Maybe I Am A Writer

Writing.  That was my subject last time, and guess what?  I have been doing pretty well.  I started getting up early and writing, only on weekdays though.  Weekends and evenings are for my family.  Early mornings are for writing.  And lo, the book is progressing.  I'm SO excited!  I have my "beta readers" and a critique partner, and I just got a volunteer (whom I trust) to edit for grammar and such.....I think I may just finish in the timeline that I hoped.  I haven't been blogging, but things will hopefully balance out.  I did attend a conference that I still want to blog about....

Oh, and I entered a short story contest over at Figment.  You can read it here.  It is much different than my WIP, and took me away for a little bit, but it was also refreshing, and a big step putting myself out there for potential rejection, even if it is "just" a contest.  *deep breath*

Writing (again)

Yesterday I took a huge step.  I sent off the first part of my WIP to someone I barely know for a critique.  I'm excited, nervous, scared, embarrassed, and a bit sick.  *deep breath*  It will be fine.  This is why we do this.  Get other perspectives and try to polish our stories up before sending them off again to an agent or editor, or wherever we intend to send them.  (at which time I will be feeling all of the above emotions even stronger)  I think that this fear of having others read your (less than perfect) work is why many wanna be writers will never be published.  I have read statements from absolutely amazing authors who still have this fear, so I'm just going to bite my lip and go for it.  It will never be perfect anyway.

"Guilty Pleasures"

I’ve been thinking.  (maybe I’m an owl since “all owls think a lot”*)  There are so many sources for my line of thinking this morning that I couldn’t begin to write them all out and not lose my train of thought.  Let’s just get right to it.  First, the term ‘guilty pleasures’, I see this used a lot in terms of books, music, tv, movies and such.  These are forms of entertainment.  Are they not supposed to be pleasurable?  Everyone has their own tastes, their own ideas of what is fun.  Why should I have to classify a book I enjoy as a ‘guilty pleasure’ simply because someone out there may not find it of value?

Quickie

Oh, this is why I don't type on my phone. Aside from a very strange dream I just had, I've been thinking about my WIP (work in progress). This is a stretch to call it that sometimes, but it isn't a finished draft yet. The thing is I worked on it! I actually delved back in and I realized that I hadn't since October.

New Post! : )

Lately I have found myself distracted.  Distracted by technology is much to blame.  Twitter, facebook, Words With Friends, imdb, all from the comfort of a small handheld device. Not to mention tv.  I just realized.  This is not recent. 

I’ve also been reading more than I’ve been writing.  This is a frustrating truth, but books are great.  I love books.  I just need balance.  That is what I need, balance.  Balance between the day job, my family, reading writing, and sleep.  And life.  I follow enough authors on their blogs, facebook, and Twitter to know that this is a pretty common thing.  I think that we, as a society have become so busy, so inundated with sights and sounds, that we respond by thinking that we have to do it all.  It is all too much.

Reading, Writing Blog Posts, and The Woman In Black

About a week ago….or two, I wrote the beginnings of a great post.  Then it was somehow eaten.  I don’t want to talk about that.  Painful.  Ultimately not life altering, just blog altering.  Then I left here and posted on my library's blog about a few books I have enjoyed lately, feel free to go and read that.  I feel like, given the time I could have done more justice to them, but time is a limited resource.  Also, it had been a frustrating day.  The last one, Princess of the Midnight Ball is one that I was working on here.

Grrr.....and Sigh

I spent a good portion of my life today on a lovely post about a lovely book, and it is gone.  Completely.  Anyone else having blogger issues today?  *sigh*  SO, I think I will work on my post for my library's blog, and re-do this one....which was quite nice, or at least nicer than this later.  At some point over the weekend.  I am just frustrated.  It wouldn't be good.

While your here though, let me direct you to this amazing blog.  I read this yesterday, and was very moved.  This is how I have tried to live, and raise my kids to live, and he writes it so very well.  Thanks for stopping in.  Be well, and please do check back with me later.

Some Cool Things, and Some *sigh* Things

My sweet Grandbaby and her parents are moving out.  Moving into their own place.  A bittersweet, but overall good thing.  I no longer get to see/smooch/cuddle the little pumpkin every morning, evening, and lunchtime.  But they have their own space, and the visits will be more special, right?  I am happy for my "kids".  The house they are moving into is the house we moved into when my daughter was a baby, so that is a very cool thing.  It is back in the family now after being "bought on contract" (read that "trashed and moved out of") for almost two years.  Much cleaning and painting has been going on. 

On another note, I am still getting (or trying anyway) more organized in my life, and in doing so I realized that there are AT LEAST a dozen books that I REALLY WANT to blog about that I didn't get to.  In the mean time, I want to share this interview with Kiersten White, author of  Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, and this year's Endlessly.  It is a hoot!  : )  (image borrowed from the author's aforelinked blog)

The reason I have so many books that I read, loved, and didn't blog about is pretty simple, I get busy and forget things.  Also, I want to do justice to them and not just throw something up. (to be continued...)

First Blog Post of 2012!

Well, for ME at least.  : )

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Albeit a little bit late.  Hey, it is only the 6th, so that's not too bad!  I'm actually proud of myself.  Wait, I've not posted since when?  The last time I shared a book was WHEN?  oh....

I am happy to say that things are going well, and I am SUPER excited about the year to come!  My little Grandbaby is now 2 months old, and smiling and cooing and all those adorable baby things that wrap us around their cute little pinky fingers.  She is definitely a blessing and the absolute best thing about 2011.

So it IS that time of year when our dear MotherReader issues her annual Comment Challenge.  The kick in the you-know-what I needed to get back here on a more regular basis.  Much thanks to her and Lee Wind for all they do out there in the blogosphere.  If you aren't familiar with either of them......that's what the links are for.

Happily, I have been reading throughout this whole blogging drought.  The most recent book I finished was just a few days ago.  I fully intend that to be my next post.  Maybe I'll even tell you about more than one book!  Crazy, I know.  One thing at a time.  : )

Welcome to newcomers, and hello to you who've been here before!
I've missed you, you look great!

Grandma's Sweetie