IWSG: In for a Penny, in for a Pound

 The Insecure Writers Support Group meets online every first Wednesday of the month. Founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh, IWSG was created to support and encourage all writers in every phase of their work, from writing to marketing. Click here to join, and for information, writing tips and more.

Co-hosts for the the October 7 posting of IWSG are TB Markinson, Tamara Narayan, Shannon Lawrence, Stephanie Faris, and Eva E. Solar!
 

Well, it's that time of the month again. I was determined to report by this date that I had finished my novel and was finally submitting the blessed thing. I didn't think I could handle another post where I groveled and attempted to explain yet another delay. 

Happy to report, I DID IT! My main insecurity this month was hitting the 'send' button on my first query (to an agent) two days. My heart started to pound and I think I even broke out in a sweat. Now for the waiting stage, the toughening up period, as the results trickle in. I hope all are kind; I hope some are good, with requests for my manuscript and helpful advice if rejected. 

I've been using Query Tracker for the process and love it. You can organize your queries, set up reminders, research an agent's track record--their response time, number of manuscripts in genres queried, clients, current needs, and more. It's all about simplifying the "business" of writing. From there you can go to the actual website and conduct more research. It's time consuming, yes, something I expected, but necessary. "In for a penny, in for a pound," my husband likes to remind me. 

Other....

--Removed the dust on a manuscript I started awhile back.  

--Attending a two day writers conference, Rivers of Ink, this weekend in Richland, WA. I'm excited to meet some area writers!

--Visited the LA County Fair last week with my son's family. (My cute grandsons at the end :) The displays in the children's building were extraordinary. Here are some of the life size books and titles displayed in the reading section. Take a look. Aren't they great? 

Wishing you all well in your writing journey

and a fabulous month!  

Celebrate the Small Things: Sometimes We Need a Break

I think I need a break......

A Sleigh Ride through the trees would be so nice right now.

I rebelled and avoided my computer for most of the day. I'm feeling pressed for time as the end of January approaches one week away. But as always, there is much to celebrate and it is good to reflect on the week . . . I know I will feel better after I do :)



First, it is always good to remember ....

Today
 I have no Yesterdays,
Time took them away;
Tomorrow may not be--
But I have Today. (Pearl Yeadon McGinnis)


 Things to celebrate this week....

1) I  put my living back together after the fireplace install (had to move the furniture back). I actually like rearranging furniture. I can work out a lot of stress this way, and anyone who knows me has seen me do this a lot over the years. 

We are still waiting to have the rug re-tacked. Ugh. A small thing really, but finding a carpet business willing to take on a small job when they have more important jobs to do (i.e. large carpet orders) was a bit irritating. "I'm your future customer," I wanted to say . . . "or not." Okay, long story short, someone finally agreed to help . . . tomorrow....so celebrating one merchant's kindness and consideration.

2) Completed some serious edits on the last chapters of my book. Not sure I'm going to make the 'end of month' deadline for a full-on submission, but I'm going to try. I'm a whole lot closer this month than last month.

3) Read 3 chapters for my Master Gardener's class and took three online quizzes. Holy moly! I'm learning about cell structure, botany, soil chemistry, and all things related to plant science and horticulture. Gardening is all about good planning and knowledge beforehand.

But the good news is I'm really enjoying it! Met someone in class who planted an heirloom apple orchard 2 years ago...179 trees! Can you imagine? She and her husband are having a ball taking care of them and already have a cider press ready to go.

4) Edited a book proposal on Biofuel Production for a professor I occasionally work for. I know nothing about Biofuels, but it will be interesting to learn about this subject. We certainly need more fuel alternatives!

5) Celebrating a product called 'Arnicare' for bruises and aches. When I slipped on the ice and hit my head last week, I had a terrible bump and bruising. Still do, but it looks a lot better. Hope I don't shock two writer friends this Saturday. I know I look like someone punched me in the eye.

6) Attending a SCBWI writer's workshop in Spokane this weekend called "Building a Following: How to Grow Your Author Platform Before and After Publication." Hopefully, I will learn something!!


So back to needing a break, I really do. I'm going to drop off the blog grid for a while, probably for the rest of January. I need to get my book ready for submission......so it's crunch time. But I'll be back, I promise. Blogging is in my blood. Sometimes we just need a break . . . 

Hope there were good things in your week, too. 

Celebrate.... was started by Viklit at Scribblings of An Aspiring Author. Sign up below and meet some terrific writers and bloggers!  

Weekly Recap: Touching the Stars

For me it is a pretty full plate this January. I no longer work outside the home, so some of you may just roll your eyes with envy. Juggling family, writing, and other passions with an outside job is demanding, no question. Done that, been there before! I do have a part-time editing job, but it so part-time it hardly counts. 

Started my Master Gardener class yesterday and excited I can finally do this, as there was never enough time before. Homework, lectures, and online exams will keep me busy through mid-April and I am meeting a great group of like-minded gardeners. Still determined to submit my novel by the end of this month. Worked on it almost 17 hours last week toward that end. Later this month, I will be attending a regional SCBWI workshop (Spokane, WA) called "Building a Following: How to Grow Your Author Platform Before and After Publication." Working on one book review, but (darn) missed my 'read one book a week' goal last week, so need to think about that. All in all, it's lining up to be a month of learning. Hope your week is going well. Is it?

Below is a quote from a book called The Treasure Chest, a high school graduation gift to me from my parents many years ago. I cannot tell you how often I have read and enjoyed this collection of quotes and poetry over the years. I will read it my entire life. Today's quote about 'touching the stars' seemed so applicable to the goals I am seeking and the frustration I sometimes feel. I love how it ends. I could not help but think of blogger friends like you and others in my life :)

"You Can Touch Stars"

Stars have too long been symbols of the
unattainable. They should not be so. For
although our physical hands cannot reach
them, we can touch them in other ways

Let stars stand for those things which are
ideal and radiant in life; if we seek sincerely
and strive hard enough, it is not impossible
to reach them, even though the goals seem
distant at the onset.

And how often do we touch stars when we
find them close by in the shining lives of
great souls, in the sparkling universe of
humanity around us!

(Esther Baldwin York)