Books!

It has been quite some time since I have talked about a book I've read.  Mostly because it has been a while since I have done any serious reading, I'm sad to say.  (though, I have mentioned it a time or two)  However, I not only finished (and LOVED) this book, but I also did an oral book report on it.  There's something I had not done in a very long time.  I have told countless children about countless books over the years, but this was a full on book report.  With my weekly homeschool group we are having a 'thing'.  Not a contest, more of a reward project.  If they tell me, and the group about a book they have read, they get a prize and their name on the wall.  After they've done 5 the get a free ice cream via coupon donated by our local Dairy Queen.  None of them, I think, had ever done anything like this, and one of the Moms asked for help.  Her son loves to read, but had trouble telling her about what he had read.  So I devised a scheme to get him to work on his narrative skills, and lo, a group-wide book report project was born.  Obviously, I had to go first, to model this thing that I wanted them to do.  This is where Kenny comes in. 

Fear, Hope, and Harry Potter

Apparently I am afraid. Afraid of my story ending. Afraid I don’t know how to end it. Afraid of what people will think of it. Afraid that I will never finish it. Afraid I won’t get the agent I have set my sights on. Afraid that to get published I will have to change too much. Afraid that it won’t matter what I change, it still will not be published. Afraid that even if it is it won’t sell. Afraid that after all of the time and energy spent it will be for naught. Afraid that I will never know because I’ll never finish it.

I have learned so much throughout this process. From the writing, and the even the not writing. (and from writing other things along the way) From two years of SCBWI membership. From 7 ½ years working in a public library. From many wonderful authors, their books and blogs, twitter and facebook pages. I am very grateful and indebted to so many people that I have never met. The internet is a hell of a thing.

Babies

These precious sleepers are my sweet grandbabies.  Kira Grace, on the left, and her new baby sister Molly May.  I vow to write more for these two if not for myself.

Months, and Months

Disclaimer:  All of this was written over the course of several months and promptly not posted.  I mention a few times about being busy and such....it is true.  Things have been nuts.  I shall post more (hopefully) soon.  I am still struggling to get back into that wonderful routine that I had in August.  (August is sounding good right now for many reasons....not the least of which is my cold hands.)  Hoping all is well with everyone reading this.  Please, leave a comment to say "Hi", even if you don't read all of this craziness.

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?