Comments on: Day Five: Slowly But Surely http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/ More than you ever wanted to hear from Bestselling Author Jenny Crusie. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:46:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Ericka http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-75142 Ericka Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:37:31 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-75142 Poor spidey. I too read "Be Nice To Spiders" as a child. I have a spider relocation program, but I've been tested lately - it's huge (either wolf spider or confused fishing spider) and it keeps coming back. Next time, I'll try the front porch... Anywho, I like this site to help me try to figure out whether the creepy crawly could potentially kill me: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/index.html It's great - send a picture, and they figure it out for you. :-) Poor spidey. I too read “Be Nice To Spiders” as a child. I have a spider relocation program, but I’ve been tested lately – it’s huge (either wolf spider or confused fishing spider) and it keeps coming back. Next time, I’ll try the front porch…

Anywho, I like this site to help me try to figure out whether the creepy crawly could potentially kill me:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/index.html It’s great – send a picture, and they figure it out for you. :-)

]]> By: Lorrie http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73408 Lorrie Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:31:33 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73408 You had me at 'Republicans...' You had me at ‘Republicans…’

]]> By: colognegrrl http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73352 colognegrrl Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:08:40 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73352 Here in Germany (where, fortunately, we don't have brown recluse or black widow spiders, but I still don't like the ones we've got) they say that spiders like to live in a healthy environment. So the more you clean, the happier they are to come back. So it's a never-ending story - I remove the webs, they come back and build new ones. Whereas when I remove a bad scene, I have to rebuild it myself. No fair. Here in Germany (where, fortunately, we don’t have brown recluse or black widow spiders, but I still don’t like the ones we’ve got) they say that spiders like to live in a healthy environment. So the more you clean, the happier they are to come back. So it’s a never-ending story – I remove the webs, they come back and build new ones.

Whereas when I remove a bad scene, I have to rebuild it myself. No fair.

]]> By: talpianna http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73222 talpianna Sun, 24 Aug 2008 05:11:42 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73222 Anyone for scorpions? Roof rats? Republicans? You can only spray for one out of three... Anyone for scorpions? Roof rats? Republicans?

You can only spray for one out of three…

]]> By: Schado http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73119 Schado Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:30:03 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73119 It crawled up the wall and I killed it. It was taunting me. Please God, it did not come from a large family. I would absolutely love to read a book that opened with those lines. Voice, character, action, conflict--everything! It crawled up the wall and I killed it. It was taunting me.
Please God, it did not come from a large family.

I would absolutely love to read a book that opened with those lines. Voice, character, action, conflict–everything!

]]> By: Sheri http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73114 Sheri Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:09:51 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73114 Don't forget tarantulas.... Not necessarily here in the valley but they are all over the foothills here. And wolf spiders. Scary, scary creatures... Don’t forget tarantulas…. Not necessarily here in the valley but they are all over the foothills here. And wolf spiders. Scary, scary creatures…

]]> By: Lou http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73098 Lou Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:22:54 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73098 JulieB - If it had been a brown recluse, and you have multiple bites, you'd be in intensive care fighting for your life. My boss got bitten by one of them once (only one bite) and spent a week in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics and almost died. Nasty things, brown recluse. I'm a spider killer myself. Where I live, black widows abound. All over the backyard, everywhere in the barn where I board my horse, just everywhere. I have found that ant spray will kill them. Not right away but within about 15 minutes. We also have jumping spiders, hairy brown spiders, and daddy long-legs. They are everywhere. Very disconcerting! GatorPerson - you crack me up!! JulieB – If it had been a brown recluse, and you have multiple bites, you’d be in intensive care fighting for your life. My boss got bitten by one of them once (only one bite) and spent a week in the hospital with intravenous antibiotics and almost died. Nasty things, brown recluse.

I’m a spider killer myself. Where I live, black widows abound. All over the backyard, everywhere in the barn where I board my horse, just everywhere. I have found that ant spray will kill them. Not right away but within about 15 minutes. We also have jumping spiders, hairy brown spiders, and daddy long-legs. They are everywhere. Very disconcerting!

GatorPerson – you crack me up!!

]]> By: JulieB http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73080 JulieB Sat, 23 Aug 2008 22:19:27 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73080 Hee Hee to Gatorperson! Actually, Jenny, I like the second line. But you're the professional. But, I do like it. And kudos to you on the spider thing. I have been known to trap and release a few of the minor, mild-tempered things, but the hopping spiders that love the dust are actually prone to bite, and they hop, so I have no mercy there. And after being eaten and having a very severe reaction to multiple bites while camping with my daughter's troop 10 days back, I'm not feeling very charitable. I think it was a spider. I'm not reacting enough to think it was a brown recluse, but these are the worst bites I've ever had. Hee Hee to Gatorperson!

Actually, Jenny, I like the second line. But you’re the professional. But, I do like it.

And kudos to you on the spider thing. I have been known to trap and release a few of the minor, mild-tempered things, but the hopping spiders that love the dust are actually prone to bite, and they hop, so I have no mercy there. And after being eaten and having a very severe reaction to multiple bites while camping with my daughter’s troop 10 days back, I’m not feeling very charitable. I think it was a spider. I’m not reacting enough to think it was a brown recluse, but these are the worst bites I’ve ever had.

]]> By: misspiggydon'twannabe http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73065 misspiggydon'twannabe Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:39:38 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73065 In a fit of domesticity I washed some panty hose by hand and hung them over the bathtub in the kids bathroom (the kids have all moved away so it's pretty solitary). Anyway when I finally remembered them there was a little white packet through which I could see long legs. Spiders reproducing in my panty hose! That's just not right. In a fit of domesticity I washed some panty hose by hand and hung them over the bathtub in the kids bathroom (the kids have all moved away so it’s pretty solitary). Anyway when I finally remembered them there was a little white packet through which I could see long legs. Spiders reproducing in my panty hose! That’s just not right.

]]> By: Melissa Blue http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73031 Melissa Blue Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:52:40 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73031 I have a process both for my writing and going into my storage. Writing: Just get it down. I can make it brillant later. Storage: Crack open the door a quarter of an inch and spray whole can of Raid inside. Close the door. Come back a day later to find the dead carcasses. My storage is notorious for having spiders with fat butts and red marks. I do not feel guilt. I do re-write until it's not the same story anymore. Sounds like I'm in good company. I have a process both for my writing and going into my storage.

Writing: Just get it down. I can make it brillant later.

Storage: Crack open the door a quarter of an inch and spray whole can of Raid inside. Close the door. Come back a day later to find the dead carcasses.

My storage is notorious for having spiders with fat butts and red marks. I do not feel guilt.

I do re-write until it’s not the same story anymore. Sounds like I’m in good company.

]]> By: GatorPerson http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73018 GatorPerson Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:18:43 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73018 It was a dark and stormy look she gave the man in the clown mask leering at her as their car whooshed down the roller coaster tracks and she screamed, "Not now, there are too many hot fudge sundaes in my horoscope to end it all now!" P.S. I couldn't figure out how to fit a spider into the sentence. It was a dark and stormy look she gave the man in the clown mask leering at her as their car whooshed down the roller coaster tracks and she screamed, “Not now, there are too many hot fudge sundaes in my horoscope to end it all now!”

P.S. I couldn’t figure out how to fit a spider into the sentence.

]]> By: AnjS http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-73017 AnjS Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:09:09 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-73017 I generally don't try and kill the spiders. If they don't run into my line of vision (or do so on the ceiling) they get to live. But if they dare to enter my living space, they're dead. But I do have a gigantic thing for those June bugs that like Minnesota. And of course since I'm Minnesotan I kill mosquitoes on sight. They don't deserve the air they fly in. I generally don’t try and kill the spiders. If they don’t run into my line of vision (or do so on the ceiling) they get to live. But if they dare to enter my living space, they’re dead.

But I do have a gigantic thing for those June bugs that like Minnesota. And of course since I’m Minnesotan I kill mosquitoes on sight. They don’t deserve the air they fly in.

]]> By: Sheri http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72995 Sheri Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:59:05 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72995 Spiders are fine as long as they know their place--a remote corner of the living room ceiling or outside. I used to be extremely phobic about them but as I now have children I have been forced to become brave and act like they are no big deal... Now the big asian water roaches that infest this part of the Valley--ugh! I can't abide them! They like to congregate in my garage at night when the lights are off. The other night I needed to go out there and flicked on the light, only to be confronted by about 20 of the ugly buggers. I think the guys were playing cards and smoking cigars, while the gals were in the corner having a martini and gossiping--well, we all froze and stared at each other. I told them to continue on with whatever they were doing and I would come back later as I backed slowly into the house. They were still glaring at me as I closed the door. I swear. I made my husband spray the next morning.... Spiders are fine as long as they know their place–a remote corner of the living room ceiling or outside. I used to be extremely phobic about them but as I now have children I have been forced to become brave and act like they are no big deal…

Now the big asian water roaches that infest this part of the Valley–ugh! I can’t abide them! They like to congregate in my garage at night when the lights are off. The other night I needed to go out there and flicked on the light, only to be confronted by about 20 of the ugly buggers. I think the guys were playing cards and smoking cigars, while the gals were in the corner having a martini and gossiping–well, we all froze and stared at each other. I told them to continue on with whatever they were doing and I would come back later as I backed slowly into the house. They were still glaring at me as I closed the door. I swear.

I made my husband spray the next morning….

]]> By: Lucy http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72975 Lucy Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:53:23 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72975 Here's a link to the best opening lines in Science Fiction, according to this site: http://tinyurl.com/5a6e8v How much difference is there between opening a science fiction book and opening a contemporary romance? Here’s a link to the best opening lines in Science Fiction, according to this site:

http://tinyurl.com/5a6e8v

How much difference is there between opening a science fiction book and opening a contemporary romance?

]]> By: Lorrie http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72940 Lorrie Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:30:17 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72940 Oh thank heaven...I thought I was the only masochist among so many wonderful, together writers, what with the beating up of myself fairly regularly for my process (such as it is) and the work (such as it is). See!? Sheesh. I wish this part of the writing deal was as interesting as S&M, or at least involved more leather goods. Oh thank heaven…I thought I was the only masochist among so many wonderful, together writers, what with the beating up of myself fairly regularly for my process (such as it is) and the work (such as it is). See!? Sheesh. I wish this part of the writing deal was as interesting as S&M, or at least involved more leather goods.

]]> By: Amy http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72937 Amy Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:27:45 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72937 I'm glad you have continues to post. I'm in iraq now, and the spiders here have some sort of super venom. We slaughter all bugs, our wimpy American immune systems won't fight the poisons. Outside the wire, there are naked Iraqi kids rolling on the ground, and we have guys getting hospitalized because a bug the size of a pin head bit them. I used to be a live and let live person, but now, i say kill them all. If you google Camel spider, you will see a picture of spiders the size of a dinner plate. Shudder. I’m glad you have continues to post. I’m in iraq now, and the spiders here have some sort of super venom. We slaughter all bugs, our wimpy American immune systems won’t fight the poisons. Outside the wire, there are naked Iraqi kids rolling on the ground, and we have guys getting hospitalized because a bug the size of a pin head bit them. I used to be a live and let live person, but now, i say kill them all. If you google Camel spider, you will see a picture of spiders the size of a dinner plate. Shudder.

]]> By: McB http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72915 McB Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:18:54 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72915 Spiders, ick. I wouldn't mind if they'd stay in their corner of the ceiling. It's not bad enough that they go crawling off to Bob knows where and then you start worrying when and where they'll turn up again. They can swing and drop, which makes them unpredictable. If possible I do a catch and release because squishing is gross. Spiders, ick. I wouldn’t mind if they’d stay in their corner of the ceiling. It’s not bad enough that they go crawling off to Bob knows where and then you start worrying when and where they’ll turn up again. They can swing and drop, which makes them unpredictable. If possible I do a catch and release because squishing is gross.

]]> By: robena grant http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72910 robena grant Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:05:52 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72910 That first line will come to you once you get to know your character better and know the mood/tone you want to set for the book. It always does. My son is like you. He's visiting and last night found a bug, picked it up with a tissue and took it outside. I said, "What? So it can come back in again tomorrow." Ever since I was bitten by a black widow spider last year I've become a bugs worst nightmare. I get monthly exterminator service yet still they come to seek me out. For me it's "Die you bastard." Then I stomp 'em. That first line will come to you once you get to know your character better and know the mood/tone you want to set for the book. It always does.

My son is like you. He’s visiting and last night found a bug, picked it up with a tissue and took it outside. I said, “What? So it can come back in again tomorrow.” Ever since I was bitten by a black widow spider last year I’ve become a bugs worst nightmare. I get monthly exterminator service yet still they come to seek me out. For me it’s “Die you bastard.” Then I stomp ‘em.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72892 Jenny Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:55:10 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72892 "It was a dark and stormy night" is a terrible first line. No people in it. And yes I do revise a thousand times. It's the only way I can get to where I want to go. As for beating myself up, that's part of my process, I think. I fact, from listening to my writer pals, it's part of everybody's process. Argh. “It was a dark and stormy night” is a terrible first line. No people in it. And yes I do revise a thousand times. It’s the only way I can get to where I want to go. As for beating myself up, that’s part of my process, I think. I fact, from listening to my writer pals, it’s part of everybody’s process. Argh.

]]> By: jude http://www.arghink.com/2008/08/22/day-five-slowly-but-surely/#comment-72888 jude Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:50:41 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=602#comment-72888 I saw this article on old amusement parks that I thought might interest you: http://www.neatorama.com/2008/08/21/five-amusement-parks-that-are-no-longer-amusing/ I saw this article on old amusement parks that I thought might interest you:
http://www.neatorama.com/2008/08/21/five-amusement-parks-that-are-no-longer-amusing/

]]>