tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83160959051845406792011-08-31T14:43:41.373-04:00As an avid reader, librarian, and writer, I just want a place to share my angst over writing issues and my love of a great book.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-1076048234855138462011-08-20T19:53:00.002-04:002011-08-20T19:59:56.321-04:00

Here is another round of scenes from life I can think about putting into a future book (not to be confused with a futuristic book!) "Do you have your rewards card?" The stunningly beautiful cashier smiled at the young man. (Hey, it's MY life turned into a novel...I can make myself look anyway I want!) "Can you look it up by my phone number?" The devilish gleam in his eye should have hinted at

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-39935532888880011062011-08-10T21:01:00.002-04:002011-08-10T21:05:59.855-04:00

So what is the result of my time as a cashier? Well, I can think of some great happenings for secondary characters. Then there are some ideas for new characters or new situations for some current main characters...hot plate being used for samples + clumsy boy +ice bags...it's a scene in progress based on real life!!!! Meanwhile, my son is writing his book. The first scene takes place in a

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-19668967475621977602011-08-09T18:56:00.002-04:002011-08-09T19:06:11.814-04:00

When you come to the store, what are you thinking about? Do you, as one woman does, think about what fellow shoppers are buying? Do you ask your cashier, "So, I bet you see a lot of strange things being purchased when you check people out, don't you?" (Now, honestly, how can I respond to that?) Then there are the alternative payment plans: 1. When writing a check, do you really need to split

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-51887756594984957442011-07-17T13:10:00.003-04:002011-07-17T13:22:49.031-04:00

Do you have your rewards card? Would you like your rewards card? Do you need any help getting your groceries out to your car?I am sure I can work these phrases into a book...don't know which one, but working at the front end of a grocery store part-time has to help my writing! Hmmmm.....maybe I can find some great characters from:The elderly customer who vocally started dissing tattoos and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-72607499545300353572011-07-11T11:09:00.002-04:002011-07-11T11:16:42.194-04:00

I guess the hard part now begins! Waiting! J.T. Middleton's adventure is now off with a publisher, waiting to be read and...who knows? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he likes it enough to publish it, of course, but I also know the odds are not necessarily in my favor. However, it helps to know someone wants to read it!Last night I revised the chapters I've written recently on Troll Quest

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-51170414903213417412011-07-09T11:02:00.000-04:002011-07-09T11:06:03.467-04:00

Well, today has already started off in an auspicious manner with a 2.3 mile run (although the .3 part was some walking in the middle!). Last night I went to bed on cloud 9: I have a request for J.T. Middleton's story from a publishing house! :-) This morning, I received a phone call from the manager of a local store asking me to come in for an interview. The job would be for the summer and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-25163353306916209892011-07-08T21:29:00.002-04:002011-07-08T21:34:15.194-04:00

Ah, the elevator pitch! The one part of writing that strikes fear in the hearts of authors. The only thing creating more anxiety? The query letter!So why an elevator pitch? Just in case you happen to run into that fabulous agent or editor in the elevator going from the lobby to the fourteenth floor...you'd better sell your novel fast unless you're in one of those really slow elevators.Anyway,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-71384958580288736192011-07-08T21:22:00.002-04:002011-07-08T21:27:51.933-04:00

Ahhh...I love it when I have a very solid writing day! First off, I got the email critique of my query letter back from a trusted (and successful) author. I have already then queried a small indie publisher that seems a good fit (and they sell books through my library's main distributor which lets me know they are a serious and credible company!). Then, I have taken the trolls to their

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-12460979991707531232011-07-06T10:38:00.001-04:002011-07-06T10:42:19.504-04:00

It's already July, and I haven't quite reached my writing goals. The 11 hour plane ride didn't quite meet the battery life of the laptop, but I managed to get quite a bit written for the Trolls. Since I came home, I've primed, painted (ceilings and walls), and tiled part of the new addition. Frankly, I've been too tired to access my creativity! Within the next 2 weeks, however, the addition

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-43303763300858225592011-04-19T21:31:00.002-04:002011-04-19T21:35:37.974-04:00

Really? I haven't posted anything at all this year? It sure has been longer than I thought it was going to be! Where has the time gone?So, what I have I failed to write about? Well, let's do a quick entry for each month:January: Resolution? Finish Troll Quest and find an agent for J.T. Middleton.February: This month was overwhelmingly busy with Relay for Life fund-raising and taking 180

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-91349185884246465852010-12-03T19:17:00.002-05:002010-12-03T19:24:15.350-05:00

Now that NaNoWriMo is over, it's time to get back to the trolls! Of course, that will only be possible after this weekend is over: I am working a booth at a crafts fair tomorrow and then I have cookie training on Sunday.Yes, that's right. I said cookie training. While this might sound intriguing and rather daunting, (How do you train a chocolate chip cookie, and can you make a macaroon do

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-66096210608342700522010-11-23T18:57:00.003-05:002010-11-23T19:03:36.204-05:00

This has been a month of ups and downs. Do you ever feel that it really is true: "When you're up, you're up and when you're down, you're down"? That seems to be the way my writing has gone this month. I have brilliant moments of insight into my characters and I'll get three, four thousand words in one evening. Then, I hit a block. A moment of so much doubt or uncertainty regarding my

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-22067328550103092152010-11-12T17:51:00.000-05:002010-11-12T17:56:54.523-05:00

It's amazing how a little clarity to the novel makes everything flow so much easier. I kept trying to work three weeks of fairly exciting action into the novel and then I realized...I didn't need to do that! Start the novel three weeks earlier and voila! It works. (Of course, that means I don't get to use my FABOCULOUS (slang term in the future) first sentence that I've been dreaming about in

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-5430470489473026042010-11-10T18:03:00.002-05:002010-11-10T18:09:43.543-05:00

NaNo is really kicking my, um, brain this year! Actually, the story is all there in my brain and itching to get out (pounding at times), but then life happens. Tonight's goal: go to the grocery store and then write 2,000 words...of course, there's no school tomorrow (Veterans Day) so I'll stay up and do 3K if possible! Then tomorrow, between the Veterans Day Remembrance Event and the family

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-2974145229329199902010-11-08T21:33:00.003-05:002010-11-08T21:42:15.736-05:00

New beginnings can be so wonderful or stressful or encouraging or stressful or...well, you get the idea! So I'm about 8,000 words into my NaNo (I know, I'm behind and it's only been a week!) and I realize that one of the problems is that I dislike...no...loath...no...HATE the beginning. You would think a book that starts with "I shouldn't be alive" would spark all sorts of energy. Instead,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-64167063613427041252010-11-05T21:23:00.002-04:002010-11-05T21:29:24.384-04:00

Sometimes I love technology and other times I realize it may be my nemesis. (Like when the server crashes at school in the middle of a technology based lesson!) Anyway, at the wonderful NCSLMA conference, a national panel discussion had one member who claimed that there would be no print books in school libraries in the next ten years. Really? He claimed that every student would download

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-39642020864485935832010-10-31T21:58:00.002-04:002010-10-31T22:02:13.219-04:00

until the start of 2010 NaNoWriMo! (Well, not really COUNTING...I have to work tomorrow so there will be no feverish midnight writing going on here.) My as-yet-untitled-work is ready to begin tomorrow...Hopefully I'll be able to get the words flowing in between work and scouts and homework and fixing dinner! I'm setting the goal of 1600 words per day.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-67420383487615660432010-10-20T18:17:00.003-04:002010-10-20T18:22:08.327-04:00

Is there any other words that sound sweeter to a librarian/avid reader's ears? Even better if they are middle grade books? Not to mention (once again) that they're free?Well, thanks to a contest, libraries can be nominated to receive these free books.www.fromthemixedupfiles.comNominate a library today! (Especially if its my library.):-)

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-21029269440932556122010-10-19T18:00:00.002-04:002010-10-19T18:23:14.197-04:00

So I send off my latest excerpt to my critique group. It's the next part of a novel where I'm not totally happy about the beginning. (I like the chapter but felt it didn't need to be at the beginning since I was using the events of the future and then flashing back to the past for the rest of the novel.) Well...that night I had a dream. A dream where little...no, not that dream. I realized I

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-6561919969286124252010-10-16T08:54:00.003-04:002010-10-16T08:58:35.385-04:00

Since I've posted here. That's what happens when life continues to progress around me. This has been a stressful school year, and it's only 7 weeks into it! I'm doing more with less time, have more responsibilities to shoulder, and wonder when it's all going to get done.The trolls have now met a tricky little sprite (actually, she's more like a giant to them...trolls are REALLY short) who's

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-18220619108840908052010-07-11T19:15:00.002-04:002010-07-11T19:19:52.540-04:00

...of stories! I've submitted my entry into the Cheerios Spoonsful of Stories contest! I'm excited because I actually took the very first children's story I wrote (intended as a picture book, but really not a very good story since the vocabulary was WAY too advanced for young children) and changed it into a rhyming picture book! It is very cute if I do say so myself, and I just did! I know

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-66577268666361334352010-06-28T18:31:00.002-04:002010-06-28T18:37:26.181-04:00

Ahhh...there's nothing like 101 degree days to be happy in the air conditioning.Then, of course, if you add to that sending all three children away to summer camp on the same day and having your 17th anniversary to celebrate, it makes you want to go...YIPPPEEEE!!!!To celebrate our anniversary, I sent my manuscript to both editors who I met at a writer's retreat. (Not unsolicited...they gave

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-50706294452059863172010-06-22T10:06:00.002-04:002010-06-22T10:11:39.485-04:00

That's right! I'm in week 4 of Couch to 5 K which means I actually jogged an entire 5 minutes without stopping...TWICE! (I also had 2 3-minute intervals as well!) So far so good, and we're looking at running the Race for Life 5K in August. (Gulp! It's gonna be hot!) My goal is to finish a 5 K in 30-35 minutes. I think that's obtainable.Now that the running is over for the day (I get up at

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-36628956571372623212010-06-12T22:00:00.001-04:002010-06-12T22:06:54.109-04:00

...Or, to be more precise, on the keyboard again while the Trolls progress through the woods and on to Drocnoc. Today was a busy day for writing. Now comes a dilemma only I can solve: answering the question, when is enough, enough? When do I stop minor little alterations (the BIG alteration is already done) and print out J.T. and send it to the editors who are willing to read it? Do I trust

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-1429047947369824572010-05-07T16:59:00.002-04:002010-05-07T17:07:50.689-04:00

Those are my choices of early morning activities. Both are worthwhile. Both are healthy (albeit one mental health and one physical health). Both are important to me (although I will confess exercise is not quite as high in the rankings).On the one hand, I need more time to write when I'm not mentally exhausted from dealing with 1000+ students all day, helping my own children with homework,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-22167085388700690342010-04-20T22:46:00.001-04:002010-04-20T22:50:26.429-04:00

Based on the feedback I received at the SCBWI-Carolinas conference, I am now revising and rewriting J.T.'s story. Such great advice, it makes me wonder "why didn't I think of that?" Of course, that's why Bruce Hale is a successful author and Stacy Cantor and Jennifer Rees are editors...they know what they're talking about/doing! Anyway, the beginning of the novel has been revamped (15th

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-43215395631131336572010-04-18T20:06:00.004-04:002010-04-18T20:15:12.968-04:00

The SCBWI-Carolinas conference was fabulous. I loved every minute of it...Now to follow all the advice of an expert, rewrite J.T.'s beginning, and get the query redone!Wow...it sounds like a lot when written like that, but a weekend of being surrounded by all things writing means my brain is working better!Either that or I'm running on those lack of sleep vibes that give you energy until...you..

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-17857471945654299512010-04-15T20:40:00.001-04:002010-04-20T22:52:10.768-04:00

I finished the story of Sir Jordan...this began as a short story and progressed until it was about four times longer than originally planned with 12 chapters! However, this story, written for a very special young man, is finished through two drafts and one editing session! Yeah!My next focus will be on Troll Quest. It really is my favorite of all I've written which is the problem. I have so

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-51736724238621313682010-03-27T19:06:00.002-04:002010-03-27T19:13:10.835-04:00

Another month gone and my writing goals have not been accomplished at this point! So much as I try and try to finish Troll Quest, it seems to be taking its own sweet time as the sub-plots become more involved. Do I merely try to get the main plot finished and then go back to flush out the rest, or should I develop it all at once? I don't seem to be getting through the book as quickly as I

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-87530382978690508892010-02-25T17:12:00.000-05:002010-02-25T17:16:09.820-05:00

I really am not sure what happened this month...it's almost over and it feels like it just began (although this was an incredibly LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG week at work!). Writing has not gone as well as I would have liked due to overwhelming demands of two different fundraisers and Girl Scout Cookie Sale coinciding. There are also the forty-odd blankets that are knitted and need to be crocheted to be

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-85602897723296363502010-02-13T09:38:00.000-05:002010-02-13T09:39:30.818-05:00

There's nothing like a great contest to enter your novel in! The latest "Dear Lucky Agent" contest is for middle grades or young adult novels! Information on entering is at:www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-31940816607000521132010-02-07T12:09:00.002-05:002010-02-07T12:15:56.644-05:00

So the trolls are on their way to meet the queen of the sprites, and all is well in the land of Marf. The names for the characters and places were so easy to develop in that novel that I actually have a lot of great trolls who have not even been mentioned! That leads to the problem with my YA novel...names.This is a futuristic sci-fi novel (not fantasy, for once!), and I want names that reflect

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-17736283406553019832010-01-31T20:39:00.002-05:002010-01-31T20:44:09.305-05:00

Today is "Get the Submissions Ready for all the February Deadlines" day. (What? That's not on your calendar? Hmmmm. I wonder why it's printed in such large block letters on mine? Oh, well.)What submissions? Well, there's the contest for SCBWI Carolinas that must be postmarked in February. Then there's the application for the spring retreat. Oh, and I cannot forget the WIP Grant application

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-59979796950412527022010-01-30T11:18:00.003-05:002010-01-30T11:25:26.272-05:00

Last night, as it snowed (and then sleeted), a first page came to me. This is usually what happens to me with new ideas. I "see" the first page and hear the dialogue, see the setting and characters. Now I have a YA novel beginning in my mind to write down. (If the page is "still there" in the morning, I write it down. If I forgot it or hate it in the light of day, I write down the premise

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-48781529564948542662010-01-29T18:35:00.001-05:002010-01-29T18:36:40.329-05:00

Hopefully, anyway. It's either snow then sleet, snow then sleet then freezing rain, or just sleet and freezing rain. I'd rather have the first and none of the ice!On the bright side, the laptop is completely charged and ready for some writing time even if we lose power!

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-15707813839773301392010-01-23T21:04:00.002-05:002010-01-23T21:07:59.549-05:00

Between accompanying my daughter as she took orders for Girl Scout cookies, sending my query out to agents, and working on my SCBWI grant application form, it's been a busy Saturday! I wish the SCBWI form was one where I could type my info into it on the computer. Since my arthritis is acting up with having been out in the cold all day, it will not be a neatly handwritten form. Yes, indeed, it

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-54237283763839395432010-01-17T10:30:00.002-05:002010-01-17T10:32:20.762-05:00

I sent the query to 2 agents last night. Within one hour, I had a rejection! I can't help but wonder: was it an automated response because the agent has too many manuscripts under consideration/in her slush pile, or did she actually read the query? On a Saturday night?Maybe she enjoys curling up and reading submissions during her off time. I don't know. It was rather disheartening to get a

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-29152478622342327372010-01-16T21:10:00.002-05:002010-01-16T21:15:07.317-05:00

I just sent out the first query of the year...one more step towards keeping my resolutions! (For the record, I am in week 3 of the exercise routine, two more chapters have been written on Troll Quest, and Sir Jordan is almost finished with his adventure in Libraria!)While I know the agent does not expect exclusive submissions (automated response email said so), do I send out a bunch of the same

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-40221745409571747402010-01-07T21:51:00.004-05:002010-01-11T16:55:53.117-05:00

When a child loves a book and wants to read it to the exclusion of everything else, why do bullies have to make them think there is something "wrong" with them liking that book? So what if the book has unicorns. These are not ordinary, sweet, loving, flowery creatures. They are tough, sometimes murderous, sneaky and hunted beings in a battle of good versus evil with some strange creatures,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-51259670924125691672010-01-06T17:48:00.002-05:002010-01-06T17:52:07.219-05:00

So far, so good! I have exercised for the last seven mornings. This is not going to stop anytime soon! (Saturday will be a day off from the elliptical...I'm rollerskating with Girl Scouts) It's great to exercise with my son. He is planning out a story and running his plot and character ideas by me as he rides the bike and I'm on the elliptical. So far, there's an eccentric inventor who

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-62884602795194124922010-01-03T18:32:00.002-05:002010-01-03T18:35:40.076-05:00

I have really enjoyed the time off from the library...I have worked on my short chapter book (it's almost finished!), revised part of Fortune's Gift thanks to some very insightful comments from my critique groups (who are angels for reading such a rough draft of a novel!), and the house is clean (mostly...I don't count the kids' rooms). I've used the new elliptical every day since we got it, too

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-38355837015705925312010-01-02T12:14:00.002-05:002010-01-02T12:20:22.712-05:00

I meant to post this yesterday, but I was busy writing Sir Jordan and the Treasure of Libraria. I am almost finished with that short chapter book for a great young man. (And finishing it this weekend is part of my resolutions!)This year, I resolve to:1. Get very busy at finding representation for J.T. Middleton, Time Traveler.2. Lose the 20 pounds the doctor has told me to lose.3. Finish the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-49795688031108429082010-01-02T12:06:00.000-05:002010-01-02T12:07:49.608-05:00

Kidlit ContestAs part of my New Year's Resolution, I am going to do whatever I can to get J.T. Middleton represented by an agent! This contest is one of the things I'll be entering the novel in.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-1992127058597092762009-12-28T19:14:00.003-05:002009-12-28T19:16:36.294-05:00

Well, I took a much needed break from full-length novels this month. My current project is a short chapter book written for a special young boy who has been very sick. Sir Jordan and the Treasure of Libraria is over half completed and, hopefully, will be done before the new year! After that, it's back to revising Fortune's Gift, my NaNo story, and querying J.T. Middleton to agents and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-78267180390534543242009-11-29T20:14:00.001-05:002009-11-29T20:15:43.583-05:00

I did it, I did it! I can not believe I have written that many words in two days. Fortunately, the children behaved, the computer did not crash, and I finished it!

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-50316129853670343912009-11-29T13:22:00.002-05:002009-11-29T13:27:21.781-05:00

Last night I suddenly found myself writing Chapter 19 in first person...and I began wishing I had written it all that way. I do not know why I chose third person. All of my J.T. stories are first person (although Troll Quest and my two adult novels are third person omniscient) and it seems to come more naturally which is rather weird. Until J.T., I had never written with all those "I's" and "

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-55843201553751638992009-11-29T02:39:00.002-05:002009-11-29T02:45:50.670-05:00

Well, I am at 86% after tonight's (this morning's?) marathon session. I managed about 3 thousand words on Thanksgiving Day, but that was all. It was hard because we were out of town and we were visiting with relatives. (Wonderful visit, fabulous relatives by the way.) There just wasn't a lot of time like I have at home. So, we got home, we had some trees taken down (and one landed on the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-35700699271077556482009-11-15T18:48:00.002-05:002009-11-15T18:55:12.708-05:00

It's amazing how some days the writing flows quickly, and others are a struggle. I got behind last week (WAYYYY behind!) Friday night went well in trying to catch up (hard when you are already 6k behind and each day puts you further behind), yesterday not so great, and today is still here! I'm taking a quick break for sustenance before continuing Fortune's story...the weirdest thing is I'm

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-11166271595018002182009-11-09T22:51:00.002-05:002009-11-09T22:56:01.031-05:00

Yes, that's the NaNoWriMo count as of tonight...Of course, I only had time to write for less than one hour at school and no time to write this weekend so I am now behind. At this rate, according to my hand-dandy NaNo spreadsheet, I'll be finished on...December 17! I know I'm now about 6,000 words behind thanks to my training to take Girl Scouts camping. (It was COLD in that tent Saturday night

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-25705336548881693082009-11-05T20:15:00.002-05:002009-11-05T20:19:43.454-05:00

Writing 50,000 words in one month sounds like a lot. It is. And this weekend I'll be unable to write from Saturday morning until mid-day Sunday (and then I'll probably be totally exhausted!) This is my weekend to prove to the Girl Scouts that I can camp...despite my 11 years of Scouting as a child, being a camp counselor and lifeguard, going on 3 Wider Ops (and 2 of them were backpacking in

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-14264675770567352122009-11-04T19:39:00.001-05:002009-11-04T19:43:45.394-05:00

Yes, I'm counting on that percent ticker on the NaNoWriMo site to motivate me to keep going. Chapter one flew from my fingers into keyboard. (Probably because I'd thought about the beginning so much.) Chapter 2 took some thinking and then it went quickly. Then I started ch. 3...hmmm. It seems my Main Character's oldest brothers (the twins) decided not to go to summer school and they have now

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-72162177544078183892009-11-02T21:46:00.002-05:002009-11-02T21:49:47.315-05:00

I figured the first day of NaNoWriMo would be a piece of cake...at least 4000 words would fly onto my paper since I had several hours of driving time to and from a soccer game. (I was not the one driving, don't worry!) However, everyone wanted to talk on the drive down so I only managed about 600 words traveling south. It was so blasted cold during the game that my hands were frozen and I

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-26858469031383585772009-10-22T17:45:00.002-04:002009-10-22T17:49:30.961-04:00

What can make 176 nine-year olds stand up and cheer? What makes them giddy with excitement? What on earth could get them to voluntarily write during LUNCH? NaNoWriMo notebooks, of course! These cute, small (3.5" x 5.5"), 200-page notebooks did it! ($1 each from Staples.com...) It's absolutely amazing to have them come show you they've written another page of plot ideas or developed a great

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-33903200358679356302009-10-21T18:07:00.002-04:002009-10-21T18:12:37.942-04:00

Today we began our "hype" for NaNoWriMo with our students. Each student has a little 200 page notebook (3"x5"...I do mean little!) for writing ideas, notes, character info, and their novel (if they choose not to type it.) The excitement was huge!I have my own little notebook in my purse, decorated with smiley faces and several pages of notes. Poor Fortune Applewhite. She has a huge decision

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-1658714154544903012009-10-11T18:14:00.002-04:002009-10-11T18:17:36.645-04:00

Last night was a productive night of planning and outlining for NaNoWriMo. I've played with five different titles, and decided to go with the original, Fortune's Gift. It's a play on the name of the MC (Fortune Appleton) and the theme of the novel about fortune vs. misfortune. I'm liking what I've done so far, and I wish I could go ahead with writing but I'm being good! I'll start the actual

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-67754853737214071172009-10-10T18:59:00.002-04:002009-10-10T19:05:03.270-04:00

I decided to change the profile pic because, well, the old one was out-of-date. Now, we don't have a new puppy. This picture is to remind me that things that are cute and small can grow and become cute and BIG! Isn't that the way our writing works? We get a neat little idea for a story, and suddenly it's several chapters long with no end in sight to its growth until it's this really involved

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-73110098768360113062009-10-10T18:44:00.002-04:002009-10-10T18:52:33.447-04:00

Using NaNoWriMo's lesson plans (with many modifications since we're in the library), we've began our character building, pre-writing. Do you know who your main characters are, I mean, REALLY know who they are? What do they do for fun? What annoys them the most? What one thing in the world would motivate them to do something he/she would never do on their own? It's a lot more involved than

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-30789835908464576392009-10-07T19:39:00.000-04:002009-10-07T20:12:04.833-04:00

We've begun the prewriting activities at school for NaNoWriMo...right now we are thinking about characters. Imagine your favorite character: age, looks, location...easy, right? Now think about the things that character does for fun...what annoys him/her...favorite color, food, TV show, music...How would your character react to certain situations? Our students are really getting into this

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-5617826241285223182009-09-29T16:56:00.000-04:002009-09-29T16:58:53.819-04:00

I found about 40 minutes to write yesterday, and I got an entire chapter worked out and some reworking of the first 2 chapters! Amelia, Amelia, Amelia...you're paranoia and quirky habits are so much fun to write! Now I must find time to write more tonight! (If I make it 3 nights in a row, then I know I'm on a roll!)

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-90794602763803161242009-09-27T20:39:00.002-04:002009-09-27T20:53:26.626-04:00

Finally, I think we've eradicated all the germs in our house, and we're all healthy...I hope that doesn't jinx us!I wonder if other writers have as many projects in their minds as I do? It's hard, sometimes, to focus on one when I have so many thoughts going through my mind!Anyway, for now I am concentrating on my wonderfully intelligent, but woefully paranoid Amelia in her adult suspense novel.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-54192227764080427012009-09-17T21:28:00.002-04:002009-09-17T21:31:07.132-04:00

I just looked closely at the profile picture. It was taken last year at Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska, and it's woefully out of touch with reality. Our eldest son is no longer shorter than me...he towers over me by almost 3 inches. Our middle child has about 6 inches to go to match my height, and our daughter has short hair that has aged her at least 2 years. (She's NOT in middle school, but

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-40578341297763381682009-09-17T21:02:00.002-04:002009-09-17T21:12:37.844-04:00

I'm thankful. Really. I am. We just received added money in our budget at school. More library books can be bought. TVs that are dying can be replaced. Overheads will have bulbs. It's great. Really. It is.I don't sound excited, because it's my job to purchase everything. The process is tedious and time-consuming, and I don't have a planning period or much time available each day. Plus,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-60985804315541436012009-09-16T18:28:00.002-04:002009-09-16T18:37:15.955-04:00

Well, between being sick for two weeks and then having work, soccer, scouts, and life to work around, I've not gotten much done in the way of writing. The trolls are going to have to wait, J.T. is stuck in Roanoke with the not-so-lost colonists, Josiah is not yet on his way to a publisher (synopsis needs work!), and the issues plaguing my paranoid Abigail have been solved only in my head!For

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-90449217039405508622009-08-28T18:08:00.002-04:002009-08-28T18:13:47.783-04:00

...of a great weekend. I've been busy with the first day of school, both my 3 Rouskateers' homework and teaching 5-6 classes per day. (I'll be honest, it's always nice that kindergartners don't show up for a week and a half! I like that afternoon break!)JG made the soccer team at school, so he's on 2 teams and will practice M, W, F until 5:30 and T and TH until 5:30 with one team and 6-8 with

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-79842151313850513972009-08-19T19:16:00.002-04:002009-08-19T19:20:54.861-04:00

...feels overwhelmed at what I did and didn't accomplish! I really felt confident the trolls would be on the second draft by now, Josiah would be reworked, and J.T. would have broken the top 100 on authonomy. So far, only Josiah's where he should be! I did get the pictures organized by date (but not in albums), we had a great trip through Pennsylvania and New York, watched fabulous soccer,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-56472147584780459172009-08-08T15:10:00.000-04:002009-08-08T15:12:35.692-04:00

My Troll story is finally moving along, albeit slower than I'd wish. Unfortunately for the trolls (but fortunately for us!), I have 8 lbs. of banana peppers and a couple quarts of tomato sauce to can. The trolls will just have to take a break from questing through the forests.On another note, I've decided the third race in the land of Marf will be the sprites, not the fairies.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-13802628736910260872009-08-06T11:25:00.003-04:002009-08-06T11:31:01.259-04:00

Editing is sometimes the most difficult part of writing. Every word is your own creation, and it's difficult to let them go, especially when it's a scene that's near and dear to your heart but might not help the story along. Anyway, because of that I'm entering Janet's contest from http://eyefeathers.blogspot.com to see if I can win that 10,000 word edit. The biggest question for me, if I win,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-80561751161395518862009-08-06T10:22:00.002-04:002009-08-06T10:29:28.544-04:00

...sort of. I added a prologue to Josiah, saved each chapter separately, and am printing today (storms yesterday as I was about to start printing so it was put on hold.). I read through the first 3 chapters and the foreword of Troll Quest. There were some minor editing changes to be made, but it's getting my mind back into the story. Unfortunately, I have some preliminary paperwork for

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-6377487454882872712009-08-05T10:16:00.002-04:002009-08-05T10:22:21.674-04:00

...I actually get some writing done? Probably not with over 4 lbs. of tomatoes to peel, puree, and can plus a vet appointment. However, I'm going to try! I'm also going to print off all 175 pages of Josiah. (The groan you hear is from my 6 year old printer. That's senior citizen age for it!) I do better at major reading off paper, not a glowing screen.J.T. Middleton is doing well on

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-80135929003606465992009-07-20T22:53:00.002-04:002009-07-20T22:56:31.746-04:00

and very little sleep...that's all it takes to tackle revising the biggest plot twist in a crime/thriller novel in all 172 pages (20 chapters. And it's longer once I switch it to Arial, which the publishers seem to prefer!).If only the solution had come to me in a dream FIVE YEARS AGO! Instead, this novel has bugged me and frustrated me for five years because I was struggling to change what

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-52529221609959554122009-07-19T19:12:00.004-04:002009-07-19T19:17:28.213-04:00

anything is rarely as inventive as the imagination!(Don't know why I said that, but it just popped out of my mind onto the screen.)Getting JG off to a soccer tournament has occupied a lot of time this week, plus all of the friends who have been coming over to swim and hang out. Nevertheless, I have edited 14 of 20 chapters of my original novel, The Curse of Josiah's Orchard. I haven't read the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-72087495986909003902009-07-05T11:45:00.002-04:002009-07-05T11:56:15.470-04:00

The garden gnomes have frolicked frantically this morning, hoping there was a need to beat the rain. (Provided the rain actually comes!) We pulled up the zucchini and squash vines that are gone, discovered a new squash plant that is blooming, and then planted round 2 of...cucumbers! (Just kidding. We did pick 24 more cucumbers. Last Wednesday, I picked 25.) We planted some different squash

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-24810030988944521972009-06-23T19:29:00.002-04:002009-06-23T19:35:28.265-04:00

...and I don't even eat them! Tonight is day 4 of pickle-making...I have 11 jars of sweet relish, 7 quarts of giant dills, 20 pints of smaller dills (spears and chips). I think I'll go ahead and make something else with the cucumbers. Oh! Wait! There isn't anything else you can make with pickles. (Besides fresh in salads!)I'm going to experiment tonight with some spicy relish for hot dogs.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-85324557001211301992009-06-14T22:13:00.002-04:002009-06-14T22:17:04.450-04:00

Well, I've been too busy for trolls. With only 1 workday this year, we had to get everything done before summer in the library. That took awhile with inventory, shelf order, weeding the collection, fixed asset reports, media reports, etc. On top of that, I've already completed 3 rounds of canning...and it's not even the middle of June! We have green beans in the freezer, squash to be frozen

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-29898153216981270892009-06-02T17:04:00.002-04:002009-06-02T17:12:01.455-04:00

This month is busy with everything going on at school...collecting overdue books/fines, inventory, collecting overdue books/fines, getting equipment in, collecting overdue books/fines, administering tests, collecting over...you get the picture! Half of everyday is spent going room to room to make children turn in books due 2 weeks ago!I haven't had time to write anything about trolls lately. I

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-3488844336750707282009-05-18T23:17:00.002-04:002009-05-18T23:20:56.755-04:00

...well, almost, anyway. The suncatchers are all ground and washed, ready for the next step in the stained glass process. (42 of them!) I managed to edit book two of my time-traveler series through chapter 5 of 11 chapters. The kitchen is clean, one load of laundry is done, and...the trolls are still stuck in the woods without going any further. Oh, well. I'm only one person. Now I have

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-20422562222596131962009-05-18T17:19:00.003-04:002009-05-18T23:21:29.317-04:00

...make brownies! (Hey, that should be a bumper sticker!) Seriously, I'm actually glad that this is our state-mandated End of Grade ("EOG") week. It will give me the chance to get caught up on many things. How, you might ask? Well, no need for lesson plans and my children have no homework to be nagged into doing when they really just want to run around outside with their friends. Because of

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-56402313209349697872009-05-02T12:36:00.002-04:002009-05-02T12:39:47.832-04:00

...We have: 2 soccer games back-to-back, house cleaning, baking for the Relay for Life Bake Sale, working on the next set of 30 stained glass awareness ribbons for Relay, watering the garden, and trying to figure out the finances. (Our governor decided we could do with lower pay for 2 months and an increase in insurance rates for our families.) Grrrr.On the other hand, all children were told

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-76048510948601423852009-05-01T17:06:00.003-04:002009-05-01T17:15:56.961-04:00

Well, the garden and pool have taken a lot of my time, plus the end of soccer season for all 3 has kept me busy. Therefore, I've had no time to continue working on anything! I did start work on the summary and query for the Delacorte Yearling contest, but it's no where near perfect yet. That's my next focus since June 1 is looming. I can't wait for summer...in between cleaning closets, the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-36635422831101595642009-04-24T19:35:00.002-04:002009-04-24T19:38:19.148-04:00

Well, after a fabulous visit from an author, I'm back to trying to write about the trolls! They aren't doing too well on their journey so I'm thinking they need a little more excitement in their lives! Hee hee hee! I doubt they'd agree, but life's too short to be humdrum!I did get some wonderful insight on the intricate world of query letters. I'll be working on mine this weekend, as well as

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-9560069703167882402009-04-20T18:38:00.001-04:002009-04-20T18:41:33.918-04:00

...if I were a troll on a quest for glory and a beard. (Trust me, you'll have to read the book to figure that one out!)Have you ever noticed how things seem to work out? When things are going great, everything goes like you want. However, sometimes everything snowballs downhill. For instance, today was a unique day in the library with our lesson plans because of our preparations for an author

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-72561695476802321312009-04-19T19:15:00.002-04:002009-04-19T19:21:20.805-04:00

I got a little sidetracked by the real world! My usual writing time is during 4 soccer practices each week, Monday through Thursday, but track practices have interrupted that! Each day I bring 2 children home and then, while their Dad takes them to soccer, I return and wait for track to end...the driving time cuts into the writing time! Once the book fair began, my time stopped being my own

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-65265082983454906792009-03-06T20:16:00.002-05:002009-03-06T20:25:02.669-05:00

Well, we're on the quest, and these poor trolls have no clue what's really in store for them. I can't wait until they meet the mischievous, rebellious fairy who loves to play tricks and use riddles to confuse others!The snow was an interesting start to the week, but having two delayed starts made for restless students! Tack on five track practices (he made the team!), three children with soccer

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-22709403137515007352009-02-22T19:01:00.002-05:002009-02-22T19:06:26.136-05:00

Actually, I wouldn't want to be either of my trolls as they begin their journey! The way these two guys fight, you would think they were truly brothers, not just clan mates! I wish I had more time off from work so I could write more in peace and quiet, but perhaps I can get some done this week. It's a busy week for all of us. Track try-outs will last all week for our oldest son. He has one

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-71126637095426077622009-02-19T17:21:00.000-05:002009-02-19T17:24:23.021-05:00

Well, the trolls are about to begin their quest! Soccer practice is so good for me (although it'd be better if I was exercising like the team!). I'm working on the rough-rough-rough part of chapter 3, and I'm excited that these two young trolls are on their journey! The fun part of this is that the journey causes them to change their perceptions of themselves and each other. (They don't like

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-34142193613634219272009-02-13T17:29:00.002-05:002009-02-13T17:36:07.383-05:00

Well, I had decided to work on the YA novel until...as I drove to school on Tuesday these little trolls (literally) invaded my thoughts and began pushing me to write their story. Once I got to work (Thank goodness we were unbelievably early!), I hastily began to type as fast as I could. I actually got to page nine before the interruptions began. Tuesday night allowed more time during soccer

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-46645709583445391822009-02-06T17:45:00.003-05:002009-02-06T17:51:55.340-05:00

Well, now that I've decided what my next project will be...I just have to start. The MC is a girl, but I'm struggling with the age. She's probably in middle school, but the subject leans towards possibly high school. Unfortunately for this child, her life is not great. She's been through more in her short life than anybody deserves in an entire lifetime, yet she's resilient until...her

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-41268949602598181872009-02-04T18:41:00.002-05:002009-02-04T18:48:01.952-05:00

Tonight was going to be a writing night...leave work on time, enjoy dinner with the family, then work on my novel. Ah, the best laid plans of mice, men, and aspiring authors!Instead I had a meeting after school that lasted for an hour and a half discussing stuff that should have (and would have if I'd been in charge) taken about fifteen minutes. But now, it's later, I'm tired, and the screen is

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-65631299306762645542009-02-02T17:52:00.003-05:002009-02-02T18:00:07.402-05:00

It's amazing when a great idea makes its way from brain to paper and...it turns out to be a not so great idea. I began writing my latest idea for an adult dark humor book. While it's a very ROUGH draft (it doesn't even deserve the title "first draft"), I began to see a predictability in the sections to the point where it had too much in common. In fact, by the time you finished reading the

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-39363844024391084312009-01-27T18:42:00.001-05:002009-01-27T18:42:45.193-05:00

1. I am officially Irish one day per year (my birthday!).2. I once went shopping for a large, male mutt and brought home a purebred female runt.3. I met (Then) Governor Bill Clinton and shook his hand.4. I then called home and asked if all politicians were fake like used-car salemen.5. I've finished writing 3 books.6. If you add the fractions of books I've written together, I've written 6 books.7

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-13960730181994650162009-01-23T19:30:00.003-05:002009-01-23T19:40:59.167-05:00

My life's path takes me across canyons, Gullies, Rivers.Each path turns, twists, travelsUphill, downhill, and through the darkness.I rarely find my path to be smooth; it's Pebble-strewn, Obstacle-filled.Each path divides, divides some more.My life's journey looks endless and confused.Then I come to the whitewater. Swirling,

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-62906009882794963702009-01-23T19:12:00.002-05:002009-01-23T19:24:05.571-05:00

Today was not the best of days; understandably so since attending a funeral never makes for a fun morning. The mother of a friend and very special co-worker (technically, she's my assistant, but I see her as my equal) passed away this week.I'd never been to a funeral officiated by a minister from this particular denomination. Catholic funerals tend to be somber and sometimes upbeat, but quiet.

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-50960724520686473412009-01-21T19:27:00.002-05:002009-01-21T19:36:37.791-05:00

Two extra days off from school and what do I have to show for it? An email to my Scout troop, a clean house (but loads of laundry yet to do), and this blog. Why didn't I write, you might ask? (I know I'm asking myself that!) Hmmmmm......Three kids, two dogs, mountains of wet clothes/boots/coats/etc., twelve hot chocolate spills, a pot of soup, and interruption after interruption! Oh, and

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-17326603993967496442009-01-15T17:33:00.002-05:002009-01-15T17:38:12.151-05:00

Why do I always seem to get the most ideas when I don't have enough time to write these ideas and work on developing them? I've got an idea that I think would be a lot of fun, but it's hard to actually have time to do it! I'd planned to work during soccer tonight (while I sat in the car), but it's been cancelled and the kids are driving us crazy already! If I try to write, they have a million

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-73054980501345593302009-01-08T17:17:00.002-05:002009-01-08T17:19:30.405-05:00

Imagine being 23 years old and finding out the lump in your neck was cancer. Then imagine you found out while at school, with a class full of 5-6 year olds in front of you. Even worse, the doctor who callously called you at work with the news tells you its already spread to other places. Today was not a good day for any of us at work. To find out such a vivacious, friendly person is in this

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-61992182959678890422009-01-05T22:39:00.002-05:002009-01-05T22:42:36.748-05:00

The first day back at work after a holiday is always the longest day of the week. Today was no exception. My first Girl Scout meeting went very well. The only drawback is that I haven't had time to write down more of my idea for the realistic fiction book. How much is too much? That's my problem. How much of the truth can I incorporate before every family member knows exactly to whom I'm

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-66041983024573937072009-01-03T23:08:00.002-05:002009-01-03T23:12:26.497-05:00

Today was busy with Scout stuff...both boys had activities, and then I had a lot to do to be ready for my first meeting on Monday.On the writing front: a family member's situation has inspired me for the idea for a realistic fiction novel for YA. I'm playing with the idea of journal entries morphing into each chapter. It would start with first person as he begins to relate the events happening

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-4143139369159372322008-12-31T15:16:00.002-05:002008-12-31T15:22:52.533-05:00

Well, I just kept my 2008 resolution. I mailed the manuscript of my MG novel off to a publisher! Now I have to wait for 12 weeks to either find out they are interested in it, or to send it to another publisher. (I do have a list ready!) Twelve weeks from today is March 25. (Of course, they won't get it for another few days so I'll add one week to that...April 1!?!?! Hopefully it won't be a

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-84688030715762072882008-12-27T11:45:00.002-05:002008-12-27T11:47:46.565-05:00

Well, the blues diminished somewhat, and we had a wonderful holiday. Now for finding time to get everything organized! This was a much smaller Christmas than usual, but I think everyone is happy.Once we get everything clean (again!) and laundry done, I am determined to finish the query letter so...publishers be on the lookout! Great middle grades novel is coming your way! (At least to several

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8316095905184540679.post-8328083795128785622008-12-24T10:44:00.002-05:002008-12-24T10:50:21.731-05:00

Today seems no better than yesterday. While it's true that the baking is now half done, the kids are helping clean the house, and my grocery list isn't as long as I'd feared it would be...I can't shake this feeling of wanting to cry. If I hear the song "Christmas Shoes" on the radio, it will be the end of me, I'm sure. Elvis's "Blue Christmas" was bad enough! (and I don't actually like that

Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07567261675325110915noreply@blogger.com0