Saturday, December 29, 2018

Confessions of a Quirky Author


This is the time of year when we reflect upon the past twelve months and think...what just happened?

Did I accomplish the things I wanted to? Did I succeed, fail, let myself down, surprise myself?

Yes to all these things.

This is also the time of year when we think ahead to the next twelve months. A fresh new start! What will I accomplish? What will be my successes? What will be my failures?

Many things.

True confession time: I have had the SAME TWO THINGS ON MY LIST FOR 3 YEARS.

Didn't get them done in 2016, didn't get them done in 2017, didn't get them done in 2018.

And so, in an extremely unfortunate and discouraging turn of events, these SAME TWO THINGS are now on the list for 2019.

These 2 things:

1. Get rid of diabetes.

2. Finish BLUE.

They say that when you are truly ready for change, the change will happen. 

Re: diabetes. I started to lose weight (15 pounds), but my A1C hardly budged. I got very discouraged.

I know how to diet. I know how to exercise. I know what I need to do to make this happen. AM I READY FOR CHANGE?

Am I ready? Yes, I am.

Determined. Ready. THIS WILL NOT BE ON MY LIST FOR 2020!

In 2020, I will not have diabetes. 

Re: BLUE. After years of writing romance, I switched to a new genre and a new format. This book has changed so many times, I can barely keep up with it. But I know in my heart, this is the best thing I've ever written. Also, the most challenging and the most difficult.

The writing is always easy for me. But having so many choices about my characters, the story--and how to get there--is tough with this one. 

I need to buckle down, choose a central theme, and write. Write, write, write, and find the story in those words.

FINISH BLUE WILL NOT BE ON MY LIST FOR 2020.

By 2020, BLUE will be finished. 

Easy days: When the number on the scale is down, when the words flow.

These are the days it's easy to stick with the goals.

Hard days: When the number on the scale is up, when the book feels like a hot mess.

These are the days you have to push through to get to the other side.

One thing I know for sure about 2019...there will be easy days and hard days. 

I have to get through all of them to achieve my goals.

My goal for 2019: 
TO HAVE A BRAND NEW SET OF GOALS FOR 2020

That's my goal. To wrap up these things that are hard, challenging, life-changing.

I've pushed a little bit, they've pushed back. Forward and back.

This year I will push back all the way.

So, that's sort of a quirky goal for 2019. To have a new set of goals for 2020.

But there you go.

To everyone who is planning to push back all the way...

WE GOT THIS!

xoxoxo

Neen



Monday, December 24, 2018

Merry, Merry Day!


Merry Christmas To All!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

With much love,

Nina/Penny

Thursday, December 6, 2018

5 Quirky Christmas Films


There are all types of holiday movies. Some are sappy, some are goofy, some are romantic, some are sweet.

My favorite holiday films are a little bit quirky, different, fun.

Here are five adorable movies that have become Christmas traditions for my family...



The Snowman

My son was utterly mesmerized by this 1982 film when he was little. It is based on the book by Raymond Briggs and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It is a whimsical, moody, charming holiday movie with almost no dialogue--just a haunting, emotional musical score. This story is magical and lovely. One of my all-time favorite Christmas films. 




Elf

Not only is this one of my favorite holiday films, it's a favorite for any time of the year. Will Ferrell brings his wacky, weird energy to the character of Buddy the Elf, who is raised in the North Pole, but then ventures forth to Manhattan to find his biological father. The quirkiness of this film includes random cartoon characters popping up in the North Pole, a fist-fight at Gimbels Department Store, a raucous break-dancing scene, and plenty more hilarious scenarios. This is a movie that both adults and kids will adore.




Olive the Other Reindeer

This animated holiday movie hits all my quirky high points...adorable main character voiced by Drew Barrymore, evil villain penguin voiced by Dan Castellaneta, and an entire ensemble of kooky gems. It has suspense, music, and of course, a wonderful happy ending. Schnitzel the Reindeer is Michael Stipe (from REM), and his rendition of WE'RE NOT SO BAD is hilarious. (Watch it here). My kids were addicted to this one. Super charming illustrations and lots of quirky humor.





Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

This 1964 stop motion animated television special is a classic for a reason. It includes a nerdy elf wanna-be dentist, a sort-of jerky Santa, an entire island of misfit goofy toys, and a reindeer with a red light bulb for a nose. My favorite nutty part...an Abominable Snowmonster with hidden talents. Singing elves, catchy tunes. We watch every year!




How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Animated classic from 1966 based on the Dr. Seuss book. This adorable made-for-TV film has all the quirky weird sensibility of a Dr. Seuss story with a great musical score.  The Grinch is one of the greatest villains of Christmas history. But never fear, it has a precious happy ending, and a lovely Christmas message for adults and kids. Forget about all the remakes...the original Grinch is the one to watch.


Do you have any favorite quirky holiday films you watch every year? Let me know!

HAPPY QUIRKY CHRISTMAS,

Nina/Penny