Generally, when I’m writing, I try to remember the ol’ rule of thumb, “If it quacks like a duck, it must be a duck!” Meaning, there are some things that are givens–things that we know are true. Like for instance, the sun will rise tomorrow. It won’t snow (at least where I’m at) in July. Gas will never be two dollars a …
CAN…Feel The Power!
Bettcha thought this post was going to be about the art of canning. Well, it is. Not like you think, but still utilizing the same premise. Do you ever feel drained around folks who are like sponges, great at absorbing, but never releasing? You know the ones. (Kinda like the dill pickles you may have canned last summer.) Sour at first to …
Going the Distance
It seems that today it’s quite fashionable to “do whatever feels good” and “live for the moment.” Wouldn’t be a pleasant change of pace if people were to do what is right, and instead of living for the moment, how about “seizing” the moment? (Big difference in semantics there.) In a society where we have defined “it’s all about me,” …
Three Coins In a Fountain
Okay, admit it. How many times have you walked by a water fountain and tossed a few coins in making a wish or two along the way? Do we really think (hope) those wishes are going to come true, or is it purely out of habit that we dig for those pennies? I’ll be honest, it’s some of both for me. In …
Making A Scene
Often, when I’m constructing scenes to use for my novels, I write about the “familiar.” For instance, the series I’m currently working on takes place in the hills and hollows of the beautiful Ozarks. Many of the characters who live there are native Ozarkians, while still others may be “transplants.” The primary backdrop for my first book (and the rest in …
Let Freedom Ring
Pollyanna or not, there are certain things that bother me. Here are a few: those that don’t remove their hats and caps in church, unnecessary rudeness to people, lack of common courtesies, and remaining seated during our National Anthem. Would you believe, I’ve been at ballgames before where folks actually stayed glued to their seats gobbling their hot dogs and …
Love Is Bloomin'
Why is it that when spring is in the air, our hearts seem a little lighter, our minds not as encumbered by the darker days of winter? Everything is gently coaxed awake to thrill us with vibrant color. Even the grass that will soon need its first trimming offers a visual treat! The birds start singing at five a.m., and …
Someone Pinch Me…I Must Be Dreaming
It’s been a roller coaster week. Well, really the past two weeks have been like that. Do you ever have those? (You may remember my post on “Mountaintops” where I talked about the mountains and valleys we experience in life. I touched on this again yesterday. I hope I’m not wearing out the subject.) Recently, I received an offer of …
Victory
I was thinking about the day I finally received an offer of literary representation. It was truly a “mountaintop” moment! (See past post “Mountaintops.”) My hands were shaking, my knees were knocking, and I thought I was literally going to faint! Said agent and I had connected in pleasant email exchanges prior, and we’d agreed upon a specific date and time to chat by …
A Distant Hope
I think when I initially began writing, I might have thrown in the towel if I hadn’t had hope that, one day, I would realize my dream of being published. ( I spoke about this in my March 30th post.) Hope paints the horizon a little brighter; the future seems a little less intimidating. For me, since my ultimate hope …