Start walking you'll come out somewhere

One of the biggest fears beginner writers have is not starting their novels in the right place. Take it from someone that finished a novel, revised by adding four chapters to beginning and three to end, then revised again and added two more chapters to the beginning. Well, in truth the two new ones are in progress but happening. Just start, because you can't write a novel if you never start a novel.
I tell everyone that I'm writing my novel backward.

Word for today: origin -- beginning, or derivation from a source; the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives; something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another

The origin of any novel is the first word.

ps the origin of our nation started with the Revolutionary War. This is a picture from my trip to Williamburg. Those are the drummers for George Washington's troops.

My Dog is Crazy

Lexie is out in the sleet and snow, throwing her ball (herself) and running to catch it. I know it's a sad scene, but I'm not going out in the cold, wet, slick yard to throw the ball. I guess it's a good thing I taught her to entertain herself. :)

I am the mother of a 40 year old child today. Happy Birthday Melissa Anne or as her husband calls her Missy Mean... she takes after her father that is way she has that nickname.

I've been working on a short story about a dog I lost about 18 months ago. She was a special one and was only 15 months old when she died. Acute pancreatitis is what the vet said. Nothing I could do... a blood clot broke loose and hit her heart. I still miss her but Lexie has craved a place in my heart. Different personalities but special in different ways. This picture is a picture of Jazz just a few weeks before she died. My oldest granddaugther took the picture... Cool don't you think.


Word for today: release -- to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude; to let go' dismiss' to relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses

I didn't want a new puppy but when I saw her my heart release the pain from losing my old dog and made room for Lexie.

The Ya-Ya's alive and well

My two life friends and I got together last night for a evening of good eating, laughing and catching up. It's so good to be with people who know all your secrets, faults, and they still love ya. It's rare that you can be yourself and not be afraid of judgement or anger... lots of disagreement but also lots of support.
I will admit... it's hard to be my friend. I say what I think and mean what I say. I'm not hurtful or mean to bash dreamsbut don't ask me what I think if you don't want to hear what I think. I won't lie to you.
I have no problem swimming against the flow or being different than everyone else... I had a few aunts that loved to hurt my mother by asking, "Why ain't Patty Jean like everyone else?" (forget that I wrote that nick name because I do not answer to that anymore)
Now I ask you who would want to be so common and gray in personality that you'ld blended into everyone around you???
My kids call us the Ya-Ya friends. No we have not become blood sisters but one (Pam) is distant kin to me.
Did you miss me yesterday? It's sleeting and cold outside, so I put a spring event picture up for ya'll to enjoy. Do you think my granddaughter did more ball playing or more dirt playing.

Word for today: different -- partly or totally unlike in nature, not the same

Don't run with the pack, be different and hunt your own trails.

Outline or by the seat of your pants??

Like this picture, writing isn't always brown and white. Just because your eyes look, doesn't mean that you see everything present. I see four horses and a colt... what do you see?
Writing is a creative act and for me doing an outline is not something I can do and keep the creative juices flowing. If I outline, it's like the story is in stone and I have to write it that way. I have to play with ideas and write them, rewrite them and sometimes chunk them. I've read all the articles about how it will keep you focused but I can't to it. Now, I do clustering where I take a scene and branch off different ideas. That might be redneck outlining and if that is so... I guess I outline. :)
What are your thoughts on outlines?

Word for today: notorious -- generally known and talked of; widely and unfavorably known

Book reviewers are notoriously known for tears and heartache.

Finish, cut and dye

I will finish all quarterly and year end forms tomorrow... yes, I made it without killing anyone. I'm rewarding myself by getting my hair cut and touched up so the gray doesn't show... after another year end it's a wonder I have hair. I know my middle granddaugther is going to kill me but as I've said many times... a picture speaks volumes. She was about three there but this year will be teenager. Sorry, baby but it's just such a cute picture.
Word for today: wane --decrease, decline

Creative ideas were on the wane during the early part of January but I see brighter skies in February.

Boring Monday -- NOT

W-2, W-3, 1099, oh my
I wonder if I'm still in Kansas??? and where is Toto (or is that Lexie)

I love the blurb on this book by Terri Hall, release date 03-04 -- see what you think!



An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and super humans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line.
Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.
Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

Princess for Hire March 16. 2010

I also met Lindsey and if her book is half as funny as Lindsey is in person... you won't be able to stop laughing. Here is the blurb for the book. Happy Reading in March.



When an immaculately dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and asks you if you'd like to become a substitute princess, do you

a) run
b) faint
c) say Yes!

For Desi Bascomb, who's been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C--that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula "Royal Rouge," she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off--and you know she would want you to change his mind?

In this hilarious, winning debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

Lindsey Leavitt March 16. 2010

Word for today: hilarious -- extremely funny

I love books that have a hilarious story thread and you can't help smiling every time the main character speaks. A feel good book when you finish.