Happy New Year and Here's to Publications

I've learned a lot this year. Even had some publications between August and December. One paying and the others out there for your reading pleasure.

I've set my goals for 2013. Have you? I really think this is important for me as I don't leave home and go to an office to write. I write when I can between my motherly and wifely duties. I'm presently working on assignment 6. It is due the end of January.

I've found a few contests and challenges to consider. One site that's great for lists of contest and challenges and just plain submissions is Duotrope. Check them out. Don't forget to use your usual search engine as you'll find lots out there. And most of all, pick up the 2013 markets from Writer's Digest. Some local libraries may have copies, but I use my books so much I don't want to share. So, I get my own copy.

Want some help with editing services? I know I promised some recommendations. I'm working on them. Here are some sites that offer author services. None of which I've checked out yet, but maybe you can and let us all know. CreateSpace, Writer's Digest, fiverr.com (there are many sections to search for your type of editing needs. Check them all out. I've linked you to only one of them) and a local writing group (I'm told authors eventually outgrow their local groups, etc, but I haven't yet)

Here's to writing and publication in 2013.

A Great Site for Information

I love Writer's Digest. They have lots of articles pertinent to authors-published and unpublished. Here's a really good article covering some of their popular2012  articles. I've found their books to be wonderful for getting me through many areas I need increased help and information. Check out their collections (a new one each month), their shop, live webinars, and critique and editing services. They've even taken their years of experience helping authors become published and have their own publication service--Abbott Press. Many services and books are on sale for a few more days. Stop by their website, check them out and don't forget to look into their contests. If you remember, I discussed the importance of using contests as a stepping stone in your writing career.

Ready for a challenge? Check out The First Line Literary Journal. When I'm blocked or want to write something different than my muses are pushing to get onto paper, I love writing stories from a "first line" perspective. (You'll see some first line stories in my ebook as discussed here)

The new year is upon us. Set your writing goals, get out of the holiday mood and get back to writing.

Happy researching, writing, submitting and getting published. This is our year.

I've been negligent again.

I received a NurtiBullet for Christmas and started a blog that discusses my trials and tribulations to a healthier eating lifestyle.  So I've been a bit negligent with this site.

I've worked off and on these past few days on Assignment 6. Mostly going over the research and pulling out what I want to discuss. The written word is a disorganized mess. I'm sure once I have all I want to say down on paper, the fun will begin when I organize it into a readable piece.

Purchased some seeds to plant a small garden. Maybe I'll write a short piece about that too. I love gardening, but have found it difficult here. Mostly because I can't spend too much time in the backyard due to allergies and watering is often forgotten and Hurricane Wilma took our water pump.

Happy reading and writing.

Writing, submitting and Holiday preparations

I've added a couple more paragraphs to "Rage of a Storm. Lots of research to go through as these paragraphs unfold on the paper. Assignment 6 is coming along nicely.

Submitted "Ten Little Gator Eggs" and "Grandpa's Farm" to the Sheldon Fogelman Agency I must have spent at least an hour deciding which one to send between the three that are out there (they accept no more than two manuscripts).

I decided on "Grandpa's Farm" so that two styles of writing would be sent. "Ten Little Gator Eggs" is a rhyming story and "Grandpa's Farm" is prose. Leaving "Nature's Zoo" out of this submission was hard since the children I read it to a couple of summers ago asks for a re-read. They loved dancing with the little boy.

And, yes, "Ten Little Gator Eggs" is close to my heart. If you remember Rubin Pfeffer of East West Literary Agency told me, at a SCBWI conference, "Ten Little Gator Eggs" was agent ready, but he was not taking on any new authors.

How are your holidays coming. We decorated our tree last night. Our home smells and looks like Christmas.

Happy writing, revising, submitting and preparing for your holiday celebrations.

Assignment 6

I'm working on "Rage of a Storm"--assignment 6. It's been awhile so I refreshed my memory by re-reading my teachers notes and recommendations.

I pulled up all my notes and have added several paragraphs to the original opening sent to the school.

I'm really excited to be back writing my assignments. I'm half way through and hope to either continue my education with their children's classes or novel course. In the meantime I'm waiting for a response from my editor on a short piece. My writing goal is still to write and submit one piece a week. I'm not there yet, but getting closer.

Happy writing, revising and submitting.

Submitted Three Picture Books

Bright Literary Agency accepts up to three picture book manuscripts. I submitted "Ten Little Gator Eggs", "Nature's Zoo" and "Grandpa's Farm". Their website states their turn around time is six weeks, but their email acknowledgement states four. Either way, this one has a short waiting period and will actually fall within some others that will expire around the same time.

Have you worked on your writing goals? If so, let us know.

I haven't heard from familyhow.com. They didn't have a turn around time, so I'll give them a little time and then start submitting the article to other places.

Found a really cool site, fiverr It's an online site for people to share things they're willing to do for $ 5.00. Check them out. Lot's of fun.

Still revising stories for my ebook and getting together all my research for assignment 6.

Happy writing, revising and submitting.

Happy 12/12/12

A Great Idea

A fellow author, Karoline Barrett, issued a challenge to think about 2013 goals. It's a great idea and not really too early to be thinking about such things. Check out her blog and set your goals.

Mine? Here they are:

My goal for 2012 was to be published and I reached that goal with several short stories.

2013 will continue with short stories and include at least 3 of my picture books.

I will finish my BIP classes and, hopefully, be invited to continue my writing classes with the novel course.

I will finish my final draft of “Destiny Revealed” a Second Chances Novel and begin the first draft of the second book in the series.

Let's here some of your goals.

Happy writing and submitting  and goal setting.

Next Submission

Mailed "Ten Little Gator Eggs" to Helen Harriss, Acquisitions Editor of Peachtree Publishers. 9 months turn around. I'd appreciate your continued help being patient for their answer.

Started another article that will work great with the FamilyHow.com site or another site that deals with families and/or emotions between people. Still not sure if they'll want to assign the articles or give me free rein, so I'm glad this one is versatile.

Here's an interesting by Jason Pinter:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/writer-pros-and-cons_b_2198325.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

and this link will have you laughing:

http://sobadsogood.com/2012/06/15/10-worst-book-covers-in-the-history-of-literature/

In the mood to write, but nothing wants written. Guess I'll write whatever and see what comes of it.

Happy writing and finding the story.

Submission and Rejection

I received a form rejection letter from Boyds Mills Press for "Ten Little Gator Eggs". It came a month earlier than expected. Sort of makes the waiting easier. I'll continue moving onwards and upwards.

Submitted the story of Meiko's adoption, "This is the Dog". We adopted him August 2012 and he's definitely one of the best dogs I've had the honor to own. Here's the link to the story http://www.petfinder.com/adoption-stories/index.cgi?story=28640 , but if you want to read it here, it's below. I don't like the way it formatted on their site. I followed their directions and I didn't copy and paste. I added it by hand and it still came out wrong. Oh well, the story is still true.

Submitted a writing sample to FamilyHow.com. "10 Ways to Show Love to Your Children" is 870 words. Not sure how long it will take them to get back with me. If you remember, this submission is for a position as a freelance writer for the website. Wish me luck.

Thank you for your support.

Happy writing, submitting and waiting.

This is the Dog!

                “I need another dog,” I told my husband, Thom.

                “I’m not ready,” he responded.

                Toby, our 12 year old 125 lb merle Great Dane, Had died about 6 months ago. I still miss him, but I was ready for another dog. Until his death, I hadn’t been without a dog in 32 years and I was feeling the hole he left.

                Our last three dogs had been rescued Danes and I decided I needed a smaller dog this time. Trying to help Toby get around, toward the end, was as taxing on me as it was on him. I decided to adopt in the 15 – 20 lb range.

                I chose This is the Dog!, www.thisisthedog.com, an animal adoption agency located in Homestead, Florida, because I was familiar with many of their foster parents and volunteers and they had a dog that caught my interest. I sent them an email and on August 3^rd I attended their adoption day at PETCO. There were many adoptable dogs available, but I couldn’t find the one I’d been watching on facebook.

                When I saw Meeko (now Meiko), a 3 year old blue and white long-haired Chihuahua, I knew I’d

found my next dog. I had my picture taken with him and sent it to Thom and then went to This is the Dog!’s representative and asked for an appointment to meet him in his foster home. (He was too skittish and didn’t show well at the shop)

                Thom’s remark at seeing the picture was expected. “No, I don’t want a Chihuahua.”

                My response was expected as well. “This is my dog and we’ll get you your poodle when you’re ready.”

                Meiko had been locked in a crate and hidden among bushes on the side of the road. He wasn’t discovered the first night they heard his crying pleas. A thorough search was conducted when his crying was heard again the next day in the same area. He had gone at least one night without food and water. His neck and upper body was covered with scabs and his hair was matted about his neck. Fearful and unsure, he met us barking as we entered his foster home. He remained in Thom’s arms, his long neck stretched as far away as possible and looked as if he’d leap if he dared.

                Thom continued to hold him as we discussed his temperament with his foster mom. We wanted to know if he’d fit in with our daughter’s 12 year old English Shepherd, Jake, and the two cats. It was decided he’d meet the rest of the family, in our home, later in the week.

                Thom handed me Meiko and said, “Never mind the poodle. This is the dog I want.”

                It was difficult to wait for Meiko to meet Jake, and the cats. Horchata, our white DSH, met us at the door. We set Meiko down, they sniffed and Horchata, bored, walked away. I hadn’t realized how small Meiko really was until he stood next to him. Horchata towered over him. Later we discovered he’s 3 times Meiko’s weight.

                Meiko then walked over to Jake sleeping in his usual place under the dinner table. Jake looked up, sniffed Meiko, sighed and went back to his nap.

                Kikyo, our DLH, refused to leave the high ground and stared at him with her large gold eyes glowing against her black coat. Meiko acknowledged her existence with a sniff and continued to explore.

                Saturday, August 18^th, Meiko joined our family and, in less than 8 hours, broke the number one rule of our home—no one, human or animal, sleeps with Daddy and Mommy. (He’s been there ever since)