The snow had come, or a poem about spring

Audio recording of the post, “The snow had come, or a poem about spring”

From the Oquirrh
mountains
to the west,
black clouds loomed
over
the valley below.

Spring March
had begun
with the crash of thunder,
flashes of lightning
and
roar of rain.

Then all at once,

the air grew still,
quiet as night,
and from the sky
flakes of white snow
fell
like apple blossom petals.

-Alixander Court, 2022/03/05

Show and tell is still cool, or a progress report on my novel writing process

Audio recording of the post, “Show and tell is still cool, or a progress report on my novel writing process”

Thank you for joining me today, I wanted to show you something I am really proud of.

My Novel

This is my novel propped up on my desk.

This is a picture of my novel propped on my desk in its current state

After I finished penning edits into its pages I tore its covers off.

Each chapter gets torn from the spine so it is easier to work with. I bind the book with an elastic that I got from a Christmas present from 2020.

This is a picture of the novel’s chapters fanned out as they are torn from the spine

My edit process

I use Vim to implement the pen edits into the text file.

Vim text editor showing a section Chapter 37 of Without Power

This is a git message showing that a commit has been made to the repo where the book lives.

Git commit message for Chapter 40

The sticky on the front, I use it to tally the chapter edits that have gone into the repo. I have committed 40 chapters into the repo. I have 10 more chapter edits left to implement into the repo.

Tally mark tracker of chapter edits implemented into the repo

My bookmark and letter of encouragement

This is a letter I wrote to myself. I use as a bookmark, it reminds me that as long as I keep moving forward I’ll have someone there to support me. It shows my Po Box address, you are welcome to write me anytime.

PO BOX 3721
SLC, UT 84110

This is a picture of me showing the envelope that holds my letter with my po box address

This is what the letter looks like:

Cursive letter from Alix, to Alixander

The letter reads,

Alixander,

Thank you, first of all, for taking the time to read my letter. I know you took great pains to make time for it.

The reason for my writing is to let you know that I greatly admire you for having the first printed proof on your desk. I feel great pride in knowing that you put in the time to get your words onto the printed page. Truly proud.

Now I know that creativity is difficult, there are so many easier things you could do with your time. But I am here to tell you, for absolute certian [sic], that it is the best use of your time. Now, don’t mistake me for saying that writing is the best use of your time. I said being creative. Creativity comes in many forms, and I hope you wouldn’t limit yourself to thinking only one art is the best for you. All creative expression is important to the… gods, as it were.

Again, I am grateful for you putting in the time and making use of your desire and interest to write Without Power. Really, super cool!

Please know I am here when ever you need an encouraging and compassionate friend.

Yours, truly, your biggest fan,

Alix

2021-05-15

Wrap up

Well that’s what I wanted to share with you today. I am really proud of where I am at so far and I can hardly believe that I am almost done with getting the edits into the text.

Once I am done with the edits, I will be recording me reading the chapters for the audio book.

And then after that, I will be putting my book up for sale.

So yeah, thank you letting me share and for stopping by. I hope to have you stop by again soon.

The biggest difference between those who become legends and those who are forgotten, in nine sentences.

Audio Recording of the Post ‘The biggest difference between those who become legends and those who are forgotten, in nine sentences.’

You have to swing the bat.

You have to take the shot.

You have to ask them out.

You have to finish the sentence.

And if you miss the ball….

And if you miss the net….

And if you get rejected….

And if your prose falls flat…

You did more than those who didn’t, don’t and won’t.