For 2012, I’ve planned on training running a couple 5K races. For no other reason than to motivate myself to exercise more regularly. During the summer, I commuted home on my bicycle, which kept me in good shape and in a good frame of mind. (“Discipline begets discipline.” – Jon Acuff, Quitter) Part of my “training” has been recruiting people in far better shape than I to use as extra motivation. I’ve asked them to run the 5Ks with me or help me train. Sure, I’m happy to go running with you – even though you’ve played soccer and ran your whole life… (insert my painful whimper.) But a...
A few more thoughts on Pinterest
I wrote an overview of Pinterest and it’s potential for businesses, writers and the every-day Joe. But after using it for a while more and discussing it with other authors, social media gurus and friends, I have some more thoughts: 1. For authors, Pinterest needs to be a tool to reach new audiences. Among writers groups, we can get sucked in to promoting our work to each other. And only each other. Writers hopefully aren’t your target audience if you’re writing science fiction. They are a part of it, sure. But you need to go out and seek other science fiction readers! When you first started reading your favorite genre, did...
Things I’ve learned in editing my NaNoWriMo Novel…
1. Coming up with good character names in the midst of cranking out 50,000 words in 30 days is not my strongest suit. My fabulous critique partners were commenting on some of my lesser characters and when I said their names aloud, I just closed my eyes and shook my head. I’d named two of my characters Hans and Leah. (Cue the Star Wars theme music.) How had that even happened? I’m not really sure, and granted “Leah” isn’t exactly “Leia…” Time for me to use that magic “find + replace” feature. 2. If I took out all of the “he nodded” or “she nodded” in the manuscript, I’m pretty...
Through the eyes of animals: perspective and effect
“…a horse’s life is maybe even more important than a man’s, ’cause a horse hasn’t got no evil in him except any that’s put there by men…” – War Horse by Michael Morpurgo After seeing War Horse in a pre-screening and blogging about it, I’ve been thrilled to watch the responses of others who have gone to see “War Horse” or who have read the book, which is sitting high on the Kindle Bestseller list (even though the book was published back in the 80s.) What is it about this story that is so gripping? What is it that has touched so many people? What is it that keeps people...
The flood of January 2012
January 2012 is not yet over, but in the past five days, there has been a flood of epic proportions. I’m not only talking about rain. This is the flooded creek in my neighborhood. Normally it is only around three or four feet wide and a foot or two deep. All over Oregon, there are flooding streets, backed up drains and even closed schools. Earlier this week, Washington and Oregon were hit with ice and snow. But the flood I’m referring to is less literal. Two of my dear friends received exciting news and I’ve been really happy for them. It’s been a true flood of emotions this week and...