A time for writing

All kinds of time is stretched out before me! Summer is here, the kids don't have to be anywhere at the crack of dawn or do homework. No more excuses! (Except for that meeting in Dallas tomorrow ... oh yeah ... sigh...)

Expecting big things of myself over the next three months.

Artist's date

Yesterday morning, I snapped some pictures of the flowers in my front yard after I took Kristen to school. They still had dew on the petals and leaves and were so pretty! I was going to double post here and on my regular blog, but after the layout nightmare I had getting them on my other one, I think I'll just link to the post and pictures here, and leave you with only my favorite shot on this page.

It was a nice jolt of inspiration to start the day and a calm oasis in an otherwise hectic week.

When life gets in the way

Man, it's HARD to be a writer when life gets a little crazy. All the normal people out there still get up, go to their jobs, collect a paycheck, and more or less get their work done, unless they take some paid time off...in which case, they still collect a paycheck.

Writers...on the other hand (or any other kind of artist, I'm sure)...when life gets crazy, it's very difficult to focus and "show up at the page." I was feeling so accomplished a week ago when I was on a roll with my manuscript, then life went nuts. My brain was taken over by a whirling dervish who wouldn't let me sleep at night or focus during the day. Death, home improvements, graduations, impending (yet very much anticipated. Hi, Dad.) visits from faraway family members--have all served to distract me in a big way.

Fortunately, my story and characters have been working hard all by themselves even as I've ignored them. I sure hope they'll be generous enough to let me know what happened while I was out.

I plan to report I'm on a roll again in the near future, but I fear it won't be until the May flowers become June ones. But, hey, June's only a little more than a week away.

The denominator is shrinking

Well, I've passed the one third mark on my MIP, and then some! 36K and counting today. Nearly 37K, but I was at a good stopping point today. Working my way toward one half little by little! I'm nearly to the point where I quit before on story number one, and going strong, so there's something. :-)

My new schedule isn't going perfectly, but it's working fairly well more days than not. And the girls are helping quite a bit, which is good. It's a busy attic right now.

I'm finished with my online voice class and was dreading the end of that, but it turns out there is a pretty active post-class forum and also the activity from the Girls in the Basement class has picked up again since we finished the voice class. I just need that interaction, I think.

Todd gave me the DVD Babette's Feast for Mother's day and I'm looking forward to watching it for an artist's date soon--hoping this week.

No profound words of wisdom or anything today. Just progress!

Guest blogger

I have a guest blogger today. My daughter told me I could post her school essay today if I typed it up and printed it out for her. I thought she had a lot of good advice and most of it could apply to growups, too!

If you are a third grader, and you are reading this, pay close attintion.
(this could help you)

When your going into fourth grade it can be a little tricky. So i am going to give you some pointers on how to have a successul year.

Do your best to try to get work done, Because if you don't, you will have to skip resses in study hall, and you will not get to talk and play with your friends.

Try to have fun or the year will go really slow. Havving fun will also make things alot easier. You will not take so long on things that are not fun if you Just Make them fun.

Follow all directions so you don't get in troble and so you don't get a sign.

Work very hard to pass on evrey paper. If you pass on pappers you have a chance to pass fourth grade.

Things to think about durring the summer like math facts help you not forget them, so you don't get lost durring a fourth grade math lesson.

You might want to know what homework you have for the night! So I would strongly suggest to make a list at home for the homework every night.

In fourth grade you will learn alot of new things, so you might want to keep your ears and eyes open and your mouth shut!!

I'm going to try to remember the part about Having Fun, and getting my work done so I can talk and play with my friends.

Wish I may, wish I might

It's one thing to "discover" a new music group you get on a visceral level. It's completely another to find one that's been around for a long time and you've missed. I guess you can choose to think, "Man, I feel cheated, how many years have I missed listening to these people?" or you could say, "Phew...I almost misssed them." I think I'll choose the second today. I started listening to The Frames because of an email I get from e-town, and meandered here and there checking them out. Wow. Wow. Just wow. I've heard of them, but never listened to them. Gamazing.

There is one song I've listened to I don't know how many times in less than an hour, different versions, different settings, and I am awed. It's really a simple tune, but it's hitting me between the eyes. Chills and all. I've added one version from projectplaylist to my little purple player down there at the bottom of the page, but you can also listen here, and this version is different. Looks like they often put a different twist on it. The bridge with the music from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is haunting in the Rhapsody version. I'm going to post the lyrics here and also double post this on anaudienceofme, because it is just what I needed today as far as my writing goes. Funny how things work out that way.

Star Star
Star star teach me how to shine shine
Teach me so I know what's going on in your mind
'Cause I don't understand these people
Who say the hill's too steep
Well they talk and talk forever
But they just never climb
Falling down into situations
Bringing out the best in you
You're flat on your back again
And star you're every word I'm heeding
Can you help me to see I'm lost in the marsh

Star star teach me how to shine shine
Teach me so I know what's going on in your mind
'Cause I don't understand these people
Who say we're all asleep
They'll toss and turn forever
But no rest will they find...

(The Frames, from Setlist and Dance the Devil)

Shhh...work going on here

I'm not going to say much, because I don't want to JINX it, but I've started a new schedule this week and it's going well. Just in case you're not keeping a log, please note I've added more than 4,000 words to my MIP in just two days! That's almost 20 pages. (And in just 4 hands-on writing hours, I might add.)Woo hoo!

Also got past that scene, which helps lots.

I also worked out today.

And shopped for tuxedos with my very handsome son who is going to look like a stunning roaring 20s dude on Saturday night with his lovely girl.