July 7, 2010 the story of “Ten Little Gator Eggs”
was created. I was following a summer prompt for the month of July. We
were prompted to write something. It didn’t matter what it was as long
as you were writing.
The story title was “Momma Alligator.” It told of her laying her eggs
and singing to her offspring. She then went hunting for dinner. As soon
as she finished eating she went back to the nest to guard the eggs. She
swam back and forth as she excitedly waited for their hatching. It
finishes with the birth, of up to the possibility of 10 hatchlings.
One year later, after several revisions and recommendations from an
online children’s writer’s group, I presented the book to Rubin Pfeffer,
literary agent East/West Literary Agency, at the SCBWI, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, summer conference.
He said the story was good, but thought I could jazz it up. He gave
me three months to resend the manuscript. I was almost ready to give up
as the deadline loomed.
Then I discovered “The Piggy in the Puddle.” I loved the non-sense words and added a few to my story. Here is Mr. Pfeffer’s email response to the revisions.
“I believe you’ve strengthened the story and I’m heartened to see this. Kudos.
While I can’t at this time take on more clients, I think you have a
good example of picture book writing to show a prospective agent.”
I submitted “Ten Little Gator Eggs”
2011, 2012 and early 2013. I received some rejections and many
unanswered queries, I decided to follow the recommendations of many and
self-publish.
I asked five illustrators to send me samples. Three responded and Greg Laws was chosen as my illustrator. To this day, I’m not sorry for choosing him. He gave life to “Ten Little Gator Eggs.”
“Ten Little Gator Eggs”
became an educational, counting up to and down from 10, book during my
many revisions. I love to teach and this book teaches the life cycle of
the American Alligator and as one mom said about her son, “He’s learning to count
backwards. I didn’t even think about that when I bought the book.”
She even showed me a video of him reading the book. He asks for it every night and is doing a really good job.
Sales have been up and down with some selling online, some to Atala Montessouri, and some hand sales.
Monday, December 16 I read the book to several classes at Atala. The
children loved the book. A couple were glued to every word.
I spoke to the upper elementary children about writing and publishing. They had a lot of good questions.
I love using local businesses and I had our local printer make up
some cards to hand out. I handed out over 50 at a recent Rib Fest. I
made some sales from those.
I sold several books to the school and have them in the local museum, the Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum, downtown Homestead and I keep copies in my car.
This came in handy Saturday when I ran into a friend while shopping. He purchased one right then and there.
The cover is Greg Laws’ sample. I knew it would become the cover. Order your copy here or contact me at spellboundbooks@hotmail.com for a signed copy.
Like and follow “Ten Little Gator Eggs” on FaceBook. We’re working on translations in Spanish, Portuguese, French and German. Hoping to have a hardcover Spring 2014.
And this is the story of “Ten Little Gator Eggs.” See you again, soon and watch out for the alligators.
Have fun writing, revising, publishing and marketing.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Bit off more than I can chew?
familyShare.com asked for back to school articles. I thought about what might be written and decided I needed to be quick in my response to prevent coming in at the end of the line. They have 529 authors. I also considered many school subjects and decided to write about homeschooling. I've been homeschooling for 18 years and knew my knowledge would be useful. Here are the four articles I wrote:
5 reasons why homeschooling may be for your family. I wrote this one as an introduction to the idea of homeschooling and to help those considering homeschooling. One thing that is great about this article is it is also on the azcentral.com, Arizona's Home Page website.
Homeschooling: 5 steps to creating a successful program. This article helps those who decided to homeschool through the beginning steps of setting up their family homeschool program.
Which homeschool method is right for your family? A good homeschool program requires choosing the method and curriculum. This article discusses different types of methods to help in the decision making process.
5 steps for choosing your family's homeschooling curriculum. Once you've decided on your method, curriculum choices are easier since many methods use specific curricula.
They listed these beginning July 27th, with the last listed on August 3rd, and have been viewed, as of publication, over 1600 times.
Two more articles have been published in the South Dade News Leader.
Residents Voice Concern over FPL Power Lines. I attended a hearing, with some background, and was impressed with the control I saw compared to some gatherings where the public is permitted to express their opinions. Many were upset and kept their control, some with difficulty. Perhaps it was because of the setting--a judge, court reporters and lawyers.
Locals Become Certified in Emergency Response. This was a fun class. I learned a lot about preparation and prevention. I think all communities should have CERT response teams. Going to work on getting some in the Homestead/Florida City area. A follow-up article will be written.
I have three articles to write for this Friday's paper and a call to do one more. I'll have to wait and see. The three I need to write are pretty involved. Full of great news, emotions and a need to know. But how to get them on paper without putting in my feelings.
We, the paper and the freelance authors, are considering regular columns. We have to hash out how often and what subjects.
Now I'll explain the title. I haven't been writing as often as one should on their blog and, as you can see above, I've been all over the place collecting information. In the middle of this, our son ended up hospitalized with a severe infection. We've gotten through it all and he's recovering well. Now to get through this week.
I have done nothing for assignment 8. I didn't even notify my teacher this time. Don't know when I'll get to either. I've lots of ideas for the blog and all I've done so far is give stats.
Learning to juggle a freelance life with home life. This is the last week of volunteering for the children. Summer camp will be over. We'll spend next week getting ready for the start of school season and cleaning house. We will also be using the preparation techniques given in the CERT class to confirm our home is safe and we are prepared for a disaster. (We have to be. We see hurricanes here and are a short distance from a nuclear plant.)
And I'm still having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the load explained above). Guess I'll worry more when the fun is gone.
5 reasons why homeschooling may be for your family. I wrote this one as an introduction to the idea of homeschooling and to help those considering homeschooling. One thing that is great about this article is it is also on the azcentral.com, Arizona's Home Page website.
Homeschooling: 5 steps to creating a successful program. This article helps those who decided to homeschool through the beginning steps of setting up their family homeschool program.
Which homeschool method is right for your family? A good homeschool program requires choosing the method and curriculum. This article discusses different types of methods to help in the decision making process.
5 steps for choosing your family's homeschooling curriculum. Once you've decided on your method, curriculum choices are easier since many methods use specific curricula.
They listed these beginning July 27th, with the last listed on August 3rd, and have been viewed, as of publication, over 1600 times.
Two more articles have been published in the South Dade News Leader.
Residents Voice Concern over FPL Power Lines. I attended a hearing, with some background, and was impressed with the control I saw compared to some gatherings where the public is permitted to express their opinions. Many were upset and kept their control, some with difficulty. Perhaps it was because of the setting--a judge, court reporters and lawyers.
Locals Become Certified in Emergency Response. This was a fun class. I learned a lot about preparation and prevention. I think all communities should have CERT response teams. Going to work on getting some in the Homestead/Florida City area. A follow-up article will be written.
I have three articles to write for this Friday's paper and a call to do one more. I'll have to wait and see. The three I need to write are pretty involved. Full of great news, emotions and a need to know. But how to get them on paper without putting in my feelings.
We, the paper and the freelance authors, are considering regular columns. We have to hash out how often and what subjects.
Now I'll explain the title. I haven't been writing as often as one should on their blog and, as you can see above, I've been all over the place collecting information. In the middle of this, our son ended up hospitalized with a severe infection. We've gotten through it all and he's recovering well. Now to get through this week.
I have done nothing for assignment 8. I didn't even notify my teacher this time. Don't know when I'll get to either. I've lots of ideas for the blog and all I've done so far is give stats.
Learning to juggle a freelance life with home life. This is the last week of volunteering for the children. Summer camp will be over. We'll spend next week getting ready for the start of school season and cleaning house. We will also be using the preparation techniques given in the CERT class to confirm our home is safe and we are prepared for a disaster. (We have to be. We see hurricanes here and are a short distance from a nuclear plant.)
And I'm still having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the load explained above). Guess I'll worry more when the fun is gone.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Freelancing ups and downs
How about the downs first because many remember the second choices better.
I've written several articles, articles that were requested, and have been told they're good and exactly what was wanted. What is down about this? I don't get paid unless they're printed and many haven't found their way into their periodicals. Many are time sensitive and some were time and mental consuming, and therefore not eligible to go somewhere else or into a later edition.
The good news. My latest and most difficult article did make it into the South Dade News Leader.
The other articles I've written may find their way into stories as I write them and the efforts have definitely helped me learn and grow both in my writing and in knowledge. As one author friend said, "It's all part of freelance writing." (well, I guess I threw in some good stuff here too)
Now for the ups.
Articles published at familyshare.com
6 ways to develop your talents I wrote this from the following quote I received on my FB news feed, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it." LeBron James.
Who is my neighbor? The idea for this article came from a FB post about Blessing Bags. I thought it'd be a great family service project. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17 And I began to think about families and how they should be included in the answer, Who is my neighbor?
Shared joy is double joy I came across the Swedish Proverb "Shared joy is a double joy -shared sorrow is half a sorrow," and thought I'd like to write an uplifting article about the shared joy. In my research I found some pretty convincing stuff for this. Click on the title and see for yourself.
Article published in the South Dade News Leader
County Cuts Funding to Animal Services. This article came about because 65% of Miami-Dade residents voted for funding to Animal Services and the mayor chose to ignore them and cut it out of the budget.
I have articles in various stages of publication--writing, querying, editing, waiting for publication date. I'll keep you updated as always.Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I'm still waiting on the illustrators to get me their pictures. I really like the illustrations I've received from one illustrator, but I want to give all those I asked a chance to audition. Some are busier than others.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the downs as explained above).
I've written several articles, articles that were requested, and have been told they're good and exactly what was wanted. What is down about this? I don't get paid unless they're printed and many haven't found their way into their periodicals. Many are time sensitive and some were time and mental consuming, and therefore not eligible to go somewhere else or into a later edition.
The good news. My latest and most difficult article did make it into the South Dade News Leader.
The other articles I've written may find their way into stories as I write them and the efforts have definitely helped me learn and grow both in my writing and in knowledge. As one author friend said, "It's all part of freelance writing." (well, I guess I threw in some good stuff here too)
Now for the ups.
Articles published at familyshare.com
6 ways to develop your talents I wrote this from the following quote I received on my FB news feed, "I'm going to use all my tools, my God-given ability, and make the best life I can with it." LeBron James.
Who is my neighbor? The idea for this article came from a FB post about Blessing Bags. I thought it'd be a great family service project. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17 And I began to think about families and how they should be included in the answer, Who is my neighbor?
Shared joy is double joy I came across the Swedish Proverb "Shared joy is a double joy -shared sorrow is half a sorrow," and thought I'd like to write an uplifting article about the shared joy. In my research I found some pretty convincing stuff for this. Click on the title and see for yourself.
Article published in the South Dade News Leader
County Cuts Funding to Animal Services. This article came about because 65% of Miami-Dade residents voted for funding to Animal Services and the mayor chose to ignore them and cut it out of the budget.
I have articles in various stages of publication--writing, querying, editing, waiting for publication date. I'll keep you updated as always.Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I'm still waiting on the illustrators to get me their pictures. I really like the illustrations I've received from one illustrator, but I want to give all those I asked a chance to audition. Some are busier than others.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published (even with the downs as explained above).
Friday, July 5, 2013
Great news!
Not only am I freelancing for familyshare.com, I am now freelancing for The South Dade Newsleader, our local newspaper. My first assignment is a 4th of July dedication event. I'll post links when it's published. My second assignment involves a meeting at the nuclear plant and I'll post links when it's published.
Forgiveness is letting go of the feelings associated with an offense or wrongdoing against us. This doesn’t absolve fault, but does free the forgiver from the chains of anger, hatred and vengeance. We all offend and are offended, so why is it sometimes difficult to forgive? Find out when you read my article, Free at last: I forgive you.
Being a parent can be daunting. Before you is a child you are expected to mold into a good citizen. One who will carry your legacy forward and use your examples as guidance to raise their own children. And if that's not enough pressure, you're raising them in a world that has turned good into bad and bad into good. The good news? You are not alone. There are many great examples to follow from within your life, family, circle of friends and community. Want to learn 3 ways to teach by example? Check out my article.
I have two more articles in editing at familyshare.com and more being written. Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I haven't made my appointment with the ranger. The children's summer schedule is a bit difficult to work around. I know I need to get it done so I can get the assignment in on time. Hope to find time next week.
I'm almost down to one bigfoot book. Then it'll be time to take all this information and outline my middle grade book.
I've received some pictures for Ten Little Gator Eggs. I'm hoping to choose the illustrator soon and get the ball rolling. I'm waiting on a few more choices and then I'll let you know who I choose. I'd like this book published by the beginning of next year.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Forgiveness is letting go of the feelings associated with an offense or wrongdoing against us. This doesn’t absolve fault, but does free the forgiver from the chains of anger, hatred and vengeance. We all offend and are offended, so why is it sometimes difficult to forgive? Find out when you read my article, Free at last: I forgive you.
Being a parent can be daunting. Before you is a child you are expected to mold into a good citizen. One who will carry your legacy forward and use your examples as guidance to raise their own children. And if that's not enough pressure, you're raising them in a world that has turned good into bad and bad into good. The good news? You are not alone. There are many great examples to follow from within your life, family, circle of friends and community. Want to learn 3 ways to teach by example? Check out my article.
I have two more articles in editing at familyshare.com and more being written. Come back often or check out my current and past articles at my Pinterest boards.
I haven't made my appointment with the ranger. The children's summer schedule is a bit difficult to work around. I know I need to get it done so I can get the assignment in on time. Hope to find time next week.
I'm almost down to one bigfoot book. Then it'll be time to take all this information and outline my middle grade book.
I've received some pictures for Ten Little Gator Eggs. I'm hoping to choose the illustrator soon and get the ball rolling. I'm waiting on a few more choices and then I'll let you know who I choose. I'd like this book published by the beginning of next year.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Back from North Carolina
Life was quiet, full of nature, flowers, trees and slow paced. Loved the time I spent in North Carolina. Take a look at what I saw from the back porch early one morning.
Now back to Florida life.
We arrived really late Wednesday night. Bruiser, a Chihuahua we rescued in November was very ill when we returned. We took him to our vet, Aventura Animal Hospital, and they decided he needed hospitalization. Blood work revealed he is heartworm positive. He tested negative in November, but must have had an early infection. So now, we're giving supportive care and helping him regain his strength so he can go through the heartworm treatment.
Here's Bruiser
Now back to Florida life.
We arrived really late Wednesday night. Bruiser, a Chihuahua we rescued in November was very ill when we returned. We took him to our vet, Aventura Animal Hospital, and they decided he needed hospitalization. Blood work revealed he is heartworm positive. He tested negative in November, but must have had an early infection. So now, we're giving supportive care and helping him regain his strength so he can go through the heartworm treatment.
Here's Bruiser
"Passing through or
live in Northeastern North Carolina? Want a place to take the kids they’ll be
talking about for days? Then the Aurora
Fossil Museum, in Aurora, North Carolina,
is a must stop, even if you’re not interested in geology or paleontology. The
museum hosts marine fossils from the Pleistocene, Pliocene and Miocene
periods. Is Fido traveling with you? No problem, this is a pet friendly museum.
Don’t forget to watch the 20 minute video about the local PotashCorp Mine that
is “the most important source of Pliocene and Miocene fossils in the world,”
according to the Aurora Fossil
Museum’s website.
After visiting the museum, stop at the Pit of the Pungo and
try your luck digging fossils for your very own collection. Weather or time not
in your favor? That’s okay. Stop by the Digger’s Gift Shop,
located within the museum and buy prefilled buckets of dirt enhanced to make sure
you find the perfect fossil to add to, or start, your collection. Need gift
ideas? The Digger’s
Gift Shop sells on site or through their website.
Follow the Aurora Fossil Museum on FB
and don’t forget to like the page so you don’t miss their next Fossil Festival
and fossil raffles."
I discovered a submission that I didn't clean out when I was housecleaning. November, last year, I submitted "No Laughing Matter" to WD Short, Short Story Contest. I didn't receive an response. So it's considered--didn't place. Don't forget to get into their Short, Short Story Contest this November.
I have an appointment with South Dade Newsleader to, again, discuss possible employment and what happened to the articles I did write. My first paid article, "Free at last: I forgive you," will be up soon. It's in the final stages of preparation. I'm working on another article for familyshare.com. They now have a new website with our articles translated into Portuguese, familia.com.br. Check it out and share with your Portuguese speaking friends. All that is left to be back on tract is to contact the ranger about my controlled burn article for Assignment 8.
The back of my mind is bugging me. Many novels have been outlined, some started and they're bugging me to dig them out of obscurity. Need more time, but taxi mom, of five, has four children going three different ways in the morning and then picked up in the afternoon. Getting up earlier isn't working to gain any writing time since the characters aren't awake to tell me what to write.
Still reading Bigfoot books and loving the information. Hopefully this will help with my children's story that involves Bigfoot. I'm considering entering the Spoonful of Cheerios contest. Not 100% sure I can. Will have to contact them, but I've never been paid for anything written for children. I think I still qualify for this contest. Anyway...
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching, getting published and missing North Carolina life.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
In North Carolina packing and moving
my parents from their temporary rental to their rebuilt rental. The sun wakes me every morning about 6:30 am. I make my morning smoothie and sit on the porch and listen to the trees and swamp animals wake up to another day. The property has two ponds and I watch them come to life with dragon flies, flying fish, frogs and turtles. A momma duck can be heard behind the brush. She's too shy to bring the little ones to the pond while I'm out. A rabbit carefully wanders to the edge of the forest to eat the tender grass and the flowers show off their brilliant colors in the morning sun. During a noon-time break I observed, I think, a Northern Watersnake. It was swimming out of the pond onto the grass in the backyard.
Another really beautiful site is the night sky. Brilliant stars, and so many, against a very black background demanded observation and I willingly gave in. The only constellation I've identified so far is the big dipper. Will have to check start charts and try to figure out what is here. At home the big dipper faces down and is in the front yard. Orion and his group of stars are in the back. I haven't found them here and am thinking I may not this time of the year since he's a winter star.
Tropical Storm Andrea graced us with a visit, lots of needed rain and high winds. Both ponds are now full. (lack of rain had them low) The frogs sang praises for the rain and, that evening, called out for their mates and a bit of night-time fun. Tadpoles coming soon.
I was unable to get with the ranger about controlled burns, Assignment 8, in the Everglades before we left, so I'll try again when we return. The South Dade Newsleader was supposed to run my articles, but I can't seem to find them. Will have to check on them when I return as well. I finished the article for Rover's North, at least as much as I can until the Florida Land Rover Club answers my questions and supplies me with some pictures I need.
I wrote another article for Familyshare.com. I'll submit it as soon as I am able to print and submit the Independent Contributors paperwork. I am now on their payroll. The internship, only four months, worked out great as they like my work and asked me to come on board.
My chastity article is up and ready to read. Check it out and if you like it, please like it at the article page and share it with your friends and family. More articles coming. As stated I finished one and am working on another. Will keep you updated.
I visited Bath, NC on Tuesday, the 4th, with Inspector Meiko Luv. Hopefully we have some great pictures and can finish a children's book, middle grade, about it's history. I was able to talk to an archeologist that was working on a dig. It was very interesting. I hope the children enjoy that part of the book as much as I enjoyed discussing his project.
We then went to Aurora, NC and visited a the Fossil Museum. We had a great time walking through the dog friendly museum and then digging for fossils. We found some interesting pieces. I didn't take very many pictures, but know Inspector Meiko Luv and I will return so we can write another story. It was too late in the day. This time about Aurora.
Some contests to consider:
Kindergarten story: Exploration! Write up to 150 words. Contest ends July 12th, 2013.
Pockets Annual Fiction Contest Write 750 - 1,000 words. Contest ends August 15th, 2013.
Heading for bed, Inspector Meiko Luv is demanding I join him for tonight's slumber.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Another really beautiful site is the night sky. Brilliant stars, and so many, against a very black background demanded observation and I willingly gave in. The only constellation I've identified so far is the big dipper. Will have to check start charts and try to figure out what is here. At home the big dipper faces down and is in the front yard. Orion and his group of stars are in the back. I haven't found them here and am thinking I may not this time of the year since he's a winter star.
Tropical Storm Andrea graced us with a visit, lots of needed rain and high winds. Both ponds are now full. (lack of rain had them low) The frogs sang praises for the rain and, that evening, called out for their mates and a bit of night-time fun. Tadpoles coming soon.
I was unable to get with the ranger about controlled burns, Assignment 8, in the Everglades before we left, so I'll try again when we return. The South Dade Newsleader was supposed to run my articles, but I can't seem to find them. Will have to check on them when I return as well. I finished the article for Rover's North, at least as much as I can until the Florida Land Rover Club answers my questions and supplies me with some pictures I need.
I wrote another article for Familyshare.com. I'll submit it as soon as I am able to print and submit the Independent Contributors paperwork. I am now on their payroll. The internship, only four months, worked out great as they like my work and asked me to come on board.
My chastity article is up and ready to read. Check it out and if you like it, please like it at the article page and share it with your friends and family. More articles coming. As stated I finished one and am working on another. Will keep you updated.
I visited Bath, NC on Tuesday, the 4th, with Inspector Meiko Luv. Hopefully we have some great pictures and can finish a children's book, middle grade, about it's history. I was able to talk to an archeologist that was working on a dig. It was very interesting. I hope the children enjoy that part of the book as much as I enjoyed discussing his project.
We then went to Aurora, NC and visited a the Fossil Museum. We had a great time walking through the dog friendly museum and then digging for fossils. We found some interesting pieces. I didn't take very many pictures, but know Inspector Meiko Luv and I will return so we can write another story. It was too late in the day. This time about Aurora.
Some contests to consider:
Kindergarten story: Exploration! Write up to 150 words. Contest ends July 12th, 2013.
Pockets Annual Fiction Contest Write 750 - 1,000 words. Contest ends August 15th, 2013.
Heading for bed, Inspector Meiko Luv is demanding I join him for tonight's slumber.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Cleaning House
As the title says, I'm tying the loose ends:
Ten Little Gator Eggs
Someday I'll have a secret garden just like these.
Suggestions to help you and your family get through the tough times.
Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.
- Benjamin Franklin
I'm working on an article discussing chastity. I'm also working on Assignment 8. If you remember, it's about the Everglades. I'm writing an article about controlled burns. It's coming together nicely. I'm still reading about Bigfoot. I almost decided I had enough information. I'm glad I didn't stop reading. I've come across some really interesting information.
I'll be on vacation the first week in June helping my parents move back into their home. If you remember, their previous home was destroyed in Hurricane Irene and it's finally been rebuilt and almost ready for them to move back in.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Ten Little Gator Eggs
- No response from President Lauri Hornik of Penguin Group. Considered no interest.
- No response from the Fogelman Agency. Considered no interest.
- No response from the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Considered no interest.
Someday I'll have a secret garden just like these.
Suggestions to help you and your family get through the tough times.
Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.
- Benjamin Franklin
I'm working on an article discussing chastity. I'm also working on Assignment 8. If you remember, it's about the Everglades. I'm writing an article about controlled burns. It's coming together nicely. I'm still reading about Bigfoot. I almost decided I had enough information. I'm glad I didn't stop reading. I've come across some really interesting information.
I'll be on vacation the first week in June helping my parents move back into their home. If you remember, their previous home was destroyed in Hurricane Irene and it's finally been rebuilt and almost ready for them to move back in.
Having more fun than one ought to reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
It's been too long
I seemed to have fallen off the bike and it's been easier to stay off then get back on. Everyday I see this blog and think I need to....then move on. It's time I let you know what's going on. There is so much, I hope I don't miss anything important.
I have been reading Bigfoot books this past month and collecting information for a character in an upcoming children's book. Haven't found a title, but I do have a short outline. I'm thinking this will be a middle grade, short novel.
So many stories going on in my head, my book of titles is getting full. I really need to write instead of coming up with ideas.
Speaking of writing, here are a few articles I've written for familyshare.com since my last update:
This article contains some great safety items to keep in your car. Since Thom, my husband, is a mechanic we've always traveled with our car full of safety items. Many times these have been used and I've been thankful for their presence.
I'm sure this is why our marriage has lasted this long. When one looks past the here and now and takes on an eternal perspective, life becomes less tangled when you remove the stupid stuff.
I love to garden, but I find as I'm getting older it's harder to bend that low. I found raised garden beds to be the answer.
These ideas and many more have saved the day in our household when we couldn't go outside. Some were even great homeschooling projects/aids.
Four more are in the writing-editing process.
I've submitted a couple of articles to our local newspaper and have not had them successfully published. Will continue doing so when I find something locally interesting. If they had time to give me feedback, I might know where I'm going wrong. I do read their articles and try to emulate them, but I must not be doing well enough. They are interested in another 'stringer' so I know it's not because they don't want articles.
I received back Assignment 7. It still needs a lot of work. Will have to do that later in the year. Working on Assignment 8. I'm writing about the Everglades. My instructor felt there is so much out there that I need to find a unique story. I think I found it. Will let you know as it progresses.
We were on vacation last week. We went to Inverness, Florida with the Florida Land Rover Club. We took lots of pictures. Can't wait to see them on the computer. I bought a Canon Rebel for my husband at Christmas from a pawn shop and it didn't come with the disk. I tried to download the drivers at the Canon site, but it didn't work. Ours is an older one and uses CF for its storage. We seem to go through readers as the pins bend so easily. I'm waiting for another reader to get here. I bought one that states "no-bend pins." Hopefully this is true. I know there's an eBook in the pictures we took. Or, at least I hope there is.
I found another site, GrammarBase, to help me with my articles. The only thing I don't like is its constant request to dumb down my articles. I understand people want to read at the 4th - 7th grade level, but I feel they should be raising the bar, not dropping it, by reading at a higher level. Anyway, I'll do as recommended as I want my articles to sell. However, I may not be so lenient with my books. Not sure yet as I know I'm nichy already.
Don't forget these sites when writing articles and even novels if you want to prevent plagarism, check grammar and readability:
I have been reading Bigfoot books this past month and collecting information for a character in an upcoming children's book. Haven't found a title, but I do have a short outline. I'm thinking this will be a middle grade, short novel.
So many stories going on in my head, my book of titles is getting full. I really need to write instead of coming up with ideas.
Speaking of writing, here are a few articles I've written for familyshare.com since my last update:
This article contains some great safety items to keep in your car. Since Thom, my husband, is a mechanic we've always traveled with our car full of safety items. Many times these have been used and I've been thankful for their presence.
I'm sure this is why our marriage has lasted this long. When one looks past the here and now and takes on an eternal perspective, life becomes less tangled when you remove the stupid stuff.
I love to garden, but I find as I'm getting older it's harder to bend that low. I found raised garden beds to be the answer.
These ideas and many more have saved the day in our household when we couldn't go outside. Some were even great homeschooling projects/aids.
Four more are in the writing-editing process.
I've submitted a couple of articles to our local newspaper and have not had them successfully published. Will continue doing so when I find something locally interesting. If they had time to give me feedback, I might know where I'm going wrong. I do read their articles and try to emulate them, but I must not be doing well enough. They are interested in another 'stringer' so I know it's not because they don't want articles.
I received back Assignment 7. It still needs a lot of work. Will have to do that later in the year. Working on Assignment 8. I'm writing about the Everglades. My instructor felt there is so much out there that I need to find a unique story. I think I found it. Will let you know as it progresses.
We were on vacation last week. We went to Inverness, Florida with the Florida Land Rover Club. We took lots of pictures. Can't wait to see them on the computer. I bought a Canon Rebel for my husband at Christmas from a pawn shop and it didn't come with the disk. I tried to download the drivers at the Canon site, but it didn't work. Ours is an older one and uses CF for its storage. We seem to go through readers as the pins bend so easily. I'm waiting for another reader to get here. I bought one that states "no-bend pins." Hopefully this is true. I know there's an eBook in the pictures we took. Or, at least I hope there is.
I found another site, GrammarBase, to help me with my articles. The only thing I don't like is its constant request to dumb down my articles. I understand people want to read at the 4th - 7th grade level, but I feel they should be raising the bar, not dropping it, by reading at a higher level. Anyway, I'll do as recommended as I want my articles to sell. However, I may not be so lenient with my books. Not sure yet as I know I'm nichy already.
Don't forget these sites when writing articles and even novels if you want to prevent plagarism, check grammar and readability:
- Plagiarism Detect
- Grammarly for Grammar and plagiarism checking
- Plagtracker
- Readability test tool. I really like this site when I'm writing children's books as it keeps me at their level.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Book review and updates
My article, "Marriage and the moon: Both have phases," is now published at the familyshare.com website. "Don't let car trouble leave you stranded on the side of the road" is done in editing and is waiting publication. "Prepare for your marriage and not your wedding" is in editing. I'm working on a few more articles and will update you when they are on paper and no longer in my head.
I've finished reading "The Drylands" by Mary Rosenblum. Here's my promised review.
There has not been rain for years and the world has dried
up. Crops raised on freshwater, fed by soaker hoses, struggle to remain alive
each day along with their human caretakers. Crops raised on saltwater provide a
food source at a cost that destroys the land and damages their custodians. Freshwater
is piped and micro managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Voltaire, a young Corp officer is transferred to The Dallas
and is given charge of the Columbia Riverbed Pipeline. He’s thrown in the
middle of a struggle between the people of The Dallas and the Corp. Having been
through the water war in Chicago, Voltaire is not interested in a repeat. The
Coalition, a group of farmers which includes Dan Greely, is accused of sabotaging
the pipeline and killing members of the Corp including the previous CO Colonel
Hastings.
Nita Montoya and Jeremy Barlow, mutants of the times or the
next generation of humans, fear discovery and try to remain at the outskirts of
the struggle only to find themselves deeply involved.
Rosenblum weaves these unlikely partners and the damaged
Earth into a spellbinding story that is difficult to put down. I really wanted
to read this straight through, but life got in the way. Her vivid descriptions
and credible characters makes “The Drylands” a must read.
I will be starting "The Ghost Man" by Roger Hobbs and "Beyonders: A World Without Heroes" by Brandon Mull soon.
I know I'm supposed to be writing a short story with you but I'm not as fast as I thought I would be with all the assignments for familyshare.com and my writing course. I'm working on Assignment 7. It is due the end of this month. I really want to get it out and on it's way. Then I'll put greater efforts on the short story.
Happy reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wow, talk about busy and writer's block
I haven't had time, nor the desire, to write for a couple of weeks. Puts a damper on my writing for familyshare.com and for our story we're writing together.
Here's an update:
Received a rejection letter from Peachtree Publishers. Good news is I don't have to wait until August for their response as they responded quickly. Also the submission to Albert Whitman & Company has expired, so I'm considering it a no as well. I think I'm going to find my own illustrator and self-publish. "Ten Little Gator Eggs" is publishable and I'm not finding it a home nor an agent.
My second article, "Marriage and the Moon: Both have phases" has been accepted at the familyshare.com website. I'll let you know when it's published. "Don't get stuck on the side of the road" has been submitted and is waiting approval. I'm almost done and ready to submit "Prepare for your marriage, not your wedding."
Let's write a story
My research indicates the character I've chosen isn't considered an alien from outer space, but I think I can still swing it. There's no proof it's not either. I'm working up it's character profile and will have it here soon.
How are you doing with your story? Keep at it and it'll fall in line on the paper or in your computer.
Stealing paragraphs and chapters with the book "The Drylands" by Mary Rosenblum. Will review here as soon as I'm done. Not much reading time, but this book is really hard to put down.
Here's an update:
Received a rejection letter from Peachtree Publishers. Good news is I don't have to wait until August for their response as they responded quickly. Also the submission to Albert Whitman & Company has expired, so I'm considering it a no as well. I think I'm going to find my own illustrator and self-publish. "Ten Little Gator Eggs" is publishable and I'm not finding it a home nor an agent.
My second article, "Marriage and the Moon: Both have phases" has been accepted at the familyshare.com website. I'll let you know when it's published. "Don't get stuck on the side of the road" has been submitted and is waiting approval. I'm almost done and ready to submit "Prepare for your marriage, not your wedding."
Let's write a story
My research indicates the character I've chosen isn't considered an alien from outer space, but I think I can still swing it. There's no proof it's not either. I'm working up it's character profile and will have it here soon.
How are you doing with your story? Keep at it and it'll fall in line on the paper or in your computer.
Stealing paragraphs and chapters with the book "The Drylands" by Mary Rosenblum. Will review here as soon as I'm done. Not much reading time, but this book is really hard to put down.
Happy reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Monday, February 25, 2013
My first published article as a freelance author
How to raise kids who keep the rules is up and running. If you like it, please fb share and like,
twitter, google and pin from the site. It's important this is done from the site for the authors involved. This is the first of many articles
that I expect to be published. Thank you for supporting me as an
author.
My books are coming in and I'm busy reading through them to decide if this character will be a great alien for my short story. I'm also reading short stories by John Geddes. I love the way his short stories as so tight and hope to learn from reading his.
Doing the end zone dance with my first published article.
Happy reading, writing, submitting, researching and getting published.
Friday, February 22, 2013
'Let's Write a Short Story'
I know I said we'd check in weekly, but Sundays are not necessarily a good day for that so I'm going to check in now and try to keep the check ins on Fridays or Saturdays.
Let's Write a Short Story! by Joe Bunting has placed a challenge before us and I'm going to take it. Here's what I've done so far:
What's your story about? Do you have your characters and storyline thought out? If not, it's not too late. I'll update again next week with the progress of the character development and storyline progress.
I received my teachers response to my hurricane story. She has some really great ideas. I'm going to set it aside for now since I'm busy getting my feet wet with the freelance position. My next assignment (number 7) is due the end of March. She okayed my revising my story, The Power and the Glory. I've been allotted a few more words, so I think I'm going to attempt Creative Nonfiction again. I'll pull out the book, Writing Creative Nonfiction by Carolyn Forche and Philip Gerard and refresh my memory.
Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy these next few weeks.
My first assignment for the freelance job is done and waiting for publication. The second is still in editing and I'm waiting for approval of the third and working on submitting a query for numbers four and five. I'll let you know as soon as it's up at the FamilyShare.com website.
In the meantime, happy reading, researching, writing, revising, and submitting.
Let's Write a Short Story! by Joe Bunting has placed a challenge before us and I'm going to take it. Here's what I've done so far:
- I've set up the parts
- Character has a problem
- Character tries to solve the problem several times
- Character has success or failure
What's your story about? Do you have your characters and storyline thought out? If not, it's not too late. I'll update again next week with the progress of the character development and storyline progress.
I received my teachers response to my hurricane story. She has some really great ideas. I'm going to set it aside for now since I'm busy getting my feet wet with the freelance position. My next assignment (number 7) is due the end of March. She okayed my revising my story, The Power and the Glory. I've been allotted a few more words, so I think I'm going to attempt Creative Nonfiction again. I'll pull out the book, Writing Creative Nonfiction by Carolyn Forche and Philip Gerard and refresh my memory.
Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy these next few weeks.
My first assignment for the freelance job is done and waiting for publication. The second is still in editing and I'm waiting for approval of the third and working on submitting a query for numbers four and five. I'll let you know as soon as it's up at the FamilyShare.com website.
In the meantime, happy reading, researching, writing, revising, and submitting.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
What's slowing down your writing career?
Right now it's my chihuahua, Meiko, demanding his twenty-minute double handed massage.
Here we are on one of his adventures as Inspector Meiko Luv.
When I became interested in writing, I read a book, Kitchen Privileges: A Memoir by Mary Higgins Clark. Basically she stated her writing needed a proper education and experience. So for the past six years I've been gaining an education, not all formal, and looking back at my life's experiences and gaining more. As you read my previous posts you can see that I've managed to publish a few stories and articles. Am I done learning? Not yet. I'm about half-way through my writing course with Long Ridge Writers Group and intend to continue some sort of formal writing until I feel comfortable. Which, as you may find in the website, Make a Living Writing, this may not ever come to fruition.
As recommended, I'm reading a couple of elemental books that remind me of elementary and high school. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White and Essentials of English: A practical handbook covering all the rules of English grammar by Vincent F. Hopper, Cedric Gale, Ronald C. Foote and revised by Benjamin W. Griffith.
I'm also looking through blogs and reading other author's experiences. Hopefully, the same as you are doing now. I've come across a website that intrigues me. Make a Living Writing. Together we can glean important hints and writing necessities to further our writing careers.
I think it's time for a challenge. I've read the book, Let's Write a Short Story! by Joe Bunting. I'm ready to take his challenge. Are you? The first thing we need to do is choose the story and/or title. I'm writing down ideas, creating the character(s) and direction I'd like the story to take. Of course, it'll, in the end, be the responsibility of the character(s) to tell me the direction, but if I have an idea the character(s) will follow or push hard for their story to be told correctly. So, in a week, I'll post the story information as I see it and hopefully you will too, either on this site or on your own, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're going to write a short story. We'll continue to update progress reports weekly until the story is published.
Recap. Live slows down your career. Most often we write at home and forget to schedule writing time. Yes, you can write at home, but you mustn't allow home-life to get in the way. Have a place that is exclusively for writing and a time or amount of words you want to write per day. Start small and work up to your desired amount. If it seems too much, be willing to adjust it or allow more time for writing. If you want to make enough money to not have to work outside the home, then your home office needs to have regular hours for writing. If your schedule doesn't permit, make sure you're finding the time to write the amount of words you want per day, but don't bite too deep into your sleeping time. Your writing will suffer. Consider part-time at first if you find other things getting in the way. Be careful not to over schedule your self with outside activities. Remember, your writing is priority after your spouse and family.
Education. Few are born able to write perfectly. You need to know the basics and then gain experience. Read, read and read some more. This will help your writing style. Follow other authors at their websites, blogs, Facebook and other sites. Glean from them writing essentials so that your writing improves. Take an online or local course. Many local writing groups offer courses as well. Never stop learning. I strengthen my understanding of subjects I'm writing about by reading books, short stories, webpages and blogs.
Fear of rejection. In a previous blog post, May 2012, I wrote about using contests to increase ones chances of getting out of the slush pile. Submissions, even when the answer is 'not interested, get's you toward your 'I'd like to publish this story.' Authors must submit and get the nos to earn the yes'. So submit and don't forget the value of contests. And if they offer critiques, pay the extra to learn what they think of your piece and learn from the experts.
Write, read, revise and submit. It's important. Take the challenge and write a short story with me.
Happy reading, writing, revising, submitting and waiting.
Here we are on one of his adventures as Inspector Meiko Luv.
When I became interested in writing, I read a book, Kitchen Privileges: A Memoir by Mary Higgins Clark. Basically she stated her writing needed a proper education and experience. So for the past six years I've been gaining an education, not all formal, and looking back at my life's experiences and gaining more. As you read my previous posts you can see that I've managed to publish a few stories and articles. Am I done learning? Not yet. I'm about half-way through my writing course with Long Ridge Writers Group and intend to continue some sort of formal writing until I feel comfortable. Which, as you may find in the website, Make a Living Writing, this may not ever come to fruition.
As recommended, I'm reading a couple of elemental books that remind me of elementary and high school. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White and Essentials of English: A practical handbook covering all the rules of English grammar by Vincent F. Hopper, Cedric Gale, Ronald C. Foote and revised by Benjamin W. Griffith.
I'm also looking through blogs and reading other author's experiences. Hopefully, the same as you are doing now. I've come across a website that intrigues me. Make a Living Writing. Together we can glean important hints and writing necessities to further our writing careers.
I think it's time for a challenge. I've read the book, Let's Write a Short Story! by Joe Bunting. I'm ready to take his challenge. Are you? The first thing we need to do is choose the story and/or title. I'm writing down ideas, creating the character(s) and direction I'd like the story to take. Of course, it'll, in the end, be the responsibility of the character(s) to tell me the direction, but if I have an idea the character(s) will follow or push hard for their story to be told correctly. So, in a week, I'll post the story information as I see it and hopefully you will too, either on this site or on your own, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're going to write a short story. We'll continue to update progress reports weekly until the story is published.
Recap. Live slows down your career. Most often we write at home and forget to schedule writing time. Yes, you can write at home, but you mustn't allow home-life to get in the way. Have a place that is exclusively for writing and a time or amount of words you want to write per day. Start small and work up to your desired amount. If it seems too much, be willing to adjust it or allow more time for writing. If you want to make enough money to not have to work outside the home, then your home office needs to have regular hours for writing. If your schedule doesn't permit, make sure you're finding the time to write the amount of words you want per day, but don't bite too deep into your sleeping time. Your writing will suffer. Consider part-time at first if you find other things getting in the way. Be careful not to over schedule your self with outside activities. Remember, your writing is priority after your spouse and family.
Education. Few are born able to write perfectly. You need to know the basics and then gain experience. Read, read and read some more. This will help your writing style. Follow other authors at their websites, blogs, Facebook and other sites. Glean from them writing essentials so that your writing improves. Take an online or local course. Many local writing groups offer courses as well. Never stop learning. I strengthen my understanding of subjects I'm writing about by reading books, short stories, webpages and blogs.
Fear of rejection. In a previous blog post, May 2012, I wrote about using contests to increase ones chances of getting out of the slush pile. Submissions, even when the answer is 'not interested, get's you toward your 'I'd like to publish this story.' Authors must submit and get the nos to earn the yes'. So submit and don't forget the value of contests. And if they offer critiques, pay the extra to learn what they think of your piece and learn from the experts.
Write, read, revise and submit. It's important. Take the challenge and write a short story with me.
Happy reading, writing, revising, submitting and waiting.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Have you submitted your second article?
I've been sick for a few days, so I decided not go to the Lamplighters. I submitted the second article and finished the first draft of a third. I think this submission went better than the last. I forgot to do a few things that I didn't forget on this one.
My first submission is now with an editor and I'm waiting for their response. They have a score system and I'm waiting for my score. The first submission, when I put it in the readability test page said it was at an average grade level of 7 with a Flesch Kincaid Grade Level of 5. Our articles are supposed to be about 7th grade. When I submitted their form said it was grade Level 4.58. The second submission was at an average grade level of 6 with a Flesch Kincaid Grade Level of 3.8. Whereas the FamilyShare.com site said it was grade level 4.05. No sure if I'm writing too low or if my readability site is correct with it's average grade level. Will have to wait until I get my results from the editor.
I managed to finish two books today.
A Good Dog by Jon Katz
This was a really interesting story about how far should one go to ensure they've done everything for their troubled dog. To the world who didn't know Orson, he was a bad dog with many problems and I'm sure if he was in the hands of a shelter or rescue group, would have not been adopted out but euthanized.
To the world that loved him. He could do no wrong. Or could he?
The story is about how Orson became Jon Katz's 'lifetime dog.' I don't know if I've had one, but I sure miss my past dogs. Orson came to the suburbs of New Jersey and Mr. Katz through a border collie breeder in Texas.He was uncontrollable and frightening. He tried to herd everything and anything he could find. School buses, cars, children on skateboards, etc.
Mr. Katz spent a long time working on his training with a trainer in Pennsylvania. He was even able to win a ribbon with Oson. But, Mr. Katz felt Orson wasn't happy in New Jersey and decided to purchase a farm in upstate New York. Here he continued to work with Orson and did see a mild improvement until he started biting people he knew and didn't know well.
This book had me crying, laughing and wondering as well as Mr. Katz as to when was enough, enough. I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you like books about dogs. This was a wonderful read about a dog that saved a man's life and in the end couldn't save his own.
I also finished A Familiar Rain by John Geddes
This book was full of emotion. I didn't want to put it down, but had too often as it's not in paper form, but is an ebook. I had to read it on my computer and reading time is limited for this manner. Since I've been sick for the past couple of days, I've been able to spend me time reading in bed with my laptop on my...lap.
This is a story of love, loss and crushes. Alex, a university professor, is working on a memory drug and mapping the brain's memory centers between his lectures. He falls in love with is soul-mate, marries and as most do, he continues his work to the detriment of his marriage. Something often happens when two people marry, they take each other, or at least one of them takes the other for granted. This happened here and Alex spent a great deal of time, telling his wife, Laura, as soon as he finishes this project, they'll do...
Unfortunately, Laura dies after only two years of marriage and Alex can't reconcile with himself how he'd left her behind. He misses her dearly and decides to keep her memory alive with his project. After five years of pushing aside feelings and emotions for another, Laura's best friend, Abbey, Alex realizes the importance and roll of memory. His last couple of experiments were done with the thoughts that he was going too far.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. I laughed and cried with the characters. I wanted to say to Alex and Abbey what others wanted to say--get together will you. You're meant for each other. I avidly believe what the priest told them, man is not meant to be alone. When one loses their spouse, especially early in life, one should mourn and not attempt to forget or push aside the former, but embrace the new chance with another love. Alex finally realized this at the end of the book.
There were many story lines interwoven with Alex and Abbey's that made this book interesting and worth the read. The possibilities of the uses of his research were well covered and Alex's take was interesting. The university politics wasn't too heavy and added an element of mystery through-out.
I recommend adding this ebook to your reader and reading it on a rainy day. (or a sick one as I did)
Happy writing, revising, submitting and reading.
My first submission is now with an editor and I'm waiting for their response. They have a score system and I'm waiting for my score. The first submission, when I put it in the readability test page said it was at an average grade level of 7 with a Flesch Kincaid Grade Level of 5. Our articles are supposed to be about 7th grade. When I submitted their form said it was grade Level 4.58. The second submission was at an average grade level of 6 with a Flesch Kincaid Grade Level of 3.8. Whereas the FamilyShare.com site said it was grade level 4.05. No sure if I'm writing too low or if my readability site is correct with it's average grade level. Will have to wait until I get my results from the editor.
I managed to finish two books today.
A Good Dog by Jon Katz
This was a really interesting story about how far should one go to ensure they've done everything for their troubled dog. To the world who didn't know Orson, he was a bad dog with many problems and I'm sure if he was in the hands of a shelter or rescue group, would have not been adopted out but euthanized.
To the world that loved him. He could do no wrong. Or could he?
The story is about how Orson became Jon Katz's 'lifetime dog.' I don't know if I've had one, but I sure miss my past dogs. Orson came to the suburbs of New Jersey and Mr. Katz through a border collie breeder in Texas.He was uncontrollable and frightening. He tried to herd everything and anything he could find. School buses, cars, children on skateboards, etc.
Mr. Katz spent a long time working on his training with a trainer in Pennsylvania. He was even able to win a ribbon with Oson. But, Mr. Katz felt Orson wasn't happy in New Jersey and decided to purchase a farm in upstate New York. Here he continued to work with Orson and did see a mild improvement until he started biting people he knew and didn't know well.
This book had me crying, laughing and wondering as well as Mr. Katz as to when was enough, enough. I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you like books about dogs. This was a wonderful read about a dog that saved a man's life and in the end couldn't save his own.
I also finished A Familiar Rain by John Geddes
This book was full of emotion. I didn't want to put it down, but had too often as it's not in paper form, but is an ebook. I had to read it on my computer and reading time is limited for this manner. Since I've been sick for the past couple of days, I've been able to spend me time reading in bed with my laptop on my...lap.
This is a story of love, loss and crushes. Alex, a university professor, is working on a memory drug and mapping the brain's memory centers between his lectures. He falls in love with is soul-mate, marries and as most do, he continues his work to the detriment of his marriage. Something often happens when two people marry, they take each other, or at least one of them takes the other for granted. This happened here and Alex spent a great deal of time, telling his wife, Laura, as soon as he finishes this project, they'll do...
Unfortunately, Laura dies after only two years of marriage and Alex can't reconcile with himself how he'd left her behind. He misses her dearly and decides to keep her memory alive with his project. After five years of pushing aside feelings and emotions for another, Laura's best friend, Abbey, Alex realizes the importance and roll of memory. His last couple of experiments were done with the thoughts that he was going too far.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. I laughed and cried with the characters. I wanted to say to Alex and Abbey what others wanted to say--get together will you. You're meant for each other. I avidly believe what the priest told them, man is not meant to be alone. When one loses their spouse, especially early in life, one should mourn and not attempt to forget or push aside the former, but embrace the new chance with another love. Alex finally realized this at the end of the book.
There were many story lines interwoven with Alex and Abbey's that made this book interesting and worth the read. The possibilities of the uses of his research were well covered and Alex's take was interesting. The university politics wasn't too heavy and added an element of mystery through-out.
I recommend adding this ebook to your reader and reading it on a rainy day. (or a sick one as I did)
Happy writing, revising, submitting and reading.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Second article is written and ready for revision
Despite everything this day tried to do to prevent me from accomplishing my goal of a first draft, I did it. My second article for FamilyShare.com is ready for revision and meeting the Lamplighters later this week.
I've signed up for a couple more and I think I'll get the third one ready as well. If they don't want it, I'll submit it somewhere else. It's an article that will fit many places.
I spent a wonderful evening with friends last night. Our good friend, Richard Button, wrote a song, Cadillac, and directed a video. Several of our friends participated as musicians and dancers and behind the scenes. It's a fun video and one worth watching. Hope you clicked on Cadillac above and are on the floor laughing; especially after you read the disclaimer at the end.
Patiently waiting for assignment 6 to come back. This one took a really long time due to the closing of the bookstore and the research needed, so I hope I did well with the story. Only six more assignments and I'll be finished with this course.
It's getting late and I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is another busy day.
Happy reading, writing, revising and submitting.
I've signed up for a couple more and I think I'll get the third one ready as well. If they don't want it, I'll submit it somewhere else. It's an article that will fit many places.
I spent a wonderful evening with friends last night. Our good friend, Richard Button, wrote a song, Cadillac, and directed a video. Several of our friends participated as musicians and dancers and behind the scenes. It's a fun video and one worth watching. Hope you clicked on Cadillac above and are on the floor laughing; especially after you read the disclaimer at the end.
Patiently waiting for assignment 6 to come back. This one took a really long time due to the closing of the bookstore and the research needed, so I hope I did well with the story. Only six more assignments and I'll be finished with this course.
It's getting late and I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow is another busy day.
Happy reading, writing, revising and submitting.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Drafts of Assignment are ready for review
I have finished one assignment for FamilyShare.com and presented it to the Lamplighters. I polished it using their suggestions and submitted it.Our son's Eagle Scout Project was today, February, 9, 2013, so I've had little time to continue other assignments. Will get back to them next week.
I finished reading Flory: A Miraculous Story of Survival by Flory Van Beek. This autobiography caught my eye because it was about the Holocaust and the first autobiography I'd read about someone in hiding and not in the camps. I have read few books, Night, The Sunflower, Sarah's Key and now Flory.
I enjoyed learning about the Holland Jews and felt for Flory and her family. I had difficultly with the constant repetition, but continued reading because I was interested in learning more about those that were able to hide.
This is a sad story of great family and friend loss as well as the triumph of surviving. Such a sad history for mankind that needs to be told and read to remind us not to go there ever again. (although we haven't seemed to learn and still go there).
I also finished reading Ride the River by Louis L'Amour. This story reminded me of True Grit by Charles Portis. My grandfather loved Louis L'Amour and this is the first time I've picked up one of his books. I love Echo Sackett and her strong female character who was not too tough to realize a good man when she found him.
Echo Sackett learns of an inheritance and must travel from her home in the hills of Tennessee to Philadelphia. Her skills as a mountain girl help her as she outsmarts thieves and ruffians interested in stealing her money. They catch up with her before she makes it home and claim the money as their own.
Through her travels she meets handsome Dorian Chantry who was sent to make sure she and the money make it home. Along the way he awakens her hormones and this spitfire of a girl may find herself settling down sooner than she expected.
I'm still reading A Familiar Rain by John Geddes. Some books are more transportable and this book, although really good is an ebook and will take me longer to finish.
Happy reading, writing, revising and just plain spending time with your family. (even if it's staying up late finishing posters you've been bugging all week for your scout to finish.)
I finished reading Flory: A Miraculous Story of Survival by Flory Van Beek. This autobiography caught my eye because it was about the Holocaust and the first autobiography I'd read about someone in hiding and not in the camps. I have read few books, Night, The Sunflower, Sarah's Key and now Flory.
I enjoyed learning about the Holland Jews and felt for Flory and her family. I had difficultly with the constant repetition, but continued reading because I was interested in learning more about those that were able to hide.
This is a sad story of great family and friend loss as well as the triumph of surviving. Such a sad history for mankind that needs to be told and read to remind us not to go there ever again. (although we haven't seemed to learn and still go there).
I also finished reading Ride the River by Louis L'Amour. This story reminded me of True Grit by Charles Portis. My grandfather loved Louis L'Amour and this is the first time I've picked up one of his books. I love Echo Sackett and her strong female character who was not too tough to realize a good man when she found him.
Echo Sackett learns of an inheritance and must travel from her home in the hills of Tennessee to Philadelphia. Her skills as a mountain girl help her as she outsmarts thieves and ruffians interested in stealing her money. They catch up with her before she makes it home and claim the money as their own.
Through her travels she meets handsome Dorian Chantry who was sent to make sure she and the money make it home. Along the way he awakens her hormones and this spitfire of a girl may find herself settling down sooner than she expected.
I'm still reading A Familiar Rain by John Geddes. Some books are more transportable and this book, although really good is an ebook and will take me longer to finish.
Happy reading, writing, revising and just plain spending time with your family. (even if it's staying up late finishing posters you've been bugging all week for your scout to finish.)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Listing, Revising, Writing and, Finally, Relaxation
I finished emptying my storage unit of the left over books from our closed bookstore. I've spent most of the day listing them at my amazon.com storefront. I didn't get as many done as I had hoped since I spent most of the day waiting and watching the pages spin. I settled on comcast because they are supposed to be fast, but I seem to spend a lot of time waiting.
I've been working on my assignments for FamilyShare.com. Looks like I'll have a couple done by the end of next week. Then I can turn them in early and pick a couple more.
If you're interested in my weight-loss and healthier eating habits, please check out my NutriBullet blog. You don't need a NutriBullet to make the drinks and I've placed some recipes for slow cooking as well as regular recipes that we really enjoy.
Learning moment:
I remember from school that a noun is a person, place or thing (object). I now know it is also an idea or emotion. I also remembered that a noun can follow the following words: a, as, my, the and this. I must have forgotten that they can also follow prepositions and that when the word ends in 'ity', 'ness' and 'tion' the word is a noun. I was reading Essentials of English: A Practical handbook covering all the rules of English grammar and writing style. I learned many other things about the noun, it's purpose and proper use in writing.
Time to relax. My husband is out of town and I'm going to watch Doctor #9 from Doctor Who. (2/3/2013 internet went down as I was posting this. Didn't even know it posted until this morning. This was the third try. Ended up in a lonely, sleepless bed)
Happy revising, writing, listing, learning and relaxing.
I've been working on my assignments for FamilyShare.com. Looks like I'll have a couple done by the end of next week. Then I can turn them in early and pick a couple more.
If you're interested in my weight-loss and healthier eating habits, please check out my NutriBullet blog. You don't need a NutriBullet to make the drinks and I've placed some recipes for slow cooking as well as regular recipes that we really enjoy.
Learning moment:
I remember from school that a noun is a person, place or thing (object). I now know it is also an idea or emotion. I also remembered that a noun can follow the following words: a, as, my, the and this. I must have forgotten that they can also follow prepositions and that when the word ends in 'ity', 'ness' and 'tion' the word is a noun. I was reading Essentials of English: A Practical handbook covering all the rules of English grammar and writing style. I learned many other things about the noun, it's purpose and proper use in writing.
Time to relax. My husband is out of town and I'm going to watch Doctor #9 from Doctor Who. (2/3/2013 internet went down as I was posting this. Didn't even know it posted until this morning. This was the third try. Ended up in a lonely, sleepless bed)
Happy revising, writing, listing, learning and relaxing.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Mailed Assignment 6 and some stretchin'
I finished Assignment 6, "Rage of a Storm". I'm still thinking it could be better and am hoping my teacher can help me out, or my muse come up with something during the night. For those who don't remember, "Rage of a Storm" is about Hurricane Alex of 2010. He was the first storm of the season and frustrating from beginning to end. He did a lot of stuff normal for a typhoon (hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean), but not a hurricane. He brought great concern because, if you remember and I hope you do, 5,000 barrels of oil a day were spilling out into the Gulf. Although he didn't make it into the Gulf, thank God, he was able to disrupt clean-up efforts and capping efforts for a short period of time. Anyway, I personified Alex as he struggled to become the hurricane he was capable of becoming. His winds were always too low compared to the pressure. Most of this was due to his size and lack of ability to organize all the energy he had available.
I looked ahead to Assignment 7. It's a revision assignment and I think I'll continue to revise "The Power and The Glory." If you remember, that was written for Assignment 3 and is about Thom's and my trip to Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine. It compares the beautiful scene of ocean and granite to the dangers of ocean and granite. Both of which draw spectators to see the glory of nature and the power of such an alluring sight.
I signed up for a few articles and pitched one of my own. I'll work on more once my storage unit is empty. I'm spending too much time there right now. I'm really excited to be writing for FamilyShare.com and hope you all will follow me there and find some really good information from myself and fellow authors.
Time to get into bed.
Happy writing, revising and submitting (or in this case mailing off assignments)
I looked ahead to Assignment 7. It's a revision assignment and I think I'll continue to revise "The Power and The Glory." If you remember, that was written for Assignment 3 and is about Thom's and my trip to Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine. It compares the beautiful scene of ocean and granite to the dangers of ocean and granite. Both of which draw spectators to see the glory of nature and the power of such an alluring sight.
I signed up for a few articles and pitched one of my own. I'll work on more once my storage unit is empty. I'm spending too much time there right now. I'm really excited to be writing for FamilyShare.com and hope you all will follow me there and find some really good information from myself and fellow authors.
Time to get into bed.
Happy writing, revising and submitting (or in this case mailing off assignments)
Thursday, January 24, 2013
I did it, I did it, I did it.....
If you remember, back in December I submitted an article to a website that was looking for freelance writers. They requested a writing sample between 600-1000 words about how to show love to your children. I submitted "10 Ways to Show Love to Your Children" on December 1st to, what is now called, FamilyShare.com. (they changed their name shortly after launching)
Yesterday I received a request to join their team and I said, "Yes." Today I received the information needed to get started. I'm still excited and wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I'll keep you updated as I start my next writing, and learning, experience.
I finished the book: "Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family--and a Whole Town--About Hope and Happy Endings"
How many parents have heard the cry from their children? 'I want a dog. or I want a pet.' This wonderful story has you on an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end.
First we learn the many ways Michael, the son, attempts to cajole his parents into allowing him to grow up with a dog. His parents, steadfast in their belief there is no room for the responsibilities of a dog in their busy New York City lives.
Second we learn his mother, Janet, has breast cancer and decides a dog is just what he/they need to help their recovery from the strain of surgery and cancer treatments.
Finally, they decide to take a family trip to Florida and leave Huck, their now eight month old pup, with Janet's sister. Within twenty-four hours, Huck manages to escape the backyard and finds himself running around in unfamiliar territory surrounded by the cold of winter, heavily wooded areas, birds of prey, fox, bears and such.
This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you cry, fear and worry through their attempts to find their beloved pet. I wanted to scream at Huck for not coming when called and at the family for forgetting Huck's favorite foods. I laughed and cried happy tears when they finally had him in their arms.
The best lesson learned by the family was the compassion and willingness of a small town to help total strangers connect with their lost puppy. A must read for all animal lovers and especially those adamant a dog/pet is not for them.
I'm now reading: "A Familiar Rain" by John Geddes. Will review it when I'm done. Give me time, because now I have the additional responsibility of writing for FamilyShare.com
Yesterday I received a request to join their team and I said, "Yes." Today I received the information needed to get started. I'm still excited and wonder if I'll be able to sleep tonight. I'll keep you updated as I start my next writing, and learning, experience.
I finished the book: "Huck: The Remarkable True Story of How One Lost Puppy Taught a Family--and a Whole Town--About Hope and Happy Endings"
How many parents have heard the cry from their children? 'I want a dog. or I want a pet.' This wonderful story has you on an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end.
First we learn the many ways Michael, the son, attempts to cajole his parents into allowing him to grow up with a dog. His parents, steadfast in their belief there is no room for the responsibilities of a dog in their busy New York City lives.
Second we learn his mother, Janet, has breast cancer and decides a dog is just what he/they need to help their recovery from the strain of surgery and cancer treatments.
Finally, they decide to take a family trip to Florida and leave Huck, their now eight month old pup, with Janet's sister. Within twenty-four hours, Huck manages to escape the backyard and finds himself running around in unfamiliar territory surrounded by the cold of winter, heavily wooded areas, birds of prey, fox, bears and such.
This story will keep you on the edge of your seat as you cry, fear and worry through their attempts to find their beloved pet. I wanted to scream at Huck for not coming when called and at the family for forgetting Huck's favorite foods. I laughed and cried happy tears when they finally had him in their arms.
The best lesson learned by the family was the compassion and willingness of a small town to help total strangers connect with their lost puppy. A must read for all animal lovers and especially those adamant a dog/pet is not for them.
I'm now reading: "A Familiar Rain" by John Geddes. Will review it when I'm done. Give me time, because now I have the additional responsibility of writing for FamilyShare.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)