This little piggie built...

Writing retreats.  Like the three little pigs, what does yours look like?  Straw, sticks, bricks, or Starbucks?

Here are some famous ones! http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/11/famous-writers-retreats

Some might be surprised by the shacks and the hotel, but I totally get it now that I am writing more often and with more direction. The need to immerse yourself in your writing without interruptions seems to be overwhelming.  I understand Thoreau and his little hut now much more than I did when it was required reading in my upper high school and beginning college classes.  The last few years I have been paying attention to the people who are writers and their stories of where they do it.  So many seem to manage writing with kids and spouses and animals running in and out.   They manage day to day happenings and unplanned surprises and still manage to write. 

But I also understand why a husband and wife who are both authors like Jim and Shannon Butcher have separate writing areas on different floors.  I see why writer Denise Grover Swank swears by headphones to write while at home with her children.  I understand the numerous people who frequent coffee shops and libraries hovering over notebooks and computers.   I also understand why Stephen King changed his lonely office to more of family friendly room.  With all he writes and the complex world he writes of, I think he really might disappear for long periods of time.

I have heard over and over that if you truly want to write, you can write anywhere.  And I have seen some of this.  I often am somewhere and suddenly feel the need to put down an idea or dialogue and carry a notebook in my purse for this purpose.  I am always brainstorming when I am cleaning house.  Makes it so much more pleasant.  But I may be one of the people who does better with a space to write.  It might be because of all the planning I would do at my teacher's desk.  I think I need some type of physical boundary that says, "This is work.  Get to it."

Right now I rotate between the living room which has the best chair and the office/grandchildren's stay over area/second tv room, and sometimes the kitchen table if I really want to spread something out.  And I wear headphones.  Sometimes I don't have them on, but I have gotten so used to having them on to write, it is like a signal to my brain to produce.  It also makes my husband not talk to me, because he thinks I cannot hear him.  Wrong.

But I want a small, tastefully decorated office with a picture window either looking out on some beautiful nature or a beautiful shirtless firm masculine neighbor.  (I once ran into my own mailbox with my car mirror trying to see if my cute neighbor got a haircut.  He had.)  A cushy chair for my long desk, a recliner when I want to type with my feet up, a coaster for my tea, and a place for all of the stuff a writer generally needs.  It is a dream.

Or I might just go out on the back patio and watch all the cars go by while I write.  There is no straw, probably could find some sticks, and all the bricks will be on my iPod, while I sing along to, "She's a brick hoooooooooouuuuuuuuuse.  OW, She's mighty, mighty, just lettin' it all hang out!

 

Pseudo Writer No More- Or up, up, and away. Again.

My confession is that I have been a pseudo writer until now. I have played at it successfully. I have actually accomplished a few things of merit, but it has not been my career. And I blame having been a teacher. I have focused on giving my best to teaching. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVED teaching. My students rank right under my close family and friends in the loves of my life and frankly, I have spent more time with student than anyone else in my life. It is hard to think that I am not officially a teacher any longer. As one of my friends put it, "Being a teacher has been your identity." And my teacher friends will appreciate this idea. Being a teacher is a way of life and not just a job. And I had worked hard enough that I pretty much had it mastered. Now, although I have been learning craft and business and making writing connections, I am back at the beginning of a career. A demanding career at that. And just like teaching, my success is going to depend on my abilities and willingness to work hard and learn as I go. I can't decide if that is easier or harder at 48. When I was a new teacher I was too young to realize when I wanted to do something that wouldn't work or to go where it wasn't socially appropriate to accomplish what I needed to do. Now that I am older and wiser I worry that worry will prevent me from taking the necessary dive off the cliff with just the belief that all will turn out right. As I read over my previous posts I see a lot of starts and re-starts and I think that is okay. I don't know that a taking flight analogy is often thought of in context to me, but I think it is appropriate for starting something new in your life. You kind of stick your neck out a little, try a few running starts at your goal, some of them false, and often get your feelings hurt too. But each attempt or little hop is hopefully one in the right direction. I think I have what it takes to be successful. I have been paying attention, growing in some literary feathers, and building up my courage. It is time to embrace my new identity as a writer and commit to doing the hard work needed to take off toward the edge of the cliff and hopefully soar. Or at least bounce high enough off of the bottom to try again. And feel free to comment or follow my blog. I would appreciate it.

Momma's Got a Gun...and tear gas too. Temporarily

This post will be a little different than my usual and feel free not to read it if the topic is not your thing. However, I hope you learn something. I did. I hope I don't get flagged for this post!

If I made mistakes, I will try to fix them. Be patient.

If you know me, you know I am not much of a gun toting person. I have been surrounded by them for years-guns and gun-toters too, but weapons are just not my thing. I don't watch shoot 'em up movies and I sometimes make fun of "macho" guys. But I got the opportunity to meet some real gun-toting guys this weekend and they truly impressed me with their knowledge and skills. I would want them on my side if I ever needed them.



My writing group Heartland Romance Authors spent over three hours with two member of the Blue Springs Police Depart Special Tactical Assistance Team or their version of a SWAT team. Basically they go in and get the people nobody else wants to go after or they are a quick response for people who really need help quickly. They are a part-time team and have other police or detective jobs too.

We learned about the communication systems for their own agency, local KC agencies, Missouri, and the Nation, as well as, a privately owned system detectives use. They then shared information about the training they receive and certifications necessary. These include quarterly training on five different weapons systems, hostage rescue, armed barricade, active shooters, suicidal subjects, and dignity protection. Blue Springs is one of the first responders for the Lake City Munitions Plant and they must train for that area too. Most recently they have added and trained medics who now go into crime areas with them. This procedure change was brought about by the nation's responders studying the shootings at Columbine.

We learned a Vanilla Barricade is someone who is alone without hostages or bystanders with them. Chatter refers to communication that can indicate an increased national threat depending on the amount. Fatal funnels are doorways. I even know what a picatinny rail is for now. Knock warrants mean they must first announce themselves and No Knock Warrants mean the people the are going after must be taken into custody quickly because of their danger potential. These No Knock Warrants are rare. We learned police cannot talk to each other to debrief immediately after a shooting because they may be called to testify. They sometimes find out that things were actually different from their own perspective later when the information can be shared.


Their gear includes a Kevlar helmet and a tactical vest with pockets and ceramic or composite shields within. The vest holds cuffs, shotgun rounds, rope to tie off doors and other things, wooden wedges to hold open or closed doors, slugs and extra magazines, and an attached weapon sling. They use a drop leg holster usually with a 9mm with an attached light on it. They also have a gas mask with interchangeable filters. And some versions of no fire tear gas.

They were quite knowledgeable on the varieties of things they use besides actual guns. We saw a well-used battering ram that is operated by one individual alone. We learned about and witnessed them dumping a Flash Bang Canister that is deployed as a diversionary tactic with bright light and a loud boom after the pin has been pulled and spoon released. We saw Smoke canisters that allow officers to move without being seen, traditional tear gas (which is actually not gas, but particles), the bean bags that look like little squids, some pellets that looked like they would be painful, and a couple types of bean bag rounds. TKO rounds will take out the hinges or lock on a door but not penetrate through the door protecting those who need it on the other side. Training exercises now use air soft weapons for some of their training. I now understand why it is so hard to differentiate between a 9mm weapon and a toy gun.

The actual guns used by the team include their 9mm handguns, a Heckler Koch MP-Sub Machine Gun, an HK 416 225, which is an expensive gun, but runs cooler than most of the their others, with an eotech holigraphic site, and a shotgun M1 Super 90 Semi-Automatic by Benelli. This gun can shoot so fast that if you can pull the trigger fast enough, you can shoot five times before the first round has time to drop. It runs hot in more way than one. All of these guns have a light attached.

The sniper rifle was a Remington 700 PSS, single click, with a polished trigger mechanism. It has a concave muzzle, a fluted barrel which is floated off the rest of the gun and held by the receiver to allow for the gun to have the least amount of change in the barrel due to temperature changes. Snipers work in teams with one person spotting and the other prepared to shoot.

We were also allowed to go into their vehicle they used to go to crime areas and learned that stacking truck meant having each person sit in the order of their position into the situation. They also shared the saying, "The first casualty in is always the plan." I am still happy though they get out of their van with one in place even they have to adapt it quickly.

I am glad I got this opportunity to see how competent, knowledgeable, and well-trained these law enforcement professionals were. Many people are quick to point out if mistakes are made, but I came to realize last Saturday just what is involved in being a member of a tactical team. Again, I want people like this who are willing and able to take the needed risks to help people who need it. I am glad they are willing to be our shield.

Naked, Indoors, Outdoors, In Bed, Out...It's all GOOD!

What I like best about the career of being a professional writer or an almost one is that you can write anywhere in any state of dress or undress. All of the options listed in the title of this blog entry are possible if you wish.

People don't often ask me why I want to write. I am complimented by the many people who don't seem surprised when I tell them I am working on having writing become a full time career. It is encouraging that nobody shrieks, "You!" Most seem think it is a good idea and then get excited for me. So I have studied what makes a great writer. And there are many important craft and business aspects to know about.

I love the many aspects of being a writer. My favorite is the actual writing portion of the career where the ideas are coming so fast your fingers fly on the keyboard and you have to stop and make yourself notes for something you want to add, but don't have time to address right then. I cannot tell you how many times I stop what I am doing in public and in class to jot down notes, because someone said something I want to use. I must not concentrate on cleaning and cooking too much either, because I often have to leave those activities too to run in and write down ideas.

But after twenty-six years of having dress up and be at work at a certain time, having some control when I write is one of my favorite things about the job. In a few minutes I am going outside to sit on my porch and listen to the birds and the neighbor's lawn mower (and hide from the huge squirrels) and edit my book. The ability to just sit anywhere and work dressed as I like is just awesome. I always joke that my goal is to be able to work in my pajamas all day. Wait, that is true and not a joke or an April Fool's prank.

FYI- If you happen to drive by, I thought you would want to know I won't be taking advantage of the naked writing option at this time.

Interesting Readers

I really need to pick up my blogging. I looked at my stats and I am a world wide resource. How cool.

Pageviews by Countries
United States 635
Russia 39
Germany 30
Brazil 23
United Kingdom 21
Ukraine 20
Iraq 17
Turkey 17
Vietnam 13
Hungary 11

Thank you world!

Changes in the air!

Blog and blog readers you have been missed!

I have been busy working on planning my future as I decided what to do with regard to ending my teacher career and seriously applying myself to my writing and editing one.

Tons of information has been gathered and evaluated in all areas and my plan is in place. I am trying to maintain steady progress toward my goals, but excitement always makes me want to jump ahead.

Here are some of the things I have been doing.

Went to retirement office in Jeff City to check out when I will check out of teaching. (A career I still love! But I want to try something else soon.)


Learned about the actual money involved in publishing books. What goes out and what comes in. I think I can make this career work for me afford to eat.

Sat some actual writing goals with time involved.

Applied to do an unpaid internship with an editing house. I plan to do more of this in the future.

Met with some writing friends, critiqued some work, went to writing group meetings, read a good book on writing, and am working on judging some RWA contests.

Next, it is focus, focus, focus on getting some writing polished and out to readers.

Uh..., I gotta go. I have a career to make happen.

What's up in Writer Land?

Let's start with 2011. I wrote two YA novels. One suspense and one romance. I attended two Missouri writing conferences. I got my first request and official rejection for a full. I spoke about writing for a school. I participated in and completed Nanowrimo for myself and ran a program of it for my students. I helped run an RWA contest. I judged numerous contest entries. I made connections with numerous YA writers. I upped my writing presence with twitter. I attended several critiques. I worked for my writing group at a literature festival.

Now 2012. I joined another writing group and am looking forward to those meetings and retreat. I organized my office and can now use two monitors at once for editing. I wrote some more. I took an online class. I have been asked to speak at a couple of local events.

But here is what I plan to do in 2012.

I am going to finish edits on two books and truly get them out to others to be critiqued. I am going to enter two contests to get some outside eyes on my work. And then I am going to query a lot. This summer I will write another book with my eye on doing a YA series. I will attend more writing group meetings and critiques and maybe even a conference or two. I will also work on my other goals of being a speaker.

And I will enjoy working on my new career. (Not quite done with the old one yet, but preparing.)

These are good things.