Monday, May 9, 2011

Blogged Down and Results To My Assessment Test

Oh boy! What a week!
My husband scored a new job and had to start training out of state last Tues. So, I’ve been scrambling trying to get our house ready to sell. We’re moving back to my hometown in good ol’ Idaho. I’m torn. I am excited to be around family again. We’ve been gone for ten years and had two kids in the process. We’ve missed out on family dinners, growing cousins, and all that family stuff I grew up with. It’ll be great to be able to set our Thanksgiving table for more than four or send my kids over to Grandma’s or their Aunt Audrey’s so I can do whatevs I want.
The bad part is I love Utah, the mountains welcoming me through our large picture window, the museums, the weather, blah, blah, blah. Plus, I will miss my friends. I hated Utah when I first moved. It was hard to make friends because I didn’t go to church, but I have made some great ones—kindred spirits. How I will survive without them, I’m not sure.
But . . . my husband has a job. Woo-hoo!
So, we have to put our house on the market and that has left me zero time to blog. I wanted to post the results from my last blog: Assessment Test For Bloggers
Are you ready?
For all of those who participated, I want to say thank you. After careful consideration and scientific study in between painting and spackling, I have some good news and bad news. The good news is all of your answers seem to be correctly spelled and formatted.  The bad news is the answers indicate that y’all are crazy. Yep, you’re nuts. Although I’m pleased that no one answered number one wrong. ;)  All those who commented I'll put in my blog roll, so I can keep track of them--safety precaution. Gotta keep track of the crazies and while I'm doing that I'll read their blogs and I hope you do too.  
I was going to use this test as a lead in to my next blog on crafting characters, but I have paint in my hair and have a load of crap that needs to be taken to the dump. So I’ll have to wait until next time.
To prepare for my next blog on characters, leave me a tip about your character development process and I’ll link back to your blog in my next post.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Been wondering where you have been, busy one!! I was eagerly waiting to see if I was crazy or not. So, I came up with my own conclusion which is....
what was the question?

Happy Packing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I use Florrence Littauer's "Personality Plus" and her four basic personality types as a starting point.

Sarah McCabe said...

Congrats on your hubby's new job and good luck with the move!

I don't really have a process for character development. But I find that if I can put a voice to a character, perhaps a voice I've heard in a movie or game, then that character tends to come more alive for me. I can hear them in my head every time they say something and it just flows onto the page.

Shallee said...

That's so great that your husband got a job! Moving is always bittersweet, I think. Good luck.

The most helpful thing I do in my characterization process is something I blogged about here: http://shalleemcarthur.blogspot.com/2010/09/creating-compelling-characters-3-2-5.html

In a nutshell, I ask who they are, who they're becoming, and what stands in their way. Then I find out how the character is like any of us, and why we want to be like them. Then, I define their flaws, handicaps, strengths, quirks, and motivation. This process gives me a great complex character to start with. I even do it for my minor characters so they're more fleshed out.

Trisha said...

Sounds like you've had a great time in Utah but there are benefits for moving home too.

Unknown said...

Good luck with your move. Moves are scary, but change sure can be fun too.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Great news about your husband's job, Diana! No doubt you'll fit right back into life in your old town. All the best with the move and everything.

I always start with my heroine and hero, then I put them into situations and let them play. The story develops from their characters, but their characters also develop as I write the story. You can tell I'm not a plotter!

Susan Oloier said...

Congrats to your husband on the new job. I don't envy you the readjustment. We moved from AZ to CO four years ago, and I still don't feel fully acclimated. But I am sure it will be nice to be around family. Good luck with it all!

Anonymous said...

I really had to take a test for you to know I was crazy? lol Come on admit it you already knew that! I hate that your moving but maybe something great will happen for you. Love your face

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

We'll miss you so much. Good thing Cade works close to where you're going.

Leslie S. Rose said...

I like to put my characters through the filters of visual design. I examine their line, texture, and color to clarify them in my mind.

Regina said...

I missed it but I probably would have been crazy too. I wish you the best on your move and hope you and your family get settled in and you get to spend some time with your family. Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the move and congrats on the job. I use pictures from magazines and draw from people I've known and then amalgamate all the information into the person I want to portray :O)

Kimberly Krey said...

Sometimes a move is just in the cards for us. My hubby was out of work for 6 months, but managed to find a job that would keep us here in Utah. Good luck to you! Idaho's not too far away. :)

Anonymous said...

Figure out the lightbulb thing? Lol let me know if you do. Bugs me