So it's been over a week since the cold from HELL, and my ear is much better. I'm off antibiotics now, I no longer have that "full feeling," and my ear is popping when I want it to. But one thing that is driving me crazy...it crackles and pops (yes, like the cereal) everytime I move my jaw a certain way or when I swallow. The only time it does NOT do this is when I'm chewing gum (which obviously I'll be doing a LOT of on the plane). I googled it, and from what I can see, some say it's actually the tube in your ear healing and you're on the road to recovery, and others say it still indicates a problem...in any case, I'm hoping it's the former and not the latter. This is my first experience with an ear infection...does anyone have any input? I am all better congestion wise so I think the trip on the airplane will be fine, but I'm still nervous. I left a message with my doctor, but I really don't want to go in and pay another co-pay. Ick. Ear issues suck balls. My kids will complete their round of antibiotics tomorrow (because they had ear infections too, remember?!), but I'm definitely taking them in on Thursday before we leave. If the infections aren't gone, there is no way I'm leaving this country without another round of antibiotics in hand.
Today has really been dragging. Packing is almost complete, dinner is done, but this house is a mess. I should be cleaning, but I'm not. Which means I should be writing. I think I might really kick start my writing again with some short stories. You guys know how I love short stories. I'm thinking that'll be an excellent way to unwind tonight, and maybe even forget about my ears for a while.
Now...what kind of short story to write. Suggestions, anyone? If I get a good suggestion and use it, I might even post the story to my blog. :-) So suggest away...
In 10 days I'm leaving for London and I'll be gone for two weeks. I just wanted to give you all a heads up, in case you are tempted to start another Bring Back Dena Daw Day.
While some of you know why I'm going, I guess not all of you do. So I'll fill you in. My husband is from England and I met him when I was fifteen through a pen pal service. That's right. The worst kind of geekiness. To make a long story short, we spoke for years, via letters, the phone, e-mails, aim (yes, back when people used it). In 2000 I went and met him for the first time in London. Not to sound cheesy (but I'm about to hit you with some serious cheesiness), I fell in love with him on sight. Not to mention his accent. THE ACCENT. The panty-dropping accent that my parents should have (and did) fear. Ah, young love. And hormones. And fish and chips. I was in Heaven.
And this girl right here:
Had her first kiss on the tube in England. And no, I haven't changed much since then. Well, not since that last picture that had to be scanned in. You know, because digital cameras were only owned by rich people back then.
Anyhow, I'm getting off topic.
After he graduated from Exeter University, he moved to South Carolina because that's where I was going to college. Six months later, we were engaged. A year and a half later, and 6 days after graduation, we were married. So a lot has happened since then. Not to mention two kids, moving to another state, and purchasing a house. But, despite all that's happened, I'll always remember him like this:
The young English boy with the amazing accent who always smelled like leather, beer, and Radox.
This post is dedicated to you, Rich!!!
Look how far we've come???
And no one thought it would last.
*Sorry Rich, I had to post the picture with the crazy eyes. Because it's just the icing on the cake, really. And by the way, I'm not really sorry.
So obviously, England has a special place in my heart. It's also where Richard's entire family still lives. And where his parents and grandfather live...so we're off to visit them. I will miss you guys (in ten days...remember, I'm leaving in 10 days so you still have me for a little while...you don't have to cling to my virtual legs, people)...
Anyhow, there's my story.
What's yours?
I am coming out of a cold induced coma, and for the first time in a week I am motivated to do more than blow my nose and lay in the bed moaning about how my ear hurts. My entire family has had an ear infection (yes, all four of us) and we've all been jacked up on antibiotics and nasal decongestant and the last thing on my mind has been writing, to be honest. I'm feeling a lot better today, so I think I'm on the road to recovery. I'm pretty sure the other moms at Abi's preschool think I've been regularly hitting the bong in my free time, because for the past few days my eyes have been all kinds of pink and unpleasant and crack-whorish. Hitting the bong sounds a lot more pleasant than what I've really been up to, which is wading through the river of snot that's coming out of my nose. Seriously, where does it all come from? WHERE?!
I have a lot of people to thank for getting my big diseased a** back on this blog. Mainly, Jon, who organized "Happy Bring Back Dena Daw Day," in an effort to get me back in the practice room, or even just back to daily (or semi-daily) blogging. I'm sorry I've been so MIA. As far as writing goes, I actually sat down a couple of weeks ago and randomly wrote a picture book, which I ended up hating, but I really enjoyed the process. It made me sit back and think...why am I not doing this every day? Why is my book 15K (more or less) away from being finished, and has been about 15K away for months? Why can I not get my butt in gear and motivate myself? This kick in the butt from Jon (and all the wonderful writer friends that participated in sending me sweet and slightly threatening emails) was what I needed. It reminded me that I wrote 40K words this past summer for the first time in my life because I had support from people- people that believed I could do it, and people that are doing it too. I guess I thought that you guys would have forgotten about me, and it means a lot to me that you haven't. You're not just letting me quit, and you're not letting be a casualty of writer's block or simple laziness. I am inspired yet again!!! I WILL FINISH THIS BOOK!! YES! YES I WILL!
I think one of the thing that has been discouraging me (that I haven't really told anyone about) is just receiving all the rejections from my picture book Sally Circle. Stupid, I know, since rejections are part of this whole process of becoming a writer. I know this, yet I've let it get me down and second guess myself. It was the first time I'd ever submitted anything, and I always said that I'd never do it for fear of being rejected...but hey, I've been rejected many times, I've come to the end of it, and here I am, ready to start this bitch all over again! Ha Ha!!!!!! (I left out the bwa this time, for fear that it might be getting old).
Anyhow, I'd like to leave you with a menacing message that has been sent to me in an effort to get me re-join the writing ranks, just for your amusement (despite my personal discomfort).
Although I do think that using someone's deepest fear against them is decidedly low....(AHEM MARISA)...
anyway, enjoy
Okay, so here I am. And yes, this is going to be a real post. You know, as opposed to my fake ones. Just to catch up, I started out NaNo month rather well- on the second week in November I only had about 15K words left (give or take 10K) until my book, The Fall, was completed. Well guess what...November came and went, and I still have 15K (give or take 10K) left. So yes, basically I failed.
Over the past 2 months I've also gained about 10 lbs. Again...fail.
Granted, I've had some pretty good excuses. Every Fall my husband's family flies from England in chunks (mother and boyfriend, father and step mother, sister and brother-in-law). This usually goes on until the beginning of December. This time it ended early...as in the second week of November...but since then, honestly- I've just been recovering. When people are here I don't do anything but eat like I'm the one on vacation...and this is bad. Because typically they want American food. You know, like this.
Anyway, so that's really just an excuse...because I should be Practice Rooming. I should be finishing that dang book so I can start on the MG one...the one that's been shelved (in the virtual sense) for the past few months. This isn't easy, folks. I mean it was easy to get started...it was easy to jump into it and get excited about it- but somehow, things happen and life changes and before you know it, you missed your deadline. You lose your motivation. Then you struggle to get it back again. Which is what I'm doing now. Which is why I'm writing this post.
I know I need to start blog surfing again. I know I need to be chatting with my critique partners, reading more, writing more. But I can't think of it as homework either. It's like I have to fall in love with my book again. Fall in love with writing again. Somehow, starting in September, I got derailed. Sidetracked. Somehow, when I was away, one of my favorite bloggers went on hiatus and I dropped out of The Practice Room and I lost touch with my writer peeps.
Basically, I need all of you back. Do I need to stand outside your houses with a boom box? Because I will...if you live on the East coast...and in North Carolina....an within walking distance to my house.
So I'm kind of almost done with my book...and I have kind of unofficially done NaNo, but not really...and now I can't finish. I started reading what I wrote, from the beginning- in hopes that it'll motivate me to finish the stupid thing- but I couldn't even get halfway through reading without the kids interrupting me. The problem is I'm just not sure it's any good. I know everyone feels that way, and that's fine, but I've only got like 15K left to go and I can't get myself motivated to just get 'r done.
What has inspired all of you guys this month?
NaNo month is starting late for me, due to almost constant visitors for the last two months. Luckily, I am visitor free now and I am free to write write write!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've missed you guys. Regular posting starts again tomorrow!!! See you in
The Practice Room!
Every day I read about another reality star/actor ....writing a book. Just yesterday I read that SNOOKI (from Jersey Shore, if you aren't familiar) is now writing a book that is set to be published by Simon and Schuster.
This ticks me off. This proves that publishing houses are only interested in money and not in quality. How many actors have published children's books just because they felt like it? How many reality stars have gotten that long awaited book contract with just a phone call from their agent?
I'm sorry, but this begs the question-
WHAT ABOUT US??! What about ME? What about all the aspiring writers out there that go to conferences, join critique groups, read blogs, and buy copies of The Children's Writers and Illustator's Market? What about all those solidly GOOD writers out there that are struggling to break through a slow market? Doesn't this seem a little unfair?
I mean, I get it. Book sales. But, really? Snooki? Okay, I'm done.
You can now get back to your regularly scheduled program.
Man I've missed my blog. Man, I've missed writing. And man, have I missed you guys. I just got back from a week at the beach with my in-laws and parents (never, ever do that...trust me). Anyway, my in-laws are still in town and they will be until the 22nd, so I haven't been able to make it to any practice rooms or do any writing, which is killing me. Last night I had like 10 dreams and I kept thinking...oooo that would make a great book! And, upon reflection, I don't think they actually would- but I'm so desperate to write that I'm becoming crazy.
I'm about 40K into my story. My goal is to finish it by the end of the year. Which isn't as easy as it seems, considering after this visit, my sis-in-law and family come into town from Oct 12-21, then a friend of mine is here until the 25th, then my mother in law and her boyfriend are here from Oct. 29-Nov. 6. So, as you can see, it's hard for me to breathe between visits- much less write.
I am paranoid that because I've lost temporary contact with you guys that I'm somehow becoming a terrible writer again. Like, all I've learned is going down the crapper. Which is crazy, I know. But I can't help but think that.
Enjoy, and I'll be writing and practice-rooming soon!
Hi Guys,
Well I'm back. Don't worry, I'm not dying. Last week I had some health scares (swollen lymph node) but it went away- then I found a lump on my head, which apparently, according to the doctor, is just a part of my skull? Anyway, needless to say I was a little worried for a while there. Maybe if I get shot in the head one day this hard lump will save my life? You never know.
Unfortunately for the past week I've had this feeling that I have something stuck in my throat...it goes and comes. I'm beginning to think it's allergy related. Very bizarre. In other random news, I found a deal and I'm getting the carpet downstairs professionally cleaned for $60. Which is good, considering I called other places and their min. charge was $150...and that was supposed to be a deal? Granted, the carpets are perfectly dry when it's finished but...I think I can handle some wet carpet if it's going to be almost 100 bucks cheaper.
Why the steam cleaning, you ask? I have my in-laws (the first set...my husband's parents are divorced) coming to visit from England on September 5 and they'll be here until Sept. 21. But that's not the only reason I'm doing it...this is something we haven't had done ever...since moving in almost 3 years ago. So I figured...okay, this carpet is gross. It's time. Unfortunately, I'm too cheap to get the upstairs and staircase done. But we have a crappy old steamer...I'll use that myself. But the mess downstairs...our crappy little steam machine won't even touch that.
I guess that's what happens when you have 2 kids under 5 and a dog...and a husband who continually tracks grass and dirt in the house because he forgets to take his shoes off...but that's besides the point.
God, look at me...I'm rambling because I haven't blogged in so long. I still need to finish my book. I feel so close, but yet so far. I took a week off writing, then the "doctor week," and now it's simply a matter of getting back in the swing of things again.
Anyone have any good Inspiration? I'm out.
Sorry I've been missing guys (especially from the practice room).
I've been having some health problems that may (or may not) be serious. I am going to the doc (again) today. Please please please pray for me and keep me in your thoughts.
Hopefully I'll be back to writing in no time!
<3
Dean Koontz is writing children's books now?!
Does that mean that dog is really using her telekenesis to make Jinx fall off the log to his death???
Something to think about.
For those who were wondering (which I'm sure were none of you) I took a week off of writing my book...which was so needed. Last night I sat down for the first time in a week and wrote over 1300 words. This confirms my theory that writers need breaks. I once read this quote that said if you don't write every day, you can't call yourself a writer or something of that nature. I guess, technically, that's true. Last week I was not a writer. But I am now, and I'm loving it all over again and I feel like my writing is better for it.
Over this past week I lost a follower. I can't remember who it was, which sucks, because I can't track them down and demand a reason why they broke up with me. ONE WEEK off is all it took for them to figure out my blog was useless? ....I'm surprised they lasted that long!
Anyway, to everyone else, thanks for sticking around. But be warned: if I have another deserter, I might be forced to quote song lyrics in my grief.
Up until recently, I've always thought that Storytellers WERE writers. That they were one in the same. But now, after stepping into this writer's world, I have noticed that many writers see a difference. This morning in The Practice Room we were discussing how Stephanie Meyer is a great story teller, but necessarily a great writer.
I had never thought of this before. To me, they were always synonymous. What is the major difference? Is this true, or is this just snobbery? Is there something to this? Who decides what is and isn't good writing?
Thoughts?
Discuss below in comments :-)
I have had a major "a-ha!" moment today. Also known as a "oh crap" moment, as well as a "feel stupid" moment. But overall, today has been tremendously successful for me as a writer.
I went to Tina's
PR today (the afternoon one, which normally I don't ever make) and I'm so glad I did because we began talking about things like dialogue tags (see below post),
"shooting glances," fake words like 'alright,' and other cliches that are to be avoided when writing. Things that make your writing amateurish. Things that make editors want to take your manuscript, attach a grenade to it, throw it, and watch that sucker explode. And guess what I realized, 30K into my adult fiction and after posting the start of a possible MG novel of mine?
I AM AN AMATEUR. Of course, I knew that. You all knew that.This explains why my work is amateurish. I just started my blog at the beginning of this year. I've never actually written a BOOK before. I've only ever written short stories and picture books, which don't tend to have a lot of dialogue, and let's face it...they're usually too short to get into cliches. Too short to reveal my little "tics," as
Mary Kole calls them. In other words, things that are going to annoy the hell out of you once you start reading it. Things that I, master writer that I am, haven't even noticed or are simply unaware of.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not new to writing. I started writing the minute I could hold a pencil. But I'm new to writing to get published. I'm new to the publishing world. I haven't even put my feet in the shallow end in the publishing world. I'm new to meeting other writers, I'm new to the extensive list of "no-no's" in editor-land. I had no idea this would be such a process.
BUT BUT BUT BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, am I glad I "met" you guys. I am so thankful for Tina, for hosting something like
The Practice Room. I am so thankful for all you followers who have commented on my blog. Days like today make everything worth it.
Now I can grow as a writer. I'm thank much closer to getting published, thanks to all of you.
Okay, love fest over.
Here's some inspiration.
Despite the fact that I'm almost 30K into my adult fiction MS, I lost my mind earlier today and decided to tentatively draft a new story, just for the fun of it. The problem is, once I started writing it, I enjoyed it. A lot. A little too much to give it up.
Problem is, I really don't know what to class this story as. I'm thinking it reads like a MG, but honestly...I really don't know. I'm new to this MG/YA world. I am posting a little of what I've started below.
What do YOU think it is? Would you want to keep reading it?
Getting your period sucks.
“Well, either your period started or you crapped your pants,” Alyssa explained, putting on an extra coat of lip gloss.
“I didn't crap my pants,” I insisted, stranded on the toilet. “Aren't you going to help me?”
“Here's a pad,” she said impatiently, tossing me one from the cabinet underneath the sink. I looked at her, realizing that she fully expected me to figure this out on my own. “It's not rocket science,” she added, in all of her infinite fifteen year old wisdom. With that, she walked out of the bathroom, leaving the door open.
I sat there, totally humiliated, until I realized that I needed a fresh pair of panties. “ALYSSA!” I shouted, suddenly glad the door was still open. I knew she could hear me.
“ALYSSA!!!!!” Silence. She was probably on the phone again. Or just ignoring me...which, lets face it, seemed much more likely.
I refused to put my nasty underwear back on, so I left them on the tile floor, wiped, then ran to my room as fast as I could, my pad in hand.
Ten minutes later, I was sitting uncomfortably at the kitchen table, feeling like I had a mattress shoved in my pants. Have I put it on right? I wondered. There didn't seem to be a “this end up” sign or anything. And besides, like Alyssa said...it's not rocket science.
Getting your period might be a wonderful experience if you have a mother. I can just imagine it now...the speech about becoming a woman, the pad explanation, the my baby's growing up tears in the eyes. Feeling validated, feeling all kinds of grown up.
Maybe, if I had a mother, I'd get some kind of special treatment today, I thought to myself. Today would be different, somehow. A cupcake worthy day...or something. But I knew that wasn't happening. Moms and cupcakes were hard to come by...especially with my dad running the show.
Alyssa is my only sister, thank god. Sisters aren't exactly what movies make them out to be. I don't have a brother, so I don't know what that's like. But I'm willing to bet it's a whole lot better.
Dad walked into the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee with his large hands, permanently stained with oil. I swear, it's like he never washes them. Dad's a car mechanic, and he can't do much else. Once he tried to start up a conversation with my friend's mom about books...that was an epic fail. I knew if he found out that my period had started, he might do something crazy like talk about it. He wasn't exactly on a need-to-know basis, so I decided he didn't need to know.
“Grace started her period,” Alyssa said cheerfully, ratting me out the minute she graced us with her presence. She dropped down into her seat at the kitchen table, and I felt my face burning with anger and embarrassment. I'm pretty sure my dad spilled h
This week I'm hoping...
-That my husband will fix the curtain rod so our valance no longer tips to one side (wink wink, nudge nudge)
-That I will actually hear something good from a publisher regarding one of my picture books.
-That my husband will get a promotion sooner rather than later.
-That I'll be able to clean upstairs sometime today without falling and getting lost forever in a mound of laundry.
-That my son won't crap on the floor again.
-That my son will figure out how to make the S, K, and J and L sounds so I can understand what he's saying.
-That it won't rain all day.
-That my daughter will stop hurting herself every 5 minutes.
-That I'll lose at least 5 more lbs before the beach in September.
And a lot more.
What are you hoping for this week?
http://i.imgur.com/WdRim.gif
How much fun is THIS!!!! Thanks, Marisa!!
It says I write like Stephen King, but I analyzed another part of my writing and it said Dan Brown. I'll take both, thankyouverymuch. As long as I can get my millions LOL!
Click the link, guys!
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Glad to have you back.
SO jealous! Mostly of the beer, and that hairstyle! ;)
Glad you had a great trip here in the UK. We do have a lot of beer here. :)