Saturday, January 10, 2009

Hand Gestures

Ibis lost his voice yesterday so now we're communicating by hand signals. His favorite? The Sammy Sosa chest-thump kiss-kiss thing. So sweet.





I'm not sure how his day as a receptionist will go, seeing as the main thing he does is answer the phone and talk to guests, but I suppose he'll figure it out.

This actually ties into my writing. Yesterday I got started on one of the few scenes I have left to write - a bar fight. While fight scenes are new for me, I added the extra challenge of not having the MC involved in the fight. Instead, he was standing nearby, talking to two other people. I had to find a way to keep the action of the fight going while also showing the conversation. There were lots of hand gestures.

I still have a little more to write to finish the scene but I'm glad I got past the initial hesitation I had to writing it. Hopefully the rest will keep flowing!

*****

btw, my dad's bag arrived yesterday, so he's all set now.

16 comments:

Spy Scribbler said...

Aw, I hope he gets his voice back soon! Last time I lost my voice, Glenn said it was nice. *insert frown*

I just discovered your dad's blog. How cool is that?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Spy, it was nice getting to talk without interruption last night, lol.

My dad doesn't update very often, but I'm glad you found it!

Jen said...

A receptionist with no voice? I wonder if guests will like the chest-thump kiss-kiss hello? :D I know I'd dig that, maybe even give a fist bump in return!

Glad your dad's bags showed up, and that the writing continues. Sounds like that fight scene was a challenge!

Word verification is chregase...is it just me, or does that sound like a really nice wine? LOL

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear your dad's bag arrived! Kudos on tackling the bar fight. I don't think I'd even attempt that. I would have no idea where to start!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Jen, that's hilarious. I hope he does that for them. He laughed when he saw today's post.

I just called him and he sounds pathetic, poor guy.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Dube, well in a bar fight, you start with one guy pissing off the other. Or in this case, two guys harassing a waitress and the bartender launches himself over the bar at them. Instant fight!

Robin said...

Poor Ibis! I hope he gets better soon! LOL at Spy's comment!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I feel so bad for him. He still has no voice!

colbymarshall said...

May the voice return...that's never fun. Glad Dad found the luggage...thats not fun either!

Doublebanker said...

Always like the sammy sosa hand signals. It's nice to see people graced with abilities recognizing where the gift came from.

Anonymous said...

I remember losing my voice once. I was living with my dad and his wife for a while. She was home and the phone rang. Since I couldn't answer it, I continued with my homework. I guess she thought I would answer the phone because I was closest to it. She gave me the dirtiest look when the answering machine picked up the call. Um..
Anyway, my voice was out for a week. I was in childcare at that time. A little difficult to manage 15 1st and 2nd graders without a voice!!

Hope Ibis gets better soon! Glad you got through the fight scene!! and YAY for the luggage!! :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Colby!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Hi Doublebanker! We watched Sosa doing that for years in Chicago, so it's well ingrained.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, he's still not better...

Anonymous said...

LOL - "instant fight!" But how do you handle the rest of the fight? Writing out the punches, etc. That would get me, too!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Dube, the fight turned out okay, I hope. :) "He slammed his fist into Rafa's jaw... drove his elbows into his back and kneed him in the groin..." That sort of thing.