Politics

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Politics isn't my forte. You should be able to discern that from my blog topics. However, I do feel compelled to say something about the President's State of the Union address last night.

Another stimulus package is not what this country needs as President Obama proposed last night. It amazes me that when the citizens are screaming for less spending and more careful planning, Washington is determined to spend more. I'm convinced part of the problem is this: Politicians are somewhat separated from the rest of society. They don't generally mingle with the public, and most of them are quite wealthy. Even worse still, many are power hungry. Now, being wealthy is a fine thing. I want to be wealthy someday and am working toward it. I want to give tons of money away to people and organizations that need it when I get to that point. However, when you forget where you came from and forget that people are working hard for their money and decide to steal it from them in the form of increasing tax rates, you've lost touch with reality. I think Washington is full of those sorts of critters.

I think it's time Washington listened. Maybe their ears perked up a little when Republican Scott Brown was elected in Massachusetts last week--a traditionally blue state. People are concerned about the spending going on without our approval. President Obama has a lot of charisma, intelligence, and influence. I hope he can put it all to good use before the next election escorts him to the lame duck seat.

If I didn't know Dave Ramsey isn't interested in a career in politics or the presidency, I'd be the first one in line holding up a sign saying "Dave for President!" We need more common sense in Washington.

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It's break time!

So...I received the last critiques for my first chapter, and by the end of this week, I will be entering the Fire & Ice contest I've been talking about. And now, my break begins. I'm taking two or three weeks off to just relax, watch TV and movies, and read. Yay! This is so exciting.

When you focus on a project to the degree that I have over the last year, it takes something out of you. While I'm not going anywhere or doing anything other than going to work, I am breathing a huge sigh of relief at having an opportunity to do nothing but live for a couple of weeks or so. My creative batteries are begging to be recharged, and I already feel as if a huge weight has been lifted.

Red Velvet Cheesecake

See that? Yeah. That's what I had this weekend. Yum! While I am sometimes disappointed in The Cheesecake Factory's dinner menu since it's so expansive, I am never disappointed in the cheesecake.

I must learn to make this.

Take Another Little Piece of My Heart

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You know the song by Dusty Springfield, "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart"? Yep, that's how I'm feeling.

We've been planning for sometime now to have much of the flooring in our home redone. We had grand plans to finish our downstairs in wood by replacing the carpet in our den and in a small closet. Then, we planned to replace carpet with wood up our staircase, down the upstairs hallway, and maybe even in my writing (bonus) room. Well, today, one of the installers providing an estimate crushed our vision. Yep, that's right. No wood down the hallway or in the writing room due to uneven flooring. Apparently, a main beam runs through that portion of our house, and while the difference is almost undetectable, it does prevent us from putting wood down unless we're willing to add significantly to our bill to level the floor.

I'm not willing. When we sell the house, we will not recoup that money. I might make impulsive decisions sometimes, but this is not one of those times. My frugalista tendencies are taking hold.

In other news, Will and I are thinking of going to the Florida Keys for our vacation this year. And we're talking about--wait for it--driving! We don't typically drive on vacation to go somewhere. Instead, we buy plane tickets and chalk the cost up to convenience. Long car trips are not our thing. But this year, in order to save a little cash for doing things to the house, we may just try it. Yikes!

Not a Lot to Say

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I've been busy the last few days: work, my novel, life. When I get home at night, the novel is taking up the majority of my free time. I'm in the middle of revisions for chapter one in anticipation of entering the Fire & Ice contest I mentioned here earlier. My head is in editing mode--and that includes for work. I wrote some copy this week for our website, and I found myself going back over the lines trying to make the sentences more concise and effective.

I do have plans to celebrate simply finishing the novel this weekend. Some friends are going to join me and Will for dinner. We haven't entirely decided on the dinner location, but it may be a local Irish pub or it may be the Cheesecake Factory. I do love me some cheesecake!

I'm not neglecting the blog. But other things are taking precedence right now. Once I've entered the contest (deadline: January 31st), I do plan to take a couple of weeks off to do nothing but read and watch TV and movies. Season two of Dexter, anyone?

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Write Right

I've been following @TeresaMedeiros on Twitter since I began using the site. In fact, if it weren't for Teresa, I doubt I would've joined Twitter. I'm so glad I did for more than one reason, but one reason I love Twitter are Teresa's "Write Right" tips. She blogged them all in once space last week, and you can find them here.

When I first began seeing these tips, I thought, "Of course! Those are brilliant." It wasn't until this past weekend that I realized just how brilliant they are. You see, two or three of her tips became glaringly obvious to me this weekend. As I finished my novel, this tip rang true: "Expect some resistance when finishing a book. Your subconscious knows it's the end of a great love affair." I was desperate to hit 90,000 words but forgetting that my story was finished. You can't force more story to come. If you do, it likely won't be worth reading. I was resistant to letting it go, so I kept writing despite having "THE END" clearly stamped on the last page.

Related to the resistance portion, Teresa also says, "When the story is over, shut up and write THE END." I did that, but then I made the mistake of going back and adding a chapter. My characters had nothing left to say to me--or anyone else--and they wanted to be left in peace. After rereading Teresa's blog last night, I finally put the final touches on the extra chapter and called the book D-O-N-E. I'm glad I did because now I have the opportunity to go back and rework it, mold it, and make it stronger. It also gives me two weeks to rewrite a chapter for the Fire & Ice contest.

Lesson learned: When the book is over, it's over. Forcing it won't make it any better, and it won't add anything to your story.

Easier Said Than Done

Ever heard the old saying, "It's easier said than done"? I say it all the time.

Turns out it's true.

Remember when I said only a few days ago that as a writer you have to be willing to accept feedback that isn't always positive? Well, it is easier to say you're going to do that than actually do it.

I received some valuable feedback from another writer this weekend. I asked for honest, useful feedback. And I got it. I appreciate everything this person had to say to me. It honestly was valuable to my growth as a writer. This person did me a tremendous favor by taking the time out of a busy schedule to help an aspiring writer. I'm truly blessed to have someone like this in my life.

But you know what? The feedback still stings. Some was positive, some was negative, but as most people know, the negative comments always stick far better than the positive ones. My ego took a hit. That's okay. I probably needed it.

The good news is I know what I need to work on now. I know what I need to do to make my writing better. That's why they call it a "first draft." I allowed myself to wallow on Sunday. Today, I'm ready to tackle it again before the contest deadline. Wish me luck.

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The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Cover of The Help

I can't say enough about how beautiful the story of The Help is. The language is so lyrical and moving. But since it's already been said over and over and over, I'll just leave my thoughts here.

I love how I was able to get into the heads of each of the three main characters. Aibileen, I think, was my favorite. She has a heart of gold and risked everything for the project she took on with Skeeter and Minny. But I think my favorite part of the book is watching the evolvement of the characters--following them on their journey as they begin to understand they are changing the way the people of Jackson, Mississippi think even if it's in a small way. I loved how Skeeter began to change even the way she thought after living as a privileged young white woman for so long.

A character who isn't mentioned much but stuck with me is Skeeter's father. He owned a cotton plantation and had many African American workers. He stuck by each of them, even paying their maid Constantine's rent for years. He never allowed anyone to mistreat them in his presence. In a way, I gathered he was Skeeter's example for how to treat people. He's a quiet presence in the novel, a good man who believed in Civil Rights way before it was a movement.

This book had an impact on me. It caused me to think in ways I hadn't before, and it challenged me. So many books we read are the same story, but this one really reached for something new and different and altering. Kathryn Stockett is an author I look forward to reading for years to come.

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Delete

The picture above perfectly illustrates how I'm feeling about my novel right now. I thought I had a great story, I thought I knew what I was doing, but as it turns out, I was wrong. But just because that's how you're feeling doesn't mean you should toss all of the hard work out the window.

Guess what? Every writer doubts her work. Every. Writer. How do I know this? My knowledge comes from a careful study of writers from all the world. No, really. Just take a gander at the Twitter pages, blogs, or Facebook pages of other writers. Whether the writer is just starting out or has oodles of bestselling novels, she still doubts herself.

I'm convinced this is part of the artistic temperament...this lack of confidence in one's capabilities. I have yet to meet a writer who hasn't experienced moments of doubt. Just last night, I was tweeting back and forth with a fellow aspiring writer. She's nervous about an upcoming conference, not sure if she really belongs there, and wonders if they'll laugh her right out of the building. I told her she has as much right to be there as anyone else.

Let's hope I remember my own advice for the conference I'm attending later this year.

Emerald Isle

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I saw the movie Leap Year last weekend. It's your typical chick flick, and I enjoyed every bit of it. The problem?

I can't get Ireland out of my head now.

Leap Year is like a video postcard for the Emerald Isle much in the same way that The Lake House was for Chicago. It showcases the rolling hills bursting with color, the craggy coastlines, and quaint homes in tiny villages. I fell in love.

I've always wanted to go to Ireland--almost for as long as I can remember. I was a little girl when I discovered my family heritage on my mother's side is Irish, and I've been fascinated by this friendly, lovely, and historic country. And since we travel to Europe about every couple of years, Will and I have already made our 2011 trip decision: we're headed to Ireland and Scotland. Finally, in my 30th year, I will head to our family's homeland. I hope to feel a connection to the country. Yes, it sounds a bit cheesy, but I just know it will feel a bit like home.

Heartbreak

Haiti is suffering a tremendous disaster right now. Unless you live under a rock, you've heard about the 7.0 earthquake that happened Tuesday night. As a part of living like no one else when working Dave Ramsey's baby steps, when you're debt free and able to help, you give.

If you have something to give--$10 or $1,000--there are many Christian ministries, nonprofit organizations, and aid organizations rallying together to help. If you need help finding one, here's a list to help you get started. Please donate to your favorite organization today. The people of Haiti are in desperate need of assistance.

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Writing Contests

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There are writing contests for every genre and subgenre. Never having entered one, I'm about to venture into this pool.

When I first started writing, I had very little knowledge about the publishing industry as a whole. Today, I keep myself informed with publications, blogs, emails, Twitter, and the like. I'm a member of a national organization. I'm a member of a local organization. I'm even a member of a specialty chapter. Being involved in these various formats of the industry has given me insight.

Contests are yet another facet of this industry. Generally speaking, one usually enters a contest of any sort in the hopes of winning. Well, unless you're running a marathon. I don't think anyone really expects to win a marathon. (Or do they?) In the case of writing contests, though, the expectations are somewhat different.

You hope to receive feedback more than actually become a semi-finalist or finalist. Feedback is vital when you're polishing and completing a manuscript. And lucky for the entrants, judges are usually professional editors or writers. If you're fortunate to receive feedback, it will likely be good. And entirely objective.

I'm entering a contest in a few days. It's a big one--at least for the circles in which I network--and I'm excited. I'm also a little intimidated. Is my first chapter professional enough to enter? Do I have a story worth telling? And what if I actually won?

Stay tuned. The results will be announced in April.

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Paying Attention

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I moved to Chicago in June 2006. I was wide-eyed and innocent, not knowing what to expect but thinking there would be lots of new adventures. My very first day of work, I learned an important lesson: Pay attention.

I took the El home that evening and felt quite grown-up and cosmopolitan. Who wouldn't? A small-town girl now living in a big city? I'd hit the big-time.

I rode silently, trying to concentrate on anything but the boredom that comes with a commute in the city. I did notice a strange man who sat next to me on the train. A few minutes later, I also noticed his hand crawling up my bare leg. (I was wearing a skirt.) Completely disgusted and terrified all at once, as soon as I figured out what was going on, I rose from my seat, made a small scene so the other passengers would notice, and moved to sit next to another woman. Thankfully, she stayed with me until Will got to the El stop to pick me up. I'd called him frantically only minutes earlier and asked him to be at the stop waiting.

My purpose of this story? Never stop paying attention. If I hadn't noticed the problem immediately, what might have happened? Would he have followed me home? Could he have had a weapon? While at first glance this seemed like a minor violation of my person, it shook me up pretty badly--especially since I hadn't spent much time in a city before that.

In life, sometimes we forget to pay attention to our surroundings. While life is passing us by, we miss opportunities and potential for success. Take a moment, get off the train, and look around. You might be surprised by what you find...like a young woman willing to take a stranger by the hand and comfort her in a moment of panic.

New Year's Goals

It's that time of year again.

You know. The gym fills up. Weight Watchers is making money. And the exercise infomercials are in full force.

I've been asked several times what my New Year's resolutions are. Guess what? I don't make resolutions. I make goals. The difference? Goals are measurable and attainable. Resolutions are just things you'd like to do, might do, but probably won't ever get around to actually accomplishing.

My big, important, must-do goal for this year is to completely finish the book (revisions and proofreading d-o-n-e) and have it on submission in several different places--if not already accepted and a deal done. Ambitious, yes?

Not really. It's measurable. I have a way to determine progress.

Where does my progress stand right now? I typed "The End" this weekend. The story is complete. I still have some gaps to fill in, and I may need to write an additional chapter. But the good news is I am really, truly finished with this book. All that's really left is the editing and revising. What a relief!

Can I make it? Will I have a deal before the year is out? Stay tuned!

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