Well, I didn't make it the next Friday, did I? But I have been ever so faithful about writing on my blog, so I hope you'll check that out, as well. We actually think spring is here, but it's still a very cold spring if you ask me. But then, the only thing I really have to compare this to is the spring time in Pensacola, Florida. It was wonderful growing up there in such a warm climate, where little girls got to wear pretty new dresses for Easter Sunday with white shoes and white socks, and then later with pretty new white summer pumps. Or maybe black patent leather. This was when (dating myself here) patent leather shoes were reserved for summer. Now I actually have patent leather snow boots. Go figure. Who invented those?
1/14/11
Gasp. Has it really, really been this long since I've been here to this page? I can hardly believe it.
This does not, however, mean I have been silent, or not writing, or ... well ... it has to do with an ill mother, and lots of issues surrounding that. Things are better here now, and the summer was oh, so incredibly beautiful. This spring or summer, when the asparague peek through the ground, we will be able to harvest asparagus all summer long. Hard to believe we've been here nearly 5 years, but it's so, and so have the asparagus!
I'm excited about writing again for a number of reasons. I've got a personal blog now, thanks to my techie daughter, and it's located at http://www.beeconcise.wordpress.com. It is, of course, a new challenge to me to keep up a posting blog schedule. Right now it seems to be whenever the spirit moves me, but am trying hard to have that spirit move me more often!
My new novel goals are to keep a 'Notes to myself' word document, alerting me to hidden themes in the book, or new ideas, or ... small bits of dialogue ... those things most writers write down on napkins or old envelopes or sticky notes ... then spend months looking for that critical piece of information, that dialogue your character has to say at this very moment in the scene. It's already proven to be invaluable. Good idea, I think, and to write to write two (and probably more) chapters a week. On we go!
And not that anyone else cares,but my three goal words (according to Martha Beck's article in the Dec. 2011 issue of Oprah Magazine, on setting New Year's Goals) ... well ... my three words are Strong, Disciplined, and Healthy. So far so good.
Right now I'm in the middle of an incredible Synopsis on-line class with Mary Buckham. If any of you have any issues with the dreaded synopsis, take this class. Mary is a fantastic teacher & writer. You cannot go wrong here. She's also very caring, focused, and clear. What more could you ask for in a writing instructor?
So, OK. All for now. Hope to check in with you next Friday.
Ruth
'
4/28/10
Well, I can see that God wasn't quite finished with the upheaval in my life when I posted this last note. That's the day my husband lost his job. Yep. Just 10 days after my stroke - after 15 1/2 years with the company, in a company-wide lay off - and then 5 weeks after that, my little 91 year old mom fell twice in 4 days - 4 broken ribs and several gashes in the back of her head. Now she's hooked up to oxygen 24-7 and is not a happy camper about this! Okay, now. We've had enough in this family. That's three shoes that have dropped. I am ready to move forward now. Is anybody listening??? Let me say this again ... I do not want any more surprises for this family any time soon.
I need to coast. I need to coast. Did anybody hear me? I need to coast!!!
3/28/2010
My goodness. Isn't it interesting how life can interrupt our plans?
The day after my last post, I found out there would not be a Harriet Austin Conference in Athens, GA at UGA in July, and the next day I did the unthinkable ~ I had a stroke! It was mild, I am fully recovered (or so I tell myself) but my quarterly writing goals went down the drain, replaced by 5 wks of therapy for stroke recovery. But that was then and this is now. Makes me all the more appreciative of the things I can do ... work in my garden, love my kids, and write my book, to name a few of the most important!
Am just finishing up an incredible on-line writing class with Martha Engber, of the Yosemite Writer's group - not sure of their official name right this minute, but am sure you can locate the group on line. This was the best, most organized, and most helpful on-line class I've ever taken. Come to think of it, it's the best class on writing I've ever taken, period. Martha has a blog, too, and if you're a writer, I'd highly recommend checking this out. Just google her name and you'll find a wealth of information about her books, blogs, and more. Great teacher! Gives wonderful suggestions, advice, and keys for success. (I'd go look for the correct 'url' for Martha's blog now - which is ANSWERS FOR WRITERS, so you know you want to check this one frequently - but I have so much difficulty staying in the 'page design' feature of this web site, I don't want to click out ... hope you understand!
Nevertheless, even with the 'life interruptus' from early this year, I am back on track. Maybe with a bit longer goal, but none-the-less, ready to climb back on this horse I've been trying to ride for so long. God just told me something note-worthy: "Ruth, you really weren't ready before. Now you've been through the fire. Now you can get going on this and finish it up!" So, there we are. I told Martha I feel like she's given me my marching orders, and that's the truth of the matter. So, on we go ... I've got the plan tucked into my Re-Write Journal. Am also taking much better care of myself. You know - after relocating my mother to a retirement home this month, with the help of lots of loving family members, I've come to the realization that if we continually give ourselves away, we really do have nothing left for our own goals. I've heard this for years, but this time the chickens have come home to roost, as my Southern mom always said. This time I believe it. And ... a non-stress life style is mandatory.
A friend in my book club recently told me (as did others) that I MUST let STRESS go ... like balloons in the air ... let them go. I was busy objecting, playing the 'Yes, but' game, and this friend pointed her finger at me and said, "Ruth, you HAVE to let things go. You have already had one warning." My blood ran cold and I knew in my heart she spoke the truth. I looked her straight in the eye and said, "It's gone. It's all gone." And from that very minute, the stress in my life drained out of me and I simply will not let it come back to destroy me or my goals. I hope this will be helpful to some of you, or any readers I have. If so, do send me an e-mail. I'd love to know this has helped somebody else. It sure has helped me. For the first time in months I'm reading more, exercising more, eating better, and looking forward to working in my garden ... puttering with the grapes, the raspberries, asparagus, iris, holly hocks, roses and more. I want sunshine in my life from now on!
And above all, I want to finish Benson's Cove ~ good, bad or ugly!! I'm getting 'er done!!
1/16/2010
It seems so strange to be writing in 2010 now, somehow futuristic. Am excited to have quarterly writing goals lined out now. I've got this book broken down into four segments, and it seems to be working for me. I hope I've finally found the pattern for me! With this goal, I should be finished with the first book in my Benson's Cove series by the end of May - a nice birthday gift to myself. I've always liked being a May baby, and finishing up my first book would be a wonderful gift, the best one I can think of, as a matter of fact! My hope is to go to the Harriette Austin Conference in Athens, GA at UGA in July, and the Emerald City Conference in Bellevue, WA in October. Beyond that, I guess it'll be time to start the next book!
1/5/2010
Well, I did it. I finished the NaNoWriMo challenge and ended up with 50,115 words. It was fun realizing how much I love writing all over again, and this time I know I can finish this book. Whether or not I WILL may be another story, but I now know I've got it in me. Wasn't sure for a time there.
I know now, also, that my book is about hope and renewal. I am so grateful for the writing friends who encourage me, and the classes and workshops I've been able to take, as well as the conferences I've been able to attend. Currently, now in January 2010, our RWA chapter in Spokane and surrounding areas will be taking (together) an on-line Jump Start Your Creativity class. Sounds just like what I need. Again, I am most grateful for these opportunities. Let me know if you want to hear more about this creativity 'jump start' class and I'll be happy to let you know the details. I took my 'book' and my Mini HP to Stoneridge to our time share in early December, was able to stay there alone for a few days, and finished up the complete outline for my book. It felt good. Walk in the mornings. Dip in the hot tub or some time in the sauna. Writing all afternoon. I could get used to that schedule in a hurry.
10/27/09
I'm happy to say that I've just signed up for the NaNoWriMo 30-day challenge ~ Write your novel of 50,000 words in the month of November. Again, this is the winter I either finish this novel or admit to myself that I am not a novelist. I keep waiting for the 'perfect plot' to drop into my mind. Hasn't happened. Bits and pieces of it float by occasionally. I can write and write but then don't feel I'm really getting anywhere, and have written this twice ~ probably 65,000 words each time ~ yet still knowing it wasn't what I deeply wanted to say. Now I've got that all figured out. This novel is about the many faces of abandonment, and how we can choose to live our lives with joy, rather than continuing ito live with despair. It really is our choice, and I know that now! I like to think it's a 'fun read' or a 'vacation book' because I know it'll have humor running thorugh it - a serious topic written in a lively, humorous manner. Yet if I tell somebody this book is about abandonment, and is full of humor, I picture their eyes closing. Well, my husband thinks I should get the book written first, and then (and only then) worry about how to market it when it's finished. Such a pragmatist!
9/12/09
After returning from Georgia this summer, and having finished reading my new copy of Mary Buckham and Diana Love's new book, Break Into Fiction, I can tell you that I am really excited about finishing my book. Mary Buckham said this would happen. The templates in this book are incredible.
They opened up channels in my mind I never knew were there! My job now is to get the outline written out, then finish up this book and begin talking to agents. That's my goal for the remainder of 2009.
6/20/09
Of course I have written nothing during these past two months, but have pretty much out lined the story line in my mind, with bombs going off almost daily in my psyche, as if I've found a true vein.
I believe I know what I'm writing about now - took long enough to figure it out. So many writers say they never really know what's underneath it all until they finish a book, and sometimes long after they've finished. I wonder how this can be. How can you write a word without knowing?
I've written this 'draft' twice now, but understand myself that I wasn't yet at the truth. Now I believe I am. So, let's hope this vein I've located is the real one I need for me to be able to finish my book. A friend said to me, yesterday, over wine and Reubens, as we discussed learning to live our lives forwards and not backwards ... she said, "That's what I need to learn how to do. Hurry up and write this book so I can read it and figure out how to live like that." I'm sure she has no idea how earth-shaking this was to me, to think that maybe I could have that kind of an influence on somebody. Oh, probably not, but it's wonderful to think that maybe a book you write could help people live better lives ... my goal ... to learn to live with hope, rather than with hopelessness!
So, there. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it ... and still plan to finish this book by fall.
A perfect stranger read through my web site this past week and sent me a message saying, "I love your web site!" Oh, my ... that short message did wonders for my writing muse. Really? It's not just vacant rambling? Made me smile. I actually went outside and puttered in my garden, humming. I know, any writer would say to me - No, this is when you're supposed to put butt in chair and write!! Well, I was still contemplating. I'm narrowing down the story line, with story questions for each of the characters, so that they can be answered as I write this thing. Finally. Last time. Once and for all!!
Will head back to Georgia in August for 2 weeks. This time I'll take my Mini HP to write, instead of just sending e-mails back to friends and family. What a concept. Actually writing the book!! Am signing up for a July on-writing course - Developing Plot and Tension in the Novel, from the Yosemite Romance Writers program: Arc of the story, how the components work together, tying up loose plot ends. That's what I need. But at least I know what those 'loose pieces' are. Before I felt like somebody who needed to outfit an entire kitchen, and kept buying things at garage sales, not knowing if I needed them or not. Suddenly the kitchen was filled with gadgets, cook ware, and linens to the point that I couldn't find the oven or cook top. Now I have everything organized, as to the things I am keeping and the things that are being tossed - plot lines and characters who no longer belong in this novel. Now, to put it all away in an orderly fashion. It feels so good. Like someone has come in to Feng Shui my life.
4/24/09
After trying to change the size of a picture here, and losing it, I've decided that I have great respect for web designers. Before I tried this myself, it seemed so simple. Well ... now I know the real story. It is NOT simple, by any stretch of the imagination! The good news, though, is that yesterday the mail brought me my first check for my writing in a very long time, and it felt really wonderful to have my palm crossed again with silver . . . knowing that even another check is on the way this fall. It's so amazing to me how little it takes to change an attitude, or self-esteem. Now - to finish the book! I'm leaving Monday for a little vacation, and already have my Mini HP packed in my carry-on. There's just no time like the present!
3/16/09
GREAT OPPORTUNITY: I'm taking an on-line class on Pacing from Mary Buckham, and the class is incredible. I'm grateful for Mary's teaching wisdom, and also for the comments from others in the class. If any of you have the opportunity, I'd recommend this one!
3/11/09
How exciting is this? The Fed-Ex truck just pulled away from the house, leaving two boxes of books on my front porch, filled with the My Mom Is My Hero books! I'm smiling. You'd think it was a book I've written all by myself, but of course - far from it! Just one small short story, but it sure did put a big happy heart on everything I've done since my story was accepted. Then to know that another box of books will arrive for My Dog Is My Hero (scheduled for release this fall) - oh, dear - it's making me a very happy camper!
My husband asked, "How many books did you order?"
I looked at him sternly. "You don't want to know."
He's a man of few words. "Okay." That was it. Good man!
I ordered lots, to be able to share them with friends, autograph some at book signings, put a few into gift baskets for writing events, and to simply love having them around, like new friends.
So many years ago, to have let my writing platform fall off the deep end, and to now be trying to get back up on that horse - it's really a big deal to me! I've been busy working on this web site, and have one more page to work on. It's the 'Memoir' page. I think I'll go now and post 'Taste of Honey' in this space. It just feels like that kind of day to me. My hope is that this page (Notebook) can be like a non-blog-blog, if that makes any sense, and I predict it will become my favorite page on this web site. What freedom to believe you can write something and nobody can come onto your page and edit you, tell you you're all wet, or that you're having a computer dump of the mind. I think it's called freedom!
3/9/09
I also learned today that Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane will be able to have some of these books on hand for signing at our Spokane IECRWA fiction writer’s conference on March 14. This is exciting to me because it's the perfect gift for Mother's Day!
2/25/09
I’m currently in the final stages of writing my first novel, working title Benson’s Cove, about this charming seaside village located on Washington State’s Whidbey Island. You’ll read about Addy Westcombe and her sister, Mallory Campbell, who go to Benson’s Cove one Memorial Day weekend to help their elderly Aunt Tilly with the book store they’ve actually inherited from their Uncle Robert. From here lives for everyone become much more complicated.
Hopefully you’ll enjoy reading about Nell Russell, owner of the Resort Wear shop next to Tilly’s Books, and Glory Newman, owner of the Glory! Glory! Gifts on the other side of the book store. Across the street you’ll meet Karl and Jorgie, owners of the Sweet Tart Shop, with the best coffee and raspberry scones north of Seattle. And of course you won’t want to miss handsome vet Logan Archer and his young son, Ben, or rough and tumble Tom Russell & his cousin Nick Russell, who run the kayak shop at Benson’s Point.
Addy Westcombe finds out just how hard it to direct her own life after years of letting other people do that for her; Mallory finds her life turning out completely differently than she’d planned; and Logan Archer realizes his life will never be the same, once Addy moves to town!
The story questions are ~ Will Addy find the place where she belongs in Benson’s Cove, like the osprey she so envies - the mother osprey who mates for life and returns to the same nest year after year? Will Logan Archer recognize what this woman can mean to him? And will Logan's son, Ben, become friends with Addy? Even more importantly, can Addy even imagine having a child suddenly become a part of her life? When this courageous young woman makes her decision to move to Benson's Cove, she has no idea what is in store for her, except that her life will never be the same.
The good news is that Addy and Mallory have lessons to teach us all, about living our dreams and never giving up on ourselves.