I think at least 4 times a year I come up with a great - great I tell ya! - idea for a novel.
I've yet to finish one, at least since I started college. I have a whole apple box of stories I wrote through middle school and high school. Decent ideas, but childish, as I was childish.
And yet, contrary to my usual self, I keep trying. This year is no different. This April I will participate in Camp NaNoWriMo. This is less intense than National Novel Writing Month, as you get to chose your word count and the project, but still a challenge. I'm even going to have cabin buddies to keep me going. THAT is scary. Because scarier than not finishing another novel is having someone else read it!
But I'm going to try anyway. Watch for my Camp NaNoWriMo badge to appear soon!
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
NaNo - no more?
Oh. my. goodness. I rarely resort to using that many periods in a sentence but there is just no other way to express myself in a g rating right now.
I started NaNoWriMo. Did really good the first day. Restarted my novel the second day. The third day got no writing done at all due to church projects and visitors and the fourth day Mr. Curly and Curly Boy got sick. The fourth day I planned another rewrite (I'm boring MYSELF with my novel this year, never good when you're only 4 days in), but on the fifth day Curly Baby got sick.
So here we are, on the sixth day and I have about 200 words written.
I continuously lament the death of the written word (did you know 2/3 of our world can't or won't read? Some people choose to be alliterate, meaning they can read, but they don't want to). I mean, Windows 8 has a picture passcode (no longer a word) now for crying out loud!
So if I'm going to lament it, I should do my best to pass it on, to keep it going....
But NaNoWriMo this year? I don't see it happening. I have 2 weeks until Thanksgiving, when I'll be handing out Christmas gifts to Mr. Curly's family and about 10 more gifts to create for that deadline alone! Not to mention everything I'm making for my family's Christmas get-together.
I just feel overwhelmed with things to do - keep the house up, keep cooking (because it is way cheaper than eating out), keep running (because I feel so much better health-wise and I am way less anxious when I exercise in the mornings), keep crafting (to save money on Christmas gifts), keep home-schooling (because Curly Boy loves it way more than I thought he would!).... and late nights writing mean more junk food, more caffeine, which leads to poorer sleep when I do get it, and bad exercise days, which leads to more anxiety...
I'm a mess, I know.
So, while tomorrow I may open Yarny back up and try again, I'm not pushing it. I really REALLY wanted to get over 30,000 words this year. But I really REALLY don't want to be a horrible, caffeinated, zombie monster to do it.
Ugh.
I started NaNoWriMo. Did really good the first day. Restarted my novel the second day. The third day got no writing done at all due to church projects and visitors and the fourth day Mr. Curly and Curly Boy got sick. The fourth day I planned another rewrite (I'm boring MYSELF with my novel this year, never good when you're only 4 days in), but on the fifth day Curly Baby got sick.
So here we are, on the sixth day and I have about 200 words written.
I continuously lament the death of the written word (did you know 2/3 of our world can't or won't read? Some people choose to be alliterate, meaning they can read, but they don't want to). I mean, Windows 8 has a picture passcode (no longer a word) now for crying out loud!
So if I'm going to lament it, I should do my best to pass it on, to keep it going....
But NaNoWriMo this year? I don't see it happening. I have 2 weeks until Thanksgiving, when I'll be handing out Christmas gifts to Mr. Curly's family and about 10 more gifts to create for that deadline alone! Not to mention everything I'm making for my family's Christmas get-together.
I just feel overwhelmed with things to do - keep the house up, keep cooking (because it is way cheaper than eating out), keep running (because I feel so much better health-wise and I am way less anxious when I exercise in the mornings), keep crafting (to save money on Christmas gifts), keep home-schooling (because Curly Boy loves it way more than I thought he would!).... and late nights writing mean more junk food, more caffeine, which leads to poorer sleep when I do get it, and bad exercise days, which leads to more anxiety...
I'm a mess, I know.
So, while tomorrow I may open Yarny back up and try again, I'm not pushing it. I really REALLY wanted to get over 30,000 words this year. But I really REALLY don't want to be a horrible, caffeinated, zombie monster to do it.
Ugh.
Friday, November 2, 2012
The Life of Pearl
Pearl sat with her sister, Pearla (their parents weren't that creative), under the glass in a little velvet box. They had two friends, Dia and Mond, and together the four of them perched in their little gold shaped J, happily watching the world walk by. Each evening they were covered up, and every morning the glass case was washed, the lights turned on so that Pearl, Pearla, Dia and Mond shined their brightest.
There was one face the four got to know very well. She would stop by weekly, say hello, chat about "never buying things that nice" and "lose things all the time" and then leave. Pearl was ok with that. She liked her little box, her sister and friends, her comfy gold J hook. Life was easy. Maybe a bit static, Pearla would say boring, but easy.
Then one day, Pearl was removed from the glass case. The lady who cleaned their glass every morning handed the velvet box to a man with a Clark Kent wave in his hair and a beard. He smiled, spoke to the lady, and then the velvet box was closed. Pearl, Pearla, Dia and Mond were jostled and bumped around for quite a while. Then all was still and silent. The four friends sat in the dark, wondering what on earth was happening. Finally, feeling very uneasy, they all fell asleep.
Pearl woke first, but the box was still closed, it was still dark and silent. She knew something was up. The lights should've been switched on, the box opened, the glass cleaned by now. She knew they were no longer in their safe little home. Pearla was excited, as were Dia and Mond. But Pearl was sad. She would miss watching the faces go by, and she never would get to say goodbye to the one face they saw weekly.
Then one day, they were jostled a bit more, but when their box settled again, they smelled a new smell. Pearl didn't know how, but she knew it was an outdoorsy smell. A piney smell.
After an hour or two, the box was moved and opened. And there was the face! The face that had admired them weekly, the face that had always moved on without touching them. She was holding their box! She was taking first Pearl and Dia, and then Pearla and Mond out of the case and fastening them in her ears. A mirror was held up to the face, and Pearl could see her new home. A nice little ear, now shining with new pearl and diamond earrings. Pearl shined as brightly as she could - she knew she was home for good.
For 4 years, Pearl and Pearla, Dia and Mond, sat in those ears, shining and seeing the world with their friendly new face.
One night, they were placed in a pocket. Pearl wasn't concerned, this happened often, but always, in the morning, they would find their way back to the ear.
This night was different though. When morning came, it came much earlier than usual. And instead of being placed in the face's ear, she found herself flying threw the air, landing under a bed. She heard the face cry out, she saw the face's hands searching everywhere, but never finding Pearl. And then a box was dragged over Pearl!
Pearl and Dia were thankful for plushy carpet, for instead of being crushed by the box, they were merely nestled down deeper into carpet fiber. But thankful for the carpet or not, Pearl was distressed. The face would never find her here. They would be lost forever!
And they almost were. It was a full year later when the face pulled the box out from under the bed, rifled through it, and then slid it back. Somehow, when the box slid back into place, it caught Pearl and popped her up out of her cave of carpet. A gasp - a cry - and then, yes there was the face, the mirror, the familiar ear!
Pearl and Dia were back home. Pearla and Mond were pulled from a box in a drawer where they had been placed, and they too were back in their familiar ear.
Pearl and Pearla, Dia and Mond, were all back together again. And not merely back together, but back with the face, with the ears, with the curly hair. The face told the man with the Clark Kent wave about how she had found them, about how happy she was to know she hadn't lost her nice things forever. And that night, the four friends weren't put in a pocket, or on a table, but were left in their familiar ears, where they slept peacefully for the first time in a year.
There was one face the four got to know very well. She would stop by weekly, say hello, chat about "never buying things that nice" and "lose things all the time" and then leave. Pearl was ok with that. She liked her little box, her sister and friends, her comfy gold J hook. Life was easy. Maybe a bit static, Pearla would say boring, but easy.
Then one day, Pearl was removed from the glass case. The lady who cleaned their glass every morning handed the velvet box to a man with a Clark Kent wave in his hair and a beard. He smiled, spoke to the lady, and then the velvet box was closed. Pearl, Pearla, Dia and Mond were jostled and bumped around for quite a while. Then all was still and silent. The four friends sat in the dark, wondering what on earth was happening. Finally, feeling very uneasy, they all fell asleep.
Pearl woke first, but the box was still closed, it was still dark and silent. She knew something was up. The lights should've been switched on, the box opened, the glass cleaned by now. She knew they were no longer in their safe little home. Pearla was excited, as were Dia and Mond. But Pearl was sad. She would miss watching the faces go by, and she never would get to say goodbye to the one face they saw weekly.
Then one day, they were jostled a bit more, but when their box settled again, they smelled a new smell. Pearl didn't know how, but she knew it was an outdoorsy smell. A piney smell.
After an hour or two, the box was moved and opened. And there was the face! The face that had admired them weekly, the face that had always moved on without touching them. She was holding their box! She was taking first Pearl and Dia, and then Pearla and Mond out of the case and fastening them in her ears. A mirror was held up to the face, and Pearl could see her new home. A nice little ear, now shining with new pearl and diamond earrings. Pearl shined as brightly as she could - she knew she was home for good.
For 4 years, Pearl and Pearla, Dia and Mond, sat in those ears, shining and seeing the world with their friendly new face.
One night, they were placed in a pocket. Pearl wasn't concerned, this happened often, but always, in the morning, they would find their way back to the ear.
This night was different though. When morning came, it came much earlier than usual. And instead of being placed in the face's ear, she found herself flying threw the air, landing under a bed. She heard the face cry out, she saw the face's hands searching everywhere, but never finding Pearl. And then a box was dragged over Pearl!
Pearl and Dia were thankful for plushy carpet, for instead of being crushed by the box, they were merely nestled down deeper into carpet fiber. But thankful for the carpet or not, Pearl was distressed. The face would never find her here. They would be lost forever!
And they almost were. It was a full year later when the face pulled the box out from under the bed, rifled through it, and then slid it back. Somehow, when the box slid back into place, it caught Pearl and popped her up out of her cave of carpet. A gasp - a cry - and then, yes there was the face, the mirror, the familiar ear!
Pearl and Dia were back home. Pearla and Mond were pulled from a box in a drawer where they had been placed, and they too were back in their familiar ear.
Pearl and Pearla, Dia and Mond, were all back together again. And not merely back together, but back with the face, with the ears, with the curly hair. The face told the man with the Clark Kent wave about how she had found them, about how happy she was to know she hadn't lost her nice things forever. And that night, the four friends weren't put in a pocket, or on a table, but were left in their familiar ears, where they slept peacefully for the first time in a year.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
NaNoWriMo 2012!!
National Novel Writing Month begins today! Are YOU ready?
I will be participating again this year. Last year I wrote 18,554 words over the month of November. Since the goal is 50,000, I don't feel like I did all that well, but I still enjoyed the challenge.
While I am working on my NF book right now, it has gone back to research stage, so I've decided to continue the research while I challenge myself to write a 50,000 word novel. I have an idea in mind and will begin writing this afternoon or evening.
To make a full 50,000 words in 30 days, you have to write 1,667 words a day. Last year that took me roughly 2 hours a day. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get up at 5:30 to run, get my chores done, run a paper route, cook meals, play with my kids, work on Christmas gifts and fit in 2 hours of writing every day. My beloved Pepsi might become indispensable!! Ha!
I will be using Yarny again this year to keep track of my writing. If you're participating, I highly recommend you check it out. It's online, it saves your work every 30 seconds, to quote Harry Potter "It's brilliant!" I don't have to remember my jumpdrive, or have my own computer - just a borrowed laptop and an internet connection and I can write wherever I am. (And no, I don't get paid to promote them.)
Wish me luck - and good luck yourself (if you're joining)!
I will be participating again this year. Last year I wrote 18,554 words over the month of November. Since the goal is 50,000, I don't feel like I did all that well, but I still enjoyed the challenge.
While I am working on my NF book right now, it has gone back to research stage, so I've decided to continue the research while I challenge myself to write a 50,000 word novel. I have an idea in mind and will begin writing this afternoon or evening.
To make a full 50,000 words in 30 days, you have to write 1,667 words a day. Last year that took me roughly 2 hours a day. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get up at 5:30 to run, get my chores done, run a paper route, cook meals, play with my kids, work on Christmas gifts and fit in 2 hours of writing every day. My beloved Pepsi might become indispensable!! Ha!
I will be using Yarny again this year to keep track of my writing. If you're participating, I highly recommend you check it out. It's online, it saves your work every 30 seconds, to quote Harry Potter "It's brilliant!" I don't have to remember my jumpdrive, or have my own computer - just a borrowed laptop and an internet connection and I can write wherever I am. (And no, I don't get paid to promote them.)
Wish me luck - and good luck yourself (if you're joining)!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I'm the next food network star!!!
I don't hide my addiction to food network. I love many of their shows. My favorite being "The Next Food Network Star."
For the past two years, I've cheered for the winner since the beginning.
One thing the mentors of NFNS really push, is having a story to go with your recipe, and a tip to throw in to help out all the busy cooks. So, ready for my camera spot? Here it goes:
My family LOVES fresh baked quick and sweet breads for Sunday morning breakfasts. And I love baking them. But what I don't love, is the clean-up. Especially since I don't have a dishwasher.
Saturday I made delicious, from scratch, banana bread. I don't think I've ever made banana bread from scratch.... bananas just don't last that long in our house. But I had a friend who had some get over-ripe and she donated them to my cause. Thanks, Mrs. Kleeman!
And of course, my kitchen was a disaster when I wanted to cook, so the first thing I did was clean up. Since I don't have a dishwasher, wiping down the counters and the stove happen every day, right after doing the dishes. It's a nice way to keep the kitchen cook ready at a moment's notice.
But here's my tip:
If you want to do a lot of baking - hand wash your dishes first - then leave the sink full of dish water. As you beat your eggs, cream together your butter and sugar, mix your batter, throw the dirty dishes into the sink.
Pop your bread into the oven, spend a few more minutes doing dishes and voila! You now have a clean kitchen, clean dishes, and a house smelling like warm banana bread. An hour later, all you have to worry about when the banana bread is cooling on the counter, is keeping your kids out of it until Sunday morning!
Couldn't you totally see me doing that TV spot? It would be spectacular. I have the perfect skirt and apron for it too!
And really, Saturday night, it was awesome to have all the dishes that get dirty when baking already clean by the time the bread was done cooking. And even nicer on Sunday morning that I didn't wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes. Especially since I don't wash dishes on Sundays.
For the past two years, I've cheered for the winner since the beginning.
One thing the mentors of NFNS really push, is having a story to go with your recipe, and a tip to throw in to help out all the busy cooks. So, ready for my camera spot? Here it goes:
My family LOVES fresh baked quick and sweet breads for Sunday morning breakfasts. And I love baking them. But what I don't love, is the clean-up. Especially since I don't have a dishwasher.
Saturday I made delicious, from scratch, banana bread. I don't think I've ever made banana bread from scratch.... bananas just don't last that long in our house. But I had a friend who had some get over-ripe and she donated them to my cause. Thanks, Mrs. Kleeman!
And of course, my kitchen was a disaster when I wanted to cook, so the first thing I did was clean up. Since I don't have a dishwasher, wiping down the counters and the stove happen every day, right after doing the dishes. It's a nice way to keep the kitchen cook ready at a moment's notice.
But here's my tip:
If you want to do a lot of baking - hand wash your dishes first - then leave the sink full of dish water. As you beat your eggs, cream together your butter and sugar, mix your batter, throw the dirty dishes into the sink.
Pop your bread into the oven, spend a few more minutes doing dishes and voila! You now have a clean kitchen, clean dishes, and a house smelling like warm banana bread. An hour later, all you have to worry about when the banana bread is cooling on the counter, is keeping your kids out of it until Sunday morning!
Couldn't you totally see me doing that TV spot? It would be spectacular. I have the perfect skirt and apron for it too!
And really, Saturday night, it was awesome to have all the dishes that get dirty when baking already clean by the time the bread was done cooking. And even nicer on Sunday morning that I didn't wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes. Especially since I don't wash dishes on Sundays.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What I love and hate about blogs
Did you know I LOVE to share? My personal thoughts and feelings are what I'm discussing here.
I'm an interesting oxymoronic person. I love to share, I do. But I am extremely picky who I share with - I don't just open up to anyone.
So it is interesting to see comments once I post a blog sharing contradicting thoughts.
While God had already talked to me about the "content one day, ranting the next" blogs I had been posting, I enjoyed my SIL's comment of "Go back and read your blog from a few days ago."
I find in life, and I'm told this happens to many people, that about the time you start telling people how happy you are to be doing something for God, you're reminded of all the things you wanted to do for yourself that still haven't been accomplished.
And I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me.
As I said here, I'm surprised to find how happy I am to be involved in area's of ministry I never thought I would do.
But there are so many other things I would like to do.
While I'm a little sad that in several years I will lose all my children to school 8 hours a day, I'm also kind of excited about what that will mean for me. Free time to clean and keep things clean, time to cook meals that take more prep time than I usually have, maybe a part time job to have some fun money. Or maybe I'll go back to school. After all, I was supposed to get my master's after Mr. Curly got his, but then I got pregnant, and then we moved, and then I got pregnant, and we bought a house, and then I got pregnant and then we moved...
Needless to say, I won't be getting pregnant again. It seems to bring on moves.
So for now, I focus on being content. And writing my Sunday School and missions lessons. And creating worship time for our church. And keeping my house clean. Which I've also blogged about recently. I'm making decent progress on that list, for those who care.
So for those who read and comment, thank you. And for those who read and pray for me, thank you. And for those who read and scoff, or laugh, or have thoughts that they don't share, thank you. At least I know I'm being read.
I'm an interesting oxymoronic person. I love to share, I do. But I am extremely picky who I share with - I don't just open up to anyone.
So it is interesting to see comments once I post a blog sharing contradicting thoughts.
While God had already talked to me about the "content one day, ranting the next" blogs I had been posting, I enjoyed my SIL's comment of "Go back and read your blog from a few days ago."
I find in life, and I'm told this happens to many people, that about the time you start telling people how happy you are to be doing something for God, you're reminded of all the things you wanted to do for yourself that still haven't been accomplished.
And I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me.
As I said here, I'm surprised to find how happy I am to be involved in area's of ministry I never thought I would do.
But there are so many other things I would like to do.
While I'm a little sad that in several years I will lose all my children to school 8 hours a day, I'm also kind of excited about what that will mean for me. Free time to clean and keep things clean, time to cook meals that take more prep time than I usually have, maybe a part time job to have some fun money. Or maybe I'll go back to school. After all, I was supposed to get my master's after Mr. Curly got his, but then I got pregnant, and then we moved, and then I got pregnant, and we bought a house, and then I got pregnant and then we moved...
Needless to say, I won't be getting pregnant again. It seems to bring on moves.
So for now, I focus on being content. And writing my Sunday School and missions lessons. And creating worship time for our church. And keeping my house clean. Which I've also blogged about recently. I'm making decent progress on that list, for those who care.
So for those who read and comment, thank you. And for those who read and pray for me, thank you. And for those who read and scoff, or laugh, or have thoughts that they don't share, thank you. At least I know I'm being read.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
I want my stapler back.
*Disclaimer* This is a ranting blog
Seriously?!
Do you realize, in the past 3 weeks I've come across 2 people who have published books since I left college?
Do you realize I've wanted to publish a book since I was 12?!
And that I've been working on a book for nearly 5 years now?!
To top it off, one now published author graduated college with me and is writing HISTORY books - which is exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated college, but instead I took an office job to support Mr. Curly and I while he went to seminary.
I'm just annoyed.
I know, I know. If I want to write, I should do it. I should stay up until the wee hours in the morning and live off of caffeine so I can stay awake during the day with my kids and yet still get to do what I've wanted to do for over 15 years now.
I know, I know. If I want to write, I should do more than blog. I should blog for a newspaper (I know 2 people who do that, one is not a published book author), I should write op-ed pieces, and spend days in historical research rooms at public libraries.
I know what I SHOULD do. I know what I WANT to do.
What I want to know is why when I do sit down to write, my motivation leaves.
What I want to know is why I've had a really great idea for five years and just can't get it done.
What I want to know is why I can come up with really good beginnings of novels that fall apart in the middle.
What I want to know if why every time I come up with a phenomenal historical event to write about, Mr. Curly moves me another remote scholarly barren area to live.
Writing is HARD. I know that. Which might be why it annoys me even more that I'm starting to see people my age, some also with children, doing what I've wanted to do since sixth grade.
Blech.
As it is, I have to go now. So I can go shopping to buy things to decorate my church nursery. I suppose that is a form of art and creativity. But I sure wish I was writing.
Post Title from The Office.
Seriously?!
Do you realize, in the past 3 weeks I've come across 2 people who have published books since I left college?
Do you realize I've wanted to publish a book since I was 12?!
And that I've been working on a book for nearly 5 years now?!
To top it off, one now published author graduated college with me and is writing HISTORY books - which is exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated college, but instead I took an office job to support Mr. Curly and I while he went to seminary.
I'm just annoyed.
I know, I know. If I want to write, I should do it. I should stay up until the wee hours in the morning and live off of caffeine so I can stay awake during the day with my kids and yet still get to do what I've wanted to do for over 15 years now.
I know, I know. If I want to write, I should do more than blog. I should blog for a newspaper (I know 2 people who do that, one is not a published book author), I should write op-ed pieces, and spend days in historical research rooms at public libraries.
I know what I SHOULD do. I know what I WANT to do.
What I want to know is why when I do sit down to write, my motivation leaves.
What I want to know is why I've had a really great idea for five years and just can't get it done.
What I want to know is why I can come up with really good beginnings of novels that fall apart in the middle.
What I want to know if why every time I come up with a phenomenal historical event to write about, Mr. Curly moves me another remote scholarly barren area to live.
Writing is HARD. I know that. Which might be why it annoys me even more that I'm starting to see people my age, some also with children, doing what I've wanted to do since sixth grade.
Blech.
As it is, I have to go now. So I can go shopping to buy things to decorate my church nursery. I suppose that is a form of art and creativity. But I sure wish I was writing.
Post Title from The Office.
Monday, May 21, 2012
And that's why God made ice cream.
This post's title is also the title for a book I'm thinking about writing. The full title would be "And that's why God made ice cream: my days as a pastor's wife and mom in the Ice Cream Capital of the World."
Long title, but I'm imagining a witty book filled with silly light-hearted stories of every day life that would make people chuckle. You know, what the point of this blog was, but doesn't quite make it.
So what do you think? If you perusing bookshelves, would you read something titled "And that's why God made ice cream"? And do you think it should be a pithy little memoir, or a fictional work?
Long title, but I'm imagining a witty book filled with silly light-hearted stories of every day life that would make people chuckle. You know, what the point of this blog was, but doesn't quite make it.
So what do you think? If you perusing bookshelves, would you read something titled "And that's why God made ice cream"? And do you think it should be a pithy little memoir, or a fictional work?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Try, trying again....
I've briefly mentioned wanting to write. I participated in National Novel Writing month. While it pushed me to get further with my novel idea than I had before, I didn't finish. In fact, I just realized that I had three stories in one, and none of them were that interesting.
It wasn't a total loss though - I was introduced to Yarny, which I now use for all my writing.
And so, I'm trying again a book idea I had back when Curly Girl was born. I've kicked around this idea for 4.5 years. I have a little bit done, a little bit outlined, and a whole lot of where I want it to go running loose in my brain.
Considering the fact that I thought it would be a one day project to turn my coat closet into a crafting closet and its been a week and still not done, considering that my scrapbooks are four years behind, that my kids need Easter outfits made and I might be playing the piano in a wedding soon, I'm not certain this book will make it anywhere in the next 4 months.
But you never know until you try.
It wasn't a total loss though - I was introduced to Yarny, which I now use for all my writing.
And so, I'm trying again a book idea I had back when Curly Girl was born. I've kicked around this idea for 4.5 years. I have a little bit done, a little bit outlined, and a whole lot of where I want it to go running loose in my brain.
Considering the fact that I thought it would be a one day project to turn my coat closet into a crafting closet and its been a week and still not done, considering that my scrapbooks are four years behind, that my kids need Easter outfits made and I might be playing the piano in a wedding soon, I'm not certain this book will make it anywhere in the next 4 months.
But you never know until you try.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Singing a different tune....
So when the Kindles and Nooks and all those other eReaders made it big, I was one of those "not for me, I like carrying a book, here look at my library card, aren't I so much better for sticking with real print" people. I am not too proud to admit it.
But I've recently joined BookSneeze as a reviewer. It is a pretty nifty gig - they send me free books, I write a review on my blog and some other consumer site. Easy-peasy, nice and cheesey, I get more books!
I've already ordered my first one and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Only deal is, they have a lot more books available to eReaders than in print. Hmmm. So, I turned to Mr. Curly the other day and said "If I'm going to do this book review thing, I think I'm going to need a Kindle for Christmas."
Needless to say, he was not impressed. I get his point - spending money on an eReader to get free books and write free reviews.... not entirely cost effective.
And, well, there's a reason I don't have nice things - not only am I tough on them, but my kids are too!
AND it is just a week before Christmas and he already has all my gifts bought/planned.
Still, I'll enjoy reading and writing in my REAL books, until, maybe for my birthday (which I'm actually no longer celebrating), I'll join everybody else in the electronic era. (Hint, Hint)
But I've recently joined BookSneeze as a reviewer. It is a pretty nifty gig - they send me free books, I write a review on my blog and some other consumer site. Easy-peasy, nice and cheesey, I get more books!
I've already ordered my first one and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Only deal is, they have a lot more books available to eReaders than in print. Hmmm. So, I turned to Mr. Curly the other day and said "If I'm going to do this book review thing, I think I'm going to need a Kindle for Christmas."
Needless to say, he was not impressed. I get his point - spending money on an eReader to get free books and write free reviews.... not entirely cost effective.
And, well, there's a reason I don't have nice things - not only am I tough on them, but my kids are too!
AND it is just a week before Christmas and he already has all my gifts bought/planned.
Still, I'll enjoy reading and writing in my REAL books, until, maybe for my birthday (which I'm actually no longer celebrating), I'll join everybody else in the electronic era. (Hint, Hint)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Something new....
I've decided to participate in Six Word Saturday's that I found through One-Minute Writer, but is actually sponsered by Show My Face.
So here it is - my life in six words:
Loving that Christmas time is here!!
So here it is - my life in six words:
Loving that Christmas time is here!!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
You must be tired from running through my mind all day.....
Otherwise entitled: Pick Up Lines That Make Me Want To Write.
Feeling nostalgic today, I decided to flip through my college senior yearbook. In the junior section, they listed Sure Fire pick-up lines that, for some odd reason, I found strangely inspiring to write. Maybe I'll finish that novel after all.
And my novel is just shy of 19,000 words. Thanksgiving break killed my momentum. I obviously didn't make the November 30th deadline, but maybe I can write 30,000 words in December?
Feeling nostalgic today, I decided to flip through my college senior yearbook. In the junior section, they listed Sure Fire pick-up lines that, for some odd reason, I found strangely inspiring to write. Maybe I'll finish that novel after all.
- Your eyes are blue as window cleaner.
- Have you always been this cute or did it take some work?
- Do you have a name or can I call you mine?
- Wouldn't we look cute on a wedding cake together?
- You should be someone's wife.
- (For the ladies) Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me.
- No, I'm not coveting, I intend to make you mine.
- What do you think Paul meant when he said, "Greet everyone with a kiss?"
- So you're a girl huh?
- My love for you is like diarrhea, I just can't hold it in.
- If you were a booger, I'd pick you.
- Are we related? Do you want to be?
- I may not be the best looking guy here, but I'm the only one talking to you. (This one is my personal favorite)
- Wow! Are you really as beautiful as you seem or do you remind me of myself? (second runner up)
- HI, the voices inside of my head told me to com over and talk to you.
- You are just truly absolutely beautiful! Can you cook and clean also?
- I have only three months to live....
- Sweetheart, you make me wanna get a job. (Ok, this one just took the grand prize!)
And my novel is just shy of 19,000 words. Thanksgiving break killed my momentum. I obviously didn't make the November 30th deadline, but maybe I can write 30,000 words in December?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
National Novel Writing Month
Did I tell you I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month?
No?
Well, that's good. Because I am, but I don't think I'll make it. Right now, with my daily word count, I'll finish on Dec. 20, and the whole idea is to finish before November is up.
I have the problem of knowing what I want to happen, and having no idea how to get there.
But we'll see.
Just thought I'd throw it out there.
No?
Well, that's good. Because I am, but I don't think I'll make it. Right now, with my daily word count, I'll finish on Dec. 20, and the whole idea is to finish before November is up.
I have the problem of knowing what I want to happen, and having no idea how to get there.
But we'll see.
Just thought I'd throw it out there.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I'm here for the party
Today I feel like the only blogger in the world who is not blogging to gain guest posts, readers, money, or notice in the literary field.
I'm just blogging because, well, because I had some things I wanted to share and I enjoy writing and everyone else was doing it, so why not me?
So, yeah, I'm just here for the party. I can be that sort-of nerdy kid in the corner who knows everybody, and is known enough to be invited, but not talked to. Will that work?
Someday I might make this a more specific blog.... one that deals with designing, or cooking, or sewing, or runs a daily devotional, or offers up curly hair advice, or kid advice, or something. But for right now, I think I'll just keep to my frizzy randomness. Ok?
And how is this for randomness? Yesterday, despite only 4 interrupted hours of sleep, I made it a point to take the Curly Kids outside during Curly Baby's (early) afternoon nap. The monitor has good range, and we have a relatively small play area compared to what we used to have. So instead of sitting inside trying to stay awake and being grumpy, we went out and listened to country music from the early '00s on my phone, danced and collected dandelions.
You should see Curly Girl climb on top of her slide and dance. I love revelling in my children's pure joy and spontaneity, but we're going to have to watch that child when she gets older! HA!
Post title from Gretchen Wilson's "Here for the Party"
I'm just blogging because, well, because I had some things I wanted to share and I enjoy writing and everyone else was doing it, so why not me?
So, yeah, I'm just here for the party. I can be that sort-of nerdy kid in the corner who knows everybody, and is known enough to be invited, but not talked to. Will that work?
Someday I might make this a more specific blog.... one that deals with designing, or cooking, or sewing, or runs a daily devotional, or offers up curly hair advice, or kid advice, or something. But for right now, I think I'll just keep to my frizzy randomness. Ok?
And how is this for randomness? Yesterday, despite only 4 interrupted hours of sleep, I made it a point to take the Curly Kids outside during Curly Baby's (early) afternoon nap. The monitor has good range, and we have a relatively small play area compared to what we used to have. So instead of sitting inside trying to stay awake and being grumpy, we went out and listened to country music from the early '00s on my phone, danced and collected dandelions.
You should see Curly Girl climb on top of her slide and dance. I love revelling in my children's pure joy and spontaneity, but we're going to have to watch that child when she gets older! HA!
Post title from Gretchen Wilson's "Here for the Party"
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
We have gads of books! Mountains of books!
About 6 years ago for Mr. Curly's birthday I bought him a set of office furniture. Now, not expensive office furniture, but still, instead of working off of an old chair in the guest room, he had a desk, filing cabinets, bookshelves.... And, if I don't say so myself, he enjoyed it. It was helpful as he worked his way through a master's degree and began his preaching career.
And with the exception of the desk (which was an armour style desk and went to my parents when we cut the old entertainment center into a desk), we are still using that office furniture.
When I bought the bookshelves, I imagined there would be plenty of room for all of our books. For 6 years I've been wrong. For 6 years they have been absolutely packed and overflowing with theology, divinity and other religious books.
But now, well, now he has an office, in a different building, with built in bookshelves.
So now these bookshelves are in my dining room, and look like this:
Please ignore the unpacking mess. We're working on it. And honestly, I thought they would be more full than that once I unpacked all my books that have been sitting in tubs in the attic for 3 years now (before that they were under our bed).
Though I have realized I have, maybe, a slight obsession. In the first picture, the bookshelf on the right has a shelf and a half of history books. No big surprise, I was a history major, I should have nonfiction history books. But out of that shelf and a half, three-quarters of a shelf is civil war and gilded era books. And of those books, three-quarters of them are on gunfighters, specifically Doc Holliday (this will come to no surprise to those who know me).
But I suppose it's good to have a theme. Just in case I ever really do start that master's program.
Post title from Beauty and the Beast.
And with the exception of the desk (which was an armour style desk and went to my parents when we cut the old entertainment center into a desk), we are still using that office furniture.
When I bought the bookshelves, I imagined there would be plenty of room for all of our books. For 6 years I've been wrong. For 6 years they have been absolutely packed and overflowing with theology, divinity and other religious books.
But now, well, now he has an office, in a different building, with built in bookshelves.
So now these bookshelves are in my dining room, and look like this:
Please ignore the unpacking mess. We're working on it. And honestly, I thought they would be more full than that once I unpacked all my books that have been sitting in tubs in the attic for 3 years now (before that they were under our bed).
Though I have realized I have, maybe, a slight obsession. In the first picture, the bookshelf on the right has a shelf and a half of history books. No big surprise, I was a history major, I should have nonfiction history books. But out of that shelf and a half, three-quarters of a shelf is civil war and gilded era books. And of those books, three-quarters of them are on gunfighters, specifically Doc Holliday (this will come to no surprise to those who know me).
But I suppose it's good to have a theme. Just in case I ever really do start that master's program.
Post title from Beauty and the Beast.
Friday, January 21, 2011
I WON I WON I WON
Seriously, I won.
This is crazy.
I follow a little blog called "One Minute Writer." Each day, C. Beth posts a word and you have 60 seconds to write whatever you want. She even provides a timer!
I use the prompts to do mini-journal entries, vent, write a bit of hint fiction, really just whatever I feel like that day. There are many days when I don't comment on the prompt, but it spurs on little ideas I jot down in the composition notebook I've started carrying around.
On Fridays, they do short fiction. You are allowed more than a minute, but keep it short.
On Friday, January 7, the prompt was "Sword." AND I WON! And I didn't even know it until Wednesday (Jan 19) because I hadn't had time to check back at the site since she posted that week's winner!!
So, here's the post with my short story that I wrote in less than five minutes and won me the marvelous title of "One Minute Writing of the Week Winner"!!
If you're looking to spur creativity or stretch yourself, seriously check this site out (there is a button on the right). I love it.
This is crazy.
I follow a little blog called "One Minute Writer." Each day, C. Beth posts a word and you have 60 seconds to write whatever you want. She even provides a timer!
I use the prompts to do mini-journal entries, vent, write a bit of hint fiction, really just whatever I feel like that day. There are many days when I don't comment on the prompt, but it spurs on little ideas I jot down in the composition notebook I've started carrying around.
On Fridays, they do short fiction. You are allowed more than a minute, but keep it short.
On Friday, January 7, the prompt was "Sword." AND I WON! And I didn't even know it until Wednesday (Jan 19) because I hadn't had time to check back at the site since she posted that week's winner!!
So, here's the post with my short story that I wrote in less than five minutes and won me the marvelous title of "One Minute Writing of the Week Winner"!!
If you're looking to spur creativity or stretch yourself, seriously check this site out (there is a button on the right). I love it.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My shot at Hint Fiction
Since I published this post about Hint Fiction, the men in my family have been shooting little stories back and forth via email, while I sit completely befuddled by my challenge.
I finally came up with this:
If she had known leaving would be this hard, her decision to stay after a visit 15 years ago might have been different. As it was, no one in the small town would ever be the same, herself included.
This is 39 words instead of 25, so it still needs some work, but I think it is all there. I think. What do you think?
I finally came up with this:
If she had known leaving would be this hard, her decision to stay after a visit 15 years ago might have been different. As it was, no one in the small town would ever be the same, herself included.
This is 39 words instead of 25, so it still needs some work, but I think it is all there. I think. What do you think?
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