I'm about halfway through editing the first draft of my manuscript.  It's taken me a while to get through this manuscript.  I'm having to distance myself from it, and read it from a reader's perspective.  It's not always easy to make cuts, but they are necessary.  It's important to me that this creation be written right because I want to relate to people on a certain level.  When I'm not editing, I'm usually involved in research, which is also time intensive and easy to get off-track.

Line by line, each edit must be thought through, all the way to the end.  The book will be novel-length, so it's going to be a while before I can move on.  I wish I could skip this stage, but it's a necessary step.  My second or third draft, I will enlist the services of another editor that I know and trust to look it over.  I think it's important that writers get another perspective when editing.  It's too easy to overlook something important, especially when you've looked at something too much.

I can't believe tomorrow is April already.  It's been several months since I started this book; my last book took me six years to write, so the pace of this current project is much faster.  I'm really into the story (can't tell you about yet), and I hope that I don't lose momentum.

Posted March 31, 2006; 7:55am EST

It's really sad that www.storyhouse.com got bought out by another larger company.  I hope that the new owners keep the business close to what it was.  For those of you that may not have heard of it, it used to be a wonderful way to get the word out about new authors.

The owners of this business would print stories on coffee can labels and sell them in their cafe and on the internet.  They had a large distribution network of internet sales, farmer's markets, as well as everyday traffic into their cafe, and a large following by many people.  Each coffee was labeled artfully and descriptively.  A lot of attention and care went into their products.

What a great idea.  I love coffee.  Ever since I moved to the East Coast, I just can't seem to find a decent cup of coffee.  It's like they don't know how to roast it or brew it properly over here.  I'll have to get in touch with the wholesalers I know and make my own.  Maybe even start a new business.

Posted March 29, 2006; 6:05pm EST

A favorite writer of mine posted a prompt on a writer's forum about totally gross and disgusting things.  He told a story about something disgusting that had happened to him, and asked everyone else to post as well.  I posted a story, and after thinking about it, decided to create a new area in my portfolio section called Life Experiences.  It's a great writing exercise, especially if you publish an online journal, to think back to something from your past and write about it - more so to make it compelling and to evoke a reaction from the reader.

I also ran across this link today:  http://forums.writersweekly.com/

It's a link-rich site with lots of markets and writing opportunities.

Posted March 28, 2006; 3:27pm EST

I have added a service section for people who are interested in self publishing.  Some people use their publisher for these services if they don't already have the resources to do it themselves.  However, if you don't have the resources or time to get these things done, let me help.  I'm offering manuscript editing, manuscript draft printing, eBook format and creation, book cover design, and typesetting.  I'm not charging through-the-roof fees like most publishing houses.  Contact me and tell me about your project and I will quote a rate for you.

Posted March 26, 2006; 11:36pm EST

I updated my creative writing prompt area.  If you need something to write about, or just want some inspiration, I'll be posting prompts everyday.  Pictures, phrases, words, whatever looks cool.  If you have prompt you want me to post, send it in.  Feel free to share your stories as well.

Posted March 26, 2006; 2:12pm EST

If you're into writing, chances are you belong to a writer's community on the internet.  It's a growing trend to post drafts in forums for critique by other members of the site.  This could include poetry, fiction, non-fiction and more. Some are public forums while others are open by invitation only.

Sites like these can be a valuable tool.  Insight from other writers will help sharpen writing skills with constructive feedback.  Flash fiction can offer endless ideas and inspiration.

On the flip side of the coin, these sites can be real time sappers.  The ones I belong to have areas for socializing, and it's easy to whittle away the hours talking back and forth with total strangers who may have shared interests.

If you hang around long enough, you'll start to make friends... even people who you might consider extended family. You'll start to find they may have expertise in areas you're writing about.  You'll pick up on characteristics, maybe even get story ideas.  If you can budget the time, sign up and share in the diversity.

Posted March 25, 2006; 12:56pm EST

There are many ways that a freelance writer can make money selling their writing.  I've been reading a lot about markets lately, and thought I'd share some ideas if you're stumped.

• Local newspapers
• Magazines
• Copywriting brochures and web content
• Ghostwriting

These are just a few ideas; there are many other ways to market your skills.  Starting out, it doesn't pay much.  Once you pile up a few clips from reputable sources, and become a regular contributor to those sources, you will start to see more income.

Pick up a copy of Writer's Digest.  It's a great magazine for writers that's full of ideas and potential leads.

Posted March 23, 2006; 4:05pm EST

When I was 14, I played tennis in high school. After a match, some friends of mine went with me to Taco Bell to get some dinner. On the way over, I noticed a small silver tabby cat, probably about six months old. She saw me, and her tail went up in the air immediately. I petted her silky fur, spoke sweetly to her, and went on my way. I didn't know it at the time, but she followed me and my friends over to Taco Bell, across four lanes of highway traffic, and waited for me outside on the steps of the restaurant.

When we came out, I saw her there, and went back in to get her some food. I sat and fed her, and she purred and curled up in my lap. I couldn't resist her; I had to take her home. I put her in my duffle bag, against my friend's wishes. Our ride, her brother, was highly allergic to cats. I took her anyway, and he sneezed all the way home.

When I got home, I showed the cat to my mother. I figured it was a no brainer – I'd get to keep the cat. She was known around the neighborhood as the cat lady as she adopted some 20 cats over the years. Had names for every one of them.

"Absolutely no way. You cannot have that cat."
"I want her, she's a good cat. I need her around me. She makes me happy."

I had just lost my dad a few months prior, and really found comfort in having the cat around me.

"Okay, you can put her outside in the backyard, and if she's still there in the morning, she can stay."

The cat, whom I named Lucy, sat there in that yard the whole night. It was 6 o'clock the next morning when I got up to see her looking in the window, hoping for more food.

She stayed with me for 16 years. Healthy as a horse. Moved with me everywhere… that is until I met my husband.

We were in the market for a rental – we had to move out of where we were at fairly quickly, and because there were so few places we could agree on taking, we took one that didn't allow pets. He told me to just sneak her in. I didn't want to get in trouble with the landlord, so one of my friends took Lucy until I could figure out what to do.

Lucy caught a cold, and got sick over the week she was away from me. Sniffles, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, vomiting. I was at my wit's end. What could I do? My husband had changed his mind about bringing her back. He liked not having an animal in the house. I was pregnant and wasn't supposed to clean her litter pan, and he certainly didn't want to do it.

I felt really bad about Lucy being sick – guilty about it. I decided to have her put down. I brought her home with me for the one night, and nursed her with chicken soup as she lay curled up on my lap.

I was so distraught the next day. I was taking my best friend to be euthanized. I felt so resentful of my husband. I was so disappointed at the whole situation, and I felt terrible about not being able to make Lucy any better.

I miss her, very much. It's almost like losing a child or a best friend when you lose an animal that's been with you for so long.

Posted March 22, 2006; 11:20am EST

My children are my treasures in life.  They grow so fast.  They are delightful, intelligent little dear-hearts who only need to smile to melt someone.

My oldest, 31 months, is a serious, shy, somewhat dreamy little wisp of a girl.  She is dainty, doesn't like to get dirty, and is very particular about the order of her toys.

My youngest, 16 months, is the polar opposite.  She loves to make messes, get dirty, and bust up or steal whatever her sister has.  She will get right in my face for kisses, and isn't shy about showing me she's happy.

They are such a riot to watch.  Sometimes, they'll race through the house, chasing each other and screaming.  Other times, I'll see them quietly laying on the kitchen floor, heads together, giggling about something that only they understand.  They love each other, and I am so happy they have each other.

More than any other thing on this earth, I enjoy their sweet little fingers and toes, their thick beautiful hair, and their buttery sweet smelling skin.  If I could catch every germ, or take every fall and bump and bruise for them, I would in a heart beat.

They are my jewels.

Posted March 19, 2006; 11:12pm EST

I've been many places in my life, and I hope someday, I will travel more.  I've lived a lot of places, too.  My hope with that is to find a place to call home and settle down permanently.  I am not sure where this will be.  I know that I am most happy when I am near the ocean, as that's where I grew up.  I am also not a fan of the weather, so the climate must be moderate.  I grew up in a place where it seems like it was always 75°, and I never really ever needed a coat.

I hate the humidity here in New England, and though I don't like it hot, I really hate the freezing wind we've been getting lately.  There are a lot of things about New England that I don't like, but much of it stems from the move itself.

The move to New England was somewhat traumatic for me.  It wasn't something that I wanted with all my heart, but in order to keep my fairly new family together, I made the move.  Many people have asked me what it was like.  It was hell.  It feels like the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life.  I am having a hard time coming to terms with it, but I am trying to carve out a new life for myself.

A trip across the US via car in less than five days is hell in itself; add two small children, both under the age of two, and a spouse who is in withdrawals, and you've got a pretty crazy mix.  I was already raw from having to get rid of all of my personal belongings; we couldn't afford $6000 to ship everything.  So many precious things were either given away or auctioned. 

Some days, I wish I had just stayed where I was, and made the best of things.  I was terrified of the prospect of becoming a single parent.  I hadn't even been to the grocery store alone with my two kids at the same time, so managing them alone scared me to death.  I'm better about that now, and I know I could do it if I had to.

It's been hard not to give up here and pack what little I do own and leave.  Things aren't the happiest on the home front, and my friends I know miss me as much as I miss them.   It's hard to say what will happen. 

I do love my husband, however.  What is left between us, if it can be mended will take time to mend.  I feel that in a good marriage, spouses turn to each other rather than away, and just leaving is not an option that I take lightly. 

My writing is therapeutic for me, and it helps me see what work I need to do to make myself a better person.  It takes time, though.  A lot of time to make permanent changes from a routine that's lasted years.  It doesn't happen overnight.

Posted March 16, 2006; 11:19pm EST

A few years ago, I read a book that I fell in love with called the Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George.  She did such a wonderful job mixing history with fiction that when you've finished the book, you're left with this heart-sick feeling  about the characters.  I was scrambling to find out more about these historical figures Caesar and Cleopatra.  So, today being the Ides of March, the day Julius Caesar was murdered, I thought I'd mention the book of which I am still so very fond.

Lotsa debate going on over the South Dakota abortion ruling.  I still can't believe this country lets the right-wing religious sect run things the way they do.  I can't wait until we get this current president and all of his cronies outta office.

No, I don't agree with the war, either.  I wish we'd never entered into it.  It's not winnable, and we haven't proven anything, except that we can piss off a whole bunch of Muslim people.  Now they're looking towards Iran.  When will this president get it through his thick head that it's not the right thing to do?  How about making grain fuels a reality?

OK, I'm going back to writing.  Gotta get this manuscript done.  Oh, by the way, if you're a writer and need a new forum to blow steam off in, let me know and I'll get you an invitation at a cool new site called the Writer's Retreat.  It's becoming one of my favorite places to go.

Posted March 15, 2006; 9:10pm EST

Now that I am mostly over the flu, I can can think and create mostly complete sentences.  My kids are better, too.  

I am in the stages of editing my second draft of my upcoming book.  Trying to figure out what to cut and what to keep is difficult.  Writing profound sentences seems to only strike me at weird hours of the night, and sometimes, I get up in the middle of the night just to write something down.  I know if I don't, I'll forget.  I never used to be like that... not until I had kids.  After that, my brain cells stopped functioning.  I can be at the store, looking right at my shopping list, and totally space getting something that could mean life or death at dinnertime.  You know when I think of what I forgot?  When I'm on my way out of the store's driveway, or better yet, after I've gotten home.

I'm not stupid - actually I'm pretty smart.  I'm just... distracted.

Posted March 13, 2006; 2:40pm EST

I have been knocked on my ass by the flu - hit like a Mack truck head on.  I haven't had the flu - influenza - in over fifteen years.  I forgot how horrible it is.  It zaps every last little bit of strength out of your body and racks it with a croupy, watery cough.  My body has felt like it's been in a flower press the last three days.  To top this off, I've had two sick toddlers, both with persistent fevers and heaving tummies.  It hasn't been pretty.  I hate feeling so weak.  Just going to get the garbage can at the curb this morning left me feeling dizzy when I came back up the stairs.  I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.  So until I feel better, and I can think straight, which will hopefully be in a few days, I won't be posting anything. 

Posted March 8, 2006; 1:35pm EST

The last several days, I've been looking for new clothing for myself and husband.  I find it interesting how styles for women have changed, but men pretty much wear the same thing they've been wearing for the last twenty or thirty years.  Jeans, t-shirts, polos, oxfords, and sweaters; I think the only new thing in the last ten years has been cargo pants.

Women, on the other hand, have gone through changes every ten years or less.  Lately, retro has been the "in" thing, and now bohemian/gypsy is becoming more popular.  I never cared much for the retro look, but "bo-ho" appeals to me because it's romantic.  However, I don't find it practical to wear cut-velvet and sheer fabric, especially while I'm trying to keep up with two messy toddlers around my home.

I can't and won't wear the latest pants which are low slung on the hip with flared legs.  I grew up in an era where capri/zipper legged jeans were the norm, and though they make heavier women look like beach balls on pegs, I still like the slim look without a lot of fabric whirling around my legs.  I settle for straight legged pants when I do go shopping - which is about once every three years.  I do it begrudgingly.

I like things that are simple, comfortable and practical, but society labels women who dress like this "frumpy".  You have to be uncomfortable, frilly and impractical in order to be in style.  I often keep up with the TLC show What Not To Wear, and though the ladies often head for things that will make them feel good and not out of place, the hosts steer them to the most gawd-awful ensembles.  Polyester and synthetics in general, which I cannot stand because I feel like I'm wrapped up in plastic wrap, are the most popular fabrics.  Pointy-toed delicate-heeled shoes are also the "in" thing.  I couldn't imaging chasing my two-year old in something like that, much less going up and down my stairs in such shoes.  Who thought of this stuff?  Off to JCPenney.com I go... or maybe Goodwill?

Posted March 3, 2006; 9:55pm EST