Plotter? Planner? Pantser?

If you've been wondering where I was for last four weeks, I've been busy planning, plotting, pantsing, critiquing, editing and revising. I've never written a full length novel.  A chapter book is the biggest project I've completed so far.  At the last two conferences I met with editors and agents.  We talked about my picture book EVERYONE DID THEIR PART and they suggested that I should expand it into a mid grade novel.  Sooooo...I've been working on it.  As of right now I'm on Chapter 9.

I did a lot of research to get ready to write this story.  I interviewed several people, read a load of books,visited historic sites, visited websites, and of course took loads of photos when I was in England.

While I was reading I jotted down notes of words and phrases I wanted to use in my book.  I typed up all my notes and then broke them down into different categories: fun words; phrases; sites and sounds in particular places; scenes broken down into locations,  and character descriptions.

Then I wrote them on note cards and stuck them on poster board. I sorted them into specific groups.

I sorted the cards into where that scene should take place.   So I have a bunch of these:  The Blitz, The Train Station, The Train, Leek, New Home, New School, Countryside, Town Market, and Church.  I'm sure I will be making more of these as I go along, but this is where I'm at right now.

I was able to enlist my dear friend Gary Pennick to take some photographs of Leek.  I haven't been there since I was 6 or 7.  I'm bowled over that Gary agreed to do this for me.  He didn't hesitate for a second.  (Thanks you, Gary)  It's just another reason I love my bloggy friends.  (HUG)

My Brilliant Niece, Bethany Runyan, did this great gator picture to help me get the right frame of mind for

 the other writing project I've been working on has been with my wicked cool cp, Lenny Lee.

We did four versions of the story before we sent it to the people who volunteered to critique it.  Lenny and I adore everyone who helped out!  Thank you, Corey, Janet, Robyn, Melissa, Susan Quinn and Jackee!  We <3 you!

We went over everyone's critiques one at a time with our manuscript and made lots of changes.  So are ready to send it out one last time before we start querying.  I'm so excited (I think Lenny is too).

(Insert photo of my massive bicepts here.)

The other thing I've been doing is working on my health.  I joined a fitness club.  I go six days a week (usually).  We alternate with kickboxing and strength training.  That sounds easy right?  Well let me tell you, I leave so exhausted I can barely walk each day.  Yesterday when I got home, I went up to take a shower...I was pulling my socks off and BAM I fell over.  So other than my balance issues, I can proudly report I have made progress.  On day 1, I could do 4 push ups in one minute, 31 sit ups and run a 12:21 mile (in the winter in Iowa).  On the last day of week 5, I could do 31 push ups and 36 sit ups.  I didn't run the mile as it was about 3 degrees and the wind was howling.  I haven't lost any weight but my waist went down 2.5 inches, chest 1.75 inches, and arm (biceps) down .75 inches.  So I am pretty pleased with my progress.

One of the great things about the program is it also has a nutrition side to it.  You keep track of your carbs, proteins, vegetables and water intake.  One day a week you get to have a fun day.  You get to eat or drink anything you want.  It is supposed to be a metabolism booster.  Let me tell you....I live for Saturdays!  Walt and I go out for brunch after I get back from the gym and we either have dinner out or order in.  Sunday is a no exercise day, but I'm thinking about walking or running on Sundays.

So as you can see, I've kept busy in a productive manner.  I did miss all of you and am glad to be back to blogging in the evenings.  Can't wait to see what everyone has been up to.

Hugs to all.....

The Winner Is...

OMGoodness I missed you guys!  I've been working on myself and my writing like crazy this month.  I'll give you a progress report on Thursday.  Without further any further delay... (drum roll)...

The winner is Stina Lindenblatt . 

(Thanks to random.org.) 

If you don't know Stina, you need to pop over and get to know her.  Not only does she have a great blog, but she is also a contributor to Querytracker's site.

What have you been working on over the past few weeks?

Hugs to all....

Be A Rebel Writer! Make The Commitment To Your Goals

 The absolutely amazing Sheri Larsen reminded me I had committed to being a Rebel Writer this year!  So I am taking a break from my working break to encourage you to write your goals for 2012.  Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely.  (SMART GOALS)

You can have a variety of goals that relate to different aspects of your life.  I posted a few of my life goals and writing goals here.  My awesome critique partner, Lenny Lee sent me this wonderful planner and I am using it to make sure I am on track with my writing goals.  Each day I write down what I did relating to my goals of becoming a published author.  It really is motivating me to not have any blank pages.  (I don't typically write on the weekends, so having blank spots on those days is fine for me.)  I'm keeping a food and workout journal to go along with my health goals for 2012.  (It's going well, just in case you wondered...)

I encourage you to keep track of how you are doing on meeting your goals for this year. 

If you have time, pop over to Sheri's blog and check out  the participants of the REBEL WRITER'S PLEDGE Members.  You might find a piece of advice that serves your writing/life style perfectly!

HAPPY WRITING!!!!

(I'm heading back to my office and my manuscript until February 14th when I announce the winner of my book giveaway.)

HUGS TO ALL!!!!

A Giveaway and A Working Break

Last week, I asked you if you had a plan and I told you mine.  Saturday, I began on my health plan.  By going six days a week at an extreme fitness gym and following their nutrition plan, I can already see a visible difference in me. (I'm not talking about the fact that I'm limping today, LOL.)  I am being really focused.  (Everyone claps...)  

I realized I need to be like this with my writing too. 

Lenny and I working on a picture book.  We chatted about it for quite a while today.  I'm not sure if this is how you partner up to write a book, but this is how we are doing it.  He's writing the first draft and I'm consulting.  Then he'll send it to me.  Then I'll send it back to him and we'll chat.  We'll keep doing that until it is perfect and then we'll send it to some of our great bloggy friends for a critique and more revisions until it's polished and ready to submit.

I read YELLOW STAR by Jennifer Roy.  If you get my Goodreads updates or my tweets you'll know I was blown over by the story and the writing.  It made me waver a bit about the importance of my hf story compared to something so compelling, but thanks to some supportive friends (waves Theresa and Len) I'm back on track and want to finish my hf mg novel, NOT A HOLIDAY.  Lenny has promised to be (on my case) super supportive over the next month so I can get close to having the first draft done.

Soooooo, I'm going to take a working break from blog posting until Valentine's Day.  Then I will give you a full report (accountability is so important) on my progress.  Until then I am giving away three books.  All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment.

 (Published by Guardian Angel a small press based in St. Louis.)

(a personal favorite )

(a writing craft book)

I hope you are having an amazing month!

Hugs to all... (Be safe if you are driving on icy roads.)

Do You Have A Plan?

Do you have writing goals for 2012?  

One of my goals is to finish my mg novel NOT A HOLIDAY.   I am going to do is read Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy.  I won an agent critique of the first 10 pages and she gave me some great advice.  She suggested I read this book (by one of her clients).

Lenny and I are going to write a picture book together this year.  He has a great idea for it!  Let's just say...gators rock!

I'm going to keep a daily calendar where I write down what I did pertaining to writing that day.  I think it will show me how much or little I am doing which will hold me accountable. (I don't want any blank pages!)

I will go to at least one writer's retreat/workshop this year.  I'm still wavering on which one to go too.  I want to go to one where I can work with master writers and learn from them.

Do you have a health goal for 2012?

I joined a 10 week extreme fitness program.  I start tomorrow.  I decided it's something I need.
I've put on some weight over the last three years and what I was doing for exercise wasn't working for me.  I'll keep you posted (if you want to know).

In 2012, I'm going to remember to stop and enjoy the small blessings in my life.  Peaches is such a blessing to our family.  She still has a limp, the vet said she probably will always have it.  It doesn't seem to bother her.  She zooms around the house, jumps on Macy and drags toys down the stairs and around the house.

Have you written any goals for this year?  I hope you are going to...I think it makes them more attainable if you put them down on paper.

Happy New Year everyone!

HUGS TO ALL!!!

Ending 2011 On A Positive Note (and a publication)

I am excited to end 2011 on a high note.  My article, TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG...That is the Question, was published in the December issue of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Missouri Newsletter.  In the article I mention (without names) a couple of special friends I've met because of blogging and some of the opportunities I've had because of blogging.  I also mention The A-Z Challenge sponsored by Arlee Bird.  ( I know a lot of you did it last year.)  It will be A-Z time soon...

Blogging has really made a huge impact on my writing life and my personal life.  I feel like I have gained so much by having YOU as my friends.  I hope that you have found lots of friends in blogland like I have.

Thank you for being my friend!  (HUG)

I hope that 2012 brings you good health, good friends, true love, happiness and (if you are a writer) an agent & a book contract.  


HUGS TO ALL...Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve.

Season's Greetings and A Much Needed Reminder...

 I always want everything to be perfect for the holidays...

 The stockings must be hung in the exact right spot...

 The beautiful wreath my friend Marina made must be centered over the fireplace...

 The cool cat ornament my sister Joanne gave me must be in hung with care...

 The candle Natalie gave me must be positioned where I can see it for all of the holiday season...

 Everything must be just right...

(I don't know what that white spot is on the carpet, but believe me, it's not there now.)

 The presents are wrapped in coordinated colors...

Yep...I got a little bit spastic about getting ready to host our Christmas party this year...

My dear friend Lenny wrote the perfect poem to remind me of what is one of the most important things to remember about having a holiday party:

rah rah rah cleanings fun 

come on blom just get it done

wash wash wash dust dust dust

do the stuff you think you must

make it sparkly clean and neat

then take a nap get off your feet

be real happy the works all done

go and party and have some fun

 

Sometimes I get a bit carried away with things and forget that everyone has more fun if the host of the party is having fun too.  I hope that you will remember to have lots of fun this holiday season...

 Len at a Moment in Thyme has prepared the perfect menu for a Christmas party...

 You know I can't help myself when it comes to taking food photos...

 How cool are these tiny stuffed new potatoes?

 I'm a vegetarian, but these really tempted me...

 Len's desserts were DIVINE!

I hope you have a blessed Christmas or Hanukkah and that 2012 brings you everything you want.  

 Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Hugs to all! 

Living Large in London...part two

 I have discovered I love traveling by trains.  Have you ever been on a train trip?

 My lovely room at the Hilton at Hyde Park.  :)

When my Dad and Bonus Mum asked where I wanted to go this was the first place on my list.  The Natural History Museum was a place I had slight memories of from when I was little and lived in London.  I had always believed that there was a massive blue whale hanging on the ceiling.  

 So, we went to see if I could find my giant whale.

 Look at these fantastic columns inside the museum!

 One large armadillo...

Then I saw it...MY Blue Whale.  It wasn't way up in the air like I thought it was, but I was much taller this time when I saw it.  It was a life size replica of a blue whale. A skeleton of a real one hung above him.  I was pretty please that this was a real memory.  Because of my circumstances a lot of my childhood memories are mixed up.

 They had all kinds of things to look at.

 Isn't this beautiful!!!!

 This monkey sculpture was made entirely of bullet casings.

 My first sighting of a DoDo bird.  Kind of impressive!

 There was some great art!

 We were lucky enough to be able to observe one of the restoration rooms.  Very Cool stuff!

 Most of you know my cp, Lenny, calls me Blom...I had to take this picture for him. 

 I think it was a bank.

It was our first night in London.  We were hopping from one bus to another trying to get back to the hotel...Then something really exciting happened.  (I've searched on u tube for it) All of a sudden loads of people showed up on their bikes or skateboards.  They took over the entire street.  No one could pass them on the street.  They were shouting, "We are talking back the streets."

On the way back to our hotel, I saw something that I always thought was part of a childhood dream.  I couldn't believe it!  It was near Hyde Park.  A long time ago I decided I must have seen the monument in a French movie.  But...it was real,  I had seen it when I was little!  

I learned a lot about myself on this trip.

Have you ever been on a trip that gave you something more than a wonderful experience?

Hugs to all!