Audio recording of the post, “Reflection on down time; or life with devices turned off”
My computer and phone have been off since my last post, 48 hours of down-time.
Pros and cons for doing it.
Most notable con, couldn’t share my post yesterday because I couldn’t type it up into digital text.
Most notable pro, took my son to the park and completely got lost in our time there.
Where to next?
I am writing explicit instructions for myself on what are the order of actions to be taken to complete the operation and what that operation is mean to achieve as it relates to my game plan.
As you can imagine, the work being done right now is some of the best I’ve ever done.
Audio record of the post, ‘Slow Activities may lead to a a happier life, says my experience’
I experience what Devine Lu Linvega, at LibrePlanet 2022, mentioned about slow activities when I write on paper before I write on a keyboard. When I take the time to write it out by hand, I generally like writing more, and I feel like it comes more readily. I have experienced a notable shift in tone, pacing and rhythm when using different sizes of paper. And I’ve noticed a different timbre when using pencils instead of pens; said in another way,
A risky hand races with a pencil knowing
strikes can be made undone just as fast,
but a cautious hand strikes the page with pen,
there is no going back.
Alixander Court 2022/03/20
I’ve also noticed too that cursive is more pleasant than print. Cursive also has a speed to it. I prefer using cursive; my morning writing is entirely written out by hand before it gets typed up. When ever possible, I try to write my text messages and mastodon replies by hand first before I send or post them. I’ve found that my messages come from a more sincere place when written first. Am I 100% on that, no. But my experience writing leads me to believe that the more I pursue the source, the more real my writing tends to be. Which I imagine you want as much as me.
Where does your slow work take place? For me it is writing tool and paper, for others it might be the pan and spatula, or the anvil and hammer. It would be neat to discover where you go to connect with your creative source, if you would not mind sharing.
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.
Alixander Court 