Brick Walls
I have always been fairly arrogant about my writing ability. Not so much the quality of my work but my motivation and ability to pour out the pages with little stress. Over the last year or so, this has changed. I completed nothing in 2005, a bitter blow for my ego. And while I do not care for humbling experiences, I did learn about the difficulties of writing that I hadn't had before.
Hitting a brick wall hurts. Continuing to hit a brick wall hurts even more. Finding away over the wall is the trick. Today I finally feel like I've crested the top of this brick wall. I finished chapter one of my new WIP and am looking forward to chapter two. I think all writers hit brick walls. Sometimes they are simple retaining walls that require a minimum of effort to surmount. Other times, they are monsters and there is no way of climbing over them. Doesn't mean they are impossible, just means the writer needs to find another way around them. I've hit the gamut over the last year. Some I've managed to climb, others, I've given up on and chose a different path. Many of them have been daunting and I can't tell you how many times I merely wanted to hang it up and forget about writing altogether.
And I think I would have if it hadn't been for the blogging community. Every day I read posts from writers hitting and overcoming brick walls. I see their triumphs and their despairs and it gives me impetus to go on. I'm not the only one going through an obstacle course to getting a book published. As they say, misery loves company…. None of us likes to feel like we are alone and I think the blogsospere really hammers home how much we all have in common as writers.
Anyway, I see a correlation between my new outlook on writing and the cyber-community I have joined in the last year. So, those of you who are scaling your brick walls, look to bloggers to help and those who have gotten to the other side, know your triumph is helping others. I'd give you each a pound of Godiva chocolate if I were rich, but since I'm not, pretend I did.
Other stuff
I'm posting low fat recipes this week over at Search for the Good Life. Today is Overnight Oatmeal.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Saturday, January 14, 2006
The Rings of Saturn
The Rings of Saturn
My son got a telescope for Christmas. The other night, the sky was clear and the moon was full, a perfect time to use it. So we got it out and focused on the moon. Yes, it was spectacular and all of us were able to see it. We all saw the same details, appreciated the same moonscape features. My husband went on to focus on a star. He zoomed in on it and said there wasn't much to see, just a bright white dot. I looked in, focused it for my vision and saw the rings of Saturn. My husband and my son neither one could see it. I tried to explain what they were looking at, but still they couldn't see it. Our vision is too different.
I knew there was a lesson in there somewhere. As writers, we are trying so hard to present our view, we want our readers to be on the same wave length as us, to see the story we are trying to tell. I thought of this when I read a few posts regarding when a cp reads your chapters and sends it back with tons of correction and ideas. It is disappointing because we obviously failed in our quest to provide a vision of our story. But it is important to accept the fact our sight is different than others. You have a choice: try again to convey your story or accept the fact that no one is going to see what you see. That's okay. In the telescope I focused differently and found a blanket of stars invisible to the naked eye. My husband was able to see it and it was a vision we both enjoyed. I feel certain we will both see the rings of Saturn. Right now it is rising at 5 in the morning in our sky, so by the time we see it, the planet is not in a good spot for viewing. But for now, I will focus the telescope on objects we can both enjoy.
My son got a telescope for Christmas. The other night, the sky was clear and the moon was full, a perfect time to use it. So we got it out and focused on the moon. Yes, it was spectacular and all of us were able to see it. We all saw the same details, appreciated the same moonscape features. My husband went on to focus on a star. He zoomed in on it and said there wasn't much to see, just a bright white dot. I looked in, focused it for my vision and saw the rings of Saturn. My husband and my son neither one could see it. I tried to explain what they were looking at, but still they couldn't see it. Our vision is too different.
I knew there was a lesson in there somewhere. As writers, we are trying so hard to present our view, we want our readers to be on the same wave length as us, to see the story we are trying to tell. I thought of this when I read a few posts regarding when a cp reads your chapters and sends it back with tons of correction and ideas. It is disappointing because we obviously failed in our quest to provide a vision of our story. But it is important to accept the fact our sight is different than others. You have a choice: try again to convey your story or accept the fact that no one is going to see what you see. That's okay. In the telescope I focused differently and found a blanket of stars invisible to the naked eye. My husband was able to see it and it was a vision we both enjoyed. I feel certain we will both see the rings of Saturn. Right now it is rising at 5 in the morning in our sky, so by the time we see it, the planet is not in a good spot for viewing. But for now, I will focus the telescope on objects we can both enjoy.
Friday, January 13, 2006
New Look
As you can see, I have a new look for my blog. I'm still working on it. There are a couple of bugs. Some of the punctuation from my old posts which I wrote in Word are coming out funny. I've corrected most of the last post, but I missed a few. Please indulge me and pretend the older posts look fine *g*
I'm still playing around with it. I think the bright colors reflect my sunny personality. Or maybe the yellow harkens to the sallow color of my skin after a night of too much merlot (boy, was it tasty).
I'm still playing around with it. I think the bright colors reflect my sunny personality. Or maybe the yellow harkens to the sallow color of my skin after a night of too much merlot (boy, was it tasty).
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Number Crunch
When I was in high school and was given an essay assignment, I remember cringing when there was a word count. Five hundred words might as well have been five thousand. I had the hardest time making those limits. I still do...in the opposite direction.
I'm trying to write a short story that is 700 words. Whew! My first draft was 926 words. Now I'm at 817. Doesn't seem like it should be hard to pare down, but wow, it is tough. But I'll get there.
I never liked math, but I’m very number-oriented when I write. When I write in Courier, my chapters are 20 pages long and I write 20 chapters. In TNR, my chapters are 16 pages long, 20 chapters. I don't edit to meet those limits, its how I write.
Do numbers pressure you or do you worry about it when you finish and start editing? Do you keep in mind while your writing how many words you need to shoot for?
Other Stuff...
Wanted to say "Hi" to Tanya and Laura. Thanks for stopping by. Also, there are a couple of new posts on Search for the Good Life about shopping lists and stocking the pantry.
I'm trying to write a short story that is 700 words. Whew! My first draft was 926 words. Now I'm at 817. Doesn't seem like it should be hard to pare down, but wow, it is tough. But I'll get there.
I never liked math, but I’m very number-oriented when I write. When I write in Courier, my chapters are 20 pages long and I write 20 chapters. In TNR, my chapters are 16 pages long, 20 chapters. I don't edit to meet those limits, its how I write.
Do numbers pressure you or do you worry about it when you finish and start editing? Do you keep in mind while your writing how many words you need to shoot for?
Other Stuff...
Wanted to say "Hi" to Tanya and Laura. Thanks for stopping by. Also, there are a couple of new posts on Search for the Good Life about shopping lists and stocking the pantry.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Poppit Killed My Good Intentions
I would have posted earlier but I was too busy playing Poppit to think of anything to say.
Yes, I had time to write today and no, I did not because I had to keep popping balloons. Why? Was I going to win a car? No. Would it bring world peace? Nope. Is it a total waste of valuable time? Yep.
So why do I do it? Wish I had an answer. If it weren’t for the intermissions, I wouldn’t have gotten anything done. I’m not sure why I find the game so addictive. I know I’m not the only one. Do any of you have an Internet time waster you find yourself hooked on?
Oh, the intermission is over. Got to get back to popping balloons.
Yes, I had time to write today and no, I did not because I had to keep popping balloons. Why? Was I going to win a car? No. Would it bring world peace? Nope. Is it a total waste of valuable time? Yep.
So why do I do it? Wish I had an answer. If it weren’t for the intermissions, I wouldn’t have gotten anything done. I’m not sure why I find the game so addictive. I know I’m not the only one. Do any of you have an Internet time waster you find yourself hooked on?
Oh, the intermission is over. Got to get back to popping balloons.
Monday, January 09, 2006
There Was Much Rejoicing Through The Land....
The kids went back to school today. Oh, the peace. Of course, because I had them home so much, I hadn’t gone to the grocery store so we had no food. I refuse to go shopping with all three of them. It is a nightmare. They spend the time fighting or asking for stuff. It is distracting and annoying.
DH asked me how I thought summer was going to go. I felt my face pale and I wondered if I should go get a job. Would you like fries with that?
My kids aren’t bad. They are difficult with strong personalities (that is a nice way of saying they are spoiled brats). But having them home all the time is like being plunged into a three ring circus. The level of activity and the volume is enough to drive me nuts. Mostly because I am used the relative quiet of being home with just one child. And while Thing is a total pain, I can deal with her okay one on one. BTW, she was “congested” last night so I had to give her some Benadryl. We all slept well last night.
Last summer I had all sorts of plans, but none of them panned out. But it does make me think I need to put some thought into the summer now before it arrives and I don’t have a chance to get organized. I’d like to put them in summer daycamp, but with three kids, the price is pretty steep. If I could only sell a book.
My writing isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. My schedules haven’t gone as planned and I’m not as flexible as I should be. Stuff happens. Mentally, I know that but another part is unforgiving. Then I get frustrated. Frustration leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering and next thing you know, I’ll be working for the Dark Side. Well, probably not. Master Yoda can’t help me here.
If I sit for fifteen minutes and mull over what needs to be done and how I can fit some writing time in, I am back to my happy go lucky self.
This week over at Search for the Good Life I’m talking about meal planning and shopping. Today the topic is creating a weekly menu.
DH asked me how I thought summer was going to go. I felt my face pale and I wondered if I should go get a job. Would you like fries with that?
My kids aren’t bad. They are difficult with strong personalities (that is a nice way of saying they are spoiled brats). But having them home all the time is like being plunged into a three ring circus. The level of activity and the volume is enough to drive me nuts. Mostly because I am used the relative quiet of being home with just one child. And while Thing is a total pain, I can deal with her okay one on one. BTW, she was “congested” last night so I had to give her some Benadryl. We all slept well last night.
Last summer I had all sorts of plans, but none of them panned out. But it does make me think I need to put some thought into the summer now before it arrives and I don’t have a chance to get organized. I’d like to put them in summer daycamp, but with three kids, the price is pretty steep. If I could only sell a book.
My writing isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. My schedules haven’t gone as planned and I’m not as flexible as I should be. Stuff happens. Mentally, I know that but another part is unforgiving. Then I get frustrated. Frustration leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering and next thing you know, I’ll be working for the Dark Side. Well, probably not. Master Yoda can’t help me here.
If I sit for fifteen minutes and mull over what needs to be done and how I can fit some writing time in, I am back to my happy go lucky self.
This week over at Search for the Good Life I’m talking about meal planning and shopping. Today the topic is creating a weekly menu.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The Thing in my House
I’ve been really good about blogging on writing and reading topics. Noticed there haven’t been any rants about my family?
Sorry, that period is over.
My three year old, now called “Thing” has turned into a demon from hell. First, Thing refuses to use the potty at home. But go out in public and she insists on using the bathroom. The dirtier and more disgusting the toilet, the better. And she touches everything. Still refuses to use it at home.
Say no to her and she bawls, say yes to her and she bawls, put the wrong clothes on her and she bawls, look at her funny and she bawls. This kid could dehydrate with the amount of bawling she is doing. And she has a shrill, loud voice that makes ear drums bleed.
She gets into stuff constantly. I have to be on my toes at all times to make sure she is not destroying something. The worst situation, however, is her sleeping. This is a phase I have gone through with my other kids as well. My son was the worst. He still doesn’t sleep well but he stays in bed and reads now. Thing seems to be following in her brother’s footsteps. It’s bad enough she won’t go to bed, but she insists on being loud and talking the whole time so we can’t watch TV. The night before last I put her in her bed and stayed with her until she fell asleep. Five minutes after I went back to my own bed, she came into my bed. This wouldn’t be so annoying if she would just sleep. But she tosses and turns, kicking us and making sleep impossible. Last night she wouldn’t go to sleep so I ended up on the couch with her. She watched cartoons while I dozed.
I guess I should end those six hour naps. Oh wait, she doesn’t take any of those. It is rare that she takes naps. Yesterday she slept for about an hour. The kid averages about 7 hours of sleep a day. How can she do this? Her father is the same way. My son, husband and Thing are bad sleepers, always have been. My other daughter and I could sleep through an earthquake (and have done so). We’ll get through this phase, I know, but boy is it ever difficult.
Other posts…
I update Villa in Tuscany and Age of Enlightenment today.
Sorry, that period is over.
My three year old, now called “Thing” has turned into a demon from hell. First, Thing refuses to use the potty at home. But go out in public and she insists on using the bathroom. The dirtier and more disgusting the toilet, the better. And she touches everything. Still refuses to use it at home.
Say no to her and she bawls, say yes to her and she bawls, put the wrong clothes on her and she bawls, look at her funny and she bawls. This kid could dehydrate with the amount of bawling she is doing. And she has a shrill, loud voice that makes ear drums bleed.
She gets into stuff constantly. I have to be on my toes at all times to make sure she is not destroying something. The worst situation, however, is her sleeping. This is a phase I have gone through with my other kids as well. My son was the worst. He still doesn’t sleep well but he stays in bed and reads now. Thing seems to be following in her brother’s footsteps. It’s bad enough she won’t go to bed, but she insists on being loud and talking the whole time so we can’t watch TV. The night before last I put her in her bed and stayed with her until she fell asleep. Five minutes after I went back to my own bed, she came into my bed. This wouldn’t be so annoying if she would just sleep. But she tosses and turns, kicking us and making sleep impossible. Last night she wouldn’t go to sleep so I ended up on the couch with her. She watched cartoons while I dozed.
I guess I should end those six hour naps. Oh wait, she doesn’t take any of those. It is rare that she takes naps. Yesterday she slept for about an hour. The kid averages about 7 hours of sleep a day. How can she do this? Her father is the same way. My son, husband and Thing are bad sleepers, always have been. My other daughter and I could sleep through an earthquake (and have done so). We’ll get through this phase, I know, but boy is it ever difficult.
Other posts…
I update Villa in Tuscany and Age of Enlightenment today.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Yet Another Meme Tag
GOOD NEWS!!!!
Kelly SOLD! She has a two book deal with Silhouette Bombshell. Awesome news, Kelly. Good job.
Another Meme tag (courtesy Lory):
What were you doing ten years ago?
Let’s see, I’d just had my son right before Christmas. Since hubby was self-employed and I was his secretary, my maternity leave lasted a whole two weeks, so I was back to work and very sleep deprived. My son spent most of the first year of his life coming to work with me. We were broke although hubby had one a big case earlier in the year and the worst of our debts had been paid, so we were okay. My stepson was being a total pain in the butt. And I wasn’t writing. It was not something I was interested in. That is about all I can remember. Mostly getting used to being married and having a child.
What were you doing one year ago?
Ummm…..waiting. I had three fulls out with agents and I was waiting. Golly, that sounds a lot like what I’m doing now. I know after a very productive writing year in 2004 I was really looking forward to a super writing year.
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
A million doesn’t really go very far these days….
Five Bad Habits:
Moi???
Five Things You Like Doing:
Five Things You Would Never Wear or Buy Again:
Five Favorite Toys:
Five People I’m Tagging:
Kelly SOLD! She has a two book deal with Silhouette Bombshell. Awesome news, Kelly. Good job.
Another Meme tag (courtesy Lory):
What were you doing ten years ago?
Let’s see, I’d just had my son right before Christmas. Since hubby was self-employed and I was his secretary, my maternity leave lasted a whole two weeks, so I was back to work and very sleep deprived. My son spent most of the first year of his life coming to work with me. We were broke although hubby had one a big case earlier in the year and the worst of our debts had been paid, so we were okay. My stepson was being a total pain in the butt. And I wasn’t writing. It was not something I was interested in. That is about all I can remember. Mostly getting used to being married and having a child.
What were you doing one year ago?
Ummm…..waiting. I had three fulls out with agents and I was waiting. Golly, that sounds a lot like what I’m doing now. I know after a very productive writing year in 2004 I was really looking forward to a super writing year.
Five Snacks You Enjoy:
- Bleu cheese pecan dip from Trader Joes
- Cheese Straws from Archer Farms (Target)
- Cookies…any kind
- Mini-quiches from the frozen food section
- Did I mention cookies?
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
- “409” by the Beach Boys
- Countless Madonna songs
- “Love Song to a Stranger” by Joan Baez
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns & Roses
- “Tell Yourself” by Natalie Merchant
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
A million doesn’t really go very far these days….
- Donate money to my college for the history department.
- Donate money to my kids’ school district
- Buy my hubby another car
- Send my parents on a round the world cruise.
- Pay off my inlaws debts and give them an allowance every month.
Five Bad Habits:
Moi???
- Chew my nails
- Swear too much
- Quick temper
- Forget to floss
- Twist my hair
Five Things You Like Doing:
- Reading
- Writing
- Watching tv
- Eating
- Driving
Five Things You Would Never Wear or Buy Again:
- Acid Wash jeans
- Mini skirt
- Anything with big shoulder pads
- double knit polyester
- white pants
Five Favorite Toys:
- My PC
- My Laptop
- My iPod
- My Mustang convertible
- My Kitchen Aid mixer
Five People I’m Tagging:
Friday, January 06, 2006
Readers: Born or Made?
After yesterday’s post, I got to thinking, why am I a reader? Was I born that way? Or were there influences which created me?
I thought about this also after reading Michelle’s blog entry about the triumph she felt with her son’s reading progress. As a parent, I think this skill concerned me more than any other. What if my children didn’t like to read? The thought truly terrified me.
I know, you are probably thinking I’m paranoid. I’m a reader. My husband is a reader, how could we not produce anything but a reader? My stepson is not a reader. I was shocked when I married dh to find my stepson didn’t read. He could read, but never for pleasure. So I instituted an hour a couple of times a week where we all sat down to read together. He could choose what he read. At age twelve, he delved into his bookshelf and pulled out Dr. Seuss books. I was not amused. I knew his reading level was at least his age. I realized then that you lead a horse to water but you couldn’t make him drink. He doesn’t enjoy reading. He also didn’t graduate from high school and has no ambitions beyond working on his car. So you can see there is a basis for my paranoia.
When I met resistance with my son at age 4 & 5, I could feel the panic kick in. What if he followed in his brother’s footsteps? I bribed him, begged him, threatened him. You name it. Then one day, when he was about 8, he started reading the first Harry Potter book (I told him he had to clean his room, he thought reading would get him out of it) and I lost him to books. He reads all the time. He sneaks books in class to read when the teacher is boring him. Whenever we go someplace, he has a book in his hands. Sometimes he even does some creative writing on his own.
So what is the difference between these two kids? Is it genetic? I don’t know. I’m not so paranoid with my girls. They already show a great interest in books. I do not know what my stepson’s formative years were like. I’m not sure if his mother reads or not. I think she does. My husband’s family reads and I know he spent a lot of time with them. My FIL barely graduated from high school and yet he is one of the most well-read people I know. I don’t think education means much when it comes to reading. You don’t have to be educated to enjoy reading. I sometimes think school can make us not enjoy reading. I know all those years of high school English took the joy out of Shakespeare for me. But I still loved books.
What do you think? Are readers born or made?
Also....
There are a couple of new posts over at Search for the Good Life
I thought about this also after reading Michelle’s blog entry about the triumph she felt with her son’s reading progress. As a parent, I think this skill concerned me more than any other. What if my children didn’t like to read? The thought truly terrified me.
I know, you are probably thinking I’m paranoid. I’m a reader. My husband is a reader, how could we not produce anything but a reader? My stepson is not a reader. I was shocked when I married dh to find my stepson didn’t read. He could read, but never for pleasure. So I instituted an hour a couple of times a week where we all sat down to read together. He could choose what he read. At age twelve, he delved into his bookshelf and pulled out Dr. Seuss books. I was not amused. I knew his reading level was at least his age. I realized then that you lead a horse to water but you couldn’t make him drink. He doesn’t enjoy reading. He also didn’t graduate from high school and has no ambitions beyond working on his car. So you can see there is a basis for my paranoia.
When I met resistance with my son at age 4 & 5, I could feel the panic kick in. What if he followed in his brother’s footsteps? I bribed him, begged him, threatened him. You name it. Then one day, when he was about 8, he started reading the first Harry Potter book (I told him he had to clean his room, he thought reading would get him out of it) and I lost him to books. He reads all the time. He sneaks books in class to read when the teacher is boring him. Whenever we go someplace, he has a book in his hands. Sometimes he even does some creative writing on his own.
So what is the difference between these two kids? Is it genetic? I don’t know. I’m not so paranoid with my girls. They already show a great interest in books. I do not know what my stepson’s formative years were like. I’m not sure if his mother reads or not. I think she does. My husband’s family reads and I know he spent a lot of time with them. My FIL barely graduated from high school and yet he is one of the most well-read people I know. I don’t think education means much when it comes to reading. You don’t have to be educated to enjoy reading. I sometimes think school can make us not enjoy reading. I know all those years of high school English took the joy out of Shakespeare for me. But I still loved books.
What do you think? Are readers born or made?
Also....
There are a couple of new posts over at Search for the Good Life
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Compulsive Book Buying
Melissa and I were talking about our compulsion to buy books. I buy more books than I can possible read in a year. Why do I do this? Looking through my TBR, I think I can categorize my book buying and the logic behind each category.
Books I gotta have: These are books I honestly want to read. They are favorite authors or series. Charlaine Harris and Kim Harrison fall into this category. Angela Knight too.
The Buzz: Books I’ve heard great things about so I need to read it. These can either be a boon (it was how I found Kim Harrison) or a bite (Elizabeth Kostova’s “The Historian” comes to mind).
My Friends’ and Chapter Mates’ Books: Every year this number increases as more people I know get published. My pride and excitement in their accomplishments means a trip to Border’s or Barnes & Noble on Tuesdays.
Eclectic: Something about a book strikes my fancy. Maybe it’s the cover, maybe the author spoke at a meeting I went to. Could be I liked the writer’s website. Who knows? Sometimes I’ve one a book in a contest and feel the need to go out and buy the rest of the series.
Book Signings: I’m a sucker for a book signing.
Book Signings, Part 2: This is truly my worse book buying category. If I go to a signing and see an author all by themselves without anyone coming up to their table, I will buy a book from them. Not smart on my part but I try and think of myself in that position.
I think the biggest reason I have so many books is because I like to shop. When I was a cute young thing, I spent money on clothes. I don’t buy clothes anymore unless I have to. I like to buy shoes but that gets really expensive fast. Books fit. And they don’t cost as much as shoes.
Is your TBR like Mt. Everest? Is there a 12-step program for people like us?
Books I gotta have: These are books I honestly want to read. They are favorite authors or series. Charlaine Harris and Kim Harrison fall into this category. Angela Knight too.
The Buzz: Books I’ve heard great things about so I need to read it. These can either be a boon (it was how I found Kim Harrison) or a bite (Elizabeth Kostova’s “The Historian” comes to mind).
My Friends’ and Chapter Mates’ Books: Every year this number increases as more people I know get published. My pride and excitement in their accomplishments means a trip to Border’s or Barnes & Noble on Tuesdays.
Eclectic: Something about a book strikes my fancy. Maybe it’s the cover, maybe the author spoke at a meeting I went to. Could be I liked the writer’s website. Who knows? Sometimes I’ve one a book in a contest and feel the need to go out and buy the rest of the series.
Book Signings: I’m a sucker for a book signing.
Book Signings, Part 2: This is truly my worse book buying category. If I go to a signing and see an author all by themselves without anyone coming up to their table, I will buy a book from them. Not smart on my part but I try and think of myself in that position.
I think the biggest reason I have so many books is because I like to shop. When I was a cute young thing, I spent money on clothes. I don’t buy clothes anymore unless I have to. I like to buy shoes but that gets really expensive fast. Books fit. And they don’t cost as much as shoes.
Is your TBR like Mt. Everest? Is there a 12-step program for people like us?
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Another Blog
I started another blog. It was going to be a weight-loss blog but I decided there was more to making life good than losing weight. It isn’t a deep or heavy blog, mainly a place to talk about things that make life easier. I’ll post any tips or links I find useful. I will also post recipes of the slimming variety as I come across them. Search for the Good Life is meant to be fun and helpful, another way of feeding my blogger addiction *g*. Plus, I loved the template.
Thanks, Kacey
Kacey pointed out my bad setting on the other blog and it has now been fixed. Welcome back to the blogosphere, Kacey.
Thanks, Kacey
Kacey pointed out my bad setting on the other blog and it has now been fixed. Welcome back to the blogosphere, Kacey.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Research, Planning & Stuff
Do you use a thesaurus when you are writing? I always forget or get lazy and rely on the Word thesaurus. I have a wonderful thesaurus called “The Synonym Finder” that I love then kick myself for not using. I also have a book called the “Word Menu” which is also very useful. When I write, I want to be dead-on the first time around. I will stop my writing to research a point or find the word I need. What about you? Is your first draft more of a skeleton of your final book? Do you work out the details in the revision? I can’t do that myself. It is killing me right now because in my new WIP, I don’t have a name for my hero, at least a last name and title. His cousin is nameless too. So I put in some brackets and will have to go back and replace them. But that really isn’t a big deal. I don’t like it but I can live with it. I’m sure I will figure out my names quite soon.
One problem I have is I get involved researching and loose track of what I’m supposed to be doing. I might be researching textiles used for 18th century draperies then move onto something completely unrelated and useless to my current needs. I’m not so bad with contemporaries unless I need to research a car, gun or shoes. I have wasted hours looking at shoes. But I like shoes. Historical topics are tougher for me because I’m such a history geek.
I’m a panster so I don’t plan ahead. I can’t look at an outline and figure out what needs to be researched. I’m also pretty knowledgeable about the big stuff. But heaven forbid I need to research an architectural detail. I spent almost an entire day looking for the proper name of a chandelier in the 18th century. And that was for one sentence. It is never a wasted effort, I generally can use the research for something else.
I’ve yet to write a story that didn’t require at least a minimum of research. How about you? Is research a bane of your existence or do you immerse yourself with alacrity? I’ve heard writers say they prefer to write contemporaries because it doesn’t require research. But is that true? What do you think?
One problem I have is I get involved researching and loose track of what I’m supposed to be doing. I might be researching textiles used for 18th century draperies then move onto something completely unrelated and useless to my current needs. I’m not so bad with contemporaries unless I need to research a car, gun or shoes. I have wasted hours looking at shoes. But I like shoes. Historical topics are tougher for me because I’m such a history geek.
I’m a panster so I don’t plan ahead. I can’t look at an outline and figure out what needs to be researched. I’m also pretty knowledgeable about the big stuff. But heaven forbid I need to research an architectural detail. I spent almost an entire day looking for the proper name of a chandelier in the 18th century. And that was for one sentence. It is never a wasted effort, I generally can use the research for something else.
I’ve yet to write a story that didn’t require at least a minimum of research. How about you? Is research a bane of your existence or do you immerse yourself with alacrity? I’ve heard writers say they prefer to write contemporaries because it doesn’t require research. But is that true? What do you think?
Monday, January 02, 2006
"Been-Done" List
Too often I end my day on a negative note. I look back and think of all the wasted hours. I harp on all that I did not accomplish for the day with promises of doing better the next. Not a very pleasant way to put myself to sleep. Such a habit does nothing constructive and really makes me feel bad. Self-flagellation may have been good for the soul of medieval saints, but it does nothing for a woman of today.
Why do we tend to focus on what we didn’t do rather than what we did accomplish? I think it is because we hold ourselves to a far higher standard than we should. We are not perfect, we are human. By putting ourselves down, we are holding ourselves back from achieving our goals.
So, here is my challenge to all. Every night, before you go to bed, sit down for five minutes and scribble out all that you did that day. You will be amazed at all that you did accomplish without thinking about it.
Yeah, maybe you didn’t write 1000 words today. But maybe you did get the litter box changed. Maybe you washed the mountain of clothes overwhelming your hamper. Perhaps you thought out a pesky conflict problem in your WIP. Perhaps you managed to floss your teeth and help the kids with their homework. Be proud of what you did rather than despondent over what you did not achieve. When you look at your list, two things will happen. You will be uplifted by your productivity and you will be motivated to accomplish more the next day. Good Luck with your “Been –Done” list.
Why do we tend to focus on what we didn’t do rather than what we did accomplish? I think it is because we hold ourselves to a far higher standard than we should. We are not perfect, we are human. By putting ourselves down, we are holding ourselves back from achieving our goals.
So, here is my challenge to all. Every night, before you go to bed, sit down for five minutes and scribble out all that you did that day. You will be amazed at all that you did accomplish without thinking about it.
Yeah, maybe you didn’t write 1000 words today. But maybe you did get the litter box changed. Maybe you washed the mountain of clothes overwhelming your hamper. Perhaps you thought out a pesky conflict problem in your WIP. Perhaps you managed to floss your teeth and help the kids with their homework. Be proud of what you did rather than despondent over what you did not achieve. When you look at your list, two things will happen. You will be uplifted by your productivity and you will be motivated to accomplish more the next day. Good Luck with your “Been –Done” list.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year...Please pass the carrot sticks
So looking back through the week, I decided my best course of action was a simple resolution. I will write every day on my WIP. Well, actually, I will write five days a week as a minimum. Once I get that habit established, I can firm up my goals, make them tougher. No rewards for such a simple plan. I’ll save those for when I make specific goals. I need to figure out when I’m going to write during the day. I really don’t have a time that is best, I can pretty much write any time of day.
I’d also like to get other facets of my life organized. I have to confess, I hired a housekeeper to help out. She is going to clean the kitchen and three of the bathrooms every other week (I have a 4200 sq. ft. house w/4 bathrooms). It helps a lot knowing I don’t have that to do every week. I can use the time for other things. Unfortunately, not writing but rather the chores I find hard to get to like dusting.
The truly ugly part of my day came when I got on the scale this morning. Oh. My. Goodness. What have I been doing? Or rather eating? I’m not super-uptight about my weight, heck, I’m nearing forty and I’ve had three kids, I’m not model material. But my weight gain reflects a lack of care for my health. I feel the weight in my joints and back. So I’m really going to work on watching what I eat and kick into the exercise. I know Melissa had a weight loss blog, I might start one myself to keep me accountable.
Hope everyone had a nice New Year. We are expecting a heavy storm tonight through tomorrow, meaning the Rose Parade is going to get drenched. I always hope for this every year, not sure why, just my twisted sense of humor I suppose.
I’d also like to get other facets of my life organized. I have to confess, I hired a housekeeper to help out. She is going to clean the kitchen and three of the bathrooms every other week (I have a 4200 sq. ft. house w/4 bathrooms). It helps a lot knowing I don’t have that to do every week. I can use the time for other things. Unfortunately, not writing but rather the chores I find hard to get to like dusting.
The truly ugly part of my day came when I got on the scale this morning. Oh. My. Goodness. What have I been doing? Or rather eating? I’m not super-uptight about my weight, heck, I’m nearing forty and I’ve had three kids, I’m not model material. But my weight gain reflects a lack of care for my health. I feel the weight in my joints and back. So I’m really going to work on watching what I eat and kick into the exercise. I know Melissa had a weight loss blog, I might start one myself to keep me accountable.
Hope everyone had a nice New Year. We are expecting a heavy storm tonight through tomorrow, meaning the Rose Parade is going to get drenched. I always hope for this every year, not sure why, just my twisted sense of humor I suppose.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Support
Before I create my writing goals for 2006, I’ve been trying to examine strategies and issues that affect my ability to write. Time management, rewards and control of the environment all influence writing. But one of the biggest influences is the support I get from outside.
Where does your support come from? Those that are members of RWA, do you find the organization a support and resource for your writing? Do you belong to any chapters and do they help? How about online writing forums, do you find strength from an online community? Do you belong to any other writing organizations? Yahoo lists?
What about critique partners. Do you belong to a critique circle and do they help bolster you when you are flagging? How about face-to-face contact? Do you meet with a group or a person to discuss writing?
Are blogs helpful? Do you find support through the blogging community?
What support do you receive outside of the writing community? Is your family supportive? Do you have a group of non-writing friends who help you along? Do they sometimes prove negative rather than positive?
For me, I can’t go it alone. I have a support system in place that keeps me involved whether I’m writing or not. If weren’t for my writing friends, I would have given up a long time ago. My family isn’t the most supportive but I do have one non-writing friend who is an invaluable support. I’m not real public with the world at large about my writing so I suppose it is no wonder I don’t find support from many outside sources. Are you public with your writing and do you think that influences your success as a writer?
Where does your support come from? Those that are members of RWA, do you find the organization a support and resource for your writing? Do you belong to any chapters and do they help? How about online writing forums, do you find strength from an online community? Do you belong to any other writing organizations? Yahoo lists?
What about critique partners. Do you belong to a critique circle and do they help bolster you when you are flagging? How about face-to-face contact? Do you meet with a group or a person to discuss writing?
Are blogs helpful? Do you find support through the blogging community?
What support do you receive outside of the writing community? Is your family supportive? Do you have a group of non-writing friends who help you along? Do they sometimes prove negative rather than positive?
For me, I can’t go it alone. I have a support system in place that keeps me involved whether I’m writing or not. If weren’t for my writing friends, I would have given up a long time ago. My family isn’t the most supportive but I do have one non-writing friend who is an invaluable support. I’m not real public with the world at large about my writing so I suppose it is no wonder I don’t find support from many outside sources. Are you public with your writing and do you think that influences your success as a writer?
Friday, December 30, 2005
Control
So I’ve got my calendar and a reward set for my writing. I’m set. But wait…I can only write when the moon is in the Seventh House and Jupiter aligns with Mars. I need cloudy weather, preferably rain, for my muse to get inspired. There must be soft music in the background, usually the soundtrack from some drippy historical movie. I can only write if I have my favorite socks on. My muse responds to chai tea. The children must be somewhere else. My good luck tiki must be staring at me from his post on the top of my desk. I can only write if I’ve read all the blogs and commented on at least five of them. There must be a game of Poppit or Bejeweled 2 played in order to get my juices flowing.
I can’t write if it’s sunny. I can’t write if I’m hungry, thirsty, cold, hot, etc. etc. I can’t write with the TV on. I must write on a laptop. I must write on a desk top. I must write on a legal pad with a roller gel pen.
Does this remind you of anyone? Do you have conditions that have to be met in order to write? Don’t the above things sound lame?
They aren’t really. They aren’t cop outs, they aren’t excuses because we really do want a certain environment in order to write. But what we really want is control.
Our talent is creating worlds on paper. We make up stuff, creating characters and places that exist only in our imagination and communicating it so a reader believes they are real for the space of a few hundred pages. Our control is absolute.
I think it really gripes us when we can’t control the world we live in. By creating conditions in which to write, we are exerting our control. But we can’t make it snow. We can’t make the kids disappear. We write on what is available. Sometimes the cd player is broken and we have to write in silence. Sometimes we have to write with “Spongebob Squarepants” blaring in the background. We have to accept we can’t be in control and make the commitment to write anyway. I honestly believe if you have your heart in a book, it really doesn’t matter what surrounds you. Our lives are not perfect and we are not magic. How we perceive the world around us helps feed our muse.
I was originally going to title this post “Atmosphere” when I realized atmosphere changes day-to-day for me and some of my best writing was done without any of my conditions met. I have to day I can’t do anything about this and write anyway.
How about you? Do you have conditions to be met when you write? Are they realistic?
I can’t write if it’s sunny. I can’t write if I’m hungry, thirsty, cold, hot, etc. etc. I can’t write with the TV on. I must write on a laptop. I must write on a desk top. I must write on a legal pad with a roller gel pen.
Does this remind you of anyone? Do you have conditions that have to be met in order to write? Don’t the above things sound lame?
They aren’t really. They aren’t cop outs, they aren’t excuses because we really do want a certain environment in order to write. But what we really want is control.
Our talent is creating worlds on paper. We make up stuff, creating characters and places that exist only in our imagination and communicating it so a reader believes they are real for the space of a few hundred pages. Our control is absolute.
I think it really gripes us when we can’t control the world we live in. By creating conditions in which to write, we are exerting our control. But we can’t make it snow. We can’t make the kids disappear. We write on what is available. Sometimes the cd player is broken and we have to write in silence. Sometimes we have to write with “Spongebob Squarepants” blaring in the background. We have to accept we can’t be in control and make the commitment to write anyway. I honestly believe if you have your heart in a book, it really doesn’t matter what surrounds you. Our lives are not perfect and we are not magic. How we perceive the world around us helps feed our muse.
I was originally going to title this post “Atmosphere” when I realized atmosphere changes day-to-day for me and some of my best writing was done without any of my conditions met. I have to day I can’t do anything about this and write anyway.
How about you? Do you have conditions to be met when you write? Are they realistic?
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Rewards
Thank you for all the great comments. I see I am not the only person with time management issues. Lory, glad I can provide some inspiration. Kelly, I remember when you were doing the 1000 words a day, I tried that one myself and didn’t have much success. Tori, you’re in the middle of move. I know my writing took a big hiatus when I moved. Too many other things fall on your plate. Eve, I can’t imagine how rough it must be. Having to be the primary caregiver to another person eats the time. For the most part, if my house is sanitary I’m satisfied as well. Dana has found something that works for her. I’ve tried to write at night and would probably succeed if I didn’t have a husband. We get so little time together, he considers the hours after 9 p.m. his.
Teresa brings up my post for today. The promise of rewards.
I remember as a child my mom promising me a trip to McDonald’s for lunch if I did something or behaved. I do the same thing with my own kids. On the flipside, if they do not do something or their behavior is deplorable, they get something taken away.
As adults we operate the same way with ourselves. Lose ten pounds, get that new pair of jeans. Get the promotion at work, go out for a fancy dinner. Live another year, get a present.
Does this work with writing?
I have two issues with the reward system that has made it not work for me, issues I’d like to change. My first issue is that I make writing the reward itself. If my house is clean or I’ve got dinner started, I am allowed to write. The big problem with that is most of the time I can’t accomplish such a goal. The promise of writing becomes a Holy Grail, unattainable and elusive to all but the perfect. And I’m not perfect.
The other issue is finding an appropriate award and a reasonable goal that makes the reward worthwhile. Some days writing 1000 words is easy, other days 100 words feels like pulling teeth.
I think rewards work, as a parent, I’ve seen them in action. What do you think? Do you reward yourself? What do you reward yourself with? By the same token, do you penalize yourself for not meeting a goal? Would that work?
Teresa brings up my post for today. The promise of rewards.
I remember as a child my mom promising me a trip to McDonald’s for lunch if I did something or behaved. I do the same thing with my own kids. On the flipside, if they do not do something or their behavior is deplorable, they get something taken away.
As adults we operate the same way with ourselves. Lose ten pounds, get that new pair of jeans. Get the promotion at work, go out for a fancy dinner. Live another year, get a present.
Does this work with writing?
I have two issues with the reward system that has made it not work for me, issues I’d like to change. My first issue is that I make writing the reward itself. If my house is clean or I’ve got dinner started, I am allowed to write. The big problem with that is most of the time I can’t accomplish such a goal. The promise of writing becomes a Holy Grail, unattainable and elusive to all but the perfect. And I’m not perfect.
The other issue is finding an appropriate award and a reasonable goal that makes the reward worthwhile. Some days writing 1000 words is easy, other days 100 words feels like pulling teeth.
I think rewards work, as a parent, I’ve seen them in action. What do you think? Do you reward yourself? What do you reward yourself with? By the same token, do you penalize yourself for not meeting a goal? Would that work?
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Time Management
When I found out I was being laid off back in November of 2001, I wasn’t particularly despondent. I’d grown tired of my job and really wanted a change. Besides, I was a romance writer. By staying home, I would have limitless amounts of time to work on my writing.
HA!
I found I had less time for writing than I did when I worked full-time. How could this be?
My sense of time changed when I stopped working. I’d lessened its value, letting the minutes and hours go by without really thinking about it. When I worked, 8 hours of my day were set, everything else had to be squeezed in around that block of time. Those precious hours after work and on the weekends took on added value. When I stopped working, I didn’t have the same problem. My only constraint was when my son got out of school. The rest of the day turned into fuzzy mush without structure.
I suffered through this total lack of structure for about 18 months when I realized I was accomplishing nothing. And not just on the writing front. My house was a disaster and the days flew by. I totally changed my way of doing things, got organized and was much happier. I went to FlyLady and applied her principles and they really worked…for a time.
My house isn’t a disaster, I have retained those FLY lessons, but I have let time get away from me again. On any given day, if someone asks if I’ve done any writing, I usually say no because I haven’t had time.
I have plenty of time, but my lack organization has sucked it all up. So I need to come up with strategies to maximize my time. To start, I got myself a decent date book for the year. It doesn’t have the days broken down my hours, but it has a small block of space to scribble down a note or two. I can write down any appointments plus note any tasks which need to be accomplished that day. My idea is to make myself answerable to my use of time. What did I do today? When did I write?
If it were a simple matter of finding time to write, it wouldn’t be so hard. But I want my life to flow together. I want my house somewhat orderly, I want time to write, I need to exercise, I need to find time to hang around with friends, etc. etc. If it means scheduling every minute of the day, then that is what I will have to do.
How do you handle time management? Do you have any tricks or strategies that have helped you not only with your writing but with other facets of your life?
HA!
I found I had less time for writing than I did when I worked full-time. How could this be?
My sense of time changed when I stopped working. I’d lessened its value, letting the minutes and hours go by without really thinking about it. When I worked, 8 hours of my day were set, everything else had to be squeezed in around that block of time. Those precious hours after work and on the weekends took on added value. When I stopped working, I didn’t have the same problem. My only constraint was when my son got out of school. The rest of the day turned into fuzzy mush without structure.
I suffered through this total lack of structure for about 18 months when I realized I was accomplishing nothing. And not just on the writing front. My house was a disaster and the days flew by. I totally changed my way of doing things, got organized and was much happier. I went to FlyLady and applied her principles and they really worked…for a time.
My house isn’t a disaster, I have retained those FLY lessons, but I have let time get away from me again. On any given day, if someone asks if I’ve done any writing, I usually say no because I haven’t had time.
I have plenty of time, but my lack organization has sucked it all up. So I need to come up with strategies to maximize my time. To start, I got myself a decent date book for the year. It doesn’t have the days broken down my hours, but it has a small block of space to scribble down a note or two. I can write down any appointments plus note any tasks which need to be accomplished that day. My idea is to make myself answerable to my use of time. What did I do today? When did I write?
If it were a simple matter of finding time to write, it wouldn’t be so hard. But I want my life to flow together. I want my house somewhat orderly, I want time to write, I need to exercise, I need to find time to hang around with friends, etc. etc. If it means scheduling every minute of the day, then that is what I will have to do.
How do you handle time management? Do you have any tricks or strategies that have helped you not only with your writing but with other facets of your life?
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Phillip's Head Screwdrivers
My hand has finally recovered from the constant twisting motion required from using a screwdriver. I cannot count how many battery compartments I opened and stuffed with “AA” batteries over the last couple of days. Even simple toys seem to require some kind of juice.
Santa was pretty generous this year. The boy got a telescope with an automatic aligning program. Katie got a Barbie styling head and a Barbie house. Allison got a Geotrax train. Very cute and easy to put together and operate. I got a pair of wireless headphones for my iPod. Very cool and they work great.
Hubby takes the last two weeks of the year off from work. Unfortunately (or fortunately, considering we are getting our kitchen remodeled next month) he has had to do work at home. He set up the home office to his liking and kicked me out. But every day he has had to spend some time working. Kind of a bummer but such is life when you are self-employed.
We have one last week of good food before we go on the ol’ diet. I’ve really packed it on these holidays. I need to get writing. When I write, I get too involved to stop and snack. I’m also going to hit the gym big this January. I believe a healthy writer is a better writer. The physical requirement of sitting in one position for any length of time is so bad on the back.
January is a time of new beginnings and I’m going to take part of this week to plan a writing strategy. I think that will be my blogging theme for the week.
Santa was pretty generous this year. The boy got a telescope with an automatic aligning program. Katie got a Barbie styling head and a Barbie house. Allison got a Geotrax train. Very cute and easy to put together and operate. I got a pair of wireless headphones for my iPod. Very cool and they work great.
Hubby takes the last two weeks of the year off from work. Unfortunately (or fortunately, considering we are getting our kitchen remodeled next month) he has had to do work at home. He set up the home office to his liking and kicked me out. But every day he has had to spend some time working. Kind of a bummer but such is life when you are self-employed.
We have one last week of good food before we go on the ol’ diet. I’ve really packed it on these holidays. I need to get writing. When I write, I get too involved to stop and snack. I’m also going to hit the gym big this January. I believe a healthy writer is a better writer. The physical requirement of sitting in one position for any length of time is so bad on the back.
January is a time of new beginnings and I’m going to take part of this week to plan a writing strategy. I think that will be my blogging theme for the week.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Merry Christmas!!!
It is midnight, long past the time Santa should have visited. Unfortunately, Allison won't go to sleep. She is up, playing, showing no interest in going to bed. Sigh.... She spent the day at her grandparents' house so I thought she would be tired. She did use the potty the whole time she was there. As soon as she got home she peed in her diaper. Ugh....
It has been a rough week. I had bronchitis and was on antibiotics. My son Daniel got some flu. His fever went up to nearly 104. When I called the doctor, they didn't want me to bring him in, they were so overwhelmed. After a couple of days of fever, he seems to be on the mend. He was pretty sick and missed the week of school.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. I'm feeling better. I just wish this kid would go to bed so I could finish the Christmas stuff and go to bed!
Enjoy the day with your families and remember anything you eat on Christmas day has no calories.
It has been a rough week. I had bronchitis and was on antibiotics. My son Daniel got some flu. His fever went up to nearly 104. When I called the doctor, they didn't want me to bring him in, they were so overwhelmed. After a couple of days of fever, he seems to be on the mend. He was pretty sick and missed the week of school.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. I'm feeling better. I just wish this kid would go to bed so I could finish the Christmas stuff and go to bed!
Enjoy the day with your families and remember anything you eat on Christmas day has no calories.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
10 Reading Secrets
It's 4 a.m. and I can't breathe, ergo I can't sleep. My cold seems to have gone from getting better to getting worse and my chest keeps constricting. So off to the doctor tomorrow if I can get in.
Anyway, Amy tagged me so here goes:
Ten Reading Secrets
1. I pretty much read romance.
2. I read a lot of non-fiction, usually for research although I love reading about history.
3. I keep a book in my car at all times.
4. When I read "Silence of the Lambs," my parents left for a trip and I had to put the book down until they came home because it scared me so bad.
5. In high school I was in Shakespeare Society. We got together once a week and read the plays. Yes, I was a geek.
6. I buy more books than I read.
7. When I was a teenager, the one gift I could be sure of getting at Christmas was the latest Victoria Holt hardback (until she died).
8. My most hated high school reading was either "The Bear" by Faulkner or "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce. Or maybe it was "My Antonia" by Willa Cather.
9. I read tabloids in the grocery store line.
10. I've never read a Nora Roberts book although I did read one J.D. Robb book.
I tag the following folk:
Tori
Kelly
Dana
Anyway, Amy tagged me so here goes:
Ten Reading Secrets
1. I pretty much read romance.
2. I read a lot of non-fiction, usually for research although I love reading about history.
3. I keep a book in my car at all times.
4. When I read "Silence of the Lambs," my parents left for a trip and I had to put the book down until they came home because it scared me so bad.
5. In high school I was in Shakespeare Society. We got together once a week and read the plays. Yes, I was a geek.
6. I buy more books than I read.
7. When I was a teenager, the one gift I could be sure of getting at Christmas was the latest Victoria Holt hardback (until she died).
8. My most hated high school reading was either "The Bear" by Faulkner or "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce. Or maybe it was "My Antonia" by Willa Cather.
9. I read tabloids in the grocery store line.
10. I've never read a Nora Roberts book although I did read one J.D. Robb book.
I tag the following folk:
Tori
Kelly
Dana
Monday, December 19, 2005
Wild Kingdom
This is me
This is my childrenI remember watching "Wild Kingdom" as a child. Marlin Perkins would point out the weak wildebeest with the vicious predators chasing after it, conveniently cutting to commercial just as the animal was about to meet its bloody fate.
Well, I know what happened during the commercial.
Being a sick mom can be likened to the life of a weakened wildebeest. The predators know that the creature is feeble and cannot fight back. So they take advantage. They do all they can, herding it into a corner before they pounce.
"Mom, can I have (name of some candy I'm going to say no to)?" And then proceed to get it themselves. What am I going to do? Get up and chase them?
"Allison got in the pantry and is using your flour bin for a sandbox?"
"Mom, Allison peed all over the carpet."
"What's for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, dessert?"
"Can we decorate the tree now? Why can't we decorate the tree now? I really want to decorate the tree NOW!!!!"
By the end of the night I just want to ingest large quantities of Benadryl and slug down a hot buttered rum and hope I collapse into an anahistamine coma.
Don't these kids realize I am going to get better? Considering it's a week before Christmas, you think they would be smarter than this. The wildebeest will rise again, only this time with fangs and point horns.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Calm Before the Storm
Thursday night I went to a Christmas party on a yacht in Newport Beach to see the lights. The boat toured around while boats decorated with lights paraded about the harbor. This is the main pavillion at Balboa. Most of my pictures turned out really bad, this was one of the few that looked good.
Anyway, I got dressed up and even wore hose. Okay, it was tights because it was chilly out there. I wore make-up, impressing myself that I remembered how to put it on. What really blew me away was my shoes. By the end of the evening I thought my feet were going to fall off they hurt so bad. But I used to wear these things all the time when I worked full time. Geez louise, I wonder how I did it? They looked cute and that was what mattered. The party had an open bar, appetizers and a full dinner. It was pretty good, but very long. And you can't just get up and leave unless you want to swim. So that was my Christmas party for the year. I suspect hubby is going to want to host one next year if our kitchen is done.
I'm fighting a flu or something right now. I woke up coughing and short of breath. I used my asthma inhaler and it helped but it gave me the shakes. I'm trying to avoid using it. Holiday cookies and candy seem to ease the misery
Today would be a good day to write, but I feel so lousy I really have to motivation to do it. I believe this is the calm before the storm. Next week is going to be hectic. And with some of the family dynamics around here, it could get a little loopy. So I'm going to enjoy my peace for little while.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Tagged
Teresa tagged me the other day so here are my answers.
Seven Things To Do Before I Die:
1. Have grandkids
2. Own a condo in Hawaii
3. Go to Europe
4. Learn to knit
5. Get published
6. Lose 30 lbs.
7. Buy a car that only seats 2
Seven Things I Can't Do:
1. Sing
2. Listen to country music
3. Eat American cheese
4. Drink Pepsi
5. Barbeque
6. Paint my own nails
7. Play the guitar
Seven Things That Attract Me To My Spouse (or Significant Other, Best Friend, etc.)
1. His intelligence
2. His sense of humor
3. His eyebrows
4. His work ethic
5. His devotion to family
6. His “guyness”
7. His earning potential
Seven Things I Say (or Write) Most Often:
1. $%*@
2. Geez Louise
3. Duh!
4. Like…you know…I’m so sure
5. ALLLLIIIIISSSSOOONNNNN
6. If you could…..that would be greaaattt
7. Are you going to eat that?
Seven Books (or Series) I love:
1. The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
2. The Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison
3. Jane Eyre by one of those Bronte girls
4. The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys
5. Bitterleaf by Lisa Gregory
6. Once More, Miranda by Jennifer Wilde
7. Cannery Row & Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck
Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:
1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles
2. Office Space
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
4. Monty Python’s The Life of Brian
5. A Christmas Story
6. My Blue Heaven
7. The Empire Strikes Back
I think everyone I know has been tagged already. It’s a fun tag, would love to see everyone’s answers.
Seven Things To Do Before I Die:
1. Have grandkids
2. Own a condo in Hawaii
3. Go to Europe
4. Learn to knit
5. Get published
6. Lose 30 lbs.
7. Buy a car that only seats 2
Seven Things I Can't Do:
1. Sing
2. Listen to country music
3. Eat American cheese
4. Drink Pepsi
5. Barbeque
6. Paint my own nails
7. Play the guitar
Seven Things That Attract Me To My Spouse (or Significant Other, Best Friend, etc.)
1. His intelligence
2. His sense of humor
3. His eyebrows
4. His work ethic
5. His devotion to family
6. His “guyness”
7. His earning potential
Seven Things I Say (or Write) Most Often:
1. $%*@
2. Geez Louise
3. Duh!
4. Like…you know…I’m so sure
5. ALLLLIIIIISSSSOOONNNNN
6. If you could…..that would be greaaattt
7. Are you going to eat that?
Seven Books (or Series) I love:
1. The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
2. The Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison
3. Jane Eyre by one of those Bronte girls
4. The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys
5. Bitterleaf by Lisa Gregory
6. Once More, Miranda by Jennifer Wilde
7. Cannery Row & Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck
Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again:
1. Planes, Trains & Automobiles
2. Office Space
3. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
4. Monty Python’s The Life of Brian
5. A Christmas Story
6. My Blue Heaven
7. The Empire Strikes Back
I think everyone I know has been tagged already. It’s a fun tag, would love to see everyone’s answers.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Using Color
I’ve always been aware of color in my writing, but more for its sensory benefits than any emotional or developmental aspects. When considering color, I am usually trying to figure out if it will be pleasing to the eye. I use color to flesh out a scene, to help bring my reader into the story.
I’ve never considered color for its emotional impact. Settings, emotions, etc. were my tools. But my friend Becky told me she was working on an article about using color in writing. She made me think about it. When I close my eyes, I can envision the “color” of my characters. For instance, in the WIP I’m working on, the heroine is definitely in shades of warm oranges and golds. She has a feeling of autumn about her. The hero is dark, a very dark brown like sable, mysterious and impenetrable but not black.
But how can I use this sense of color to develop my characters? Becky’s article, Writing In Color, talks about the symbolism in color. If a character dresses in pink with white lace, we think of her has a girly girl. See a man in black and we think of mysterious, ominous, evil, etc. Becky puts this into action when she talks about using color for a secondary color. It works with the reader’s perceptions and creates a small short cut for developing the character.
Do you think of color when developing your characters? Do you feel an emotional response to color? I think it is subconscious. I’ve since looked back at my characters and gotten a feeling for their colors. Sure enough they are there.
I’ve never considered color for its emotional impact. Settings, emotions, etc. were my tools. But my friend Becky told me she was working on an article about using color in writing. She made me think about it. When I close my eyes, I can envision the “color” of my characters. For instance, in the WIP I’m working on, the heroine is definitely in shades of warm oranges and golds. She has a feeling of autumn about her. The hero is dark, a very dark brown like sable, mysterious and impenetrable but not black.
But how can I use this sense of color to develop my characters? Becky’s article, Writing In Color, talks about the symbolism in color. If a character dresses in pink with white lace, we think of her has a girly girl. See a man in black and we think of mysterious, ominous, evil, etc. Becky puts this into action when she talks about using color for a secondary color. It works with the reader’s perceptions and creates a small short cut for developing the character.
Do you think of color when developing your characters? Do you feel an emotional response to color? I think it is subconscious. I’ve since looked back at my characters and gotten a feeling for their colors. Sure enough they are there.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Big Winner
The big winner for the Jongleurs Dance CD is Kacey! Email me your address and I’ll get it out the door on Monday.
Kacey asked me what my favorite of his discs is. I think my favorite is Celtic Cross. The music is a sampling of Celtic styles from not just the British Isles and Ireland but also other spots in Europe. I have some new CD’s of his I haven’t listened to because it is Christmas and that is pretty much all I listen to this time of year. I really like A Christmas Gift. The first half of the CD is traditional Christmas songs the second half is Renaissance.
I’m a sucker for the New Agey Christmas music. I’ve got a few Manheim Steamroller and Windham Hill albums as well as Narada. I grew up on all the traditional Christmas music like Bing Crosby and the like. I think I burned out on them.
What about you? Do you have any particular styles or performers you like this time of year? Confess, do you listen to Christmas music when it isn’t Christmas?
For you who don’t celebrate Christmas, do you have “seasonal” music? I know I have my “winter music” and “summer music.” Does the weather influence your musical choices?
Kacey asked me what my favorite of his discs is. I think my favorite is Celtic Cross. The music is a sampling of Celtic styles from not just the British Isles and Ireland but also other spots in Europe. I have some new CD’s of his I haven’t listened to because it is Christmas and that is pretty much all I listen to this time of year. I really like A Christmas Gift. The first half of the CD is traditional Christmas songs the second half is Renaissance.
I’m a sucker for the New Agey Christmas music. I’ve got a few Manheim Steamroller and Windham Hill albums as well as Narada. I grew up on all the traditional Christmas music like Bing Crosby and the like. I think I burned out on them.
What about you? Do you have any particular styles or performers you like this time of year? Confess, do you listen to Christmas music when it isn’t Christmas?
For you who don’t celebrate Christmas, do you have “seasonal” music? I know I have my “winter music” and “summer music.” Does the weather influence your musical choices?
Friday, December 09, 2005
Guilt Block
I’m going to shamelessly piggyback off from Melissa's from yesterday. She talks about her irritability and how it relates to her need to write. Funny, a light bulb went off in my head when I read her post. That is what has been bothering me.
I spend so much time satisfying others, I spend no time doing the things I find most enjoyable, which is writing. And it isn’t the writing specifically that is such a problem. Writing is something so personal, it belongs to me. When I crochet a blanket, I enjoy the craft, I enjoy creating the afghan, but finished product is done for someone else. Same with baking or cooking. I enjoy both of those tasks, but the end result benefits everyone.
Writing is different. In my house, the only one who will gain any pleasure from my writing is me. And thus sitting down and writing is hard to justify. Yes, this is a crazy problem developed in my own mind, but I think as a wife and mother, I am brainwashed into believing my family comes first in all things. Mentally, I know this is ridiculous, my life is as valuable as anyone else’s in the family. But still, I will skip doing what I want to make my kids happy.
Maybe there was a subliminal message in those wedding vows. Maybe the substance I thought was pitocin being pumped into my veins during labor was actually a mind
altering drug that turned me into a martyr. Most likely it was the examples I learned from my mother.
Putting the needs of your family ahead of writing really isn’t a bad thing until it crosses over into your spirit. Like Melissa, I have been irritable and quick to anger. I resent the demands put upon me by my family. And that is not good.
Writing books and advisors suggest treating your writing like a job. Well, I already have a job. Being a SAHM provides enough labor for the day. I want to enjoy my writing. However, I feel guilty if I’m enjoying my writing and the rest of the house is falling apart. Like the laundry, dishes and vacuuming aren’t going to be there tomorrow.
I think this time of year really sticks it to us women. It is a time of giving, a time of selfless acts, not a time to be dwelling on what you don’t have. How can I complain about a lack of writing time when there are families in the Gulf States who have nothing? How can I think how bad I’ve got it when there are mothers in Pakistan struggling just to feed and shelter their children?
Some writers suffer from writer’s block. I suffer from guilt block. Am I alone in this feeling?
Reminder….
Today is the last day to enter to win a CD. Look down at Saturday’s post. I’ll draw a name tomorrow morning and announce the winner.
I spend so much time satisfying others, I spend no time doing the things I find most enjoyable, which is writing. And it isn’t the writing specifically that is such a problem. Writing is something so personal, it belongs to me. When I crochet a blanket, I enjoy the craft, I enjoy creating the afghan, but finished product is done for someone else. Same with baking or cooking. I enjoy both of those tasks, but the end result benefits everyone.
Writing is different. In my house, the only one who will gain any pleasure from my writing is me. And thus sitting down and writing is hard to justify. Yes, this is a crazy problem developed in my own mind, but I think as a wife and mother, I am brainwashed into believing my family comes first in all things. Mentally, I know this is ridiculous, my life is as valuable as anyone else’s in the family. But still, I will skip doing what I want to make my kids happy.
Maybe there was a subliminal message in those wedding vows. Maybe the substance I thought was pitocin being pumped into my veins during labor was actually a mind
altering drug that turned me into a martyr. Most likely it was the examples I learned from my mother.
Putting the needs of your family ahead of writing really isn’t a bad thing until it crosses over into your spirit. Like Melissa, I have been irritable and quick to anger. I resent the demands put upon me by my family. And that is not good.
Writing books and advisors suggest treating your writing like a job. Well, I already have a job. Being a SAHM provides enough labor for the day. I want to enjoy my writing. However, I feel guilty if I’m enjoying my writing and the rest of the house is falling apart. Like the laundry, dishes and vacuuming aren’t going to be there tomorrow.
I think this time of year really sticks it to us women. It is a time of giving, a time of selfless acts, not a time to be dwelling on what you don’t have. How can I complain about a lack of writing time when there are families in the Gulf States who have nothing? How can I think how bad I’ve got it when there are mothers in Pakistan struggling just to feed and shelter their children?
Some writers suffer from writer’s block. I suffer from guilt block. Am I alone in this feeling?
Reminder….
Today is the last day to enter to win a CD. Look down at Saturday’s post. I’ll draw a name tomorrow morning and announce the winner.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Music to Write by
I'm not one that usually requires music to write with, but sometimes, I find music inspires me. Not because it evokes emotion, but because its rhythms and sounds jumpstart my brain. Usually Baroque composers like Bach and Vivaldi fit the prescription. But sometimes I need something a little different, after you've heard "The Four Seasons" and the "Brandenburg Concertos" eight gazillion times, you need a change! I started listening to Celtic-inspired music, Renaissance and Medieval as well. Anyway, I've discovered a musician who sells his cd's at holiday gift fairs and shows. Richard Searles does a lot of old music. He told me he does quite a bit of research at the music library at UCLA looking for the oldest tunes. I think I have most of his cd's. My mom and I are both fans except my mother keeps buying duplicates of cd's she already has. She bought Jongleur's Dance then got home and realized she already had it. So she gave it to me. I already have it as well, so I thought I would give it away. If you are interested, comment and tell me so. I'll draw a name on Friday. Only one entry per person.
Friday, December 02, 2005
15 Facts abouy Me and Books
Okay, here is my response to the book meme tag:
I’m going to tag Lory because I’d love to hear her answers.
- My first love was history books. I love reading about history
- I rarely buy used books. Authors don’t get a dime if I buy a book used so I try to buy them new.
- I love libraries
- I love most genres but romance is my favorite
- I went ten years without reading a romance
- I save very few of my books. When I was younger I kept everything and had them saved on a list
- I don’t like reading hardbacks
- I do like trade size although I’m not real wild about the price
- Most of my reading is done in bed or at the gym
- I’d love to own a combo bookstore/martini bar. Wouldn’t that be fun?
- I’ve been in a bookstore at 3 a.m. (Kramerbooks & Afterwords in D.C.)
- Cover art isn’t something I worry about. I like nice covers but I think the quality has gone down over the last 20 years and I don’t them interesting
- My hubby loves to read but we have opposite taste in books
- My son is an avid reader and will read the ingredients on a ketchup bottle if it is around.
- I pack more books than clothes when I go on vacation.
I’m going to tag Lory because I’d love to hear her answers.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
A Dog ate My WIP and Other Lame Excuses
I have an excuse for everything. Well, not everything, but definitely for my lack of writing. And most of the time I believe them.
Myth: It’s the holidays, I’m too damn busy to write
Truth: I have time to read all the blogs and play computer games plus most of my shopping is done.
Myth: I have writer’s block
Truth: I’m writing this, aren’t I? Plus I just finished a workshop over at Romance Central's Forums. I can write anything I want, there is no block.
Myth: I’m unmotivated.
Truth: Motivation is self-created. We make our own motivation, it is not like the weather for which we have no control.
Myth: The kids are driving me crazy.
Truth: Well, this is true, but it has been true for the last 5 years, so it really doesn’t play into my writing.
Truth: I am more concerned about the chance of my work selling and whether or not an editor is going to bother reading it.
Myth: It should dictate everything I write.
When I first started writing, I didn’t worry about the market. I didn’t worry about whether I had a story that could sell or characters that fit the ideal of an editor or agent. I wrote the story of my heart as it were. I wrote what gave me pleasure. Now that I’ve started submitting, I find much of the joy has left my writing. I try too hard. Does this story have the right hook? Does it have the elements required to sell a novel? I really resent this way of thinking. I long for the days when I sat down and wrote for the pure pleasure of it. I think back fondly to the time when I didn’t have a clue what a “guideline” was. Sadly enough, I can never return to that place. I need to find the balance between what my mind and heart want, forcing them to work together to create a book I can be proud of and enjoy writing.
Myth: It’s the holidays, I’m too damn busy to write
Truth: I have time to read all the blogs and play computer games plus most of my shopping is done.
Myth: I have writer’s block
Truth: I’m writing this, aren’t I? Plus I just finished a workshop over at Romance Central's Forums. I can write anything I want, there is no block.
Myth: I’m unmotivated.
Truth: Motivation is self-created. We make our own motivation, it is not like the weather for which we have no control.
Myth: The kids are driving me crazy.
Truth: Well, this is true, but it has been true for the last 5 years, so it really doesn’t play into my writing.
Truth: I am more concerned about the chance of my work selling and whether or not an editor is going to bother reading it.
Myth: It should dictate everything I write.
When I first started writing, I didn’t worry about the market. I didn’t worry about whether I had a story that could sell or characters that fit the ideal of an editor or agent. I wrote the story of my heart as it were. I wrote what gave me pleasure. Now that I’ve started submitting, I find much of the joy has left my writing. I try too hard. Does this story have the right hook? Does it have the elements required to sell a novel? I really resent this way of thinking. I long for the days when I sat down and wrote for the pure pleasure of it. I think back fondly to the time when I didn’t have a clue what a “guideline” was. Sadly enough, I can never return to that place. I need to find the balance between what my mind and heart want, forcing them to work together to create a book I can be proud of and enjoy writing.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Psycho Turkey Man
We cooked another turkey today. My husband a.k.a. Psycho Turkey Man, had six straight meals of turkey. Yes, that includes breakfast. So last night I ran to the grocery store and bought another turkey. Of course there weren’t any of the deals like there were last week, but this was a CRISIS and we needed that turkey. Hubby deep fried it, so it cooked in less than an hour. This finished up the rest of the leftovers. With my family, leftovers don’t last long. Personally, I’m glad to see it go.
I didn’t go shopping Friday. Going through the ads, I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without. I thought about going just for the rush, but I was so wiped out from the preceding week, I rolled over when the alarm went off. I really don’t have much to buy, I ended up picking up a couple of things at Costco on Wednesday (yes, I went to Costco the day before Thanksgiving and yes, it was as bad as you would think). A trip to Toys R Us this week will probably do it.
We have a new addition to the family. Last Tuesday I was driving down the road to pick up the kids from school. I swerved to miss something and as I passed I realized it was a turtle. I stopped and picked it up to discover it was a baby desert tortoise. I have no idea where she came from. There are several houses on the street and there is some new development bordering the road. My thought is that she lived in the field and the crew disturbed her burrow. I’ve been keeping my eye out for signs. I really don’t want to post signs about her because everyone and there dog will claim her. Nothing so far. A workman was outside near where the tortoise was so he said if anyone asked him, he’d tell them to put up a sign and I would contact them. Katie has named her Julia. I need to take Julia to the vet and make sure she is okay to hibernate. I also need to have her checked for contagious diseases since I don’t want my other tortoise to catch anything. I figure she is about four or five years old which means she will definitely become my children’s problem when I’m gone.
I’ve been too busy to think about writing although an idea popped in my head over the weekend. I usually do a Christmas story as well just for fun so I might work on that. I’m very glad Thanksgiving is over. We picked out a Christmas tree today at the tree farm around the corner. It is very cool to walk over to pick out your tree. I’m not sure when we will bring it home since the monsters are guaranteed to tear it apart. I’ll be very glad to see the darlings go off to school tomorrow.
I didn’t go shopping Friday. Going through the ads, I didn’t see anything I couldn’t live without. I thought about going just for the rush, but I was so wiped out from the preceding week, I rolled over when the alarm went off. I really don’t have much to buy, I ended up picking up a couple of things at Costco on Wednesday (yes, I went to Costco the day before Thanksgiving and yes, it was as bad as you would think). A trip to Toys R Us this week will probably do it.
We have a new addition to the family. Last Tuesday I was driving down the road to pick up the kids from school. I swerved to miss something and as I passed I realized it was a turtle. I stopped and picked it up to discover it was a baby desert tortoise. I have no idea where she came from. There are several houses on the street and there is some new development bordering the road. My thought is that she lived in the field and the crew disturbed her burrow. I’ve been keeping my eye out for signs. I really don’t want to post signs about her because everyone and there dog will claim her. Nothing so far. A workman was outside near where the tortoise was so he said if anyone asked him, he’d tell them to put up a sign and I would contact them. Katie has named her Julia. I need to take Julia to the vet and make sure she is okay to hibernate. I also need to have her checked for contagious diseases since I don’t want my other tortoise to catch anything. I figure she is about four or five years old which means she will definitely become my children’s problem when I’m gone.
I’ve been too busy to think about writing although an idea popped in my head over the weekend. I usually do a Christmas story as well just for fun so I might work on that. I’m very glad Thanksgiving is over. We picked out a Christmas tree today at the tree farm around the corner. It is very cool to walk over to pick out your tree. I’m not sure when we will bring it home since the monsters are guaranteed to tear it apart. I’ll be very glad to see the darlings go off to school tomorrow.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Turkey Day! While I am thankful for the usual stuff: family, health, etc., etc. I am very thankful I live in California. This picture was taken today and yes, Allison is wearing a swimsuit. I don't know why, but she likes it and the weather is in the mid-70's.
Don't eat too much: tomorrow is Black Friday, one of my favorite days of the year!
Enjoy your loved ones and bask in the start of the holidays. Peace be with you.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Whew!
Here is Allison modeling one of her birthday gifts. Birthday week is over thank goodness. I only had one major meltdown. Everything went smoothly. The biggest glitch was on Saturday when I was at the soccer party and I fell, landing on my knee. I was in pain for most of the weekend but the knee feels okay now, so it wasn't anything serious. The party turned out really cute and everyone had a great time. Bouncers are definitely worth the money.I'm posting about the field trip I took with Katie's class over at the Age of Enlightenment blog. Suffice it to say it was fun and the kids had a great time. I brought home a 5 pound apple pie for a souvenir.
I think the most significant thing I realized, however, is how much I missed blogging and reading blogs. Talk about feeling out of the loop. I haven't had a chance to do more than glance at my email for the last few days. My habit of starting my morning with coffee and blogs is so ingrained, I can't believe how much I missed it. Of course the writing bug hit too but I just didn't have time to dive into it. I did manage to get my RWA renewal in, so I'm back in their good graces.
Well, I'm off to begin catching up on everyone's news. Thanks for stopping by and wishing the little princess "Happy Birthday." If I posted her picture on my blog everyday, she'd be thrilled. Girl's got an ego the size of Texas.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Birthday Princess
Yesterday was the big birthday. Katie turned 6. We started the morning with her getting her hair cut. The stylist French braided it and put beads in it. She also painted her nails. The outfit was complete with a birthday tiara and a big red birthday button. I brought my 4 dozen "homemade" cupcakes (courtesy the grocery store). After school her grandmother picked her up and took her to a birthday tea and gave her presents. Later she went to soccer practice and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She picked pizza for dinner (Yeah! Mom doesn't have to cook) and opened the presents from us which included a set of golf clubs. Some of the presents I gave her I bought in July...of 2004. I had them at my MIL's and forgot they were there.
Birthday week isn't over. Family is coming over Saturday to celebrate her sister's birthday and bringing some presents for her as well then Sunday is her kid party. Life's rough when you are a princess.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Is it January yet?
Thus begins my busy season. Both of my daughters are celebrating birthdays this week. Katie turns 6 on Wednesday and Allison turns 3 on Saturday. Daniel has a major school assignment due this Wednesday. He has to create a board game based on minerals found in California. Of course he didn’t start working on it until yesterday. Katie brings snack to school on Wednesday. Her class combos with another on Wednesdays so I have to have enough cupcakes for 40 kids. They also have a project going that morning that I volunteered to help with. On Thursday her class is going to this place and I volunteered to go with them. Katie’s last soccer game is on Saturday and we are having the team party right after. I’m doing the goodie bags and taking care of the pizza. Saturday night is the party for Allison. We are only doing cake and ice cream with family. Sunday is the big kid party for Katie. I’m doing a goodie bag craft project with the kids and I ordered a bouncer.
I’m not trying to write. It seems a pointless exercise to even try this week. But next week I’m hoping to get some writing done. It should be a calm week. Oh wait, it’s Thanksgiving and I’m hosting. Sigh….
I’m not trying to write. It seems a pointless exercise to even try this week. But next week I’m hoping to get some writing done. It should be a calm week. Oh wait, it’s Thanksgiving and I’m hosting. Sigh….
Thursday, November 10, 2005
A Slap at Cinderella
I started a new WIP the other day. Sometimes these things just hit and I have to go with them. In telling Melissa about it, I realized I have a theme that runs through my writing. My heroines are forced into a journey of self-discovery. In order to gain an HEA, they must learn and understand their own power and be able to stand on their own two feet. That means if the hero turns out to be a dud, she can walk away without relying on him for her happiness.
My daughters got the “Cinderella” dvd and have been watching it ad nauseum. They watch it in the car so I am subjected to the sound. After the 300th viewing, I started to realize what a truly horrible story it is and what a terrible example it sets for my girls. By being a pretty little doormat, Cinderella’s dreams came true. She learned nothing about herself, only that if she is wimpy enough, some old lady with a wand will make everything right.
I suppose there is a certain attraction to the whole idea. Wouldn’t it be great to be whisked away by Prince Charming without putting any effort into it? But it isn’t a very satisfying story. As a writer, I am attracted to change in my characters. And not just the reformed rake man or the ugly duckling heroine. I want to make them going through the gauntlet and come out a better, stronger person, particularly my women. The same goes for the hero, but I must admit a need to see my females grow more.
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being from the generation I was raised in. I am woman, hear me roar. Perhaps it was watching friends go through boyfriends, then husbands looking for self-esteem in the validation of another’s love. I don’t know, but in everything I have written, the heroine must come to a realization about herself and be ready to accept the consequences. Because I am a romance writer, she will always get her man, but he is not the embodiment of her happiness, rather a compliment. If he falls off the face of the earth, she will be broken-hearted but not destroyed.
How about you? Do you have a theme that you see in your writing? Does if focus on the characters or is it a plot line?
My daughters got the “Cinderella” dvd and have been watching it ad nauseum. They watch it in the car so I am subjected to the sound. After the 300th viewing, I started to realize what a truly horrible story it is and what a terrible example it sets for my girls. By being a pretty little doormat, Cinderella’s dreams came true. She learned nothing about herself, only that if she is wimpy enough, some old lady with a wand will make everything right.
I suppose there is a certain attraction to the whole idea. Wouldn’t it be great to be whisked away by Prince Charming without putting any effort into it? But it isn’t a very satisfying story. As a writer, I am attracted to change in my characters. And not just the reformed rake man or the ugly duckling heroine. I want to make them going through the gauntlet and come out a better, stronger person, particularly my women. The same goes for the hero, but I must admit a need to see my females grow more.
Perhaps it is a byproduct of being from the generation I was raised in. I am woman, hear me roar. Perhaps it was watching friends go through boyfriends, then husbands looking for self-esteem in the validation of another’s love. I don’t know, but in everything I have written, the heroine must come to a realization about herself and be ready to accept the consequences. Because I am a romance writer, she will always get her man, but he is not the embodiment of her happiness, rather a compliment. If he falls off the face of the earth, she will be broken-hearted but not destroyed.
How about you? Do you have a theme that you see in your writing? Does if focus on the characters or is it a plot line?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Hubris
Hubris=excessive ambition: the excessive pride and ambition that usually leads to the downfall of a hero in classical tragedy
I have taken overweening pride in the fact my teeth are near-perfect. No cavities, no braces, good gums. So according to the concept of hubris, I was destined for a fall. Sure enough, my last dental appointment the dentist decided the slight cavity should be taken care of. Yesterday I got my first filling. It wasn’t particularly painful except the dentist said my mouth was too small (HA!) and my jaw hurt from the manipulations they did to get to the tooth. But I have been deflated. My arrogance in my dental health has a big hole punched in it.
Anyway, that’s just an example about how hubris can play a part in our lives. But it is a useful tool in character development. When I’m developing my hero and heroines, I love to sneak in some hubris. And the downfall for my characters is the black moment. The result of their excessive pride directly relates to the losses they suffer. I want it clear to them that if they had not been so prideful, they would have been able to achieve their goals and lived happily ever after. But because I am a romance writer, my characters get to redeem themselves and gain that which they’ve lost, a far cry from the classical and Shakespearean heroes we read about.
If you are stuck with character development, reach back into those high school English classes and pick up on the classics. The concepts can be a good guide to writing a compelling character.
I have taken overweening pride in the fact my teeth are near-perfect. No cavities, no braces, good gums. So according to the concept of hubris, I was destined for a fall. Sure enough, my last dental appointment the dentist decided the slight cavity should be taken care of. Yesterday I got my first filling. It wasn’t particularly painful except the dentist said my mouth was too small (HA!) and my jaw hurt from the manipulations they did to get to the tooth. But I have been deflated. My arrogance in my dental health has a big hole punched in it.
Anyway, that’s just an example about how hubris can play a part in our lives. But it is a useful tool in character development. When I’m developing my hero and heroines, I love to sneak in some hubris. And the downfall for my characters is the black moment. The result of their excessive pride directly relates to the losses they suffer. I want it clear to them that if they had not been so prideful, they would have been able to achieve their goals and lived happily ever after. But because I am a romance writer, my characters get to redeem themselves and gain that which they’ve lost, a far cry from the classical and Shakespearean heroes we read about.
If you are stuck with character development, reach back into those high school English classes and pick up on the classics. The concepts can be a good guide to writing a compelling character.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
RWA Membership
I let my RWA membership lapse again. Despite the notices, I totally forgot to renew. They don’t seem to have a grace period or anything so I have to pretty much re-do the form etc.
Last night I got an email saying I’d been unsubscribed from the RWA email lists. And this is a bad thing? I’ve gone either no mail or digest on all of them. For the most part the posts are pretty much drivel. I used to justify my membership because of the RWR, but I’ve noticed the last few months I just kind of skim it and throw it away. Conference? If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit my chances of going to conference over the next few years are pretty slim. With three kids, its tough to get away and also, our vacations are few and far between these days. I’m more apt to go away with the family than go to conference.
The downside is the chapters. I belong to two chapters. I really enjoy both. But, my opportunities to go to my meetings for the one are rare. My kids are in sports and the meetings are on Saturday. They are about 30 minutes away, which is no big deal, but it takes planning on my part. I like their newsletters as well.
I haven’t decided what I’m going to do. The series of fiascos the last year did leave me a little disenchanted with the organization. However I really didn’t question whether I would renew or not. What does everyone else think? How high do you value your membership?
Last night I got an email saying I’d been unsubscribed from the RWA email lists. And this is a bad thing? I’ve gone either no mail or digest on all of them. For the most part the posts are pretty much drivel. I used to justify my membership because of the RWR, but I’ve noticed the last few months I just kind of skim it and throw it away. Conference? If I’m honest with myself, I have to admit my chances of going to conference over the next few years are pretty slim. With three kids, its tough to get away and also, our vacations are few and far between these days. I’m more apt to go away with the family than go to conference.
The downside is the chapters. I belong to two chapters. I really enjoy both. But, my opportunities to go to my meetings for the one are rare. My kids are in sports and the meetings are on Saturday. They are about 30 minutes away, which is no big deal, but it takes planning on my part. I like their newsletters as well.
I haven’t decided what I’m going to do. The series of fiascos the last year did leave me a little disenchanted with the organization. However I really didn’t question whether I would renew or not. What does everyone else think? How high do you value your membership?
Friday, November 04, 2005
Meme Tag
Finally, I rememberd to answer a tag. Melissa got me the other day so here are my answers.
Three screen names that you've had: Renered1, Reneredk, Renered2 (yes, I am that boring).
Three things you like about yourself: Witty, generous, intelligent
Three things you don't like about yourself: My weight, quick temper, tendency towards depression
Three parts of your heritage: French, Danish, Irish
Three things that scare you: Fire, clowns, wasps
Three of your everyday essentials: coffee, Diet Coke, and checking my email
Three things you are wearing right now: sweat pants, tee shirt, slippers
Three of your favorite songs: My Immortal by Evenescence, The End by the Doors, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement by Bach
Three things you want in a relationship: love, respect, humor
Two truths and a lie: I drive too fast, eat too much and stand 5’10”
Three things you can't live without: coffee, books, iPod
Three places you want to go on vacation: England, Italy, Ireland
Three things you just can't do: play the piano, sing, knit (although I am trying)
Three kids' names: Katie, Allison, Daniel
Three things you want to do before you die: Publish a book, drive an Aston-Martin, have grandkids
Three celeb crushes: Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman, Colin Firth
Three of your favourite musicians: Natalie Merchant, Gwen Stefani, The Doors
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: Eyes, hair, lips
Three of your favourite hobbies: writing, needlework, cooking
Three things you really want to do badly right now: write, shop, watch a television program geared towards someone over 4
Three careers you're considering/you've considered: writer, lawyer, city manager
Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: love sports, swear, love cars
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: love pink, love shoes, squeal at cute boys
Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Lory, Dana, and Olivia
Three screen names that you've had: Renered1, Reneredk, Renered2 (yes, I am that boring).
Three things you like about yourself: Witty, generous, intelligent
Three things you don't like about yourself: My weight, quick temper, tendency towards depression
Three parts of your heritage: French, Danish, Irish
Three things that scare you: Fire, clowns, wasps
Three of your everyday essentials: coffee, Diet Coke, and checking my email
Three things you are wearing right now: sweat pants, tee shirt, slippers
Three of your favorite songs: My Immortal by Evenescence, The End by the Doors, Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement by Bach
Three things you want in a relationship: love, respect, humor
Two truths and a lie: I drive too fast, eat too much and stand 5’10”
Three things you can't live without: coffee, books, iPod
Three places you want to go on vacation: England, Italy, Ireland
Three things you just can't do: play the piano, sing, knit (although I am trying)
Three kids' names: Katie, Allison, Daniel
Three things you want to do before you die: Publish a book, drive an Aston-Martin, have grandkids
Three celeb crushes: Johnny Depp, Hugh Jackman, Colin Firth
Three of your favourite musicians: Natalie Merchant, Gwen Stefani, The Doors
Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: Eyes, hair, lips
Three of your favourite hobbies: writing, needlework, cooking
Three things you really want to do badly right now: write, shop, watch a television program geared towards someone over 4
Three careers you're considering/you've considered: writer, lawyer, city manager
Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: love sports, swear, love cars
Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: love pink, love shoes, squeal at cute boys
Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Lory, Dana, and Olivia
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Keep it Simple
My biggest problem when it comes to writing is the plot. Not that I can’t think of one, but it becomes so complex. Subplots leak in. Secondary characters bring their own devilment. Space aliens invade. Everything but the kitchen sink finds a spot in the WIP. I have to stop myself and remember that I’m writing a romance. The core of my story is the hero and heroine. The rest is just window dressing.
I think the reason I fall into the over-plotting trap is because developing good characters with solid conflicts and motivation is hard work. It is much easier to understand how the heroine feels when a Martian is about to gobble up her beloved hero. It is tougher to understand how she feels when he’s a jerk but she likes him anyway. Getting to the heart of the matter when your characters’ conflicts are based on their own personalities is hard, but it is the cream filling of your romance.
In my head, I let the complex play out and I find how dissatisfying I find it. As the plot gets more and more ridiculous, I notice how lost my characters become. So once I’ve seen how totally out in left field I went, I start over. Keeping my attention on the characters at all times, I look for plot points that are going to showcase character development.
Lots of plot is okay. I certainly didn’t read Tom Clancy for the depth of his characterizations. But romance is a genre whose lifeblood is the love between a couple. It is a rather simple equation. “Keep It Simple, Stupid” is now my mantra.
REMINDER….
If you want a chance to win signed copies of Susan Squires’ The Companion and The Hunger, the first two books in her historical vampire series, stop by Haunted Tales and enter.
I think the reason I fall into the over-plotting trap is because developing good characters with solid conflicts and motivation is hard work. It is much easier to understand how the heroine feels when a Martian is about to gobble up her beloved hero. It is tougher to understand how she feels when he’s a jerk but she likes him anyway. Getting to the heart of the matter when your characters’ conflicts are based on their own personalities is hard, but it is the cream filling of your romance.
In my head, I let the complex play out and I find how dissatisfying I find it. As the plot gets more and more ridiculous, I notice how lost my characters become. So once I’ve seen how totally out in left field I went, I start over. Keeping my attention on the characters at all times, I look for plot points that are going to showcase character development.
Lots of plot is okay. I certainly didn’t read Tom Clancy for the depth of his characterizations. But romance is a genre whose lifeblood is the love between a couple. It is a rather simple equation. “Keep It Simple, Stupid” is now my mantra.
REMINDER….
If you want a chance to win signed copies of Susan Squires’ The Companion and The Hunger, the first two books in her historical vampire series, stop by Haunted Tales and enter.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Oh, The Carnage!
So yesterday was the first of the BIG DAYS in my children's lives. In two weeks the two girls have their birthdays (they are 3 years, 3 days apart) then Thanksgiving then my son's birthday (Dec. 23) and then the ultimate big day, Christmas. So of course they are wired for the next couple of months. The sugar haul from yesterday will help drive this frenzy of obnoxious behavior. We went trick or treating in our downtown. This is a picture of the little monsters in front of the city hall (I bet you guessed that from the picture
So we did the candy thing there and they brought home a big haul. We moved on to my folks' house and trick or treated in their neighborhood and had dinner. My mom made a pot roast she bought at Costco. She microwaved it for 8 minutes and it was done. I was surprised how good it was. Heads up for a quick meal during this busy season. Dinner finished with Mom's home made pies. The apple pies were made from apples from her trees. Hmmmm, very, very good.
We have enough candy to make a dentist smile. I threw away all the other candy from the last year and am starting fresh.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Bob and Wendy
Hubby and I went to a Halloween party on Friday night as Bob the Builder and Wendy. That wig itched so bad, but at least the costume was easy to put together. I made dh's sweatshirt by dying a white sweatshirt yellow then painting the squares on with fabric paint. DH usually wears a beard and mustache but shaved them off for this event (plus the fact the beard is turning more and more gray).We had fun at the party although we were only there for a couple of hours. The wig drove me crazy and we didn't know many people there. Food was good and drinks were free and children were not invited. How bad could it be?
Friday, October 28, 2005
Oh Happy Day
Whatever I pay for HBO is worth it. I heard today that Alan Ball, the brains and creative force behind “Six Feet Under” will be producing and directing a new vampire series for HBO based on Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire novels featuring Sookie Stackhouse. I am so beyond excited. Here’s the link for the story: Variety.com - Ball back in HBO's court
Haunted Tales
Happy Halloween! Okay, so it’s a couple of days early, but this is special. My friends Melissa and Becky have contributed a couple of haunting stories for a short story site I created for Halloween. Haunted Tales has some terrific stories and as a added treat, a book giveaway so please check it out.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
How I Torture Myself
…well besides having three kids.
I love going to Amazon and looking up my favorite authors. It isn’t so bad when their new book isn’t out on the list yet, but the true pain is when their titles are posted along with their publication date. The torture becomes worse when the cover is finally posted with a blurb here and there. Then the author posts the first chapter. Its like bamboo shoots under my fingernails.
I have very few authors I feel this way about, so the torture is that much more acute. Am I the only one that does this?
I love going to Amazon and looking up my favorite authors. It isn’t so bad when their new book isn’t out on the list yet, but the true pain is when their titles are posted along with their publication date. The torture becomes worse when the cover is finally posted with a blurb here and there. Then the author posts the first chapter. Its like bamboo shoots under my fingernails.
I have very few authors I feel this way about, so the torture is that much more acute. Am I the only one that does this?
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Crazy for Pumpkin
I love pomegranates. I love a cup of warm, spiced cider on a chilly Fall day. I adore the heavy comfort foods associated with cold nights. I love the colors of the leaves. I love sweaters and fuzzy slippers. Autumn is definitely my favorite season. But my favorite thing about this time of year is pumpkin.
I’m crazy for pumpkin.
I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin bagels, pumpkin coffee and pumpkin ale. I’ve loved pumpkin since I was a little kid and my love for it seems to increase.
Does anyone else love pumpkin? Hate pumpkin? Have another Fall food obsession? Have a good recipe for something made out of pumpkin?
Teaser….
Look out on Friday. I have a Halloween treat coming up including a book giveaway.
I’m crazy for pumpkin.
I love pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin bagels, pumpkin coffee and pumpkin ale. I’ve loved pumpkin since I was a little kid and my love for it seems to increase.
Does anyone else love pumpkin? Hate pumpkin? Have another Fall food obsession? Have a good recipe for something made out of pumpkin?
Teaser….
Look out on Friday. I have a Halloween treat coming up including a book giveaway.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Monday, Monday
Some days I’m just glad it’s Monday. We had one of those non-stop weekends and I am exhausted. I did manage to post to Age of Enlightenment with some info about gothics and their history. That was the extent of stuff I did with writing.
My daughter had her soccer game and she was a stud. She scored 2 goals within the first two minutes with the potential to really burst out and run over the other team. She got pulled to defense and out of the game for most of the rest of the time. What was really cute, however, was our team’s attitude. We were truly the dominant team, bigger, stronger girls and we could have run over the other team. As it was, we scored 5 goals. Our girls were so concerned that the other team wasn’t going to score that they wouldn’t defend the goal and in the end ended up passing the ball to the opposite team so they could score. I was very proud of them for their sportsmanship and the way they played. For kids this age, soccer should be fun.
After the game, we went to the Village Venture. My town’s quaint downtown area turns into a humongous street fair one day a year. This is really nice stuff, lots of art and beautiful (expensive) crafts. There must be about 800 booths. I think if you live in my town and don’t go, they send the Rotarians out with cattle prods to herd you down there. Anyway, dh bought me a really cute apron and one for each of the girls. Mine says “Queen of Everything.” Glad the hubby understands my place in the world. I also bought a few cd’s from this guy. I bought a few last year and fell in love with them. Very good writing music. We also ate our weight in junk food. One booth sold almonds roasted with cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Yum…. We were down there most of the afternoon.
But that wasn’t enough. We took the kids and their friend to Legoland. It was so busy with lots of little kids in Halloween costume. The kids had fun although Allison was a demon. She’s at the age where she wants to ride the rides but is half an inch to short. As soon as she would get out of her stroller, she’d take off. I was exhausted by the end of the day. I was never so glad to take my kids too school this morning.
My daughter had her soccer game and she was a stud. She scored 2 goals within the first two minutes with the potential to really burst out and run over the other team. She got pulled to defense and out of the game for most of the rest of the time. What was really cute, however, was our team’s attitude. We were truly the dominant team, bigger, stronger girls and we could have run over the other team. As it was, we scored 5 goals. Our girls were so concerned that the other team wasn’t going to score that they wouldn’t defend the goal and in the end ended up passing the ball to the opposite team so they could score. I was very proud of them for their sportsmanship and the way they played. For kids this age, soccer should be fun.
After the game, we went to the Village Venture. My town’s quaint downtown area turns into a humongous street fair one day a year. This is really nice stuff, lots of art and beautiful (expensive) crafts. There must be about 800 booths. I think if you live in my town and don’t go, they send the Rotarians out with cattle prods to herd you down there. Anyway, dh bought me a really cute apron and one for each of the girls. Mine says “Queen of Everything.” Glad the hubby understands my place in the world. I also bought a few cd’s from this guy. I bought a few last year and fell in love with them. Very good writing music. We also ate our weight in junk food. One booth sold almonds roasted with cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Yum…. We were down there most of the afternoon.
But that wasn’t enough. We took the kids and their friend to Legoland. It was so busy with lots of little kids in Halloween costume. The kids had fun although Allison was a demon. She’s at the age where she wants to ride the rides but is half an inch to short. As soon as she would get out of her stroller, she’d take off. I was exhausted by the end of the day. I was never so glad to take my kids too school this morning.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Back in the Saddle Again
My histrionics were for naught, I started writing again yesterday. I actually got four pages done: one on a Halloween short story and three on a new WIP. The page for my short story isn’t very good, but that’s okay, at least I did something. The three pages on my WIP are pretty good, very emotional.
I’m borrowing heavily from the WIP’s I’ve discarded, proving once again there is value in all writing we do. I had one of those moments Kacey talked about the other day. One moment I had nothing, the next, three stories burst through my head. It didn’t feel like an epiphany or anything, more like the same old thing.
I feel better about writing this time around, less insecure, more confident that I can write quality, that I can produce the type of book I can be proud of Maybe I just needed a break. Who knows?
I do know I feel much clearer with my characters. The last couple of books I’ve started, I couldn’t answer the “Why?” question. Like an annoying two year old, I constantly ask my characters why they are doing something. If I don’t get a satisfactory answer, I know I have a problem. Also, I didn’t feel the passion. My characters would reach a point far too early where they became comfortable with one another. Not good.
The book I want to write is one where the characters are swept away by grand emotions, forced to make decisions with difficult consequences. I want the HEA to be hard won and that much more satisfying.
I feel like heroes and heroines are becoming too nice. I haven’t read too many books where the characters do much in the way of soul-searching, where they have to make some kind of life-changing decision about themselves in order to love and be loved.
“Bodice Rippers” from the 1980’s have been so maligned. But they were filled to the brim with passion. I can still remember the names of Woodiwiss’ early heroes and heroines despite the fact I haven’t read any of those books in 20 years. But heck if I can name the hero and heroine from a book I read two weeks ago. Yes, these old books were unrealistic, inaccurate, un-pc and in many instances, down right silly. But the writers still managed to pull us into their story, exhausting us with the wild passion of their characters.
That’s the kind of book I want to write. I’d even like to have Fabio on the cover if it were possible.
I’m borrowing heavily from the WIP’s I’ve discarded, proving once again there is value in all writing we do. I had one of those moments Kacey talked about the other day. One moment I had nothing, the next, three stories burst through my head. It didn’t feel like an epiphany or anything, more like the same old thing.
I feel better about writing this time around, less insecure, more confident that I can write quality, that I can produce the type of book I can be proud of Maybe I just needed a break. Who knows?
I do know I feel much clearer with my characters. The last couple of books I’ve started, I couldn’t answer the “Why?” question. Like an annoying two year old, I constantly ask my characters why they are doing something. If I don’t get a satisfactory answer, I know I have a problem. Also, I didn’t feel the passion. My characters would reach a point far too early where they became comfortable with one another. Not good.
The book I want to write is one where the characters are swept away by grand emotions, forced to make decisions with difficult consequences. I want the HEA to be hard won and that much more satisfying.
I feel like heroes and heroines are becoming too nice. I haven’t read too many books where the characters do much in the way of soul-searching, where they have to make some kind of life-changing decision about themselves in order to love and be loved.
“Bodice Rippers” from the 1980’s have been so maligned. But they were filled to the brim with passion. I can still remember the names of Woodiwiss’ early heroes and heroines despite the fact I haven’t read any of those books in 20 years. But heck if I can name the hero and heroine from a book I read two weeks ago. Yes, these old books were unrealistic, inaccurate, un-pc and in many instances, down right silly. But the writers still managed to pull us into their story, exhausting us with the wild passion of their characters.
That’s the kind of book I want to write. I’d even like to have Fabio on the cover if it were possible.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Chicken Pot Pie
Melissa loves chicken pot pie. It really is a wonderful comfort food, particularly in chilly weather and can be very easy to make. So here is my recipe.
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Set out a sheet of frozen puff pastry to soften. I use the Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets, you can find it in the freezer section near the frozen pie crusts.
Ingredients:
2 large carrots
1 cup chicken broth
3 Tbs. oil
3 Tbs. butter
½ a medium onion
½ cup sliced mushrooms
3 Tbs. flour
½ cup cream
3 cups diced chicken
salt & pepper to taste
Slice the carrots into thin slices and boil in the chicken broth for about 10 minutes. Set aside. In an oven-proof skillet, melt butter and oil. When butter foams, add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes or so. Add the mushrooms, cook for a minute then sprinkle with flour. When the flour is well-blended, add the cream. After the mixture thickens, add the chicken broth with the carrots removed. Once the broth is blended and the mixture is thick, add the chicken and carrots. Salt and pepper and mix well. Roll out the pastry until it will cover the pan and pinch into place. Make air holes in the top and bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden and puffy.
I originally got this recipe to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. But during the rest of the year I use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and strip it. It makes pretty close to 3 cups. I don’t add mushrooms because I don’t like them in pot pie. I also don’t use cream; it isn’t something I usually keep on hand. Instead, I use evaporated non-fat milk; an item I always keep in my pantry. Canned broth is fine too.
I use a 10” cast iron skillet, but it is okay to prepare the filling in a skillet then transfer it to an ovenproof dish and cover it with the crust.
I’ve gotten this meal down to taking less than an hour to prepare. I think if you did everything up to the baking the night before, you could just throw it in the oven the next evening and have dinner ready in about half an hour.
I got this recipe out of the newspaper but have long since lost it, so hopefully I haven’t botched it with my memory.
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Set out a sheet of frozen puff pastry to soften. I use the Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets, you can find it in the freezer section near the frozen pie crusts.
Ingredients:
2 large carrots
1 cup chicken broth
3 Tbs. oil
3 Tbs. butter
½ a medium onion
½ cup sliced mushrooms
3 Tbs. flour
½ cup cream
3 cups diced chicken
salt & pepper to taste
Slice the carrots into thin slices and boil in the chicken broth for about 10 minutes. Set aside. In an oven-proof skillet, melt butter and oil. When butter foams, add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes or so. Add the mushrooms, cook for a minute then sprinkle with flour. When the flour is well-blended, add the cream. After the mixture thickens, add the chicken broth with the carrots removed. Once the broth is blended and the mixture is thick, add the chicken and carrots. Salt and pepper and mix well. Roll out the pastry until it will cover the pan and pinch into place. Make air holes in the top and bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden and puffy.
I originally got this recipe to use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. But during the rest of the year I use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and strip it. It makes pretty close to 3 cups. I don’t add mushrooms because I don’t like them in pot pie. I also don’t use cream; it isn’t something I usually keep on hand. Instead, I use evaporated non-fat milk; an item I always keep in my pantry. Canned broth is fine too.
I use a 10” cast iron skillet, but it is okay to prepare the filling in a skillet then transfer it to an ovenproof dish and cover it with the crust.
I’ve gotten this meal down to taking less than an hour to prepare. I think if you did everything up to the baking the night before, you could just throw it in the oven the next evening and have dinner ready in about half an hour.
I got this recipe out of the newspaper but have long since lost it, so hopefully I haven’t botched it with my memory.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Well is Dry
I’m struggling for inspiration. It is a unique situation for me, I’m one of those writers who usually has a million different ideas in their head at any given time, bursting with stories and characters. But for some reason, it’s all disappeared.
I have no idea why the well has dried. My creativity seems to have gone on vacation. Characters stop by in my head but they don’t stay, their appearances are brief, giving me little glimpses of their story before fading away like the morning mist.
The odd think is how little I miss it. Writing has been my passion for the last few years. It has supplanted many other things, making my other hobbies molder in the closet while my time and attention has been devoted to my writing.
Kacey talked about her difficult writing, pointing to the length of time she has been writing and how her goal of being published is taking so long to realize. I don’t think that’s my problem. I wish in some ways it were. I have two fulls out there, the lingering hope of getting an agent still gleaming dully in the background. It isn’t writer’s block; I don’t feel frustrated by my lack of creative juice. I do not sit for hours looking at a blank screen, flogging my brain into producing.
My fear is that my creativity was linked to my depression. I started writing when my second daughter was a baby. It was a very stressful time in my life and I was going through some post-partum depression at the time. Life continued its roller coaster and I kept writing, finding solace in the written word. Now, having been on medication for a couple of months, I wonder if the odd chemistry in my brain was what created my stories and my characters. I wonder if the medication I am on has changed me so that part of mind has shut down or at least slowed down.
If I am truly a writer, the creativity will return. The characters and stories will come back, maybe altered, maybe not. Surprisingly I am not too worried about it. My subconscious probably knows something I don’t. I am planning a short story for Halloween and have no concerns about writing it.
I will say, however, if I never write again, it is worth it not to feel the level of depression I was at before.
I have no idea why the well has dried. My creativity seems to have gone on vacation. Characters stop by in my head but they don’t stay, their appearances are brief, giving me little glimpses of their story before fading away like the morning mist.
The odd think is how little I miss it. Writing has been my passion for the last few years. It has supplanted many other things, making my other hobbies molder in the closet while my time and attention has been devoted to my writing.
Kacey talked about her difficult writing, pointing to the length of time she has been writing and how her goal of being published is taking so long to realize. I don’t think that’s my problem. I wish in some ways it were. I have two fulls out there, the lingering hope of getting an agent still gleaming dully in the background. It isn’t writer’s block; I don’t feel frustrated by my lack of creative juice. I do not sit for hours looking at a blank screen, flogging my brain into producing.
My fear is that my creativity was linked to my depression. I started writing when my second daughter was a baby. It was a very stressful time in my life and I was going through some post-partum depression at the time. Life continued its roller coaster and I kept writing, finding solace in the written word. Now, having been on medication for a couple of months, I wonder if the odd chemistry in my brain was what created my stories and my characters. I wonder if the medication I am on has changed me so that part of mind has shut down or at least slowed down.
If I am truly a writer, the creativity will return. The characters and stories will come back, maybe altered, maybe not. Surprisingly I am not too worried about it. My subconscious probably knows something I don’t. I am planning a short story for Halloween and have no concerns about writing it.
I will say, however, if I never write again, it is worth it not to feel the level of depression I was at before.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Quandaries
A couple of quandaries have come regarding my children, neither one issues I thought I would have to be dealing with so soon.
First, my daughter Katie. She’s in the first grade. Yesterday as we were getting ready for school, I asked her if she wanted to buy or take lunch. She said she’d buy and mumbled something about her friend Ally. When I asked her to elaborate, she refused to say anything but after pressing the thumbscrews to her, she finally talked. Apparently her friend Ally finishes lunch first and makes Katie stop eating and go play. I told Katie she is to finish her lunch whether her friend is done or not. This little girl was in Katie’s class last year and I’m not real keen on her. I was hoping the friendship would fade since they were in different classes. I talked to her teacher about the situation and her teacher is adamant that Katie not hang around with this girl. She is playing with older kids and they have already gotten in trouble with the principal. So we are going to work together to steer her towards other children. I’m not sure why Katie is so enamored with this kid. I do not find her very pleasant. Last year, when they cleaned out this child’s cubby, they found a bunch of Katie’s stuff in it. Katie is so naïve, she couldn’t understand how it got there. The next step her teacher is going to try is to tell her who she needs to sit with at lunch. Katie is only five so in some ways she is easily bossed around. She loves her teacher so I’m hoping she will follow her teacher’s directives.
I really didn’t think I was going to have to deal with “bad kids” until jr. high. But my concern is Katie will pick up the behaviors of these other girls. She’s a handful as it is. Any ideas on what I should do?
The second isn’t really as serious, but I think I need to do something. My son brought home a book yesterday called Solar Eclipse by John Farris. This book was in his classroom, one of his teacher’s books. It’s a suspense novel for adults. The subject matter is pretty violent but what most concerned me was the language. The swearing is bad and uses language one would read in an Ellora’s Cave book. Now, he has heard this language from his mother, screamed through the house, so he doesn’t seem to notice it. He is half way through the book, so it might be too late to take it away from him (it is a suspense novel, it would kind of suck to take it away before he found out the end). But I think I should bring it to his teacher’s attention. I’m not upset and I have no interest in making a stink about it. But some other parent may. BTW, my son is in 4th grade, the class is a 4th-5th-6th combo class.
Again, any ideas of what I should do would be appreciated.
Odds & Ends…..
Katie and my husband were sore for a few days after the accident but it seems to have dissipated. The car isn’t so lucky. The estimate to repair it is over $6500 but they think they will have it back to us before the end of the month. We’re guessing that really means the end of November, right when the rains start.
Hubby bought me a new washer and dryer. Mine are fine, but this is a stackable unit that went upstairs so I’m not carting laundry up and down the staircase. I’m hoping the bratlings will learn to do their own wash within the next year.
First, my daughter Katie. She’s in the first grade. Yesterday as we were getting ready for school, I asked her if she wanted to buy or take lunch. She said she’d buy and mumbled something about her friend Ally. When I asked her to elaborate, she refused to say anything but after pressing the thumbscrews to her, she finally talked. Apparently her friend Ally finishes lunch first and makes Katie stop eating and go play. I told Katie she is to finish her lunch whether her friend is done or not. This little girl was in Katie’s class last year and I’m not real keen on her. I was hoping the friendship would fade since they were in different classes. I talked to her teacher about the situation and her teacher is adamant that Katie not hang around with this girl. She is playing with older kids and they have already gotten in trouble with the principal. So we are going to work together to steer her towards other children. I’m not sure why Katie is so enamored with this kid. I do not find her very pleasant. Last year, when they cleaned out this child’s cubby, they found a bunch of Katie’s stuff in it. Katie is so naïve, she couldn’t understand how it got there. The next step her teacher is going to try is to tell her who she needs to sit with at lunch. Katie is only five so in some ways she is easily bossed around. She loves her teacher so I’m hoping she will follow her teacher’s directives.
I really didn’t think I was going to have to deal with “bad kids” until jr. high. But my concern is Katie will pick up the behaviors of these other girls. She’s a handful as it is. Any ideas on what I should do?
The second isn’t really as serious, but I think I need to do something. My son brought home a book yesterday called Solar Eclipse by John Farris. This book was in his classroom, one of his teacher’s books. It’s a suspense novel for adults. The subject matter is pretty violent but what most concerned me was the language. The swearing is bad and uses language one would read in an Ellora’s Cave book. Now, he has heard this language from his mother, screamed through the house, so he doesn’t seem to notice it. He is half way through the book, so it might be too late to take it away from him (it is a suspense novel, it would kind of suck to take it away before he found out the end). But I think I should bring it to his teacher’s attention. I’m not upset and I have no interest in making a stink about it. But some other parent may. BTW, my son is in 4th grade, the class is a 4th-5th-6th combo class.
Again, any ideas of what I should do would be appreciated.
Odds & Ends…..
Katie and my husband were sore for a few days after the accident but it seems to have dissipated. The car isn’t so lucky. The estimate to repair it is over $6500 but they think they will have it back to us before the end of the month. We’re guessing that really means the end of November, right when the rains start.
Hubby bought me a new washer and dryer. Mine are fine, but this is a stackable unit that went upstairs so I’m not carting laundry up and down the staircase. I’m hoping the bratlings will learn to do their own wash within the next year.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Back to the Ol' Drawing Board
Sigh....After 142 pages I have found a fatal flaw in my WIP. I don't feel the passion between my characters. There isn't enough at stake to give the characters anything to do. They like each other too much. So, I'm going to start over with an entirely new story and new characters. But being a smart cookie, I'm sticking to the same time era and setting, so none of my research will go to waste. Boy, I sure hate when that happens.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Snack
There comes a time when the soccer moms are seperated from the SOCCER MOMS. I am talking about Snack. On the schedule your name is placed beside a date and that is the date you bring snack. This entails a fruit during half-time and a snack at the end of the game.
Like a peacock spreading its glorious tail in briliant fall sunlight, I show off my plummage with little brown lunch bags filled with a bounty of treats to please the players. I look through the grocery aisle and select the most tempting delights for my snacks, searching for that unique tidbit that will one-up me amongst the soccer moms. I am good, I will admit. Today was my turn for my son's game. Target had their Little Debbie snacks on sale so the boys got frosted brownies in their bags along with a fruit snack, cheetos and gatorade. I have no qualm saying I am out to impress for my son's team.
For my daughter's team, I was first, knowing it was my sacred duty to show by example how to do a proper snack. Since Katie is in U-6, there are mostly newbie soccer moms. Hopefully they have learned from my turn, just as I as a young Grasshopper soccer mom learned from the Wise Soccer Moms before me.
Like a peacock spreading its glorious tail in briliant fall sunlight, I show off my plummage with little brown lunch bags filled with a bounty of treats to please the players. I look through the grocery aisle and select the most tempting delights for my snacks, searching for that unique tidbit that will one-up me amongst the soccer moms. I am good, I will admit. Today was my turn for my son's game. Target had their Little Debbie snacks on sale so the boys got frosted brownies in their bags along with a fruit snack, cheetos and gatorade. I have no qualm saying I am out to impress for my son's team.
For my daughter's team, I was first, knowing it was my sacred duty to show by example how to do a proper snack. Since Katie is in U-6, there are mostly newbie soccer moms. Hopefully they have learned from my turn, just as I as a young Grasshopper soccer mom learned from the Wise Soccer Moms before me.
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