** Odds & Ends on a Saturday Night **

On March 12th, I mentioned four upcoming topics I wanted to write about. I've already written about two of them: Tiny Lights and the Erma Bombeck competition.

The other two are: Songs on my Play List and my upcoming contest in April.

Here's my thoughts on my Play List. I love listening to a wide variety of music, and because each play list only holds about 200 songs, I now have more than two that are completely full. Many people find the music distracting and may immediately hit the mute button when they arrive at my blog. I can totally understand that. Most of the time when I'm "really" writing...working on my book, or contests or other submissions, I can't listen to it, either. I have a couple of CD's that I can listen to, and write to, and I even feel like they help soothe me and help me to write better! They are both "easy listening" instrumentals. And I do have my "Starting Song", which is Moonlight Serenade, played only by the Glenn Miller Orchestra! That may seem really strange, since I'm not 80 years old....but it was one of my mother's favorite songs, and always makes me feel kind of bittersweet, which is great for my memoir writing.

So, I have these questions: Do you like listening to music when you write?  Do you have a "Starting Song"?

"Music is what life sounds like". -- Eric Olson

** I Won a Book on Hope Clark's Blog **

I've been a follower of Hope Clark's blog for over a year. She always has interesting contest information to share, plus book reviews, etc. Today, I won a book because I left one of the first 3 comments. I am thrilled because this particular book is about critique groups and I just joined one this past Tuesday. The book is called, "The Writing & Critique Group Survival Guide-How to Give and Receive Feedback, Self Edit, and Make Revisions", by Becky Levine. I cannot wait to receive it! Thanks again, Hope!

I also receive newsletters from Hope from her website Funds for Writers. You can subscribe to receive 3 different newsletters there: Funds for Writers, FFW Small Markets and Writing Kid. Tell her Becky Povich sent ya!


"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." -- Chinese Proverb

** Reading, Writing and Dancing! **

While I was sick the past 2 weeks, every single piece of paper, junk mail, bills, magazines, and coupons that arrived in my snail mail, have apparently been busy multiplying! Don't you just hate it when that happens? Oh well, I know what's really important in my life and my priorities are firmly set. Writing comes first! Along with the "actually typing of words on my laptop" kind of writing, I've discovered there are different ways of writing. I love to browse through various "helpful" and "how to" books, some of which I recently picked up at the library. Other times, I'll read something online that really makes me stop and think, Wow! I never thought of that!

* If I wrote today, but deleted most of it, I still wrote!
* If I had zillions of ideas, but only got as far as jotting down notes, I still wrote!
* If I edited some of my writing, I still wrote!

Somewhere, I also read practice saying outloud, "I am a writer."
Say it while sitting in your chair. Say it while walking around the room.
I've chosen to sing it opera-style, while I dance around the room!

Whatever you do today, take care of your self!!

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

** Fun Discoveries on a Tuesday **

First Fun Discovery: I had a really great day! Went to a critique group that meets every Tuesday and I enjoyed it. I already knew most of the members from Saturday Writers, and I'll definitely be going back.

Second Fun Discovery:  Here's another one of my Twilight Zone moments! Just yesterday I wrote about deleting my "writers competition rant" because I didn't want any Bad Karma........Well, today I received my Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop Newsletter, and would you believe they actually printed the following?:

ERMA'S LEFTOVERS?
With the announcement of the writing competition winners comes the realization by other entrants that they are, as 2010 workshop attendee Anna Lefler puts it, "winning-adjacent." What's a writer to do with that oh-so-close submission? Post it, of course, as did Joanie Buettgen, Anna Lefler, and Ann Imig. 

I'm only showing the link to Anna's because I liked her story the best. It is SO Erma!! And her writer friends all felt the same way we did! Remember that popular goofy character a few years ago, Where's Waldo?".....Aren't we all saying, "Where's Erma??!!"

Oh well....to paraphrase what I wrote yesterday......Whatever!!

I'm not sure how the Erma refrigerator thingy works, but it looks like fun! Anyway...go check out Anna's blog and let her know that Becky sent ya!

Happy Writing!

"In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet." -- Erma Bombeck

** No Time For Bad Karma **

Since my rant the other day concerning a certain writing competition, I've evolved into a new me. Actually, that's not correct because I haven't become new. I'm continuing on in my usual optimistic, cheerful way of thinking. My criticism was a minor step backwards, but my attitude about life won't allow me to remain so negative.

Therefore, I have deleted that entire post.

Don't Worry!  ♪♫♪   Be Happy! ♪♫♪     Write On!

“Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens." -- Andy Rooney

** My Muse Is Back **

It was 2 weeks ago today that I felt like I was catching a cold, and it was all downhill from there. But, I am pleased.....no, I am thrilled to announce that I AM BACK!

I feel great and I've been writing like crazy. The best kind of writing....when it just flows, and I'm in The Zone, and hours pass.....Ahhhh....Bliss!

And, because of my newly, rediscovered joy and passion for writing, I probably won't be posting on my blog as often. I may not be reading all my usual favorites as often, either, but you can be sure I'll be thinking of y'all. Please send some good writing vibes my way, to help keep me going!!

"And remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand." -- E.K. Brough

** Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative **

 Tiny Lights - The newest Searchlights & Signal Flares are posted. The question for the month was: "Where does your mind go when it wanders?"  I wish more of you would enter something for these! Some months the questions are really a challenge. (You'll find me posted there!) It's an excellent opportunity to submit serious or humorous thoughts and be published online. There is no fee, no word count. You can also post your website, blog, and/or e-mail address. I can confirm that people have found my blog because of this. Below is a portion of the description from Tiny Lights:

"Searchlights & Signal Flares" is an opportunity to support and be supported by a community of writers, to let a flash of your own light be seen and shared. You are invited to respond to the following questions (deadlines in parentheses), and if your answers adhere to the posted guidelines, they will be published on the website-no fuss, muss or editing.

If that isn't enough to wake up those sleeping ideas in your head, here's another area of Tiny Lights you'll want to check out. Flash in the Pan: a Quarterly Posting.


One more thing. Those of you that entered the essay contest last month will be pleased to know the winners are due to be announced April 10th!

"The two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light." -- Jonathan Swift  (The Battle of the Books)

** Tidbits of Upcoming Posts **

I have different topics I'm anxious to write about, but since it's getting late, I'll just share a few words:

* Tiny Lights newest Searchlights & Signal Flares *

* Erma Bombeck Contest *

* Songs on my playlist *

* Next contest coming up in April *

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." -- Joseph Priestley