It's Monday

I think it's safe to say that most people aren't fans of Monday. We lounge around, we play, and we are generally more carefree over the weekend, so it makes sense that getting back to our weekday routine isn't appealing.

Maybe it's that Easter was yesterday and Springtime is here that had me looking forward to a 'clean slate' this morning. What's on your routine that you can't live without? How about one thing you would change? One thing I like is the morning routine with my family, it's sometimes stressful, but it's a nice way to start the day. Another thing that I really appreciate is my 'list' and my 'Accountability Partners' who cheer me on.

On Mondays, we also post over on Five Pages, I posted about using verbs as nouns and how our writing is cleaner by using the verbs the way they were intended. If you haven't checked out Stephen Wilbers's book Mastering the Craft of Writing, I highly recommend it. Write on my friends!

My Top 10 Favorite Books

Everyone has their favorites, right? After you check out my list, please leave a comment with a couple of yours (because I'm always looking for good stuff to add to my To Read list).

Here goes (and you know it's subject to change, right?!):

1. The Book of Mormon/The Holy Bible* (I know these are two books, but they are both equally important to me.)

2. Jane Eyre* by Charlotte Bronte

3. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emma Orckzy

4. Edenbrooke* by Julianne Donaldson

5. Spirit of Rebellion* by Debbie Peterson

6. A Wrinkle in Time* by Madeleine L'Engle

7. Pride and Prejudice* by Jane Austen

8. The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

9. The Hobbit/Lord  of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien

10. Drawing Out the Dragons series by James A. Owen


*these are the ones I have read at least twice

K, so...

Affectionately referred to as cheese (queso) by my sister and her family.

It's also used to preface a lot of the dialogue that goes on around me. Last week and this week over on Five Pages of Something, we have been talking about ways to eliminate unnecessary words. I think sometimes we are so used to hearing wordy phrases that we incorporate them in our writing.

This is A-OK, so... It really is only OK in your drafts. Today's readers want the heart of the matter, not a lot of fluff leading up to your point.

Here are a few examples from grammar expert Richard Nordquist's post 200 Common Redunancies:

free gift

add an additional

artificial prosthesis

armed gunman

Write cautiously and precisely, but Write On my friends.

Overcoming Obstacles

I'm writing this post for myself. Kind of a little pep-talk. I'm in a slump. A hole I can't seem to dig myself out of. I'm filling my jar with pebbles rather than rocks. It's dragging me down.

What do you do to get out of a slump?

Here's my A-list, my rocks if you will (in order of importance to me):

Husband and Kids
Spiritual Growth
Church responsibilities
ANWA responsibilities
Business responsibilities

My B-list, or pebbles (in no particular order):
Dinner
Cleaning the house
Reading
Laundry
Down Time
Grocery Shopping
Mail
E-Mail
Blogging (hah!)
Lunch
Exercise
Bills

Unfortunately, things like grocery shopping and laundry aren't easily put off, they demand my time. And in their defense, I let them. I have talked about putting A-list things first or designating them with an "A" when I send my list to my Accountability Partners. But, I haven't done that yet. It mentally exhausts me to think about it. I told you I was in a bad spot. The only person that can get me out of it is me and God. Perhaps if I trust more in His grace and think less of my own frailty and neediness, maybe I can pull it together. Maybe. (My faith is lacking).

Here is what I want you to know: God knows you and loves you. Whatever the challenges we face, He is there to help us through. I see His hand daily in my life and in the lives of my family. Rely on Him, get through your challenges, your slumps, your dark night of the soul, and like a bright light, Write On my friends. We can do this!

Post-Conference Blues

I love writing conferences. I have been closely involved with the ANWA Time Out for Writers Conference for the past several years. This year's conference was many things from educational to inspiring, from fun to serious, from agents to editors and best-selling authors. I cannot say enough good things or thank-yous to the people who put it together.

There wasn't one class block that didn't offer a class I wanted to attend. (I think that's a first for me.) The two keynote speakers were Brandon Mull and Regina Sirois. W-O-W! Both inspired and touched me.

The bookstore: I spent more money than I planned. What a great group of authors were represented there. Super excited to read them (as soon as I'm done with the four I have committed to read over the next week--how does time go so quickly? Yikes! I guess I should read a little today).

Thank you Conference Co-Chairs, Janette Rallison and Rebecca Lamoreaux, and your fabulous Conference Committee! Well done.

Write on my friends (and start stashing $15/month so you can attend next year).

Over on Five Pages of Something, a blog where I contribute, we are giving away a copy of Stephen Wilbers' Mastering the Craft of Writing. All you have to do is follow via email (enter your email address on the right hand side...easy peasy). Promotion ends soon, so sign up today.

Conference

As you can see to the left, my countdown widget is almost at zero. Hooray. I love writing conferences and the ANWA Time Out for Writers Conference is always fun and educational. I am able to network with peers and editors and agents as well as learn new things about the craft of writing. Speaking of the craft of writing, if you head over to Five Pages of Something and follow by email, you will be entered to win a copy of Steven Wilbers' Mastering the Craft of Writing--one of my favorite books on improving your craft. Join me at Conference this weekend or over on FPS and let's share this writing journey. Write on my friends.

Helping Hands

"Many hands make light work." They same is true for easing burdens of others. One of the members of our writing community, Lu Ann Staheli underwent surgery last year and it was discovered she had cancer. Her family now has substantial medical bills. Any help you can give will make a difference. You can read more about her story and donate here: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-luann-staheli-cover-the-costs-of-fighting-cancer/303130.

Thank you Heather B. Moore for making us aware of Lu Ann's situation and thank you J. Scott Savage for organizing the fund raising campaign. What an amazing group!

Author's note: Lu Ann Staheli passed away shortly after this post. You can still contribute to help her family cover the costs of her medical bills.