It is a great feeling to be so busy writing manuscripts that you don't have time to blog. I am hoping to take the summer to regroup and become more focused where blogging is concerned.
See you soon,
M
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Theme Songs
I love theme songs or intro songs, whatever you like to call them. Hearing the song fills me with anticipation for the show I am about to view. Some of my favorites that have made it to my iPod are:
Theme from Psych - I know, You know by the Friendly Indians
Theme from Saving Grace by Everlast
Theme from True Blood - Bad Things by that country singer fella
The list goes on and on. Most of the time I can't even remember the title of the songs, but upon hearing them I know what show they go with.
Now apply this to writing. A few different authors have posted on their websites a list of songs that inspired them or ones that set the mood for their novel.
Then there is me. I do not like to listen to music while I write. None. In fact, if I had to pick a song to represent any of my writing, I just couldn't do it.
I have no theme song. Do you?
M
Theme from Psych - I know, You know by the Friendly Indians
Theme from Saving Grace by Everlast
Theme from True Blood - Bad Things by that country singer fella
The list goes on and on. Most of the time I can't even remember the title of the songs, but upon hearing them I know what show they go with.
Now apply this to writing. A few different authors have posted on their websites a list of songs that inspired them or ones that set the mood for their novel.
Then there is me. I do not like to listen to music while I write. None. In fact, if I had to pick a song to represent any of my writing, I just couldn't do it.
I have no theme song. Do you?
M
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Away Too Long
Oh my, I have been away far too long. I can't even believe it is April and tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Where does the time go? (no snarky comments about the t.v. watching)
I think I had a total mental block and freaked a little when I read somewhere that a particular author doesn't believe in blogging unless he has something important to share with others. I never thought about anyone else when I started this blog. Should I only blog if it is a worthy topic for others to read? Who gets to decide this?
So I have decided to enlighten the world with only words of wisdom from now on -
Yeah right! If I had any words of wisdom, I would probably follow them and become a better person, but to be honest I am kinda happy with who I am, so I think I will leave well enough alone. For now, you'll just have to settle for my ramblings about unfinished manuscripts (I got 2 now), unfinished writing workshops (got several of those too), and the unfinished laundry (there is always going to be unfinished laundry!).
Speaking of unfinished manuscripts - I have a completed first draft of a romance short story and it is in front of my very awesome critique partners. Assuming they don't tell me it is complete crap - I will submit the query and synopsis by the end of the month.
I am truly excited to see something get out the door - even if it is only a short.
Happy writing and cheers to getting something out the door!
M
I think I had a total mental block and freaked a little when I read somewhere that a particular author doesn't believe in blogging unless he has something important to share with others. I never thought about anyone else when I started this blog. Should I only blog if it is a worthy topic for others to read? Who gets to decide this?
So I have decided to enlighten the world with only words of wisdom from now on -
Yeah right! If I had any words of wisdom, I would probably follow them and become a better person, but to be honest I am kinda happy with who I am, so I think I will leave well enough alone. For now, you'll just have to settle for my ramblings about unfinished manuscripts (I got 2 now), unfinished writing workshops (got several of those too), and the unfinished laundry (there is always going to be unfinished laundry!).
Speaking of unfinished manuscripts - I have a completed first draft of a romance short story and it is in front of my very awesome critique partners. Assuming they don't tell me it is complete crap - I will submit the query and synopsis by the end of the month.
I am truly excited to see something get out the door - even if it is only a short.
Happy writing and cheers to getting something out the door!
M
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
T.V. Junkie
I am a self-diagnosed T.V. junkie. I've tried to quit. Honest. I once read an established author's advice saying if you want to be a better writer, turn of the T.V.
I now realize he is insane. I just love drama. Not reality, mind you. I live in reality. I want drama!!
DVRs are a girl's best friend. BUT, I never let the shows get more than a hour past their air time before I am watching them. Let me just clue you in on the seriousness of my T.V. time:
Heroes
Castle
NCIS
The Good Wife
Lost
Parenthood
Psych
The Closer (I don't think this is back yet)
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
The Vampire Diaries
The Office (and occasionally The Office reruns)
Accidentally On Purpose
V - (can't wait for this to come back end of March)
Sons of Anarchy
AND the only reality show I do watch - Psychic Kids - Children of the Paranormal
I had to let Ugly Betty go when it started back in January and I was bummed to see The Dollhouse cancelled.
See what I mean - and it is possible that I have left something off. That is about 14 and a half hours of time I should spend writing. Or should I? It is all about balance right?
Writing makes me happy. T.V. makes me happy. Reading a great book makes me happy.
I want my cake and to eat it too. Don't you?
M
I now realize he is insane. I just love drama. Not reality, mind you. I live in reality. I want drama!!
DVRs are a girl's best friend. BUT, I never let the shows get more than a hour past their air time before I am watching them. Let me just clue you in on the seriousness of my T.V. time:
Heroes
Castle
NCIS
The Good Wife
Lost
Parenthood
Psych
The Closer (I don't think this is back yet)
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
The Vampire Diaries
The Office (and occasionally The Office reruns)
Accidentally On Purpose
V - (can't wait for this to come back end of March)
Sons of Anarchy
AND the only reality show I do watch - Psychic Kids - Children of the Paranormal
I had to let Ugly Betty go when it started back in January and I was bummed to see The Dollhouse cancelled.
See what I mean - and it is possible that I have left something off. That is about 14 and a half hours of time I should spend writing. Or should I? It is all about balance right?
Writing makes me happy. T.V. makes me happy. Reading a great book makes me happy.
I want my cake and to eat it too. Don't you?
M
Friday, February 26, 2010
*Sigh* The Blahs
I definitely have the blahs. I have found it very hard to get back on track since going on a mini-vacation up to visit my family.
I think it is the pressure. They all know now that I want to write, SO they want to know when I am going to get a book published. As if it were that easy. Then the self-doubts start piling in. What if I never get anything published? What will they think of me? Am I wasting my time? Why on earth did I ever tell them?
Don't get me wrong, I have the most wonderful and supportive family in the world. That is the problem. I don't want to disappoint them.
Hmmm... "I won't think about it today, I'll think about it tomorrow."
M
I think it is the pressure. They all know now that I want to write, SO they want to know when I am going to get a book published. As if it were that easy. Then the self-doubts start piling in. What if I never get anything published? What will they think of me? Am I wasting my time? Why on earth did I ever tell them?
Don't get me wrong, I have the most wonderful and supportive family in the world. That is the problem. I don't want to disappoint them.
Hmmm... "I won't think about it today, I'll think about it tomorrow."
M
Saturday, February 13, 2010
New Toys
I will never be an e-reader. I just love books too much. I love the feel of the pages as I flip through them. I love being able to fold down the page when I pause for the night. I love the treasures that I have read lining up across my book shelf. You just can't curl up on the sofa all snuggly with a computer. I've tried. Doesn't work for me.
All of that leads us to my point. I got some fun new and used books off of Amazon that I hope are going to assist in the development of my writing, and I thought I would share them with you:
1. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms. Fun!!!
2. The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves and Other Monsters. It was the 'Other Monsters' part that caught my attention.
3. Romance Writer's Phrase Book - what romance writer wouldn't want this?
4. How to Write Romances - well, you gotta start somewhere don't you?
Do I think these books will lead me to fame and fortune? Probably not, but they will be great additions to my book shelf.
Also, let me give a shout out to my wonderful critique group. You ladies are making me a better writer and your input is more valuable than any book or writing course!
M
All of that leads us to my point. I got some fun new and used books off of Amazon that I hope are going to assist in the development of my writing, and I thought I would share them with you:
1. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms. Fun!!!
2. The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves and Other Monsters. It was the 'Other Monsters' part that caught my attention.
3. Romance Writer's Phrase Book - what romance writer wouldn't want this?
4. How to Write Romances - well, you gotta start somewhere don't you?
Do I think these books will lead me to fame and fortune? Probably not, but they will be great additions to my book shelf.
Also, let me give a shout out to my wonderful critique group. You ladies are making me a better writer and your input is more valuable than any book or writing course!
M
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Self-evaluation Time
Wow. Is the first week of February gone already? My mom always says time flies the older you get. I think she is right on target about that.
So I was thinking it is time to take a little break and review my goal list to see where I stand:
Write daily - Wish I could say that is what I am doing, but alas, it is so easy to find other things to do. If I was writing daily, I would probably have another half finished ms on my hands. I need to remember that.
Brush up on style and grammar - I am still working on the copy-editing course that Mezzo Magazine is putting me through. I think that I am learning a lot from that course. It isn't as easy as I thought it would be. There are tests.
Submit - I am. Not to a publisher yet, but I have submitted to a couple of pitch contests, the Chase the Dream Contest (twice), and I am trying to keep up with some of the HQ 1,000 word prompt challenges.
Patience - is a virtue.
Read - I am a little behind on this. I plan to rectify that in a few minutes with the new Paula Graves book I picked up yesterday.
Out of writing closet - I can say I really have completed this task. Being published on Mezzo Magazine really helped this one. I was so excited that I shared it with everyone I could, including my hubby, parents and best friend. All of which did not have a clue I was even interested in writing. They are all so supportive, I wish I would have told them sooner.
Not too shabby, me thinks! Last, but not least I am so pleased to have joined a critique group on-line. They are a great group of ladies and I am learning so much from them already. I like a group versus one partner because there are several different points of views to work off of.
It's a good thing. Now, off to relax and read. Go Colts - you got this!
M
So I was thinking it is time to take a little break and review my goal list to see where I stand:
Write daily - Wish I could say that is what I am doing, but alas, it is so easy to find other things to do. If I was writing daily, I would probably have another half finished ms on my hands. I need to remember that.
Brush up on style and grammar - I am still working on the copy-editing course that Mezzo Magazine is putting me through. I think that I am learning a lot from that course. It isn't as easy as I thought it would be. There are tests.
Submit - I am. Not to a publisher yet, but I have submitted to a couple of pitch contests, the Chase the Dream Contest (twice), and I am trying to keep up with some of the HQ 1,000 word prompt challenges.
Patience - is a virtue.
Read - I am a little behind on this. I plan to rectify that in a few minutes with the new Paula Graves book I picked up yesterday.
Out of writing closet - I can say I really have completed this task. Being published on Mezzo Magazine really helped this one. I was so excited that I shared it with everyone I could, including my hubby, parents and best friend. All of which did not have a clue I was even interested in writing. They are all so supportive, I wish I would have told them sooner.
Not too shabby, me thinks! Last, but not least I am so pleased to have joined a critique group on-line. They are a great group of ladies and I am learning so much from them already. I like a group versus one partner because there are several different points of views to work off of.
It's a good thing. Now, off to relax and read. Go Colts - you got this!
M
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