Thanksgiving Day Baby!

Only a couple of days away from the newest edition to the family.  Set to be born on Thanksgiving Day, we are madly rushing to put the final pieces of the household together for our third child!  Being a dad again I only feel that I could do this over and over and over again.  It is very exciting.

Of course, my writing suffers the consequences of time and energy, but with my new job at Schneider, recently having another hand surgery, and the two little boys I currently have, writing has been prioritized down low on the list already.  I am still hammering away at short stories for the Tails of Terlib and hope to pull a couple together by the end of the year and work on getting them published.

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Moving On

The Month of October is almost at an end, my job is in its final days as a carrier specialist as I look to my new role in Carrier Analytics.  My writing, well, my writing continues to grow.  Will I make 40,000 words by November 23rd as I set out to do.  At this point it is looking doubtful, but not inconceivable.  Regardless, I have already acheived much with that goal in mind and it feels good to be a bit prolific again in my writing. 

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Hibernation's Lull

Fall is on, big time.  It is strange how the world turns, seasons change, and the long ago animal instincts of buckling down for a long winter's nap still spring forth.  I have been hungry and sleepy lately.  Granted I did lose over 35 lbs this supper, and with two boys (soon to be 3) constantly on the move, it does require that I get my 6 hours of sleep a night, but waking up to the pitch black of early morning often makes me think, shouldn't I still be in bed?

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keepin on

ideas are flowing and fingers furiously type at my fantasy novel.  it has begun anew; same characters, same premise, better writing.  I have the road map drawn out in my head and I plug away where I can, but time seems to keep slipping away and not as much complete as I would like.  Progress is being made no matter how slim and I feel as if I have something going.  Continue: onward and upward, plugging away until the distant horizon is where I sit staring at a new distant horizon :).

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Time lapse

My posting has taken a sabbatical as I work through the whirlwind of the last half of summer.  Writing has been stunted, but still making some headway and have been re-inspired and trying to get back to the reason why I so enjoy my writing.  I like to read 'visual' writing.  The type of writing that puts you right there and you can see everything that is happening.  I believe my writing, when it is at its best, does that; so that is my new focus.

Tree House Update: I have the tree house down to needing one last door on, which I hope to do this weekend.  I will  post pictures when completed.

Weight loss update: Since the first week of May I have lost 43 lbs and have reached my weight loss goal.  I am also able to run about 5 miles at a fairly decent pace.  There is some talk of doing the Tough Mudder next fall with my wife.  I know I am quite interested in it, but we will see how things progress.

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7/21/12

Running my first ever 5k this morning. I have run the distance; just not with people.  And my training has been a little off lately.  Here goes nothing...

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Busy busy

Things have been busy lately.  I jave restarted work on 'the kriengan insurgence' in my writing which is going pretty well.  I have been fishing twice in the last week catching over 50 fish total in tandem with my in-laws.  I have brewed a batch of Amber Ale, dubbed Club House Amber after the club house I am building for my sons.  I have been working on the club house. Celebrated 5th wedding anneversary. Oh, and lost.33 lbs.  No rest for the wicked.

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Writing bug...

I feel it. The overwhelming urge to figure out where I am in my writings and begin to pursue them again.  Dry spell has lasted long enough. Writing gods kick my butt back into shape!

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Thomas the Train

Today is a special day with the Boys.  My wife and I have the day off and we are going to the Green Bay Railroad Museum to see Thomas the Train.  Who Knows, maybe we will throw in some fishing and a picnic as well.  And swim lessons begin again. 

The burning desire to write has been quiet within me since the injury to my hand, but I feel it stirring again.  I am trying to find the focus of it.  The Four, the vampire novel that isn't a vampire novel; I don't know where it will surface, but I am looking forward to the endeavor and hope to maintain focus.  I need to get something out there and in print.  Short story, novel, e-book, it is time for it to happen.

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A hot one...

Started my day with a 2.5 mile run.  Rumor is NE Wisconsin is supposed to reach the 90's today.  Plan is to work on the tree house but it may just be too bloody hot!  Been a long weekend.  Grandma in hospital after suffering a stroke.  In pretty rough shape and has been thinking of probably my worst fear: being a prisoner in my own body that won't move.  Possible writing idea out of that, or incorporate into a current story.  Love to you Grammy Lou.

Tree house thus far is below... although the first half of the roof has been completed.

 The view overlooking the garden.

 

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Writing and other things

Writing; I feel a push to get back to it, but feel preoccupied by other matters such as the tree house I am building.  There is a lot left to do, but I finally feel as if the end is near with that.  I am hoping to finish framing the roof this week.  Then siding and of course the shingling of the roof.

Also, the weight loss is going well, as of yesterday I lost 19 pounds.  The only problem that I am having with it is my pants don't want to fit anymore... and it is actually for the right reasons that they don't want to fit, not the normal, 'wow, these are getting snug.'  Other personal matters are on my mind, but not revealing those quite yet.

The writing will come.  It has to as I think it is the switch for the light at the end of the tunnel for me.  Write to Live Live to Write!

www.brandonmcollett.com

14.2 lbs

The journey has begun toward weight loss.  In about 4 weeks I have lost 14.2 lbs.  I would like to say it is easy, but I can't.  I will say that it hasn't been 'hard' it has just taken some thought. Nutrition panels, portion control.  All things I never thought I would look at.  And now I have begun 'Jump start my metabolism' runs in the morning.  So far, just a half mile to a mile, but something to get me going.  Also, off caffeine, no soda at all.  Don't drink any juice either.  They are all sugar.  I will keep you posted once the biggest loser competition is over at work, but as for right now I am trying to be ALL IN.

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First campfire

First campfire of the year was a success! There was fire... There was marshmellows. What more to you need?

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Out of commission.

It has been a long time with my hand out of commission and being sick I have not posted in a while. Hopefully, I will start to feel better and I can get back your post and back to my writing and give the updates as I intended just want to be. Here is to hoping... If you have a glass of beer or glass of wine out there clink them together and will be back rolling in no time.

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Early Morning with things on my mind...

Can't sleep.. nothing new.  Have many things on my mind and thought I would list them in no particular order:

Tree house for the boys.  I am really looking forward to this project, but a bit intimidated.  I've never built a structure before.  Quit an undertaking for someone with 2 good hands, but I am expecting to have it built before my hand is out of the splint.  Dumb on my part for sure, but it will be interesting to see if my thoughts on common sense, geometry, and very little know how will result in a sound structure.  I have high hopes.

Michael Keasbee: Had a thought a couple of months ago regarding a character named Michael Keasbee.  For some reason, on my mind again and thinking of plopping him down as an orphan in Terlib 400-500 years after The Four.  I think it could be a fairly quick write and broken up into 7 or so parts... but don't I always think it is going to be a fairly quick write.  And nothing is quick about writing with my hand in it's current state.

Last thought; my hand: So frustrating.  Typing with 2 fingers and thumb on left hand.  Doesn't take much for my hand to get sore and I am pretty much done with it by the time I get home as is.  I actually can't even imagine undertaking 10,000 or so words write now as I am finishing up a couple of hundred for this blog and my hand already hurts.  It is getting better, but the typos are often and it is still another 4 weeks with the brace at all times, and then only taking out an hour a day.  Lesson learned: don't cut your tendon.

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Hand check

Still bothering me although on the road to recovery.  Itching to get my writers cap back on, as one-handed typing is old enough at work let alone at home, too.

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One Handed Wonder

It is quite frustrating only really having one hand.  Everything becomes harder. From dressing a 1 and 3 year old boys, to putting a garage door back on track.  Stitches were taken out yesterday and the brace for 6-10 more weeks.  making progress.

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One Handed show down

well, at least eight weeks of a brace.  makes typing difficult, but at least I have my right hand.  with spring here, and summer coming, there is a little sadness in thinking about the pending challenges.  tilling the garden, planting the plants, building a tree house for my sons.  all seem almost insurmountable when I struggle to hit the 'shift' to capitalize my words.

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One Armed Writing

Apparently my challenges in writing were not great enough.  Sunday morning I severed the primary tendon to my left index finger.  Now, stitched together and arm wrapped from finger to elbow, everything must be done with one hand.  haha I would clap for myself, but of course that is not even possible at this point.  Happy Writing!

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A little rain

Another day, and more spring-like weather is gracing NE Wisconsin.  A little rain, chilly to go outside.  The magical time of year and type of weather that seems to get my brain churning and ready to write.  Happy Friday to all!

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March in NE Wisconsin

Wow, I go from Mowing the lawn in 75 degree sunny heat, to waking up to 32 degree frost and worrying about the plants I've started for my garden.  Quite a spring we are having.

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Ghost Writing

No, not an exciting new tale about possession by a ghost to write a novel, or a novel about a ghost... I have taken the plunge and am looking at ways to use my writing to make a little money until the publishers break down my doors for my novels.  I have joined a couple of on-line forums that give me access to people looking for someone to write... something.  And well, my first one has been submitted!!! Of course I can't tell you that its me if an when it is published or where and how it is published, but I may earn some money from it!  I suppose I can let you know that much.

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Conversations

Interesting when having a conversation about something or questioning someone about something that there are two vastly different approaches that people take.  I try to always opt for the questions that guide me to further information about a topic so I can learn and share in the knowledge that someone else has that I may find beneficial.  The other approach is has been directed at me recently.  The approach of, surely you must be wrong so the questions asked are intended to poke holes through the knowledge and train of thought and meant to prove that I am wrong.  It is always a fun dynamic to deal with.

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Expanding Summaries

today I begin expanding my summaries for Kings of the Night.  I hope this process proves not to be too time consuming, but I would like to get to about a 4 page summary by the end of the week.

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Beautiful Springlike Weather

The beautiful springlike weather seems to have ushered in a cold to the household.  Kids, wife and now I am all struck down, although I seem to also have either flu like cramps and body aches, or possibly, just showing my age from a fun, activity filled weekend.

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The week begins...

The week begins anew.  Many times it seems like Monday morning is such a drag and so hard to go into work.  I can't say that I am super excited to go into work, but this does feel like one of those mornings where I left my weekend on the table.  Although, I would have preferred some more time with my wife, the boys and I went fishing twice and played outside a lot so it was time very well spent.  With the work to my website and starting this blog and the little bit of writing I got done as well, it was as jammed pack as I could make it.

A happy Monday Morning to all...

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Fishing with the Boys

Who would have thought that it could be March 18 in Northeast Wisconsin and I would be running around in shorts and a t-shirt with my boys fishing and playing outside.  70 degree weather will do that to a father of two little boys.

Writing update: I have the summary listed for Kings of the Night.  This has been the focus of my writing as of late and I hope to have the first draft completed by July.  I have a new process that I've been following that I am hoping will allow me to speed up the process and allow me to complete it on this schedule.  I will update as I have more information.

3/17/2012 - Let the work begin.

 It is time that I get back to updating my website along with my new blog post.  Check it out and I will be updating it often with new items that I've been working on and keeping you updated on any publishing that I am doing.  Of course, I will be updating publishing here as well.  Please let me know any of your feedback or items of interest.  For now though, it is a beautiful day and time to take my boys fishing!

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3/17/2012

St. Patrick's Day, 2012.  A fine day to be alive.  Welcome to my new blog spot.  I have kept an online journal in the past to list my writing endeavors, but this will be taking its place.  So sit back, read and enjoy.  Take a journey with me as I work up through my publishing my first novel and whatever else is to come!

www.brandonmcollett.com