Letting my Light Shine: A Challenge to You

I’ve been wanting to try yoga for a very long time but just couldn’t figure out when to work it into my schedule.  I stopped trying to figure it out and just did it.  Today.  For the first time.  I went to a “gentle” class and the instructor was a little perplexed as to why I chose the “gentle” class.  I don’t have any physical challenges, am relatively healthy, and am still pretty youngish.  ;-)

But I found the class perfect for me.  I was nervous about going and trying something new but everyone was kind to me and accepted me into their fold.  The instructor started by talking about the full moon and how it appears to shine a light but in fact is only reflecting a light.  She compared this to our own lives where some days we shine brightly while other days it’s a struggle to have any kind of burn going.  On those days, it’s our job to reflect someone else’s’ light.

I have some pretty amazing friends who are doing some amazing things and I want to reflect their light to you today.

One of my friends has an amazingly deep heart.  She recently rescued three cats, one of which was pregnant.  Ends up, one was really sick and has died now.  The pregnant one gave birth to four kittens, one of which died the first week and another has already had to have an eye removed due to an infection.  Despite these tragedies, she’s hung in there, provided these animals with a good home and good medical care, regardless of the financial cost.  What an amazing person to have as a friend.  I know that if things get bad, she’ll be there–for all the people (and critters) in her life.

I have another friend who has started a movement she’s calling “shine.”  You can learn more about it on her blog. Shining is when you do something the best that you can–whatever you’re doing.  And part of this is recognizing those people in our life who really do shine.  She’s started a campaign called the Yellow Envelope Project where you thank people who are shining.

The idea here is to recognize someone each week who is really shining by sending them a card in a yellow envelope.  I think that my friend who is caring for all these unwanted cats and who is absorbing all these medical bills for them is really doing just that–she’s shining.

So I’d like to challenge you to send her a card in a yellow envelope.  And in addition to letting her know how good it is that people like her exist, stick in a dollar or two or five to help her pay the vet bills.  She won’t expect this–she’s not that kind of gal.  But it will make her day and reaffirm to her that even in death and tragedy, goodness wins.

Jennifer P.

3423 Clydesdale Dr

Denton TX 76210

1500 words and kicking it!

I had such a hectic day yesterday (and yes, I got through everything on my to do list but what a way to spend a Sunday).

I finally sat down to write for NANWRIMO about 8 last night, exhausted but determined.  And I managed to churn out 1500 words.  Not too bad.  Not my goal, but close.  I’m reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle right now and it’s due back to the library soon.  I’ve got to finish it (plus it’s hard to put the damned book down).  I didn’t push on through for another 2oo words last night because I wanted some reading time, too.

So how is NANOWRIMO progressing for you?  I’m just getting started tonight–and it’s already 7:15.  Ugh.  Why can’t I fit this into my day? And I’ve been up since 5:30.  You’d think I’d have managed it before now!

Daylight Savings Time

I’ve been messing around in the bathroom for a while this morning, knowing that it was around 7:30 when I climbed out of bed.  What a shock for me then when I sat down here and looked at my computer clock.  7:38.  Hmmm.  Then I remembered–daylight savings time.  I gained an hour today.  Thank the Lord.  While still in bed, I was mentally ticking off a list of things I wanted to get done today:

1.  make a list for groceries for stuff to cook this week

2.  go to grocery store

3.  vacuum carpets

4.  steam clean carpets

5.  mop kitchen and entry

6.  take a walk

7.  drop off books at library

8.  review book notes

9.  write 2,000 words for NANWRIMO

Plus cook 3 meals, spend time with children, kiss husband (who will be engrossed in football and not noticing me), feed animals, check garden, clean out pool filters, etc.

I’m being thankful for the small things today:  like an extra hour, the sun is shining, no one papered our house last night, halloween is over, and the fall holidays are headed our way.

 

new kitten in the house

Nothing makes you feel better than new life.  In this case, it’s a new kitten we’ve adopted.  Kids love it, dogs are indifferent, but the other cat is feeling a little put out.  I’m sure in time, we’ll all figure out how to live together.  In the meantime, Emma is treating it like a new baby.  Meet Nibbles.

 

Emma dressed Nibbles in a hat

Nibbles sleeping in a doll's bed

 

 

Painting as Therapy, part 2

I’ve finished up my art class now and made a second painting.  It’s a whimsical, folk-artsy kind of thing.  Hope you like it!

 

bird after bug

I’ve been under a huge amount of stress this last week and I had to drag myself to art to finish the class and this painting.  But I was so glad that I did.  For an hour, at least, I forgot all my troubles.

I’m scheduled to start a drawing class next Tuesday.  Who knows, I might get good at this one day!

 

 

The countdown is on! NANOWRIMO

National Novel Writing Month is almost here, and I’m determined to finish “Sins of the Father” in November.  I really want to find an agent for this book before Christmas so I’m going to be writing like mad starting November 1.

I’ve convinced a couple of friends to join me at NANOWRIMO.  Are you signing up, too?  You should–we can be friends and encourage each other to just keep on writing.  Join today–it’ll be fun, really!

 

NANOWRIMO

 

 

Checklist for Copyediting your Manuscript

Jessica Page Morrell’s Thanks but this Isn’t for Us book includes some of the best, brief checklists I’ve seen around.  Check the prior two posts (Tuesday and Wednesday) for the first and second round editing lists.  Today we’re on to those pesky details.

Morrell considered this the third-round checklist:

1.  is your opening perfect?  are the first paragraphs memorable?

2.  does every word and sentence have a purpose?

3.  does the dialogue need tags so we know who’s speaking?

4.  in the dialogue are characters’ names repeated often?  (this is a no-no)

5.  is the dialogue written without any visual cues, such as gestures or expression to help with context?

6.  have you used figurative language to create layers of meaning?

7.  have you repeated words, phrases, or images?

8.  is there a mix of sentence lengths?

9.  do our setting details, especially weather, create a mood?

10.  have you used all the senses, including smell, throughout the story?

11  have you sometimes used short sentences and fragments for emphasis?

12.  have you placed emphatic words at the end of sentences, paragraphs, and sections?

13.  have you revamped dull verbs (get, got, look, see, walk, put), passive linking verbs (have, had, has, would, could, should, will, do, be, been, were, was), and passive structures?

14.  have you spotted and corrected cliches, tired phrases, and overused phrases?

15.  can you justify each modifier, and have you trimmed unnecessary prepositional phrases?

16.  can you justify each modifier, and have you trimmed unnecessary prepositional phrases?

17.  is the dialogue punctuated correctly?

18.  have you exchanged long, formal words for short, simple words?

pg. 280-281

That’s it, folks.  The last of the checklists from Morrell.  I’ve interlibrary loaned a couple of her other books and when they get here, I’ll give you the low-down on them, too.  Unless you have thoughts, checklists, etc. in the meantime to share . . .

Checklist for the Second Revision

When you’ve done that first re-write and you’re ready for the second, Jessica Page Morrell suggests you do these things:

1.  check to see if the story moves fast enough to hold the reader’s interest.

2.  can summary sections become scenes or scenes become summary?

3. do you need to add foreshadowing so that later events have credibility and resonance?

4.  do you need to tighten and amp up conflict and emotion in dialogue?

5.  does the reader understand how much time has elapsed since the last scene?

6.  are transitions clear but not obtrusive?

7.  do you need to trim flashbacks and transitions and omit digressions?

8.  do you need to trim subplots?

9.  does each scene have setting details?

10.  are your secondary characters described briefly, and do they cause things to happen in the story?

11.  do some scenes end with cliff-hangers or other devices that push the story forward?

12.  does each scene raise the stakes?

13. does each scene have a mission along with a beginning, middle, and end?

14.  are your characters consistent?

15.  are there are series of unanswered questions embedded throughout?

16. what is the proportion of inner thoughts to the whole?  Can you trim these sections?

17.  does the dialogue match the character’s vocabulary, intelleigence, emotions, and knowledge in the scene?

18.  is there subtext in some of the dialogue or is it mostly “on the nose” dialogue?

19.  do you sometimes incorporate sequels to important or emotional scenes?

20. can the sequels be trimmed or elminated?

21.  are physical and emotional injuries to characters carried through?

pg. 277-279

Tomorrow we’ll review Morrell’s advice for copyediting your manuscript–

Checklist to Use when Revising your Manuscript

I’ve just finished reading Jessica Page Morrell’s book, Thanks, But this Isn’t for Us. It’s a “sort of” compassionate guide to why your (my) writing is being objected.  Let me just say that this is a huge book with all kinds of information in it that will improve your manuscript.  I’ve seen some of the information elsewhere but some was new to me.  Also, Morrell is really edgy and sarcastic, which I like.  But maybe you don’t–

Here’s her checklist for a first revision.  After you’ve written the first draft, use this to help you as you revise:

1.  is the plot resolved?

2.  is each scene necessary to tell the story?  Can it be cut without affecting the main story?

3.  does each action cause more actions and reactions?

4.  evaluate the order of your scenes–is this the right time to include this action or should it wait?

5.  is your time line consistent?

6.  do you need to add twists and complication to the plot if it bogs down, especially in the middle?

7.  is description dispersed in small increments throughout and, if possible, coming through a character’s viewpoint?

8.  do you need to add flashbacks so the characters’ motivations and goals make sense?

9.  do the flashbacks contain action or are they mostly summary?

10.  do you need to strengthen or add subplots?

from pg. 276

Tune in tomorrow and I’ll share her checklist for the second revision.

As a side note, she’s just written a book called Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches:  How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction.  Gotta love that title!

Made Cheese, Spent Day on the Farm

Those of you who know me know that I’m dying to get out of the city and the frantic lifestyle I lead and make a life that’s simpler (ie. less driving, less spending money, less people, etc.)

The windmill

I had a taste of this Saturday when I spent the day at Homestead Heritage Farms making cheese.  I got there early and had plenty of time to walk around the demonstration gardens, around the gristmill, and to contemplate the spiderwebs glistening in the morning sunlight.  It was about as close to heaven as I’ve been lately.

spiderweb covered in dew

You can learn more about the cheeses I made on my homesteading blog!

the rooster with his girls