Pet Peeve

I've got to say, I'm not a fan of the online ads or widgets with sound. Yes, they look and sometimes even sound cool, but I still have a terrible startle whenever a wave or thunderstorm suddenly crashes through my computer. I'm a multitasker, so I then have to figure out which recently opened page has the offending ad, which is often a challenge as many people--this blog included--have a parade of widgets along the margins. It doesn't help that I often listen to music or a podcast while I'm working, so the volume is turned up and really makes the sound effects prominent.  

How about you--YES or NO to widgets with sound?

Happy weekend!

Geeking Out

I think I need to get a babysitter.

I am SO geeking out over the new Spielberg that's coming out tomorrow. And check out this movie site http://www.cowboysandaliensmovie.com/site.html. The frikkin' home page feels like a trailer. And then there's the actual trailer:

Winner!

And the winner of City of Bones is...

Lexi! 

Congrats! We had a bunch of great responses, but I had to give the props to Lexi's poetic submission:

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

I would stick my head in a honey jar,

I would whack a football player with a crowbar.

I would immerse myself in a pool of tar,

Even aim to catch a jaguar.

What would you do for that delectable dessert?

I would ignore every Facebook alert,

I would eat ten thousand pounds of sherbert.

I would claim to be a Twilight expert,

Even attend school sporting my nightshirt.

What would you do for that chilly piece of heaven?

I would endure a snooty high-society luncheon,

I would catapult over a bottomless canyon.

I would scale a monstrous mountain,

Even dougie to Rebecca Black's weekend expression.

Care to join me?

Lexi, please confirm your mailing address through the Ganzfield contact form, although I think I already have it.

Upcoming Blog Jog

Hi folks,

Disgruntled Bear will be part of a Blog Jog that starts on Sunday, August 7th. For those of you who don't know what a "Blog Jog" is, it's a series of blogs that link to each other so that people can browse through dozens of sites and see what's out there that might interest them. For those of you who DO know what a Blog Jog is, it's a series of blogs that link to each other so that people can browse through dozens of sites and see what's out there that might interest them.

But you already knew that.

If you have a blog or website you'd like to show off to people, you can find out more about this event here: http://blogjogday.blogspot.com/

Whether you have a blog or not, mark your calendar. Savvy bloggers usually post contests and giveaways, so you could win a bunch of free books, gift cards, posters, a lovely glass angel figurine, etc. Check it out!

Five Ways that Writing is like Working Out

5. Most people can't make money at it.

4. Talking about it with people who don't do it will almost certainly result in them nodding politely and looking for a way to get away from the conversation.

3. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and the more you can accomplish in a session.

2. Doing either to excess seems to release endorphins and result in a high.

1. Both are a lot easier to do when someone else is watching the kids.

Writing Tidbit #2: Adverbs

Kate cautiously typed the first sentence. Perhaps I should tell people about adverbs, she thought ponderingly. Should I simply tell people absolutely not to use them, or to use them sparingly? Hmm... perhaps I should tell them why editors view them cringingly. 

Adverbs used excessively make a story read amateurishly. They are a very, very good example of "telling, not showing," which is something that writers should avoid religiously. While there are some places for adverbs to be used appropriately, those isolated instances should be chosen consciously. Too many will almost certainly result in agents and editors blithely passing on your submission.

Note from DB: Ugh--that was painful to write and proof. If you or some writer you know has a problem saying no to adverbs, consider joining AA (no, not that one). I'm sure you can stop overusing adverbs; the only question is... how? 


And you know this post wouldn't be complete without:

Integrity

You don't have to tell people everything, but what you DO tell them should be true.

If you owe people money, pay them promptly.

If you promise to do something, follow through.



Yeah, not a funny post, but it needed to be said. Pity the unfortunate individual who has me thinking about this, for that person has earned the wrath of the Disgruntled Bear.

Oh, yes. Pity.

Happy weekend! Stay cool!