First- I want to reach 20 rejections in 2011. Once I have hit this mark I will make my collage. I'm not sure what all I am going to do with it yet, perhaps I will find a place on my wall to remind myself what I have gone through to get where I am.
Second- I am going to have at least three new stories written.
Third- I am going to keep doing movie nights with my children.
Fourth- I plan to complete my Bachelors in English and start towards my Masters degree.
Fifth- Continue doing open mic nights.
Of course this is not all of my goals, but it is a start on big ones I wish to accomplish. I have a lot of little ones that I know I can meet because I do them every year. What is one goal you wish to accomplish? Please tell me in the comments I'm curious to know.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
What happens when....
What happens when a clicking becomes a bad sign? How does a birthday turn into an inspection? Where can you find old pictures? And why is the phone ringing at 7am?
Well I will tell you the answers my friends, because it all happened last week.
I know I have been sparse on comments in the last week. But don't fret, I'll tell you a story.
It all started the morning of my birthday.
January 5th I awoke smiling because my manly man wished me a happy birthday. Soon the phone rang with texts of happy birthdays. I hopped on blogger to find out my blogfest had reached a fire like rampage with so many commentors and participants. I couldn't ask for a better morning until I drove to my apartment to check on things.
I walked through the door and instantly knew I heard something off. I put my shoes by the door and followed a beeping sound to my bedroom. I knew it was the computer and immediately sat down at the small desk to rectify the problem. There was a black screen. Guess the computer needed to be restarted. I pushed the off button, then clicked it back on and a horrible clicking sound came from inside the hard drive. The black screen booted up, then nothing. It couldn't read my files.
I took a deep breath and called my computer friend.
"My computer is clicking and wont turn on right." I told her.
"Turn it off and bring it straight over"
I loaded up my unhappy computer and drove over to my friends house. After I dropped it off the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Is this Summer Ross?" said the voice on the phone.
"Yes"
"I see you are only signed up for 9 credit hours, you must have 12 credits to receive your grants."
I immediately knew one of my classes had been canceled, but which one and would I be able to sign up for a new one so close to semester starting?
"I realize I need 12 credits, I'll take a look as soon as I can." I said.
"Well Ma'am, your money will be on hold until we can verify, so be sure to do it soon."
Oh crap! Fine I'll have to get online somehow tonight and fix this problem. Good thing Manly man has internet access or I might have been in hot water. I hung up the phone, checked my mailbox, and drove to manly man's house.
After I pulled up into the driveway and grabbed my mail, I noticed a small white envelope with my apartment's landlord address on it. Curious I opened it as I moved from the car. A clean crisp white sheet of paper had the word "Inspection" typed in bold letters on the middle of the page. I read further on the line and the date was set up for Jan 13th! Yikes, this put a whole new spin on my day.
I knew some how I had to add in deep cleaning to my list of things I must do before next week. I had to shampoo carpets, do laundry, wash walls, take down all my Christmas stuff, and (dreadfully) clean my bedroom! Alright I can handle all this, easy peasy.
Manly man's house was warm when I walked through the door. I shuffled my coat off and onto the couch then loaded up his computer. I found a new class to sign up for and quickly added it to my registration for the college. The phone rang again. This time it was my Friend with my computer.
"Do you want the good news or the bad?" She asked.
"Good first."
"Alright, your computer will run off your C drive, I do not have to reformat."
"Okay what is the bad?"
"Well, what all did you have on the D drive?"
"A few things why?" My gut dropped.
"The D drive is completely shot and I have tried everything to access it. Its fried, everything on it is pretty much lost."
"But all my pictures were on that drive!"
"How many?"
"All of them, clear back to 2007 when my girls had their dance recital, Christmas. Pictures from 2008 and 2009." The burden of loss quickened my words and tore through my heart. Is there a way to get them from somewhere else, maybe myspace or facebook. I cooed myself into a belief that I would get them back. I had to, those were pictures of my babies, years worth.
Before I ever ate a single piece of birthday cake I had managed to score a shampooer for my carpets, fixed my online classes so I get my grants, and find out that my D drive had become so old the gear messed up and had sketched a few pretty patterns onto my drive making it unreadable.
Did you know, you can't copy your own pictures off Myspace and facebook? I just found out. But alas I am able to go through my old e-mails, where every picture I have ever sent is saved in folders in my e-mail.
Thus your answers and the reasons made known why I have been sparse on comments. I now have my computer back as of yesterday night. I'm still searching out ways to get pictures, and have my house deep cleaned. Whew- that's a lot of work! Happy Sunday every one, next week will hopefully have better repercussions.
On a more positive note, I have decided to use one of my new journals for memories. I'm starting it with as far back as I can remember, about the age of 3 or 4. So far I have four pages written with four different memories dating back to 1985.
Well I will tell you the answers my friends, because it all happened last week.
I know I have been sparse on comments in the last week. But don't fret, I'll tell you a story.
It all started the morning of my birthday.
January 5th I awoke smiling because my manly man wished me a happy birthday. Soon the phone rang with texts of happy birthdays. I hopped on blogger to find out my blogfest had reached a fire like rampage with so many commentors and participants. I couldn't ask for a better morning until I drove to my apartment to check on things.
I walked through the door and instantly knew I heard something off. I put my shoes by the door and followed a beeping sound to my bedroom. I knew it was the computer and immediately sat down at the small desk to rectify the problem. There was a black screen. Guess the computer needed to be restarted. I pushed the off button, then clicked it back on and a horrible clicking sound came from inside the hard drive. The black screen booted up, then nothing. It couldn't read my files.
I took a deep breath and called my computer friend.
"My computer is clicking and wont turn on right." I told her.
"Turn it off and bring it straight over"
I loaded up my unhappy computer and drove over to my friends house. After I dropped it off the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Is this Summer Ross?" said the voice on the phone.
"Yes"
"I see you are only signed up for 9 credit hours, you must have 12 credits to receive your grants."
I immediately knew one of my classes had been canceled, but which one and would I be able to sign up for a new one so close to semester starting?
"I realize I need 12 credits, I'll take a look as soon as I can." I said.
"Well Ma'am, your money will be on hold until we can verify, so be sure to do it soon."
Oh crap! Fine I'll have to get online somehow tonight and fix this problem. Good thing Manly man has internet access or I might have been in hot water. I hung up the phone, checked my mailbox, and drove to manly man's house.
After I pulled up into the driveway and grabbed my mail, I noticed a small white envelope with my apartment's landlord address on it. Curious I opened it as I moved from the car. A clean crisp white sheet of paper had the word "Inspection" typed in bold letters on the middle of the page. I read further on the line and the date was set up for Jan 13th! Yikes, this put a whole new spin on my day.
I knew some how I had to add in deep cleaning to my list of things I must do before next week. I had to shampoo carpets, do laundry, wash walls, take down all my Christmas stuff, and (dreadfully) clean my bedroom! Alright I can handle all this, easy peasy.
Manly man's house was warm when I walked through the door. I shuffled my coat off and onto the couch then loaded up his computer. I found a new class to sign up for and quickly added it to my registration for the college. The phone rang again. This time it was my Friend with my computer.
"Do you want the good news or the bad?" She asked.
"Good first."
"Alright, your computer will run off your C drive, I do not have to reformat."
"Okay what is the bad?"
"Well, what all did you have on the D drive?"
"A few things why?" My gut dropped.
"The D drive is completely shot and I have tried everything to access it. Its fried, everything on it is pretty much lost."
"But all my pictures were on that drive!"
"How many?"
"All of them, clear back to 2007 when my girls had their dance recital, Christmas. Pictures from 2008 and 2009." The burden of loss quickened my words and tore through my heart. Is there a way to get them from somewhere else, maybe myspace or facebook. I cooed myself into a belief that I would get them back. I had to, those were pictures of my babies, years worth.
Before I ever ate a single piece of birthday cake I had managed to score a shampooer for my carpets, fixed my online classes so I get my grants, and find out that my D drive had become so old the gear messed up and had sketched a few pretty patterns onto my drive making it unreadable.
Did you know, you can't copy your own pictures off Myspace and facebook? I just found out. But alas I am able to go through my old e-mails, where every picture I have ever sent is saved in folders in my e-mail.
Thus your answers and the reasons made known why I have been sparse on comments. I now have my computer back as of yesterday night. I'm still searching out ways to get pictures, and have my house deep cleaned. Whew- that's a lot of work! Happy Sunday every one, next week will hopefully have better repercussions.
On a more positive note, I have decided to use one of my new journals for memories. I'm starting it with as far back as I can remember, about the age of 3 or 4. So far I have four pages written with four different memories dating back to 1985.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Blogfests
Hello everyone,
I'd like you to take notice of my page tabs near the top of my blog: they include the home page, publications, rejections, and Blogfests.
What I hope you will zero in on is the blogfests tab. I will do my best to keep an updated list on this tab. They are all linked to the host site. There are many great ones coming up real soon. I'd hate to see any of you miss them. Blogfests are such a great opportunity to spread your writing wings and really make yourself write.
So click on the tab and sign up for the ones you are interested. Check back often because the list will consistently be changing!
I'd like you to take notice of my page tabs near the top of my blog: they include the home page, publications, rejections, and Blogfests.
What I hope you will zero in on is the blogfests tab. I will do my best to keep an updated list on this tab. They are all linked to the host site. There are many great ones coming up real soon. I'd hate to see any of you miss them. Blogfests are such a great opportunity to spread your writing wings and really make yourself write.
So click on the tab and sign up for the ones you are interested. Check back often because the list will consistently be changing!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Top ten
Here is my top ten gifts from Christmas.... But after you check out pictures, be sure to go to Elana's blog to check out her Vlog post on me and my story...it is very creepy and well done!
10 Tinker bell Toothbrush holder
9 Tinker bell light switch cover
8 Fairy journal
7 Pen for my new desk
6 My car finally paid off
5 Hand made/painted stained glass fairy
4 Hand made tea pottery by manly man
3 A picture of Kayla (my youngest)
2 A picture of Jasmyne (My oldest)
1 and my number one christmas present is having both of my girls with me for christmas
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Word to the writer "Polish"
Before I get to this series, I have to say something~ ALL OF YOU rock my world! The blogfest yesterday was Fantastic. So many great new lines! So many participated. Thank you all so Fairy much for sharing this experience with me.
Ahem...now back to today's post :)
Yes you might have heard of some of these, but perhaps not all of them, and definitely not my take on them.
When I critique someones story or paper there is always a first step-
I start with words.
Sometimes it is difficult to get to the idea of someones writing whether it be an English essay or a story from a fellow writer. Words clutter pages, sometimes too many words, sometimes not enough.
Usually too many. So the first thing I do is look for these 9 words in their entire piece:
was, it, then, and, that, feel, got, very, and just.
These words are on my top nine scratch out list. Here is what I know about these words from countless English classes and critique groups.
Was - use this word sparingly. If "was" is used too often, it defeats the purpose. Scratch "was" out wherever you can. Often sentences can be reworded to eliminate "was" and then you will have a stronger sentence. There is only one use I have found that this word is used satisfactory with - metaphors. If you have used a metaphor and "was" is included, then keep it. If you would like more detail on this word check out one of my previous posts for ideas: Action packed
It - This word is used best as a reference word, referring back to an idea or object. This word should also be used sparingly. Watch how many times you use it and really examine if the word "it" is needed to convey your idea or thoughts. Take "it" out where you cannot justify the use.
Then - Many times writers and students use "then" as a transition word. Problem is sometimes it is a filler word and is weak with its meaning. This word should be cut out when "then" refers to time, location, or list characteristics. Basically if you have started a sentence with "Then" and the sentence can stand alone without the word in it, take it out. (further information at the bottom of the page)
And - The biggest issue I have seen with this word is starting a sentence with "And." Starting a sentence with "and" is a common mistake in early writing stages. Put two sentences together if you must use "And", but most often just cut it out if your sentence begins with "and" then replace it with a different word if you need to.
That - This word is a filler word. Use with cation. Most of the time you can easily cut this word from the sentence without having to reword. "That" is unneeded in writing and I know we as writers can come up with something better if we need to in order to make or work show through better.
Feel - Many fiction writers know this word is not a good word to use to describe a feeling. It tells instead of shows. Take out any "feel" or "felt" words from your writing and instead describe what is being felt to improve your writing.
Got - This word is nondescript. It shows nothing and tells nothing. Take it out- it serves no purpose in writing.
Very - simply take it out unless you have an extreme circumstance that the word is strictly needed. Its a modifier for other words, but isn't really a value. (further information at the bottom of this page)
Just - This word is nine time out ten unneeded. "Just" is a filler word, take it out and move forward.
In our normal everyday lives we talk with these words, but that does not mean we should use them in our writing. If you have dialogue where a character talks using these words, okay leave them, but ultimately they botch up what you are writing instead of making it look good or giving something to what you have written.
If you would like more to look at on words to avoid, take a look at this site for further information: www.tameri.com
Tune in next Thursday for the second installment of this series called "Shine" where I will discuss more word usage and action usage.
Ahem...now back to today's post :)
Yes you might have heard of some of these, but perhaps not all of them, and definitely not my take on them.
When I critique someones story or paper there is always a first step-
I start with words.
Sometimes it is difficult to get to the idea of someones writing whether it be an English essay or a story from a fellow writer. Words clutter pages, sometimes too many words, sometimes not enough.
Usually too many. So the first thing I do is look for these 9 words in their entire piece:
was, it, then, and, that, feel, got, very, and just.
These words are on my top nine scratch out list. Here is what I know about these words from countless English classes and critique groups.
Was - use this word sparingly. If "was" is used too often, it defeats the purpose. Scratch "was" out wherever you can. Often sentences can be reworded to eliminate "was" and then you will have a stronger sentence. There is only one use I have found that this word is used satisfactory with - metaphors. If you have used a metaphor and "was" is included, then keep it. If you would like more detail on this word check out one of my previous posts for ideas: Action packed
It - This word is used best as a reference word, referring back to an idea or object. This word should also be used sparingly. Watch how many times you use it and really examine if the word "it" is needed to convey your idea or thoughts. Take "it" out where you cannot justify the use.
Then - Many times writers and students use "then" as a transition word. Problem is sometimes it is a filler word and is weak with its meaning. This word should be cut out when "then" refers to time, location, or list characteristics. Basically if you have started a sentence with "Then" and the sentence can stand alone without the word in it, take it out. (further information at the bottom of the page)
And - The biggest issue I have seen with this word is starting a sentence with "And." Starting a sentence with "and" is a common mistake in early writing stages. Put two sentences together if you must use "And", but most often just cut it out if your sentence begins with "and" then replace it with a different word if you need to.
That - This word is a filler word. Use with cation. Most of the time you can easily cut this word from the sentence without having to reword. "That" is unneeded in writing and I know we as writers can come up with something better if we need to in order to make or work show through better.
Feel - Many fiction writers know this word is not a good word to use to describe a feeling. It tells instead of shows. Take out any "feel" or "felt" words from your writing and instead describe what is being felt to improve your writing.
Got - This word is nondescript. It shows nothing and tells nothing. Take it out- it serves no purpose in writing.
Very - simply take it out unless you have an extreme circumstance that the word is strictly needed. Its a modifier for other words, but isn't really a value. (further information at the bottom of this page)
Just - This word is nine time out ten unneeded. "Just" is a filler word, take it out and move forward.
In our normal everyday lives we talk with these words, but that does not mean we should use them in our writing. If you have dialogue where a character talks using these words, okay leave them, but ultimately they botch up what you are writing instead of making it look good or giving something to what you have written.
If you would like more to look at on words to avoid, take a look at this site for further information: www.tameri.com
Tune in next Thursday for the second installment of this series called "Shine" where I will discuss more word usage and action usage.
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