Thank you so much for all the emails telling me that you enjoy the blog and that you are trying to comment. Please persevere as there are several checks in place to make sure that comments are not advertisements or spam. There may be a word verification after you hit the submit button and you may get this several times. It apparently is not uncommon and and I appreciate all of you that have tried to post a comment. Thank you for continuing to try! Please let me know if this continues.
That being said...my day is filled with two out of the three "R's"... reading and (w)riting. Thank God my
(a)rithmatic days are behind me! Keep watching for a writing sample and the website launch.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Giving Thanks
Here's hoping your Thanksgiving was all that you wanted!
While checking Thanksgiving off the holiday "to do" list, I was overwhelmed with the thought of the decorating that was ahead of me. It's always a happy time but it is so time consuming...I sometimes just want to do the minimum and call it a day. And then I remember that this attitude could easily translate to my writing. So I push forward and after 12 hrs. of hanging lights and Christmas bulbs, I sit here basking in the coziness of my winter wonderland. The twinkling white lights and smell of greenery is so sweet, that memories of Christmas past... come flooding into my heart.
Later, after I am completely finished with the decorating, I will sit in front of the fireplace and go over the remainder of the edits that I have received. It really is a time about comfort and joy...enjoy the comfort and feel the joy every moment of every day. I try to do that unless I am writing about a not so savory character who lacks integrity. Then I have to put myself in a different mindset and have at it!
Good News! I just got the first mockup for my author website. It may be up and and running sooner than January 15th at this rate. It promises to be informative, easy to navigate and enjoyable to visit!
While checking Thanksgiving off the holiday "to do" list, I was overwhelmed with the thought of the decorating that was ahead of me. It's always a happy time but it is so time consuming...I sometimes just want to do the minimum and call it a day. And then I remember that this attitude could easily translate to my writing. So I push forward and after 12 hrs. of hanging lights and Christmas bulbs, I sit here basking in the coziness of my winter wonderland. The twinkling white lights and smell of greenery is so sweet, that memories of Christmas past... come flooding into my heart.
Later, after I am completely finished with the decorating, I will sit in front of the fireplace and go over the remainder of the edits that I have received. It really is a time about comfort and joy...enjoy the comfort and feel the joy every moment of every day. I try to do that unless I am writing about a not so savory character who lacks integrity. Then I have to put myself in a different mindset and have at it!
Good News! I just got the first mockup for my author website. It may be up and and running sooner than January 15th at this rate. It promises to be informative, easy to navigate and enjoyable to visit!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Words of a Friend
Yesterday a friend reminded me of a very sweet memory. It was a few years back when I first made the decision to write books. I had bits and pieces of a story that I had started and put down so many times that it became like a big jigsaw puzzle with lots of missing parts. We sat down at my kitchen table every day at 3:00 P.M. drinking tea, talking about the day, my children and my progress with the story. She gave me encouragement and the occasional pep talk to keep going when the process got really lonely.
Together...we created a sweet memory. That was a moment...frozen in time. To me life is made up of many moments...some wonderful, some sad and some that you would like to forget. The point is that as long as it is something that you remember it has an effect in shaping your life. That is how writers shape their manuscripts and I feel blessed that I have so many interesting moments.
A few days ago, a sweet puppy named Romeo died very young. Romeo blessed a lot of lives with his silly antics and his love of life. He touched the hearts of all of us who loved him....just like my friend Jo touched my heart when we shared tea at the kitchen table. If we had loved this puppy any less, his passing would mean nothing. If I had forgotten my days drinking tea with my friend or not have enjoyed them so wholeheartedly... if would not be so engraved in my heart.
It's all about the passion. I try to make my characters memorable. They don't all have to be passionate about anything. Sometimes a character can be more memorable because they are flatline. I will always be grateful for the memories that created them because it means that I am living my life with all the details....the funny ones, the happy ones and the even the sad ones.
Rest in peace sweet puppy.
Together...we created a sweet memory. That was a moment...frozen in time. To me life is made up of many moments...some wonderful, some sad and some that you would like to forget. The point is that as long as it is something that you remember it has an effect in shaping your life. That is how writers shape their manuscripts and I feel blessed that I have so many interesting moments.
A few days ago, a sweet puppy named Romeo died very young. Romeo blessed a lot of lives with his silly antics and his love of life. He touched the hearts of all of us who loved him....just like my friend Jo touched my heart when we shared tea at the kitchen table. If we had loved this puppy any less, his passing would mean nothing. If I had forgotten my days drinking tea with my friend or not have enjoyed them so wholeheartedly... if would not be so engraved in my heart.
It's all about the passion. I try to make my characters memorable. They don't all have to be passionate about anything. Sometimes a character can be more memorable because they are flatline. I will always be grateful for the memories that created them because it means that I am living my life with all the details....the funny ones, the happy ones and the even the sad ones.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Making Lemonade
Sometimes when you are writing something that you hope many people will read, you can get caught up in the "what ifs." Creating scenarios is what I have been doing my whole life! All writers create scenarios. What if your protagonist took a different turn in the road....what would happen to the story line? Sometimes an editor may suggest that turn and when you take it there is a lot of work. The flip side is...if you take it, you can open the door to a myriad of different scenarios that are quite exciting. It can be the road that takes you into another world. As a writer I welcome any chance to go into another world, because I am the lucky one creating it!
I think that is why people read novels. Sitting in your comfy arm chair with a fuzzy blanket, you visit the far ends of the earth....or you meet a woman that takes risks and is not afraid to live her life with gusto. Maybe she is the woman that you always wished you could be. Maybe she has a character trait that reminds you of someone that you know.
When I come to that fork in the road where I get to decide how the character will develop....I call it "Making Lemonade!" The exciting thing is that I get to choose how sweet it is, how many lemons to use and sometimes I let it stay really sour. That's a character you won't want to tangle with! However, it's a character that makes a story interesting and true to life.
Keep reading because I'm making two batches of lemonade today. One has just a hint of sweetness and the other is completely devoid of sugar! Sit back, take a sip....enjoy!
I think that is why people read novels. Sitting in your comfy arm chair with a fuzzy blanket, you visit the far ends of the earth....or you meet a woman that takes risks and is not afraid to live her life with gusto. Maybe she is the woman that you always wished you could be. Maybe she has a character trait that reminds you of someone that you know.
When I come to that fork in the road where I get to decide how the character will develop....I call it "Making Lemonade!" The exciting thing is that I get to choose how sweet it is, how many lemons to use and sometimes I let it stay really sour. That's a character you won't want to tangle with! However, it's a character that makes a story interesting and true to life.
Keep reading because I'm making two batches of lemonade today. One has just a hint of sweetness and the other is completely devoid of sugar! Sit back, take a sip....enjoy!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Curling up with a Book...my book!
With temperatures going down and a nip in the air, I always want to curl up with a good book and read. As a writer, reading has always been a big part of my life. I have a cozy spot in front of my sliding doors where even in the dead of winter it is warm and sunny. That's my favorite reading spot. I pull up my outdoor folding chaise and engage in my second favorite past time....the first of course being writing!
It's always fun for me to read one of my books. Periodically I re-read the novel that I am writing from the beginning... to the last chapter I have written. It helps with the flow of the book and to perceive how readers will react! From that I will re-read the suggested changes from my editor. Going back into the story again and again keeps me connected to my characters who by the way, are already deeply engraved in my heart. Each time I find out more about them and am excited for my readers to get to know them as I do.
Keep reading and enjoy the journey! I would love to answer your questions and hear your comments!
It's always fun for me to read one of my books. Periodically I re-read the novel that I am writing from the beginning... to the last chapter I have written. It helps with the flow of the book and to perceive how readers will react! From that I will re-read the suggested changes from my editor. Going back into the story again and again keeps me connected to my characters who by the way, are already deeply engraved in my heart. Each time I find out more about them and am excited for my readers to get to know them as I do.
Keep reading and enjoy the journey! I would love to answer your questions and hear your comments!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Day in the Life....
It is so easy to get sidetracked working from home. On this particular day, I have no early morning distractions....the dogs are fed and laying on the floor next to me....coffee pot is on and an idea is brewing in my head. All that points to a productive morning. There are days with three puppies in the house where chaos reins! Nico, my problem pup (and the one longingly gazing at the soup in the crockpot) is full of energy and eggs his sister Juliet to join in the fun! Oops...looks like I spoke about the calm too soon! As I write about him, he seems to know and picks his head up to look at me and howl. He just ran around the living room in circles a couple of times. It definitely is a doggy daycare day afterall.
Cultural turmoil, monks and missionaries, salvation and safety and international intrique....that's whats on my mind these days. That is a tiny glimpse into the book I am writing. It's a story that will touch your heart and break it at the same time...but in a way that exposes humanity and opens your eyes to lives that are lived passionately....a lesson for us all.
I am hoping for a 2011 date but will keep you posted. This is a challenging exciting project that keeps me on my toes. See you tomorrow!
Cultural turmoil, monks and missionaries, salvation and safety and international intrique....that's whats on my mind these days. That is a tiny glimpse into the book I am writing. It's a story that will touch your heart and break it at the same time...but in a way that exposes humanity and opens your eyes to lives that are lived passionately....a lesson for us all.
I am hoping for a 2011 date but will keep you posted. This is a challenging exciting project that keeps me on my toes. See you tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Jist of this Blog!
Every writer is motivated by everything and everyone around them. Besides my children and wonderful friends, I have a pack of Cock-a-poos and one very old Golden Retriever to keep me laughing. They fight for top billing with mom (that would be me!) using their paws to bat their sister or brother out of the way!
As I write daily, awaiting agency representation...I cannot help but wonder if I am the luckiest woman in the world. I get to create a character's personality and direct their life! If I get too caught up in the details, my puppies bring me back to earth with a howl or a cuddle letting me know that it all somehow works out the way it's supposed to be. For me this process is about enjoying the journey...the journey of becoming a writer and the journey of life!
This blog is me enjoying my journey...and bringing you along for the ride. Hang on to your hats....there might be a little turbulence!
As I write daily, awaiting agency representation...I cannot help but wonder if I am the luckiest woman in the world. I get to create a character's personality and direct their life! If I get too caught up in the details, my puppies bring me back to earth with a howl or a cuddle letting me know that it all somehow works out the way it's supposed to be. For me this process is about enjoying the journey...the journey of becoming a writer and the journey of life!
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