Caught
What’s Jack up to? He’s admiring all the snow that I’m coming to loathe. Enough already with this winter thing. Is it over yet? Come on, another snow storm? Another snow day? Waa Whine…
So, I’m happy to say Katie was not telling tales when she made Lisa Kleypas’ Blue Eyed Devil one of her top picks for 2008. I finished the book the night before last and I can’t tell you all how disappointed I was that it was actually over.There I was at 11:30 at night looking around with at least a hundred other unread books in my house, but sad that I didn’t have another Lisa Kleypas just like this one to begin reading right at that moment. Don’t you love it when that happens?
It was refreshing to read a straight contemporary for a change. No mystery, magic, shape shifters or vampires. No deep tales of angst or melancholy. Just a good romance with an intriguing heroine and sexy rake (yep, a contemporary rake) of a hero with all sorts of trouble getting in the way of their love.The tension was kept so high. There was one suspenseful moment where I was so into the book and it just so happens something fell in another room of the house and I actually jumped. Eek! Like a little girl. That never happens to me. (note to self: keep the tension high)Well done! Thanks for the recommendation, Katie. I’ve turned into a huge Lisa Kleypas fan. The woman can write right.Best,KwanaI’m Shuffling as Fast as I Can
What a week this has been. We started out with one president and ended up with another one entirely. Hooray for new beginnings!
This girl is wiped out. All the celebrating combined with my usual running around and the the winter that just won’t quit and now I think I may have the beginnings of something sinister. A cold, flu or whatever. All I want to do is hibernate. But sorry that’s some other woman’s life. Me? I’ve got dishes to wash, a dog to walk, kids to chauffeur and oh yeah…writing to do. That’s my “job” right?
If we could just get a few days in a row above freezing and this darn snow would melt I’m sure I’d feel better. The word is it will get above freezing today then a steady drop back down after that. Oh well. At least the holly tree outside my bedroom window is pretty.
And Jack sure is cute if not extremely high maintenance. Hey, you plan on calming down anytime soon, Dude? No? Ok. I was just asking. Moving on. I’m getting up right now. No need to keep shaking the bed.
Have a great weekend everyone. If I think of anything moderately interesting to say, I’ll share. Heck, if I think of anything to say at all, I’ll share it. You know I can’t hold my water.Best,
KwanaThis Time They Got Me Right
Now this time (as opposed to the last time) blogthings got me just right with their quiz on what type of writer you should be. Of course there is one hitch. I don’t know a thing about film writing. Hmmm…
You Should Be a Film Writer
You don’t just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!
Best,
KwanaFirst Monday
What’s Jack up to? He’s back to looking out the window with an unobstructed view now that the Christmas tree is down. I’m thinking he’s wondering where everyone’s gotten off to since the kids are back to school and we once again can get back to a bit of a routine and have the house back for a few hours of the day. Yay! Oops, I’m sorry was that un-p.c. of me?So
how are you on this first Monday of the New Year?Are you excited about it or does it feel like any other Monday?I feel a certain amount of wide eyed optimism that I guess any hopeless dreamer always has. A full 360 days to tackle my goals of writing, diet, exercise, my home, my family the list goes on and on. But you know what? I’m not going to think about those 360 days left in the year. Way too daunting.
I’m going to take it one day at a time and remember to dream a little each day so I can stay optimistic and not get too bogged down.
How are you going to tackle this First Monday?
Best,Kwanaimage: Pablo Picasso ‘The Dream’
Turning the Page
What’s Jack up to? Mr. Jack is a missing the DH after the Christmas Holiday. I’m just not as playful. Sorry Jack. I’ve got to step up my game.If you’re like me, and I suspect a few of you are, you get excited over the opening of a crisp new book. So sweet!So like a fruitcake, I spent a good deal of time on Sunday searching for the perfect new daily planner to help organize these days that seem to always get away from me. I also had way too much trouble finding inserts for my Filofax which I’ve had for years for all the family appointments. See I’m big on writing things down and if it doesn’t make it into that red book, well, we don’t make it where we need to be. Organizing a family is not easy. Can I get an amen?
One of my Christmas gifts this year was a new Blackberry which should arrive any day. The DH feels this should answer all my organizing needs. Now I love him dearly, but he should know by now that you can never pry the pen from a writer’s hand.Are you ringing in the New Year by turning a new page? I sure am. Think of all the wonderful possibilities of a clean slate. That first moment of infinite ability.Best,KwanaBravo
The One Sock Moment
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s been cool today. Thankfully, no running around the block, so no complaints from me. I won’t even mention the paper towels he shredded after I swept the kitchen. He’s lucky he’s so darn cute.
Here’s my sock.
Yep, it’s just one. That’s all I’ve got. Part of me feels like, hey, at least I’ve finished this one. Knit it myself and that’s a big enough accomplishment. I can always alternate feet. Right one day, left the other. No good? Yeah, you’re probably right. The problem is I’m at that one sock moment. You know that point of too far to turn back, but just far enough to want to.
We’ve all been there I’m sure. You decide you’re going to finally tackle organizing your closet. So you pull all the crap out and at about 4 hours into it you look at the tornado that’s now your bedroom and realize you still have about 5 hours of work and want to cry. Or maybe your one sock moment goes a little deeper. What if you’re 50,000 words into your 100,000 word manuscript and realize the direction is all wrong? Or 2 1/2 years into that 5 year career plan and realize you’re at a fork in the road. Or dare I say it? You’re at the halfway point of a lifetime of togetherness and just feeling blah.
So what’s the next step when you really don’t feel like taking the expected step?
Don’t look to me for the answer. I’m tired of this sock. Right now I’m going to have a quickie with a hat.
Best,
Kwana
Guest Blogger- Roberta Isleib
Today we’ve got a treat on KwanaWrites, a guest blogger, Roberta Iselib who is here to share a few secrets with us. Take it away Roberta!
Six Secrets for Keeping Your Sanity While Chasing Your Dream (Writing, that is!)
Clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib has just seen her eighth novel published i
n seven years. ASKING FOR MURDER is the third book in the series featuring advice columnist/psychologist Rebecca Butterman. Roberta’s also wrapping up her year of service as president of National Sisters in Crime.In ASKING FOR MURDER (Berkley, 2008), Dr. Rebecca Butterman’s dear friend, a sandplay therapist, is found badly beaten and left for dead. Rebecca’s determined to help search for answers. With a would-be killer on the loose, she can only hope the clues are buried within easy reach. Think: best friends, crazy families, and the mysteries of sandplay therapy.
ROBERTA: Thanks for agreeing to host me on your blog Kwana! It’s hard to believe eight books have come out since SIX STROKES UNDER in 2002. I promised I’d try to pull together some of the things I’ve learned over this time and here they are, in no particular order.
MAKE A PLAN: As I begin a book, I look ahead to the due date and figure out how many pages I’ll need to write each week in order to hand it in on time. I build in time for trips and family and time for my writers group to read and critique, and then time for me to rewrite. Then I have a page goal for each week. I write until I’ve hit the goal, sometimes even getting a little ahead. If I have an unproductive day, it just means writing a little faster later in the week to keep up.
HAMMER IT OUT: Get it all down, even if it’s awful. You can always go back and fix things later. Anne Lamott called this “the shitty first draft”—she had it right!
SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGH: As a psychologist, I know the importance of having “big goals” for my subconscious to aim at. So I keep a copy of the NY Times bestseller list pasted up over my computer. Then I forget about it and work on the books word by word…
FIND A BALANCE: The business part of writing is hard–the part I have no control over. I can produce a fabulous book, but unless the publisher is really behind it and I have a bit of luck somewhere along the line, it’s unlikely to be a commercial success. That’s why I do as much as I can to promote, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my writing! I want to be able to say I gave it my all without killing myself in the process.
MANAGE YOUR PROCRASTINATION SOFT SPOTS: I’m still learning that I don’t have to answer every email the second it arrives! If I’m having trouble concentrating, best approach for me is to turn the email off and look at it as a reward for when I’ve reached my word count goal.
YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FRIENDS: Writing can be such a lonely, discouraging business. I’ve gotten very involved with mystery organizations (Sisters in Crime and MWA, and joined Roman
ce Writers and Yahoo groups such as Fiction That Sells. The friends I’ve met there have saved my sanity and supported me endlessly along the way.TAKE YOUR TIME: Don’t rush off too soon to try to get your work published. This business is extremely competitive so it’s crucial to have your writing polished before sending it out. The Internet makes querying too easy—don’t press send until you’re sure the piece is the best it can be. I have lots of info on my website about agents and getting published and some of the scams writers fall for. Read it over when you’re ready. http://www.robertaisleib.com/
Wonderful advice! Thanks so much for guest blogging here today Roberta. Stop back anytime. Everyone check out Roberta and her amazing books. You won’t be disappointed.
Best,
KwanaP.S. Scroll down for “reality” rundown
Time keeps slipping…
What’s Jack up to? Jack’s had a fun weekend of food and friends and even a bit of bbq so I’m hoping he’ll be a little less snappish today. We shall see.
The Olympics have ended and today begins the Democratic National Convention which I’ll probably be way too into (see below). I can’t seem to help myself it feels way too big. Cut to me bleary eyed in the morning.
In a little over a week my Dear Twins will be back in school. The start of the new school year always feels kind of like New Years to me. A brand new beginning and with it all the pressures. I’m currently reading TIME TO WRITE by Kelly L. Stone when I actually have time to read. It’s all about time management for writers. I’ve vowed that when the kids are back in school I’m all about getting on a solid writing schedule. I really have to. The summer has taken it’s toll on me and if I’m going to make this work then time management is key.What are your back to school rituals?
Best,
Kwana
