Friday, April 29, 2011

Texting Confusion

The letter Y stands for Yes ... or does it stand for Why?

Have you ever had a texting exchange with a teenager, or worse yet, an adult?  Teenagers understand the shorthand lingo of texting. And, I don't mean LOL. I mean things like: RU L8 

When adults parents attempt to keep up the fast exchange with their teenagers sometimes they use the shorthand incorrectly. For example: My daughter texted a question to me. I texted back: Y ... for YES. She texted back with an explanation of WHY she asked the question. I texted back the full word: YES.

K?

Thursday, April 28, 2011

X Marks the Spot

The letter X stands for bookmark ... right? ... because X marks the spot, and a bookmark saves our spot in our favorite book.

Do you use a bookmark? Or do you fold down corners?

I love bookmarks. I even have a fun collection of them. However, to be honest with you, when I'm reading a hardback book, I simply use the folded edge of the jacket cover to keep my page.

Do you have a favorite type of bookmark?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wannetta

The letter W stands for family.

What?!

Yes, really. The letter W stands for Wannetta, who is my mother.  My grandmother's mother came across the plains and a young Native American girl helped her. The girl's name was Wannetta. My great grandmother was so impressed with her that she named her daughter Dortha Wannetta. My grandmother named her daughter Wannetta May. My mother named me Margo Wannetta. I named my daughter Katherine Wannetta.

Family traditions ... and the origins of them. :)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Voice ...

The letter V is for Voice.

A challenging topic in the world of writing - - feel free to click on the voice tag in the sidebar for previous posts, but here is one of my favorites:

CRAFT: Voice

Monday, April 25, 2011

STUBBORN

The letters S - T - U are for STUBBORN.

Yes, I almost quit this silly A-Z blogfest challenge. Holy Hannah. But, I woke up in the middle of the night with the perfect word to stay in and catch up. Stubborn. I will not quit this close to the end!! I will be stubborn and stick this sucker out. So, yes, I may have fallen, and you may consider this cheating, but I'm getting back up and finishing this marathon.

So ... there.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Restless Lip Syndrome

The letter R is for Restless Lip Syndrome.

Seriously ... this crazy A-Z blogfest challenge is kicking my butt challenging me.

Today, let's turn to the Urban Dictionary (urbandictionary.com) for a little help:

Restless Lip Syndrome


When a person keeps interrupting a conversation and can't keep their mouth shut.

Chris has to come my house to drink because when we're at his house, Linda's Restless Lip Syndrome prevents us from carrying on a conversation.

by HB Brother From Another Mother Sep 29, 2009

...
Hmm, I think I have this disorder.
...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Quitters

The letter Q stands for Quitters.

The old adage says: Quitters never win, and winners never quit.

Is that true? Always?

Can you think of a time in your life that you QUIT something, and you experienced a winning result because of your action? I can.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Point of View

The letter P stands for Point of View.

(repost)

Frankly, I think writing in FIRST person point of view is MUCH easier than writing in third person. Why?


Here's my number one reason:

When referring to parents, do you write:

1. Abby's mother
2. Her mother
3. Mom

According to "Uncle Orson's Writing Class" (click here) you should use Mom (basically). To quote: "You refer to the parents by the names or titles that the point of view character would use."

But ... according to Meg Chittenden (click here) you should use her mother (basically). To quote: "She was getting sick of her mom yelling at her for something that wasn't her fault."

What's your vote?

I'm going with Uncle Orson.

Monday, April 18, 2011

OOPS! There Goes Another Rubber Tree Plant!

The letter O stands for OOPS!

Whether it is sung by Frank Sinatra or Doris Day or someone else ... the song, HIGH HOPES, can lighten and brighten your day! :)

Next time you're found with your chin on the ground
There's a lot to be learned so look around
Just what makes that little ol' ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant can't
Move a rubber tree plant


But he's got high hopes... he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes
So any time you're getting low
'Stead of letting go,
Just remember that ant.

Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.

When troubles call and your back's to the wall
There's a lot to be learned, that wall could fall.
Once there was a silly ol' ram,
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam;
No one could make that ram scram,
He kept buttin' that dam

But he's got high hopes... he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes
So any time you're feeling bad
'Stead of feeling sad
Just remember that ram.

Oops there goes a billion kilowatt
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam!

So keep your high hopes, keep your high hopes.
Keep your high apple pie in the sky hopes.

A problem's just a toy balloon
They'll be bursting soon
They're just bound to go POP!

Oops there goes another problem kerplop.
Oops there goes another problem kerplop.
Oops there goes another problem kerplop.

Kerplop!

What are your HIGH HOPES for today, this week, this year?

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Never Judge a Book by its Cover

The letter N stands for Never ...

... never judge a book by its cover.

I'm actually talking about teenage boys. They carry themselves a certain way on the outside, but there is so much more going on, on the inside.

Here's a follow up to a previous post (LIFE) about the drunk driving program that was conducted at my children's high school.

My 17-yr-old son came home on Thursday, and I asked him how the assembly went. He shrugged his shoulders and tried to change the subject. I brought him back to the topic and told him I'd like to hear how it went. He listed out the facts, the schedule, the speakers, the people I knew. He said, "It was weird." I prodded him more with questions, and he finally explained how by the end a lot of girls were crying.

"Only girls?" I asked.
"Well, only the girls were noticeable. No guy would want to cry in that situation."
"Right ... " I said.
"But there was definitely a lot of nose wiping and sniffing from everyone."
"Did it make you emotional?" I asked.
"Oh yeah. It was pretty uncomfortable."

He's an awesome young man. Maybe the program did have an impact.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Mother Teresa Quote

We are half way through the April A-Z Blogfest Challenge. Whew. Are we done yet? I still have hundreds of blogs to visit. How many have you visited today? Thanks for stopping by here!

The letter M stands for
Mother Teresa.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
...

Thursday, April 14, 2011

LIFE and Death?

The letter L stands for LIFE.

As a writer of YA fiction, I love to observe the young adults around me and their reactions to life ... and death.  This week at school, they are participating in a program entitled: Every 15 Minutes

Parents received warning emails about the program. The email asked us to not talk to our youth beforehand but be prepared to talk to them at the end of each day. It's a two day process. Wednesday, kids were pulled out of class by a grim reaper. Their faces were painted white, and they were not allowed to speak to anyone the rest of the day. They are the walking dead. There was an assembly with a staged car accident (in the middle of the football field) with real students posing as the victims. Police, firefighters, EMTs, and a helicopter were all called in to handle the situation.

My middle child, a 16-yr-old son, was the first to arrive home today. I asked him how the assembly was. He laughed as he told me how cool the car accident was, with victims everywhere. His favorite part was the helicopter. I asked him if he thought it was funny. He said of course it was, because it wasn't real. He said the adults were just trying to scare them, but they all knew it wasn't real. So, it was funny.  I tried to explain to him why it wasn't funny.

My youngest child, a 14-yr-old daughter, arrived home next. I asked her the same questions. She said it felt really weird having the kids called out of class and designated as dead. Then her eyes got wide as she told me that a friend of our family was one of the "victims" today. My son laughed. My daughter scolded him telling him it wasn't funny. That it could really happen. She went on to tell me that the victims didn't get to go home that night. They had to sleep somewhere else.

Then, my daughter had friends come over for a class project. One of the friends is the brother of the "victim." I asked him how that felt. He shrugged his shoulders like it was no big deal. I asked him if his brother really couldn't go home. He said that was right, but that all of the victims got to go to a place called "Fast Lanes" and drive cars and have a blast. I asked him if his parents were told ahead of time. He said they've known for two months this was going to happen.

My oldest child, a 17-yr-old son, came home later. He thought it was all kind of funny, too. And he thought it was cool all the victims got to go to Fast Lanes. I asked him why it was funny. He said it was because they don't drink, so they know it would never happen to them.

Well ... it could ... if he was texting, talking, joking, or otherwise distracted while driving ... or even in the other car that gets hit.

I understand the purpose of this program, but I'm not sure it's hitting home with the boys. Maybe it is with the girls, because they're all about drama ...

It will be interesting to see how the kids feel about the program when it's finished. However, my younger two will be heading to a State Speech Tournament tomorrow; so they will miss the rest of the program. My older son will be there, however.

Thursday more kids will be pulled out of class, their faces painted white, and labeled as the walking dead. Police Officers will read the obituaries written by their parents. Videos will be shown to the students.

Life and Death.

Every 15 Minutes.

Do you think these programs are helpful? Or do you think the adults are kidding themselves?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A ...KOOKY... Book Review

The letter K stands for KOOKY
(which means krazy, in a kick-butt kind of way).


Monday, while riding in a car for a gazillion hours, I had the opportunity to listen to a computer voice read a book from a Kindle (oh ... wait ... maybe K stands for KINDLE!). HA. That alone deserves the KOOKY award.

If you are driving a car by yourself - do NOT attempt to listen to a Kindle book aloud. It will put you into a coma within five minutes.

Luckily, for me, I had already read twenty-five pages into the book the previous night. So, I already had a feel for the language and voice of the book.

It's a krazy kooky pompous farce. Absolutely hilarious.

For example:

"That young man with the long, auburn hair and the impudent face--that young man was not really a poet; but surely he was a poem. That old gentleman with the wild, white beard and the wild, white hat--that venerable humbug was not really a philosopher; but at least he was the cause of philosophy in others" (THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY by GK Chesterton).

A friend of mine thinks the book is dumb. But, I think it's hilarious. The reviews on goodreads.com are almost as funny as the book itself. One guy said he lost his backpack because of this book. Another person gave the book five stars, but said the story made no sense.

KOOKY.

Have you read anything hilarious lately?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Jealousy

The letter J stands for JEALOUSY.
Blech.

*head desk*

Really? Should I admit this to the blog-o-sphere? Say it outloud? Type it for the whole world to see?

I am jealous.

I am jealous of the writers who get it right on their first draft, their first query, their first deal, their first book, their first movie, their first diet, their first car, their first dental exam, their first lottery ticket, their first everything.

But then ... people probably look at me and think, "WOW! I'm so jealous of HER! She has a perfect husband, perfect children, a perfect dog, a perfect marriage, a perfect house, a perfect personality. She has it all!"

BWahahahahahaha

Okay. I feel so much better now.

Tomorrow, maybe I'll post on kindness. Maybe.

Tell the truth ... are you jealous of anything?

Monday, April 11, 2011

IF ...

The letter I stands for IF.

Yeah. Yeah. That's right. The word is IF.

Simply because:

** If I misspell one more word verification word, I might have to shoot something.
** If I don't get over my chest cold soon, I might have to shoot something.
** If I don't go grocery shopping soon, I might have to shoot something.

... but at least then, we'd have something to eat.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Highlighters

The letter H is for Highlighters.

Yes ... that little inky tool. Yes ... I'm going to write a whole blog post about it.

If you are a writer, there are so many great uses for highlighters. A while back I had read that during revisions, a writer would cut apart her printed manuscript and organize it by characters to make sure the writing was consistent. I read somewhere else that another writer did something similiar during revisions for dialogue.

That all sounds great - - but a bit too ambitious for me.

Then, I realized, I could do something similiar with highlighters! So, here's what's happening for my current revision process/project:
1. I revise the ms (about 15 pages at a time)
2. First critique partner rips it apart
3. I revise again
4. Second cp rips it apart
5. I revise again
6. I print it out
7. I highlight the passages. I have a different color highlighter for each significant character in my story.
8. I three hole punch the pages and put into a binder.
9. I am letting those pages sit as I continue the revise/critique/revise/critique/revise process 15 pages at a time. (I know, seems like a long tedious process. But it really is working well.)
10. Once all of the pages are printed and highlighted in the binder, then I will do one more revision. I will go through working on ONE COLOR at a time, making sure the character traits, dialogue, and voice are distinct and consistent.

I'll let you know how it works. Feel free to tell me if you think I'm nutso, or if you have a better system. I'm not cutting apart the pages and taping them to my wall. I've seen pictures of writers who do that!

Here's another great use for highlighters in the writer's life ...

When reading a book on the craft of writing, I am in love with these:


I don't think I can read a "craft" book without one any more! I use the highlighter tip to mark a passage, tip, or tool that strikes me. Then, if something really stands out that I want to implement into my own writing right away, I tag the page with one of the little post-it notes. No more pages with folded corners! YAY. I love these pens!!

What do you use a highlighter for?

Friday, April 8, 2011

GASP! - Conversation Overheard


The letter G is for GASP!

Okay ... my regular followers know I like to eavesdrop ... really, who doesn't? Truth!

Wednesday, I had to pull my daughter from school for an orthodontist appointment (a-whole-nother story). While I was walking from the parking lot to the entrance of the school, I eavesdropped on the two teenage boys walking behind me.

Conversation caught in the middle:

Guy with two ear rings: Can't he drive you?
Guy in purple jacket: No! My brother can't drive anywhere now.
GWTER: Why?
GIPJ: The last time he drove he killed someone.
GWTER: What!?
GIPJ: Yeah, but it's no big deal. It wasn't his fault.
GWTER: Who died? Someone in his car?
GIPJ: No. The other guy who hit him.
GWTER: Died?
GIPJ: Yeah. He was on a motorcycle, and he hit my brother's car.
GWTER: Is your brother in trouble?
GIPJ: No. Worst he'll get is involuntary manslaughter. But, it wasn't his fault.

GASP!

Seriously? Someone is dead and GIPJ was only focusing on the fact that it wasn't his brother's fault.

It makes me wonder if our teenagers are desensitized to death and violence. They see so MUCH more of it than previous generations.

I wanted to turn around and shake him.

When we reached the doors, I held it open for him so I could get a good look at his face. He was not joking. His face was sad. Maybe that's just the way teenage boys talk, or justify in their heads, or avoid emotion; but OH. MY. GASP!


Are teenagers desensitized to death?

Thursday, April 7, 2011

First Two Pages

(repost)

The letter F is for the First Two Pages (of your manuscript).

In October 2010, I attended two of Suzie Townsend's (awesome literary agent) classes at a writers' conference, and I gained insight and ideas from each of them. Loved them.

First, she offered a Workshop Class on how to make your first two pages really stand out from the slush. Here are my notes:

As soon as possible:
1. Establish your character and voice
2. Establish the conflict and move the story forward
3. Establish the tone
4. Establish an indication of setting
5. Catch the reader off guard - to grab them and keep them reading

Goals of first two pages:
1. Create interest in the character and the plot
2. Create intrigue
3. Create investment

Anticipate the pauses when someone is reading and make these your paragraph breaks.

Then she read many pages from participants and critiqued them. Imagine American Idol. (But Suzie is SUPER NICE, unlike Simon.) That was very productive.


What tips do you have for making the first two pages fantastic?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Example - What Kind do You Set?

The letter E is for Example!


"Setting an example is not the main means for influencing another, it is the only means." - Albert Einstein

"The old begin to complain of the conduct of the young when they themselves are no longer able to set a bad example." - Francois de la Rouchefoucauld

“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” - Francis Bacon, Sr.

"Setting a good example for your children takes all the fun out of middle age." - William Feather

Do you care what kind of example you set for others?
Are you aware of how your actions influence those around you?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Dresses - What's the Special Occasion?

...
The letter D is for Dresses.

I took my daughter (almost 15 years old) out dress shopping on Saturday. Not clothes shopping. But specifically dress shopping. Why? Because she wanted a new dress.

Several times while shopping, employees asked, "Oh! What's the special occassion?"

My daugher answered, "I just want a new dress."

The employees all responded with scrunched eyebrows and baffled expressions.

Monday morning, my daughter and I went to get our hair cut. The wonderful hairdresser was very kind and asked how our weekend was. My daughter very excitedly told her of the new gorgeous dress she found. The hairdresser asked, "Oh! What's the special occassion?"

My daughter simply said, "I just wanted a new dress."

Why does there have to be a special occassion now-a-days for a dress? I know the style is torn jeans with decorated back pockets topped off with a t-shirt from A&F ... but really ... when did dresses go out of style?

I remember a photograph of my mother when she was about my daughter's age. My mother smiled when she showed it to me. I asked her why the photo made her smile.


My mother tapped the photo with her finger and said, "Those were my first pair of pants." (She and all her friends had only worn dresses and skirts prior ... it was the 1950's.)


Two generations later ... many girls don't even own a dress.




Do you know a teenage girl who wears dresses for no special occassion?

I do. But they're not the "norm."


Photo credits: Top photo from JCPenney.com (not my daughter, and not the dress she chose); Bottom photo from thefashionspot.com (not my mom, but similar clothes!)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Chocolate ... and other important "C" words


The letter C stands for Chocolate.
Of course ... what else could it possibly stand for?

Well, I suppose, it could also stand for:

Of course ... the letter C could stand for a lot of words ... but frankly, I choose:



What is your favorite chocolate?

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Better Blogging

The letter B stands for Blogging.

Would you like to increase your blog traffic and the number of followers? Here are a few simple tips:

1. Follow Back: When someone follows your blog - follow them back.
2. Comment Back: When someone comments on your blog - comment on their blog.
3. Shorten Your Post Length: We want to visit a lot of blogs, and when there's a LONG post, it slows the process down.
4. Silence the Autoplay Music: It's fine to have a playlist or player, but give your visitors the option to hit play rather than requiring them to hit stop.
5. Eliminate the Word Verification: Do you REALLY need it? Again, it slows the process down.
6. Make Sure You are Follow-able: (ha ha - Strunk and White would hurt me for my word usage, I'm sure.) When we click on your name or on your little picture, can we follow you back to your blog? Check it.
7. Post Regularly: You define how often, but when someone visits your blog and you haven't posted in two months - - what's the motivation for them to ever return?

What is your Best tip for Blogging?

Friday, April 1, 2011

Awards!

The letter A stands for AWARDS!

First, let me explain that for the month of April, I will be participating in the A-Z blog fest. Which means: I will post Monday through Saturday with a blog topic starting with the letter of the day. There will be 26 posts, and considering there are 26 letters in the alphabet - - that works out well. ha. Now, if you want to partcipate, CLICK HERE and holy hannah ... I'm number 175 on a list of 958 participants. Could you just IMAGINE if our followers increased by that number?! That would BE AWESOME! Wait ... maybe the letter A stands for AWESOME! Ha. If you're a new follower - leave a comment saying so - and I will follow you back.



Now ... on to the AWARDS ...

Lucky me! I've received some blog awards. YAY! Thank you!

Kristal Lee and VB Tremper and Rebecca Enzor gave me the lovely Stylish Blogger Award:


And Beth Fred gave me the 7 Facts Award:



And Trisha gave me the One Lovely Blog Award:




THANK YOU!

Now the rules for the first two are the same: link back to the giver, list seven facts about myself, and then pass the award on to 15 other fabulous bloggers. Well ... I will ... kind of ... read on. The rules for the last award are almost the same, minus the list of facts.

7 Facts (I'm totally mocking Kristal Lee's list, because I thought it was great, but these are true facts about myself):

1. My favorite candy is M&M's
2. Autumn is my favorite time of year
3. I have NEVER been aboard Air Force One, but my pilot husband has flown me over the amazing landscape of Sedona, Arizona, in a single engine airplane!
4. I've eaten lunch inside the Space Needle
5. I don't necessarily like to watch hockey, but I love to ice skate!
6. I'd like to think I'm great at video games, but my kids would probably say I suck.
7. I own a $150 iron and a $15 ironing board.

Before I announce the award winning blogs, understand that if you have already received The Stylish Blogger Award, you may choose the 7 Facts Award, and if you have already received that one, you may choose the One Lovely Blog Award, and heaven forbid you've already received all of those awards ... PLEASE accept this wonderful award from me ... because I have visited all of your blogs and they are all fantastic!



But, please note, that the rules for the Electropositive Blog Award are slightly different. Simply link back and thank the giver, and then give away to any number of blogs that make you smile. :)

Amazing, Awesome, Articulate, Award Winning Blogs (please visit and congratulate them!):

http://alexiachamberlynn.blogspot.com/


http://my-poetry-place.blogspot.com/

http://elenasolodow.blogspot.com/

http://kaykays-corner.blogspot.com/

http://morikeofthechair.blogspot.com/

http://karimariewhite.blogspot.com/

http://thoughtsmusingsandbrokenpromises.blogspot.com/

http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/

http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/

http://lizficherablog.blogspot.com/

http://pieinthesky2010.blogspot.com/

http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

http://mpaxauthor.blogspot.com/

http://scribbleandedit.blogspot.com/

http://margobenson.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for contributing to the blog-o-sphere. And thank you again for the wonderful awards.