Just the other day, I posted about the number of fires in the State of Alabama, how we have lost over 22,000 acres to fire just since the first of October. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is also on fire. They are actively evacuating it as we speak because the fires are entering the city. People are literally losing everything they have. And there's no way to stop it.
I've seen photos and video from those who are there, trying to escape it. It's bad, very very bad. I've been through those mountains, and really there are places where the fire will just whip itself into nothing short of an inferno because of the contour of the land. There will be no escaping it. I pray everyone makes it out safely. There is a storm system moving in from the west, but with the winds it has in front of it, it might do a LOT more damage before it does any good.
For now, just pray for those in harms way. Once we get to where we start picking up the pieces, we need to pull together as a country, as a species, and prove that we are one.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Sunday, November 27, 2016
The Merits of being Idle
Every once in a while, you have to take a day off. Relax. Chill. Be lazy. Basically, recharge.
I've been going 9 to 90 this past month, working at pounding out one of the sequels to Family Fortune. I'm getting close to finishing the first draft and I have to say, it's shaping up quite nicely. There's a bit more action than in Family Fortune, but that's a good thing, right? I'm hoping I can finish it off by the end of the month so I can do the second draft of it and get it to where it's presentable to the publisher by the middle of next month. But you know what Dickens said about the best laid plans of mice and men.
Being off today really did help. I got to spend time with my family - most of whom I hadn't seen in a while. I got to do my nails. Which sorely needed it. Even got my laundry hung up and put away. Amazing the things you can do when you aren't agonizing over plot lines and plot twists and how you are going to bridge from this scene to the next one. Okay, okay, I confess, I did a little work on the book today, but I swear it wasn't much. Just ironing out a kink in the grand scheme of things and having one character confess a change of heart to everyone and then dealing with the fallout from that. Yea, I love writing. It's an addiction with me. But it's better than a lot of other addictions I can think of.
So, happy Sunday everyone! I hope you enjoyed the day off as much as I did.
I've been going 9 to 90 this past month, working at pounding out one of the sequels to Family Fortune. I'm getting close to finishing the first draft and I have to say, it's shaping up quite nicely. There's a bit more action than in Family Fortune, but that's a good thing, right? I'm hoping I can finish it off by the end of the month so I can do the second draft of it and get it to where it's presentable to the publisher by the middle of next month. But you know what Dickens said about the best laid plans of mice and men.
Being off today really did help. I got to spend time with my family - most of whom I hadn't seen in a while. I got to do my nails. Which sorely needed it. Even got my laundry hung up and put away. Amazing the things you can do when you aren't agonizing over plot lines and plot twists and how you are going to bridge from this scene to the next one. Okay, okay, I confess, I did a little work on the book today, but I swear it wasn't much. Just ironing out a kink in the grand scheme of things and having one character confess a change of heart to everyone and then dealing with the fallout from that. Yea, I love writing. It's an addiction with me. But it's better than a lot of other addictions I can think of.
So, happy Sunday everyone! I hope you enjoyed the day off as much as I did.
Word of the day
It's so much fun being a wordsmith! I get to invent words, like siblingly. Which is to do something in a sibling way. I've found a way to use it in the sequel for my first book, Family Fortune. It's a neat word. I encourage you to use it as well. :)
OMGosh, I also just found out that Family Fortune is on the best seller list for clean, wholesome romance. Like, in the top 20! This is fantastic! Thank you all so much. I know I'm gushing, but hey, I think I'm allowed to a little.
Sorry I missed posting yesterday. My family is a little off beat, we do Thanksgiving on the Saturday after the actual holiday to give out of town family a chance to make it to the house for the holiday. Works out better really. More relaxed, less pressure, and bonus, most of the food you need for it, is discounted REALLY low. Yes, I'm cheap lol.
I'm closing in on the end of the sequel for Family Fortune. I think those of you who enjoyed the first book will love this one. Toying with the idea of doing a contest about it, but I'll have to think of what all I could do to make it fun and interesting and of course, what the prize would be. I should have it to the publisher for approval by the middle of next month. In the mean time, happy reading, and if you like the book, recommend it to your friends. Good sales will work in our favor to get the second book (and third and fourth and fifth) published as well!
Thank you for all your support!
OMGosh, I also just found out that Family Fortune is on the best seller list for clean, wholesome romance. Like, in the top 20! This is fantastic! Thank you all so much. I know I'm gushing, but hey, I think I'm allowed to a little.
Sorry I missed posting yesterday. My family is a little off beat, we do Thanksgiving on the Saturday after the actual holiday to give out of town family a chance to make it to the house for the holiday. Works out better really. More relaxed, less pressure, and bonus, most of the food you need for it, is discounted REALLY low. Yes, I'm cheap lol.
I'm closing in on the end of the sequel for Family Fortune. I think those of you who enjoyed the first book will love this one. Toying with the idea of doing a contest about it, but I'll have to think of what all I could do to make it fun and interesting and of course, what the prize would be. I should have it to the publisher for approval by the middle of next month. In the mean time, happy reading, and if you like the book, recommend it to your friends. Good sales will work in our favor to get the second book (and third and fourth and fifth) published as well!
Thank you for all your support!
Friday, November 25, 2016
Things I've Learned from NaNoWriMo
As some of you know, I"ve been doing the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November. It's an eye opening and learning experience that I wish I had done sooner. But I'm walking away with some valuable lessons learned and tips towards writing. I'll share some with you.
1. It is possible to write over 7,000 words in a day.
2. I don't have to apologize for geting that many words in one day.
3. I do better in shorter sprints than I do in longer ones (a sprint is a timed writing session).
4. I am NOT a pantser (someone who flies by the seat of their pants when writing).
5. A good outline is worth my weight in gold. Which is a lot lol
6. My outline keeps me on track.
That being said, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, for those of us that observe that holiday. Back to work for me on the sequel to Family Fortune!
Just for you, something special on Family Fortune, which hit All Romance ebook's best seller list for clean and wholesome romance and is on sale for half price for the rest of this month!
1. It is possible to write over 7,000 words in a day.
2. I don't have to apologize for geting that many words in one day.
3. I do better in shorter sprints than I do in longer ones (a sprint is a timed writing session).
4. I am NOT a pantser (someone who flies by the seat of their pants when writing).
5. A good outline is worth my weight in gold. Which is a lot lol
6. My outline keeps me on track.
That being said, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, for those of us that observe that holiday. Back to work for me on the sequel to Family Fortune!
Just for you, something special on Family Fortune, which hit All Romance ebook's best seller list for clean and wholesome romance and is on sale for half price for the rest of this month!
☆☆☆ "TERRIFIC" & "FUNNY" ☆☆☆
FAMILY FORTUNE is #LIVE and only #halfprice. Limited time only!
#HistoricalRomance #FF_Tour #KathleenEyke
All links: http://books2read.com/familyfo
Tour Organizer: https://www.facebook.com/hottr
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
My Dog Thinks I'm Dumb
She also thinks she has me trained. I'll be honest enough to admit that she probably does. But she seems to think she's slick. She likes to wait til it's dark, pretend she needs to go out and then do NOTHING and expects a treat when she comes in.
I'm on to her.
I can see better in the dark than she thinks I can. I will stand at the back door and wait for her because it's hard for me to go up and down the steps, so I usually don't bother to go down the steps with her so she can go potty. Just open the door to the porch, let her out to do her business and call her back in. She will, at night only mind you, go out, scoot down to the bottom of the steps and stand there. She doesn't realize that her light coat sorta glows in the dark, and it's easy to spot her just standing there. I'll usually call her back in by calling out "You want a cookie?" and she will come zipping back in. Now during the day, when she actually does something, she will get a doggie treat for being a good girl and going potty. Unless I can tell she did something at night, no treat.
She'll learn eventually, lol.
I'm on to her.
I can see better in the dark than she thinks I can. I will stand at the back door and wait for her because it's hard for me to go up and down the steps, so I usually don't bother to go down the steps with her so she can go potty. Just open the door to the porch, let her out to do her business and call her back in. She will, at night only mind you, go out, scoot down to the bottom of the steps and stand there. She doesn't realize that her light coat sorta glows in the dark, and it's easy to spot her just standing there. I'll usually call her back in by calling out "You want a cookie?" and she will come zipping back in. Now during the day, when she actually does something, she will get a doggie treat for being a good girl and going potty. Unless I can tell she did something at night, no treat.
She'll learn eventually, lol.
Monday, November 21, 2016
My New Families
I know it sounds weird, but I have two new families that are very much a large part of my life. I have my family I work with, which consists of my publisher, editor, proof reader, and the other writers at my publishing company (AWESOME bunch of people, lemme tell ya!) and my family I work on, which is the group of people that inhabit my mind that I write about.
Everyone asks where inspiration comes from. It's hard to say for everyone. Mine started with a girl named Emma, who wanted to be a teacher so bad she could taste it. You read about her in the first book in my #southernfamilytiesbooks series. Then there's her cousin, who started out in Emma's book as a supporting character, but soon demanded her own book to tell her story of finding happiness. Along the way, other supporting characters from Emma's book have also begun to demand their own books to tell their stories.
Other story lines (yet to be fully developed and written) come from odd snippets of conversations, things you see, things you hear, situations you find yourself in, videos you see online, you know, life. Art imitates life, someone once said, and for me, I'm lucky because my art has become my life and my family.
It does still worry me some that the supporting characters who turn into main characters are expressing concern over my love life, or lack thereof lol.
Everyone asks where inspiration comes from. It's hard to say for everyone. Mine started with a girl named Emma, who wanted to be a teacher so bad she could taste it. You read about her in the first book in my #southernfamilytiesbooks series. Then there's her cousin, who started out in Emma's book as a supporting character, but soon demanded her own book to tell her story of finding happiness. Along the way, other supporting characters from Emma's book have also begun to demand their own books to tell their stories.
Other story lines (yet to be fully developed and written) come from odd snippets of conversations, things you see, things you hear, situations you find yourself in, videos you see online, you know, life. Art imitates life, someone once said, and for me, I'm lucky because my art has become my life and my family.
It does still worry me some that the supporting characters who turn into main characters are expressing concern over my love life, or lack thereof lol.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
I wish it would rain now
Yes, I have the song stuck in my head, but there is a good reason for it. Alabama has been in a short term drought for the last two months or so. Pretty much since my birthday. According to www.alabamawx.com, most of the state is in a serious short term drought, with about 1/3 of the state in an exceptional drought as defined by the US Drought Monitor. (You can visit that website for pretty pictures.)
What scares me is that since October 1, there have been over 1800 wildfires which have destroyed over 22,000 acres of land in Alabama. There is a no burn ban in effect, and for good reason. The whole state is pretty much a tinderbox right now. The last recorded rainfall in Birmingham (one of our major cities for those not familiar with Alabama) was 0.01 inches the other morning. Yay, because it rained, indicating that hopefully we have a chance for more rain soon. Boo because it wasn't even enough to make a drop in the bucket.
Yea, I wish it would rain now, down on me. Oh you know I wish rain, rain down on me now... Kinda my theme song right now! Pray for us that we get some much needed rain here soon.
#southernfamilytiesbooks #thealabamawordsmith
What scares me is that since October 1, there have been over 1800 wildfires which have destroyed over 22,000 acres of land in Alabama. There is a no burn ban in effect, and for good reason. The whole state is pretty much a tinderbox right now. The last recorded rainfall in Birmingham (one of our major cities for those not familiar with Alabama) was 0.01 inches the other morning. Yay, because it rained, indicating that hopefully we have a chance for more rain soon. Boo because it wasn't even enough to make a drop in the bucket.
Yea, I wish it would rain now, down on me. Oh you know I wish rain, rain down on me now... Kinda my theme song right now! Pray for us that we get some much needed rain here soon.
#southernfamilytiesbooks #thealabamawordsmith
Friday, November 18, 2016
My Favorite Season
Fall has FINALLY arrived here in the south! I love the cooler weather (80 degrees instead of 100+), the colors, the football, the general winding down of the year. Doesn't hurt that certain things that are unmentionable are now over with (if people will quit whining about it that is).
I love breaking out my blankets and having bonfires, toasting marshmallows and making s'mores. There's really nothing like it. Despite what some people may think, nothing can take the place of a real s'more. Granted this time of year brings some chores that are sad, like closing the pool, and some chores that are a pain, like raking the leaves, but all in all, it's a great time of year.
Fall is my favorite season. It is when all the festivals and carnivals and fairs happen. Weekends are spent wandering the long rows of crafts fairs or taking rides on Ferris wheels while eating cotton candy. I love taking rides through the country roads and looking at the foliage changing, like Mother Nature pulling out all the stops and dazzling us before taking a nap before Spring.
I love breaking out my blankets and having bonfires, toasting marshmallows and making s'mores. There's really nothing like it. Despite what some people may think, nothing can take the place of a real s'more. Granted this time of year brings some chores that are sad, like closing the pool, and some chores that are a pain, like raking the leaves, but all in all, it's a great time of year.
Fall is my favorite season. It is when all the festivals and carnivals and fairs happen. Weekends are spent wandering the long rows of crafts fairs or taking rides on Ferris wheels while eating cotton candy. I love taking rides through the country roads and looking at the foliage changing, like Mother Nature pulling out all the stops and dazzling us before taking a nap before Spring.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
My Escape
The comment I get most often is that I always seem to be working. 2 am, 4 pm, 10 am, doesn't matter, it seems that no matter what time people contact me, I'm "always" working. Here's the thing. Most of you have regular jobs where you punch a time clock and once you put in your eight, you are free to leave. Writing isn't like that. You get hit by inspiration in the strangest places: on the subway, on the drive to work, in the drive through picking up lunch, while in the shower, in the middle of a tv show. For most of us, if we don't go write it down right then, we will lose that thought that seems so genius at the time. It's not that I'm always working, I am a slave to my passion. It controls me more than your 9 to 5 Monday to Friday job will ever control you and determine your life.
Writing isn't a job. You can't really fit it into a neat little cubicle and say ok, stay here. It's not neat. It's not orderly. It's not something you can really walk away from or compartmentalize. It's messy, it takes over your life, your love, your mind, your everything. And if it doesn't, I'm not sure that it's really for you. I talk to my characters all the time. They in turn talk to me. I write down what they say, then go over it and make sure it makes sense. In a sense, I'm the first line editor, not the writer. They are telling me their story, I just write it down and make sure it makes sense.
But I can't really say that it's not a labor of love. I really do LOVE what I do. It's my release, my therapy, my escape. As much as reading can be an escape for people who love to read, writing is an escape for a writer. I don't really know that anyone who isn't a write can ever understand that. But it's true. My writing and sharing it with you is my way of inviting you to join me in my escape. And I welcome you with open arms.
Writing isn't a job. You can't really fit it into a neat little cubicle and say ok, stay here. It's not neat. It's not orderly. It's not something you can really walk away from or compartmentalize. It's messy, it takes over your life, your love, your mind, your everything. And if it doesn't, I'm not sure that it's really for you. I talk to my characters all the time. They in turn talk to me. I write down what they say, then go over it and make sure it makes sense. In a sense, I'm the first line editor, not the writer. They are telling me their story, I just write it down and make sure it makes sense.
But I can't really say that it's not a labor of love. I really do LOVE what I do. It's my release, my therapy, my escape. As much as reading can be an escape for people who love to read, writing is an escape for a writer. I don't really know that anyone who isn't a write can ever understand that. But it's true. My writing and sharing it with you is my way of inviting you to join me in my escape. And I welcome you with open arms.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
NOW LIVE
Ok, somehow this one didn't come out yesterday like it was scheduled! Bad blog scheduling faries!
☆☆☆ "CLEVER, WITTY, & FUN" ☆☆☆
FAMILY FORTUNE is #LIVE and only #99cents. Limited time only!
#HistoricalRomance #FF_Release #KathleenEyke
All links: http://books2read.com/familyfortune
#Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed198/
FAMILY FORTUNE is #LIVE and only #99cents. Limited time only!
#HistoricalRomance #FF_Release #KathleenEyke
All links: http://books2read.com/familyfortune
#Giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed198/
It's not easy being a wordsmith
It's really not easy being a wordsmith. I mean, how far can you take the term? Can you make new words if the one you need doesn't exist? Like today, I need a word to describe a person who is suave, urbane, but there is something about the person that makes your intuition scream "RUN! DANGER!" I can't seem to find the word.
Anyway, I'll keep searching. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments. I'd appreciate the help. It's not easy being a wordsmith lol.
Anyway, I'll keep searching. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments. I'd appreciate the help. It's not easy being a wordsmith lol.
Monday, November 14, 2016
One more day!
Family Fortune kicks off the Southern Family Ties series. Emma is receiving her inheritance from her maternal grandfather as she comes of age, but her father has other plans. He's run up considerable debts, and figures he can use her money to settle them. Join us to see if she can escape him, and how.
I'm so happy and excited to have you with me on this adventure. I'm hard at work on the sequels for Family Fortune.The first should be ready to go to the publisher by the end of this month or the middle of next month at the latest. I should have the third book ready for the publisher by the middle of January at the latest. So things are moving right along in that arena. My dog is eager to have me finish them too. She's sitting up and begging for them lolIsn't she cute? She's been my writing buddy for some time now and is very discriminating when it comes to what she likes to read. Check out yesterday's blog and follow the links to be able to order it for 99 cents. The special offer ends at midnight, so head on over and reserve your copy today!
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Two Days Left
All links: books2read.com/familyfortune
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fYLQ2w
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M4NAH3R
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1168813613
Nook: www.bn.com/w/1124998235
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/family-fortune-3
ARe: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-familyfortune-2170869-368.…
#southernfamilytiesbooks
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Hitting your stride
Ok, two parts to today's blog. First, I'm really hitting my stride on the sequel to Family Fortune, called Family Lessons. I think you are really going to like it, it has highs, lows, quirks, and OMG it's fun and sexy!! Emma may have been prim and proper, but her brother certainly is NOT!
I've been working on it as my NaNo project (national novel writing month or NaNoWriMo). Started it on November 1st with just an outline and some of the characters down. I'm at over 47,000 words so far. I tell you, if you want to write, do NaNo. It teaches you so many things to help you get the words down so that you have something to work with.
There are apparently three types of writers. Pantster - who fly by the seat of their pants. Planners - who have all the research done, the outline mapped out, characters detailed. And plantsters - who are a mix of the first two. As far as NaNo go, I'm a plantser. I have to have an outline before I can write. If I don't my story runs off in ever direction and my POV is all over the place. I'm learning how to control both those things though, much to the relief of my editor and publisher (you're welcome Peggy and Becky!). I love what I do!
On to the second part! THREE DAYS LEFT TIL Family Fortune is LIVE! OMG I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! I love everyone that has been along with me for the journey, Ms. Sandy, my first reader who encouraged me to keep writing, even through all my life upsets. You are my first line cheerleader and I love you so much. Thank you. I can't tell you how much your support has meant to me though all this.
Anyway, Like I said, THREE DAYS TIL WE ARE LIVE!
New tours and blitzes (ARCs available)
Family Fortune by Kathleen Eyke: https://goo.gl/forms/6J9lX06c5WkaUG1P2
TBR: www.goodreads.com/book/show/31374983
Defying the restrictions of society, Emma Johnston plans to become a teacher and help broaden the lives of young women. Society, her father, and even her own heart betray her and leave her longing for a different life entirely.
After having run up considerable debt, Emma’s father needs her inheritance from her maternal grandfather and he has a plan that seems guaranteed to get it for him, until Roger Starnes steps in and rescues her.
I've been working on it as my NaNo project (national novel writing month or NaNoWriMo). Started it on November 1st with just an outline and some of the characters down. I'm at over 47,000 words so far. I tell you, if you want to write, do NaNo. It teaches you so many things to help you get the words down so that you have something to work with.
There are apparently three types of writers. Pantster - who fly by the seat of their pants. Planners - who have all the research done, the outline mapped out, characters detailed. And plantsters - who are a mix of the first two. As far as NaNo go, I'm a plantser. I have to have an outline before I can write. If I don't my story runs off in ever direction and my POV is all over the place. I'm learning how to control both those things though, much to the relief of my editor and publisher (you're welcome Peggy and Becky!). I love what I do!
On to the second part! THREE DAYS LEFT TIL Family Fortune is LIVE! OMG I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! I love everyone that has been along with me for the journey, Ms. Sandy, my first reader who encouraged me to keep writing, even through all my life upsets. You are my first line cheerleader and I love you so much. Thank you. I can't tell you how much your support has meant to me though all this.
Anyway, Like I said, THREE DAYS TIL WE ARE LIVE!
New tours and blitzes (ARCs available)
Family Fortune by Kathleen Eyke: https://goo.gl/forms/6J9lX06c5WkaUG1P2
TBR: www.goodreads.com/book/show/31374983
Defying the restrictions of society, Emma Johnston plans to become a teacher and help broaden the lives of young women. Society, her father, and even her own heart betray her and leave her longing for a different life entirely.
After having run up considerable debt, Emma’s father needs her inheritance from her maternal grandfather and he has a plan that seems guaranteed to get it for him, until Roger Starnes steps in and rescues her.
Together, the headstrong heiress and her protector scheme to stop her father and allow her to live her life, on her terms.
Links:
All links: books2read.com/familyfortune
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fYLQ2w
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M4NAH3R
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1168813613
Nook: www.bn.com/w/1124998235
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/family-fortune-3
ARe: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-familyfortune-2170869-368.…
Links:
All links: books2read.com/familyfortune
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fYLQ2w
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M4NAH3R
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M4NAH3R
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1168813613
Nook: www.bn.com/w/1124998235
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/family-fortune-3
ARe: www.allromanceebooks.com/product-familyfortune-2170869-368.…
Friday, November 11, 2016
My (lack of) Tech Savvy
I love that we live in such a technologically advanced world. I have friends across the globe that I likely would never have met were it not for technology. In fact, I doubt that my book, Family Fortune, would be coming out next week on the 15th were it not for technology.
I look at the books and works of some of the literary giants from history and marvel at the amount they were able to produce and that it has endured and survived the ages. From Homer on down, it wasn't until here in the last 50 or 60 years that mechanical items (yes, even going back to old typewriters which I used to own a couple of. Believe me replacing toner has nothing on replacing a type writer ribbon!) became so inexpensive that the average person can afford one in their home. I can't imagine writing under the conditions they did, poor lighting, quill pens or charcoal sticks then pencils, on paper or animal skins, blistering hot in summer, cold as ice in winter, limited outlets for their works, and if you were a woman, well either hang it up or assume a man's name. And heaven help you if you made a mistake, since White-Out wasn't invented until last century.
But that brings me to today, as I sit in my climate controlled house, with warm socks I didn't have to make on my feet, with good lighting, my supposedly super fast computer, listening to music as I type and if I make a mistake, it's easily corrected. The way things have changed is amazing. Even in my dad's or grandfather's lifetime.
There are some parts of technology I really don't like though. My mother's printer is one of them. Supposedly, I have the drivers (I have no real idea what those are, I just know you have to have them to use the printer) on my computer. But my computer is the only one that will not read the printer as active, I always see it as 'offline.' I tried to print some business cards today and was going to print some postcards for an upcoming event dealing with my release. Yea, ok. The printer said otherwise. I ended up putting everything on a thumb drive (aren't those great?!) and using mom's computer to do it. Very frustrating. I still don't know why my computer won't talk to the printer. I even plugged the cord to the printer into my computer. No joy. I hate technology at times. At least certain aspects of it. My lack of tech savvy really shows at those times. In fact, it wasn't until last week that I even really used the tablet I was given last Christmas, because I didn't know how to use it to write. Makes it nice for when I go to town to the doctor's office. I can still escape to 1856.
I look at the books and works of some of the literary giants from history and marvel at the amount they were able to produce and that it has endured and survived the ages. From Homer on down, it wasn't until here in the last 50 or 60 years that mechanical items (yes, even going back to old typewriters which I used to own a couple of. Believe me replacing toner has nothing on replacing a type writer ribbon!) became so inexpensive that the average person can afford one in their home. I can't imagine writing under the conditions they did, poor lighting, quill pens or charcoal sticks then pencils, on paper or animal skins, blistering hot in summer, cold as ice in winter, limited outlets for their works, and if you were a woman, well either hang it up or assume a man's name. And heaven help you if you made a mistake, since White-Out wasn't invented until last century.
But that brings me to today, as I sit in my climate controlled house, with warm socks I didn't have to make on my feet, with good lighting, my supposedly super fast computer, listening to music as I type and if I make a mistake, it's easily corrected. The way things have changed is amazing. Even in my dad's or grandfather's lifetime.
There are some parts of technology I really don't like though. My mother's printer is one of them. Supposedly, I have the drivers (I have no real idea what those are, I just know you have to have them to use the printer) on my computer. But my computer is the only one that will not read the printer as active, I always see it as 'offline.' I tried to print some business cards today and was going to print some postcards for an upcoming event dealing with my release. Yea, ok. The printer said otherwise. I ended up putting everything on a thumb drive (aren't those great?!) and using mom's computer to do it. Very frustrating. I still don't know why my computer won't talk to the printer. I even plugged the cord to the printer into my computer. No joy. I hate technology at times. At least certain aspects of it. My lack of tech savvy really shows at those times. In fact, it wasn't until last week that I even really used the tablet I was given last Christmas, because I didn't know how to use it to write. Makes it nice for when I go to town to the doctor's office. I can still escape to 1856.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Animals and Daylight Savings Time
America is odd. I know that seems strange coming from an American, but I'm honest enough to admit it. One particular oddity is that we observe Daylight Savings Time. It was proposed (depending on who you talk to) by either Benjamin Franklin or George Vernon Hudson (of New Zealand). It is observed by over 70 countries world wide. So it's not just an American thing. Don't ask me which 70+ countries observe it. I couldn't tell you.
But that isn't really the point of this blog entry. My poor puppy, for all that she is super smart (ok I'm biased), does not really know how to read a clock. She knows what time she is supposed to get fed. According to her tummy, dinner time has come and gone. She's adorable when she comes and begs for dinner. I've been working her feed time back in small increments all week, she's almost to 5 pm now (again). But it's hard to look at her cute little furry face with her ears perked so sweetly as she impersonates a certain cartoon character. She's not as annoying as that character is though.
But on the flip side, she does seem to do okay with the spring part of DST. Getting her food an hour early seems to agree with her tremendously.
But that isn't really the point of this blog entry. My poor puppy, for all that she is super smart (ok I'm biased), does not really know how to read a clock. She knows what time she is supposed to get fed. According to her tummy, dinner time has come and gone. She's adorable when she comes and begs for dinner. I've been working her feed time back in small increments all week, she's almost to 5 pm now (again). But it's hard to look at her cute little furry face with her ears perked so sweetly as she impersonates a certain cartoon character. She's not as annoying as that character is though.
But on the flip side, she does seem to do okay with the spring part of DST. Getting her food an hour early seems to agree with her tremendously.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
A Day in the Life of a Writer
You know, I have many people that I encounter that don't seem to realize that writing IS actually a JOB. We work all day long. In fact, some of us sacrifice family time, time with friends, time for sleep, in order to write and bring you the stories that let you escape from your reality for a while. Granted I have not been a writer for long, not professionally anyway, but I have come to realize some things. This is by no means a comprehensive list.
1) It takes far longer to write a story than it does to read it.
2) Writing the story is the easy part.
3) People don't see your sitting in front of your computer as being a draining job, they usually think you are goofing off.
4) There are those, even family, who will say that you have all the time in the world to do other things, because "all you do is write."
5) The price of that book that you are complaining is too high, really doesn't even pay the author minimum wage.
6) Good editors and proof readers are rare and worth their weight in gold.
7) Learn to take rejection graciously.
8) Not everyone is going to like your writing.
9) The best support group you can find is usually other writers, editors, proof readers, agents, and publishers.Basically, other people in the publishing business who know what you are going through.
10) It really is almost impossible to edit/proof read your own work.
11) There's no way you can be a writer and have perfect nails. You will be too anxious over reviews, sales, getting accepted, ect to keep from chewing them off.
12) Anxiety is almost a prerequisite to being an author.
There are many more things I have learned, but this is a short list. As a newbie, I'm still learning more and more things, so there is likely to be a blog adding to this list at some later date, lol. So next time someone starts to bash a writer for being 'lazy' and 'just sitting on their butt doing nothing all day' please feel free to correct them on that. Writing is one of the most mentally exhausting things you could do. It's also not as easy as you think. After all, if it were easy, those who criticize it would be writing instead of criticizing.
1) It takes far longer to write a story than it does to read it.
2) Writing the story is the easy part.
3) People don't see your sitting in front of your computer as being a draining job, they usually think you are goofing off.
4) There are those, even family, who will say that you have all the time in the world to do other things, because "all you do is write."
5) The price of that book that you are complaining is too high, really doesn't even pay the author minimum wage.
6) Good editors and proof readers are rare and worth their weight in gold.
7) Learn to take rejection graciously.
8) Not everyone is going to like your writing.
9) The best support group you can find is usually other writers, editors, proof readers, agents, and publishers.Basically, other people in the publishing business who know what you are going through.
10) It really is almost impossible to edit/proof read your own work.
11) There's no way you can be a writer and have perfect nails. You will be too anxious over reviews, sales, getting accepted, ect to keep from chewing them off.
12) Anxiety is almost a prerequisite to being an author.
There are many more things I have learned, but this is a short list. As a newbie, I'm still learning more and more things, so there is likely to be a blog adding to this list at some later date, lol. So next time someone starts to bash a writer for being 'lazy' and 'just sitting on their butt doing nothing all day' please feel free to correct them on that. Writing is one of the most mentally exhausting things you could do. It's also not as easy as you think. After all, if it were easy, those who criticize it would be writing instead of criticizing.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Get out and VOTE
I promised myself when I started this that I wouldn't get political, but I have to say this. If you are registered, GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY! Make your voice heard! Because, frankly, if you don't vote today, you forfeit your right to complain come tomorrow. You didn't make a decision in who was going to run things and how, so you have no right to complain about how they do it if you don't vote.
Anyway, for better or worse, I voted today. I exercised my right that women fought for in this country for so long to get. Believe it or not, women have only had the right to vote in this country for about 98 years now. I can't dishonor those brave women who were beaten, jailed, fined, and had other injustices done to them by not voting. I've voted in every election since I was old enough to vote. I take it seriously. You should as well. We are deciding who runs things for the next 4 years. Now we just need to get rid of the electoral college, and things will be good.
Happy Voting! And may the odds be ever in your favor!
Anyway, for better or worse, I voted today. I exercised my right that women fought for in this country for so long to get. Believe it or not, women have only had the right to vote in this country for about 98 years now. I can't dishonor those brave women who were beaten, jailed, fined, and had other injustices done to them by not voting. I've voted in every election since I was old enough to vote. I take it seriously. You should as well. We are deciding who runs things for the next 4 years. Now we just need to get rid of the electoral college, and things will be good.
Happy Voting! And may the odds be ever in your favor!
Monday, November 7, 2016
Family isn't just blood
I don't have a very large family. In fact, according to the census taken in 1990, there were 13 families in the entire USA that have my last name. I knew 4 of them personally and was part of the 5th. Considering that my series is Southern Family Ties, I guess I should explain what that means to me.
Family is the group of people, who, through either birth or design, have your back no matter what. They are your cheerleaders, your mentors, your Jimminie Cricket when you need them to be. They catch you when you fall. If you are down and out, they are the ones that say, hey come here, I will put you up. And if you don't have a way to get there, they will find a way to get you there. That is what family is, that is what family does.
While most of the series will be about actual blood family, there are members of the family that are not blood, but I'm sure you will agree hold a place in the family as if they were. I know I have people in my life that hold those places as well. Likewise, I know that I hold that place in certain other peoples lives as well.
In short, Family is what you make of it. Sometimes you have to reject members, sometimes you meet members that somehow got born into other families. But somehow, someway, we meet each other and know, we are family.
Family is the group of people, who, through either birth or design, have your back no matter what. They are your cheerleaders, your mentors, your Jimminie Cricket when you need them to be. They catch you when you fall. If you are down and out, they are the ones that say, hey come here, I will put you up. And if you don't have a way to get there, they will find a way to get you there. That is what family is, that is what family does.
While most of the series will be about actual blood family, there are members of the family that are not blood, but I'm sure you will agree hold a place in the family as if they were. I know I have people in my life that hold those places as well. Likewise, I know that I hold that place in certain other peoples lives as well.
In short, Family is what you make of it. Sometimes you have to reject members, sometimes you meet members that somehow got born into other families. But somehow, someway, we meet each other and know, we are family.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Sewing my way to Christmas
I enjoy sewing. Maybe not as much as I like to crochet, but it's a little easier on my hands because I don't actually have to do as much for the sewing, just guide stuff through the machine. This year though, I'm just doing a few gifts. Not many people made the list for me to make them a Christmas present. What I'm making this year ranges from table toppers, quilts, afghans, and candle wreaths.
I'm enjoying making the candle wreaths. It's a creation that I found on Facebook, made from 12 6" squares, then you sew them together at an angle to make a circle. I've done a couple for Thanksgiving toppers so far, and REALLY like the results. I'm in the process of making the squares for the Christmas ones.
I'm rather proud of myself. But this one is a gift, not the one I'm keeping. Kinda ran out of fabric so I had to make mine a bit smaller. But it's still pretty.
I'm enjoying making the candle wreaths. It's a creation that I found on Facebook, made from 12 6" squares, then you sew them together at an angle to make a circle. I've done a couple for Thanksgiving toppers so far, and REALLY like the results. I'm in the process of making the squares for the Christmas ones.
Friday, November 4, 2016
My dog, the Mouser
My dog thinks she is a cat. Seriously. She pounces on things, because she thinks there is something in there that she should be attacking. She hunts mice, and squirrels, and chipmunks, and really any rodent silly enough to cross her path. And water bugs.
She's actually very good at it. It's rather amusing to watch. We had a mouse in the craft room last night. She got it, eventually, but it's hilarious to watch her go after it. She will contort her little 13 pound body around things that you wouldn't think she could get around, and worm her way into holes that you are left wondering how the world she got in there. Fortunately for me, she cleans up after herself, prey wise, so I don't have to deal with a carcass. Mice freak me out.
But getting her started on the hunt is fun. All you have to do is say, "PB, Mouse!" and she's on it. You can't say MOUSE around her or she will go nuts looking for it. You can't spell it out either, cause she apparently knows that too. You can refer to Mice as Mickey, or Raton, but please, dear Lord, don't SAY mouse. You can't even say, "Did you find it yet?" because that will drive her bonkers. She is so obsessed by them that even if she is dead asleep, if you call her, she will jump up and run into the room, ready to terrorize the bold critter that dared to invade her home.
I'm thinking of getting a cat though. I kinda want to have something that will act like a puppy.
She's actually very good at it. It's rather amusing to watch. We had a mouse in the craft room last night. She got it, eventually, but it's hilarious to watch her go after it. She will contort her little 13 pound body around things that you wouldn't think she could get around, and worm her way into holes that you are left wondering how the world she got in there. Fortunately for me, she cleans up after herself, prey wise, so I don't have to deal with a carcass. Mice freak me out.
But getting her started on the hunt is fun. All you have to do is say, "PB, Mouse!" and she's on it. You can't say MOUSE around her or she will go nuts looking for it. You can't spell it out either, cause she apparently knows that too. You can refer to Mice as Mickey, or Raton, but please, dear Lord, don't SAY mouse. You can't even say, "Did you find it yet?" because that will drive her bonkers. She is so obsessed by them that even if she is dead asleep, if you call her, she will jump up and run into the room, ready to terrorize the bold critter that dared to invade her home.
I'm thinking of getting a cat though. I kinda want to have something that will act like a puppy.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Too busy to post
AGH!! I made it to 20 minutes before midnight and realized that in my rush to get my NaNo numbers for the day, I had completely neglected my blog and not posted anything today! That is so disorganized of me, really it is.
Not much happened today though, to be honest. The dog did her thing and got covered in cobwebs. Which has me wondering if it would really be so bad if I were to attach a swiffer to her so she can at least remove the cobwebs a little more effectively. It gets a little difficult to remove them from her fur, and she hates it when I brush her. Apparently she is attached to the cobwebs.
Here she is, with cobwebs all tangled up in her leg fur, looking all nice and calm as she contemplates the underside of the sideboard where she went to explore next after I set her down.
But I love her, so it's all good.
Not much happened today though, to be honest. The dog did her thing and got covered in cobwebs. Which has me wondering if it would really be so bad if I were to attach a swiffer to her so she can at least remove the cobwebs a little more effectively. It gets a little difficult to remove them from her fur, and she hates it when I brush her. Apparently she is attached to the cobwebs.
But I love her, so it's all good.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Traveling abroad
It's a good thing to travel abroad. You only get a narrow, highly skewed view of the world if you only see it through movies, books or tv shows. You have to travel abroad to get a full spectrum view of what places are like. I have a few friends that have traveled to Israel recently, and they have all told me that you really don't see what Israel is like from what the media shows you. It is a beautiful country, rich in history and tradition that really needs to be experienced first hand.
That being said, I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil when I was working on my undergrad back in 2005. It was the trip of a lifetime. I was there for a little over a week, and had a blast. I took over 300 pictures in that time period. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!
The people there were very friendly. You could meet them in the morning doing their jujitsu on the beach and they would invite you to join them at their house for dinner. Very helpful as well. While they didn't seem to expect you to actually know the language, they do appreciate you making at least an attempt to speak it. Smiles abound everywhere you look.
Soccer is the sport of the land, and they are all carnivores. At least I remember having to hunt for a vegetable while I was there. It was so bad, that when I was coming back, the overcooked broccoli in the airplane meal looked good, lol.
I'd love to go back. It was wonderful. And in case you are wondering, yes it is just about exactly as it was portrayed in Fast 5, except for the traffic. I will NEVER complain about traffic in the states again after experiencing the traffic in Rio. Imagine this: Atlanta rush hour during Gay Pride week with Dragoncon, Birmingham at rush hour, Jacksonville, FL at rush hour, DC (well really any time of the day), Chicago, ALL COMBINED. I now know where drivers that didn't make it in the NASCAR circuit go to keep driving. They move to Rio and become cabbies. Three inches is a good following distance, and if you leave six, the driver in the other lane may decide to come on over.
That being said, I had the opportunity to travel to Brazil when I was working on my undergrad back in 2005. It was the trip of a lifetime. I was there for a little over a week, and had a blast. I took over 300 pictures in that time period. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!
The people there were very friendly. You could meet them in the morning doing their jujitsu on the beach and they would invite you to join them at their house for dinner. Very helpful as well. While they didn't seem to expect you to actually know the language, they do appreciate you making at least an attempt to speak it. Smiles abound everywhere you look.
Soccer is the sport of the land, and they are all carnivores. At least I remember having to hunt for a vegetable while I was there. It was so bad, that when I was coming back, the overcooked broccoli in the airplane meal looked good, lol.
I'd love to go back. It was wonderful. And in case you are wondering, yes it is just about exactly as it was portrayed in Fast 5, except for the traffic. I will NEVER complain about traffic in the states again after experiencing the traffic in Rio. Imagine this: Atlanta rush hour during Gay Pride week with Dragoncon, Birmingham at rush hour, Jacksonville, FL at rush hour, DC (well really any time of the day), Chicago, ALL COMBINED. I now know where drivers that didn't make it in the NASCAR circuit go to keep driving. They move to Rio and become cabbies. Three inches is a good following distance, and if you leave six, the driver in the other lane may decide to come on over.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
My First NaNoWriMo experience
I had heard of NaNoWriMo before. I wasn't sure what it was at first, but it stands for National Novel Writing Month. It seemed interesting, but not really to someone who was just starting out, had barely finished a novel and was waiting on pins and needles to hear a positive response back from a publisher. So I didn't do it the first time I had heard of it.
However, now that I have a large, and ever increasing, circle of friends that are authors, I realize how much networking and connecting with other authors can be. The tips and pointers you get from people with more experience than you at your craft are invaluable. It also helps you perfect that ever important method of writing, the BIC method.
While word count isn't necessarily the best method to go by to determine what you are writing is worth publishing, it helps establish the habit of writing. Personally speaking, my goal is about 2500- 3200 words a day for 30 days. Seems high, but when you consider that for the kick-off last night, I got there late, had 20 minutes to write and still got 529 words in, I think I did pretty good. Before I went to bed at 4 am, I was up to 1169 words. It's entirely possible that if I can avoid distractions, I could meet and beat my goal for the day. The hard part is to keep myself from going back when I'm doing what are called sprints to edit. (Sprints are where you basically type and type and type and don't worry about grammar or any other rules of writing, just get words down). I'm of two minds on sprints. I like clean writing, I don't like having red squigglies when I write. They are distracting to me and I get flustered when I have them.
But, so far so good. I like it and think it will help. If you are starting out, I strongly encourage you to participate. It could even help people doing essays and such for school.
OK, I'm off to write some more on my NaNo project! Happy reading everyone!
#southernfamilytiesbooks #Thealabamawordsmith
However, now that I have a large, and ever increasing, circle of friends that are authors, I realize how much networking and connecting with other authors can be. The tips and pointers you get from people with more experience than you at your craft are invaluable. It also helps you perfect that ever important method of writing, the BIC method.
While word count isn't necessarily the best method to go by to determine what you are writing is worth publishing, it helps establish the habit of writing. Personally speaking, my goal is about 2500- 3200 words a day for 30 days. Seems high, but when you consider that for the kick-off last night, I got there late, had 20 minutes to write and still got 529 words in, I think I did pretty good. Before I went to bed at 4 am, I was up to 1169 words. It's entirely possible that if I can avoid distractions, I could meet and beat my goal for the day. The hard part is to keep myself from going back when I'm doing what are called sprints to edit. (Sprints are where you basically type and type and type and don't worry about grammar or any other rules of writing, just get words down). I'm of two minds on sprints. I like clean writing, I don't like having red squigglies when I write. They are distracting to me and I get flustered when I have them.
But, so far so good. I like it and think it will help. If you are starting out, I strongly encourage you to participate. It could even help people doing essays and such for school.
OK, I'm off to write some more on my NaNo project! Happy reading everyone!
#southernfamilytiesbooks #Thealabamawordsmith
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