In the Aftermath

How 'bout a meme that's making the rounds?

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why?
The ability to communicate with angels. There are some important ones I'd want to keep up with.

2. Who is your style icon?
My friend Marie, in personal appearance and home decorating. She seems just ahead of the curve most of the time, and she's brilliant with both.

Writing-wise, Elizabeth Berg is the author whose (women's fiction) work I remember first identifying with so strongly (it was her novel THE PULL OF THE MOON).

3. What is your favorite quote?
Oh, this is tough, I've been collecting so many. I think I'll share this now:

When you understand yourself, you open yourself to a better understanding of others.

That's my own observation, and I think it's an important one. It is the crux of self-discovery.

4. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?
That someone has been thankful or proud I'm their friend. Can I share another thought here?

I went out to find a friend and could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere. (MLL)

5. What playlist/CD is in your CD player/iPod right now?
I'm sure I'd find Adam Lambert's debut CD in my car's player. I love the song called Aftermath, which has a strong message about being true to yourself, being strong, even if it means going against the grain; that in the end you'll be alright despite having done so. The line I like most is this:

Tell a stranger they're beautiful, so all you feel is love, love...

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?
I'm awake early for the sake of my kids, but am most productive mid-morning. Like to go to bed by 9 or so of an evening.

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
Dogs. It's always been dogs. Nothing against cats, though.

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?
Back when I first started writing seriously, I wanted to have a name to associate my self-employed freelance work with. My mind kept playing aroung with the phrase murder, she wrote (from the Angela Lansbury show), and I thought, it needs to be something she wrote. But what's the something? Wait, that is it! Something She Wrote. And it carried over to my blog nicely, I thought.

How would you answer these questions?

If you missed the video I posted earlier this week, please check it out. It's so worth watching.

A Girl and Her Senses

I liked this meme of the senses, thought it different and interesting. Wanted to borrow the idea (and so I have). Here's my take:
`

Touch

Feeling the sting of the sun--just above my knees, and the outer swatches of my upper arms--from having been out on the lake for the holiday weekend. The wrap of a band-aid, curling around the pad of my finger. My big toe, and its exposed nailbed, where I bungled and tore it days ago.

`

Taste

Aftertaste, really. This afternoon I had a bottle of Gold Peak Tea, which has left a heavy sweetness on my tongue and at the roof of my mouth. I really need to brush.
`

Sight

I see a web, running down a length of space between the beam above my desk and the side of my laptop, inches from my hand. Where, oh where, is the responsible spider? *shivers*
`

Smell

Nothing. I try to breathe in the lavender from oils in the living room, just over and down from this balcony where I sit, or the fresh nostalgia that accompanies the first days of a summery house. I know they're both there. But for now, nothing.

`

Hearing

The blow of the air conditioner. My husband's voice, none too quiet on the phone, as he talks someone through buying a car. My girls, distant and content, as they play in our basement a couple floors down.

`

What could you share about your five senses?

`

Thanks to Kelly from My Voice, My View, from whom I snagged the meme.

One Word Answers: Easy

I'm not gonna fib. Wednesday's post wasn't so simple. But as involved as the finished product was, I really enjoyed myself through the process of our story, and I thank the participants. You're all pretty cool.

Today, though, I'm taking the easy road. Sharla Scroggs, at a little salty..., gave me a blogger award this week (thank you!), and it included a fun meme. Here's my version. And it's harder than you think for a wordy writer to be so concise!

Your Cell Phone? small
Your Hair? curly
Your Mother? devoted
Your Father? heart
Your Favorite Food? edible
Your Dream Last Night? forgotten
Your Favorite Drink? caffeinated
Your Dream/Goal? books
What Room Are You In? mine
Your Hobby? decorating
Your Fear? spiders
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? grown
Where Were You Last Night? Wal-Mart
Something That You Aren't? athletic
Muffins? chocolate-chip
Wish List Item? chair
Where Did You Grow Up? Kansas City
Last Thing You Did? pottied
What Are You Wearing? casual
Your TV? off
Your Pets? pooch
Friends? fantastic
Your Life? blessed
Your Mood? so-so
Missing Someone? spouse
Vehicle? Jeep
Something You Aren't Wearing? hat
Your Favorite Store? antiques
Your Favorite Color? blues
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? recently
Last Time You Cried? waterlogged
Your Best Friend? awesome
Facebook? duh!
Favorite Place To Eat? out
Favorite Character you've written about? Sherman

What are your one-word answers? Go

SEVEN

I misspelled answer as anwser in the fifth grade, and it lost me the bee. Silly w.

Potassium supplements have banished my daily headaches, and I now deal with just one or two debilitating migraines a month. It's a serious improvement, and I'm very thankful.

Ink pens are few and far between at my house. Where do they all go?

My eyelashes are uber long. (Thanks, Dad.)

My kids are six and four, but I still carry baby wipes. They're just so handy.

I once had desire to play basketball. But I found singing and, later, writing.

Lionel Ritchie, in my book? Rocks.



Those are seven things you probably didn't know about me. Sharla (she's a little salty) made me share, because she gifted me with the Kreativ Blogger award. And because I accept, I'm to pass it to 7 additional bloggers.

Watch how I do this...

You, her, him, you, you, you and her.

Seriously, I'd like each of you to leave your SEVEN in the comments section. And then, should you so desire, post the award (as seen above) on your blog. Here are the official (somewhat breakable) rules:

1) Thank the person who nominated you for the award. 2) Copy the above logo into your own blog. 3) Link to the person who nominated you. 4) Nominate seven others who you deem worthy! 5) List seven things about you that people may not know. 6) Post links to the seven blogs you award. 7) Leave comments on the awarded blogs, letting them know.

Thank you, Sharla! And thank you, all, for your awesome blogs!

Just For Fun: A Writer's Meme

What was the last thing you wrote?
Something for chapter 10 in my current novel-in-progress.

Was it any good?
Eh. The jury (of one - me) is out.

Write poetry?
Occasionally, but I have no passion for it.

Angsty poetry?
Well, I once was a teenage girl. What's that tell ya?

Favorite genre of writing?
Women's Fiction

Most fun character you ever wrote?
Thus far, a sassy salesclerk named Dom. But it was a minor appearance.

Most annoying character you ever wrote?
Charlotte, a self-absorbed, unpleasant and rude woman, whose character I built using similar people from my own life. Kind of a catharsis, really.

Best plot you ever wrote?
Now, now. I can't give anything specific away. I'll just say, it's in the works and its potential is grand. If I can pull it off.

Coolest plot twist you ever wrote?
An underlying and unexpected connection between two people.

How often do you get writer’s block?
Let's see... it's ten past the hour... right. about. now!

How do you fix it?
Sit down and beg discipline from myself... or do something different until the words start flowing again. Showers always help.

Write fan fiction?
Never once. And I'll be honest, I really don't understand the following. If you're that creative, come up with something entirely new.

Do you type or write by hand?
By choice, always type. If it's by hand, it's because no computer is near. And it's very choppy and messy and small.

Do you save everything you write?
Absolutely. Unless it's a grocery list, you know.

Do you ever go back to an idea long after you abandoned it?
Sure do. Especially if I abandoned it on purpose, to gain fresh perspective.

What’s your favorite thing you have ever written?
I'm partial to a couple short stories, and I really feel something for my current WIP. It may be the best thing I've written to date, whether it sees publication in the end or not.

What’s everyone else’s favorite thing you’ve written?
Maybe you could tell me?

Do you show people your work?
Less and less so. As I said last week, it's becoming important for me to keep things under wraps a bit.

Did you ever write a novel?
One complete, one left hanging... and a new one I haven't spoken about yet...

Have you ever written fantasy, sci-fi, or horror?
Golly, no! And I don't aim to. Not my fortes.

Ever written romance or teen angsty drama?
Yep. Except the teen angsty drama thing.

How many writing projects are you working on right now?
One big project, and it's not uncommon to have several little ones floating around.

Do you want to write for a living?
Pshh! Who doesn't?

Have you ever won an award for writing?
In middle school, for a summer poem about lemonade. *cheesy grin*

Ever written something in script or play format?
No, but wouldn't it be easy? I could tell, tell, tell. ;)

What character you've written most resembles yourself?
My current MC has a very similar nuance and voice. And I love her.

Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
Divine Intervention. And brainstorms.

Do you ever write based on dreams?
Some details come to me that way, for sure.

Do you favor happy endings, sad endings or cliff hangers?
I like things tied up and neat, but I'm learning they don't have to be happily ever after.

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?
I've been prompted by photos before.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Shoot, yes. Anal-retentive much?

Ever written anything entirely in chatspeak (How r u)?
Just on my phone. Shh...

Are people surprised and confused when they find out you write well?
I get the gamut of reactions.

Quote something you’ve written. The first thing to pop in your mind.
"Something changed my thinking. Made my thinking change." Brilliant, I know.

Whew! That was fun. How 'bout you?

Friday Fun with FringeGirl

FringeGirl has started a new thing for spring. It's Friday Spotlight, a post in which she interviews a fellow blogger. This week? It's me! I'm so excited to be a guest over on her blog today.

To see the interview, visit here. I promise you'll like her place, The Domestic Fringe. Tell her I sent ya!

But wait, don't go yet.

Barbara recently tagged me with one of the circulating picture games. I'm to find the sixth photo in the sixth folder on my computer, post and explain it. That folder is 2007 Fourth of July, and the picture is this:

Each year our lake's association hosts a big event for Independence Day: a special breakfast, craft bizaars, organized sports and boat parades, live music and, at dusk, an amazing professional fireworks show, displayed over the lake.

We make a day of it, inviting family and friends to come to our place and kick it. We splash in our cove [okay, I don't - it's dark, murky water, and I'm just certain something will nibble my toe any.minute.], ski and tube, grill and eat, eat and eat, play games and visit. When night falls, we take boats out to the main channel and sit under the fireworks. One boater always plays Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American, as loud as he can. It's an incredibly good time.

I like this photo for two reasons: It shows me how far we've come with our remodeling. This is the front of our house, which leads into the basement at this level, and is now covered by a stout timber-frame deck. We've since put barn-wood siding up, and have painted everything a great moss green. My, how it's changed. Oh! And the number two reason? My hubby's cute. He's there on the right, manning the grill.

And now, I'm to ask 6 others to do this same exercise. Won't you share your photos? Jessica, Josh, Joy, Jen, Janet, and Joanne. Notice a theme? Yep, it worked swimmingly. (Jewel, I think you did this one recently?)

Show us your shots! And don't forget to head over to FringeGirl's to see the interview. Have a great weekend!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Wendy, who Writes in the City, tagged me for a meme about happiness. What are six things that fulfill me, make me happy? Well, while raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are fine and dandy, they don't top my list. Instead, these favorite things make me happy...

My family. My girls first, and the hubs, of course. My immediate and extendeds, my friends and church family. They're all crucial to my happiness.

My space. Many of you have been here for the occasional chronicling of our remodeling process (which is still in progress, since it's a "whole house" remodel)... What was once a small and dingy unused balcony off the master loft was enlarged and improved, and it's now home to my desk, my crafty stuff, my books, and my reading chair. This place makes me incredibly happy.

Reading. I love holding a book in my hands, snuggling up with it, letting sleep overtake me mid-paragraph because I'm so warm and comfortable, learning something, finding a connection or common ground, getting so involved I can't go to sleep. H - A - P - P - Y.

Writing. Many facets of writing make me happy. There's the point of inspiration, the snapshot. There's the anticipation of the story, the thrill of getting the words out, the joy and accomplishment associated with a finished piece. It makes me happy.

Shopping. But I don't necessarily mean buying. The process of perusing (especially antiques) is cathartic for me. I can lose myself in my thoughts and focus on no one but me. If I need a good dose of happiness (and peace), I take off on my own and visit my favorite stores. (Just wish I could do it more often.)

Food and beverage. Simple, right? It's amazing how happy a favorite meal or beloved drink (iced mocha) can make me. Especially if I can enjoy it in conjunction with one of the things above. Perfection!

So while the idea is for me to tag six others, this meme is quickly making the rounds. If you've not already been tagged, consider yourself such and tell us what makes you happy.

A G E N T S and a meme

Yesterday I sat down at my computer, nerves tickling my spine. And I began a thorough agent search. (See the Agent Query link over yonder, to the right.) I listed a starting line-up of promising candidates and, knowing it meant I HAD to write my query and synopsis, I did. It took somewhere between 6 to 8 hours to write them back-to-back. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out; my stressed toiling was worth it, I think. But knowing other eyes should see them, and feeling jittery but assured, crazy and confident, I've asked some writing buddies to take a gander. In the meantime, I need a break.

[ETA: And today I got the knocking down I needed. Don't ever get lost in confidence or tell yourself you don't need constructive criticism. That's what it takes to keep yourself humble, and ensure you never give up on continually honing your own craft. More later...]

Enter the meme Colby Marshall, who spits like a llama, tagged me with. (Hers is a blog worth checking out, btw.) I'm to list 7 songs I'm into, or that are somehow shaping my life right now, for whatever reasons.

1) As of this morning, Lifehouse's Everything. The song itself is good, but I like it most because I've been introduced to a skit, performed as the song plays, and it's the most touching thing I've seen in a long while. If you're interested, click here for the YouTube clip.
2) Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love, because it rocks. She has a stellar voice.
3) Jordin Sparks, One Step At A Time. The lyrics really mean a lot, because they speak to me of my writing career right about now.
4) Weird Al's White and Nerdy. My hubby acquired a DVD of hip-hop videos with a player he bought, and my daughters like to watch Al over and over and over again. Keep your eyes peeled for Donny Osmond. Hilarious! Plus, I AM white and nerdy. It's like a theme song of sorts.
5) Anything from Camp Rock. It's the latest movie premiered on Disney Channel, and my girls are ga-ga over it. And the Jonas Brothers.
6) Nelly Furtado, Say It Right. I love the beat and each time I see the video, which aired this morning, I crush on Timbaland. He's one successful fellow, with his hand in a lot of pots, ya know? And I love cranking the volume with this one, reliving my crusin' days. Quite the sight in my minivan, I can assure you...
7) Let Jesus Be My Lord. Here's why.

I've seen this meme floatin' around here in Bloggerland. Most have already been tagged, but I'll throw Melanie and Wendy into the mix, if they're interested.

Have fun - and wish me luck (say a prayer, too) about my agent search!

A to Z

Whoa, what a week for memes! My friend Wendy, over at Writes in the City, tagged me for this one. It's light and fun. And it's pretty self-explanatory, so without further ado...

A-Attached or Single? attached, in the married kind of way
B-Best Friend? one who knows what it means to be a true best friend: encouragement, selflessness, and flat-out fun
C-Cake or Pie? pie. chocolate pie. or no, wait. cake. chocolate cake. hmm. let's just go with chocolate
D-Day of Choice? Sunday
E-Essential Items? chapstick, a watch, Vitamin E cream, contoured pillows, books and iced mochas. in no particular order.
F-Favorite Color? pretty periwinkle
G-Gummy Bears or Worms? neither, but thanks so much for asking
H-Hometown? Kansas City, on the Missouri side. someday we'll have a decent sports team again.
I-Indulgence? shopping. bargain shopping, because I can get more stuff!
J-January or July? the months my daughters were born
K-Kids? two, the aforementioned daughters
L-Life isn’t complete without…God. without Him, there is nothing
M-Marriage Date? September 25, 1999
N-Number of Siblings? one brother, one sister - and ten siblings-in-law (hubby has a BIG family)
O-Oranges or Apples? apples. apples in my Gooey Apple Pie. ooh! can I change my pie answer?
P-Phobias or Fears? premature death of a loved one. and spiders.
Q-Quote? I like one from Catherine Drinker Bowen: "For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he has come upon the right word."
R-Reason to Smile? family
S-Superman or Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman!
T-Tag 5 people. Melanie What Am I Doing In Mexico? (I know, I know, this means you've been tagged twice... but we like you!), Michele Writing the Cyber Highway, Janet The Walrus Said, Travis One Word, One Rung, One Day, Turkey Philosophizing Turkey, and anyone else who'd like to participate
U- (missing from the meme passed on to me, so I'm making one up) Umbrella or poncho? neither, let's just stay indoors
V-Vegetables? okra. fried okra. dipped in ranch. or grilled red peppers.
W-Worst Habit? criticism
X-Ray or Ultrasound? ultrasounds, what with two pregnancies, have proven more exciting for me in the past
Y-Your Favorite Food? that which is edible
Z-Zodiac Sign? Scorpio. watch out! I sting!

Something She Memed

I was hoping to post with some pictures today, to show you what it is I'd do if it weren't for this writing thing. But - pfft! - the USB cable "can't find" the device that is my camera, and won't allow an upload of the photos I'd need to make the post worthy.

So I shall save that for another day.

In the meantime, I was excited to learn I've been tagged! Well, to be more precise, a light woo-hoo escaped me, because it means someone likes me and appreciates my thoughts. My glee was followed by an oh, um... right, because I remembered there's actual work involved in these meme things, and then a well, if I must... because I just can't say no. :)

Getting on with it, Michele over at Writing the Cyber Highway asked if I'd participate in the Why I love writing from home meme. (And thanks so much, Michele, for the kind comment about my blog within your own post!) So, shaking those niggling reasons I don't love writing from home (noise, interruptions, demands, interruptions, diversions, noise and interruptions...), I've compiled my list.

*There's no time clock, as there was with each of the others jobs I've held.
*I'm my own boss, and I rock!
*Iced mochas are just a staircase away.
*My desk stool is a lovely faded-red color, and atop it (and under my buns) sits a pretty, girly cushion.
*I can look around me at any given moment, just for a breather, and enjoy the decor as I've created it to be. As long as I ignore the mess, that is.
*AW: No Holds Barred, just a click away
*I'm within walking distance of the lake, which is an amazing inspiration for me.
And last, but MOST important: Writing from home allows me stay at home with my daughters. It is indeed a blessing.

What about you? Why do you love to write from home? I'd love for you to, instead of posting here, post on your own blog and leave the link as a comment. :)

Until the next time...

Another Meme

Just for fun, I'm participating in the meme found over at Melanie Avila's blog What Am I Doing In Mexico?. The idea is to list 6 things about you that are unique or unknown. Typically I have a hard time with things of this nature, but I'll try to think outside the box...

1) I was forced to watch the movie Psycho as a child (that, or watch a little black-and-white tv in a dark room, all by myself), one day at summer camp when it was too rainy to ride horses. My big sister covered my eyes during the scariest parts, but to this day I still shower facing the back of the stall.

2) I religiously moisturize my face with pure Vitamin E cream. It costs a whole lot less than fancy moisturizers, makes my skin smooth and soft and has, over the years, eliminated the redness/scarring from the problematic skin I had as a youth.

3) If it had been at all possible, I'd have done anything to star in High School Musical 2. Love, love, love it!

4) I'd eat tortilla chips and dips and/or salsa for every meal if I could.

5) I'm a very serious bargain shopper. If it's not clearance (with the acception of food), I'm rarely interested.

6) I have more books than bookshelves. I hope to one day remedy that.

What about you? Do you have 6 facts you'll share?

A Favorite Book

I was recently asked to name my favorite book. Sheesh, there are entirely too many great books to narrow it down like that. But one does stick out in my mind...

It was sixth grade English class, and the assignment was to read and do a report on a fiction book with some historical content. Though I'd always loved to read, history was something I'd not taken a shining to. So I hem-hawed around, becoming enthusiastic for no one title. My teacher, somehow, didn't get angry with me; instead she gave me guidance, working with me to find the perfect book.

Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene

Wikipedia summarizes it better than I could:

The story is told first person by a twelve-year-old Jewish girl named Patty Bergen living in Jenkinsville, Arkansas during World War II. The action focuses on the escaped German Prisoner of War she befriends and protects, as well as her relationship with her abusive father, uncaring mother, and their maid.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book. Bette Greene's characters were amazingly real to me, as I got caught up in the story as if I'd lived it myself. In fact, now I've got myself wondering if that was a defining time for me; one that told me this is what I want to do - write like this.

I think I should like to read it all over again.

What's a favorite book of yours and why? I ask you to post about it, and let me know you've done so. Call it an unofficial meme of sorts...

ETA: Pfft! Can't seem to adjust the format... so sorry the paragraphs are smooshed together...

So This meme Thing...

Yipes, I am so far behind. I've been *sneeze* sickly for the last *cough-wheeze* week and a half. I've not been in front of the computer in something like seven days and criminy! I've got a lot of catching up to do.

I've been tagged. Twice! Both Melanie and Susan got me (I feel so flippin' special!) on this meme - me? me! - thing, Roar for Powerful Words. Watch out... I'm a writer, hear me roar! I'm to share three tips for my fellow writers and tag five others. So without further ado...

1) Have confidence in yourself. Know you're worthy of the job you set out to do. You have the know-how, you have the discipline - so be sure of yourself (and your written voice) and you'll accomplish the goal you set out to attain.

***I interrupt this blog post for a potty break. Er, not mine, though... Natalie, who's 2 and is supposed to be napping, just called me upstairs to see she'd actually pottied in her little Safety 1st toilet... All on her very own. Whoo!***

2) Seek out other writers for support. We can gather encouragement all day long from friends and family members, but it takes help and reinforcement from other writers - who go through exactly what you do - to really spread your wings. A fabulous resource is the forums board over at Absolute Write (AW). Questions will be answered, fun will be had, and all the encouragement you can handle will spill forth. Check it out here.

3) Set monthly goals. You may exceed them - or you may not reach them all - but once you plan out some things you'd like to see happen, you'll feel capable and accomplished. I did it for the first time this month. Seeing a list of writing goals helped start the ball rolling and I dove in head first. I've not touched two or three things on my list, but I attacked the other two or three items with a ferocity I didn't know was in me. And I feel so great about those things that I won't sweat the others. I've got February ahead of me!

I hope these tips will prove worthy (she said humbly). Best of luck!

I tag:

Teige at A Writer Writes

Stacey over at FlibbetyGibbet

Michelle: Writing the Cyber Highway

Kimmi from kimmirich's weblog

Janet, who runs The Walrus Said

Oh! Something was mentioned of an award? Gee, I never win anything. But here she is: