CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

Think I need a new desk??? I would like to celebrate

DESK CATS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

     Christmas music. The quickest way to get me to hightail it out of anywhere. So sappy, and commercial. But I have found that there is a place for it, and that is in the home and in the heart. It is more commonly used as a weapon these days against harried and stressed out holiday shoppers. It does not enhance the mood of Christmas shopping. Usually the only Christmas music I listen to is a Christmas cd made by one of my friends, Shannon. Beautiful. I love her voice. Here is a link to check out her music. And here.
     Well this year, I happened to pick up a Mahalia Jackson Christmas cd. And then an Elvis one. I will be on the search for Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash. Yeah, the traditional & homey music. Played at the right time, in the right place, to enhance the season. It fits. Please, consumer traps (i.e. "stores"). Please leave the Christmas music until Christmas Eve & Day. Please don't start playing it before we even finish Thanksgiving leftovers.
     If you are one of the people that enjoy Christmas music all year round, then carry on. But personally, I prefer it only played at Christmas.
     What is your favorite Christmas music?
          Happy Holidays (Holidaze, Howlidaze, however you celebrate it) to everyone across the globe...

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Greetings, gentle readers... Well this is the time of year to celebrate family, and the memories have been scrolling thru my mind lately. I remember the aunts and uncles, some respectable married folk, some young and full of the devil. All approachable and loving. And all the cousins. I had a million cousins. still do, minus a few. But the ones who are gone are still the same in my memories. Jimmy and Terry, who died young. Passed a schoolbus on their way to school and hit a car head on. It was hard for the family, and their mother never got over it, of course. She has gone to join them now. They were our age, so it was hard to comprehend. That young, you always think you were invincible and have the gift of life eternal. I wonder what they would have grown up to be? They loved baseball. Obsessed by it. When they came over, they would bring their baseball stuff and we would play. I got a blue catchers mitt, just because of them. I think of my family a lot, especially as I get older, and am grateful to have had them all in my life. And when I dream, I always dream of the ones who have passed on already. When I dream of the whole family together, we are in one house -- but the ones who have passed are only in another room, and we all are still together. God might have called some of them Home, but I have never let them go. So I want to wish my whole family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I want to wish all the new young'uns in the family the best of luck in this uncertain world. If anyone can make it, they can.
     Happy Holidaze to all out there in Blogland. Be safe.

CELEBRATE!

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Well hello there! Here I am on an actual Friday, celebrating! What am I celebrating, you ask? Well I am celebrating that the Verizon guy just left here and looks like he fixed the internet problem! WAHOO!! I was definitely holding my last breath on that one...
    
     I am doing a lot of embroidery lately and enjoying it. I haven't done any in a very long time, and had forgotten how much fun it is...
     Hezekiah kitty just jumped up to say hi to everyone and lay his butt in my face. He is definitely a desk kitty. I really need a very large desk for all my kittys, and one tiny little space for me to work on... I am holding on to the corner of the desk here! But I do love them.
(P.S. Well I was celebrating too happily as I got cut off once again and couldn't post. Thankfully it was saved in drafts... So maybe if I don't celebrate too loudly & wake up the internet gremlins, I will be able to post this...)

(yay)

ANOTHER BLIP

     I am trying to post this quick before my internet service cuts me off again. I have erratic and patchy service (thanks Verizon!), so am unable to post like I want. We have a technician scheduled to come out here. Meanwhile I am embroidering a lot lately, tis the season and all that. I hope everyone gets their Christmas shopping done effortlessly this year and cards out on time. Anyway I better submit this, coz with my luck, internet will cut me off. Blessings and happy inky trails...

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
check them out here.
     Well, life has conspired against me settling in my hobbit hole to write. But I steal moments here and there when I can. It is very frustrating, but I can't get too upset. Life is meant to be lived. And when it demands attention like it has here lately, all you can do is comply. I still have my creativity. I still have my WIPs. And I can brainstorm while waiting for appointments or driving. And when time comes back to woo me, I will be able to spend more time on writing. Now is not the time to be a demon for me. I am signed up for NaNoFiMo to finish the WIP I have continued from gothno to NaNo and now to this. It is coming out well. I have learned to just type it up from the start, as it takes too long to handwrite then type. Also I have just written and submitted another installment for Jennifer Eaton's ongoing story. It will post in January. It is a fun story to participate in. If any of you writers are interested in joining the fun, check it out!
     Happy Writing, all...
(PS- I cannot upload the IWSG logo right now, so I will have to do it later. This internet service is full of bugs...)

NaNoFiMo

     For all you writers out there who have unfinished NaNo projects, (or any unfinished novel) there is NaNoFiMo. The month of December is for finishing up your novel. I have joined up, (since I kinda got thrown out of the loop there for November) -- and hope to see you there!

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop
     Well hello there... I know I am a few days late, once again... And I DID promise to be better. Well without putting my family's personal business all over the internet, I sure have been spending a lot of times in hospitals lately... Hopefully everyone will get better.
     So this week, I wanted to celebrate nurse aides. They really are unsung heroes. They get all the crap jobs (literally), and just keep getting on with the job of caring for those we love. I was one for 9 years, so I know how hard a job it is. Not only physically, but emotionally as well, as you get up close and personal with the people you take care of. I know we are supposed to be professional, but it doesn't mean we aren't human with our own problems. It has been many years since I was a nurse aide, but I still remember how it was. So if you all know a nurse aide, then please do something completely nice and wonderful for them. They are doing the good work, and one day it might be you they are caring for. Let's keep them caring!
     I will be visiting some of your blogs today until we have to go out for errands. Hope everyone is doing well out there. As for me, I am hanging in there. My NaNo got too far behind, though I am still writing in stolen moments. I know a lot of NaNo-ers were writing under many other hardships, and I want to celebrate them too.
     BLESSINGS!!

FINALLY BACK!!

     Well good grief, I finally have wifi at home as of 10 minutes ago. I will be catching up on things and posting more. This past month has been unbelievable. I am going in so many circles, I don't know which direction I am going again.... Thanks to everyone for hanging in there, and I will be catching up on my blog and bloghopping as I can.
     HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

CELEBRATE

Hi I will make this a quickie as I am in the library using their wifi. I should have it at home in about a week. I just wanted to thank everyone for their posts- I do see them, I just haven't had a chance to log in and do anything on the blog. I am sorry I cannot post the icon and link this time. I want to be grateful for free wifi this week. When did it ever get so complicated to get internet at home? It is a good thing we can go to places like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, libraries, etc. I really miss my home internet. Anyway, shout outs to fellow nano-ers. Happy writing all!

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
check them out here.
     Well hello there. I know I have been sporadic in my posts. I don't have internet access at the moment, and am at the library to use their free Wi-Fi.
     You know, I have been trying to get my ebook Desdinova available in print. But I got a nasty surprise when I tried to format for print. I have a crappy little computer, and I wouldn't be able to format it the way I want, so I am just going to hold off on that for awhile.
     I still have 3 WIPs. I was involved in GothNo but had to stop writing on the project due to being on the road and without internet. I have decided to just carry over that project for Nano in November. I will just be a rebel. As soon as I can set up again to write I will continue on that.
     You know, the most frustrating thing about writing to me, is that "real life" intrudes. Everything is so urgent these days. And before you know it, you are in another situation and state of mind entirely.
     However, I hope you all have happy inky trails to follow...

CELEBRATE

 Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.   
Well hey all. Remember me??? I have been unable to post as I have no internet. How did we ever live without internet? There also has been a lot going on in my personal life I won't bore you with. Anyway, today I want to celebrate National Novel Writer's Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo. Which incidently starts today! I will be working on the same gothic novel I tried to write for Gothno, as I haven't been able to work on that. Guess I will be a rebel, nothing new. Hope everything is happy and wonderful out there in blogland. Happy writing!

WRITE A STORY WITH ME

     Oh my goodness! On October 28th, another one of my installments of Jennifer Eaton's "Write A Story With Me" appeared on her site. Here is the link to it.
     If you are interested in participating, please visit her site above for info.

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Well hello all. Busy here still trying to finish up chores. Busy busy. Today I want to celebrate black bears. Poor things, they are so beautiful (just not on my back porch!). Today one of the marauding babies was dead on side of road, hit by car. So sad. So today I want to celebrate them.
     So much to do and think about now. I hope all is well out there in Blogland. Blessings.

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Hello all, I am back again- okay, so I am a day late!! I honestly thought about writing a post yesterday but yes, I am still battling with cutting this overgrown grass. I have an old weedwhacker that only holds a 10 minute charge at a time (for which it takes hours to charge). Yeah, try that on 2 acres... BUT I want to celebrate that at least I am getting somewhere with it! Also I want to celebrate that I have most of my cuttings in the ground now, except for the few that haven't rooted yet... I have the houseplants brought in for the winter...
     I want to celebrate Autumn, too. How beautiful it is. The cicadas aren't nearly as loud in the woods, just an undertone. The crows are cawing, the sun dapples through the trees- which are losing their color turning leaves. Pretty. I sure love the cooler weather too. But it is starting to freak me out to turn the heat on at night! Allergy pills are my best friends right now...
     I am writing for GothNo still. I didn't prepare as much as I wanted, so I took a few days off to work on character sheets,  story line, & just regular brainstorming. Success!
     Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone of you, & that you are in good health (I'm talking to you, Jaileen!!).
     For your entertainment, here is a picture I took of mom's Persian kitty Angel. (I call her Jellybeans). (anGEL = JELLybeans: get it??) I need to give her another haircut , her hair is growing again... She looks fluffy now, but it is nowhere near the monstrous size she will be if it grows out all the way. She is more comfortable with her cut, and looks adorable!
     Happy day all...

 

(UPDATE: How did it become Sunday? I thought it was only Saturday? Wow, I have been alone too long here. I am 2 days late, I guess. OOPS mybad, ya'll...)
    

FADED AWAY

     Well hello there. I seem to have faded away there for awhile. I am pulling myself out of this funkhole I fell into... I have missed a CELEBRATE, and will get back on track here. A lot of changes going on in my life right now.
     I have started GothNoWriMo, after waiting for it for so long... I have dug out my old fav gothy music for atmosphere and find that I still LOVE it: The Cure, Danzig, Ozzy, Blue Oyster Cult, Kate Bush (still love her Wuthering Heights.), Evanescence, Alice in Chains, Fury in the Slaughterhouse. I now realize I need to get more gothy type music. Yes, World, I am still "ME".... (What a relief.)
     The writing is going ok too... I was able to get started this morning, and this is where I want to be. Deep in my own stories, bringing them to life.
     I finally read through the AugNo Anthology, and really enjoyed the stories of my fellow authors in it. Of course, it is a thrill to see my own story right in the middle of it. Does anyone know of any other anthologies I can write for?
     I will try to post better on this blog, and re-join my communities. Everyone needs a vacation now and then.
     HAPPY OCTOBER everyone! My favorite month (besides January).

CELEBRATE?

     I don't much feel like celebrating right now. My grandma had a stroke. I will catch up with you all later. I hope everyone has blessings in their lives...

CELEBRATE!!

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     GOOD NEWS ALL!!! The Augnowrimo Anthology is available on Amazon right now, that includes my short story Royalty.. The link is here. I am so excited about this!
     Also I would like to celebrate that I am finally getting some of my spraypainting metal lawn furniture done. After waiting all year for cooler weather. Soon I will be out of spraypaint tho, and will have to continue when I get more colors. But at least the project is started and is not overwhelming me. Ya know, it is surprisingly easy and takes so little time. What is the use of procrastinating such a little job? Causes more stress than the job takes.
     Anyway, hope you all have many Celebrations this week!
And to all my writer pals- HAPPY WRITING!!

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Today I want to celebrate roadtrips. They are wonderful to clear out the cobwebs, and see this beautiful country of ours...
     And I seriously want to celebrate GothNoWrimo! I have just discovered it, and have been enjoying the old forums. This is seriously right up my alley, so I am truly looking forward to October. I have already been busy brainstorming the novel I want to write for it. There are some good definitions of gothic writing and different sub-genres of it on this site. I wish it could run all year. I did find a GothNo that runs all year but there are only a few members. Anyone interested in joining and making it a thriving year round community? That site would be GothNoWriYe. Hope to see you there!

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
check them out here.
     Today is the 2 yr anniversary of IWSG. Congrats & thanks Alex J. Cavanaugh!
     Well, I have to admit that I still have a bit of editing for Desdinova to do before it is available in print. But since I am presently otherly occupied this week, I can't work on it yet.
     I finished AugNo, & enjoyed it. I wrote a story for the anthology, and I am excited to get it when it comes out end of month. I worked on a bunch of short stories from my files, and felt relieved to get them worked on. They had been nagging me! I also was able to clearly work out a few more things I want to write, so I felt it was a very good month..
     AND!!! I found --finally really truly found!-- the notes for the script I wanted to do! AWESOME!! Have been looking for it for 2 years! I know I don't have that much stuff, so it was driving me bats.
     I still have 2 WIPs No One Left to Die, and Southern Gothic. I am looking forward to Oct camp to write a Gothic Novel. I have been brainstorming that, and I have to write down notes from last night's session soon as I finish this. Mucho fun! I love how they work out. And I am able to use ideas from files in my WIPs.
     Happy Writing to all my writing friends. Carry on the inky trails!

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Today I would like to celebrate Netflix... YAY Netflix!
     And I would like to celebrate Florida beaches. *(sigh)*

YIKES!!

There was just a BEAR on the back porch, right on the other side of the sliding glass door from me!!!

*(faints dead away)*

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     I can't believe it is Friday already again. Well this week I will celebrate the online writing community. Nice to know you all, thanks for the support. My name has come up to write another portion of Jennifer Eaton's story.. It won't print for a few months though. Not much left of augno. But I am getting a lot organized with it. I wish you all happy writing and publishing out there!
     I am very grateful for the ebook I won in a contest through Jennifer Eaton: Ghosts in the Mirror by Joyce Mangola! Thank you both, I Am excited and will read it (and review ASAP. THANK YOU!!

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Mea Culpa, ya'll. I forgot Celebrate Friday. I have been totally lost in my own writing rat's nests -- it is a good thing, and I am enjoying it, but I have totally lost track of time here. I am also actively working on those Desdinova files, so I can make it available in print by early next month. And I am working on AugNo as well. Lately I have been digging out old story ideas to write them up as one act plays, something I have long wanted to do. I am pretty excited about that.
     This week I want to celebrate education. Though we may have suffered while we were in school, it prepared us for our own versions of life, and gave us our unique ways of expressing ourselves, and communicating. If we knew then, what we know now, me might have prepared ourselves a little better, and taken it more seriously. But I guess the young have to be young.
     And I want to add a "Happy Writing" to all my writer pals out there.
     Now I have to bury my head again. Sorry again that this is a day late... 

YEAR ROUND WRIMOS

I lifted this straight from an AugNo forum and re-posting this for my writer pals... Thanks to moderater Erin for all her hard work ferreting it out - the writing world is much obliged!!
            AugNo Post
"I know that everyone is absolutely in love with AugNo, but I also know that some people want to write with the company of other writers, so sparked by someone in the chat wanting to know about the other WriMos, I decided that I would post this list with all of the WriMos I [personally] know about. Feel free to add to the bottom if you know more!

Year-Round:
National Novel Writing Year | http://wriye.co.nr | Known as WriYe.
This is the official [and permanent] home of the WriYe website, with a link to their forums. The goals are chosen by you and there are clubs for each goal groups, similar to AugNo. It's never too late to join WriYe and all of the words you've written this year [as long as they fit the rules] will count towards it. WriYe has a Twitter at http://twitter.com/wriye .

National Novel Publishing Year | http://www.nanopubye.org/ | Known as NaNoPubYe
There are various ways to mold PubYe into a way that's helpful for you. There are many different sections of the forums to work on query letters, synopses, writing, editing, and everything in between! The traditional PubYe Plan will have you submitting a class act novel within 12 months from the WriMo month that you write the novel during [traditionally: November].

Book-in-a-Week | http://www.book-in-a-week.com
This happens the first week of each month! Write a book in a week!

January:
January Novel Writing Month | http://www.ymakadomain.com/janno | Known as JanNo
This is another smaller WriMo where you can set your own goals. The community is very close-knit on the JanNo forums.

February:
Write Here, Right Now | http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/jzdiary/0000008281.shtml | Known as WHRN
Another one I've never participate in, but the goal is 1k per day. In 2009, this was hosted over on the JanNo forums.

February Album Writing Month | http://www.fawm.org | Known as FAWM
The goal is to write 14 complete songs [lyrics and music] within the month of February. The idea is that by the end of the month, you will have an album ready to record by the end of the month.

Interactive Fiction Writing Month | http://www.instamatique.com/if | Known as IF
Write a Chose You Own Adventure type-novel from 15 February - 15 March.

March:
National Novel Editing Month | http://www.nanoedmo.net/xoops2/ | Known as EdMo
Within the month of March, you're supposed to edit 50 hours on your novel.

April:
April Fools | http://aprilfoolsnovels.com/forum/index.php | Known as April Fools / AF
This is another choose your own goal WriMo. It has a word count system set up on its own server and you are awarded PIPs [small avatars] when you reach milestone word counts.

Script Frenzy | http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ | Known as Screnzy
One of the official WriMos hosted by the Office of Letters and Light. The goal is to write 100 pages of a script within the month of April.

National Poetry Writing Month | Known as NaPoWriMo
Write a poem every day during the month of April.

May:
May Novel Writing Month | http://z4.invisionfree.com/MayNoWriMo/index.php | Known as MayNo
This WriMo didn't happen in 2008; it is yet unknown if it will be back in 2009.

June:
Write a Damn Novel in June | http://wridanoju.forumotion.com/forum.htm | Known as WriDaNoJu
Similar to JulNo in July, this is a 50,000 word, NaNoWriMo inspired challenge to write a novel during the month of June.

Southern Cross Novel Challenge | http://kiwiwriters.org | Known as SocNoc
Another 50,000 word challenge in June, sponsored by the Kiwi Writers.

Camp NaNo | http://campnanowrimo.org
Write 50k in June.

July:
July Novel Writing Month | http://www.julnowrimo.com | Known as JulNo
Next to AugNo, JulNo is by far the best WriMo around. It is rigidly structured after NaNo and thus, the goal is 50k for everyone.

The 50 Song Challenge | http://5090.fawm.org/ | Known as 50/90
Starting on 04 July and ending on 01 October, you have 90 days to write 50 songs. I don't know if that means music and lyrics or just lyrics, but whichever. It exists.

August
August Novel Writing Month | http://augno.co.nr | Known as AugNo
Obviously, if you're reading this you know about AugNo, but I wanted to make an extensive and complete list. There is also a livejournal community at http://community.livejournal.com/augnowrimo .

Camp NaNo | http://campnanowrimo.org
Write 50k in August.

September:
3-Day Novel Contest | http://www.3daynovel.com | Known as 3-Day
Write, edit, and enter a novel [usually more of a novella, but come on... it's 3 days!] that was written completely over the Labor Day weekend! Downside: $50 entry fee. Upside: PRIZES! And good ones: 1st Prize: Publication [via Arsenal Pulp Press]
2nd Prize: $500
3rd Prize: $100

October:
Gothic Novel Writing Month | http://gothnowrimo.proboards104.com/index.cgi | Known as GothNo
A month-long WriMo with a focus on Gothic Literature.

November:
National Novel Writing Month | http://www.nanowrimo.org | Known as NaNo
The original WriMo -- 50k in one month! Chris Baty is to thank for pretty much this entire list.

National Solo Album Writing Month | http://www.nasoalmo.org | Known as NaSoAlMo
This is what the site says:
"An album qualifies for National Solo Album Month if you have written, played and recorded it entirely by yourself during the month of November. The only slack you get is that one song is allowed to be a cover, your own freshly-recorded version of another artist's song."
And the album needs to be no less than approximately 30 minutes long.

December:
National Novel Finishing Month | http://www.nanofimo.org/forums/index.php | Known as FiMo
The goal of this WriMo is to add 30,000 new words to your NaNo Novel to make it a minimum of 80k, more the size of a novel, as opposed to a novella.

*wipes brow* That was looooong." 

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Well this Friday almost slipped by me! I was very busy today, typing up the short stories I wrote for AugNo. So I want to be very thankful for that. I am thankful for the muse, who visits when I need it. And for the many writing camps out there for us yearning writers. We finally got some good rain, I am very thankful for that. I just love rain-- but I don't like having to be out in it.
     I have figured out what is causing my excruciating lower back pain. Guess what. It is my desk/chair combo! Since I am usually sitting in there, that is not a good thing. Guess I will have to work out something different. So I have been using the kitchen table for now.
     I do want to celebrate Florida beaches, too. I really miss the beach life, and "Island time". Not that I have anything pressing. It is just as slow and peaceful in the mountains. I miss the sound of the waves and cries of seabirds. Okay, I got that out of my system, time to get back to writing.
     Happy Celebrations to all.

IWSG

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
check them out here.
Well hello there. I have so many projects going on now. But it feels good to be deep in them and not just thinking about it. I still have to re-edit Desdinova for print. Dang, I just need to DO IT! and be over it!
     I enjoyed July Camp Nano... I worked on a YA novel Southern Gothic. I still have a lot of work to do on it, but I am glad to have written all that I have-- it feels like something now, instead of just an idea.
     I am enrolled in AugNoWriMo now. For this camp, I decided to work on some short stories from the "story idea jars" and the files I have. I wanted to just have some of them DONE, and not clogging my files. Then I wrote one of the short stories, and hmmm, figured it would fit into a future novel idea perfectly.. And I had the brainflash that not every idea actually needs to be written up-- I need to work on the important things. The big projects.
     So I decided to just write the anthology story for AugNo, and go back to Southern Gothic. There is a list on the AugNo forum boards of all the different Camps thru the year, so I am thinking of just keeping on with them.
     I am looking forward to an October Camp for gothic novels. Got a fleshy idea for that one too!
     I am going to just state right here- that my goal for the next time IWSG rolls around- I will have Desdinova available in print.. Yikes, so I better get busy here!
     Happy inky trails to all my fellow writers!

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

Back again.. Today I want to celebrate family again, as my beloved cousins will be visiting for a few days. I want to celebrate technology, that allows us writers an easier time of it, and the online writing camps available. Also I want to celebrate you fellow writers, inky trails blessings to you! I

want to celebrate writing buddies, and give a shout out to my campmate buddy Jaileen. Thanks for the company! Happy day everyone, and may the blessings fall like a soft spring rain on your heads.
 

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     So today I want to celebrate my cats, who took me in as their own, overlooking my human frailties, and look out for me. And I want to celebrate the rain, that nourishes the earth and makes things grow. I want to celebrate plants that

propagate easily by cuttings. And I want to celebrate "downtime", that we all need sometimes, and which has taken me over today. It must be the rain, but I feel more like I am melting into a puddle of goo. Just when I feel I am so tired I can't go on, one of my cats comes to give me purrs and lovies. And the rain continues to fall...
     A passive celebration. An acceptance. What have you accepted lately?

WRITE A STORY WITH ME

       So my installment of Write a story with me has just posted on Jennifermeaton.com, celebrating her first anniversary of her blog. Please visit her blog if you are interested in writing installments. To visit my installment go here.

52     SHAYLA KWIATKOWSKI

Natalia raised her eyes.
“I know quite well what is and what shall be… When I found my family gone, I despaired and threw myself off the Southern Ridge. As I fell, a cellular memory opened the Portal, and I know full well who I am.  The Prophecy of the Seer Desdinova is fulfilled: We will share the child, and he will know the stations of his birth. Blood of Mother and Child must be spilled on the roots of the Sacred Gleaming Tree so it will bloom in multicolor and heal the Necrotic Zone. The Palace of Fae will rise again in the world of Man, and both races will be reunited as they once were.”
Queen Morath embraced her longlost kinswoman, Natalia.
“It is done, child. I have buried the afterbirth amongst the roots. Let there be Peace.”
Yoran struggled uselessly against his bonds.
“I throw myself upon your mercy! I did not know! Natalia, you are my only Guiding Star! I choose my family!”
Sian looked at Yoran in disbelief.
“Father!” she cried.
“Oh Sian, my beloved,” he sobbed. “Please forgive me, I didn’t know!”
Queen Morath smiled.
“All is as it should be. Release them and we will make merry until Evensong.”
Their bonds dissolved and the family reunited. All of a sudden, Yoran shouted.
“Wait! I must confess the real reason the Establishment wants the Fae eradicated!”
All eyes turned toward him expectantly.
Ashamed, he hung his head.
“It is simply a matter of real estate.”

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
     Well the mountains called me home this week... It was like someone slapped me on the hiney and told me to RUN!! The mountains are beautiful as ever, I even remembered their outlines in my heart.. Wonderful visit with my brother and we are now texting regular and realigning our memories.. One good thing about having an unusual upbringing, is that it is highly entertaining in our old age...
     I have been MIA for everything as I recover from this road trip. Getting too old to play road warrior, but it won't stop me. I am supposed to be doing Camp NaNoWriMo with my friend and cabinmate Jai-- sorry about that Jaileen!
     So I want to celebrate family, the mountains that patiently await the return of its sons & daughters, and my silly brother who hasn't changed a bit! I also want to celebrate patient friends (ahem: Jai!!!)
     Also I want to celebrate Jennifer Eaton's Write a Story with me, which just celebrated its first anniversary with my installment #52, which I will post tomorrow.
     Happy celebrations all around... 

CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

Well, hello there. This week, I am still celebrating Nature in all its grace and glory. I am still working on getting this property to match my vision, and have been feeling pretty whipped by it. It is so much work. I want to celebrate all the little plants I put out this week, and all the cuttings a friend gave me- if they root, then half my work will be done. I am still crossing my fingers over them. When I am feeling low over it, I just go out and walk around -- and see that it is good. I AM getting somewhere, and it is along my line of vision. Slowly but surely, Mother Nature is making room for me.

But, boy is it hot out. We had a lot of rain recently, which is a blessing. But a few trees are already changing their colors to their fall wardrobe. I am so ready for fall, though I have a lot to do before then. But cooler weather would be welcomed. I am not ready for winter, the woodpile is not replenished. I hate the cold! Though I know the flower bulbs needs it to bloom.

And as always, I celebrate my best little kitty friends, Greta, Hezekiah & Tallulah.

Any Celebrations out there?

CELEBRATE

 celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

Hey all. Hope everyone had a good 4th of July. It rained & stormed all day here, which was pretty cool. My mom & I pulled out some Green Acres DVDs and watched them since the TV blitzed out & we were feeling lazy coz of rain. I want to celebrate creativity, and the blogging community, and the ease of internet. It sure has made a big difference in our lives. I can remember living without internet & computers, but I can't help but think about future generations that were raised with it. How ancient & arcane they must think us. I guess it is like our generation couldn't understand how our grandparents lived without TV. Think of all the changes that have been made in our lifetimes even. Amazing, isn't it? So I guess I also want to celebrate progress.

A DROP TOO LATE

A Drop Too Late

by Shayla Kwiatkowski

     I know we live in Africa, but I don't know where it is on a map. I know my name is Anna, but I can't spell it. I know where the school is, but I am not a student. I pass by it on the way to fill our pails with water. Mama is sick, so I go the extra mile to the clinic to get better water that has been blessed by the magic of medicine. The small amount of water in our village is dirty. Mama says the water is sick, and she should know.
     The pails are so heavy, I feel like my skinny arms are going to fall off. My face still burns in shame from my visit to the clinic. They are all so clean, and there I was, a dirty little shoeless girl from the village with a herd of flies around her. I've never even had any shoes.
     I pass my time wondering how my life will end. Future is a bright and shiny word for bright and shiny people. I could die of AIDS, like my father did 6 months ago. Or I could fall ill from sick water like my Mama.
     If I could be anything, what would I be? A teacher? No, I want to be a hero. I'd want to be a doctor, who can use her magic to make everyone better. Mama would be so proud of me then.
     The water splashes out of the pails as I hurry home. I've been gone too long, and I have a bad feeling inside me. Wearily, I drag myself into the small hut we call home, but it is too late. All my fancy dreams vanish as quickly as the precious water sinking into the ground from the spilt buckets. I am too tired to cry. In the end, I become just another orphan.
     A drop too late.

     ---Well I wrote this for a "Cause", but didn't read the fine print that they want NON-fiction. So I get to keep it, and here it is.
                                        THE "CAUSE"

 

IWSG

 

 

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
check them out here.

     Well, I am still editing. Also I have been digging thru writing files and pulling out all my WIPs so I can just finish them. I want to get them written, and then start on YA, which is what I always wanted to do-- but these stories must be told! I am thinking of adapting one for YA.. July Camp Nano has started, & I am working on a YA book for that. I have pretty much written on it. I am getting more organized here & settling back in. What is YOUR WIP??

CAMP NANO!!

Hey all! Well, today starts Camp NanoWriMo. My friend Jaileen is in a cabin with me, so it will be fun!
     I have to do gardening in the morning before it gets too hot here. I have so much to do. I am taking out a lot of trees along the woods-line, that won't have enough room to grow there. I plan to put rhododendrons there. It gets real hot here, so I have been only working short bits here and there.
     I also am still getting more roadside flowers, today it was Queen Anne's Lace. Tomorrow I need to find Black-eyed Susans and more of the orange roadside lilies.. I found a rural spot where they really need thinning out, so that makes me feel better!
     I have gotten 2 new Cinnamon Basil plants- I really love them, and we use it all the time in cooking & salads. It is my favorite basil. I got a new lush catnip plants for the kitties-- repotted all 3 this morning. I still have to put a Mint & Lantana in the ground..
     Oh, here is an interesting little fact.. In Florida, I was used to Lantana living forever, and growing all wild and pretty. Well, I found out that here in north Georgia, it is considered an annual & dies every year! Darn, I really love Lantana.. So I rescued a clearance one yesterday (after waiting all summer for the 2 I planted last year to come back), and at least I will have one.
     I hope everyone's lives are full of flowers and joy.
     HAPPY WRITING to all you fellow campers out there!
   

CELEBRATE

Happy Friday! So we are getting together again to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.
Well today I want to celebrate that my glads are starting to bloom! I have them all over the yard.. Also I am trying to start alot of plants from cuttings (lavender, gardenia, hydrangea) and they seem to be doing okay.
     Oh and here is a biggie, my friend & fellow author Noelle MacLeod is offering her ebook Since September for free for 5 days, go on over and get it while you can!
     Hope your life is filled with joy and celebration!

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Jackie Felger, aspiring author from Bouquet of Books is hosting this bloghop. The question for June 24-28 is:

What band, singer, or group would be featured most in your WIP (Work in Progress) or life?

Well, my WIP is set in West Virginia, and I would have to say I get the feel of Johnny Cash & June Carter, and the Carter Family.. .

CELEBRATE

Happy Friday! So we are getting together again to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

Well, I do have to say I have a lot to celebrate! The past few days, I have been riding around rural roads looking for wildflowers to dig up for my gardens.. Oh my, what an abundance!! I finally got them all planted, and it is supposed to rain next few days, which is a blessing. It is super hot here, and hard to work in yard for any amount of time, but I have alot to do. I am looking for some wild honeysuckle to get some cuttings from- I know I saw it somewhere, but don't remember where. I just keep my eyes peeled for flowers when I am driving, & have a spare trowel in the truck..

I also want to celebrate that my daughter got her cats fixed, YAY! Poor Blueberry was miserable & is now calm. What a difference it makes!

And I wanna celebrate my MOM, I am glad to have her in my life. No one else could have been my mother!

Hope your life is full of celebration as well.

*PS*

JAILEEN! We did it! We have the same cabin for Canp Nano! Now THAT is something to celebrate! YAY!

(*throws confetti in air)*

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Jackie Felger, aspiring author at Bouquet of Books is hosting this bloghop.

The question for June 17-21 is a question you get asked time and time again.

My answer would be:

"What is your book about."

Here is the answer:

read the book!

IWSG OOPS

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

     OOPS... I have been posting wrong for IWSG.. Please excuse. I will get back on track here.. Well at least I have been posting on it (Mondays). Grief, I have to be more organized! Sorry about that, ya'll!

CELEBRATE

 

Happy Friday! So we are getting together again to celebrate the small things. This is a bloghop.

This week I want to celebrate my family-- together we are strong.. I also want to celebrate creativity, I feel it dancing around me again, and have some good ideas. I want to celebrate my friends. And of course, I want to celebrate my cats/best friends, and will do that by dancing around with them and annoying them!

Finally I want to celebrate another day of life. Imagine all the possibilities...

What would YOU like to celebrate?