O-M-G!!!!!

First, let me clarify that I do not text...I'm sure it has something to do with my age, but I do not know how to text, I do not understand texting, nor do I want to learn texting. So the title of this post is not like me, however it's the only way I can describe the last forty-five minutes of my life. Last night I talked about designing-well tonight I tried to add a little pizazz to my avenue in cyberspace and almost canned the entire thing. I had come close to arriving at screw the commitment. But when I got myself under control, I took a little more time and realized that there must be only so much I'm able to do with this style and layout from blogger. Standard. And I don't want to be standard. I want to be different!! I want a unique and eye appealing look. I WANT A BLOG LIKE SARA!!!!! I was born too late for this computer age, and trying like hell to catch up. There's a saying that typifies my effort-"The hurrier I go, the behinder I get." And I sure am behind tonight. The eight ball. I had something I wanted to tell all of my anxiously awaiting fans out there and I ended up playing with pictures trying to get the layout right...

Anyway. Tomorrow "Writer's Weekly" is hosting a 24 hour contest. (Will someone please tell me how to underline in posts?) It's cool. Sign up for the contest-it's only 5 bucks. Then, at noon on the specified date, they email you a short prompt and you have 24 hours to create a story and send it back. They provide you with details like word count, submission requirements and stuff. It's fun. As I have yet to learn how to add a link like the pros, here's the address-

http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.php

The spring contest is open for sign up now, so take a look...

So. There's my important news. I may not be back tomorrow...either contest-ing or setting a bomb to my blog....

Designing

Still working on designing this site. Some of the blogs on line are so beautiful-I want to dress mine up too. Love to decorate, but it's a lot easier to do my house than my blog...

Almost didn't get here tonight, and last night was a total bust. I've joined a writer's support group held twice a month at the library and last night was one of the twice. It was late by the time I got home and just didn't have the energy. Tonight my husband and I were supposed to see a Sinatra cover band, complete with a sixteen piece orchestra, but again, I got home from work after a dentist appointment, had a pile of bills and paperwork to sift through, my birds' cage desperately needed cleaning AND I didn't write last night. Somewhere-in either "Writing Down The Bones" or "Bird By Bird", (I can't find the underline thing for the book titles) it said "write every day...even if it's only ten minutes....just write." So-no Sinatra concert tonight-just write.

Short entry though...I think I may have caught a cold from this dork who's been coming into the office for the last week-sick and disgusting. He already gave it to my boss...maybe I should stay home tomorrow and protect myself....

A Brief Respite

Another new follower! Thank you! Check out her blog-it's got some great inspirational daily readings.

I think I took Sara's suggestion a little too literally as I've not posted anything since Friday and the really sad thing is that I'm having trouble remembering why that is. What did I do that was so important it kept me away from my blog? Certainly nothing that will keep the rapt attention of anyone who reads this...

A couple of months ago, I set some goals for myself and tacked them over my computer. As I looked up the other day, I suddenly realized that blogging was one of those goals. It fell under the short term category of my brief list. The other two short term objectives are to have 2 published pieces by Spring 2010 and have at least one consistent freelance assignment (no time constraint on that one, I just noticed).
My single long term objective at this point is to achieve self sufficiency by age 60 and "semi-retire" to a part time position so that I can spend more time writing.That gives me about 7 years. Can I do it? I'm gonna give it a helluva try.


I spent a lot of time today doing research on query letters for submissions. The more I read, the less I know. And really, I know nothing. Educationally speaking, I have two years of college and no degree, and the only writing course I'd taken was journalism.The teacher turned me off so much that I never gave writing of any type a second thought. I remember she was tall and thin with a rat's nest hairdo and freaky long fingernails that looked as though they'd never seen a scrub brush. Critical and brusque, she was not the motivating type I needed back then-someone to advice me, make suggestions and try to point me in the right direction. When I think back on that time, I didn't have a clue to what I was doing-I was like a bee without a flower-flying around with no idea where I was going.

So now, I'm self-educating, reading as much as my brain and time will allow. And now, I don't need anyone to motivate me. Now I can set goals and achieve them one at a time. Finally. I think my time has come.