If I'm Busy....

It's because I'm a

Must Be Some Toros in the Atmosphere

Brr, it's cold in here.

It's definitely fall here now. I love fall -- I love being able to wear turlenecks and boots, browns and blacks, my hats, scarves and gloves. What I don't like is frigid weather, and I don't like cool weather that just shows up.

Oh ee oh ee oh -- ice, ice, ice

I like for fall to gradually arrive, to creep into my life. In like a lion, you know. But this, well, this ain't creeping; this is barreling at me, head-long. Making me wish I had more warmer clothes, more cute hats and scarves.

These are spirit fingers.

In writing news, I got a little brainstorm on what I'm going to work on for NaNoWriMo. I'm pretty excited about it though I don't know if I will make the 50,000 word goal. Not reaching the word goal is okay with me; I really just want to consistently work on something.

Pardon the Mess!

Because yes, it's messy around here.

Today is Your Birthday!

Actually, it is my b-day -- the big 3-0 -- but more importantly, it's Shannon McKelden's birthday too!! Go visit her blog and wish her a Very Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Shannon!!!

Uh, What Was I Doing?

Oh, that's right! I was going to be a better blogger. I forgot.

Surprisingly enough, I have been writing. I'd love it if I could bring my WIPs to work because I seem to do better when I'm typing as opposed to actual pen and paper writing. Alas, that probably won't happen. I find if I don't set goals, I won't be pissed at myself for not meeting them!

Lately (okay, today), I've been down on myself. I guess because when I decided in May I was going to pursue this crazy dream of becoming a published author, I really thought I'd have something finished by December (see, there's those stupid goals again). Well, it's almost the middle of October (ugh) and I haven't finished one damn thing. In reality it's okay that I haven't (as of yet) met this goal but I'd love to be able to be one of those writers who says it took her 6 months to write such-and-such book. Then again, I have a toddler, a husband, a messy house, 2 dogs and a cat, and a full time job. I'd love to quit the job but mortgages are bothersome little critters. :sigh: I know I'll finish something.....one day....

This Is Crazy! This is Crazy!

Picture it - National Lampoon's Vacation, Chevy Chase is standing at the side of the swimming pool with Christie Brinkley naked in the pool. He claps and says, "This is crazy! This is crazy!" But what does he do?

He jumps in (after he's shimmied out of his skivvies).

Picture it - Me, writer-ly opportunity. What did I do?

I jumped.

Keep Pluggin' Away

I think I should cross-stitch that slogan as a sampler -- Keep Pluggin' Away. It's useful on so many levels (writing, mommy-dom, housework). (Wait, I don't cross-stitch, I'll ask my mother-in-law to do it!)

In other good news, I'm actually reading a book as research for my YA idea. The idea keeps changing in my head so I suppose I should write a plot summary. I know I won't follow it but at least I'll have a concrete idea from beginning to end.

The children's book I wrote still sucks but I'm not giving up just yet. If I've planned for an entire series, I simply cannot throw it underneath my bed with the rest of my ideas. So I'm planning to make it not suck, write 2 more that also don't suck, and query to my short list of agents.

Did you know Target has spiral bound notebook for $0.10? That's right!!! I bought 3 in hopes of writing on paper instead of a computer with Internet access so I can check my mail or blog or read blogs...

But I Don't Want To

Remember when you were a child and someone would ask you to put away your toys or go to bed? Did you ever whine "But I don't want to."

That's me and my writing.

I know I should; I have a plethora of ideas rolling around in my head. But I don't want to.

It's like I write something from one of these ideas and think it's crap. Then there's a block in my brain and I cannot seem to make it better. So what do I do? I give up.

It's a vicious cycle, one I should nip in the bud. But, right now, I just don't want to.