Writing Communities

Anyone who has ever taken on the writing of something important to them - whether that be a novel, a collection of poems or a personal memoir - probably knows that the actual process can be a little lonely sometimes. I definitely feel this way sometimes thus my need for things like NaNoWriMo, Write Club on Twitter and The Write Chain Challenge. I still love these groups and participate in them regularly. However, it is definitely time for me to have some regular, in-person writing contacts. I get this with NaNoWriMo but that only happens in November. I think part of what makes NaNoWriMo successful is the camaraderie that exists for so many during that month. I've come to realize I need this in my life the other eleven months of the year, as well.

There used to be a group from my local NaNo region that met through the year. I'm going to see if they still do and try to get involved with that. I am also going to go to a meeting of my local chapter of Romance Writer's of America. I went to one of these years ago. It wasn't right for me at that time in my life but I think it may very well be the best thing for me now. I'm at an entirely different place with my writing than I was back then. Plus, I have all kinds of life experiences that I didn't have before and those experiences have helped to enrich my writing.

In the very near future I hope to be writing about getting involved with one or possibly even both of these groups.

Five Books on Friday

So, I've seen many posts about different things on Friday. I'm not claiming that mine is anything new or even original but I've never seen this particular topic. So I'm going to go with it. This evening I'm going to share five books I want to read in the near future. These aren't in any particular order but here they are:

1. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Yes, I know that this is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling. I am excited to see how she writes a detective mystery. I've had this book for some time but haven't been in a hurry to read it as I wasn't a fan of The Casual Vacancy. However, I want to read this one now. I also want to read the sequel which is listed at number two.

2. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

3. Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb

I am a huge fan of the In Death series by Nora Roberts. In fact, I will get this book the day it comes out (February 10th) and start reading it immediately. This is the 40th installment in the series and I am so looking forward to it.

4. A Cold Dark Place by Toni Anderson

I am currently reading Cold Pursuit which is the second in a series of books by this author. I didn't realize that when I started it and it is really good. So I want to start at the beginning of the series.

5. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I really like Sarah Addison Allen but for some reason have never read this book. Now she has a sequel to this one. I'll read GS first and then read the new one which is called First Frost.

Gorgeous Flowers

 

These beauties are in a couple of places in my home now. They are making everything extra cheerful. The bright gorgeous colors make me smile every time I look at them! My husband gave them to me for my birthday. He knows me well! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Sophie's Universe CAL (so far)

Teaser Tuesday's: Just in Time by Kathryn Shay

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read

- Open to a random page

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser.

My teaser this week is from Nook page 32 of Kathryn Shay's Just in Time:

He'd always believed that time was fluid, and someday, someone would invent a way to navigate it. He just didn't think he would be involved in proving the theory.

Teaser Tuesday's: Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read

- Open to a random page

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser.

My teaser this week is from Nook page 10 of Courtney Milan's Proof by Seduction:

Advice hidden behind spiritual maundering was one thing. But she knew that Ned had resisted wedlock, and for good reasons. She had no intention of trapping him.

The State of Writing

It’s a new year and I’m happy to share that I am still writing. In fact, I started the first draft of a new novel last week and it is keeping me rather entertained right now. I have continued with my WriteChain challenge (have a writing or editing goal for every day and stick to it) and I am up to link (meaning days) number 492. It amazes me to think of how far I have come as a writer due to this one challenge and making daily writing a goal and a priority. I will be forever grateful for this challenge and to Skye Fairwin for creating it.

I’ve had another short story published. I’m happy and thrilled about it, of course. It makes me feel like I am one step closer to getting my books published. I admit to wondering just how long this staircase is, though. Sometimes I feel really discouraged about not having any of my books published yet but then I realize it is par for the course I’ve chosen to take. Now I’m feeling positive about it again. I tell myself thsat each day is one day closer. And every time I submit a manuscript I’m one step closer.

Speaking of submitting manuscripts; I have a couple (possibly several) that need editing. For a bit of time before the holidays I was editing every day. I need to get back to that routine. I’ve just decided that when I’m done writing this post I’m going to edit. I have a manuscript that I am going through for the third time. This should be the final time but even if it isn’t – it is so close to being complete. You know what – I’m going to get it done by the end of the month and start submitting it in February. Please feel free to ask me about any of this any time. It will keep me accountable. Have a great weekend everyone!

Wordless Wednesday: After the Storm

Teaser Tuesday's: Captive Star by Nora Roberts

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read

- Open to a random page

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser.

My teaser this week is from Captive Star by Nora Roberts:

"It belongs with the others. Love needs knowledge, and both need generosity.

Booking Through Thursday: Weeding

I haven’t done a Booking Through Thursday post in a long time but today’s prompt is so in tune with my life right now that I have to write about it. Today’s prompt is:

Do you ever weed out unwanted books from your library? And if so, what do you do with them?

When we moved (a few years ago) we went through everything, including our books, and donated or sold quite a few things. I noticed last week that my kids’ bookshelves are crammed. There are a lot of books on there that they no longer read because they have simply outgrown them. Then I looked at mine and my husband’s bookshelves and realized there’s quite a bit on there that I’m certain neither of us will read again. So, it is time for us to weed out our bookshelves. In the past we have donated our books to the library or my kids’ school. That works well for us so that is what we will do again.

 

We are huge advocates of the public library. We use it a LOT and figure by donating our books we’re giving back to our community. The same goes for the school. In fact, last time we gave one of the kindergarten teachers a huge box of the books my kids had outgrown and she was really touched by it. She put several of the books in her classroom library and asked us if she could give the others to her students. I was so pleased when my kids excitedly said yes to this request. If them sharing the books they’d outgrown with kids a little younger than them fostered the love of reading in even one of them then I’d say that was a definite win.

Teaser Tuesday's: Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read

- Open to a random page

- Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teaser.

My teaser this week is from Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts:

She liked the idea of him painting over her shop, of knowing the building that was hers was fulfilling its potential. "Congratulations," she said and offered a hand. "You've got yourself a studio."

Happy 2015

I can't believe it's already the fifth day of 2015. I feel like 2014 went by so very quickly. If the last few days are an indication for this year then it'll be Christmas again next week - or at least feel that way. LOL

I'm popping in quickly to wish everyone a wonderful, healthy and Happy New Year. I also want to share this quote I found with all of you.