SciFi & Fantasy Fiction and Stories by Barbara J Wickham

I’ll admit, I had a little writing spurt on the computer this morning when I transferred to the end of the handwritten portion I had. I agree, the power does make you feel omnipotent - it’s wonderful to have a nicely organized page that you can bounce paragraphs around and see very quickly whether that idea spark you’d had in a moment of sheer brilliance is really as wonderful as it sounded in your head. I think it’s about time I gave writing on the computer another go ... now, to figure out which story to use as an experiment

When I was doing my NaNoWriMo project my handwriting got pretty crazy ... I tend to slant to the left even though I’m right handed and for some reason my brain can’t read writing that way, so I’d have to turn the page to try and decipher my chicken scratch. It’s not quite as bad now that I’m not trying to pump out 2000 words a day.

Ah, you’re talking to the typo-master! I really should keep a small document of all of the humorous typos I’ve created.

When I was still in high school I used to sleep with a notebook and a pen underneath my pillow - due to a lack of a nightstand - consequently wound up with many inked pillowcases - because I’d have random ideas pop up just before drifting off or just as I woke up. But those days seem to have passed me by now ... it’s been a long time since I’ve had an idea while sleeping.

Haha, I’m planning on going on a writing blitz this weekend ... I’ll finally not have any exams hanging over my head; completely free! So I’m going to allow myself to write to my heart’s content. Now I’m just praying that I don’t get a bad dose of writer’s block while I’m at it! That would put a damper in things!

Barbara J Wickham replies: "Another good thing about typing directly in the computer is the assistance provided by the spell & grammar check system. It underlines misspellings in red and grammar errors in green, plus I have a handy-dandy dictionary & thesaurus a click away for help with finding the perfect word! Tools like this really help me maintain a good writing flow, once I get started.

I have even started doing notes within the writing by using red colored font. This way when I am doing a proof read, the notes stand out amongst the rest of the text and I know where to pause and work on sections that are in need of further attention.

I guess I’m becoming quite the fan of computer writing, eh?

I cracked up when you mentioned your left-slant writing. When I look at my old notebooks, my writing slants left also, but it changes throughout and the slant shifts to right, then straight then back to left, etc. What the heck does that say about my personality, I wonder. *lol*

I keep a notebook on my nightstand, even though my kitties constantly knock the pen to the floor. *lol* I never know when an inspiration is going to strike, so I like to have a way to record any random sleep-influenced thoughts. I don’t use it very often really, but it also comes in handy when I need to remember to put something on my grocery list, too!

I wouldn’t worry too much about not having as many ideas come up at night, like they used to. Maybe it just means that you have developed your creativity skills to a point where your subconscious no longer has to ambush you in your sleep! Trust me, you don’t lack for ability, nor inventiveness in your writing.

I have the same worry that when I finally try to get some writing done this weekend that I will find myself blocked. I am at the dealer getting my car serviced right now, so maybe I can even get a head start...

That new story idea you emailed me sounds like a great project to consider. It really caught me interest in a big way and I can’t wait to see what you do with it!

*sends a ton of happy writing vibes your way*

"

Yes, I love the spell and grammar check. I think what I find the most useful is the thesaurus - when I’m stuck trying to find the word I want but I know the general meaning of what I’m going for.

Did you know that you can press a "track changes" button and it will track all of the changes you’ve made to a document, adding commas, taking parts out, etc in a different color - including little notes you make. My friend Steph did that when she helped me edit the existing chapters of DR and then sent it back to me so I could see the changes she recommended. It works wonders!

I love computer writing for the editing and touching up process. My brain’s still not comfortable enough yet to write my novels on it, though I do try short pieces. I love the power of being able to switch things around at your fingertips.

*cracks up* I have no idea what your slanted writing says about you. I figure my slanted writing goes the way of my snowboarding ... I’m goofy footed, and I guess so is my writing

Barbara J Wickham replies: "We use the "track changes" quite alot at work. Whenever there’s a proposal that gets sent round-robin in the email, we all put our notes in the body and it shows up in a different color and with our "signiture". Pretty cool stuff! It definitely keeps things organized and allows us to work on policies without everyone having to take the time to get together and discuss the matter. Good thing too. Our discussions always disintegrate into mayhem! *lol*

Even though I’m won over by writing on the computer, I still love my notebooks. I just reduced from a full-sized to a medium-sized. I also carry a palm-sized notebook for personal notes, but story ideas often end up in there as often as my grocery list shows up in my story notebook!

I’ve always wanted to send a sample of my hand writing to an expert, just to see what they say. Well... Maybe I don’t really want to know... *hehehe* "

Heh heh ... any luck with writing M’hali?

I’ve had minimal luck writing so far ... but I did re-discover paints! Water-based oils in particular ...and I’m loving them! Working on a hummingbird piece right now.

Barbara J Wickham replies: "As you can probably tell from my late replies, I am a bit behind. We’re just starting to settle down from the craziness of the 4th here at the shelter. We impounded so many dogs that were running around in panic from the fireworks. Poor dears...

Anyhoo, I haven’t had a chance to even look at M’hali. I still hold out hopes for this weekend.

You’re painting! Woo hoo!!!! That is way cool! I love hummingbirds. I keep a feeder right outside my sun room and me and the cats just love to watch them dart. When it’s sunny they sparkle like little flying jewels. Awwwww."

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! So I caved .... I was going to wait and write the whole third portion of Shatterglass and post it but I couldn’t wait and decided to add the part I’ve been taunting you about onto the second part and re-submit it. So hopefully it’ll be up in a couple of days


Aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnndddd ..... it’s up!

Barbara J Wickham replies: "Oh my gosh! I AM behind! I will stop in asap. Actually, I still own you a comment on Amber Spyglass. I read it right after Shatterglass, but haven’t stopped in to comment yet. I need to get BUSY!!!! "

o.O...ok just letting you know i put a new chapter up...it didn’t go through the queue up because i added it to an already published chapter(by directly editing an apparently that doesn’t send your story back to the queue)....its under chapter 6

Barbara J Wickham replies: "Thanks for the heads-up! I’ll stop in soon. "

Bah ... I ended up tearing out what I’d written of the third part of Shatterglass and starting over. The good news is that it seems more exciting this way and i’ve written more

How goes chapter three of M’hali? Any new artwork in the works? My friend finished the character drawing for Etain - it’s too bad I can’t post it up on elfwood! Maybe next time I’ll have to do a sketch and she can colour it, that way I’d be able to post it up on elfie for everyone to see.

1078 words written!

Barbara J Wickham replies: "It can feel like cutting off a limb when one has to scrap a large portion of a creative work. We put so much into it, but if that segment turns stagnant it can drag down the rest of the piece. Even so, it takes a lot of courage and faith in the story to make even a small cut. Kudos to you for being able to make that kind of decision. It’s great to hear that it turned out for the better and gave new life to Shatterglass!

No progress on M’hali this week, but the weekend beckons!

I have several ideas for new pics, but have not decided on which one to tackle first. Maybe I’ll just sketch some things out and see where my inclinations take me.

Maybe your friend can create an account, just to post your character pics at first? Who knows? She might end up liking it here on Elfwood.

*does a 1078 step celebration dance*

*is now exhausted*"

Thankfully I haven’t yet had to cut any parts in my stories that I really like - that will be soon enough in coming though. I can well imagine how much it’s going to hurt if I have to cut out certain scenes. This one was more frustrating than anything else because I knew it wasn’t working as I was writing it and it felt like pulling teeth to work on it .

I’ve got to the end of where I want to stop the third section - but now that I’m here I’ve realized there’s a whole huge new portion that I want to add to the beginning and middle of this section to make where it stops even more poignant and create more conflict for Shatterglass. I really love the rule that when you solve one problem for a character, you’ve got to add three more after it.

*hands Barb a towel and an ice cap for revival*

Barbara J Wickham replies: "Well, it sounds like you are being very careful to put your efforts to where it will do the most good for the story. If your motivation is lagging then it’s a shame to have to force it. I’m glad you have what sounds like a good direction for the section. I am definitely liking the sound of added conflict. Not that I wish things to go bad for ’Tatter, but I do like some juicy drama.

Now I am off to your shelf to read more Near to Dreams! Woo hoo!"

Sorry I haven’t replied to your wonderful comments on Near to Dreams ... I currently have taken possession of two 18 day old kittens and am stuck nursing every two hours. They were brought in on Saturday afternoon and so far they’re still alive! They’re littermates to the little orange one I tried to save two weeks ago when he was three days old. I have to go now and feed them before going to bed ... have to work again tomorrow ... whew this week is going to be long!

Barbara J Wickham replies: "No worries! You have your hands full with those babies. Awwww! I will send lots of good vibes your way that these kits will thrive.

I’ll just keep on reading because I’m completely and utterly hooked on Near to Dreams. Plus, I’m very much looking forward to reading Yashira. You’ll have lots of yummy comments to enjoy when you have more time.

I need to hide somewhere this weekend so I can finally do some writing meself! Eeep!"

They nursed from a bottle today! I’m so ecstatic I can’t even describe it. I was so worried that they weren’t going to do well because they weren’t nursing and I had to tube feed them to get the formula into them but this afternoon they all of a sudden just started voraciously nursing when I offered them the bottle before tube feeding. And I’ve nursed them twice since and both times they drank a good amount. It’s such a relief! And they’re no longer losing weight! They came in with eye infections, upper respiratory disease, and horrible fleas. They’re now flea-less, dewormed, on oral meds to help with the resp disease and eyes, as well as medicated ointment for their eyes, and getting vitamin supplements 3 times a day. I’ve also been giving them subQ fluids and enemas to keep everything working as it should. Whew! I’ve got quite the pharmacy at home. They’re on their antibiotics 2X a day, the ointment every 8 hours, and the vitamins 3X a day.

But it’s so rewarding to see them taking those small steps toward recovery. The other night Touluse wouldn’t go to sleep when I put her down and cried until I picked her up and lay with her on my chest on the bed. She crawled up to my face and held onto my lower lip with her little claws and put her head over my mouth and went to sleep. She was so cute I couldn’t move her after that. And both their personalities are starting to come out. Touluse is a fiesty little fire-cracker with a very sweet heart. She’ll watch me when I move about the room. And is always wanting to be cuddled and sleep on me as opposed to her bed. Lyre on the other hand is very quiet - he sleeps a lot (the sicker of the two) and has the limp approach to conflict unless it’s something he strongly objects to ... wonder if he’s part ragdoll, lol. Touluse is an orange tabby, which surprised me when my aunt (a vet) said she thinks it might be a girl, and Lyre is most definitely a boy, a little flame point So these two little ones are my entire world right now ... they come to work with me so that I can feed and medicate them and then I spend almost all of my time at home nursing and caring for them ... and then falling asleep with them, lol. I fed them before I left work this afternoon and fell asleep with them on my chest on the couch when I got home from work.

Barbara J Wickham replies: "I admire you so much for what you are doing. Fostering these precious kittens takes such a physical and emotional toll, but the reward is so worth the hardship. These little creatures are in very good hands and it’s wonderful to hear that they are doing better. *does happi kitteh danze*

I love the names! Do they mean anything in particular? Touluse is a painter, right? And Lyre, as in the musical instrument? You are always good at naming your characters, so I shouldn’t be surprised that your foster babies have been given such lovely names.

I’m a bit surprised that it is the little girl that is seeking so much contact. I’ve usually had the boys needing more cuddles and reassurance. I can hardly keep Smeagol from sitting and laying all over me, including hogging my pillow at night, yet it took Padme almost two years before she even tried sitting in my lap! With all my cats, the boys have definitely been more clingy. Not that I’m complaining, or anything.

I’m sending more good vibes that the babies will continue to grow in size and health. Yay!

"

helleuw there barbara
I am very amused by your gallery!
Do you appreciate floods of comments, or is the knowlenge of me fully enjoying your pieces as satisfieing?
at least you don’t seem to be in comment need ^_^
Your one of those gallery owners elfwood needs to have.
Keep doing your thing!