I'm off to New York first thing in the morning, so I won't be posting again until Saturday. I'll fill you in on the conference when I return.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Rainy Sunday
It’s been raining off and on all day. I was planning on working in the yard again today, so I’m really glad it’s raining because my back is killing me from bending over and pulling weeds yesterday. I know it’s good for me and the flower beds do look better, but OUCH!
Anyway, instead of pulling weeds, I worked on some things I needed to do inside like trying on some more clothes I haven’t worn in a while. Since I lost weight and went down 3 sizes, I’ve slowly replaced my old wardrobe with clothes that actually fit me. But I have this rule – 1 thing in, 1 thing out. So I was behind on getting rid of stuff and my closet was beginning to get full.
Trying on clothes that are too big for you is fun! Especially when you can remember how tight they were a couple of years ago. I can now wear things that show my shape because I have one I’m not ashamed to show. I got rid of all of my broomstick skirts with the ever-expanding elastic waistbands, all the one size fits all clothes and all the baggy shirts and pants. I’m stylin’ baby!
I have to stay this size or get smaller because I don’t have any more fat clothes to grow back into. I now have 2 big bags full of clothes and shoes to take to our local donation station. The only thing left to try on are all my shirts and sweaters. If it rains again tomorrow, I’ll do it then. If not, weeds beware!
Trying to keep my mind off my manuscript and the conference!
Have a Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Anyway, instead of pulling weeds, I worked on some things I needed to do inside like trying on some more clothes I haven’t worn in a while. Since I lost weight and went down 3 sizes, I’ve slowly replaced my old wardrobe with clothes that actually fit me. But I have this rule – 1 thing in, 1 thing out. So I was behind on getting rid of stuff and my closet was beginning to get full.
Trying on clothes that are too big for you is fun! Especially when you can remember how tight they were a couple of years ago. I can now wear things that show my shape because I have one I’m not ashamed to show. I got rid of all of my broomstick skirts with the ever-expanding elastic waistbands, all the one size fits all clothes and all the baggy shirts and pants. I’m stylin’ baby!
I have to stay this size or get smaller because I don’t have any more fat clothes to grow back into. I now have 2 big bags full of clothes and shoes to take to our local donation station. The only thing left to try on are all my shirts and sweaters. If it rains again tomorrow, I’ll do it then. If not, weeds beware!
Trying to keep my mind off my manuscript and the conference!
Have a Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Yeah for long weekends!
Not much to say today. It’s been a long week filled with board and committee meetings, mailings to investors and minutes – taking and transcribing. I’m pooped.
My third draft is finished. I thought it was finished last week then did some minor revisions based on some late feedback. Now it’s out to another person who’s never read it and possibly to my little sister if she agrees to my terms. I asked her if she could be as unbiased and unprejudiced as possible.
Yes, I know it’s totally impossible. However, she’s really intelligent and is a published author and I would value her input – if she can forget I’m her sister and many of the people I’m writing about are also her relatives. As I said – it’s totally impossible.
However, I love her dearly and will probably allow her to read it even if she doesn’t agree to my terms because she’s the only one in my family who even remotely understands me and the only one who knows about this blog.
(She said no! She's incredibly busy right now and said, "There is no emotional energy left. The thought of reading your draft just plain scares me. It took me about 2 weeks to recover from the last time. That period of my life was a nightmare. I don't want to relive it right now. I know I am letting you down, and I am sorry. I just can't be objective."
I love my little sister!)
I’m anxious to get this last bit of feedback because I leave next Wednesday morning for New York and my writer’s conference. I don’t know if I’ll try to pitch the book or if I’m ready to query anyone. I hope the conference will help me determine that. I really want to learn and meet people. It will be good for me to jump out of my comfort zone for a couple of days.
Sunday I’m going to read it one more time to make sure I haven’t missed any glaring grammatical or typographical errors. In the meantime, my house and yard are calling for my attention and my dogs look like they could use a good cuddle.
Me too!
My third draft is finished. I thought it was finished last week then did some minor revisions based on some late feedback. Now it’s out to another person who’s never read it and possibly to my little sister if she agrees to my terms. I asked her if she could be as unbiased and unprejudiced as possible.
Yes, I know it’s totally impossible. However, she’s really intelligent and is a published author and I would value her input – if she can forget I’m her sister and many of the people I’m writing about are also her relatives. As I said – it’s totally impossible.
However, I love her dearly and will probably allow her to read it even if she doesn’t agree to my terms because she’s the only one in my family who even remotely understands me and the only one who knows about this blog.
(She said no! She's incredibly busy right now and said, "There is no emotional energy left. The thought of reading your draft just plain scares me. It took me about 2 weeks to recover from the last time. That period of my life was a nightmare. I don't want to relive it right now. I know I am letting you down, and I am sorry. I just can't be objective."
I love my little sister!)
I’m anxious to get this last bit of feedback because I leave next Wednesday morning for New York and my writer’s conference. I don’t know if I’ll try to pitch the book or if I’m ready to query anyone. I hope the conference will help me determine that. I really want to learn and meet people. It will be good for me to jump out of my comfort zone for a couple of days.
Sunday I’m going to read it one more time to make sure I haven’t missed any glaring grammatical or typographical errors. In the meantime, my house and yard are calling for my attention and my dogs look like they could use a good cuddle.
Me too!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Suggestions wanted
From the post below, you can see that my life on most days is pretty routine. I'm looking for things to spice up my life - quick and easy things to do just to add a little spark here and there. I need some fresh ideas, so let's see if anyone out there can come up with something original.
Remember, it has to be quick, easy and inexpensive!
Remember, it has to be quick, easy and inexpensive!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
A day in the life
6 a.m. – Clock radio (rock music) blasts me awake (actually 5:50 a.m. because I know myself so well).
6:05 – Stumble out of bed in a stupor. Give Rosie a tummy rub and gently place her on the ground. (She’s almost 14, has arthritis and short little legs. Despite the doggie steps at the end of the bed, she needs help these days.) Head for the bathroom and sit on the toilet.
6:10 – Still sitting on toilet. (Didn’t really need to go, just needed a few more minutes to wake up.) Revise time back to 6:00 according to clock in bathroom. Strip and jump in shower.
6:20 – Out of shower, drying hair, etc.
6:35 – Get dressed. (Have clothes arranged in closet so last thing I wore goes to end of rod and everything moves up each day. Too much work unless you have a slider rod!)
6:45 – (Fast dresser because of system above) Upstairs to change doggie papers, water and fill food bowls. Eat my own breakfast and take my vitamins.
7:00 – Back downstairs for teeth brushing, make-up and last minute adjustments. Give Rosie medicine. Say good-bye and out to car.
7:15 - 7:20 – On the road with country music in car. TRAFFIC!
7:45 – 8:00 – (depending on traffic) Arrive at work, fire up computer, get coffee and start working.
9:30 – bathroom
10:00 – more coffee
10:30 – bathroom
11:30 – bathroom
12:30 – bathroom then lunch
1:30 – bathroom (all the while working of course)
4:30 – 5:00 (depending on when bosses leave) Leave work
5:30 – 5:45 (depending on traffic) Arrive home, check mail, change clothes and take Belle for walk
6:15 – fix something to eat
6:25 – take food downstairs and turn on computer. Check favorite websites and blogs. Write, read, cross-stitch or whatever I feel like doing.
10 – 10:30 – bed
Yes, my life is incredibly exciting. And, yes I do have that small a bladder.
And yes, I still miss Miss Snark.
6:05 – Stumble out of bed in a stupor. Give Rosie a tummy rub and gently place her on the ground. (She’s almost 14, has arthritis and short little legs. Despite the doggie steps at the end of the bed, she needs help these days.) Head for the bathroom and sit on the toilet.
6:10 – Still sitting on toilet. (Didn’t really need to go, just needed a few more minutes to wake up.) Revise time back to 6:00 according to clock in bathroom. Strip and jump in shower.
6:20 – Out of shower, drying hair, etc.
6:35 – Get dressed. (Have clothes arranged in closet so last thing I wore goes to end of rod and everything moves up each day. Too much work unless you have a slider rod!)
6:45 – (Fast dresser because of system above) Upstairs to change doggie papers, water and fill food bowls. Eat my own breakfast and take my vitamins.
7:00 – Back downstairs for teeth brushing, make-up and last minute adjustments. Give Rosie medicine. Say good-bye and out to car.
7:15 - 7:20 – On the road with country music in car. TRAFFIC!
7:45 – 8:00 – (depending on traffic) Arrive at work, fire up computer, get coffee and start working.
9:30 – bathroom
10:00 – more coffee
10:30 – bathroom
11:30 – bathroom
12:30 – bathroom then lunch
1:30 – bathroom (all the while working of course)
4:30 – 5:00 (depending on when bosses leave) Leave work
5:30 – 5:45 (depending on traffic) Arrive home, check mail, change clothes and take Belle for walk
6:15 – fix something to eat
6:25 – take food downstairs and turn on computer. Check favorite websites and blogs. Write, read, cross-stitch or whatever I feel like doing.
10 – 10:30 – bed
Yes, my life is incredibly exciting. And, yes I do have that small a bladder.
And yes, I still miss Miss Snark.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Miss Snark Withdrawal - Day 2 - slowly coming to terms
Had a really busy day at work today, so not much time to mourn the end of the blog. Sigh!
Have to think of other things now to get this off my mind. At this time next week, I'll be packing for my trip to New Yawk Sitty for my writer's conference. I'm a nervous Nelly about this. Not because of the conference - because of the city! I'm a country girl at heart. I like the wide open spaces in the suburbs of Seattle. It's what I call country with conveniences.
I signed up for one of those 2 pages 2 minutes workshops. So now I'm stressing over my 2 pages. I have a 2 1/2 page opening on perspective before my first chapter. It's good - I think! So, do I submit the first 2 pages of that, or the first 2 pages of my first chapter? I'm going to send them to some of my friends and ask which one they like better - which one draws them in. Damn!
It probably doesn't matter. They'll probably laugh me out of the room. At least no one will know it's mine until after they have read and commented. That way I can just slip out the door quietly before I have to confess.
Anyway, I did come up with a new drinking song for the Nitwit's Lounge. Everyone sing along now!
(To the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean")
Our Snarkie turned off her computer.
Our Snarkie has faded away.
Her minions are lost and so lonely.
We're still checking back everyday!
Bring back, bring back,
KY we're down on our knees.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back our Snarkie please!
Have to think of other things now to get this off my mind. At this time next week, I'll be packing for my trip to New Yawk Sitty for my writer's conference. I'm a nervous Nelly about this. Not because of the conference - because of the city! I'm a country girl at heart. I like the wide open spaces in the suburbs of Seattle. It's what I call country with conveniences.
I signed up for one of those 2 pages 2 minutes workshops. So now I'm stressing over my 2 pages. I have a 2 1/2 page opening on perspective before my first chapter. It's good - I think! So, do I submit the first 2 pages of that, or the first 2 pages of my first chapter? I'm going to send them to some of my friends and ask which one they like better - which one draws them in. Damn!
It probably doesn't matter. They'll probably laugh me out of the room. At least no one will know it's mine until after they have read and commented. That way I can just slip out the door quietly before I have to confess.
Anyway, I did come up with a new drinking song for the Nitwit's Lounge. Everyone sing along now!
(To the tune of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean")
Our Snarkie turned off her computer.
Our Snarkie has faded away.
Her minions are lost and so lonely.
We're still checking back everyday!
Bring back, bring back,
KY we're down on our knees.
Bring back, bring back,
Oh, bring back our Snarkie please!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Miss Snark Withdrawal – Day 1
I thought seriously about developing a 12 step program for withdrawing from my addiction to Miss Snark. I went on the AA site and looked at their 12 steps in hopes of plagiarizing some of them with minor modifications. Too much work. Thank dog I’m not an alcoholic!
When I gave up smoking over 30 years ago I did it cold turkey. I was an absolute bitch for several months, and not very pleasant for many months after that. So I decided cold turkey is not the best option for my personality. I did only check her site about 5 times today though. I’ll try to cut down gradually.
I know they give drugs to people with serious addictions. So far all my friends in the medical profession don’t seem to feel this addiction to Miss Snark’s blog is drug worthy. Twenty five years ago I was growing my own. All my old dealers from back then are probably dead or incarcerated. It sucks to be old and straight at a time like this.
If you think it’s bad for me, you should see my girls. They adore Killer Yapp. Every time I leave the computer they click over to Miss Snark’s site to see the picture of KY now posted at the top. I swear I heard them both sigh the last time they saw it.
I suppose it will get better as time goes on. I’m trying to be optimistic and looking at all the other blogs I enjoy. I need a hug.
Sigh!
When I gave up smoking over 30 years ago I did it cold turkey. I was an absolute bitch for several months, and not very pleasant for many months after that. So I decided cold turkey is not the best option for my personality. I did only check her site about 5 times today though. I’ll try to cut down gradually.
I know they give drugs to people with serious addictions. So far all my friends in the medical profession don’t seem to feel this addiction to Miss Snark’s blog is drug worthy. Twenty five years ago I was growing my own. All my old dealers from back then are probably dead or incarcerated. It sucks to be old and straight at a time like this.
If you think it’s bad for me, you should see my girls. They adore Killer Yapp. Every time I leave the computer they click over to Miss Snark’s site to see the picture of KY now posted at the top. I swear I heard them both sigh the last time they saw it.
I suppose it will get better as time goes on. I’m trying to be optimistic and looking at all the other blogs I enjoy. I need a hug.
Sigh!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Miss Snark Goes Dark
Yesterday I learned that my favorite blogger, Miss Snark, was going dark. There would be no new posts, no more questions answered, no more clue guns fired at hapless nitwits. I was distraught.
I started reading her blog in January when I was working on the second draft of my manuscript. It really opened my eyes to the reality of the publishing world. It made me realize how little I knew and how naïve I was. I was a true nitwit.
I finally had the nerve to ask a question in early March and was shocked and thrilled when she answered – not unkindly. Then I entered her Ides of March writing contest and was overjoyed to be named best suck-up. Considering there were 194 entries, I was ecstatic to be recognized in any way.
We shared a love of George Clooney, although I think for different reasons. I never go to movies and have only seen a few of his on TV. It’s his humanitarian agenda and the fact that he’s also a liberal Democrat that I admire. Methinks Miss Snark was just looking for a booty call with the sexiest man alive. (Okay, I wouldn’t turn him down if he asked!)
Over the course of the last 5 months, I checked in daily to glean information that might help me be a better author. I learned so much from her – basic things about writing, querying, grammar, postage, agents, conferences, gin, and what not to do. She became a familiar friend and I looked forward to seeing what unsuspecting nitwit would be trampled beneath her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark next.
Now she’s gone. Yesterday I couldn’t write about this because it made me so unhappy. It brought all my abandonment issues up and made me cry and swear. My dogs were appalled. I knew I needed to mourn the end of her blog and gain some perspective, so I didn’t blog at all yesterday.
Today, I’m calmer. I understand that she is a busy literary agent – the kind I hope to land someday. She has a life and a business and running her blog must have been incredibly time consuming. I truly appreciate the time and wisdom she gave us poor nitwits. It helped so much and I am so grateful.
Here’s what I posted in her blog:
Dear Miss Snark;
Yes, I am still a nitwit. But I’m not as big a nitwit as I was before I started reading your blog in January.
I will go to my writers conference at the end of the month and instead of assaulting all the agents and publishers present and attempting to convince them why they NEED to represent me, I will sit quietly, listen, observe and learn.
The third draft of my manuscript is finished with a minimum of passive voice and without overusing the words that, just, really, very and all the other oft repeated unnecessary ones.
I will refine my query, identify and research agents in my genre and query widely. I will not take rejection too personally and will use any comments to make my query letter and manuscript better.
All of these things, plus many others, I learned from you. You have no idea what a great service you have provided to us and how very much we appreciate it. I respect your decision to retire from your blog but do hope you will consider posting occasionally to let us know how you are doing and to provide any tidbits of wisdom to make us better writers.
I won’t take you off my list of blogs I check frequently.
And, I will miss you.
And I will miss her!
I started reading her blog in January when I was working on the second draft of my manuscript. It really opened my eyes to the reality of the publishing world. It made me realize how little I knew and how naïve I was. I was a true nitwit.
I finally had the nerve to ask a question in early March and was shocked and thrilled when she answered – not unkindly. Then I entered her Ides of March writing contest and was overjoyed to be named best suck-up. Considering there were 194 entries, I was ecstatic to be recognized in any way.
We shared a love of George Clooney, although I think for different reasons. I never go to movies and have only seen a few of his on TV. It’s his humanitarian agenda and the fact that he’s also a liberal Democrat that I admire. Methinks Miss Snark was just looking for a booty call with the sexiest man alive. (Okay, I wouldn’t turn him down if he asked!)
Over the course of the last 5 months, I checked in daily to glean information that might help me be a better author. I learned so much from her – basic things about writing, querying, grammar, postage, agents, conferences, gin, and what not to do. She became a familiar friend and I looked forward to seeing what unsuspecting nitwit would be trampled beneath her T.Rexual heels of stiletto snark next.
Now she’s gone. Yesterday I couldn’t write about this because it made me so unhappy. It brought all my abandonment issues up and made me cry and swear. My dogs were appalled. I knew I needed to mourn the end of her blog and gain some perspective, so I didn’t blog at all yesterday.
Today, I’m calmer. I understand that she is a busy literary agent – the kind I hope to land someday. She has a life and a business and running her blog must have been incredibly time consuming. I truly appreciate the time and wisdom she gave us poor nitwits. It helped so much and I am so grateful.
Here’s what I posted in her blog:
Dear Miss Snark;
Yes, I am still a nitwit. But I’m not as big a nitwit as I was before I started reading your blog in January.
I will go to my writers conference at the end of the month and instead of assaulting all the agents and publishers present and attempting to convince them why they NEED to represent me, I will sit quietly, listen, observe and learn.
The third draft of my manuscript is finished with a minimum of passive voice and without overusing the words that, just, really, very and all the other oft repeated unnecessary ones.
I will refine my query, identify and research agents in my genre and query widely. I will not take rejection too personally and will use any comments to make my query letter and manuscript better.
All of these things, plus many others, I learned from you. You have no idea what a great service you have provided to us and how very much we appreciate it. I respect your decision to retire from your blog but do hope you will consider posting occasionally to let us know how you are doing and to provide any tidbits of wisdom to make us better writers.
I won’t take you off my list of blogs I check frequently.
And, I will miss you.
And I will miss her!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Questions that haunt me
A friend recently sent these to me and they really made me think!
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Happy Friday everyone!
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Opinions!
People are really interesting. It seems that many people don’t take the time to really think about things before they voice their opinions – especially if it might require them to think outside the confines of their comfortable little boxes. Rather than consider material as a whole, they pick pieces they agree or disagree with and express their “learned” opinions. They take things out of context or their minds stop processing the minute they run into anything that challenges their conventional wisdom.
I’m not innocent in this. Sometimes I catch myself indulging in this narrow minded form of recreation. This is why when writing or blogging I always attempt to put my thoughts into a separate document and read through them a couple of times before I put them into the final form or post it on my blog or as a comment on another person’s blog. Also, I try to re-read the original post so I don’t make a nitwit of myself.
Life isn’t flat and black and white. It’s full of color and dimension. Everyone sees the world from their own perspective. Because they don’t agree with you doesn’t make the other person wrong.
My advice: before you express your opinions make sure you know what you’re talking about.
I’m not innocent in this. Sometimes I catch myself indulging in this narrow minded form of recreation. This is why when writing or blogging I always attempt to put my thoughts into a separate document and read through them a couple of times before I put them into the final form or post it on my blog or as a comment on another person’s blog. Also, I try to re-read the original post so I don’t make a nitwit of myself.
Life isn’t flat and black and white. It’s full of color and dimension. Everyone sees the world from their own perspective. Because they don’t agree with you doesn’t make the other person wrong.
My advice: before you express your opinions make sure you know what you’re talking about.
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