2011. Fear Not.

So many bloggers are posting lists to say goodbye to 2010. I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate and mark the new year, and I found a list I really liked. I borrowed it from Michael Hyatt.

2011. Fear not.

1. If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be? Drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination?
   • A comedic drama. Too many weird, unbelievable things happened alongside the really cool things. We were struggling and then laughing. I'm grateful for the laughter. It was like M.A.S.H.
2. What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring? These can be single words or phrases.
   • Discovering potential. This seemed to touch each one of our family members this year.
   • Time, the spending and passing of it.
   • Overcoming lost innocence. That sounds a little mellow-dramatic, but where I used to think most people tried to see the best of everyone, I now know differently. I'm still going to try seeing the best. I'll just be more wary.
3. What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of? These can be in any area of your life—spiritual, relational, vocational, physical, etc. Be as specific as possible.
   • My second book was accepted by Covenant Communications. Woohoo!
   • I drove to Provo, UT for a writers conference and navigated around all by myself.
   • I submitted one more book and have another just about ready to go.
   • My kids all seem to be in a pretty good place. Praying we continue in that somewhat steady course.
4. What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?
   • I had to turn down attending the Storymakers writing conference AND presenting at the Whitney Awards Gala. But it was for a really great reason!
   • The release date on my first novel was pushed back, possibly to 2012. That wasn't very fun.
5. What was missing from last year as you look back? Look at each major area of your life. Don’t focus now on having to do anything about it.
   • More organization in my daily routine. Writing, homemaking, family, personal study.
   • More time spent with my youngest, teaching and developing her sense of self.
   • Date night with my husband. It's just not going to happen regularly while he is both school principal AND our ward bishop.
   • NEW writing! It was all revision and editing.
6. What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year? Boil this down to a few short, pithy statements.
   • Fear not. Isaiah 41:10, 13
   • "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
   • Dare to dream. Then work.

As I sorted through my thoughts in answering these questions, I came to the conclusion that although 2010 was a trying year, it was also one of tremendous blessings and growth. It is done. I did my best. And honestly, I can't wait to see what this next year will bring. Welcome with open arms, 2011.

What did 2010 teach you?

Reading Again. You? Thursday Authorial

After so much editing, activities, and the holidays, it has been wonderful to snuggle into the sofa and READ. I've come across a few gems and thought I'd give them a shout out. I'm not done with my "to read" pile at all, and that is just fine with me. I find as I read, the desire to write awakens and develops like yeast in warm sugar water.

Yes, I know it's a bacterial process. I've been baking a lot. The end product is delicious.

Now, for the reviews:

Fantasy, All ages.
The Thorn is a beautiful fantasy story of hope, faith, and miracles set in an earth-like world with two suns and three moons, and an ancient messianic prophesy. The characters drew me in and I wanted to know more. There were a few times when I wished the story to move along and that Jonathan had a bit more to do, but I appreciated Fraley's world-building and practiced my patience. I loved Pekah. These are characters and a land worth cheering for.

Fairytale, YA
This was a delightful read! Everything you could want in an original fairy tale. Adventure, magic, romance, a really quirky bad guy. Well done, Cheri Chesley!

Fantasy Adventure Romance, YA
I really enjoyed the unfolding of this story and the depth of the characters. The science drew me in and I wanted to know more about the mechanics of things and how they affected the main characters. I laughed when I found myself relieved there were no vampires involved. The romance was well written, enough tension and suspense to keep me turning pages and hoping. I can't wait to read The Golden Spiral!

100 Years In a Moment

My fifteen year old son made this video for his Lyrical Analysis project in his English class. He was allowed to use 30 seconds of the music video, within copyright laws. You can also watch it here with full-screen capabilities. It may be blocked if you are in about 50 other countries.

I was totally blown away. I hope you are, too. Enjoy.

100 Years, by Five For Fighting. You may purchase music here.

Just Offstage

After revisions, Grace & Chocolate is out to readers. Again. I've completed the author forms required for submission to my publisher. So, after feedback and the necessary improvements (one hopes they are improvements), I will submit G&C to my editor and then . . . wait. Again.
It is strange to have two books waiting in the wings, approved, anticipating makeup and costume. They know their lines and have the potential to deliver their parts with emotion, timing, and humor.
But it's not their turn yet, and here I send another player in for auditions before the others have been proven. They keep glancing back at me as they watch the performance of other stories, and I have to put my hands up and settle them. Just wait, I whisper. Just wait.

Popping In

 Happy Holidays! I can't believe they're here already.

Update: The reading went pretty well and though my voice lowered a bit, I breathed and brought it back up again. It felt so good to sit back down! So many ladies were enthusiastic afterward and it was reassuring. I won't be so scared next time. What a pansy.


I know the posts have been a bit sparse lately, and I think it may continue to be that way until after the 15th, when my to-do list will be drastically reduced. But I did notice that I am nearing 100 FOLLOWERS! So I am thinking some sort of celebration is in order. But I'll have to get back to you. I have tunics to sew and a baby shower to go to.

Oh! Congratulations to all of you who met your NANOWRIMO goals, and to those of you who even made them in the first place! I'm making it a goal to join in next year. You guys sounded like you were having too much fun.

Putting Myself Out There

Tomorrow night our Relief Society (our church's women's organization) is having a dinner and talent show. Our writing group signed up for a table and that will be kind of fun to display a few rough drafts, rejection letters, and, of course, the acceptance letters, along with our "how to write books" and incentives. But I took it a scary step further and signed up to do a reading. GAH.

I have no idea what I'm reading.

Okay, I have a few ideas, but I need to pick one part and then PRACTICE it without cringing, because as my writing group knows, when I am reading something of my own out loud (which every author MUST do in the editing process, PLEASE. See here.), two odd things happen:

1) I cringe. I just cringe and grimace and shake my head and giggle. UGH.

2) My voice gets deeper. I don't know why. I go from sounding all womanly and pleasant to sounding like Sylvester Stallone. "Yo, Adrian."

But I'm still going to do it. I just need to pick the perfect part and remember to breathe. Right?

Anyone have any advice?

Wish me luck.

Rings and Seasons

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

I recently read something about trees. How, in studying their rings, scientists can guess what climates and growing conditions surrounded the tree at given seasons, even hundreds of years ago. When conditions are ideal, trees grow at a normal rate. But when climate becomes harsh, extreme, exceptional, trees slow down their growth and put everything they have into surviving.
How is this like writing?
Right now, I have a lot going on. This "season" of growth I am experiencing a climate of kitchen remodel, a new calling in church planning and executing the holiday parties, hosting Thanksgiving, 4 children involved in school, community, and sports/music, a volleyball tournament, a husband heavily involved in the community and church. I wouldn't call it a harsh climate, because these are things we choose and enjoy and look forward to. Still, our current schedule is full, and added to these things are the stress and turbulence of having a large family, health issues, my husband's absences as he travels a lot (yeah, I miss him). I might worry that this season's ring? Looking a little meager.
BUT.
When I get to write, everything slows. I regroup. I clear my head. I focus. Writing is part of my survival. Writing group is manna. When I get quiet mornings for writing it's nourishment to my soul.
And then I can pace myself with the other stuff. Sort of. More like scramble to keep up, but I'm not falling behind. I do my best with the important things. Writing isn't extra. Along with my faith, writing maintains balance, keeps me warmed up. So, my meager rings? I'm still going to be thankful for what I was able to get done. Sometimes we just have to hunker down, keep warm, take care of the important things. Survive. Climates change, so do the seasons.

I know a lot of writers would agree with me.

What do your rings look like?

NONAPIPOMO

In conjunction with National Novel Writing Month, and because I was inspired by my sister's latest blog post, I declare November "National Pie Poetry Month", or NONAPIPOMO.

Ode to Pie (or Pie a la Ode)

Oooooohhhhh, Pie!
Pie that hath melted on my tongue with cream both whipped and iced . . .
Pie that bursts with berry, or lemon,
Dances with banana or tempts with chocolate . . .
Forget all thought and crumb of cake,
For who eats cake with such pastries displayed? Nay, but bow-
Pumpkin, thou queen of Holiday; Custard, repast of peasants--Ooooohhh!
Apple Pear Ginger in the perfect crust, let me not miss thy fleeting season!

Oh, that I were a spoon, that I might touch that french silk.


*curtsy*

Let's hear your NONAPIPO.

Revising With Passion

While what seems like the rest of the writing world participates in National Novel Writing Month, and the pup attempts to disembowel an un-stuffed plush squirrel (the head was the first to go), I will be revising another novel, called Grace & Chocolate. I have received delicious, stomach butterfly-inducing feedback from my loverly friend from the Great White North, Kimberly Vanderhorst, and after getting some "have-to's" out of the way, I can now open up her edits and re-work the raw into the submission-worthy. I hope.
Because this novel means a lot to me. They all do in their own way, but this one is a little more personal for me.
The story was inspired by my mom. It isn't biographical. It's not based on a true story. But my mom is a survivor. Her sisters and brothers are survivors. My mom was the oldest of five children in a house where alcohol turned a gentle, charismatic athlete, a friend and a father, into the embodiment of hatred, fear, and anger. Rage. He couldn't fight the demons of World War II alone. He would try. I love my grandpa. He slowed the drinking as I grew up, and finally stopped. He was goofy, could make us laugh so easily. And then they found the cancer. He always told us how much he loved us. I'm so glad he did, because when he died two months before my daughter, his first grandchild, was born, it was easy to imagine how much he would have loved her. Considering my mom's upbringing, that is an amazing gift.
But my mom was a fighter.
And so is Jill Parish.

Grace & Chocolate
Jillian Parish works at a busy publishing house in Portland, Oregon, is writing the novel of a lifetime, and goes home alone every day to a little dog, a spotless apartment, and a piece of 70% cacao and sugar. Her life is described in four words. Escape and stay busy. She has the second part down. The first one is getting more and more difficult as people from her past keep reminding her of what she has fled, and how dangerous it has become.
When Scott Gentry moves to town and spots Jillian at church, he learns her reputation as a lost cause. But something compels him to get Sister Parish's attention, no matter how difficult that may prove. As Scott stumbles, crashes, and falls, he finds himself with more attention than he bargained for, and more willing to do anything he can for the woman who is not made of stone, but of strength.
And she'll need it, because Jillian Parish's protective boundaries are about to be shaken. They're about to explode.

I hope I can make this one work. Man, I love being an author. All of it.
Good luck to all you Nanowrimers!

Building Literacy Five Words at a Time

I think this is my favorite award I've received so far. Thank you, Talei Loto at Musings of an Aspiring Scribe! Here are five of my favorite words. Enjoy!
 
Solitude: This is something I need, something I enjoy, something I appreciate. Especially if a lake and a hammock are involved (a girl can dream).
Exultant: This adjective has to be fought for and earned. I like that.
Elocution: I love how this sounds and rolls off the tongue. A word fitting its definition.
Rigor: A great visual with this one.
Tenacity: This word is taut, unbending, buzzing with current. Me likey.

I'll pass this award onto Alex J. Cavanaugh, who's book CASSASTAR was just released, and J. Scott Savage at Find Your Magic, who's blog is filled with awesome words. Thanks for sharing, boys!

What are some of your favorite words?