Another 1112 words today and it's going well.

I've put a picture of my 'office' up today. This picture was taken before I've gotten all my books arranged on the shelves. The picture hanging on the wall is a map of the old Oregon trail and other trails. I picked it up at a Pony Express Museum in Kansas.

It's kinda funny that soon after I got the desk and my 'office' set up, I read the section in 'On Writing' where he says that one doesn't need a "fancy New England roll top desk" to write. I know that, but it's nice to have a nice place to come to and write. Now all I need is a more comfy chair. I'm using an old rocking chair I got from my mom, but the problem is that it doesn't come close enough to the desk. I have to reach a long way to be able to type. It's gonna cause problems with my arms and shoulders. Who knows though, maybe it will be good for them.

Our camp out was great last night! We got there late (took a wrong turn) so we didn't hike last night. And we had to get back by 10 this morning, so it really seems like a waste to go over there and pitch a tent for one night. But I loved it. I built the campfire and we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and s'mores. Yum! Then, after eating, we sat around the campfire, snuggling and sang campfire devotional songs. It was great. There weren't any other campers in the primitive camping area so we got the best campsite (right on the lake shore) and it felt so private. The only person we saw was the Park Ranger who came buy to get camping fees around 7 PM.

The only down sides to the campout was that the ground was hard and it was chilly. Since it was only one night, I opted to 'rough' it and we left the air mattress at home. Also, we only grabbed one comforter, not thinking it was only twin size. We had two sleeping bags, but they were too warm and we were using them for padding. Next time we'll know better.

While the fire was burning out, we watched the embers and the last few flames burn. I've been facinated by fire and have been toying with a short story idea concerning it. James and I discussed it's properties and discovered, by scientific definition, that fire is alive. It breathes, consumes, reproduces and reacts to stimuli. It really is a marvelous creation. We also talked about the fact that it has three states: the glittering embers (which I discovered I found just as facinating to watch as the flames), flickering flames, and the firefly sparks. We also had fun tossing acorns and pebbles in and listening to them pop. It's amazing how hot the embers are. Simply stick a dry stick on them, or even near them and in seconds the end of the stick is aflame. So cul.

I'm nearing the end of 'On Writing'. When it's finished I don't know what writing books I'll read. It's been so helpful and there's not going to be any like it. It's nice to read something from an accomplished writer about the craft of writing (ever hear the old adage: 'Those who can't, teach'?). Finally here's some one who 'can'. There's so many things he points out that is so true.

When I first started writing, I had the same stupid questions leave my lips that I now hear non-writers make. "Where do you get your ideas?" and "How do you write all that?" Usually these questions are filled with an awe. The more I 'learn' how to write, the more I'm learning that it can't be taught. Oh, you can learn the mechanics alright (the 'toolbox' as King puts it), but the actual how? It just has to be done. It's like an artist. I can look in awe at the beautiful work and I can even learn the techniques. But unless you actually DO it and practice it, you can never actually do it. Practice, practice, practice is the key.