July's almost over? Already? I'm convinced summer days speed by faster than winter ones.
Today is my dad's birthday! Happy Birthday Dad!
So the jogging didn't go well last week. I really slacked off. I think it's time to add some variety to the workouts because I'm getting bored, and when I get bored, I quit.
It's Friday! Time to review and set our goals.
Last week, my goal was to do the final read through of my book and start querying it. Yes, I met that goal. It feels so good.
Here are your goals.
Jessica: Work on the new WIP
Katie: Write revision notes and work on one major problem
Lynn: Be social while on vacay and finish Wild at Heart to review
Julie J: Finish first draft of next synopsis
Abby: Polish both piano pieces
Paul: Fine tuning ending of YA novel and work on WIP
CJ: Not to destroy sluggish computer
Cindy: Finish WIP and prepare for b-day party (Happy birthday to your daughter!)
Jen: Get pages done for blog
Keli: To have a blast at RWA Nationals (I'm sure this will be tough! :)
Nancy: Have Purple Heart remove unwanted goodies
Erica: Finish ms!
Susan JR: Write chapter by chapter synopsis of first book
Talli: Welcome! Finish round three of revisions to The Hating Game and continue writing WIP
How did you do? Is the end of July messing with you? Or are you plowing ahead and getting things done?
So this week, my goal is to hit the county fair one day and splurge on french fries. Yummy! The rabbit barn is my favorite, and I can't wait to check it out.
What about you? What one goal would enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Envy: Writer Style
A few years ago, I leafed through a Better Homes and Garden Magazine and stopped to read an article about a pretty Arts & Crafts home. The home itself was brand new, with tons of square-footage and created with top-of-the-line, enviromentally helpful materials. I smiled, enjoying the pictures of the house, and read the first few paragraphs of the article.
Then a twisting, spewing, ugly fury rose within me. My eyes might have bugged out a little--I don't know, I couldn't see them (*wink, wink*), but I know exactly what turned me into an envious monster.
So-and-so writes books for Harlequin Mills & Boon.
What? What?! She had my job--my dream job! No fair!!
I devoured the article and, with a little too much oomph, tossed the mag on the floor. Okay, I threw the thing. Then, I did what any envious, married wannabe writer does--I complained to my spouse. Look at this. Look! Look! She writes for Harlequin. She's published. She's my age--maybe younger--definitely younger--she's in her twenties! Waaahhh!
Later that night, I felt awful. Why would I begrudge this obviously talented lady her career? What did it have to do with me, after all?
I hate being envious.
The incident still sticks in my brain. Until that point, I had the vague idea that being a published author--through Harlequin no less--was akin to being an actor on a hit sitcom, totally out of the realm of most people's reality. But this woman was real, and she was young, and she was published.
It clarified something important to me. Deep in the crevices of my being, I wanted to be a published author. I would never be content tucking my books into the closet and not seeing them on store shelves.
What's funny to me today is the fact that I did not envy the house. Sure, the home sparkled, had scads of space, and would be on most people's dream house lists, but it didn't matter to me. The woman's profession did.
Have you ever envied a complete stranger for having the profession you want? What turns you into an envious maniac?
Side note: Jody Hedlund launched her brand new website today! If you get a chance, go over and check it out. Her blog is linked from any page in her site, and if you leave a comment, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card! Her site is linked above or you can go directly to http://jodyhedlund.com/.
Join me on Friday to make one goal!
Then a twisting, spewing, ugly fury rose within me. My eyes might have bugged out a little--I don't know, I couldn't see them (*wink, wink*), but I know exactly what turned me into an envious monster.
So-and-so writes books for Harlequin Mills & Boon.
What? What?! She had my job--my dream job! No fair!!
I devoured the article and, with a little too much oomph, tossed the mag on the floor. Okay, I threw the thing. Then, I did what any envious, married wannabe writer does--I complained to my spouse. Look at this. Look! Look! She writes for Harlequin. She's published. She's my age--maybe younger--definitely younger--she's in her twenties! Waaahhh!
Later that night, I felt awful. Why would I begrudge this obviously talented lady her career? What did it have to do with me, after all?
I hate being envious.
The incident still sticks in my brain. Until that point, I had the vague idea that being a published author--through Harlequin no less--was akin to being an actor on a hit sitcom, totally out of the realm of most people's reality. But this woman was real, and she was young, and she was published.
It clarified something important to me. Deep in the crevices of my being, I wanted to be a published author. I would never be content tucking my books into the closet and not seeing them on store shelves.
What's funny to me today is the fact that I did not envy the house. Sure, the home sparkled, had scads of space, and would be on most people's dream house lists, but it didn't matter to me. The woman's profession did.
Have you ever envied a complete stranger for having the profession you want? What turns you into an envious maniac?
Side note: Jody Hedlund launched her brand new website today! If you get a chance, go over and check it out. Her blog is linked from any page in her site, and if you leave a comment, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card! Her site is linked above or you can go directly to http://jodyhedlund.com/.
Join me on Friday to make one goal!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Titles for Transitional Times
In front of my kitchen window, with my hands immersed in warm, sudsy water, I tilted my head and thought about what label I would give myself at this time in my life. Stay-at-home-mom has been my self-proclaimed title for twelve years, but how to account for the thirty-plus hours each week I spend on my writing career?
I'm the type of person who doesn't want to mislead anyone. The truth is very important to me.
Could I call myself a working mom even though I don't get paid? Would I even want to call myself a working mom unless I get paid?
No, I'm not supporting any mommy wars today. There are many working mothers who help my life--nurses who make my children's shots painless, check-out clerks who light my day with a smile, teachers who nurture my kids, scientists working on a cure for cancer, and yes, even editors and agents who are willing to spend time away from their families to grow authors' careers. But working outside the home does not make one mom super while the other mom is just a mom. Stay-at-home-moms are vital too. I'd say in today's busy world, we're all supermoms. The important thing is that each mother is making a difference in the way she's best suited for.
Back to my dilemma. Well, my writing isn't volunteer work. I intend to make money from my books. Ever since I started submitting, I haven't been afraid to tell people I'm a writer. Have there been times I've been embarrassed when someone asks if I'm published yet? Oh, yeah! But most of the time, I'm confident in myself and my work. I have always considered it just a matter of time until my books are in stores.
So, I dipped my hands back into the welcoming bubbles and my title was there: I'm a stay-at-home-mother and aspiring author.
What title do you give yourself? Or do you prefer not to be locked in a box?
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about envy.
I'm the type of person who doesn't want to mislead anyone. The truth is very important to me.
Could I call myself a working mom even though I don't get paid? Would I even want to call myself a working mom unless I get paid?
No, I'm not supporting any mommy wars today. There are many working mothers who help my life--nurses who make my children's shots painless, check-out clerks who light my day with a smile, teachers who nurture my kids, scientists working on a cure for cancer, and yes, even editors and agents who are willing to spend time away from their families to grow authors' careers. But working outside the home does not make one mom super while the other mom is just a mom. Stay-at-home-moms are vital too. I'd say in today's busy world, we're all supermoms. The important thing is that each mother is making a difference in the way she's best suited for.
Back to my dilemma. Well, my writing isn't volunteer work. I intend to make money from my books. Ever since I started submitting, I haven't been afraid to tell people I'm a writer. Have there been times I've been embarrassed when someone asks if I'm published yet? Oh, yeah! But most of the time, I'm confident in myself and my work. I have always considered it just a matter of time until my books are in stores.
So, I dipped my hands back into the welcoming bubbles and my title was there: I'm a stay-at-home-mother and aspiring author.
What title do you give yourself? Or do you prefer not to be locked in a box?
Join me on Wednesday when we'll talk about envy.
Friday, July 23, 2010
One Goal Friday: July 23, 2010
How are you? What have you been up to?
That's how almost every phone call of mine begins, and since we're all friends here (if you're new, you soon will be friends here too!), I'll start today's blog out the same.
The kids and I strolled downtown Ann Arbor and on the University of Michigan campus this week for the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. It's huge! The city streets and campus brim with booths featuring artists from all over the world. Live music, free art projects for kids and adults, a trolley, and tons of delicious food booths round out the fair. I love that the city plans so well for the event. Visitors can park at the mall or Pioneer High School and pay a small fee to ride a bus to the venue. The art fair continues until Saturday, so if you're in the area, go check it out!
It's Friday! Time to set and review our goal.
My goal last week was to finish researching my new book and create the scene outline. Well, that goal will have to wait, because my critique partners are super fast! I spent the week tweaking my (almost) finished book based on their comments.
Here are your goals:
Terri: Read through manuscript to see what's still needed
Jessica: Continue sending queries and polishing ms (Good luck!! Fingers crossed for many requests!!)
Abby: Continue playing piano
Diane: Keep going on treadmill
Katie: Add another 12K (Did you finish?)
Wendy: Give mom tons of hugs (Yay! Enjoy your visit!)
CJ: Restore program and data files (Yuck.)
Jen: Exercise 3x's and finish files
Lynn: Tweet twice a day
Tamika: Dive back into ms
Cindy: Write 10k, get up early to exercise, and clean house
Kelly F: 1k/1hr
Erica: Write 10k
Patti: Keep correcting The Rhythm of Secrets, finish teacher crits for memoir class
Quiet Spirit: Write on series of skits with theme of God speaking to us
Julie J: Finish and send synopsis
Nancy: Get "new" room cleaned and organized
Sharon: Write 20pgs of YA romance and write 7 blog posts
T.Anne: Write 10k and catch a nap
CMOM: Spend time with kids
Lindsey: Finish preparing for RWA Nationals (Welcome! You'll have a blast at Nationals!)
How did you do? I'm continually amazed at how productive you are. Even in the middle of summer, you're pursuing your dreams. Inspiring!
My new goal is to do the final read through of my finished book and start querying it.
What one goal would enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a great weekend!
That's how almost every phone call of mine begins, and since we're all friends here (if you're new, you soon will be friends here too!), I'll start today's blog out the same.
The kids and I strolled downtown Ann Arbor and on the University of Michigan campus this week for the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair. It's huge! The city streets and campus brim with booths featuring artists from all over the world. Live music, free art projects for kids and adults, a trolley, and tons of delicious food booths round out the fair. I love that the city plans so well for the event. Visitors can park at the mall or Pioneer High School and pay a small fee to ride a bus to the venue. The art fair continues until Saturday, so if you're in the area, go check it out!
It's Friday! Time to set and review our goal.
My goal last week was to finish researching my new book and create the scene outline. Well, that goal will have to wait, because my critique partners are super fast! I spent the week tweaking my (almost) finished book based on their comments.
Here are your goals:
Terri: Read through manuscript to see what's still needed
Jessica: Continue sending queries and polishing ms (Good luck!! Fingers crossed for many requests!!)
Abby: Continue playing piano
Diane: Keep going on treadmill
Katie: Add another 12K (Did you finish?)
Wendy: Give mom tons of hugs (Yay! Enjoy your visit!)
CJ: Restore program and data files (Yuck.)
Jen: Exercise 3x's and finish files
Lynn: Tweet twice a day
Tamika: Dive back into ms
Cindy: Write 10k, get up early to exercise, and clean house
Kelly F: 1k/1hr
Erica: Write 10k
Patti: Keep correcting The Rhythm of Secrets, finish teacher crits for memoir class
Quiet Spirit: Write on series of skits with theme of God speaking to us
Julie J: Finish and send synopsis
Nancy: Get "new" room cleaned and organized
Sharon: Write 20pgs of YA romance and write 7 blog posts
T.Anne: Write 10k and catch a nap
CMOM: Spend time with kids
Lindsey: Finish preparing for RWA Nationals (Welcome! You'll have a blast at Nationals!)
How did you do? I'm continually amazed at how productive you are. Even in the middle of summer, you're pursuing your dreams. Inspiring!
My new goal is to do the final read through of my finished book and start querying it.
What one goal would enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Office Supply Delight
Do you walk into an office supply store and get a rush of excitement? Do the aisles of pens, folders, printers, paper, and organizing supplies put a goofy smile on your face? If yes, you aren't alone.
I love office supplies!
What is it about day planners, giant desktop calendars, Sharpies, staplers, tape dispensers, hole punches, magazine holders, calculators, and blank labels that make me giddy? I don't know. All I know is during back-to-school sales, I buy tons of pens, red and black, for myself. Single subject notebooks? Loose-leaf paper? All mine.
I recently scored a three-pack of cardboard magazine holders and they were covered with an adorable butterfly design. Who could resist? Certainly not me!
What aisle of the office supply store are you drawn to? What items do you have to have? Anyone else salivate when a Staples Rewards coupon comes in the mail?
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
I love office supplies!
What is it about day planners, giant desktop calendars, Sharpies, staplers, tape dispensers, hole punches, magazine holders, calculators, and blank labels that make me giddy? I don't know. All I know is during back-to-school sales, I buy tons of pens, red and black, for myself. Single subject notebooks? Loose-leaf paper? All mine.
I recently scored a three-pack of cardboard magazine holders and they were covered with an adorable butterfly design. Who could resist? Certainly not me!
What aisle of the office supply store are you drawn to? What items do you have to have? Anyone else salivate when a Staples Rewards coupon comes in the mail?
Join me on Friday to set one goal!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hurry, Hurry, Rush, Rush
My life bolts forward at one speed: fast.
I hate to miss a minute of my morning writing sessions, so I throw a pot of coffee on, take the puppy out, feed the cat, and skip upstairs to my office every weekday. Thirty minutes of catching up on e-mails and social networks puts me in a good mood. I'm ready to plunge into my writing/revising tasks. The time disappears...until life takes over and I have to drag myself out of the office and back into the real world.
Then it's often hurry, hurry, rush, rush. Get the kids out of the house, at least on a bike ride, or run a few errands. Prep dinner, clean up, take the dog for a walk, eat dinner, clean up dinner, and debate exercising.
Do I run? Do I make an ice-cream cone? Run? Ice-cream?
Dilemmas.
I usually run, come home, and make an ice-cream cone. Best of both worlds, you know?
It's a good thing I'm high-energy, because I'm rarely relaxing on the couch before nine. I love to read a book or magazine at night. But there's always something in the back of my head saying, call so-and-so, or write next week's blogs, or don't forget to update the websites next week, and on it goes.
What about you? Is your life hurry, hurry, rush, rush? Or have you managed to carve out an unhurried order to your days?
Join me on Wednesday when we discuss office supplies.
I hate to miss a minute of my morning writing sessions, so I throw a pot of coffee on, take the puppy out, feed the cat, and skip upstairs to my office every weekday. Thirty minutes of catching up on e-mails and social networks puts me in a good mood. I'm ready to plunge into my writing/revising tasks. The time disappears...until life takes over and I have to drag myself out of the office and back into the real world.
Then it's often hurry, hurry, rush, rush. Get the kids out of the house, at least on a bike ride, or run a few errands. Prep dinner, clean up, take the dog for a walk, eat dinner, clean up dinner, and debate exercising.
Do I run? Do I make an ice-cream cone? Run? Ice-cream?
Dilemmas.
I usually run, come home, and make an ice-cream cone. Best of both worlds, you know?
It's a good thing I'm high-energy, because I'm rarely relaxing on the couch before nine. I love to read a book or magazine at night. But there's always something in the back of my head saying, call so-and-so, or write next week's blogs, or don't forget to update the websites next week, and on it goes.
What about you? Is your life hurry, hurry, rush, rush? Or have you managed to carve out an unhurried order to your days?
Join me on Wednesday when we discuss office supplies.
Friday, July 16, 2010
One Goal Friday: July 16, 2010
What a great week! We wrapped up our summer sports, spent time with dear friends, and were blessed with long, sunny days. I worked a new arc into the book I'm polishing up, and I started researching my new book.
The jogging regimen I started in May? Still hanging in there. I can run longer distances now, but I still have to force myself to get moving.
My goal last week was to organize my writing files. Mission accomplished! And I had a fun time shopping for supplies. I could spend a fortune in any office supply store.
Here are your goals from last week:
Wendy: Polish Noble and go full guns with Partridge
Tabitha: Submit short pieces to magazines
CJ: Dream goal--to hire housekeeper and work on art all day (*sigh* wouldn't that be wonderful?)
Lynn: Continue Camy Tang's online writing class and stage photo-shoot to create new story
Erica: Write (I know you're making incredible progress--nice job!)
Loree: Revise four chapters
Jen: Transfer writing files from plastic bin to file cabinet
Jennifer: 4k words
Sharon: Two blog posts, finalize Cake pb ms, one chapter of mg hf novel, and maintain sanity
T. Anne: 10k and edit
Abby: Make new friends at music camp
Maria: Finish two articles
Janna: Keep editing
Kelly F: 1k/1hr (fun challenge!)
Terri: Read my ms (Thank you Terri!)
Jessica: Squats. Many squats (do some for me)
Lia: Finish editing two chapters
Quiet Spirit: Finalize closing up SIL's apartment
Susan JR: Survive more dental work
How did you do? These goals were amazing! It's July--hot, humid, lazy July--and you are still rocking your goals. Impressive.
My goal for next week is to finish researching my new book and create my scene outline.
What one goal will enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a fabulous weekend!
The jogging regimen I started in May? Still hanging in there. I can run longer distances now, but I still have to force myself to get moving.
My goal last week was to organize my writing files. Mission accomplished! And I had a fun time shopping for supplies. I could spend a fortune in any office supply store.
Here are your goals from last week:
Wendy: Polish Noble and go full guns with Partridge
Tabitha: Submit short pieces to magazines
CJ: Dream goal--to hire housekeeper and work on art all day (*sigh* wouldn't that be wonderful?)
Lynn: Continue Camy Tang's online writing class and stage photo-shoot to create new story
Erica: Write (I know you're making incredible progress--nice job!)
Loree: Revise four chapters
Jen: Transfer writing files from plastic bin to file cabinet
Jennifer: 4k words
Sharon: Two blog posts, finalize Cake pb ms, one chapter of mg hf novel, and maintain sanity
T. Anne: 10k and edit
Abby: Make new friends at music camp
Maria: Finish two articles
Janna: Keep editing
Kelly F: 1k/1hr (fun challenge!)
Terri: Read my ms (Thank you Terri!)
Jessica: Squats. Many squats (do some for me)
Lia: Finish editing two chapters
Quiet Spirit: Finalize closing up SIL's apartment
Susan JR: Survive more dental work
How did you do? These goals were amazing! It's July--hot, humid, lazy July--and you are still rocking your goals. Impressive.
My goal for next week is to finish researching my new book and create my scene outline.
What one goal will enhance your life this week?
Please leave your goal in the comment section. Newcomers are welcome to participate, and don't worry if you can't stop by every Friday--my blog's goal isn't to add stress but to be a place of support.
Have a fabulous weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)