Hannah & Stuff

It's the end of August. That's so hard to believe. The days just fly by. I'm still in No. Calif. and am more than ready to head back to Havasu. I miss having the time to devote to my writing. Being with the kids/grandkids is too wonderful to let slide, so I focus on them when I'm here. But, between Hannah and some other on-line publications, I need to focus on my writing. Mike's Flash Tales ezine is due out Sept. 1st and I'm excited to check out my 'Pencil Collection' and to see all the stories in his new publication. Sure hope it goes well. Sandra Seaman sent me an email today and she has a piece accepted by Mike, too. I watched the movie 'Rent'last night. Very sad, but a good watch. I would never buy it, but it was an excellent study on life in NY for struggling artists. Went to see 'A Step Above' the other day. Very sweet movie and the dancing was spectacular. I sent out three subs to my various writing groups and have been getting some great crits back. It's funny, but you can read, read, read you own stuff and still miss things. The writing groups are so helpful in learning and sharping one's editorial skills. Only four more days until we head back to Lake Havasu city. Yeah!!!

Off to the Redwoods

Gosh time slips away much too fast. Today is my birthday and I'm here in Calif. celebrating it with my kids and grandkids. They're taking me to my favorite New Mexico cuisine restaurant. We drove up here to Pleasanton last Saturday and have been busy ever since. Not getting too much writing done. Oh, I did get some good news. Mike Kechula from my FlashXer writing group is starting his own ezine. He requested my story, 'The Pencil Collection' for his inaugural issue. That was so unexpected and it's a paying ezine. So, I was doubly flattered. To counter that success, I received a rejection from another ezine. They said they like my writing, but it didn't fit their needs. Ah, the old seesaw of the writing world. Because I'll be away from the computer for the next couple of days camping in the redwoods above San Francisco, I'd better sign off for now and finish another chapter of 'Hannah' before I leave. So, so long pardner!

Bear Day

Just got home from working on our Telephone Pioneer 'hug-a-bears'. I'm not much help, but I do stuff the little fellows with filling. Then, their ribbons are added, final stitches are made to close them up and voila, they are ready to be sent over to the local hospital emergency room to be give to children in trauma. Always feels good to do this. Decided to use my latest prompt about a hug from my FlashXer on-line group to close out a story I wrote to a prompt given a week ago about a romp. Part 2 turned out well and left the reader with a happy ending. Getting good crits back. Even from some men. Funny, these characters would not let me go. I kept thinking of them and it seemed they wanted closure. I love it when that happens. Will leave for a few minutes for lunch with a friend. I sure hate leaving her to go Calif. next week. She's pretty much made herself into a shut-in and I can't get through to her that she'd feel better if she stayed active. Is there a mental switch that kicks in at a certain age that says, 'I'm old. I'll just sit here, take my medicine and wait for the grim reaper to arrive.'? I hope not. Then this afternoon, it's back to writing. I'd like to finish chap. 34 of 'Hannah'. I've killed off the bad guy, so now I need to think of another mess to get Hannah and Liam involved in. Hear that, Muse? Muse? Muse? Ah,... where are you?

Friends

Just got home from my Telephone Pioneers luncheon. The camaraderie amonst those folks is one of life's pleasures for sure. Trouble is, we're not getting any younger and we've not had new members for some time. Hopefully, this fall, the arrival of the snow birds will fill some ranks. Getting lots of helpful crits on my last few submissions to my on-line writer groups. It's always interesting to see who gets your message/plot manipulation and who doesn't. The varied styles and interests of the groups make for invaluable feedback. Today's prompt from FlashXer deals with hugs. I think I'll expand on my previous story 'Lapse in judgment'. Anyway, the rest of the day is mine. Oh, went to see the new movie 'World Trade Center' yesterday afternoon. It was difficult to watch some scenes as they were actual footage of the horror of that day. But, overall it was a movie about human kindness, family relationships and the will to live. I think the actor who portrayed Will deserves an Oscar nod. Also, I was surprised at Oliver Stone's ability to just tell a story without nudging his audience with his agendas. Okay, time to write. Take care.

Monday, Monday ...

When I still did the 9 to 5 thing, I hated Mondays. Now, I look at them as a new beginning. Speaking of new beginnins, I sent out Chapter 33 to my editor, June, yesterday. Then, it came to me that I had focused so much on plot manipulation, that I forgot to address two important character details. Hurried up and upgraded the chapter and resent it. Hope June gets the upgrade before she edits the first one. Yikes! Talked with my daughter and granddaughter yesterday. I just love to do that, because I miss seeing them so much. Now, about my son! I miss talking with and visiting with him, too. I guess when you single parent it, it's hard to let go. I always think of those years in the words of my favorite songs of the day. Helen Reddy's, 'You and me against the world.' and the old favorite, 'Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money, ... side by side.' Got to run now. It's off to water aerobics, walk the dog, enjoy the sound of the cleaning ladies (I have them in once a month - it's so worth it!), then off to a Republican Women's luncheon and finally home for some writing. You have a great day!

Thoughts on Writing and Stuff

Wonderful day of writing yesterday. Got Liam to find the baby in my 'Hannah' story. Today I'm going to work on getting Hannah out of the mess she's in. Also, watched the movie cocoon. Lots of holes in the plot, but it was a movie to make you dream. I was asked if I'd go with the aliens to outerspace and leave my family and friends behind. And my answer was yes. I love living and the thought of living for centuries while traveling the universe is too much to resist. I thought the conflict showing the emotions of one of the couples who were torn about leaving their grandson, but went anyway, pretty much expressed my feeling. Now, on to today. First, it's read the Sunday papers and walk the dog, then lunch with an ailing friend, maybe a stop to check out the big sale at Penny's and then maybe a trip across the river tonight for a couple of hours of keno. No matter how it turns out, it looks like a lovely day. Hope yours is too.

Thoughts on Writing and Stuff

Nothing to do today! Yeah! A writing day! By the way, JOan, I got your comment and why do you need to start another blog? Oh, I subbed another story. I sent it to Whim's Place (www.whimsplace.com ). They have a $5 entry fee, but they pay wins all the way to 8th place. An online writer associate won last quarter. Check it out. My FlashXer writer's prompt for yesterday was 'trash'. I wrote a story about an undercover terrorist. Crits have been interesting and most helpful in fixing some holes in the piece. Need to do some more work on 'Hannah' today and probably will. Want to go see the new 9/11 movie and probably will this weekend. Ahhh, the muse calls ...

thoughtsonwritingandstuff

Had a great meeting with Lois and JOan last night. It's our monthly crit night at Denny's. Lois' story of a rekindled old love was a delight. JOan's saga of April is well written, but it nearly breaks your heart. Got another lead today to send a sub. It's 'Flash Me' ezine. Jeanne Eddy, LHCWG member, is an editor there and she sent the info. to me. Got some good prompts today from my on-line writing groups so I hope the creative juices get a nudge from the muses. Wait, I think I hear one now! Gotta run,

thoughtsonwritingandstuff

thoughtsonwritingandstuff
Great day for me. Lots of writing accomplished and even submitted a story to A Cruel World Ezine. A friend who had crit the story suggested it, so all they can do is reject it. God know I know how that feels! Now it's onto the mundane things like answering phone calls, paying bills, making supper ..... But, this am was glorious as I spent time with my characters!

And so I've begun.