QotM and What I Learned

Questions posed by others really help with the blog content. On last week's IWSG monthly hop, the question was "What is your favorite aspect of being a writer." I had my answers and they were all things I liked about being a writer, but then I read Michelle Wallace's answer and it made me realize that she had said what I should have said. Please read her post here.

All my life, I've always loved learning new things. I love learning about all things. I want to know everything. I want to master things. And writers are always striving to improve. There is no mastering this career. You may write some masterful prose, but that doesn't mean the next thing you write will be as good or better. There's always something to learn. I hope I keep wanting to learn new things and grow as a person until my last day. Thanks, Michelle, for reminding me to look a little deeper for the answer to that question.

Michael G. D'Agostino of A Life Examined, runs the Question of the Month blog hop where all the participants answer the question Michael has posed for the month. So today Michael asks:

When was your first kiss?

LOL. I'm pretty sure it was the neighbor boy when we were around ten. His farm was next to ours. Our fathers were friends and helped each other out with certain harvests. Raymond was the same age as me but was held back in first grade so we weren't in the same classes at school. He was very nice and we called each other boyfriend and girlfriend at a time when neither of us cared about such things. I might have been in fifth grade when he kissed me on the cheek. Our lives diverged in high school and then I went to college and moved away. I don't think I've spoken to him since but I've heard he is a successful business man with a nice family. As I write this, my husband is reminding me that his kisses made me forget all the rest.

I'm very grateful for my family this week for lots of reasons. I often hear of families where the children don't get along. My children, two stepsons and four of my own, love each other. They know each others faults and tolerate them. They chose to do things together. They love family gatherings and there has never been an argument at one. I know the upcoming holidays are very stressful for some families and I'm feeling very thankful for what I have.

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls." Aesop

Still in the middle of my writing group's 50/50 challenge. Next year we're considering all doing NaNo together. Could be interesting. Good luck to all those doing the November challenge.

Hope all of you in the USA are going out to vote tomorrow. What a terrible election cycle. The best thing about tomorrow is that all the ads will be over. How the next four years go may make these past months feel like a fun time. Remember, no complaining if you don't vote. Have courage, America, no matter how the vote goes.

"We will either find a way or make a way." Hannibal

Have you tried to learn something new lately? Does your family get along during the holidays? Do you remember your first kiss? Are you going to vote tomorrow?

IWSG: November Edition

November already! And time for the monthly posting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. This supportive group started by Alex J. Cavanaugh, offers advice, shares our woes and cheer for each others' successes. You can join this wonderful group by signing up here.  And even if you're not already a member, you can visit other bloggers today.

A few months ago, we started posing a monthly question to our members. Members don't have to answer it, but if they don't know quite what to post that day, they can use it.

This month's question:
What is your favorite aspect of being a writing?

I love being self-employed. I love working at home. The coffee is good at home, but I can also have a glass of wine while I'm at work. Reading is part of my job. I have a great office. I guess I just can't pick one aspect. I love being a writer. Oh, and I've met some great friends.

Other news. The IWSG anthology contest has a large number of great entries. Way to go, you wonderful writers. And I love that so many have submitted even though not everyone will be in the anthology, people will keep writing. This business is about never giving up.

More news! Crystal Collier has a new release. Timeless, the third book in her Maiden of Time series, is now available on Amazon. And to celebrate, the first book, Moonless, is now available for free but only for a few days.

Don't forget that Daylight Savings Time Ends this weekend. The dark will be coming early which doesn't bother me at all when it's cold out. I always get more writing done in the winter.

Recently in a shocking revelation, my husband and I discovered my daughter didn't know who Yogi Berra was. What is the world coming to?
"The future ain't what it used to be?" Yogi Berra

Do you like when the time changes? What do you like about being a writer? Are you grabbing up Crystal's free book?

Life is Interesting

I was struck anew at how much there is to see and do in the world. I've never been one to get bored when I'm alone. There are so many projects waiting my attention. New recipes, a stack of jigsaw puzzles, a new cross-stitch project, tons of books to read and of course, my own writing. And cooking and exercise and...

Let's start with a great interview on IWSG about hybrid writers with Catherine Ryan Howard. So many writers are taking this path to publication, both new writers and though who have been around for a while.

My friend Demi Stevens pointed me toward this video, Charlie Day giving a commencement speech. It was years ago but it is so true. Take risks. Trust yourself. Failure will happen but you keep trying. If something isn't working for you, move on.

In other news, some of my writing friends have been talking about Google and their attacks on copyright laws. Here's an article that explains some of what has been happening lately. Will artists be able to protect their work? For how long?

More controversy on schools and how so many are no longer teaching cursive writing. I have mentioned many times on this blog the importance of writing by hand. And cursive writing is so much better than printing or typing. I have a sister who suffers from concussion syndrome. One of the things her doctor requires of her is to write in a journal every day and write letters to other people. After years of keeping in touch via phone or email, we're writing to each for her good health. This article gives Ten Reasons People Still Need Cursive. Very interesting.

On a more personal note, this article is about Title IX. It turns forty-four this year. Politicians and the media love to talk about gender inequality. It certainly exists and it's a battle that will no doubt go on for many generations. Past generations of women and the men who supported them have already won some battles. Title IX was one of them. Schools didn't automatically give girls equal rights when it came to athletics. Facilities and equipment in those early years weren't even close to equal. Uniforms were cheaply made and ugly. It was a struggle I lived through. Here's to all the girls and women still fighting to good fight. This interesting article is about how females tend to drop out of sports when they reach their teens compared to males. Lots of reasons are suggested.

Next Wednesday is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. The question this month is:
What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?

Are you a hybrid writer or planning to be? Is Google going to take over the world? Are they determined to make pirating work easier? Do you still write by hand? Do you think it should be taught in schools? Have you ever had to fight for your rights to equal treatment?

One book event out of the way and two more to go in 2016. I haven't participated in this many book signings ever. I'm so happy to be part of the writing groups I am for many reasons. But one of the big ones is the group of us finding venues to showcase our work. With fewer and fewer bookstores around, arranging a book signing can be a challenge. This past week, the York Book Expo, was all about books. The crowd wasn't as large as last year but the people who did attend were there for books. It was a successful day.

I had a highlight moment at the book expo. A young couple who had purchased two of my books last year came back just to see me. The young woman raved about the book with her husband adding tidbits about her delight. They attended to see me and purchase more books. It made my day, week and month as a writer.

I noticed at the book expo yesterday that three different writers had their own version of 'How to Self-Publish' for sale. I have no idea on how accurate their advise would be but there are lots of similar books out there. And a lot of people offering classes or workshops to teach you how to self-publish. Probably many are legitimate but I hope new writers investigate first before laying down money for someone to tell you how to do something you can learn for free.

Speaking of opportunities, the countdown is on to enter the IWSG anthology contest. Get your fantasy, short story sent in before the end of the month.

My children often recommend books to me, and they know what I like. An author my daughter introduced me to is YA writer, Leigh Bardugo. She has two fantasy series that tie into each other. I like her unique world of magic but what makes me love her work is the way she creates such flawed, but lovable characters. Her people live in a harsh world filled with tragedy but somehow they can still make you smile between bouts of tears. Highly recommended. I'm reading her latest, Crooked Kingdom now.

I'm enjoying the new show, Pitch, and finding the return of The Flash and Supernatural satisfying. Not sure about any other new shows though I've watched a few and am giving them a chance. Once Upon a Time, one of my long time favorites, is okay so far. I do get a lot or writing done with the lack of distractions. I did catch the final season of The Musketeers on Hulu last week and it was very satisfying.

"I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now." Louise May Alcott

I need a lot of coffee while working on a bunch of rewrites for the recently completed first draft. It's very ugly. Timeline problems and some things that don't make sense because I changed other things. Sigh... That is why we do more than one draft. I'm still flying high on the return customers.

Have you read Leigh Bardugo? Have you had a particularly wonderful experience at a book event? Have you watched The Flash? How badly did Barry mess up the world? Ouch. I'll end with an answer to a question we've wondered about for a long time.

Happy Day

Happy Thanksgiving Day to our neighbors in the north. We love you, Canada. Happy Columbus Day to everyone in the US of A. I used to enjoy this day as a teacher as it was usually a holiday. There aren't that many holidays in the fall so every one is precious.

I haven't heard all the news of damage brought on by the hurricane, but my friends and family have all reported in safe and by now have their power back on.

My local chapter of RWA is starting the second 50/50 event for 2016. For this writing encouragement event, the goal is to write at least 50 words everyday for 50 days. Fifty isn't a lot of words and all most everyone writes more than that. And you can miss a day here and there but never more than two days in a row. One of our members keeps track of the numbers that we report every day and then adds them up for an amazing group combined number and we can each see what we did ourselves. The second 50/50 also coincides with NaNo so it helps encourage those intrepid souls. And the reward? Our chapter president makes everyone an amusing, really cute magnet who completes the 50/50. Fun times.

This Saturday, I'll be in York, PA for the second annual YOTB Book Expo. This book event is run by Demi Stevens. She is an amazing organizer and really involved in the book industry in so many ways. She was a recent guest on IWSG so check out her post on putting together a book event. It was a great time last year and hope for the same this year.

Keep working on that fantasy story for the IWSG anthology. You still have time to submit your writing. It makes a great publishing credit.

Me, speaking to the TV news.

With the depressing political mess that someone only gets worse, I'm going to try to think of some pleasant things each day. Like at some point today, we'll find out whether the grandchild we're expecting will be a boy or a girl. That will be fun. Chilly nights but the days are still warm, so I can't complain about winter yet. (Don't be concerned that I'll forget to do that for four or five months this year.) The geese will fly over soon. I love that. There is lots of things of beautiful things to look upon with wonder in this world. I'm going to enjoy the sunshine.

What do Canadians eat for Thanksgiving? Do you do the turkey and pumpkin pie thing? Did the Day Job give you off for Columbus Day? What is currently bringing in some sunshine to your life?

IWSG: October Version

Happy IWSG day. This brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh is a bloghop that happens the first Wednesday of every month. Join us as we share our worries, victories and offer encouragement to each other. I'm co-hosting this month and posting on the IWSG site. My co-hosts this month are Beverly Stowe McClure, Megan Morgan, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Viola Fury, and Angela Wooldridge. Please go to the list and visit as many people as you can.

This question this month is: When do you know your story is ready?

Well, I could go on all day. I have a list of things, some detailed and some not. There's a difference between a story being ready to go to beta readers as compared to being ready to go to my publisher or if you're self-published, ready to put it out into the world. Rather than take all day, I'll give a few big points I check for before letting anyone else read it.
Is every scene necessary or is it just filler? Does it move the story forward or impart important information?
Does the story make sense or do parts confuse the reader?
Are my characters interesting and do they have depth?
Does each chapter ending lead the reader to continue to the next?
Do I start the story where it should start?
Is my ending satisfying?

Those are only a few of the things I search the manuscript for before I consider it decent enough to take the next step.

My plans for this week. I want to finally watch Luke Cage on Netflix. I want to walk outside if the sun ever comes out again.

And to share some wisdom with the world.

Ideas should be clear and chocolate thick.  Spanish Proverb

"Minds are like parachutes-- they function only when open." Sir James Dewar

Don't forget to visit more IWSG blogs and get your anthology submission ready. And in a slight change to submissions guidelines, the length of your short story can be between 3,000 and 6,000 words. Get writing!

How are you dealing with the insanity of election season? Is fall bringing you some cooler weather and some pretty leaves? Want to add to my general checklist?

QotM

Michael D'Agostino hosts the Question of the Month on his blog A Life Examined. He went for a deep one this month.

“What’s a decision you’ve made in the past that you know, logically, was the right decision to make, but which you still feel guilty or regretful about?”

I guess we all feel guilty about some things. And life if full of regrets. But I've been a forward looking person. I tend to 'move on' from things and hope I've taught my children the same things. Earlier in my teaching career, I sometime regretted that I switched my major from pre-med to education but not anymore. I would have been miserable spending all that time in classrooms. I would have missed all the joy working with young people brought me over the years. I made the right decision for having a happy life. It's not easy to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life when you're young.

This is what my kids say.

Visit Michael's blog for the list of others answering this interesting question.

Don't forget IWSG day is this Wednesday. The question for the month, should you care to use it:
When do you know your story is ready?

The George RR Martin Legacy: All men must die.

I read as much as I can. Usually in the hour before I go to bed and sometimes on my stationery bike. My daughter convinced to read some Sarah J. Maas books. She has two series going. I like one better than the other. Both series have one book left. As usual in a series, the penultimate book left the heroes in big trouble, separated and making desperate plans. I'm excited for the last books. But will the heroes die or survive? Will they win or win at a price they didn't want to pay? I've never finished a series by this author, so I don't know how much like 'Martin' she is.

You see the Martin effect in books in ways you didn't used to. In Tolkien's LotR, the heroes survive though they are changed. But read any fantasy today and there's no guarantee who will survive. TV shows have taken the same turn. Not even main characters are safe. Sometimes fans get very upset and vocal, claiming a death was only for to shock or draw a spike of viewers. But the reality, hopefully, is to advance the story.

Do readers and viewers now expect shocking deaths in their fiction? Do you write them into your stories? What TV show shocked you with the death of a character?

What regrets do you have about decisions you made?