Heya!

[nia_kantorka]

← Isn't that a shiny and lovely icon? Grabbed it from capitu some time ago and, as I still haven't anything naughty to tell, I just show it off like this because LOVE!

Today was a good day because - finally - after nearly 8 months of intermitted work I've activated my epic lung cancer text at work (ok, one of them). Yeah, I know, it's an weird thing to be happy about. But our team, who answers all cancer-related questions, was in dire need for that to happen. The old text, though up-to-date in general, had the important topics all over the place and one had to really know what they were looking for. Now it's usability should be much better.

I'm not sure the same can be said about my hp_nextgen_fest fic though. My beloved beta called me brave for going for this prompt and that's been the last thing I heard about it before she was going to go through it. That kind of set the bar higher than I'm comfortable with. I know the signs. Next thing will be for me to go into a love-hate-relationship with the story. Why must it be that way every single time? It would be so much better to just love my own stories. Ok, I'll stop this pointless rambling now. Sorry.

Oh, there's something else I'd love to share. I've started to read one of my favourite children's tales to our little one and she loves it. We've always read stories to her, but this is the first long one and we read one chapter each night before she goes to sleep. It's so much fun and I've dreamt about that moment (me reading to her) the second I'd learnt we would be parents.
The story is called 'The Little Ghost' by Otfried Preußler and I'm reading from my own copy which has been my uncle's beforehand.

cover:

pics inside:



It's the 1st edition from 1966 and it has pictures in it which mostly I coloured some 35-36 years ago. OMG, I just learned that it's actually the 1st edition and now I feel a bit bad because it looks so used and I've scrawled into it and my uncle did so too - the poor book!
Anyway, the little one loves not only the story she's over the moon about our couloring. Every time a picture comes our way she asks me if it was really me or my uncle who coloured it. ♥

Btw, the second part of my nickname, Kantorka, comes from another of Preußler's tales. He wrote brilliant books.

Comments

[akatnamedeaster.livejournal.com]

Next thing will be for me to go into a love-hate-relationship with the story. Why must it be that way every single time? It would be so much better to just love my own stories.

Perhaps. But sometimes, having that slightly antagonistic relationship with your own work is healthy and allows you to be able to see the things you want to/need to improve. I'm my own worst critic and while it gets annoying (probably to other people as well as myself) it does keep me from resting on my laurels.

[nia_kantorka]

Thank you, Kat!
Yeah, I know it's healthy and kind of normal to have such a relationship with the own work. At least most people I've meet here and talked to about it have such thoughts (no matter if their create art or fic or other things). And the 'I love my work' parts are important too. As your linked article/blog post about rejection as an author stated - one needs both in an equal amount to carry on, to improve and to survive critism (constructive or not).
I bookmarked it because it was such a great post. ♥

[capitu]

Look at you with your naughty icon! I'm so proud. :D

Why must it be that way every single time?

it's hard, being your own judge, because I find often (far too often) authors and artists aren't the best judges of their own work, but I guess it can be a good thing, it pushed you to go further, maybe? ^^

<3

[nia_kantorka]

It's (he's) gorgeous. :D

Of course I have no clue if I'm a good judge about my own work. I know for sure that there are thousands (millions?) of authors out there, writing brilliant stories. Sometimes it's hard to keep going when reading/seeing such beauty. But I love to write and to play with characters and themes and whatnot and the persuit itself helps me to relax. So, I keep going.

<333

[my_thestral]

Yey for the progress/conclusion at work, I know how it feel (occasionally, when I actually manage to wrap something up :P). On to the new victories. Of course the lung cancer is not something that makes anyone leap with joy, but if people didn't write about it or couldn't find the info, the world would be a much darker place.
I've seen this pearl of a video on Dutch TV recently by an artist called Stromae and though the music is really not my cookie, I call this art nevertheless:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aJw4chksqM
So yeah, your work is important, in case you ever feel just like a pebble in a mosaic! :)

Oh, I totally hear you on the next_gen story! I'm currently very busy hating my own (more so because it has a erm, recipient, I really want to make happy and I'm failing miserably) and I'm busy hating the fact that I can't continue it, because the Dutch in-laws are in the house and my evenings aren't really my own. I can honestly remember only liking 2 stories of my own the way they were posted and it usually takes a while for me to take liking to them - most of the time I'm just like, squealing numbly - "OMG!!! What am I doing?! No one with an IQ larger than a shoe-size can possibly like this!" - or some such. But, you know, you're good, you've got people's comments and kudos to prove it, so honestly - how bad can any story written by you be?! :) I'm definitely going to read it!

Good for your little one loving your childhood heroes, I wish my two tiny demons did, but I believe they think me a fossil with my preference for reading over electronic devices (and even when I'm using and electronic device, it's usually for reading, LOL!)

I think if your daughter grows up like a mini-you, she would have done well for herself! :)

[nia_kantorka]

OMG, hon, that vid. It so great, and sad, and a wonderful piece of art. Thanks for sharing! I remember Stromae's frist hit (Alors On Danse) which is another not-so-happy song - no matter it's melody. He has a knack to vocalise difficult topics. I took a look at his other vids - they ones I saw (Alors On Danse, Formidable, Tous Les Mêmes), were all very interesting and the lyrics are too.

Aw, I'm sorry about your next-gen story being stubborn. Be assured that your targeted recipient is looking forward to it. That ominous person is currently thinking about writing a review about one of your fics for her German book blog. You wouldn't mind, would you. And maybe that will give you a hint how great I think your writing is. ♥

Ah, don't worry. Her tablet (actually it's Mr Kantorka's but the greedy little princess has occupied it) is the most important thing. And her attention span varies and sometimes we have to repeat little parts. But that's ok. She sees me reading all the time and knows by now that it's mum's favourite leisure activity. I'm sure over time I'll get her to love it as much as I do. :D

Thank you, darling! ♥

[my_thestral]

It's a great video, isn't it? It was featured on the Dutch TV with a professional ballerina commenting how amazing it is that someone who's not a pro dancer can make such an artistic video!
The next gen is done, believe it or not! *throws confetti in the air and generally embarrasses self* I had to wait longer at work today for a kindergarten meeting and I shamelessly cheated and I finished it!
Now I only have to give it a once-over and then hand it over to Prae, whom I bravely volunteered, ahem, to beta.*blushes profusely, having to bully people into betaing her stuff*
Oh, my, the German book blog, wow... that's... yours truly is speechless. Of course I wouldn't mind, if you don't mind getting partially crippled by giant bear-hugs I'm hoping to deliver to you in person once. ;) Thank you, in case that didn't come through my gibberish, the thought itself is very flattering and I don't know how to thank you properly. It's definitely an honour. :)
Oh, I'm another mom with a kidnapped tablet! The older one has his dad's iPad and he's beyond help, if you ask me, but I'm still willing to fight for the mental health of the little techno-addict, so I'm totally not sharing, that there's still another, unpacked tablet in the closet, but I'm letting his ask for mine, this way I at least have a semblance of control. Honestly, the wi-fi network in our house is called Skynet, that should give you the idea of what robots we've become! ;)

[nia_kantorka]

Did you see this vid? Tout Les Mêmes. Gosh, the more of his vids I see the better I like that guy (I'm totally a video kid and remember lot of songs not only by lyrics but their vids too). So, his vids appeal to this habit of mine. :D

Congrats for finishing your fic! I can't wait to read it...greedy bugger I am. I'm really looking forward to reading a lot of the nextgen fics. <3

Haha, our wi-fis at home (for reasons I haven't understood, we have two) are named dazedandconfused and prettyflyforawifi. There's some sense of humour in this house. :) Well, we can try to show the kids that there are other things in life than the internet... *pads herself on the shoulder with a mumbled good luck*

[vix-spes.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous user pic!! And how lovely that you can share a book from your childhood with your little one :)

[nia_kantorka]

Yay, Capitu made wonderful icons the last time she made a bunch of them. You just have to take a look and choose. ;p

Yeah, it's such a lovely thing to do together. :D

[khalulu]

You should indeed be proud and excited about your work text, because lung cancer is hard and scary enough without people having difficulty giving and getting the correct info. You have made it easier to keep people well-informed and taken one unnecessary layer of stress out of a too stressful situation.

And how delightful that you are reading your own childhood copy of the book to your daughter! Coloring in it shows you loved it, and makes her love it, and that's the best way to treat a children's book, not trying to keep it pristine like it was never opened! I've heard that reading to children is the best way to get them interested in reading and so helpful for them. And it's a pleasure too. Looks like a very sweet book!

[nia_kantorka]

Yes, I love to work there. Even though being part of a public services means that there are always too many meetings, and a lot of other projetcs, and only little time to acutally write my big texts.

Oh, if we'll get her to become an open-minded and caring person who loves to read on top. I'd call our mission in parenting a success.
It's a sweet book and I love to read it again. :)

[besamislabios]

Mmm, sexy icon is beautiful! :)

How wonderful to share your love of reading and your childhood books with your little one. ♥

[nia_kantorka]

It is and I love it! :D

♥ I'm really enjoying it. I hope one day she'll tell me that she did so too.

[gracerene]

Best of luck with your Next Gen piece, hon! I'm sure it'll be brilliant. :D

[nia_kantorka]

Let's hope for the best, sweetheart! ♥

[shiftylinguini.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love those drawings! They are so brilliant. *stares and stares*

and oh, I feel you on the love-hate relationship when creating! It's a fine line, between being ambitious and picking something you know will challenge you, and then immediately falling in a heap when the challenge presents itself haha - at least it is for me, because I am a big wet blanket.

BUT I am *so* excited to hear you picked a pairing that is brave, and have set the bar high! I have no doubt you will rise to it, because all that self-doubt will turn into fuel to push yourself - and you are already brilliant.

Lastly, your user pic is extremely...distracting O.O

[nia_kantorka]

Know what you mean. I love them too. :)

Exactly. There's always this brilliant idea to pick a challenge. Then it's a long and bumpy road until it's done more or less successfully.

Tbh, without my beloved pre-readers I wouldn't even dare to share my stories. Nevertheless, thank you for having such faith in me! *hugs*

I know. The collar is not a flimsy one and those abs look quite strong. And that damn lower cut of the pic. So not fair. LOL

[candamira.livejournal.com]

Great news about your work related text. Having finished that is a big achievement and you have every reason to be proud of it and yourself!

I think it's normal to go through this awful neverland between love and hate for a fic... Probably not even JKR is happy with every sentence she has written.
And as the wise my_thestral says, you've got the comments and kudos to prove that people enjoy your writing. The lady has a point here! ♥

Das kleine Gespenst is great! As are most of Otfried Preußler's books. I know that it was one of my favourites too when I was a child. Lucky little one! It must be so nice to still have all these awesome reading highlights waiting for her. :)