(I found this image at http://www.athomeinwyoming.com/at_home_in_wyoming/2009/05/another-missed.html instead of going out into the yard to take a picture of my own lilacs.)
Monday, April 30, 2012
Monday's Muse #1
Here it is, folks. The first inspiration for flash fiction Friday. If you want to join in, just leave a comment on today's post and check back on Friday for my effort. You can post to your own blog or leave a comment with your flash fiction piece on Friday's post.
(I found this image at http://www.athomeinwyoming.com/at_home_in_wyoming/2009/05/another-missed.html instead of going out into the yard to take a picture of my own lilacs.)
(I found this image at http://www.athomeinwyoming.com/at_home_in_wyoming/2009/05/another-missed.html instead of going out into the yard to take a picture of my own lilacs.)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Catching up again
Hello all.I didn't realize it had been so long between posts. Thanks for all the congratulations on baby girl (who remains nameless, so far. We usually don't pick a name until after we meet the kid.) We've passed the halfway mark with this pregnancy. I'm finally not wanting to toss my figurative cookies all the time. (Which is really, really good.) And I've been super busy with family, working, day trips, house work, and all the other stuff that piles up in the day.
I haven't had (or made) much time for writing in the last several months. It makes me wonder if I really am a writer. I've learned something new about the process again. It's kind of a use it or lose it sort of venture. When I'm writing, new shiny ideas come all the time. When I'm not, they are few and far between. And I miss them. How I miss them.
Sometimes, I look at what is going on in the blogging world around me and feel disconnected or disingenuous or some other word that starts with dis. I want to get back into the writing, but am at a loss for time and (to a lesser extent) desire right now. I keep passing through all these different options for making changes in some way, but only one seems really fun, so I might try it. And it would get my hand in again.
On Monday, I will post, either with an inspiration or looking for one. (I'll call it Monday's Muse! How alliterative.) On Friday, I'll post a piece of flash fiction based on whatever the inspiration was on Monday. (Flash Fiction Fridays! Yay!) We'll give it a try and see where it goes. If you want to participate, you are sure welcome to. And who knows. It might lead to some new ideas. Let me know what you think!
I haven't had (or made) much time for writing in the last several months. It makes me wonder if I really am a writer. I've learned something new about the process again. It's kind of a use it or lose it sort of venture. When I'm writing, new shiny ideas come all the time. When I'm not, they are few and far between. And I miss them. How I miss them.
Sometimes, I look at what is going on in the blogging world around me and feel disconnected or disingenuous or some other word that starts with dis. I want to get back into the writing, but am at a loss for time and (to a lesser extent) desire right now. I keep passing through all these different options for making changes in some way, but only one seems really fun, so I might try it. And it would get my hand in again.
On Monday, I will post, either with an inspiration or looking for one. (I'll call it Monday's Muse! How alliterative.) On Friday, I'll post a piece of flash fiction based on whatever the inspiration was on Monday. (Flash Fiction Fridays! Yay!) We'll give it a try and see where it goes. If you want to participate, you are sure welcome to. And who knows. It might lead to some new ideas. Let me know what you think!
Friday, April 13, 2012
It's not a puppy
We're also not having surprise twins, thank goodness! (My husband's cousin found out they were expecting only about 6 months after their first. Surprise twins.)
This baby was much more stubborn about modesty than all three of the other kids. Would not uncross legs for the longest time, but we did finally get a good look. And it's another.... GIRL!
Yup, we're having the perfect family. Two older boys. Two younger girls. Except hubby says we'll need a tie-breaker. If I ever did have twins, that would be when it happens.
No real writing news to speak of this week. Just the exciting family news! Have a great weekend and enjoy Friday the 13th!
This baby was much more stubborn about modesty than all three of the other kids. Would not uncross legs for the longest time, but we did finally get a good look. And it's another.... GIRL!
Yup, we're having the perfect family. Two older boys. Two younger girls. Except hubby says we'll need a tie-breaker. If I ever did have twins, that would be when it happens.
No real writing news to speak of this week. Just the exciting family news! Have a great weekend and enjoy Friday the 13th!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Waiting for big news
Today, I'm taking the long drive to Cedar City, where I will have a doctor's appointment with the OB. I'll also be getting an ultrasound. THE ultrasound. Wherein we find out the gender of the little thing that's squirming around more and more noticeably in my belly. It's a running joke that we're having a puppy, so we'll see what we're getting.
Any predictions? We've got two boys and a girl. Leave them in the comments.
Any predictions? We've got two boys and a girl. Leave them in the comments.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
LDS Writer Blogfest: The Laborers in the Vineyard
Welcome to the 3rd Annual LDS Writer Blogfest. Recently, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint held a General Conference. This is a time when leaders of the church address the worldwide membership. Each of the Twelve Apostles and members of the Quorum of Seventy expound scriptures and discuss doctrines of the Church. It's an uplifting and inspiring time.
One of the talks that was given really struck a chord with me. It was delivered by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Laborers in the Vineyard. (Full text available by clicking the link.) In this talk, he spoke about a scriptural passage from the New Testament, Matthew 20:1-15. In this parable, a householder hires several different laborers to work in his fields. Some come in the early morning. Some come in the middle of the day. Some come when the day is almost over. All of them work as hard as they can in the time they have. At the end of the day, the householder gives each worker their wages. The ones who worked hard all day receive the same wages as the ones who started working later in the day. The ones who worked all day are a little upset at this and complain. And this is the part that really struck me. The householder answer, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" Elder Holland distills the meaning down to something like this, "Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”
And here's the take away. We can look at the good fortune of others and be jealous, or we can appreciate our own good fortunes. So what if someone got an amazing agent on the very first round of queries with the first book they ever wrote. Does that mean that the tenth book I'm writing is awful? So what if someone got an awesome book deal after being on sub for only a month. Does that mean that I have a terrible agent, who can't sell a terrible book? No! Some of us start working at the beginning of the day and some of start working at the end of day, but all of us are going to get a fair day's wage, as long as we finish the day's work.
In writing, it's super easy to compare ourselves to what is going on in someone else's life. But we we just have to remember that we don't need to jealous because of what someone else got. There's still something wonderful and meaningful and just right waiting for us.
If you would like to know more about General Conference, what it means to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or what I believe as a member, please ask! I'd be happy to answer. And head on over the rest of the participants in the blogfest to see what they have to say!
Amanda Sowards
Angie Lofthouse
Ben Spendlove
Britanny Larsen
Cami Checketts
Charity Bradford
Danyelle Ferguson
Giselle Abreu
Julia Keanini
Julie Coulter Bellon
Kasey Tross
Kayeleen Hamblin
Kelly Bryson
Krista Van Dolzer
Laura Johnston
Melanie Standord
Rachelle Christensen
Rebecca Belliston
Sierra Gardner
Stephanie Worlton
One of the talks that was given really struck a chord with me. It was delivered by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Laborers in the Vineyard. (Full text available by clicking the link.) In this talk, he spoke about a scriptural passage from the New Testament, Matthew 20:1-15. In this parable, a householder hires several different laborers to work in his fields. Some come in the early morning. Some come in the middle of the day. Some come when the day is almost over. All of them work as hard as they can in the time they have. At the end of the day, the householder gives each worker their wages. The ones who worked hard all day receive the same wages as the ones who started working later in the day. The ones who worked all day are a little upset at this and complain. And this is the part that really struck me. The householder answer, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" Elder Holland distills the meaning down to something like this, "Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”
And here's the take away. We can look at the good fortune of others and be jealous, or we can appreciate our own good fortunes. So what if someone got an amazing agent on the very first round of queries with the first book they ever wrote. Does that mean that the tenth book I'm writing is awful? So what if someone got an awesome book deal after being on sub for only a month. Does that mean that I have a terrible agent, who can't sell a terrible book? No! Some of us start working at the beginning of the day and some of start working at the end of day, but all of us are going to get a fair day's wage, as long as we finish the day's work.
In writing, it's super easy to compare ourselves to what is going on in someone else's life. But we we just have to remember that we don't need to jealous because of what someone else got. There's still something wonderful and meaningful and just right waiting for us.
If you would like to know more about General Conference, what it means to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or what I believe as a member, please ask! I'd be happy to answer. And head on over the rest of the participants in the blogfest to see what they have to say!
Amanda Sowards
Angie Lofthouse
Ben Spendlove
Britanny Larsen
Cami Checketts
Charity Bradford
Danyelle Ferguson
Giselle Abreu
Julia Keanini
Julie Coulter Bellon
Kasey Tross
Kayeleen Hamblin
Kelly Bryson
Krista Van Dolzer
Laura Johnston
Melanie Standord
Rachelle Christensen
Rebecca Belliston
Sierra Gardner
Stephanie Worlton
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter
I hope you all enjoy your Easter weekend. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a special video for the season that I wanted to share with you all. I hope you enjoy it. I know He lives and loves us.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
And then there was sick
More specifically, the flu.
My entire family. Hubby, me, 5 year old, 3 year old, 1 year old. And we got it in spite of all the normal precautions, including flu vaccines. Let me tell you. If you have never had the flu, don't. It is one of the most miserable things in the universe. And if you have to get it, don't everyone get it all at once.
Nothing much else is coming to mind. It's hard to think with all this guck and ache behind my nose.
Back again at the end of the week.
And it's not too late to sign up for the LDS Writer Blogfest next Tuesday. Just leave a comment and I'll get back to you!
My entire family. Hubby, me, 5 year old, 3 year old, 1 year old. And we got it in spite of all the normal precautions, including flu vaccines. Let me tell you. If you have never had the flu, don't. It is one of the most miserable things in the universe. And if you have to get it, don't everyone get it all at once.
Nothing much else is coming to mind. It's hard to think with all this guck and ache behind my nose.
Back again at the end of the week.
And it's not too late to sign up for the LDS Writer Blogfest next Tuesday. Just leave a comment and I'll get back to you!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Celebrate!
I'm just thrilled to be able to announce it to the world that my good friend and writing buddy, Krista Van Dolzer, signed with agent, Kate Schafer Testerman. Join her celebration by visiting her blog at http://motherwrite.blogspot.com/2012/04/im-back-with-agent-and-contest.html.
She's giving away critiques, including a generous one from her new agent, so if you are ready to query, make sure you enter the contest.
Either way, go and say yay!
She's giving away critiques, including a generous one from her new agent, so if you are ready to query, make sure you enter the contest.
Either way, go and say yay!
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