They say "success is a journey not a destination." I'm not great about the journey part. I like to measure my accomplishments by the big result. I have to practice daily to stay in the moment and find suceess in the small steps. Yesterday's journey on the road to publication blessed me twice.
I went to see my critique partner Marykate speak at Georgian Court University's Authors Day. While she was up there offering her knowledge and expertise on writing she mentioned me to the group! My breath caught in my throat and my eyes teared up. While she was there for herself she selflessly told them to be on the look out for my work. How blessed am I to be loved like that? Every challenging step of this journey to write books and get published has been worth it just so I could sit there and hear Marykate tell her audience she believes in my work. Oh yes, that was full blown success if you ask me and right in the middle of the journey to being a pubished author! That was my first little dance with grace for the day.
After Georgian Court I headed over to my daughter's elementary school to speak to her class about writing. Those kids are great fun. I love the opportunity to inspire children to write. But at the end one little boy raised his hand and said my daughter was lucky to have a mom as nice as me! What a touching thing to say. That young man inspired me! My second dance with grace for the day!
Yesterday was definitely successful and I'm still not published this morning, but that's okay. Right now I get it and when I don't I can remember those moments, take a deep breath, and plow forward.
What journey are you on? Share with us some of your successful steps.
Talk to you later...
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Zombies
Zombies are the new rage. They're popping up in novels. One of my favorites is Patient Zero by Jonathon Maberry - an absolute must read! Movies are made about zombies, television shows, and even video games. What makes them so likable? I've heard they're the new bad guys ever since vampires became the hero.
I've been sucked in too! I walked around all morning wearing a sticky note on my shirt with the time 11:14 on it so I wouldn't forget. Forget what? To harvest the zombies!! That's right. My son needed my help. He's playing Zombie Farm on his ITouch and at exactly 11:14 two new zombies would be ready for harvesting and when he accumulates eight zombies he can invade. What he can invade I don't know, but that's not the point. I couldn't let my son down, right? How hard could it be to play a video game and I needed an excuse to walk away from manuscript for five minutes.
The pressure was on. I didn't know how to make the farmer dig the little boogers up! I pressed the screen a hundred times, but the zombies remained in the garden. I couldn't fail in my first video game attempt to win the invasion, could I? Thankfully, sheer stubbornness won out. I pressed every button on the screen, praying I didn't delete the game, and discovered the farmer needed a harvesting tool! Duh!!! I freed the zombies and in the nick of time. Phew!
And let me tell you what, those zombies are cute! (Sorry, Jonathon, these zombies wouldn't work in your novel!) The whole game is animated in bright colors and the zombies have adorable faces. I dug up a Garden Zombie with a gnomes hat on!! Way cool! And every zombie has a name: Ted, Bill, Tom, you get the idea.
It looks like I've gone full circle. I enjoy everything from science fiction - thriller novels to the adorable Zombie Farm. Are you catching the zombie fever? Share some of your favorite zombie experiences with us.
Talk to you later...
I've been sucked in too! I walked around all morning wearing a sticky note on my shirt with the time 11:14 on it so I wouldn't forget. Forget what? To harvest the zombies!! That's right. My son needed my help. He's playing Zombie Farm on his ITouch and at exactly 11:14 two new zombies would be ready for harvesting and when he accumulates eight zombies he can invade. What he can invade I don't know, but that's not the point. I couldn't let my son down, right? How hard could it be to play a video game and I needed an excuse to walk away from manuscript for five minutes.
The pressure was on. I didn't know how to make the farmer dig the little boogers up! I pressed the screen a hundred times, but the zombies remained in the garden. I couldn't fail in my first video game attempt to win the invasion, could I? Thankfully, sheer stubbornness won out. I pressed every button on the screen, praying I didn't delete the game, and discovered the farmer needed a harvesting tool! Duh!!! I freed the zombies and in the nick of time. Phew!
And let me tell you what, those zombies are cute! (Sorry, Jonathon, these zombies wouldn't work in your novel!) The whole game is animated in bright colors and the zombies have adorable faces. I dug up a Garden Zombie with a gnomes hat on!! Way cool! And every zombie has a name: Ted, Bill, Tom, you get the idea.
It looks like I've gone full circle. I enjoy everything from science fiction - thriller novels to the adorable Zombie Farm. Are you catching the zombie fever? Share some of your favorite zombie experiences with us.
Talk to you later...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Writing Skills
There's been a lot of talk lately about the public school system in this country. I for one, am very interested in seeing the movie "Waiting for Superman." As usual, I have my opinion about public school, but I'd like to hear yours. So tell us what you think about tenure, incentive based raises and job security.
Let me touch briefly on children's writing skills. I'm not an expert in this area, but what I can see students today are struggling in this area. Why do you think that is? Is it because pen and paper are going by the way of the dinosaur? Personally, I love the yellow legal pad and a black pen. I've done some of my best creative work with those instruments.
I'd like to change the fact students lack strong writing skills. I've started speaking to elementary and middle school children about writing. I hope I've motivated at least one child. What other ideas could we implement to get kids cheering for writing?
What's your opinion? Let's talk...
Let me touch briefly on children's writing skills. I'm not an expert in this area, but what I can see students today are struggling in this area. Why do you think that is? Is it because pen and paper are going by the way of the dinosaur? Personally, I love the yellow legal pad and a black pen. I've done some of my best creative work with those instruments.
I'd like to change the fact students lack strong writing skills. I've started speaking to elementary and middle school children about writing. I hope I've motivated at least one child. What other ideas could we implement to get kids cheering for writing?
What's your opinion? Let's talk...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Technology
I just saw a posting on Facebook. One of my "friends" must be looking to buy a new house so she posted 52 pictures of a house she might buy! There are some comments like, "I hope you get it. I'll keep my fingers crossed. It's so beautiful for your family." Do you know what I wanted to write? "Do the owners know you posted 52 pictures of THEIR house on Facebook?!" Do you know what that says to me? "Hi, we're selling our house and some stranger posted pictures of it without my knowledge or permission. BTW, since you know where I live why don't you come rob me?" I know what you're going to say - what about realtor.com. That even gives you the address of the house. But it bothers me that some stranger can post pictures of my house on line just because she walked through it! Yes, it's a control thing, but while I own the house I should be able to control what happens to it, don't you think?
We read our personal emails out in public on unsecured networks. That means anyone can hack into our accounts and find things out about our lives. Do you have any emails you don't want read? Hhmm...something to think about. And who doesn't bank online or make purchases with their debit card? It's 1984 and a Handmaid's Tale all rolled into one if you ask me.
We can't go backwards and give up the technology we've become so addicted to. How do we protect ourselves? Frankly, I want to wipe out my Facebook site. But is that the answer? I guess the need to develop "street smarts" has spread into the cyberworld too. We have to be careful out there. Know your surroundings. Don't talk to strangers. And when in doubt...run!
Talk to you later...
We read our personal emails out in public on unsecured networks. That means anyone can hack into our accounts and find things out about our lives. Do you have any emails you don't want read? Hhmm...something to think about. And who doesn't bank online or make purchases with their debit card? It's 1984 and a Handmaid's Tale all rolled into one if you ask me.
We can't go backwards and give up the technology we've become so addicted to. How do we protect ourselves? Frankly, I want to wipe out my Facebook site. But is that the answer? I guess the need to develop "street smarts" has spread into the cyberworld too. We have to be careful out there. Know your surroundings. Don't talk to strangers. And when in doubt...run!
Talk to you later...
Monday, September 13, 2010
How Do You Persevere?
Writing a novel is one of the hardest things I've ever done. The manuscript I'm working on now has its hands around my neck and is choking the life from me. I want to set it on fire and if it wasn't for the support of my critique partners I might do just that and bag this writing thing forever!
I've edited this nemesis I call my WIP at least six (yes, I said SIX) times and it's still not done. Editing isn't just changing grammatical mistakes or coming up with a better word choice. It's having your characters make different decisions which leads to a different plot line, a different setting, a different outcome. You add characters and delete characters, but that leads to other characters having to say it, do it, feel it, see it. And after all this changing around you have to go back and fix the things you missed like telling the reader who Gayle is because you've edited the book so many times you don't realize you've cut out the part where you mention she's your protagonist's life long friend!
As I write this post I'm faced with almost another complete rewrite of the novel and frankly, I don't know if I have the energy to do it. And what if after all is said and done I still can't get someone to publish it? (Ah, the real issue I think.)
I know, no one said this was going to be easy and anything worth having usually isn't. Any pearls of wisdom from those of you out there? How do you keep going in the face of challenges?
I'm going to borrow a good idea from a friend. I'm going to eat a bag of peanut M&M's and maybe by the time I'm done this book will have written itself!
Talk to you later...
I've edited this nemesis I call my WIP at least six (yes, I said SIX) times and it's still not done. Editing isn't just changing grammatical mistakes or coming up with a better word choice. It's having your characters make different decisions which leads to a different plot line, a different setting, a different outcome. You add characters and delete characters, but that leads to other characters having to say it, do it, feel it, see it. And after all this changing around you have to go back and fix the things you missed like telling the reader who Gayle is because you've edited the book so many times you don't realize you've cut out the part where you mention she's your protagonist's life long friend!
As I write this post I'm faced with almost another complete rewrite of the novel and frankly, I don't know if I have the energy to do it. And what if after all is said and done I still can't get someone to publish it? (Ah, the real issue I think.)
I know, no one said this was going to be easy and anything worth having usually isn't. Any pearls of wisdom from those of you out there? How do you keep going in the face of challenges?
I'm going to borrow a good idea from a friend. I'm going to eat a bag of peanut M&M's and maybe by the time I'm done this book will have written itself!
Talk to you later...
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Bullies
With the unofficial end of summer about to become a tiny image in the rear view mirror and the new school year upon us I worry about bullying. It's an age old tradition, isn't it? And not a good one.
Why are children so mean to one another? I think it's because kids struggle with low self-esteem. I've read some experts say the cause of bullying is the exact opposite and in this day and age of overindulging I see their point.
I wish I could fix these kids basically so they'll leave my kids alone. And other kids too. NO ONE should get bullied. NO ONE.
Unfortunately, I don't buy into some of the methods the schools try to enforce. "Let's use our I Care language." Newsflash: Kids are still bullying each other. Those rules are only good for the kids who would've never bullied in the first place. (Kind of like hand gun laws, but that's a blog for another time.)
This leads me back to self-esteem. If a child feels good about him/herself, then they don't need to waste the time making other kids feel badly about themselves. How do we accomplish this? At home!
Why are children so mean to one another? I think it's because kids struggle with low self-esteem. I've read some experts say the cause of bullying is the exact opposite and in this day and age of overindulging I see their point.
I wish I could fix these kids basically so they'll leave my kids alone. And other kids too. NO ONE should get bullied. NO ONE.
Unfortunately, I don't buy into some of the methods the schools try to enforce. "Let's use our I Care language." Newsflash: Kids are still bullying each other. Those rules are only good for the kids who would've never bullied in the first place. (Kind of like hand gun laws, but that's a blog for another time.)
This leads me back to self-esteem. If a child feels good about him/herself, then they don't need to waste the time making other kids feel badly about themselves. How do we accomplish this? At home!
- Sit down to a family dinner every night. It's a great opportunity to hear about how your child's day went.
- Take an interest in their school work. Praise them for a job well done.
- When you're disciplining your child make sure they understand what you don't like is the behavior. Make sure they understand you love them no matter what.
- If your son or daughter is hanging around with a kid who has "mean moments"ask your child how he/she feels when they're with this person. Then ask them how they feel when they're with someone they really like. This empowers them to choose who their friends are and teaches them how to pick better kids to hang with.
- Lead by example. Be kind to the people around you. If you walk up to an existing conversation and start whispering in someone's ear and leaving the others out you can bet your son/daughter is doing the same thing. Honestly, it's just plain old mean and you've taught your kid how to be mean too. And don't think they aren't watching you. Kids are smart cookies.
The world could be a better place if everyone felt good about themselves. I know it's possible and it starts with the kids. Talk to you later...
Monday, August 23, 2010
Her Fearful Symmetry
Let me tell you about a book I recently finished. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. Some of you may have read her first book The Time Traveler's Wife.
Her Fearful Symmetry is about twenty-year old sisters, Julia and Valentina. They have an unusual attachment to each other boarding on creepy sometimes. They receive a package in the mail. Their dead aunt Elspeth has left her estate to the girls. But there are two conditions: They must live in her London flat for a year and their parents must never step foot inside it! You see, Elspeth's estranged twin sister Edie is the girls' mother.
Julia and Valentina embark on this adventure where they meet a cast of eclectic characters determined to have their way despite the consequences: Robert -Elspeth's younger lover, Martin - an agoraphobic suffering from extreme OCD and by far the most interesting character, and Elspeth's ghost who floats and flies around her flat as she adjusts to her new existence.
The plot is full of twists some predictable and many confusing. I had to reread a few sections just so I could follow it. I think Ms. Niffenegger was trying to keep her readers on their toes, but only managed to trip herself up in the process. However, her prose is descriptive and her choice to use Highgate Cemetery in London as her backdrop is fitting for this peculiar ghost story.
If you're willing to suspend disbelief and can forgive this multi-published author her winding and sometimes slow path (it drags a little in the middle) then pick up a copy of Her Fearful Symmetry. I'm not sorry I did. I never miss a chance to read a ghost story and this one will certainly entertain you. And after you're done, come on back and tell me what you think.
Talk to you later...
Her Fearful Symmetry is about twenty-year old sisters, Julia and Valentina. They have an unusual attachment to each other boarding on creepy sometimes. They receive a package in the mail. Their dead aunt Elspeth has left her estate to the girls. But there are two conditions: They must live in her London flat for a year and their parents must never step foot inside it! You see, Elspeth's estranged twin sister Edie is the girls' mother.
Julia and Valentina embark on this adventure where they meet a cast of eclectic characters determined to have their way despite the consequences: Robert -Elspeth's younger lover, Martin - an agoraphobic suffering from extreme OCD and by far the most interesting character, and Elspeth's ghost who floats and flies around her flat as she adjusts to her new existence.
The plot is full of twists some predictable and many confusing. I had to reread a few sections just so I could follow it. I think Ms. Niffenegger was trying to keep her readers on their toes, but only managed to trip herself up in the process. However, her prose is descriptive and her choice to use Highgate Cemetery in London as her backdrop is fitting for this peculiar ghost story.
If you're willing to suspend disbelief and can forgive this multi-published author her winding and sometimes slow path (it drags a little in the middle) then pick up a copy of Her Fearful Symmetry. I'm not sorry I did. I never miss a chance to read a ghost story and this one will certainly entertain you. And after you're done, come on back and tell me what you think.
Talk to you later...
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