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Post by charlie on Jan 31, 2017 20:02:28 GMT -5
Well, it is one month into 2017. We have a new President and the next 4 years should be interesting.
I have returned to writing (sort of). About 1000 words on Origin of Storms. Approaching 10,000 words total. Hey, it's something. I'd really like to move on this. I think it could be a good story.
We finally found out the Idaho Falls temple will be rededicated in June. I haven't minded going to Logan (went today), but IF will be closer.
Hope all is well, Paul. Sorry I take so long to reply sometimes. I'd like to claim a busy schedule and I do keep busy, but I must confess to laziness, as well.
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Post by paulwest on Feb 7, 2017 18:59:21 GMT -5
LOLOL. I understand.
You are about as into your book "Origin of Storms" as I am. I have about 13,000 words written, but I've had some serious writer's block. I think I'm over it, sort of. I have some ideas of where I want the story to go, but I still have to write it.
Tell me. Is "Origin of Storms" fiction of non-fiction. It could be an interesting title for either.
We've been told the Jordan River Temple will remain closed until February 2018. Lots of damage found. The entire building has been gutted and the construction workers are taking their time to get it right.
I hope all is going well with you and your family.
Paul
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Post by charlie on Feb 27, 2017 11:53:13 GMT -5
Writing continues into February. I'm actually impressed with myself. No, I'm not going to be done anytime soon. It does feel good to write more regularly though. I've never really done this with the idea or hope it could somehow make a living for me. I always tried to stay realistic about that. It is something I enjoy and sometimes I'm intense and other times more relaxed in my efforts. Right now I believe I'm somewhere in between.
Origin of Storms is fiction. The title comes from the lyrics of a song I like. It may be backward to some, but I like to start with a title when I write and work the plot around that. Doesn't always work out. I've changed titles a time or two.
I sure hope all is well for you and your family, Paul. Even though we haven't met I feel I can refer to you as a good friend. Look forward to hearing from you.
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Post by paulwest on Mar 2, 2017 19:19:55 GMT -5
Hi Charlie. I hope everything is going well with you and your family. Yes, I consider you a good friend too. I'm sure our mutual love of writing and the gospel helps. Wow, sounds like your writing is going great. I've been trying to market my book and have had to put writing on the back burner. I have done some writing, though. I now have somewhere around 20,000 words into my sequel. Part of my problem is I can't come up with enough drama that makes sense, if you can understand that. The sequel I'm writing ain't making sense sometimes and that slows me down too while I try to figure how to make sense of if. You're wise not to place too much hope on your writing to make any money. I published Bridgetown High over a year ago and I don't think I've made as much as a hundred dollars so far. It's just the fun and joy of writing that keeps me, and maybe you too, going. Check out today's blog. Go to www.paulwwest.com. I kind of talk about that in a round about way. Good luck with your writing. The title sounds exciting.
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Post by charlie on Mar 28, 2017 16:54:41 GMT -5
It has been a busy month. Had an eye doctor appt last week. I have to renew my driver's license next month. Joy. I also just returned from driving my daughter and her boyfriend to Houston to pick up some things she had to leave previously. I haven't had time to write for several weeks because of other things going on. I know you can relate. Anyway, I hope you're doing well with writing and family.
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Post by paulwest on Mar 30, 2017 14:44:20 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
As always, it's good to hear from you. I can certainly understand your busy month. I have a similar few months coming up.
My daughter in Virginia will be coming out here with her kids for a few weeks. We will be going to Minnesota to visit my son and his wife and their twin boys. I'll be making another trip to Colorado to visit my daughter and her family. I get exhausted just thinking about it all.
I have no idea how I'm going to keep up with my writing, but to be honest, I have been doing some writing. I've got nearly 16,000 written and the story line is finally beginning to come around. I still have some scenes, some written some not, that need to come together and I'm struggling with them. It used to be nice when I was part of a critique group. I could bounce ideas off them and eventually I wrote a pretty good novel (if I may say so my self).
I was in a endowment session with the Jordan River Temple's President, President Clark. He recognized me, which I thought was pretty good since he used to have about 2500 temple workers before the temple shut down. He told me that one of the floors (can't remember if it was the 2nd or 3rd floor, completely collapsed when the construction workers were working on the temple. The revised temple won't be opening for at least June of 2018. I'm looking forward to it. Even if I don't get to go back to work as an ordinance worker, it will be nice to not have to cram ourselves in the Oquerrih Mountain Temple any more.
Well, gotta get back to work. Hope all is well with you and yours. Hope you can find some time to write. By the way, did you see on Amazon that Gary has his science/religion book up for sale? I want to get a copy. It sounds fascinating.
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Post by charlie on Apr 3, 2017 10:59:13 GMT -5
Hi Paul, I will have to check out Gary's book. I knew he was working on it.
Well, I'm very excited with Pres. Monson's announcement for a temple to be built in Pocatello, my hometown. The saints here have waited for this announcement. It is gratifying to know that the Lord says we are ready. I will attend often. And our Idaho Falls temple will soon be rededicated.
Not too much else to say. Hope all is well. Please stay in touch.
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Post by paulwest on Apr 11, 2017 13:41:54 GMT -5
That is truly exciting. We still have about 14 months until the Jordan River Temple will be finished and rededicated. We go as often as possible to the Oquerrh Mountin temple, but with the JR Temple out of service, the OM temple is very crowded.
We have one of the German translators living in our Ward. In fact I home teacher her and her husband. She said it was very difficult to keep the new temples announcement secret until Pres. Monson made the announcement.
As for my writing, I'm not getting as much time to do that as I'd like. Still, the first few chapters are coming along. I write what I call the "Jack London Style." If you've ever read his biography "Sailor on Horseback," Jack would write separate scenes and hang them on his mother's clothesline in the kitchen. Then, when he had the story clearly in his mind, he would take the scenes down and put time in the order he wants. Kind of like a word processor. I find that kind of works for me too, but I also have to have the ending written as soon as I Write the beginning chapter. To be honest, I'm still struggling with the ending, but I do think I want it to be something suspenseful on the Carquinez Bridge. That's where my first novel ended. I have decided to call it "The Bridge Beckons." That alone sounds suspenseful.
Slowly by slowly, it is getting written. I hope you will get yours written as well.
Gotta go. Lunch time is over. Hope all is well with you and your family.
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Post by charlie on May 15, 2017 16:02:00 GMT -5
Writing has slowed some for me. I still want to and plan to get moving on this MS this year. Lately I've gotten busy with other things. Church and work always seem to demand my time and, as you as, they come first. Doesn't mean I don't want to write because I do. I enjoy it and it stimulates me. My problem also is I don't do well at just sitting and starting with nothing in my head. I really like to take the time to think about my story. Where it's been, where it is now and where it is going. I think about chapters. How each one needs to be an extension of the previous one in some way. Well, I will get back to it. I would like to finish this MS. Maybe it is the one that actually gets accepted by a major publishing house.
Idaho Falls open house ends this Saturday and it will be rededicated June 4. Still haven't heard who's rededicating it. All stakes in Idaho will participate in the 3 sessions at local stake centers. I will be in McCammon. We got a new bishopric a couple weeks ago. I am still the ward clerk.
Sure hope as is well for you and your family, Paul. Keep in touch. Keep writing.
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Post by Paul West on Jul 6, 2017 18:07:17 GMT -5
Sorry for the late response. I hope you haven't given up on me. I too have been busy with grandkids, my church calling (first assistant to the High Priests Group), and trying to find a minute or two to write. The other day my son hit the nail on the head. He said it's very difficult to write when you only have two or three 15 to 20 minute sessions in a week. Somehow, I've been able to write about 20 chapters, but I doubt they're very good. When I retire (next January) I should have a lot more time to write.
Our Jordan River Temple is still out of commission. It is supposed to re-open next July (a year from now), but I heard a rumor that it may not open until next October. Sheesh. In the meantime, we'll keep attending the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.
Well, I gotta go. We have my daughter and 4 or our grand kids staying with us for the summer and tonight we're having a BBQ with her family and my two sons and their kids. It will be a busy evening, and were having temperatures of 103 degrees. I'm glad I have some big trees in my back yard to keep us a bit cooler anyway.
Please write back and keep writing your hearts desire.
Paul
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Post by paulwest on Jul 25, 2017 13:44:03 GMT -5
Just got back from Dizzyland with 10 of my 14 grandchildren. It was wonderful. We also hit the beach for a day before we drove back to Salt Lake. Didn't get much writing done, but had a great time.
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Post by charlie on Aug 15, 2017 14:13:45 GMT -5
I actually managed writing a few hundred words today. My wife is attending to her parents needs (sick and aged) so I've been fending for myself for a last couple days. Up here people are getting excited for the eclipse. Not sure it's that big of a deal to me. This is a unique site with only two people actively participating. I know others probably tune in from time to time. It is like this is a way for us to visit and share stories. It's a good thing I believe. Rebecca (Sachiko) frequents facebook.
Sounds like you're having a good summer with family, Paul. We've had grandsons out several weekends but my wife and I have had to work most of the summer.
Take care and God bless you. Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Aug 24, 2017 18:25:05 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
Good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear you are writing. That's exciting. Go to my blog (www.paulwwest.com). I talked about getting started writing and overcoming writer's block. I hope it makes any sense.
I had a lot of trouble today logging into this site. I don't have any time to write other than a quick note to you. I too have had trouble getting around to writing, though I have tons of ideas floating around in my head, but can't ever seem to get them down on the computer.
Did you hear the news about the Jordan River Temple. The Church has given a date for the re-dedication. Can't remember the exact date right now, but I think it is the middle of next May. I wonder if they will call Brenda and me back as ordinance workers. We might be on a mission by then. Don't know what is going to happen. I'm retiring in January, so anything can happen after that.
Have a great rest of Summer,
Paul
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Post by charlie on Sept 19, 2017 12:11:59 GMT -5
That's great to hear about your retiring, Paul. I've got a few years to go yet. At least I don't have a physically strenuous job. Mostly mental fatigue from dealing with management who I don't see eye to eye with. I suspect I'm not only one with that issue.
Haven't heard anything about the Pocatello, Idaho temple that was announced in April as far as specific location or other preliminary news. I live about 10 miles south. The members around here are definitely excited although going the 50 or so miles to Idaho Falls isn't that bad. Some of the members in my stake prefer to go to Logan or Brigham City.
Haven't written much since last posting here. I haven't lost the desire, just being lazy. Or maybe not in mood. I've been thinking about getting back to reading LDS authors again. I purchased several books a few years back and they were good for the most part, but it got kind of spendy. I also like to sometimes read the books by prophets an apostles. One of my favorite doctrinal book is Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage.
On a personal note, our daughter is expecting her first baby. She's 32. We're getting excited. She's due first part of December.
Well, take care Paul. I hope you and your family are well and the spirit of Christ resides in your home. May peace be with you.
Charlie
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Post by paulwest on Sept 21, 2017 15:17:58 GMT -5
Hi Charlie,
Three and a half months! Then, if nothing goes wrong, I should be able to retire. I'm hoping once that happens, I should be able to do more writing. Right now it's tough trying to get in the mood during my 1-hour lunch break. With that, and my struggle to overcome my huge writer's block, my writing ain't goin' well. I have at least 6 main characters, all with their individual problems, and I can't decide how to tie them all together. Based on the word count, I'm probably less than half way through the book.
I hope you can get back in the muse with your writing. I've found that I do my best writing when I'm bored, ha ha. But it works because that's when I daydream and daydreams are where my fiction comes from. It's difficult when I have to rush to put something down on paper, or the computer.
Oh, well. If my wife and I go on a mission (as is the current plan) I probably won't be able finish my book any time soon.
Congratulations on your daughter's expecting. That's wonderful. My second son (the one with the twin boys) and his wife are trying to get pregnant. They're hoping for a girl.
We are getting anxious to get back to the Jordan River temple. The Oquirrh Mountain temple is just too crowded. We don't know yet if we'll be called back to serve there, but most likely we will. They're going to need trained workers to get the temple up and going, and I know a lot of former workers don't want to go back due to age or illnesses.
Well, I hope you have a wonderful time until I hear from you again. May the Spirit of Christ be with you and your family too.
Paul
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