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My unauthorized BuzzFeed interview – aka fun with quizzes

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

my-completely-unauthorized-buzzfeed-interviewaka-fun-with-quizzes www.alliepottswrites.com

Donkey Kong
Just imagine if Donkey Kong’s falling barrels were boogers and you get the idea.

Kiddo was kind enough to gift me this holiday season with a head cold I can only describe as boss level bad. Just when I thought I had it licked, back it would come even more powerful and three times more angry. Hopefully, I am over the worst of it by the time this posts, but I’ve been fooled before.

As most of the creative energy I can muster outside of the cold-induced fog is being directed at my current works (yes plural!) in progress, I decided to turn this post over to the good folks at http://www.BuzzFeed.com who, unbeknownst to them, were kind enough to interview me via a series of quizzes.

So Allie, as this is the beginning of the new year, let’s talk goals.

Will you be able to keep your new year’s resolutions?

Well, I rather thought I covered my opinion about resolutions last week, but here goes…

You got: You probably haven’t even made a resolution.

You think resolutions are stupid and just a way of setting yourself up for disappointment later.

You misunderstood. I’m not judging here. New Year’s Resolutions just aren’t for me. I definitely don’t think they are stupid provided the person who makes them attempts to follow through. However, I prefer to set a scattering of time-sensitive and achievable goals throughout the year rather than load up all at once on January 1.

Well, how about we ask something easier.

If you were a dog, what kind would it be?

Ha. That’s like asking me where my favorite place is to travel. You think it’s an easy question, but then you start thinking of all the great options to choose from – I love the beach, but not in winter, and I had a great time in Australia, but the food in Italy is everything you’d expect it to be and more. It’s hard to limit myself to just one answer. But back to your question. I’d like to consider myself a wolf – fierce, strong, and loyal to its pack, but if I am honest with myself I’m probably more like a Dachshund.

You got: Poodle

You are ridiculously good-looking, so you are quite popular with the opposite sex. And, of course, you also need to be pampered. You always get what you want.

If by ‘popular with the opposite sex’ you mean my boys like to say my name over and over and over again when they are trying to get my attention and by ‘get what you want’ you mean as long as what I want is an excuse to play with LEGOs endlessly, then sure. In any case, thanks for the compliment, even though I now can’t help thinking of Zoolander, gasoline fights, and a building a Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good.

What kind of introvert are you?

Hmmm… the writer kind? What else would you call a person who will overshare online but would rather chew its own arm off than be forced to walk into a room cold and network face-to-face on a daily basis?

You got: Social Introvert

You tend to prefer solitude, or keeping your social contact limited to one-on-one interactions or small groups. You’re not shy, per se, but strongly prefer to be on your own.

Tomato Tomahto.

What type of villain would you be?

Not sure what you are implying here. I don’t think wanting to have a little me time now and then makes me a bad person.

You got: You’re the evil mastermind villain!

Victorian VillainYou’re the embodiment of the “crazy scientist” stereotype. You were probably quiet and studious in school and now your hard work is paying off as you spend your days in your underground laboratory. You’re not the type of villain who wants to hurt people but wants to bring down society as a whole to create a perfect utopia.

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Have you ever considered what your true destiny might be?

Becoming a literary darling with a beach house and/or a mountain chalet. Nothing fancy. Just a place I can go when I need to recharge my social batteries (or plot the perfect utopia).

You got: You’re destined to be a trailblazer and an inspiration.

You’re going to triumph over adversity and follow your dreams no matter how unlikely they seem. Not just that, you’ll inspire others to do the same and be an example of what someone can achieve if they really put their mind to it.

Sold.

And on that note, I am going to end this interview while I’m ahead and go restock on tea and chicken soup.

How about the rest of you? Any other poodles or mad scientists out there? What is your destiny?

*images are courtesy of http://www.flickr.com

What Rogue One can teach about writing and resolutions

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

 

What Rogue One can teach about #writing and #resolutions
background image courtesy of www.Flickr.com

I’m not entirely sure how it happened, especially as I’ve been held hostage this week, or as my children call it, celebrating winter break, but the hubby and I actually managed to sneak out long enough to watch Rogue One.

Yeah, I am as stunned as you.

And it was awesome. But I’m not here to divulge spoilers. Nor am I here to write a tribute to Carrie Fisher, as deserved as that might be. No I want to talk about what Rogue One can teach us about story telling and life in general.

Work toward an ending

The premise of Rogue One was simple. It exists to answer the question as to how the rebels got the plans to the Death Star in the first place, a catalyst event that sets off all the events of the next three movies in the original franchise. The ending of their story was clear, the beginning – not so much, forcing the screenwriters to work backwards. And it was a effective technique. It worked so well, I found myself surprised as well as satisfied by the ending, even though I knew full well what it would be before I purchased my ticket.

This same concept can be applied to planning any goal, not just writing.

I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s Resolutions. To me, they are far too easy to make and therefore far too easy to break. So I don’t set New Year’s Resolutions. Instead I set one to three wildly optimistic End of Year Goals.

Then I work backwards, setting smaller monthly and weekly goals for myself, all in support of the larger ones. So that at year’s end I am not disappointed by how many resolutions I have broken, but instead motivated by how much more I have accomplished.

It is okay not to have an answer for everything

There are certain questions Rogue One doesn’t answer, such as what was the rift between factions the Rebel Alliance wants to mend so desperately or who keeps awarding the Imperial console button contracts to the most lost cost industrial switch manufacturer the galaxy has ever seen when they obviously utilize high-end contracts for sleek exterior ship design. There could be spin-off on spin-offs of stories if the writers choose to answer everything, but in this case I think it is a better experience to let the viewer’s or reader’s imaginations fill in the blanks. A few loose ends can keep a story interesting.

Likewise, even with my goals, I’ve accepted there are certain areas of my life, both personally and professionally, I don’t have mapped out, at least not for this year. That’s okay. A little bit of unknown now just means I have choices to explore later, or goals still out there to achieve.

Rebellions are built on hope

This is a line used a few times in the movie, a somewhat tongue in cheek reference to the title of the next movie in line in the series, A New Hope. But it is also true. In order for any well written story to progress, a character must first believe that change is possible. They have to believe deep in their core that they can evade a vastly superior military force, complete a foolhardy mission, or otherwise avenge a loved one. Otherwise what is the point of leaving home in the first place.

The past year will not go down as a personal favorite of mine for a number of reasons. But that is no reason enough for me to believe the coming year will be more of the same. I will instead continue to focus on what I can change, whether that change be big or small, rather than what is out of my control. I may not achieve all my big goals this year, but no matter the outcome, I will be closer tomorrow than I am today for trying. Because I am one with the force, the force is with me.

May you all have an equally happy and force-full New Year

A Holiday Message from Her Royal Highness

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

A #Holiday Message from Her Royal Highness - www.alliepottswrites.comGreetings to all,

It pleases us to no end to be able to address you all at this, most joyous time of year. It is a season made even more joyous thanks to the continuing efforts of you, Our most loyal subjects.

The state of the realm remains strong, with the exception of the great pillow drought which has seemingly continued well beyond what might have otherwise been deemed an acceptable transitional period. No efforts, nor resources shall be spared in the coming year to find a solution to this ongoing problem.

The squirrel menace remains firmly in check, if not in a state of full retreat, which may or may not have anything to do with the cooling temperatures. However, the drastic reduction in squirrel related crimes and other offenses does in no way signify that the war against this scourge is complete. We encourage all citizens to remain ever vigilant, as we shall be, and report any and all activity considered at odds with the values of the realm.

However, while there have been battles fought this year, there have been plenty of other victories too. When faced with the dark waters of lakes and oceans unknown, we as a people, jumped in. We repeatedly fought against currents and secured our goals. Returning to shore, we claimed the land beneath our feet with the confidence that only those who have suffered challenge only to triumph can command.

New alliances have been brokered in Our name. Storms may have blown, knocking down Our most ancient fences and causing damage most distressing. However, now, neighbors are no longer isolated from neighbor.  As a result, new and stronger friendships have been given birth in that storm’s wake.

We have made numerous tours of the surrounding territory as our boundaries continue to expand, unfettered. Indeed, Our noble oversight and justice now even extends well into what previously was considered a place to be feared, a no man’s land, a place which may be more commonly known as The Crawl Space, bringing light and rule to where there once was none.

It feels fitting to end this address to you on the subject of light. To quote her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who reminded us this time last year of an old saying in her address, ‘it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.’

There is much unknown about the coming year. Squirrels could return with fleas. Greater storms may blow. But the sun, with its light most high, can always be counted on to rise, no matter what tomorrow brings. Stay true to the values you hold most dear. Be the candle in the darkness so others may find their way. And do not be afraid, for only in the darkness do we find how brightly we might shine.

An exercise on mindful thinking at the close of the year

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

An exercise on #mindfulness - www.alliepottswrites.comI decided to go for a jog one morning after feeling a guilty over recent excesses. The air was cool, but not chilly enough to need a jacket or put on gloves. My dog, Her Royal Highness, was happy enough to trot along beside me. The sky was a clear, albeit pale blue and the neighborhood quiet. In short, it was a perfect morning to be outdoors.

Raleigh is home to a greenway system that stretches from one end of the city to another and it is quite easy to forget that you are in the state’s capital when you enter one of the many wooded paths. But that morning, I had a specific destination in mind. If I could jog to a certain point on the trail without stopping, I would consider the run a success.

A slight tension on the leash informed me that Her Royal Highness wouldn’t mind picking up the pace. I ignored her request as I remained focused on my feet. She should understand. A trip or stumble due to a slippery patch of leaves or fallen branch would at a minimum ruin my stride, but could also prevent me from taking her out again for a long, long while. We rounded a corner, passing a walker and another dog on the trail. Her Royal Highness tugged, urging me to stop and say hello. Once again I refused her request.

I am not the fastest on the trail. Nor were there any fans cheering me on from the side of the path. But slow, but steady, I eventually made it to my goal one step at a time. Her Royal Highness wagged her tail and sniffed around as I took in the view.

My muscles in my legs stiffened in the seconds it took me to turn around. That’s when it hit me – the rather large error in my plan. The goal I’d set in mind was the furthest point in my run. I’d forgotten to consider the distance it would take to run back. Dang it.

Her Royal Highness sprung into action, but unfortunately, now that I’d stopped once, keeping up our steady pace was no longer as easy to do. I found myself walking more along the return, but by doing so, I was also able to look around.

The sky had taken on a deeper, richer shade of blue and the sunlight now filtered quite nicely through red and golden leaves. I stopped again at a bridge near the greenway’s exit, only this time instead of focusing on my stiffening muscles, the aching reminder of how far I’d come, or the distance I still had yet to go, I let myself appreciate just being in the place I found myself in now.

I removed my ear buds, and the music that had boomed and pulsed, keeping me inspired to run, was replaced by the sound of a creek flowing over rocks under the bridge. Leaves tumbled down as the trees swayed in the morning’s breeze. I turned and took the scene in more fully.

I might have lingered there longer, but the sound of footfalls on the path of an approaching walker broke the moment and soon we were once again on our way, taking the memory of the moment with us.

At the close of the year, I like to reflect on my accomplishments, and while they aren’t always easy to identify, I know there are always a few. At the same time, I like to plan for the year ahead and set my goals and challenges, just as I suspect many others do too. But moments like this are a good reminder to also be mindful of the present, for there is beauty to be seen in the now if you only take the time to stop and look around.

Autumn creek and #mindfulness - www.alliepottswrites.com

Author Interviews -Allie Potts @alliepottswrite #AmWriting #Writer

by Allie P., posted in Life as I know it

The extremely entertaining Lucy Mitchell from BlondeWriteMore was kind enough to invite me to sit in the big red chair as part of her weekly Author Interview Series.Thank you again Lucy! I hope you enjoy the virtual cheese platter I am sending your way.