Sunday, June 28, 2009

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Right now I’m sitting on my back porch. Finally, a summer morning I can enjoy the outdoors. Not a cloud in sight. No drizzle of rain to further drown the garden plantings and the temperature is just perfect.

Last week I said I was late because of Margie Lawson. The statement was true. I spent last Saturday taking a two hour track over to NJ, attended Margie’s Editing workshop presented by the NJRW chapter and made the trip back home. It was long day, made longer by the fact I couldn’t sleep for thinking of my wip. Anyone who has taken Margie’s classes on line can only imagine the energy this woman projects. Awesome class!

Over the past year Margie’s teachings hit home with me and made a real difference in my writing. If you don’t know what I mean, take a Margie class. Two other people have also helped mold my writing. Kasey Michaels and my critique partner Sylvie Kaye. Both didn’t hold back punches when reading my work. They both gave me advice, whether I took it or not was up to me. Sometimes I did, sometimes I didn’t, sometimes I changed my mind after mulling it over and reversed my decision. There have been other writers, contest judges, who encouraged me along the way. The result is my work.

Writing is like any other profession. You need to work at it every day. You need to take lessons and advice from experts, and sometimes from layman, and unless you’re financially set and supported, you will need sacrifice other activities in order to reach a level where other professionals look at you as an equal.

Whenever I give someone the go ahead and read my work, I tell them to rip it apart. I want to know what does and doesn’t work for them. I want my work to be the best it can be.

So, who has helped you along the path and how?

Sunday, June 21, 2009

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Yes and no, I’m late because of Margie Lawson, but that is another story, for another time. Maybe next Sunday.

Today it’s all about dad. My dad is too cute, and I admire him to the ends of the galaxy and beyond. It took me years to realize the kind of man he is.

He is definitely not a sentimentalist. Don’t buy him a card, you’d be wasting your money and you’d get a lecture on spending wisely. But family is most important to him.

Dad’s all about business. He has one part-time hobby. Most of his conversations lead back to the family business. But the business feeds the family and others.

He’s a thinker, but he’s also a get-it-done kinda guy. He never gives up. And expects hard work, good work to be the same path for his children.

He also will give the shirt off his back to help you, if you deserve help.

Today, look back over the years, over your life and take note of all your Dad did for you and honor with him a hug or a call.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

New Adventure Angst

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Did you notice the extra cursor this week? It took a few seconds longer to start hitting the keyboard. Taking longer or starting later is okay.

Recently, I’ve been included in a yahoo group with sixty-six other women. This association has a wide range of ages. I’ve heard some express that it took years for them to begin the adventure they’re on and they’re fearful it’s too late to realize their dream. I disagree. Starting projects later in life has its advantages.

We’ve experienced more life. We’ve witnessed events the younger generation hasn’t—if you’re writing, that’s more material. We’ve built many more networking bridges and taken down a few that needed to be. Our time left here in this world is not known by any other—it could be decades more so we have time. On occasion, we have more time than our younger counter parts. Life is just beginning for them and it includes lessons to be learned.

So relax. Don’t angst. Next time you think I’m too old to start another new adventure remember you’ve got a lot going for you. And to the new girls and boys on the block, you have time.