My first blog ever: It’s a simple blog in itself and a simple title, even. “Welcome.” Looking back to August of 2009, I realize how different things were. I thought Twitter was a fad that would pass. I had attended my first writer’s conference and taken the first real step in becoming a writer. I was polishing and preparing a manuscript that could simply not be repaired. Two years later, things are very different. I’m on my third full manuscript, working on my fourth. I’ve signed with an amazing agent and attended a handful of conferences. I study other blogs and improve my craft daily. To put it simply, I’ve...
Movie Review: Captain America
What? A movie review? I don’t even have a category for that! It’s true—I don’t do movie reviews. That’s not what my blog is about. But when the movie involves a classic comic hero and the story is set during World War II, I simply cannot resist! Captain America: A little background on the actual Captain America comics – He first burst onto the scene in March of 1941 and was mostly portrayed as fighting the Nazis. After the war, interest waned in the comic, but it was revived on and off throughout the decades. This latest revival certainly caught my attention. But then, how can you resist such beautiful...
Pushing through to the finish
Earlier this month, I set a goal of 40,000 words that I wanted to complete in one month. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have had a problem with it. I always enjoy November’s NaNoWriMo. However, life intervened. So far I’ve only done around 15,000 words (even though the month is NOT over yet!) As certain parts of my personal life have settled, I’ve been able to dive back into the writing marathons whenever I have a spare moment (and my husband is otherwise busy.) Recently, I’ve also been riding my bike home from work (a ten mile commute) and learned a few things from that as well. Whether with writing...
Review: Stealing Jake
Description: When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself. Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy–literally–while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town–as well as a loan...
Pavement & Ponderings
This past weekend was jam-packed. And action-packed. A 5K walk (OK I jogged a little too). A 10-mile bike ride. Hauling 60 bales of hay from the field. One hour stripping a large stall bare. Cleaning a barn. Ever notice how deep and refreshing sleep is when you’ve exhausted your body beyond belief? This morning (after a bit of caffeine), I’m contemplating how blessed I am. Blessed to be able to move and do the activities I love. We take for granted such simple things – a sunny day, a job, our family…our mobility, even. This past weekend, aside from the exercise, gave me a mental boost and on a...