Enjoy the long weekend! I have to work today, but I'm off on Monday. So looking forward to a nice long weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.
Showing posts with label This and That. Show all posts
Showing posts with label This and That. Show all posts
Friday, July 03, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Writing is Cathartic
Writing for me is cathartic. I've used the method for years to cleanse the sad feelings from my heart. The first time I realized I could use my writing gift for this purpose was to cope with the death of a little baby. My best friend in grade school's brother and his wife had a little girl. She was so beautiful. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and unfortunately she had a disease which took her at a very young age of two. I was fourteen at the time. I remember sitting in my room, alone, crying and trying to make sense of the senseless. I picked up a notebook and pen and wrote a poem, pouring out all the hurt and anger about death.
Since then, I've found my release in words.
If only we could bottle up the extreme ends of our emotions and release them in the scenes of our novels, there would be a lot more best-selling authors.
Sometimes my novels start from scenes which are derived from the depth of an emotion. The actual book may or may not even contain that scene in the final version, but writing it down is cathartic.
Thanks for stopping by!
Since then, I've found my release in words.
If only we could bottle up the extreme ends of our emotions and release them in the scenes of our novels, there would be a lot more best-selling authors.
Sometimes my novels start from scenes which are derived from the depth of an emotion. The actual book may or may not even contain that scene in the final version, but writing it down is cathartic.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Creature in the Bush...
Oh, my! Yesterday while walking with my friend behind our work building, we spied a strange creature. At first I thought it was a small groundhog. She thought it might be a rabbit. The fur color was like a rabbit's. I didn't notice a tail, but it moved rather quickly under cover of a small patch of weeds in the corner of a fenced lot. I moved closer to get a better look.
Whoa! It didn't have a face like a rabbit. The snout was longer and more narrow. Small rounded ears. Beady black eyes. It stared at me. I stared at it.
**shudder** I believe it was a rat, a huge rat with a rather beautiful coat of fur.
However, I didn't notice any teeth showing as in most rats.
Of course, being a writer, I concocted a vision of some elusive organization operating in the vacant end of the huge warehouse--creating a new kind of intelligent mutant creature who could take over the world. Maybe I should be writing science ficiton instead of romantic suspense.
For non-writers, this is the way writers come up with ideas. We'll muse on events like this and tweak them until a scene develops, and magically a story begins to develop. Who knows? Maybe this will become a scene in my current manuscript.
Have a great day!
Whoa! It didn't have a face like a rabbit. The snout was longer and more narrow. Small rounded ears. Beady black eyes. It stared at me. I stared at it.
**shudder** I believe it was a rat, a huge rat with a rather beautiful coat of fur.
However, I didn't notice any teeth showing as in most rats.
Of course, being a writer, I concocted a vision of some elusive organization operating in the vacant end of the huge warehouse--creating a new kind of intelligent mutant creature who could take over the world. Maybe I should be writing science ficiton instead of romantic suspense.
For non-writers, this is the way writers come up with ideas. We'll muse on events like this and tweak them until a scene develops, and magically a story begins to develop. Who knows? Maybe this will become a scene in my current manuscript.
Have a great day!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tweet, Tweet...
Okay, I hopped on the twitter bandwagon. Not sure why, but it's kind of fun seeing what my friends are doing without having to spend a lot of time on a social networking site. At one time I had a My Space, but I deleted it after finding it drew only other authors.
Not sure what the best way is to do marketing via the internet, which is the only method available to me at the current time. Well, except for the neat pens I ordered. How do I use them to market? Whenever we go out to eat, I sign the receipt and leave a pen! Pens are so much easier to hand out that business cards. I'm always passing out pens.
And now I've become a bird. Hear me tweet on twitter. If you're a bird, too, feel free to twitter me at CarolAnnErhardt.
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!
Not sure what the best way is to do marketing via the internet, which is the only method available to me at the current time. Well, except for the neat pens I ordered. How do I use them to market? Whenever we go out to eat, I sign the receipt and leave a pen! Pens are so much easier to hand out that business cards. I'm always passing out pens.
And now I've become a bird. Hear me tweet on twitter. If you're a bird, too, feel free to twitter me at CarolAnnErhardt.
Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Happy Feet
I purchased a new pair of walking shoes. They are supposed to help circulation and balance. If you've never seen these, check out an Avon book. That's where I found them--in the Curves for Women section. They are strrrraaaaange looking shoes, and they felt weird when I first put them on.
Whoa! You know those exercise balls that you have to balance on...or fall off of in my case? Well, these shoes made me feel like I was standing on one of those balls. I can roll back on my heels and then forward on my toes. Look at me! Back and forth, back and forth. I felt like I was on one of those rocking horses for kids. Woo hoo!
Then I tried to walk. Uh-huh. Now I felt like I had rocking chair rockers attached to the bottom of my feet. My gait was kind of: step, roll; step, roll. I can only imagine what those workers at the new Fed Ex building next door thought. My hubby says I have a very noticable gait. Supposedly, my head bobs up and down when I stroll. Okay, so what was it doing now? I know with these THICK soles I'm at least two inches taller. Hey! That's a long way to fall.
But soon I had the rhythm. Now all I need is some music to complete my "Happy Feet."
Thanks for stopping by!
Whoa! You know those exercise balls that you have to balance on...or fall off of in my case? Well, these shoes made me feel like I was standing on one of those balls. I can roll back on my heels and then forward on my toes. Look at me! Back and forth, back and forth. I felt like I was on one of those rocking horses for kids. Woo hoo!
Then I tried to walk. Uh-huh. Now I felt like I had rocking chair rockers attached to the bottom of my feet. My gait was kind of: step, roll; step, roll. I can only imagine what those workers at the new Fed Ex building next door thought. My hubby says I have a very noticable gait. Supposedly, my head bobs up and down when I stroll. Okay, so what was it doing now? I know with these THICK soles I'm at least two inches taller. Hey! That's a long way to fall.
But soon I had the rhythm. Now all I need is some music to complete my "Happy Feet."
Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Taglines, Brands...Who Am I?
I'm supposed to have the perfect tag line that brands me as a unique author. There are so many different views on how to brand yourself. The tag line should identify your name with what you write so the reader can tap right into who you are.
Well, funny, ha-ha! I don't know who I am half the time. I'm a child of God, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, an Executive Assistant, and a writer. Even as a writer, I'm not sure exactly who I am. I just love to write. Most of what I write is suspenseful. So, my website is geared to the romantic suspense element. BUT...I also write inspirational romantic suspense. So, who am I?
This reminds me of the perfect country western song. All you need to do is write a song about cheating, drinking, mothers, dogs, pick-up trucks, and jail. **snicker**
Some readers view romance authors as wealthy, bon-bon eating eccentrics who have little yippy dogs, and tons of affairs. Not so. Unfortunately romance authors have day jobs, home commitments, cook, clean, and find very little time for writing, let alone romance.
Maybe I'm thinking of this tag line thing all wrong. Maybe I should look at what I would aspire to be instead of who I really am.
*sigh* I'll have to sleep on it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Well, funny, ha-ha! I don't know who I am half the time. I'm a child of God, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, an Executive Assistant, and a writer. Even as a writer, I'm not sure exactly who I am. I just love to write. Most of what I write is suspenseful. So, my website is geared to the romantic suspense element. BUT...I also write inspirational romantic suspense. So, who am I?
This reminds me of the perfect country western song. All you need to do is write a song about cheating, drinking, mothers, dogs, pick-up trucks, and jail. **snicker**
Some readers view romance authors as wealthy, bon-bon eating eccentrics who have little yippy dogs, and tons of affairs. Not so. Unfortunately romance authors have day jobs, home commitments, cook, clean, and find very little time for writing, let alone romance.
Maybe I'm thinking of this tag line thing all wrong. Maybe I should look at what I would aspire to be instead of who I really am.
*sigh* I'll have to sleep on it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sometimes a Swan is Just a Duck
You may be looking at a beautiful white bird floating gracefully across the water and think it's a swan, but it might be just a duck. I don't think I would be able to convince my mother of that though.
I was chatting with her yesterday afternoon about her move here and we discussed whether or not to have her use the extra television we have or to bring one of her much more used televisions here instead. During the conversation, she began talking about digital cable (which she currently has) and different channels. I told her she'd be able to watch all her favorite shows through our digital cable. Then she started talking about having HD on her television set. Um, no...she doesn't have a HD TV. The cable company did put a "black box" on her set so she could get the digital stations on it without having a converter and now she's convinced she is watching her news in HD. Those faces, says she, seem like they are just coming right out at you. And...in the corner of the screen it says HD. I tried to explain that they are broadcasting in HD, but that you have to have the HD television and tune it up to the higher band station to receive the actual HD...and that the HD she is seeing is just notifying that the station is broadcasting in HD. But, nope, according to her, she's getting free HD.
Ooooookaaaaay. If she thinks so, then I'll never be able to convince her otherwise. And I'll just bet she can see the sun come up in the west, too. Gotta love her!
I was chatting with her yesterday afternoon about her move here and we discussed whether or not to have her use the extra television we have or to bring one of her much more used televisions here instead. During the conversation, she began talking about digital cable (which she currently has) and different channels. I told her she'd be able to watch all her favorite shows through our digital cable. Then she started talking about having HD on her television set. Um, no...she doesn't have a HD TV. The cable company did put a "black box" on her set so she could get the digital stations on it without having a converter and now she's convinced she is watching her news in HD. Those faces, says she, seem like they are just coming right out at you. And...in the corner of the screen it says HD. I tried to explain that they are broadcasting in HD, but that you have to have the HD television and tune it up to the higher band station to receive the actual HD...and that the HD she is seeing is just notifying that the station is broadcasting in HD. But, nope, according to her, she's getting free HD.
Ooooookaaaaay. If she thinks so, then I'll never be able to convince her otherwise. And I'll just bet she can see the sun come up in the west, too. Gotta love her!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A Suspicious Encounter...
My friend and I were so delighted that the yesterday and today we had such mild weather here in Ohio that we were able to walk outside on our breaks. Today, we decided to walk on the last half of our lunch hour. Our walk takes us around the back of our warehouse, and we never know what we might see there. Today, we saw a police car parked at one of the empty buildings, nearly hidden. As we drew closer, but not close enough to see the car number, the driver started the car and pulled away. He drove over a rope meant to keep cars from coming through and cruised through the upper parking lot where we couldn't really see him. When we turned our backs and started down the far side of the building, he cruised out of the upper parking lot and went back over the rope toward where he'd been parked earlier. By the time we returned he was nowhere to be seen. Suspicious in my eyes. Wonder what he was hiding?
I started working on a new manuscript today. I'd been struggling on how to start it. I have the entire book outlined, but those opening paragraphs are always a challenge. Well, our skies were very overcast today and the more thought I put into the opening, the more certain I became that it should begin with a tornado. What fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
I started working on a new manuscript today. I'd been struggling on how to start it. I have the entire book outlined, but those opening paragraphs are always a challenge. Well, our skies were very overcast today and the more thought I put into the opening, the more certain I became that it should begin with a tornado. What fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, January 30, 2009
A Writer's Take on Sublimina Media
Have you ever listened to subliminal messages? I've been an interested follower for a few years. I first began listening to cassettes on my walkman when I was walking about five miles a day. I had several of them. The music was great to walk with and I did feel more energized and motivated. Eventually, I stopped using them when I fell off the exercise kick.
Once I purchased a self-hypnosis weight loss CD at the fair after watching an entertaining program where members of the audience went on stage and were hypnotized to do some funny stuff. I always fell asleep listening to it, and gave it up after a few weeks, though I could feel a difference in my thinking about dieting. Ugh, hate that word.
Last weekend I purchased Paul McKenna's book "I Can Make You Thin" and included was a self-hypnosis CD. I've been using it faithfully since last Saturday. It is working. I like it because I still can eat what I want, I just eat less. The subliminal messages must be working because I really eat about half what I used to. I guess I'll learn how effective after another week when I weigh myself.
But, here's the best CD I have ever purchased. I'm not sure if you'd call it subliminal messages, but it definitely works for me. It's called "Creative Mind System" by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. There are two CDs in the set. These CDs were developed around the CREATIVE MIND PATTERN which is present in great artists, inventors, business visionaries, breakthrough thinksrs, advanced meditators, and other highly creative people. The music is soft and soothing and I have started using it when I write and also while I am at work. When I'm writing it helps to put me in that "dream state" which writers crave to live and create the world their characters live in. And at work, it keeps me calm and focused on my projects. I purchased mine through Writer's Digest, but you can learn more by clicking here.
Thanks for stopping by and have a relaxing and productive weekend!
Once I purchased a self-hypnosis weight loss CD at the fair after watching an entertaining program where members of the audience went on stage and were hypnotized to do some funny stuff. I always fell asleep listening to it, and gave it up after a few weeks, though I could feel a difference in my thinking about dieting. Ugh, hate that word.
Last weekend I purchased Paul McKenna's book "I Can Make You Thin" and included was a self-hypnosis CD. I've been using it faithfully since last Saturday. It is working. I like it because I still can eat what I want, I just eat less. The subliminal messages must be working because I really eat about half what I used to. I guess I'll learn how effective after another week when I weigh myself.
But, here's the best CD I have ever purchased. I'm not sure if you'd call it subliminal messages, but it definitely works for me. It's called "Creative Mind System" by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. There are two CDs in the set. These CDs were developed around the CREATIVE MIND PATTERN which is present in great artists, inventors, business visionaries, breakthrough thinksrs, advanced meditators, and other highly creative people. The music is soft and soothing and I have started using it when I write and also while I am at work. When I'm writing it helps to put me in that "dream state" which writers crave to live and create the world their characters live in. And at work, it keeps me calm and focused on my projects. I purchased mine through Writer's Digest, but you can learn more by clicking here.
Thanks for stopping by and have a relaxing and productive weekend!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
To Shovel or Not to Shovel....
In my city, there is a law that every homeowner must shovel their walks clear of snow and ice on a daily basis. One of the reasons our city schools are closed tomorrow is that there is so much snow and ice and the sidewalks are not clear so it is too dangerous for children to walk to school. Hmmm. Most of the kids I know are bussed...and usually across town. (But that's another gripe for another day).
Tonight on our local news, a discussion ensured about the liability of the homeowner for not keeping their sidewalks cleared. The newscaster said that a homeowner wouldn't be liable if someone were to be injured because of snow or ice covering their sidewalk...but they could be liable if they did shovel and did a poor job. Now what's with that?
So, the question is whether to shovel or not to shovel. Geesh. Can't anything be easy?
Thanks for stopping by!
Tonight on our local news, a discussion ensured about the liability of the homeowner for not keeping their sidewalks cleared. The newscaster said that a homeowner wouldn't be liable if someone were to be injured because of snow or ice covering their sidewalk...but they could be liable if they did shovel and did a poor job. Now what's with that?
So, the question is whether to shovel or not to shovel. Geesh. Can't anything be easy?
Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Making Decisions
In December, I started my inspirational blog, but I've found that it is too much to keep up that, plus this blog, plus three other group blogs. Usually, I find it hard to admit when I can't do something...but this is my year to learn to say no--especially when I'm saying no to myself!
Here's what I've taken on this year:
President of my local RWA chapter
Secretary of my local ACFW chapter
Blogging on three group blogs
Writing four newsletters, including four free reads
Promoting on yahoo reader loops
Writing four writing articles
Attending RWA Conference
Attending COFW Workshop
Attending COFW Conference
Attending two Alpha Bible Studies per month
Participating in 11 Powerdraft writing weeks
Writing 3 pages per day on manuscript
Exercise 30 minutes daily
In addition to working 8 hours per day, cooking, cleaning, and squeezing in some reading time.
Yep, I'm going to be very busy!
Thanks for stopping by!
Here's what I've taken on this year:
President of my local RWA chapter
Secretary of my local ACFW chapter
Blogging on three group blogs
Writing four newsletters, including four free reads
Promoting on yahoo reader loops
Writing four writing articles
Attending RWA Conference
Attending COFW Workshop
Attending COFW Conference
Attending two Alpha Bible Studies per month
Participating in 11 Powerdraft writing weeks
Writing 3 pages per day on manuscript
Exercise 30 minutes daily
In addition to working 8 hours per day, cooking, cleaning, and squeezing in some reading time.
Yep, I'm going to be very busy!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Coffee Time Break...And a Funny Thing Happened at Work Today...
No, I don't drink coffee, but I will be participating in a chat with my fellow Sweeter Romantic Notions authors at Coffee Time Romance yahoo loop on Wednesday at 6PM EST. My characters from Joshua's Hope will make an appearance as well...and, my sometimes elusive muse. Hope to see you all there.
Anyone who knows me realizes I despise Mondays. I always wish I had one more day to my weekend, especially when I have a busy weekend and no time to have R & R. So, I walked into my office and before I could sit down, my next door office mate walks in and sits in front of my desk. The conversation went something like this:
He: I have a favor to ask. You have two books published, right?
Me: I have three full length books, three short stories, and a fourth in an anthology.
He: Yeah, well. I wondered if you could help me.
Me: Sure, what is it?
He: My wife, who is an English teacher for middle school, is writing a book! How do you handle yours? Do you have an editor that helps you with your books?
Me: Um, well, in order to get an editor, you have to have a manuscript accepted by a publisher first.
He: Oh. Is that how it works?
Me: Yes. Your wife will need to research her market, find agents, editors, or publishing houses who accept that kind of manuscript. She'll need to query first.
He: Okay.
Me: She'll need to not get discouraged if she gets rejected. Most authors are rejected multiple times before being contracted.
He: Well, she's already checked the internet and the kind of book she's writing is really hot right now.
Me: Great! What kind of book is she writing?
He: Science Fiction. For twelve year olds.
Me: That's good.
He: Yeah, she's really good! I read what she's done and it blew my socks off!
Me: It's nice that you are supporting her.
He: Oh, I am. It's really a joint effort. She told me her idea and we brainstormed back and forth.
Me: How far along is she?
He: She's finished six pages already!
Me: Great. I wish you both luck. Um, I really have to get busy now. Let me know if I can be of further help.
He: I will! She's really good! I'm so proud of her.
**sigh** Maybe she'll get lucky and her book will be one of those overnight sensations. You think?
Thanks for stopping by!
Anyone who knows me realizes I despise Mondays. I always wish I had one more day to my weekend, especially when I have a busy weekend and no time to have R & R. So, I walked into my office and before I could sit down, my next door office mate walks in and sits in front of my desk. The conversation went something like this:
He: I have a favor to ask. You have two books published, right?
Me: I have three full length books, three short stories, and a fourth in an anthology.
He: Yeah, well. I wondered if you could help me.
Me: Sure, what is it?
He: My wife, who is an English teacher for middle school, is writing a book! How do you handle yours? Do you have an editor that helps you with your books?
Me: Um, well, in order to get an editor, you have to have a manuscript accepted by a publisher first.
He: Oh. Is that how it works?
Me: Yes. Your wife will need to research her market, find agents, editors, or publishing houses who accept that kind of manuscript. She'll need to query first.
He: Okay.
Me: She'll need to not get discouraged if she gets rejected. Most authors are rejected multiple times before being contracted.
He: Well, she's already checked the internet and the kind of book she's writing is really hot right now.
Me: Great! What kind of book is she writing?
He: Science Fiction. For twelve year olds.
Me: That's good.
He: Yeah, she's really good! I read what she's done and it blew my socks off!
Me: It's nice that you are supporting her.
He: Oh, I am. It's really a joint effort. She told me her idea and we brainstormed back and forth.
Me: How far along is she?
He: She's finished six pages already!
Me: Great. I wish you both luck. Um, I really have to get busy now. Let me know if I can be of further help.
He: I will! She's really good! I'm so proud of her.
**sigh** Maybe she'll get lucky and her book will be one of those overnight sensations. You think?
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Revised Website
I spent about three hours yesterday revamping my website. Moon and Back Graphics designed the actual web graphics and background. I haven't found any web designs that equal Bev's work. She is exceptional. It was great fun to put the pages together. Hope you enjoy them.
This coming week, I have to finish my fall newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet, you can visit my website and click on the link to sign up. You will only receive four newsletters each year. I do not post your email addresses to anyone and you will not receive spam emails from me.
Be sure to stop back in on Thursday. I'll be interviewing my dear friend, Laurie Kingery, about her newest release for Steeple Hill...HILL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.
I'm also requesting prayers for my son-in-law, Bob, who is being treated for a serious medical condition. Please keep him and his family in your daily prayers.
Thank you for stopping by!
This coming week, I have to finish my fall newsletter. If you haven't signed up yet, you can visit my website and click on the link to sign up. You will only receive four newsletters each year. I do not post your email addresses to anyone and you will not receive spam emails from me.
Be sure to stop back in on Thursday. I'll be interviewing my dear friend, Laurie Kingery, about her newest release for Steeple Hill...HILL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.
I'm also requesting prayers for my son-in-law, Bob, who is being treated for a serious medical condition. Please keep him and his family in your daily prayers.
Thank you for stopping by!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Monday - Daily Clip on Death and Dying
Last night my son-in-law's mother left her pain behind when God called her home. She put up a hard battle against the leukemia, lymphoma and congestive heart failure. Throughout her trial, she kept her wonderful sense of humor despite the pain.
Today we have one less angel on earth and one more angel singing in God's choir. I know she and her husband who went before her are both smiling down today and wishing their son a happy birthday. They would want him not to mourn but to celebrate. Wonderful warm memories will bring smiles, and they will live forever in the hearts of those who love them.
Thank you for stopping by. May God's blessings be with you today and always.
Today we have one less angel on earth and one more angel singing in God's choir. I know she and her husband who went before her are both smiling down today and wishing their son a happy birthday. They would want him not to mourn but to celebrate. Wonderful warm memories will bring smiles, and they will live forever in the hearts of those who love them.
Thank you for stopping by. May God's blessings be with you today and always.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Weird Insects...Part II
Back again with pics. This first one is the grasshopper...see he looks just like a leaf. If you weren't looking closely, you'd miss him. Cute little fellow.
The pics of this guy didn't turn out as good as I'd hoped. One was very blurry when I tried to get close. He's laying on his side after we knocked him off, but I think you can see the long silky hair and the wings clearly. At the front where the dark part of the head is...he has black "pinchers" like a spider. Very lethal looking.
So does anybody know the name of these two insects? Curious minds want to know.
Thanks for stopping by!
The pics of this guy didn't turn out as good as I'd hoped. One was very blurry when I tried to get close. He's laying on his side after we knocked him off, but I think you can see the long silky hair and the wings clearly. At the front where the dark part of the head is...he has black "pinchers" like a spider. Very lethal looking.
So does anybody know the name of these two insects? Curious minds want to know.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Weird Insects...Part I
While we were camping, we saw a multitude of different colored caterpillars. Our site settled us in a very wooded area with acorn trees and walnut trees. The sound of falling nuts could become loud when they'd strike our gazebo or camper, sometimes creepy...especially at night.
Before we left, I snapped a picture of a strange, but cute, grasshopper of some kind. But while we were taking down the gazebo, we saw a "white caterpillar" and hubby started to lift it off. I stopped him before he touched it. It wasn't an ordinary caterpillar.
Instead it was furry white...with attached white wings with muted black striations. Additionally, it had fangs...big black fangs like a venomous spider. We knocked it to the ground with a stick and I took pictures. I've been searching the internet but I haven't found anything like it yet. Do you know what it might be?
Tomorrow I'll post pictures.
Thanks for stopping by.
Before we left, I snapped a picture of a strange, but cute, grasshopper of some kind. But while we were taking down the gazebo, we saw a "white caterpillar" and hubby started to lift it off. I stopped him before he touched it. It wasn't an ordinary caterpillar.
Instead it was furry white...with attached white wings with muted black striations. Additionally, it had fangs...big black fangs like a venomous spider. We knocked it to the ground with a stick and I took pictures. I've been searching the internet but I haven't found anything like it yet. Do you know what it might be?
Tomorrow I'll post pictures.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Time for Change?
It's been two years since I started this blog and it has taken many different directions. Mostly it's been a rambling brain dump of whatever might be plaguing my mine at the moment.
I think it's time for change.
Look for new topics to begin in October...and a new posting schedule.
For those who are interested my new seasonal newsletter will be coming out this week. If you haven't signed up, please go to my website and sign up today. The only emails you'll receive are my newsletter, or special updates that might fall between newsletters. And you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for stopping by!
I think it's time for change.
Look for new topics to begin in October...and a new posting schedule.
For those who are interested my new seasonal newsletter will be coming out this week. If you haven't signed up, please go to my website and sign up today. The only emails you'll receive are my newsletter, or special updates that might fall between newsletters. And you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday, July 16, 2007
A Tragic Ghost Story
Today's headline story in the newspaper was about a nineteen year old girl who is recovering from a bullet that went through her skull. She is slowly regaining use of her limbs through therapy sessions. For a long time she had to wear a helmet to protect her skull until the surgeons could go in and repair it. The girl suffers from short term memory loss. She doesn't remember what happened to her.
The shooting occurred as a result of some girls out for fun trying to scare themselves by trespassing on property that is unkempt and overgrown with weeds. The house sits next to a cemetery. Thinking the house haunted, they decided to investigate as a lark to scare themselves before they started their senior year in high school. One girl remained in the car and honked the horn to scare them. They all ran and hopped in the car. As they drove away they heard popping noises. They thought someone was throwing firecrackers, so they circled around again. A sad mistake, for the firecrackers were gunshots.
The man who lived in the house with his mother had purchased a rifle for protection. The police no longer patrolled the cemetery and teens were constantly harrassing the pair. Twice in the previous few weeks, teens had tried to break into the house. He scared them off by firing his gun into the air. Just as he did that night. But one of the bullets struck a girl in the head.
A ghost story turned tragic. The man has been sentenced to nineteen years in jail. Debates go on about who was in the wrong. How far can one go to protect their property?
If you'd like to read the series of articles, you will find them at columbusdispatch.com
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I tried to do the Snowflake method, but it seemed way too long a process for me. I did flesh out my characters and completed an outline for my newest story. I'm 44 pages into writing it now. Haven't come up with a title yet.
The shooting occurred as a result of some girls out for fun trying to scare themselves by trespassing on property that is unkempt and overgrown with weeds. The house sits next to a cemetery. Thinking the house haunted, they decided to investigate as a lark to scare themselves before they started their senior year in high school. One girl remained in the car and honked the horn to scare them. They all ran and hopped in the car. As they drove away they heard popping noises. They thought someone was throwing firecrackers, so they circled around again. A sad mistake, for the firecrackers were gunshots.
The man who lived in the house with his mother had purchased a rifle for protection. The police no longer patrolled the cemetery and teens were constantly harrassing the pair. Twice in the previous few weeks, teens had tried to break into the house. He scared them off by firing his gun into the air. Just as he did that night. But one of the bullets struck a girl in the head.
A ghost story turned tragic. The man has been sentenced to nineteen years in jail. Debates go on about who was in the wrong. How far can one go to protect their property?
If you'd like to read the series of articles, you will find them at columbusdispatch.com
**********************************
I tried to do the Snowflake method, but it seemed way too long a process for me. I did flesh out my characters and completed an outline for my newest story. I'm 44 pages into writing it now. Haven't come up with a title yet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A Bit of This and That
I'm back in the groove again after a short vacation. Lots of things piled up on my desk at work which makes the day pass faster, and lots of things to accomplish on my desk at home as well.
I realized last night that I had to write a blog for Sweeter Romantic Notionson the writer's learning curve. I put together something last night on not disappointing the reader.
I checked for my interview schedule and tried to find the email address for Paula Stiles who I have penciled in for this Thursday, but in cleaning out my email files, I've somehow deleted her contact information. If anyone knows Paula, please have her get in touch with me so I can reschedule that interview.
And I managed to read through my manuscript as far as I'd written it (205 pages) while I was on vacation. I spent tonight working one of the final scenes. Tomorrow night I should be completely finished with the first draft. I have to make the changes I penciled in on my first read through then give it one more before sending it off to my advance readers.
Read an interesting article on Writing a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson. Very interesting. I may try using this method for my next novel, which by the way I will start writing immediately after this one is finished.
I realized last night that I had to write a blog for Sweeter Romantic Notionson the writer's learning curve. I put together something last night on not disappointing the reader.
I checked for my interview schedule and tried to find the email address for Paula Stiles who I have penciled in for this Thursday, but in cleaning out my email files, I've somehow deleted her contact information. If anyone knows Paula, please have her get in touch with me so I can reschedule that interview.
And I managed to read through my manuscript as far as I'd written it (205 pages) while I was on vacation. I spent tonight working one of the final scenes. Tomorrow night I should be completely finished with the first draft. I have to make the changes I penciled in on my first read through then give it one more before sending it off to my advance readers.
Read an interesting article on Writing a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson. Very interesting. I may try using this method for my next novel, which by the way I will start writing immediately after this one is finished.
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