vivaler

I have been writing this one particular YA for about 3 years now. I have taken several breaks from this particular story, mostly because of some major things happening in my life. Now that things have mostly calmed down, I'm finding my desire to finish this story strengthen. YAY!

I found I had a pretty solid idea of where the story was heading, but I've never been one to "know" any of my stories from start to finish. I get an idea, and play with ideas in my head, and then start writing. This YA, though, I actually did sit down and "plot" as best I knew how. I basically used a chapter by chapter outline, which only led up to about chapter 7 or so. Then I began writing.

Since that beginning, I was so fortunate to attend a plotting workshop with Joyce Sweeney (which I think I wrote about in a previous blog). AMAZING!!! I definitely knew this story needed to be plotted using Ms. Sweeney's technique. Today, I did that! I actually began thinking about it early this morning before I got up. A lot of great ideas come my way in that quasi-awake/quasi-asleep state of being that comes just as your falling asleep or just awakening.

Anyway, I realized my story's climactic moment this morning! And this afternoon, I sat with an old fashioned pencil and paper and plotted. It was fun. I even added a "growth chart" for my MC. I'd never done that before and I believe it helped a lot, by allowing me to have a clearer view of just how my MC is supposed to change. (a.k.a. character arc?)

So, my suggestion to anyone, take a workshop in plotting if ever you're able. It was well worth the money spent! And in July, I have another workshop with Ms. Sweeney on poetry in fiction.

That will definitely be interesting...

I just finished reading one of those kinds of books that just haunts you after you've put it down. My neighbor had just finished it, and I'd just happened to be over her house, and she suggested I read it. So I took the book, not really into it that much, because it wasn't a historical novel, which is what my typical read is.

So it took me a bit of time to get into it (not to mention that I'm always running around taxi-ing the kids from one spot to another). The story is basically about a modern-day slave, a wealthy art dealer, and the woman who brought them together. (That's prety much what the blurb says on the back of the book.)

The chapters alternate between these two men's perspective and background story, leading up to their inevitable meeting. The one man, Denver, having grown up in practical slavery, who at the age of 20 or so, hops on a train to somewhere other than where he was at. The other man grew up a middle class college student, ends up working for a bank until he strikes it rich when he takes a risk on selling a painting. How these two men come together is something only God could do.

And that's all I'm going to say, except don't forget a box of tissues, because it gets a little teary somewhere in there.

But the tears are well worth it, because I don't think you'll finish the book the same way you began it. I know I didn't.

Picture books...I love them. And I love the idea of seeing one with my name on it, opening the pages where the words I lovingly created flow across the pages that are enblazoned with beautiful drawings that fully depict what it is that I meant.

I just had one of my stories critiqued by an extrememly talented author who just had her 14th novel released (am I allowed to say her name?), Joyce Sweeney. The story I sent off is one that I wrote in about 30 minutes. Well, the rough draft that is. I love this story; it's about Christmas and the wonder of it, and I've worked so hard on it, and I can visualize how the pictures would look.

I received Ms. Sweeney's reply, and was disheartened to hear that my picture book is not. It's not the right story for a picture book format. Boo-Hoo. I think I kind of realized that, because as I would read it, I had blank spots in my mind for certain lines. Those blank spots were pages of text with no real picture.

But that's not to say this story, which I still believe is a unique and fun story is unsellable. Only now, I know to stop looking at book publishers, and turn to magazines. And this is where I am not very good. In fact, the overwhelming nature of finding the right "home" for something I've written sends me into a frozen state of being. A state of procrastination, if you will.

I need to force myself to research, and search for the perfect home for my baby, but it's really not easy!

So wish me luck!

I am feeling very nostalgic. Every so often, I get that way. It almost makes me want to cry. Especially when I think about how things change; I remember how they were, and how at this moment, it's different and no matter what I do, I can't bring it back. It's just gone... forever.

Change is something I have mixed feelings about. Sometimes I like it, and other times I just don't. I guess we're all like that, though, aren't we? The proverbial "they" say: the older you become, the harder it is to change. People are such habitual creatures, that we get set in our ways. Doing the same thing in the same way is comforting; therefore, to change the way we do things becomes uncomfortable (obviously).

I have a friend who is a labor & delivery nurse. This woman is amazing! She has such a natural ability to understand others and to accept them as they are. Anyway, she was telling me about this woman who came in to deliver her baby, but it was too early or something like that, and the baby died. My friend told me how she went in to this woman's room afterwards, and the woman asked her, "Will it ever be normal again?"

My friend, said, "No. It won't be; but you'll create a new normal."

You'll create a new normal.

That to me, is so profound. That's what life is all about. Creating new normals. And I don't have it with me, but there is a tiny part of one of the Anne of Green Gables stories, that mentions this very idea. And if I can remember, I will quote it here.

So go out there, and start creating your new normals! And hopefully you will enjoy the process!

This past Sat, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop on getting your book published. Joyce Sweeney served as speaker on this topic, and boy, does she know a lot about this process, because she has 14 or 15 books of her own published, not to mention she has helped 26 people become published! That's a pretty good track record if you ask me. What I wouldn't do to have her guidance.

Speaking of which, this Friday coming, I'm attending one of Joyce's workshops on plotting, at a friend's house, who is in one of Joyce's weekly critique groups. I'm going to be so nervous! I know I shouldn't be, but I will anyway.

The good thing about worskshops, and conferences, and even critique groups, is that they inspire you to keep trudging along. And that is what I am doing, because I see a light at the end of the tunnel...

Tonight's my critique group. YAY! I really do enjoy getting together with my pals to chat about this thing I love so much.

Tara's progress kind of slowed down this past week, but she'll get going again, soon. Especially after tonight's meeting. I have hit my 50th page, which is at about 13,000 words. I've never done that before, and it feels really good.

Aside from anything writing...I bought a new shirt last night. It is very pretty and feminine, and I love it. And it hides the bit of extra weight I've gained in my belly. Getting old isn't fun. I used to be able to eat all the ice cream I wanted and never worried. Now as I sit there at night, I try to limit the size of the scoops, because I really love ice cream.

Maybe I should start exercising?

So I am on to Chapter 8! Not quite sure I started it in the right spot, but once I get going, I'll figure it out. I loved the way Chapter 6 ended. It's my favorite in the book, so far. The MC's love interest just walks away. And I hadn't even planned it, the character did it for me. And when he did, I knew it was right!

I almost didn't get up early enough this morning to write. But I made myself and now I'm glad I did, because I started the next chapter. And I'm on page 48! I have never made it to page 48 before, ever, ever, ever!! I almost kept going, just to reach 50, but I had to stop and get ready for work. So tomorrow is going to be a very momentous day for me. And my word count is at about 12,200!

I have another PB that I have to start sending out. Need to set a time to look at publishing houses online websites, and see where I can send it.

As the subject informs, so I am...

Tara, Not Terra is coming along nicely. This new habit of getting up when it's dark, while not exactly pleasant, is helping my story become written. I now have something terrific to take to my critique group this coming wed. They have been waiting patiently for it, and now I can deliver.

Who knew that setting aside actual "writing time" would produce just that!?! [Just kidding...that was an attempt at being humorous-- which sometimes flops--as my 12 year old put it when she was 4, in one of those "All About My Mom" questionaires the teachers help them fill out for mother's day: "My mom is funniest...(and she answered!)...she's not." Well, I don't know about you, but I find that funny!]

Getting back on track...

I am still in Chapter 7. But I'm about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way finished. I was starting to hit a wall, when just a few minutes ago I saw a crack that soon tumbled to allow passage to the other side! Yay! And I think it's going to be good...

I'll let you know!

So last night I implemented my idea to end the scene in my YA, that I originally had continuing into the next chapter, and start the next chapter in a completely new location, and utilize her "replaying" what had happened. It worked REALLY well! I am so glad that thought popped into my head.

So here I go, off to work some more on Chapter 7! I hope to be finished with Chapter 9 by the end of next week. I will keep you all posted...

My friend sent back her thoughts on my PB. All good and very minor things. So tonight I would like to get it ready to send off to somewhere. I'm thinking about All About Kids. Not sure where else. I wish there were a free website that listed all the publishers and their current needs.

I did discover some agents', and editors' blogs to read through. That might be helpful. I know SCBWI's website has something like that for it's members. But when I was a member, I tried to find it, and I think I did, only I didn't quite "get" it. Or it was difficult to navigate through, or something like that. IDK. I just know that I need to find a home for at least one of my stories!

Where's the publishing fairy when you need her!?!

Just want to post something quickly before I go lay down (lie down?) (I admit to struggling with which form of "lay" to use.)

Anyway, I found out which publisher has my PB; it's Barefoot Books. I also found out that their usual response time is about 4 months. It's only been 3. And that's all I'm going to say about that...

I finished Chapter 6 in my YA. The main problem I am experiencing is keeping the snarky, sarcasm that is my MC. I changed some things in it, some suggested by my critique group buddies (Thanks, girls!), and some that just came to me (as London Tipton always says: Yay, Me!).

I have now begun Chapter 7. Months ago, I began writing it, when Chapter 6 was much weaker, and as a result Chapter 7 was incredibly weak. So when I changed Chapter 6, I also changed the ending which as a result became much stronger.

My problem with Chapter 7 though, is that I feel I should move the characters on, not continue the current scene.

As I wrote that, the thought to incorporate a flashback came to me, and I do believe that would make the story flow better. I hadn't actually thought of it until this moment, so when it's writing time, I will "save as" and create another new Chapter 7 and see where it goes.

One last note: I really need to create an actual time that is strictly for writing. If I leave it to just whenever I have time, I won't do it. So I am getting up about 45 min earlier, and getting myself ready, so that when the normal time to "get ready" comes, I can write. I've only been doing this for 2 days now, but it's working.

Pray with me that I keep it up! I want to get this story finished and out there!

So I read a new PB at my Jan. critique group meeting. They really liked it, and while I had wanted to revise it with their suggestions by our Feb meeting, I didn't get to it (January just about killed me with all the stuff I had to get done!). But I did get to revise it last night, and I am going to send it to a friend to take a look at it and give her opinion.

In the meantime, I am going through my outdated CW&I Market to get websites addresses for publishers who might be interested. I know I need to splurge and get a new one, or get the online version that updates (at least I think it does), but right now, I just can't.

I am trying to pull it together also, to progress in my YA that I haven't touched in forever. I have to rein her back in, because she was sort of getting away from me. I had outlined it's direction, but as I wrote, I wasn't following that. Which isn't to say, I have to stick to it, but if I go back to what my original plan was, I might be able to get her back on track. So cross your fingers for me.

I have one story I mailed out back in Nov. and still haven't heard anything from them. Maybe that's good? I can't remember off the top of my head which publisher it was. I need to check their history, and how long they keep mss for (if they're not interested, and if they are). How amazing would it be if they bought it!?! Watch, I probably just jinxed myself, and I'll get home to find the rejection notice in my mailbox.

But then again, maybe not...

My new year's trip was nice. I spent Jan. 1st relaxing by the pool at a beautiful spa resort on the east coast of Florida. Can't say I've ever done that before; would I do it again? Definitely! It was great!

Although, when I got back home, I realized that my class starts on Tues. I decided now really isn't the time to start back up, so I dropped my class, and changed my start date to the fall. That way, I'll have time to apply for financial aid, and hopefully take a class I'm more interested in taking, like Creative Writing or Fiction Workshop.

New Year's Resolutions? So far, (like a million others out there) I am committing to eating a healthier diet (says she who is chugging a 20 oz. bottle of Dr. Pepper! Man- it tastes so good!). And maybe exercising. I do have WiiFit, but when am I going to do it? Maybe I can committ to doing it when I would have been in class? I'll think about it.

And then's there's the ongoing resolution to WRITE MORE!!! I haven't written anything in any story in so long. There's a critique group meeting this coming Wed, and I am so going to be there. I havent' been in 2 or 3 months, and enough's enough! Maybe tomorrow I can get something more written in my Tara story. I have such a difficult time keeping the momentum going. All my stories seem to just fizzle out. That's why I liked writing picture stories. I actually reach the end.

Well, it's almost time to get going. I am leaving work a bit early because I have to stop at teh post office (for work) and buy stamps for the newsletter and return a package. Our newsletter isn't going out just yet, though it should have been mailed out on Wed. Our printer needs a new drum, and that part refuses to deliver to the printer fixing store. Maybe they'll get it next week. I hope so. I need to get that newsletter out! And start on February's.

Months just have such the habit of changing from one to the other, don't they? It seems years keep doing the same thing, too. So have a happy one, because this time next year, it won't be the same...

I haven't posted in about a month. I'm sorry for that. I really have no excuse. I'm lazy, perhaps? I'm a prorastinator?

Well, besides that, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. Yes, I am spouting my religion. I recently was informed that not all Christians celebrate Christmas, but well, this Christian does. (I think the person who informed me of that tidbit is a Jehovah's Witness, which is all good and well, but just not part of my belief system, so don't try to shove it down my throat.)

Anyway...I have learned from my mother-in-law that there is such a thing as creating a blogging website with the sole purpose of generating traffic who might be interested in purchasing something from your website. I have been sucked in, mostly because the whole thing is free! I started a new website, www.allaboutfamily.weebly.com and as it's title suggests, it's all about family... I just started its creation, but soon, it will have several pages pertaining to "family issues." On those pages, there will be revelant website links offering product for sale. All relevant to what you find on the webpage/site.

I am hoping for at least a few hits, and sales. But aside from that, I am getting ready to start college again. I still need to buy my books...I was going to look online, which I still might have time to do. I'll look tomorrow. If I don't have enough time, I'll just go to Booksmart, across from the University. A little more expensive perhaps, but at least a guarantee that I'll get the books I need. Keeping my fingers crossed...

As far as writing is concerned, I haven't written anything. I started thinking about my one story that's more geared for adults. That one has about 41 pages, already. Pretty good, if you ask me. The bonus? I have the rest of the story mapped out in my head. That's great!

Oh, well. I'm getting extremely tired, and need to close my eyes. Especially since I have to go to work tomorrow. But at 2pm, when I get off, I'll come home, get the suitcase packed into the car, and an hour later, be off to a beautiful resort hotel, for a relaxing time. (Although we don't yet have anyone to watch the dogs, so that's a little stressful...what if noone can watch them?)

Well, I will post a little something tomorrow, I'm sure. Be sure to check out my new website: http://allaboutfamily.weebly.com/index.html as well as my old one: www.charlesandbrendawood.com

OK? Well, talk to you all soon...

Happy Late Thanksgiving! I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was enjoyable and, well, thankful! I spent the day cooking, then cleaning that mess, cooking again, then cleaning that mess, then cooking some more, and well, you get the idea.

Normally I spend Thansgiving day with my dear friend, Rebecca, only she went and moved to NJ on me, so this year, it was just my husband, our 3 girls,and myself. It was still nice. I didn't realize how tired I was til I sat down to eat. Normally I spend my mornings sitting in front of the computer. I'm not used to all that activity. Which is really bad. I need to start working out consistently. We purchased WiiFit back in Sept. and I never used it. So a week or so ago, I made the commitment to work out using it, and I stuck to it for 3 or 4 days. Then I had to rest over the weekend because WOW! I was sore!!! I felt good, though. But then last week, it seemed everything was going against me working out. And even today, when I would have started up again, I couldn't because I had to take the dogs to the vet.

Tomorrow. I will start again tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my husband and my anniversary. We have been together for 16 years now, and married (as of tomorrow) for 11. Almost didn't make it, but here we are, surviving. Thanks, God. (And a bad economy?)

Anyway, I have absolutely no idea what we're doing tomorrow. I'd like to see a movie. Before my 3rd daughter was born, Charles' mom took the other two for teh day, going to their cousin's birthday party. We had such a great day, spending quiet time together before the mayhem of a baby. (She was born about 5 days later.) One thing we did that day, very out-of-the-blue, was go to a daytime showing of the Mummy II. We weren't even planning on seeing a movie; we just happened to be on our way to Walmart when we passed the theater, and saw it was showing at that same time. Let's just hope there are movies showing that end before 2pm, because unfortunately, there's no one to watch the girls after school. Not until 5:30, when our neighbor will be home. She's taking them til sat.

We were thinking of going to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to stay in a hotel. Just someplace relaxing, but I think we're going to just stay at home and save some money. We'll go out someplace nice for dinner. Although, there's a very good chance he's planned something, and will surprise me tomorrow. I'll let you know.

My friend's parents just celebrated their 50th anniversary. WOW! They took a cruise to Europe for 3 weeks and will be back this weekend. How nice that must be. I would love to take a cruise. We knew someone who went to Alaska on a cruise and said it was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't mind that. I'd like to see glaciers.

If you're reading this right now, why don't you add a comment describing one of your all time favorite vacations...

I am not really sure if I am allowed to do this on livejournal, so if I'm not, let me know and I will delete this entry.

My husband has a yellow FJ Cruiser (2007) that we have to sell, so if anyone is interested (or knows someone who's interested), email me. It has leather interiors and an upgraded exhaust system.

I am going back to school!!!

I started college way back when, just before I became pregnant with my oldest. (I always thought I'd go right out of high school, but opted instead for a travel & tourism course.) Because her birth coincided with finals, I decided I'd go back after her birth. It wasn't until after my 3rd daughter's birth that I finally started back up. I went to Plm Beach Community College for the next 2 years, and finally graduated with my AA in Liberal Arts! Then I transferred to FAU and took classes for I can't remember how many semesters, before I stopped. It's been 3 semesters since I've been, and something sparked inside of me the other day, and I took the plunge to finish.

It's going to take a very long time, but I'm committed. Although, I think you need to finish within 5 years of starting or you have to take more classes. That could be a problem. I can't take a lot of classes at once.

Currently, I need to take 13 more classes to get my BA in English. That number could drop to 11 if FAU decides to accept the credits from ICL. I am hoping and praying they accept them, because that would help so much!

So this January, I will be immersing myself in the Irish Literary Renaissance. I just hope my teacher is nice, and not a slave driver. And that any papers I will have to write won't be too difficult.

It's kind of funny, I love writing, but I hate doing it for school! Writing term papers creates a panic inside of me that I just can't describe. But I always get it done, and I always do well.

Where I work, they will soon (hopefully) be opening a preschool. Long story short-- the school was at church A, which closed the school. School needs a new home, so lady in charge comes here, to church B. Church B is old, and needed a bit of updating to fire system. Consequence? Preschool opening delayed to Sep. (from July.)

Sep opening then postponed because discovery was made that Church B still operated on septic which was situated underneath the playground. Need to move playground, in addition to getting septic switched to city sewer (promised by city long time ago, but they never did it).

Now, preschool is about to open for Nov. To do that, school needs letter from city saying Church B is now on city sewer. Then letter needs to be hand delivered to Health dpt. who will ok putting up playground fence. this has not happened, so it looks like school may not open until Dec!

Due to the school (maybe) opening here (I really want it to, so I can look out my office window and see the children playing), we received a local parenting magazine. And I'm looking through it and I'm thinking to myself, why don't you try to write something for it? I'm sure I can write something they could use. So I'm going to check out their website, to see if they have any info for writers. If not, there are a couple other local mags I could try writing something for.

So wish me luck!

Perspective is a funny thing, isn't it? It's always different from wherever you are. And no two people truly have the same one!

If I stand over here, I have a certain perspective on the color of that car, but over there, it looks a completely different shade of green.

When I was young, a 34 year old was OLD!!! But now? Not so much! LOL

If I am sad, I see my children playing and I can cry at how beautiful they look, and at the idea: This is the last time I will see them in this moment.

But if I'm in a happy mood, I can see them playing and think how wonderful for them, to be creating these beautiful memories to share with their children.

And what happens when you talk with someone about a situation or event, and encounter their perspective on it?

My children and the neighbor's children always play together. When someone gets their feelings hurt, or there is conflict of some kind, they come to the parents for help. Before we can help though, we need to understand the situation, which is difficult most of the time, because their perspectives on the situation are completely different!! We, the adults, need to weed through the extraneous stuff to reveal what's really going on. And then help them see it from yet a different perspective.

There are always two sides of the coin.