Leavingthedooropen.com

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I guess it was inevitable. Last week, I contracted Covid. This week, I feel about 58.9% better. Since I really can’t pull too many thoughts or sentences together, I thought I’d re-blog Mitch Temley. He’s a popular blogger, writer, filmmaker and public speaker who lives with his wife in Cincinnati, Ohio.

When I noticed one post titled “Tips for Writers: Become a Brain Archaeologist”, I thought “perfect, I really need to find mine right now.” Unfortunately, he didn’t mean it literally, but he does have a fun sense of humor for writers and non-writers alike. And I sure needed a laugh for the day.

(His full bio is here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0853836/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm )

Tips for Writing: Become a Brain Archaeologist
Photo by Dương Nhân

12 responses to “”

  1. marianbeaman Avatar
    marianbeaman

    Thank you for gifting us Mitch’s tips for writing memoir. Mitch says sometimes “I lie” to describe including details he’s a bit fuzzy about. I call it “perhapsing,”–perhaps it happened this way, or that. Forgive spamming you, but here’s the link: https://marianbeaman.com/2016/06/29/a-glorious-fourth-1909-style/

    So sorry you are sick, Melanie. I’ll be happy when that 58.9% wellness gauge moves to a full 100%. I got a flu shot yesterday during a doctor visit, but not sure that will protect me from this summer’s Covid outbreak.
    .
    Thanks again for making a heroic effort to post here. And GET WELL SOON! ((( )))

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. melaniemcgauran Avatar
      melaniemcgauran

      Yes, Mitch’s blunt “I lie” gave me a good laugh. 😊 I like going for those too. I see it as not lying when we try hard to get it right. Our hearts are in the right place. I like that he checks back with the people who were there to corroborate as best they can. You can include a link anytime, Marian! Thanks for your well wishes too, I figured laughter and a lesson was good medicine for me, haha, so I shared it. I’ll be fine, but for all the joking around here, it’s no joke. I just missed the safety of the new vaccine, darn it.

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  2. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Well, shoot. I hope your bout is mild and you’re out doing cartwheels in no time. (Get the neighbors talking about you.) I hadn’t seen Mitch’s post, but it was worth the read. Thank goodness for a good sense of humor. When we can’t remember the details of past events, we can always rely on our advancing years as an excuse. “Well, I think that’s the way it happened. At least, it’s the best I can remember.” We don’t even have to make that up because it’s the truth.🤣

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    1. melaniemcgauran Avatar
      melaniemcgauran

      That’s a great point Pete. When writing a memoir, age is not our friend! But the right course is just to be honest about it. In fact, this didn’t click until now. I am reading Stephen King’s memoir (which is quite good and I’m not even a fan. He has a lot to say about writing). He starts his book by comparing his memories to the memories of another author who remembered EVERY little detail in her childhood. He was awed by that. He said his childhood “is a fogged-out landscape from which occasional memories appear like isolated trees” and often adds throughout the book “I just don’t remember.” He actually includes “Honesty’s the best policy” near the title page. Ok, I’m rambling on here, but that’s what you do when you can’t leave the house, hahahahaha. The bout isn’t mild, but it isn’t severe either and I’m super glad I had all those boosters. Right now, I’m stuck looking out the window and praying anther neighbor might try a cartwheel! It’d be a little excitement!! Thanks so much for the laugh Pete and I’m sure I’ll be back in 2 weeks. :)

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      1. petespringerauthor Avatar
        petespringerauthor

        I don’t typically like books or movies whose main purpose seems to be to scare the audience, particularly if they’re gruesome, but I’d like to read King’s memoir. Time to raise that wellness guide to acceptable percentages.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. dgkaye Avatar
    dgkaye

    Thanks for introducing us to Mitch, Melanie. ARg, sorry to hear about the Covid, seems to be lots of that going on again. :( I do hope you’re 100% better soon. <3

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    1. melaniemcgauran Avatar
      melaniemcgauran

      Thank you Debby! I am feeling much better although I am still testing positive. Aside from a couple of walks, my husband and I have not left the house since Sept 14 (he has it too.) And I agree, it seems like it’s resurging. Hopefully the newest vaccine will slow that down. I am also hoping that I am SWIMMING in antibodies now and it will leave me alone; preferably forever. :) You stay safe too! ♥

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      1. dgkaye Avatar
        dgkaye

        Glad you’re on the mend. And I think each strain is different. The first time I got it, it was one day of feeling crappy and by day 3, fine. But I tested positive for 2 weeks, so I stayed home. The 2nd time, I didn’t even know I had it, but was sneezing a lot so I decided to check if it was Covid and it was. I didn’t even know I had it! And tested negative 3 days later. So who knows. But yes, you are swimming in antibodies for an estimated 3-6 months. :) <3

        Liked by 1 person

      2. melaniemcgauran Avatar
        melaniemcgauran

        The 3-6 months is something I will take note of, that’s interesting. Thank you. Plus, I had no idea you’ve had it twice! Wow. You are strong, Debby. 😊 I was just talking to my son the other day about how surreal it truly is that all of us moved through a global pandemic. We will all remember it, and the strange mix of horror and gratitude we were ok behind it. ❤️❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      3. dgkaye Avatar
        dgkaye

        Surreal is the operative word. :) And at least we had a pandemic that there were eventual vaccines for. Not like the one over 100 years ago. The bright side? Lol :) <3 xx

        Liked by 1 person

      4. melaniemcgauran Avatar
        melaniemcgauran

        Yay for looking for the bright side. :) Sometimes, I’m a little too cynical, haha. ♥ xx

        Liked by 1 person

      5. dgkaye Avatar
        dgkaye

        We must stay in the light Melanie. :) <3

        Liked by 1 person

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