Going Old School...

It's been a rough week at work.

We're in the middle of switching from the old systems we used to report bugs and test updates to a new system where everything is in one location. It's a lot nicer, neater, and smoother, but it's taking some getting used to and getting everything switched over has been a pain in the butt. Not only is it tedious, but, as per usual, people are forgetting to communicate, so there's been issues with duplicates and other things.

As a result, I haven't gotten much writing done.

Even if I had the free time to, I couldn't. It has recently come to the company's attention that some employees are using the internet to do personal things instead of working like they should be. As a result, they've blocked it. No more writing on my breaks and lunches - which is when I seem to get most of my ideas. I could write when I get home, but, honestly, the last thing I want to do after being on a computer all day is spend more time on the computer.

The only solutions I can come up with is to either write on my tablet, take it all in on a thumb drive, or go back to doing it old school style.

Writing on the tablet is awkward, but it can be done. However, I don't want to bring my tablet to work and be accused of playing around on it instead of working (there are others who do that, and I swear after cutting the internet, that'll be the next thing to go!).

With the thumb drive, I worry that my employers will still be able to see what I'm doing, and even though I'm doing so on breaks or lunches, they might still be upset about it. Plus, thumb drives can crash. I had it happen to it me once or twice while I was in college, and man did it suck.

As I explained in an earlier post I'm not really fond of writing with a pen or pencil and paper. My handwriting isn't the greatest, and when I get to exciting parts I tend to start dropping letters and words. In addition to that I like to go back and edit frequently as I write. And it adds an additional step, because once you get done writing everything down, you have to type it in.

However, pen and paper seems to be the only way to appease work at the moment. Maybe doing so will help my handwriting. The husband says he can transcribe everything for me. Also, if I don't write something soon I may go crazy! (Of course, because I can't write, a lot of ideas for current stories and new stories have been plaguing me lately and keeping me up at night) So I broke down and bought a notebook (college ruled) and some pencils (that way editing is easier) on Monday and I've been giving it a go ever since.

After writing on a computer for so long, it feels a little strange to go back to paper. I'm ashamed to admit that I had forgotten how to write certain letters in cursive. Like F. I kept wanting to write what is J instead. And then I was getting some of my Russian Cursive mixed up with English Cursive, which is strange because I don't really remember that much Russian anymore - but apparently I still remember some of the letters!

Writing in pencil and paper is also very nostalgic. It reminds me of the days when I was writing my fanfic during certain classes (like math) and passing it off to my best friends to read between periods or during lunch. There's been once or twice I've looked around expecting to see one of them standing nearby, waiting patiently.

But other than that, so far so good!

I took pictures of new items to add to the etsy store, but haven't uploaded them yet. I've also had an idea or two for new products to add eventually. One of which involves beetle wings from the jewel beetle. The husband says it gives him the creeps, but beetle wing jewelry and embroidery is pretty popular right now. And everything I've seen so far that uses wings from this particular beetle turns out beautifully!

See!

(This dress is probably the most famous use of beetle wings of all)

I've also started working on my Ravenclaw scarf again. The weather is turning colder, and my Husband reminded me we have a trip to Washington coming up in a month, so I'm rushing to get that done as soon as possible! I've only got 8 stripes left, so I should be able to do it, I think!

But now on to the good stuff! WIPpet Wednesday!

WIPpet Wednesday is led by KL Schwengel. To participate, just post a part of what you're working on that somehow relates to the date. For example it could be twenty lines from chapter eleven, or eleven paragraphs from chapter twenty. Then just enter the url to your blog at this linkie thingie (very technical term, that!)

Since I haven't been able to transcribe anything I've written in the notebook, I'm going to share this bit from The Descedants. It was one of those bits that demanded I write it right now a few months ago, and it doesn't take place until book two, so it's a bit rough. **Edit** I've also remove names of certain things to prevent spoilers. *End edit*

To set it up, Vivian and her friends have ended up in what they think is the past and have become separated. However, our heroine has run into a man, who, after hearing her story, offered to take her to the local King. Unfortunately they've run into a bit of trouble on the way.

So, since today is November 20th, here is 20 paragraphs:

“I told you to run.” Blood stained his lips as he coughed.

“I did - but they caught me. I escaped and came back for you.”

“Foolish girl.”

“You’d be dead if I hadn’t.”

“I’ll be dead shortly anyways.” They could hear horses in the distance, and the baying of hounds.

“She went this way!” A man called out, his voice echoing in the mists.

“I’ll have her hide for biting me.” Another shouted.

“Run.” Gwalchmei commanded her. “Go now.”

“I’m not leaving you.” She pressed her hands against his wounds. There was so much blood! It seeped between her fingers, running in red rivulets down the back of her hand and dripping off her wrists to stain the fabric of her dress.

The horses were closer now, close enough that she could hear the branches snapping under their feet.

“Go, I can distract them.”

“Like this? How?”

“We’re close... *safeplace* is only a few miles that way. You’re small and swift. You can...”

Vivian yelped as someone grabbed the back of her cloak and threw her to the side. The back of a hand caught her jaw, twisting her face to the side as the person slapped her. She fell to the ground and scrambled backwards as she stared up at the face of the man who's arm she had bit earlier. 

“A peasant does not strike a lord without paying the...” He growled down at her.

“*name*, stop!” Gwalchmei’s voice rang out through the clearing, suddenly strong despite his injuries. “She’s my *blank*. She didn’t know who you were.”

The man towering over Vivian paled. He turned slowly to find that Gwalchmei had forced himself to his feet, and was leaning heavily against the tree at his back.

“No.” The man murmured. “You died, at Christmastime, three years ago.”

“So I’ve heard.” Gwalchmei coughed again, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“*Horse'sName*came back to us with your armor, and no rider.” His voice gained strength and anger as he spoke. “If this is some jest...”

The baying of the hounds was growing louder around them. They burst into the clearing, a mass of sleek grey long haired beasts. To Vivian's surprise, instead of attacking Gwalchmei, they pressed about him and licked his hand, whining for his attention. He stroked their heads absently, leaving bloody streaks on their fur. “It’s no jest, brother.”

To read more WIPs, go here.

To see more ROW 80 updates, go here.