A Thousand Words

Daffodils.
Sunshine.
Warmth.
Spring.
Happiness.

You can add the other 995.

Char

"You Don't Spit Into The Wind..."

That's a line from an old Jim Croce song. (Luckily my kids know of it, so I'm not revealing too much about how old I am.) It means there are some things you just don't do, although my take on its interpretation is that you don't do it not because it's taboo, but because it's a waste of your time and will only come back to bite you in some form.

Today I'm giving a writing/editing presentation at William Paterson University. My friend, Dawn Bodrogi, a professor there, asked me to speak to the students. I love an audience to talk about writing, so of course I jumped and squealed like a little girl. My presentation is done, I have swag to give out, some books to sign, and all I have to do is get dressed and wait till it's showtime.

But one thing keeps niggling the back of my mind: suppose it's just spitting into the wind, no one's going to listen past the first few minutes, they'll tune me out? All my words, so carefully chosen to enlighten and entertain, falling on ears closed tighter than a clam out of water? I can just see the eye rolls, the dramatic sighs, the grumbles, the I-know-this-already looks.

I get it from my kids when I try to work with them on their papers.

"Why are you telling me this again?"
"Because obviously you didn't learn it the previous 4,678 times I explained it to you."

or,

"How many times are you going to tell me this?"
"Until it penetrates past all video game knowledge blocking your brain matter."

or,

"I don't need to write, I'm going to be a computer programmer and that's different."(A personal favorite whine of mine)
"EVERYONE needs to write- a college essay, a business presentation, a construction estimate, a doctor's report. EVERYONE. That means YOU too."

It's frustrating, but I keep doing it, hoping one day, like a stubborn washing machine that you have to kick a few times to get it to work, my lecture/rants/discussions/presentations will hit them like a brick and they will GET IT.

So, my little cupcakes, suck it up, because that's the only way to shut me up.

Have a nice day!

It's A Wrap!

Looking back at my month-long Blog-everyday experiment, I tallied successes and failures.

On the positive side, I proved I could do it everyday. As soon as I got up, my mind was on the blog; what am I going to post today? What pics/media do I need?  Another good thing, it's practice for maintaining the Sirenz and my own website. I learned to stretch my mind for interesting subjects, not always focusing on writing. Plus, I can now download clipart, pics, and videos.

On the negative side, it took a lot of time. The early morning time I spent on the blog was usually spent clearing out email and doing promo. Doing the blog put me behind my daily schedule. That affects my writing, not being able to write as much. Plus, there was no spike in comments or visits. Even when I did contests or giveaways. (There is no winner for Most Romantic True Story because while sweet, the two stories were not romantic. And there was only one idea for the swag giveaway which was too expensive so nothing for that either.) So I wonder if it was all worth it.

Will I do it again? Not for a while. I have one manuscript that needs serious revisions, one that is in total overhaul, and one that is partly started. Plus, Nat & I have to finish Sirenz 3. (I'd like to plan a 'working research' trip for Sirenz 4 to Greece, it those people ever stop fighting and destroying their beautiful country.) Plus, we'll be doing the college search with the middle son. And summer means two kids are home, my pool is open, Sirenz Back In Fashion launches and cold daiquiris will demand my attention...

So I'm done. Thanks to my followers for being there with me. I will stick to my original once a week postings unless something just has to get out there (TV deal? Movie offer? Another book pubbed? Running away with Ian Somerhalder? Fabulous shoe sale?)

Be talking to you soon.

Char

It's Not Cheating...

It's Creative Time Management.  As I wind down my blog-a-day challenge, I'm going to share some tips how I managed to do something for every blog post.

Make a list.
When I decided to do this challenge, I knew that some days would be crazy busy, I might not be home long enough to conceive, create and post a blog. That's where making a list comes in handy. When I woke up, I have a list of subjects to choose from, thus avoiding writer's block.

Pre-write
During commercials of The Vampire Diaries or other shows that I have to watch, I draft blogs. Sometimes just a few sentences so it jiggles the mind when it's time to flesh it out. And it gives me time to think what pics or photos I need/want.

Let everyday situations inspire you.
I don't write solely about the craft of writing because that would be boring to non-writers. And no one wants constant rants. Or peeks into my personal life. But mash them all up, keep the subjects ever changing, and it makes for more cross appeal. When a situation comes up that I feel would engage a reader, I use it- like the most romantic story for Valentine's Day, or the photo of the daffodil sprouts that made me giddy with happiness. Never bore your reader! is one of my live or die by rules. You may not agree, but you won't be bored.

Keep it simple.
I don't have time, inclination, or expertise to do fancy stuff. You'll have to go elsewhere for that. I'd rather be writing than learning how to put sound effects or squiggles or whatever else on my blog. That stuff just consumes too much brain power that I need elsewhere (like those edits on three books that are screaming at me to finish them so they can go visit my agent for a bit.)

And that's my secret.

Char

Countdown!

Wednesday is the final day for my everyday-for-a-month blog. Can't say that I'll be sad when it's over. I've got a lot of things on my plate and having one less thing to do every day will be nice. (My agent is probably tapping her foot, waiting on this last project... I was working on it last night, I swear!) I even skipped the Oscars (like I was going to watch the windbags anyway.)

So, what do you want to talk about? The Oscars? Crazy stuff my cat does? How I love the summer? (Will be opening the pool in 3 1/2 months! Squee!) I'm kind of talked out (especially since there are some subjects I won't discuss, some I can't discuss and some it's better I don't discuss. It's the PC tightrope. Writers aren't always allowed to use their freedom of speech because of how it may impact them.)

Here's my list of THINGS TO DO:
-Put together swag for Sirenz Back In Fashion (This includes going to candy store, making chocolate swag, going to craft store, making stuff. Sorry, it's a surprise, no can tell).
-Reschedule son's missed dentist appointment (and hope she'll forgive me- was sick and forgot it).
-Take son to driver's test (he'd better pass, my life is too complicated)
-Do guest blog (geez, another one? I'm running out of ideas.)
-Shoe sale! (I DO need new flats, wore other ones out. And, well, spring shoe sales! Any girl will understand.)
-Vacuum- because after a weekend of company, the place is a wreck.
-Dessert for Robotics Team party (make vs. bought... hmmm, dilemma. Ok, buy. I'm too busy)
-Fencing practice, bell practice, SAT tutoring, Math tutoring,

That's just the stuff I can remember off the top of my head. NOT listed is writing at least 10 more chaps in the book. (Might be nice to finish it so it can go to the beta readers, but I don't think that's likely this week....)

And that's my glance-at-a-week.

I have to get busy, so till tomorrow- get out and enjoy some fresh air, some daffodil buds, and blue skies.

Char

You Have GOT To Be Kidding!

TAKE  DOWN.  THE. *(&^%!.  CHRISTMAS.  WREATH.


Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday have passed, St. Patrick's is coming.

Enough said.


(Took this on my iPhone, so bear with me- blurry & battery dying. Martin Scorcese I am not!)

Char

Sad Face

It's not like I was expecting a deluge of responses, but I would have thought that a 'tell me your most romantic true story' contest with a gift card giveaway would have garnered more than two responses. (Thank you Sarah and Love Between Pages for responding!).  And while their stories were sweet, I didn't think they were romantic enough. We have several pairs of friends who were high school sweethearts. Nice, but nothing to get choked up about. If the husband convinced some members of the high school orchestra to play a love song like Theme From Romeo and Juliet in front of her house on Valentine's Day, or for her birthday, that would have been romantic.

So I have no winners. (My idea of romantic- see previous posts- A Priceless Gift Of Love and What Two Oceans Cannot Divide). It makes me fearful that true romance is dying. Find something romantic and redeem my faith. I might be inspired to send you that gift card.

Sometimes, you get a second chance at love...and gift cards!


Char