"winning….."

Soo…..it’s been a craZy, wonderful, blurry-blur month of writing and eating and writing, not washing dishes or clothes and writing and then writing some more. I’ve learned so much about forming habits, patience, discipline and dealing with my silly self-inflicted pressure. 
Now when I can sit back and think about it, it’s really quite an accomplishment to have this pretty, shiny new story that just kind of poured out of me. About five days into the challenge, it was clear to me that THIS was the story I was meant to write this month. Except for one experience (which I refer to as “The 900 word night”), I didn’t struggle much with writers’ block or get too hung up on details and research–which was the whole point of this particular NaNoWriMo challenge. We were meant to just WRITE, let it flow, and worry about details later. My inner-editor never really went away, which was the biggest challenge for me. But I managed to bind and gag her for the most part. She’s very feisty, however. 

I’d like to thank each of you for your support and love this past month.  
I’m already looking forward to next November!

"winning….."

Soo…..it’s been a craZy, wonderful, blurry-blur month of writing and eating and writing, not washing dishes or clothes and writing and then writing some more. I’ve learned so much about forming habits, patience, discipline and dealing with my silly self-inflicted pressure. 
Now when I can sit back and think about it, it’s really quite an accomplishment to have this pretty, shiny new story that just kind of poured out of me. About five days into the challenge, it was clear to me that THIS was the story I was meant to write this month. Except for one experience (which I refer to as “The 900 word night”), I didn’t struggle much with writers’ block or get too hung up on details and research–which was the whole point of this particular NaNoWriMo challenge. We were meant to just WRITE, let it flow, and worry about details later. My inner-editor never really went away, which was the biggest challenge for me. But I managed to bind and gag her for the most part. She’s very feisty, however. 

I’d like to thank each of you for your support and love this past month.  
I’m already looking forward to next November!

Writing Inspirations – starry stars

Why I love Don McLean:
(“The Starry Night,” by Vincent van Gogh)
(clicky-click here to play pretty song) 

Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) 

“For they could not love you
and yet your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night
you took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”

Writing Inspirations – starry stars

Why I love Don McLean:
(“The Starry Night,” by Vincent van Gogh)
(clicky-click here to play pretty song) 

Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) 

“For they could not love you
and yet your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night
you took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”

Writing Inspirations – The movies, part 2

Why I love The Long, Hot Summer
(1958, story by William Faulkner, starring Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward)

“I am a human being, do you know what that means? It means I set a price on myself, a high, high price. You might be surprised to know it but I have quite a lot to give. I’ve got things I’ve been saving up my whole life. Things like love and understanding and jokes and good times and good cooking. I’m prepared to be the Queen of Sheba for some lucky man or at least the best wife that any man could hope for. That’s my human history.” 
 
“I like life. I like it so much I just might live forever.”

Plus, Paul Newman’s eyes are really blue…..

Writing Inspirations – The movies, part 2

Why I love The Long, Hot Summer
(1958, story by William Faulkner, starring Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward)

“I am a human being, do you know what that means? It means I set a price on myself, a high, high price. You might be surprised to know it but I have quite a lot to give. I’ve got things I’ve been saving up my whole life. Things like love and understanding and jokes and good times and good cooking. I’m prepared to be the Queen of Sheba for some lucky man or at least the best wife that any man could hope for. That’s my human history.” 
 
“I like life. I like it so much I just might live forever.”

Plus, Paul Newman’s eyes are really blue…..

Writing Inspirations – my lovely beta

Why my Beta Reader rocks…..


because of emails like this that I’ve saved for months……


“…And you’re books are better than hers anyway. At least you don’t write about the same thing over and over. Oh, so I’ve been meaning to tell you, since our talk…..I think you should keep trying to get Abby published. I know it seems like you’ve [oy, I started this email 3 hrs ago, but E was being needy] Anyway. I know you said it seems like you’ve been at it for a long time, but I hate for you to “give up” yet. I mean, I totally get why you would want to, but in some ways it seems like your just starting. Like, going to that writers conference, and that one thing w/ FSL where you chatted with that chick editor lady. I just think the more stuff like that you do, the more you’ll learn and I just hate to see you stop. Does any of that make sense? I’m failing miserably at giving a pep talk. 🙂 I only got like 4 1/2 hrs of sleep last night, and sometimes when I’m tired things sound good in my head then 2 hrs later I realize it really sounded stupid. But, I guess I’ll go ahead and send this anyway.” 


BR, you have no idea how much I appreciate your notes, kind ear, kindred attitude and PP. Here, have some Nutella gelato on me. You deserve it after putting up with me (and my words) all these years.
xoxo

Writing Inspirations – my lovely beta

Why my Beta Reader rocks…..


because of emails like this that I’ve saved for months……


“…And you’re books are better than hers anyway. At least you don’t write about the same thing over and over. Oh, so I’ve been meaning to tell you, since our talk…..I think you should keep trying to get Abby published. I know it seems like you’ve [oy, I started this email 3 hrs ago, but E was being needy] Anyway. I know you said it seems like you’ve been at it for a long time, but I hate for you to “give up” yet. I mean, I totally get why you would want to, but in some ways it seems like your just starting. Like, going to that writers conference, and that one thing w/ FSL where you chatted with that chick editor lady. I just think the more stuff like that you do, the more you’ll learn and I just hate to see you stop. Does any of that make sense? I’m failing miserably at giving a pep talk. 🙂 I only got like 4 1/2 hrs of sleep last night, and sometimes when I’m tired things sound good in my head then 2 hrs later I realize it really sounded stupid. But, I guess I’ll go ahead and send this anyway.” 


BR, you have no idea how much I appreciate your notes, kind ear, kindred attitude and PP. Here, have some Nutella gelato on me. You deserve it after putting up with me (and my words) all these years.
xoxo

Writing Inspirations – The 4077th

Why I love M*A*S*H
 Henry Blake: Will you stop saying what I’m thinking?
Radar
: One of us has to.
Frank: I’m taking this to a higher authority.
Trapper
: Aw, Frank… you’re not going to write your mother again.
Frank: This is the last straw!
Hawkeye: Remind me to order more straws.
Frank: The men hate me, don’t they?
Radar
: Just your guts, sir.
Frank: Why don’t you guys like me?
Hawkeye: Because you’re a lousy doctor and a rotten person.
Frank
: Aside from that.
B.J.
: Well, there’s your pimples.
 

Plus, the theme song makes me cry.

Writing Inspirations – The 4077th

Why I love M*A*S*H
 Henry Blake: Will you stop saying what I’m thinking?
Radar
: One of us has to.
Frank: I’m taking this to a higher authority.
Trapper
: Aw, Frank… you’re not going to write your mother again.
Frank: This is the last straw!
Hawkeye: Remind me to order more straws.
Frank: The men hate me, don’t they?
Radar
: Just your guts, sir.
Frank: Why don’t you guys like me?
Hawkeye: Because you’re a lousy doctor and a rotten person.
Frank
: Aside from that.
B.J.
: Well, there’s your pimples.
 

Plus, the theme song makes me cry.