Haven't done much posting of late
Oct. 26th, 2010 04:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fiat_knoxSorry for dropping off the radar for a bit. I've started up with the writing again, and in terms of my mathematical studies, 3x3 matrices are proving fertile ground for me to explore.
I think I can now create the inverse of a 3x3 matrix with a non-zero determinant. I always wanted to do this. :)
So, then, what has happened since the last time I posted? The usual weekend stuff, followed by an early departure on Monday - I had to head into town to attend a writers' group in the library. Apparently, they have been running this circle for the last few weeks and only now have I found out about it.
I quite enjoyed the meeting. The exercises provided much amusement for me. The challenges were:-
1. Personify the critic in you - the inhibitor, the spoilsport, the stern judge. Name and describe this judge in as much detail as you can.
My name is Callus. Why have you called me up? Normally you're content to ignore me. What, you want me to talk about myself? Somebody hit you a little too hard on the side of your head this morning or something? Are you sure you're not asking me because you're about to do something really stupid? You getting married, or is that idiot next door going to try and rope you into yet another dumbass scheme or what? No? You really want to talk about me? Well, that makes for a change. You could do with my advice every now and then, you know. No, you don't have to thank me.
2. Do the same with the wild child in you - the explorer, the spontaneous risk taker. Again, don't skimp on the details.
Hi. I'm "Today I'm Ambrose." I'm that part of you that's always thinking of trouble. Your inner Trickster. Remember that time I spent chasing around looking for fancy letter writing paper just so I could pen a handwritten letter from "The Borg Queen" and take a photo, then caption it with "We can't identify the source, Captain, but it has a Borg signature?" That was me. It might be elaborate, but if it's good for amusement, you know I'll be the one driving you. Come on. It'll be fun.
3. Place each persona on either side of you. Inform them that they can each only speak when they are spoken to. (Like that would ever stop them!) Now use them both to complete the next task. Remember that you are in control. Both have their uses and either can be a nuisance to the point of being a wrecker, so keep them in order and use them wisely.
The exercise is (with my answers):-
a. What personal writing target would you like to reach?
Me: Get all my projects completed.
Callus: You know you don't want that. You don't care for the product - you just want to write. Publishers don't think that way, however, so you'll have to do something to make it happen.
b. List 5 achievable steps that would take you towards it.
Today I'm Ambrose: Such as what?
Callus: What are you currently working on?
Me: The hungry feast scene in The Fields of Astribel.
Today I'm Ambrose: And what about the First Contact SF story? Also, your maths studies, your language studies, your poetry and your psion book? You have all of them on the boil, and I know you're always thinking about them.
Callus: Therein lies your problem. Too many irons in the fire. You need to work on that.
Me: What do you recommend?
Callus: H'mm. Well ... First, identify all your threads. Second, identify the ones producing a product. Third, tie off all the ones that don't have a product at the end. Fourth, focus on the one you can finish most quickly. Fifth, complete that project, submit and clear the deck for working with one fewer project on your slate.
c. Describe any barriers that you think are stopping you.
Well, I have to admit that I do sometimes take on a little too much, and find myself juggling around lots of things instead of focusing on one thing and doing that well -
Callus: At LAST!
(At this point, everyone was splitting their sides laughing.)
d. Describe any particular strengths that you feel you have.
Today I'm Ambrose: Speaking in many voices.
Callus: Keeping track of threads - and occasionally cutting them.
Me: Coming up with creative ideas by mashing together disparate ideas and making them work together.
e. Write just a few words to sum you up at this time.
Me: The Two of Pentacles from the Tarot - that damned juggler on the beach.
Callus: Getting ready with the scissors. Any time now.
Today I'm Ambrose: Get a pen and paper. I've got something I have to write down.
I'll have the first two pages of my fantasy novel printed up and ready for them next Monday. They'll not know what hit them.
I think I can now create the inverse of a 3x3 matrix with a non-zero determinant. I always wanted to do this. :)
So, then, what has happened since the last time I posted? The usual weekend stuff, followed by an early departure on Monday - I had to head into town to attend a writers' group in the library. Apparently, they have been running this circle for the last few weeks and only now have I found out about it.
I quite enjoyed the meeting. The exercises provided much amusement for me. The challenges were:-
1. Personify the critic in you - the inhibitor, the spoilsport, the stern judge. Name and describe this judge in as much detail as you can.
My name is Callus. Why have you called me up? Normally you're content to ignore me. What, you want me to talk about myself? Somebody hit you a little too hard on the side of your head this morning or something? Are you sure you're not asking me because you're about to do something really stupid? You getting married, or is that idiot next door going to try and rope you into yet another dumbass scheme or what? No? You really want to talk about me? Well, that makes for a change. You could do with my advice every now and then, you know. No, you don't have to thank me.
2. Do the same with the wild child in you - the explorer, the spontaneous risk taker. Again, don't skimp on the details.
Hi. I'm "Today I'm Ambrose." I'm that part of you that's always thinking of trouble. Your inner Trickster. Remember that time I spent chasing around looking for fancy letter writing paper just so I could pen a handwritten letter from "The Borg Queen" and take a photo, then caption it with "We can't identify the source, Captain, but it has a Borg signature?" That was me. It might be elaborate, but if it's good for amusement, you know I'll be the one driving you. Come on. It'll be fun.
3. Place each persona on either side of you. Inform them that they can each only speak when they are spoken to. (Like that would ever stop them!) Now use them both to complete the next task. Remember that you are in control. Both have their uses and either can be a nuisance to the point of being a wrecker, so keep them in order and use them wisely.
The exercise is (with my answers):-
a. What personal writing target would you like to reach?
Me: Get all my projects completed.
Callus: You know you don't want that. You don't care for the product - you just want to write. Publishers don't think that way, however, so you'll have to do something to make it happen.
b. List 5 achievable steps that would take you towards it.
Today I'm Ambrose: Such as what?
Callus: What are you currently working on?
Me: The hungry feast scene in The Fields of Astribel.
Today I'm Ambrose: And what about the First Contact SF story? Also, your maths studies, your language studies, your poetry and your psion book? You have all of them on the boil, and I know you're always thinking about them.
Callus: Therein lies your problem. Too many irons in the fire. You need to work on that.
Me: What do you recommend?
Callus: H'mm. Well ... First, identify all your threads. Second, identify the ones producing a product. Third, tie off all the ones that don't have a product at the end. Fourth, focus on the one you can finish most quickly. Fifth, complete that project, submit and clear the deck for working with one fewer project on your slate.
c. Describe any barriers that you think are stopping you.
Well, I have to admit that I do sometimes take on a little too much, and find myself juggling around lots of things instead of focusing on one thing and doing that well -
Callus: At LAST!
(At this point, everyone was splitting their sides laughing.)
d. Describe any particular strengths that you feel you have.
Today I'm Ambrose: Speaking in many voices.
Callus: Keeping track of threads - and occasionally cutting them.
Me: Coming up with creative ideas by mashing together disparate ideas and making them work together.
e. Write just a few words to sum you up at this time.
Me: The Two of Pentacles from the Tarot - that damned juggler on the beach.
Callus: Getting ready with the scissors. Any time now.
Today I'm Ambrose: Get a pen and paper. I've got something I have to write down.
I'll have the first two pages of my fantasy novel printed up and ready for them next Monday. They'll not know what hit them.
