tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56911937092062817372024-03-14T05:37:02.556-07:00Creepy Query GirlCreepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.comBlogger440125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-81999604753446885452017-03-10T02:07:00.000-08:002022-04-23T02:05:32.510-07:00One Traveler<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
order to be published successfully, you need to write for a few years. Anywhere
between three and fifty should do. Then you need to write a book that’s new,
fresh, unique, but still adheres to a best-selling genre that will set the next
new trend without hoping to set a trend or follow a trend. Then you have to
write a gripping query and query agents for a few years. Because agents are the
gateway to a successful career in publishing. Then get a contract with a big
publishing house and hope to sell enough copies to pay back your advance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wait,
no, stop. Things have changed. In order to be published successfully, you need
to write a gripping story about whatever the hell you want. Then get it
professionally edited and invest in a flashy cover. And then upload it to a
highly successfully e-reader distributer like Amazon or Barnes & Nobles. Then
use your online platform to market and sell!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wait,
no, stop. Things have changed again. In order to be published successfully, you
need to write a gripping story in one of the bestselling genres, and fly on the
coat tails of already-established indie authors because the market is saturated
and new authors aren’t seeing as much success on their own or with genres that
don’t fit the mold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wait,
no, stop. In order to be a successful author, you need to be both traditionally
published <b><i>and</i></b> self-publish because, reportedly, ‘hybrid’ authors make the
best living.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wait,
no, stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*sigh*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Don’t
get me wrong. I don’t miss the days of printing out queries and snail mailing
them to London agents found in the year’s Writers’ and Authors’ Yearbook, only
to get a rejection card in the mail a few weeks later. I think the direction
publishing has taken puts greater value on craft and content, because it’s the
masses who decide what rises to the top. Which is a good thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And yet, I can’t help wondering, <u>will the dust <i>ever</i> settle?</u> I miss the clarity that publishing used to have. Sometimes I feel like I’ve taken a step back from it
all because things have just changed and evolved <i>so fast</i> in the last four years, it makes me dizzy. It almost
reminds me of a poem we were forced to learn in the seventh grade:</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And sorry I could not travel both<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And be one traveler, long I stood<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And looked down one as far as I could<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>To where it bent in the undergrowth;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Then took the other, as just as fair,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And having perhaps the better claim,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Because it was grassy and wanted wear;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Though as for that the passing there<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Had worn them really about the same,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And both that morning equally lay<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>In leaves no step had trodden black.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Oh, I kept the first for another day!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Yet knowing how way leads on to way,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>I doubted if I should ever come back.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>I shall be telling this with a sigh<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Somewhere ages and ages hence:<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>I took the one less traveled by,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>And that has made all the difference.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-language: FR;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #505050; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR;"><i>Road Less Taken, Robert Frost</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
can’t help the feeling that the moment I finally decide to jump in, the winds
will change once again, hurling me toward the unknown; caught up and invested
in ‘a side’ of this tug of war between indies and tradies and hybrids, oh my! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Anyone
else feel like they’re still ‘one traveler’- looking down each path, and uncertain
and wondering what direction the industry will take?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-16245826441723530902016-01-29T05:56:00.006-08:002022-04-23T02:02:34.661-07:00So, Here We Are....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">18 months ago I walked
out on my blog. I didn’t know, back then, that it was my last post, but in
retrospect I suppose it had been the natural course after a year of an off
again-on again relationship. But for some reason, a year and half later, here I am, standing
at its front door with a bouquet of flowers. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t
Katie picking up the proverbial plume (is that a thing?) again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">While there is still ‘a’
writer floating around in Katieland, I no longer identify myself as ‘a writer’.
Which is why I think I took a step (okay, a very large leap) back from that
world. Because my days were no longer filled with word counts, and chapters, characters,
or pacing, query letters and agents. And while I remain in tune to some of the
news through authorly and bloggerly friends on facebook, I haven’t used my
writer account in ages because I feel so out of touch with a writer’s day to
day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nope. Since the birth of our baby boy in May 2015, my days have been spent
firmly (although sometimes painfully) grounded in the real world. Our little
guy had a hard time of it those first few months. He was born with an
undetected heart defect that needed open-heart surgery a few days before his
three-month birthday. He made it through with flying colors, though, and has
been growing strong and healthy ever since. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our oldest daughter,
Lily, began the sixth grade at an international middle school 20 minutes from
here, so this year has consisted of LOTS of taxi-ing her and her two younger sisters
around to and from their respective schools, cleaning, cooking, shopping, and
caring for two babies (two and under) AND studying to pass my teaching
certification exams in March since I finally FINALLY obtained French
citizenship and can be employed as a state employee (ie public school teacher)
full time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So, here we are. Even
now, as I read through this short post, I can feel the passion remains
unstirred. I hope someday that part of me will get her time in the sun again.
Until then, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m still here, I’m okay,
and I think of you often and wish all of my old blogger buddies the very best
in everything!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is Creepy, signing
off...again. :)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">-CQC</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "garamond" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-10737208008197179622014-07-07T02:10:00.001-07:002014-07-07T11:29:03.205-07:00This is Creepy, Signing Off!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6mcsDZ1pa3Uh8f0zkYqiYMPrtLeiFrtAf_D9mo__aOlmSDaSSBgTE2qBme7Xui6T-GfR0vcB4r1zb35X4UZrEEfpzBs73IIqNchv1GgCoLlgot_8QitrgtkKq-Rd73rEErZK6WZdD2I/s1600/cavalaire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6mcsDZ1pa3Uh8f0zkYqiYMPrtLeiFrtAf_D9mo__aOlmSDaSSBgTE2qBme7Xui6T-GfR0vcB4r1zb35X4UZrEEfpzBs73IIqNchv1GgCoLlgot_8QitrgtkKq-Rd73rEErZK6WZdD2I/s1600/cavalaire.jpg" height="131" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">For another summer-long hiatus:) That’s right. School
is finally out, the kids are home free (which means my freedom is officially out the
door:). Even though we’ve kicked off this summer with a crap load of rain and
the defeat of the French and American soccer teams at the World Cup (booo!), there is still
SO much to celebrate in the upcoming months.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 19.933334350585938px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkxMjf5AqsUcQSAZRwFXGcpZv8nliJ9HKjomHSQCuEmGMJ5HTCeVJ7h0KP-lxuNqGlSpzQI9c7GvERrgkRgMTeSiyQkGfN0Iz6KytZoUbQJjb7o3Cyj8qGq8lNUHkOmMYUJAnT103p4/s1600/worldcup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqkxMjf5AqsUcQSAZRwFXGcpZv8nliJ9HKjomHSQCuEmGMJ5HTCeVJ7h0KP-lxuNqGlSpzQI9c7GvERrgkRgMTeSiyQkGfN0Iz6KytZoUbQJjb7o3Cyj8qGq8lNUHkOmMYUJAnT103p4/s1600/worldcup.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents and two youngest siblings are flying over
for a two-week visit, and arriving July 16<sup>th</sup>. We’ll be celebrating
my daughter Phoebe’s baptism on the 18<sup>th</sup> and then heading down to
the French Riviera for two weeks of camping on the Mediterranean coast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Aan3d4sTsYRplwhrB0EBZtr9AUo191PqUsGbrBn3H1a-0MJEWc2v-FfRmmAV7a3Z8bd03tfNSaySNNuZ-Od7lc_WLl6LCYrXWZt4Ohhruori3bUidXTPa-IU_-C5on92rOUXyRKvJAQ/s1600/bridesmaids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Aan3d4sTsYRplwhrB0EBZtr9AUo191PqUsGbrBn3H1a-0MJEWc2v-FfRmmAV7a3Z8bd03tfNSaySNNuZ-Od7lc_WLl6LCYrXWZt4Ohhruori3bUidXTPa-IU_-C5on92rOUXyRKvJAQ/s1600/bridesmaids.jpg" height="146" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And in mid-August, I’ll be heading back to the U.S.
for a brief trip, for my best friend’s wedding, which I am extremely excited
about!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I don’t plan on getting much writing done over the
next two months, but you never know when inspiration may hit! I didn’t reach my
goal of finishing a manuscript before July…but I’m okay with that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know I can write a book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve done it before, and I can do it again. But it
feels almost like now isn’t <i>my time</i>,
and I’m perfectly okay with that, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes you just have to let go and stop trying to
force productivity for pride or ambition’s sake, and just be where you’re meant
to be, doing what you’re meant to do, without judgment or fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In any case, here’s wishing all of you a beautiful
summer! See you in September!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-56915042808917038952014-06-16T03:56:00.000-07:002014-06-16T03:56:34.144-07:00Katie Gets Philosophical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdPafUlSAOWOnXBL3808pUdW1E1FGN_3_mYAaSsvqV8AkOBdsrYnYrMxj0XD1hTPkE1hLm-hY6KcZQc27LXt5dVWtdvLccyu22A5avRYGJCo7iBAi5AZFnJ9XPaiGMpsTBTAodbtyiSQ/s1600/katieocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdPafUlSAOWOnXBL3808pUdW1E1FGN_3_mYAaSsvqV8AkOBdsrYnYrMxj0XD1hTPkE1hLm-hY6KcZQc27LXt5dVWtdvLccyu22A5avRYGJCo7iBAi5AZFnJ9XPaiGMpsTBTAodbtyiSQ/s1600/katieocean.jpg" height="200" width="193" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’ve been on a spiritual journey these last few weeks.
I think, at some point, many of us experience a period where we start to
question our beliefs, who we are, and why we’re here. And lately that just happens
to be where I’m at.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It started with yoga. I know I joke about a broadening
of perspective that many people claim when they begin practicing, but in my
case it’s true. I started to feel <i>different</i>.
And I began to desire a closer relationship with <i>something</i>. Something big and important and imperative to human life
and happiness. (I am Catholic and I’ve
always believed in God, but I wanted something beyond religion)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I began by reading <i>The Secret</i>. I’ve read it before,
and while I believe in the Law of Attraction and thoughts creating our world, I
still felt there was more to it than that. Something deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then came<i> Positive Magic</i> by Marion Weinstein, which has
been on my kindle for a long time and I’ve read before, but never really ‘got’
it. Now, however, the messages were breaking through and this has become pretty
much my go-to manual. Everything she has to say rings true for me,-- but while
I felt and agreed with all of this on an intellectual level, the desire to <i>feel </i>it on a skin deep level remained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then our yoga book club started reading <i>The Four
Agreements</i>. Even though this book didn’t have the same effect on me as <i>Positive
Magic</i>, there was one thought, one idea that stuck with me and for which I’m so
grateful. And it happened. I finally began to ‘feel’ what I’d been looking for.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is going to sound trippy. Don’t be frightened. I’m
still wearing shoes and haven’t purchased any white robes yet. No plane tickets for any deserts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But the basic idea is--there is something inside me. A
force, an energy. The universe is made up of it- like one, huge, perfect
diamond. And each of us are shards of this diamond, smaller but equally perfect
and equally priceless. And this piece of me, at my core- it is also in each of
you. We are made of the same thing. When you can look at others and see that
part of yourself staring and reflecting back, recognize the sameness in every
living thing, and acknowledge it, well, you can’t help but <i>love</i> it as you love yourself. Because that <i>is </i>the force, the energy, or at least what we call it down here. It’s
love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Many people have said it in different words and
different ways but only now have I really ‘felt’ it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think this force is positive and that is why we are
constantly striving to be happy and joyful and grateful and see this life as a
pursuit of happiness--, because those emotions are more closely aligned with
where we came from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But between positive and negative polarities, <u>everything</u>
hangs in the balance. All life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Without one or the other, there would be nothing.
Therefore, we <i>need </i>the negative. The
key is learning to appreciate it and be thankful it is there, helping hold
everything in place, without letting it take hold of us, our thoughts or our
lives. It <i>is</i> possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Whew! *sigh* <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think it’s time for some coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Any
of you ever had a spiritual awakening that threw you on your ass?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-19151404676641861502014-06-09T02:34:00.002-07:002014-06-09T04:37:44.600-07:00Fight for your Right to Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzTP1bpaxCG3cGChPd0tWq0V9mWzLjFUOmftylDehQ_Jy3UukA7r4WKKqf7r8ex0iiXGEFjFFHT-9KcNXzFTv0bboaasDoiO2AD0B5AH_Wv85xqsoFe2mZC_VqeuxrncOeVsmsOAEqTk/s1600/SCS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzTP1bpaxCG3cGChPd0tWq0V9mWzLjFUOmftylDehQ_Jy3UukA7r4WKKqf7r8ex0iiXGEFjFFHT-9KcNXzFTv0bboaasDoiO2AD0B5AH_Wv85xqsoFe2mZC_VqeuxrncOeVsmsOAEqTk/s1600/SCS.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Like the United States,
France adheres to a strict separation of church and state.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Except, not really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For instance, today is a
national holiday. Why? Because it’s <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Pentecost weekend</span></b>. And last week there was
no school on Thursday… because it was the <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ascension.</span></b> The Monday after Easter is
always a national holiday as well. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you ask a French person why these are
national holidays, when technically, Catholic (not necessarily <i>cultural</i>) holidays aren’t supposed to be
sited or celebrated by a government when there’s a true division of church and
state, they just shrug. Doesn’t seem to matter much to them, as long as they
get their long weekend. To be honest, it doesn’t really bother <i>me</i>, either. I figure, at least, the
government is honest about the true nature of their holidays, and don’t try to
cover it up by calling it something else or putting emphasis on a non-religious
reason for the day off… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Minor Catholic/Pagan
holidays are also celebrated in lesser degrees that aren’t official national
holidays but are widely-known cultural traditions. Like the cutting of the ‘King’s
Cake’ containing hidden figurines on the day of the Epiphany. The exchanging of
‘lily of the valley’ flowers on May 1<sup>st</sup>. Or the Chandeleur when everyone
makes and eats crepes. Then there’s Mardi Gras, of course,- a time to pig out or
go drinking to get all your vices out before the beginning of Lent. Some of
these are internationally celebrated holidays. Others are only celebrated in
France or French provinces.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUQYWMKU51Zqz0zsT7NytbooHMZaNTDq1mBQt1J-ZUi6zkjFG2owNm1bEXsbe-cmGAPtJUJ0BqRyJFhF-p2Vbk9TbeJnvvKC3F3CDcVGAVspSnTwDpeeFCo-4dbLrztDy_37xEK6ZbJU/s1600/fetedelumieres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUQYWMKU51Zqz0zsT7NytbooHMZaNTDq1mBQt1J-ZUi6zkjFG2owNm1bEXsbe-cmGAPtJUJ0BqRyJFhF-p2Vbk9TbeJnvvKC3F3CDcVGAVspSnTwDpeeFCo-4dbLrztDy_37xEK6ZbJU/s1600/fetedelumieres.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In deeper, more rural
parts of France, there are carnivals and festivals and traditions that date
back to before Catholicism even arrived. Bon fires, the throwing of fiery disks,
lanterns, parades and masquerades, etc…rituals that managed to remain intact
despite the passage of time. How do I know this? The national news covers them
regularly, during their afternoon broadcasts dedicated to cultural heritage.
And I have to say, it’s interesting stuff!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, as bummed as I was yesterday,
when I realized the kids had <i>yet another</i>
day off school this week, I have to say I’m grateful to live in such a
culturally and historically rich nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are some of your favorite low-key holidays? I
noticed an increasing excitement about May 5<sup>th </sup>in the U.S. these
last few years, even though I don’t remember celebrating cinco de mayo when I
was younger because... we’re not Mexican, but what the heck… Sometimes any reasons
a good reason to party:)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-70973674072941398162014-05-26T04:24:00.002-07:002014-05-26T11:29:41.090-07:00Yoga Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iN7Xk4K2vlsT7V7FxJt9_uxWP83xr4OsBiiRfK9YIr-KIzaEkPxzQnc-iNBgQ4hfFg0kFVSurukYTTIyykP0HyIOr8xLl_8d5RX9Pn7So1yBFzlWv6tqinlzH4NMX_o8FYnZsyejH58/s1600/yoga1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iN7Xk4K2vlsT7V7FxJt9_uxWP83xr4OsBiiRfK9YIr-KIzaEkPxzQnc-iNBgQ4hfFg0kFVSurukYTTIyykP0HyIOr8xLl_8d5RX9Pn7So1yBFzlWv6tqinlzH4NMX_o8FYnZsyejH58/s1600/yoga1.jpg" height="169" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Taking a little break
from the usual to share one of my newest passions. Truth be told, whenever I
thought of yoga, I pictured well-to-do real housewives holding stretchy
poses while making weird ‘omm’ noises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, after four kids, my
regular exercise routine just wasn’t doing it for me anymore and I had a lot of
unresolved pain in my hips and back from all the baby-carrying. I started to
research some of the benefits of yoga and saw just how strong and muscled yogis
get from in-depth practice and though ‘why not?<i>’ *<span style="color: #0b5394;">*Okay.</span></i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <i>This totally sounds
like an infommercial. It’s not, I swear. **</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I didn’t have time or
money to invest in a studio and while I tried to find a decent at-home dvd yoga
program on amazon, it was hard to know the best option for me and I didn’t want
to waste my money on something I'd be dissapointed with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And then I thought ‘Hey,
Youtube taught me how to crochet monkey hats and make glasses out of Corona
bottles…maybe it could teach me yoga, too.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, I started ‘shopping’
for a yoga coach on Youtube, clicking through all the 30-40 minute yoga classes.
It took longer than you might expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First of all, I didn’t
bother clicking on any headline I couldn’t pronounce, so that eliminated about
half my options.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then there were videos
that featured someone bending backwards to touch their ankles or some other no-way-in-hell-asanna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I’d actually check
out a video, I’d end up hitting the ‘next’ button after much of the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Exotic or psychedelic music</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Gongs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Swedish </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">accents</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Irritating high-pitched voices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Instructor so far away
on their mountaintop, I can barely see what the hell they’re doing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Diaper-wearing yogis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Videos that began with ‘Today
we’re going to work a willywankomalafidofatcha…sana’ in other words, the ‘pooping
pose’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No, but really. It took
me some time, but I finally found an instructor whose videos were clear, professional
and fun. If you guys have the time or interest, I sincerely suggest checking
out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene">Yoga With Adriene.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Over the last two
months, I worked through her beginner classes and up to the intermediate strength
& lengthen weight loss classes and now I’m currently on the third week of
her REBOOT program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My energy is up, I’ve
lost all the baby weight leftover from Phoebe, and I swear, my body hasn’t been
this lithe or fit since I was a teenager. But more than that- something unexpected
happened as I started working the poses day-to-day; a deepening and broadening
of perspective that I’d heard happens, but didn’t necessarily believe
it would to<i> me</i>. I swear, it's taking every ounce of self-control not to start eating kale and researching chakras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, yes, all in all,
yoga rocks and I’m totally hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Besides writing, you guys have other passions that
have become an integral part of your day to day? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-2894126900666674672014-05-19T01:54:00.002-07:002014-05-19T02:22:51.385-07:00It's Been Awhile Since I Could Hold My Head Up High...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwXKFHXe5SZJ_2oNk2WkurJ6v3aiA9GLI9cauJZEhJmmFaXCHpHIXNoGOWcS3CDacfy3Ct4TlAMc_ZgmTaDrt2Pa5111X2uTYPSLcU9Ctelaiy8XT24SQNFy0I8yAK7VHWGvOgmQc6TI/s1600/confessional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwXKFHXe5SZJ_2oNk2WkurJ6v3aiA9GLI9cauJZEhJmmFaXCHpHIXNoGOWcS3CDacfy3Ct4TlAMc_ZgmTaDrt2Pa5111X2uTYPSLcU9Ctelaiy8XT24SQNFy0I8yAK7VHWGvOgmQc6TI/s1600/confessional.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Forgive me blogger, for
I have sinned. It has been seven weeks since my last pitiful post. I could blow
off this newest impromptu hiatus by saying it was due to waiting out the end of
A-Z, or that I’ve been too busy, but none of that would be true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I have a confession
to make, and this has been a long-time coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The truth is, my life in
every other aspect is going just fine. My kids are healthy and happy. My
husband’s doing great. I’ve been doing yoga, running, and preparing to find a
job for September. All’s good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Except for one thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That ‘other’ part of my
life. The one I once held so dear, it could have drowned out everything else if I'd let it--That great thrill of creativity, words, and
stories come to life and the thriving community that accompanied the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s time I stop beating
around the bush and just state the truth about why I keep dropping off the face of the virtual planet:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I haven’t been around the blogosphere or the writing community much because <b>I don’t like the way it makes me<i> feel</i>. </b>(through no fault of its’
own)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I hadn’t realized it
until now, or maybe I had, but just wasn’t ready to deal with it. But the truth is, I don’t
think I’ve completely gotten over the deception that came with all those
near-misses ages ago. I hate to admit it, but maybe I’m not
as strong emotionally or psychologically as I once believed. Sure, I talked a good game, but when it comes
down to it, I’ve started and stopped <u>four different</u> projects in the last two years,
some getting 30k along before I simply ‘lost interest’. I haven’t been able to
make myself blog regularly or keep up with publishing, author, or industry
news.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When it comes to writing, I'm sure it's partly because I’m
afraid. Afraid of finishing a project and investing in it emotionally again.
Afraid of putting it out there. And afraid of enduring the same feeling of
failure and just-not-good-enoughedness that I had last time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When it comes to the community, I still flip through my
writerly facebook regularly, because I miss the connections and friends
I made during my blogging hayday. I spend time ‘liking’ all the amazing things
my writing friends are putting out there and experiencing, admiring how
productive and accomplished they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But it’s only a matter
of time before I turn to my own, empty status and realize I have absolutely
nothing to offer. I’m not productive, inspired, or successful. I’m a hack. Total
fraud. Undeserving of interest or praise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That sinking, no-good
feeling begins to spread. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Which is why I quickly
retreat back into myself and the other aspects of my life, and away from the writerly part, in a self-imposed exile that
really affects no one but me; punishment for being so utterly unsuccessful, boring, and incapable. My solution? Complete and total avoidance of the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Does it make sense? No. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But it is what it is.
*shrugs* <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m just tired of
letting this <i>feeling </i>of failure keep me from a
part of my life that I miss terribly. I think it’s time to put ‘er down. And I’m
hoping that putting it out there will be the first step towards that. It’s
easier to shoot an animal that’s out in the open, and all that jazz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anyways, I want to offer
a heartfelt apology to all of my blogging friends for my absence. For being
little and weak and cowardly and not facing my own crap sooner so that I could
be here for all of you- have joy in your successes and offer encouragement
through your obstacles. You can be sure this community has left its mark on my
heart. If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here. So here’s to taking back the reins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You guys ever let negative emotions keep you from
something you love? Any advice as to how to get over this feeling of failure
that settles over me whenever I think about writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-89205501969678873862014-03-31T02:33:00.001-07:002014-03-31T02:33:33.125-07:00The Hills are Alive...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri2bBQHP-wqqVRp-nsqn7w3E0P-Sn2afnExKBxHZjUwrxEn-gK4coRg3KLCR7YSZJkTFHrHBEEfJPdrwqRYqjsFKyZfhdTHjcXXERnOz54r7QUjOj92o_VIxchT_ehSR0a6lrALunA48/s1600/soundofmusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri2bBQHP-wqqVRp-nsqn7w3E0P-Sn2afnExKBxHZjUwrxEn-gK4coRg3KLCR7YSZJkTFHrHBEEfJPdrwqRYqjsFKyZfhdTHjcXXERnOz54r7QUjOj92o_VIxchT_ehSR0a6lrALunA48/s1600/soundofmusic.jpg" height="175" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First of all, thank you
so much to <a href="http://dlcruisingaltitude.blogspot.fr/">DL Hammons</a> and everyone who participated in Wednesdays Blitz
Bombardment. Even though I joined the Blitz team months ago, and try to participate
now and then, I never realized <i>just how
much </i>being Blitzed could completely change the course of someone’s day; how
something so simple as leaving a blog comment could have such an impact, until
it happened to me. I’m so glad DL came up with this, and thankful for the
hundreds of you who take the time to comment and brighten up your fellow
bloggers’ day. It’s just amazing. For those of you who want to know more about
what it means to be ‘blitzed’ and would like participate, <a href="http://dlcruisingaltitude.blogspot.fr/2013/03/blog-blitz-wanna-join.html">click here.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In other news, I finally
broke 20k on my wip! And it only took <i>me
two and a half months</i>! *sigh* It hasn’t helped matters that my one-year-old
is cutting her back molars and thought she and I should celebrate by pulling a
couple all-nighters last week, from which I’d only barely recovered before
France ‘sprang forward’ with the rest of the world and I was forced to get up
an hour earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chronic fatigue aside, I
<i>absolutely love</i> this time of year. You know that bone-deep sensation before a
big storm when the air feels alive and you can smell change on the horizon? That’s
kind of like what Spring is for me, but on a larger, yet less dramatic scale. That
smell of change in the air, the warmth, and all the deepening and brightening
of landscape colors makes me want to twirl around like Julie Andrews and sing
the ‘<i>hills are alive, with the sound of music!</i>’. Hopefully nature’s vibrance
will give my muse the boost she needs to finish this damn manuscript before
summer vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Do you guys find you’re more or less productive during
different seasons? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-50636612186274890712014-03-24T02:31:00.002-07:002014-03-24T02:32:02.697-07:00If Your Characters Were Real..<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s one thing to
imagine my characters as real people, arguing with me over which way a
manuscript should go. It’s another thing to <b>see </b>my characters living and breathing before my very eyes. Because
I don’t usually base their appearance on actors or people in my life, so
seeing someone who looks <i>exactly</i> like
the person I’ve been writing about would <span style="color: #073763;"><b>freak
me out</b>. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It has kind of happened
before, on some level—that I’ve crossed paths with people who held a striking resemblance
to my imaginary creations. And in those cases, I’d stop, stare, maybe even take
mental notes, and then, after further observation, realize they don’t look <i>that</i> much like my character after all. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But what if they not
only <b>looked</b> the part, but <b>acted</b> the part? What would you do then?
I suppose for some writers it might go a little something like this:</span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1aMTjtBQ5s0" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.933334350585938px;">Do you guys tend to base characters on the real people around you? If so, is it weird watching those people live real life, all while orchestrating their fictional lives with a click of the keys? Have you ever come face to face with someone who seemed to pop straight out of your imagination?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.933334350585938px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 19.933334350585938px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 19.933334350585938px;">PS- posting next clip just for fun. Love these guys!</span></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eBltFtAfiEg" width="480"></iframe>Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com173tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-20105822086004298732014-03-17T03:48:00.001-07:002014-03-17T03:48:36.125-07:00Scene Sudoku<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaW5kj-7VeWKan2A1aezxQkf7-T8IqoTdRA-1BZ4Aa7WMopSCT0czAhz-Ipg2ykl1iwhTHk1xSt4Ou4kfRGnDloQMVxA5eAYSd2WU1STUDZdAYoxvcXa_ySR9XJ3cLgzHk3OGTP1j8Wg/s1600/scenesudoku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaW5kj-7VeWKan2A1aezxQkf7-T8IqoTdRA-1BZ4Aa7WMopSCT0czAhz-Ipg2ykl1iwhTHk1xSt4Ou4kfRGnDloQMVxA5eAYSd2WU1STUDZdAYoxvcXa_ySR9XJ3cLgzHk3OGTP1j8Wg/s1600/scenesudoku.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think many of us can agree that when writing a first
draft, there are some scenes we’re more excited about than others: The scenes
that inspired the story to begin with – The ones that hold a lot of tension or
introduce our favorite character, have a shocking revelation or relationship
game-changer. Scenes that are funny and full of life or have a setting you just
want to wade around in and soak up for awhile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sometimes the perfect scene will just fall neatly into
your lap; one that combines everything you love about the book, and preforms its
allotted task. And other times you have to go at it from different angles
before it fits into the fold like a missing piece of a puzzle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My two least favorites scene situations are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The ‘<i>you know
what needs to happen. You’re just not sure <u>how</u> it should happen’</i>.
These are the scenes you really have to <i>think</i>
about. Brainstorm about. Because not only do they need to be functional but
they also have to <u>function</u>; i.e.- they need to work with the story and
not<i> feel </i>like they’re there mainly to
get us where we need to go. It’s a complicated balance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then there’s the ‘<i>you
know how things need to happen, but you’re not sure how to make them important.</i>’ These are
the scenes that are in the consequential order of things, but <i>lack</i> function. They are there because
they make sense and yet they don’t really add anything to the plot. So now you
have to try and <u>give</u> them a purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*sigh*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’m currently about to enter one of the
natural-order-of-things scenes and I think I’ve found a way to give it purpose
by bumping up the introduction to a very important character. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Needless to say, my brain hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
are your Scene Sudoku methods? Do you write a ‘place holder’ so you can keep
going until you come up with the perfect situation? Or does your word count
come to a grinding halt until you’ve found ‘<i>the
scen</i>e’? Any other difficult scene situations you can think of?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-25255869741409220742014-03-03T01:53:00.000-08:002014-03-03T01:53:54.200-08:00When the Snow Won't Come to You...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU0iJCkgKfr3_3EfRwx6Nv9TPuCwJriu7nRo25Tj-8MFO9en1cS2CAye1M31-wtPRayajhz2c3o_0TczYX1o3DuVqzeiTEbTHec-8q66_Jcc-eDP_wIq2tOqlCoUNMVJT-Xj_urk66d4/s1600/2014-02-24+16.30.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU0iJCkgKfr3_3EfRwx6Nv9TPuCwJriu7nRo25Tj-8MFO9en1cS2CAye1M31-wtPRayajhz2c3o_0TczYX1o3DuVqzeiTEbTHec-8q66_Jcc-eDP_wIq2tOqlCoUNMVJT-Xj_urk66d4/s1600/2014-02-24+16.30.38.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You go to the snow! Or
at least, that’s what I told myself when the family and I began our trek out to
the Vosges Mountains, in eastern France last week. While the United States has
gotten their fair share of snowfall this season, we poor folk over here in middle
Europe haven’t had diddlysquat. Not a single flake! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So we decided to take a
ski *ahem* vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To be honest, very
little skiing was actually done. Besides my husband, none of us have ever skied.
The girls, however, had their first lesson with a professional instructor and
we had a great time sledding and snowshoe hiking for the most part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVYZ1Qwus1DmEfTFcekpapYIspiAzZzRPZ9G9hRfBOuiLZgC0vXmCBpHiGkuRKuMC91_qzVaMxCJjaElWr5ZRshcIomOdNaPbUeQCYAlZZ2rKEhPFZ8vVwifnu95-Z04poQdbniokoCU/s1600/2014-02-24+16.49.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVYZ1Qwus1DmEfTFcekpapYIspiAzZzRPZ9G9hRfBOuiLZgC0vXmCBpHiGkuRKuMC91_qzVaMxCJjaElWr5ZRshcIomOdNaPbUeQCYAlZZ2rKEhPFZ8vVwifnu95-Z04poQdbniokoCU/s1600/2014-02-24+16.49.06.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And yet, after all the
non-skiing, my six-year-old Lucy <i>still</i>
<b>managed to come home with a cast</b>
when she twisted/broke her ankle walking (running) on the cobblestone streets
(after the pigeons). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our visit to Strasbourg
was otherwise the highlight of our vacation- what a beautiful, peaceful,
pleasant city! I officially want to live there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-FptnRiWQtaJ6Omlwk6UOJiQAdvsZQxeaFdsXFe-xCQvryv0vsDLEl45TJ42M2OpfFKDW8d23JXlSjuZAWovGG3TwWHlOEexDHXKl7dP6NhFwBIMBD99Y5x01dnJBTDN08oKriAFGI/s1600/2014-02-27+12.28.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-FptnRiWQtaJ6Omlwk6UOJiQAdvsZQxeaFdsXFe-xCQvryv0vsDLEl45TJ42M2OpfFKDW8d23JXlSjuZAWovGG3TwWHlOEexDHXKl7dP6NhFwBIMBD99Y5x01dnJBTDN08oKriAFGI/s1600/2014-02-27+12.28.46.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And I suppose, in her own
way, Lucy enjoyed it, too. She had been pretty high on life all day- running,
skipping, and walking into things just for the hell of it (as featured in the
photo below). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o2iv_DcSx0uHTHE7pA4kED2Qera06SAHbl7-ZZQMMmHlHCFBzyITf6EAqgKvmQD-3lMLLcCqd3i0YXbG_dfBe9ujN8_ahaSMjGbJm-CB1sYQiUJ50la6HvacoNdKLELI8pupbJcpJC0/s1600/2014-02-27+12.13.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o2iv_DcSx0uHTHE7pA4kED2Qera06SAHbl7-ZZQMMmHlHCFBzyITf6EAqgKvmQD-3lMLLcCqd3i0YXbG_dfBe9ujN8_ahaSMjGbJm-CB1sYQiUJ50la6HvacoNdKLELI8pupbJcpJC0/s1600/2014-02-27+12.13.05.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And after she snapped her ankle, not only did she continue to
walk around as though nothing was wrong, but she also tried to convince her
father to climb the 330 steps up to the top of Strasbourg’s Notre Dame Cathedral!
(he refused, thank goodness) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO1agq1OueYyTZhwxl94qGPG9q1-stcnRhMmucnD1ECozpZZ_xBvpQvfV_ZFTqo72bWO154eW0QuSWutgpdecub_W3ywLw8QyGKbWK2IX5TBhPU3qDnaXd5jQc2NRw0i7DDqayLrM7xU/s1600/2014-02-27+11.40.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO1agq1OueYyTZhwxl94qGPG9q1-stcnRhMmucnD1ECozpZZ_xBvpQvfV_ZFTqo72bWO154eW0QuSWutgpdecub_W3ywLw8QyGKbWK2IX5TBhPU3qDnaXd5jQc2NRw0i7DDqayLrM7xU/s1600/2014-02-27+11.40.20.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It wasn’t until we were all seated in the car that
I saw her ankle had swollen to twice its normal size. #parentfail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So here I am, back after
a not-so-bad vacation, but also thankful that school is in session again and I’ll
have a routine that involves a little more time to relax and work on my writing.
It’s been slow going, with all of the interruptions but I’m hoping to hit the
gas pedal and still finish this thing before summer vacation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Have any of you ever broken a bone? Or had the trying task of keeping a crazy kid from hurting themselves?</b></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-6431388605676128542014-02-17T04:19:00.003-08:002014-02-17T04:54:17.027-08:00Yer Crampin’ My Style, Kid<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">I can’t help but feel a
little jipped this morning. It’s a Monday. And I’d usually have p</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">lenty</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> of time to sit down and blog and
work on my current manuscript on a day like today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But I can kiss that ‘me’
time goodbye because my little angels are on <u>another</u> two-week vacation thanks to France’s six-weeks-on, two-weeks-off school schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I said 'au revoir' to my peaceful morning the
moment I awoke to blood-curdling screams because ‘<i>Lucy’s bugging me</i>!’ – this was the only real explanation I was
given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My middle child, Julie, then
came in and informed me the baby had peed through her diaper and her crib was
wet. Great. With eyes still closed, I grabbed a diaper and new onesie and pj’s
and headed into their room. After stripping the baby down and changing her
diaper and onesie, I realized everything was perfectly dry and I just changed
her clothes for no goddam reason. Thank you, Julie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I grabbed a much-needed
cup of coffee and sat down to relax when Lucy, my six-year-old, came bounding
up to me, hands, mouth and pants covered in white-out (which I <i>told</i> her about 2.5 seconds ago <b>not</b> to play with, all while needlessly changing
the baby’s clothes).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNe6A6HVj4SYkye9D4IBxx_wQXhecoqXmJS2c15eOAGAPoEShcWGN0P-vKuK1ynmh9C0ub1RsANwBqYyvbq-iX8VXJrL6qffbU5X9dfQMZeUnNWnzM6sj6j1Z49mBJBL_VBFDF1KBf3k/s1600/whiteout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNe6A6HVj4SYkye9D4IBxx_wQXhecoqXmJS2c15eOAGAPoEShcWGN0P-vKuK1ynmh9C0ub1RsANwBqYyvbq-iX8VXJrL6qffbU5X9dfQMZeUnNWnzM6sj6j1Z49mBJBL_VBFDF1KBf3k/s1600/whiteout.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I don’t know what happened!”</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She was really upset.
So, naturally, I took a picture with my phone before rubbing her down with olive
oil to help remove the white out. I finally sat back down to my (now cold) cup
of coffee, looked out the window only to realize my oldest daughter, Lily, left
her brand new coat outside in the back yard yesterday. And it had rained. <i>Son of a…!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Out I went, bare foot,
with barely a half cup of coffee in my system, to recuperate her soaking mess
of a jacket and hang it up to dry, thinking there <i>must </i>be military camps out there with less physically and mentally
stressful wake-up calls. And maybe I’ll go <i>there</i>.
In any case, this is starting out to be another lovely, long vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What irks me most isn’t
even all the calamities that can happen within the first 15 minutes of any
given morning. It’s that my writing was actually going <i>really </i>well pre-vacation. I’m nearing the 15k mark and becoming
more and more addicted to the story and characters. So taking time out at this
crucial point is hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, hey. Guess this is
one of those times where I have to remind myself ‘they’re only kids once!’ so
best to try and enjoy our time together while I can:) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What’s been keeping you from your writing lately?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-54064829147763997022014-02-10T02:22:00.004-08:002014-02-10T02:24:11.143-08:00The Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK-Kl7reSzo6WpBIB9LlhEvAP0zUEize4ypb890Q4O9jBD-gMS2q5KmaXl0OATau8v2BMt5y2kfIIZGDy7ayJM82xe0p7-0UbUcpxJLschiLzB1tBJ9eu7u9_ul-9p5cvqksSdHSqQf4/s1600/P1050903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK-Kl7reSzo6WpBIB9LlhEvAP0zUEize4ypb890Q4O9jBD-gMS2q5KmaXl0OATau8v2BMt5y2kfIIZGDy7ayJM82xe0p7-0UbUcpxJLschiLzB1tBJ9eu7u9_ul-9p5cvqksSdHSqQf4/s1600/P1050903.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It has been decided by
the fates that Wednesday blogposts just ain’t go’ happen. So, I guess Monday is
my day! And <i>what do you know</i>? Here I
am! On Monday. Writing a blog<i>ha</i>. post<i>ah</i>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*ahem*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay, I’m more than a
little off my game this morning. You see, my oldest daughter turned<b> ten</b> this weekend. Which marks a decade
of parenting for the hubs and me. So, like any normal mother, I spent most of
Saturday looking at photos of her (and our) evolution and sporadically bursting
into tears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was no time to
dwell on Sunday, however, because my big 10-year-old decided this year she
wanted a party <u>with all of her friends</u>. And not one hosted at school, or
our local indoor park, or a restaurant, or anything involving a couple of giant
golden arches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She wanted a themed
makeover party done the old fashion way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At our house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*insert the sigh that
never ends*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There <i>is a reason</i> why I’ve never thrown a class
birthday party at our personal dwelling before and some of you who have thrown
such a party and lived to tell the tale may know exactly what I’m talking about.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It takes about 80x the
preparation, brain power, physical energy, and clean-up that a public-place
party does. There are decorations to buy and hang and blow up and hang and roll
out and hang. There’s food, cupcake baking, activity planning, and gift bags to
prepare. There are awkward phone calls and emails clarifying the theme, and
appropriate gifts, and directions to the house. And let’s not forget the eventuality
of jubilant, dancing, candy-crazed children doing the cancan while stomping
chips into your living room carpet. Yes it was worth it. No, I won’t be
repeating the experience for a long long while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The way I feel this
morning, it might as well have been an all-night keger. Emotional milestones + class
party = one drained mama. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*yawn* I think it’s time
for me to curl up on the couch with some coffee and zone out on guilty-pleasure
CW shows... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How was your weekend everybody?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-73267166975186090692014-02-03T02:52:00.001-08:002014-02-03T23:01:43.585-08:00'You Look Older Than You Sound'<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was doing some
thinking this weekend about ‘voice’ and how authors use it to capture and
reflect the age, background, and perspective of their main characters
throughout their stories. And I found myself wondering <b>what aspects contribute <i>most</i> to a main character’s ‘voice’?</b> Is it
the vocabulary they employ? Their observations or opinions? Or simply the
tonality and pacing of what is written? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I was preparing
this blogpost, one of the things that struck me most was how often an author
mentions their MC’s age<u> right there in the very first page</u>. It makes sense,
really, since it’s the fastest and easiest way to convey a mental image to the
reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But what if they <i>hadn’t</i>
mentioned age right away? What if there was no outside blurb, physical
descriptions or indication of who’s telling the story and all we had to rely on
was ‘voice’? Would we still have an accurate image of who’s telling the story?
I’m curious. Below I’ve taken three different extracts from the first page of
three fairly well-known books; each one written from the point of view of a different
age group. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Based on voice alone, <u>how old </u>would you say each
character is? </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Example 1 -</b></span> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘Here is everything I know about France: Madeline and
Amelie and Moulin Rouge. The Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, although I
have no idea what the function of either actually is. Napoleon, Marie
Antoinette, and a lot of kings named Louis. I’m not sure what they did either,
but I think it has something to do with the French Revolution, which has
something to do with Bastille Day. The art museum is called the Louvre and it’s
shaped like a pyramid and the Mona Lisa lives there along with that statue of
the woman missing her arms. And there are cafés or bistros or whatever they
call them on every other street corner.
And mimes. The food is supposed to be good, and the people drink a lot
of wine and smoke a lot of cigarettes.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Example 2-</span></b> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘It has not been the rip-roaring spectacular I fancied
it would be, but neither have I burrowed with the gophers. I suppose it has
most resembled a blue-chip stock; fairly stable, more ups than downs, and
gradually trending upward over time.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Example 3</span></b>-</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">‘We moved on the Tuesday before Labor day. I knew what
the weather was like the second I got up. I knew because I caught my mother
sniffing under her arms. She always does that when it’s hot and humid, to make
sure her deodorant’s working.’</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Did you get an impression of how old each narrator was? What aspects do you think contribute <i>most</i> to a character’s ‘voice’? </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">(I'll include the answers to these in the comments section later on today :)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-49941792621333872962014-01-27T02:16:00.006-08:002014-01-27T02:23:16.687-08:00Blogger's Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkLef45U_cTgV4rYAZ7EVbjlrOQh57Y9XRQfJqfGB5X-Mij7217vJxl3q2RXbzbKI9aFfopGwhTf_wPTlmIx5DdSzFlszqGL9XXvH7ufieFATTX66epbuehl2CBIJZ-OGOSqlcfR35kI/s1600/emptyspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkLef45U_cTgV4rYAZ7EVbjlrOQh57Y9XRQfJqfGB5X-Mij7217vJxl3q2RXbzbKI9aFfopGwhTf_wPTlmIx5DdSzFlszqGL9XXvH7ufieFATTX66epbuehl2CBIJZ-OGOSqlcfR35kI/s1600/emptyspace.jpg" height="200" width="170" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I love sitting down to
write a blogpost whenever the inspiration strikes. When the inspiration <b>doesn’t strike</b>, however, it can get
downright painful. Like this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I knew Monday was
coming for awhile. Because…well, yesterday was Sunday and the day before that
was, well, you get the idea. *ahem*</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, anyways,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> I knew I had nothing new to blog
about. But I still thought I’d give it a shot. To try and keep up with
newly-set goals and all.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">9:15 a.m.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
Paris time:<span style="color: #0b5394;"> *Katie sits down in front of the computer*</span> I really need to write
something for today. Now’s a good a time as any. Baby’s fed and playing
peacefully. I’ve got coffee. Wait, no I don’t. Finished that cup. Should I have
a second? Wait, that <i>was</i> my second. Would
a third give me heart palpitations? Maybe I should Google it…<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">9:32 a.m.:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="color: #0b5394;">*sits back down in front of computer. With coffee.
And an egg, cheese and ham English muffin*</span> Okay. It’s time to <i>blog</i>. Right! Good! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Huh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That’s a funny word. <i>Blog</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blooooog. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blog. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You know what? I don’t
like the way my mouth feels when I say it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blog</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<span style="color: #0b5394;">
*shudders*</span> Ew. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blog</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<span style="color: #0b5394;">
*shudders*</span> Ew! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">*sigh*</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There aren’t a lot of
words that start with ‘Bl’, are there? Let me think…Bleep. Bloated.
Blasphemous. Blooper. Okay, I guess there are a lot, kind of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wait, is blight a word?
Or am I confusing it with ‘smite’? Maybe I should Google it… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">9:45 a.m.:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="color: #0b5394;">*sits back down in front of computer with newfound
knowledge of what the word ‘blight’ means*</span> Oh, look at that! The baby needs to
be put down for a nap. I’ll just think of a blog topic while I’m in the shower.
My imagination always perks up in the shower…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">10:15 a.m</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.:<span style="color: #0b5394;">
*sits back down in front of computer*</span> I’m ready! Wait. No. I still don’t have a
topic. Geez! What the hell happened to all that shower-induced imagination? I guess I must have blown it all on my audition for the imaginary judges of <i>The Voice</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">*cringes* </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Okay. I’m a writer. And
as a writer, all I really need to do to write for this <b>writer’s blog </b>is to
share what’s on my mind. As a writer. About writ<i>ing</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">...what is on. my. mind!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What is on my mind...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What the hell <b><i>IS</i></b> on my mind?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Oh my god, this is
hopeless!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tell me, <i>how</i>
do you guys find something relevant to blog about on a regular basis? After
four years of covering everything from writing and querying to itchy noses and
smelling melon butt, I think I’m just about plum out of ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-90848961990079534932014-01-22T02:51:00.003-08:002014-01-22T02:52:04.639-08:00The Disciplined Writer<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After last Monday’s post
about being rusty when it comes to writing regularly, I’m proud to
announce I <b>finally</b> chose which project I want to continue with and finish
before summer, <i>and</i> I added a total of
ten pages to it in the last week and a half. Strangely enough, it was the
project I’d written the <i>least</i> on over
the last year that held my attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I haven’t worked on it
every day, like I’d hoped, but progress is being made and I have a pretty clear
idea of where I’m going and what needs to be done so I’m feeling optimistic. And
when I need a reminder of what my goals are- I have<a href="http://www.writersally.blogspot.fr/2014/01/a-writers-creed-for-2014.html"> SA Larsen’s Writing Rebel’sCreed 2014</a> in my side bar to help me stay motivated:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4pVB4GzNojFibGboj3NnmdKya9UGHX8IfEp6OBZaWD4XZN3_PvoV3mSEXxsCM4D8zIw1jW6R6oydLCdhC2ob7riHF7OdxpNEnW2f-FWUbTgAVivApoTnhA5A2ONQEwXIhejA8I8jFWg/s1600/writerscreed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4pVB4GzNojFibGboj3NnmdKya9UGHX8IfEp6OBZaWD4XZN3_PvoV3mSEXxsCM4D8zIw1jW6R6oydLCdhC2ob7riHF7OdxpNEnW2f-FWUbTgAVivApoTnhA5A2ONQEwXIhejA8I8jFWg/s1600/writerscreed.jpg" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s slow going, and I
know I’m capable of writing a lot (</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">a lot</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">)
faster than this when in the throws of a wip, but I’ll take what I can get.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>How fast do you usually write your rough
drafts? And what elements affect your pacing when you’re starting a new
project?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-3498120046942271222014-01-15T02:47:00.003-08:002014-01-15T02:47:53.213-08:00STATS<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBB8y0oOtlqrZ_gwe8wooKgNehm-Td4hXAqW0vTRzobZ0DoNLNY3qTTo8DpSujAuzmhvZCgSLAa7LxT-e2KK-4BXDN0DWpGkxroZAfjIG-yvJs16yLnSyVjQngk0npvUk6wHJSAsqcZc/s1600/stats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBB8y0oOtlqrZ_gwe8wooKgNehm-Td4hXAqW0vTRzobZ0DoNLNY3qTTo8DpSujAuzmhvZCgSLAa7LxT-e2KK-4BXDN0DWpGkxroZAfjIG-yvJs16yLnSyVjQngk0npvUk6wHJSAsqcZc/s200/stats.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Well, it killed my soul
a little to do it, but I wouldn’t be the Creepy Query Girl without some
Querying Stats to offer. So this morning I went rummaging through my email to
try and compile some numbers. As some of you might remember, both of these
manuscripts saw major R&R’s with an agent who left the industry. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So the
stats here are from <i>after</i> those
rewrites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kissing for Coffee</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> was my first attempt at an agent rewrite and even though
it took me awhile to get over not getting signed after all that work, I still
queried it pretty regularly for awhile and it garnered a bit of interest. The
full manuscript is still currently out with two agents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">KISSING FOR COFFEE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Queries sent: 46<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Replies: 21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rejections: 16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Requests for
material: 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pending replies: 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I only started re-querying
<i>Fossegrim</i> in September and haven’t
queried it very widely, although I really should since it saw substantial agent
revisions in the spring. I’m currently waiting on a reply from an agent who
requested the partial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">FOSSEGRIM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Queries sent: 10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Replies: 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rejections: 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Requests for material: 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pending replies: 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even though I haven’t
abandoned the dream of traditional publishing, I admit that my motivation to
query agents has waned. It’s frustrating, time consuming, and the return rate
is so<i> extremely </i>slow, I can’t help dragging my feet when it comes to looking for, and querying new prospects. Plus, I admit that now
a’days, self-publishing seems to be a more viable career move for debut authors
than attempting the agent route. At least, when you read articles<a href="http://www.hughhowey.com/brenna-aubrey-a-case-study/"> like this</a>:) So that also chips away at what is left of my motivation. I’m sure,
however, my tune will probably change once I have a new story ready to put
out there:)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How about you? Are any of you out there still
querying? Do you find yourself querying less and less as time goes by? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-25498545904385496202014-01-15T00:59:00.000-08:002014-01-29T22:52:44.232-08:00(Don't) Surprise Me!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">I have nothing against
surprises. As long as they’re </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>good</b></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> surprises. That said, I really don’t like
surprises when it comes to my preferred forms of entertainment. If my husband
says “Want to watch this movie with me?” I automatically reply “What’s it
about?”. To which he most often says “I don’t know.”</span></div>
</div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*cringe*. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I can’t. I <b>can not</b> just sit down and watch a movie, not knowing how it’s going to make me <i>feel</i>.
So, much to his dismay, my husband has to wait the five minutes it takes for me
to Google the title and watch the movie trailer on YouTube before I can give
him a definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And yes, it drives him <i>crazy</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But what he doesn’t
understand is that my poor psyche just doesn’t <i>let go</i> of books and movies as easily as his does. After watching <i>The Sixth Sense</i>, I saw dead people for
weeks. And I pondered alternate endings for <i>Revolutionary
Road</i> every night before bed for the longest time, because the real ending
totally depressed the hell out of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So I <i>have</i> to know. How will the movie make me
<i>feel </i>and do I really <i>feel</i> like <i>feeling</i> that way right now? :) The same thing when it comes to books.
I always, <b>always</b> read the back
cover, and if it’s an internet order, I’ll also read a few reviews before
plopping it in my basket. And when, despite all of that, a book still manages
to surprise me in a bad way, well, let's just say if I were 'Joey' from Friends,
it would end up in my freezer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This summer my husband
brought home a copy of <i>Loving Frank</i>
by Nancy Horan. I read the back cover, and it seemed harmless enough. So I took
it with us on our camping trip and quickly read through the pages of Mamah Cheney’s
love affair with a married Frank Wright. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Until the ending when, out
of nowhere, <b><span style="color: #0c343d;">*spoiler alert for people who are like me and don't know their history.*</span></b>, she and her kids get <i>axed and burned</i>, <b>literally</b>, by one of the servants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hold on. <i>Wait, WHAT?!</i> I frantically Wikipedia-ed the
true-life story of Mamah Cheney and literally threw the book on the floor like
it was alive and biting. <i>Son of a ….!</i>
<i><b>This wasn’t on the BACK</b>!!! </i>*hyperventilates*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Damn book nearly ruined
my vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How about you? Do you guys pick stories that fit your
mood or just go with the flow? Do you find it easy to let go once the
book/movie is over or does the bad/depressing/scary stuff haunt you for awhile?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-6356590197634050802014-01-13T02:50:00.000-08:002014-01-13T02:54:38.637-08:00Rusty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQonbxMG9mnvhtR3AiC76vUaaDy3ZTsglNlFR7tohoQT_t0DWM_fDG-tl2ViH5uN0q4cbJ12kr2DoIMLjXGKT_xTgcUnehR0oozjCkrYi4KlKRf3-kyKe7r2v1dj1w3GP2zIWp8Hf_18/s1600/rustypen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQonbxMG9mnvhtR3AiC76vUaaDy3ZTsglNlFR7tohoQT_t0DWM_fDG-tl2ViH5uN0q4cbJ12kr2DoIMLjXGKT_xTgcUnehR0oozjCkrYi4KlKRf3-kyKe7r2v1dj1w3GP2zIWp8Hf_18/s200/rustypen.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I guess you could say the last six months, I never
really stopped writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Because, technically, there were
a couple carefully crafted emails that <i>must have</i> totaled 300 words. And some lengthy facebook exchanges with family and
friends. And let's not forget the frequent standard status updates. Oh! And I wrote out <i>quite a few</i> checks without my hand
actually cramping. So yeah. <i>Totally</i>
kept those writing muscles loosened up. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*ahem*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But when it comes to my
works-in-progresses, frankly, there hasn’t been much <i>work</i>, or <i>progress</i> up
until now. Over my hiatus I tinkered with one project in particular, but got
hung up on details that stunted my mojo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I always admire writers
who have a set ‘schedule’ and write a certain number of words every day, rain
or shine. I think, if I’d had different luck with my last two projects, I might
have found the motivation to be more disciplined and <i>push</i> my muse awake instead of waiting for her pretty eyelids to
flutter open on their own. As things are now, I’ve really had to take
motivation where I could find it and ride it for as long and as far possible.
Which, these last few months, hasn’t been very far.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This weekend, I took out
the<b> four</b> different manuscripts I’ve begun over the last year and a half. Two of
them barely made it past the outline and first three chapters. The other two
puttered out somewhere around 30k. My goal is to finish at least one of these
manuscripts before summer vacation. And to do so, I’m going to try and take a
page from the disciplined-writer handbook and make myself write. every. day. At
least a page, if I’m really not feelng it. -But hopefully a half-scene or more
on a daily basis. And this time, regretfully, bills and facebook statuses will
not be included in the word count:)</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What is your writing schedule like? Sporatic or disciplined?
Where do you find your motivation and how to you keep going when you’re totally <i>not</i> motivated?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-52240636232174321912014-01-08T02:56:00.003-08:002014-01-08T02:59:25.074-08:002013 in Review<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While looking back on
2013, one word jumps immediately to mind :<span style="color: #0b5394;"> <b><i>tired</i></b>.</span> I can’t say my
resolutions went unmet since, to my knowledge, I didn’t even bother <i>making</i> any this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever since signing on with the
S.A.H.M. Corps (</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">stay at home mom
corporation</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">) in April of 2012 and the addition of our fourth project (</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">i.e. baby Phoebe</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">) in February 2013, ‘the
job’ has been keeping me more than occupied. It isn’t <i>the hardest job in the
world</i> as good ol’ Oprah used to say. But it’s about as hard as most other full-time
jobs, I imagine.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The co-owner of this
enterprise has a paid occupation on the side (<i>thank goodness</i>), so most of the heavy lifting falls to yours truly.
The salary isn’t great, but the benefits are worth the long hours and sleepless
nights. My employees are often lazy, cranky, and <i>always</i> looking for a hand-out. But they’re also fun to be around
and do their best to make this operation productive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our youngest recruit,
10-month-old Phoebe, is especially impressive in her determination to maintain
a sedentary lifestyle. No crawling, shuffling or walking as of yet. In fact,
she mostly just sits there and grunts like a small, pink, jabba the hutt while
her sisters bring her toys and drinks and cater to her every whim. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think she
might be the smartest one of us all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, after almost a full
year of crawling through the post-partum fog and keeping my long-running family
operation afloat, I finally feel ready to take a tentative step toward my goal
of writing the-game-changer book and getting published. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Catching up is going to
take awhile. I don’t think I’ve read <i>a
single</i> book on the 2013 YA bestseller list. I've missed a lot of writer's world news in the who-got-agented/book deals/pubished/self published this year. And it would seem the tides of
self-publishing have turned <i>once again</i> and debut S.P. authors aren’t seeing the
success they once did due to market saturation. Pair this with the increasingly
slow pace of the publishing industry, and agent/editor return and I have to wonder- </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Ya.</b> <b>What the hell are we supposed to do <i>now?:)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-44802052878716530202014-01-06T05:12:00.002-08:002014-01-06T05:13:38.482-08:00Awkward Reunion<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b> : Oh, hey !
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: *blinks groggily*
Who the hell are you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: It’s me! You know…the
one who started this blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: Oh. Yeah. <i>You</i>. *swats away fly*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: You don’t look so
good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: Yeah, well, that’s
what happens when someone’s been <i>abandoned</i>
for four months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: I never noticed how
blindingly hypnotizing your background was before. It’s giving me a headache
and toothache simultaneously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: Imagine <i>living</i> here…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: Okay, well, I know
it’s been awhile…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: Four. Months. FOUR
MONTHS! You didn’t even say goodbye!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: I know, I’m sorry!
But I didn’t know I was leaving. It was one of those sporadic spiritual
leave-of-absences that people just up and take sometimes when a higher power
calls. You know, like Jesus in the dessert. Or Forrest Gump. Or that crazy guy
that just up and decided to walk across Australia one day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: I see. So tell me,
Forrest, what did you accomplish during this impromptu journey? Any writing to
speak of? Did you discover the truths to the universe? Get nominated for a
nobel prize? Orchestrate the next technological revolution?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: Uh...*wrings hands*.
Well, I did a little writing, yes. And I managed to keep my kids alive and the
house from burning down. So there’s that. And, uh…there was some binge watching
Gilmore Girls somewhere in there- all seven seasons! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: *arms folded* Color
me impressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me</b>: Look, I’m really
sorry. But I’m here now and I’d like to make it up to you. You look a little
tired and washed out. Let me give you a make-over. Unbraid that pink and beige
armpit hair of yours and give your place some fresh air. Maybe even start
cleaning out and organizing your content? And I’ll try to start posting regularly again. What do you say?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Blog</b>: *sniffs* Well, I
guess I really could use a bath. And it has been a little lonely around here. *frowns skeptically* Okay. You gotta deal. But you take off on me again and I just might have get jacked up on viruses and kill your computer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Me:</b> Note taken.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sometimes I feel like I
went to sleep one day in September, and when I woke up, we were already January
1<sup>st</sup>! It’s 2014? Wait, <i>what?! </i>I
wish I hadn't neeeded to take so much time away from you all and this blog in
order to ‘find myself’ but, it turned out to be a necessary thing. It’s a new
year, so if ever there was a time to stand up, brush myself off and start over,
it’s now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, tell me- who’s still out there fighting the good
fight? I’ve missed you all!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-45126122203221308092013-09-16T02:34:00.004-07:002014-01-06T02:24:08.284-08:00Back in the Saddle<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yesterday, I sent out a
query letter for the first time in almost <i><u>a
year</u></i>. Between the baby, and the revision for the agent and awaiting the
feedback-that-would-never-come, I just didn’t have the motivation to re-enter
the query trenches before now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A part of me <i>still </i>doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But, I’ve been wading in my
pity pool long enough. Truth is, I worked <i>damn
hard</i> on that manuscript and it deserves another go-around, no matter how draining
and life-sucking querying can be. So yesterday I re-<u>twerked</u> (<i>can we still use the word this way or does
it officially mean ‘to shake one’s buttocks in the air?’)</i> my old query and
began the process of re-composing an agent list. And even though I’m not
looking forward to the ups and downs, I have to admit, sending out that first
query was like re-lighting an old fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On a personal note- the
baby weight is finally off. Thanks, in part, to the fact that Phoebe is nearing
the 20 lb mark at six months old. <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i><b>#worriedmybabyisagiant. </b></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And it took a
while but I’m finally over the disappointment of what-could-have-been if we’d
gone through with the move to Brittany. Life is settling back down into its
usual routine and this weekend I found myself scanning old manuscripts and partials,
looking for inspiration even though I didn’t think I’d find it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But one of the stories I’d
begun before giving birth snagged my attention. I read through the first three
chapters, twerking things here and there (yes, I’m determined to use this word
the way God intended). And before I knew it, I was adding to it, just a little
bit. No more than 250 words or so. But that’s more than I’ve written in a very
long time, so it felt good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now, this isn’t a story
I think I can get published. It’s too been-there-done-that- the kind of urban
fantasy the market is completely saturated with at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But it’s just where I
want to <b><i>be</i></b>, right now. (does that make sense?) And it has me writing. So I figure, why not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Have you ever had a project just for <i>you</i>? Something you’ve never shown
someone and isn’t intended for publication of any kind?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-66653645918432822542013-09-09T06:34:00.001-07:002014-01-06T02:24:22.591-08:00Gotta Keep On Movin'<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, the move is off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My husband changed his
mind. Did a complete °180. I’m officially past the point of wanting to strangle
him in his sleep, but it’s been a rough couple of weeks, to say the least.
Isn’t marriage <i>fun</i>?:)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anyway, on the bright
side (as small and sliver-like as it feels right now)- Now that I don’t have a <i>major move</i> to focus on, and the girls
are all back in school I’ve finally got this rare and priceless little thing we
call <b><i>downtime.
</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now, if I were a liar,
I’d say I <i>can’t wait</i> to get writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But the truth is, just
the thought of writing and querying again reminds me of what a <b>big fat failure</b> I’ve been up until now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No. In order to coax my
muse out of her cave of misery and get out of my own sad-sack skin for a while,
I think the smartest thing to do right now would be to <b><u>read</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The problem is, being
connected to the writing and publishing community can sometimes have its
drawbacks. Like, at the moment, I feel <i>completely</i> inundated when it comes to
choosing which books to buy and read. There are just TOO MANY out there.
Everywhere I look. Facebook newsfeed, flashing in my sidebars, all over the
twitter feed, and don’t even <i>get me
started</i> on trying to research books on Amazon or Goodreads. - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s like those
five-minute commercial breaks on t.v. where all they show is food from
different restaurants. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes, </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">everything</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">
looks good. And other times </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">nothing</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">
does. Getting hit with the perfect image at the perfect time and </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">actually going</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> to that restaurant for a
fried bean burrito only happens occasionally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Buying a book is kind of
like ordering out at a restaurant for me. Except worse. Because I can’t just go
to Amazon and say ‘I’d like something fantastic, addictive and uplifting. You know,
the book equivalent of popcorn-covered chocolate cream puffs. Hit me.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*sigh*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How do you guys go about choosing which books to read?
And any recommendations for me? This girl needs an escape big time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-4896886554240395652013-08-12T05:57:00.001-07:002014-01-06T02:24:38.949-08:00My Time Will Come...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sorry for being MIA this
month of August. Truth be told, as far as writing goes, I simply don’t have
much to report. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I discovered last week
that the agent I did not one, <i>but</i> <i>two </i>R&R’s for on two different
manuscripts has left the agency and maybe even agenting altogether. Some of you
might remember me struggling to finish a very in-depth revision for this agent
before Christmas, which I sent in and patiently awaited feedback for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Feedback that will never
come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Strangly enough, I’m not
as devastated by this new publishing setback as I may have been in the past.
Yes, I did a lot of work on that manuscript. Yes, I would have loved to get her
feedback on the finished product, but what can you do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think now is simply <i>not my time. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are some
major-big-life-changing events going on in Katieland right now. The biggest
being that the creepy family is kicking the dirt of this Parisian suburb off
its heals and heading west to a lovely little town in Brittany, France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This decision has been
awhile in the making and since my maternity leave came to an end in July, I’m
not ready to rejoin the workforce quite yet, and we need to move into a larger
place with four children - we decided to go ahead and find a place we <b>truly loved</b> to make the move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We chose a small town 20
minutes north of Carnac, Brittany. Carnac is a writers <i>dream</i> with lush, green forests, rocky ocean coasts, white sand
beaches, and ancient celtic megaliths. The place is rich in ancient lore and
mystique and reminds me more of my native New England than any other region I’ve
ever visited in France. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The move will take place
in September, so until then I’ve got my work cut out for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In other news: Phoebe is
bordering on six months old and slowly moving out of her extra-limb phase and
into her discovery phase. Basically, she’s got mommy completely figured out and
I’m officially boring. Old news. She’s begun to sit up in an attempt to
discover more interesting subjects. Last night was her first night sleeping in
the girls’ room instead of ours. And we’ve begun some spoon-feeding, which is
always fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So yes, between all of
this and the girls still at home for the interminable summer vacation, I’ve
been out of the writing community loop for…*ahem* awhile, and will probably
remain that way for at least another couple of months, which stinks. Because I
do miss this part of myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But I’m confident that
eventually, <b><i>my time will come</i></b>. My time to write. My time to blog. My time
to finally, FINALLY get an agent and get published. Someday. At some point. I’ll
be there.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Until then, a big thanks
to all of you who have stuck around for my random, sporadic posts. It means a
lot! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Ever feel like you have to put your writing aspirations in a box for a little while, until it's time to take them out again?</b></span></div>
Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691193709206281737.post-5737002939835662982013-07-30T07:42:00.002-07:002014-01-06T02:24:49.099-08:00How I Lost 6 Pounds on Vacation...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, technically I’ve
been back from our vacation for over a full week. But you know that old adage
about needing a vacation to get over your vacation? Yeah, that’s pretty much
where I’m at right now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Pros:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Camping wasn’t nearly as
bad as I thought it might be. The tent was spacious and well-equipped. We had
electricity and were able to rent a camping fridge, have a fan and outlets to
charge cell phones or play music. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0FVi6lDfWeTzFcfysc9L4L3xVGQ4JYxp5_pgbFq7lOYwdT5y9DrBTq6C21uFQPLRHACoasKEHobiOmTcjxghCHqUsIrC1ScVe_clmV8SNJgSp0wRXTWxwR5c4ywJ0iRUp3eQnKffOqU/s1600/camping.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0FVi6lDfWeTzFcfysc9L4L3xVGQ4JYxp5_pgbFq7lOYwdT5y9DrBTq6C21uFQPLRHACoasKEHobiOmTcjxghCHqUsIrC1ScVe_clmV8SNJgSp0wRXTWxwR5c4ywJ0iRUp3eQnKffOqU/s320/camping.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The lavatories were clean and well-functioning
and only 30 seconds away from our tent site. The campground had an awesome
pool, a reasonably-priced snack shack, grocery store and restaurant and it was
only 2 minutes from a fantastic kid-friendly beach!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Cons:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even though it was close
by, I must have walked the equivalent of <i>one-hundred miles</i> to and from the
lavatories. Yes. The kids made it their mission to need to pee at least once every
hour of every day the entire time we were there. Not to mention frequent
showers to remove chlorine or beach sand, and trips dedicated to washing
dishes, of course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Communal bathrooms and
showers also, regretfully, permit you to know intimate details about your camp-mates
hygiene. And it becomes <i>completely normal</i>
for everyone to make some sort of announcement whenever they’re headed to the
toilettes. You know, just in case we
began wondering where they went. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>More Pros:</b> The location
was fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only 10 minutes from the
Port de Cavalaire where we went nearly every night for the best ice cream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49q80qvRet7VYvKOZTUP6os0_bDIddhCYMoDnoF9FpxkjS-KeJjd7I-qv10omzUnQJy1jYlmPWLpKrV5SZcOWpXS7UnRMVOA-H4p9P5z4d1T8ugH1qVsL6FfuDyJlCcRAPbtptcZBb0c/s1600/port.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49q80qvRet7VYvKOZTUP6os0_bDIddhCYMoDnoF9FpxkjS-KeJjd7I-qv10omzUnQJy1jYlmPWLpKrV5SZcOWpXS7UnRMVOA-H4p9P5z4d1T8ugH1qVsL6FfuDyJlCcRAPbtptcZBb0c/s400/port.png" height="132" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And had our Bastille Day activities like the kids’ lantern-march and fireworks.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The campground was only 10 minutes
from the fair grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JF95SGRXH2e3eas1lCOeEQy56xwFCKGB10IDPAvO-jwut1CFgwLti7_AiXtzsckbEgiDNDJqOaJca7Pk2RAD4LRw5jw_6qOii-1AKKQ2R8AVzZB1KcdG-NX44jWjuGbXW0WdxnznTUk/s1600/20130718_225659_LLS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JF95SGRXH2e3eas1lCOeEQy56xwFCKGB10IDPAvO-jwut1CFgwLti7_AiXtzsckbEgiDNDJqOaJca7Pk2RAD4LRw5jw_6qOii-1AKKQ2R8AVzZB1KcdG-NX44jWjuGbXW0WdxnznTUk/s320/20130718_225659_LLS.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">5 minutes from the medeival village of Ramatuelle. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaen9Yxb0qGR2pDi8Vl2XMOCtl3lDzkVbGHEG-UYHOs1QyU0WDYx1KekKZ88R-jH64YmhdUtfkkDLqr_BDuv6jB2Ksloz_TlAdZQVmJK7Wb1kIuux_krwxmP4K2Qt6-vL-wZ5CVcwISw/s1600/DSCN0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaen9Yxb0qGR2pDi8Vl2XMOCtl3lDzkVbGHEG-UYHOs1QyU0WDYx1KekKZ88R-jH64YmhdUtfkkDLqr_BDuv6jB2Ksloz_TlAdZQVmJK7Wb1kIuux_krwxmP4K2Qt6-vL-wZ5CVcwISw/s320/DSCN0995.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And 10 minutes from the
beautiful Mediterranean beach - ‘Gigaro’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YKD7EqyJeWFVXCDR3QzV9UskWX1kz95DCMQRIGtX93tFYLBsTvLhCcmHT8O4aJkvLc73SlVYqlSO0_H3KXSWSqJAtXGMGJlJFw7o87j-bOOFPv8uUdxk90GeGTUAZq_q9zLHTSbVsho/s1600/20130714_104923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YKD7EqyJeWFVXCDR3QzV9UskWX1kz95DCMQRIGtX93tFYLBsTvLhCcmHT8O4aJkvLc73SlVYqlSO0_H3KXSWSqJAtXGMGJlJFw7o87j-bOOFPv8uUdxk90GeGTUAZq_q9zLHTSbVsho/s320/20130714_104923.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And an hour’s drive to ‘Marineland’-
France’s version of Seaworld.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All of this activity,
plus the frequent beach, pool, and bathroom trips kept me active pretty much
non-stop for two weeks. And even if I was bordering on exhaustion as we packed
up to go home, it was totally worth it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Missed you all! How was your month of July? Any news to report? Have any of you ever had a vacation that was less-than-leisurely? </b></span></div>
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Creepy Query Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18115161057496086972noreply@blogger.com18