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....
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
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....
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....
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, January 15, 2010
So excited....but so much to learn
It's 7:22 Friday evening and as I opened my blog I got SO excited because I had one comment AND a NEW FOLLOWER!!!!! I need to breathe and slow down to get my thoughts together-I feel like I won a prize!!! First, I want to say thanks and welcome (if that's appropriate) to my new follower, iwrite92. If you're name is in your profile, I haven't read through it yet, because I couldn't wait to post this, but thanks for adding your name. I wish I'd started writing at seventeen....Thanks also, Sara, for your comment that helped to ease my guilt trip a little. Maybe I do need to look at my schedule and rearrange the blog sessions a little.
Now for the so much to learn. I am NOT a computer savvy individual. While I can sort of make my way around, it usually takes me forever to get where I'm trying to go. This leads me to my dilemma for tonight. Sara tweeted about my blog on twitter. Okay. I know what Twitter is and I think a tweet is like a comment. That's about it, so I'm guessing it means that the tweet will pique curiosity and possibly bring readers to my blog. How'm I doin'? I am a crazy bird fanatic-I have three budgies-but theirs are the only tweets I know. So...Twitter. More stuff for me to read and learn about. I do think that I joined at one point, and I have no idea when that was or what my password might be, but it would probably be easy enough to find out.
More stuff to stump me...I tried to respond to Sara by email and somehow ended up following myself on my own blog. What a pinhead! Now I have to figure out how to unfollow as it looks really ridiculous and desperate. Never did get the email to you, Sara-don't tell me though, I like mysteries and I'll figure it out... I hope.
Some cool info to pass on--but it's not going to be from "In Your Own Voice" as I said I'd do last night. This is better. I love entering writing contests (Sara had some, but I was just beginning my blog and a little overwhelmed). A really fun one is coming up, and there's still some room for participants. It's offered through Writer's Weekly and they call it their 24 Hour Contest. They set a date, usually on a Saturday, and at noon on that day, they email you a paragraph to turn into a story. They give you 24 hours to submit it, so it has to be finished and entered by noon on Sunday. It's fun, and some of the winning stories are really, really good....Let's see if I can attach the link..... http://www.writersweekly.com/. There. I have yet to figure out how to do it so links are highlighted, but I'll get there.
Writer's Digest is also offering some really awesome contests, with a choice of genre's from which to choose. They currently have a similar challenge to the 24 hour, only you get more time. Called "Your Story", they offer an idea to run with and develop into your story. Thus the name! Deadline for that one is February 10th. Check out the plethora of other competitions they're offering for the spring at http://www.writersdigest.com
Going to spend some time with my husband....Happy Friday Night!
Now for the so much to learn. I am NOT a computer savvy individual. While I can sort of make my way around, it usually takes me forever to get where I'm trying to go. This leads me to my dilemma for tonight. Sara tweeted about my blog on twitter. Okay. I know what Twitter is and I think a tweet is like a comment. That's about it, so I'm guessing it means that the tweet will pique curiosity and possibly bring readers to my blog. How'm I doin'? I am a crazy bird fanatic-I have three budgies-but theirs are the only tweets I know. So...Twitter. More stuff for me to read and learn about. I do think that I joined at one point, and I have no idea when that was or what my password might be, but it would probably be easy enough to find out.
More stuff to stump me...I tried to respond to Sara by email and somehow ended up following myself on my own blog. What a pinhead! Now I have to figure out how to unfollow as it looks really ridiculous and desperate. Never did get the email to you, Sara-don't tell me though, I like mysteries and I'll figure it out... I hope.
Some cool info to pass on--but it's not going to be from "In Your Own Voice" as I said I'd do last night. This is better. I love entering writing contests (Sara had some, but I was just beginning my blog and a little overwhelmed). A really fun one is coming up, and there's still some room for participants. It's offered through Writer's Weekly and they call it their 24 Hour Contest. They set a date, usually on a Saturday, and at noon on that day, they email you a paragraph to turn into a story. They give you 24 hours to submit it, so it has to be finished and entered by noon on Sunday. It's fun, and some of the winning stories are really, really good....Let's see if I can attach the link..... http://www.writersweekly.com/. There. I have yet to figure out how to do it so links are highlighted, but I'll get there.
Writer's Digest is also offering some really awesome contests, with a choice of genre's from which to choose. They currently have a similar challenge to the 24 hour, only you get more time. Called "Your Story", they offer an idea to run with and develop into your story. Thus the name! Deadline for that one is February 10th. Check out the plethora of other competitions they're offering for the spring at http://www.writersdigest.com
Going to spend some time with my husband....Happy Friday Night!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Exhausted
Yesterday was the first time I didn't post since I started this blog on Jan. 1. It bugged me because I'd made a pact with myself to post everyday, but I just couldn't do it last night. I'd had a couple of long days and they caught up with me. Tomorrow is going to be another long one and I'm really tired tonight, but I didn't want to let another day go by without a post.
Still wading through "In Your Own Voice". It's not too technical and I've picked up a few really helpful points which I'll go into detail about tomorrow. Reading an entire book a week is quite a demand, though, and I think I may cut myself some slack there. I do love to read, but I can only do so much stuff in a day.
I have this fantasy about someday being able to do nothing but write, and read. I guess we all do. I'd love to be able to stay home and work at my computer until the late hours of the evening, then sleep in until around 8:00 the next morning and do it all over again. Realistically, I know that it's not that way it is. I know it's work. And difficult. And frustrating. But I'd be doing all that difficult, frustrating work for myself. How cool. At the very least, I have something to look forward to when retirement time arrives. I'll have to wait a while but until then, I can dream...
This isn't much of an entry for today, but it's about all I have to give. Tomorrow's another day.
Still wading through "In Your Own Voice". It's not too technical and I've picked up a few really helpful points which I'll go into detail about tomorrow. Reading an entire book a week is quite a demand, though, and I think I may cut myself some slack there. I do love to read, but I can only do so much stuff in a day.
I have this fantasy about someday being able to do nothing but write, and read. I guess we all do. I'd love to be able to stay home and work at my computer until the late hours of the evening, then sleep in until around 8:00 the next morning and do it all over again. Realistically, I know that it's not that way it is. I know it's work. And difficult. And frustrating. But I'd be doing all that difficult, frustrating work for myself. How cool. At the very least, I have something to look forward to when retirement time arrives. I'll have to wait a while but until then, I can dream...
This isn't much of an entry for today, but it's about all I have to give. Tomorrow's another day.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Trying Write To Done link again
The link didn't show up on the post I published two seconds ago. I'll try again, but just in case, I'll include it here as well.
http://writetodone.com/
http://writetodone.com/
Plug a blog and quick post
If anyone is out there and reads this, check out the link for Write To Done. Filled with amazing articles on everything from clearing out brain clutter through brief and simple meditation techniques to really helpful writing tips, it offers both incite and inspiration. I'm really glad I found it and I hope I was able to include the link with this....still trying to fine tune details.
Tonight I wanted to work on revising the story for my writing group and I’d planned to make this a quick and short post. But with three sentences barely written, I'd already gone back a half dozen times to rewrite them. This is so time consuming, I swear, it takes me ninety minutes to put four paragraphs together to my satisfaction. I’m trying to train myself to just get stuff down, misspellings and all, then go back and rewrite and edit, but even as I compose this, I'm correcting and changing, especially if a word is misspelled.
What’s the matter with me? Sometimes I really wonder why the hell I’m doing this to myself. I have to work hard at not stressing out, especially over things I can’t control, but this seems to bring out the stress in me big time. So why do I enjoy it so much? Is it some warped form of self punishment or is it because, as my husband tells me, I’m a control freak? I think it may be a little of both. All I know is when I'm done-or at least finished for the time being, I feel a great sense of satisfaction and release. The key is knowing when to stop because I tend to get all caught up and just want to keep going. But I have a real job to go to in the morning and unfortunately can't sit here all night.
Maybe someday I'll have all the time I want to just write and write and write. I can dream...
Tonight I wanted to work on revising the story for my writing group and I’d planned to make this a quick and short post. But with three sentences barely written, I'd already gone back a half dozen times to rewrite them. This is so time consuming, I swear, it takes me ninety minutes to put four paragraphs together to my satisfaction. I’m trying to train myself to just get stuff down, misspellings and all, then go back and rewrite and edit, but even as I compose this, I'm correcting and changing, especially if a word is misspelled.
What’s the matter with me? Sometimes I really wonder why the hell I’m doing this to myself. I have to work hard at not stressing out, especially over things I can’t control, but this seems to bring out the stress in me big time. So why do I enjoy it so much? Is it some warped form of self punishment or is it because, as my husband tells me, I’m a control freak? I think it may be a little of both. All I know is when I'm done-or at least finished for the time being, I feel a great sense of satisfaction and release. The key is knowing when to stop because I tend to get all caught up and just want to keep going. But I have a real job to go to in the morning and unfortunately can't sit here all night.
Maybe someday I'll have all the time I want to just write and write and write. I can dream...
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