It's Not You, It's Me...

My manuscript and I aren't speaking.

It's a shame, because we have such a good thing going. It's a problem, because we've made a commitment to a complete draft in October. I don't know if we'll make it.

It all started with a hard drive crash. And now that I'm working full time, we don't see each other as often as I like -which is pretty much every night. I carry it over my heart in a travel drive, sneaking in moments here and there when opportunities arise. But it's awkward. In the moments we do have together, words pour onto the page for nearly thirty seconds, and then we stare at each other. In silence. Nothing to say at all.

I don't know if I can salvage the relationship. I hope I can, but it takes time, attention, and energy.  I don't seem to have much of any those things these days. Still, I have to set my priorities. I WANT to make it work -to rekindle the word love.

Maybe I can plan time for a date...

Lazy Summers and August Beginnings

The end of July is nearly here, and that means it's time to start preparing my classroom. For me, going back to work in August is a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my summer break, but I never seem to accomplish much. I have grand plans to spend all morning or afternoon writing, knocking off one chapter after another, but I end up daydreaming at my computer instead. Or reading lots of novels. I've read thirteen so far this summer -- eight of them sitting in a beach chair with my toes in the surf. Ahhh!

That changes once school starts. My days are very, very busy, but oh so productive. I think I need the structure. I know my writing time is drastically reduced, but the quality and quantity is better. So bring on August! I've got things to get done.

I'll leave you with some pictures from our trip to Tybee Island and Savannah, Georgia. Beautiful area!
This was the view from our condo.

These would pass by occasionally as they headed into the Savannah River and on to port. They were huge!

This is the public beach by the pier on Tybee Island. There was a huge storm the night before, and the surf was up.

My daughter, Taylor, is in Captain Mike's boat waiting for the dolphin tour to start. Great tour! We saw lots of dolphins, and the 1st Mate shared lots of local history as well.

Blogger is acting up, so I'll share more pictures soon.  Keep writing!

RIPPLE, by Mandy Hubbard

It's pub day for RIPPLE, a paranormal romance for teens by author/ agent @MandyHubbard! Win a critique! http://tinyurl.com/3sh3sy9 #Ripple


I read Prada and Prejudice by Mandy and loved it! RIPPLE is definitely on my short list. 


I'll have a longer blog post soon. Promise!

10 Things I've Learned So Far on Vacation...

1) Tennessee has lots of churches. In 90 minutes, we passed 1 Church of God, 1 Methodist church, 1 Lutheran, and 49 Baptist churches. All were along country roads. 

2) Eight lanes of bumper to bumper traffic and a sea of break lights on I-75 on a Friday evening rush hour through Atlanta is no where near as scary as I-75 through Cincinnati on any given day or time.

3) Sunny days and an ocean side condo with the beach right outside your window are not helpful when you are supposed to be writing.

4) Sunny days and an ocean side condo with the beach right outside your window is perfect for reading novels. Lots and lots of novels.

5) Always book the top floor of the condo. That way your upstairs neighbor who smokes and doesn’t use an ashtray won’t coat your deck with their cigarette ashes. Daily.

6) Dolphins are great fun to watch when the tide comes in.

7) Teenage daughters should always bring a friend on vacation.

8) Every meal in Georgia should include a Lipitor chaser.

9) The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is a wonderful place to visit, but very, very crowded. We were packed in like sardines…

10) I love the coast. I may have to retire ocean side!  

Happy Father's Day!

Summer Thoughts

It's been an interesting summer. I've only been out of school for two weeks, but it seems much longer. I'm rested, and that's always the summer goal. I'm excited about teaching 3rd grade next year. Change is good, and I'll be working with a wonderful principal and staff. It's been twelve years since I've taught in a regular classroom. I took some time off when my daughter was little, and the last eight years I've taught gifted education.

Poison ivy has been a big part of my summer. Not just your ordinary case, but the kind that makes your mother gasp, strangers stare, your father get teary, your husband say 'ew', and your doctor quietly suggest you give up gardening (not happening!). There are parts of me that look and feel like I'm a burn victim. It's finally starting to get better. Hopefully I'll come out of the ordeal without too many scars.

I seriously considered giving up the garden. My dad even offered to bring his rototiller and put the whole thing to rest. But the thought of all that work being plowed under seems like such a waste. So I'll wear rubber shoes and gloves, long pants and long sleeves, and a healthy application of ivy guard when I head outside.

My daylilies are blooming now.

They are so cheery! Why would I want to rip out these beds?

My other task this summer is to work on a new manuscript. I'm about nine chapters in and up to my neck with this challenge. It's my Heart of the Novel workshop project, and I'm supposed to have a complete first draft soon. That deadline is coming fast! It's raining today, like it seems to be doing a lot lately. I plan to open the garage doors and park myself where I can enjoy the weather while I write. Maybe I can conquer chapter nine!

BECAUSE IT MADE MY DAY!

Thanks to Rena for sharing this on facebook. LOVE IT!