Wednesday Ramble

Had another mini-breakthrough on one of my wips last night, and I'm hoping it continues. I'll report back tomorrow on any progress.

Met one of my new FaceBook friends last night, and enjoyed hearing about his upcoming movie project. Hopefully in the next year or so it will be showcased at either the Indianapolis Film Festival or even Sundance, and I can say, 'Hey...I know that guy!'

Go check out the blogs to the right; things are rather ho-hum at the moment.

Feast or Famine?

There are some days when the muse is cooperative, and days when I question my creative ability. The days where the ideas flow faster than I can type, or words pour from my fingertips are wonderful; I feel productive and confident in seeing a story come to life.

And then there are days where writing a single word is agony. My characters don't want to talk to me; they resist even the smallest amount of pleading to let me in. I read over the last chapter; I try to imagine what the motivation for the behavior would be, but the mind is blank.

I usually don't panic when this happens; after all, my first book took me four years to write. My second took only a few months, and soon I was cranking out pages in five weeks, or even as short as a weekend. (My family hates it when I write non-stop, by the way...I get accused of being neglectful!)

There's a Stephen King book called Bag of Bones, in which the main character is an author, and talks about how he got through his creative block. Instead of writing two books in a year, he wrote six, and therefore had a 'bank' for his editing/releases. I remember thinking I had done the same thing; by the time I had my first book published, I also had five more ready to go. And at the current rate of a book or two per year, I would be ahead of the 'deadline' and never be stuck in creative La-La Land.

Fast-forward to 2007. Book #2 was being released; I'd written a book during the month of September and another one during November, for NaNo. I was so creatively exhausted, though, I took the month of December off to simply relax.

In January 2008, I had a few conversations swirling in my brain, and when I felt the characters had 'gelled' enough, I went to the computer and began writing the story. Somewhere around March or April I finished it, but then decided it was too wordy and made some minor changes. The week of July 4th, I had a similar storyline grab me, and I managed to finish it several days later.

And since then, I've had about four or five other stories grab my attention. But they are doing something strange; they let me write the first chapter and then they leave. Why can't I write down chapter 2? Come back already, and tell me more!

Or maybe I'm reverting to the way I used to write? I had three unfinished manuscripts; just a bundle of scenes for each book. But one day the pieces fell into place and from there it was pretty effortless to get them written.

Maybe they're just waiting for the 'right time'? So far this year, I've completed only one manuscript. I'd really like to finish at least two more before Christmas.

Feast or Famine. I prefer feast, but sometimes the down times are nice too.

I just hope it doesn't last too long:)

Easter Shock

Currently Reading: Mercy, by Jodi Picoult. Later this week, I'll be popping over to The Wild Rose Press for three e-books by Samantha Gentry and Liana Leverentz.


My oldest son and his friends lost a classmate yesterday. No details have been released as of yet, but our festivities were cut short yesterday afternoon when one of the moms received a phone call that so-and-so was found by the river.

She called to her son to see if anyone knew the teen; turns out all four did, and soon text messages were flying all over town.

There was nothing on last night's news, not this morning's news; we'll probably learn more once our son returns from school. We'll also check the newspaper today. But hearts and prayers go out to the family of the high school senior whose life for whatever reason was cut short yesterday.

Back To Work
I had a mini-brainstorm yesterday, of where to take one of my stories next. But because of having company, I scribbled a few notes to myself and will expand upon it today.

I also have to order bookmarks and update my sneak peak excerpt for the weekend. Pick out something to wear. Finalize travel plans.

Three Cheers for the Boy Scouts:)
Our Parks and Recreation director is loving the local Boy Scouts. Saturday, K and several volunteers did some minor clean-up at a local park, and sanded and painted the slide, merry-go-round, and a set of swings. Next week they are doing the monkey bars and the larger swing set. The P&R provided all the tools; the troop provided the labor! And the director stated that the six soon-to-be Life Scouts would be more than welcome to tackle any projects in the coming year, as he has many more projects around town for future Eagle Projects.

Just learned about the amazon.com controversy concerning the erotic books...I believe Jae has it on her blog; go check it out here.

He Has Risen!

Christ the Lord has risen today, Halleluia!



Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail
Hippity, hoppity, Happy Easter Day:)


Happy Easter, everyone and God Bless...He has risen indeed!

Saturday's Stupid Saying

Currently Reading: Devoured French Kiss and Jayden Chelcee's In the Arms of Danger. Now I'm out of reading material again until tomorrow...I have inside information that the Easter Bunny is leaving me another Jodi Picoult in my basket:)


Weakest Link host Anne Robinson:
In the traditional version of The Lord's Prayer, what 'H', meaning sanctified, goes before "be they name"?

Contestant: Howard

on I am the Lord and My name is Howard!


This brings to mind a story I read in grade school. The mother was listening to her young daughter recite The Lord's Prayer, only she couldn't pronounce her 'r's. She said 'Hawold be thy name'! So is it 'Howard' or 'Harold'???? Hahahahahaha...


Time to Get to Work!
I goofed off yesterday. Read all day, and so now not only must I clean the house, but I have to boil the eggs and make whatever I can ahead before tomorrow.

I'm blaming my lack of activity on the fact I ran out of creamer, and only had a half a cup of coffee yesterday. Sad, I know...

Semi-Busy Friday

Currently Reading: Enjoyed Lady Makes Three:) Next up: Sloane Taylor's French Kiss. I may get to it today...



The kids don't have school, so everyone's still sleeping.

I have to go to the store for some last-minute Easter items and dog food; otherwise today will be spent decorating the house in preparation of the Easter Bunny. And that means sweeping the floors, dusting, and moving some of the toddler's toys downstairs. The table will come back up, but ONLY until Monday, I've decreed! Not leaving that clutter-catcher up any longer than I have to! But with anywhere from 7-10 extra people showing up for dinner, I need a buffet table to put the food.

What's on the menu?
-Ham
-Lil' Smokies appetizer
-Veggie tray with dip
-Garden salad
-Potato salad
-Scalloped potatoes
-Glazed carrots
-Green Beans (or peas...haven't decided!)
-Homemade rolls
-Cheesecake
-Brownies
-Yellow cake with chocolate icing
-Whatever everyone else cares to bring!

I drank the last of the wine during the NCAA Championship (cough) game, so I might go buy myself another bottle. After all, there is good news on the horizen...check here for details:) I was feeling pretty good yesterday!

Day #11 of the steroids, and I can feel my body getting back to 'normal'. I'm not a whirlwind of activity, though the appetite is still going bonkers! I had to force myself away from the food last night at the Pampered Chef party; a pasta dish with Pesto was offered, and I couldn't get enough Pesto in me, for whatever reason! And yeah, I still haven't returned to the walking regime just yet. Gotta do that next week!

What's on your agenda for the weekend? Stayng home? Visiting family? Cooking up a storm, or are you eating out? Coloring eggs? Or do you hide the plastic ones with candy and money inside?


Reality TV Update:
There's a minor disagreement in our house over the Survivor cast. I say Tyson has to go next; hubby says Coach. Anyone else watching?

Changing Attitudes

Currently Reading: I'm up to ch 12 on The Lady Makes Three; I spent yesterday writing, so maybe I'll get back to the reading today?



Two views this morning, one from a high school and another from the employment industry.

First of all, there was the story of the autistic kid who scored 20 points in his high school's championship basketball team three years ago. The kid is now an assistant coach, and has inspired other special-needs kids to aim for their dreams.

Two such kids made that dream a reality this year. They were able to make the team, and each won sportsmanship awards for their contributions to the team, averaging anywhere from 9-20 points in any given game.

The Early Show carried their story, and the two seniors have been given the chance to go to the Boston Celtics basketball camp this summer.

Why do I bring this up?

My daughter was watching this story with me, and she revealed that the special-needs kid in her gym class is well-liked; he's never chosen last; all the kids cheer him on, even when he's clearly lagging behind in the activities. She asked me if there were any Special Ed kids in my school when growing up.

There were two. One had cerebal palsey, and I'm sorry to say the kids weren't always nice to him. They never did anything physical to him, but no one went out of their way to help him or befriend him. It wasn't 'cool'. He was always chosen last, sat by himself a lot, and ate by himself in the cafeteria. When my friend Angie and I reconnected a couple weeks ago, I asked about him, and she said he still lives in town, is in a wheelchair, and she once chauffered him around to do his errands.

The other special needs kid was the daughter of one of my father's co-workers. She and I became friendly in choir, and when my dad helped them move into a better apartment, she asked me to look after her beloved cat, who would need a home after the move. When a major snow storm hit, my dad picked us up at school, since the busses couldn't get through, and she spent the evening and part of the next day with us, playing happily with my sister and I, and enjoying the companionshiip of her cat.

The storm had knocked out our power, so we were thrilled to roast hot dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace, and playing board games by candlelight.

Her personality was more outgoing, and while I think I was the only friend who invited her over, she was well liked all through high school and college. She passed away the year I married (her beloved cat lived only one year longer; he was 22 yrs old and would have needed dialysis, so my parents lovingly sent him HOME after letting me make a speedy trip up to say goodbye) and among her things found after the funeral were several letters I'd written her over the years.

But the point I was making to my daughter was that when I was in school, the special ed kids were kept separate; they weren't normally in the classroom. I don't even remember seeing any Down's Syndrome kids until high school, and even when I worked in a facility after college, the kids were pretty much segregated.

So it is nice to see that society's views of these kids are changing; the higher functioning ones are capable of being integrated with other kids their age; that no one os going to 'catch' their disease. Yes, the attitude of parents, kids, siblings...all play a huge part in these kids' lives, but given the chance to succeed...they may surprise you in ways you never dreamed.

One of my favorite busboys at the country club was 'slow'. The other wait staff complained about him, when he would set a table wrong, or spill something. But I worked with him one long Father's Day, when it was just he and I in the rapid-turnover seating area, and he was the best helper! He didn't smoke, so he wasn't always disappearing into the kitchen; he took it upon himself to offer refills of water, tea, and coffee; he helped pre-bus tables while I was taking orders, delivering food, or making out the checks. After that day, I not only gave him a large cut of my tips, but I made it known to our supervisor he was to be MY busboy for the rest of his employment! Some of the other busboys snickered, but when I publically defended the kid and pointed out I didn't have to always go looking for him, they shuffled their feet and found other places to be.

What???
There's a report out of women getting face lifts in hopes of landing their dream job.

Why?

As the woman interviewed defended herself, "Jobs were going to less qualified people, but they looked younger. I feel great about myself, and if this helps me land a good job, then it shows my committment to doing my best work."

Oooookaaaayyyy...So are you saying you'll keep getting nipped and tucked in order to keep it?

Personally, I don't buy it.

OMG!
Just heard this: Divorce parties? Okay, I guess it might offer closure. When I first heard the story, I thought it was going to be seedy, but this might be a good way to put a positive spin on an upheaval in life. Just don't do anything tacky or insensitive, especially if you have kids! That would do more harm than good.

Off The Soapbox; Today's To-Do List:
-Empty the trash
-Pick my excerpt
-Pampered Chef party tonight at a friend's house
-Survivor:)
-Make sure I have all the ingredients for Easter Sunday!!