Sunday, July 28, 2013

Second Place!

There were nearly 900 entries for the PNWA Literary Contest this year. Nine finalists were chosen in my division for childrens picture and chapter books. I took second place with my first chapter book in my unpublished C.L.O.U.D. series!

I was so excited to get the phone call this afternoon! I would have done a happy dance, but I was driving back, in stop-and-go traffic, after my 2-week vacation in Oregon. It took me five and a half hours to get home instead of the customary four.

Horrible traffic be damned...it was a sweet ride!


Thursday, July 25, 2013

Done...But Not Quite.

I did it!

Today, I validated my word count with Camp NaNaWriMo. I typed 15,745 for the month of July, meeting my self-inflicted goal of 13,000 words. Goals were met, but expectations were still a little shy. I envisioned a complete final draft and a rough start on the next story's outline.

Word Count Goals Met
Camp NaNoWriMo

But alas, I'm done with my word count, but not done with my story. I'm about four pages from the end; the story closure still needs to be firmed up. 

Funny, how different stumbling blocks happen at different points for different stories! Book One I wrote in sections, rearranged those sections, then went back and agonized over the first chapter, over and over. Book two seemed easy, I wrote an outline, followed the outline and now it's ready for editing. This book, book three, started off easy. I wrote the first seven chapters chronologically - good stuff, too! - then, realized it was going nowhere. I rewrote the first half again...and again. I tried an outline, rewrote, re-outlined, stared into space, meditated and stewed...for months. I tried dreaming about it and forgetting about it. I went to an SCBWI conference and during the sessions, I thought more about it.

Then I had an epiphany! 

I had to rethink where my story was starting, the inciting incident, what my character wanted, and figure out why the story was important for that character right then and there. Back to the beginning.

After much noodling and the convergence with Camp NaNoWriMo, I powered through. Now...four pages from the end and I'm still wondering how to wrap it up. So close to being done...but not quite.

How will Book four work out? Where will the challenge be in that story?

Only writing the words will tell.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

WOTGo for Camp NaNo

Writing On The Go (WOTGo) while participating in Camp NaNoWriMo has been fun! Writing outside has its perks...fresh air, beautiful 360 degree views, and loads of inspiration, meditation, and relaxation. But I guess that all depends on the local.

First, I used our new play structure to do some editing. Nice shade, perfect place to keep the kids occupied, and a flat writing surface. It worked for me!

 New Play Structure at Home
Picnic Table/ New Writing Office behind the climbing wall

Editing Desk

My Outdoor Office!
Complete with Children

Next writing stop was during our camping trip at Crow Butte. Man, it was a scorcher! It hovered around 96 degrees, complete with rattlesnake warnings, and no cell phone coverage unless you hiked up a dry, desert hill. Wouldn't you know, I could receive calls...like my credit card didn't go through to reserve a hotel room in August and my cat was diagnosed with kidney failure while having a kennel stay...But I couldn't make calls. So I had to hike up the hill, keeping an eye out for snakes to make a couple important phone calls. 

Writing inspiration!

Crow Butte Camping Trip
Outdoor Office with my pooch.

Cell Phone Coverage
In the Hills

Conference Room
"I'm frying my brains out in rattlesnake country."

Writing Prompts
Campground Treasures

Today, we're back in Dallesport (The Dalles area) and are enduring the 100 degree heat by having a covered kiddie pool. Once again, kids are kept entertained, I'm kept cool, and I've got a cup of coffee by my side. I'm not that big of a coffee die-hard, but some times writing requires the jolt...hot or cold.

Relaxation!
Covered Swimming Pool at the Ready!
Office in Dallesport


Now I must say adieu. It's time to dunk my head.

I'm melting...

Friday, July 12, 2013

Opportunity Knocks

Dog fed, bags loaded, kids at the ready. What am I forgetting?

With car keys in one hand and the doorknob in the other - road trip! - I had a flash of memory. An email I received from SCBWI WWA regarding an opportunity to exhibit my artwork at the Washington State Convention Center for October - December of this year.

No fees, no hoops...just send five jpegs of my best work for consideration. Now I'm an hour late for that road trip, but at least I got  those images sent. When opportunity knocks, one better do something about it.


Here's what I sent:




The Hedgehog Prince: Just One Kiss
Digital Collage



The Hedgehog Prince: Yuck!
Digital Collage


Made My Bed
Digital Collage


Super Phil: Rocket Boots
Digital Collage

Cat's Cradle
Multimedia Collage