Going to be a miserable week

if I can't find the desire to write. Thom is out of town. I left my stick at home, so I can't finish up the tax stuff today. Think I'll find a book and curl up. Maybe I need a good book to read to get me out of this slump.

Still haven't received Assignment 2 back. Without it, I don't want to do anything more with Second Chances. Trying not to get too far ahead on the assignments. 3 is done and 4 has been researched. Have to wait for recommendations from my instructor before moving it forward. 5 has been preliminarily written and 6 is mulling around in my head.

Happy writing.

Saturday was a busy day

The girls were selling at their yard sale raising money for camp. Had to be at the church at 6 am. Our son was selling camp cards for his camp. I was exhausted from getting up so early. Both finished about noon. So I dropped them off at their various next places, babysitting, helping at at a fair, etc and went home to rest.

When my husband was done with his work day we went refrigerator shopping. Found the one we wanted and managed to get it home and in place by about 11 pm. Long day.

We went up yesterday, after church, to help my sister and her husband with their car. It seems to be on the blink and since my husband specializes in electrical problems, it was right up his alley.

Today, I'm still tired and still depressed. Still not interested in writing. I tried to make some adjustments to a piece on the way up to my sisters, but couldn't find the desire. Frustrating. Had a piece I've worked on for almost a year and thought I had it ready. Decided to put a four line segment up on a blog. Well, that was a mistake. Found out how poor of a writer I am. Didn't help my ego nor my desire to get back into writing. Going to set out for a bit until Assignment 2 gets back. Hopefully it'll have some great ideas for improvement, or better yet, let me know I am a good writer and give me back my desire to continue.

Until then, happy writing.

Had such a headache yesterday

that I didn't do anything.

Spent Wednesday reading books about humor and reading the Magazine Markets for Writers. And worked some more on my taxes. Man, I wish I was more diligent about getting this stuff done throughout the year. Getting there, though and will soon be able to submit those too.

Spent today working more on the taxes. Didn't get any writing done, but I feel like I'm in a lull right now and not very interested in writing.

Happy writing.

Assignment 3

Yesterday I worked on Assignment 3. I decided to re-read the assignment particulars. I updated my Article Plan. (somewhere I read that those who received A's on their outlines in high school produced their outlines after their essay was written. Made sense, so I decided to confirm my Article Plan followed the story well and confirmed the story followed the Article Plan as well. I didn't want to get off track) As part of Assignment 3 I confirmed my 'slant' and tore apart 3. I'm pretty happy with what I have re-written. I need to decide if I want to add dialogue or let it be the way it is written. Both are acceptable, but I need to know what I want. Since the answer isn't coming, I'm going to continue editing the present version and consider the addition of dialogue.

In my re-read I discovered a recommendation not to get ahead, but to be patient for your teachers advice. I'm waiting for Assignment 2 to come back so that I can continue with Second Chances, and to apply what is said to Assignment 3 as I did with Assignments 1 and 2, so maybe I'll think of something else to write or do some critiquing. Choices, choices, choices. So many so that I have forgotten to walk before I run and fall.

Happy writing.

Wrapping up

Spent yesterday between my anthology entrant, Three Brother's Tot, and researching Assignment 4. I'm planning on working on a piece for an ezine having to do with weather. Hopefully with my instructor's help, I'll have a piece worth publishing. (my goal for this year.)

I also critiqued a really good story for a friend. Hope she gets it published. Want to check it out? Click here

Today I'm finishing up my touches to Three Brother's Tot and heading the warnings of Bob Ross not to over touch my piece.

Okay, Three Brother's Tot, is squeezing its way through the internet and my hopes of seeing in published in the anthology are high. Not holding my breath since the announcement doesn't come until the 17th of March, 2012.

Next week, Finishing touches Assignment 3 and researching for Assignment 4.


Happy writing.

I'm Miserable

My immune system conked out one me and my daily ingest of clementines seems to have failed me. I hurt from head to toe. I'm not sure there's any lung left after everything I've been coughing up. This fever has me in a constant state of cold.
I spent the day at home on Wednesday. Managed to come up with a great idea for Assignment 5, (I've already planned for Assignment 4)
I wanted to stay home today, but the one I'd leave in charge of the store is sick as well. I'm here until our oldest gets off work. She's planning to close for me.
I've been useless since coming in, but I have had time to study Sunday's lesson and read a fellow author's short story. I think I'll try to perfect 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' piece. Times getting short and it needs to be done.

Here's to better health and happy writing.

Sick Children

Sunday I managed to finish the changes I wanted to the story for 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' Anthology.

Monday and today I haven't had time for writing. I'm letting my piece for the anthology stew a bit. Due this Saturday, so I can't let it go too long.

With the help of a great friend, I now have the perfect title for Assignment 3. Not planning on working on it right now. Think I'll get some end of the month stuff done, since that was 14 days ago.

Happy writing.

Earlier Version of Assignment 2

This version is not the earliest because I made so many major changes, you wouldn't recognize the piece at all. This version is probably the third or fourth. Happy comparing.

Cool, earthy air chills her nose and throat. Reds and yellows replace the once green leaves. A gentle breeze rustles through the brush and promises rain. 

"Kate," a male voice yells.

She stops short and looks around. There is no one else on the path. A quick check of the trees that surround this part of the park only yields a rain dance between the leaves and wind. Thump, thump, thump her feet rhythmically slap the pavement. Long, black hair, pulled into a pony tail swats her shoulders. Her heart, unable to match the beat, echoes in her ears. A chill moves down her spine. Am I being followed?

"Kate. Stop. Wait for me."

The voice is closer and reminds her of someone from her past. Her stomach tightens and fear spreads through her chest. He's here for me.  Despair pales her face and quickens her breath. “Stay away. You hear me?” Grim, she looks around and panics. Where is he? “I’ll scream,” she threatens and breaks into a run. Her heart knocks on her chest and throat and pounds in her head. Weak, she gasps for air. Lightheaded, she sees her dying sister. Devastation and confusion slows her progress. Why is she in her head now? She's been dead for more than 25 years.

Sudden severe pain forces her to the ground. What’s happening? Is that tormented scream from me? Who's calling me? Sounds like the angel that came for my sister? Is that why she's here now? Is this the end?

She manages to bring her husband forward in her thoughts. Dave, I love you. Hold me here. Stop this pain. Dave looks into her eyes and says 'I do' then kisses her with such passion. It's their wedding day. Then she hands him their son wrapped up tight in the blue and white hospital blanket. Oh, how much she loves David and their newborn son. Next she gives him their daughter. She can barely stay in the hospital bed. She wants to cover his body with kisses of joy. In her mind, strong and immovable are the three most important people in her life.

The stranger's voice whispers in her ear, “Kate, come with me. Let me help.”

Her body convulses with every scream and drowns out his question.

Prayer and her family foremost in her mind brings relief. The pain subsides and relaxes her muscles. Thank you Lord,  she sobs.

The stranger lays his hands on her shoulder, 'Kate, you okay?'

Weak, she rises. “Don’t touch me.” 

“I'm here to help you.” He grabs her arm.

Eyes, white with fear and pupils dark with pain, meet his. She shoves him, both hands on his chest. “Who are you?”

Images flash through his mind.  A young Kate, shortly after her eighth birthday, with outstretched hands. Don't leave me. Take me too. A dark hallway and, to his right, a room he hasn’t seen in over 25 years. He shakes his head to refocus on the present.

Kate breaks away and stumbles toward the nearest bench. Unable to stand her full five and a half feet, she tumbles into the wooden seat.

“I have everything you need to ease the pain. My ship's not too far.”

Curled into a fetal position, eyes closed, she concentrates on her family. Pale lips smile as the pain recedes. She whispers. “Guess the Grim Reaper won't be needed here today.”

“Kate,” he says again close to her ear, “I'm here. Let me carry you.”

"No," she shakes her head, “I’m fine. The pain is almost gone. I’ll rest here then go home.”

He’s so close; she feels his breath on her lips. A faint metallic odor reminds her of electronics. Did he repair something aboard his ship?  She turns away and catches the smell of fresh turned earth off the skin of his neck. Her marital resolve weakens. Urges to reach out and kiss him shock her. Her eyes open to his face just inches from hers. Their eyes meet and she stutters, “I-I’m not go-going anywhere wi-with you.”

His brown eyes, deep as the seas, are endless as space. Unable to turn away, she feels an ancient intelligence. The back of her mind tells her he is hers. They belong together. Eye contact is broken when he rises and startles her back to the present. “Okay, I’ll sit with you until you’re able to go. Are you sure the pain is gone?” he asks and sits on the edge of the park bench.

A quick glance fills her vision with his picturesque profile. Black loafers compliment his Italian wool pants. His white dress shirt, open to his chest, bring her back to his face. She remembers. He's one of her sister's angel's. Her eyes close and she fights the urge to tell him to get lost. His presence comforts her and she wants answers.

Spent, she forces herself to sit up and backs against the arm of the bench. Chilled, she shivers glad she decided to wear her pink warm-ups rather than the purple shorts. Fearful she'll fall back into his eyes, she settles on his sable hair. What is it about this man? Her fingers itch to run through his dark, brown luxurious muss. “Who are you? How do you know my name? Are you the angel that came for my sister? Is it my turn, now?” she asks between quick breaths.

Assignment 2 is in the mail

This is approximately the 10th version from the time I decided to keep track. There could easily be 3-4 versions before this decision. Enjoy.

Thump, thump, thump, Kate's running shoes rhythmically slap the pavement. Long, black hair swats her shoulders and brushes over her pink jogging suit. Her nose and throat ache from the cool air. Breathless she slows and turns the corner. A gentle breeze rustles through the red, yellow and orange leaves. She stops and checks her heart monitor. 130, too close to the top end of the range her physician recommended.  She takes a deep breath and relishes the organic smell of damp earth and rotting leaves.

Autumn, she sighs, the season of color and cool morning jogs. She walks to slow her heart rate and marvels at the wonderful song of nature’s winter preparations. Thoughts of snow, icicles, turkey and Christmas trees remind her of her favorite time of the year. Who could ask for more?

“Kate,” a male voice calls.

His voice sounds familiar. Her stomach twists and tightens. She turns to look behind. The path is clear. Wary, she continues her jog.

“Kate. Stop. Wait for me.”

Realization spreads fear from her stomach to her chest. No! He can't be here. Not now.

“Stay away,” she shouts, “You hear me?” Her throat tightens. Where is he? She looks around without seeing. “I'll scream,” she breaks into a run. She gasps for air and sees visions of her dead sister.

Why is she here now? She died more than 25 years ago.

Sudden, severe pain forces her to the ground.

What's happening? Is that tormented screaming from me? Is this the end? Dave, I love you. Don't let him take me. Stop this pain.

Strong and immovable, she sees the three most important people in her life. Dave looks into her eyes and says 'I do' then kisses her with such passion. It's their wedding day. Next Dave hands her their son wrapped tight in the blue and white hospital blanket. Three years later he's handing her their daughter.

“Kate, come with me. Let me help,” he interrupts her thoughts.

Another scream prevents her reply. She shuts out the voice, focuses on her family and relaxes as the pain subsides.

 Alarmed by his touch, her heart, stomach and airways tighten. Arms weak, she pushes herself onto her knees, then stands. Her eyes, white with fear and pupils dark with pain, meet his, “Don't touch me. Go away! I don't want your help,” she shoves him and stumbles toward the nearest bench. Unable to stand, she tumbles onto the wooden seat.

"But, I can end your suffering.”

She concentrates on her loved ones. Her pale lips smile as the pain continues to recede. She whispers, “Guess the Grim Reaper isn’t needed today.”

“Kate,” he’s close to her right ear, “let me help.”

“No,” she shakes her head, “you lose. I'm fine. Leave me. I-I'm not go-going anywhere wi-with you.”

His gold-flecked, blue eyes pierce her soul. Unable to turn away, she senses he's an ancient being.

“No!” She severs contact and rolls against the back of the bench. Eyes wide, she struggles to breathe. The sound of a pulled drain plug breaks the silence. Grateful for the air, her lungs fill to capacity.

“You shouldn't have pulled away. Your sister almost welcomed you home.”

"Home? No! Get away!" She forces herself to get up and sits against the arm of the bench. The vision of her dying sister returns. She compares this man with the angel that came for her sister. She starts at his black loafers and Italian wool pants and rests a moment on his white dress shirt open to his chest. Fear darkens her face when she gets to his eyes. Petrified they will pull her in again, she jumps to his sable hair.

It's him. She takes a deep breath and let's it out slow. “Is it my turn now? Have you come for me like you came for my sister?” she asks her voice trembling.

“Yes.” he moves closer, "The pain will end soon. You won't suffer."

"Did she suffer?"

"No."

Kate avoids his eyes.

"She's happy and can't wait to see you. It's time."

She pulls away when he reaches for her and anger conquers her fear, “Do you know what it's like to be left behind? I begged you to take me with you when my twin sister died. I wanted to tell her I was sorry. I wanted to tell her I loved her. Instead, you left me with parents who couldn't cope and no confidant. From conception until her death, we were inseparable. My parents couldn’t look at me without seeing her. Dad drank himself to death and Mom turned inside herself and withered away.”

She looks off in the distance and regroups her thoughts, “I wanted to take my life, but hell and the lake of brimstone scared me. So, I prayed to heaven, to my sister, to you, to anyone who would take me to her. I craved the love you took from me. No longer to be seen or heard, many whispered the name Left Behind Kate. No one knew what to say. No one knew what to do. Dave answered my prayers. He cared,” she turns to meet his eyes, “he still cares. You came into my life and I lost everything. Dave came into my life and I found love again.”

She stands with a grimace as her overworked muscles complain, “I'm not going anywhere with you. So tell God, or whomever you answer to, I never want to see your face again. When I'm in my 90's and have lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren, I expect to see an angel that will listen and take me,” she points to her chest with her thumb, “when I am ready.”

Infuriated, she turns disappears around the bend.

So much in so little time

I'm excited and concerned about the looming deadline. I usually choose writing projects that don't have deadlines or have them fairly far in the future, but this story is right up my alley and therefore I took the challenge. I've finished my worksheets yesterday and the first draft today. Now for the fun part. Adding, subtracting, changing and recreating, after I let the it sit and check on my polish of Assignment 2. 

It's late and I'm going home. Assignment 2 is polished as best as I can. Now to send it off for the instructor to evaluate. I'll put Assignment 2 up, both the first and final, as soon as I've sent it off.

The rest of the week will be devoted to the Three Billy Goats Gruff challenge. 

In the meantime,

Happy writing.

Busy Weekend

I attended the Temple in Orlando Saturday. Took the bus up and back, so I had some time, when it was daylight, to work on assignment 2, a story that I write when I'm on the bus to the temple and had some great ideas for the Three Billy Goats Gruff challenge. I wrote many notes and created a line of toys for this challenge.

Sunday I updated my computer for assignment 2. Will let it set for a couple of days before reading and listening to the story and confirming the changes.

Today I'm taking the notes for the Three Billy Goats Gruff challenge and filling out the writing worksheet.  I have only a few more days before the challenge ends.

Happy writing.

Tired, but exhilerated

Didn't get anything done for writing yesterday. Was busy trying to get end of the month stuff done.

Woke up early this morning with an excellent story for my version of Three Billy Goats Gruff. I wrote it down and now I'll research some needed parts and mull over the story. Hopefully it'll be ready to write in the computer soon. I don't have very long and it seems to take me so long to get something written. I'm hoping this one doesn't. Maybe I'll learn something that will help me when I'm truly under a deadline. Anyway, the story is getting into my process and that's an  important step.

Hope to accomplish more today.

Happy writing.