Celebrity Apprentice

Did anyone watch Celebrity Apprentice last night?

I just started watching two or three Sundays ago and love it. It’s fascinating because each segment is full of conflict: egos clashing when certain celebrities demand – in a nice way – the project be done their way without listening to the others, and the rest of the team’s furious reactions; discussing the good and bad in each other with Donald Trump in the boardroom; wondering who’s getting fired.

But during a serious discussion in the boardroom, when one of the celebrities said, “I thought to myself,” I started laughing.

Who else would she have thought to?

One of the articles I recently wrote was about that very phrase and other nonsensical ones we tend to use:

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It also made me think of a few I use too often and have to edit out of my manuscripts, such as 'well' and 'just.' I'm told that I still have a trace of a southern accent, so when I speak, my 'well' sounds like 'way-ell.'

What are some of the words and phrases you use that's better left on the cutting-room floor?

My characters often weigh the pros and cons when making decisions and I find myself using, "on the other hand" much too frequently.

I love Celebrity Apprentice. This year's show has been especially interesting with the high profile star dynamic.

I just read that it's included on the list to be dropped, and I was amazed. Last week's show ended on a cliffhanger just like the soaps, and I couldn't wait for last night's episode.

I've never been overly fond of Joan Rivers, mainly because I remember her foul mouth from her early years, but I have to admire her for standing up and speaking out when she feels something needs to be said. And after watching the last two espisodes, I have a different view of Clint Black as well as the others. I still think of my hero, Roy Rogers, when I look at Clint B.

I absolutely hate reality shows, and will not watch them at all. Other than Dancing With The Stars, which I never miss.

I read the article Brenda, and I have to say the "eyes" thing hit home with me. I actually do think that a person's eyes are a very good indicator of what is going on with them, and I watch very closely when I am talking with someone.

I have to confess to using many different ways of making a point in a story by saying something about a persons eyes. I try my best to keep the eyes from becoming objects that detach themselves from a face and act independant, but I do use various descriptions to show what I think a person may be thinking, or some emotion that I think one might read in the eyes.

"When Penelope and Edward entered the room, she on his arm, they managed to capture the eyes of everyone there. Penelope's husband, Charles, his eyes dark with anger, stared a silent question at his wife, just before he moved across the room to intercept them."

See, like that.

Don, I think you could write anything and it would sound right. And I agree with you about a person's eyes - they reveal most everything about a character.

Your use of the word eyes is excellent: Penelope's husband, Charles, his eyes dark with anger xxxx. But if I were editing you for a romance line, I'd suggest using another word for eyes in your previous sentence. It all depends on the publishing house you're targeting. Some houses are more strict than others.

And writing is constantly evolving. A few years ago, long scenery descriptions were welcomed. Skillfully done, I loved them, made me feel as if I were actually there. However today, most acquiring editors say more than a few sentences slow the pacing. POV used to bounce from one character to another, and some of the older writers still write that way. But today, it's frowned on, and with some houses, can cause a rejection letter.

Same with body parts. Depends on how they're used and what house you're targeting.

Actually, no matter what publisher you might have in mind, I'd suggest writing that sentence using the word 'attention' instead:

When Penelope and Edward entered the room, she on his arm, they captured the attention of everyone there - or everyone turned to look, or however you'd want to phrase it.

It says the same thing without using a body part.

Last week a group of seven women went to lunch at a restaurant. One asked the waitress if she could give separate checks. The waitress rolled her eyes.

Later one woman asked the woman next to her if the waitress was going to give separate checks. That woman said, "I don't know. She's still rolling her eyes."

Is that all right, Brenda?

Sounds good to me, Carol. I also do some eye-rolling.

Now that would put a good twist on it, Marie.

Marie,

My grandson has a glass eye and one time he took it out and it rolled under the car. I am being serious here.

(He was laughing however as we all scrambled for his eye.)

Carol

What a kid, Carol, to be able to laugh while searching for his eye. Amazing. Someone did something right raising him.

He is seventeen and autistic. He has recently decided to join the bigger world and is a delight, although quite different than a regular seventeen-year-old, and yes, he has a very funny sense of humor and laugh.

His parents have done well with him, respecting him in his differences while encouraging him.

Carol

So people really do watch that show.

I want to know what happened after Charles got to Penelope and Edward.

They eyed each other! ** giggling madly **

Good one, Merri.

Yes it was.

I will get back to the perils of Penelope when I can find the time. I'd kind of like to know what's going on with them myself.

** bowing gracefully **

I wish I could find the picture of my grandson taking his eye our and his cousin looking behind it, to see whether she could see into his brain or not. This discussion reminded me of that. No, you can't see into his brain. There is nothing there. He was blind in this eye and had severe glaucoma causing great pain, and this was taken care of by removing his eye.

Now that is way more information than you needed.

Carol