Alright for those of you who are new to my lovely little blog, I've a huge soft spot for music. It is my muse, my release, my energy. Okay that sounded totally hokey but I do love music. It is an essential part of my writing. So every now and then I post new songs that catch my ear. Songs that will most likely make it to my playlists for inspiration. So of course I have to share all of you. :D I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think!!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
As the outline turns...
Well I promised I would keep you guys posted on the progress of my outline. If you remember started one for my current WIP - The Touch of Death. (Yes I finally came up with a new title that I like! What do you guys think?) Anyway, I have to say I'm really enjoying it.
See one of the problems/quirks with my writing process is that I constantly have new ideas for certain scenes - the ones that I've already written - how I want to change them, what no longer works and/or a waaaaaaay better idea then I had originally. So while I'm trying to flush out the new scenes, I'm also second guessing the previous ones which gets a bit cumbersome. Trying to keep track of everything and still make progress is a whole lot harder than it might seem to someone outside the writing world. :) I know you guys hear me though.
That being said, now that I'm going back to outline the story I can insert the other ideas that I had nagging at me while I was trying to write the new sections. And just getting them out - even if they are only in the bare-bones version - helps me in ways I can't explain.
I guess the best way to put it is - organization. I will fully admit I am so not an organized person. Not that I'm a chaotic mess either (although I can hear my mother contesting that one right now) but sometimes trying to keep all the details, and characters progressions, and storylines twists and turns perfectly clear is a bit daunting. And writing the outline is a great big help.
So as of right now I have to say outlining has some major bonuses for a writer like me. I can't say that I will always make one out - in fact chances are, I probably won't until I get stuck, but I have to say I like having that tool in my back pocket for when things do get confusing.
Conclusion: a gold star for outlines. :D
See one of the problems/quirks with my writing process is that I constantly have new ideas for certain scenes - the ones that I've already written - how I want to change them, what no longer works and/or a waaaaaaay better idea then I had originally. So while I'm trying to flush out the new scenes, I'm also second guessing the previous ones which gets a bit cumbersome. Trying to keep track of everything and still make progress is a whole lot harder than it might seem to someone outside the writing world. :) I know you guys hear me though.
That being said, now that I'm going back to outline the story I can insert the other ideas that I had nagging at me while I was trying to write the new sections. And just getting them out - even if they are only in the bare-bones version - helps me in ways I can't explain.
I guess the best way to put it is - organization. I will fully admit I am so not an organized person. Not that I'm a chaotic mess either (although I can hear my mother contesting that one right now) but sometimes trying to keep all the details, and characters progressions, and storylines twists and turns perfectly clear is a bit daunting. And writing the outline is a great big help.
So as of right now I have to say outlining has some major bonuses for a writer like me. I can't say that I will always make one out - in fact chances are, I probably won't until I get stuck, but I have to say I like having that tool in my back pocket for when things do get confusing.
Conclusion: a gold star for outlines. :D
Monday, December 20, 2010
To get everyone in the mood
Since it is the week of Christmas, I figured I would post up something to get you all in the holiday mood. I've got to say these people put everyone I know to shame!!
Enjoy!!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
My Brain Uncensored
Yeah I don't really know what to call this blog post except maybe ...oh hell truth be told, I'm just letting my brain go uncensored for a bit. I figure it has to happen ever now and then otherwise I'm going to pop!
So here's the thing ...writing, blogging, and the other stuff on my "I have a Dream" list - sometimes I really wonder if I have any chance at all. I look at some blogs in the online writing community and they have hundreds of blog post and I'll be lucky to have a quarter of that before the year is thru. Or more importantly - they're working on their third WIP of the year and I've still got 25,000 words on the same damn WIP I've been working on since last fall. I feel like such a slacker some days. Because I really, really and truly want to be an honest to God published author before I die (not that I'm planning on that happening anytime soon) but the motivation is dying. I can feel it and it sucks.
I started writing with that "I'm going to be the next J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer" passion driving me. And I wrote like crazy! 9 months and I had a 170,000 page novel done (yeah I know I revise the sucker to death believe me). Another 2 months and it was edited. Done and Done. I sent it out and waited on baited breath for the "Please send me more of this amazing manuscript!!!" requests to come rolling in. But they didn't. Instead the real world came knocking.
Dissallusionment is one of the hardest things that a writer has to deal with, I think. I've heard it a thousand times before I sent out my manuscripts - "Every writer has to deal with rejection. Its just part of the harsh reality." But my friends, nothing truly can make you ready for it. You just have to sit there and feel it hit you like a baseball bat to the gut. The first time you say "Okay I knew this was going to happen." The second - more of the same. The third, fourth, etc. Yeah you get the drift.
The hard part is picking yourself up off the proverbial ground, dusting yourself off and sitting back down to the keyboard. Do you revise? Do you shelf it? Do you start over or take on something new?
I think I was literally shell shocked. I didn't want to give up my baby - I had poured my blood sweat and tears into it for over a year!! But on the other had, it failed... I failed. How do you have passion in something you no longer have faith in. I tell you one thing - writing certainly isn't the same after the firey Newbie passion is gone.
I think failure is what kills most writers - those who are weak of heart. I failed but is that it for me? Is that all I'm willing to subject myself to? Hells no. I still want to be a writer. I still have stories banging around inside my skull, screaming at me to let them out. I love that part of being a writer. That creation that is purly mine. There isn't another person on this planet that can write my story.
It might have similar themes or familiar characterizations but it won't be mine.
So I guess I'll keep plugging away purly for the satisfaction of giving life to my creation, my story. And maybe some day I will be published. Maybe someday I will succeed.
So here's the thing ...writing, blogging, and the other stuff on my "I have a Dream" list - sometimes I really wonder if I have any chance at all. I look at some blogs in the online writing community and they have hundreds of blog post and I'll be lucky to have a quarter of that before the year is thru. Or more importantly - they're working on their third WIP of the year and I've still got 25,000 words on the same damn WIP I've been working on since last fall. I feel like such a slacker some days. Because I really, really and truly want to be an honest to God published author before I die (not that I'm planning on that happening anytime soon) but the motivation is dying. I can feel it and it sucks.
I started writing with that "I'm going to be the next J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer" passion driving me. And I wrote like crazy! 9 months and I had a 170,000 page novel done (yeah I know I revise the sucker to death believe me). Another 2 months and it was edited. Done and Done. I sent it out and waited on baited breath for the "Please send me more of this amazing manuscript!!!" requests to come rolling in. But they didn't. Instead the real world came knocking.
Dissallusionment is one of the hardest things that a writer has to deal with, I think. I've heard it a thousand times before I sent out my manuscripts - "Every writer has to deal with rejection. Its just part of the harsh reality." But my friends, nothing truly can make you ready for it. You just have to sit there and feel it hit you like a baseball bat to the gut. The first time you say "Okay I knew this was going to happen." The second - more of the same. The third, fourth, etc. Yeah you get the drift.
The hard part is picking yourself up off the proverbial ground, dusting yourself off and sitting back down to the keyboard. Do you revise? Do you shelf it? Do you start over or take on something new?
I think I was literally shell shocked. I didn't want to give up my baby - I had poured my blood sweat and tears into it for over a year!! But on the other had, it failed... I failed. How do you have passion in something you no longer have faith in. I tell you one thing - writing certainly isn't the same after the firey Newbie passion is gone.
I think failure is what kills most writers - those who are weak of heart. I failed but is that it for me? Is that all I'm willing to subject myself to? Hells no. I still want to be a writer. I still have stories banging around inside my skull, screaming at me to let them out. I love that part of being a writer. That creation that is purly mine. There isn't another person on this planet that can write my story.
It might have similar themes or familiar characterizations but it won't be mine.
So I guess I'll keep plugging away purly for the satisfaction of giving life to my creation, my story. And maybe some day I will be published. Maybe someday I will succeed.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
To Outline or Not to Outline; That is the Question.
So seriously...
I'm wondering what the thoughts of my fellow writers out there are. Do you prefer winging it or staging out the entire story before you even approach the keyboard? I only ask this because I'm contemplating going against what I usually do and attempt to start an outline for my current work in progress.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I am not even close to being an old pro at this. I'm still finding my footing much like many of you out there. But the last few stories that I have written were pure winging it and it doesn't seem to be working this time around.
Now when I say I wing it - that is not to say that I don't know the general gist of my stories. I do. I have it in my head...how the story is going to go. But I don't write out in detail how each chapter will evolve ...what each section has to entail and when. And I'm curious to see if that will help me get this WIP that has been kicking my butt out on paper.
I need it out of my head, you see, and on the page. No matter how busy I am, how much stuff I am doing at the moment or how exhausted I am...its still there. Bugging the crap out of me that i haven't gotten it done.
My fellow writers out there will know this - Stories are insistent! Constantly demanding from its writers its full completion. But for some reason this time around it also feels like pulling teeth. Its coming in a slow and arduous trickles, driving me batty.
I need to try something different because my usual process isn't working. Which leads me back to the beginning....To outline or not to outline? Thoughts?
I'm wondering what the thoughts of my fellow writers out there are. Do you prefer winging it or staging out the entire story before you even approach the keyboard? I only ask this because I'm contemplating going against what I usually do and attempt to start an outline for my current work in progress.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I am not even close to being an old pro at this. I'm still finding my footing much like many of you out there. But the last few stories that I have written were pure winging it and it doesn't seem to be working this time around.
Now when I say I wing it - that is not to say that I don't know the general gist of my stories. I do. I have it in my head...how the story is going to go. But I don't write out in detail how each chapter will evolve ...what each section has to entail and when. And I'm curious to see if that will help me get this WIP that has been kicking my butt out on paper.
I need it out of my head, you see, and on the page. No matter how busy I am, how much stuff I am doing at the moment or how exhausted I am...its still there. Bugging the crap out of me that i haven't gotten it done.
My fellow writers out there will know this - Stories are insistent! Constantly demanding from its writers its full completion. But for some reason this time around it also feels like pulling teeth. Its coming in a slow and arduous trickles, driving me batty.
I need to try something different because my usual process isn't working. Which leads me back to the beginning....To outline or not to outline? Thoughts?
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Keeping up the Momentum
I was thinking today about how exactly does a writer keep their momentum during the writing process. How do we keep our enthusiasm and focus when “real life” is so jam packed with everything that is determined to distract us?
When I was writing my first manuscript I had this undeniable fixation with my writing. I HAD to write. It was a deep burning under my skin that screamed at me whenever I wasn’t writing. And I absolutely loved it. It was Passion, plain and simple - a deep seeded passion for my dream to be a published writer. And I have heard of quite a few other writers having a similar feeling. But they are usually still early in their writing careers – have not yet become complacent with the whole process or jaded by the whole writing/publication industry. Their drive is still intact.
But my question is what happens when the drive dwindles a little. (I’m not saying gone completely because I honestly don’t think that someone who wants to write ever loses that drive completely) How do you keep finding time to write, keep finding those moments of inspiration that lead you to dive head over heels for the keyboard as fast as you can?
The truth is I don’t have a real answer. I have been experiencing my fair share of dying drive syndrome lately. My life has only gotten more chaotic the older my kiddos have gotten – chauffeuring to after school activities, getting what they need for this school project or that game before it’s due, making sure the kids’ homework, my housework, my errands, and everything else is done when its needed. And don’t even get me started on the laundry.
But lets face it folks – being an adult means putting all of your responsibilities before your desires. And that sometimes leads to the death of our dreams. It’s an occupational hazard. So I guess the only real answer is WANT.
If getting published is something you WANT - if it is your dream you have to fight to keep it alive. You have fight for the time, fight for the energy at the end of the day when all you really want to do is drop unconscious.
Fight or Let it Die ….who knew writing was such a Keeping up the Momentum
I was thinking today about how exactly does a writer keep their momentum during the writing process. How do we keep our enthusiasm and focus when “real life” is so jam packed with everything that is determined to distract us?
When I was writing my first manuscript I had this undeniable fixation with my writing. I HAD to write. It was a deep burning under my skin that screamed at me whenever I wasn’t writing. And I absolutely loved it. It was Passion, plain and simple - a deep seeded passion for my dream to be a published writer. And I have heard of quite a few other writers having a similar feeling. But they are usually still early in their writing careers – have not yet become complacent with the whole process or jaded by the whole writing/publication industry. Their drive is still intact.
But my question is what happens when the drive dwindles a little. (I’m not saying gone completely because I honestly don’t think that someone who wants to write ever loses that drive completely) How do you keep finding time to write, keep finding those moments of inspiration that lead you to dive head over heels for the keyboard as fast as you can?
The truth is I don’t have a real answer. I have been experiencing my fair share of dying drive syndrome lately. My life has only gotten more chaotic the older my kiddos have gotten – chauffeuring to after school activities, getting what they need for this school project or that game before it’s due, making sure the kids’ homework, my housework, my errands, and everything else is done when its needed. And don’t even get me started on the laundry.
But lets face it folks – being an adult means putting all of your responsibilities before your desires. And that sometimes leads to the death of our dreams. It’s an occupational hazard. So I guess the only real answer is WANT.
If getting published is something you WANT - if it is your dream you have to fight to keep it alive. You have fight for the time, fight for the energy at the end of the day when all you really want to do is drop unconscious.
Fight or die….who knew writing was such a transient lifestyle. :
When I was writing my first manuscript I had this undeniable fixation with my writing. I HAD to write. It was a deep burning under my skin that screamed at me whenever I wasn’t writing. And I absolutely loved it. It was Passion, plain and simple - a deep seeded passion for my dream to be a published writer. And I have heard of quite a few other writers having a similar feeling. But they are usually still early in their writing careers – have not yet become complacent with the whole process or jaded by the whole writing/publication industry. Their drive is still intact.
But my question is what happens when the drive dwindles a little. (I’m not saying gone completely because I honestly don’t think that someone who wants to write ever loses that drive completely) How do you keep finding time to write, keep finding those moments of inspiration that lead you to dive head over heels for the keyboard as fast as you can?
The truth is I don’t have a real answer. I have been experiencing my fair share of dying drive syndrome lately. My life has only gotten more chaotic the older my kiddos have gotten – chauffeuring to after school activities, getting what they need for this school project or that game before it’s due, making sure the kids’ homework, my housework, my errands, and everything else is done when its needed. And don’t even get me started on the laundry.
But lets face it folks – being an adult means putting all of your responsibilities before your desires. And that sometimes leads to the death of our dreams. It’s an occupational hazard. So I guess the only real answer is WANT.
If getting published is something you WANT - if it is your dream you have to fight to keep it alive. You have fight for the time, fight for the energy at the end of the day when all you really want to do is drop unconscious.
Fight or Let it Die ….who knew writing was such a Keeping up the Momentum
I was thinking today about how exactly does a writer keep their momentum during the writing process. How do we keep our enthusiasm and focus when “real life” is so jam packed with everything that is determined to distract us?
When I was writing my first manuscript I had this undeniable fixation with my writing. I HAD to write. It was a deep burning under my skin that screamed at me whenever I wasn’t writing. And I absolutely loved it. It was Passion, plain and simple - a deep seeded passion for my dream to be a published writer. And I have heard of quite a few other writers having a similar feeling. But they are usually still early in their writing careers – have not yet become complacent with the whole process or jaded by the whole writing/publication industry. Their drive is still intact.
But my question is what happens when the drive dwindles a little. (I’m not saying gone completely because I honestly don’t think that someone who wants to write ever loses that drive completely) How do you keep finding time to write, keep finding those moments of inspiration that lead you to dive head over heels for the keyboard as fast as you can?
The truth is I don’t have a real answer. I have been experiencing my fair share of dying drive syndrome lately. My life has only gotten more chaotic the older my kiddos have gotten – chauffeuring to after school activities, getting what they need for this school project or that game before it’s due, making sure the kids’ homework, my housework, my errands, and everything else is done when its needed. And don’t even get me started on the laundry.
But lets face it folks – being an adult means putting all of your responsibilities before your desires. And that sometimes leads to the death of our dreams. It’s an occupational hazard. So I guess the only real answer is WANT.
If getting published is something you WANT - if it is your dream you have to fight to keep it alive. You have fight for the time, fight for the energy at the end of the day when all you really want to do is drop unconscious.
Fight or die….who knew writing was such a transient lifestyle. :
Friday, October 22, 2010
Quick P.S.
I just wanted to let you guys know, I've started a playlist page over to the left that has some of the songs that I'm placed on my Bearers playlist. Check them out and tell me what you think!
Going Against the Norm
I know I've been rather quiet for the last couple months (wow that makes it feel a lot longer than it should) so I apologized, but I am starting to gear back into my writing mode again.
Instead of forging on though and writing fresh stuff, I've been going back through my manuscript to fix the parts that have been bugging me. I guess you can call it preliminary editing. I know I will be called out as an odd ball for this but I love that stage. I know, I know, keep the gasps of horror to a minimum please. But the polishing is what makes my writing sparkle and its usually when my best stuff comes out.
But my best friend thinks I'm nuts. She thinks I should just keep writing and save the editing until I'm finished with the first draft. I suppose for most writers she's right. Most writers have written out outlines and scribbled out notes of how conversations will go. But I don't roll that way. I like building upon what I write. I like going back to revisit what I've got so far and then build from there. Its a good way for me to keep a cohesive thread in my storyline.
So that leads me to my question...What do you guys do that's purely you? How does your writing process differ from the general norm?
Instead of forging on though and writing fresh stuff, I've been going back through my manuscript to fix the parts that have been bugging me. I guess you can call it preliminary editing. I know I will be called out as an odd ball for this but I love that stage. I know, I know, keep the gasps of horror to a minimum please. But the polishing is what makes my writing sparkle and its usually when my best stuff comes out.
But my best friend thinks I'm nuts. She thinks I should just keep writing and save the editing until I'm finished with the first draft. I suppose for most writers she's right. Most writers have written out outlines and scribbled out notes of how conversations will go. But I don't roll that way. I like building upon what I write. I like going back to revisit what I've got so far and then build from there. Its a good way for me to keep a cohesive thread in my storyline.
So that leads me to my question...What do you guys do that's purely you? How does your writing process differ from the general norm?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Yes I'm still Alive....
But I haven't really been writing much since my laptop took a digger and it sucks. I miss it. There is something about writing your own story that gets deep into your veins and won't let go. Creativitiy and Musing takes up a special place in my heart and when I'm not doing something to make it blossom, I am left wanting.
So tonight while I had a minute I decided to sit down and start by taking a fresh look at my current WIP - The Bearers. (A title I'm still not happy with) While I was sitting here, I realized when I was writing my first manuscript I had an amazing playlist that went along with it and with this one I really don't. I want something that can help stir something inside me the way my old playlist did.
So I decided to share the one song that I always went to in order to feel inspired. I'm hoping maybe some of you can share your songs of choice when you really want to provoke strong feelings inside of you.
So here is my song....
The Storm by Lifehouse.
So tonight while I had a minute I decided to sit down and start by taking a fresh look at my current WIP - The Bearers. (A title I'm still not happy with) While I was sitting here, I realized when I was writing my first manuscript I had an amazing playlist that went along with it and with this one I really don't. I want something that can help stir something inside me the way my old playlist did.
So I decided to share the one song that I always went to in order to feel inspired. I'm hoping maybe some of you can share your songs of choice when you really want to provoke strong feelings inside of you.
So here is my song....
The Storm by Lifehouse.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Where I'm at...
Well, I'm still in computer limbo which means I'm take a slight hiatus until I can get it fixed. A Huge bummer but what can you do. :( (well besides rant and rave about the crappy computer maker....but I digress) So anyway, out of the blue I had these two songs pop up on my Pandora account that hit me like a tone of bricks.
This first one is my main character Jordan in a nut shell. I love it because it is 100% absolutely perfect. That's a very rare thing to find a song that suites a character so well.
What I've Overcome by Fireflight
And the second song is the scene where Ethan - Love Interest - finally confesses that Jordan means a great deal to him. Enjoy!
Save Your Best by Steve Reynolds
This first one is my main character Jordan in a nut shell. I love it because it is 100% absolutely perfect. That's a very rare thing to find a song that suites a character so well.
What I've Overcome by Fireflight
And the second song is the scene where Ethan - Love Interest - finally confesses that Jordan means a great deal to him. Enjoy!
Save Your Best by Steve Reynolds
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Nightmare Scenario
Well the nightmare scenario for any writer has happened. My brand new laptop has had a heart attack. Seriously this thing is less than a month and a half old and the OS system has been corrupted. According to the evil computer company, my only option is to reload the OS which will erase everything on my laptop, ie. my wip will be gone. And any of my other manuscripts that I stored on there.
So the reason for my post, you ask? You mean besides wanting to yell and complain about the evil company that makes crap for computers? A word of warning to you writers out there.
BACK UP YOUR MANUSCRIPTS.
Please, for the love of Pete. Flash drives, portable hard drives, another computer, something - just back it up. For your own sanity.
Luckily, I have the majority of my manuscripts backed up on a flashdrive and a portable hard drive as well because of past experiences. I will probably just lose the last round of edits which luckily enough wasn't anything too important as far as I can remember. But I did want to warn you guys because no matter how much you don't think it will happen to you ...it will. And when it does nothing is as heart wrenching as losing all your work. So cover your butt and make a backup file. :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Restore the Gulf Petition!!!
UPDATE: Well it turns out that BP is being sneeky and underhanded yet again. And those the new nice, polite terms I chose to use as opposed to what I am really thinking. I appologize to any of you who signed this potition because you had seen it here. It turns out that the some big oil companies were behind it. Trying to get the government to fit the bill for the clean up instead of them.
Anyway, I appologize again and hope that these people will finally feel some remorse for what they've done. Our world is severly hurting and needs to be cared for.
___________________________________________________________________
Anyway, I appologize again and hope that these people will finally feel some remorse for what they've done. Our world is severly hurting and needs to be cared for.
___________________________________________________________________
Sunday, July 18, 2010
New Inspiration
So this song is my latest inspiration. I am loving it because it reminds me of my Main Character Jordan in my latest work in progress. She is jaded by life in general let alone love and then suddenly Ethan comes into her life and her preconceived notions about her life start unraveling.
Keep that in mind while you listen - The Only Exception by Paramore
Keep that in mind while you listen - The Only Exception by Paramore
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Writing Vs. Reading
One of my biggest issues this summer is staying focused on my writing. With all the great summer books coming out I find myself looking longingly more and more often at my ever growing pile of books awaiting me on my nightstand. I'm not kidding.
The pile is about 10 stories thick right now and that doesn't even count the additional books that are attached to each series. But the one thing that keeps running through my head is that if I don't keep at it, it will never get done. And I want it done... desperately. I can't tell you how much I want to see this story completed. (But then again, those of you who write as well must know that particular feeling as well as I do.)
So I have to force myself to stick with the writing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Forcing the words is usually the worst thing a writer could do though. That's when writer's block hits. That's when the story comes to a screeching halt and you are left to just curse the heavens, not really knowing what's wrong.
That's when I have to take a step back and let my mind wander to other things. Freeing it from the knots that have bound up my creativity. And then start again.
Tonight I took a break and ended up finishing the bracelets that had been tugging on my creative heartstrings. It had been something I kept pushing off and pushing off because I wanted to finish another chapter or so - but the chapters weren't coming and I was frustrated. Taking a (short) break usually helps me get past those moments of writers block. But now I have to get back to work.
Its a razors edge, my friends. So I asked you, what do you do to get past your writer's block?
The pile is about 10 stories thick right now and that doesn't even count the additional books that are attached to each series. But the one thing that keeps running through my head is that if I don't keep at it, it will never get done. And I want it done... desperately. I can't tell you how much I want to see this story completed. (But then again, those of you who write as well must know that particular feeling as well as I do.)
So I have to force myself to stick with the writing. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Forcing the words is usually the worst thing a writer could do though. That's when writer's block hits. That's when the story comes to a screeching halt and you are left to just curse the heavens, not really knowing what's wrong.
That's when I have to take a step back and let my mind wander to other things. Freeing it from the knots that have bound up my creativity. And then start again.
Tonight I took a break and ended up finishing the bracelets that had been tugging on my creative heartstrings. It had been something I kept pushing off and pushing off because I wanted to finish another chapter or so - but the chapters weren't coming and I was frustrated. Taking a (short) break usually helps me get past those moments of writers block. But now I have to get back to work.
Its a razors edge, my friends. So I asked you, what do you do to get past your writer's block?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Updates
So its been a while since the last time I blogged. I seem to be going in cycles. I blog for a while, I write for a while, I veg out and watch tv and eat a pint of ice cream...well you get the idea. So today while I was messing around with my blog layout (what do you guys think? I'm not sure I'm sold on it yet) anyway, I decided to blog about some fun stuff I found on the internet lately.
Tony Eldridge over at MTFA posted an entry by @duolit entitled: 7 Tips for the Introverted Author. Now to be honest with you all I'm not the most outgoing person when I'm thrown into an environment that I'm not familiar with. So the whole idea of having to go out on the road to promote a book and do interviews and all that is - while a thrilling prospect - also an unnerving one. But here are a few tips to help those of you out there who a like me.
Next Up:
I do have to come clean on this next one. So one night while procrastinating on Twitter instead of writing (i know, I know shame on me. :P ), I stumbled across @coffeelvnmom on the #amwriting trend. The next thing I know I have an email in my inbox saying she was following me and I thought "oh that's nice. I love new followers (especially ones that aren't stupid companies trying to get you to buy stuff - LAME) anyway. So today I fired up my blog and found I have a new follower. Guess who? Yup Jessica Brooks aka @coffeelvnmom.
In more Book News (Writing this time):
My current WIP - The Bearers - has officially came in at over 23,000 words. I just started Chapter 14. I'm not sure if this is just me but I always worry that I won't have a long enough manuscript. (Which is usually silly because I have found out that I'm incapable of writing short stories. They always come out a heck of a lot longer than I ever intended. Case in point: my original manuscript was something like 175,000 until I split it in half) Two words: long winded. O_o
Moving on...
Music News:
So I've found a great new song to add to my writing playlist. This is King of Anything by Sara Bareilles.
Hmm...what else?
First up: 
Tony Eldridge over at MTFA posted an entry by @duolit entitled: 7 Tips for the Introverted Author. Now to be honest with you all I'm not the most outgoing person when I'm thrown into an environment that I'm not familiar with. So the whole idea of having to go out on the road to promote a book and do interviews and all that is - while a thrilling prospect - also an unnerving one. But here are a few tips to help those of you out there who a like me.
Next Up:
I do have to come clean on this next one. So one night while procrastinating on Twitter instead of writing (i know, I know shame on me. :P ), I stumbled across @coffeelvnmom on the #amwriting trend. The next thing I know I have an email in my inbox saying she was following me and I thought "oh that's nice. I love new followers (especially ones that aren't stupid companies trying to get you to buy stuff - LAME) anyway. So today I fired up my blog and found I have a new follower. Guess who? Yup Jessica Brooks aka @coffeelvnmom.Well it turns out Jessica has a blog of her own entitled - My Thoughts Exactly. And people let me tell you, It's Great!!! If you haven't found it yet, you've got to check it out. She is witty, brilliant, and dude she loves coffee! That's a girl after my own heart. So go check out her blog. :D (And no she isn't paying to say that either. :D )
Book News (Reading Not Writing):
My latest novel love is a book entitled Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken. It is a fabulous read! Just to tell you how good it was I staying up until 4 am reading it in one night, under the penalty of having two kiddos to wake up to first thing the next morning. Yes, my friends, it was that good!
In more Book News (Writing this time):
My current WIP - The Bearers - has officially came in at over 23,000 words. I just started Chapter 14. I'm not sure if this is just me but I always worry that I won't have a long enough manuscript. (Which is usually silly because I have found out that I'm incapable of writing short stories. They always come out a heck of a lot longer than I ever intended. Case in point: my original manuscript was something like 175,000 until I split it in half) Two words: long winded. O_o
Moving on...
Music News:
So I've found a great new song to add to my writing playlist. This is King of Anything by Sara Bareilles.
Hmm...what else?
Oh yeah! I'm not sure if anyone hasn't seen it yet but the new trailer of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows has been released and it looks AMAZING!!! Seriously. Now you may as what does this have to do with writing/publishing/agents/ or the whole online writers community as a whole. Well Harry Potter was actually the book(s) that started me on the road to wanting to become a published author. Goblet of Fire to be more specific. Something about it just sent a thrill thru me. I picked up a pen (or keyboard as it were) and have put it down since. :D
so without any further - yeah okay I'm just going to show it now. :D Enjoy!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Some Good Advice
Jessica Faust over at BookEnds LLC has a great post about what to do with your Galley's/ARC's (advanced reader copies) when you get published. Never really thought of it before but you will have to work as hard as your publishers to help promote your book. There is no sitting back to rest on your laurals. Here are a few suggestions that the lovely agents over at BookEnds give to help.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Helping Nashville
YA Author Myra McEntire is hosting a charity auction -
The proceeds will go toward helping the flood victims in Nashville. The first round of Auctions go up tomorrow. So if you can, please help out either with Donations or by bidding on an item.
Brenda Novak's Charity Auction
Each year for the past 6 years, Brenda Novak has held an online Auction for Diabetes Research. Last year they raised over $280,000 for the charity. How great is that? Now I know you are asking exactly why am I posting about this on my writer's blog? Just wait until you see the items that are up for auction! This is a writers/readers dream trust me!
They have ARC's, Published books, autographed books, e-girftcards to bookstores and publishing houses, and many more things.
(and this is where I get excited :D )
Just a few of the awesome things they have up for bid are...
- Evaluation of your full manuscript for publication consideration by numerous agents.
- Pitch sessions (face to face meetings) with agents
- Proof reading services for your entire manuscript by a professional editor
- Tickets to the Trident Media Party at RWA National Convention 2010
- Lunch with a Vice President of Harloquin
- Month long mentoring sessions by Bestselling authors
- An Agent who will WRITE YOUR QUERY FOR YOU!!!
- Original art work for your Book cover
- An a whole lot more.
There are also a lot more items up for bidding outside those categories. I suggest you guys check it out. The money goes for a good cause and the items you could win are a once in a life time opportunity!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Twitter!
For those of you out there who are on Twitter (and if you're not you're missing out) Follow the Reader has posted a list of their favorite Tweeting Publishers. As a writer I think getting these people's insight is beyond invaluable so I wanted to share the list.
Boost up your Following lists people!
Boost up your Following lists people!
P.S. thanks to Nathan Bransford for adding this to his "This week in Publishing"
A New Book Blog
So my friend Jen is a Bibliophile in the truest sense of the word. I think she has more books than the library of congress. :D Anyway she is always one of my go-to's when I need a new book to read and she has started a book blog.
If you're into YA, Chick Lit, and/or Romance novels I highly suggest you check it out because she has some great taste.
If you're into YA, Chick Lit, and/or Romance novels I highly suggest you check it out because she has some great taste.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
An Agent's Sense of Humor
Well its official. No one can ever say Janet Reid doesn't have one hell of a sense of humor. :D All hail the Shark.
Inspiration
Okay so for any of you who don't know I find a great amount of inspiration in music. Not just with my writing but also in my every day life. There's nothing better than hearing that new song that makes your heart beat fast and has you cranking up the radio to full. So today I'm adding to my inspirations.
Here is the video from Love Save the Empty by Erin McCarley
Now for my question to all of you....What's your go-to music to get you inspired to write?
Here is the video from Love Save the Empty by Erin McCarley
Now for my question to all of you....What's your go-to music to get you inspired to write?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Upcoming Contest!
Miss Snark's First Victim is having another Secret Agent Contest starting Monday. This is a monthly occurence and one that is well worth entering!!
Every month, Authoress holds a Secret Agent Contest where a real life, honest to God literary agent will look over the first 250 words of your finished manuscript. The winner usually gets to submit their full manuscript for the Agent to read and consider offering representation. Cool huh? But there are only 50 entrants per contest so you have to enter early!
This month's Secret Agent will read YA and MG submissions. So if you have a finished (and I do stress the finished part - pollished and all) manuscript then enter this fun contest! Its a great way to get some great feedback and see if your stuff will make the cut. For full submission guidelines read here.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
EReaders vs. Books
First, I would like to preface this post with... I understand the lure of EReaders, especially for the busy people out there. People who have to read on the road, in the air, or just plain on the move. You know, people like agents who don't want to be lugging around a bunch of 400 page novels, unbound manuscripts, and weighty contracts while they are on their way to meet with publishers or clients.
That said...I get it, honestly I do, but I won't be buying one anytime soon.
I flat out refuse to relinquish my hold on books (pun unintended :D) Call it the romantic in me, but I love the feel of the pages passing under my fingertips or the smell of a fresh binding. There's just something about the physical aspect of it that makes reading fun - real. But then again, I'm the type of reader that will curl up in a cozy chair with a blanket and a cup of coffee and disappear into the world on the page. That is what I love about reading and losing all of that to the digital copy is something I just won't do.
Reading a good book is something to be savored. That's my opinion anyway.
So I ask you... EReader or Book? Which to do you prefer?
That said...I get it, honestly I do, but I won't be buying one anytime soon.
I flat out refuse to relinquish my hold on books (pun unintended :D) Call it the romantic in me, but I love the feel of the pages passing under my fingertips or the smell of a fresh binding. There's just something about the physical aspect of it that makes reading fun - real. But then again, I'm the type of reader that will curl up in a cozy chair with a blanket and a cup of coffee and disappear into the world on the page. That is what I love about reading and losing all of that to the digital copy is something I just won't do.
Reading a good book is something to be savored. That's my opinion anyway.
So I ask you... EReader or Book? Which to do you prefer?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Online World for Writers
Today's blog is about the online world of writers. There are some great writer communities out there and I highly recommend any author, published or not, check them out. From Twitter's #amwriting trend to websites like Miss Snark's First Victim, there is just something about seeing what your peers are going through that offers some form of comfort.
Who knows...maybe I'm just odd but somehow knowing that there is someone else out there who totally gets that sudden and overwhelming urge to thump your head against the wall (or your desk) because your main character decides to up and runaway to Rome without consulting you or finally realizing there is a massively gaping hole in the middle of your plot that you had missed during the 9 read-through's before.
Yup! No matter what it is I promise you there is most likely someone out there that feels your pain. And that it why the writer communities are so great. You can find those people, you can talk things out, and get their opinions. Because after all, if anyone is going to get you, it will be your fellow writers.
In the end, just know it is a struggle. But that's what makes it so worth it. If it was easy to get published -- to be a success -- it wouldn't feel like an accomplishment once it happens.
And until that day....
P.S. I just wanted to say hello to my new followers. :) If any of you have a site that you absolutely can't live without I would love to hear about it in the comments! And I doubt I'm the only one that would check them out.
Who knows...maybe I'm just odd but somehow knowing that there is someone else out there who totally gets that sudden and overwhelming urge to thump your head against the wall (or your desk) because your main character decides to up and runaway to Rome without consulting you or finally realizing there is a massively gaping hole in the middle of your plot that you had missed during the 9 read-through's before.
Yup! No matter what it is I promise you there is most likely someone out there that feels your pain. And that it why the writer communities are so great. You can find those people, you can talk things out, and get their opinions. Because after all, if anyone is going to get you, it will be your fellow writers.
In the end, just know it is a struggle. But that's what makes it so worth it. If it was easy to get published -- to be a success -- it wouldn't feel like an accomplishment once it happens.
And until that day....
P.S. I just wanted to say hello to my new followers. :) If any of you have a site that you absolutely can't live without I would love to hear about it in the comments! And I doubt I'm the only one that would check them out.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Literary Agents Do Have A Sense of Humor!
Suzie Townsend from Fine Print Literary posted this great vid about a day in the life of a lit agent and I thought I'd share. :D It's always nice to know that Lit Agents have a sense of humor too. :D
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Finding the Time...
This post is about finding the time to write when the real world is bearing down around you. The fact is unless you are a bestselling author you probably have a real life with a few moments of author-hood (aspiring or not) sprinkled in amongst it. A job, a family, responsibilities of one sort or another that demand the majority of your attention.
Frankly, no matter when the urge to write hits you, real life usually gets in the way. You most likely have at least a few things to do before you can actually sit down at your computer and by then ...who knows? The muse might have left you in the dust. Or by the time those few moment of blissful peace and quiet finally do emerge from your chaotic life, you're so exhausted you can barely keep your eyes open. (Trust me - this aggravates me to no end.)
Take heart, it happens to the best of us. Heck even the best selling authors aren't always able to write when they want to.
I have two pieces of advice. First - everyone deserves some time to themselves. If the decision is between folding the laundry and having an hour to write. Take the time to write. The laundry will always be there (trust me).
Secondly - if the real life responsibilities take precedent and the muse strikes take notes. You might not be able to fully delve into the scene the way you want to but if the line of dialogue that's been escaping you or the image of that climatic battle scene you've been dreading finally comes - grab your writing notebook* or a scrap piece of paper and get it down. Fast! You don't want to lose those words.
I fully believe epiphanies are things that should be savored and cherished. After all, they were sent you of a reason. Fate, God, angels, muses, whoever....someone thought you needed those words exactly the way they came to you.
In the end, you find the time. You carve out a moment for yourself to do what you love. For me that's writing. I want to be an author. I want to be published and to do that I have to get the words down on the page. So I push myself to make the time because that's my dream.
But until then...
*A Writing Notebook is an absolute necessity!! Keep one in your car or your purse or in your nightstand or any other place you might be when the moment strikes. Trust me you will be very grateful to have it within reach!
Frankly, no matter when the urge to write hits you, real life usually gets in the way. You most likely have at least a few things to do before you can actually sit down at your computer and by then ...who knows? The muse might have left you in the dust. Or by the time those few moment of blissful peace and quiet finally do emerge from your chaotic life, you're so exhausted you can barely keep your eyes open. (Trust me - this aggravates me to no end.)
Take heart, it happens to the best of us. Heck even the best selling authors aren't always able to write when they want to.
I have two pieces of advice. First - everyone deserves some time to themselves. If the decision is between folding the laundry and having an hour to write. Take the time to write. The laundry will always be there (trust me).
Secondly - if the real life responsibilities take precedent and the muse strikes take notes. You might not be able to fully delve into the scene the way you want to but if the line of dialogue that's been escaping you or the image of that climatic battle scene you've been dreading finally comes - grab your writing notebook* or a scrap piece of paper and get it down. Fast! You don't want to lose those words.
I fully believe epiphanies are things that should be savored and cherished. After all, they were sent you of a reason. Fate, God, angels, muses, whoever....someone thought you needed those words exactly the way they came to you.
In the end, you find the time. You carve out a moment for yourself to do what you love. For me that's writing. I want to be an author. I want to be published and to do that I have to get the words down on the page. So I push myself to make the time because that's my dream.
But until then...
*A Writing Notebook is an absolute necessity!! Keep one in your car or your purse or in your nightstand or any other place you might be when the moment strikes. Trust me you will be very grateful to have it within reach!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Dialogue Critique
Miss Snark's First Victim is one my favorite writer's blog to follow. They have monthly contests called "Am I hooked?" where secret agents (real literary agents) will critique a 250 word submission from your manuscript. And they also have great community for writers to talk to their peers.
This month they are holding a "Talkin' Heads" critique, where you can submit a 250 word sample of dialogue. And this is particularly great because it is open to incomplete manuscripts!!!
Head on over and have critquing some of the submissions! Just remember to do Number 26 which is mine!!! :D
This month they are holding a "Talkin' Heads" critique, where you can submit a 250 word sample of dialogue. And this is particularly great because it is open to incomplete manuscripts!!!
Head on over and have critquing some of the submissions! Just remember to do Number 26 which is mine!!! :D
Letting Go
So since today is a snow day, I decided to take some time to write about letting go. I think one of the hardest things for me was letting go of the characters and world I created in my first manuscript. They were so real and I had their voices so clearly in my head that I worried if I let them go I wouldn't be able to get them back when I wanted to write the other books in the series (which I still fully intend on doing).
However, one piece of advice Janet Reid from FinePrint and many of the other blogging agents I follow have given is keep writing. You simply can't rest on your laurels.
There's a lot of waiting in the query stage. You send out your queries and then you have to wait. Weeks at first. Then if someone requests more it can lead to 3 - 6 months (that's right months) of more waiting. Then if your lucky enough to land an agent, you're going to have to wait even longer while he/she tries to sell your manuscript to the publishing houses. Like I said, there's a lot of waiting so why not do something productive in the mean time.
Another reason to keep writing is Publishers and Agents are not looking for a one trick pony. They want someone who intends to build a career out of writing - which means more than one book. Saying you have a series attached to the submitted manuscript is far more juicy to them than a stand alone. Or having more than one story under your belt shows prospects for the future. In the end, they want clients that are going to produce.
And in truth, I haven't had a chance to go back and work on Purgatory or any of the other stories but I'm not really concerned anymore about losing them. When my mind drifts back to that world, the characters are right there waiting and the world is just as vivid as ever. I'm not saying the voice won't take sometime to get perfect again. I'm sure it will. But the components are still there. And in the mean time, I keep learning.
My writing evolves and continually improves. I find better ways, stronger ways of writing things. So when do finally go back to my first story, the rewrites are sure to be superior to the first. And that, I suppose, is the moral to the story. Keep writing. Keep practicing because that's the only way you'll get better.
However, one piece of advice Janet Reid from FinePrint and many of the other blogging agents I follow have given is keep writing. You simply can't rest on your laurels.
There's a lot of waiting in the query stage. You send out your queries and then you have to wait. Weeks at first. Then if someone requests more it can lead to 3 - 6 months (that's right months) of more waiting. Then if your lucky enough to land an agent, you're going to have to wait even longer while he/she tries to sell your manuscript to the publishing houses. Like I said, there's a lot of waiting so why not do something productive in the mean time.
Another reason to keep writing is Publishers and Agents are not looking for a one trick pony. They want someone who intends to build a career out of writing - which means more than one book. Saying you have a series attached to the submitted manuscript is far more juicy to them than a stand alone. Or having more than one story under your belt shows prospects for the future. In the end, they want clients that are going to produce.
And in truth, I haven't had a chance to go back and work on Purgatory or any of the other stories but I'm not really concerned anymore about losing them. When my mind drifts back to that world, the characters are right there waiting and the world is just as vivid as ever. I'm not saying the voice won't take sometime to get perfect again. I'm sure it will. But the components are still there. And in the mean time, I keep learning.
My writing evolves and continually improves. I find better ways, stronger ways of writing things. So when do finally go back to my first story, the rewrites are sure to be superior to the first. And that, I suppose, is the moral to the story. Keep writing. Keep practicing because that's the only way you'll get better.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Change in Perspectives
Today's blog is about a change in perspective. With my first work in progress - Purgatory - it was in the first person. It wasn't until I had written and multiply submitted my manuscript that I found out 1st person perspectives are very rarely successful.
I will admit it is a harder way to write. The first person POV severly limits how you can tell your story. You can only show what the main character precieves about the other characters, not what they are actually thinking. You can only show how certain events effect the main character personally and not how the others around them are effected on the inside.
However it also opens up a whole new aspect that you simply don't get into writing in the 3rd person. You delve deeper into the main characters feelings. You see exactly how they relate to the other characters and exactly how they see themselves. It is a more personal, inside their head story. And I truly loved writing that way.
With my second WIP (work in progress) I've decided to take it from the 3rd person's POV. It is a huge change for me, but one I have thoroughly enjoyed. The thing I like most about it is the more writing techniques I explore, the more developed I feel as an author, even if I haven't had a manuscript published yet. I love feeling of the evolution of my craft.
Oh and for the record, I will return to writing in the first person again. I love the intimacy of it.
But until then...
I will admit it is a harder way to write. The first person POV severly limits how you can tell your story. You can only show what the main character precieves about the other characters, not what they are actually thinking. You can only show how certain events effect the main character personally and not how the others around them are effected on the inside.
However it also opens up a whole new aspect that you simply don't get into writing in the 3rd person. You delve deeper into the main characters feelings. You see exactly how they relate to the other characters and exactly how they see themselves. It is a more personal, inside their head story. And I truly loved writing that way.
With my second WIP (work in progress) I've decided to take it from the 3rd person's POV. It is a huge change for me, but one I have thoroughly enjoyed. The thing I like most about it is the more writing techniques I explore, the more developed I feel as an author, even if I haven't had a manuscript published yet. I love feeling of the evolution of my craft.
Oh and for the record, I will return to writing in the first person again. I love the intimacy of it.
But until then...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A New Beginning
Hi There!
Welcome to my author's page. This blog is going to be dedicated to my adventures in writing. You see my dream is to become a published author one day, and it's a relatively new dream. When I was in college I minored in writing, not because I saw the possibility of becoming a novelist in my future but because I loved to write just for the fun of it.
It wasn't until my senior year while taking a creative writing class that the thought that I might actually be somewhat good at it occured to me. Every week, our assignment was to write a new story to be shared and critiqued by our classmates. One week I decided to write a chapter. It was just a beginning, a sample of the story yet to come but it was enough to spark something inside of me.
Everyone, including my professor, wanted to know more - wanted to see how it played out because they were hooked. That was when the thought occured to me that I just might have some talent in writing.
After college, life continued on. I was married, had two children, and a part time job. There was a pattern to my everyday life. A monotony I guess you could say. Not that I didn't love being a wife and a mother, but I wished for a little more. Something that was just for me. So I started writing. At first Fanfictions - as embarrassing as that is to say outloud. But its true. And it was fun. Other people online seemed to enjoy my stories. Again the spark hit and this time I listened.
I started writing my first manuscript -The Plains of Purgatory - a YA Paranormal Romance that was to be the first in a series. It took about a year to finish , then another 9 months of edits. Not a shocking thing since most writers revise their manuscripts a handful of times before they take the leap.
After that I started to query. The process was not a kind but that is life in the world of getting published. Sometimes your work takes off and sometimes it falls flat. Mine did the later.
So now I'm continuing on trying for something new. I'm in the midst of my second manuscript - The Bearers of Life (still not sure about that title but I digress). This one is like night and day compared to my last novel. The dialogue comes a 1000 times easier then it did with Purgatory but the world surrounding it has been taking a back seat to the two main characters. That is going to be something I need to flush out the first round of edits.
For those of you who are new to writing, the first round is pretty much going to be 2 demensional. It won't be until the editing process when the whole thing starts to get some definintion. I know it is weird - all you hear in online writers community is how much people loath the editing process, but I love it. I love it because that is when my story really comes alive.
Alright I think this is just about enough for my first post. I doubt anyone is going to get through the whole thing anyway. The posts in the furture are probably not going to be this long so don't worry.
I hope this blog has a long, and happy life....something will grow along with my dreams as they are realized.
But until then...
Welcome to my author's page. This blog is going to be dedicated to my adventures in writing. You see my dream is to become a published author one day, and it's a relatively new dream. When I was in college I minored in writing, not because I saw the possibility of becoming a novelist in my future but because I loved to write just for the fun of it.
It wasn't until my senior year while taking a creative writing class that the thought that I might actually be somewhat good at it occured to me. Every week, our assignment was to write a new story to be shared and critiqued by our classmates. One week I decided to write a chapter. It was just a beginning, a sample of the story yet to come but it was enough to spark something inside of me.
Everyone, including my professor, wanted to know more - wanted to see how it played out because they were hooked. That was when the thought occured to me that I just might have some talent in writing.
After college, life continued on. I was married, had two children, and a part time job. There was a pattern to my everyday life. A monotony I guess you could say. Not that I didn't love being a wife and a mother, but I wished for a little more. Something that was just for me. So I started writing. At first Fanfictions - as embarrassing as that is to say outloud. But its true. And it was fun. Other people online seemed to enjoy my stories. Again the spark hit and this time I listened.
I started writing my first manuscript -The Plains of Purgatory - a YA Paranormal Romance that was to be the first in a series. It took about a year to finish , then another 9 months of edits. Not a shocking thing since most writers revise their manuscripts a handful of times before they take the leap.
After that I started to query. The process was not a kind but that is life in the world of getting published. Sometimes your work takes off and sometimes it falls flat. Mine did the later.
So now I'm continuing on trying for something new. I'm in the midst of my second manuscript - The Bearers of Life (still not sure about that title but I digress). This one is like night and day compared to my last novel. The dialogue comes a 1000 times easier then it did with Purgatory but the world surrounding it has been taking a back seat to the two main characters. That is going to be something I need to flush out the first round of edits.
For those of you who are new to writing, the first round is pretty much going to be 2 demensional. It won't be until the editing process when the whole thing starts to get some definintion. I know it is weird - all you hear in online writers community is how much people loath the editing process, but I love it. I love it because that is when my story really comes alive.
Alright I think this is just about enough for my first post. I doubt anyone is going to get through the whole thing anyway. The posts in the furture are probably not going to be this long so don't worry.
I hope this blog has a long, and happy life....something will grow along with my dreams as they are realized.
But until then...
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