Could it be? Could it be, I'm back? Nah...don't count on it, lol. I hope so, but then again, I seriously doubt it. But I'm closer. Ever closer. This past year has been incredible. I never imagined how difficult it would be to change jobs after 22 years. And to start in the summer during the busiest time of year for FLVS? Brutal. No other word for it. Many tears ensued. Mammoth doubts as to whether I'm made the right choice jumping on this train. But it was either that, or get run over.

Ok, so seriously, do I like teaching at FLVS? Yes. Yes, I do. It's sooo different. I talk to students every single day. And their parents. One-on-one conversations with students. Those were rare in the brick and mortar classroom. It took me a while to figure every thing out. To find a system for myself that worked. I'm sure I've still got more to learn. But at the same time, I think I've crossed a threshhold, that line of what-have-I-done to the I-got-this point. So summer is still our busiest time of year. I teach Algebra 1 only, and each summer there are scores of students who have failed the course who wish to retake it during the summer and cram 8 months of work into 2. Some manage to do it. But it's crazy. Four more weeks to go, and then I can really see if I made the right choice or not.

Here's what I think:

I think there's an agent out there who's going to love my YA muted. I think if I expect them to fall in love with it, I have to get it in their hands. Must. Submit. More....check.

I think the idea for my next book is amazing! I think I can't wait to dig it. I think the flashback scene that I wrote to 'set it up' in my mind is a great start to figuring out what happened so many years ago. The life-altering event that changed my protagonist's life forever. Will that make it into the book? Probably....in some form...Maybe...well, maybe not. I can't wait to find out who she is. How this has impacted her. How she'll react to the new information about that event...and how that will again change her situation. I can't wait to write. Even more exciting, I think that time will come...after my students head back to school.

I had a wonderful time yesterday at a workshop put on by the wonderful Joyce Sweeney, author of multiple teen novels. I was pleasantly surprised to find I still sorta kinds knew what I was doing. I hadn't lost my touch...the flair, the writer in me. She's still there, waiting to be let out to play. I can still do this. I'm good at it. And I love it! The writing. The revising. The critting. All of it.

I can't wait to see what the fall brings. Life is good. Son is a Gator, started UF this summer as a freshman, daughter is a senior in high school, I have an awesome hubby who fixed my computer...wow. I truly am lucky. Life is good. Feel free to siphon off a little of my exuberance if you need some. Feeling great!

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I've taught math at the same middle school for 22 years. Tomorrow is my last day. Beginning Monday I will be teaching Algebra One at Florida Virtual School!!!! Online teaching! I'm so excited....nervous also, to be sure, but so excited!!! The learning curve will be steep, maybe vertical. Grin. But I'm hoping once I get the hang of it, I'll be able to schedule more quality writing time! Woot! Woot!!!

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I have to share! This week was so much fun. I'll confess, I was worried about using the MacBooks with my students, but it has been the BEST addition to my teaching! Especially for my Algebra students. The new high school math textbooks have a website that's incredible! (Your child's teacher has to set up their classes on that site and give their students their usernames and passwords.) I've been trying all year to get my students hooked on the 'home tutor' section of the website. The website also has instructional videos, powerpoint, interactive lessons, you name it, they've got it!

So this week I signed out the laptops and instructed them to do the home tutor lessons in the first two sections of chapter five. The home tutor gives them 15 practice problems. Every student has 15 different problems, and every time they do the lesson, they get another 15 different problems! Amazing, right? AND...if they don't understand the concept, they can click "hint" and it will show them how to do a similar problem or they can click "show me" and it will explain how to do the problem, then give them another. They get up to three tries per problem. And they are HARD! (You know I love to make my students think!) As they completed a segment, I recorded their score. They can check their answers as they go, or wait until they've finished. I made them do the lesson over and over until they got at least a B. What they didn't know is that my plan was to average those two lesson grades together and count it as their test!

THEN...after they finished the two sessions, (this took like, three days total), they copied my notes that I'd attached to their assignment in their online gradebook, read through the notes, including annotations I'd made on images of their text that I'd captured with my MOBI, and then after finding the homework pages of their textbook ONLINE, they started their homework in class! No direct instruction. All I did was go around and answer questions, and check for understanding. Most of the students really liked learning this way. I liked it because they had to read my notes, read the text, and THINK about what they were reading. We'll see Monday if it really worked or not when we go over the homework. Oh, and even though iPods aren't allowed, I'll admit, if they had their earbuds, I let them listen to music while working. And some used their earbuds to watch the video tutorials. So, so cool!

Here's the funny part. One student said they thought it would be really cool if they could use iChat to talk to me through my computer to ask me questions. LOL. Sounds sort of like virtual teaching, don't you think? I told him, that even though it sometimes seems like it, I don't work 24/7. Grin.

I'm telling ya, teaching through technology is amazing! It is most definitely the way of the future!

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It seems the theme of my life lately is waiting. I've finally began the submission process again. I have one agent I really, really like, and two others that have shown interest in my writing. I submitted to the first one a couple of weeks ago, but decided today that it was best not to put my eggs all in one basket. Of the other two agents, one only accepts electronic submissions, the other, only snail mail. So the electronic submission went out today. The snail mail should go out Monday. Then...I wait. 

In the beginning of August, I also put in an application to teach at a virtual school. In November I was asked to scan and upload my last two evaluations and complete a teacher profile survey. I suppose that means I've made the first cut. My application is still being reviewed. I know this process is a long one...so I wait.

We moved to our current property in '98. Fifteen glorious acres. We purchased a used doublewide thinking we'd be able to build in, oh, say 5 years? So...we've finally started the process. Agreed on a house plan. And given it to a builder to give us a cost estimate to build. I have no idea if it's within our budget or not. So...we wait.

So, while waiting, I have to do something to take my mind off of those tiny grains of sand slipping through the hourglass. I'm walking. A lot. I've lost nearly 15 pounds. (Yay!)

I'm trying new things at school, teaching from the online text, mixing in my notes, trying to teach the students to use their books, to think. I'm looking forward to using the new classroom set of MacBooks. I'm enjoying my students, and trying to let the irritations slide.

I'm thinking of a new book idea. Brain writing, I call it. Trying to figure out how to make it work. Trying to gather the various threads and images together to bring my protagonist into better focus, as well as some secondary characters. Trying to figure out what to DO with the idea. The action. The plot. 

And I'm reading. Still one of the best ways to pass the time. Waiting. It's all part of the game. But I can't help it. Sometimes I sure wish I could figure out how to fast forward. Okay....time to go walk some more.

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Just wanted to share a web site with you that has helped me begin my journey to better health and less stress. myfitnesspal. Since the week before Thanksgiving I've lost 7 pounds. (Umm...if you don't count the two that have snuck up on me these past two days. LOL.) Seriously, just keeping track of the calories I'm consuming has made an incredible difference. So far I have found every single food on this site. Another thing I love about it is that you can type in an entire recipe, enter the number of servings, and bingo, you get the calories per serving that are in that recipe! You can also keep track of your cardiovascular and/or strengthening exercise! And most encouraging, as you end each day, the site tells you what you will weigh in five weeks if you continue eating as you did that day. Very, very cool.

I'm learning to let go of stuff at work. I focus on what's best for my students, and am trying to let the rest slide. Sort of. I do what I can. Meanwhile, I've applied to teach online. It's a slow process, but I've made the first cut. As much as I love technology, I think I'll enjoy teaching this way. We'll see. God knows best.

Today my son leaves for a week of scout camp. We're in Florida, but still, nothing like sleeping in a tent when it's in the 20's at night. But he'll be able to earn those last three required merit badges for Eagle, then he can focus on an Eagle project. With him gone and hubby at work, I should be able to finish the revisions on my YA so I begin submitting it. I think it's going to be the one. The breakout novel. Submitting it will be a great way to start the new year.

2010 has been good to me. Stressful, yes. Yet I know I'm blessed. We had our first Dave Ramsey Christmas. Christmas on a budget. No credit cards. I'm learning to manage the stress at work and taking steps to change that. And I haven't given up on the publishing dream. My kids are happy and healthy, making good grades. And hubby and I are close to celebrating 20 wonderful years together. I can't ask for more.

Hoping all of you out there had a blessed Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year!

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This school year has had it's ups and downs. Like everyone these days, jobs are becoming more and more stressful. And yes, I'm thankful I have a job. And one that I enjoy. Mostly. I love being in the classroom, working with my students. Figuring out what makes them tick, what trick will help them understand that great abyss of knowledge, otherwise known as math...yeah, that's fun.

But I'm struggling more this year juggling everything. Job...two teens...well, that's enough in itself. LOL. But I'm also working on the great breakout novel. It's been tough to get myself into that place where I can relax, and think, and revise, and create, and, well, all that stuff. But I'm closer than ever to finally submitting it. I won't quit. I won't. Ever.

Meanwhile, I must learn to handle the stress. Hmmm...lose weight. Exercise. Two biggies. Really. I can't change the other genetic stress factors. But I also have to figure out how not to do everything....perfectly. Yeah, you know the type. Drive everyone else crazy because we have to do what we're told. Do the right thing. If it's worth doing, well it's worth doing right, the very best you can. I'm finding it's not healthy. I've committed to making a change. After all, it is just a job, right? I'll have to be willing to do what's best for my students, and, hard to even type....let the rest slide. I want to enjoy my hubby, my kids, my writing...life, for a very long time to come. And you know what, I might even figure out how to work in the time to visit with my online writer buddies every once in a while. :)

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So I'm resisting. Resisting reading the ms. It's printed out. But I'm making myself wait. Two critiques are already back. There are things than can be made better, tighter, things that will make my characters more three-dimensional. But overall, very positive feedback. I'm starting to believe I might actually be able to meet my goal of submitting this before I have to go back to school.

As in, go back when my other district teachers go back, on the 16th. Because I already went back last week. To a four day workshop that was so awful we only went for two days and were instructed not to go back. I've never had an experience like that before. Without going into details, I think, to be fair to the presenter, that he wasn't given a clear picture of what he was supposed to be training us for.

But this week, I'm also in a workshop. A technology workshop! Our district won a nearly one million dollar grant for technology, including training! And....we're training on MACS!!! I'll have to let you know what I think of them. So far, it's a little frustrating, but today was noticeably easier than yesterday. But the super exciting part is that we learned how to do a podcast!!! I'm so flippin' excited. The only down side was that I had to do one on math. (It was pitiful.) You know I wanted to do one on teen novels. Especially my own! Man, it was so exciting! With a little practice, I believe I'll be able to produce something worthwhile! No, don't think I'm going to let you see the one I did today. Nope, not going there.

Even if it is still summer, and I rather be at home, I can't wait to see what we're going to do tomorrow!

Happy writing all!

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I'm so excited. And feeling a little lost. I'm finished with MUTED. I've even cleaned up all the gazillions of comment tags I'd posted throughout the manuscript! Today it goes out to my valued writing buddies. I can't wait to print it out and read it with pencil in hand. But first. I'm going to read this:

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My son needs your help with a FLVS (Florida Virtual School) biology survey if you have a few minutes.  It does ask for personal information at the end, so feel free to send your answers to me in a private LJ message or to candycana at gmail dot com. Thanks.

Son's guest post:

Ok, so I had to write up a little survey on Animal Testing. I just need 25 people to reply to this please.

1.) First of all, what do you know about Animal Testing?

2.) Do you feel that there is a limit to the tests that should be performed, such as lipstick is fine, but drugs are not?

3.) Is the animal's potential sacrifice of health justified as it helps to protect us?

4.) What is a means that we could end Animal Testing but still make sure the product is safe for human use?


I also need to know your age, gender, occupation, and education(?).... Not me, FLVS... haha

ETA: Anonymous responses are fine as well, as long as the above personal info is included. Thanks so much.

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I tried. I really did. I won this guy at the school fair in 4th grade! Robin Hill Elementary in Creve Coeur, Missouri. I had to throw rings around soda bottles. And I got all 3! I still remember the puffed up feeling I had as I carried it through the school to the gymnasium to show Mom and Dad. And my brothers. I was somebody!

I've tried to get rid of it before but it never made it out the door. So today, finally, it made it to my favorite donation destination. Even though hubby saw it last night and commented, pouting, that he couldn't believe I was getting rid of it. How could I? (Insert dramatic sigh of anguish.) I informed him, feeling very superior, that maybe if I got rid of useless junk that we'd been saving for years, then maybe he would too. I know. Ouch.

So I drove away feeling very proud of myself. I'd done it. And it hadn't even hurt too badly. I go pick up my almost grown, muscled, taller-than-me 16yo son from football practice. And, of course I brag to him about my accomplishment. He was devastated. What? How could I? He'd heard our discussion last night and tried to find it. (It was already in the car.) He was going to take it. It would be the biggest in his collection! How could I get rid of it! (Insert another cry of anguish.)

It's back. Now in my son's room. I did leave three other garbage bags full of donations. Hey, at least it's no longer in my bedroom right?

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My novel is a contemporary YA. My writing buddy is losing track of who's who. And she's wisely suggesting that perhaps my list of named characters needs to be purged. She points out that if you name a character, the reader feels obligated to remember who they are. She's right. The bad part is, she's suggesting I cut a character I particularly like. That perhaps his use can be accomplished by another, better-known character. Waaa. (Her word. Grin.) I'm grasping for straws in defense of keeping that character. Secondary characters must be well-defined too, right? They have their own stories, lives, siblings. (You guessed it, said minor named character is a young sibling of older much-more-important character.)

Okay, so I have to approach this objectively. Time to do a character tree of sorts. Time to find out exactly how many named characters I have. I'll let you know what I find out.

What do you think? How many named characters is too many?


ETA: 16!
MC and two new best friends
One old best friend and that character's new best friend(antagonists)
Romantic interest and his best friend
Two counselors (Probably need to prune to one even though 2nd one is interesting.)
Two male antagonists (one is huge, the other can maybe be pruned.)
MC's step-dad, mom, and two twin sisters.
younger sibling of new significant best friend.
Oh...and I didn't add in teacher's names. But wouldn't it be weird not to name teachers when much of the novel takes place at school?

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Everybody has them. Mine is shopping. In a previous novel, my character and her friend were shopping for prom dresses. Saying things like, "OMG, that's hideous!" or "It makes you look like a huge blob of cotton candy!" Lots of giddy, hysterical laughter. Phone pics. Threats of posting pics on line. And of course, finding the perfect dress.

BORING. To me. Actually I think I cut that scene out completely after laboring over it for hours. I'm not sure. I haven't looked at that WIP in months. I remember having the first few pages of that novel critiqued at a January FL SCBWI* conference several years ago by the gracious libba_bray , and she told me I needed an entire chapter just on the shopping experience! Whaaat???? Maybe that's when I decided to cut the scene. Not really. That scene was part of the close to 10,000 words I cut from the beginning of the novel. But the point is, Libba Bray obviously LOVES scenes like these. Me? Not so much.

My current WIP needs a shopping scene. I've made such a big deal about my character hating to go to the mall, that I MUST put her there. I know. What? A teen who hates going to the mall? No way! Yeah...way. It's an extension of her disorder. But now I have to write the darn scene.

So...you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to go mow. You heard me. I'm going to read what I've written so far. Get it fresh in my head. And then go mow. And think about it. And imagine...and picture. And when I've finished mowing? I'm going to come in and write that darn scene.

*Edited several times to try to remember how to do the doggone links! Guess I really have been away from LJ too long.

So what scenes do you hate to write? And how do you make yourself write them?

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I'm posting again! Yay for summertime. I'm writing, writing, writing. I felt so frustrated that I wasn't finished with my WIP until I looked back at what I've been able to accomplish since January. That's when I began writing the second draft, focusing on changing it from a MG to a YA. Then in March I decided to change it to present tense. So here we are in June and the entire ms is now in present tense and the tone is now, without a doubt, YA. So much of the previous draft no longer fit. And when I tried to make it work, it was LABOR. And it felt like it. That's when I'd realize I needed to hit delete and start from scratch to show whatever growth or emotion I was trying to achieve. It always worked better. Sometimes the shortest route to a better product is to start with a clean slate.

So during the process of drafting new material, I'm happily writing in present tense. Till all of a sudden, I realize I'm back in past. How does that happen? Sometimes dialogue does it to me. Much of the time, I don't know what causes it. Any ideas? Does that happen to you?

And one of my writer friends suggested that the setting might have something to do with it. Where it's taking place, the dialect, etc. Hmmm... I realize I don't have a setting. Not in that sense. I haven't placed it in any particular area of the country. Most of the scenes, except for some foot ball games and a soccer game, take place indoors. I wanted the reader to be able to place this story in their town. In their state. No matter what part of the country they live in. I mean, I could place it in Florida where I live. But do I have to in contemporary fiction? What do you think?

Any thoughts and further ramblings are welcome. In the meantime, happy writing all!

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I did it again. Dropped off the blog-o-sphere. But, aside from fighting for my kids in honors classes that aren't really honors classes, with teachers that seem to pull their grades out of the air...things have been sorta, kinda okay.

This week my students were bugging me to find a video of a trick biker that they'd sent me. 1) I couldn't find it. 2) I remembered it had some pretty explicit lyrics in the background song. Yeah, I know, 8th graders have heard it all. But still, I can't show something like that. So, instead, I found this one. It is amazing!!!!!




On the writing front, I'm very pleased, yet not thrilled with where I am in revision-land. I expected to finish revisions during my spring break. That was before I decided to re-write it in present tense. I LOVE it. It is definitely much better. Smoother. Hope uber-smart agent that signs me will agree. lol. So, I've re-written the first 18 chapter in present. Now to finish it. One day, all of this will be worth it. Meanwhile, my hubby keeps shaking his head, wondering how many times I'm going to re-write the darn thing before I finally decide it's done. Tee hee. He doesn't know...it's never done till it's bound and shipped. :)

Happy writing all.

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I’m back home after a trip to the pharmacy. Waiting for the muscles relaxers to uncoil my lower back. The spasms, a product of FCAT testing and too many hours sitting, sitting, sitting. So now, I’m laying. Knees up. Trying to type.

I’m re-reading SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. Wondering why it’s taken me so long. Trying to figure out why she used present tense. Melinda feels so real. So alive in her desperation. Is that because it’s in present tense? Or maybe it’s simply the fact that LAH is a master storyteller. The best. Once again, I’m totally lost in the story.

I’m trying to decide if my WIP should be in present tense. Re-writing a few chapters. I email LAH. Ask her why she chose present tense. Immediately after hitting send, I am embarrassed. I’ve been on this writing journey for over five years. A newbie I am not. Yet, such a newbie presumption that she would have time to answer.

I ask myself, why did I ever conceive that contacting her was a good idea. It comes to me…

Books are my friends. Authors are my friends. I’ve met many great ones. Mostly from Florida. They are people like me. People that understand the desire to re-write, and re-write and re-write. People who are excited at the prospect of being alone, only a book and computer to keep you company. People like me who get so lost in their characters that they forget where they are.

I find an author I enjoy and I read everything. I read all their books. Their blogs. Try to figure out what makes their writing so amazing. So hard to put down. In cyberspace, I feel as though I know the author, when in reality, I do not. They are my friend. But they are not.

So, I apologize for the newbie mistake. Wonder how often it happens. And know it’s often. Even now I have people beg me to tell them how to go about writing a book. How do you answer? It’s not easy. It’s not overnight. It takes practice. It takes work. Then more work. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll reach a point where you can let go and say it’s finished. And if you’re really lucky, someone will agree with you.

So today, if my back will let me, I’ll re-write more of my WIP in present tense. Try to figure out if I’m just putting on an unnecessary coat of paint with distracting embellishments, or if indeed the makeover makes the story come alive so the reader is compelled to sit down, relax, and spend time in my imaginary world.

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I'm in a wonderful critique group but unfortunately, we live a pretty good distance apart. Over an hours drive each way. Mix that with a family life that includes busy teens and the day job, it can often get pretty difficult for us to schedule a date to meet. So, our techno-nerd, Paul, has convinced us to try video conferencing so we can meet together without the drive. We'll still submit our 20 pages to each other every couple of weeks, but now, rather than making hard copy comments, we'll use the comment feature in word, and send them back before the conference time. I'm very excited about this. It opens up the possibilities of critiquing with critique partners lost through moves. I know Paul misses members of his old group and Linda and I lost a valued member when she moved north. Imaging still being able to connect with those writer buddies who pull no punches, who encourage you when you're ready to quit, and who can't wait to celebrate the successes with you. Course then, our techno-nerd will have to make more magic. Wonder if he can put a few more hours in each day.

Here's the site we're using. (http://www.tokbox.com/) I'm curious if you've tried it. What do you think of it? Successes? Pitfalls? Other sites? Feel free to weigh in and I'll let you know how it goes in two weeks.

Yep. Gotta love to write!

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We start FCAT testing tomorrow. So I wanted something special for today's video. This student is incredible.



On the writing front, I'm making great progress. But now I'm wondering if I'm telling this story in the right tense. How do you decide if a book needs to be in present tense?

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I showed my students two videos today, both about the Ironman race. I don't know that I could have gotten back up. An athlete, I am not. But can I get back up after a bad writing day? After several rejections? A difficult critique? You betcha! And that's why I'm convinced that I will eventually win my personal race.

Enjoy.

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Wouldn't this be the coolest summer Olympic sport? I can think of several teens who would agree. This is today's inspirational video. This teen is amazing!




On the writing front, I decided it would be best to stop pushing forward. I'm skipping ahead instead to the scenes that want to be written. I'll go back and fill in the connections later.

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On the writing front, I'm making progress and the changes are exciting. The challenge is, as always, finding time to write. Son turned 16 Saturday, and then, of course, the superbowl. :)

For your Monday inspiration:

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Monday's inspirational video...on Tuesday. :)




Failure. What will you do with it?

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I’ve just returned from yet another incredible SCBWI Florida winter conference. Our regional advisor, Linda Bernfeld, has a wonderful talent for getting great inspirational speakers. Normally, I'd take time to give you a play-by-play of the conference and share nuggets of wisdom garnered from our speakers. But this year, I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to take that time and work on my novel.

I had the first ten pages of MUTED critiqued by the gracious and intense Jennifer Rofe of the Andrea Brown Agency. I definitely felt she had put significant effort into her critique for me. Her critique was meaty and direct. My first though was, will I ever get this book right? And when it was over, (15 minutes wasn't nearly enough), I went upstairs, and with my uber-sweet, smart, saavy roommate/critique buddy, listened to my recorded critique, manuscript and comments in hand. (I always try to remember to record the critique, with permission, of course.) After a half hour of stop, what did she say?, wait - replay that, and more, I was ready to break out the wine and celebrate. 1)She liked the premise, 2)She wants to see revisions, and 3)I totally get what I need to do to make this book incredible!

What I'd thought were drastic changes are really the catalyst for setting me free and making the book come alive. My character is in 8th grade. Jennifer Rofe thought she was in 9th. Making that one change changes the feel and tone of the book. First and foremost, it will help me completely separate my character from the true life story. I will be free to make Jessica her OWN person, not just a vague copy of the amazing student that I taught and love. I'll be able to create an entirely different world for Jessica and, because she no longer feels like my student, who I'm inclined to protect; I can make bad stuff happen to her. I can put her in really awful situations and force her to deal with it.

Jennifer said that if MUTED is just an "awareness" novel, it might be difficult to place. (My character has a common, but widely unknown and misunderstood disorder.) She said I need to give it UNIVERSAL APPEAL. My character's issues, her obstacles, need to strike a chord in the reader. The reader must be able to identify with them. I GET IT! I've got to make my character face bigger issues. High school issues. I am so stoked to work on this! And that's why I'm not going to take time to do a normal conference update. I have serious work to do. The ONLY thing that's keeping me from getting published...is ME. I must take advantage of all the free time I have to work on this book so it's ready to submit. And now, I think I really understand what this novel needs to make it irresistible. This is AWESOME!

Thanks again, to Linda Bernfeld and all her efforts to create incredible opportunities for the authors in Florida!

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It's that time of year. Semester exams. So I showed my students this video today, in hopes it would inspire them to end the 1st semester strong.




Meanwhile, I'm still plugging away on MUTED. Met with my two crit buddies Saturday and we discussed some global issues. After letting it gel a bit, I realized that I can address those issues with changes that I planned to make with one of the secondary characters anyway. But now I know how to make him work. How to bring out the part of his character that becomes antagonistic to my main character, while addressing those other concerns. It's really exciting when you figure out how to make something work! That's why I love writing so much. Those in-the-shower, aha, moments. Awesome.

Here's hoping you're also experiencing some aha moments in your writing.

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I've been trying to figure out what to do with this blog. I don't have much time to spend here. I mean, let's face it. I started the blog because I thought as an aspiring author, I needed web presence. As a bonus, I knew I'd find other writers who would understand those aggravating writing frustrations and the little victories. As a newbie, I had many questions answered by those much wiser and experienced than myself. It's more comfortable to flounder together.

But I also know that any time spent here takes away from time I can spend on my book. So I feel like I need to have something to say if I post. Hmmm...I still am not sure I really know what I'm doing, so do I have anything worthwhile to share? LOL. I'm not the one to answer that question.

So, here's my decision. Every Monday I show my 8th graders an inspirational video. Something to help them recharge after whatever they've been through over the weekend. I want my blog to be positive, encouraging, inspiring, uplifting and all the other good stuff. Therefore, I plan to share their video each week. If I come up with any golden kernels of wisdom in the meantime, I'll let you know.

Yesterday was a planning day, so here's Monday's Inspirational video on a Tuesday. The second half is really cool! I hope you enjoy it.

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My Livejournal has suffered. I find myself going to Facebook because it's easier, and faster. Often I feel I have nothing to add here. You know what I mean? Who wants to read a bunch of drivel about me. No, I'm not dissing myself. It's just, well, I know I don't have time to read lots of personal stuff about cyber buddies I've never met. I doubt they do either. I'm boring. I teach. I read. I write. And I taxi my children. Personal family and friends might be interested in the mundane happenings in my life. Maybe. Grin. But I feel that if I'm going to post here, it should be something worth your time. (Have you moved on yet?)

So, in this time of New Year's resolutions...I'm not going to make any. I know I need to once again work on health issues. I know I MUST get my manuscript submission ready. I know I have to make time to slow down and listen to my children...and talk to my husband. Family is what's most important. I only have two more years before my son goes to college. Three for my daughter. Making time for them is not so trivial as a new year's resolution. It's life. People and the connections we make with them are what make life worth living. My goal is to continue to strive to be a better person, to live outside myself. What is it Spock used to say? "Live, love, and prosper." Yeah. that's it.

And in the meantime, I'll post here when I think I've discovered some writerly magic that works for me, and I'll continue to make silly status updates on Facebook.

May 2010 be the year you find yourself living life to the fullest.

Live. Love. Prosper.

ETA: I just asked my son. It's, "live LONG and prosper." Ha. I like mine better. ;)

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