Lazy Day
Mood:  lazy
I have done absolutely nothing today. Zilch. Nada. Haven't turned my hand to do one blessed thing. I have had no energy, and wanted nothing more than to just chill out.

I do need to make a run to Wal-Mart, however. Of all things, one of the damn cats - I think Basil - peed on the bed last night. I woke up about 5 this morning with my fanny in a big cold wet spot. A little sniff told me exactly what it was. I was furious! The urine soaked through the quilted pad and onto the mattress. I sponged it off with detergent and cool water as best I could, then sprayed several times with Febreeze. I will need to buy one of those vinyl mattress protectors or a waterproof pad in case it happens again.

I need that pet psychic. Which of my two cats did it? And why? I have a feeling it was Bae, marking his territory. I feel like marking his territory, all right. I just hope I can get the odor out of the mattress and that it doens't happen again.

I received my box of books from the Writer's Digest Club in the mail yesterday. I especially like the one about Plot and Structure. Nice.

Got to run.

Gettin' Down to Business
Mood:  energetic
Note that my mood is "Energetic"...I need to clarify that I'm not talking physical energy here!
I am all fired up about my writing and have lots of mental energy going right now. As soon as I get off the 'puter, I'm going to make a schedule and PRIORITIZE my time! I spend sooooo much time being lazy and procrastinating. Then I complain about not having enough time to do things. So I am going to try to change that. First thing I'm going to do is clean the house. Then I'm going to read some stuff for school, spending about an hour on the book on Book Talks. Next, I'm going to write for awhile. I don't know what, just write.

I joined another online writing group today, but I'm not sure I'm going to stay with it. I don't think it's for me. I don't want to mention the name of it, because my journal is public and I don't want to send out negativity about it. Lots and lots of members, who can post biographies, links, and their work. There were many photos of the members. Some were just ordinary looking people, like someone you might see in the produce aisle at the grocery or eating a burger at the next booth in Bob Evans. Then....there were the provocative shots of women with their 44 D's pushed up to their chins and a "come hither" look on their faces, thumbs hooked onto the strap of a thong, all spread out on a K-Mart comforter with a pair of sneakers peeking from under the bed. Some photos such as the one I described were obviously amateurish, others were professionally done. Some of the women seemed to be trying to promote themselves as models, actresses, other types of professionals, and etc. I thought it was a writing site...supposed to be, anyway. Some of the stories and critiques I read were good. I always gain insight from a a good critique of a piece of fiction. My writing is as good as some of the stuff I read - better than some of it, even. I've never understood why people post work that is full of typos, spelling mistakes, and glaring grammatical errors. I don't mean to sound smug - I certainly make my share of mistakes, but I try to edit so that it's as good as I can make it (to my knowledge)before I post for the masses to read. And pick. And pick. And pick to pieces. Some critiques are beneficial, others just make me plain mad.
I enjoy the Listserv group I'm in. It's great. I am impressed with Paul Pekin. I feel as if I know him. He's the perfect moderator - providing both encouragement and criticism in a positive, helpful way. And he's a great writer himself.

I went to the Lake Wales group with the gang on Saturday, and it was great. I read my short untitled story about Jake and Chris, and Jill said it was "fabulous." She asked me to email it over so she could do a paper edit, and I did. I haven't hear from her. I hope to submit it to Woman's World.

Also received Pump Up Your Prose in the mail, and it's great. Has inspired me as well.

I'm going to "lift that barge and tote that bale" for awhile, the "barge" being my trusty Dirt Devil vacuum and the "bale" about 4 loads of laundry and a sinkful of dirty dishes. Yeah!

I feel elated! I'm writing, I like what I've written, and I'm going to be published! (Someday)
I said no more negative thoughts and comments in my blog about my writing, and I'm sticking to it!

Mood:  chillin'
Went to MWS tonight, and as usual, came away inspired. Dianna, Evelyn, and Keyno shared their writings on Stress - all different, and all well-done.

Sunday I got a rejection letter from Express turning down Heliotrope Dreams. It was a form letter, but one of the nicest I've ever received. Several paragraphs long. Although I wanted to hear from them either way, it stung. Ouch.

The letter was delivered to my Junk Mail folder. With a High rating.

Oh well.

Ten Things About Me (You may not know, You may not give a damn, but I'll tell you anyhow.)
Mood:  lyrical
Here's ten (unknown) things about me:

1. I like strappy, sexy stilletto's. (I don't wear them and never have - can't because of my bad feet.)

2. I would like to live in a little English cottage with a garden and a courtyard. (And a cat 0n the windowsill, of course.)

3. I am fascinated by lighthouses. I do not read about them, know much about them, collect memorablia, etc.

4. I would like to become a gourmet cook and give fabulous dinner parties.

5. I would like to visit a gyspy fortune teller and have my palm read. And a Tarot card reading.

6. I would like to be able to sing well, to perform (beautifully) in front of an audience.

7. I like tiny little things. Minature figurines, itty bitty boxes, etc.

8. I would like to have a little cottage by the sea, and a rustic cabin in the mountains. With those residences and my little English cottage, I would go where I wanted.

9. I would like to speak French.

10. I would like to play classical and Spanish guitar.

Writing Resolutions
Mood:  lucky
It's been a great day! I did some thrift store shopping, which yielded a red striped Talbot's blouse for 5 dollars and a porcelain soap dish with flowers and a little grey cat in the center. Made in England. Three bucks. I think even if I were a millionaire, I'd still go thrift store shopping. It's addictive, looking for and finding those bargains.

I mailed out the revised mss of The Tryst to Barbara today along with another short story. It's a Christian piece, and I think it's promising, but it has a serious credibility issue. Jan, the main character, prepares some gift bags to donate to women who might not otherwise receive a present for Mothers Day. She loses a valuable ring, and guess where it turns up? Pretty predictable, right? The credibility part is that Jan doesn't think to check the gift bags for the lost jewelry. It doesn't occur to her, which may be strange to some who would backtrack and cover every inch of territory they'd traveled, plus everything they had touched. I have an idea for reworking it, and I'll see what Barbara has to say about the story.

Still haven't heard from Espresso Fiction about Heliotrope Dreams. I'm getting ready to email the editor and hope for the best.

Here are my writing goals for the year. I made them easy so I won't be discouraged if I fall by the wayside. I will:


(1) Read more books of all types. I will concentrate on the writer's voice and the style in which he/she writes.

(2) Read more wriitng books and articles, online and in print.

(3) Have a short story in progress at all times.

(4) Have at least one story or article submitted and circulating at all times.

(5) Correspond and network with other writers.

(6) Write for a total of 3 hours per week.

(7) Get some business cards made up. Some handsome ones, with my name and "Writer."

(8) (Running out of ideas here) Practice specific writing skills, such as POV and character development.

(9) Stop writing negative things about my writing in my blog. I do that all the time!

(10) Think positive! I am a writer. I will be published!

I found the blog of a writer online, and I wrote her a brief message. Just to say hello, and to wish her well in her writing. She and I have a lot in common: teachers, love cats, love to write, deal with weight issues, etc. Her name is Cynthia Harrison, and she has a nice blog. I enjoyed her entries. See, I've already made a step in the right direction toward my goals. I've corresponded with a fellow writer!

Okey, Dokey. No negative remarks tonight. It's all good.

Mood:  chatty
Now Playing: Patterings and Ponderings and Postings
It's hard to believe I have not entered my journal since November!!! Thanksgiving has come and gone, Christmas is past, and I have virtually forgotten about my online journal. I like to go back and view past entries; it keeps me somewhat apprised of what has happened.

School is hectic - I am working diligently to prepare the kids for FCAT. I'm sweating it...I sure hope they perform well and raise those reading levels from last year.

I have set no goals for the New Year, although I am pleased with the progress I have made with my writing journey. I have not yet had anything published for pay, but I am proactive and involved.
I attend three writing groups: Musing WordSmiths, Mid-Florida Scribes, and Florida Writers Association. Of these groups, I have attended Musing WordSmiths for the longest period of time. It's a great group. Then there's the little luncheon get-togethers with my writing buddies, whom I treasure.
They have all been great friends and are supportive and encouraging as fellow writers. And I have recently become a member of an online writing group, which is very beneficial. Perhaps the best thing I have done for my writing endeavor, and the most productive, is my working with my editor/coach/mentor, Barbara. She has given me confidence, and I have learned so much from her since we began working together the end of last summer. I believe I am growing as a writer, and it's a good feeling. I just don't seem to devote enough time to it.

Just read a book by Carolyn See, and I can't remember the name of it. Something about the Literary Life. Parts of it were funny and inspirational. Carolyn See says that the writer must write 1,000 words a day, everyday. I sure can't do it. She also says that the aspiring writer should send a hand-written note (on personalized, high-quality stationary) to a published writer, editor, publisher, etc. every day for life!!!! Sorry, Carolyn See, but I don't know that many people. And I don't have the money to spend on postage...

I guess the main thing is for each person to do what he or she can as an individual, not necessarily patterning their pursuits after those of someone else, then feeling less than worthy if they fall short.

I am going to try to write in my blog more often. I said, TRY. When I first started this blog, I wrote in it every day. Then the entries got further and further apart. Just look - I'm not even averaging once a month now.

Will try harder.

New Entry
Mood:  a-ok
Has it really been since October that I have written in my blog? Good Heavens! I had planned to write in an entry every week...
I am out of school for a week! Yay! I brought home a carload of papers to grade, but I will deal with that later. (Maybe!)

I seem to have stalled in my writing again. Just can't seem to make it flow. I am working on a short story that started out good and then just sort of laid down on me, like a tired dog.

I have two stories in circulation right now - Heliotrope and Tea for Two. Spent some time today searching markets. It's discouraging. Most of them seem too "literary" for my style of writing.

I notice that my blog has had 17 views this month. Still wish someone would let me know they've visited - especially another writer.

It's midnight, and I'm sleepy. Bye for now.

Mellow
Mood:  lazy
Seems as if my blog entries are fewer and fewer and farther apart - I was so faithful when I started...
I took Basil to the vet today with a UTI. Poor thing, he was so traumatized when I picked him up. He was dripping wet with urine, his fur was all fluffed up, and he huddled at the far corner of his carrier. Once I got him home, he seemed fine and began to purr as soon as I got him out of the carrier. Prunella has been so mean to him - there's something about the smells that linger when they return from the vet. The other cats don't like it - at all. I am concerned that Basil has a UTI at such a young age, only 6 months old. I am hoping that this is notindicative of a more serious problem.

Tom Corcoran was the special guest speaker at Musing Wordsmiths tonight. He is a successful writer from Lakeland - an interesting man and I think, an inspiration to us all. He sold all his books that he had brought with him before I could purchase mine, but he says he's coming back and will bring more.

I sent Barbara the Heliotrope Dreams story. It has some good parts, but the beginning "drags" and doesn't hook the reader. I have a problem with the beginning - usually I can move it along once it gets started, but putting something interesting down that is going to keep the reader interested is a problem for me.

My article was published Oct. 1 in The Writer Within newsletter! I am pleased, of course!

Sweet Kitty
Mood:  happy
My little nameless kitty is adorable! I have been calling him Basil, but it doesn't sound just right. Basil's coloring reminds me of an ice cream cone. The pads of his feet, his nose, lips, and the insides of his ears are pink. His fur is creamy colored, and his stripes, pale cinnamony - orange. His eyes are a lovely golden topaz. He is such a good natured little thing. I keep him locked up in the guest room while I am at work, then he comes out at night until bedtime. Prunella is still hissing at him. She seems to be jealous...

I am still tweaking th Nick story. It is sounding good, if I do say so myself. I can't wait to hear what Barbara will have to say. I think she will be pleased. Musing Wordsmiths is meeting at ArtWerks on Tuesday night. I hope I make it on time. I have to pick up Sam from day care and take him home.
I am so very glad that tomorrow is Friday! I had an absolutely awful day.

Odds and Ends
Mood:  lazy
Since I haven't written in my blog lately, I will dash off a few lines. My kitty is still sweet and loving, and he seems to have attached himself to me. However,, he is getting frisky!
I am full of puncture wounds from his sharp little claws, and I look like a road map when I undress at night! Today, he sprange from the floor and attached himself like velcro to my side - Ouch!! I swatted him and yelled, and he got scared and nailed me in the finger as he tried to run away. I think I will get a little squirt bottle and spritz him when he misbehaves. He is a sweetie, though. Prunella still hisses at him. I still have not decided on a name. Sometimes I call him Basil, and I have also thought of Purvis, because he purrs so much. I also considered Foster and Geoffrey.
What a dilemma. Any readers out there who could help me name a kitten? He is cream colored, with pastel orange tabby stripes and markings. He has topaz eyes. I also thought of calling him Knick Knack.

I finished my Nick story, but believe it or not, I am still tweaking it here and there. Every time I read it, I find some little something that needs a bit of editing. And that is why I won't be wring a book ...I would never get it finished. I am anxious to hear Barbara's feedback on this version. I am pleased with it. Well, it is almost eleven, and I have not yet eaten supper. My weekends are crazy...I had a big lunch and am only now getting hungry.

I went to the Lake Wales writer's group today. I am always inspired by other writers, their work, and their views on writing in general. I just know I will be published one day! I can feel it!