Embarkation

Ahoy!  Avast!  Thar she blows!  And all that other pirate-y speak that indicates a long-awaited appearance.  The Bookaneer is back. 

The fall semester is nearly ended, and I find myself with *actual seconds* of free time.  Hmm, what to do, what to do?   It's as if I can't function without knowing in the back of my mind that I have a mountain of papers to grade.  So, what better use of free time than to spend it planing how to fill up said free time?

I have a new writing project in the works (two, actually), and finally believe that I may actually have some time to sit down and plan them out properly.  One is a steampunk YA novel, and the other, a category-style romance.  Yes, yes, night and day.  But then again, why not be contrary?  The best (or at least most interesting) writers are the most versatile writers.  It's like the difference between Channing Tatum and Christian Bale.  The one trick pony vs. the all-around star.  (Gasp!  What?  Channing Tatum's performance in Magic Mike XXL was Oscar-worthy!  Mmhm.  Ok.)  Now, by no means am I claiming that my writing talents in any way compare to Christian Bale's acting chops, nor am I claiming to have a fraction of his talent, but I do believe that the more things I try and expose myself to, the better writer I will be.  It's all about experience and imagination, and seeing everything as an opportunity.  So, sword-weilding debutantes and history teachers with killer abs, it is.  *Rubs hands together in anticipation*

On a completely different, yet still related note, the hubby and I leave in a week for New Orleans and a cruise of the Western Caribbean.  We'll start out with the cruise (looking forward to seeing the Mayan ruins and wandering around Cozumel - the history buff in me can barely contain her excitement), and then end with a couple days in NO.  Neither of us have ever been the Big Easy, but I've always wanted to go.  The moody, shady mystery of the city tickles my writerly sensibilities and inspires my nonsensical desire to believe in ghosts and vampires.  I'm hoping to come back with notes upon notes and photos aplenty to be able to use in future projects.  As I said, experience and imagination.

Cheers.