Just back from a week in Baltimore.
It was a fun time and we drove in to DC for a day and walked around, took in some sights.
I love Washington. So much history there. Of course the cherry blossoms were coming out, so it was very pretty as well.
Shopping...yes.
Moving on...
The real reason we went to Baltimore was so that my husband could be tortured and given an Executive Physical.
Being a doctor of course he hasn't seen one himself in...well...a while.
So the good news is that he's healthy, bad news is that there is some weight that needs to come off.
I need to start changing our diets and how I prepare meals, and I need to stop calling him at 5:30 about three nights a week
saying, "I really feel like going out for dinner..."
I'm a little freaked. First of all, I'm not that great a cook. I don't really enjoy the process or the clean up.
I am lazy, I admit it. But who doesn't like to go out for dinner?? And if you're in the middle of a rewrite, or a chapter that's going
really well, the day just kind of slips buy and before you know it, it's supper time and there is none.
How can I get organized and inspired to make those low fat meals we're going to need to eat??
Diets don't tend to work for us so it's more a matter of thinking ahead and preparing what we'll be eating a few days at a time.
I'm so NOT good at this.
But you know, they say change is good. Maybe if I can accomplish a little organization in the kitchen, it'll overflow to the rest
of my life. It's doubtful, but you never know.
I'd love any advice and suggestions. We also have to incorporate daily exercise into our routine. Can we walk at 2am??
Oh this is going to be fun...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Happy Easter!
We're off on vacation so I may or may not be posting much this week.
Don't miss me too much.
I pray you and yours will have a Blessed Easter. Unfortunately we'll be traveling - it was the
only day we could get tickets.
I'll be back...
Don't miss me too much.
I pray you and yours will have a Blessed Easter. Unfortunately we'll be traveling - it was the
only day we could get tickets.
I'll be back...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
CONTEST!!
Okay, if I don't get this right, don't blame me because I'm technologically challenged.
I want to post a link. We'll see if it works.
If you want to enter a fun contest - a writing contest just for fun but really kind of high pressure if you don't already have an agent contest - go over to Rachelle's blog and check it out:
(I tried posting a direct link but it didn't work, so you will have to revert to the old copy and paste method).
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com
And I'm just kidding about the high pressure. Really, have fun with it.
I want to post a link. We'll see if it works.
If you want to enter a fun contest - a writing contest just for fun but really kind of high pressure if you don't already have an agent contest - go over to Rachelle's blog and check it out:
(I tried posting a direct link but it didn't work, so you will have to revert to the old copy and paste method).
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com
And I'm just kidding about the high pressure. Really, have fun with it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Can't We All Just Get Along?
What is it with us humans? We're always fighting, making one another feel bad, putting our shields up and sharpening our swords.
Can't we all just get along?
I was at a meeting the other day where things got downright uncomfortable to the point of embarrassing.
One person was merely asking questions of another, but she got so defensive about the whole thing.
Clearly she felt like she was being attacked.
I really wanted to put my hand up and say, "Whoa! Incase anybody has forgotten, we're all on the same team here!"
Being my introverted timid self, I didn't have the nerve.
So why are we so reactionary? Why do our hackles raise at the slightest provocation? Why are we so quick to jump down each
others throats with very little cause?
I don't know. In my case, I carried around some baggage for a while that wore me out. I had a quick temper and I rarely thought about what I said before the words shot out of my mouth. A lot of times they weren't nice words. I worked very hard to let God get me through some stuff that needed to go. He did it. But I'm not perfect. I still struggle.
Everyday I have to head back to the cross and admit I messed up. Again.
And He forgives me. Again. And again.
You never know what's behind a person's defensive reaction. Perhaps this person the other day felt intimidated, maybe a little out of her depth. We've all been there in one form or another.
It's much easier to point out a person's faults than to recognize their strengths. Have you noticed?
Yeah, me too.
I've sat in too many gossip sessions carefully disguised as prayer meetings, and I haven't spoken up.
I've listened to someone berate a friend and made no response because they confused me, made me doubt what was true.
I've been in the midst of a church with so many issues to deal with that one didn't know where to begin.
And the lump under the carpet got bigger and bigger.
I'm beginning to think that old devil has taken off for warmer parts. He's sitting under a palm tree somewhere sipping a My Tai and laughing his ugly head off. He's on vacation. He doesn't need to do any work.
We're doing it for him.
Can't we all just get along?
As Easter approaches, I want to remember why Jesus came here. He didn't have to. I'm sure it was a might bit more pleasant up in the Heavenlies. But God sent us His Son. He came that I might live.
He died for me. For you.
For all of us.
And He rose again.
Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
In light of that, why are we wasting so much time arguing with each other when we should be doing His work?
We don't know how much time He plans to give us here on earth, but we do have access to God through His Son. We can find out what He wants us to do while we're here.
Imagine what would happen if every church in every nation across the world put down their fleshly swords and picked up spiritual ones? How pleased would God be?
How different would the world be?
I'm tired of wasting time. I'm heading to the cross. Burdens were not meant to be carried alone.
If you're still carrying yours, it's time.
Dump it at His feet.
And leave it there.
Can't we all just get along?
I was at a meeting the other day where things got downright uncomfortable to the point of embarrassing.
One person was merely asking questions of another, but she got so defensive about the whole thing.
Clearly she felt like she was being attacked.
I really wanted to put my hand up and say, "Whoa! Incase anybody has forgotten, we're all on the same team here!"
Being my introverted timid self, I didn't have the nerve.
So why are we so reactionary? Why do our hackles raise at the slightest provocation? Why are we so quick to jump down each
others throats with very little cause?
I don't know. In my case, I carried around some baggage for a while that wore me out. I had a quick temper and I rarely thought about what I said before the words shot out of my mouth. A lot of times they weren't nice words. I worked very hard to let God get me through some stuff that needed to go. He did it. But I'm not perfect. I still struggle.
Everyday I have to head back to the cross and admit I messed up. Again.
And He forgives me. Again. And again.
You never know what's behind a person's defensive reaction. Perhaps this person the other day felt intimidated, maybe a little out of her depth. We've all been there in one form or another.
It's much easier to point out a person's faults than to recognize their strengths. Have you noticed?
Yeah, me too.
I've sat in too many gossip sessions carefully disguised as prayer meetings, and I haven't spoken up.
I've listened to someone berate a friend and made no response because they confused me, made me doubt what was true.
I've been in the midst of a church with so many issues to deal with that one didn't know where to begin.
And the lump under the carpet got bigger and bigger.
I'm beginning to think that old devil has taken off for warmer parts. He's sitting under a palm tree somewhere sipping a My Tai and laughing his ugly head off. He's on vacation. He doesn't need to do any work.
We're doing it for him.
Can't we all just get along?
As Easter approaches, I want to remember why Jesus came here. He didn't have to. I'm sure it was a might bit more pleasant up in the Heavenlies. But God sent us His Son. He came that I might live.
He died for me. For you.
For all of us.
And He rose again.
Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
In light of that, why are we wasting so much time arguing with each other when we should be doing His work?
We don't know how much time He plans to give us here on earth, but we do have access to God through His Son. We can find out what He wants us to do while we're here.
Imagine what would happen if every church in every nation across the world put down their fleshly swords and picked up spiritual ones? How pleased would God be?
How different would the world be?
I'm tired of wasting time. I'm heading to the cross. Burdens were not meant to be carried alone.
If you're still carrying yours, it's time.
Dump it at His feet.
And leave it there.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
With Some God-incidences along the way...
I've really had some pretty cool things happen to me over the last few years. It's fun to look back and
see how God was working and I didn't even know it.
The story of how I got my agent - no, that sounds too weird - like I went to the store and bought her...hmmm. Attained? Retained, obtained??
Well, anyway, my brain is tired so you can figure out what I mean...here's the story.
It's the Internet's fault. Isn't everything?
As you all know, I spend far to much time on the computer. I can hear my family now - "No! Really?"
Okay, my obsession has actually turned out to be a good thing so I feel
completely justified. So on with the story.
When I first began blogging a few years ago, it was right around the time I started writing again. To clarify, writing with the goal of pursuing publication.
I was on a few online groups and websites. To be honest, I can't even remember when I started reading Rachelle's blog.
I knew she was a mom with two kids who loved to read. I liked what she had to say and we seemed to have some things in common. I'm not really sure when I discovered she was an editor for a major publishing house, she may even have already been freelancing at the time, but it's probably a good thing I didn't know that or I might have been scared witless and never left any comments on her blog. I'm not even clear of the timing of our relationship evolving, but I just remember I thought she was a pretty cool person. (She talked about this phenomenon on her agent blog yesterday - how 'well' we think we know one another just through blogging - another interesting topic).
When I got the idea for Yesterday's Tomorrow, I kicked it around with a couple of people. I wasn't sure how a romance taking place during the Vietnam War would go over. By then the story was burning in my brain and simmering in my soul and I knew I had to write it. Just at that time, I happened to ask an agent what she thought of the idea. Well, she didn't like it. Said it was doomed from the start and I should put it aside and work on something else.
Okay...well, I didn't.
Then I had a friend tell me the story line was similar to something Deb Raney had written, so I got up the nerve to write to Deb and ask her what she thought of the synopsis and whether it was too similar to her book, which I hadn't read, but now have. Now really, I'm a very shy person. Honest. I would never just walk up to a published author in real life...gasp...they might bite me! Of course, Deb being Deb-the-nicest person-on-earth, was, well, nice.
Long story short, Deb loved the idea. Said she thought it would definitely fly. Her encouragement was awesome. So I started writing. And then I thought, just to make sure, (yes, I have self-confidence issues), maybe my blogging buddy Rachelle would have an opinion. I knew by this time what she did so I was very apprehensive to approach her, but I did. And she was actually kind of excited about the story. I'll never forget blinking in shock at the long email response she took the time to write. I was blown away at all the amazing suggestions she had for me...for free. Without her initial direction and encouragement, it certainly wouldn't be the story it is now, and I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to write it. Funny how God works.
Rachelle and I corresponded a bit over the year and however long it took me to write the book. She never saw any chapters or anything aside from the synopsis. I may have sent her one scene for an opinion but I'm not sure. Sometime last fall, after I'd returned from the ACFW conference where I pitched the book and received some favorable comments after my agent/editor interviews, I wrote to Rachelle to let her know how things had gone. Oh yes, I was doing a re-write as well at the request of the agent I met with. She wrote and asked me if I would send her my book when I was done. She did not, however, divulge why.
In fact, I was left to agonize over why she wanted it for quite some time. And agonize I did. My family, friends and critique partners can attest to that. Rachelle, if you ever meet one of them in a dark alley, run.
In my darker moments I had her pegged for some psycho who was going to steal my book idea and publish it as her own. I mean come on, we met on the Internet. Or maybe she was so impressed with it she was going to send it to Oprah, who knew? (Yeah you knew I had to bring O into this somehow, didn't you?)
Eventually I discovered Rachelle was taking the step into Agent World, and I was super-excited. I knew she would make a great agent based on her publishing experience, overall nice person qualities and love of cool places that serve wi...er...diet coke and the like. And the best news of all was that she was looking at MY manuscript for possible representation! Wow. And I didn't even write a query letter. How cool is that?? (She got me back though, I had to write a book proposal, which is even worse).
After a few more months and yet another re-write (if you're not getting the picture yet - hard work is a necessary requirement to moving forward in the publishing business) under the tutelage of the amazing Susan May Warren, (Book Therapy ROCKS!!) Rachelle, God bless her big heart, decided to take a chance on me, and here we are.
After trying for more years than one of my children have lived, I have an agent.
I'm praying my book sells and I make her lots and lots of money. After I make me lots of course.
Oh, right, it's not about the money! No, really, it's not. I'm told not to expect much.
But I'm just thrilled to have come this far. A nice bottle of French Cabernet Sauvignon would do just fine. An old bottle. Oh what the heck, make it a case.
The point to all this, the message I want to share, is this - you never know how God is at work behind the scenes in your life. He knows the desires of your heart and He wants to give them to you. He's just cool like that.
I had no idea when I was reading about Rachelle's dog, her kids, her love of Christmas cards and Nickleback, that one day she would be representing my book and torturing me with book proposals.
I was actively looking for an agent for many years.
One was dropped in my lap, sort of, when I least expected it.
It kind of reminds me of that song Angels Among Us. You just never know who you're talking to.
I'm amazed and very blessed.
I'd love to hear the cool ways God has worked in your life too.
see how God was working and I didn't even know it.
The story of how I got my agent - no, that sounds too weird - like I went to the store and bought her...hmmm. Attained? Retained, obtained??
Well, anyway, my brain is tired so you can figure out what I mean...here's the story.
It's the Internet's fault. Isn't everything?
As you all know, I spend far to much time on the computer. I can hear my family now - "No! Really?"
Okay, my obsession has actually turned out to be a good thing so I feel
completely justified. So on with the story.
When I first began blogging a few years ago, it was right around the time I started writing again. To clarify, writing with the goal of pursuing publication.
I was on a few online groups and websites. To be honest, I can't even remember when I started reading Rachelle's blog.
I knew she was a mom with two kids who loved to read. I liked what she had to say and we seemed to have some things in common. I'm not really sure when I discovered she was an editor for a major publishing house, she may even have already been freelancing at the time, but it's probably a good thing I didn't know that or I might have been scared witless and never left any comments on her blog. I'm not even clear of the timing of our relationship evolving, but I just remember I thought she was a pretty cool person. (She talked about this phenomenon on her agent blog yesterday - how 'well' we think we know one another just through blogging - another interesting topic).
When I got the idea for Yesterday's Tomorrow, I kicked it around with a couple of people. I wasn't sure how a romance taking place during the Vietnam War would go over. By then the story was burning in my brain and simmering in my soul and I knew I had to write it. Just at that time, I happened to ask an agent what she thought of the idea. Well, she didn't like it. Said it was doomed from the start and I should put it aside and work on something else.
Okay...well, I didn't.
Then I had a friend tell me the story line was similar to something Deb Raney had written, so I got up the nerve to write to Deb and ask her what she thought of the synopsis and whether it was too similar to her book, which I hadn't read, but now have. Now really, I'm a very shy person. Honest. I would never just walk up to a published author in real life...gasp...they might bite me! Of course, Deb being Deb-the-nicest person-on-earth, was, well, nice.
Long story short, Deb loved the idea. Said she thought it would definitely fly. Her encouragement was awesome. So I started writing. And then I thought, just to make sure, (yes, I have self-confidence issues), maybe my blogging buddy Rachelle would have an opinion. I knew by this time what she did so I was very apprehensive to approach her, but I did. And she was actually kind of excited about the story. I'll never forget blinking in shock at the long email response she took the time to write. I was blown away at all the amazing suggestions she had for me...for free. Without her initial direction and encouragement, it certainly wouldn't be the story it is now, and I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to write it. Funny how God works.
Rachelle and I corresponded a bit over the year and however long it took me to write the book. She never saw any chapters or anything aside from the synopsis. I may have sent her one scene for an opinion but I'm not sure. Sometime last fall, after I'd returned from the ACFW conference where I pitched the book and received some favorable comments after my agent/editor interviews, I wrote to Rachelle to let her know how things had gone. Oh yes, I was doing a re-write as well at the request of the agent I met with. She wrote and asked me if I would send her my book when I was done. She did not, however, divulge why.
In fact, I was left to agonize over why she wanted it for quite some time. And agonize I did. My family, friends and critique partners can attest to that. Rachelle, if you ever meet one of them in a dark alley, run.
In my darker moments I had her pegged for some psycho who was going to steal my book idea and publish it as her own. I mean come on, we met on the Internet. Or maybe she was so impressed with it she was going to send it to Oprah, who knew? (Yeah you knew I had to bring O into this somehow, didn't you?)
Eventually I discovered Rachelle was taking the step into Agent World, and I was super-excited. I knew she would make a great agent based on her publishing experience, overall nice person qualities and love of cool places that serve wi...er...diet coke and the like. And the best news of all was that she was looking at MY manuscript for possible representation! Wow. And I didn't even write a query letter. How cool is that?? (She got me back though, I had to write a book proposal, which is even worse).
After a few more months and yet another re-write (if you're not getting the picture yet - hard work is a necessary requirement to moving forward in the publishing business) under the tutelage of the amazing Susan May Warren, (Book Therapy ROCKS!!) Rachelle, God bless her big heart, decided to take a chance on me, and here we are.
After trying for more years than one of my children have lived, I have an agent.
I'm praying my book sells and I make her lots and lots of money. After I make me lots of course.
Oh, right, it's not about the money! No, really, it's not. I'm told not to expect much.
But I'm just thrilled to have come this far. A nice bottle of French Cabernet Sauvignon would do just fine. An old bottle. Oh what the heck, make it a case.
The point to all this, the message I want to share, is this - you never know how God is at work behind the scenes in your life. He knows the desires of your heart and He wants to give them to you. He's just cool like that.
I had no idea when I was reading about Rachelle's dog, her kids, her love of Christmas cards and Nickleback, that one day she would be representing my book and torturing me with book proposals.
I was actively looking for an agent for many years.
One was dropped in my lap, sort of, when I least expected it.
It kind of reminds me of that song Angels Among Us. You just never know who you're talking to.
I'm amazed and very blessed.
I'd love to hear the cool ways God has worked in your life too.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Construction Photos Are Up!
Some of you have asked me when I will be posting more pictures of our home in progress.
I've decided not to do this on my blog.
If you're really interested in viewing the photos, email me and I will put you on the mailing list
so you can access my photo album online.
I don't want to bore everybody to death with pictures of cement and concrete block!
Thanks!
I've decided not to do this on my blog.
If you're really interested in viewing the photos, email me and I will put you on the mailing list
so you can access my photo album online.
I don't want to bore everybody to death with pictures of cement and concrete block!
Thanks!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Don't Worry, Be Happy?
I can already hear you humming.
"Here's a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note,
Don't worry...Be..."
What was that? Happy?
Well, sure, I'm always happy. (Ducks as impending lightening bolt will hit at any minute).
Okay, you got me. I'm not.
But I should be.
Listen to this:
'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.'Philippians 4:4-9
If you ask me, that's some pretty tall orders.
Do you rejoice all the time? Are you happy all the time and never worried about anything?
Don't look at me. I'm not.
Oh sure, when things are great, I'm really happy. I've got no problem rejoicing and giving glory to God. Let's party!
But when I'm faced with trials, things that just don't make sense, things that hurt, it's hard to rejoice.
It's hard not to be anxious. About anything.
Are you serious? Yes. That's what God says. Do not be anxious about anything.
Okay, so here's my deal. We've got a prowler in the neighborhood. Our next door neighbors were robbed the other night.
I'm anxious about that.
Am I not supposed to be?
We can put up security sensors and extra bolts and locks, but I still need to sleep at night.
'but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace..."
What's that? The peace of God.
I don't believe there is anything in the Bible that tells me the Christian life is going to be a cakewalk.
Actually, there's a lot that indicates the contrary. If I follow God, I will have trials.
But when these times come, I will also have peace. As long as I'm asking for it.
As long as I accept it.
It was a pretty recent revelation that the peace of God is actually a gift.
In John 14, Jesus gives this wonderful 'chin-up' speech to the disciples. It's one of those tender moments between them
when I think we really get a glimpse into the heart of heaven. He says, don't worry about all this. I'm going to prepare a place for you, and I'm going to come back and get you. There are so many wonderful truths in this passage, but here again, that
peace comes in to play. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
It's a supernatural peace. And we can have it.
I'm certainly in need of it.
As I sit here this morning, contemplating the recent robbery, just next door, I can't help but remember praying just before
I went to bed that night, for God's protection. That He would put His angels around our house to guard us.
Interesting.
That's one prayer I'm going to continue to pray.
Shalom. Peace.
It's a beautiful thing.
"Here's a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note,
Don't worry...Be..."
What was that? Happy?
Well, sure, I'm always happy. (Ducks as impending lightening bolt will hit at any minute).
Okay, you got me. I'm not.
But I should be.
Listen to this:
'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.'Philippians 4:4-9
If you ask me, that's some pretty tall orders.
Do you rejoice all the time? Are you happy all the time and never worried about anything?
Don't look at me. I'm not.
Oh sure, when things are great, I'm really happy. I've got no problem rejoicing and giving glory to God. Let's party!
But when I'm faced with trials, things that just don't make sense, things that hurt, it's hard to rejoice.
It's hard not to be anxious. About anything.
Are you serious? Yes. That's what God says. Do not be anxious about anything.
Okay, so here's my deal. We've got a prowler in the neighborhood. Our next door neighbors were robbed the other night.
I'm anxious about that.
Am I not supposed to be?
We can put up security sensors and extra bolts and locks, but I still need to sleep at night.
'but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace..."
What's that? The peace of God.
I don't believe there is anything in the Bible that tells me the Christian life is going to be a cakewalk.
Actually, there's a lot that indicates the contrary. If I follow God, I will have trials.
But when these times come, I will also have peace. As long as I'm asking for it.
As long as I accept it.
It was a pretty recent revelation that the peace of God is actually a gift.
In John 14, Jesus gives this wonderful 'chin-up' speech to the disciples. It's one of those tender moments between them
when I think we really get a glimpse into the heart of heaven. He says, don't worry about all this. I'm going to prepare a place for you, and I'm going to come back and get you. There are so many wonderful truths in this passage, but here again, that
peace comes in to play. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
It's a supernatural peace. And we can have it.
I'm certainly in need of it.
As I sit here this morning, contemplating the recent robbery, just next door, I can't help but remember praying just before
I went to bed that night, for God's protection. That He would put His angels around our house to guard us.
Interesting.
That's one prayer I'm going to continue to pray.
Shalom. Peace.
It's a beautiful thing.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Snoopy Dance!!
It's official!
I'm now OFFICIALLY represented by Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve Literary!
Woo hoo! I have an agent!!
Somebody pinch me!
I know this has been a while in coming, and it was unofficially official for a while, but now it's
OFFICIAL! And to prove I'm not making this up, I actually spoke to Rachelle today!
Of course I could have been hallucinating, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't.
YAY!
Dance with me, peeps!
Every once in a while...
I feel like I should be wearing the dunce cap.
Okay, I really was going to post pictures about our building project, but they're not loading properly for some reason, so I can't.
Anyhooo...this may shock some of you, but I tend to spend a lot of time reading blogs.
Much more time than I should.
Of course they're all writing-related so it's important that I read them.
Yes, thanks for agreeing.
Well, yesterday I came across a word on Rachelle's (ahem, agent extraordinaire) blog that I'd never heard of.
Seriously.
Gerund.
Never heard of it. I'm an English major and I've never heard this term used before in my life.
On the other hand, this could well be the first indication of early Alzheimer's.
So, do you know what Gerund means? Since I'm fixated on this now, I'll tell you.
In English the gerund is identical in form to the present participle (ending in -ing) and can behave as a verb within a clause (so that it may be modified by an adverb or have an object), but the clause as a whole (sometimes consisting only of one word, the gerund) acts as a noun within the larger sentence.
Got that? Yeah, me too.
It's those ing words I do believe. We went swimming, but because it was raining we ended up leaving.
And Gerunds are bad. So they should be with a name like that.
They're bad because they're passive. So here's my sentence re-written.
We swam for an hour but then it rained, so we left.
Not sure it that's any better.
In fact, this morning I'm not sure of anything. How did I ever pass my high school English without knowing what a Gerund was?
How have I existed thus far, confound it all.
What else don't I know and will it reflect badly on me as a writer?
I think I'm doomed.
Okay, I really was going to post pictures about our building project, but they're not loading properly for some reason, so I can't.
Anyhooo...this may shock some of you, but I tend to spend a lot of time reading blogs.
Much more time than I should.
Of course they're all writing-related so it's important that I read them.
Yes, thanks for agreeing.
Well, yesterday I came across a word on Rachelle's (ahem, agent extraordinaire) blog that I'd never heard of.
Seriously.
Gerund.
Never heard of it. I'm an English major and I've never heard this term used before in my life.
On the other hand, this could well be the first indication of early Alzheimer's.
So, do you know what Gerund means? Since I'm fixated on this now, I'll tell you.
In English the gerund is identical in form to the present participle (ending in -ing) and can behave as a verb within a clause (so that it may be modified by an adverb or have an object), but the clause as a whole (sometimes consisting only of one word, the gerund) acts as a noun within the larger sentence.
Got that? Yeah, me too.
It's those ing words I do believe. We went swimming, but because it was raining we ended up leaving.
And Gerunds are bad. So they should be with a name like that.
They're bad because they're passive. So here's my sentence re-written.
We swam for an hour but then it rained, so we left.
Not sure it that's any better.
In fact, this morning I'm not sure of anything. How did I ever pass my high school English without knowing what a Gerund was?
How have I existed thus far, confound it all.
What else don't I know and will it reflect badly on me as a writer?
I think I'm doomed.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Stuck
I'm blogging more than once a month. That means I'm either extremely bored, I can't think of a single other thing to do, or I'm getting better at keeping up this blog.
Well, I'm trying.
But I am feeling a little stuck. I've cleaned the house once this week. I suppose I could wash the kitchen floor, but who
really enjoys that? I even did some ironing this morning.
Truth be told, I miss my book. I really do.
I'm having a hard time letting go.
Seems to be an ongoing problem with me doesn't it? Books, kids...same dif.
It's not that I want it back. If I held on to it, what good would that do? It would never reach
an editor's desk would it? No, I know I had to send that baby out. But I'm sitting here going now what?
Realistically, it could be months and months before I hear any news once the book starts making the rounds.
And realistically, there are going to be some rejections. I can't not acknowledge that. It just wouldn't be smart.
I also know that even if an editor decides he or she like my book, it still has to get the thumbs up from a bunch
of other people. The process is more complex than I imagined it to be. So it's more than likely going to be a long
while until I know where my baby...er...book, will end up.
In the meantime, I'm not quite sure what to do.
I have several writing projects that I should be working on, but what I really want to get started on is a sequel to the book I just sent out.
See, I told you I was having trouble letting go.
I've heard varying advice on this. Some say don't waste that time unless you know the first book is going to be published, others say just write what's on your heart. The best advice I've been given about writing is that you should write the story that excites you the most. Somehow, right or wrong, this does.
I hope my writing mojo comes back soon. I think he went on vacation.
When he does return, I'll get kicking.
Well, I'm trying.
But I am feeling a little stuck. I've cleaned the house once this week. I suppose I could wash the kitchen floor, but who
really enjoys that? I even did some ironing this morning.
Truth be told, I miss my book. I really do.
I'm having a hard time letting go.
Seems to be an ongoing problem with me doesn't it? Books, kids...same dif.
It's not that I want it back. If I held on to it, what good would that do? It would never reach
an editor's desk would it? No, I know I had to send that baby out. But I'm sitting here going now what?
Realistically, it could be months and months before I hear any news once the book starts making the rounds.
And realistically, there are going to be some rejections. I can't not acknowledge that. It just wouldn't be smart.
I also know that even if an editor decides he or she like my book, it still has to get the thumbs up from a bunch
of other people. The process is more complex than I imagined it to be. So it's more than likely going to be a long
while until I know where my baby...er...book, will end up.
In the meantime, I'm not quite sure what to do.
I have several writing projects that I should be working on, but what I really want to get started on is a sequel to the book I just sent out.
See, I told you I was having trouble letting go.
I've heard varying advice on this. Some say don't waste that time unless you know the first book is going to be published, others say just write what's on your heart. The best advice I've been given about writing is that you should write the story that excites you the most. Somehow, right or wrong, this does.
I hope my writing mojo comes back soon. I think he went on vacation.
When he does return, I'll get kicking.
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