"Well, I was tossin' and turnin'/ Turnin' and tossin'/ Tossin' and turnin' all night." - "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis
Tossing and turning is what Alana has been doing at naptime. The entire naptime. This is the child who slept 2-3 hours every afternoon all summer without fail, but as soon as school started, she thinks she no longer needs to take a nap. Well, she does. Why won't children just go to sleep when they need to?
Okay, okay, once upon a time I was one of those sleepless children. I didn't take naps past the age of two and have never slept well at night. From birth, I just haven't required as much sleep as normal people. If I get three hours I'm good to go for the day, and I have gotten by on less many times. I guess I can understand where Alana is coming from with not wanting to sleep, but this kid needs her rest! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that today she will take a nice, long nap and wake up in a good mood for a change. We're supposed to go to the zoo on Friday (no school), and she knows that might not happen if she doesn't sleep. Maybe that will do the trick!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Write the Next Line
"Why do I find it so hard to write the next line?" - "True" by Spandau Ballet
I just completed a massive edit on my first Willow novel and am now seven chapters into the second one. For the most part it has gone very well, but there have been a few lines that have just tripped me up. For one reason or another they just didn't read right to me, so I ended up changing them over and over again until I either had to take a break from frustration or I was finally satisfied with the results. I know that editing is a major part of writing, but it's my least favorite part - by far!
I'm hoping that this work will pay off though. Barnes and Noble is starting a very exciting e-publishing program that I will talk more about in the near future when I am ready to dive into this head first. Now, back to editing! Ugh.
I just completed a massive edit on my first Willow novel and am now seven chapters into the second one. For the most part it has gone very well, but there have been a few lines that have just tripped me up. For one reason or another they just didn't read right to me, so I ended up changing them over and over again until I either had to take a break from frustration or I was finally satisfied with the results. I know that editing is a major part of writing, but it's my least favorite part - by far!
I'm hoping that this work will pay off though. Barnes and Noble is starting a very exciting e-publishing program that I will talk more about in the near future when I am ready to dive into this head first. Now, back to editing! Ugh.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Birthday
"You say it's your birthday/ It's my birthday too yeah/ They say it's your birthday/ We're gonna have a good time/ I'm glad it's your birthday/ Happy birthday to you!" - "Birthday" by The Beatles
Happy birthday to me! It's been a nice, quiet day, and I have to say, I'm sorry it's over. I have decided that I am no longer getting older because that is a depressing thought, but having a day to celebrate me is fantastic! Now I just have to wait 365 more days until October 15, 2011.
Happy birthday to me! It's been a nice, quiet day, and I have to say, I'm sorry it's over. I have decided that I am no longer getting older because that is a depressing thought, but having a day to celebrate me is fantastic! Now I just have to wait 365 more days until October 15, 2011.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Song Lyrics
"I write the songs that make the whole world sing/ I write the songs of love and special things." - "I Write the Songs" by Bruce Johnston, sung by Barry Manilow
I wish! If I wrote the songs, my life as an aspiring writer would be MUCH easier. I probably should have known this from the beginning, but for some reason, I did not. Using song lyrics in a novel is extremely tricky and risky business! I knew that my publisher would need to get permission from the copyright holders (if I ever get a publisher!), but I recently found out that there are miles and miles of red tape involved. So...after a lot of thought, I have decided to cut all song lyrics from my novels (sigh) and just mention the artists and titles, which are fair game. I have a lot of editing to do, but hopefully this will give me a fresh start. I'll keep you posted!
I wish! If I wrote the songs, my life as an aspiring writer would be MUCH easier. I probably should have known this from the beginning, but for some reason, I did not. Using song lyrics in a novel is extremely tricky and risky business! I knew that my publisher would need to get permission from the copyright holders (if I ever get a publisher!), but I recently found out that there are miles and miles of red tape involved. So...after a lot of thought, I have decided to cut all song lyrics from my novels (sigh) and just mention the artists and titles, which are fair game. I have a lot of editing to do, but hopefully this will give me a fresh start. I'll keep you posted!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me
"A very merry unbirthday to me/ To who?/ To me/ Oh you!" - "The Unbirthday Song" from Disney's "Alice in Wonderland"
Today is my unbirthday! Or rather, I am celebrating my birthday today even though my real birthday is next Friday. Yea me! Cool presents, great food, even better family. Who could ask for more than that?
Today is my unbirthday! Or rather, I am celebrating my birthday today even though my real birthday is next Friday. Yea me! Cool presents, great food, even better family. Who could ask for more than that?
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Soon it Will be Christmas Day!
"Silver bells, silver bells/ It's Christmastime in the city/ Ring-a-ling, hear them ring/ Soon it will be Christmas day!" - "Silver Bells"
It's time to start Christmas shopping! At least for me. Today is Hallmark's Ornament Debut, and as a holiday nut, I have to be there. Do I need more ornaments? Probably not. Do I want them? Oh yeah! Then after that, Barnes and Noble is doing their semiannual educators' appreciation week, so I get 25% off every book in the store. I can't pass that up! With five kids to buy for (Riley, Alana, and my nieces and nephew), I have to take the deals where I can get them. I have a massive list of fun items to buy, and I'm feeling very Christmasy!
It's time to break out the holiday CDs (okay, I never put them away from last year!) and sing along as Rudolph guides Santa sleigh, Frosty the Snowman comes to life, and St. Nick himself comes to town. Ho ho ho!
It's time to start Christmas shopping! At least for me. Today is Hallmark's Ornament Debut, and as a holiday nut, I have to be there. Do I need more ornaments? Probably not. Do I want them? Oh yeah! Then after that, Barnes and Noble is doing their semiannual educators' appreciation week, so I get 25% off every book in the store. I can't pass that up! With five kids to buy for (Riley, Alana, and my nieces and nephew), I have to take the deals where I can get them. I have a massive list of fun items to buy, and I'm feeling very Christmasy!
It's time to break out the holiday CDs (okay, I never put them away from last year!) and sing along as Rudolph guides Santa sleigh, Frosty the Snowman comes to life, and St. Nick himself comes to town. Ho ho ho!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I Wish I Had a River...
"But it don't snow here/ It stays pretty green/ I'm going to make a lot of money/ Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene/ Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on." - "River" by Joni Mitchell
I love snow. Unfortunately, it rarely snows in this part of the country. Bummer for me! As the temperatures have slowly gone down over the last couple of weeks, I have been wishing for winter more and more. I just love those crisp, blustery days when the sky is dark and there is the smell of snow in the air. I can't wait!
I just checked the forecast, and it appears that a warm front is coming through next week. That's just great. I want autumn temperatures, not Indian summer. Ugh. I also checked the forecast for Barrow, AK. Why would I do that you ask? Because I have a weird obsession with the northernmost town in America. They get a lot of snow. In fact, it's 25 degrees there and snowing as I type away at my computer. I can't help but feel a little jealous. Until the day when I see snow again, I will just dream about it, along with the frozen river to skate on, just like Joni.
I love snow. Unfortunately, it rarely snows in this part of the country. Bummer for me! As the temperatures have slowly gone down over the last couple of weeks, I have been wishing for winter more and more. I just love those crisp, blustery days when the sky is dark and there is the smell of snow in the air. I can't wait!
I just checked the forecast, and it appears that a warm front is coming through next week. That's just great. I want autumn temperatures, not Indian summer. Ugh. I also checked the forecast for Barrow, AK. Why would I do that you ask? Because I have a weird obsession with the northernmost town in America. They get a lot of snow. In fact, it's 25 degrees there and snowing as I type away at my computer. I can't help but feel a little jealous. Until the day when I see snow again, I will just dream about it, along with the frozen river to skate on, just like Joni.
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