Random Thoughts

Do you ever  have weeks when life throws a curve ball at you and you don't seem to accomplish all the things you needed to do? Well...I just had such a week. I have a cold and my husband came home. (He's an over the road trucker and comes home twice a month). That meant doing what he wanted, which I don't mind normally. Did I say I had a cold. My daughters daycare fell through and she woke me up yesterday morning at 5:20 a.m. by shaking my shoulder. "Mom, Mom..." You know what she said. So my week didn't go as planned.

But...I have gotten a lot of writing done anyway, just not much blogging. Sorry if you left a comment on Monday's Seven Deadly Sins post and I didn't get back to you. I meant too.

This brings to mind an old cliche: The best laid plans of mice and men.

Let's face it folks, life is crazy. Sometimes it heaps a ton of stuff at you. So remember when you're writing that you need to challenge you character in Big Ways. The greater the obstacle the more heroic your mc. can be.

Monday is the conclusion of 'The Seven Deadly Sins and your Hero.' We will focus on Gluttony. (Hmmm. I'm thinking cake!) I hope to see you there.

The following Monday I'll start a series on Short Stories and Flash Fiction. I'm really excited about it.

I'm still looking for critique partners. I'd consider Beta Readers too. I just need some fresh eyes to look over my manuscripts before sending them to the editor.

Have a great weekend all.
Nancy

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

Random Thoughts

Colorado has been in the news lately and not for good reasons. I talked a little about the wildfires, now those folks are dealing with mudslides anytime it rains.

My heart goes out to all the victums and their families in the theater shooting. We used to live three blocks away from that theater in Aurora before we moved to Lakewood. I never attended that theater though.

Car trouble is cutting into the budget. I need a new keyboard and mouse along with a cheap desk to have the internet. I think another two weeks or three before I can buy that.

Both my girls have jobs. Things are looking up for them.

I can now walk at a quick pace wherever I am thanks to the mighty inhaler my doctor prescribed. That elusive 100% in health is soon approaching. I'd say I'm at 98% right now.

I've lost 60 pounds in three years. That's more than half the amount I want to lose. Hurray!

My grandson had me tell a new bedtime story recently. It looks like he will get his own series of stories. How fun is that?

Love you all, miss you, really miss blogging and writing for Romantic Friday Writers. Everybody needs a little romance in their life.

Not sure when I'll be able to make it back in to the library. Hope your all doing well.

Nancy

Random Thoughts

Hi you all. I'm getting close to having the internet. Yes!

If you email me I won't see it until my internet connection is up and running.

On my way to drive my daughter to work I pass a business titled; Mike's Auto Spa. I didn't know your car and mine needed a spa treatment. How exactly do they give our vehicles a manicure or pedicure? I picture my van having a mud bath with little cucumbers all over the windshield and hot rocks along the top. Once they wash all that off then they torture my van or your car/truck with hot wax. Just so your vehicle doesn't leave thinking your mean to it they give it a nice strawberry banana smoothie with a glob of motor oil for good measure. What are we coming too? A spa for autos? Hehehe

I've been reading and writing, how about you?

Nancy

Random Thoughts

Here are a few thoughts I've had recently. Oh, and before I go any further I want to reassure everyone that I am no where near any of the Colorado wildfires. My heart goes out to the victums.

Denver itself is comprised of a multitude of suburbs that were once small cities and are now so gobbled up just like in all metro areas. We moved last year from Thornton which is north of Denver to Aurora which is east of Denver and now we have moved to Lakewood, Colorado. Lakewood is west of Denver and super close to the mountains but not in the mountains. No fireworks yesterday the 4th, because it is so dry. But the city of Denver had fireworks in it's sports stadium. I couldn't go and they weren't visible from our house but we still had a good time with our daughters and grandchildren.

Random thoughts:

In Thornton and Aurora and Denver itself the street lights at night are as they have always been, brilliantly white. However in all the suburbs close to the mountains the street lights are yellow. It's a lot darker. They do that because of all the wildlife. Deer, racoons, skunk, beavers an occasional bear and mountain lion. No joke. You see one you'd better stay clear. They aren't afraid of you anymore. Also coyote's, which have started to attack even adults and also fox. This shouldn't hurt the tourist industry since it is super rare, just one of those things to be aware of especially with pets and small children.

Back to yellow street lights:

In a couple of Dean Koontz's books he describes yellow lights as "piss yellow." Now this is the difference between Suspense/Horror and Fantasy. I would describe those same lights as "warm amber." Hehehe.

I'm thinking of starting a small press. Not sure when or what to call it but I would attempt to publish two books a month besides my own. I believe I'd start with Fantasy, Science Fiction and Mystery and add children's stories later. I have no idea yet how I'd handle that, perhaps a separate name for fantasy/sci fi than mystery and for sure a separtate name for children's books. I have several friends doing this so once I have my own internet up again I will have to ask them questions.

What do you think? How have you been?

Nancy