I’m the poster boy for introverts. I swear these holidays are going to kill me.
Company arrived on Wednesday. They’re still here, and they brought their dogs.
Thanksgiving day we had twelve of us, and my son’s family also brought their dog. I mention this, because we just put in a new hard-surface floor. Doggie feet are loud on it. My dogs tend to take the occasional nap… but not when there are other dogs around.
There are three doors to get outside my house, and on Thanksgiving day they were all in use. (Think grandchildren here.) My son deep fried our turkey outside, and the kids were in and out in some kind of revolving door situation. I didn’t want my dogs out front, because they aren’t familiar with cars and streets. This meant a constant checking every time the doors opened. Add in the fact that (doing higher math, bear with me) ninety doggie toenails clicked across the floor every time someone touched a doorknob.
My brother in law likes to rough house with the bulldogs. In his defense, he doesn’t have large dogs at home so it’s kind of unique. Roughhousing at six AM is not quite what I want when I wake up.
Working at a small government office yesterday was kind of a godsend. It was calm and quiet. I think I had one telephone call all day and managed to get some long suffering paperwork finished.
Last night we all went to dinner together. This included my son’s family too. It was nice, but the Black Friday crowd made for long waits. We even paid valet parking at the shopping center because it was that busy. Five bucks was much nicer than forty minutes of cruising followed by a half-mile walk.
Today, the in-laws and my wife went shopping. I’m here with the four dogs and my other son. He’s upstairs doing his prescription opioid addiction problem right now. He’s snapping his fingers and slapping his chest all while swearing and hollering in an argument with someone who isn’t actually there. Before you ask, he doesn’t have an internet capable device, so he isn’t playing a game online.
It’s still noisy here.
I managed to prepare and send out one shtick for Lisa Burton Radio. I want to do a couple of others, but we’ll see how I hold up. These things don’t write themselves, and I need to keep the line moving. I also assembled and scheduled a guest post I agreed to host.
I finally got five minutes to debate women’s dress sizes with my favorite consultant, my daughter. Then I incorporated some small changes to The Hat. I also heard from my last beta reader for this project, and he seems to have enjoyed the story. He said notes are coming, so I’m watching my mailbox.
On a “just for Craig” basis, I wrote a little new fiction. I don’t even know what to call it, but it’s one of those pages that goes between the copyright page and chapter one. It isn’t really a dedication, so that word doesn’t fit. It’s more of a definition. It’s part of the story and helps folks understand what’s going on.
I also wrote the opening paragraphs and stopped early on purpose. My goal was just to start. This also means I started a separate “cast of characters” sheet which I always make. Starting a couple of paragraphs is always a bigger effort than it sounds.
Here is my thing that comes before the story. I am considering italics and squeezing the margins, just to make it stand out.
Estivation: In times of environmental stress, some species are known to estivate. They slow down their breathing, heart rate, and intake of food and water. Estivation occurs under times of excessive heat; whereas, hibernation occurs under times of extreme cold. The processes are similar, in that resources are limited or non-existent. When the situation improves, these creatures leave estivation and go about their normal lives.
So what do you call a page like this one? Does it intrigue you to read on? Now all I have to do is write the story. (And survive the holidays… or become a super-villain.)
Not sure of the name, but I remember that kind of opener for Xmen and a few science fiction movies. Teaser, foreshadowing definition, appetite whetter? I’ve been burned out for the last week with no sign of relaxing in the near future. Hope you some more you time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Looking like next friday will be my chance. I need to forge ahead on the interviews though, so maybe I’ll get a couple more done tomorrow. I like appetite whetter, sounds official.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all yours. 😁 Feels like we jump from one family gathering to another.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s that time of year. We’ve had company for a couple of weeks now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, late fall and early winter. Where homes become B&B’s.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Ah, the holidays…the chaos is all part of it. I relate all too well. 🙂 I’m also not sure what you’d call that kind of opener. It’s not exactly a prologue – more of a disclaimer. 🙂 Yes, it would intrigue me to read on.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Jan. I think it’s easier to throw it up front for clarity, rather than send people running for their dictionary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write the story for sure. Sounds good.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I will. This is the second novella experiment I wrote about a long time ago. Debating doing some different things with them too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As a fellow introvert, I feel for you. We once had nineteen family members stay with us for a four-day Christmas get-together. Crammed a lot of inflatable cots into rooms and managed to fit everyone in. It was wonderful to see everyone, but I barely left the kitchen, and my husband, too, was always running around doing something. We were exhausted by the time everyone left. But I suppose that’s what it’s all about, and we have really nice memories of it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love them all, but in smaller doses and in shorter lengths of time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your post here was so well written. You had this introvert both twitching from the chaos, and chuckling from the descriptions. I’d say the next step is to hibernate or estivate, depending on how hot it’s gotten. Great post, Craig.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hibernation sounds good to me. Estivation will involve people holding out in an underground bunker and it sounds wonderful right about now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wishing you some peace and quiet.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ll take it, thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Our family gathers next month, and for several days I will be doing my headless chicken routine… I keep telling myself that its only for a few days, but so far I’m not convincing myself!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Getting to work on friday was kind of a blessing. It allowed me to catch my breath. They all left about an hour ago, so I feel like I need a vacation from my time off.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know all about that one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Craig – you have my sympathy with all the guest you have, including the 4-legged ones! Holidays are notorious for raising stress levels for everyone no matter their age or furriness. Could work in a positive way too – having fun is good stress! 😉
With your lead-in piece, I would tend to treat it a bit like Frank Herbert does in the Dune Series? You remember the historian narrative notes from Princess Irulan and other learned academics, and holy book quotes at the head of most chapters… 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a fair thought on the definition. But what is that page of a book called? I’m just curious now. Company left about an hour ago. I think a nice nap is on the menu today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not sure there is a name for it if you’re using it as a Prologue, or a page in its own right… Maybe call it A Note from the Author? I’ve seen that done sometimes.
Tolkien did it as a ‘Prologue – Concerning Hobbits, and other matters’ in the LOTR trilogy, which is a similar conceptual approach, especially if, like me, you read that book before The Hobbit… 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
You hit my ‘introvertish’ nerve with this one! Kids, grandkids, dogs, and a cat were here with us… Loved that they were here, but have to admit there was a sense of relief with their exit.
Hey, could you not call that page you and Jan were discussing ‘A Defining Moment’?
Enjoy your nap, peace, and quiet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Billy Ray. I’m looking forward to a “soft” afternoon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand the door opening and closing as it relates to pets. I’m always on hyper alert when we have guests because I worry Raven might slip outside. Especially when there a little ones about, they don’t always understand that doors can’t be left hanging open.
We had a small gathering this year, as some of our family was traveling. There were 8 of us total, so no stress here, but your post had me cringing in several places. It’s great to have family visit but it’s also great to have peace and quiet to recharge.
As for the story–I’m hooked. I can’t wait to see what it’s about. I don’t necessarily think there is a “title” for what you’re suggesting (other than perhaps forward matter), just that it comes before Chapter One. Well done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sister-in-law’s little dog ran away this morning. We caught her two blocks away. It’s a genuine concern that pet owners won’t understand. I’ll try to make it a good story, thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That could have ended sadly. So glad the pup was found!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’ll estivate during Christmas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holidays + Family = Chaos Every year. As a pet owner and introvert, I feel your pain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was still fun, but it drained me pretty fast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally understand the stress. When we manage to go home, we have around 30 people and 3 or 4 dogs (two of which are 100 pounds and one is 200 pounds). It gets so you can’t breathe or think. But I’ve found it’s over before I know it and I’m basically alone, 1,000 miles away from family and friends again. I know it’s stressful, but I’m sure you loved the time together, too. And now things will settle for a few weeks until it all starts again!
On your other topic, maybe “preface” instead of prologue. Or totally make up a term. Or just have the text there, no title at all, and start the first chapter on the next page. Sorry; wish I could be more help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In some way, it’s nicer to be the visitor in these cases. I think preface is the word I was looking for. Thanks. I don’t think I’ll label it at all, just include it before chapter one.
LikeLike
Damn. That’s busy.
I had all the peace you’d want, and I appreciate it even more now, so thanks for that.
I like those pages, and I’ve never actually asked what they are. I’ve read two fiction books that began with those pages in the last year. One about migrating butterflies, and another about mental health. I like learning, so I like those pages. I like your info, too. I always joke that I feel like I hibernate more in the summer, but all along, I had a better word to joke about. Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you had a peaceful holiday. Now I need to get those people in their bunker and start making their lives miserable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Writing Links 11/27/17 – Where Genres Collide
Great post! The holidays are really stressful for me. I try to prep my space beforehand in order to reduce that stress. I wrote a post on that if you’re interested. Thanks!
LikeLike
Sorry I’m late checking in to this post… Puppy ate one of the modem to computer cables, and I struggled to make leaving comments on blogs work with my phone or Kindle.
Just hearing about how many people were visiting had me wanting to go hide under the covers until they went away, so I hear you big time! Glad you managed to get a few moments of time to do something for yourself during all that chaos and noise.
I’m not sure what you’d call that intro thing, but it sounds interesting, and would make me want to read on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Now I just need to write the rest. Things are back to normal today, and normal is good.
LikeLike
I am also an introvert, Craig, and I don’t like to socialise for to long. I am also a bit selfish as, because I work full time and have kids to care for, when I have spare time I like to spend it doing my writing and baking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is something therapeutic about punching down dough and kneading it. I should probably break out my sourdough starter and get with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person