Talking About Loving Ourselves...

U.S. cities with the happiest workers More: http://nbcnews.to/1vsaFSM

Coca Cola has been very successful  at transmitting the same message over and over again to create a brand of its own. A brand that tells a story: There is always happiness, there are dreams, there is love, there is hope, peace, kindness, laughter, generosity, magic scenes. Coca Cola uses also  a Christmas time to promote those stories. No need to tell Santa Claus is part of those stories.

Saltillo de mis Recuerdos

Me gustaba el aire de la ciudad. Era encantador. Saltillo era bella, o quizas mis memorias decidieron conservarla asi, como una manera de atrapar el tiempo en aquel momento que disfrutaba la vida, y persiguiendo como estudiante, (y a veces como periodista) los eventos culturales del CAVIE Studio, o la exposicion de pinturas en la Escuela de Artes Visuales o la presentacion de la Sinfonica Estatal en el Teatro de la Ciudad. Numerosos memorias tengo de esas andanzas cuando se acude a un encuentro cultural con una disposicion por encontrar lo que no conoces, y conocer diferentes pensamientos que son plasmados en escritura, en musica, en artes plasticas. No se cuente de la cantidad innumerable de personas, cuyo gusto similar empata con el de uno, formando asi una relacion especial por afinidad. A mi mente llama la atencion un evento en Artes Plasticas, al traer desde la ciudad de Mexico, a un ponente que disertaria sobre “La Filosofia del Cero”. Tema interesante, ponderaba yo, el Cero visto desde un punto de vista filosofico, habria de ser algo que recordaria toda la vida. Asi pues llegue a aquella casa, ahora convertida en Escuela, en el Centro de la Ciudad, cuya fachada era de doble piso y amplia, con una cantidad innumerable de cuartos arriba y abajo, que imagine perteneceria a algunas de las familias pudientes del siglo pasado. La casa tenia un estilo arabe, y hacia un corredor en forma de “U”, y alrededor del corredor diferentes cuartos con sendas puertas que al abrirlas se sentia la majestuosidad de la “hubiera habitacion” que ahora estaba repleta de escritorios y sillas descoloridas. Supongo que en su tiempo, la estancia en esa casa seria placentera. Imagino a los hijos de esa familia llegar de la calle, retomar sus habitaciones espaciosas (y dije espaciosas, no cuadros de cemento tipo INFONAVIT) y al descansar, querer convivir con los demas precisamente al Centro de la casa, (en el patio) donde la gran fuente con agua chorreando, haria el dia mas fresco, y sentados ahi, a la orilla de la fuente, sentirian ese salpiqueo del agua en las caras a la accion del viento. Pregunte por la ponencia a los estudiantes ahi congregados, y me dicen abajo, en la boveda de la casa. Asi que al llegar, encuentro una boveda helada y espaciosa como fuera de vinos tintos y ahi estaban los tres o cuatro personas innumerables que escuchariamos al ponente sobre la filosofia del cero. Oh my God! para empezar ya empezamos mal: Cero significa nada, asi que si queriamos aprender algo todo empezaba por nada, pense en tono jovial, para disimular mi desencanto por la magnitud apoteotica de gentes en el lugar. Bendito aquel ponente que por gusto al arte puede sostener ideas de suyo unicas, aunque escaso sea la audiencia, pero donde todos piensan igual no hay cultura, sino acarreo priista y “ay la baba” pues en la diversidad esta el gusto. Despues de tantas desideratas y discusiones, llegamos a la conclusion de que el Cero sirve para nada ( filosoficamente hablando) sino solo para marcar una etapa capitalista de crear un instrumento financiero que sirva para diferenciar el dinero entre los que tienen y no tienen nada; es decir, Cero. Nada. Punto. Sin mas ni mas. Vasto aprendizaje, dije yo. Me seguira por toda la vida porque ensena filosoficamente que hay que trabajar duro y tener. Al menos si el aprendizaje del Cero fue dificil, e interiorizarlo para designar donde se queria estar, compensaria con algo agradable que me gusto y era el vino tinto frances, que servian despues de la exposicion, con sus partituras de queso y jamon. Uhmmm que delicia! Despues este truan, al influjo del vino tinto e inspirado por la noche y sin carro, se va caminando a su casa, a escasos 5 kilometros de ese lugar. Era bonito caminar por esas calles empedradas de mosaico rosa, con el sonido tan peculiar que causa en los autos que pasan y que parecieran llantas pasando por un tallador antiguo. Lo recuerdan? Cuando no habia lavadoras Hoover, Maytag? Asi pues disfrutar de las vistas, el Palacio de Gobierno, La Catedral, la Casa Purcell que tenia una noria, aun ahi, donde antiguamente solian extraer agua en esa forma tan antigua y peculiar.. Y de ahi, decidirse ir toda la calle de Allende para retomar el boulevard Coss. Dejeme decirle que caminar por la calle de Allende es un acto de proeza que ensena como el ser humano debe luchar por la vida y seguir adelante. Transeunte a la izquierda y derecha, al frente, y en tono de “Navy Seals” decir “enemigo a la 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11. Y 12” que es como recorrer todo el reloj y decir “estamos totalmente rodeados” y hay que inventar como salir de aqui! No sabe si la estrategia para salir seria convertirse en abuelita octagenaria con carro que le da el patatus y sume el acelerador y “Ay les voy!” y despues todo mundo cayendo como los bolos con la bola de boliche. Esa calle esta congestionada de transeuntes o guligans que al influjo de las prisas arrecholan, golpean, empujan sin tan siquiera pedir una disculpa por el empujon pues en las aceras solo caben parejas tomadas de la mano, y pisar en el estribo, esto es, pisar la carpeta asfaltica de carros es otra historia, sobre todo con los decentes y bien comportados choferes del transporte urbano. Se me olvido decir tambien “gentiles choferes del transporte urbano”. Asi pues, llegar al Blvd Coss es una relajacion pues es un espectaculo de luces multicolores ya que los faroles y luminarias de la noche resaltan la arquitectura griega de los edificios culturales y gubernamentales. El Palacio Legislativo, la Biblioteca Publica, el Ayuntamiento de Saltillo, despues el majestuoso Teatro de la Ciudad, para terminar con la Antigua Estacion de Ferrocarril que la convirtieron en una Pena Cultural donde soliamos ir Sergio, Alejandro, Fernando y yo a tomar unos rompope ( perdonen el vejestorio vinatero, pero a nuestra corta edad era lo unico que podiamos acceder sin perder la decencia estudiantil de un ambiente cultural, aunque eso no queria decir que no tomaramos Tequila, Brandy Presidente, y Corona segun los presupuestos ajustados de un estudiante normal y que estaban reservados para las fiestas de Traje en diferentes hogares, segun quien decidiera ser huesped, y tener la valentia de ver una casa hecha anicos al dia siguiente). Asi pues, “como veiamos dabamos” y nos comportabamos segun la etiqueta. El ambiente bohemio en la Pena donde ibamos y conociamos estudiantes de letras y musica y pintura hacian del lugar algo especial para aquel que degustara el aire cultural. La musica de Pablo Milanes, Oscar Chavez con su canto de protesta, y esos alumnos de la escuela de musica ya sea tocando en guitarra y con maracas, y a veces con piano, lograban imprimir el ambiente bohemio al lugar. Que sensacion! Mi amiga Iliana me sorprendia, de musica ella, al influjo del licor y tomando el piano para tocar las “Cuatro Estaciones” de Vivaldi con esa presteza en los dedos que se movian como una mano de flamenco en guitarra y se expandian sus manos por todo el teclado, incluyendo los bemoles. Me lo dijo su maestro, Chio Sulaika, ahi presente, a esa nina todavia le falta cadencia y momentum para imprimir con sus dedos ese temperamento del autor. Que sabia yo? Que si un tiempo lo convirtio en dos, o si realizo el octavo de silencio de la pieza. Humilde mortal, con desconocimento musical que solo sabia las canciones de Jose Alfredo, o Rigo Tovar; mi conocimiento no era profundo, solo disfrutaba la armonia musical, y la tocata de mi amiga me parecio sensacional.

Que le parece si volvemos con estas memorias despues de este corte comercial?

Where to start as a beginner writer

Are you new to the world of writing? Here are some pointers to consider when starting out your journey!

Define your purpose

A super important first step for any writer is to ask themselves why they are actually writing. What sort of message do you want to put out into the world, what types of stories are you going to tell? Do you want to make people cry, laugh, do you want to inspire them, do you want to shine a torch on important issues, do you want to thrill them or make them feel good?

Familiarize yourself with character arcs

Before plot, there is character! Character arcs are a great way to get yourself started on your writing journey. Learn about internal conflict, misbelief, positive and negative arcs, backstories... Once you know this, the plotting side of things clicks into place much easier.

Understand the basics of story structure

You do not need to be a plot-genius to write a good book. As long as you have a good grasp on your character arcs, and a basic understand of how a story is structured, you’re good to go! It’s great to read about 3-act, 5-act, hero’s journey, and other structures on examples of books you’ve read or films you’ve seen.

Read in your genre

Cannot stress this enough! Every writer should be a reader. It’s so important to read within and outside of your genre, because reading is the best way to learn and grow and improve.

Don’t be afraid to write whatever comes to mind

All writers get stuck into certain parts of their writing, and we all become victims of perfectionism or procrastination one way or another. Don’t let this be a thing to discourage you. What’s important to know about writing is that the more you do it, the more you will improve. So even if you’re writing something for fun, or you’re not entirely happy with the quality, know that actually writing it will help you more than avoiding it.

Did you know I have a free novel plan to get you started on your writing journey?

You can grab it through the [link here] or below!

the-plottery.com

The Plottery Links

The Plottery offers writing services such as book coaching, book editing, novel plotting digital courses, and theory books on the craft of w

Fic Titles: Alphabet P-R

Take one and start to create!

P

Pain of my life

Panic at the Laundromat

Paper cuts

Paper hearts (easy to tear)

Past mistakes

Peer-pressured

People we met in supermarkets

People will talk (no matter what)

Perfect moment to forget

Perfect little angel

Perhaps someday

Pest control

Pillow talk

Pinky promises

Playing favourites

Pocket full of sorrow

Pour me a drink (or two or more)

Power of kisses

Praying to her body

Pressed flowers and love letters

Pretty little lies

Pride and Problems

Primal Instinct

Promises made, promises kept

Pushing boundaries

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Q

Qualifications to kick ass

Qualified answers to unqualified questions

Quality content

Quantity over quality

Questionable taste

Questioning the status quo

Quarantine with the enemy

Quarrels over nothing

Quintessentially the two of us

Quiet nights together

Quite a spectacle

Quite the catch

Quick decisions

Quoting the classics

Queen of messing up

Queendom comes

Quests and how to avoid them

Quickening the appetite

Quivering (keep me warm)

Quivering with emotions

Questionnaire for a partner

Quitting unhealthy habits

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

R

Rain clouds over your head

Rain on our parade

Rainy days at the sea

Raw power

Ready for whatever

Real people, real problems

Reality check

Reality comes back for you

Rebellion in her blood

Religious experience

Reputation to uphold

Rescue’s on the way

Reunions (and how to avoid them)

Reunited with my love

Rights and wrongs

Rising to the top (where we belong)

Romance is not dead (yet)

Rose-tinted glasses

Rosy dreams

Royal pain in the ass

Ruby eyes

Ruin me (please)

Ruins of us

Rules of friends-with-benefits

Ruling over her kingdom

Find more titles: A-C|D-F|G-I|J-L|M-O|S-T|U-V|W-X|Y-Z + Numbers

>>All the Fic Titles.

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Caregiving Ideas

feeling their forehead

taking their temperature

bandaging their wounds

putting ointment on their bruises

checking their blood pressure

fluffing up the pillow they're lying on

cooking them tea or food

holding a drink to their mouth

spoon feeding them

changing their clothes

brushing their teeth

giving them injections

reading to them

washing their hair

showering/washing their body

propping them up on the bed

stitching up their wounds

giving them their medicine

going to the doctor with them

sleeping next to their hospital bed

catching them when they're fainting

praising them when they've done good

steadying them when they get up or walk

cleaning them up from sweat, blood, vomit, pee, ...

tightly holding onto them when they're spiraling

singing/talking to them softly to make them fall asleep

holding the other one in their arms when they feel down

More prompts!

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Writing Tips

Scene Checklist

Does your scene include everything it should?

「 note: this is for the editing stage; remember, first draft is for the writer & editing is for the reader; get it down before worrying about these things unless it is just for practice 」

✧

ACTIONS

↦ are the actions necessary?

↦ are the verbs as descriptive as possible?

↦ do the actions match the character? why did the character take those actions?

↦ are the actions clear?

DIALOGUE

↦ what is the purpose for each statement?

↦ does each statement move the story forward?

↦ are the dialogue tags as descriptive as possible?

↦ does the dialogue match the character? why did the character say those things?

EMOTIONS

↦ are each character’s emotions clearly stated or implied?

↦ are the character’s emotions justifiable?

↦ how does the character’s emotions affect their actions?

LANGUAGE

↦ are you showing or telling?

↦ does the scene have clarity & coherence?

↦ does the scene have the desired tone, mood, & voice?

PURPOSE

↦ is this scene necessary? (if removed, would the story still make sense?)

↦ are there stakes at risk in this scene? is there tension?

↦ has something changed from the beginning to the end of the scene?

↦ possible purposes: advance the plot? reveal character goal? increase tension? develop character? reveal conflict? react to conflict? explain backstory? foreshadow? build world? reinforce theme, tone, or mood?

SETTING

↦ will your reader clearly know the setting throughout the scene?

↦ room? house? city? state? country? planet? galaxy?

↦ time of day? season of year? weather?

↦ chronologically within story?

STRUCTURE

↦ is there a distinct beginning, middle, and end?

↦ is the chronological order of events clear?

↦ does the scene smoothly transition from one to another?

✧

DWIGHT SWAIN’S SCENE VS SEQUEL

↦ Swain believed scenes should repeat these sequences in order to keep the interest of the reader piqued

↦ Swain says “a scene is a unit of conflict lived through by character and reader” & “a sequel is a unit of transition that links two scenes”

↦ scene: goal, conflict, disaster

⟿ goal: character’s decision to do something for a purpose

⟿ conflict: something opposing the character’s ability to achieve goal

⟿ disaster: a disruption or turning point to keep the readers hooked

↦ sequel: reaction, dilemma, decision

⟿ reaction: character’s emotional/analytical reaction to the disaster

⟿ dilemma: what should the character do now

⟿ decision: what does the character do now

↦ does your scene have one of these three-part patterns?

DWIGHT SWAIN’S MRU

↦ MRU: motivation-reaction units

↦ these are for alternating sentences or paragraphs

↦ motivation: objective thing your character externally senses (what happens?)

↦ reaction: subjective response your character internally has (how does your character react? feeling, reflex, action, dialogue?)

↦ this is very difficult to follow, especially without practice, but it is a way to guarantee your reader’s interest & attention

It is a beautiful sensation To wake up in the morning With the sound of a beautiful lady That turns your life into joy. It is that sound, That melody in her voice, That brings you peace and love And color the world by being her alive. With an outstanding performance of that beautiful moment, Eddie Brickell sings "Good Times" You don't even have to try It comes easy for you The way you move is so appealing It could make me cry Go out driving with my friends In Bobby's big old beat up car I'm with a lot of people then I wonder where you are Good times, bad times, give me some of that Good times, bad times, give me some of that Good times, bad times, give me some of that I don't want to say goodbye Don't want to walk you to the door I spend a little time with you I want a little more Good times, bad times, give me some of that Good times, bad times, give me some of that Good times, bad times, give me some of that

No estoy seguro de lo que voy a hacer, pero bueno, quiero ir a lugares y ver personas. Quiero que mi mente crezca. Quiero vivir donde las cosas suceden a gran escala.

F. Scott Fitzgerald (via elcielosobremi)

Burn the bridges! otherwise you come back to the same roads