It’s amazing how out of touch I feel without Facebook and twitter, though I’m not missing it all that much except for when I want to tell the world about something! I don’t know what’s going on with everyone and I feel disconnected, BUT I’m not spending hours mindlessly checking up on people. Which is a good thing!

What I also noticed while on this less than a week fast is that people tend to forget about you if you’re not there reminding them with a tweet! (maybe I need to give it more time!) At least that’s my perception. I haven’t gotten ONE legitamate twitter DM or @, and only ONE fb message from a parent of a student (didn’t check fb, it goes to my email) which tells me that if I’m not out there soliciting messages, or posting a witty tweet, then people just aren’t all that interested. Hmmm, what does that say about this whole social media thing AND my craving for it?

Actually, so far it hasn’t been that bad. In fact, without the tweeting and facebook I’ve actually felt more free in regards to NOT comparing how many messages I’ve gotten compared to someone else. Yes, I’m still an insecure needy twitterer at times, don’t tell me your not! But the freedom is well…freeing!

Anyway, it’s Tuesday (or was by the time you read this) and I’m rambling. And despite the fact that I got two major rejections in two weeks and basically have NOTHING out there with publishing houses now, I’m doing amazingly well!

How are YOU doing?

I’m two hours into my writing weekend and after spending the first hour and a half researching and getting into my characters’ heads I’ve managed to write about 500 words. I’ll be keeping a running tab on my word count and activities so check back if you’re curious. I’m hoping this will keep me motivated and accountable.

Friday

8:30 pm  500 words Already stiff from sitting up and writing in bed, so shifted to an reclined position. Not excited about moving to the desk just yet and I’m already regretting not packing more healthy snacks!

10:00 pm 820 words  Got a little hung up on research (still am as I try and research child welfare and radio commercials in 1941 (can’t find a thing) and I already ate tomorrow’s lunch but didn’t raid the vending machine! Going back in to finish some research and crank out another scene or two.

12:04 am 1100 words Finally writing a brand new scene which I have the frame work for on notebook paper. Random thought: Why is writing making me so hungry??

1:13 am 1600 words Probably wasted the last 30 minutes on mindless web celebrity surfing. Going to call it a night soon after I outline the new scene. Introducing two real life characters and new conflict for my hero, plus heroine has to swallow her pride and ask hero for help. Should be an interesting writing day tomorrow!

Saturday

10:00 am 2,023 words. Will fill in the morning activities later. I’m on a roll!

12:00 pm 3,057 words 

1:00 pm 4,011 words Whoo hoo! Word count had definitely improved, but writing quality has suffered! But I’m learning to “let things go” and push ahead. Even if the dialogue and actions are cheesy. I can always go back and fix it. Now I’m just 6,000 words away from my goal. It’d be great it I can hit that today and then tomorrow will just be gravy!

2:20 pm 4,330 words Ate lunch. Did some You Tube research, yay, research and now I’m ready to go home or at least take a nap, but instead I’ll write this lousy scene. Interpret lousy any way you want. You’ll probably be right!

3:45 pm 5o66 words Realizing I much prefer the conflict scenes, than the wise old mentor or romance scenes and I’ve one coming up! Oy! I need strength! Doubting I’ll make 10,000 words by the end of the night!

4:11 pm Haven’t written a word. Suddenly regretting giving up chocolate and wondering if I should procrastinate some more by having an early dinner. Hey, wait. Didn’t I ate about 2 hours ago? Sigh!

5:00 pm 5,868 words Slow and steady wins the race, or dives you completely insane. Haven’t come to a conclusion about that yet!  Going back for part two of the romance scene I’m working on. Digging deep on this one.

6:00 pm 6103 words  I basically skipped the scene working up to the almost kiss and went straight to the tension and almost kiss. Ready to move on and fill in those blanks much later! Though trying to decide where the hero and heroine goes from here. They’re not telling me right now.

8:45 pm 7,002 words Took an hour or so television break and got back to it. This is shaping up to be a good day, but unless inspiration hits me in the face in the next three hours, I’m not sure I’m going to make 10,000!

Sunday

10:30 am 8148 words Probably should write one more scene before I check out of hotel to find a quiet place to write. Thanks for all who’ve already commented and sent me emails. It helped pushed me over my slump hump!

1:45 pm 8,986 words Going for the home stretch!

3:00 pm 10,050 words Made goal for the month in one weekend. Anything else I write is gravy!

I’m sure hoping the feeling is fleeting, but I’ve been locked up in a hotel room for over 24 hours and 7,000 plus words later…writing has become a chore. A chore for which I’m NOT GETTING PAID!

It made me start to wonder why I put myself through this torture when I could be just as happy (if not more so) watching reruns of LOST and developing my own theories while crocheting a 90 foot afghan. Heck, I’d probably finish the afghan before I finish this book. It also occurred to me tonight as I wrestled some very badly written words out of my head and onto the screen that I’d get more joy out of seeing my book unfold in my mind, so why oh why oh why do I think I have to actually write them down for no one else but me and my mom to read.

Insanity! That’s what I call it, and I’m certifiable! I’m 38,000 words into my 80,000 historical romance and I just want to be done with it. I guess I can blame it on the sagging middle and keep my focus on the good things to come. Or maybe I’m just getting too old for these writing marathon weekends. You know what might help. A contract. And money, yea, that would help dull the pain a little. And some Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby but no matter where I look the stores don’t stock them, that’s when when I actually do find I pint, I need to grab it and run.

So now the question. What makes you the energizes bunny? That dude keeps going and going and going and never gets anywhere! Yes, this post is random and scattered like my brain after staring at the screen since 8 am. So I guess I should call it a night and pray morning doesn’t come too soon!

I’ve been planning this for a loooong time, but there was always multiple things happening each weekend. But the time has finally arrived. I get to spend almost two days in a hotel room writing. I hope to crank out at least 10,000 words, (more will be better) and not get hung up on all the details! Pray for me! I’m sort of a perfectionist when I write and have trouble finishing a first draft, but my first 50 pages sure do shine!!!

I’ve realized a couple of these weekends a year are how I have to write during this season in life. Whether in a weekend in a hotel or all day in a coffee shop. I need a huge chunk of time to get the words flowing. And when I do, they flow!

How do you write? In little bits or big chunks? And what’s the easiest way for you to get back into your story if you’ve been away for a while? That’s how it’s been for me and I’d hate to spend an hour warming up!!

Hey, if you can’t sell ‘em, sing about it! I had fun writing this…Click for the musical inspiration…and beat to sing along to! And if you happen to like my rendition or can relate, please tweet or link or something, I’m on a Facebook twitter fast!!!

I stare warily at the screen this WIP has got to go.
Just hope that the editor doesn’t think my manuscript blows.

Is he ready? Is he ready for this?
Is he waiting on the edge of his seat?
Into his inbox my masterpiece flows,  his finger ready to hit delete, Yeah!

Another WIP bites the dust
Another WIP bites the dust
And another WIP gone
And another WIP gone
Another WIP bites the dust
Hey, I’m gonna get you too
Another WIP bites the dust

How do you think I’m gonna get along with this rejection?
It took me nearly a year to write and now it’s dead and gone.

Are you happy? Are you satisfied?
How long can I stand the heat?
Inside my head the voices fly to the sound of the beat (Look out)

Another WIP bites the dust
Another WIP bites the dust
And another WIP gone
And another WIP gone
Another WIP bites the dust
Hey, they’re gonna get you too
Another WIP bites the dust!

There are plenty of ways you can hurt a girl and bring her to the ground
You can beat her, you can cheat her
You can treat her bad and leave her when she’s down
But I’m writing, yes I’m writing it’s true.
I’ve got my butt in the chair.
Inside the voices fly, but what do I care? Oh yeeeah
Another WIP bites the dust
Another WIP bites the dust
And another WIP gone
And another WIP gone
Another WIP bites the dust
Hey, what’s a writer to do?
Another WIP bites the dust

So what?
Just write…

“A mile a minute – that is how fast your child can disappear.”  Haunting and truthful words posted on the website for Klaas Kids.

On Friday, February 19th, Margaret McSweeney will interview Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas who was kidnapped and murdered in 1993.  As a legacy to his daughter, Marc founded KlaasKids Foundation to help stop crimes against children. Please tune in to Kitchen Chat with Margaret McSweeney Friday at 11:00 am CST!

Here is an excerpt from Marc’s journal that is posted online:

“There is nothing that can prepare one for a murder trial. My family sits as the last few hours in Polly’s life are dissected, analyzed, de-constructed, reconstructed, cross-referenced and compartmentalized. The constant assault on our sensibilities by horrible revelations that defy the principles of civilization seem overwhelming much of the time. It is impossible to withstand or rise above the continual dehumanizing facts that are revealed in a constant, monotonous stream of revelation. There is no room for anything but the processing of nightmarish information. The killer laughs throughout the video tape and I want to shout, yet I must sit unflinching and stone-faced for fear of causing a mistrial. Every day my family is drawn into the world of murder, mayhem, rape and deprivation and there is no way out.”

Learn about effective ways to keep your children safe from harm and find out what you can do to help stop crimes against kids.  Please tune in and call in with your questions for Marc this Friday 11-12 CST on Kitchen Chat.

But it’s actually my daughter giving up cheese…her favorite food in the world. I’m so proud of her for giving cheese up for Lent. Last night I went to Sonic to buy her some cheddar bites. She “savored” every one! And she isn’t too worried, she says she’ll have “one cheese” on Sundays!

What do your kids think about Lent and what are they giving up?

Before I had a little girl of my own, I vowed to keep her from those barely clothed Barbie Dolls. I had grown up playing with Barbie, the perfectly sculpted woman. In a society that idolizes perfect women with perfect figures, I didn’t want to subject my daughter to that mentality and to subconsciously compare herself to Barbie’s impossible proportions. But as she got older it became more obvious that Barbie was a force to be reckoned with, so I relented to the Princess Barbies. After all, they were clad in long flowing gowns instead of those skimpy clothes so many of the other Barbies were wearing.

Then I fell in love with Barbie videos and all vows were off. After ten years of Barnie, Psalty the singing song book, Disney Sing-a-long, and Wee Sing, I was ready for a change and delighted when my daughter skipped all the PBS toddler shows and went straight for Barbie: The Princess and the Pauper. I think it was her older cousin’s influence, but it’s one influence I didn’t grit my teeth at.

I was pleasantly surprised by Barbie who portrayed both classic and new characters and was not your typical damsel in distress princess. She was strong, independent, her own hero! And it didn’t hurt that she sang! I was definitely hooked on Barbie DVDs after that first video and as excited as my daughter when new Barbie adventures came out. Needless to say, themed Barbie dolls filled her wish list, and I didn’t hesitate to indulge her in these fun Barbie character adventures.

So when Mom Central invited me to try out the new “Sing Along with Barbie” DVD I was excited!

12 Barbie songs comprise this DVD which is basically 12 scenes ripped from some of our favorite Barbie movies like “The Island Princess,” “Barbie and the Three Musketeers,” “Barbie and the Diamond Castle,” “The Princess and the Pauper” and a few more. My seven year old daughter was able to follow along with the purple highlighted words, like you’d do in karaoke, though we did notice when there was a duet, it was harder to follow. We did figure out that the second singer’s lyrics were on the bottom, but my son pointed out it would have been better if the words were highlighted a different color. One negative is that since the songs are scenes from the movie, there is talking involved and that talking is also highlighted across the screen as if the tv text was just turned on, but that is easily overlooked.

I’m not sure who enjoyed the dvd more, me or my daughter, but I’m sure we’ll have plenty more opportunities to find out!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mattel. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

I’ve been observing Lent for decades. At first out of habit, now out of want for more of God. But it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I heard about Fat Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday. Not sure I really need to indulge all that much because I’ve been indulging for the last year so gorging on what I’m giving up doesn’t seem necessary. So what am I giving up? What am I NOT giving up is a better question. Here’s the what and why. Feel free to share yours in the comments.

Facebook and Twitter because they rob me of time and relationships.Whenever I get needy I run to the computer and tweet and click and search and wait for instant gratification. Needless to say, it isn’t instant, so I tweet and search and comment and wait sometimes wasting an hour or more, robbing myself of building real life relationships with God, family, and friends. So I’m taking the temptation away and trying to run to those closest when the urge for connection comes. Don’t worry, I’ll still be available by email (my facebook messages come to my email,) but the mindless, surfing will be cut off and hopefully I’ll get more done. Hopefully!

Food, okay, not all food, but specifically sweets, treats, simple carbs, junk food…you get the picture. I’ve tried to give these things up since January, but for some reason it’s easier to cut these out of my diet during Lent. Every time I reach for a piece of candy, the conviction hits hard, and I have the will power (through grace) to say no because I made a commitment not just to myself, but to God. I usually give up this stuff every year and don’t lose weight, but hopefully this year will be different since I’ve been really good about exercising. I’m hoping to make this a permanent life change.

I’m sure I’ll give more things up along the way as I notice what comes between me and God, but for now that’s enough and like I said I won’t be gorging myself today on these things. I’ll just go about my normal lack of self control, cause I really thinks that’s more than enough for Fat Tuesday.

How about you?

Do you observe Lent? Why or why not?

And what are you giving up for Jesus to make room for him?

Need encouragement through the interruptions. Read Brandilyn Collins’ post here!

Please welcome Mary M. Byers to Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted author of S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help for Moms (and who doesn’t need practical help)

If you struggle with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) each month, you’re not alone. According to WebMD, up to 85% of women experience symptoms ranging from backaches and headaches to irritability, depression, feeling overwhelmed and outright rage. For moms the emotional symptoms can be the most troubling because what affects you also affects your family. The good news is that there is help. Follow these tips to reduce the chances that you’ll turn into Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde each month.

Chart your symptoms for three months. Use a blank calendar page to note the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle and jot down your symptoms prior to, and during your period.  Do this for three months or longer so you can see your personal pattern emerge. The longer you do it, the better your information will be.
Recognize that knowledge is power. Use what you’ve learned about your cycle to change your PMS response. Schedule more lightly on your toughest days. Ask for help from friends or your spouse when you know your patience will be at its lowest. Don’t make decisions when you’re feeling overwhelmed or depressed.
Identify your triggers. If grocery shopping with your kids when you have PMS makes you crazy, don’t do it. If meal time is difficult for you when you are irritable or feeling blue, ask to be excused

(and let your hubby make pancakes!).  If acting as homework proctor stresses you when you have PMS, ask an older child or your spouse to step in. Though you may feel you’re shirking your responsibilities, it makes more sense to have an alternate plan than it does to set a bad example by having a meltdown in front of your children every month.

Use free coping techniques first. Minor adjustments in nutrition, exercise, stress levels, and sleep patterns can make a big difference in reducing the severity of PMS. Take a personal inventory, decide where you need to focus your efforts, and then begin making changes a little at a time.

See your doctor if symptoms persist. If the above tips don’t help, take your symptom chart to your physician and ask for help. Though diagnosing PMS can be tricky, it will be easier for your physician to work with you if she has your history and a list of your symptoms. Medication may be an option for you. If so, know that dosages can be set low and some prescriptions can be used on an “as needed” basis.

Remain committed. Though it’s not easy to change your response to PMS each month, it is possible. Don’t lose heart if you blow up this month and slide into depression next month. Most likely you’ll gain control a little at a time. It’s important to be kind to yourself as you work to change your personal PMS response. Kindness, more than anything, has the ability to change you from the inside out.

Mary M. Byers is popular women’s conference speaker and the author of The S.O.S. for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms.

Some People are Just Meant to be Alone...

Those were the words Sawyer spoke on LOST last night. The words that touched the depths of my soul and continued my theory that LOST is a spiritual story, a journey to redemption. I call it the Lost Gospel.

I don’t troll around on Lostie sites much and never really heard this theory, but it’s hard NOT to see the parallels between LOST and the gospel, especially in the last season or so.

 

You have Jacob, the Jesus character, seeking out those first survivors of Oceanic 815 who mysteriously disappeared into the jungle only to show up again at the temple living in peace with the OTHERS.

 

You have Jacob (Jesus) seeking out the Oceanic 815 survivors throughout various times in their lives, touching them, calling them to him and the island.

 

You have black smoke man (Satan) who destroys, robbing people of their life, infusing them with fear and who was not able to kill Jacob until he found a loop hole.

 

You have Jacob again, willing to be killed, laying down his life by provoking the betrayer… Ben Linus (Judas), and then rising again from the dead and coming back to help save the Oceanic Six.

 

How can you not see the Gospel in LOST?

But it was Sawyer's words, “some people are just meant to be along,” his tears of pain in the loss of Juliet, and Kate’s tears and understanding of Sawyer's words that sealed this theory for me, not matter if it was the intent of the writers or not.

I hear their cry in the Psalm 13. I felt their cry…

 

“How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall…”

I see these words as Sawyer's black moment.

 

Love is lost.

Redemption is lost.

All hope is lost for him.

But that’s not the end of the Psalm 13…

“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.”

I also see something on the horizon that will challenge the lives of the LOST who trust in unfailing love. A storm is brewing against the man in black, a fight coming between good and evil. Jacob is coming back for those he’s called and touched. Those he’s already saved.

 

Whether Sawyer embraces it or slips to the dark side like Claire or soon-to-be Sayid remains to be seen. And I can be totally off base here with LOST, but the promise of hope is there. At least that’s how I see it. Sawyer does not have to be alone even though in his darkest hour he feels he’s meant to be alone.

 

We don’t have to be alone even though the smoke monster constantly whispers in our ears that we were meant to be alone.

That we are not good.

That no one could ever love us.

That redemption is impossible.

 

A storm is brewing for our souls. For Jesus came to save the LOST!

Some People are Just Meant to be Alone...

Those were the words Sawyer spoke on LOST last night. The words that touched the depths of my soul and continued my theory that LOST is a spiritual story, a journey to redemption. I call it the Lost Gospel.

I don’t troll around on Lostie sites much and never really heard this theory, but it’s hard NOT to see the parallels between LOST and the gospel, especially in the last season or so.

 

You have Jacob, the Jesus character, seeking out those first survivors of Oceanic 815 who mysteriously disappeared into the jungle only to show up again at the temple living in peace with the OTHERS.

 

You have Jacob (Jesus) seeking out the Oceanic 815 survivors throughout various times in their lives, touching them, calling them to him and the island.

 

You have black smoke man (Satan) who destroys, robbing people of their life, infusing them with fear and who was not able to kill Jacob until he found a loop hole.

 

You have Jacob again, willing to be killed, laying down his life by provoking the betrayer… Ben Linus (Judas), and then rising again from the dead and coming back to help save the Oceanic Six.

 

How can you not see the Gospel in LOST?

But it was Sawyer's words, “some people are just meant to be along,” his tears of pain in the loss of Juliet, and Kate’s tears and understanding of Sawyer's words that sealed this theory for me, not matter if it was the intent of the writers or not.

I hear their cry in the Psalm 13. I felt their cry…

 

“How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall…”

I see these words as Sawyer's black moment.

 

Love is lost.

Redemption is lost.

All hope is lost for him.

But that’s not the end of the Psalm 13…

“But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.”

I also see something on the horizon that will challenge the lives of the LOST who trust in unfailing love. A storm is brewing against the man in black, a fight coming between good and evil. Jacob is coming back for those he’s called and touched. Those he’s already saved.

 

Whether Sawyer embraces it or slips to the dark side like Claire or soon-to-be Sayid remains to be seen. And I can be totally off base here with LOST, but the promise of hope is there. At least that’s how I see it. Sawyer does not have to be alone even though in his darkest hour he feels he’s meant to be alone.

 

We don’t have to be alone even though the smoke monster constantly whispers in our ears that we were meant to be alone.

That we are not good.

That no one could ever love us.

That redemption is impossible.

 

A storm is brewing for our souls. For Jesus came to save the LOST!

Why are we drawn to what we can’t have and to the people who don’t want us? Why is it so easy for some to be a part of a group while others continue to stare from outside the circle longing to be in. I’ve struggled with this feeling ALL my life and it’s so hard to see my kids struggle with the same thing. I want desperately to help, but how can I when I don’t have the answers?

Friendship, true friendship is a gift. It can’t be bought for oneself and it shouldn’t be begged for. To be given something after prodding and begging seems to cheapen the value, lessen the friendship. Who wants a gift that was forced? I sure don’t. But it’s taken me YEARS to learn this lesson, and God’s been speaking to me of late, whispering a simple truth for my life that sounds something like this “don’t chase after friendships that I have not given you.”

I don’t understand why some people are drawn to each other and others are not. I don’t understand why I can easily rally people together but am often forgotten. I don’t understand why my children have to experience the same thing, but I do know that Jesus understands because he’s walked the same, lonely path. He didn’t conform to this world and wasn’t invited to the “happening” parties either.

The only thing I do understand is that God has given me a heightened sense, an awareness of those who feel the same way. I notice the outsider at writing conferences desperately wanting to belong to that inner circle. I notice the insecure child not sure how to fit in. I notice the quiet one in a crowd. Because I have been there and in many ways, I’m still there. And often times I feel God wants me to reach out to them. And many times I do.

Do I still long to be a part of the in-crowd? Do I still feel left out when I hear of others getting together when I sit home alone? Does my heart still ache for my children who are often left out? Yes, yes, and yes. But I know that friendship is a gift and instead of looking for it, I’m asking God to give it to me, to my children. And those he’s sent my way in the last couple of years, months, those whom he hand picked for me are priceless. Though they are not many, I wouldn’t trade them because they have given me a gift. The gift of true friendship.

What about you? Do you chase after things, people that are not yours? And how can you use your longer to reach out to others?

Since the blog has been running dry as of late, thought I’d cough up some more of my oldies, but goodies! Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

January 1, 2007 Mystery Novella

March 25 , 2007 Mystery Novella Finished

May 10, 2007 1670

June 8, 2007 When Will I Learn?
June 23, 2007 7574 and Counting

July 27, 2007 Stifled Momentum
September 13, 2007 Sing with me: 50 Ways to edit my WIP
September 18, 2007 Am I a Writer?

September 23, 2007 My Debut Novel

I admit it, this blog is old and worn and just plain dry. Rarely anyone comes here to drink anymore because there’s just nothing refreshing in the well…er…blog. I’ve been replenishing this blog for years now. Could it be that it’s run dry? I’ve run dry?

Life’s been pulling me so many different ways this last year or so I’ve hardly had the energy to go about my daily tasks, let alone write my novels AND blog. But I want to get back into a routine of blogging. But what I want more than that is to transform this blog literally… Just don’t have the know how or money to do it, so will it continue to die a slow death while I figure out just what I need to do (and how much $ I need to do it?) I hope not.

I’ve been going back and forth with switching back to blogger from Worpress, but the bottom line is content is king and well, there’s no great content here consistently. I’ve got a great site all set up at Writer…Interrupted ready to relaunch, just stuck in headerless mode for a while. Hope to get that up and running soon. Been saying that for MONTHS now! Oh, the limitations of my lack of knowledge!

Maybe I should post some old posts until I can figure this out. Do you know of an extremely affordable (er…cheap) blog/website designer that can help me start back?