Here's the view from my office this morning (ICICLES!):
Here's the view from the front door:
And beyond. The Continental Divide is there in the background--you just can't see it because of the snow still coming down!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Yes, it's true, it's still snowing
Because Kari posted her pictures:
Here's the view from my office this morning (ICICLES!):
Here's the view from the front door:
And beyond. The Continental Divide is there in the background--you just can't see it because of the snow still coming down!
Here's the view from my office this morning (ICICLES!):
Here's the view from the front door:And beyond. The Continental Divide is there in the background--you just can't see it because of the snow still coming down!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
If you are an Anne fan...
You must go read Diana Peterfreund's "The Ballad of Anne and Gilbert"
It is fabulous.
(and I am SUCH an Anne Fan)
It is fabulous.
(and I am SUCH an Anne Fan)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
DONE.
My thesis defense is OVER, and it went well! I am DONE!!!!!
Wahoo!
Thank you all for your support! Couldn't have done it without you!
Wahoo!
Thank you all for your support! Couldn't have done it without you!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Operation Teen Book Drop
Under the category of "things I should've known about" and "how did I miss this":
Today is Teen Literature Day! And more important (to me), it's Operation Teen Book Drop.
There are apparently two ways of doing this:
1) As listed on the YALSA wiki, donate books for teens to your local hospital, or get involved in outreach with teens who are shut in or stuck in the hospital. Get them books to read and fun stuff to do.
2) As discussed on Readergirlz, slap a TBD bookplate in a YA book and leave it somewhere public, for teens to find and read.
Win win. Either way, teens get to discover and experience new books. I'm going to call my hospital and go the first route if I can, as being a teen stuck in the hospital has special meaning for me. If they don't want them, I'll go route 2. WooHoo Operation Teen Book Drop!
And on another note, tomorrow is going to be TIARA DAY, particularly on Twitter. Join in!
Today is Teen Literature Day! And more important (to me), it's Operation Teen Book Drop.
There are apparently two ways of doing this:
1) As listed on the YALSA wiki, donate books for teens to your local hospital, or get involved in outreach with teens who are shut in or stuck in the hospital. Get them books to read and fun stuff to do.
2) As discussed on Readergirlz, slap a TBD bookplate in a YA book and leave it somewhere public, for teens to find and read.
Win win. Either way, teens get to discover and experience new books. I'm going to call my hospital and go the first route if I can, as being a teen stuck in the hospital has special meaning for me. If they don't want them, I'll go route 2. WooHoo Operation Teen Book Drop!
And on another note, tomorrow is going to be TIARA DAY, particularly on Twitter. Join in!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Check-in
I am still here.
Countdown: SEVEN days (yes, 1 week!) until my thesis defense.
Eeep.
I just (think) I finished my revisions, and sent off to my trusty beta-readers to be the judges.
Eeep.
After the thesis defense, I will have 2 weeks to do 2 final projects and 2 more presentations.
Eeep.
On May 9, I will GRADUATE.
Back out. :)
Countdown: SEVEN days (yes, 1 week!) until my thesis defense.
Eeep.
I just (think) I finished my revisions, and sent off to my trusty beta-readers to be the judges.
Eeep.
After the thesis defense, I will have 2 weeks to do 2 final projects and 2 more presentations.
Eeep.
On May 9, I will GRADUATE.
Back out. :)
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Happy Wednesday!
I'm making progress on all fronts at once. One month to go!!!
To lift your Wednesday (courtesy of moonrat), watch this and enjoy. I love these.
To lift your Wednesday (courtesy of moonrat), watch this and enjoy. I love these.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mottos
My motto right now: One Step Closer; Just A Bit More Work
My thesis was accepted by my committee: yay! With revisions. But they're not too bad or too extensive, so I can do it. (just a bit more work) I also need to conceive and prepare a 40-minute powerpoint presentation for my defense, which is officially April 21st. (work) Along with that I have roughly one more month of school, in which to do a presentation and 2 final projects (almost there...just a bit more work)
And I'm working on a different Super Secret Project for writing, which I'm bouncy excited about. I can't wait to get to the page whenever I can to pwn this. (say the motto with me!)
I apologize if there are those of you I've been neglecting. As you see, my plate is a bit full...but it's all good. (And I still love you!) Someday, all this will be done and I won't know what to do with myself.
Or I'll be on to the next thing, more likely.
(one step closer; just a bit more work)
My thesis was accepted by my committee: yay! With revisions. But they're not too bad or too extensive, so I can do it. (just a bit more work) I also need to conceive and prepare a 40-minute powerpoint presentation for my defense, which is officially April 21st. (work) Along with that I have roughly one more month of school, in which to do a presentation and 2 final projects (almost there...just a bit more work)
And I'm working on a different Super Secret Project for writing, which I'm bouncy excited about. I can't wait to get to the page whenever I can to pwn this. (say the motto with me!)
I apologize if there are those of you I've been neglecting. As you see, my plate is a bit full...but it's all good. (And I still love you!) Someday, all this will be done and I won't know what to do with myself.
Or I'll be on to the next thing, more likely.
(one step closer; just a bit more work)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Yay
So...I don't want to jinx this streak, but the past couple of days have been pretty ~*sparkly*~.
No huge news, but lots of little encouraging signs from the Universe that I'm on the right path...that things just might work out in the end if I put everything I've got into it.
You KNOW I'll do that! I don't know how to do anything else, really.
So onward. Next step forward on all fronts. Thank you, Universe and others (you know who you are), for the encouragement. I needed it right then. :)
Hope you get ~*sparkly*~ encouragement today too!
No huge news, but lots of little encouraging signs from the Universe that I'm on the right path...that things just might work out in the end if I put everything I've got into it.
You KNOW I'll do that! I don't know how to do anything else, really.
So onward. Next step forward on all fronts. Thank you, Universe and others (you know who you are), for the encouragement. I needed it right then. :)
Hope you get ~*sparkly*~ encouragement today too!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Props for Writers
Hello! Official excuse for not updating: I've been sitting in a corner thinking Deep Thoughts.*
*This is not true. I've been alternately detoxing from thesis push and catching up on everything, including getting back to writing. Yay!
To ease my way back into the blog thing, I created a meme for writers, to encourage each other. I don't tag people, but if you're so inclined, please copy and post for yourself! I'd love to see your names!
Props for Writers
It's all about sharing the love for fellow wordsmiths. Let's face it, this is not the easiest business to be in, and we can all use each other's support. I tried not to repeat names, since there are so many to give props to, but feel free to repeat if you wish, and list unpubbed authors too!
1. Name 3 "classic" (however you choose to define that term) authors you love to read.
William Shakespeare
Jane Austen
Douglas Adams
2. Name 3 current authors you love to read.
Courtney Summers
Libba Bray
Maggie Stiefvater
3. Name 3 authors you admire for their skill.
Vicki Pettersson
Melissa Marr
Bill Cameron
4. Name 3 authors you admire for their persistence in this crazy, potentially soul-sucking gig.
Joanne Levy
Emily Hainsworth
Linda Grimes
5. Name 3 authors who deserve props for their support of other writers.
Diana Gabaldon
Joanna Bourne
Linda Gerber
6. Name 3 people who really "get" your work--whose love of your stuff carries you through.
Janet Reid
Linda Grimes
Kris Reekie
7. And for a switch, name the 3 things you love most about writing.
The escape
The satisfaction of having written
That transcendent moment when it all clicks in
And you?
*This is not true. I've been alternately detoxing from thesis push and catching up on everything, including getting back to writing. Yay!
To ease my way back into the blog thing, I created a meme for writers, to encourage each other. I don't tag people, but if you're so inclined, please copy and post for yourself! I'd love to see your names!
Props for Writers
It's all about sharing the love for fellow wordsmiths. Let's face it, this is not the easiest business to be in, and we can all use each other's support. I tried not to repeat names, since there are so many to give props to, but feel free to repeat if you wish, and list unpubbed authors too!
1. Name 3 "classic" (however you choose to define that term) authors you love to read.
William Shakespeare
Jane Austen
Douglas Adams
2. Name 3 current authors you love to read.
Courtney Summers
Libba Bray
Maggie Stiefvater
3. Name 3 authors you admire for their skill.
Vicki Pettersson
Melissa Marr
Bill Cameron
4. Name 3 authors you admire for their persistence in this crazy, potentially soul-sucking gig.
Joanne Levy
Emily Hainsworth
Linda Grimes
5. Name 3 authors who deserve props for their support of other writers.
Diana Gabaldon
Joanna Bourne
Linda Gerber
6. Name 3 people who really "get" your work--whose love of your stuff carries you through.
Janet Reid
Linda Grimes
Kris Reekie
7. And for a switch, name the 3 things you love most about writing.
The escape
The satisfaction of having written
That transcendent moment when it all clicks in
And you?
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Writer's Temperament
When people refer to the "writer's temperament", it's not usually such a good thing. Moody, they mean. Over-sensitive. Neurotic. Volatile.
Even, sometimes, crazy.
Look at how writers are portrayed in movies! I give you:
Stranger than Fiction (neurotic, crazy, alcoholic, chain-smoker)
Sideways (depressed, neurotic, self-destructive, alcoholic)
And, of course, The Shining.
I think you get the point.
Yet almost none of the authors I know fit this profile. We manage to hold down real jobs, not kill people, not self-destruct on a regular basis...we even look normal (mostly).
However, I do find that most of the writers I know--at least the ones I hang out with on a regular basis--have two basic traits in common, both stemming from the same source: our imaginations.
1. Worry
We do tend to worry a lot. We spin around and around in our heads the worst possible thing that might happen--our agent HATES our latest book, clearly, and that's why she hasn't responded in 24 hours...not that she hasn't even opened the email yet. Our family member's trip could end in disaster: we can picture getting the call, how we would react, probe how we would feel, a little, before we shove that thought away. See, it's our job to make the worst possible thing happen to our protagonists, then get into their heads and figure out how they'd take it. So it's natural for us to carry that over a little. What if there was a writer out there writing our lives? What finger-from-God would point down on us right NOW?
Okay, so maybe that makes us a tiny bit neurotic. Sometimes. But it's balanced with:
2. Gratitude
By this I mean gratitude for the present, for our current state of not-the-worst-possible-thing. If I can always imagine the worst, I can also always be glad it hasn't happened. This is how I can be driving into work this morning in heavy snow, fifteen minutes late because the extended care teacher for Child's school didn't show, and just be happy. Happy I didn't get into a horrific accident on the way, or have a seizure, or get attacked by anger-creatures or vampires or get sucked into an alternate world. Happy that my kid is well and at school, even if she left her snow boots locked in the other classroom. It could have been worse. If I was one of my characters, it absolutely would be worse, just to make things interesting.
Oh yeah, that last little bit might just be telling about the temperament of many of us writers too. We love to give our characters grief. Call it a little masochism streak, maybe. But in with the worry and the gratitude (and the generosity, which comes from empathy, I think), it all balances out. Not to crazed psycho self-absorbed people, but to us, hiding among you. Slightly crazed-with-worry, but ever hopeful. Seeing the world as it is alongside the world as it could be.
Writers.
Even, sometimes, crazy.
Look at how writers are portrayed in movies! I give you:
Stranger than Fiction (neurotic, crazy, alcoholic, chain-smoker)Sideways (depressed, neurotic, self-destructive, alcoholic)
And, of course, The Shining.
I think you get the point.Yet almost none of the authors I know fit this profile. We manage to hold down real jobs, not kill people, not self-destruct on a regular basis...we even look normal (mostly).
However, I do find that most of the writers I know--at least the ones I hang out with on a regular basis--have two basic traits in common, both stemming from the same source: our imaginations.
1. Worry
We do tend to worry a lot. We spin around and around in our heads the worst possible thing that might happen--our agent HATES our latest book, clearly, and that's why she hasn't responded in 24 hours...not that she hasn't even opened the email yet. Our family member's trip could end in disaster: we can picture getting the call, how we would react, probe how we would feel, a little, before we shove that thought away. See, it's our job to make the worst possible thing happen to our protagonists, then get into their heads and figure out how they'd take it. So it's natural for us to carry that over a little. What if there was a writer out there writing our lives? What finger-from-God would point down on us right NOW?
Okay, so maybe that makes us a tiny bit neurotic. Sometimes. But it's balanced with:
2. Gratitude
By this I mean gratitude for the present, for our current state of not-the-worst-possible-thing. If I can always imagine the worst, I can also always be glad it hasn't happened. This is how I can be driving into work this morning in heavy snow, fifteen minutes late because the extended care teacher for Child's school didn't show, and just be happy. Happy I didn't get into a horrific accident on the way, or have a seizure, or get attacked by anger-creatures or vampires or get sucked into an alternate world. Happy that my kid is well and at school, even if she left her snow boots locked in the other classroom. It could have been worse. If I was one of my characters, it absolutely would be worse, just to make things interesting.
Oh yeah, that last little bit might just be telling about the temperament of many of us writers too. We love to give our characters grief. Call it a little masochism streak, maybe. But in with the worry and the gratitude (and the generosity, which comes from empathy, I think), it all balances out. Not to crazed psycho self-absorbed people, but to us, hiding among you. Slightly crazed-with-worry, but ever hopeful. Seeing the world as it is alongside the world as it could be.
Writers.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Yay!
Those on Twitter and Facebook already saw my glee explosion yesterday, but for here:
I turned in my thesis yesterday!! WooHOO!
I'll still have to revise it based on committee comments, and I'll have to defend it. But the bulk of it is done. It just struck me a couple minutes ago that I don't have to open and pound on it more today. I still have homework, and work work. But no THESIS!
Little taste of freedom, I welcome you.
I turned in my thesis yesterday!! WooHOO!
I'll still have to revise it based on committee comments, and I'll have to defend it. But the bulk of it is done. It just struck me a couple minutes ago that I don't have to open and pound on it more today. I still have homework, and work work. But no THESIS!
Little taste of freedom, I welcome you.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Food Friday!
So as I'm finishing up the Dreaded Thesis, obviously I've been eating and thinking about food a lot.
0_0
What? It's true. Stress, sitting at desk all day, the nefarious influence of my fellow tweeters, all = food.
Hence, I declare: Food Friday!
Share a recipe you love (or a food, if you're a non-chef like some of my favorite people) in the comments. We all win!
Mine is one of my favorite quick recipes: Asian Grilled Chicken. I made it last night, and as always, everyone loves it. Here's the official recipe:
http://www.foodfit.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=1287
I adapt it by just plopping the chicken breasts IN the sauce for however long I have--even 15 minutes seems to work fine. Then I broil them, one rack down from the usual broil setting so they don't burn, for about 10-12 minutes each side depending on thickness. They get nice and brown/crunchy on the outside, but moist on the inside...
Last night I served it with fresh sliced pear and a steamed veggie mix of edamame, mushrooms, and green beans, but it's good with just rice too.
Now it's your turn!! Talk about FOOD!!
0_0
What? It's true. Stress, sitting at desk all day, the nefarious influence of my fellow tweeters, all = food.
Hence, I declare: Food Friday!
Share a recipe you love (or a food, if you're a non-chef like some of my favorite people) in the comments. We all win!
Mine is one of my favorite quick recipes: Asian Grilled Chicken. I made it last night, and as always, everyone loves it. Here's the official recipe:
http://www.foodfit.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=1287
I adapt it by just plopping the chicken breasts IN the sauce for however long I have--even 15 minutes seems to work fine. Then I broil them, one rack down from the usual broil setting so they don't burn, for about 10-12 minutes each side depending on thickness. They get nice and brown/crunchy on the outside, but moist on the inside...
Last night I served it with fresh sliced pear and a steamed veggie mix of edamame, mushrooms, and green beans, but it's good with just rice too.
Now it's your turn!! Talk about FOOD!!
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Fun and learning on twitter: #queryfail
Hi all!
Yes, STILL head down on thesis. Nearly there. I *hope* to send the draft to my committee a week from tomorrow.
But I get to buy my cap and gown today! Squeee!
Anyway, the point of this post is to let all you querying writers know about #queryfail day on Twitter: TODAY. Right Now.
A bunch of editors and agents (so far Colleen Lindsay, Jeremiah Tolbert, Mari Adkins, Lauren MacLeod, Greg Daniel, Angela James...and more to come) have decided to post brief examples of queries that worked and didn't work, all day long, under the twitter feed #queryfail. For those uninitiated in twitter, go here to follow!
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23queryfail
It looks to be useful info on what not to do, particularly.
Yes, STILL head down on thesis. Nearly there. I *hope* to send the draft to my committee a week from tomorrow.
But I get to buy my cap and gown today! Squeee!
Anyway, the point of this post is to let all you querying writers know about #queryfail day on Twitter: TODAY. Right Now.
A bunch of editors and agents (so far Colleen Lindsay, Jeremiah Tolbert, Mari Adkins, Lauren MacLeod, Greg Daniel, Angela James...and more to come) have decided to post brief examples of queries that worked and didn't work, all day long, under the twitter feed #queryfail. For those uninitiated in twitter, go here to follow!
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23queryfail
It looks to be useful info on what not to do, particularly.
Friday, February 27, 2009
And another
And for the second birthday of the week...MINE!
Thank you so much to all you internet peeps who already wished me a Happy Birthday on Facebook, Twitter, and email. I love you guys.
I think I'll go put on my tiara and eat some chocolate, just because I can!
Thank you so much to all you internet peeps who already wished me a Happy Birthday on Facebook, Twitter, and email. I love you guys.
I think I'll go put on my tiara and eat some chocolate, just because I can!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Images
For some reason I'm thinking in images today, not words. I borrowed these images from Flickr's "explore" feature, here:http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
All images link to the photographer's pages.
I love these, and they express my mood. What images are in your head today?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I'm reading...
I just started LAMENT by Maggie Stiefvater. I only had time to read a couple pages last night, and then for half of lunch today before I had to run off and do errands.
Damn you, Maggie. Now I want to spend the afternoon reading your book instead of working on work and thesis.* ARGH.
*Because so far, it's really really good. Tempting good. Maybe I could just read for a little while? Please?
Damn you, Maggie. Now I want to spend the afternoon reading your book instead of working on work and thesis.* ARGH.
*Because so far, it's really really good. Tempting good. Maybe I could just read for a little while? Please?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Birthday Thoughts
When they handed my newborn daughter to me, I was probably the least experienced mom in the whole hospital.
I was the youngest in my family. I had no related kids nearby to pseudo-parent. There were no little kids in our neighborhood, really. My one foray into babysitting--in college--resulted in 3 hours of tears, screams, and hurled toys, and me bolting for the door the minute the parents arrived home. No, thanks. I wasn't even sure I wanted kids--I was awkward around them, I didn't know how to hold them, I had no idea how to change a diaper. I was hopeless.
But there she was. In my arms, tiny, beautiful, heartbreakingly fragile. And my responsibility.
I was pretty sure the hospital people would figure out the horrible truth that I'd never be able to swing it, that I'd completely mess up this perfect little person if they let me take her home. I was half-expecting a conference with the nurses and doctors: "We're sorry. We'll have to take her back and give her to a real Mom."
But they didn't (thank God), and that was 7 years ago today. And you know what? We've kind of figured it out. Hell yeah, I've made mistakes, lost my temper when I shouldn't have, made poor choices about clothes or leniency or what to buy. But she's still there, my big girl. And she's a sweet, smart, funny, good kid, who I love to be around.
Happy Birthday, little one who is not-so-little anymore. I love you more than I thought possible to love anyone. I'm so grateful to have you in my life.
I was the youngest in my family. I had no related kids nearby to pseudo-parent. There were no little kids in our neighborhood, really. My one foray into babysitting--in college--resulted in 3 hours of tears, screams, and hurled toys, and me bolting for the door the minute the parents arrived home. No, thanks. I wasn't even sure I wanted kids--I was awkward around them, I didn't know how to hold them, I had no idea how to change a diaper. I was hopeless.
But there she was. In my arms, tiny, beautiful, heartbreakingly fragile. And my responsibility.
I was pretty sure the hospital people would figure out the horrible truth that I'd never be able to swing it, that I'd completely mess up this perfect little person if they let me take her home. I was half-expecting a conference with the nurses and doctors: "We're sorry. We'll have to take her back and give her to a real Mom."
But they didn't (thank God), and that was 7 years ago today. And you know what? We've kind of figured it out. Hell yeah, I've made mistakes, lost my temper when I shouldn't have, made poor choices about clothes or leniency or what to buy. But she's still there, my big girl. And she's a sweet, smart, funny, good kid, who I love to be around.
Happy Birthday, little one who is not-so-little anymore. I love you more than I thought possible to love anyone. I'm so grateful to have you in my life.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Take the buttons AWAY.
Last night I got to see Coraline in 3D. I'm one of those few who hadn't read the book (yet), but I was completely entranced by the story.
And creeped out of my wits.
The buttons. Oh, dear God, the buttons.
I now just might suffer from koumpounophobia:
And creeped out of my wits.
The buttons. Oh, dear God, the buttons.
I now just might suffer from koumpounophobia:
Friday, February 13, 2009
Still here...you know, still doing my Thesis Thang. Once February is over the load should lighten a little. I *think*.
Anyway, I know I've mentioned Twitter a few times, but have never linked my address. It's the only place I really still hang out when I'm swamped, because it takes such little time to update!
If you're a fellow writer interested injoining the dark side following me, I'm there at @susan_adrian.
Back to work!
Anyway, I know I've mentioned Twitter a few times, but have never linked my address. It's the only place I really still hang out when I'm swamped, because it takes such little time to update!
If you're a fellow writer interested in
Back to work!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)