Hanging On for Dear Life

I feel like this gray bear, hanging on for dear life, while my days go speeding along.

(photo courtesy: artymiss.com)

 I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. I'm grateful for my busy life. I love what I do. Every now and then, though, I get a little overwhelmed with so many things on my "To Do List." Prioritize, you say? Sometimes that's easier said than done. Lately the worst part is that even when I'm exhausted at night, and climb into bed, my mind won't shut down. Not only does it not shut down, it zips from topic to topic, staying barely long enough for me to promise myself I'll remember in the morning, or to sit up and jot myself a note:

I really need to finish that greeting card I started making last week.

Don't forget to call so-and-so tomorrow.

Oh, remember that e-mail that needs a reply.

How many bills do I still need to pay?

I've got to get back to that one chapter I'm trying to complete.

There are about 5 contests I wanted to enter....When were those deadlines?

I think we're out of clean bath towels. Better throw a load in the washer when I get up.

And sometimes I do get up and begin any number of those projects, even if it's 3:00 am.

I think this is something many of us have in common. What are the answers? I'd love to hear suggestions!

Oh...Hello & Welcome to my two newest followers: DeanO and Amanda Holtom!

“Chance can allow you to accomplish a goal every once in a while, but consistent achievement happens only if you love what you are doing.” -- Bart Conner

Saturday Night Thoughts

Have you ever written to a famous writer? I have, and to more than just one. And guess what? More than just one actually wrote back to me!

Before the days of e-mail, I either hand wrote or typed letters, expressing my love of their newest book, or their writing style. In one case, it was to tell the author how much her autobiography meant to me. How after reading what she went through in a terrible point in her life, helped me to have the courage to do something I desperately needed to do. And I did hear back from her!

There were a couple of others that besides expressing my love of their writing and their fictional characters, I included sample writings of my own, asking for advice. (Sometimes it helps to just be plain naive' or a little self-promoting!)

In the past ten years or so, I've written to seven authors.....and I heard back from five!

*Sunday afternoon note: Just wanted to add that I would never send an entire manuscript to anyone, without a request for it. I knew not to do that, even when I was a new and naive writer....now, let's say a 400 word story, that's different! And I'm NOT suggesting anyone should do that sort of thing, either. I'm just sharing something that I did when I didn't know any better....But hey, sometimes taking the road less traveled is the best road in life. 

What about you? Have YOU written to any famous writers?

"How can I believe in God when just last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of an electric typewriter?" -- Woody Allen

Writers News Shorts

Why is this post called Writers News Shorts? 'Cause this is all I got for tonight! ☺

WOOF (Women Only Over Fifty!) They're looking for stories!!

Six Questions For... On this blog, Jim Harrington asks...you guessed it.....6 questions, and gets 6 awesome answers from editors, agents and publishers. If you look at his right column and scroll to Past Posts, you'll discover small presses and publishers you've most likely never heard of. If you've had trouble finding "the right place" to submit your writing....you might just find it there.

"A single dream can launch the journey of a lifetime." -- Unknown

Paying It Forward & Winter Contests

A week ago today I wrote a post about Paying It Forward and Random Acts of Kindness.  The first five people who responded with a comment, saying they would like to participate, will be receiving something homemade from me. They are: TK Richardson, Kathy Matthews, Estrella, Sioux, and a new blog friend, Jen Daiker! I'm not super creative, so please don't expect anything fancy!  Also, please e-mail your mailing address to me, and I plan to have your items made and sent by the end of February.Ooooh, the pressure is on!

Also, Hello & Welcome to my two newest followers: Rose Cooper, and Antonio! I hope you always enjoy whatever you see here.

I have different topics I wanted to include tonight, but I recently found out about 2 contests that are nearing their deadlines. I'm sure that every one of my writer friends could come up with something to submit, because there's both fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, essays, articles & prose. Give it a look. You just may start off your year with a winning entry!

Winter Flash Fiction Contest: Short fiction, open theme (no porn or gore) 500 words or fewer. Free critique upon request. Enter online or by mail. Fee: $7 per entry or 3 for $20 (limit 3 entries). Prizes: First - $100, second - $50, and third - $25. Winning entry posted, winner profiled on website. Deadline: postmarked Feb. 10. Info at: www.thewritehelper.com.

Dead of Winter Nonfiction Contest: Memoir, essays, articles, prose. Must be nonfiction of 2,500 words or fewer. Free critique upon request. Enter online or by mail. Fee: $10 per entry, limit 3 entries. Prizes: First - $150, second - $75, and third - $50. Winning entry posted, winner profiled on website. Deadline: postmarked Feb. 10. Info at: www.thewritehelper.com.

"If you want to write, write. This is your life. You are responsible for it. You will not live forever. Don’t wait. Make the time now, even if it is ten minutes once a week." — Natalie Goldberg

* Groundhog Day *

(This is a repeat from last year. I love this movie and it just seems appropriate to repeat it.....ba-dum-dum!)

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!

And now, a few words and photos from one of my favorite movies: "Groundhog Day", starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.

"Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cold out there today."

"Hey now, don't you tell me you don't remember me 'cause I sure as heckfire remember you."



"NEEDLE-NOSE NED?...NED RYERSON?" ..... "BING!"

"IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL! ..... LET'S LIVE HERE!"

(photos courtesy imdb.com and archive.dailypicture.net)

"Love is the answer. Shine on us all. Set us free. Love is the answer." -- EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
(P.S. I know this song is not used in the movie, but I love the music and lyrics, and it's perfect for the ending. Bill Murray's character is finally set free....when he realized love was the answer.)

** It's Begun **

This is the little picture that my AOL Weather Box has on it for today. I've never seen so many different symbols for ONE DAY of weather before! I think the weather forecasters just may be right. It's already begun sleeting and freezing rain here. I'm all nice and warm and safe inside. Got lots of firewood, my little transistor radio, pens and pencils and paper, flashlights and candles. What more could a writer ask for?? Well, I also have water and diet soda....OH, and wine.....ooohhhh, I better make up a few pots of coffee and tea, and try to keep them warm, too...Just in case, ya know!  

Wherever you are.....Stay warm and safe and blissfully serene!

(And I feel the need to post the same quote as yesterday's. It just fits so well.)

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." — John Steinbeck (Travels with Charley: In Search of America

* The Quiet Before the Storm *

According to every one of our local weather forecasters, and even The Weather Channel, a huge section of the country is going to get pounded with ice, sleet, freezing rain, thunder snow, wind, and blizzard conditions. And that includes where I live. The local guys and gals keep referring to the "Blizzard of '82", and that's 1982, which I definitely remember. And they've also mentioned the ice storm of 2006, which I obviously remember, too. (I'm not totally short term memory challenged!)

Anyway, I'm ready to be inside for the next few days. Writing. Blogging. Possibly cleaning house...but I doubt it. Maybe do a little laundry..maybe. But mostly, I'm going to WRITE. I am so into getting my memoir finished, and now that the Saturday Writers first meeting of the new year is in the history books, I can relax and breathe....at least for a few days!! If you'd like to know more about Saturday Writers, please click on the link and you'll be at our new blog. I'll be updating it while our website is being revamped and brought up to date.

A big welcome and thank you to my two newest followers: Melissa Ann Goodwin & Kim Sloggett! Thanks so much for stopping by and wanting to come back from time to time!

Have a beautiful, blissful week everyone.....and stay warm and cozy...wherever you are!

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." — John Steinbeck (Travels with Charley: In Search of America)

* Pay It Forward *

This evening, while scrolling through the list of blogs I follow, I found "Pay It Forward" on The Wright Stuff. What a wonderful idea!

~The Rules~

ME:  I will create something handmade to send to the First Five People who leave a comment on this post saying they would like to participate!

YOU:  To play along you must be willing to repost this and do the same, offering something handmade to five other people. (At this part of The Rules, it didn't say the five people must be the first five to leave a comment on your blog, but that seems to be the thing to do.)

ME:  So, I left a comment on The Wright Stuff and if I'm correct, I was the fifth person! Yay! That means I'll get something homemade from her!

YOU & ME, BOTH:  All handmade "gifts" will be sent sometime in 2011. Mine will be sent by the end of February...or else I'll forget! ☺

Here's how she describes herself in her Profile: "I am a writer, an artist and a dreamer. I am on a journey following my heart. It promises to take me to some incredibly exciting places. Won't you join me?"

Wow! Sounds like my kind of person!.....Except for that artist part....me...not so much!
So what about you? Would you like to share your creativity with a few others? If you're not artistic (see above!) you could send a  handwritten poem or a handmade greeting card. I think it sounds like a wonderful, giving idea!

I was involved in a different Pay It Forward adventure a month or so ago, but I didn't blog about it because I didn't want it to look like I was bragging...but then something really cool happened a week ago...and I decided to share it. BUT, that will have to wait for another day, because this post is just about this particular giving of your time and talent to make someone else smile. Kind of a random act of kindness....which I so love....even if it's just to smile at a stranger in the grocery store....ya know?
"Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it." -- Anais Nin