I am excited to be participating in NaNoWriMo this year. What is that? It is a web based community of authors who encourage and assist each other to write 50,000 or more words during the month of November. I have never participated in this, and am excited and nervous all at the same time. Doing the math, I plan to write about 2,000 words each day. That sounds like a lot, but it actually shouldn't be too hard. My daughter was looking for ideas for a short story and had asked people to help. I spent only about 30 minutes thinking of ideas and writing out some thoughts. In that time, I wrote 725 words. This means I should be able to do the needed writing each day in about an hour and a half. I will be able to devote time each weeknight to this project (except the night I meet with my writing group) because my husband will also be studying (for a test). I will also be able to devote time on the weekend to, hopefully, get ahead of the game. The most difficult part leading up to this is trying to decide on which story I will be focusing on. I have several stories to choose from, and I am not sure if I want to focus on one or bounce between a few. I am also hoping to plan my time so I can get as much writing done as possible, as well as keep up on the every day stuff. I will likely try different times of day to write, and may even do some writing at lunch. I am hoping to complete one story so I can work with my writing group and get edits done on it as well. I would love to publish by the end of the year, or early next year. Of course this also means deciding on the cover image and design, and working with someone on that. Perhaps I'll be able to get a story out by spring of 2015.
My biggest distraction will likely be the football games on Sundays. I am quite the sports nut, and do love to watch football (and yell at the TV). The other concern I have is that I've had a migraine for about a week. It ebbs and flows, some days worse than others, but constantly there in the background. I just hope my visit to my doctor will shed some light on what is going on. My eating habits haven't changed, my sleep habits haven't changed, my schedule hasn't changed, and I am not feeling more stressed than usual. I have a feeling I'll likely be doing some medical visits in the next few weeks, but it will hopefully result in no more headaches.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Exciting News
It's been a couple of weeks, and I am still amazed. I submitted a short story into a contest to be included in an anthology, and my story was selected. This will be my first published work, and I can't believe how excited I am. The story started as an idea I got from a song, but not one I had really written anything on. I got the info for the contest on January 1 and by January 31 I had a completed work, with several edits with my writing group, ready to submit. Granted it was a short story, about 7,500 words, but it showed me that I can get a completed work done. Now to get to work on my longer projects. I have an artist challenge that I am working on with my writing group to break up the monotony of any specific works that I choose to do, but my biggest problem is choosing one.
As you know, I am part of a writing group, so I also work with other writers to give critique and comments on their work. This means that my writing time is divided. I work on my projects, I read and give comments on my friends work, and I do the artist challenge. I don't have much time for writing, so need to spend it wisely. I also have a full time job outside the house, as well as a family to love and care for and a house to keep, with all that goes with it. And I try to post on my blog, more than I have in the past. This means I need to spend more time writing and less time watching TV (which I absolutely love to do). Of course, I spend my time watching TV with my husband, so I would have to give that up (which I don't want to do). I think I am going to have to schedule time to write and just make it part of my day. Maybe I should try getting up early again and writing in the morning. I am not at my best in the morning, though, so it may not work.
With all the things I have during my regular life, I am also in the process of getting our house and yard ready for a wedding. My daughter is getting married in less than 3 months and I have a lot of work to do, so that will take away from my writing time as well. Maybe I will give up sleeping, then I'll have time to do everything. Guess I should figure out my schedule and get to it, which means I need to end this blog post.
As you know, I am part of a writing group, so I also work with other writers to give critique and comments on their work. This means that my writing time is divided. I work on my projects, I read and give comments on my friends work, and I do the artist challenge. I don't have much time for writing, so need to spend it wisely. I also have a full time job outside the house, as well as a family to love and care for and a house to keep, with all that goes with it. And I try to post on my blog, more than I have in the past. This means I need to spend more time writing and less time watching TV (which I absolutely love to do). Of course, I spend my time watching TV with my husband, so I would have to give that up (which I don't want to do). I think I am going to have to schedule time to write and just make it part of my day. Maybe I should try getting up early again and writing in the morning. I am not at my best in the morning, though, so it may not work.
With all the things I have during my regular life, I am also in the process of getting our house and yard ready for a wedding. My daughter is getting married in less than 3 months and I have a lot of work to do, so that will take away from my writing time as well. Maybe I will give up sleeping, then I'll have time to do everything. Guess I should figure out my schedule and get to it, which means I need to end this blog post.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Happily Ever After Endings
I know lots of people like to read stories and have a "Happily Ever After" ending. I don't mind those, but I am always impressed when authors choose to not make things end with all well, everyone who you love happy, etc. When you can have an ending that is not what someone might expect, it adds intrigue. I love to have everyone happy, but life doesn't work that way. People leave, loss happens, death occurs, and the world continues to move along.
When you experience loss, you expect everyone to experience the same break you do. The truth is, you are the only one to experience the loss. I am not saying that when someone dies, you are the only one who experiences a loss. What I am saying is that your loss is unique. The person you lost is special to you in a way that is unlike their relationship with any other person.
I recently lost my father. I am not an only child, so I am not the only one who lost a father. My 6 siblings lost a father as well. The difference is that my experience with my father is unlike any of my siblings. I am not saying my loss is greater, nor is it less. It is just different. It was interesting to watch my siblings experience the coming loss. We all had different reactions, different experiences, and different places where we were at any time during the week long process of loss. I attribute this to each of our relationships with dad.
With this recent experience, I realized that I appreciate the realistic portions of books. I want to write real life, real experiences, and reality. I don't mind having some things be unrealistic, but for the most part, I want someone who is reading this to believe that this could happen. I find that when I can put myself into the story and believe that what is happening to the main character is happening to me, I enjoy reading it much more. I do like to read fantasy, though, which has so much based in the unrealistic world. With those stories, I have to suspend my real life experiences, and believe in the unreal. I can do that, as long as the "world" I am reading does not break it's own rules.
I don't know if I could write fantasy, but I do like to read it. I would love to know how others feel about the "Happily Ever After" endings. I've asked some people and they love them, and don't want to read stories that don't end that way. I want to know if anyone else likes the unsuspecting endings.
When you experience loss, you expect everyone to experience the same break you do. The truth is, you are the only one to experience the loss. I am not saying that when someone dies, you are the only one who experiences a loss. What I am saying is that your loss is unique. The person you lost is special to you in a way that is unlike their relationship with any other person.
I recently lost my father. I am not an only child, so I am not the only one who lost a father. My 6 siblings lost a father as well. The difference is that my experience with my father is unlike any of my siblings. I am not saying my loss is greater, nor is it less. It is just different. It was interesting to watch my siblings experience the coming loss. We all had different reactions, different experiences, and different places where we were at any time during the week long process of loss. I attribute this to each of our relationships with dad.
With this recent experience, I realized that I appreciate the realistic portions of books. I want to write real life, real experiences, and reality. I don't mind having some things be unrealistic, but for the most part, I want someone who is reading this to believe that this could happen. I find that when I can put myself into the story and believe that what is happening to the main character is happening to me, I enjoy reading it much more. I do like to read fantasy, though, which has so much based in the unrealistic world. With those stories, I have to suspend my real life experiences, and believe in the unreal. I can do that, as long as the "world" I am reading does not break it's own rules.
I don't know if I could write fantasy, but I do like to read it. I would love to know how others feel about the "Happily Ever After" endings. I've asked some people and they love them, and don't want to read stories that don't end that way. I want to know if anyone else likes the unsuspecting endings.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Simple Treasures
I spent time going through my writing notebook this morning. It's a three ring binder with lined paper. I like to write with pen and paper more than by typing on the computer. Anyway, I found a nice little gem I'd like to share:
"Writing is creating something out of nothing, sort of God-like. One of the beauties of writing is that words become your servants. They are at your command to communicate information, convey feelings, entertain, and cause people to think and perhaps act on what you have written. There is power--and, thus, responsibility--in how you use them. Use them wisely and they will serve you well." Sue Miholer
I love that such simple things, words, can be used so wonderfully. The problem I find is I am scared someone will use what I write in a way that is not how it was intended, and that I will be blamed for the chaos that comes from it. I need to remind myself that even God's words are used in a way He did not intend. People will use any means to further their own ambitions. All I can do us use these words in a way that is beneficial. If someone else chooses to maliciously warp them to mean what they want, I cannot stop them. If the God of everything cannot stop man from warping His words, how am I supposed to?
I do not in any way compare my writing to that which is God breathed. I just take solace in the fact that if He cannot stop man from misusing His good intentions, why should I expect to be able to. Not that it has happened, I just hate the idea of the possibility.
I guess it is time to get to work, using letters to form words, words to form sentences, and sentences to form a story. It's time to put my "god" hat on and create a world.
"Writing is creating something out of nothing, sort of God-like. One of the beauties of writing is that words become your servants. They are at your command to communicate information, convey feelings, entertain, and cause people to think and perhaps act on what you have written. There is power--and, thus, responsibility--in how you use them. Use them wisely and they will serve you well." Sue Miholer
I love that such simple things, words, can be used so wonderfully. The problem I find is I am scared someone will use what I write in a way that is not how it was intended, and that I will be blamed for the chaos that comes from it. I need to remind myself that even God's words are used in a way He did not intend. People will use any means to further their own ambitions. All I can do us use these words in a way that is beneficial. If someone else chooses to maliciously warp them to mean what they want, I cannot stop them. If the God of everything cannot stop man from warping His words, how am I supposed to?
I do not in any way compare my writing to that which is God breathed. I just take solace in the fact that if He cannot stop man from misusing His good intentions, why should I expect to be able to. Not that it has happened, I just hate the idea of the possibility.
I guess it is time to get to work, using letters to form words, words to form sentences, and sentences to form a story. It's time to put my "god" hat on and create a world.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Why do they have to be happy?
It's the time of the year when you hear the words "Happy Holidays" all over. But why does everyone need to be happy? Why is it the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"?
I understand that we all want to celebrate, get together as families, spend time with loved ones. I just wonder if we have to put the pressure on everyone to be "happy." What defines happy, anyway? Is it a joyous feeling in the heart? Is it the feeling of peace with everyone we are around? Is it sucking it up and spending time with family, even if it isn't who you want to be with?
Don't get me wrong...I am very happy with my family and friends. I love this time of year.
But why do we have to put pressure on people who don't have the best of relationships with their family? Why do we insist that it is a wonderful time of the year if there are people who are always reminded of loss at this time? What about those who are away from their love because of circumstances? I'm not talking about just the distance between two people in miles, I'm talking about the distance emotionally between two people who are sharing the same house, the same couch, or even the same bed.
Doesn't it seem cruel to insist on happiness at this time of year? Some people can barely make it to compatible. Others have no relationships they can even pretend to be happy about. And if you can muster enough emotion at all, sometimes it is just enough to get through the day without wishing harm to someone who is standing next to you.
Then you have all the financial restraints of the "Holiday Season" to deal with. The pressure to get something for everyone. The requirement of gifting all the people who are a part of your life. What happened to the times when the gift of time was the most important? When giving someone your time was the most precious gift you could offer? When showing kindness to a stranger was all that was ever expected? When something you created with your hands and your heart were the greatest gifts anyone could receive?
Now it's bobbles and whatsits and trinkets to fill up the empty space that is within each of us.
I say we need to take back the season that is supposed to be wonderful. Give graciously of yourself. Make something, anything, and give it away. Bake cookies with your kids and take them to your neighbors or to work with you for everyone to share. Knit or crochet a scarf, or ten, and take them to a senior center or assisted living facility or even a shelter. Make up coupons good for one hour of undivided attention and give them to your kids, then follow through and take that hour to devote solely to whatever they want to do, even if it is simply watching them play a silly video game and cheering them on.
Whatever you decide to do, do it wholeheartedly. Don't skimp on these gifts, but make them count. Who knows? This may just become the most wonderful time of your year!!!
I understand that we all want to celebrate, get together as families, spend time with loved ones. I just wonder if we have to put the pressure on everyone to be "happy." What defines happy, anyway? Is it a joyous feeling in the heart? Is it the feeling of peace with everyone we are around? Is it sucking it up and spending time with family, even if it isn't who you want to be with?
Don't get me wrong...I am very happy with my family and friends. I love this time of year.
But why do we have to put pressure on people who don't have the best of relationships with their family? Why do we insist that it is a wonderful time of the year if there are people who are always reminded of loss at this time? What about those who are away from their love because of circumstances? I'm not talking about just the distance between two people in miles, I'm talking about the distance emotionally between two people who are sharing the same house, the same couch, or even the same bed.
Doesn't it seem cruel to insist on happiness at this time of year? Some people can barely make it to compatible. Others have no relationships they can even pretend to be happy about. And if you can muster enough emotion at all, sometimes it is just enough to get through the day without wishing harm to someone who is standing next to you.
Then you have all the financial restraints of the "Holiday Season" to deal with. The pressure to get something for everyone. The requirement of gifting all the people who are a part of your life. What happened to the times when the gift of time was the most important? When giving someone your time was the most precious gift you could offer? When showing kindness to a stranger was all that was ever expected? When something you created with your hands and your heart were the greatest gifts anyone could receive?
Now it's bobbles and whatsits and trinkets to fill up the empty space that is within each of us.
I say we need to take back the season that is supposed to be wonderful. Give graciously of yourself. Make something, anything, and give it away. Bake cookies with your kids and take them to your neighbors or to work with you for everyone to share. Knit or crochet a scarf, or ten, and take them to a senior center or assisted living facility or even a shelter. Make up coupons good for one hour of undivided attention and give them to your kids, then follow through and take that hour to devote solely to whatever they want to do, even if it is simply watching them play a silly video game and cheering them on.
Whatever you decide to do, do it wholeheartedly. Don't skimp on these gifts, but make them count. Who knows? This may just become the most wonderful time of your year!!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sick
I really hate being sick, especially when there is nothing really wrong. I just don't feel well, and want to spend the day in bed. Unfortunately, I have to go to work. Good news, I am done with classes. Took the final last night, so that is out of the way (YEAH!!!). Now, tonight is going to be a go to bed early night, and maybe I will feel better in the morning.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Weather
Windy and stormy last night. Love nights like that. Haven't been writing much because I have a final to take tonight. After this, though, my nights are much more free, and I can spend them writing. Gonna be great to get back to that. I definitely need to do writing. Have to see where the changes are going to take my story. And the new techniques are really nice. Love to my writing group for their help in making my story come to life. Gonna get to it now.
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