Thank you for visiting my blog–after several years here, I’ve finally created a new website dedicated to my writing, primarily, but I’ll also post some about my art, cooking, and farming experiments. Please visit me there!
Choosing a Book Title
a gratuitous puppy photo
As an update: the ten puppies are growing like crazy. Even though they are only four weeks old, we’ve started them on solid food. They are just too much for the momma, and she is getting down and puny. And fighting with the babies. No matter how many calories we give her, it’s not enough. Feeding the babies solid food is helping, though. She is less aggressive with them now.
Now, on to choosing book titles! I’m through a second draft of my novel, and I still haven’t decided on a title for the book or the series. I have something I’m playing with but I don’t like it much. It’s a young adult series that fits into the action adventure and romance sub-genres. A lot of books in those genres have only a one or two word title.
Nothing is jumping out at me. Any thoughts on how to choose a good book title?
Spring on the Farm
I don’t publish too much farm stuff here. I tend to do that over on the farm blog, saving this site for my writing and making. BUT, it’s spring here on the farm and that means babies.
Someone dumped this dog here about 2 months ago. We didn’t realize at first that she was pregnant. Sigh. No one wanted her and certainly not with an undetermined number of babies on the way. Well, she had 10. Yes, 10 puppies. So if you are in need of a cute puppy, we can hook you up. So you know, the momma is super smart and was well trained by someone. But she’s gun shy and it looks like she might have been in training as a hunting dog. Not a good mix.
Poultry delivery was this week, too! Chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. All chirping their heads off.
Of course we’ve got the natural increase as well–bird nests are filled, swallows back in the courtyard and already nesting, and baby rabbits have been spotted. Plants are taking off. It’s that time of the year here on our farm.
First Draft Finished!
I saw this quoted image online and snagged it. SO TRUE! Finished the first draft yesterday. Yea me! Now to get into the meat of the book. I feel like all I’ve done is set out the plot and established a few characters. Now for the hard work. Whipping this draft into shape. But I’ve got an unlimited number of drafts ahead of me to get it done. No pressure!
I tell my students that all the time. The first draft is just one of many. No pressure! I can take as many drafts as I need to get the book right.
IndieReCon
Are you an indie book writer? You might be interested in “attending” IndieReCon. Great online sessions going on today and for the next two days. A fun online FREE conference for indie writers. It’s happening now–tune in. I am!
I’ve started with session 1 and will pick and choose the sessions I want to listen to over the next few days. Hope to “see” you there in the comments sections, facebook group, and google conversations.
Balancing the Writing Life with “Life” Life
Emma pitching JV softball versus Cisco, TX
I don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time balancing my writing life with my “life” life. Sometimes I get a little antsy with it, frustrated because my writing time is so limited. You can see from the photo where I’m spending most of my free (unpaid work) time right now. We are either at practices, pitching practice, batting practice, or it’s a game day. Hard to believe that someone else’s loves can eat up so much time but since she’s not driving, I’m the #1 fan, chauffeur, wallet, and all around support staff. She says she wants to pursue this in college so who am I to stand in the way of someone’s dream?
If you are a mom, you know this feeling. You want your kids to achieve and you want to see them be successful. BUT, what about your own dreams? Your own sense of achievement? This spring it seems that a lot of my own goals have taken a back seat. I know it’s a limited time and in only six (yes 6!!!) months, this little sportster will be driving and that will eliminate a huge chunk of the time devoted to her but still, six months can feel like a long time away when you are deep in a book project and lack only 2 (yes 2!!!!) chapters from being done with the first draft.
I know, I could stay up late and work on the book. And I have at times but sleep is a good thing, too. So is planting the garden, mowing the grass, trying to cook a few times a week, and sitting and reading for pleasure. How do we find a balance?
Or perhaps that’s just not possible right now. Balance will come later, maybe, when she’s driving or graduated. And while six months feels like a long time, I bet I blink and she’s headed off to college. Then I’ll wonder how it all slipped past me so quickly.
For now, I’ll just try and get in some reading and writing time while I’m waiting for her to finish her practices. A few minutes here and there.
Is Obama Care Working?
John Green posted this video on ObamaCare, given that it’s the 5th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Has it really been that long? This is a topic we discuss in some of my classes, so it’s a good overview of the pros and cons of the ACA.
Speaking of John Green–I’m still analyzing novels written in the first-point of view. I can’t quite get the voice right in the book I’m working on and since this is my first go at 1st person POV, I’m finding it quite the challenge. So much easier to be remote and distant or even all-knowing in the 3rd POV. Anyways, I feel like I’m getting closer to the voice I want, which is good since I’m in chapter 13 of 17 of the first draft. I expect this will go through a dozen drafts before I feel comfortable with the work but like all writing, it’s a journey.
It’s nice, though, when things feel like they are finally beginning to click–even if it’s only one element of the story.
Mouse in Bed
First in a series of sweet little animals in bed boxes. All recycled and local materials. 
Still Writing: Talent or Craft?
I Listened to a good interview with Dani Shapiro: author of Still Writing.
Shapiro argues that while there are people with a great talent for writing, that doesn’t equal to success. Here’s what does:
Ability to endure:
good habits
shrug off rejection
endure
not be self-destructive
be disciplined
persist
honor your gift
How Important are Characters? Look at Downton Abbey
My daughter: “How was the final episode of the season for Downton Abbey?”
Me: “pretty much like the entire season. Boring.”
Her: “why did you watch it then?”
Me: “you know, costumes and scenery, mainly.”
Her: “Do you think there will be another season? will people keep watching?”
Me: “yes. People get invested in characters and want to see what will happen to them, regardless of how boring it gets.”
And that’s pretty much the long and short of it. I love the visual eye-candy of Downton Abbey, but the stories have often been lame, especially this season. Not sure why–there’s plenty of good “meat” here to investigate and there have been some good forays but not deep enough to really “say” anything. Still and all, I tuned in each week mainly out of habit, wanting to know what happens next . . . .
kelly mcmichael 