Discipline is remembering what you want.
(unsure source. found on search.)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The First Line of Inspiration
I think eight is a lucky number because it represents infinity; no ending lines.
Today marks 8 days to the starting lineup for James' triathlon.
If you just got here, my husband is getting ready to do his first Ironman Triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and a 26-mile marathon). I started a Writing Triathlon to honor my husband's dream finally coming to fruition. I, too, hope my dream of getting published comes true by means of the same type of dedication and perseverence my husband has used to train for this race.
And now we have come up with 8 sayings that will hopefully inspire James during his potentially 15 hour race (he has 17 hours to finish and hoping for better than 15)
The first inspirational saying is -
Today marks 8 days to the starting lineup for James' triathlon.
If you just got here, my husband is getting ready to do his first Ironman Triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and a 26-mile marathon). I started a Writing Triathlon to honor my husband's dream finally coming to fruition. I, too, hope my dream of getting published comes true by means of the same type of dedication and perseverence my husband has used to train for this race.
And now we have come up with 8 sayings that will hopefully inspire James during his potentially 15 hour race (he has 17 hours to finish and hoping for better than 15)
The first inspirational saying is -
A GOAL IS A DREAM WITH A DEADLINE
May you all have a goal in mind and the perseverance to set the deadline.
My Writing Triathlon got off to a great start. It's not too late to join in.
Here are the stats so far:
Tina - Current points leader with 20 points. (Got an excellent boost of 5 points from mentioning my contest on her blog. Thank you for that.)
Heather - Isn't far behind with a solid 17 points.
Kelly - In the running with 14 points.
Dena and Krystalyn both started following me just as the contest was getting under way but may not be sure if they are playing. If you want to play then you could still be in the running for top three prizes. Find out more about the points.
(I sometimes miss The Practice Room because of my West coast schedule. If I can't get in the room I give everyone points for that day anyway. The Practice Room yields 2 points per day because you could get in there a few times a day.)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Adding Inspiration To My Contest
The Writing Triathlon came about because I wanted to honor my husband, James, who is about to do his first full Ironman. Sometimes, when I feel defeated by my writing, or think about how long my journey might be toward publishing, I think about James' journey to the Ironman.
Two years ago, James was forty-pounds heavier, had back aches, knee pain, and a general feeling of life going by too quickly to obtain his longtime goal to compete in an Ironman Triathlon.
We were out at a store one day when James picked up a flyer for a sprint triathlon. When we got home I told all the neighbors that James was going to do a triathlon and that he was eventually going to do an Ironman. This was not a good thing. He was not happy with me. He felt I jumped the gun on letting people know his goals. Here's why: James and I both believe that once we tell people what we are going to do, we have to actually get it done. (Maybe I was pushing him a little too hard. I wanted him to reach this dream of his.)
Here we are, two years later, and ten days away from his first Ironman Triathlon.
I am very proud.
Getting to this point wasn't easy for him, nor was it easy on our family. The equipment was expensive but that wasn't the strain. The training time wasn't so bad either because he trained mostly in the morning well before anyone was awake. It was the physical and mental exhaustion that affected each of us waiting for his attention. This was to be expected, and the first year we hardly noticed his exhaustion. The trials and tribulations of getting him to this goal are finally coming to fruition, for all of us. We can't wait to see him on the day of the race. We will be there to cheer him on, bring him sustenance, give him bandanas with ice, new water bottles, and general cheering and support.
It matters not how solitary each person's goal is, in the end, it always takes more than one person to achieve a single person's goal. Those are family, fans, friends, neighbors, bloggers. We cannot possibly achieve anything without support.
I used to think starting out was the hardest part of a goal, maybe that's why I waited so long to finally write a book even though I held this goal since I was a child, but now I'm sure that seeing the goal to its finish is the hardest part.
In writing, it's not difficult for me to start a book, or even for me to write thousands and thousands of words, it's the ending that gets me everytime. Maybe this makes me a good candidate for series book writing, I don't know.
In honor of James, I have included his Half Ironman video. This particular Half Ironman was in support of challenged athletes. It was truly amazing to see the challenged athletes, some of them still kids, pushing their physical limitations to get through this grueling competition. It just goes to show that we can all do anything we set our minds to.
Two years ago, James was forty-pounds heavier, had back aches, knee pain, and a general feeling of life going by too quickly to obtain his longtime goal to compete in an Ironman Triathlon.
We were out at a store one day when James picked up a flyer for a sprint triathlon. When we got home I told all the neighbors that James was going to do a triathlon and that he was eventually going to do an Ironman. This was not a good thing. He was not happy with me. He felt I jumped the gun on letting people know his goals. Here's why: James and I both believe that once we tell people what we are going to do, we have to actually get it done. (Maybe I was pushing him a little too hard. I wanted him to reach this dream of his.)
Here we are, two years later, and ten days away from his first Ironman Triathlon.
I am very proud.
Getting to this point wasn't easy for him, nor was it easy on our family. The equipment was expensive but that wasn't the strain. The training time wasn't so bad either because he trained mostly in the morning well before anyone was awake. It was the physical and mental exhaustion that affected each of us waiting for his attention. This was to be expected, and the first year we hardly noticed his exhaustion. The trials and tribulations of getting him to this goal are finally coming to fruition, for all of us. We can't wait to see him on the day of the race. We will be there to cheer him on, bring him sustenance, give him bandanas with ice, new water bottles, and general cheering and support.
It matters not how solitary each person's goal is, in the end, it always takes more than one person to achieve a single person's goal. Those are family, fans, friends, neighbors, bloggers. We cannot possibly achieve anything without support.
I used to think starting out was the hardest part of a goal, maybe that's why I waited so long to finally write a book even though I held this goal since I was a child, but now I'm sure that seeing the goal to its finish is the hardest part.
In writing, it's not difficult for me to start a book, or even for me to write thousands and thousands of words, it's the ending that gets me everytime. Maybe this makes me a good candidate for series book writing, I don't know.
In honor of James, I have included his Half Ironman video. This particular Half Ironman was in support of challenged athletes. It was truly amazing to see the challenged athletes, some of them still kids, pushing their physical limitations to get through this grueling competition. It just goes to show that we can all do anything we set our minds to.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Writing Triathlon Contest
A GREAT BIG thank you to the hosts of The Practice Room, Tour De Writing, and Elana Johnson for allowing me to link up my events to their blogs.
If you have just arrived, you are right on time! I am hosting a Writing Ironman Triathlon. Only you don't have to swim 2.4 miles, or ride your bike for 112 miles, and then finish with a marathon of 26 miles.
UPDATE!!!
Elana is on vacation right now, but that doesn't mean you can't put a comment on her blog everyday. If you've already commented on what she left us with, maybe add something new and interesting.
Check out the full details here.
GOOD NEWS!!!
All of the times I've made it out to my husband's triathlon's with three kids in tow, has finally paid off. My husband has agreed to be the cow bell in this contest.
My husband's name is James. He will be cheering me, you, and everyone on in the comments.
My sister, and number one fan, has agreed to be the poster holding cheermeister. She will be leaving supportive comments in all caps. Look for her comments. Her name is Regina.
POINTS
I am giving 1 point for each comment left on the blogs of each of the events. REMEMBER: the comments have to be solely about the posts on each of the blogs and have nothing to do with my contest.
BONUS POINTS
Get 5 points extra for mentioning my contest on your blog. Let me know you did this in my comments. This is a great way to rack up points if you are feeling behind because you can't make it into The Practice Room or forgot to leave comments in the other events.
You can get 2 extra points if I catch your comment on any of the blogs that are directly associated with Elana Johnson, i.e. QueryTracker, What Writer's Read, WriteOnCon. (am I missing any?)
If you've done all these things and let me know about it in my comments, I will give an extra point for each comment.
GOAL?
To stay motivated on your writing projects through the summertime. I know I need it. Summer gets way busy and leaves hardly any time for writing and revising. Plus, for those of us heading over to the WriteOnCon in August, don't we have a lot to get in order from now until then?
TODAY
I fell short on my writing yesterday because of hectic schedule. Today, I want to get at least 2,200 words revised in my WIP. I would really love to make it over to The Practice Room during the chat sessions and I'm missing Elana, who is on vacation, so I'm going to stop by her blog and let her know I miss her.
PRIZE UPDATE TO COME
(I will be giving away three books. Which ones should I give away? hmmm!)
If you have just arrived, you are right on time! I am hosting a Writing Ironman Triathlon. Only you don't have to swim 2.4 miles, or ride your bike for 112 miles, and then finish with a marathon of 26 miles.
UPDATE!!!
Elana is on vacation right now, but that doesn't mean you can't put a comment on her blog everyday. If you've already commented on what she left us with, maybe add something new and interesting.
Check out the full details here.
GOOD NEWS!!!
All of the times I've made it out to my husband's triathlon's with three kids in tow, has finally paid off. My husband has agreed to be the cow bell in this contest.
My husband's name is James. He will be cheering me, you, and everyone on in the comments.
My sister, and number one fan, has agreed to be the poster holding cheermeister. She will be leaving supportive comments in all caps. Look for her comments. Her name is Regina.
POINTS
I am giving 1 point for each comment left on the blogs of each of the events. REMEMBER: the comments have to be solely about the posts on each of the blogs and have nothing to do with my contest.
BONUS POINTS
Get 5 points extra for mentioning my contest on your blog. Let me know you did this in my comments. This is a great way to rack up points if you are feeling behind because you can't make it into The Practice Room or forgot to leave comments in the other events.
You can get 2 extra points if I catch your comment on any of the blogs that are directly associated with Elana Johnson, i.e. QueryTracker, What Writer's Read, WriteOnCon. (am I missing any?)
If you've done all these things and let me know about it in my comments, I will give an extra point for each comment.
GOAL?
To stay motivated on your writing projects through the summertime. I know I need it. Summer gets way busy and leaves hardly any time for writing and revising. Plus, for those of us heading over to the WriteOnCon in August, don't we have a lot to get in order from now until then?
TODAY
I fell short on my writing yesterday because of hectic schedule. Today, I want to get at least 2,200 words revised in my WIP. I would really love to make it over to The Practice Room during the chat sessions and I'm missing Elana, who is on vacation, so I'm going to stop by her blog and let her know I miss her.
PRIZE UPDATE TO COME
(I will be giving away three books. Which ones should I give away? hmmm!)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Write-Revise-Blog, a Triathlon for Writers
In honor of my husband's upcoming Ironman triathalon on July 31st, I am holding myself (and anyone who would like to join me) to a writing triathlon.
In the process, I am promoting (not that they need it) the three blogs that have sparked this new found inspirational energy I feel (where before I was peetering out with the summer heat and the marked chaos of having my three kids home for summer break).
What is an Ironman in the first place? I am a writer, not an athlete.
Sure, sure. I say this a lot. Besides my workout videos, you will not find me actively participating in any fitness competitions.
An Ironman Triathlon is, according to the Wikipedia, one of a series of triathlons organized by the World Triathlon Corporation.
It consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26-mile run (a marathon), completed within 17-hours and by each events cutoff time. Crazy right?
Let's just say I am interested in participating, what do I need to do (I'm not a very good swimmer just so you know)?
Let's start with what you won't be doing. You won't be getting wet, riding a bike, or running a marathon.
Okay, with that said, you will have a swim, bike, run equivalent for writing. In an Ironman Triathlon you would have 17 hours to complete the course with cut off times for each event. This is not the case here. You have until the start of WriteOnCon, August 10 (last points collected on August 9). Each event will earn you points (kept my me).
Okay, I'm stretching (my fingers), when and where do I start?
Start off by following me or by leaving me a comment (today, tomorrow, next week; start whenever) so that I know you are participating and I'll know who to give points to.
Swim = The Practice Room
Bike = Tour De Writing
Run = Elana Johnson's blog
All you have to do is go about your writing business (which hopefully included participating in The Practice Room, Tour De Writing, and giving love to Elana Johnson especially for contributing/co-hosting to WriteOnCon and Query Tracker.).
If you are following me, or have commented letting me know you are playing along, then I will keep points by looking for a comment left by you in each of the events.
That means, head over to each event and leave a comment (pertaining to their posts only). That way I'll know if you are playing along. To play my game, you must play their game or show your love for them.
Gosh, I hope I can keep up with my own regimen.
Get extra points for spreading the word. Post my link in one of your posts and then let me know in the comments.
Prizes? I'm not sure yet. I would love to give away three books. Anyone, or any newly released author have some recommendations? I'll keep you posted on the prizes.
I wish you luck.
I wish me luck.
*Insert National Anthem here*
Let the games begin.
*Insert bang here*
In the process, I am promoting (not that they need it) the three blogs that have sparked this new found inspirational energy I feel (where before I was peetering out with the summer heat and the marked chaos of having my three kids home for summer break).
What is an Ironman in the first place? I am a writer, not an athlete.
Sure, sure. I say this a lot. Besides my workout videos, you will not find me actively participating in any fitness competitions.
An Ironman Triathlon is, according to the Wikipedia, one of a series of triathlons organized by the World Triathlon Corporation.
It consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26-mile run (a marathon), completed within 17-hours and by each events cutoff time. Crazy right?
Let's just say I am interested in participating, what do I need to do (I'm not a very good swimmer just so you know)?
Let's start with what you won't be doing. You won't be getting wet, riding a bike, or running a marathon.
Okay, with that said, you will have a swim, bike, run equivalent for writing. In an Ironman Triathlon you would have 17 hours to complete the course with cut off times for each event. This is not the case here. You have until the start of WriteOnCon, August 10 (last points collected on August 9). Each event will earn you points (kept my me).
Okay, I'm stretching (my fingers), when and where do I start?
Start off by following me or by leaving me a comment (today, tomorrow, next week; start whenever) so that I know you are participating and I'll know who to give points to.
Swim = The Practice Room
Bike = Tour De Writing
Run = Elana Johnson's blog
All you have to do is go about your writing business (which hopefully included participating in The Practice Room, Tour De Writing, and giving love to Elana Johnson especially for contributing/co-hosting to WriteOnCon and Query Tracker.).
If you are following me, or have commented letting me know you are playing along, then I will keep points by looking for a comment left by you in each of the events.
That means, head over to each event and leave a comment (pertaining to their posts only). That way I'll know if you are playing along. To play my game, you must play their game or show your love for them.
Gosh, I hope I can keep up with my own regimen.
Get extra points for spreading the word. Post my link in one of your posts and then let me know in the comments.
Prizes? I'm not sure yet. I would love to give away three books. Anyone, or any newly released author have some recommendations? I'll keep you posted on the prizes.
I wish you luck.
I wish me luck.
*Insert National Anthem here*
Let the games begin.
*Insert bang here*
Monday, July 12, 2010
I Want Winter Back
For a mom of three, summer is hectic. The hours are longer, the schedule is manned soley by me, the noise level, the distractions, the need to be in well-lit, sun-drenched areas is a requirement, precipitation from my body versus the sky is high, while the splashing from the pool prevents me from downloading my creativity in a conducive atmosphere.
But, in just a few short weeks, I have gone to Mexico while the kids went to Pismo Beach, I've read four books, hosted a fourth of July party, started revising my book based on the adjustments I made for a partial that was requested, I taught eight kids how to make three balloon animals, we started an ant farm that I'm sorry to say isn't thriving, we've walked to the park and back, we've gone to the free movie and snuck our own food in, penpals have been made and kept, the blog has been updated although not as frequently, all this and we're still three weeks away from the start of school.
I need a nap.
I need a long winter's nap.
I seem productive in the summer but it's not geared toward my writing which leaves me frustrated at the end of the day when I am too tired from all the kid-friendly activities to open my computer or grab my notepad.
I desperately need to download though. I feel the stories bunching up in my head. I need a free moment (not the blogging-type free moments, more like the kids-are-at-school-and-the-house-is-shhhh moments) to envision the revision my story requires.
Also, I think the melancholy that winter brings provides a certain type of depth required for writing.
But, in just a few short weeks, I have gone to Mexico while the kids went to Pismo Beach, I've read four books, hosted a fourth of July party, started revising my book based on the adjustments I made for a partial that was requested, I taught eight kids how to make three balloon animals, we started an ant farm that I'm sorry to say isn't thriving, we've walked to the park and back, we've gone to the free movie and snuck our own food in, penpals have been made and kept, the blog has been updated although not as frequently, all this and we're still three weeks away from the start of school.
I need a nap.
I need a long winter's nap.
I seem productive in the summer but it's not geared toward my writing which leaves me frustrated at the end of the day when I am too tired from all the kid-friendly activities to open my computer or grab my notepad.
I desperately need to download though. I feel the stories bunching up in my head. I need a free moment (not the blogging-type free moments, more like the kids-are-at-school-and-the-house-is-shhhh moments) to envision the revision my story requires.
Also, I think the melancholy that winter brings provides a certain type of depth required for writing.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Dear Prospective Publisher, I read your latest book while on vacation...
I'm back from my five-day vacation and I must say, I had a great time!
I have to admit, on the first day, I fell asleep (literally crashed) for three hours. When I mentioned in the previous blog about being exhausted just from my end-of-school-year, mom-type responsibilites, I wasn't kidding.
To sum up the vacation:
We went to Puerto Vallarta, went on a zip-line tour (highly recommended), ATV through the jungle, and rode the mules (of course mine went the wrong way and then turned and clotheslined me on the zip-line, ahh. Why do horses and horse-like animals hate me anyway?).
We took a boat-ride out to an amazing part of Mexico (high winds=high swells and motion sickness, salt sprayed hair and face, tipping chairs, and all kinds of crazy fun).
Hot tub on the deck + husband=Foam excess from added shower gel and shampoo (1 husband can sometimes=10 young children).
But inbetween all of the adventures I was able to read (I was still unsure of my book choices from Target so I made it over to Barnes & Nobles before the trip and picked up two more books).
Maybe it's just me. I sometimes read books that are so boring, or poorly written that I can't believe the author was published at all. How unfair does it seem to read something you can't believe made it on the shelves in the first place when you're battling your own form rejections?
A scary thought from a reader's perspective: What if these terrible books create a whole new batch of authors who want to write just because if the sub-par authors can make it and lure me into buying their books then how hard can it be to get published?
Or, to be positive, maybe a whole new batch of great writers will surface just because they are tired of being duped into buying terrible books.
Then again, maybe I bought one of those self-published books and I just didn't know any better.
Self-published books mixed in with the carefully selected and refined books, this is where my nightmare of a reader starts. This topic actually has nothing to do with my ability to write, query, gain attention or respect as a writer seeking to be an author. I don't even mean to put down self-published authors (especially as a writer), it's just that I WANT TO BE WARNED IF I AM ABOUT TO BUY A SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK!!!
That was awful of me wasn't it? Have I just lost some readers? I apologize. I'm not a mean person. I respect all writers, even sub-par ones. But that respect comes from the writer in me and not necessarily the reader in me. As a reader, I have to spend my hard-earned money on books that I can read in two days (think about how much it might cost me to keep up with my habit); I don't want to spend money on a poorly written book.
As a writer, I appreciate the journey the author went through to get the book on the shelf. I just wonder why the publisher bothered. Why did the back of the book trick me into believing there was something interesting about to go on inside the book?
Now that I've confessed my aversion to poorly written books I think I need to go and knock on some wood, or throw some salt over my shoulder. My journey to publishing probably just got even longer. It's hard not to admit that I get this disappointed when I read a terrible book even though I'm trying to query my own story.
Side note: I wasn't that enthralled with Stephanie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner either, but I am enjoying Alyson Noel's Evermore very much.
Am I the only writer/reader who gets this disappointed with poorly written books on Barnes & Noble book shelves?
I have to admit, on the first day, I fell asleep (literally crashed) for three hours. When I mentioned in the previous blog about being exhausted just from my end-of-school-year, mom-type responsibilites, I wasn't kidding.
To sum up the vacation:
We went to Puerto Vallarta, went on a zip-line tour (highly recommended), ATV through the jungle, and rode the mules (of course mine went the wrong way and then turned and clotheslined me on the zip-line, ahh. Why do horses and horse-like animals hate me anyway?).
We took a boat-ride out to an amazing part of Mexico (high winds=high swells and motion sickness, salt sprayed hair and face, tipping chairs, and all kinds of crazy fun).
Hot tub on the deck + husband=Foam excess from added shower gel and shampoo (1 husband can sometimes=10 young children).
But inbetween all of the adventures I was able to read (I was still unsure of my book choices from Target so I made it over to Barnes & Nobles before the trip and picked up two more books).
I'm a fast reader (when I have the time) so I knew I wasn't far off by bringing 4 books on a 5-day vacation (I finished 2-1/2 books by the end). Before I left town I was feeling guilty for settling for more vampire books when I really wanted to read something more normal or at least with less vampires and werewolves. I started with a book I shall not name (it wouldn't be fair). I finished the book and was extremely disappointed. I actually had to read faster because I wanted to get through it just so I could go onto something better. The faster I read, the more I thought about writing to the publisher.
Dear Prospective Publisher ,
I read your latest book [named here]. It wasn't good. I feel you owe me.
[My query inserted here]
Sincerely,
Maybe it's just me. I sometimes read books that are so boring, or poorly written that I can't believe the author was published at all. How unfair does it seem to read something you can't believe made it on the shelves in the first place when you're battling your own form rejections?
A scary thought from a reader's perspective: What if these terrible books create a whole new batch of authors who want to write just because if the sub-par authors can make it and lure me into buying their books then how hard can it be to get published?
Or, to be positive, maybe a whole new batch of great writers will surface just because they are tired of being duped into buying terrible books.
Then again, maybe I bought one of those self-published books and I just didn't know any better.
Self-published books mixed in with the carefully selected and refined books, this is where my nightmare of a reader starts. This topic actually has nothing to do with my ability to write, query, gain attention or respect as a writer seeking to be an author. I don't even mean to put down self-published authors (especially as a writer), it's just that I WANT TO BE WARNED IF I AM ABOUT TO BUY A SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK!!!
That was awful of me wasn't it? Have I just lost some readers? I apologize. I'm not a mean person. I respect all writers, even sub-par ones. But that respect comes from the writer in me and not necessarily the reader in me. As a reader, I have to spend my hard-earned money on books that I can read in two days (think about how much it might cost me to keep up with my habit); I don't want to spend money on a poorly written book.
As a writer, I appreciate the journey the author went through to get the book on the shelf. I just wonder why the publisher bothered. Why did the back of the book trick me into believing there was something interesting about to go on inside the book?
Now that I've confessed my aversion to poorly written books I think I need to go and knock on some wood, or throw some salt over my shoulder. My journey to publishing probably just got even longer. It's hard not to admit that I get this disappointed when I read a terrible book even though I'm trying to query my own story.
Side note: I wasn't that enthralled with Stephanie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner either, but I am enjoying Alyson Noel's Evermore very much.
Am I the only writer/reader who gets this disappointed with poorly written books on Barnes & Noble book shelves?
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