Like many writers there is always a little bit of hope when opening my mailbox. Especially when I am hoping to hear back from a magazine that they love my story or something.
Today I opened the mailbox and found the annoying advertising circular and a letter addressed to my cat. From the vet.
OK I love my cat and he lives a very good life and has a few fans. Last year when he was sick he got a get well card.
The letter inside was written to my cat. "It is time for your vaccination." "Please remind your owner to call and schedule your appointment."
Does the vet realize that my cat doesn't have thumbs which makes opening mail hard. I suppose he could use his teeth but then where would we be.
Does the vet know that my cat runs in terror if he thinks there might be a chance we will have to go there. If it had been up to the cat to remind me the letter from the vet would have gone the way of bad report cards. It would probably be lost under the doormat right now.
I think this attempt to be cute fails because every time I walk into to vet they try to extract the most money possible from me. When I took my cat there last fall when he was sick I suggested that they do a $65 urine test and they suggested a $250 test that tested everything but the urine. In the end my cat ended up having crystals and getting blocked up and the whole experience cost me $1500 because they wouldn't do a $65 test. When I brought him in for his 6 month check up they suggested I do this $250 test again. I think it is time to find a new vet as soon as this vaccination is finished.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ
The other day a walk around the park proved to be a good break from writing. Observing some of the park goers also proved to be inspirational for a story. I came home from the park and wrote a rough draft for a short story.
One of my dream jobs in life would have been to come up with names for nail polish colors. I thought this would be the perfect job for me when I was in college and was wearing a lot of the Street Wear and Urban Decay lines. Colors I wore at the time were Blood, Gun Metal, and Envy.
I stopped wearing nail polish shortly out of college when I became a server. I worked at a couple places that were pretty strict about the uniform. Both places were a little pricier and nicer than just going to Applebee's or Perkins but they were not quite fine dining. Both places had fairly strict uniform codes including starched shirts and a certain color shoe. Both places had the same view on nail polish. Nails had to be kept neat. If nail polish was chipped that was considered Tacky and was not allowed. Both places would send people home if the uniform was not up to standard.
But I've been using nail polish a little more often lately and I find that I am still love the names of nail polish colors. Which is why I have been trying to remember to look for the OPI color Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ. I remembered to buy it yesterday while at Target.
I first found out about this color through Facebook quizzes since this is the OPI color that describes a couple friends. When I saw that there was a Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ I had to have it.
When my dad started going through the Jimmy Buffett phase of his midlife crisis he traded in his 26 foot sailboat for a 45 foot sailboat. The boat he bought belonged to Mrs. O'Leary's great great grandson. He even left us stationary with his letterhead on the boat. Inside the large O was a picture of a cow kicking over a lantern lest you forget why the O'Leary's are famous.
Sadly my dad traded the boat in for a motor home about 6 years ago when he began the Texas Hold 'em phase of his midlife crisis. But I still feel connected enough to Mrs. O'Leary and her cow that I needed to own the nail polish with her name on it.
One of my dream jobs in life would have been to come up with names for nail polish colors. I thought this would be the perfect job for me when I was in college and was wearing a lot of the Street Wear and Urban Decay lines. Colors I wore at the time were Blood, Gun Metal, and Envy.
I stopped wearing nail polish shortly out of college when I became a server. I worked at a couple places that were pretty strict about the uniform. Both places were a little pricier and nicer than just going to Applebee's or Perkins but they were not quite fine dining. Both places had fairly strict uniform codes including starched shirts and a certain color shoe. Both places had the same view on nail polish. Nails had to be kept neat. If nail polish was chipped that was considered Tacky and was not allowed. Both places would send people home if the uniform was not up to standard.
But I've been using nail polish a little more often lately and I find that I am still love the names of nail polish colors. Which is why I have been trying to remember to look for the OPI color Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ. I remembered to buy it yesterday while at Target.
I first found out about this color through Facebook quizzes since this is the OPI color that describes a couple friends. When I saw that there was a Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ I had to have it.
When my dad started going through the Jimmy Buffett phase of his midlife crisis he traded in his 26 foot sailboat for a 45 foot sailboat. The boat he bought belonged to Mrs. O'Leary's great great grandson. He even left us stationary with his letterhead on the boat. Inside the large O was a picture of a cow kicking over a lantern lest you forget why the O'Leary's are famous.
Sadly my dad traded the boat in for a motor home about 6 years ago when he began the Texas Hold 'em phase of his midlife crisis. But I still feel connected enough to Mrs. O'Leary and her cow that I needed to own the nail polish with her name on it.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
inner editor
The challenge the last couple days has been my inner editor. For some reason my inner editor has become way to loud on certain projects.
Fortunately the inner editor has not been so noisy when I have been working on my middle grade novel but when I sit down to work on something shorter my inner editor is like "Too much dialogue." "Not enough conflict."
I am always able to send my inner editor away to "inner editor camp" in November for National Novel Writing Month but for some reason my inner editor will not go away lately. Perhaps I need to enroll my inner editor in a day camp for the summer.
It could be that I should just focus on the middle grade novel but I like working on shorter things as well. Even though I like my middle grade novel sometimes it is nice to have a little break from that. It is good for me to write and revise smaller pieces because then I can put into practice some of the things I've learned about writing for children.
So today I will try to silence the inner editor so I can get some of these stories out of my spiral bound notebook and into my computer notebook.
Fortunately the inner editor has not been so noisy when I have been working on my middle grade novel but when I sit down to work on something shorter my inner editor is like "Too much dialogue." "Not enough conflict."
I am always able to send my inner editor away to "inner editor camp" in November for National Novel Writing Month but for some reason my inner editor will not go away lately. Perhaps I need to enroll my inner editor in a day camp for the summer.
It could be that I should just focus on the middle grade novel but I like working on shorter things as well. Even though I like my middle grade novel sometimes it is nice to have a little break from that. It is good for me to write and revise smaller pieces because then I can put into practice some of the things I've learned about writing for children.
So today I will try to silence the inner editor so I can get some of these stories out of my spiral bound notebook and into my computer notebook.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Happy Dance
Happy Dance. Happy Dance.
A couple weeks ago I brought my rejected story to my writing group to see what could be done. My writing group loved it and gave me a couple suggestions and one of the ladies in my writing group suggested I send it to a friend of hers who works publishing a Sunday School paper. Since the story was about Christmas she thought they might be interested.
So my writing friend emailed her contact and they said they would be interested in reading it if I could get the story to around 300 words. Which I did. And now Happy Dance, Happy Dance because they are going to publish it.
This is really great because it is just the encouragement I needed. I know that there are people who get like 200 rejection letters and still they manage to keep going. Since this story was about Christmas it just felt like it needed to get picked up soon or wait until next year.
My Mom is super proud and excited.
I am super excited. So anyone on my Christmas Card list who normally gets one of the nice Courage Center cards will be getting a copy.
So that is my awesome news. Now back to the writing board to work on more stories while I am still riding the wave of confidence that comes from being accepted.
A couple weeks ago I brought my rejected story to my writing group to see what could be done. My writing group loved it and gave me a couple suggestions and one of the ladies in my writing group suggested I send it to a friend of hers who works publishing a Sunday School paper. Since the story was about Christmas she thought they might be interested.
So my writing friend emailed her contact and they said they would be interested in reading it if I could get the story to around 300 words. Which I did. And now Happy Dance, Happy Dance because they are going to publish it.
This is really great because it is just the encouragement I needed. I know that there are people who get like 200 rejection letters and still they manage to keep going. Since this story was about Christmas it just felt like it needed to get picked up soon or wait until next year.
My Mom is super proud and excited.
I am super excited. So anyone on my Christmas Card list who normally gets one of the nice Courage Center cards will be getting a copy.
So that is my awesome news. Now back to the writing board to work on more stories while I am still riding the wave of confidence that comes from being accepted.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
I had my writing group last week and I brought my previously rejected story in hopes of suggestions for making it stronger. Not only did I find some suggestions and much love and support for my story so I am not going to apply the changes and send it out again.
In other exciting news I gave award winning playwright Tony Kushner a pony dressed to look like him. I think he liked it.
Pony Kushner
In other exciting news I gave award winning playwright Tony Kushner a pony dressed to look like him. I think he liked it.
Pony Kushner
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A life of luxury
Due to mounting dental bills and less work at my full time job I talked to my boss at my second very part time job about picking up a couple days a week in the fall.
It was hard to ask to be able to do this but since the money that I had saved so I would be able to only work one job and use my free time for writing is now the money I need to save because the economy sucks. And because I am anticipating a large dental bill and a lot of time off in the fall I asked.
I think that this is the most temporary solution and would work the best for me. As long as I set my boundaries and don't work more days than the two I have committed to I think it will be OK
One of my co-workers was asking me about it and her comment when I said I was picking up two days of work therefore giving up two days to write. "So it's time to give up that luxury."
I think what bugged me is that I don't think of writing as a Luxury. I don't think of working only one job as a luxury. Many people only work at one job.
I work hard at writing and it is something that I feel I have to do. I guess that I feel it is important whether I am cramming in writing time on my lunch break or spending a couple hours writing.
I guess if I was sitting on my boat, wearing diamonds and driving a mercedes then I would think of writing as a luxury.
It was hard to ask to be able to do this but since the money that I had saved so I would be able to only work one job and use my free time for writing is now the money I need to save because the economy sucks. And because I am anticipating a large dental bill and a lot of time off in the fall I asked.
I think that this is the most temporary solution and would work the best for me. As long as I set my boundaries and don't work more days than the two I have committed to I think it will be OK
One of my co-workers was asking me about it and her comment when I said I was picking up two days of work therefore giving up two days to write. "So it's time to give up that luxury."
I think what bugged me is that I don't think of writing as a Luxury. I don't think of working only one job as a luxury. Many people only work at one job.
I work hard at writing and it is something that I feel I have to do. I guess that I feel it is important whether I am cramming in writing time on my lunch break or spending a couple hours writing.
I guess if I was sitting on my boat, wearing diamonds and driving a mercedes then I would think of writing as a luxury.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Rejection
Yesterday I went to my mailbox eagerly awaiting some news of a story I had submitted to a magazine. Yesterday I opened my mailbox to find a rejection letter.
I have gotten my fair share of rejection letters since I started submitting my work usually with the "Does not fit our present needs" box checked.
Yesterday was a little hard on me because the box checked was "It involves stereotyped roles." So now I need to decide do I rewrite the story and try to get rid of "stereotyped" roles or do I scrap the story all together or do I not change a thing and just hope a different magazine will not be as picky about "stereotyped roles". The added challenge is that it is a story about Christmas so I am not sure if I have enough time to completely revise it to eliminate some of the things that might be considered "stereotyped" roles.
The rejection did help me make other decisions like "Which story should I send to writing group?"
The rejection did not help me with the decision of taking a writing class this summer which I want to do but the only ones that fit are on Mondays-my only night off. It's hard to give up the only night off.
I am trying out a second writing group which is nice because it gives me a new set of eyes looking at things. I am trying to remember in writing group to do my best to bring out the best in other people's stories. I think sometimes it is hard to remember not to just praise the story but to give suggestions. I think the thing is hard is knowing that these stories are like people's children in the way that they feel about them. I sometimes feel like if I have a suggestion is like insulting someone's child.
I have gotten my fair share of rejection letters since I started submitting my work usually with the "Does not fit our present needs" box checked.
Yesterday was a little hard on me because the box checked was "It involves stereotyped roles." So now I need to decide do I rewrite the story and try to get rid of "stereotyped" roles or do I scrap the story all together or do I not change a thing and just hope a different magazine will not be as picky about "stereotyped roles". The added challenge is that it is a story about Christmas so I am not sure if I have enough time to completely revise it to eliminate some of the things that might be considered "stereotyped" roles.
The rejection did help me make other decisions like "Which story should I send to writing group?"
The rejection did not help me with the decision of taking a writing class this summer which I want to do but the only ones that fit are on Mondays-my only night off. It's hard to give up the only night off.
I am trying out a second writing group which is nice because it gives me a new set of eyes looking at things. I am trying to remember in writing group to do my best to bring out the best in other people's stories. I think sometimes it is hard to remember not to just praise the story but to give suggestions. I think the thing is hard is knowing that these stories are like people's children in the way that they feel about them. I sometimes feel like if I have a suggestion is like insulting someone's child.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
writing and rewriting
Earlier this week I met with my writing group. I was excited to see what they had been working on for the month and I was excited to share what I had been working on.
Currently I am working on a novel and my main character is in sixth grade. She gets to the first day of sixth grade and finds out that she is in a class with her almost step brother. I was happy to hear that my writing friends like my character and my story and to find out things that I can do to make it better.
I have done NaNoWriMo twice but it is so much nicer to write a novel slowly and to really have a handle on where it is going and to have the time to get to know your character and have them develop over time.
Whenever I hit a writers block I go and interview my character.
It has been fun to hear what people think and get ideas and see what their questions are.
I went to a critique group last month and one of the writers was so clear in her writing that as a reader you always knew what the character was doing and why.
In other news I finally figured out my scanner. Really I never installed the software since I have a Mac I thought it wasn't important for me to do but then I could never scan. So I downloaded the software for the device and now I can scan. I spent some time yesterday scanning old family photos of grandparents and such.
Currently I am working on a novel and my main character is in sixth grade. She gets to the first day of sixth grade and finds out that she is in a class with her almost step brother. I was happy to hear that my writing friends like my character and my story and to find out things that I can do to make it better.
I have done NaNoWriMo twice but it is so much nicer to write a novel slowly and to really have a handle on where it is going and to have the time to get to know your character and have them develop over time.
Whenever I hit a writers block I go and interview my character.
It has been fun to hear what people think and get ideas and see what their questions are.
I went to a critique group last month and one of the writers was so clear in her writing that as a reader you always knew what the character was doing and why.
In other news I finally figured out my scanner. Really I never installed the software since I have a Mac I thought it wasn't important for me to do but then I could never scan. So I downloaded the software for the device and now I can scan. I spent some time yesterday scanning old family photos of grandparents and such.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Last night my front brake cable on my bike broke which left me with a very inadequate back brake.
So I took my year old bike to the bike shop where I felt like a person who goes to the dentist without brushing and flossing first. The guy working on my bike told me that I had been hard on my bike. I guess that it is hard not to be hard considering the pot holes and bad roads.
My back brake was completely malfunctioning. I tried to explain that it had been like that for forever and that I asked about it when I brought the bike in last summer for the 90 day tune up but that since I had never known any different that I never didn't push the issue.
But really this is a story about my cat. When I brought my bike home my little cat had to check out the bike and she took special interest in the new brake. So it must have met her approval. I know that animals have a heightened sense of smell but I had no idea it included new bike parts.
So I took my year old bike to the bike shop where I felt like a person who goes to the dentist without brushing and flossing first. The guy working on my bike told me that I had been hard on my bike. I guess that it is hard not to be hard considering the pot holes and bad roads.
My back brake was completely malfunctioning. I tried to explain that it had been like that for forever and that I asked about it when I brought the bike in last summer for the 90 day tune up but that since I had never known any different that I never didn't push the issue.
But really this is a story about my cat. When I brought my bike home my little cat had to check out the bike and she took special interest in the new brake. So it must have met her approval. I know that animals have a heightened sense of smell but I had no idea it included new bike parts.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
I'm a winner
I was excited to be able to attend the MNSCBWI workshop today. There were two authors presenting on the Nuts and Bolts of Children's Writing.
It was fun to connect with friends who write for kids and to see so many familiar faces from classes and events I've gone to over the years.
There was a drawing for door prizes too and I won a door prize. There were books to chose from. Since the book with the pink cover had already been picked I chose the On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin and it's signed.
I must admit that in my youth I read could not get enough of the Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin. I think at one point in time some friends of mine and I even tried to start our own version of the Babysitters Club. We were not as successful as the kids in the books but I still did a lot of baby sitting.
It was fun to connect with friends who write for kids and to see so many familiar faces from classes and events I've gone to over the years.
There was a drawing for door prizes too and I won a door prize. There were books to chose from. Since the book with the pink cover had already been picked I chose the On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin and it's signed.
I must admit that in my youth I read could not get enough of the Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin. I think at one point in time some friends of mine and I even tried to start our own version of the Babysitters Club. We were not as successful as the kids in the books but I still did a lot of baby sitting.
Friday, May 15, 2009
What I'm reading
This week I read the book Miss Spitfire Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller. I have to say it was one of those books that I had a hard time putting down.
The story is told from the perspective of Annie Sullivan and follows her first month of trying to teach Helen Keller. Through out the book there is some background on Annie Sullivan like her memories of the time she spent in the almshouse and her memories of losing her brother. I know that I have seen the Miracle Worker but reading about it I found myself turning the pages. I think the moment when Helen finally makes the connection of water and the finger spelling really means something is really a magical moment. Also reading about this bond that this student and teacher had was really amazing.
The story is told from the perspective of Annie Sullivan and follows her first month of trying to teach Helen Keller. Through out the book there is some background on Annie Sullivan like her memories of the time she spent in the almshouse and her memories of losing her brother. I know that I have seen the Miracle Worker but reading about it I found myself turning the pages. I think the moment when Helen finally makes the connection of water and the finger spelling really means something is really a magical moment. Also reading about this bond that this student and teacher had was really amazing.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
New Wallet
Yesterday I got a new wallet.
I carry a wallet because I don't carry a purse. I can't remember purses. I lose purses.
Normal people go to a store and buy a wallet or maybe get a wallet for Christmas. Not me. I go to work.
L: What is that? Is that your wallet?
Me: (looking at the fire hazard receipt holder in my pocket) Uh yeah.
Note- Now I am preparing for a lecture on the state of my wallet. How I should take some time to clean it out or just get a new one or whatever but no here's what happened next.
L: It's perfect. Can I have it for the show. I'll let you pick out one from stock.
Me: Uh sure. Let me clean it out.
L: No I like the stuff. Just take what you need and leave the rest in there.
Me: Cool
So I get rid of some things I don't need anymore like my Northwest Airlines frequent flyer card and a bunch of receipts and I get a new wallet. Despite all the sensible choices I chose one with flames and a chain. I ditched the chain but kept the flames.
I carry a wallet because I don't carry a purse. I can't remember purses. I lose purses.
Normal people go to a store and buy a wallet or maybe get a wallet for Christmas. Not me. I go to work.
L: What is that? Is that your wallet?
Me: (looking at the fire hazard receipt holder in my pocket) Uh yeah.
Note- Now I am preparing for a lecture on the state of my wallet. How I should take some time to clean it out or just get a new one or whatever but no here's what happened next.
L: It's perfect. Can I have it for the show. I'll let you pick out one from stock.
Me: Uh sure. Let me clean it out.
L: No I like the stuff. Just take what you need and leave the rest in there.
Me: Cool
So I get rid of some things I don't need anymore like my Northwest Airlines frequent flyer card and a bunch of receipts and I get a new wallet. Despite all the sensible choices I chose one with flames and a chain. I ditched the chain but kept the flames.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Today was the annual May Day festival at Powderhorn Park.
As I was sitting and waiting for the parade to start I heard a kid across the street yelling "Baby Mohawk!" "Baby Mohawk!" (Note: Babies with mohawks are not an uncommon sighting during May Day)
Then the kid across the street started yelling "Baby Blue Mohawk!"
I looked around me and realized that I was sitting next to a Baby with a Blue Mohawk who will now be called Baby Blue Mohawk.
I managed to get the mohawk in a picture which makes me happy.
So Happy May Day!
As I was sitting and waiting for the parade to start I heard a kid across the street yelling "Baby Mohawk!" "Baby Mohawk!" (Note: Babies with mohawks are not an uncommon sighting during May Day)
Then the kid across the street started yelling "Baby Blue Mohawk!"
I looked around me and realized that I was sitting next to a Baby with a Blue Mohawk who will now be called Baby Blue Mohawk.
I managed to get the mohawk in a picture which makes me happy.
So Happy May Day!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Cat Blog
I've been thinking of starting a cat blog. Or rather letting my cats blog. Not sure what they would write about. Napping? Toy mice? Eating?
Is this really a way for me to avoid my own writing?
I got two rejection letters in the mail this week. Does not meet editorial needs.
Now I am just trying to decide where to send my latest creation which has to be sent out like right now because it is a story about Christmas.
Is this really a way for me to avoid my own writing?
I got two rejection letters in the mail this week. Does not meet editorial needs.
Now I am just trying to decide where to send my latest creation which has to be sent out like right now because it is a story about Christmas.
Friday, April 24, 2009
I went to visit my Dad in California and had the most wonderful time.
We went hiking in the hills where he normally hikes. The trail we were on was part of Bidwell Park which is the the largest municipal park in the country.
We went to the Sierra Nevada Brewery which was really fun. I used to work in a brew pub so it was fun to sample the different beers.
We went to San Francisco for a couple days since I had never been and my Dad thought it would be fun for me to see.
We went to Fisherman's Wharf and saw the Sea Lions who took over Pier 39. We rode cable cars, visited Chinatown and went to Ghirardelli Square. The next day we rented bikes and biked across the Golden Gate Bridge.
We biked all the way to Tiburon but my future recommendation would be to bike to Old Mill Park and then bike back to Sausalito. I think it was just too long a distance with nothing touristy to look at in between Old Mill Park and Tiburon and it is really hilly.
I didn't get much of a chance to write but I did take a picture of a plaque of Robert Frost.
We went hiking in the hills where he normally hikes. The trail we were on was part of Bidwell Park which is the the largest municipal park in the country.
We went to the Sierra Nevada Brewery which was really fun. I used to work in a brew pub so it was fun to sample the different beers.
We went to San Francisco for a couple days since I had never been and my Dad thought it would be fun for me to see.
We went to Fisherman's Wharf and saw the Sea Lions who took over Pier 39. We rode cable cars, visited Chinatown and went to Ghirardelli Square. The next day we rented bikes and biked across the Golden Gate Bridge.
We biked all the way to Tiburon but my future recommendation would be to bike to Old Mill Park and then bike back to Sausalito. I think it was just too long a distance with nothing touristy to look at in between Old Mill Park and Tiburon and it is really hilly.
I didn't get much of a chance to write but I did take a picture of a plaque of Robert Frost.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
And the winner is not...
I spent this weekend spreading the word that I had won third place in The Meltdown Challenge at my Y. A team weight loss competition at my gym. Third place comes with a $50 prize which was really going to be exciting until I got an email last night that there had been a mistake in the tally and we had not won third place. OK so that is kind of a bummer. I feel like we should get good sportsman prizes since we were told that we had won and then it changed. But I guess that I will probably just have to accept that although there is no cash prize that I lost 10 pounds and probably feel a little better about myself then I did when I started.
I have gotten stronger as well and I am at my summer biking weight even though it isn't summer yet. woo hoo.
I have gotten stronger as well and I am at my summer biking weight even though it isn't summer yet. woo hoo.
Friday, April 10, 2009
what stresses me out
Today I had an appointment at my little part time job. While I was there I talked with my boss about possibly changing how I get paid for rentals or changing how much I see of the restocking fee. So my boss said that we couldn't change the amount I get paid but if I wanted to stay and work a couple hours cleaning in the storage areas that I could. I said that I couldn't stay any longer today explaining about my busy week. Rental on Monday, Babysit on Tuesday, Matinee on Wednesday, errands on Thursday and Rental on Friday.
My boss said that he could tell I had baby sat because I had seemed stressed. Meaning that baby sitting stresses me out. I don't actually think this is the case. I think that not being able to write stresses me out. Running around and doing a bunch of other things that aren't writing leaves me with very little time to write. So instead I am thinking about stories I have written or story ideas I have in my head. I get stressed because I think about how I am not working on my writing.
In addition to getting stressed I get frustrated because I know that I should be setting side the time to write and not saying yes to everything. I am working on not being frustrated with myself when I chose to do something other than writing. Being frustrated means that I come back to my writing and write about being mad at myself for letting other things get in the way of writing.
I feel like it is better to be a little busy now and to take these opportunities to make a little extra money right now in hopes that I won't have to work two jobs at the same time and really steal time away from my writing.
I have been working on a story which I have been writing in a notebook for now until I have the time to sit and write at my desk on my computer. It is going really well and is really fun to write.
When I've written my NaNoWriMo novels in the past I have just written and not really worried about revising and structure. This time around I am taking my time and really thinking about chapter and timeline and plot.
My boss said that he could tell I had baby sat because I had seemed stressed. Meaning that baby sitting stresses me out. I don't actually think this is the case. I think that not being able to write stresses me out. Running around and doing a bunch of other things that aren't writing leaves me with very little time to write. So instead I am thinking about stories I have written or story ideas I have in my head. I get stressed because I think about how I am not working on my writing.
In addition to getting stressed I get frustrated because I know that I should be setting side the time to write and not saying yes to everything. I am working on not being frustrated with myself when I chose to do something other than writing. Being frustrated means that I come back to my writing and write about being mad at myself for letting other things get in the way of writing.
I feel like it is better to be a little busy now and to take these opportunities to make a little extra money right now in hopes that I won't have to work two jobs at the same time and really steal time away from my writing.
I have been working on a story which I have been writing in a notebook for now until I have the time to sit and write at my desk on my computer. It is going really well and is really fun to write.
When I've written my NaNoWriMo novels in the past I have just written and not really worried about revising and structure. This time around I am taking my time and really thinking about chapter and timeline and plot.
Monday, April 06, 2009
What I'm reading
In addition to trying to write I also try to read a lot. Since my interest is in writing for teens I tend to read a lot in the teen fiction genre. This weekend I read a book that has been out for a couple years now and has been on my to read list for a while and it just happened to be at the library that I stopped at to return my books.
From the moment I started reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher I was hooked. The main character gets a set of cassette tapes mailed to him with no return address. The tapes are from a girl named Hannah who is dead. Being on the tapes means that he is one of the reasons Hannah is dead.
From the moment I started reading I was pulled into the story. I think I was driven to find out how the main character falls into the story. I think this story really makes you think how you treat people. Maybe what each of the people on Hannah's list did was small but it all added up to make her feel like no one cared for her. Like when she needed a friend or a kind word the most they couldn't be found.
When I read this book besides being totally engrossed in the story it made me want to be a better writer. I feel like this book is so well written and it makes me return to my own writing wondering if I picked up something I wrote and this book which one would I keep reading. How do I make my writing the kind that can't be put down?
From the moment I started reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher I was hooked. The main character gets a set of cassette tapes mailed to him with no return address. The tapes are from a girl named Hannah who is dead. Being on the tapes means that he is one of the reasons Hannah is dead.
From the moment I started reading I was pulled into the story. I think I was driven to find out how the main character falls into the story. I think this story really makes you think how you treat people. Maybe what each of the people on Hannah's list did was small but it all added up to make her feel like no one cared for her. Like when she needed a friend or a kind word the most they couldn't be found.
When I read this book besides being totally engrossed in the story it made me want to be a better writer. I feel like this book is so well written and it makes me return to my own writing wondering if I picked up something I wrote and this book which one would I keep reading. How do I make my writing the kind that can't be put down?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The other day I had a fun idea for a middle grade novel. I started writing it in my journal. I was thinking about something that I think Flannery O' Conner ( I think) once said that anyone who has survived childhood has enough to write about for the rest of their lives. So I started writing a story based on a childhood experience of mine. Well it is more inspired by something from my childhood but I think the character is going to take off.
I have been worrying about work and the economy and writing about how that has effected my writing. For the last year I have been trying to say no to a lot of extra stuff so that I can focus more on my writing. This past year was the first year that I had actually been employed year round at my full time job. This meant I didn't have to worry about finding part time work but instead have been able to spend more time taking writing classes and writing in general.
I had a great experience taking a children's writing class and now we still meet as a writing group. It has really made me a better writer. It has given me a lot of confidence as a writer.
The other day my tooth started hurting. A lot. So much that going to the dentist seems to only option to get rid of the pain. So I am going for what will probably end up being a root canal. ew.
I have been worrying about work and the economy and writing about how that has effected my writing. For the last year I have been trying to say no to a lot of extra stuff so that I can focus more on my writing. This past year was the first year that I had actually been employed year round at my full time job. This meant I didn't have to worry about finding part time work but instead have been able to spend more time taking writing classes and writing in general.
I had a great experience taking a children's writing class and now we still meet as a writing group. It has really made me a better writer. It has given me a lot of confidence as a writer.
The other day my tooth started hurting. A lot. So much that going to the dentist seems to only option to get rid of the pain. So I am going for what will probably end up being a root canal. ew.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Yesterday was a good writing day.
I was able to channel some of the stress and concern I feel about the economy into an idea for a story.
I also got a contest submission in the mail.
Even though winter is hopefully winding down here in MN and spring will hopefully be arriving soon a couple of the things I am writing are winter pieces. This is good since magazines look into the future and are hopefully looking for winter pieces in the summer.
The good things is that when I go to my writing group on Tuesday I will have things to share instead of having to say that I have been a slacker for the last month. yay.
I was able to channel some of the stress and concern I feel about the economy into an idea for a story.
I also got a contest submission in the mail.
Even though winter is hopefully winding down here in MN and spring will hopefully be arriving soon a couple of the things I am writing are winter pieces. This is good since magazines look into the future and are hopefully looking for winter pieces in the summer.
The good things is that when I go to my writing group on Tuesday I will have things to share instead of having to say that I have been a slacker for the last month. yay.
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