December 27. Did the holidays. Took a day to rest. Putting away the Christmas decorations today. Finalizing HeRA bylaws and P & PM also today in preparation for some meetings tomorrow.
And doing some goal setting for writing and for me. It is time to determine what works best for me and where I want to be at the end of this year. I already know that this is the year I want to get something (not necessarily a novel)(I recognize the difficulty of that)published. I want to get my office set up better and USE it. I want to work on my professional side of writing. First-organize my contacts, second-develop brand, third-get business cards, and fourth-get a website. AND most important-make a conscious plan to get my writing done. And if I could only think of way to get enough money to go to New York for Nationals this year, I would be set. It is going to be rough coming up with the money. I am making less money at school this year. I don't have enough hair to sell. My organs? Well, nobody would be interested. I am too old to carry someone's baby. Pretty much everything else I can think of that might be fun, is illegal. The whole illegal thing is frowned on in the field of education.
Sound the trumpets or blow an airhorn, look out because here I come to start the day.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Writing Gifts
With Christmas knocking or the door and me putting off wrapping the pile of presents now resting on my table, I am taking a minute to think about the great gifts I have found in the world of writing. The things that make me go forward toward publication.
1) In fifth grade I won second place in an essay writing contest about my mom. I would have won first I am certain if I had more examples of her church life. She was just too much of "heathen" at time to meet the religious requirement. I just couldn't overcome it, even though I ended my essay with a beautiful homage to her inspired by Jimmy J.J. Walker. I said then she was Dy-No-Mite and she still is! Take that Taio Cruz!
2) In high school I got to write features for the high school newspaper and I really like that a lot! I even won an award, but it was more for the topic. Ironic...it was about my life!
3) In college I wrote a funny piece for a publication they passed around the union. It was about coats. Strange.
4) I have written and rewritten numerous plays...breaking copyright laws along the way.
5) I met a man who encourages me to write and doesn't just give me negative experiences to write in True Confessions.
6) Then I discovered the world of blogging and discovered I could rant with the best of them. I also got to practice some travel blogging.
6) Finally, I got the nerve to go to a writing group meeting. And after talking myself into getting out of the car, I found a world I wanted to be a part of. I learned a lot, met some great people, and realized what I want to be when I grow up.
7) I have met authors I have read most of my adult life and learned to appreciate the works of new authors and friends. At National Convention I was excited to be with people who understood me and all the joy I get from literature.
8) I have had the chance to share some of what I have learned with my students and hopefully some day my name will be in the front of some of their books under the heading "I would like to thank..."
9) By letting others read my work, I have gotten see my friends and students get into something I have written. I can make them laugh. I can make them want to turn that page!
It's now time to wrap this up, so I can wrap some other things up. I hope writing continues to bring you joy this season and you appreciate the gift!
1) In fifth grade I won second place in an essay writing contest about my mom. I would have won first I am certain if I had more examples of her church life. She was just too much of "heathen" at time to meet the religious requirement. I just couldn't overcome it, even though I ended my essay with a beautiful homage to her inspired by Jimmy J.J. Walker. I said then she was Dy-No-Mite and she still is! Take that Taio Cruz!
2) In high school I got to write features for the high school newspaper and I really like that a lot! I even won an award, but it was more for the topic. Ironic...it was about my life!
3) In college I wrote a funny piece for a publication they passed around the union. It was about coats. Strange.
4) I have written and rewritten numerous plays...breaking copyright laws along the way.
5) I met a man who encourages me to write and doesn't just give me negative experiences to write in True Confessions.
6) Then I discovered the world of blogging and discovered I could rant with the best of them. I also got to practice some travel blogging.
6) Finally, I got the nerve to go to a writing group meeting. And after talking myself into getting out of the car, I found a world I wanted to be a part of. I learned a lot, met some great people, and realized what I want to be when I grow up.
7) I have met authors I have read most of my adult life and learned to appreciate the works of new authors and friends. At National Convention I was excited to be with people who understood me and all the joy I get from literature.
8) I have had the chance to share some of what I have learned with my students and hopefully some day my name will be in the front of some of their books under the heading "I would like to thank..."
9) By letting others read my work, I have gotten see my friends and students get into something I have written. I can make them laugh. I can make them want to turn that page!
It's now time to wrap this up, so I can wrap some other things up. I hope writing continues to bring you joy this season and you appreciate the gift!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Five Words
Five words to describe my day.
Lazy, Inside, Somewhat Productive, Decorated!
And a final word...DONE!
Lazy, Inside, Somewhat Productive, Decorated!
And a final word...DONE!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Some Old with the New
In the past I have written some essays or rants. I will be posting some here. They are not the best of my work technically, but they are what started me off on the writing again. They may represent some emotional cleansing too.
Writing Goals
It is December and I find myself only marginally closer to becoming a writer than before. I have written more this year and did a lot with my Heartland Romance Author President duties. I am beginning to goal set for next year. And I have had a number of writing successes. I participated in Nanowrimo. I didn't get fifty thousand words but I got quite a few. I was interviewed for our town newspaper on being a writer. I got a grant for my school to bring in author Mary Lane-Kamberg for writing workshops. I am excited about that! I had a lovely visit with agent Jewelann Cone and she imparted a number of great things! Just going to keep going in a forward motion.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Writing Mullet
I miss my blogging. Since I decided I want to become an author for real, I do less writing than ever. It is sad, because I really enjoy it. I think I have cut off my writing mullet in the back. Too much business in the front and not enough party in the back. I want to write something just for fun for me. And I didn't even do the punctuation correctly.
The Story of Baby Cheezus.
Long ago near the December holiday of love, my grandson and I shared the very beautiful story of the birth of our Lord, known to others as the Story of Baby Jesus. Since Cash was enrolled in a Christian preschool at the time, I thought I would prep him with the basic storyline before the holiday season began. It went something like this...
(Note: I remember some of this from all those bathrobe pageants I was in church during my younger years and from the book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
Long ago there was a woman named Mary and an angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her she would give birth to a baby and name him Jesus.
From the back of the van, "Cheezus. I love Baby Cheezus." Veronica, "No, Cash it is Baby Jesus not Cheezus."
Cash especially enjoyed Baby Bell little round cheeses. It is sacrilegious to say, but he truly was much more likely to see cheese as his Savior at age two.
Cash, "I know."
And it came to pass that Mary and her husband Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, but there was no room for them at the inn. So they had to sleep in the stable with all of the animals. (Pause for listing of and sounds made by all animals in the stable.)
And Mary gave birth to a baby and she laid him in the manager. They named him Jesus.
From Cash, "Cheezus? I love Baby Cheezus!"
Veronica, "No Cash, Jesus. They named the baby JESUS!"
Cash, "I know Sissy! Cheezus! I love Baby Cheezus."
No, Cash! JESUS. They named him JE-SUS!
Shut up, Sissy!
Veronica, "GRANDMA!"
However Grandma was too busy trying not to wreck the van because she couldn't see the road because of the tears running down her cheeks from silently laughing.
The Epilogue
A couple of weeks later Cash had made a picture of Baby Jesus at preschool. I asked him who the baby was and he replied. Jesus. Not Cheezus? I asked. Noooo was his indignant reply. And then he gave me a look, like I was the crazy one for asking.
So for most of us Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Cash-Well, you know what his sweatshirt would say.
The Story of Baby Cheezus.
Long ago near the December holiday of love, my grandson and I shared the very beautiful story of the birth of our Lord, known to others as the Story of Baby Jesus. Since Cash was enrolled in a Christian preschool at the time, I thought I would prep him with the basic storyline before the holiday season began. It went something like this...
(Note: I remember some of this from all those bathrobe pageants I was in church during my younger years and from the book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."
Long ago there was a woman named Mary and an angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her she would give birth to a baby and name him Jesus.
From the back of the van, "Cheezus. I love Baby Cheezus." Veronica, "No, Cash it is Baby Jesus not Cheezus."
Cash especially enjoyed Baby Bell little round cheeses. It is sacrilegious to say, but he truly was much more likely to see cheese as his Savior at age two.
Cash, "I know."
And it came to pass that Mary and her husband Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, but there was no room for them at the inn. So they had to sleep in the stable with all of the animals. (Pause for listing of and sounds made by all animals in the stable.)
And Mary gave birth to a baby and she laid him in the manager. They named him Jesus.
From Cash, "Cheezus? I love Baby Cheezus!"
Veronica, "No Cash, Jesus. They named the baby JESUS!"
Cash, "I know Sissy! Cheezus! I love Baby Cheezus."
No, Cash! JESUS. They named him JE-SUS!
Shut up, Sissy!
Veronica, "GRANDMA!"
However Grandma was too busy trying not to wreck the van because she couldn't see the road because of the tears running down her cheeks from silently laughing.
The Epilogue
A couple of weeks later Cash had made a picture of Baby Jesus at preschool. I asked him who the baby was and he replied. Jesus. Not Cheezus? I asked. Noooo was his indignant reply. And then he gave me a look, like I was the crazy one for asking.
So for most of us Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Cash-Well, you know what his sweatshirt would say.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I did it!
Hurray! I got my finalized first three chapters of my Young Adult, Mirror Images, sent off to an agent. Not expecting much back, but glad to get it done. I am pretty satisfied with the final product. Now I just need to some more. It wasn't as hard as I thought. I AM getting better at the process of writing. Hurray!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Hurray! It is a bright new day. I've finished reading a book, read a whole other one by an author I enjoy, Carla Cassidy, done two loads of laundry, and since I've been to the farmer's market to buy fresh tomatoes; a future bacon and tomato sandwich is near.
I am going to write on my young adult. I am pleased with how the dialogue is going. Yesterday, I wrote a scene with my twin teen boys that featured them belching the alphabet. Gross, true, but it is real life non-the-less. I am pleased that I can write what real family life is like.
Family reunion, start of school, Deidre Knight's visit, and the fair events are looming. I know that the next few weeks are going to be non-stop, but I will make it.
And I am celebrating the beginning of my 25th year of teaching!
I am going to write on my young adult. I am pleased with how the dialogue is going. Yesterday, I wrote a scene with my twin teen boys that featured them belching the alphabet. Gross, true, but it is real life non-the-less. I am pleased that I can write what real family life is like.
Family reunion, start of school, Deidre Knight's visit, and the fair events are looming. I know that the next few weeks are going to be non-stop, but I will make it.
And I am celebrating the beginning of my 25th year of teaching!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Time to Write
Enjoyed RomCon. Pictures to follow. Much to do. Pitching to Deidre Knight in August. So, I must pull the book together. Next three weeks...slam writing with butt in a chair!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Problems
Not a problem-The actual writing. Once I sit down and start, the writing just flows. I enjoy it.
Problem-Time. I thought the having more time to write was my problem or excuse.
The true Problem-Energy. I am finding my real problem is lack of energy. I worked in the yard for awhile today. Okay it was hours. Now I find that I don't have enough energy to write. That is where I really have problems...doing something in the day and then being strong and with it enough to write.
Not sure what the answer is...still struggling to find my stride.
Problem-Time. I thought the having more time to write was my problem or excuse.
The true Problem-Energy. I am finding my real problem is lack of energy. I worked in the yard for awhile today. Okay it was hours. Now I find that I don't have enough energy to write. That is where I really have problems...doing something in the day and then being strong and with it enough to write.
Not sure what the answer is...still struggling to find my stride.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Something Old
Today I was reading in my Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul that helps me remember to be a writer. I came across an old friend, Lois Duncan, the author of Down a Dark Hall. I found that book in 5th grade having read all 133 Nancy Drew books. I loved Down a Dark Hall! I have read numerous other books by Duncan but Down a Dark Hall remains my favorite. It was dark, (obviously) and mysterious and suspenseful. When my daughter was old enough I shared the author with her and when my granddaughter is old enough, I will share the books with her too. When I began teaching I came across some Duncan books in a reading program I was using and was able to share them with hundreds of students. So here I am thirty six years later and I still remember how I felt when I read Down a Dark Hall. That is the true gift of a writer. Thank you Lois Duncan.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Woe is me.
No writing. I don't know how I can be off of school and still find so much to do. I have to commit to WRITING. I like the writing, but with so many chores to complete, it becomes a chore too. DANG IT!
I am getting excited about RomCon in Denver. It will be so nice to see some published authors. I know they are busy too, and maybe I can steal some ideas from them on how to better organize my life.
I am getting excited about RomCon in Denver. It will be so nice to see some published authors. I know they are busy too, and maybe I can steal some ideas from them on how to better organize my life.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Time to get Serious!
Like many things in my life, I started my writing blog and let other things get in the way. I also suffered a SEVERE writer's block for a long time because I got caught up in trying to "be a writer" instead of trying to write. So, I am back to writing.
To catch you up. I have tabled for now my chick lit Janet Evanovich-esque novel, but not given up the idea yet.
I have been acting as President of the Heartland Romance Authors for a couple of years and have learned MUCH. So much, that for awhile I intimidated myself out of writing.
Currently I am writing a young adult thriller that features a teen male protagonist and a teenage serial mercy killer. The underlying storyline focuses on the story of two twin high school boys. One is bi-polar and they are both trying to deal with the suicide of their previously depressed father. It is kind of a looking in the mirror to see yourself in your brother. Think Wally Lamb. It also features a theme similar to my favorite book of all times, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Making a choice with only bad choices.
This book is a way for me to use my experience as a teacher, a stepmother to twins, and a neat book I found last year at Nationals on serial killers.
Now, I am going to do what I need to do. WRITE. WRITE regularly and do NOT self-edit. GET IT WRITTEN AND THEN REVISE OR YOU NEVER MOVE FORWARD!
To catch you up. I have tabled for now my chick lit Janet Evanovich-esque novel, but not given up the idea yet.
I have been acting as President of the Heartland Romance Authors for a couple of years and have learned MUCH. So much, that for awhile I intimidated myself out of writing.
Currently I am writing a young adult thriller that features a teen male protagonist and a teenage serial mercy killer. The underlying storyline focuses on the story of two twin high school boys. One is bi-polar and they are both trying to deal with the suicide of their previously depressed father. It is kind of a looking in the mirror to see yourself in your brother. Think Wally Lamb. It also features a theme similar to my favorite book of all times, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Making a choice with only bad choices.
This book is a way for me to use my experience as a teacher, a stepmother to twins, and a neat book I found last year at Nationals on serial killers.
Now, I am going to do what I need to do. WRITE. WRITE regularly and do NOT self-edit. GET IT WRITTEN AND THEN REVISE OR YOU NEVER MOVE FORWARD!
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