Off for the week

So I'm off to the happiest place on earth this week. I'm at the peak of anticipation, I've not been able to think of anything else. I can't wait. I'm looking forward to great experiences, inspiring moments and great memories.

Plotting a story

My current assignment from ICL is teaching me how to plot a story. It's no mystery that a good plot is a very important part of a good story, however, deciphering for yourself if your plot is a credible one, is indeed a mystery.

Now that I am studying plot, I'm reviewing a number of stories that I wrote earlier and I'm of course second-guessing my work. Now I do realize this is part of growing as writer and I want to learn things everyday, I'm just concerned about a number of pieces that I have submitted for a contest or publication. I suspected or feared that I would be rejected, but now I believe I will be for sure!

But then again, I have a great critique group and I know that if I'd written a bunch of crap, I would not have been encouraged to submit my work.

So I'll play the waiting game and see what my work comes back with. I'm fairly excited at the prospect of getting some feedback because either way, it will be a directional guideline for my writing.

I'm tired

I'm trying so hard to be good, but it's hard. Lately, I've relapsed and started up my stupid habit of drinking coffee at night after the children have gone to bed. For my husband, a late evening java is no biggie, just another way to quench his palate. For me it's a delightful treat that causes bouts of insomnia and results in my getting 5 hours or less of sleep. The first few days are fine, then my whole system goes haywire and I'm knocked off kilter. My biggest warning sign - falling asleep at my keyboard at work, something I did twice this week. The next is the inability to keep up with my exercise routine, keep up with my house and finally, keeping up with my kids.

So I've quit drinking coffee at night, but still paying the price. I can't stop yawning and I can't concentrate on anything.

I'm aggravated...

Divided loyalties

Photography or writing...

To shoot or to document?

I've been hitting the keys and bic pretty hard in the last 48 hours. I'm still riding my euphoria wave and it feels pretty good. I'll be sure to remember these beautiful moments when I stroll down writer's block lane in the future.

I've been working on a number of projects simultaneously. The first is my non-fiction assignment for my class. I'm truly challenged by this assignment because I'm still trying to determine the voice I want to speak in. My story is definitely for 8-9 year olds, but somehow my tone doesn't seem right.

My second and third projects fiction pieces that I've had critiqued and have been cleaned up. One I've sent a query letter out and the other I was in the process of sending out for purchase, but I will enter it into a competition instead. Here's to success or the thickening of my skin.

Oh and I almost forgot. I just inquired about a local critique group in my area and I'm petrified at the notion of working in the "real world". All my bold strides in the world of writing I've taken behind the virtual wall of the internet where anonymity gives me the courage to reach out. There's nothing shielding me from the real world in a real world critique group. I'm going to be the naked woman standing on stage with the world laughing at me! What have I done?

Hey, I can panic if I want to...

Two Words

Yesterday I received my assignment back from my professor and she, for the first time, summed my work up in two words.

Great Job!

I can't describe the emotional impact those two words had on me. Those two words told me volumes;

I'm making progress
I'm growing as a writer
I can do this... Become a writer that is.

Riding high on my wave of euphoria, I dreamt good dreams last night. I dreamt of becoming an accomplished writer, supporting my family with my earnings as a writer. I dreamt of projects I would work on, incorporating my love of photography in with my writing. I dreamt of businesses I would start, employing my children to work in my home "office" and becoming renowned in my family as being "finally successful".

Two words took me beyond my goals to places I never dared to dream of.

I've started working on my seventh assignment and I have two submissions going out this week. Since I've discovered that I need to write, write and write, I'm surfing my way to another accomplishment.

Great Job!

Two words with euphoric powers. Who knew?

The verdict is in...

And... drum roll please....

WRITING, WRITING, WRITING... Write till you drop, write till you wear off the keys on your keyboard, the point of your pen. Write, write, Write!

Constant writing should be my focus as I develop my skills as a writer. Once again, my instincts were right.

Thanks to the diligent posters on the Verla Kay message boards. I've learned a lot from the boards since I stopped lurking and became a full-fledged member.

So I'm off to write, of course now I have to find a way to incorporate writing into my 3-ring circus life!

Viva La writing

What should make up a good writer's time?

I'm trying to find a balance between writing and studying. My natural instinct is to write or at least attempt and put studying off for later. My problem now is that I have not been studying and that's not a good thing. What should make up a good writer's time? What's the ratio of time spend reading, studying and writing?

I'm off to my forums to find an answer. I'll be back to share the results.

Over-Analysis syndrome

I haven't been able to write much in the way of children's or short stories in the last few day. With my husband's meme dying last week, these past few days have been the longest of my life really. I can't seem to get up enough stamina for anything. My oldest was diagnosed with scarlet fever and my littlest one has taken it upon himself to freak out every night at bed time. There goes my little pocket of personal time up in smoke. Tonight, he insisted that I sit in his room with him, so I did. With my laptop in hand. I was there for company , not for conversations.

Because of the drama in my life, I've been stuck on one story FOR-EV-ER it appears. I can't move beyond it. Oh the drama of Over Analyzing! I just posted the story on my critique group boards. I hope someone there can yank the stopper in my head and get this story to flow cleanly!.