Okay, so I have been doing some reading, not much writing... which does not get my book written.
Sooooo... I am going to give some recommendations for books to read and announce my intent to set a deadline by which I must have something written.
The books:
"Goodness and Mercy" by Esther Davison
"The Ballad of Abu Ghraib" and "A Cold Case" and "We regret to inform you that tomorrow we will all be killed with our families" all by Philip Gourevitch
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
You must take time to read these books! Worth the time and effort of finding them and reading them.
Now for the deadlines -
I want to enter a contest for the Wyoming Writers Inc. 3,000 words by the end of March (yes, of this year).
Can be part of a novel and I have an idea. So, I plan to begin and submit, then keep writing so it is done and edited by a friend (fiend :) ) who is leaving me in a year or so.
Not knowing the exact departure date means I have to get the work DONE! ASAP!
There. I have thrown the gauntlet down on my self. Now, get to work!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Could have sworn we would be somewhere else
Wasn't it in grade school that we were told in our Weekly Readers that in 2000 there would be flying cars?
So, here it is 2010 (well, very nearly in Wyoming) and no flying cars. What gives?
All we got for 2000 was a computer scare that turned out to be hype.
The past decade has just been, well, weird. Good things, bad things, and a lot of just plain head-shaking, eye-popping moments of disbelief.
And here I thought I was gonna at least be able to fly home when I want.
I actually never thought past 2000 when I was growing up, so getting to 2010 is just a wonderfully interesting event.
I never imagined as a kid that I would have been to another country (Canada didn't count), but I lived in another country for a three-year span.
I didn't think in 1994 that I would see the west again. But I am back in Wyoming and have made three trips to California, once making the drive there and back alone (something else I never imagined doing).
I never imagined myself with grandchildren, hoped but didn't go past that. Now I have a grandson and granddaughter.
Now it is time to do some other things I have imagined, but not accomplished yet.
I will finish a book.
I will enter a writing contest.
I will get healthier.
And someday, maybe I will be able to hop into my flying car, program it to head to my parents house or one of my kids houses and let it take me there while I read or write or sleep or just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
So, here it is 2010 (well, very nearly in Wyoming) and no flying cars. What gives?
All we got for 2000 was a computer scare that turned out to be hype.
The past decade has just been, well, weird. Good things, bad things, and a lot of just plain head-shaking, eye-popping moments of disbelief.
And here I thought I was gonna at least be able to fly home when I want.
I actually never thought past 2000 when I was growing up, so getting to 2010 is just a wonderfully interesting event.
I never imagined as a kid that I would have been to another country (Canada didn't count), but I lived in another country for a three-year span.
I didn't think in 1994 that I would see the west again. But I am back in Wyoming and have made three trips to California, once making the drive there and back alone (something else I never imagined doing).
I never imagined myself with grandchildren, hoped but didn't go past that. Now I have a grandson and granddaughter.
Now it is time to do some other things I have imagined, but not accomplished yet.
I will finish a book.
I will enter a writing contest.
I will get healthier.
And someday, maybe I will be able to hop into my flying car, program it to head to my parents house or one of my kids houses and let it take me there while I read or write or sleep or just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
I just have to say how very blessed I am. My kids are doing great. Nate and Amy are still in the honeymoon phase after their beautiful September wedding. James and Kayleigh are expecting a little girl. Katey is enrolled in tech school, following her dream. Meg is with me making plans to transfer to UW to finish school.
I have great friends, wonderful family, a job I enjoy, a great church with a pastor who loves his people.
There are points of pain - my ex-husband made me cry today when I found out how he responded to one of his children calling to wish him a happy thanksgiving. I guess in my mind when your family is this spread out this far, you make exceptions for dinner table phone calls and aren't rude.
I want to point out to him that you are the master of how your life is. If you want better, you have to be better, act better, treat people better, expect better of yourself. In short stop being nasty. I am tired of excuses and the blame game.
Here are things I am counting as blessings today:
My ex-husband - without him I would not know Wyoming, would not have the wonderful children I have, would not appreciate things the way I do.
My kids - my goodness they are so awesome! Yes, they make decisions I would not make for them, but they take responsibility and move forward. I genuinely like my kids and my daughters-in-law. They are great people.
My parents - so much support for me and my kids, all the time, no matter what. That carries no price tag.
My friends - Ana, Lynn, Barb, Kelly, Tami, Janice, Celia. These women have loved me through some tough stuff. Three seasons of my life consumed by battering and blessing. They hang tough, cry with me, laugh with me, sit in silence with me. I cannot thank God enough for these ladies.
My opportunities - writing for a newspaper was never on the radar. But I like it. I love it. Like any job it has its moments of when-can-I-get-out-of-here, but for the most part I love learning about people, places and things. I love being able to write, putting words on the page and stringing them together in such a way that other people can make sense of them.
My church - after being in a horrid situation for several years, I am relieved and comforted to be part of a body of believers that actually cares about people, not how they look. Calvary Chapel Mansfield gave me the first taste of that and after a short search I have found that at Pine Bluffs Baptist. People who don't go to church because they have been hurt there need to persevere. Find a church that is not a church, but a body of believers who love first and look at you second. I know churches can hurt people, seemingly irreparably, but it is so worth it to find a group of people who love regardless of marital status, how rich you are, what you look like, what kind of clothes you wear, if you drink or smoke or swear. That kind of people will make you want to better yourself and stay away from self-destructive behavior, will help you find reason for your life, and help move you into your future instead of staying in the stagnant past.
Blessings folks. Count them. And make sure you are one on someone else's list.
I have great friends, wonderful family, a job I enjoy, a great church with a pastor who loves his people.
There are points of pain - my ex-husband made me cry today when I found out how he responded to one of his children calling to wish him a happy thanksgiving. I guess in my mind when your family is this spread out this far, you make exceptions for dinner table phone calls and aren't rude.
I want to point out to him that you are the master of how your life is. If you want better, you have to be better, act better, treat people better, expect better of yourself. In short stop being nasty. I am tired of excuses and the blame game.
Here are things I am counting as blessings today:
My ex-husband - without him I would not know Wyoming, would not have the wonderful children I have, would not appreciate things the way I do.
My kids - my goodness they are so awesome! Yes, they make decisions I would not make for them, but they take responsibility and move forward. I genuinely like my kids and my daughters-in-law. They are great people.
My parents - so much support for me and my kids, all the time, no matter what. That carries no price tag.
My friends - Ana, Lynn, Barb, Kelly, Tami, Janice, Celia. These women have loved me through some tough stuff. Three seasons of my life consumed by battering and blessing. They hang tough, cry with me, laugh with me, sit in silence with me. I cannot thank God enough for these ladies.
My opportunities - writing for a newspaper was never on the radar. But I like it. I love it. Like any job it has its moments of when-can-I-get-out-of-here, but for the most part I love learning about people, places and things. I love being able to write, putting words on the page and stringing them together in such a way that other people can make sense of them.
My church - after being in a horrid situation for several years, I am relieved and comforted to be part of a body of believers that actually cares about people, not how they look. Calvary Chapel Mansfield gave me the first taste of that and after a short search I have found that at Pine Bluffs Baptist. People who don't go to church because they have been hurt there need to persevere. Find a church that is not a church, but a body of believers who love first and look at you second. I know churches can hurt people, seemingly irreparably, but it is so worth it to find a group of people who love regardless of marital status, how rich you are, what you look like, what kind of clothes you wear, if you drink or smoke or swear. That kind of people will make you want to better yourself and stay away from self-destructive behavior, will help you find reason for your life, and help move you into your future instead of staying in the stagnant past.
Blessings folks. Count them. And make sure you are one on someone else's list.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
what to write?
So, I spent the past two days in Cheyenne at a literacy conference at the community college. Friday was a learning experience complete with writing exercises. Saturday I met three ladies who are good contacts. Two are interested in being in a writer's group and the other is a adjunct prof there with good connections in town. Very nice.
While listening to the authors give readings was enjoyable - hearing what they wrote with their inflections makes it sound more believable than merely reading the words yourself - I have to say it made me feel they were a tad full of themselves. Probably not so, well with two of them. But there were extenuating circumstances for the other one. She was coming off a recent loss and so in the moments she was not at the podium she was a bit aloof. I will cut her some slack.
Through this experience and one via email where I inquired as to how to contact a writer, I have learned a few things about writing.
First, I am not sure what I write will be readable by just anyone. Some stuff is just better off not shared.
Second, if I am not willing to hurt people or at least apologize before something goes to publication there is no point in my trying to be published.
Third, it is possible to write and then revise to hide what could hurt someone. But am I willing to do that? Part of me - the evil, bitter part wants to just toss all the dirty laundry out there and let someone else deal with it. Let the dung hit the oscillating motor. Some people deserve it. That is not how I want to live though.
Fourth, if by some wonderful happenstance I get a book finished, polished, apologized over, in print and in front of readers I feel strongly that though I will need to protect my privacy, I must also allow readers into my world. If someone writes me, I feel I should in some way acknowledge it. I know authors get so well-known and well-liked that they can't possibly respond to everyone, but when you get that good, you can hire someone to help with that. And they can forward on to you those letters, notes, whatever that seems in need of a more personal response. That means whoever is the gatekeeper will have to share my heart. That is a lot of trust.
Fifth, if I am ever in a situation where people buy my book and want an autograph I will thank them sincerely. I may even, on the chance I am having a not so good day, admit it so they don't think I am a snob in a snit. Readers are important people. Without them beyond the experience of having written a book, there is no value in having done so. Dust-catcher hardly seems worthy of the many hours spent constructing sentences.
I am getting ready for National Novel Writing Month. I will admit to cheating a little. I am keeping my hours over this month. The actual month is November but I will have company that month and don't think it is very nice to abandon them in my off work hours to write. I might do some but not what I should to get me word count in. So I will log my hours and try to get it done in 30 days this month and then submit it in November. Maybe write until they come and then finish the last week of November after they have gone. Good plan. Glad I thought of it just now.
See what writing things down will do for you?
The next trick is to write. If I don't let you read it don't be surprised or upset. there is probably a reason. Maybe as simple as I don't want to share. Maybe as complex as you just don't need to know that.
I have 4,700 words today. whew
While listening to the authors give readings was enjoyable - hearing what they wrote with their inflections makes it sound more believable than merely reading the words yourself - I have to say it made me feel they were a tad full of themselves. Probably not so, well with two of them. But there were extenuating circumstances for the other one. She was coming off a recent loss and so in the moments she was not at the podium she was a bit aloof. I will cut her some slack.
Through this experience and one via email where I inquired as to how to contact a writer, I have learned a few things about writing.
First, I am not sure what I write will be readable by just anyone. Some stuff is just better off not shared.
Second, if I am not willing to hurt people or at least apologize before something goes to publication there is no point in my trying to be published.
Third, it is possible to write and then revise to hide what could hurt someone. But am I willing to do that? Part of me - the evil, bitter part wants to just toss all the dirty laundry out there and let someone else deal with it. Let the dung hit the oscillating motor. Some people deserve it. That is not how I want to live though.
Fourth, if by some wonderful happenstance I get a book finished, polished, apologized over, in print and in front of readers I feel strongly that though I will need to protect my privacy, I must also allow readers into my world. If someone writes me, I feel I should in some way acknowledge it. I know authors get so well-known and well-liked that they can't possibly respond to everyone, but when you get that good, you can hire someone to help with that. And they can forward on to you those letters, notes, whatever that seems in need of a more personal response. That means whoever is the gatekeeper will have to share my heart. That is a lot of trust.
Fifth, if I am ever in a situation where people buy my book and want an autograph I will thank them sincerely. I may even, on the chance I am having a not so good day, admit it so they don't think I am a snob in a snit. Readers are important people. Without them beyond the experience of having written a book, there is no value in having done so. Dust-catcher hardly seems worthy of the many hours spent constructing sentences.
I am getting ready for National Novel Writing Month. I will admit to cheating a little. I am keeping my hours over this month. The actual month is November but I will have company that month and don't think it is very nice to abandon them in my off work hours to write. I might do some but not what I should to get me word count in. So I will log my hours and try to get it done in 30 days this month and then submit it in November. Maybe write until they come and then finish the last week of November after they have gone. Good plan. Glad I thought of it just now.
See what writing things down will do for you?
The next trick is to write. If I don't let you read it don't be surprised or upset. there is probably a reason. Maybe as simple as I don't want to share. Maybe as complex as you just don't need to know that.
I have 4,700 words today. whew
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Upset? Pray.
So, I have managed to get from January to now without a single negative comment about my work. This does not mean there has been no constructive criticism and I do have one pretty solid detractor that will have to be dealt with soon.
Those don't really count. Telling me something that will improve my writing and job performance is welcome. Someone out to get me without knowing me is inexcusable and needs to be stopped. Praying about that one.
At any rate, a story I wrote hit this guy's radar. He does not know how stories are categorized and therefore took exception to my not telling two sides of the story.
Let's be clear. Freedom of the press is for the people who own and write to do what needs done by their own standards, not everyone else's.
Does that mean I think it is right to be biased in an article? Not at all.
Feature writing, like story-telling, covers one side of the story. Tells of events that are happening. Shines a spotlight on one thing.
News coverage should tell both sides, all sides, as many sides as possible. It should tell only what happened. Anything else added is another article.
Easy way to differentiate them - call news an article and all else falls easily into stories and columns.
To say I am upset about one biased man assuming I told a STORY in a biased fashion is a gross understatement. I don't know how to answer him, other than to stay silent and let the story speak for itself. I could attempt to answer him, in a sense get into a pissing contest with him. But what would be the point? I doubt he would concede my point. I certainly will not concede his.
So other than here, I will stay silent. Let my editor deal with it. (Man is it nice to say that!! Sorry, Ben!)
I will continue to write unbiased articles and interesting stories and columns. And I will pray for the people in this town who are being torn and, in my opinion, forced to chose sides.
One other point. People who come in to disturb, to stir things up in the name of Christianity should be sure they are on the right side. I am not sure we are called to cause problems, but to tell the truth, be gentle and harmless as doves; to move people out from under the law and into the solid, welcoming arms of grace.
Pastors who do not preach grace in action and in the pulpit need to examine their motives. Pastors who weep with the understanding that they, too, are being taught through their sermons should be listened to, their sincerity examined and emulated.
I give my upset spirit to God and pray for us all to see and hear Him clearly.
Those don't really count. Telling me something that will improve my writing and job performance is welcome. Someone out to get me without knowing me is inexcusable and needs to be stopped. Praying about that one.
At any rate, a story I wrote hit this guy's radar. He does not know how stories are categorized and therefore took exception to my not telling two sides of the story.
Let's be clear. Freedom of the press is for the people who own and write to do what needs done by their own standards, not everyone else's.
Does that mean I think it is right to be biased in an article? Not at all.
Feature writing, like story-telling, covers one side of the story. Tells of events that are happening. Shines a spotlight on one thing.
News coverage should tell both sides, all sides, as many sides as possible. It should tell only what happened. Anything else added is another article.
Easy way to differentiate them - call news an article and all else falls easily into stories and columns.
To say I am upset about one biased man assuming I told a STORY in a biased fashion is a gross understatement. I don't know how to answer him, other than to stay silent and let the story speak for itself. I could attempt to answer him, in a sense get into a pissing contest with him. But what would be the point? I doubt he would concede my point. I certainly will not concede his.
So other than here, I will stay silent. Let my editor deal with it. (Man is it nice to say that!! Sorry, Ben!)
I will continue to write unbiased articles and interesting stories and columns. And I will pray for the people in this town who are being torn and, in my opinion, forced to chose sides.
One other point. People who come in to disturb, to stir things up in the name of Christianity should be sure they are on the right side. I am not sure we are called to cause problems, but to tell the truth, be gentle and harmless as doves; to move people out from under the law and into the solid, welcoming arms of grace.
Pastors who do not preach grace in action and in the pulpit need to examine their motives. Pastors who weep with the understanding that they, too, are being taught through their sermons should be listened to, their sincerity examined and emulated.
I give my upset spirit to God and pray for us all to see and hear Him clearly.
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