Rock, Paper, Puppies!

It's roaring upon us – that lovely day when one year ends and another begins.

But really, did I miss some months along the way?

I feel like I'm sleeping standing up right now. I was sick over the Christmas holiday, so that threw a wrench in the whole jolly thing.

Now that the New Year is knocking on that door, there's that whole resolution thing to deal with. I prefer to think of it as goal-setting and strategic planning. *what-eva*

I broke out the plan from last year and tallied up my progress. *cue horror movie music*

*surprise* I accomplished 60 percent of my goals this year. That's more than last year (52)! I improved!! *someone give me a present*

I didn't do everything that I thought I would - but there were a couple of nice unplanned additions. I was busier than I thought. *slacker menot*

Here's the shortlist of 2008 projects/goals:
Completed first novel revision
Wrote 61 poems (not counting roughs)
Wrote 10 academic papers (only the biggies)
Wrote 8 essays
Wrote 6 picture books
Wrote 2 screenplays
Completed first screenplay revision
Wrote 1 NF proposal
Sent in 48 submissions
Received 8 acceptances (mostly poems – and a ton are still out with no reply)
Started new blog (related to academic studies)
Finished a successful JoNoWriMo
Finished a successful Script Frenzy

What's the focus of next year? Submissions! I must rev up the submitting engine and take off.

And you know what? I'm ready!

Current Location: Party in my head
Current Mood: jubilant
Current Music: Auld Lang Syne

I read a lot when I was 12, as an escape especially - my Dad died a couple of years before that. Children's literature made a huge impact on my life. I think it's why I love writing for children today.

Around that time I was reading Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, C.S. Lewis and parts of Tolkein. Also lots of classics like Heidi, Little Women, Thumbelina and other fairy tales (including the original Little Mermaid), Black Stallion, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Across Five Aprils, Where the Lilies Bloom and on...

I also read the Sunfire historical romance series (written for kids), the Couples series (had every one of them) and Garfield & Family Circus cartoon books (still love them).

As a child, reading opened the world to me. As a writer, I want to return that gift. A true children's book is enduring. It is what we carry with us in our consciousness as adults.

Current Location: Home Office
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Bubbling of my aquarium

It never fails to happen.

I'm plugging along on a project that needs to be finished – and bingo, inspiration hits.

Not the inspiration I want, mind you, but fabulous scenes for every project other than the one in progress. Sometimes I get a lot more accomplished when I'm actually working on something else. *weird*

Is it some kind of WIP inside joke? Those silly WIPs, just sitting around the ol' brain and having a good laugh over a round of … limeade? *of course that's what I was going to say!*

Anyway, back to my task at hand.

So what kind of music should I listen to when writing a grant (a complicated science-related one, no less)? Is there a Bill Nye soundtrack out there? :p

Current Location: Chained to the keyboard
Current Mood: rushed
Current Music: Jeff Buckley

		I will marry Ben Barnes.
		After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down on the beach in our fabulous House.
		We will have 16 kid(s) together.
		Our family will zoom around in a red Corvette.
		I will spend my days as an author, and live happily ever after.

Current Location: La la land
Current Mood: amused
Current Music: Katy Perry

It's done! More than 100 pages of script finished in a month - by me! *rejoice*



I'm officially a Script Frenzy winner. *go me*

"Burden of Light" needs revising - but is in much better shape than I expected.

Now, it is time for a party! *everybody salsa*

Current Location: Da Moon
Current Mood: ecstatic
Current Music: Cake

Have you ever had a compliment that came at the most-needed time?

I just did, and it made an otherwise terrible day, a bit brighter.

Of course, it's always nice to hear that you're a really good writer. ;)

Journalists rarely receive positive feedback – but when they do it means a lot. It reinforces for me to always remember the person behind the article.

Just one more thing to remember when I'm famous! :p

Current Location: Chained to my desk
Current Mood: grateful
Current Music: My monitor's rumblings (should it be making THAT noise)

Do you use music as a tool in your writing?

I use music as a part of my writing process. I tend to choose music based on projects. My choices always make sense to me. ;)

My limited music collection often leads me to listening to the same couple of CDs for a project repeatedly. It doesn't bother me. If I've purchased a CD that means I love it – otherwise I'm too cheap to spend the cash. *cheapskateme*

Now that I have my snazzy RED iPod (yeah, Christmas for me), I can set up playlists for each of my projects. Of course, I’ve set-up playlists for all my WIPs and potential WIPs. And probably procrastinated a little too much when I should have been working...but it was fun!

My collection is quite eclectic. The only thing you won't find is country. *sorrycountryfans* Wait, I have one by Faith Hill from a collection of songs somewhere. Does that count?

Current Location: Wherever the tunes are...
Current Mood: pleased
Current Music: Cake (on the iPod no less)

Went to lunch at a great catfish place today.

Had to share this snippet of conversation from the table next to me where a Mom and Dad sat with their toddler daughter. (The place was hopping. The tables were close. They were talking LOUD.)

Man walks by and recognizes Dad: Hey you. (Man and Dad greet with gusto) Terrible with names, but I know that face.

Dad: So-and-So

Man: Great to see you and the Mrs.

Mom: You probably not met our new addition.

Man: Who is this precious little one?

Mom: Say "Hi."

Toddler: (not a word)

Dad: Come on, honey. This is the man who kept your Daddy from going to jail.

Me: (double-take, almost spits food at photographer sitting with me when he gives me a "did I hear that right" look)

Toddler: (not a word)

Current Location: Glad to be home
Current Mood: indescribable
Current Music: Cake

Today is one of those reflective days.

What exactly have I been doing for the past oh, say seven, or so years?

And I came up with the question – can nonfiction teach you about writing fiction?

I say yes. Honestly, most of what I learned about fiction, I learned through journalism.

It sounds odd in some ways to say. And I don't mean I make things up. I am a very responsible, objective journalist. *pats self on back*

I don't use any formulas when writing nonfiction. I don't even prepare written questions when I interview. I just write the story. What do people need to know? What's interesting? And so on...

I see journalism or nonfiction as an extension of telling a story. All writing – whether it's fiction, nonfiction, poetry, whatever - is about telling a story in one way or another.

The difference in nonfiction is you must stick to the facts – where in fiction, you create the facts. But nonfiction still has the same elements – because you are documenting a story - a narrative arc, dramatic tension, dialogue, characters, etc.

Voice is a part of writing, although the major focus of it is in fiction. Nonfiction is actually an excellent teacher when it comes to voice. The majority of what I write now is the profile. The voice of the subject must be present to make it excel and reach the reader.

The best reporters are the best listeners. What better way to capture the cadence of speech than to listen to people talk all day and record what they say? It's a gold mine for dialogue.

You also meet all kinds (and I do mean *ALL* kinds) of people when you are a reporter. The more people you know, the better and stronger your characters can be. And the things people will reveal – it's amazing (and odd) at times.

Each nonfiction story has a natural progression. As a reporter, you develop a knack for finding a story's natural rhythm. Even nonfiction needs a strong plot to draw in the reader and make them experience life through the story.

Does any of this help me in my reflective situation? Not so much.

But there is hope. I may have a light in my tunnel soon. Keep your appendages crossed for me in the coming weeks.

Current Location: Le Rat Race
Current Mood: drained
Current Music: Eerie silence

None of us thought it would happen. We'd given up hope for anything other than greenery. Yet, after being dormant for 20+ years, I find these blooms.



This crape myrtle was bought from Louisiana at least 22 years ago. It was before my father died, so I was about 6 or 7. I remember driving home from our cousin's with them carefully wrapped for the journey. It was the year I broke my arm falling off a horse named Domino (a really big horse).

And now it's given a beautiful surprise - and a reminder that no matter how long it takes, it's always possible.

Current Location: Home
Current Mood: thankful
Current Music: Songbirds

Daisy Bates and Adolphine Fletcher Terry were two women who shaped the future of education in Arkansas. Without them (and many other women and men involved in integrating the schools) history would have been sadly different.

The voices of those who fought and persevered against all odds to make the world a better place should resonate in us all. The courage of people like the Little Rock Nine and all those who supported them is humbling.

Current Location: Home
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: John Michael Talbot

I did it! I actually accomplished some old-fashioned work.

Guess the lazy summer bum in me is ready to get back to business.

Over the course of the weekend: I submitted poems to three places, received rejection (after a day) on one set of poems, and revised a screenplay.

Even squeezed in some play time with the PrincePup. He demands it after all (and who can resist when he flashes his cute face). *wrapped@shadow'slittlepaw* Took my Mom out to lunch. And had my Sis and Bro-in-law (the PrincePup's fave playmate) over for fajitas.

All in all, a good weekend. Of course, tomorrow is back to work. Three day weekends are such bliss, but what a let-down when it's over.

One down, two more to go.

Current Location: Sleepytime
Current Mood: recumbent
Current Music: Lovehammers

Summer is over. And it's back to work for me. I took the summer off to rehabilitate my hand and spend time with my nephews, niece, princepup and the family.

I gave myself the freedom to take a break. It was fun (not the handercizes though). Had some new ideas and penned a few poems - but nothing major. I wish I could say the hand was back to normal. But it isn't and this may very well be as good as it gets. *phyllis-sadface*

So, I'm back on LJ for reals now. *pinkieswear* With the extra day off this weekend, it is the perfect time to get back on the horse (so to speak - last time I was on a real horse, I broke my arm). I have three projects I need to polish before submitting.

I've had to revise how I work because of the hand issue. But through my day job, I've had to find what works (even if it takes a lot longer). The revising won't be as writing-intensive, so it seems a good place to start.

Wish me luck!

Current Location: BIC
Current Mood: creative
Current Music: Saving Jane

Yes, I have neglected my LJ for like EVER.

Didn't anyone miss me? *sad puppy dog eyes*

But I had a good reason. Not a fun one and not really all that "good," so let me rephrase – I had a legitimate reason. I had surgery on my hand. :(

Yes, you read it right -- I said HAND. What strikes fear in the heart of a writer who makes her living from her craft -- well, surgery on a hand is definitely one of them.

It's over now and I survived. I'm trying to regain some normalcy. You don't realize it, but you use two hands for a lot. Without one hand, even simple things are difficult if not almost impossible.

Makes you realize how many obstacles people who are permanently disabled face – and overcome. It's something easy to miss when you go about the tasks of common life. I am not doing so well with it, but it is sloooowly getting better.

On the writing side of it, I've done nothing. Club 100 went out the window before the surgery and indefinitely until I recover. *physical therapy is my new friend, sorta*

I did manage to send out some subs before the surgery. Two acceptances so far! I also wrote some ideas out by hand, some new and some on current projects. That was all I could manage.

I'm ready to get back into it. I just physically can't right now. And I'm okay with that. I've given myself permission to be a goof-off. I look at it as extra time to percolate.

It's funny that when I'm all out, setting goals to get things done – wham, there comes a life curveball.

During my recovery, I did spend plenty of quality time watching a backlog of DVDs with my puppy (a.k.a. prince lap dog). He's so spoiled now – it is not even funny. We've seen an odd assortment.

From westerns (season 1 of "Young Riders")


to forensics (season 1 of the original "CSI")


to the Civil War (the epic mini-series "North & South")


And my personal nostalgic fave – the complete "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century."



The pup prince thought it was cool.

I so should have named him Twiki!

Current Location: Land O'Recovery
Current Mood: sick
Current Music: The Pink Spiders

Some snow blew into the neighborhood for a couple of days. Here's a view of a winter wonderland (also known as my backyard).




And my (not so little anymore) pup had to check out his first snow. He thinks it looks fun (especially if he can eat it).



Even the back of his head is cute!!!

Current Location: The warm confines of home
Current Mood: cold
Current Music: Baby It's Cold Outside

Okay, vacation is over! *boo*

I must say I enjoyed my time off. I need more, but too much makes me lazy.

So I buckled down and made some goals for this year. After I evaluated my progress last year of course. And calculated my percentage of success (why, did I do this – procrastination or boredom, you pick).

I accomplished 52 percent of what I set out to do in 2006. That's pretty good in light of all the obstacles I had in my path last year. Many of them are still there this year (darn those obstacles), but I am learning to navigate in spite of them. *cue inspiring music*

I'll spare you the long version and give you a brief look at my goals for 2007.

Blog at least once a month.
Maintain and finish Club 100.
Complete/Revise specified projects (one from fiction, poetry, screenplay and nonfiction).
Submit something before 2010.
Follow up on submissions before 2015.

Not to worry – my actual goals are much more specific (35 and counting). Just wanted you to get a snapshot, not put you to sleep.

I've kept up with my Club 100 since the first of the year. *go me* No record-breaking numbers there, but it's better than a big ol' zero.

The year is starting out right. I don't have to set any personal goals, do I? *pretty please*

Current Location: Work, where else
Current Mood: awake
Current Music: All-American Rejects

What was I thinking trying to do NaNoWriMo this year? It all fell apart quite figuratively. Why I try to accomplish anything in the months of November and December is beyond me. Next time, somebody slap me!

It wasn't a total disaster. I managed to squeeze out about 14,000 words (and it hurt). Better than nothing, but I'm still a NaNoWriMo failure. Too bad they don't give out a graphic for that...

I'm starting to get that itch that comes around this time of year –- the goal-setting one (just the kind you were thinking of, I’m sure!?!). I might wait until after the first of the year to do it. After all, I do have to assess last year's goal (and the outcome looks bleak).

One thing I know for sure. I must do some marketing soon and get some submissions out. Because everything else is languishing in oblivion out there (or some peeps are ignoring me, which is not nice). *ick* Of course instead of writing some letters *double ick*, I could shop for Christmas presents.

*going shopping*

Current Location: Out the door
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: The sound of my own footsteps

I am relieved! I've dug out of my enormous pile of extra work and can see the sunlight. *freedom* If anyone comes near my office with an "Oh P, can you" or "I need a little...," they might get squirted with a squirt gun. Don't think I'm joking either! *takes aim*

On the home front, I'm giving NaNoWriMo the old, college try. Don't ask me why! *iamquitenuts* November is always a terrible month for me both work and family-wise.

But I'm still doing it! It'll be interesting to see how much I can squeeze out. It will definitely be better than not much at all. I will at least plan to make my 100 words a day goal. Since I have to restart and all.

This weekend, I'll decide what my new project will be for it. I have plenty of ideas pining away for me. I just need to revisit them and see what motivates me the most. Anyone else doing the NaNoWriMo thing? What is your project going to be for it?

I also have to polish a couple of poems to round out a chapbook I want to submit. Not a lot of hope there, since poetry is such a hard sell. But I'm tenacious and don't know the meaning of the word "quit."

Maybe that's where my puppy gets it!?!

Current Location: Coffee break, even though I don't drink coffee!
Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: Dave Matthews Band

Today is a sad day for me. It's been a year today that my sweet, little dog died. She was 14, but still a puppy at heart.

I was going to blog more about it, but some things about it are still too raw for me. I'm healing. It just takes more time.



It's good that for most of today I was crazy busy and didn't have time to stop and think. Until now.

Current Location: Home
Current Mood: sad
Current Music: Michael W. Smith & Death Cab

What seems like eons ago, I promised jeannetgc I'd expand on the idea of writing habits. And here goes... *drumroll*

First about me – I'm not super picky. I can write under many circumstances. I prefer to work in my office (at home), because I have access to my stuff (files, music, etc.) and it's arranged to my liking. This is normally where I write.

But honestly, I write on the computer, on paper, in my head, in my dreams (seriously, I've written an entire article in a dream and then remembered it - strange I am), wherever and whenever. I carry a small notebook in my purse (shaped like a baby chick that says "Chicks Rule" - they were on sale and just the right size!) for those times an idea or snippet strikes me. I've learned not to wait, because the spontaneity makes for good language. Better than me trying to recreate it later. *can be painful*

If I feel stuck and the words just won't come out on the computer screen, I break out the paper and do some physical writing. Writing longhand helps me get unstuck, and allows for some freedom (as in freewriting).

I had a good foundation that made me able to work in varying situations. Working in a newsroom teaches you that. You just do it — even between phone calls, with people running around, talking, yelling, cussing (sometimes at you), phones ringing, doors slamming, and more. You have no choice other than to create – and create well – unless you want to hear someone yelling or cussing at you.

It is good to find out how you write best. What works best for you should be your status quo. But it should not be your crutch. Why? Because life is life. It's not perfect and there's no guarantee that you can have the conditions you want.

As writers, flexibility is key. *do I have to do yoga for that?* Otherwise, that infernal, internal editor switches on and finds a way to sabotage your progress, happiness and whatever else she can get her hands on.

One very wonderful and wise teacher (Peter Levitt) once told me to be aware of that internal editor. Tell her, “I hear you, and I'll get back to you.” Then keep working. Do not let anything stop you from creating.

It's some of the best advice ever. And some of the hardest to follow. Often, you are not even aware that the internal editor is the one hampering your progress, but she is. She can be sneaky that way.

Sometimes, I think people use their habits as an excuse. I'll admit that I've done it. Put off working on something, because it is too big, complicated or whatever, because I don't have a large chunk of time to devote to it. But I can't let myself get away with that very often, or else it won't get written. And you can't either.

If you can, it's a good idea to train yourself to write anywhere, anytime. It may not be as pretty as if you wrote it under ideal conditions. But at least it will be done. Revel in those times when you can work where you want to work. And slog through the times when it is not what you want. It all pays off in the end when you have created something you love (or even sorta like). After all, J.K. created Harry Potter on train full of people!

Didn't have time to hash out my thoughts on process, so I'll save it for later. :)

Current Location: On the sofa (I wish)
Current Mood: awake
Current Music: Saving Jane