Betsy Horvath

Category: The Quest

  • A Rudderless Child

    skipper2Previously on Betsy’s Blog….

    Harry, Betsy’s Guide on her Quest to become a successful independent author / entrepreneur, has just done a stint at the International Muse Council to undergo psychological testing.  But he’s back!  Better yet, he brought a friend with him – Skipper the Chipmunk, a specialist in Habit Formation and Implementation.

    Betsy was a trifle surprised to find another unexpected voice chatting in her brain, but figured what the heck.  Skipper was a trifle surprised to find that Betsy doesn’t like setting goals or forming habits.  In fact, it would be more accurate to say she was disconcerted and even a little unsure of how to proceed.

    This is not an encouraging start to their relationship.  Can they recover?  Can they find their way to a partnership?  Can Skipper convince Betsy that goals and habits are actually good things and not of the devil?  Join us and we’ll see….

     

    *Skipper exchanges a long look with Harry*  Fun, you said.  Almost like a party, you said.

    *Harry shrugs*  I guess we all define ‘fun’ in our own way.

    I’ll say.  *Skipper turns back to Betsy*  Okay.  So you don’t like goals.

    Nope.

    *Skipper types something on her tablet computer*  Mind telling me why?

    *Betsy frowns*  Well, I guess because I never seem to accomplish them.  So they just make me feel like a loser.  Why should I make myself feel like a loser when there are so many people willing to do it for me?

    *Harry sidles closer to Betsy* *Looks at Skipper*  She’s got a point, Skips.

    *Skipper sighs*  Okay, okay.  *Thinks*  Look.  Let’s say you’re out on a ship.

    Ooo!  *Betsy brightens* Can it be a yacht?

    *Skipper shrugs*  I guess.

    Sailing the wine-dark Aegean sea?

    Sure.  And–

    Can I have a yacht-boy named Nico?

    Hey!  *Harry pulls away from Betsy*  *Looks offended*  What about me?

    *Betsy pats his head*  You can be there too, love-a-lump.  But Nico would be, well, human.

    *Harry relaxes*  Oh.  Okay.

    Yes!  Yes!  *Skipper waves paws in the air*  You can be on a yacht sailing in wine!  What do I care?

    The wine-dark sea, *Betsy corrects*  Homer, you know. *blushes* I’m an English Major.

    What. EV. Er!  *Skipper jumps up and down*  And you can have a million yacht boys and name them whatever the heck you want.

    *Betsy settles back in chair*  Okay.  Then that sounds good.

    ANYway.  *Skipper straightens fur*  You’re on your ship – excuse me, yacht – and you’re out sailing some damn where.  You have someplace you want to get to, right?

    *Betsy thinks*  Not necessarily.  I mean, sometimes you just want to travel to see what you see.

    I did that once.  *Harry sighs reminiscently*  Spent a hell of a week in a habitat in Paris with this hamster–

    PRETEND you want to get somewhere!  *Skipper jumps up and down again* Pretend there’s a certain place you WANT to be.  You WANT to sail towards it.  You WANT to get there.  Just PRETEND!

    Oh, okay.  *Betsy blinks*

    *Skipper shakes herself out*  The place you want to get to is your goal.

    Ah, I see.  Metaphor.  *Betsy shrugs*  All right, using that symbolism I would say most of the time I just sail around until I bump into something.

    *Skipper rolls eyes*  Why am I not surprised?

    *Betsy thinks* So if the place I want to get to is my goal, then what are habits?

    When your habits are in line with your goals, they keep your ship on course and heading in the right direction.

    *Betsy thinks*  Like a steering wheel?

    *Harry looks thoughtful* You know I don’t think ships have steering wheels.  

    *Betsy purses lips*  They don’t?  How do they steer then?

    They use  a rudder!  Oh, my God!  Who cares?  *Skipper draws in a deep breath* *Lets it out again* Anyway, habits can keep the ship on course, but they can also get you all screwed up or stop you from moving forward.

    Like an anchor.  *Betsy looks at Harry*  I know ships have anchors.

    Okay.  *Skipper heaves a long-suffering sigh*  The goal is your destination.  It’s important to have a goal, because then you have something you’re aiming for.   If you’re not aiming for anything you’ll just drift around and eventually wreck your ship on rocks or a reef or something.  You should know all about that sort of thing.

    *Betsy thinks*  But I have goals then.  I have places I want to be.  I WANT to steer my ship to certain places.  But I never seem to get there.  I get wrecked anyway.  I guess sometimes I feel like a…a…rudderless child!

    *Skipper sits back on haunches*  And that, my dear, is what we have to work on.  First we have to identify your goals, then we have to figure out steps you can take to work towards them.

    But I have a goal. *Betsy repeats* I have a Quest.  *Points at  Harry*  I have a Guide.  The Muse Council is on board and everything.

    *Skipper casts eyes heavenward*  No, I mean we need the steps you can take to REALLY work towards a goal, not just give it lip service.  What are your big overarching goals?  What little goals should you be working towards to feed into them?  What habits do you need to develop to meet those goals?  Because your goals and habits are a structure you can use to live your life.

    Structure?  *Betsy blinks*  My life is supposed to have structure?

    Uh huh.  *Skipper considers her*  Oooookay.  Looks like we need to start  from the beginning.

    To be continued…

    sailaegeansea

     

  • Skipper

    skipperPreviously on Betsy’s Blog…

    Harry, Betsy’s Guide on her Quest to become a successful independent author / entrepreneur, has returned from a short stay with the Muse Council and he’s ready to rock and roll!  He wants to help pull Betsy out of the mire of her own neurosis, kick her in the butt, and lead her on her way down the path to success.  But to do that, he needs Betsy’s cooperation, doesn’t he?  And that means giving Betsy the tools she needs to change.  

    A whole big crapload of tools.

    Now as Betsy’s consciousness naps in the frontal lobe of her brain, a new voice enters the picture.  Who is this?  What does it want?  How can it help, if help it will?  Join us and we’ll see….

     

    Betsy!

    *snore*

    Oh, Betssssyyyyyyy….

    *Betsy turns on side* *smacks lips*

    Helllloooooo….

    *Betsy snuggles deeper into pillows*

    Betsy! Betsy! Betsy! Betsy! Betsy! Betsy!

    Ah!  What? Where? Who? *Betsy jerks into sitting position as her brain rocks back and forth* *looks wildly around frontal lobe* *sees figure standing nearby*  Who the hell are you?

    I’m Skipper!

    *Betsy rubs eyes* *Blinks* You’re a chipmunk.

    I’m Skipper the Chipmunk! I’m your Lifestyle Coach!

    *Betsy blinks again* My…huh?

    Harry told me all about you and I am Here To Help! *Skipper stands on back legs* *puts paws on hips*

    Uh huh. HARRY!

    Whaaat? *Harry strolls into frontal lobe* What do you…oh, hey Skips.

    *Betsy points at Skipper* Explain. Now.

    Okay, look.  *Harry saunters over to sofa and jumps up on arm*  When I was at the Muse Council, I was talking to people about you, you know?

    *Betsy glares*  Were you?

    Yeah.  I needed some advice.  And here’s the scoop.  You’re like a whole person, right?

    Last time I checked.

    So the successful independent author stuff is kind of dependent on the rest of your life, right?

    Right.

    Skipper here *Harry waggles his forepaw at the chipmunk* has an advanced degree in Habit Formulation and Implementation.  She’s like a freaking guru.

    *Betsy looks at Skipper*  *Skipper itches chin with back paw*  You can’t be serious.

    Oh, he totally is! *Skipper claps paws together and snaps off a salute*  Reporting for duty!  I’m Skipper, the skipper of your ship of habits!  I can help you build them up… *waves paws in air* And I can help you break them down. *swipes paws to the side*

    *Betsy turns back to Harry*  What are you doing to me?

    Look.  *Harry settles on haunches*  Skipper’s in a lot of demand with the other Guides.  She specializes in cases like yours where time constraints and other, um, mental factors make effective Habit Development  essential for the successful completion of a Quest.  She’s like an expert in figuring out how to fit a lot of life into a little time.

    *Betsy looks at Skipper*  Really?

    Oh, yeah!  Totally!  *Skipper hooks paw in side of mouth*  *Pulls mouth out until it folds back on itself* *lets it snap back into shape*  Did you see my really cool cheek pouches?

    I did and I never want to see them again.

    Well, I can fit TONS of nuts in there!  TONS!  I can fit a whole CASELOAD of nuts in there! *Skipper beams proudly*

    Wonderful.

    I can fit and entire DELIVERY TRUCK of nuts in there!

    Got it.

    Do you have any nuts?

    Harry.  *Betsy holds out her hand to Harry*  Make her stop.

    Hey Skips *Harry pats Skipper on her shoulder*  Less enthusiasm, okay?

    *Skipper pouts*  You promised me this was going to be a fun gig.

    It will be.  Trust me.  *Harry’s eyes slide away to the left*

    *Betsy draws in a deep breath*  Okay.  Okay.  So let me see if I’ve got this straight.  You *points at Skipper* are an expert in training people to develop habits that help them fit a lot into a little.

    I sure am!  *Skipper glances at Harry*  Um *cough*  I mean, yes.

    *Betsy arches eyebrows at Harry*  Habits, huh?

    Look, you’re always whining about how you don’t have enough time to do crap, or how you aren’t productive, or how you eat wrong and then your brain gets all screwed up, or how you have trouble dealing with extreme emotions.  Skipper can help with all that.

    Habits.  *Betsy considers Skipper* *Shrugs*  Well, I haven’t been doing all that well on my own, so what the heck.  What’s another character in my head.  Hit me with your best shot, ‘Munk.

    Oh, goody!  *Skipper claps paws together* *Pulls glasses from a fold of her fur and puts them on* *pulls tablet computer from another fold of fur* *turns it on*  First I need to know a little bit about your goals and aspirations.

    Oh.  Okay *Betsy glances at Harry then back to Skipper*  Why?

    Harry said you were screwed up, but he wasn’t specific.  Now. *Skipper peers over glasses*  Goals?

    Well, to be an independent author / entrepreneur.  This whole, um, Quest thing, you know.  The blog. *Betsy gestures at Harry* Him.

    Uh hmmm…*Skipper taps on tablet*  Good, good.  Anything else?

    Why does it matter?

    Because, as Harry said, you’re a whole person.  So your goals aren’t separate, they’re, like, all you.  And they all have to fit into life, have priority, that sort of thing.  So we need to get them all out on the table and look at them, you know?  And we have to look at the steps required to achieve each one and how you’ll know when you have.  Then we worry about habits to support them.

    *Betsy scratches her head*  I didn’t know there’d be goals.  I hate goals.

    You hate goals?  *Skipper stares at Betsy, aghast*  How have you achieved anything in your life without goals?

    *Betsy shrugs*

    *Skipper looks at Harry*  This is going to take a while.

    *Harry sighed*  I kind of figured.

     

    To be continued…

    skipper1

     

     

  • Doubt and Believing

    Harry1Previously on Betsy’s Blog…

    As you know if you’ve joined us for previous installments of The Quest, Betsy has decided to become a successful independent author / entrepreneur. Harry, a white gerbil, is her Guide on this Quest, determined to help her find her way as she navigates the confusing paths leading to her goal. Betsy is discovering (well, she already knew this, so it’s more like admitting) that most of the confusion and false starts come from within herself.

    When last we left them, Harry had fallen into a depressed and debauched state after Betsy and her Muse were attacked by a Dark Voice who lives inside Betsy’s brain. Harry felt he had pushed too hard and made Betsy vulnerable to the bad thoughts.

    Betsy pulled Harry back from the brink, but he still had to make an appearance before the International Muse Council for an evaluation. He’s been gone for a couple of weeks, but now he’s back. How did things go while he was gone? Join us and we’ll see….

     

    Harry? Are you here? *Betsy enters her brain*

    Yeah – over here, doll! *Harry waves from his position sitting on top of his tallest gerbil habitat* I was checking out the Scrivener file on my gPad. Looks like you got a lot done while I was gone.

    Some. *Betsy settles herself on the sofa* Did you have a good time at the Muse Council?

    Eh. *Harry shrugs and settles back on his paws, putting gPad down beside him* They had me go through some, whaddaya call it, psychological testing. What happened? Did you lose your way while I was gone? I told Muse to call on my cell if you looked like you were combusting again. The Council had a temp looking after you—

    *Betsy blinks* A temp? Really? Why didn’t I know?

    Bob didn’t want interaction. *Harry snorts* He’s just putting in his time until retirement.  Stupid armadillo.

    Oh.  Um…armadillo?

    He’s bitter because he never made Hare. So come on. What’s up? We’re partners, remember? Talk to me.

    *Betsy shifts in seat* I didn’t lose my way. Not exactly. There were some family responsibilities—

    Happens.

    Yeah. The problem was when I sat down at the computer to start writing again. I felt, well, stupid.

    Stupid? Whaddya mean stupid?

    I mean stupid! *Betsy throws hands up in the air with frustration* Like it was pointless. Like I was just fooling myself. Worse, like I was completely wasting my time and everyone was laughing at me. Like you and the Muse didn’t… exist.

    Hmmm. *Harry looks serious* That is bad. No wonder Muse didn’t call. She must have faded when you stopped believing in her.

    *Betsy plays with thread on sofa* When I felt like I was fooling myself, then my goal and my journey weren’t valid and, well, real. Like it was all a big joke or something.

    *Harry leans forward* *Stares at Betsy* But you found us again.

    It was hard. *Betsy smiles at Harry* When I first sat down and looked at my manuscript, it was like there was a glass wall between me and it. *Makes face* Or maybe that like I was just throwing mud at the wall.

    You were out of the flow. *Harry nods* Then you started to question and doubt decisions you’d made.

    I was doubting everything and the I felt like I was just being completely stupid. *Betsy shrugs* I mean, look at me. Other people get books done in months and it’s taken me…a lot longer.

    *Harry sighs* For God’s…are you back on that again? *holds out a paw* *saws one finger over another* See this? It’s a little violin playing just for you.

    Oh, stop. *Betsy slaps his paw away* It’s just…when I stop, I lose my hold on the fact that this can be real. That it IS real. *looks at Harry* That you’re real. That my dreams are just as valid as anybody else’s and worth pursuing.

    They are. *Harry scurries down tower of gerbil habitat* *climbs up on sofa* *launches self onto Betsy’s shoulder* *stares directly into her eyes* You have to believe that they are.

    I know that. *Betsy scratches behind Harry’s ears* I DO. But sometimes…I forget. Then I start believing the person who said that she didn’t know why I bothered writing and I should just stop because I never get anywhere anyway and it wasn’t worth it.

    Betsy—

    It’s okay. *Betsy smiles at Harry* It really is. She was just talking based on what she’d do. But sometimes…it gets in my head.

    Okay. Okay. *Harry pats Betsy on the cheek* I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you find your way out of the mess. But obviously you got past it because, like I said *jerks head towards gPad on tower* Lots of good progress there.

    Thanks. *Betsy blushes* I just…I just kept going. And after a day or two, it started moving again.

    *Harry nods wisely* The Muse was still singing to you. And maybe Bob actually got off his ass and pointed out a few signposts.

    I still wish you’d been here.

    Me too. *Harry shrugs* But sometimes you have to find your own way through. Looks like it worked out.

    Yes. *Betsy beams* It feels real again. You feel real. Muse feels real.  It all feels real.

    Wonderful. *Harry regards Betsy sternly from her shoulder* And what have we learned?

    Well…*Betsy chews lip* *Thinks* I guess that it’s a lot easier to do even a little bit every day than it is to stop completely and then start up again.

    Okay. *Harry crosses arms across tiny chest* And?

    *Betsy smiles at him* It’s all real unless I start believing it’s not.

    *Harry nods* Exactly.

     

    To Be Continued…
    [tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzgaqB2hFio[/tube]

     

  • Responsibility

     HarryPreviously on Betsy’s Blog…

    Mavis, the ambassador from the International Muse Council, has come in search of Harry, Betsy’s Quest Guide, because he has not been answering Council summons.  She finds him in the gutter of Betsy’s brain, swilling orange juice (an intoxicant for the gerbil family, of which Harry is a member), and basically falling into the dark well of Betsy’s mental depravity.  Further investigation uncovers the incident Betsy recently experienced with Obsessia and the Dark Voice, and Mavis determines that Harry is blaming himself for pushing Betsy over the edge.

    But this cannot be!  Betsy needs her Guide!  Without Harry, she could easily fall into her dark well of mental depravity herself, and then who will pull her out?

    Mavis and Betsy have called Harry to come meet with them, and Harry has just arrived.  Let’s see if we can get down to the bottom of his behavior.  Is Harry feeling responsible and blaming himself?  

     

    Hey! Whas *hic* up?  *Harry weaves on his feet*

    Harold.  *Mavis frowns at him*  We need to talk.  Please have a seat.  And you won’t need that.  *bottle of orange juice disappears*

    Hey!  *Harry blinks, looks around brain, collapses on the floor*  Old biddie.

    Harry.  *Betsy leans forward*  Whatever’s wrong isn’t worth sleeping in the gutter of my brain and drinking…orange juice.

    *Harry blinks up at her*  Beshy?  That you, Beshy?

    Yes, it’s me.  What’s going on, Harry?  Talk to me.

    My fault.  All my fault.  *Harry scrubs paws over his face*  I told you *hic* stuff to think about and it…pushed you over!

    No.  *Betsy shakes her head* *reaches towards Harry*  You gave me a list of important things I needed to consider, and you were right.  I do need to consider all of those things.  It’s my fault that my brain started racing and Obsessia started whispering and the Dark Voice started talking…

    No, I overloaded you–

    No, I–

    Enough!

    *Betsy and Harry both jump*  *Both turn to stare*

    Mavis?  I’d forgotten you were there.  *Betsy smiles sheepishly*

    *Mavis smooths skirt over knee*  You are both being ridiculous.  The situation in which Betsy found herself was unfortunate, but it was also valuable.

    Valuable?  *Harry’s fur bristles*  I was supposed to lead her to success and instead I led her right into the arms of Obsessia and the Dark Voice!  She lost days of her life because of where I led her!  What kind of a Guide does that make me?

    *Mavis smiles at him and her stern features soften*  A caring one.  *She raises a long, thin finger when Harry starts to protest*  The situation Betsy ended up in was unfortunate, but your Guidance was given freely and was good advice.

    But–  *Harry raises a paw*

    *Mavis ignores him*  It was not meant to harm, but to uplift.  You can only be responsible for your words and the intent of your words.  However, sometimes even words uttered with the best of intentions have unfortunate consequences you cannot foresee and for which you do not bear responsibility.

    But–  *Harry waves paw*

    After all, my dear.  *Mavis smiles* we cannot control the actions of another.  All we can do is our best under the circumstances.

    *Betsy’s eyes drop*  *blushes*  It was all my fault anyway.

    *Mavis sighs*  Dear, you must let go of guilt.  What’s happened, happened.

    But I should have–

    Betsy.  *Mavis looks severe*  You must not dwell on could or should.  They don’t exist.  What exists is, well, what exists.  What’s there.  The state you’re at.

    Wow.  *Betsy blinks*  Deep.

    *Mavis draws in breath through her nose and lets it out again slowly*  I mean, you must start where you are at.  You cannot start from where you might have been.

    *Betsy blinks*  Huh?

    Oh, for heavens… *Mavis casts eyes skyward*  *draws in deep breath*  *pins Harry with steely stare* *points at him with thin finger*  You.

    *Harry straightens*  Ma’am.

    Get over yourself, get off the juice and get Guiding the best you can.

    *Harry snaps a salute*  Yes, ma’am.

    *Mavis nods*  *Points finger at Betsy*  You.

    *Betsy blinks*  Ma’am?

    Make with the writing and pick up the pace.  I’m not immortal, you know.

    No, I didn’t–

    And neither are you.  *Mavis frowns*  Get the freaking book done before you have to finish it in a nursing home.

    *Betsy salutes clumsily*  Yes, ma’am.

    Good.  *Mavis nods*  And don’t make me come here again.

    *Betsy and Harry both cower*

    No, ma’am.

    *Mavis vanishes*  *Betsy is dumped to floor of brain when the armchair she is sitting on vanishes as well*  *Betsy and Harry stare at each other*

    Wow.  *Betsy blinks*

    *Harry puts paw to head*  I need coffee.

    Ah, mah friend, but I am here!

    *Betsy looks to corner of brain*  Coffee?  Is that you?

    Naturally!  *Coffee walks into brain*  An’ today I am ze dark French Roast!

    Awesome!  *Harry staggers to Coffee*  *Sips*  *Turns to grin at Betsy*  So, ready to get back at it?

    *Betsy smiles back at Harry*  *Gives a fist pump*  Abso-freaking-lutely!

    *Coffee beams*  Wit ze caffeine!

    But of course!

    To be continued….

    juice

  • Where’s Harry?

    mavisPreviously on Betsy’s Blog…

    Although Betsy and the Muse have been hanging out regularly, Betsy hasn’t seen Harry, her Quest Guide, for a couple of days.  In fact, she hasn’t seen him since he and the Muse came to her aid when she battled Obsessia and The Dark Voice.   But Betsy’s been so busy, she didn’t notice Harry was missing until she received a summons from a familiar disembodied voice – Mavis, ambassador for the International Muse Council.

    What is Mavis, ambassador for the International Muse Council, doing here anyway? And where the heck is Harry?  Let’s see…

     

    Hello? *Betsy enters brain and looks around* Mavis?

    Betsy.  So pleasant to see you, dear.  *Mavis suddenly appears in brain sitting in a large leather overstuffed armchair*

    Oh, I’m so glad to see you too!  *Betsy moves forward into the circle of light surrounding Mavis*  How have you been?

    Quite well, thank you  *Mavis crosses legs, showing her thick stockings and orthapaedic shoes*  Have a seat.

    Have a– Oh.  *Betsy turns and sees another larger leather armchair* *Sits* *Leans forward nervously*  What’s going on?

    I am concerned about Harold.

    Harold?  Oh, Harry!  *Betsy frowns*  Why?  What’s wrong?

    He has been ignoring requests from the Muse Council for an update on your progress.  I was sent to check on things.

    Is he okay?  *Betsy wrings hands*  Does he need me?  I’ll go to him.

    *Mavis steeples fingers*  I found him lying in the gutter in a corner of your brain, swilling orange juice.  As you know, Harold is a gerbil.  However, you may not know that members of the gerbil population find orange juice to be quite intoxicating.

    Orange juice? *Betsy stares*  Really?

    *Mavis shrugs*  It’s the sugar.  Puts them right down on their, uh, tails.

    Oh, no!  *Betsy clasps hands to cheeks*  That’s terrible!  *She thinks*  Wait, I have a gutter in my brain?

    *Mavis stares at her without comment*

    Oh.  *Betsy looks away*  Right.

    *Mavis straightens her skirt* Apparently I must stage an intervention before he flushes himself down the toilet, so to speak.  I need background information.  What has been happening?

    *Betsy gapes at her*  Don’t you read my blog?

    *Mavis raises eyebrows*  Does anyone?

    Good point.  *Betsy reaches into gray matter*  *Pulls out laptop* *Logs into website*  Okay, here’s the page detailing my Quest.  I guess you should probably read the last two or three posts.

    Hmmm.  *Mavis reads at the speed of thought*  Okay.  Yes, okay.  I see.  All right.  *sets laptop aside*

    *Betsy watches her anxiously*  What?

    I believe Harold might be blaming himself for your recent melt-down and the weight of guilt has thrown him into the well of your mind’s depravity.

    But he shouldn’t… *Betsy blinks* My mind has a well of depravity?

    *Mavis merely looks at Betsy over her glasses*

    Oh.  *Betsy clears her throat*  Right.

    *Mavis pats hair*  Unfortunately, this is a situation many of our Guides face.  The traveler stumbles and falls, or becomes derailed, and the Guide feels guilty and responsible.

    But he wasn’t responsible!  *Betsy looks at Mavis earnestly*  It was all my fault.

    Oh, I know that, dear.  *Mavis reaches out and pats Betsy’s hand* He gave you Guidance with the best of intentions, but it triggered…unfortunate side effects.  This happens sometimes and it is difficult for the Guide to realize he or she cannot bear responsibility for the way the traveler chooses to react to their Guidance.

    He couldn’t know… *Betsy looks away* *Bites lip*

    Well, perhaps he could have been wiser in his choice of words, and he did try to talk to you about too many things at once, but he’ll learn how best to work with you in time.  *Mavis purses her lips*  If he burdens himself with responsibility for this incident, he will never be an effective Guide for you and we will be forced to replace him.

    No!  *Betsy reaches out a hand*  I don’t want to lose Harry!  He’s my friend!

    *Mavis nods*  I am quite pleased you feel that way.  Shall we speak to Harold and see if we can work through these difficulties?

    Yes. *Betsy nods*  *Straightens in her chair*  Let’s get him.

    Wonderful  *Mavis smiles thinly*  And here he is.

    *Harry staggers into the light, a small carafe of orange juice clutched in his tiny paw*

     

    To be continued…

     

    Harry

     

  • Swirling Storms

    tornadoPreviously on Betsy’s Blog…

    Betsy and her Muse come face to face with Obsessia.  Obsessia lives in Betsy’s brain, prodding her this way and that, directing her to travel down paths of pursuit that get her all twisted up and confused.  As Betsy realizes what’s going on and tries to follow the Muse out into more productive pathways, Obsessia calls for her boyfriend – Compulsion, aka the Dark Voice.

    Now Betsy and her Muse are trapped behind walls of ice, trapped in Betsy’s brain while buffeted by dark voracious winds.  Will Betsy succumb yet again to the whims of Obsessia and the Dark Voice?  How will she and the Muse escape?  And will she EVER get the first draft of her book typed into Scrivener?  Oh, my gosh – let’s find out!

     

    You need to get on Facebook…you need to get on Twitter…you need to manage Pinterest…you need to learn how to market… *Obsessia swirls around Betsy and the Muse, her black dress flapping*

    You have to eat donuts…you have to eat ice cream…you have to eat pasta and cookies and brownies and croissants and danishes… *the Dark Voice whirls around Betsy and the Muse, clouds billowing*

    You need to learn Photoshop and Scrivener and HTML… *Obsessia swirls*

    You have to go shopping for software and computers and books and music… *the Dark Voice whirls*

    You need to…

    You have to…

    You want to…

    You must…

    Stop it! *Betsy puts hands over ears*  Stop it!

    *Obsessia and the DarkVoice laugh*

    *A light dawns, small, but bright in the darkness*  

    Betsy?

    *Betsy looks up* *blinks*  Muse?  Muse is that you?

    Yes.  *Muse moves closer*  *Betsy sees that she is not holding a light.  She IS a light, dim, but there*

    You’re shining, Muse. *Betsy rubs her eyes*

    You haven’t completely turned away from me yet.  You’re not ignoring me or denying me.  *Muse drifts closer*  You’re still listening to me.

    I’m trying.  *Betsy shakes her head*  But I’m eating inappropriately on the physical plane, Muse.  The sugar’s starting to get to me.

    I know. *Muse gestures*  These walls around us blocking us in, they’re not made of ice.  They’re made of sugar.  And fats.  And pastries.

    Wow!  *Betsy looks around in wonder*  What kind of pastries?  Are they danishes?

    Stop it!  *Muse snaps fingers in front of Betsy’s face*  Focus!  Think about something else.  I can feel that you’re still working on the book and you’re still writing in spite of everything.  That’s good.

    Yes.  I’m typing up my handwritten first draft.  And…well, I guess I’m writing.  I’m writing this blog post anyway.

    Good.  *Muse’s light grows a little stronger*  Focus on that.  Focus on the writing.

    Ahahahaha!  Do you think you can save her, Muse?  *the Dark Voice swells triumphantly*  She is eating inappropriate and unwise food even as we speak!  Bwhahahaha!

    And she’s spending more time on social media! *Obsessia chortles sadistically*

    No!  *Muse’s light flickers*  Stay with me, Betsy.  Keep focusing on my light.

    I’m sorry, Muse.  *Betsy sounds exhausted*  We’re trapped in my brain.  The walls of sugar…we can’t break through.  And Obsessia and the Dark Voice are swirling all around us and…and… and… I WANT ICE CREAM!

    You do!  You do!  *the Dark Voice strengthens to a tornado of cravings*  Let’s go to the 7-Eleven!  Who wants to live forever!

    Don’t look at him, Betsy, look at me.  Focus on me.  *Muse’s voice wobbles* *the light of her inspiration pulses on and off*  Remember the book, Betsy.  Remember the series.  Remember all of the plans we made.

    Plans….yes, we have plans….

    If you listen to Obsessia and the Voice, you’ll lose days of your life, Betsy.  Maybe weeks or months.  *Muse sounds weak*  Do you want to do that?  Do you want to put your health, everything you want for your life on the line because of them?  Do you want to give it all up for ice cream and Facebook?

    She does! *Obsessia laughs*

    Of course she does! *the Dark Voice preens*  I have never lost her when I gotten to this point.

    *Betsy cowers down on the floor of her brain*  *dark winds howl* dark fog blankets her*

    I still see your light, Muse.  *Betsy cries* I still see you.

    I’m here.  *Muse gasps*  And Harry’s here too.  He’ll guide us out.

    Harry…  *Betsy wheezes*  Harry’s here?  Where are you?

    Right behind you, doll.  *Harry’s voice echoes in the dark space*  Remember the Quest, Betsy.  Remember all that you want to do with your life.  Do you want these jackasses to steal that away from you?

    No…*Betsy swallows* No… I think…. I think I’ll finish…this blog post….

    NO!  *the Dark Voice howls*

    And…type in another…chapter…  *Betsy gets to hands and knees*  …of my book…

    NO!  *Obsessia pounds her fists together*

    And then maybe…*Betsy stands* …write something new…

    Yes!  *Muse’s light glows brighter*

    Come this way.  *Harry stands before her, paw outstretched*

    WE WON’T LET YOU GO!  *Obsessia and the Dark Voice begin to grow*  *winds swell to hurricane proportions*

    *Betsy grasps Muse*  *Clutches her tightly* *buries her face in the light*  *pulls Harry into the hug*  *clings to his fur*

    They’re so strong!  How will we get out of this?

    *Muse gasps, wracked by the foul winds*  I know…I know how…  Betsy – tell me…a story…

    Yes.  *Harry holds on tightly to avoid being blown away*  That’s exactly right.  Tell us a story, Betsy.  Tell us a story.

    *Betsy shakes head to clear it* *focuses on the Muse’s light* Once…upon a time…*she clears her throat* there was a girl named….Betsy.

    That’s right.  Keep going.  *Harry encourages*

    She…wrote…stories…*Betsy falters, then grows stronger*  And…published…them…

    NOOOOOO!!!!

    *Suddenly winds die down*  *sugar walls collapse and dissolve*  *Obsessia and the Dark Voice wink out*

    *Betsy, Muse, and Harry drop to floor of brain, panting*

    Thank you.  *Betsy looks at Muse*  *Looks at Harry*  Thank you.  You both led me out.

    Nah.  You made a decision.  *Harry settles back on his hind legs*  We’re just trying to help you follow through.

    Bwhahahahaha!  It won’t be that easy, my friends, and this is far from over.  Until we meet again….

     

    To be continued…

    Sunrise