Wishing you a wonderfully delicious and super safe New Year’s Eve!
hugs~
Wishing you a wonderfully delicious and super safe New Year’s Eve!
hugs~
Posted in Uncategorized
This past year has been a bit of a challenge in terms of life choices. I made some big ones, crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
After meeting my amazing agent at a conference, I struggled with three major priorities: full-time mom, full-time preschool owner and full-time writer. Throwing in my part-time freelance work as a writer and court advocate meant the day was about twelve hours too short. Not to mention that my efficiency level suffered in every area–including sleep. Something had to give, so I sold my preschool. Which, by the way, I miss more than words can say.
Despite the tough decisions, 2011 had many successes, some personal and some writerly.
All in all, 2011 has been good to me.
How about you? What wonderful news do you have to share–writing or otherwise–that made 2011 worth every hour?
P.S. In case you were wondering (and I know you were), Sock Dog came back from training as a full-fledged hunting dog. She no longer runs the other way from birds and her nose is amazing. So much so, that the trainer offered to buy her. If she keeps chowing socks, I just might give him a call!
Posted in #WTGV, Agent Query, Blogvel, From the Write Angle, NaNoWriMo, Parenting, Real Life, Writing Life
Tagged agent query, debut novels, from the write angle, writer friends, writing, writing updates
You know what the say about assumptions. They can get you into a lot of trouble.
This past weekend, DH and I attended Middle Son’s basketball games. Friends of ours needed to finish a bit of last-minute shopping for a vacation, so we took their boys after the game. In tow, we had four boys and one girl (5, 7, 9, 10 and 15), all blonde.
We took our crew out to eat on the way home. When we finished our meal, the waitress–bless her poor heart–asked, “Will this be one or two checks?”
I suppose we looked very much like a family in the process of blending. Masses of kids, close in age. I’m sure it didn’t help that DH had his hand on my knee throughout lunch, or that neither of us wore wedding bands (his lost, mine getting fixed after knocking two diamonds loose). Throw in the fact that the boys called us by first name a time or two and I’m quite certain the waitress felt confident in her assumption.
In life, these assumptions can be embarrassing. In writing, they can be a gold mine of novel fodder.
What if I had been a jealous wife who thought my Hubby was cheating on me? Imagine the scene this could have caused if I would have confonted him right there.
While in public, I try very hard to keep my what ifs to myself. Yet, this doesn’t stop me from letting my imagination run wild on the page. By letting my characters make assumptions based on limited facts, I often infuse my stories with unexpected conflict.
What off-track assumptions have you made in life? Have you written any into your novels?
Curious minds want to know!
Posted in Real Life, Writing Life, Writing Tips
Tagged assumptions, novel conflict, plot, plot twists, writing
My Dear Hubby texted me: Going to Dick’s Sports, was there anything to get yet?
My response after trying on a dress this past weekend: a new a$$ for me.
Him: I’ll check in the rear of the store.
I love that man!
I hate buying gifts just to buy them.
I like when gifts have a meaning and a purpose. I like when they fit the personality of the receiver. I love when their potential impact is so much more than a casual glance on Christmas morning during the rush of wrapping paper ripping.
Dear Hubby and I braved the mall on Saturday and found some good deals on clothes for the kids on our list. But my real shopping success came on Sunday when I found the neatest site EVER online.
I officially swear by it for finding unique gifts. It’s like having your own personal shopper pointing you in all the right directions. And much to my delight, many of the shops practice green giving with tons of recycled and handmade gifts that are as beautiful as they are functional.
So what did I get?
My Top 2011 Picks
Another online site I found, I liked, but didn’t buy from was Build A Dream Playhouse. This ground floor business (started by a daddy and his posse of tiny testers) provides unique cardboard creations for hours of imaginative play. Castles, snack shops, vehicles and more are all a click away.
All in all, I’m much more satisfied this year with our Christmas purchases than I usually am.
How goes your Christmas battle? Are you finished or just getting started with your shopping? Please share any fun, unique sites with the rest of us, as well as any gift buying tips you may have for those less jolly about commercialized Christmas giving.
Posted in #WTGV, Parenting, Real Life
Tagged books, gift ideas, literacy, shopping, want to go private