* ANOTHER FORK IN THE ROAD ON MY JOURNEY OF LIFE *

Hello dear friends!

As you've noticed I haven't been blogging much lately, and I'm here today to tell you that I'm taking an official break for a while.

Nothing is wrong, so please don't worry!

It's just that life has that amusing way of not always going the way we've planned, and for the next few weeks or months, my time will be spent, happily, in a different direction.

Every time I've joined a new group, worked at a new job, moved into a different home, I've made new, life-long friends. It's amazing.
And you, my blog friends are right up there at the top!

Please feel free to e-mail me, if you have a spare moment, and keep in touch! And I will try to do the same.

Au revoir, for now!

 

* PARTICIPATING IN A BLOG TOUR *

Hello everyone! As I wrote in my August 17th post, I'm on a lengthy blog break, but I'm participating in a blog tour I was asked to do right before that break. I'm sure I've previously answered the following four questions during another tour, but I didn't look back to see what my responses were. (Maybe I'll check after I post this and see how different they might be!)


My dear bloggy friend, Chatty Crone, invited me. If you've read her blog then you already know what a sweetie she is. She's sincere, funny, and has a strong faith. She is a recent breast cancer survivor and openly shares her, thankfully, very swift discovery and outcome.

Okay, without further ado, here are the questions and my answers:


1) What are you working on?
      
 I'm writing the sequel (no title yet) to my memoir, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More. I'm thrilled to say that since taking my blog break, I'm rolling right along with it. No, that doesn't mean it will be finished anytime soon! It just means I'm writing much more often that I was and it's definitely a wonderful feeling. (I need to fit some organization into my life, but writing is definitely my main focus.)
    

2) How does your work differ from others?
      I'm not sure how to answer this one! Since we are all different people and have our own habits, I really don't know how my work/writing differs from other writers. I will say this...I'm truly happy that I only write memoir/personal essays. I'm not organized enough to keep track of storylines or characters' names, etc! (Notice the sentence in parentheses in my reply to the first question!)



3) Why do you write/create what you do?
      Because I must! Ever since I discovered at the young age of 48 years old that I could write, I haven't stopped. And if I'm not at my laptop actually writing, I'm thinking about writing, jotting notes about things to write about, reading books about writing, talking with other writers about writing....You get the picture! And I write memoir because I want to share events in my life that might help others in some way because they've lived through similar situations, or are going through them now. I want them to laugh, smile, delve into themselves, maybe shed a tear, but mostly to laugh.


4) How does your writing/creating process work?
      Memories, whether happy or sad, pop into my head at all hours of the day, and sometimes in my sleep. Those are all the reasons I try to keep a pen and notepad handy, or talk into the voice notes app on my cell phone, so I'll have them when I get to my laptop to actually write. No matter where I am, there are reminders of my life, whether from long, long ago, or earlier in my adulthood: scents, sights, and sounds.
      

These flowers are in a family member's back yard.

They don't have a "scent", but the "sight" of them

certainly prompted writing ideas! And if you tap

them with your fingernail, they also make a "sound."

That's it from here.

I'm continuing to follow my bliss

 and I hope you are, too!

 

 

P.S. I'm waiting to hear back from a blog friend about being the next selection, but I wanted to go ahead and post this now.

* Note: I received an e-mail from Patti at Treasure Barn and she is happy to reply to the Blog Tour questions! It will be one day next month, which if you've noticed the calendar lately....September arrives in 5 days! Thank you, Patti!

 

* POSTSCRIPT TO BLOG BREAK *

Postscript to Blog Break

On Sunday's post, I forgot to say that during my blog break, I will continue to send out my newsletter. I expect to e-mail it between the 1st and 5th of the month.


If you haven't already signed up for it and would like to receive it, here is the link: http://www.beckypovich.com/contact-me-for-newsletter-comments-and-book-clubs.html


Thanks much!

* A NOSTALGIC SUNDAY ~ AND A BLOG BREAK *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

 

In keeping with my beloved Andy Griffith Show characters,

 I'm displaying two photos from one of my favorite episodes,

"The Shoplifters," from 1964.

 

 

Andy discovered who the shoplifter was,

 (who had all kinds of jewelry and other valuables hidden underneath her coat)

when he accidentally bumped into the sweet little old lady inside the store.

 

When asked how he knew she was the thief,

Andy replied in his usual folksy manner,

 

"Little old ladies ought never to clank."

 

 

Even though Nostalgic Sundays are one of my favorite posts to write, I just haven't been able to keep up with them on a regular basis. In fact, I haven't been able to keep up with much of anything pertaining to blogging, as I've bemoaned quite a few times lately. SO, after much consideration, I've decided to take a much-needed social media break from blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. (unless I've already committed to hosting a guest here, or being the guest on another blog.)

As I've also said before, I really need to spend a lot more time writing my sequel, plus getting out into the world and doing more promoting and marketing of my memoir, instead of focusing mostly online.

I'm also going to work on my concentration abilities. I'm tired of being so forgetful and disorganized. That's just not who I am, or at least who I used to be, and I refuse to give up and chalk it up to "being too busy" to keep track of things.

My contact information is listed in my profile. I can be reached by e-mail and/or through my website, and I truly hope to hear from you. I'm not sure how long this break will last, but I expect a month or more.

I must leave you with some of my favorite quotes. I hope they inspire you. Every time I read them, it's like reading them again for the first time.

"If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." - Jim Rohn

 

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."-- Loire Hartwould

 

"Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled 'This could change your life.'" -- Helen Exley

 

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- Les Brown

"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, but about who came and never left your side." - Unknown

 "Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself." -- Robert Collier

 "We did not change as we grew older, we just became more clearly ourselves." -- Lynn Hall

 

* BLOG BREAK! *

Google image

Be back sometime soon!


Addendum Monday, September 9th

Y'all are so thoughtful! I'm fine....just taking a break from blogging, to get some much-needed things accomplished!

A Winner, Some Writing Info, and Another Blog Break

I'm happy to announce the winner of my book(s) give away posted on July 18. 
The winner is......by random drawing......Kathy of "Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy!" Congratulations, Kathy! As soon as Kathy lets me know which two books she wants, they will be on their way to her. Thanks to those of you who participated!


Please don't forget about writing contests and/or calls for submissions that I've recently mentioned. Also, please remember Publishing Syndicate is looking for stories for several anthologies. All you writers -- start submitting! As the lottery slogan says, "You can't win if you don't play."

(photo of one of my favorite coffee mugs)

It's time for me to take another BBB. (Brief Blog Break!) I'll be drinking lots of coffee, out of various favorite mugs. The one above says Sister Mary Morning Blend. That just cracks me up!

google image

As much as I enjoy writing blog posts and trying to read a few friends' blogs, I just can't do it and still have enough time to be committed to my memoir. So, until further notice, I'll be pounding the old keyboard with scathingly brilliant pages (uh, I certainly hope I do) to complete my memoir. Please keep me in your thoughts, as I will keep you in mine.

    And you know who else cracks me up.......Maxine!

Writerly Tidbits

I know..... I'm supposed to be on a Big Blog Break....which I'm really doing, but I wanted to share a couple of Writerly Tidbits.


Remember three weeks ago when I wrote about my dog story "Rocky Loses by a TKO," not making it into a Chicken Soup for the Soul book? Well, I submitted it to Not Your Mother’s Book…On Dogs by Publishing Syndicate. On Tuesday afternoon I received an e-mail and Permission Release Form announcing it "made it through the first consideration round." 

So, since I believe in my story and I enjoy a virtual roller-coaster ride every now and then, I'm very happy I resubmitted it. Time will tell whether it actually makes it into the book or not, but that's okay, too. I've learned to add patience to my list of qualities I'm trying like crazy to learn to be patient, which is so necessary for writers...and people in general!


If the series Not Your Mother's Book.... sounds familiar, it might be because you've read about it on other blogs recently. Dianna Graveman and Linda O'Connell are working with Publishing Syndicate on three of their many upcoming books. Be sure to visit the website and/or the two blogs.

~~~~~

My other Writerly Tidbit is that I won a book on Writer Unboxed! I first heard about this blog/website when I attended the Donald Maass Workshop last month in St. Louis. He is one of many contributors. 

My name was drawn by random in the post by Chuck Sambuchino, titled What Are the Best Writers' Conferences to Attend? I left a comment along with lots of others, and my name/number was drawn!

I had two choices of books: "2012 Guide to Literary Agents," or "Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, 3rd Ed." I chose the manuscript book and will be happy to share info here on my blog....when I can! 

If you're a writer and/or love to read, please check out all the links I've provided. There's a wealth of information there.

Thanks for stopping by. Now, I'm really not going to post for quite some time. I mean it! 

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked." -- Anais Nin

Author Interview - Patricia Preston

Hello everyone! Below is my interview with blog friend Patricia Preston, author of The Yard Sale.

Hi Patricia! Tell us a little bit about how you got started writing:

The first thing I recall writing is a short story when I was in the 6^th grade. I remember the title was “Priscilla’s Christmas.” I have no memory of what happened to poor Priscilla on Christmas but I do remember getting a lot of praise from my teacher. That is when my love affair with writing started and it is still going on today. I figure even if the day comes that I can no longer physically write, there still be a story dancing in my head.

What are you writing now and why?

I decided to do something different this year. In 2011, I joined an Indy email list. At the time, there were about 300 Indy authors on the list. Now there are over 700 members. Many of them were hybrids, writers who write for traditional publishers and self-publish, such as Bob Mayer and Brenda Novak. All the members were eager to talk about this big change in publishing and about the business side of this new venture. I learned so much from them.

Also, around the New Year, Ben Wallace started following me on Twitter. Ben is an Indy author who writes comedy. So, I read some of his short stories.  I do admit, once again, to ignorance. I didn’t know writers were publishing short stories on Amazon. Duh! I’m not going into massive detail here, but reading Ben’s stories helped me make a decision that I had been considering. I decided I would revise one of my favorite short stories, “The Yard Sale,” and put it up on Amazon. This was my way of getting my feet wet. I was terrified of trying a book but I knew I could handle a short story.

Ben put in touch with his wife, Patty, who is a cover designer. What can I say? The rest is history.  I put “The Yard Sale” up on Amazon the 3^rd weekend in April and overnight it made the Amazon Top 100 Best Seller list in Comedy and Short Stories.

I hope to have my second story, “Laid to Rest,” published in June. Writing has never been more fun!

What advice would you give writers today?

It is a great time to be a writer. You have more options than ever. Explore. Rule nothing out. Rejectionis a moot point. Don’t be afraid to write from the heart. Submit to a publisher if you want. Or do it yourself. Oh, one word of advice, if you are signing a contract, pay close attention to your e-royalties on net third party sales. Because with each passing day, that is where the money is.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m a little of both. I have to have a general idea and outline.  Then, when I write, that outline will change. But I like to have a direction when I start to write.


In closing, list your five favs:

Fruit:  Pineapple
Season: Autumn
Holiday: Christmas
2012 Summer movie: The Dark Knight Rises
Best new TV series: Hell on Wheels

And where can readers find you online?

My webpage: www.patriciaannpreston.com

Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/pat_preston

Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/ugF43b

Check out “The Yard Sale” at http://amzn.to/Jmog8Z

It’s a humorous 8500 word short story for 99 cents! 

Thanks, Patricia! It's fun being part of your blog tour and the best of luck with all your writing!

* NOTE: I'm still on my Blog Break and my writing is going well. This interview was scheduled for an automatic post. Thanks to everyone who stops by to read and comment!

* Welcome to my two newest followers, Super Earthling and CF Legette 
I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *

* Merry Go Round *

I've been on a self-propelled Merry Go Round for quite some time. Pushing and striving to accomplish all the things that are important to me as I go faster and faster without really getting anywhere.....just going around in circles.

Writing my memoir is THE most important thing in my life right now. Add to that blogging and my blog friends, my family and writer friends, handwriting letters, reading as much as I can, entering writing and photography contests & calls for submissions, attending writerly functions, trying to keep up with e-mails, etc.

I'm not complaining, really I'm not. I love being busy, but I'm not talented enough to successfully do everything, so what I've been doing is lots of things inadequately. I feel badly that I haven't kept up with reading everyone's blogs, and/or leaving comments. And I haven't even kept up with thanking everyone for the comments left for me.

(photo: courtesy Google)

So, I'm taking another Blog Break to concentrate on my book. I plan on posting Nostalgic Sundays as often as I can, because those will fit right in with my memoir. And if I come up with something that I feel is important to mention on my blog....I definitely will.

Thanks for your understanding, and I truly hope everyone won't forget about  me! (I will keep in touch by e-mail, too!)



"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja-vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." Steven Wright