* Dreams - Real and Otherwise *

Dreams. That one word conjures up so many images. Those real dreams we have when we sleep. Those real dreams we have in our waking hours....those dreams of success and accomplishments and triumphs.

Anyone who's been reading my blog for awhile knows about my dream of being a best-selling author. I've been talking about, and writing, my memoir for way too long. This is my year. All I have to do is finish it. I've already got the publisher. In fact, she has a sample of my book cover that I get to see this Tuesday! I'm positive that by seeing it, I will catapult myself into "awesome writer mode" and complete it before the end of March! (my new deadline!)

That particular dream is so close to becoming true I can see it. I was at Barnes & Noble the other evening and grabbed another book by Cynthia Kaplan, which was located in the Biography & Memoir section. While I was there, it occurred to me to stroll down the aisle to the place where MY book would be shelved. Since they're placed in alphabetical order by the author's last name, I saw that in that particular store, my book would be right next to one of Colin Powell's. Not a bad place to be, I don't think!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Look out world! Here I come!"

"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy, 1996

* Various Thoughts on a Friday Night *

I've had a very productive week, in spite of negative things being thrown my way, testing my fortitude. My optimistic, bliss-following self disappeard for awhile, but I'm baaaccckkkk, stronger than ever! Look out world, I'm ready to kick some butt! (and I mean that in the nicest, kindest way possible!)

* I sat in my local Bread Co. for a while one day and got a lot of editing done on my book.
* I totally de-cluttered and cleaned up our spare bedroom.
* I cleaned out closets and drawers of clothing that hasn't fit me in at least 2 years, and I know never will again! I have a bagful to donate to Goodwill and a bagful to donate to a friend.
* I started the de-clutter and clean up of our loft, which had turned into a large junk room.
* I baked a homemade apple pie today.
* I worked quite a lot on some Saturday Writer stuff. (one of the local writing groups I belong to. I'm the president for 2011, so there's been a lot to do before our first meeting this month)
* I've been reading a memoir by Cynthia Kaplan called Leave the Building Quickly. This book has really helped me zone in on my own writing style and voice. Parts of it are truly "laugh out loud" funny! Just tonight I used up the last of a Barnes & Noble gift card I got for Christmas, by purchasing her first book, Why I'm Like This,  another memoir.

Oh, one more thing. I had a light-bulb moment the other day and decided that I will purchase one book a month, from my blog writer friends who have a book published! My first one, for January, is Katie Gates' The Somebody Who. Katie has posted chapters from it on her blog from time to time and I know it'll be a great book.

I have a note around here somewhere, with the names of two or three others whose books I want to buy, but I can't find it at the moment! Don't worry, I'm sure it will turn up before February rolls around.

Happy reading and writing everyone! What books are you reading now? What are you writing?
"I am not the only person who uses his computer mainly for the purpose of diddling with his computer."-- Dave Barry

* Writer Information & Candle Wax Art *

Hello and Happy Tuesday, January 11, 2011, otherwise known as 1/11/11, AND my sister's birthday!

I've got some writing information to share, so no time to waste. (Sorry guys...I didn't intend for this to be entirely for and about women writers, and memoir type essays at that, but it just kind of fell into place!)

1) If you're not familiar with Terri Spahr Nelson, you're missing out on knowing a generous and unique woman! She writes, edits, answers questions, mails out "loaner" books to writers contemplating submitting stories to her anthologies, etc. Click on any or all of the three links below and see what Terri needs for upcoming books.

Writer/Editor Terri Spahr Nelson,  

Reflections From Women website,

Reflections From Women Blogspace  


2) If you're a woman and writing your memoir, or interested in writing snippets of your memoir, then Womens Memoirs is a blog you'll want to follow. There's always great info posted and they're also hosting a monthly contest  (for eleven months. They're giving everyone a one-month break.) I don't remember if there's any payment involved, but check it out, because if a story is chosen, it at least gets published on their blog..


3) The National Association of Memoir Writers is having a Call for Submissions for a "How to write about family" anthology. The first thing you need to do is submit 2-3 possible topics you would like to contribute, each described in a few sentences and a 65-75 word bio. They want that information by January 31st. Check out the website for more info. A complimentary book is payment.

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Now for my Candle Wax Art! During the Christmas holidays, instead of having a fire in our fireplace, I had it decorated with greenery and white candles. Today, I took everything out so we can burn some logs during our very Brrrrr....cold spell! Here's the wax that had melted and I gently pulled up......

 The shape at the top right looks like a flying duck to me....like Daffy Duck! See his bill and head and body? I guess his legs are tucked out of sight!

Isn't that funny? I think the shape at the very left of this one looks like a kangaroo! See her feet(foot) at the bottom, her tummy with pouch, her face and her ear(s)??

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and I wish you much success with your writing! I am definitely making 2011 MY YEAR for publications....especially my memoir!

* Micro Fiction Monday *

Susan at Stony River hosts this meme every week.

Welcome to Microfiction Monday, where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer. "Microfiction" means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop's fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. For this game, the limit is a tweetable 140 characters or fewer.

Here's my take on this week's photo, right at 140 characters:

“I see you have on your blue rain coat."

“Yes, I said I’d wear a school color of blue or yellow,

 but did you have to wear yours as a diaper?”



* Go See Cathy C. *

My blog buddy, the scathingly brilliant, Ms Cathy C. Hall, is having a contest. If you like to read funny musings, find out info about writing contests and calls for submissions, or any variety of interesting tidbits about life, you will love Cathy C.! Please go visit her blog and see what'cha think. If you become a follower, you're in the drawing for a $20.00 Barnes & Noble gift card!


Here's the "rules" taken directly from Cathy's blog:


Introducing the Big Bang B & N Followers Contest! Here's how it works: You tell your followers about Cathy C. 's Hall of Fame and her brilliant contest. They scurry over here and follow me, telling me who sent them (and leaving contact information). One lucky NEW follower will win a $20 gift card from Barnes and Noble! And there's more...the faithful follower who sent them ALSO wins a $20 gift card! YAY! I'm ending the contest on January 24th; new followers can post a comment on any post during that period, as long as they fill me in. So spread the word, my faithful friends and followers. I'm in a hurry to bang out my goal of getting over 100 followers. (Cathy)


Speaking of followers, I'd like to welcome my two newest ones. Holly and Paul Joseph. Welcome!! Thanks so much for stopping by and becoming a follower. I'm obviously doing something "write" here! ☺

"I've got the most scathingly brilliant idea!" -- Mary Clancy (from the movie The Trouble with Angels.)

* Mutual Birthdays! *

♫♪ They say it's your birthday. It's my birthday too, yeah. They say it's your birthday. We're gonna have a good time. I'm glad it's your birthday. Happy birthday to you! ♪♫
by Lennon/McCartney

 Yes, today is my birthday and it's been a great one. Why? Did I receive lots of expensive gifts? No. Did I receive at least ONE expensive gift? Nope. But I did receive thoughtful, perfect gifts, loving hugs, birthday cards in the mail, tons of birthday wishes on facebook, e-mails and texts. Oh, and a phone call or two. What could be better? Thanks to all my family and friends!

This is my friend "K" and I at a tea room where we had our birthday lunch today. We've met for lunch on or near our birthday just about every year for many years!

I have other friends who share my birthday, too. There is "C" who used to be a neighbor of mine in our old neighborhood. There's "W" who's an (old!) high school pal. He and I went on one date in high school. It was a Girl-Ask-Boy Dance. And, I just realized this evening that a blog friend, Rachel Cotterill, is also celebrating her birthday today! Happy Birthday!

(Here's some celebrities born on January 6th, too. Loretta Young, Danny Thomas, Carl Sandburg and Bonnie Franklin. That's just a few of many, but they are my favorites.)

(google image)

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip."  ~Author Unknown

Mark Twain Censorship?

When the local news was on TV last night, I wasn't really paying attention until I heard the words Mark Twain and censorship in the same sentence. That made me take notice and turn up the volume. The story reported was about the publisher New South Books.

They have decided to change a couple of words in two of Twain's books, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, and offer them in one volume, without the "n" word and the one considered hurtful to the Native Americans.

I am not a racist and was brought up to believe that all people are equal. Nobody in my family ever used the "n" word. NOBODY. Did I know that word existed? Of course I did. I grew up in the 1950's & 1960's. I knew all about the Civil Rights Movement, race riots, marches, etc. News about that and the Vietnam War was splayed on TV every day and night. Vietnam was horrible in so many ways, and I was also upset to see so much suffering and injustice in my own country.

But I don't intend on making this a huge political statement. I just think it is WRONG to change words in classic books!! Yes, we all "get it" that there are words that aren't "nice" and that most likely offend some/many people....but we can't go around changing every single word in every single book that offends people!! That's just nuts. Think about it this way....Uh oh! There are words in Gone With the Wind that need to be "updated". They might upset someone! Then there's some in Catcher in the Rye. Oh, and what about Fahrenheit 451, Catch-22, etc.

I Just Don't Get It.

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education." -- Mark Twain

“When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there was before” -- Cliff Fadiman

Happy Monday!

I'm feeling happy and productive today! The "happy" part is usually a daily thing for me, although it waned a little with the passing of my sweet dog last month. The "productive" part has been missing for quite some time, due to various reasons. As of this past weekend, though, I began living.....not a "new" me...but a "renewed" me!

The Ronald bought this coffee cup for me as a Christmas gift after I saw it in Borders.

The outside was cute enough with its curved shape, large handle and Christmasy decor.

 

But when I looked inside and saw what it said, I just had to have it!

It is SO ME!

I received other pretty coffee cups this year, too, and a cute tea pot-tea cup gift set. I'll post photos of them some other time. I just wanted to say a quick Hello for today and to wish everyone a joyous, blissful day!

"There is no try. There is do or do not." (I heard Tommy Smothers say this on a PBS special the other night, but when I looked it up just now, to give proper credit to it, it's attributed to Yoda, from Star Wars!)