Road Trip Wednesday- These are the people in your neighborhood

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where we post a weekly writing- or reading-related question.

This week's question is: Which book character would you like most as a next door neighbor?

I want Ramona Quimby as my neighbor. Growing up I was totally into the Ramona books. I recently watched the movie Ramona and Beezus and was reminded how much fun Klickitat Street is. There's Ramona and Beezus and Howie and Willa Jean and Henry and his dog. This is a street I'd want to live on.

I would also like to live in the same building as Cornelia S. Englehart and her neighbor Virginia Somerset. From the book Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters. I would love to spend my days listening to Virginia talk about her world traveling adventures. Also I would totally volunteer to walk her dog, Mr. Kinyatta.

Peepocracy

I have no post planned for today. I am currently revising my wip and making costumes for my Peep diorama.

Today I will leave you with the most awesome thing someone sent me this week

from escapetochengdu's photostream.

These boots are made for Workshopping

I'm lucky to live in Minneapolis which is home to The Loft Literary Center. As a result I've been able to take writing classes and attend conferences over the last few years.

Many of the classes I've taken have a workshop element. Meaning that one hour of each class is dedicated to workshopping. Usually students sign up for a week to share their work and the other students comment on that work. The instructors usually set out guidelines so these can be helpful.

My "day job" happens to be in the exciting world of costumes. I even went to college and spent semesters studying the psychology of how people dress.

Which is why when it is my turn to workshop I plan my outfit around my awesome boots. Seriously what is more awesome than red cowboy boots? Maybe knock off Frye boots. I also have a pair of glittery Doc Martens which make me feel pretty invincible too but sadly they are not as invincible to Minnesota winters.

When I'm wearing these boots on workshop days I feel pretty awesome. Like hey, my classmates might not like parts of what I've written but I have the most awesome footwear in the room. I do take workshop suggestions seriously but the boots help me feel more confident.

Do you have a special outfit for workshop day or awesome shoes for giving presentations? Do you have an awesome necklace you wear only when you write or maybe a sweet thinking cap like the one below?

side effect of the Kindle

Here is what life was like before I got a Kindle.

Random person: What are you reading?

Me: (Insert YA or middle grade title here)

Person: Oh. I've never heard of that one.

Me: It's from the YA section. I read mostly YA.

Person: Is it good?

Me: Yes

This is sometimes followed by a conversation about why I read YA. My hopes of becoming a published author and to write YA or middle grade novels.

Here is what happens since I have a Kindle.

Random Person: Is that a Kindle?

Me: Yes.

Person: Do you like it?

Me: Yes I love it.

Person: How does it work?

Then I show them all the awesome things the Kindle does.

Most people don't ask what book I'm reading anymore. They just see the device. For some reason showing off my Kindle is much more fun than telling people about my reading habits.

List of awesome things

1. Heather at Pen, Paper, Lots of Coffee awarded me the One Lovely Blog award. Thank you Heather. You rock.

2. A children's magazine is interested in a story I wrote.

3. My revisions on my WIP are going well. Progress is good.

4. Skype with my new baby nephew. He doesn't say a lot yet but he's cute.

5. The very long list of small things I was able to accomplish because I actually had the energy to accomplish them. Not being fatigued all the time is sort of life changing.

6. It's Friday and I have a weekend. Well kinda. I have to work four hours tomorrow but afterwards Girls Night.

7. Fun blogfests, new blog friends and followers. Thanks guys.

8. Hoping my weekend will include Brie Curds.

Road Trip Wednesday- I would have given anything to be like...

Road Trip Wednesday is a"Blog Carnival," where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs.

This week's prompt is in honor of Kirsten Hubbard's book Like Mandarin.

In the book the main character, Grace Carpenter, would give anything to be like Mandarin Ramey.

I would have given anything to be like...

My Aunt Ursula. Ursula is my dad's youngest sister. Ursula is awesome. Ursula came to visit us when she was sixteen on her summer road trip. She got to travel the county by herself visiting relatives by herself. How cool is that? She had the feathered hair and blue eye shadow that all the teenagers in the movies had. Feathered hair was cool. Blue eye shadow was cool. My hair would not feather like hers with all the hairspray in the world. I'm pretty sure she was the coolest person I had ever met.

She lived in Texas. She had a cool name.

She could talk back to my dad and get away with it.

In addition to the feathered hair and eye shadow she also had her own horse.

I spent three weeks by her side. We went to the movies. We watched MTV. There were still music videos on MTV. I listened to her stories about her horse and her dogs. She came on vacation with us. She helped us build the biggest sand castle in the resort sand box. She invited all the kids who were staying at the resort that week to help with the sand castle.

Instead of swimming like my siblings and I she covered herself in tanning oil and spent her days sunning herself on a blow up air raft. I wanted to tan too but I loved swimming more.

This was the last vacation we would take as a whole family. My parents got divorced after this vacation. Being around Ursula helped me forget that my parents were fighting all the time. She was like a shield during this stressful time at the end of my parent's marriage.

Eventually my parents got divorced. A couple years later my stepsister Gail would enter my life. She was cool in my eyes for a lot of the same reasons that Urs was cool. Feathered hair, horse, awesome music, make up and cool clothes. I wanted to be like her too.

Who would you give anything to be like?

Book Recommendation- Plain Kate

Plain Kate by Erin Bow was recommended to me by one of the ladies in my writing group. I purchased it on my Kindle but now I wish I had a real live paper copy because I would lend it to everyone. Seriously.

Plain Kate is a carver in her village and times are hard. There is sleeping death creeping down the river and people are suspicious of witches and quick to accuse people of witchcraft.

Kate's father dies leaving her completely alone. She survives on her own talents in the village for awhile before leaving her village after making an exchange with a magician.

Kate is accompanied on her journey by a talking cat named Taggle. Since I have a cat who meows in syllables, for example "meow, meow, meow, meow" sounds like "Where have you been", I can completely appreciate a book with a talking cat companion.

The writing in this book is beautiful and the story telling is amazing. Throughout the book I found myself sad for Kate's loneliness, amazed by Kate's world, scared for Kate and hopeful for Kate.

I made the mistake of finishing this book while on the elliptical at the gym. I don't recommend this because I found myself trying not to cry at the end of the book. I recommend that readers finish this book at home with a box of tissues and a kitty that reminds you of Taggle by your side.

Gone but not Forgotten Blogfest

Happy Friday Readers

Erinn, Holly, Alicia, Quita and Pam are hosting a the Gone but not Forgotten blogfest and it was too good not to play along.

So here are my top five TV shows that are no longer making new episodes.

1. Veronica Mars. I am currently rewatching Veronica Mars thanks to the magic of Netflix instant streaming. This show was sassy and sweet and probably one of the smartest shows on at its time. Veronica Mars works for her dad Keith Mars, former sheriff and private investigator. She solves mysteries for kids at school all while trying to solve bigger mysteries of who killed her best friend, where her mom disappeared to and who caused a bus crash killing her class mates.

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer- this is another show that I relive through the magic of Netflix. I loved this show.

3. My So-Called Life- This to soon cancelled show of my teen years was my favorite. I could totally relate to Angela. I loved how real the show and the characters in the show were. I re-watched this in the last few years because they had the episodes on abc.com during a TV writers strike. But now talking about the show again I've added it to my netflix queue.

4. The X-Files. Sunday nights in college were X-Files night. My friends and I would gather around a TV usually in one of the dorm common areas or the campus coffee shop and watch this show. Conspiracy, aliens and David Duchovny. Yes.

5. Heroes- Some of the first books I ever read were Spiderman comics so I have a special place in my heart for comic books. This show with its collection of super heroes and its comic book tie in was just the kind of show I like. I was way disappointed when I didn't see it on NBC's line up this season.

So those are my favorite Gone but not Forgotten TV Shows. What are your faves?

While you're hopping around this blogfest be sure to check out Erinn's Life is Awesome contest. She's one of the awesome hosts of this blogfest and she's giving away some pretty awesome prizes.

Muppets and Coffee

I finished a book the other day and since then I have had one thing on my mind.

The Purple One.

That's right Prince.

There was a line in the book that suggested that The Purple One lived in New York. Now I have to say that His Purpleness may have a residence in New York- Google didn't help me prove or disprove this. But most people from Minneapolis will tell you that a certain Purple musician is from Minneapolis or the exciting suburb of Chanhassen.

Since my college roommate used to live down the street from a purple house with a gate featuring a peace sign and a heart I feel a small connection to His Purpleness.

I think The Purple One lives in Vegas now.

But since I have Prince on the brain I decided to share one of my favorite Prince songs with you. (Keep in mind that this is one of like 15 favorites)

Yes, "Prince lives there" was one of the things in the pros list when I graduated from college and moved to this frozen, snow filled tundra.

Prince at the Muppet Show 1997 Starfish & Coffee
Uploaded by opio2008. - See the latest featured music videos.

writing and fitness

The temps are over 30 for a couple days which has me thinking about summer.

Today I signed up for the YWCA Women's Triathlon. That's right I'm going to swim, bike and run. On the same day.

I've been participating in a fitness competition at my gym this month. So far despite not eating cookies and eating more vegetables for the last couple weeks I haven't lost an ounce. Part of my goal of doing the fitness competition was to get in shape for the tri cause I run faster when I weigh less.

Since I've been thinking of ways to eat more broccoli and burn more calories I've been thinking about treadmill desks. An article in the Jan/Feb 2011 SCBWI bulletin got me thinking about treadmill desks.

I don't have room for a treadmill desk in my house so I've been researching other options.

Here's what I've found.

A bicycle computer desk using a bike, an indoor trainer and an ironing board. Check it out here.

One of my coworkers invented her own version using her little stair stepper and propping a table up on two chairs with her computer on top of it.

A recent study came out showing that putting a small pedal machine under the desks of office worker helped them burn 500 extra calories a day.

Although it might not burn as many calories as a treadmill, bike or stepper through the day I've decided to sit on a stability ball while I work and take walking breaks.

How do you stay in shape while you write?

Happy Friday

I've been on a revising roll lately. Pretty much ever since I discovered how much I like using my Kindle to read my drafts.

Lisa over at Read. Write. Repeat. is having a contest to win an Arc of Liar's Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker. I'm telling you this even though I want to win because I am nice and awesome like that.

I had so much fun participating in a blogfest that I'm going to do it again. Next week Erinn is hosting the Gone But Not Forgotten Blogfest. I love TV even though I don't watch a lot anymore so this blogfest is perfect for me.

In other news I am beginning to collect items for this years Peep diorama. I'm pretty sure that I am going to need to consume at least one Peep to make my creative dream a reality.

New Nephew

This week I became an aunt. So far it is a good gig. All of the goodness of babies with none of the diaper changing and late night feedings. Score.

I'm not really sure that anything else can top that. I love seeing my cousins and sisters have kids. I love seeing the new baby faces and seeing the resemblance to their parents. One of my nieces can smirk and look just like her mom and grandfather. My cousin's baby has this really intense scowling look. All my cousins on my mom's side of the family have similar noses. I wonder if Noah will have a similar nose.

Needless to say I am excited and I promise to buy him whatever books he asks me for.

Happy President's Day

Happy President's Day.

Today is a holiday and in addition in Minnesota it is a snow day.

Who do you think of when you think of President's Day. Washington? Lincoln? Jefferson?

In a recent discussion about Glee's William McKinley High School and jealousy over the high school theater department's awesome fog machine and rain curtain (seriously do you know how long it takes to tech a scene with a rain curtain not to mention how much they cost? I totally want that high school's budget) one of my friends mentioned another President who doesn't get a lot of attention. That's right. I'm talking about Taft.

There are other clips from this series so go check it out and see if you can find your favorite President.

If you're looking for a little holiday reading I highly recommend Sarah Vowell's book Assassination Vacation . Lots of info in this book about Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley.

Revising with my Kindle

I got a Kindle for Christmas and so far I love it. But I would like to win the lottery so I could afford to buy more books for my Kindle.

Besides reading books on my Kindle I learned how to send documents to my Kindle. Kindle owners did you know your Kindle has an email address? It is under the settings.

I'm currently revising a middle grade novel and over the last couple weeks I've been reading my draft on my Kindle and then revising and making on the computer.

What I love about using the Kindle for revising.

1. It is small and I can read my draft anywhere. I can read it on a plane or while waiting at the doctor's office or whatever.

2. Less paper. OK I hate wasting paper. Paper is expensive. Ink is even more expensive than paper. If I have to print out every draft that is a lot of paper and ink.

3. It is easy to go back turn back to earlier pages rather than sifting though a paper manuscript.

4. Highlighting and making notes. I love this feature. It puts what I highlight in "my clippings" then I can break out smaller pieces.

5. Reading a draft on my Kindle makes me think of it more as a book since that is what the Kindle is for, books. I've been making better changes and finding it easier to see where changes need to happen when I read it on the Kindle. I've been more picky since I'm thinking of it as a book.

Do you own an e-reader? What amazing things does it do?

Almost to 50 and candy news

See my followers bar. I'm so close to fifty. I'm like one follower away from fifty. This is kind of a big milestone for me and has me thinking about what I should do when I reach 100 followers. I'm saving my pennies for something good.

This week I participated in my first blogfest and I've discovered new blogs and have new followers on my own blog. It was great fun.

I'm thinking a lot about the state of Wisconsin today. Wisconsin is my state neighbor but more than that what is going on in Wisconsin is troubling to me. I am a member of IATSE, that is the stage hands union. I am inspired by all the people standing up for the rights of the people in the State Workers Unions.

I know Valentine's Day was Monday but I saw these in the clearance bin at the grocery store and I couldn't resist.

That's right. Twilight Sweethearts. They say: Dazzle, I (heart) EC, Live 4 Ever and True Love. One of the flavors is Jacob Black Cherry.

They made me laugh and so into the cart and onto the blog they went.

In other candy related news I saw my first package of Peeps at the store. I know that Peeps come in every season now but I don't support Peeps edging in on the other candy's holidays. Peeps are for Easter. I've got a great idea for my entry in the Peep Diorama Contest this year and I plan on documenting the process again this year. I won't tell you what it is about but I am going to work on making Peep sized corn dogs.

How was your week? Did you make new blog friends this week? Get any fun or funny valentines?

Blogfest

To celebrate reaching 500 followers NicoleDucleroir at One Significant Moment at a Time is hosting the Bernard Pivot Blogfests

It involves answering questions form Bernard Pivot's Inside the Actor's Studio Questionnaire.

What is your favorite word? awesome

What is your least favorite word?Moist

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?being around other creative people. Seeing other writers, actors artists put themselves out there inspires me to do the same.

What turns you off?boredom

What is your favorite curse word?damn

What sound or noise do you love? laughter

What sound or noise do you hate?Yippy dogs barking.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? nail polish namer, usher at Target Field (Ok this is my retirement career)

What profession would you not like to do?cleaning lady at a hotel

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?Good job.

Guide to Writing Groups

I belong to a writing group and last night we gave feedback on one of the member's novels. It was very cool to see her novel as a whole, in the past we've critiqued 50 pages. The feedback went really well. I've been involved in writers groups for a couple years now and I think they are really valuable. Here are my tips for a successful writing group.

The first step is to meet other writers who are interested in a writing group. I've met people in writing classes and at local SCBWI events. So be friendly to people because they may just help you along the way.

1. Set a schedule and stick to it. I go to one writing group that meets on Monday nights. I go to another writing group that meets every other Tuesday. This is good because I know what I'm doing every Monday night and also every other Tuesday. The schedule won't always fit for everyone and that is OK.

2. Show up. The only reason I miss my writing group is if I have work. One of my groups is small, 3 of us, so attendance is pretty important.

3. Make the time productive. In my novel group we don't always have things to workshop so we usually set a timer and write for an hour.

4. Take critiquing seriously. OK it takes time to read a novel. It takes time to notice good writing in that draft and it takes time to find areas that need attention. Take the time because someone will do that for your novel one day.

5. Give quality feedback. I like to state the things I liked, the positives, first. For other things I ask questions. Remember that drafts are sensitive things. And behind every draft is a writer with feelings. Be careful with them.

6. Read. Every time you read a book/essay/short story you are reading something that was once someone's rough draft. Reading can help your own writing and it can help your critiquing skills. Seeing what successful books did well can help you in your own work but also might be able to help you notice great writing or areas that need work in your writing partners writing.

Do your belong to a writing group? What are your tips for successful writing groups?

A Oui Bit Of Red

One of my dream jobs on my list of dream jobs has always been "Nail Polish Namer" Ever since back when I wore colors with names like Blood and Gun Metal.

I went through a period of time when I didn't wear nail polish as much because I worked as a waitress because I worked at a place that only allowed servers to wear neutral colors for nail polish. Apparently purple isn't a neutral color.

My love of nail polish has been revived in the last couple years thanks to OPI. I love the names of the nail polish. I bought Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ because my dad once owned a boat that had been owned by a great grandson of the Mrs. O'Leary who was the owner of a certain lantern kicking cow. Since then I've bought many other colors in the OPI line.

As a writer I think that having pretty nails in important. A vibrant color on my nails can really make the words flow. A clam color like Cozumelted in the Sun can be great for revisions.

This weekend in honor of Valentine's Day I've decided to go with a Oui Bit of Red. A fun red color that makes me think of France, fun and love.

I'm sure the color will go well with the weekend warm up- seriously people it is going to be 30 degrees here in Minneapolis. I just cracked open my window and I won't be wearing gloves all weekend in celebration of the warmer temps and so I'll be able to show off my red nails.

Way Back Wednesday

My Mom sold her house about a year ago and moved to a townhouse near my step sister and two hours closer to me. Yay. In the process she found some of my early childhood writings.

So I've decided to post some of the early stuff here.

M

by Carrie Monroe

M was once a muppet, a maid and a movie star.

M munches McNuggets from McDonalds and watches Mickey Mouse.

M gets mail from Michigan sent to the moon.

M invented malls on the moon and maps for malls and

money for Minnesota.

M never gets mad or mean.

-From A Totally-Tubular- Out-of-this-World-Book

OK so this gem was written after sixth grade at College for Kids. Kids took classes in things they wanted for a week during the summer. I took writing. We wrote poems and stories for a week and then the instructor put them together in a "book". One of the kids drew the cover.

One of the assignments from the class was to write a poem using the first letter from our last name. I wrote this the summer after sixth grade so clearly the things that were important to me were malls and McDonalds (Which I was never allowed to have since my mom was a nurse).

Hope you enjoyed this edition of Way Back Wednesday.

Baseball books

The Super Bowl is officially over which means that we are now down to single digits until Pitchers and Catchers report. 9 days.

After this winter I don't think I've ever been more ready for baseball season to start. I can't wait to sit out in the sun on Home Run Porch and watch my boys of summer play ball.

Since baseball is one of my favorite sports to watch and cheer for I naturally have a list of baseball related books I like to read and baseball movies to watch.

If you, like me can't wait until Opening Day to hear the crack of the bat here are my baseball book recommendations

Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella - I can't help it. I'm from Iowa and I love baseball so I love this book.

The Natural by Bernard Malamud

What Time Is It? You Mean Now by Yogi Berra- this isn't a book about baseball so much as it is a guide to life. Despite the fact that I'm a Twins fan Yogi was a big part of my childhood. Not the real Yogi but a copper bust of Yogi that my grandpa had. No surprise that my favorite Twin is Joe Mauer, the catcher.

Mudville- by Kurtis Scaletta- Baseball, curses, also the main character talks about Twins players so what is not to love.

In other news I learned how to email things to my Kindle so I'm currently reading a draft from a member of my critique group on my Kindle.

cleaning and the art of writing

One of my friends from my writing group was talking about her WIP and saying that she is stuck on her story but that she had been spending her time cleaning her closets.

When asked if I had any advice I said "Keep cleaning your closets." Every time you put a skirt in the give away pile you are making a decision. Making decisions empowers you to make more decisions. One day it is a skirt that your mom gave you and you feel guilty getting rid of, the next day it is a decision about a character or the direction of a story.

After I told her to keep cleaning and making those small decisions until she was ready to make bigger decisions she thanked me.

So that is my advice for the week. Stuck on your writing? Go clean out some closets.

What is your best writing advice for the week?

The death of the rejection letter

When I decided to get serious about writing I took some writing classes, went to some conferences and eventually wrote some stories that I thought should be books or should grace the pages of a children's magazine.

So I sent out my stories complete with Self Addressed Stamped Envelopes. Then I would wait for the letters to come back to me. Rejection letters. Most of them were form letters. some were rejection post cards or rejection slips of paper. I did get one letter that was very positive and encouraging so I hung it on my wall. The letter made me feel like I was able to grab an editors attention at least enough to get a personal rejection letter sent back.

Fast forward a couple years and I'm sending out a new picture book manuscript. I'm sending it to editors who have been at conferences I've attended. Now I notice that most of the places I send it to do not want a SASE. No SASE= No rejection letters. Awesome.

I didn't really like those rejection letters anyway. I'm all for saving trees and I know that publisher have less time/money/resources. But I always read about writers who got 250 rejection letters before they sold the manuscript that changed their life. Or writers who used the rejection letters to wall paper their office or who save all the letters and then burn them all when they sell their first book. I never did either of those things, mine went straight to the recycling bin, but I did feel like each rejection letter was one step further in the publication journey.

What are your thoughts on rejection letters? Do you have a collection of them? Is it easier to keep writing without getting rejection letters in the mail?

Stylish Blogger award

Kari at Under the Fairy Dust gave me the Stylish Blogger award. Awesome. Thank you Kari. You rock.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Pass the award on to bloggers whom you have recently discovered and who you think are great.

4. Contact the bloggers you've chosen and let them know about the award.

Here are 7 things about me.

1. I have a collection on My Little Ponies that I have dressed up. Pictured below is Flashdance Pony

2. I have a huge cat who may be the size of an ocelot. I try to prepare people for how big my cat is but they are always surprised when they see him for the first time.

3. I love writing.

4. I drink tea and am currently addicted to Pomegranate Green Tea from the Tea Source.

5. I could be a vegetarian but I love bacon too much

6. I am a sustaining member of Minnesota Public Radio.

7. I love to read.

I'm passing this award to:

A Coffee Driven and Adventure Bound Life

Dangerous With a Pen

Kelly's Korner

Glissades and Gabble

Darkest Mind Before Dawn

This is Not My Day Job

Photomom Photography

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

I just finished reading Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly on my Kindle.

This book has been on my list of books to read since it came out but I think it was NaNoWriMo and then it was December. When I got my Kindle it was one of the first books I downloaded.

The book follows Andi, a girl who is suffering from depression after her brother dies. The only thing she cares about anymore is music. Her mother is also suffering from her own grief over losing a child and isn't able to help Andi. Her father steps in brings Andi along to Paris for winter break while he does genetic testing on the heart that is believed to be that of Louis-Charles. Andi wants to return home but has to finish her outline for her senior thesis before her father will agree to let her go home.

While she is in Paris, staying with family friends who have a collection of items from the French Revolution, Andi finds a diary hidden in an old guitar case. In the diary she finds the words of Alexandine Paradis, a girl who lived during the time of the Revolution. Alex loves to perform and hopes to someday be on the stage. She ends up being hired by the Queen to entertain Louis-Charles.

Through the diary Andi finds she has a lot in common with Alex and she sees the Revolution through Alex's words. One night Andi finds herself transported to Alex's Paris after a late night party in the catacombs.

I love Donnelly's books and how she makes the past come alive. Alex's diary of her life during the Revolution is amazing. Alex wants to be an actor and some of the things she says about her desire to be on stage are so true to what I hear the actors I work with say. Andi's depression is so real and well portrayed. She seems to be in a downward spiral or a dark tunnel unable to pull herself up.

I loved reading about the complexities of the Revolution and how what was going on in the diary seemed to have relevance to Andi's life in the present day.

I highly recommend this book and any of Donnelly's other books as well.

What are you reading? What books are on your list of books you want to read?

Kindle Kozy

My mom gave me a Kindle for my birthday. I realized that I needed a Kindle cover to go with my Kindle. Now I am all about protecting my Kindle but I didn't want one of the Kindle brand covers because what I really want to do is buy more books for my Kindle.

I went to Target hoping for a cover but the only ones I could find were $30 and were not exactly what I wanted. I wanted something that zips all the way around.

Enter my mad sewing skills, some fabric, and a zipper and I managed to whip up a Kindle Kozy. It has a zipper that goes all the way around and I made a pocket on the front so I could store the power cord.

Backup? What is backup?

My computer is fixed thanks to the Genius Bar at the Mac store. I now have a new hard drive and a new battery.

When the plugged my Mac in at the store the diagnostic computer didn't even detect my hard drive. There was no hard drive, only zuul. Same story on when they put the hard drive in the data recovery thing.

Today is my birthday and my mom gave me the most awesome present, a new Kindle. I'm super excited.

Of course there is the instant gratification of all these books at my fingertips. I'm pretty sure this is going to be bad for my checking account.

I have also been loading it with PDF knitting patterns. Yay.

All my writing was backed up thanks to this episode Sex and the City.

Hard Drive Fail

December has been hard on my technology gadgets. Earlier this month I lost my cell phone in a snowbank.
This morning I woke up and turned on my computer which would not really turn on all that well. I tried to restart it and it wouldn't turn back on. When I try to start it the grey screen comes up but not with the apple logo, with a blinking file folder with a question mark on it.
When I Googled this problem the reports I find say hard drive failure.
I'm trying not to freak out too much. I did save all my writing because I remember that episode of Sex and the City when Carrie Bradshaw's computer crashes and she is like the only person in the universe who doesn't have a back up. If i hadn't saved all my writing I would probably be crying right now.

Anyway readers and blogs I follow just know I am not being a bad blogger but it may be a week or so before I figure something out and get back on the internet.

Iowa, you make me smile

I have a week off so I am spending my holiday in Iowa with my mom.

Yesterday mom and I drove to the city I grew up in to visit some friends and relatives.

Did you know that Iowa has a writing rest stop?

Check out the giant pen. I currently live near the land of Paul Bunyan and when a person travels north in Minnesota there are statues of Paul Bunyan's wife, ox, and fishing bobber. I'm pretty sure this is Paul Bunyan's Pen. He probably dropped it on his way back from an Iowa Writers Workshop or something.

Inside the rest stop there are little tiles with the names of writers and the genre they write in.

Charlie Brown's Christmas tree

My mom is amazing. I hear this all the time from anyone who meets her. She is basically the kindest, most generous person ever. Her kind heart isn't limited to people and animals but also to plants. Specifically, Christmas trees.

Which is why every year we would trek out to the Christmas tree farm and end up bringing home a tree that looked like it was preparing for its role as Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

I begged my mom for a tree that didn't have a bare spot or the one with the most healthy looking branches.

My mom would then break out the Catholic Guilt on me. She would tell me about how if we didn't take that tree then the tree would have to spend Christmas alone, in the cold, with no decorations or presents.

Now that we are all grown and out of the house my mom is committed to finding the best Christmas tree possible. I think she feels like if we have come home to spend Christmas with her then the tree needs to be the best tree. But I'm pretty sure part of her still feels a little bad for all the Charlie Brown trees out there.

This is why I have an artificial tree. I find Christmas trees to be more enjoyable when I don't have to worry about the tree's feelings or needles or pine sap. I miss the real tree smell but I make up for it with bubble lights.

Holiday Movies list

I love Christmas and one of the things I love is Christmas movies. I have to admit that it is getting hard to fit in all my favorites in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

So here is a list of my Christmas movie viewing list.

Miracle on 34th Street

It's a Wonderful Life- I love this movie. I usually tear up at the beginning but the water works really get going at the end.

Elf- hilarious.

The Muppet Christmas Carol- I'm pretty sure Gonzo is the best Charles Dickens ever.

A Christmas Story- I love this movie.

Emmet Otter's Jugbad Christmas- this is a Jim Henson thing. Cute otters. Sweet story. I love it.

Prancer- This is my mom's favorite. Kid finds reindeer and helps reunite Prancer with Santa.

The Sound of Music- I don't really know what this movie has to do with Christmas. It is often shown on Christmas Eve. My Grandma loved this movie, her copy was labeled "Respite"

White Christmas- One of my favorites. I save this one for Christmas Day.

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

Good News

Lat week was super busy. In between all my holiday sewing, winter driving adventures, the annual Wardrobe department Jammie Breakfast and CPR training I didn't get a chance to blog.

CPR training finished up early. (Don't worry the instructor was great and I feel well trained) When I went home for my break I checked my email and found that I one of my stories was accepted for the May 2011 issue of Stories for Children Magazine.

This is my second story with this magazine. My previous story was published in Sept. 2009.

I have to say that working with this magazine has been an enjoyable experience. The editors are committed to getting the best stories possible and with both stories I've sent I've had the chance to revise based on suggestions or questions from the editors. I really like the revision I did for my most recent submission.

That's my good news. I'll be sure to post a link to the story in May when the story comes out.

And then the giant snowstorm ate my cell phone

I don't know if you've heard but it snowed here in Minnesota. A lot.

It snowed so much that someone created a facebook event for it and people posted their pics of cars buried in snow.

I was just thinking about the bright spot of the snow event which was that I had to go to work yesterday but I knew the Rio wouldn't make it home. I mean there are snow drifts that are taller than the Rio. Hell, there are snow drifts that are taller than a Hummer H3 out there. By the time the matinee got done they had suspended bus service. They had also pulled plows off the roads in Hennepin county. So I got a ride back to my neighborhood with a coworker and took the train in this morning. My car stayed in a parking garage downtown last night. I drove my car home tonight and made the mistake of driving down the alley. Oh what an awful terrible mistake it was. The snow in between the ruts was too tall for my car so my car ended up on top of a pile of snow with my tires just spinning in the snow.

After digging away the mountain of snow under my car I was able to back out of the alley.

Only after all of this happened did I realize I couldn't find my new cell phone. I got it a little over a week ago. A Samsung Restore. I wanted something with a qwerty keypad so I would stop swearing at people who texted me and then ignoring them. The last time I saw it was before I went to go see if there was a neighbor who could help me push my car. I've searched my car and the alley and my house. I'm pretty sure my phone is buried in a snow pile in the alley and I have reactivated the Samsung M300 for now.

The only bright spot of the fact that my phone is probably buried in the snow is that I was this close to just switching to AT&T and getting an iPhone. I'm pretty sure if I had lost an iPhone in the snow I'd be balling my eyes out digging through the snow even now at 1 am in the sub zero temps. Maybe I'll visit the sprint store tomorrow and tell them of my sad story and they will take pity on me. I will just tell them the Snowpocalypse ate my new phone.

Glee sewing nerd moment

Besides writing one of my other talents is sewing.

I use this talent during the holiday season to make flannel pj pants for my sisters.

This is what they want. One year I didn't make the pants because I was busy and I was upset about the migraine my sister gave me the year before when she sent me a whole box of Bath and Body Works products. I may have also been moving that year.

My sisters staged an intervention. They would not accept the lovely, useful, gift cards I had given them to places I knew they shopped. No. They wanted those pants.

One year my little sister agreed that she wanted an Ikea gift card so she could get a new coffee table. I got her the gift card as we agreed would be OK the following year all she wanted was the pj pants.

I usually pick out Christmas prints.

This is the print I picked out for my little sister. Super cute right. (Don't worry. I don't think my sister knows I have a blog so it is OK for me to talk about her present)

Apparently I'm not the only person who thought so. Last night when I was watching the Christmas episode of Glee Brittney was wearing a nightgown out of this same fabric.

I love Glee and when I see their costumes I imagine that it must be a fun place to work. My job is fun (I work in theater) but I'm sure working at Glee would be more fun. When I saw Brittney with the pink plaid and snowflake nightgown it made me super happy.

Holiday Favorites- Books

The other day I posted about my tradition of reading holiday books during the holidays. I thought I would share a list of some of my favorites.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore- In first grade I memorized this poem and recited it to anyone who would listen. I still read this book every year.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss- I know there is a TV special and a movie but I love the book. I love that he makes his own Santa costume.

Little House on the Prairie, Chapter 19 by Laura Ingalls Wilder- This is the chapter when Laura and Mary get a tin cup, a penny, a stick of candy and a cake made with white sugar.

The House Without a Christmas Tree by Gail Rock- read this in elementary school and loved it. Addie Mills loves Christmas, her dad doesn't because it reminds him of Addie's dead mom.

On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin- I won this book at a local SCBWI event. A sweet middle grade book that is about the magic of Christmas.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens- I've worked backstage at the theater's annual production of this show for many years. Even though I know the story by heart I like to visit the original.

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris- Not a kids book. This is a collection of holiday writing by David Sedaris. Includes the Santaland Diaries about his time as an elf at Macy's. Also a hilarious take on the traditional holiday letter.

Holiday reading list- Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

One of my holiday traditions is to read a holiday book every year.

Since I work in theater I'm surrounded by the holidays from mid November to New Year's Eve. I'm usually stitching like the wind making pajama pants for my sisters, niece and select friends. My holiday book is my own little tradition.

I was super excited about this year's holiday book. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.

Rachel Cohn is one of my favorite authors and I love the collaborations she does with David Levithan.

The book takes place in New York City during the Christmas holidays. Dash finds a red moleskin notebook in a bookstore with clues and dares. Lily and Dash trade the notebook back and forth during the holidays.

I loved the character of Lily. If there is a person who is more geeked about the whole Christmas thing than I am it is Lily. She is known in her caroling group at "third verse Lily". This year Lily's family is away and she is upset. Her brother starts this adventure for her by giving her the idea for the notebook and helping with the first clues. Lily breaks out of her shell and follows the clues and dares left for her by Dash.

Dash is smart, wordy, and enjoys his alone time. He actually told each of his divorced parents that he was spending the holidays at the other parents house so he could be alone. He seems more cynical of the holidays but accepts Lily's dares and clues as well.

The book is a love story and reminded me a little of the play She Loves Me or the movie You've Got Mail. The idea of falling in love with a person through words and wondering if that person will meet up to expectations. I love the way the words are exchanged through a red moleskin notebook.

I enjoyed this book and think it is a great read for any time of the year. The notebook, the adventures the characters go on and the love story can be enjoyed all year round.

What about you. What are you currently reading? Do you have any books or movies that are part of your holiday traditions?

Powderhorn Love

The last week the neighborhood I live in has been in the news. Basically some teenagers attacked a woman in the park by my house. They were in the process of attacking two girls in a garage just down the alley from where I live. The kids were apprehended.

I have to say I am amazed by my neighborhood. I am blessed and lucky to live where I live.

First of all let me say that my neighborhood is a great place to live. The park by my house hosts all these great events throughout the year like The May Day Parade and the Art Fair . People enjoy the park on a daily basis. People fish in the lake, walk on paths, have outdoor theater performances. In the winter there is ice skating and people cross country ski and snow shoe in the park. In the winter I skate in the park at least once a week. I actually can't wait until skating opens up for the season.

There are fireworks in the park for the 4th of July. Not big sparkley Downtown fireworks but fireworks over the lake with neighbors and friends.

There is an Art Sled Rally in the winter where people slide down the hill home made sleds that look like Speeders from Star Wars.

A group of neighborhood photographers have been running a 365 neighborhood photo project for two years. Check it out here.

I am proud of my neighborhood. In response to these attacks neighbors have organized a peace vigil in the park tonight. It's BYOFire Pit (if you have one) or Hot Beverage to share.

The mother who was attacked wrote a letter encouraging compassion and love for the kids who did this.

Another neighbor wrote an essay for MPR

I bought a condo in the Powderhorn neighborhood six years ago. Some days I wish I'd waited when I see how cheap real estate is now. But then I walk a half a block to the park and I am reminded again why I love where I live.

I'm a Winner

I won. I won. I won.

I wrote 50,000 words in November.

I owe a huge thank you to my writing group. Without them I would have given up last week.

Now to keep the momentum up.

Also time to start my holiday crafting. It's not even December and I have two pairs of PJ pants cut out so I'm way ahead of the game.

Thanksgiving memories and important life lessons

One of the most memorable Thanksgivings was a trip to New York City for Thanksgiving. My parents and sibs were there and my aunt and uncle and their three kids were there. Despite my parents both being from upstate New York we lived in the midwest and this was the first time we'd ever been to New York City.

We did the whole Thanksgiving in New York thing. We saw Miss Saigon, ate Thanksgiving dinner at Tavern on the Green, went to the Empire State Building and marveled at the Black Friday line outside of FAO Schwarz.

It was this Thanksgiving where I learned an important life lesson.

When my mom knocked at the door of my hotel room it was still dark but she was ready to go and get a good spot for the parade.

When we got to our spot on the parade route it was drizzling so we bought $2 umbrellas, an hour later it was raining and the umbrellas were $4 so we actually saved money by being up that early.

My stepdad and sister showed up later, you know closer to when the parade actually starts.

My brother never showed up. Keep in mind this was before the days of cell phones and texting.

When we got to the hotel there was a message from my brother- he had been invited to watch the parade from the warm, dry, hotel room of my uncle and his family. We had been invited too but by the time the call came we missed it.

The important lesson in this is that sometimes the early bird doesn't get the worm. Sometimes the late riser gets continental breakfast at the Radisson or Marriot.

But we were in the front row for the parade. I'm pretty sure Kenny Rodgers and 98 degrees or NSYNC or whatever boy band it was that year wouldn't have looked as awesome from the warm hotel room.

My Thankful List

Due to work and an impending storm of the century of the week I'm celebrating Turkey day with friends in the Cities. I'm not sure that I'll have enough time to list all the things I'm thankful for at dinner so I'll do it here.

I'm Thankful for

My family- Mom, John, Dad, Kim, James, Tina, Chloe and all my cousins, aunts and uncles.

Friends- I have friends who have been in my life for a long time. Love reconnecting with old friends and the new friends who have come into my life

My job and the awesome friends I have there. My job is a fun job and at the end of the day I still have energy and inspiration t0 write.

My home- I may be underwater on my condo(who isn't) but I am not in over my head and for that I'm thankful.

My health-fitness, running, biking, my friends at the gym.

My writing- I continue to work on my middle grade novel and a picture book manuscript inspired by the Leader Dogs my mom trains. I had story published in Chicken Soup for the Runner's Soul this year.

The cats- My big cat for always greeting me at the door and wanting attention and my little cat for letting me pet her but only on her terms

NaNo update

I'm behind on my word count. Really behind.I've thought about giving up on this NaNo almost every day this week. Basically my neck hurt for a couple days and I wasn't sure if the NaNo was worth the neck pain.

But I've kept going and I'm hoping that the epic border battle between the Vikings and the Packers will inspire some words. I'm not sure they will all be good words.

My NaNo takes place at a drama camp and while it may seem that football and drama camp would be unrelated I think they are a lot closer than one may think. Being a Vikings fan is full of drama. First there is the whole Brett Favre element. Retired, not retired, injured but playing. Then Randy Moss comes back only to leave again because well he's still Randy Moss. Was there actually some sort of magical Sampson like power in Jared Allen's mullet? Last year lead the league in sacks, this year he is 25th. Then there is the question of Brad Childress. Will he continue to "coach" or will he be fired? Now I'm wondering if I should have written my NaNo novel about a football team and the disappointing end to the last season and their rocky season following the loss.

OK I love Harry Potter.

I first met Harry Potter when I moved to the Twin Cities eleven years ago. I was working in a place known as the Fur Salon. I basically brushed and styled Elmos's fur in between Sesame Street Live tours. Someone recommended the books to me and I read the first three. When the fourth book came out I bought it and read it on the plane on the way home from a trip to California.

I was just out of college but I never quit reading YA. I would just keep the cover of my YA novel hidden by something more serious. See I was an "advanced reader" so I hung out with the smart kids. The smart kids made fun of my reading choices. Like why was I reading The Lord of the Rings the summer before ninth grade, they all read it in sixth grade and were reading War and Peace or something.

I remember boarding the plane while reading Goblet of Fire and seeing other grown ups reading the book. Not just grown ups like me who could still pass for teenagers (seriously the flight attendant asked if we were old enough to sit in the emergency exit row) but fifty year old college professor types reading kids books. In public. It made me do a little happy dance. Yay I can read kids books in public now. My friend's mom even wanted to borrow my books because her book club was reading them. I leant them to her but that is another story.

It was around this time that I started dreaming about being a writer. OK really I wanted to be a writer before that but I had to major in something in college so I picked theater. Since I loved MG and YA fiction that is what I wanted to write. But I was scared of failing so I started with poetry.

Needless to say I'm a Harry Potter fan.

Last night November 19 came early and I got to go to a special screening of the Harry Potter 7 part 1. OK first off I was really excited. I started my happy excited dance at around 3. I left to get in line earlier than our planned meeting time because what else was I going to do with my day besides obsess about seeing Harry Potter. I got a good spot in line and one of the people in our group had a kid with them who did the bolt-past-everyone-and-save-us-seven-seats thing as soon as they let us in.

The movie is awesome. I know everyone will see it on Friday so I won't say anything else until then.

I live in MinneSnowta

Today it one of those days that is made for NaNo. I'm sure that NaNoers across the midwest are going to have hefty word counts after today. I'm working today but I made sure to get a little extra word count yesterday before the storm of the century of the week showed up.

The snow meant that despite my denial I actually had to find my winter accessories. Since I put this off until the last minutes before leaving for work it meant I couldn't find my kitty cat ear flap hat. Which meant I had to wear what I like to call my kewpie doll earflap hat. It looks like this

The thing I forgot about this hat is that it makes people smile and talk to me. There is something about wearing a pink and purple pointy hat that makes people smile on a grey, snowy day like today.

Happy writing and if you aren't lucky enough to be living in a winter wonderland look at the top picture, pour yourself some hot cocoa and work on your NaNo word count.

Movember

November isn't just for novels anymore. It's also for moustaches. During November or Movember participants grow a moustache to raise awareness and money for men's health.

I can't grow a moustache but I've been playing with a lot of fake moustaches at work this month. I'm working wardrobe on a play called The 39 Steps based on the Alfred Hitchcock film. There are so many moustaches and mutton chops, wigs and hats in this play it is hilarious.

Yesterday the review for the play came out. I don't usually read reviews for plays. But everyone made sure the wardrobe crew read the review in the Star Tribune because there is a shout out to the wardrobe crew. Awesome. Yep that's me and three other amazing ladies back there adding and subtracting clothes, hats and facial hair in a matter of seconds.

Getting caught up on NaNo and blogs

Sunday I did something I've never done during NaNo before. I went to sleep behind on my word count. I tried to write after getting home from work but my cats were demanding attention. I realized I wasn't going to get anything done with a kitty on the keyboard so I gave up for the night with 800 words to go.

Yesterday I managed to get caught up on my NaNo novel word count. I've never been behind in NaNo before but lately I've done some writing after work before I go to bed. Sunday night I just didn't have any more words in me so I went to bed vowing to catch up on my day off. I did.

I also caught up on blogs I follow.

It seems that November might be blog contest month in addition to being NaNoWriMo.

1. Jessica Bell at The Alliterative Allomorph is giving away prizes for reaching 400 followers. If she gets to 500 followers she'll double the prize.

2. Jennie at Garden Full of Lily has prizes for reaching 100 followers. Go follow her and tell her a secret for extra points.

3. Tamara Hart Heiner at Chasing Dreams is having a Blog tour the celebrate the release of her book, Perilous.

Good luck to all the NaNoers out there. Now I have to go work on my word count for today.

Thing I miss during NaNo

Day three of NaNoWriMo.

First of all, wow I forgot how hard this was going to be. I took last year off so I haven't done NaNo since 2008. I am getting back into NaNo shape and carrying my notebook around for when I am away from my computer. But so far this month's novel is fun with a fun cast of characters.

But it is day three and I feel like it is important for me to talk about what I miss most during NaNo. See normally I am a voracious reader. Whenever I set off to do NaNo I don't get to read nearly as much as I usually do because I'm writing. But I miss reading. Already three days into NaNo and I feel like I've broken up with the library. But then I remember that it is just temporary and that once I get farther along in the process I may be able to read a little bit.

Halloween traditions

OMG. Halloween is almost here. I love Halloween. My mom and her childhood best friend exchange Halloween cards, every year, without fail. It isn't Halloween until Hoo's card comes in the mail. I have a tradition of working on Halloween so I'll probably just be a ninja this year.

Last year I worked at CostumeRentals and that was fun. I got to dress up every day that I worked. My favorite day was Vegas day. I was the three of hearts.



I just read Neil Gaiman's blog saying we should start a tradition of giving away a scary book on Halloween. I might totally need to do this.

One of my writer friends hasn't read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. This despite the fact that she reads the Newberry winner every year some how this one just slipped her radar. So I will give a copy of The Graveyard Book to my writer's group.

What about you? What are your favorite scary books?

Everything I need to know I learned from TV

As with most TV shows I don’t always see them right away. I work at night so I’m not home when TV is on. I finally watched the first season of Glee.
I knew that I would love Glee. I love music and my mom raised us on a healthy diet of musicals. Plus I work in theater. The idea that people just spontaneously break out in song is part is part of my job. I can’t carry a tune, I can’t sing on key, so I was never in a Glee club. I did run spot lights for some of my college’s show choir show.
You may think “Oh Carrie it can’t be that bad” but let me tell you that I have family members who couldn't find parts for me in children’s choir shows when I was a kid. My first backstage gig was when I was 12, assembling a clubhouse on stage while the rest of the kids sang. It is probably how I ended up backstage.

I was watching Glee and thinking it may be the most perfect thing to come out of my TV in years. I love the music. I love the costumes. I love all the Journey songs.

Glee got me thinking about villains. Sue Sylvester is the Glee club’s rival. She is constantly putting roadblocks in the Glee Club’s way on their road to the regional competition.

But she isn’t only a villain bent on bringing down the Glee Club. She is a complex character. She is an award winning cheerleading coach. She has interests. She likes Madonna and Olivia Newton John. (I named my home made cabbage patch kid Olivia Newton John) She has a sister who she takes care of. She has feelings. Her feeling can get hurt.

I think what makes Sue's character so fun is that she is a three dimensional character and we see that in the show.

It got me thinking about my own WIP. Is my own villain three dimensional. Do they have things they want outside of making life hard for my MC?

Wii Fit for writers

Last year I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas.

I wanted a way to stay in shape during those winter months when I wasn't biking to work.

The thing about the Wii fit is that it is brutally honest. For example the Wii tells me every time I do a body test that I'm overweight in its disapproving computer voice.

If I miss a day the Wii lets me know that too. Sometimes it's nice about it and sometimes in order to get back at me for missing a day the Wii will make my Wii Fit age 57.

The Wii loves my cat. Whenever I weigh him it tells me he should have a treat or have me brush him or have me play with him. As a result my cat hangs out by the Wii Fit when it is out hoping for a treat or some play time. The Wii tells me I should lay off on the afternoon snacks.

I admit I don't use the Wii Fit every day because I go to the gym too. I am also walking outside around the lake by my house every day that the sun is out because we don't have many of those left before winter returns to Minnesota.

Yesterday as the Wii fit was saying it hadn't seen me in 2 days it made me think What if I had this for my writing? Wouldn't it be great if I could bring up a word document and have it chide me for missing a day of writing. When I don't do My Routine on the Wii it also keeps track of that. Ideally my Wii Fit for Writers would also keep track of days missed on specific WIPs. "Carrie, you haven't worked on Jack Takes the Lead in 2 days. Try to come back every day, even for five minutes, for the best results."

The Wii Fit also has rewards for doing well. All exercise time is logged into a fit credits bank which changes color and eventually turns gold. There is happy celebratory music when credits go into the fit bank. Maybe the Writer Fit could have a happy music every time a writer churns out a certain number of words.

Maybe this guilt/reward based motivation wouldn't work for everyone but I think it would be pretty great.

Adverbs

Here's a little song about adverbs one of my facebook friends posted. I know we avoid adverbs when we can but I still think it is cute.

Viva la Siesta

I just found a contest that I would be awesome at. Spain is holding a siesta contest in honor of the siesta.

See apparently in Spain the siesta way of life is threatened by busy modern life. La Association Nacional de Amigos de la Siesta organized a competition to save the siesta.

I was born in the wrong country. I love to siesta. I know there are people who are morning people and people who are night owls. I feel like I'm a little bit of both. I like to wake up and start my day. I stay up late because I work at night. Enter the siesta. The siesta gives me the ability to do both.

I remember in high school when I first heard about the siesta. I was pretty sure America was missing something by not adopting this way of life. I was still mourning the loss of my Kindergarten nap time and I was in high school.

I read a writing book that talked about the Creative Nap. Sometimes I try to take a creative siesta in which I promise I will think about a story I'm working on and hopefully come up with a solution. Sometimes this works. Other times I wake up later with no solution but feeling very rested.

I don't do well when I work through my nap. I get tired and cranky like a toddler. I've tried to sleep later in the morning but that only works in the winter when we only have four hours of light in Minnesota.

So even though I can't fly to Spain and compete officially in the Siesta Olympics I'm there in spirit. Viva la Siesta!

Business cards

Yesterday I went to my friend's house to watch the Vikings play a little Monday Night football. The Vikes really didn't start playing until the second half of the game which started about an hour late anyway due to lightning.

But my friend Heidi's mom is also a writer so we got to talk about writing during the rain delay and the first half of the game. The subject of business cards came up and my friend showed us her cards which she got from Vista Print and it got me thinking about business cards for myself.

I work in the arts so I've noticed a lot more of my friends have business cards for freelance purposes. My friend Sara for example has a business card which states her mad skills with the glue gun. Another friend has a business card that states her awesome personal organizing skills.

So I went to Vista Print dreaming of awesome business cards. But then I was struck with indecision. What do I call myself in the Job title section? I toyed with writer but what about my sewing skills? What about all the babysitting I do? Do I say I'm a Carrie of All Trades? All of the sudden getting 250 business cards saying I was a "Writer" seemed so permanent. Of course there is the option of leaving the title blank but that seems so boring.

What about you? Do you have business cards? What skills to they advertise?

To NaNo or not to NaNo

Fall is in the air. The leaves are changing color. The Twins have once again been swept by the Yankees dashing my hopes of a World Series and leaving me with the all to familiar phrase "We'll get 'em next year".

The NaNoWriMo participant badges have been showing up on blogs everywhere.

I am faced with that age old question- To NaNo or not to NaNo.

See in November 2007 I was kinda sorta thinking about maybe being a writer. I mean I wrote in my journal all the time but I had never written an actual novel so I wrote a novel.

I confess I didn't do anything with it. I didn't revise my novel (although now that I've seen teen novels about angels on the shelves I kinda wish I had). But I did realize that being a writer was something I really really wanted to do.

The next year, 2008 I did NaNo again. I wrote something that I never even read again but I wrote. I also took a class, The ABCs of Writing for Children. I wrote a story inspired by my cat running out of my condo when I got home from work every night and me chasing him through the halls, usually still wearing my bike helmet and brightly colored clothes from my bike ride home. My story from class got published in Stories for Children Magazine in Sept 2009.

Last year was 2009 and the idea for my novel did not come to me on November like good little NaNo ideas. She came to me in June. So I decided to try this whole write a novel slowly thing. I'm currently nearing the end of draft 2 but I can't decide if I should do NaNo again. I don't want to abandon my WIP but I think that great creative things happen during NaNo. And I miss NaNo.

Eye opener

One session of the MN SCBWI conference was something called "First Pages". For this session people anonymously submit the first page of their story and then the editors pointed out what was good or what needed work.

I think it is awesome that there were brave people who submitted their work. In the handful of selections that were read there were at least two that started with the first day of school. Which got me thinking about how many books and stories start with the first day of school. If there were two in the eight examples that were read to the group then mathematically how many do editors receive in a day.

My current WIP starts on the first day of school. Which got me thinking about trying to change my opening chapter. It also got me thinking about the opening chapter of other books. For example Harry Potter could have opened with the first day of school at Hogwarts. Instead Harry Potter starts with the chapter "The Boy Who Lived". He lived. He cheated death. He's going to be famous in his own world and he's being dropped off with his muggle relatives. It is way more attention grabbing than "It was the first day of school at Hogwarts."

So now I'm revising my current work with this in mind. I'm changing the opening I've had and worked with and revised for a year. It is kind of exciting and I hope it works out well.

MN SCBWI and Iowa Puppy Days

On Saturday I had the pleasure of going to the Minnesota SCBWI conference. Jay Asher was one of the presenters. He talked about his journey to publications which was really great to hear because it took him 12 years to get published. So even though I some days I think I should just forget about this whole writing thing and use my free time to wait tables this presentation made me realize that the road to a published book can be long but I should stick with it.

Susan Marie Swanson, who wrote The House in the Nightwas the other presenter. She talked about how writers can use metaphors to encourage themselves. She showed examples of poetry from kids she taught. It was inspiring to see how these kids expressed themselves. Her presentation was beautiful, poetic and inspiring.

After the conference I got in my car and drove to Iowa to watch my mom and the Leader Dog she is training participate in Puppy Days. The puppy raisers and dogs did a series of drills. There were even dogs in costumes. I got to meet people and hear stories of people who raise the dogs as well as people who use the dogs. It is a lot to think about as a continue working on my picture book manuscript about a guide dog.

At the end of the presentation I got to hold one of the new puppies that will be trained by the prisoners.

Rocktober

OMG. It's my favorite month. Rocktober.

I really just like saying Rocktober and trying to make the entire month \m/Rock\m/ is why I love Rocktober.

I have met my writing challenge of the day. The cover letter.

No. It's not for a book but for a job. The next position up at my current job. But apparently reading blogs about query letters hasn't helped me learn to write a cover letter cause I'm stuck.

The other day I gave advice via facebook to my cousin who was trying to write some ads for his business. I told him "just tell the story". So I guess that is what I need to do in my cover letter. I just need to tell the very short story of why I am the most awesome person for the job. A lot of the cover letter examples have little bullet points highlighting awesomeness. I could do that.

Happy Rocktober!