Hazardous To Your Sanity

Friday, January 5, 2024

The Hazards of Poetry

Posted by Lyssa Medana on January 05, 2024 in

Today's post was supposed to be a poem. I hadn't written poetry for ages and I had a craving for it. I had it all written out and ready to go.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Hannah Olinger and far more elegant than I can manage

I re-read it this morning and winced. Poetry can appear amazingly easy. Writing good poetry, from my experience and watching the results of others, is hard. Writing bad poetry is regrettably easy. This was bad poetry. I couldn't live with myself if I let it get published.

I'm not sure what makes good poetry. I have very shallow tastes and don't consider myself a judge of fine art. I would say that poetry should break your heart a little. It should, for me, make the words sizzle and burn. One of my favourite poems is called Funeral Blues by WH Auden and it perfectly contains the heartbreak of a loved one dying. The line I thought our love would last forever, I was wrong breaks my heart every time.

Then again, another of my favourites is Upper Lambourn by John Betjeman and it is absolutely not a heartbreak. There is something in the lines, Feathery ash, neglected elder/Shift the shade and make it run that gives me a wonderful sense of place as the words patter around you.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Asim Rehman and having a wonderful feeling of sun on leaves

Poetry, in my opinion, is complicated. It's difficult to write well, laughably easy for me to write badly and it's hard to know where you are until you finish it, walk away and then come back a week later to look with clear eyes.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and it would be wonderful if you could share your favourite poetry. This is one of my favourites, and it isn't spectacular or fun but to me feels more like a hug.

I Meant to do my Work Today

by Richard le Gallienne

I meant to do my work today

But a brown bird sang in the apple tree

And a butterfly flitted over the field

And all the leaves were calling me.

And the wind went sighing over the land

Tossing the grasses to and fro

And a rainbow held out its shining hand

So what could I do but laugh and go?

Image from Unsplash, taken by Jorge Fernandez Salas and so beautiful

Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Unofficial New Year Song #HazardousToYourSanity

Posted by Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost on December 31, 2023 in 2023, Cara Hartley,

I am not sure when this song became the unofficial New Year's song, but I fully support the tradition.

For those unfamiliar, this gibberish ditty is called Prisencolinensinainciusol. It was written and performed by popular Italian singer/actor Adriano Celentano and his wife, Claudia Mori.

Adriano's dance partner in this video isn't Claudia, it's the late Raffaella Carrà, a beloved multitalented Italian performer. Rafaella lipsyncs over Claudia's voice during this performance, and it is actually Claudia playing the harmonica when Adriano mimes doing so.

I hope you enjoy this fun moment as we bid farewell to a difficult year for some of us.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisencolinensinainciusol

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Embracing the New Year: Ten Steps Towards Growth and Fulfillment #HazardousToYourSanity

The start of a new year inspires hope, renewal, and the opportunity for personal growth. It presents a chance to reflect on the past year's successes and challenges while setting intentions for the year ahead. In this article, we will explore ten actionable steps you can take to kickstart your new year on a positive note and foster continuous improvement in your life.

REMEMBER: IF YOU HAVE 1% TO GIVE & YOU GIVE IT -- YOU DID YOUR BEST - YOU GAVE YOUR ALL!

1. Reflect and Celebrate Achievements

Before diving into the new year, take time to reflect on your accomplishments from the previous year. Celebrate your successes, big or small, and acknowledge the progress you've made. Recognizing your achievements builds confidence and provides a strong foundation for growth.

2. Set Clear and Meaningful Goals

Define your aspirations for the new year by setting clear, realistic, and meaningful goals. Break them down into actionable steps and create a timeline to track your progress. Keep your goals visible and regularly assess your journey to stay motivated and focused.

3. Cultivate Mindfulness and Gratitude

Practice mindfulness and gratitude to enhance your overall well-being. Set aside time each day for meditation, journaling, or simply appreciating the present moment. Cultivating gratitude helps shift your mindset towards positivity and opens your eyes to the abundance in your life.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a non-negotiable aspect of your routine. Prioritize activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This can include regular exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, pursuing hobbies, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

5. Learn and Grow

Commit to continuous learning and personal growth throughout the year. Set aside time to read books, take courses, attend workshops, or explore new skills and interests. Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for self-improvement and expanded knowledge.

6. Embrace Healthy Habits

Focus on adopting and maintaining healthy habits that support your well-being. This can include regular exercise, a balanced diet, staying hydrated, reducing stress, and practicing good sleep hygiene. Small, consistent changes in these areas can have a profound impact on your overall health.

7. Foster Positive Relationships

Nurture and strengthen your relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Prioritize quality time together, engage in meaningful conversations, and express appreciation and love. Surround yourself with positive influences who support your personal growth and aspirations.

8. Practice Time Management

Efficiently manage your time to maximize productivity and reduce stress. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency, delegate when possible, and create a schedule that allows for both work and leisure. Establishing a balance between responsibilities and relaxation is key to long-term success.

9. Embrace New Experiences

Step out of your comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you, broaden your horizons, and help you discover hidden talents and passions. Embracing the unknown fosters personal growth and enriches your life's tapestry.

10. Practice Mindful Digital Engagement

In the digital age, it is essential to practice mindful engagement with technology. Set boundaries for screen time, establish technology-free zones, and prioritize face-to-face interactions. Disconnecting from the digital world allows for deeper connections, increased focus, and improved overall well-being.

The start of a new year is an invitation to embark on a journey of personal growth and self-improvement. By reflecting on your achievements, setting meaningful goals, prioritizing self-care, fostering positive relationships, and embracing new experiences, you can embark on a fulfilling and transformative journey in the year ahead. Remember, growth is a continuous process, and each day presents an opportunity to move closer to your aspirations. Embrace the new year with enthusiasm, determination, and an open heart, and watch as you evolve into the best version of yourself. Here's to a year filled with growth, joy, and endless possibilities!

Friday, December 29, 2023

Thinking About Writing - What Time is Dawn? #HazardousToYourSanity

Posted by Lyssa Medana on December 29, 2023 in

We’ve just past the midnight of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The winter solstice, the longest night of the year has just passed and the days are slowly getting longer, minute by minute. It’s a moment where the wheel of the year passes a mark as it turns towards spring. It prompted me to write a little about time and how it can affect a story.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Dominik Hofbauer

I’m pedantic. You may have noticed that I specified that it was the longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. If we were in the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Chile, New Zealand or South Africa, then we would have just passed the shortest night. However, if we’re in the Northern Hemisphere then it could be considered the dawn of the year. As someone who likes to be picky, I have to ask when, exactly, is dawn?

Image from Unsplash, taken by Jakob Owens

I’ve written about this elsewhere, but I feel that it’s a useful tool for writers and so worth repeating. Let’s say that you’re writing a story with intrepid adventurers, racing towards hidden treasure. Having the time of dawn at 4am on one day and 8am the following day will almost certainly never be noticed – but it’s helpful to keep consistent just in case. So as the intrepid adventurers race towards hidden treasure, it’s worth picking a firm time if they need to be at the magical marker at dawn on 1^st of January. So when is dawn?

Image from Unsplash, taken by Ryan Braxton

If the adventurers are racing across the sands heading south from Timbuktu towards Kabara, sunrise is at 6.40am and the air is surprisingly cold after the sharp desert night. Perhaps they’re chasing treasure left as the Mongol hordes retreated after the death of Genghis Khan and are leaving Tashkent to journey to the mountains in the East and dawn breaks in the bitter cold at 7.48am. If, instead, they are chasing the gold stashed by an old miner just outside the South African port of Durban, dawn breaks in the summer heat at 4.58am. If, however, the gold is hidden in an Aztec temple, lost in the jungle just outside Panama City then the sun rises above the steaming vegetation at 6.44am.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Grant McIver

You could ask why it matters, and the short answer is that it doesn’t. The reader should be far more invested in whether the intrepid adventurers can reach the marker in time. You can just note that it’s dawn and move on to the action packed chase through forgotten tunnels. Its main importance is keeping things consistent. It can also be useful if you’re tying a plot in to things like office opening hours, rush hour, the night train, church services or any point where the time is generally known. On the whole, the reader will be more interested to know if the heroes rescue the orphans from the dastardly villain than if you have the time of daybreak accurate.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Wes Hicks

However, if you’re chasing a vampire through the foggy streets of Victorian London, and you need the trains on the London Underground to be working to make the plot work, it’s helpful to know that the mist filled alleys of Whitechapel will still be dark at 7.30am on 1^st January, even though the trains are not only running but busy (New Year’s Day was a holiday after 1871 in Scotland but didn’t become an official holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until 1971 so the trains were almost certainly busy).

Image from Unsplash, taken by Orkhan Farmanli

Or perhaps your plot can swing on the time of dawn. Perhaps a traveller from the Northern Hemisphere is visiting Sydney, Australia, and is caught out by the time difference, making their alibi all wrong for the mysterious murder.

Image from Unsplash, taken by Ricardo Gomez Angel

So dawn and its timing can be one of those little details that can fill out the background of your story, flesh out a plot or just be ignored. As long as the writer doesn’t get caught out, it’s all good.

Have fun writing!

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Real Life VS #Fiction #SerialKillers Part 2 #HazardousToYourSanity

Posted by Abbye Kovacevic on December 28, 2023 in 2023, Abbye Kovacevic,

Part 2: Realistic vs Glamorized Portrayals of Serial Killers

In the first part of this five-part series, we explored the differences between fictionalized and real-life portrayals of serial killers. In this second part, we will delve deeper into the realistic versus glamorized portrayals of serial killers in popular media.

Realistic Portrayals of Serial Killers

Realistic portrayals of serial killers attempt to accurately depict their behavior, motives, and actions. These types of depictions often show the killer as disturbed, lacking empathy and remorse, and sometimes suffering from mental illness.

Real-life serial killers often don’t have a specific motive as depicted in fiction. The act of killing itself may be the source of their motivation, which stems from their complex inner personalities. Realistic depictions often refrain from sensationalizing the crimes or the killer’s life, opting instead to show the process of investigation and the harsh realities of their actions.

Glamorized Portrayals of Serial Killers

Glamorized portrayals of serial killers romanticize their actions and create an almost hero-like image of the killer by depicting them as suave, charismatic, and often charming. This type of portrayal generates sympathy for the killer's past traumas and often leaves out the horridness of their crimes and its impact on the victims.

These portrayals often omit the reality of the heinous and inhumane crimes committed, leading to a skewed view on serial killing and those who perpetrate them. The glamourized depictions can lead to a fascination with the killer, creating a ‘cult following’ and making it difficult for people to associate with their victims and their families who are the actual victims.

Impact of Portrayals on Society

Glamorized portrayals of serial killers can have negative consequences on society as they influence public perception of the behavior. They can lead to a misunderstanding of the true nature of these killers and their crimes, thereby contributing to the overall problem. These depictions often generate a fascination with the killer's crimes, leading to copycat behavior and glamorizing a criminal act.

Realistic depictions provide viewers with a better understanding of the true nature of these crimes and educate them on the possible warning signs, making it easier for them to identify and potentially prevent a similar situation.

Realistic portrayals of serial killers can help audiences understand the true nature of these crimes and educate them on the risks and warning signs. In contrast, glamorized portrayals often romanticize these killers, leading to a misunderstanding of the true nature of these crimes and their devastating impact on victims. In the next part of this series, we will explore the sociological impact of these depictions on the public.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Anthology Publication is Not a Get Rich Quick Scheme

Posted by Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost on December 27, 2023 in 2023, Cara Hartley,

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Ye will be as skeletal as yonder pirate if ye wait around to earn yer fortune from publication in anthologies.

A bit of a misunderstanding arose when I informed members of a romance writers' forum I am a member of that there will be an opportunity for publication in the 2024 Passionate Ink anthology. I had a story published in the 2023 anthology and learned a lot from the experience. I am planning to submit a story for publication in the 2024 anthology.

I informed the members of the romance writers forum about the opportunity, stating that in order to participate, an author needs to be a member of Passionate Ink. Dues are $45 per year. I didn't state that the $45 per year membership covers several other things such as massively discounted or free workshops. I didn't state that Passionate Ink is a chapter of Romance Writers of America, because I had no idea it would be necessary to do so.

One member of the group stated that the opportunity seemed suspect because why were they expecting authors to pay to be in the anthology. This person stated the opinion that the author should be paid for their contribution to the anthology, not the other way around. Another person countered these assertions with the fact that there are publishers who organize anthologies with a buy-in, but this is not illegal. The buy-in covers costs of publication, editing, and promotion.

I countered that the anthology opportunity I mentioned is neither a scam nor a buy-in. Not every member of Passionate Ink, which is a legitimate organization, participates in the anthology. The $45 payment covers an annual membership to Passionate Ink. It is not a buy-in for publication in the annual anthology. I also clarified that proceeds from the anthology go to charity. Neither I nor any of the authors will be paid for our work, but there is clear disclosure that the anthology is for charity.

The purpose of submitting pieces for anthologies is not financial gain but rather earning hat my son refers to as social currency. Publication in an anthology is an opportunity to get your name in front of readers. Once rights revert back, you are welcome to do whatever you want to with the story.

Monday, December 25, 2023

A Simple Guide to New Year Organization

Posted by Brie on December 25, 2023 in

Can you believe we've survived another holiday season? With the tinsel settling and the leftovers dwindling, it's time to tackle the next big thing on our to-do list: getting organized for the new year. Now, I'm not talking color-coded spreadsheets or elaborate filing systems – let's keep it real and attainable.

The Great Post-Holiday Cleanse:

Let's face it, our living spaces probably resemble a hurricane aftermath by now. Start small, like decluttering that mountain of wrapping paper and rogue pine needles. Grab a trash bag and channel your inner Marie Kondo – if it doesn't spark joy or have a place, it might be time to say goodbye.

The Power of Lists:

I know, I said no fancy words, but lists are the unsung heroes of organization. Jot down what needs doing, whether it's returning that ugly sweater from Aunt Mildred or finally fixing the leaky faucet. Crossing things off a list is strangely therapeutic, and hey, it's a win-win for productivity.

Attack the Tupperware Black Hole:

Open that cabinet door with caution; Tupperware avalanches are no joke. Take a brave dive into the abyss and match lids to containers. Bid farewell to the orphaned Tupperware pieces – seriously, where do those lids disappear to?

Reign in the Paper Avalanche:

Receipts, bills, holiday cards – the paper chaos is real. Invest in a simple filing system or designate a drawer for important documents. Bonus points if you recycle the junk mail promptly; it's like trimming the fat off your mailbox.

Tame the Cable Jungle:

Between phone chargers, HDMI cables, and mysterious cords we're scared to unplug, our outlets resemble a techy jungle. Bundle those cables, label them if you're feeling fancy, and revel in the simplicity of a de-cluttered charging station.

Make Friends with Your Calendar:

Whether you're a digital aficionado or old-school paper planner devotee, get your dates in order. Jot down birthdays, anniversaries, and any upcoming events. It’s like a roadmap for your year – without it, you're just wandering blindly.

Here's to a clutter-free 2024 – or at least a slightly less chaotic one!