Anne Woodland

            For me, taking action almost always requires a great deal of forethought and fretting.   I’m not talking about moral or social issues, I’m referring to the logistical side of decision making.   I don’t make concrete commitments to anyone, including myself until I know how I am going to accomplish it.             This blog is the perfect example: I had been pondering on various parts of this for over a year before I actually got traction on the project!   I was making lists and reading how-to books about blogging! (Surprisingly there’s a plethora of these books, so I’m not the only one who does this.)   I’m the type of person who has to understand a good chunk of what I’m attempting before I’ll try it.             I’ve been told occasionally that I think too much, which I find to be q...

            I was going through some papers with world details for my manuscript and I came across a song that I’d written for one of my characters, Katja, to sing.   This resulted in me getting out my guitar, which I hadn’t touched in probably two years, and after tuning the instrument, attempting to play it.   Long story short I should stick to writing stories.             I am not musical.   I can sing if I know the melody, but I can’t sight read and am barely music literate.   This wouldn’t be significant if I didn’t come from a musical family.   My mom majored in vocal performance (she’s an opera singer) with an accompanying minor, and my dad grew up singing things like Handel’s Messiah, played both the trumpet and French horn, and also plays the piano, although not quite as proficiently as my mother.   Additionally, all of my many siblings ...

            I got a letter from my mother recently.   In it, she wrote, “I hope you will work hard and get your stories and illustrations published.”   I really appreciate the sentiment, but at the same time, she amuses me so much!   I have told her repeatedly that I don’t plan on doing illustrations; I’m writing novels, not picture books.   Still, she always insists that I should include my character sketches.   I do draw, and while I am decently skilled, I am nowhere near a professional level.   Additionally, most of my drawings and doodles are for my own benefit.   It helps me keep track of my character’s physical appearance, and sometimes aids me in understanding how to more accurately convey their personality nuances in my writing.   I may share some of my drawings as a type of bonus material, but I don’t have plans for them beyond that.   With that, I thought I’d share two pictures...

            I have for a long time been aware that I am not a particularly social person.   I can be amiable in company, provided I’m not sleep deprived and there’s acceptable food in the vicinity, but for the most part, I prefer my own company, and even then I find myself quite trying at times.   My main issue with social interaction is the lack of reciprocal relationships to be found.   By that I mean, a relationship where both parties give so that one or the other is not eventually exhausted by the association.   I realize that my tendency towards reserve does not further my cause in this area, but as the majority of humanity does nothing to earn my confidence I see no reason to bestow it.   Besides which, as that sort of trust does not usually arise from passing acquaintanceship, I do not seek it there.   (It’s rather a self-defeating pattern when one stops to consider it.)    ...