Split down the middle

If you read the last post, you know I’m currently house hunting with the hubby. And if you’ve found your way to my blog at all, probably means you’re a writer or someome who justs enjoys the torment we writers go through. There’s an interesting breed of reader I’m sure.

So for the next few weeks, everyone will be happy. Those who want to hear about my personal life, will probably get an earful as I pack up this family of five, find a new home and purchase it and get my life back in order.

If you follow the author end – get ready for some serious whining! Conference is coming and I’ve set myself a goal of pitching two totally different types of novels. One has more an emotional pull – that’s my light paranormal, faux historical work. The other is aimed more at a lightheatered comtemporary market. Both need a different mindset – and both need to be done – SOON!

If anyone has any ideas on how to split myself down the middle to get the packing done and the MSs – fire away – I’m all ears (and apparently, I need to be all fingers, toes and everything else to I’ve got to get all these projects in on time!)

Today’s Coffee: Gloria Jean’s - Butter Toffee

Let the hunt begin

The house hunting has begun.

We have 6-8 possibilites on the list for the agent to show us this afternoon – and a few open houses to attend tomorrow.

While I’m not excited about the prospect of going through my stuff and packing up – it’s a great way to weed out what really needs to get tossed in the garbage and what’s worth saving.

I have several old pieces of furniture that have seen better days. But each one belonged to a cherished grandmother – one peice from each one – maternal and paternal. How could I ever think of parting with one of them? Well Hubby thinks I should. Men

I do agree it’s time to toss the clothes that no one has worn in years into the GoodWill bin. I do freely admit to being a pack-rat, so I guess it really is time to sit myself down and learn it’s okay to part with old magazines and papers. We got a shredder for Christmas – maybe it’s time I learned how to use it?

Books.

No here’s a can of worms I’m not excited about opening up. Hubby wants me donate to the library – I’m convinced being my own library is the better way to go. As a writer, I love to read. I’ve got lots of books. I buy more books all the time. I cannot – I repeat – I cannot part with most of these books.

I see trouble ahead…

Todays Coffee: Green Mountain - Hazelnut Cream

Step away from the camera

If you’ve followed any of my misadventures, or if you’re a member of the Passionate Critters were I torture the group with my less than stellar technical skills (Yes, that translates into screwing up the forum ) you know that Debora and techo-gadgets don’t necessarily belong in the same sentence – let alone the same room!

A few years back hubby got me a digital camera. Pretty much point, shoot. Charge the batteries. No more film to buy – I was good to go. Now my basic idiot-proof model didn’t have a zoom – which frustrated me. I’ve been complaining for a while now.

Last weekend – bless his heart – hubby bought me a new camera. It’s a new slim, metallic pink model – 8 mega pixel with a really terrific zoom – It’s adorable!

BUT – the contraption has more buttons than my microwave and drop down menus like my computer. It’s got a tiny joystick on the back to flip through the myriad of choices I’ve got to make. Oy!

Over the weekend I attended a lovely baby shower for my niece. I decided to take the camera and give it a whirl. Aside from accidentally tossing it across the room at another unsuspecting niece (at least we know the camera can take a hit ) – all kinds of things kept showing up in the picture window.

The camera has informed me my hands are too shaky. The camera readjusted the lighting and added a flash. It re-zoomed my picture. Some silly looking grid appeared a few times. My answer to anything I didn’t like? Shut it off.

I drove my SIL crazy – because everytime I turned it off – after grumbling of course (okay cursing) it made a noise. Everytime I turned it back on to try again – it made a noise. When it wasn’t happy with the setting I picked and tried to take the picture – it made a noise.

Thank god hubby was able to sit me down and explain all the wonky features of the camera – so next time the people around me won’t say:

“Debora, step away from the camera.”

Today’s Coffee: Green Mountain - French Vanilla

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Things I learned BEING A PARENT

1….A smile from a baby can melt even the toughest alpha guys heart.

2….Kids are born with excellent negotiation skills.

3….Years with no sleep changes your outlook on life.

4….The ice cream man is a miracle worker.

5….Curling up with a book and a toddler at the end of the day makes everything better.

6….You need to be a magician to get your kids to eat vegetables.

7….Every puddle MUST be stepped in.

8….Who knew a banana can turn into a gun?

9….Winnie the Pooh may be a bear of little brains – but he’s pretty darn smart!

10…Unconditional love

11…Sheet tents, popcorn and a disney movie = a perfect rainy day.

12…Bubblegum isn’t the best material for a hat!

13…My proudest achievements!

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Synopsis & Story = Chicken & the Egg

I’ve spent the better part of last week trying to figure this out. As I’m at the beginning/planning stages of my newest WIP I’m struggling with this whole concept.

Being the ultimate pantster – I generally take an idea, figure out the ending and the rest I run with as my fingers cross the keyboard. In truth I’m feeling stifled by the synopsis before the story idea – it’s zapping my fun.

In some ways I’m like the reader – eager to see what happens next. If I have the darn synopsis all spelled out in front of me – where’s the fun? Where’s the excitement?

But then again, it’s been explained to me (by ever so patient, wonderful critique buddies who point out both the positives and negatives of almost any problem I have – thank you ladies ) that the synopsis can be more like a road map – you’re still free to see the sights all the way and take that detour every now and then. But at least with that map, you can always find your way back to the main road.

Makes sense doesn’t it?

Then why do I struggle and ignore what I know to be right? Maybe because it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks? Maybe because I’m scared? A-ha! There it is. I’m afraid to take the plunge.

Synopsis & then story, just like that chicken and the egg – which comes first? Which one do you do first and why?

Today’s Coffee: Green Mountain - Southern Pecan