Workshops

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I don't know everything.

*GASP*

I know, it's shocking.

On the other hand, I join workshops. I read how-to books/blogs. And it's often times all the same information. The bottom line is, knowing doesn't make me a better writer.

I need a workshop that shows me how to practice all these neat little tidbits. I suppose success is figuring out how to apply the knowledge to writing. And that is harder than it sounds. :P

As I'm plotting my newest WIP, I find myself second guessing every little point--Will it work? Did I do that in my last WIP? Is it too cliche? How appealing is that literary manuever?--until I'm pulling my hair out.

...there's something to be said about flying by the seat of your pants. OTOH, I just can't do another year's worth of revisions just because I didn't plot my story through. So....

I found another workshop, and I'm just going to plod through and hope that this novel is better than the last. No, that sounds depressing... I'm just going to blast through, knowing that everything I learn will make this WIP keener than the last. :D

How do you talk to your Kids?

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I'm pretty bad at this. Just ask my family, I'm known for my inability to communicate. They'll all vouch for me on this one. Haha. Needless to say, I want to be able to share stuff with my kids, especially my daughter. It really is a harsh world out there, and I want her to be able to tell me what's bothering her, which somedays seems like an inordinately large amount of stuff.

Well, I found something to help.

EMAIL.

When I can't seem to get my message [of love, of frustration, of joy, or whatever] through, I can write it down. We're both good at that. She's always leaving me notes...

A normal mom would listen instead of staring at the STUPID computer!

That's a true story... Oops. I'm not perfect, but she does know I love her, most of the time. And that's the most important message of all. So, I've committed to at least one email a week, just to say I love you.

What do you do for your kids? I want to know!
With Love,
Bethanne

One Rejection

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Not my first, though. About four years ago, I submitted to an agent [poor thing], and she rejected my query. It's a new world now that I know what i'm doing, though. :D This R is much easier to swallow. I'm refining my agent list and will send out about five more this week. Plus, I'm thinking about messing with my letter. The one I used last week feels/sounds DRY to me. It doesn't sound like me...and yeah, I'm trying to sell my book and myself. I see that as part of the deal. :D

It's a holiday, and the kids are home. One of them is driving me nuts... but mostly, they are all in good spirits. The youngest is sick, and yikes... he's hyper right now. I think he's going to drop soon. I'm off to buy him some cold medicine. Something, anything for the congestion. :( He sounds so cute.

Anyhoo, another short and sweet update.
Unfortunately, I missed excerpt monday. I hate being sick!
Love to all,
Bethanne

WIP Wednesday

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I'm a day late, but I thought it would be nice to let you know how things are going.

I've starting submitting my manuscript to agents. I have a list on QueryTracker.net of 80 agents who represent my kind of novel. I've sent out 3 by email and have a snail mail on my desk waiting for export. :) Now comes the waiting game, right?

WRONG! Now I finish plotting my next novel. I want to be writing by November 1st, so I actually have more time than I thought I would. Whoot!!

That's all folks.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Bethanne

Doing what you don't want to

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I'm double posting, so if there's stuff that sounds foreign to you, it's because I pulled this from my Living with It Blog.
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Do you ever feel like you just want to throw your hands up and say, NO!

Although this sounds like an opening to a discussion about Diabetes, it's not. Haha. I'm supposed to make all these phone calls to people in my parish, inviting them to come to the Parish Mission next week. But I don't wanna!



This morning, I got up and really wanted to ride my bike. Rock Springs has this great trail running through it, with that in mind, I packed a bag and tossed my bike into the back of Matt's truck. [I think I bent the kickstand doing that] My sugars had been decent all morning, so I felt good to go. Then the truck didn't start, and remembering that my hubby needed to mess with the battery and possibly the starter, I [sighed first] then opted for just riding around the neighborhood. I pulled my bike from the truck bed and went back inside to let Matt know. Feeling kind of odd, I tested my sugar and it was 49. UGH! How frustrating! I was so mad, I just wanted to cry. But I ate something instead and waited about 15 minutes. I wasn't quite 100, but decide to head out anyway. I get about 3 pedal turns from the driveway and have to stop because the pedal is hitting the kickstand. I go back inside and Matt fixes it. Finally, I'm out on my bike...

And it was a good workout. Not too long, but long enough for these unworked muscles.

...now I just have to decide what to do about these phone calls. Maybe I should pay my kids to do it for me. Why? Why did I agree to this? I don't talk well to the people I do know! I am not the extrovert. *sigh*

Just so you know, I'm having some serious trouble with my CGMS. Not in the physical sense, but the mental. I wish I could report differently. Maybe it's because I've only just recently getting serious about my management. Maybe I need a buffer. I don't know...

Maybe it's just too much change for me at one time: diabetes therapy, cgms, a new job, military life... I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I don't know what to do with this continuous glucose data. I think my next step will be to silent all the alerts on this thing except for the low and high. That's not a bad idea. My biggest beef right now is wishing the cgms was linked to my pump... *sigh* I can be a fickle gal, can't I? :P

Going Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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I can't believe it's October again.
The time has flown. One year ago I read a wonderful book called, Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief. I gave away a pretty Avon bracelet...

Well, I'm not doing that this year.

But I am keeping all those who suffer from Cancer in my prayers.
It's not alot but it's all I got this year.
So, don't forget to self test!
Love to all,
Bethanne

Looking back to Now

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Sometimes, you come to a moment in life, and think I'll never forget this moment. You wonder where you will be in five, ten or twenty years, but something tells you when you look back from then, you'll remember this place in time.

Like sitting beside the fire at my neighbors house and hearing my husband say, "Yeah, I'm definitely doing the military this time." Until that moment the prospect was 93% yay, 5% maybe, 2% nay.

This is the moment in a movie--the music playing, the action, the change has happened and in 5 minutes you watch the main character go from mild-mannered accountant to ripped, edged, cunning soldier over the course of several months[okay, that's me fantasizing... ;D]. This is the moment in the book you are reading, when the Hero accepts the Call to Adventure and Crosses the First Threshold. This is the start of the story... This is when things get dicey, when trials must be met.

What makes your book stand out? What does your hero have on the line? Will he risk everything to get what he wants? It's the emotion behind this risk that pulls your reader into the story so that they can't put the book down.
Find it.
Write it.
Resolve it.
...and whatever you do, have a happy ending!

Love,
Bethanne

The Cat's out of the Bag

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My husband is joining the military. He has been working closely with the Army getting his prereqs completed. He still has calls out to the Navy, but they seem to be absent. There's time, though. Matt is NOT a rusher. He likes to take his time when making decisions, and almost never would he allow someone to force it from him. :D I should know...

I don't mind honoring him a little today. It's five days since my birthday and I'm still floored by his thoughtfulness this year. I was completely surprised when he broke out my [fixed, shiny, new stoned] ring and asked me to marry him. I was surprised by the bike he found and rolled onto the front porch before dessert...not to mention the card shaped like a pickle that said, Bet you didn't expect to get a paper pickle for your birthday. :D Yes, I laughed...

Usually, he waits until the day of my birthday then runs to Walmart for something practical. LOL Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Love you Matt. Bethanne

The View

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I'll admit it.

Ever since school started and I've been alone in the mornings, I've been watching The View. About once a week. I really enjoy it. This morning, the ladies were talking about a study, an article or something about issues women face in regards to MEN and how to talk about them with daughters. Though the audience wasn't privy to the entire list of 30-something, we got a taste. A good one? If a man annoys you while you're dating, he will definitely annoy you when you're married. GOOD POINT! A crazy a$$ one? Seven excuses not to have anal sex...

Excuse me girls, women, ladies... you don't need an excuse. No is enough.

I have one word...we'll call it the word for the day. Sex. My girlfriend and I were talking about this just yesterday. We both happened to watch the new shows on ABC--Modern Family and Cougar Town. Sex. Dancing with the Stars? [have you seen the outfits?] Sex. Law and Order? [think of the cases...] Sex and Sex crimes.

It just seems like everything is OUT THERE. I'm not trying to be prudish, but some mystery would be novel, don't you think? Sexy isn't out there, it's hidden and making people wonder.

Watch yourself this season. Watch out for your kids...even The Biggest Loser can be suggestive. I don't think sex should be a secret, but I do think it can be presented in a way that glorifies Love and God, not Hollywood and who they have decided is HOT.
Have a great weekend!
Love you all,
Bethanne

In honor of my Birthhday

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A meme....

Stolen from Kerri, who lifted it from George... A good way to start the New Year--reflecting.

1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size … is about 2 feet by 3.5 feet and holds about 7 blankets.
2. I’ve come to realize that my job … has matured me and brought me joy.
3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving … I am usually going over the speed limit.
4. I’ve come to realize that I need … facts, details, action.
5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost … a kind and generous father-in-law.
6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when … my kids are frustrated.
7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk … I get emotional and weepy--> EW! I cry in my beer!
8. I’ve come to realize that money … DEFINITELY shouldn't be the only reason why people stay at their jobs. <-- that was Kerri's answer too, and I'm on it...like white on rice.
9. I’ve come to realize that certain people … don't understand what makes me tick.
10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always … go to church on Sunday.
11. I’ve come to realize that my siblings … always got my back.
12. I’ve come to realize that my mom … has a very BIG heart.
13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone …. oh, i don't have a cell phone!
14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning … I was clueless to what the day would bring. ...just when you think you know!
15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep … I really needed to work on my basal rates and bolus configurations.
16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking … of watching That 70's Show.
17. I’ve come to realize that my dad … is supportive and loving.
18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook … I like seeing what everyone is up to.
19. I’ve come to realize that today … was the first day of the rest of my life.
20. I’ve come to realize that tonight … the cool breeze brings me hope for the fall and a new season--literally and figuratively [like Mary Poppins, waiting for the wind to change...something big is bound to happen]
21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow … I will still love my husband.
22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to … tell a story that people will like.
23. I’ve come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is … LOL no one.
24. I’ve come to realize that life … is a grand journey
25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend … will be a first ever for me. My son will get a BB gun for his birthday. eek! he'll shoot his eye out!
26. I’ve come to realize that marriage … takes grace.
27. I’ve come to realize that my friends … make my life more well-rounded.
28. I’ve come to realize that this year … is one big freaking turning point for me, for my hubby, for our entire family.
29. I’ve come to realize that my ex is … still out there, and who cares?!
30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should … wax my eyebrows.
31. I’ve come to realize that I love … food. This didn't just happen. I didn't take long to realize, actually.
32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand … how a man's brain works.
33. I’ve come to realize my past … has made me who I am.
34. I’ve come to realize that parties … really can be a good time, if there are friends.
35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified … of one more change.

Happy Birthday ME!

Reading New Things

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I have a confession to make. I like a certain kind of book. I hardly ever stray. I have favorite authors and favorite genres. Just check out my books in 2009 list down there... Plain as the nose on your face. I like romance and I like suspense, and will break for a good historical [good being the key word, which can also be replaced with written-by-one-of-my-favorite-authors]. I'll read anything by Christina Dodd, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Lowell and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. How did I get here?

Let me show you.

When I was barely knee-high to a grasshopper, I loved Little House on the Prairie. Let's face it, Laura's story is definitely romantic. I moved to Trixie Belden not long after that. How can you not love that girl? [or better question] How can you not love that bad boy Jim?! Not to mention her older brother Brian. So handsome and smart. :) And the danger they found themselves in time after time. I was hooked at a very young age. Moving into puberty and young adulthood, I was encouraged to read from the inspirational market, but still, I stuck with mysteries and romance. Phillips, Thoene, Morris, Chaikin... During college [along with my reading assignments--greek myth, eng lit and american lit], i ate up adventures. Mostly Clive Cussler--I couldn't get enough of him [or Dirk Pitt, for that matter :D]--and a few Robert Ludlum's, too--Road to Gandolfo is still one of my favorite books!

Then, it happened...

I picked up a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book called, Nobody's Baby but Mine. And the rest, as they say, is history. :D

So, tell me, where did you get your start? Did you do the classics? Did you pick up your Aunt's catagory romance novel from the side table and read it while no one was looking? Were you a tom-boy, reading The Hardy Boys, or did you follow SOP and read Nancy Drew? Tell me!

Love,
Bethanne

Do I reCopy?

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That's what I've been asking myself for the past week.
Do I take my revisioned final to the copier and spend another $25 to get the hard copy?
I think I should, because it's very hard to read nonactively while in a word program.
All of a sudden I'm seeing details, when I WANT the whole picture.

*sigh*

What do you do? Have many hard copies do you make before you're able to put your manuscript aside as completed?

Me? Two, if this ms is any indication.

Happy Birthday

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My son, Matt [Jr] shares his birthday with my best friend, Lisa.
How cool is that?
He's nine this year... and just too darn smart for his own good.
He's kind to others and loves his brother Sean.
He giggles at girls wearing bikinis and kisses in the movies. [don't tell him I said so!]
He groans when Matt and I kiss, and he talks to himself when he thinks no one is around.

Happy Birthday Matt.

With love,
Bethanne