IWSG Aug. 2017 Pet Peeves and News

Time again for an IWSG post. What is that you say? Insecure Writers Support Group. Started by Alex J. Cavanuagh where we share encouraging news or our insecurities. Lord knows I have a lot of insecurities and sometimes I panic. To read what others have written go here.

IWSG Aug Question: What are your pet peeves when reading/writing/editing?

I spent years learning the craft of writing. Therefore, I don’t have much time for those who are lazy and never bothered to learn. You know immediately when you start to read a book if this is true. Backstory, POV shifts, sometimes in the middle of the sentence, information dump, etc. That being said, I’m willing to help others learn if they are willing to put in the effort.

In other news. If you know me, then you know money is tight. I have saved up enough now to buy ISBN’s, have the paper copy of my book cover done and start a web page by mid-August. In September, I’ll pay for formatting. This may take more than one month to reach all markets. Book 2 will be ready for my editor in September as well. I hope to release it come December. But, ultimately, that will depend on money for my editor and book cover.

This has been a long time coming with multiple delays. Family is first. Sometimes I just have to put food on the table.

How about you? Do you have a pet peeve when reading or editing books? Do you have some exciting news? Do share.

Nancy

I hope you will consider joining me in creating a wonderful story or sharing something that actually happened on Aug. 16, 2017 for the Write, Edit, Publish bloghop titled: Reunions. To sign up go here.

Random Thoughts Mixed with News

We've been worried about my grandson lately in his first year of school. He is in Kindergarten. Everyday he comes home and says he is in time out. When we ask him what he's learned he says nothing. So today I put aside my notebook where I've been making notes for a rough outline of the sequel to my epic fantasy, and went on a school visit unannounced. Oh my...it was terrible. The teacher is constantly interrupted by a group of children who hit and kick and talk and pull hair. My grandson is so distracted by these children and the teacher so busy disciplining that the day is spent in unproductive frustration.

Before school started all he could talk about was going, he was so excited. Now he is begging to stay home. Less than two weeks in. Tonight is teacher conference, (Thursday as I write this), I guess we will be discussing this situation.

Update: She was offended. My daughter is school shopping starting tomorrow. 

News:
No one has asked to take my classes so I will be shutting down my writing craft blog.

I'm seeking critique partners and/or beta readers. For critique; I've already got several people who are fairly new at writing so I need seasoned writers please. All genre's, I believe genre doesn't matter so much. Good writing is good writing.You know it when  you read it.

Random Thoughts:
Do you love Dr. Suess? Ever since I was a kid I loved his books. They were filled with wonderful art that made you smile and words that made you learn without anyone teaching you. So...

Would we have loved Dr. Suess as much if he was only an illustrator or vice versa, only a writer? Wasn't it the combination of both that made us purchase and devour one book after another? Take 'Horton Hears A Who' for example. If we only had the illustrations of Horton and the Who's without the words, would we have learned the importance of, "A persons a person no matter how small?"

If you're a writer, never infer that your work is better than the illustrator or artist working on your cover or inside pictures. If you're an artist/illustrator never tell a writer that  your work is the reason their work potentially sells. The two are on equal footing. One is not superior to the other. Unless you're William Shakespeare.

Any thoughts?
Nancy

Horton Hears A Who, Amazon

News and or other things

Hi ya' all.

What do  you get when  you combine two adult children (only one lives with you), when they both need a ride to and from work plus a 5 year old who starts school next week?

A tired old woman. 

Yeah, I'm old and gray but still  young at heart. 

I only have one computer up. That wouldn't be a big problem if I could find the little storage do-hicky thingy that I up loaded my stories on. If I don't find it soon, I'll have to get out the other computer and then the dinning room table will be full of hardware. 

When I put up this computer and went online I had over 4,000 emails. I'm below 2,000 now. It's time consuming to go through.

It's payday. I get to spend the day paying bills. My credit union changed their site and I can't get it to let me on so I have to call them to figure out the balances on all things I'm doing. Any one else hate paying bills?

 I'm waiting for the white knight to come and rescue me. I think he got lost. Plus, what brave soul would want a tired old woman? Oh wait, I'm married. Is my brain going?

I hope you enjoyed my sarcastic humor and I made you smile. Have a great day and wonderful weekend.

Nancy

News

I've got internet. I will soon post a new schedule. A lot of writing, blogging and fun await me. It's a tab bit late tonight to get started but tomorrow I will stop by at least 10 blogs. Looking forward to sharing with all of you.

Nancy

I over did

Sorry for the delay in my Monday post. Look for it tomorrow. I ran errands on Friday and haven't recovered. I must sleep. So until tomorrow, have a great day.
Nancy

Have you seen this?

© Photographer: Olgapshenichnaya | Agency: Dreamstime.com

I bet some of you have, since it is old news. But I am still struck by this news and had to add my two cents. For those of you who object to stem cell research, the controversy has forced scientist to study adult stem cells with some amazing results. No fetus was harmed, yea!

Take an old mouse, maybe he is named Mickey, inject a younger mouses stem cell and Mickey lives twice as long and starts to rejuvenate his muscles. Now he sounds a lot like a cartoon character. Okay, jokes aside, some research scientist at Penn State did this. Curious, go here to learn more.

What does this mean? The Spanish armada is on its way looking for the fountain of youth? No, they can get the latest on the web just like we can.

It means that once all the studies are done, say in ten years, doctors may have a new weapon against disease. The cure for cancer, MS, arthritis, and more may be a heartbeat away.

Will we live longer? The mice in the study lived twice as long. Do you want to be 200? How about 1,000?

A couple years ago I saw a program on The History Channel that talked about mini robots that looked a whole lot like alien UFO's which they said would be injected in people to fight disease expanding our life time to 1,000 years. The program estimated that this technology would be available by 2150. Well, folks, I will be 99 years old in 2150 and I just had visions of me, old and wobbling around with a cane for 1,000 years. No thank you. But with the stem cells, from living, younger, donors, our bodies would regenerate. We would grow more youthful. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure no one would turn into a baby.

Where is God in all of this? I ask, because many of you will. God, in His mercy, created stem cells. It could be that our scientist are like those who built the Tower of Babel. If so, God will interfere. We don't need to worry. We just need to trust Him. If not, then I see no harm in this new technology. All my aches and pains cry out for relief. I can serve God better with a healthy body than an old one.

What are your thoughts?
Nancy

Blizzard 2012

Hi all
I lost the internet during our recent blizzard and it took until right now, 5 days, to get it back. It's on and off so I will do my best to visit you all this week, but please be patient.

Nancy

News Update

I had intended to write a post for Romantic Friday Writer's today. However, yesterday I had a doctor's appointment and that took everything out of me. I had to walk so much that when I got home my lungs hurt so bad I had to take pain medication. My doctor is worried about it and increased my inhaler medication which makes me vomit. Oh the fun of being sick!

Yesterday, Siv Maria gave me a shout out. I got to meet Siv after I was first diagnosed with brontitis, before the killer cold set in. What a treat, so stop by Siv's and take a look. She lives in Norway.

When you're done with that, check out all the wonderful post at Romantic Friday Writer's. I love this challenge and can't wait to participate on a regular basis.
Nancy

New Doctor, new directions, thumbs up.

As the title of this post states, new doctor and I am very pleased. She didn't take any thing for granted and kept quizzing me about the past. Bottom line, I had come up with some of the conclusions myself. It was great to have a doctor who listened, tested, and put together a solution that we can both work toward.

The problem is the place where I live. Bugs infest it and I think there is mold as well that has just been covered up with new paint and tile. Also, both my girls smoke and even though they do so outside, when they come in it's on their clothes.

Solution: Medication can help in part, but if I want to get better I must find a different place to live and the girls can't come unless they quit smoking. I hate that, but to be sure, they are both twenty something and its time to live without Mommie.

Not sure how long this will take. Money is tight. But I am motivated because playing face book games is fun but I really want a clear enough head so I can write.

See you around.
Nancy

Update on Life

Hi everyone:

I am seeing a new doctor today. I am better but still have an infection.

My internet connection isn't the best. I was happily visiting and leaving comments when it wouldn't let me leave anymore comments. So I have been by just hidden from view.

I will do my best to put together a post for next week. Take care.
Nancy

News Update

Hi Everyone:
I'm alive, but we ran out of internet time. My daughter is big on the facebook games and I started to help her get the stuff. But she spent too much time playing, partly because we weren't aware of our time allowance. I won't be able to blog or anything for two weeks.

For all my  kind and thoughtful followers, thank you so much for your kind words and generous hearts. I love you all.

Doctor update: The guy is an idiot. He didn't believe me about the iron, he didn't believe me about the severity of my nose bleeds, and to top it off, he was rude. He will kill someone. That someone won't be me. I'm searching for someone new. Oh, he didn't give me any meds either.

Nancy

News and Announcements

I am honored to have won the Romantic Friday Writers Featured Writer award this last week. Just click on the button at the side if you'd like to read those stories or scroll down a ways for the post a week ago Friday.

Health:
I am now on so many pills that I'm a walking pharmacy. But I am starting to feel better and I can walk five steps without falling down coughing. My new doctor is really good. I hope to be  100% after the holidays. I've lost a lot of writing time.

I'm having internet issues. Plus I really think I need to just take it easy for awhile. If I can I will visit you all and if this connection today allows me to I will re-post my favorite Christmas music. One week from today I will be an old lady, 60. Ugh! How did that happen?

I will be sorry to miss the next Romantic Friday Writers post but I will try to find a way to read everyone's post and leave a comment.

The Writing Craft will return in January 2012.

Merry Christmas, Happy all other holidays and have a wonderful New Year.
Nancy

Announcements & News

Romantic Friday Writer's is on break so members can participate in NaNoWrMo. We will be back on Dec. 2, 2011 with a change. Our Romantic post will occur once a month instead of every Friday.

I'll be hosting Ty Johnson on his book tour Nov. 30, 2011. Hope to see you all on that day. Here is information regarding his ongoing blog book tour. Stop by and say hi, here.

Fantasy author Ty Johnston’s blog tour 2011 is running from November 1 through November 30. His novels include City of Rogues, Bayne’s Climb and More than Kin, all of which are available for the Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Ty-Johnston/e/B002MCBQRU/ ), the Nook (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/ty-johnston ) and online at Smashwords (http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/darkbow ). His latest novel, Ghosts of the Asylum, will be available for e-books on November 21. To find out more, follow him at his blog http://tyjohnston.blogspot.com/

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh is having a Catch Fire Blog Party for his book launch on Feb. 28, 2012. Very exciting Alex.

Come by on Monday for more post on the Writing Craft.

Have a great weekend all.

Nancy

I'm back!

Finally...

             We have a great internet provider.

                                                                             Source

                                         I'm looking forward to visiting you all.

Nancy

September...I'm back

September...looks nothing like this in Colorado. But I am ready for fall and cooler weather.

I'm back...though I am limited. We have wireless internet and my poor computer doesn't have the WiFi programming yet. So, as soon as I can buy the program we will save so much money on the internet. It is already a $50 savings since I had one system and my daughter had another.

Monday I will continue the plot post with, Forbidden Love. Even if you don't write romance, a plot that is based on love is important as a secondary plot. What has more tension and conflict than love?

I'm not going to be able to make the rounds today, but before Monday I hope to stop by and say "hi," to many of you.

Nancy

News, good and bad.

Oh, so sorry. I lost my internet connection over the weekend. I hope I didn't scare anyone.

Update on my move.

We were supposed to close the  end of July. That didn't happen. However we have found a small two bedroom apartment that will allow us to consolidate and eliminate our debt over the next couple years. I was worried about this for a long time, but now I know there will be a roof over our heads.

The bad news is that we must move quickly and there is still work to do. I hope to be back before September but to be honest I'm not sure if that will happen. I am sure that you will see me in September and I will finish the plot post. There are five or six more.

After that I will start a new writing series called, Book-Working 101. I will answer general writing questions for all of you and go into some examples and explanations about must dos to make your work exceptional. If you would like something answered let me know in the comments. This will not be an English grammar post, there are plenty of resources for that.

I hope I haven't disappointed anyone too much.

See you soon.
Nancy

Blogger Awards & News

I was given the creative blogger award by the wonderful Nutshell. Her blog is great and I hope you will all go visit her. There are no rules, that's my kind of award. So if you are reading this blog, guess what, you get the creative blogger award too. If you are new to following me, you get the award also. If you have a blog or website, you get the blog award as well. Just consider yourself creative already and take the award.

We are moving and once again we don't know when, but I have a ton of stuff I need to get rid of as well as another couple tons I need to box up. That plus my writing is suffering. I will not be blogging until August and then I may not be able to keep any kind of set schedule. I will however continue my plot series beginning, Monday, August 1, 2011. From time to time I will try to visit everyone. Enjoy the month of July and all the hot weather or the cold depending on where you're at.
Cheers,
Nancy

Edie Ramer Talks Promotion

Hello everyone:

Get excited. Edie Ramer will be here tomorrow to talk about promoting your books.

I hope you will come by. Her post is excellent.
Nancy

Romantic Friday Writers will return next week

Sorry to disappoint everyone. I have a number of personal things which can't wait. I won't be back or able to blog much until Monday. My plot series will continue on Monday as usual. Hope to see you then.

Cheers,
Nancy

Sorry

I got tagged by three bloggers and I intended to pass along the tags but I'm wasted. I spent the day with my daughter at the dentist. You'd think I was the one having my tooth pulled. So next Thursday, June 2, I will post the tag love I promise.
Nancy