light up some candles and play the piano as if you're the phantom of the freaking opera! I have a few "white noise" generators on my iPhone for when I can't sleep, or if I'm traveling, and my favourite one is the storms. I hope your storms are of the fun kind :)