Random Things That I Enjoy

[olde_fashioned]

I suppose I had best blog at least once or twice a week, but sometimes I have trouble coming up with suitable (interesting) topics. "Random things that I enjoy" was the best I could do for now. ;-)

Random Things That I Enjoy:

1. Reading. This is really a no-brainer, if you've read my profile. I don't get to read half as much as I would like to, but when I do get a chance to read, I truly enjoy it. Books are treasures, and they are something to be cherished, savored, and pondered. Just think of all the people, past and present, that never learned how to read. Think of all that they missed! Think of all the brilliant ideas, the beautiful stories, the fascinating characters, that they will never know.

2. Typing on the computer. Does it sound silly if I say that I enjoy something as mundane as typing?? I suppose it does, but I really do enjoy it. Lame, I know. But I like to type because A) I like writing/talking, B) because I like being online, and C) well, this one is reallly dumb, but I like the sounds and the feel of using a keyboard. See? I told you it was stupid!!

3. Rainy days. I know some people detest rain, and I am usually one of the first to complain when it rains on a day when I have to be out-and-about running errands, but I really do love the rain. Especially at night, when I am lying in bed waiting to go to sleep; listening to the soft patterings of raindrops is a wonderful sound. An ideal day for me, would be a perfectly rainy, cloudy, and chilly day, where I could curl up on my bed under one of the beautiful quilts my mother has made for me, and read a good book.

4. Beautiful things. This is really vague, I know. What I mean by this, is mostly just anything that strikes me as beautiful, or particularly pretty, such as a sunset or a landscape. (When I say "landscape," I mean a natural, picturesque view, such as hills or trees. No city skylines for this country girl!) Other things that I often find lovely, are antique clothing. People just don't take the pride and the care in their handiwork anymore, like they used to. Heck, most people don't even have a skill anymore, that involves using their hands!! (Unless you count text-messaging or fiddling with an ipod.) Whatever happened to craftsmanship, and careful attention to detail?? Whatever happened, to the exquisite models of talent, and skill so frequently exhibited by our forebears, such as this gorgeous, splendid example???


Any thoughts or comments welcome!

laus Deo,
Lauren :-)
~olde_fashioned~

Comments

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

Whenever I look at something "old" or antique, I cannot help but think of the person who owned it originally.

I have to admit, I don't really do that myself. But in my defense, I've not been around that many antiques. I did get that way when I was in England and France, with the buildings, the places. I'm rather a 'walk the terrain' person.

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't mean to sound like I've been around a lot of antiques...I really haven't, unless you count browsing in antique stores occaisionally. Mostly I look at old things in books or online. ;-)

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

In a way, I have tunnel vision when it comes to pictures of old objects in books. I think of them in terms of my characters, not the original owners. I've even been known to go flipping through books to find party dresses for Sophia. It's fun. Like shopping. :)

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...sounds like someone else I know. ;-) If I ever wrote a book, I've always known that I would have to describe the heroine's wardrobe down to every last stitch of detail. ;-)

~L.

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

It's tempting to describe in detail, and I sometimes have to rein myself in. After all, not all readers (okay, the vast majority) are not as interesting in costume as I am.

Must leave out the parts that readers tend to skip. (That's a paraphrase of a famour writer I don't have time to look up )

Cate

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

Ugh! The grammar in that last reply was deplorable. My apologies.

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

;-) Oh, Cate, don't worry about that!! You should see some of my emails!! My spelling has declined drastically ever since I discovered spell-check.

As to what readers are interested in, I savor the details in the books I read. There is nothing more frustrating to me, as a reader, than too little detail. Some authors' characters seem only to wear "a simple blue dress" no matter what the weather, and I, for one, do not think there can ever be "too much" detail. :-)

~L.

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

My spelling has declined drastically ever since I discovered spell-check.

I understand that feeling, but since I self-identify as a writer, I should at least be striving for improvement. (I even put a workbook about sentence diagramming on my Christmas wish list.)

As for detail, what bothers me is irrelevant detail. For instance, I don't describe many of Sophia's dresses in my novel, but there is one that takes up a good three paragraphs. The difference is that this is quite a revealing dress compared to what she normally wears (and it's Jack that's doing the describing -- the detail shows his growing interest in her as a woman, rather than a girl).

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

...as a writer, I should at least be striving for improvement.

That's good! Even though I'm not an author {yet...;-)}, I do try to keep my grammar and punctuation in check, and I strive for clarity in whatever descriptions I might be making.

As for detail, what bothers me is irrelevant detail.

What would you consider as irrelevant detail? I am all ears. As a reader, every last tidbit, the color of the hero's eyes, the style of his hair, down to the type of buckle on his straight-lasted shoes is a treat to savor.

(I even put a workbook about sentence diagramming on my Christmas wish list.)

Oh dear...I am afraid that diagramming sentences never was my strong point...in fact it is practically impossible for me to comprehend. ;-) Perhaps I should look into this book!!!

Did you fashion Sophia's dress after an historical original, a movie costume, or something of your own design? I'd love to see it if you have an image.

'till later,
~L. :-)

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

The dress in question is a masquerade costume, so it doesn't exist in a photograph. Sophia dresses up as the goddess Diana.

Irrelevant detail is (to me) anything that doesn't introduce something to the character or plot. For instance, if you want to show the hero is a bit of a dandy, you could spend pages describing his clothing in meticulous detail, or you could have him stab himself in the cheek with a starched collarpoint when he tries to turn his head.

I've had it drummed into me by those more experienced, basically since I started writing, that one needs to find the few 'telling' details and cut out the rest. It's a question of focussing the reader's attention on what's important and not letting them get distracted or bored by what's not.

There are writers who can spend pages describing one outfit and make it successful, but they are rare -- and much more talented than I.

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Oh, Diana the huntress!! That sounds lovely...I'd love to read the passage, if you wouldn't object. If not, that's fine too.

I see your point now, about irrelevance. Battle tactics always bore me to death, but then I suppose they are delightful to some. :-\ I like the bit about getting stabbed in the face with a starched collar!! LOL! Sounds a bit like Beau Brummel!

Since I've never read your book, (duh) I can't honestly say anything about it, but just from reading your blog and comments, I think I can safely say that you have an excellent narrative style that is easy to read.

As to experience, I suppose the only way to get that is to practice!! ;-)

~L. :-)

PS. Would you believe the spell check flags the word "blog"??????

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

Oh, Diana the huntress!! That sounds lovely...I'd love to read the passage

I went into my files and, would be believe it, I've cut it! It might be in one of the earlier draughts. I'll see if I can find it.

Would you believe the spell check flags the word "blog"?

I would. There are some interesting words that don't exist in the spell-check dictionary. I'm only glad I figured out how to change my dictionary to British English.

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I went into my files and, would be believe it, I've cut it! It might be in one of the earlier draughts. I'll see if I can find it.

Okay, thank you! I love reading other people's work, and I've quite the curiosity to see some of yours. ;-)

There are some interesting words that don't exist in the spell-check dictionary. I'm only glad I figured out how to change my dictionary to British English.

Spell check is sometimes a royal pain -- I am forever having to add words to it. Sometimes I catch myself slipping into "the Queen's English," or rather the computer catches me. I read a lot of Brit Lit, so I'm sure I've unconsciously picked up some of the spelling habits from that. I still think "theatre" and "honour" look better that way...;-) I didn't realize Canada spelled things the English way.

~L.

[rosemaryinwheat.livejournal.com]

Okay, thank you! I love reading other people's work, and I've quite the curiosity to see some of yours. ;-)

If I don't find it, I can track down another excerpt, I'm sure.

I didn't realize Canada spelled things the English way.

Most of our spelling is British, but some words we have all our own. For instance most Brits call it a sofa, most Americans a couch. We call it a chesterfield. (Though couch is becoming much more popular now.)

Cate

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Chesterfield...that's a nice word. Much better than "couch" IMHO, which I rarely use. I prefer sofa, even though I'm American. Any other interesting names for things? What do you call an apartment?