This is the Eastern Washington weather I remember from my childhood--it's very cold out, but the sun is shining and the sky is sugar-bowl blue. As Bernicie and I walked around the pasture this morning, I felt my heart just swell with gratitude. That's my prayer time, while I'm walking, and it's just such a gift to me to spend that time with God and my all-time favorite Yorkie. :)
I mentioned losing my cell phone--odd how disconnected I felt, even though I'm not actually a phone person anyway. I missed my Daily Audio Bible app most of all--listening regularly to the Word is so healing, even when the stories themselves are confusing. By that I mean some of the stuff in the Old Testament--burnt offerings, for instance, or Lot, willing to toss his two virgin daughters to the angry crowd outside his house. Yikes. For a long time, things like that kept me at a distance from the Bible, even though I was raised on the King James Version and will forever be grateful to my mom for taking us to the Northport Presbyterian Church from infancy. Still, as I'm rediscovering now, there is much more to the scriptures than the superficial meaning of the words themselves. It definitely has a singular power, all it's own.
For me, the key was to stop trying to understand, and let up on wanting to argue every point. Now, I don't worry about believing or disbelieving, I just listen. And there is some kind of shift going on within.
Snow predicted for the end of the week.
Oh, well. :) It IS January, after all.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
#1600!!
It's hard to believe I've written 1600 entries on this blog, but I reckon the counter doesn't lie. :) Amazing.
Today's Q&A:
Hilda asked if sections of my books are ever cut out, and told me some authors post the missing chapters on the web so the reader can fill in the blanks. I've never experienced this, really. My editor and I work very closely together throughout the process, and that keeps me on track. If Joan asks me to change something, I generally agree with her, and make the changes. If--and this is rare because we are very like-minded--I don't agree, we negotiate a solution that suits both of us.
Lea didn't actually ask a question--she sent me a link to her blog, "Lea and Her Mustangs". The pictures are great!
It's a beautiful, sunny day today. This has to be the nicest January in my long and winding memory--not counting the 8 I spent in Arizona, of course. :)
And now back to the writing.
Today's Q&A:
Hilda asked if sections of my books are ever cut out, and told me some authors post the missing chapters on the web so the reader can fill in the blanks. I've never experienced this, really. My editor and I work very closely together throughout the process, and that keeps me on track. If Joan asks me to change something, I generally agree with her, and make the changes. If--and this is rare because we are very like-minded--I don't agree, we negotiate a solution that suits both of us.
Lea didn't actually ask a question--she sent me a link to her blog, "Lea and Her Mustangs". The pictures are great!
It's a beautiful, sunny day today. This has to be the nicest January in my long and winding memory--not counting the 8 I spent in Arizona, of course. :)
And now back to the writing.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
One Question
A special hello to Jennifer, who emailed to say she's an aspiring writer. Here's her quesion: do you define your characters before you write, physical and character details, or let them develop as you write?
A: Both. Usually, I'm getting to know a character for weeks, if not months or years, before I write about them. When I begin the story, I have a fairly comprehensive but also generalized vision of the characters, the situation, etc., but my characters invariably develop as the book unfolds and they often surprise me--and I love it when that happens.
That's my method, but I hasten to add that there is no one "right" way to plan characters--I work organically, with one thing growing out of another. Something happens, a character responds to it, and so on. Here's the most valuable advice I can give an aspiring writer (besides the obvious, which is write, and you wouldn't believe how often that particular step gets overlooked): Be willing to write badly until you learn to do it well. Perfectionism is the enemy--and after all these years, it's still a struggle I face every day.
Only God is perfect. The rest of us have to be satisfied with doing our best and letting that be okay. When you get right down to it, after all, "good enough" is plenty in most cases--and it sure beats doing nothing at all.
Bernice and I took a nice walk today. No snow. (YES!) The Yorkster is downright perky these days, thanks to her medicine, and that lights up my heart.
Until tomorrow....
A: Both. Usually, I'm getting to know a character for weeks, if not months or years, before I write about them. When I begin the story, I have a fairly comprehensive but also generalized vision of the characters, the situation, etc., but my characters invariably develop as the book unfolds and they often surprise me--and I love it when that happens.
That's my method, but I hasten to add that there is no one "right" way to plan characters--I work organically, with one thing growing out of another. Something happens, a character responds to it, and so on. Here's the most valuable advice I can give an aspiring writer (besides the obvious, which is write, and you wouldn't believe how often that particular step gets overlooked): Be willing to write badly until you learn to do it well. Perfectionism is the enemy--and after all these years, it's still a struggle I face every day.
Only God is perfect. The rest of us have to be satisfied with doing our best and letting that be okay. When you get right down to it, after all, "good enough" is plenty in most cases--and it sure beats doing nothing at all.
Bernice and I took a nice walk today. No snow. (YES!) The Yorkster is downright perky these days, thanks to her medicine, and that lights up my heart.
Until tomorrow....
Monday, January 09, 2012
Leaner But Not Meaner
I did it. I worked up the courage to step onto the scale this morning and--hallelujah--I am at my pre-rodeo, pre-Toronto trip, pre-Vegas weight! YES. Viva la D.I.E.T.
OK, so a dozen of you left comments, with questions, and I will address them here as best I can.
Thanks first, though, for all those kind words.
Q: Will I be writing more time travel books?
A: If I get a really good idea for one, yes. Right now, I'm up to my eyeballs in sexy cowboy heroes and the view from here is great. :)
Q: Is there a man in your life? Romantically speaking, that is?
A: No. But I believe he's out there somewhere and he's a lot like Sam O'Ballivan, the man from Stone Creek. :) I expect he'll turn up when the time is right.
Q: Are there audio versions of your books?
A: Most of them are available on audible.com or iTunes, methinks, but not all are on CD.
Q: How do you like your CPAP machine? (This is a breathing device for those of us with sleep apnea.)
A: I rest ever so much better, now that I don't wake up fifty times a night to breathe. The mask part is bulky, though, and I took a while to get used to the thing.
Q: Do you use events from your own life in your stories?
A: Well, I never put down an experience exactly as it happened to me, but of course I am influenced by life--mainly the stories I remember my cowboy dad and uncles telling and certainly Gramma Wiley's tales of her Kansas childhood. My writing tends to be organic--I begin with a certain character in a situation that intrigues me, and build from there.
So that's the overview for the most recent crop of questions. If I missed yours, never fear. I'll get to it. :) Keep them coming.
In other news, I have misplaced my cell phone and am awaiting a new one. There was a delay. Is Mercury in retrograde? I'll have to check. The moon has been full the last couple of nights, and that usually dials up the crazy-meter a little. :)
Basically, it's all good. Bernicie the Yorkie is doing very well on her new medicine. (She'll be 12 in April.) My old Buckaroo is still hanging in, wandering around the pasture during the day with the other horses, clad in his beloved green blanket, and keeping his mischievous fan club, Banjo and Traveler, in their places. Both these ponies want to be like Buck when they grow up. :)
And who can blame them?
OK, so a dozen of you left comments, with questions, and I will address them here as best I can.
Thanks first, though, for all those kind words.
Q: Will I be writing more time travel books?
A: If I get a really good idea for one, yes. Right now, I'm up to my eyeballs in sexy cowboy heroes and the view from here is great. :)
Q: Is there a man in your life? Romantically speaking, that is?
A: No. But I believe he's out there somewhere and he's a lot like Sam O'Ballivan, the man from Stone Creek. :) I expect he'll turn up when the time is right.
Q: Are there audio versions of your books?
A: Most of them are available on audible.com or iTunes, methinks, but not all are on CD.
Q: How do you like your CPAP machine? (This is a breathing device for those of us with sleep apnea.)
A: I rest ever so much better, now that I don't wake up fifty times a night to breathe. The mask part is bulky, though, and I took a while to get used to the thing.
Q: Do you use events from your own life in your stories?
A: Well, I never put down an experience exactly as it happened to me, but of course I am influenced by life--mainly the stories I remember my cowboy dad and uncles telling and certainly Gramma Wiley's tales of her Kansas childhood. My writing tends to be organic--I begin with a certain character in a situation that intrigues me, and build from there.
So that's the overview for the most recent crop of questions. If I missed yours, never fear. I'll get to it. :) Keep them coming.
In other news, I have misplaced my cell phone and am awaiting a new one. There was a delay. Is Mercury in retrograde? I'll have to check. The moon has been full the last couple of nights, and that usually dials up the crazy-meter a little. :)
Basically, it's all good. Bernicie the Yorkie is doing very well on her new medicine. (She'll be 12 in April.) My old Buckaroo is still hanging in, wandering around the pasture during the day with the other horses, clad in his beloved green blanket, and keeping his mischievous fan club, Banjo and Traveler, in their places. Both these ponies want to be like Buck when they grow up. :)
And who can blame them?
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Writing and Rambling
I'm writing today, and I'll like be at it for the next several hours, but I wanted to stop by the blog to let you know I'm thinking about you and to wish you a wonderful New Year.
2012. I can hardly believe it. I'm still setting goals--looking for ways to live up to this year's word, "Thrive"--and I think I mentioned the art journal I've begun. I started off by signing up for a Photoshop class, starting in late February--something I've always wanted to do. Randy Travis is appearing at Northern Quest casino in February as well, and I plan to be there. I am a major Randy Travis fan. :) Not that going to a concert is the same as achieving a goal, except that, for me, it's part of the process. Part of my definition of thriving is having more fun.
As I write this blog entry, I'm awash in full-spectrum light--bought myself a special floor lamp for Christmas, to keep the winter blues at bay. So far, so good. I forge on with the D.I.E.T. and all I can say for sure is, my jeans still fit. :)
I'm opening the floor for questions, informally at least. Click on the comment button and ask your question. I will answer as many of them as I can, right here on the blog.
Time to get back to Parable, Montana.
See you tomorrow.
2012. I can hardly believe it. I'm still setting goals--looking for ways to live up to this year's word, "Thrive"--and I think I mentioned the art journal I've begun. I started off by signing up for a Photoshop class, starting in late February--something I've always wanted to do. Randy Travis is appearing at Northern Quest casino in February as well, and I plan to be there. I am a major Randy Travis fan. :) Not that going to a concert is the same as achieving a goal, except that, for me, it's part of the process. Part of my definition of thriving is having more fun.
As I write this blog entry, I'm awash in full-spectrum light--bought myself a special floor lamp for Christmas, to keep the winter blues at bay. So far, so good. I forge on with the D.I.E.T. and all I can say for sure is, my jeans still fit. :)
I'm opening the floor for questions, informally at least. Click on the comment button and ask your question. I will answer as many of them as I can, right here on the blog.
Time to get back to Parable, Montana.
See you tomorrow.
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