tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57642329751616114182024-03-06T02:36:56.906-05:00Plumfield Projectspursuits, ponderings, and poetry of bringing simpler times to my complicated presentjldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-81238694721074190942012-01-04T16:17:00.000-05:002012-01-04T16:17:28.264-05:00My Oh, So Very Serious Goals for 20121. Watch every episode of New Girl<div><br />
</div><div>2. Keep a basil plant alive</div><div><br />
</div><div>3. Drink Port out of pretentious glasses</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Memorize all the words to "99 Luft Balloons"</div><div><br />
</div><div>5. Iron my clothes</div><div><br />
</div><div>6. Play with my cats more</div><div><br />
</div><div>7. Read Harry Potter again</div><div><br />
</div><div>8. Lose 20 lbs</div><div><br />
</div><div>9. Beat the new Zelda game</div><div><br />
</div><div>10. Write a book (This one is a little more serious than the rest.)</div><div><br />
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</div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-75321068026479081892011-12-22T10:11:00.000-05:002011-12-22T10:11:06.893-05:00Christmas MemoriesStockings hung on doorknobs<br />
Early morning hours<br />
Sisters waking sisters<br />
Oldest not so thrilled<br />
Middle twirling in excitement<br />
Youngest giggling madly<br />
<br />
Wrapping paper on the bed<br />
CD's, nail polish, lipgloss<br />
Sisters taking turns<br />
Oldest slowly waking<br />
Middle admiring new things<br />
Youngest dreaming of downstairs<br />
<br />
Finally 6:30am<br />
Time to wake the parents<br />
Sisters send in the youngest<br />
Oldest puts on slippers<br />
Middle leads me to the door<br />
Youngest jumps on Mom and Dad<br />
<br />
Parents grumble, but slowly emerge<br />
After several hits of the snooze button<br />
Sisters sit on the top stair<br />
Oldest is not a morning person<br />
Middle smells the bacon cooking<br />
Youngest wonders if Santa is still there<br />
<br />
'All clear' is announced<br />
Santa is gone and has left a bounty<br />
Sisters tumble down to the living room<br />
Oldest getting excited<br />
Middle wants to hand out gifts<br />
Youngest overwhelmed by the sight of the tree<br />
<br />
Father reads from Luke<br />
Mother finishes breakfast<br />
Sisters sit in anticipation<br />
<br />
Christmas morning has comejldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-46917300306473464752011-12-14T17:16:00.000-05:002011-12-14T17:16:55.984-05:00Christmas in the South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">For all my pep talking and determination, I've spent the last several days in Christmas preparations. So fun. Shopping and wrapping and baking...at one point I caught myself running around the house with my cutie apron on, listing to Christmas jazz, and wondering when on earth I stepped back in time sixty years. I have an upcoming trip up to the in-laws and in an ever and on-going attempt to break the awkward, I decided that Christmas treats would be the way to go this year. So sugar cookies, gingerbread men, and peppermint bark are filling up my kitchen counter tops. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It's not all prep, though. My husband and I have had the chance here and there to go out and see how South Carolina does Christmas. Especially beautiful was Brookgreen Garden's <i>Night of 1,000 Candles</i>. Here's a few pictures of the moonlit sculptures, Spanish moss, Christmas fairies, and (of course) candles.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ArVlPZldoPDpkLj1hg5HheY8Vz5b_I5qqSb6fmgi47_po1UbfNAxcCAGvnwhHgm80b2gLl1OynXxje8yZ2yZipsk4tKW1Fzz3dxWm86vqba5I6yRjRoyt49hhva2QOd90myXbOyu492Y/s1600/IMGP8655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ArVlPZldoPDpkLj1hg5HheY8Vz5b_I5qqSb6fmgi47_po1UbfNAxcCAGvnwhHgm80b2gLl1OynXxje8yZ2yZipsk4tKW1Fzz3dxWm86vqba5I6yRjRoyt49hhva2QOd90myXbOyu492Y/s320/IMGP8655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-81649869256139849352011-12-12T10:55:00.000-05:002011-12-12T10:55:01.279-05:00Brave or Stupid?I was watching the Ugly Betty episode where Daniel decides to use all his own resources to keep the company going when they're basically bankrupt. Two other characters called him brave and it got me thinking...those two people might think him brave, but I bet the rest of us are calling him stupid. That seems to be the way of TV shows. Someone chooses something 'crazy' and we all say "Oh, that's a dumb move." Until the end of the show when it all works out and everyone is thrilled and we all say "Well, maybe not so stupid after all. Look how happy they all are!"<br />
<br />
I was raised to believe myself brave for doing sensible, responsible things. Hard work and diligence are what move us forward in this life - Even if you don't love what you're doing or where it's taking you. Pushing ahead and being miserable is the 'brave' thing to do.<br />
<br />
While I agree that sacrifice is a very beautiful and difficult thing to do, I don't think sacrificing happiness just for the sake of doing so is at all brave. In fact, I think it's very cowardly. It says life as it is, is good enough and can't get any better. It's proof that fear is crippling every choice to the point where risk is not an option.<br />
<br />
Acting bravely requires risk. It involves taking a chance that it could all blow up in your face and fail miserably. Usually choosing to act bravely has one person saying "yeah, go, you can do it!" (maybe the one person is you) and all the rest saying "are you sure you want to do this? It sounds kinda stupid."<br />
<br />
For me, I think an act of bravery would be to call myself a writer. Not a substitute teacher or a home-maker, but to create a self-fulfilling prophecy that I will get published and start to really work towards that goal. There are those in my life that say with sarcastic undertones "okay. good luck." There are also those that really believe I can do it. As of today: I'm going to choose to ignore the sarcasm, take in and learn from constructive criticism, and listen only to support.<br />
<br />
I wonder if already published authors had those same naysayers in their life before being published. People telling them in not so many words that dreaming of the New York Times Bestsellers list is dreaming too big. Aren't dreams supposed to be big? Isn't that why Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory watches the Nobel Prize awards?<br />
<br />
What dreams are you afraid of voicing? Be brave: say it out loud and let the power of those words propel you towards your goal.jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-72892543889549702162011-12-06T17:52:00.000-05:002011-12-06T17:52:01.969-05:00(Overdue) Advise from YallFestA few things (serious and silly) that I picked up from YallFest Panels:<br />
<br />
1. Root imaginary worlds in reality. Give your readers some signposts - it helps them connect to it.<br />
<br />
2. Setting and landscape are super important, but don't forget about the time frame in which your story takes place. Time of day, time of year, decade, century is all important to keep in mind (even if it doesn't make it into the pages of your book).<br />
<br />
3. Really bad writing comes from trying to write yourself: When we try to write ourselves, we're really not. We lack the distance and the result is something too perfect, or too self-debasing.<br />
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4. The usefulness of the slush pile is dwindling. Fewer and fewer books are making it out without being shredded. The solution? An Agent. It's becoming increasingly important to find an agent.<br />
<br />
5. Finding an agent is like dating - find one who likes you and believes in your work. You don't want to go into business with someone who doesn't 'get' your work.<br />
<br />
6. Immature poets imitate. Mature poets steal.<br />
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7. Carrie Ryan: The best weapon you can have in a zombie apocalypse is someone who runs slower than you.<br />
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8. If you're going back into history, take advantage of it. Go into the bigger cultural world.<br />
<br />
9. Make sure your villain believes in what he/she is doing. Even the people you are vilifying need to make sense.<br />
<br />
10. If you're stuck moving the plot forward, get out of your protagonist's head and enter your antagonist's.<br />
<br />
11. Empathy is important: It's difficult to empathize with losing an entire nation, but very easy to feel for 2 or 3 people.<br />
<br />
12. David Levithan: Writers don't peak, we just keep getting better with age (and experience).<br />
<br />
13. Kami Garcia's fail-safe: Whenever the book is not working out you just need to add more making out.jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-57434479291953574802011-12-01T00:00:00.001-05:002011-12-01T00:02:26.037-05:00The End...of NaNo 2011I discovered that trying to write an entire novel in a month and travel for a third of the time allotted is just plain crazy. Probably just the first part is crazy on its own, but here's a few lovely things that came out of my NaNo 2011 experience:<br />
<br />
1. I wrote over 13,000 words this month! I think that whatever we accomplished deserves to be celebrated.<br />
2. I found joy in writing again.<br />
3. I started to write regularly. Three cheers for creating good habits! (Which may have been interrupted by 11 days of Thanksgiving travel.)<br />
4. I have more defined goals when it comes to writing.<br />
5. I have most of a book outlined. (Which is against NaNo's ideas - editing should start tomorrow morning. I started early and my word count suffered for it.)<br />
6. I'm really excited to keep working on it!<br />
<br />
Congratulations to all who participated in NaNo! Whether goals were met or not, I'm proud of us!<br />
<br />
Personally, I will be focusing on creating a more sustainable writing schedule in December and January. Perhaps I'll do another word count push in February. Either way, I'll keep the counter going on the blog so you can see my progress. I am one who responds well to external motivation and knowing you're watching the counter will keep me thinking about pushing those numbers up.<br />
<br />
How did you do? What did you learn? I'm anxious to hear!jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-74529593728979240612011-11-14T12:51:00.000-05:002011-11-14T12:51:25.647-05:00Super Short NaNo UpdateI just spent most of the morning organizing the nearly 12,000 words I had so far written, because I was getting lost in them. I have a more traditional outline going now and discovered something both funny and overwhelming. The first pages I wrote on November 1st were literally the MIDDLE of my book. I've been pushing to catch up with them and just when I thought I was getting close, I realized that I have three whole chapters more to write just to catch up to them. Not to mention the string of unfinished and half written chapters before that. The good news: When I catch up, I bet I'm close to 25,000 words. The bad news: That surely won't be today. How are you guys doing?jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-84101824780617336982011-11-13T15:37:00.004-05:002011-11-13T22:04:43.082-05:00An Adventure in Parking, or My Day In Charleston, SC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A gorgeous, sunny day greeted me as I stepped out of my door juggling purse, shoulder bag, keys, phone, ipod, and extra large cinnamon flavored coffee. A perfect morning for a drive. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It's about two hours to Charleston and I left early knowing that there were logistics that I couldn't work out in advance, as you will see. I listened to She & Him's Christmas album and glided smoothly in a cinnamon scented, jingle-bell filled haze to the Yall Fest Charleston Young Adult Book Festival.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Fest was based out of the Blue Bicycle Book store on King St. (It's just outside the shadow of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church - one of the many spires of Charleston.)<br />
<br />
Okay, so King Street is about one horse carriage wide and yet they made it two lanes with parking on either side. Needless to say - I'm glad I took the Yaris. Also, once I got into downtown and found the book store, (luckily they had set up a big white tent in the gravel parking lot next door) I saw that our little Fest was not the only doings downtown that day. LOTS of people = LOTS of cars and no where to park. About a mile down the road, I found a metered spot, parked, and dug through my wallet to find exactly five nickles. Long story slightly shorter, I walked back and forth about three times getting cash/quarters to plug the meter (thanks to the girl at the Pita Pit) and looking for a more permanent parking solution. Found out there was a parking garage right around the corner from the book store and they were comping the parking fees. Phew.<br />
<br />
An hour later, I made it to my first of five panels - DEMONS, WITCHES, AND CASTERS, OH MY!<br />
<br />
A quick note about downtown Charleston itself: It's beautiful. It reminded me of a little London. The smell of old brick with new paint mingled with the scent of warm cement. Add to that the dozens of restaurants advertising their wares by opening their doors. It's colorful and busy, old and modern. A mix of architecture and palmetto trees. Just lovely.<br />
<br />
Now, I took geeky notes at all of the panels and learned oh, so much. (All of which I will post tomorrow.) But here are a few things that happened:<br />
<br />
Sarah Rees Brennan stood on her chair and reenacted how she tested the strength of the Millennium Bridge in London (for research, of course). People and guards yelling at her,<br />
"Don't do it?"<br />
"Do what?"<br />
"Don't jump, your life is worth it!"<br />
"Oh, no you don't understand, I'm a writer!"<br />
(Very funny.)<br />
<br />
Kami Garcia admitted her hatred of cats because, as everyone knows, "they see spirits".<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I sat next to <a href="http://melissabigner.com/index.html">Melissa Bigner</a> during the REALITY BITES panel. She was so sweet and introduced herself with the confidence of someone who's seen their name in print. So, of course, I had to find her on Google.<br />
<br />
I started crying when Kwame Alexander demonstrated how you can connect to an audience in just 10 lines of poetry during the UNDEAD POETS SOCIETY panel.<br />
<br />
I discovered the richness of Southern culture and superstition in the PUTTING THE YALL IN YALLFEST panel.<br />
<br />
My favorite moment must have been when the panel of DON'T DIS-TOPIAN ended the session by arguing who of them would make the best Princess Leia. In an effort to end on time, the moderator decided it would be Eliot Schrefer. (The only male on the panel.)<br />
<br />
The day ended in an all-to-quickly-over YA Smackdown where 26 authors improvised books in 10 seconds and Eliot won the 'golden pie' award. (It was literally a golden pie on a chain - flava flav style.)<br />
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Starbucks lifted my spirits and I drove home to crash. What a day. Lessons to come. In the meantime here are some pictures from my Charleston adventure. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrRPhe6JMQJPY3DGwsx2jfQkdKvNtTgRG7LzyckRbfxRU5wWX7m4lJIzyim1EULAR2cCPhYqSJ8uKpUZ3g8XKpEXpal1BnBqBKahVj7ZVmSR_lnq8sNH9vxT3pZ-E7J0CIAUmFnsJsBmF/s1600/P5030040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrRPhe6JMQJPY3DGwsx2jfQkdKvNtTgRG7LzyckRbfxRU5wWX7m4lJIzyim1EULAR2cCPhYqSJ8uKpUZ3g8XKpEXpal1BnBqBKahVj7ZVmSR_lnq8sNH9vxT3pZ-E7J0CIAUmFnsJsBmF/s320/P5030040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">King St. Shops</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a3jK1VSqaV23mi-n9Rk451FSz-cTk4T7LTtYLWB2uk4ms561ANf6XKoCXQIMH9oy4c6kZewXiBq6E0H0DHD-AXLhtlJkJgA2_yYFJk6bcYPWcP-MdMuI4LhmILbdse-te6JDRugY1aUN/s1600/P5030041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a3jK1VSqaV23mi-n9Rk451FSz-cTk4T7LTtYLWB2uk4ms561ANf6XKoCXQIMH9oy4c6kZewXiBq6E0H0DHD-AXLhtlJkJgA2_yYFJk6bcYPWcP-MdMuI4LhmILbdse-te6JDRugY1aUN/s320/P5030041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you see how narrow?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrfDF2ze0ZpXp7P0sRNMqmCbsO_T_kJ5L4Lu8OadHxJFwh6BWxDx327p_9huoWxywaTo0a0JsveiDKQpVrisWFlLo2bDLqd4EegmFyVCibl1k9Kcq76tHgb7Rp3COtE-94wz6O01owq1q/s1600/P5030042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrfDF2ze0ZpXp7P0sRNMqmCbsO_T_kJ5L4Lu8OadHxJFwh6BWxDx327p_9huoWxywaTo0a0JsveiDKQpVrisWFlLo2bDLqd4EegmFyVCibl1k9Kcq76tHgb7Rp3COtE-94wz6O01owq1q/s320/P5030042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Pita Pit - my ATM, quarters, and bathroom savior.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnJfvLGlvDXssyqgMs1YB1wnCBaOO32Z5urfMHHS9k7k3MHfrrApvbEwJtS-elrkIwx55yK0ZR3yPDKSL-jr_9R_YcB-y3TyGreU2y7WMSghL9DfbOU4Q2aI0JNJYrK05NW_3qx4ZtC7Z/s1600/P5030043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnJfvLGlvDXssyqgMs1YB1wnCBaOO32Z5urfMHHS9k7k3MHfrrApvbEwJtS-elrkIwx55yK0ZR3yPDKSL-jr_9R_YcB-y3TyGreU2y7WMSghL9DfbOU4Q2aI0JNJYrK05NW_3qx4ZtC7Z/s320/P5030043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you ever seen a prettier Urban Outfitters?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTaSWCk2uoJPI90mLcz3H1KcNBVIkthP4gWCaFZCe35l3SIfKLXe0a43D6iBD4aRmNZTffvTveCLDbFSPTi4ECZf43tzdzCsIWiybvyuNBSv50EEgEyPcy2uWhO8ptrpaIsE6zL2f1J2k/s1600/P5030044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTaSWCk2uoJPI90mLcz3H1KcNBVIkthP4gWCaFZCe35l3SIfKLXe0a43D6iBD4aRmNZTffvTveCLDbFSPTi4ECZf43tzdzCsIWiybvyuNBSv50EEgEyPcy2uWhO8ptrpaIsE6zL2f1J2k/s320/P5030044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marion Square, Charleston</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v70tV6uptwexbhF2jNW41AHtitMpS6w_FRou9bY5Y5kf2jXhEFYi2VX_vl7WgqhmXnop6EeGpT-dT9yQzwQYnJaRVmPDyFEiA3mKn9agszhrrvWZjIFn71b7HSlJ-KV2Rcj1KVh2kh1j/s1600/P5030045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v70tV6uptwexbhF2jNW41AHtitMpS6w_FRou9bY5Y5kf2jXhEFYi2VX_vl7WgqhmXnop6EeGpT-dT9yQzwQYnJaRVmPDyFEiA3mKn9agszhrrvWZjIFn71b7HSlJ-KV2Rcj1KVh2kh1j/s320/P5030045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St Matthews</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbbTYe6hCBHJCtBO-JO45tdCYqCLJO3t2D7n7iAzUNlxDGiPMbLqqvIAvxbR1V9-5DlMaPtAIKfZhtkWno9nS1wrlACGCMsyoz9GQslsOg_cvxnbeOPO3-tXL9dyL5c1qw5JHEbzd1COD/s1600/P5030046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbbTYe6hCBHJCtBO-JO45tdCYqCLJO3t2D7n7iAzUNlxDGiPMbLqqvIAvxbR1V9-5DlMaPtAIKfZhtkWno9nS1wrlACGCMsyoz9GQslsOg_cvxnbeOPO3-tXL9dyL5c1qw5JHEbzd1COD/s320/P5030046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me with Kami Garcia and Victoria Schwab</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw0c8P85jnpOmpH-e2eBljlHVuKFiKiD7gW-R7kgmqGoXXj9WJK5jpDTVFU-JhI-DUk1kNFV0i3lC9mL3dfGrdJOoNFJb56Z882J1PJFRFHDtuAeelVQIoLKwTSoQllIGRIMK7RoLrqzF/s1600/P5030047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw0c8P85jnpOmpH-e2eBljlHVuKFiKiD7gW-R7kgmqGoXXj9WJK5jpDTVFU-JhI-DUk1kNFV0i3lC9mL3dfGrdJOoNFJb56Z882J1PJFRFHDtuAeelVQIoLKwTSoQllIGRIMK7RoLrqzF/s320/P5030047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The PUTTING THE YALL IN YALLFEST Panel </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(minus Katie Crouch)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ebhPtjZgRFtrbl0_u7ZXHdA1OX1z6At3f2cP47EQWZFKH3CmgiO8e3ZZrDFzBR0fXeaP_y-ObmNNPSC2hkzV_j2frfH1mvFZxOt8qELP99k34zg0nSB3ZwxFaXmz9jLjWmZIlZpW1z3k/s1600/P5030048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ebhPtjZgRFtrbl0_u7ZXHdA1OX1z6At3f2cP47EQWZFKH3CmgiO8e3ZZrDFzBR0fXeaP_y-ObmNNPSC2hkzV_j2frfH1mvFZxOt8qELP99k34zg0nSB3ZwxFaXmz9jLjWmZIlZpW1z3k/s320/P5030048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saundra Mitchell, Carrie Ryan, Michelle Hodkin, and Beth Revis</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jijXd9N0FJXP1FfA_1p3N7ZLQcKCYXFLK36tYbnUyXBIvSG8_9XINAwvRBh6Y25rVJvy5aS2DJnwHQnbNZq-kuUHPyenX3kK0wZxeGTeECbuyw-DSTLXtBJV_P-2V1VconOBUOLipLgp/s1600/P5030049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jijXd9N0FJXP1FfA_1p3N7ZLQcKCYXFLK36tYbnUyXBIvSG8_9XINAwvRBh6Y25rVJvy5aS2DJnwHQnbNZq-kuUHPyenX3kK0wZxeGTeECbuyw-DSTLXtBJV_P-2V1VconOBUOLipLgp/s320/P5030049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Beth Revis :)</div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-22428449465299510852011-11-10T17:56:00.001-05:002011-11-10T18:01:51.505-05:00Taking a Deep Breath. NaNo Day 10.I'm not done writing today. I promise.<br />
<br />
With that said, you might note that I haven't added too many words to my word count-o-meter in the last couple of days. However, some really great things have come out of my 4500 marathon.<br />
<br />
First, seeing the 10,000 mark was oddly overwhelming. A weird sense of responsibility to finish the story took over and I went to bed dreaming about my story. (Like I do when I'm in the middle of reading a really good book. So, I take that as a good omen.)<br />
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Second: The outline for my little book is extensive. My plot has thickened! I am so happy with the progress I've made and I'm already feeling proud of what I'm creating. That's a big deal!<br />
<br />
Third. Since Sunday, I've needed to chill out a bit, but I was feeling a little guilty for falling behind just as I had caught up. Some really awesome people have written some really great stress-relieving blogs:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jeslindsay.blogspot.com/2011/11/nanowrimo-check-in-1.html">Jes</a>, you're so right about the having fun part.<br />
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Sunday was super fun, but also super draining. I needed the time to really pound out a huge chunk of story. And in that way, NaNo is such a motivator for me. I am a person who needs some external motivation. But I don't want to come out of November sick of writing, either. It's all about creating lasting habits.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-not-competition.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingItOut+%28writing+it+out%29">Beth Revis</a> wrote about herself and other authors in the Young Adult realm of literature. It's short, but very encouraging for those of us who would love to someday be the new kid on the block.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://maureenjohnsonbooks.tumblr.com/">Maureen Johnson</a> (who is writing NaNoWriMo advise daily, fyi) in her 11/10 post writes simply that "try as you might, you can't force the voice". <br />
<br />
Who hasn't hit a point where the words just don't want to come? It's true that sometimes I'm all 'talked' out, or maybe my characters are. It's okay if they're not speaking to me today. I have faith that they won't be silent very long.<br />
<br />
It was good timing to read these lovely notes. After so much good progress, I took a long deep breath and now I'm ready to forge on ahead again. The big run was exciting, but slow and steady wins the race.<br />
<br />
There's been much debate over NaNo and the quality of work that comes out of it. Personally, I'm using the word count goals to get my bum in the chair typing. I'm new at this and here's an opportunity to create good habits and network with tons of other people who are in the same boat.<br />
<br />
I know I'll have a LOT of work to do after NaNo in order to have something worth reading. But as a new writer, I couldn't ask for a better (or more intense) network of support.<br />
<br />
Okay, back to work.jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-17755587387487368292011-11-08T08:58:00.001-05:002011-11-08T09:04:37.849-05:00YallFest Charleston Young Adult Book FestivalI just learned that this weekend, Charleston is holding the 1st annual YallFest. It's bringing 20 top YA authors (including my new fav, Beth Revis) for two days of seminars, master classes, and smackdown.<br />
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I'm so excited!!! I'm so going. All events are free and open to the public except the Author Smackdown. (But I'm guessing $5 will be well worth it to watch all 20 authors on stage at once.) <a href="http://yallfest.org/">Check it out!</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.kamigarcia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/125x125.png" /></div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-79003647423195780282011-11-06T08:19:00.040-05:002011-11-06T22:16:14.134-05:00NaNo Day 6 Live-Blog8:27a: *rolls over and looks at the clock* I'm not sure if it's really 8:27 or 7:27. Thanks Daylight Savings...<br />
<br />
7:50a: Yep, it was 7:27. I need coffee.<br />
<br />
8:18a: Coffee is brewing and I'm blogging. Two more minutes to check facebook/emails, then time to write.<br />
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8:45a: Two minutes turned into twelve. However, dishwasher is now emptied and coffee is in hand. Hubby is making breakfast (hooray) so I need to get a few hundred words written before that's ready...<br />
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8:54a: Name! A Name! I need to name this beautiful boy!!<br />
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Word Count: 30<br />
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9:11a: Still no name. I'm about to just write 'boy'.<br />
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Word Count: 217<br />
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10:35a: Fed, showered, and moved to a less distracting writing area.<br />
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Word Count: Same. But wait till you see the next update....<br />
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11:18a: Plodding through a difficult section. I'm starting to get worried.<br />
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Word Count: 425, but I have a good 10 hours or more. That's just 408 words an hour. I can do this, I can do this...<br />
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11:40a: A Name! I found a name!!!<br />
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11:52a: Hubby will be leaving for work soon. I'll be in need of a cheering section, if you're up for it:<br />
<br />
Word Count: 582<br />
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11:58a: SOMEBODY MAKE TIME SLOW DOWN!!!!!<br />
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12:06p: If I make it to 1000, I can get a snack. Yeah, I'm bargaining now.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 708<br />
<br />
12:30p: So, maybe the threat of food works...or maybe I've gotten past the trickier part. Either way, it's time for lunch<br />
<br />
Word Count: 1011!!!<br />
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12:59p: Quick snack. Furious typing and a phone call.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 1111. Hehehe. That's fun.<br />
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1:13p: Hitting a stride, but 4500 seems so far away...<br />
<br />
Word Count:1322.<br />
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1:43p: Just found an invisible staircase. Huh, didn't know that was there...<br />
<br />
Word Count:1611<br />
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2:11p: Car alarm made me jump out of my skin. Hahaha! Well, maybe you had to be here.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 1865<br />
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2:29p: My cat is whining pathetically outside the door. Time for a break.<br />
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Word Count: 2012!!!!! (that reminds me, isn't the world supposed to end soon?)<br />
<br />
3:47p: Snacked a little - there's nothing really in the house to snack on, so I settled for a couple of pickles. Must put grocery shopping on the list of things to do tomorrow. Rested a little and watched one episode of Ugly Betty. :) Now we're back to it.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 2208<br />
<br />
3:48p: I'm at a crossroads. Not sure what to write next. Finished one thought and I know what happens next on one side, but not on the other...Need coffee.<br />
<br />
3:50p: *watches coffee pot slowly drip*<br />
<br />
3:51p: *wonders why she's loosing followers on twitter* (couldn't have anything to do with the nonsense going on here, right? This is riveting stuff!)<br />
<br />
3:55p: Finally! Coffee!!<br />
<br />
Word Count: Same. But I'm on my way to being caffeinated and am wearing jingle bell rings to keep we alert. Now if the phone would just stop ringing...<br />
<br />
5:03p: The good news. I'm half way to my overall goal today. I've worked some more on the outline and I'm starting to think I'll have no problem getting to 50,000 eventually. (It's a surprisingly complicated plot.) The bad news. It's after 5 and I'm only half done! It's been 8 hours already! Mini Goal: 3000 words before dinner.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 2268 (yes, that's right. only 60 words written in the last 2 1/2 hours. Yikes.<br />
<br />
5:09p: I mentioned dinner. Now all I can think about is dinner. Mmmm yummy dinner.<br />
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5:35p: Got my groove back:<br />
<br />
Word Count: 2598! Let's do this. Can I get a Hell Yeah?! *raises hand to ear*<br />
<br />
(cricket, cricket)<br />
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6:12p: Word Count: 3020! Time to eat!<br />
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7:39p: Took more time than I probably should have. But I watched the Packers win! Now I'm looking for a third wind. Could so use a pep talk, but I've already read NaNo's twice.<br />
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7:56p: Plodding along. Words, words, words...The stories moving, but I'm not so worried about the sentence quality right now.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 3245<br />
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8:13p: So tired, so very tired. Want to stop, really want to stop.<br />
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8:17p: Beth has joined the game! Hooray! We CAN do this! You're right, Beth! Go, Go, Go!!!!! (Note the use of exclamation points!!!)<br />
<br />
Word Count: 3447<br />
<br />
8:35p: Overall word count just crossed 9,000!!!!! Holy cow, I just might actually do this. Less than a thousand to go...ha!<br />
<br />
Word Count: 3560<br />
<br />
8:57p: I wasted a few minutes writing an email. Beth, you're totally going to beat me! :)<br />
<br />
9:20p: Word Count 4021! I'm so going to do this! I'm so sick of sitting!!! So many things to exclaim! (so little time.)<br />
<br />
Word Count: 3704. Under 800 to go...<br />
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9:35p: Word Count: 4159. Motivation slowing....Congrats Beth! So happy for you!!!<br />
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10:04p: In general, my whole body is getting shaky. I have a new found understanding of Stephanie's/Beth's Blog Bet.<br />
<br />
Word Count: 4436. Break out the drum roll.... :)<br />
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10:14p: Bed Time (I'm singing it) Bed Time!!! So happy to sleep!!!<br />
<br />
Word Count: 4575.<br />
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And I'm out. Wooo!!!! Thanks for taking the journey with me. I appreciate the support!jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-88017811232474845602011-11-05T22:54:00.000-04:002011-11-05T22:54:19.193-04:00NaNo SprintI've been terrible the last couple of days with word counts. I wrote 201 words today. Eek. Tomorrow I rectify my bad behavior and to that end I'm setting a crazy, catch-up kind of goal.<br />
<br />
4500 words tomorrow. That's my goal. I'll do my own little live-blog and keep you updated as to where I am and what I'm procrastinating with. (with what I'm procrastinating?)<br />
<br />
That is not to say that I haven't made progress in the last two days. There has been much outlining and brainstorming...also much Starbucksing and window shopping...<br />
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I'm off to sleep now, because as you can see, my writing is going down hill.<br />
<br />
We'll talk more in the morning.jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-22998655388587585532011-11-04T12:19:00.001-04:002011-11-04T12:26:24.351-04:00DiscouragementYou know the scene in Anne of Green gables where Gilbert is telling Anne to stop writing her sensational stories and to just write about what she knows and loves. Ahh, Gilbert...*dreams for a moment*<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm starting to worry that my little adventure is going to fall on the melodramatic side and no one will like it. I know, I know, it's day 4 of a long journey: 30 days of spitting out plot, dialogue, landscape will hopefully result in a pile of papers that I can then spend the next few months making readable.<br />
<br />
It's too soon to be despairing, but it's never to early to be discouraged.<br />
<br />
And then I got a text from a new friend:<br />
"So are you going to be famous soon?"<br />
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To which I laughingly replied:<br />
"Only if you know something I don't"<br />
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And he said:<br />
"Well, I have faith in you."<br />
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Oh, good timing! Oh, wonderful encouragement! <br />
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Let's get back to work!<br />
<br />
Word count so far today:<br />
I spent most of this morning outlining. I needed to brainstorm a little. Do those words count?<br />
<br />
P.S. Check out <a href="http://maureenjohnsonbooks.tumblr.com/">Maureen Johnson's blog</a> for some good advise.jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-40702615743309723942011-11-03T16:42:00.000-04:002011-11-03T16:42:45.222-04:00NaNo Ideas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">So, I got a little distracted today. It's still early, so we'll see what I can pull out of my literary hat yet. Basically, I had to run an errand at the mall and suddenly found myself with peppermint mocha in hand, fingering pretty sequined dresses and fair isle sweaters. It just felt good to be walking and interacting with other human beings - I hadn't left the house in...what day is it?...yikes, 6 days. Okay, so maybe getting distracted was necessary today. Still, I have only 450 words so far and I've discovered that I need to write a song. One with old, meaningful lyrics that are somehow important to the story. Well, while I work on that, here are a few sites that are going around on twitter that might help us:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2GV6Pr/blogsold.psychcentral.com/adhd/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Sheet-for-Emotions.jpg">Emotion</a> chart: if you realize you're using the same one over and over, check this out.<br />
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If you need a <a href="http://bikacentral.wordpress.com/">pep talk </a>this is fun.<br />
<br />
Tips from <a href="http://www.dresan.com/blog/?p=1366">Anthony Francis, Jr:</a> 6 time NaNo winner. Chris Baty tweeted this himself.<br />
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<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Words of Inspiration:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">From the fabulous Pat Blogahan (Lead Vocalist of Train):</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Autumn is probably my favorite time of year. The colors mean everything to me. I’ve always felt like autumn inside. Leaves, which are green and unnoticed for much of their life spans, become vibrant and filled with personality and reason to pay attention.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;">Its a reminder that you can’t ever expect anyone to know your potential. Only you know your potential. Only you know what your capable of and what your boundaries and limitations are.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Happy Writing!</span></span>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-56413776027029340002011-11-02T16:49:00.000-04:002011-11-02T16:49:18.732-04:00Day 2: My brain's getting fuzzy.Word count-wise I'm feeling pretty good about NaNo progress. However, I feel that today's quality of work has gone down a little. Oh well, words are words. I'll deal with quality after November - I just don't want to feel like I have delete it all and start over. It's probably because I did a lot of description today and not much plot. I'll have to remedy that. Tomorrow will be better, I can feel it. :) How are you doing?jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-4945024696533996412011-11-01T19:39:00.000-04:002011-11-01T19:39:40.139-04:001st NaNo UpdateToday I met a shape-shifter who has forgotten how to shift shapes.<br />
<br />
Who have you met today? What did you learn about them?<br />
<br />
I feel that this is a promising start! I've complete day one's goal of 1700 words. I'm going to try and go back to it after updating everything and get to 2000.<br />
<br />
P.S. Check out Beth Revis' new contest <a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2011/10/show-gratitude-for-booksand-win-19.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingItOut+%28writing+it+out%29">here</a>. Blog about your favorite book and you could win 19 Young Adult books - most signed by the authors!jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-34064851879748371712011-10-31T10:28:00.003-04:002011-11-01T19:31:28.153-04:00Shiny Pennies Part 2 (Updated)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just wanted to show you the pretty things that are now planted </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and/or carved because of yesterday's crazy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Gorgeous fall mums)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAu2z-5Zh_-m8mC_rv1JfBm6HQPWcG0e7yPva_tpaECf-zgPgNXzd7f1kp1-wjCVF-bqL_p2Zmem2muPEPrc3SqhecgVlmxavwShVHTxwByWl02GCPwXpii-SeOpGzmFGTzZyoYstxUsE/s1600/IMGP8420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAu2z-5Zh_-m8mC_rv1JfBm6HQPWcG0e7yPva_tpaECf-zgPgNXzd7f1kp1-wjCVF-bqL_p2Zmem2muPEPrc3SqhecgVlmxavwShVHTxwByWl02GCPwXpii-SeOpGzmFGTzZyoYstxUsE/s400/IMGP8420.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't think I mentioned the Calla Lilies, but they entered </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the story just after the mums did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Black Calla Lilies! How perfect for fall/Halloween!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG19MGhlgnPiLiRE_KZWhgM198DtozgDmdh86_byy-3FENdV_LvjTJ5U93zggzoFIoD_Ru8Vw4viuF4q-RHfv9Jh-_oUxXqsuPIozwuLw2L7pt72Zx8E1fnELppXh2gDokNH2RcNUg89d/s1600/IMGP8427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoG19MGhlgnPiLiRE_KZWhgM198DtozgDmdh86_byy-3FENdV_LvjTJ5U93zggzoFIoD_Ru8Vw4viuF4q-RHfv9Jh-_oUxXqsuPIozwuLw2L7pt72Zx8E1fnELppXh2gDokNH2RcNUg89d/s400/IMGP8427.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the pumpkins. My hand suffered for the owl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luckily it did not impede the ability to type. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It might hinder the writing, though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392506_763196672441_185004932_37419146_815842881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392506_763196672441_185004932_37419146_815842881_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, obviously, I played in the dirt, carved pumpkins, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and watched Ugly Betty instead of writing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The Ugly Betty part might not be so obvious.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alright. The next post will cover all the wisdom I'll glean </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">from this writing exercise. And judging by</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> my typing this morning, it will be a scribbled mess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This must be done before NaNo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NaNo starts tomorrow!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yikes!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">(The following was completed 24 hours later:)</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I only finished half of my short story before I was overtaken by the NaNo wave. However, here's what I found useful, fun, or annoying about pen vs. keyboard:</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">1. I love scratching notes in the margins of what to come back and fix. - So efficient! (if you can read your own writing...)</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">2. Doodling. I forgot how awesome it is to doodle!</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">3. Hand cramping. It brought be back to every first day of school after an entire summer off of taking notes.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">4. Batteries or outlets were never a concern. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">5. Non-linear thinking. Sometimes I like to flip the paper around or write in wavy lines. Why not? No one else needs to decipher it. Although typing it later will be trickier. Because of that, I generally keep this practice limited to outlines or brainstorming.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">6. (And my favorite) It feels like drawing! Writing is an art. One that is quickly dying in the scope of practical and super fun computers.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">One of the main reasons this little project began was because I often think of how much more difficult it must have been to publish any writing before computers, or word processors, or even type-writers. Would I still be writing if it wasn't so easy to edit? What if a manuscript was returned to me with major improvements required? Would I really have to re-write most of the book by hand and then re-submit? </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">This blog's namesake was such a writer, fictitious though she may be. She was always described with ink blots on her hand and smudges on her skin. She was easily recognizable as a writer - telltale signs gave her away, even to strangers. For many of us facing the looming wall of NaNo these badges of honor and proof of hours spent in creative toil will be slightly less showy. Disheveled hair, laundry piles getting high, nervous ticks from too much coffee and sudden and quick resurfacing here and there to tell friends and fam that we're still alive - these will have to suffice. Take pride in your messy house and crazy eyes this month. They will be our own inky smudges of acknowledgement to one another of the task we've undertaken. (Unless you're attempting this feat with a pen - then you will have all the original telltale smudges and much of my awe.)</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Welcome, November! </div><br />
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</div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-54700142602046044692011-10-30T14:23:00.002-04:002011-10-30T17:39:24.250-04:00Shiny PenniesI have not yet succeeded in my task (see last post), but neither have I yet failed. I simply got distracted. Shocked? No? Neither am I. Today began full of good intent. I WILL write. In a notebook. Wait, notebook? I don't have one of those. Okay, well, legal pads? Umm....hmm. Printer paper. That's all I've got. I could line it, or attempt to write on sheets with out lines (yikes!). OR, I could stop debating it, run to Walmart and pick up a $1.50 notebook. Done. Good. I can do that.<br />
<br />
Hubby: "Hey, while you're there, pick up a pumpkin so we can carve it tonight." Me: "Sure, sounds like fun."<br />
<br />
The plan: 1) Go to Walmart, buy notebook, maybe cool pens, and a pumpkin. 2) Drive to beach for wildly inspiring setting to write - in new notebook.<br />
<br />
October is a perfect time to buy school supplies like notebooks and pens. They're all on clearance! Hooray! Decision time: which notebook? The cool, slightly more grown up, artsy, college ruled one? Or, the super awesome, wide-ruled, strawberry dipped in chocolate, Lisa Frank one? In the end I decide on the slightly more grown up one, but ONLY because it's sturdier and I don't what to also have to buy a clipboard to write on. Okay, notebook. Check.<br />
<br />
Pens: Clearance...four pack...nothing too special, but there IS a purple one. That will do...wait...what is this I see? White-out? I didn't think of white out! Is that cheating? I think it's cheating...*hand slowly reaches towards white out (which is also on clearance)* NO! Don't do it. The point of this project is that I can't edit like I do on the computer. White out is essentially deleting. *Snatches hand back, turns and walks slowly away*<br />
<br />
On my way to look for pumpkins in the garden center, I inadvertently find a whole other clearance section with MORE school supplies. Here I find an old-school Transformers notebook for $1. You're welcome, hubby. AND 80's Glam Sharpies!! Are you kidding? They come with a 'super special silver marker'. THIS IS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!!!! *Almost grabs two...but thinks better of it*<br />
<br />
So, what was I doing again? Oh, yeah, time to grab a pumpkin and get to the beach.<br />
<br />
Have you ever tried to find pumpkins the day before Halloween? This is not the first time I've been dumb enough to leave it to the last possible second. I feel like all those husbands who go Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Walmart has none and I have no time to hunt them down. Oh, well. Hubby will be sad, but he'll live. Starbucks, then beach!<br />
<br />
*Starts driving out of Walmart* Hey, look - Home Depot might save the day!? Yep. Those are pumpkins. You might not recognize them, but they are misshapen, odd-looking pumpkins. That's cool, we'll carve something funky and then the shape will just add to the funk. *Grabs two* (They're so cheap!) Actually: *Grabs one and then has strange dad-type (who's there with daughter also getting last minute pumpkins) hand her a second because she can't lift it* Question: Do I check out inside or at the garden center? Crap, these are getting heavy, just decide quickly. Garden center it is. Lovely, kind lady in garden center points out carts to push heavy pumpkins to car. These oh, so helpful carts are next to gorgeous mums, also ridiculously cheap. $2. *Picks up one rusty red mum and places it in cart. Swings back to lovely, kind check-out lady and pays.*<br />
<br />
Oh my goodness! How long have I spent at Walmart/Home Depot? How bored are you reading about my distractions? Okay. Starbucks. Beach. Now.<br />
<br />
On the way to Starbucks, I realize I probably shouldn't leave flowers/pumpkins in car. It still gets pretty warm in the afternoons.<br />
<br />
Defeated for the moment, I get coffee and head home. Unpack flowers. Unpack pumpkins. Carry them upstairs to my apartment. Sit down and sigh. Beach? Maybe after lunch.<br />
<br />
Oh no! I left my coffee in the car!<br />
<br />
(To be continued...)jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-25001770282087702802011-10-27T17:02:00.002-04:002011-10-27T17:05:55.360-04:00Writing. Actually writing. Not typing.Objective: To hand write a short story. Why? Because I think it will change how I do things drastically. It will also, probably, prove that I've lost the ability to spell.<br />
<br />
While the history of language is long and fluid (and not the subject of this post), I don't think it's changed as quickly since typing/computers/technology in general have allowed it to morph constantly. Just thinking about how I edit on my laptop: type, type, type...ooo...I don't like that, highlight, delete, type, type...how do you spell?...okay, that's not quite the word I'm looking for...highlight...Shift F7...ah, thesaurus...hmmm...words, words, words...got one, type, type type...and so on and so on. Many times I type with my eyes closed, just so that watching the words appear across the page doesn't distract me from what I want to say next.<br />
<br />
In this exercise, the point will be to write with something I can't erase on an object that doesn't self-correct or offer suggestions and just observe what happens. Stay tuned...jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-76849936772495135082011-10-20T16:48:00.001-04:002011-10-30T17:54:11.959-04:00Epic Author Live-Blog BattleI have been doing a lot this week in preparation for NaNoWriMo 2011. Outlines, jumping jacks, and I figured out how to add a picometer to my little blogspot. (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hooray.</span>) But nothing was so inspiring as watching two published authors take on each other in real time. I followed Beth Revis' and Stephanie Perkin's Live-Blog bet last night like my husband follows football.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I need to get out of my house a little more...<br />
<br />
An explanation: Beth and Stephanie apparently bet that Beth could write 15000 words in one week. Procrastinating like a champ, she had 8400 words to go and 24 hours left. (Can you feel the excitement?) Stephanie decides to do one better and write 15000 in one day. ONE DAY! Gauntlet thrown, challenge accepted.<br />
<br />
Read Stephanie Perkin's story <a href="http://naturalartificial.blogspot.com/2011/10/live-blog-today-author-vs-author.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Read Beth Revis' story <a href="http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/2011/10/live-blogging-extreme-deadline-edition.html">here</a>.<br />
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Now, I may have inadvertently tweeted some HBM pictures to Stephanie (for which I heartily apologize...or do I?) and thrown myself into the competition a little too much. (Seeing as how neither of these women know who I am...) However, they wrote a ridiculous number of words in one day and drew in a cheering crowd to boot!<br />
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I say NaNo needs some live-blog competitions this year. Anyone with me? I know not everyone responds to competition well, but I sure do. So bring it! Let's pick some days, some crazy word goals and get to it.<br />
<br />
NaNoWriMo count down: 12 days to go...jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-86625802204190113172011-10-17T10:07:00.002-04:002011-10-19T17:16:21.809-04:00Snowstorm<div class="MsoNormal">She falls softly at first</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lazily drifting side to side</div><div class="MsoNormal">Destined for some lovely spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">To dwell, to linger, to shimmer</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Drawing joy and excitement</div><div class="MsoNormal">Her hope begins to rise</div><div class="MsoNormal">Looks down to the fated spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">For life, for love, for always</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Glowing with red emotion</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not peace, but fire she finds</div><div class="MsoNormal">Scorching the beautiful spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">In fear, in rage, in sadness</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Steeling herself for the thaw</div><div class="MsoNormal">Her crystalline form will modify</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since she is aimed for this spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">With tears, with tests, with pain</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Strong as phoenix she must rise </div><div class="MsoNormal">And vapor to lift high in sky </div><div class="MsoNormal">Reform and find a new spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">For rest, for health, for happiness</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hope was not lost this time</div><div class="MsoNormal">‘Though she is tired and shaken </div><div class="MsoNormal">Slowly she sinks to a lofty spot</div><div class="MsoNormal">To restore, to reclaim, to live</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5764232975161611418.post-75160438820991285092011-10-13T11:36:00.001-04:002011-10-13T16:22:48.486-04:00Pumpkin Pie Pictography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hate writing first posts of a new blog. Do you explain your bloggish ideas? Do you write something shocking or clever? Well, I have no explanations to give and there is nothing shocking about what I do. Someone will have to tell me if it's clever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Objective: Pumpkin pie from scratch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scariest thing I found about making pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin is getting the dang thing cut in half to roast it! Be aware of all fingers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyop6dvoqHXOq1XKdlzBcIg7H2J2doxS9otAQelVikR3qtWWT-UIqmjBC3DjmXCkPMK3FB3U_-kaIny-HxkPJu1fn75UGPIrQKyPNwW_XQ2N9nONE07OopJKSVbHxea9VrUE1brPtm6v1/s1600/IMGP8391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyop6dvoqHXOq1XKdlzBcIg7H2J2doxS9otAQelVikR3qtWWT-UIqmjBC3DjmXCkPMK3FB3U_-kaIny-HxkPJu1fn75UGPIrQKyPNwW_XQ2N9nONE07OopJKSVbHxea9VrUE1brPtm6v1/s320/IMGP8391.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My ten reasons why Pumpkin Pie is better from a pumpkin than from a can:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">10. Check out all those seeds! Those don't come in the can.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">9. I know every ingredient I put in this pie. No surprises here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHKFANYqRRtJDamcMgD62OvbD-ehgfFiVLNpdOYkSb1X32ukyxI3zNdNHt84k0dAAyUw7NFbS03K3riJOpWhULC1GArq3KjGMMPpYZQA-EmousqbVK9oEm6e9mZBhmP9ajYFqIQ0fXYDY/s1600/IMGP8392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHKFANYqRRtJDamcMgD62OvbD-ehgfFiVLNpdOYkSb1X32ukyxI3zNdNHt84k0dAAyUw7NFbS03K3riJOpWhULC1GArq3KjGMMPpYZQA-EmousqbVK9oEm6e9mZBhmP9ajYFqIQ0fXYDY/s320/IMGP8392.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8. Doesn't that just look like fall?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIFTx96kvNsJlx8Gv9v-3SwdanHiWCuGTDlSsb0UkHx1dB6sOTnjhgZkKp8DZkE4zBNO4Oj-ZbglonLwQwC6Hsymif5xn1Lz9K95kAs5xbMJHjydW2VjYORo4shEttQ5dI1a89CicR0zE/s1600/IMGP8393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIFTx96kvNsJlx8Gv9v-3SwdanHiWCuGTDlSsb0UkHx1dB6sOTnjhgZkKp8DZkE4zBNO4Oj-ZbglonLwQwC6Hsymif5xn1Lz9K95kAs5xbMJHjydW2VjYORo4shEttQ5dI1a89CicR0zE/s320/IMGP8393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. Extra pumpkin in my freezer for muffins!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLv36t3IPZqK9yRF5rvTNUCk4VqQv1CzX26n8pMjHyrrWda4AWAXriswnNfz5jeu_Oy_C3_QQRJm2cM5wvjgsU5glSJT5fz-EEvvNh7NAI-PwNMVNgxYbltUlnD6RYelyOGCONXZk1xgj/s1600/IMGP8395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLv36t3IPZqK9yRF5rvTNUCk4VqQv1CzX26n8pMjHyrrWda4AWAXriswnNfz5jeu_Oy_C3_QQRJm2cM5wvjgsU5glSJT5fz-EEvvNh7NAI-PwNMVNgxYbltUlnD6RYelyOGCONXZk1xgj/s320/IMGP8395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I was starting to get a little freaked out here: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so very bright orange!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ITpoQyVAT4n0pagPBZ78B9kH-CvPi5mzx9sD-75uZMTZnIB5wYK89sLp2ly2S8cFbQ2f0zDXy5jMaNzYlpi-YkBxP_kfUzZidzR69gaB5p_XyiHizsimrJ7K9k1-rAYOux0y5sScGpq_/s1600/IMGP8396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ITpoQyVAT4n0pagPBZ78B9kH-CvPi5mzx9sD-75uZMTZnIB5wYK89sLp2ly2S8cFbQ2f0zDXy5jMaNzYlpi-YkBxP_kfUzZidzR69gaB5p_XyiHizsimrJ7K9k1-rAYOux0y5sScGpq_/s320/IMGP8396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Mmmm. Homemade crust. So simple. So yummy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1ymCuG6Dq7mDZgAICzMEK81ZFkqgrSSnhWNwiY_IzKQJiqyvawuH5erDwCm7cK8RU6rbYEzXkFKYS8Z0wHA4K_fFCB1YqM6lYHRPSRatcljcDH4YEDIgPeAyl55t6mq5j0xxhL8mJtos/s1600/IMGP8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1ymCuG6Dq7mDZgAICzMEK81ZFkqgrSSnhWNwiY_IzKQJiqyvawuH5erDwCm7cK8RU6rbYEzXkFKYS8Z0wHA4K_fFCB1YqM6lYHRPSRatcljcDH4YEDIgPeAyl55t6mq5j0xxhL8mJtos/s320/IMGP8397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(So pretty!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0mYp8-fWTS9Ncjy66pyhD4F-QqVIQqWZfvfDbshwgOfHrWrwxMenZ62ARTkqywN7OfHRpB_6FaTfzJxutXWrr-rhQ3lwcdu55XVJ1awCYL9zFy4uWV1Olj6nK-rCek4S5PkeT7ugoYSK/s1600/IMGP8399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0mYp8-fWTS9Ncjy66pyhD4F-QqVIQqWZfvfDbshwgOfHrWrwxMenZ62ARTkqywN7OfHRpB_6FaTfzJxutXWrr-rhQ3lwcdu55XVJ1awCYL9zFy4uWV1Olj6nK-rCek4S5PkeT7ugoYSK/s320/IMGP8399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I don't know if you can tell or not, but this is the consistency of water...)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzj13UrpXNdKfzkUO6jtpVpk1j1zPavzbCO5mzrEPfDYgTebCM-TBJoSFtRq3bicf6hqWKoQCGxhKhgNcFl3VmSmuc-CkTEhN3qeI4SEesrUjGjt5bAJWZJzyl1DF7ARkwP8T1G2F8VCd/s1600/IMGP8400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzj13UrpXNdKfzkUO6jtpVpk1j1zPavzbCO5mzrEPfDYgTebCM-TBJoSFtRq3bicf6hqWKoQCGxhKhgNcFl3VmSmuc-CkTEhN3qeI4SEesrUjGjt5bAJWZJzyl1DF7ARkwP8T1G2F8VCd/s320/IMGP8400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(So thin...please set, please set, please set!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDXPMr1PhFrca9yjv6hv-4lMRdhgvcm_3rcn_CFHSwgrC8peeSKvWxGwWT74dubCosFb9JMV3L3BSmNF286CDvtsGGyGDtL2FI2g0QeVl8EyTXPihZJhumHp9XdbLhQmX8WJNIfghTZV_/s1600/IMGP8402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDXPMr1PhFrca9yjv6hv-4lMRdhgvcm_3rcn_CFHSwgrC8peeSKvWxGwWT74dubCosFb9JMV3L3BSmNF286CDvtsGGyGDtL2FI2g0QeVl8EyTXPihZJhumHp9XdbLhQmX8WJNIfghTZV_/s320/IMGP8402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Major dilemma: How to get pie to oven from counter </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with out covering the floor in pumpkin...)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNUhZ13HEECRJChMHfzN4i6vCp7GVQGw8I4pSR5lqRINaErlFLrLbfv8ZHYmA46GprB7DlOxkeLcgyMAQJvTrH4bcLsnDc18Q0xNT62e2O0cjHCRMJB6BywQ9D6mIiJPx9cYLbQQLnXOB/s1600/IMGP8404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNUhZ13HEECRJChMHfzN4i6vCp7GVQGw8I4pSR5lqRINaErlFLrLbfv8ZHYmA46GprB7DlOxkeLcgyMAQJvTrH4bcLsnDc18Q0xNT62e2O0cjHCRMJB6BywQ9D6mIiJPx9cYLbQQLnXOB/s320/IMGP8404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(It involved some yoga moves and jedi mind tricks and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">still it spilled. Trust me, you don't want to see those pictures!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUOOkRccwRJJd3Vr-4OKdP2T1QRiSMY19MfDAoLxzWgYjCRa5ZktT2CFuNjBN6vkGW0IMgT8OYUEYP9ec2fRPtPcH3soIFZcpV0-G7q4Bx83jCFMVrCRrdxuAJn8BEudinIGn3bWlzBz/s1600/IMGP8412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUOOkRccwRJJd3Vr-4OKdP2T1QRiSMY19MfDAoLxzWgYjCRa5ZktT2CFuNjBN6vkGW0IMgT8OYUEYP9ec2fRPtPcH3soIFZcpV0-G7q4Bx83jCFMVrCRrdxuAJn8BEudinIGn3bWlzBz/s320/IMGP8412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Holy cow, it worked?!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsCPB7ovJjPT5rhsEs6g0dSZxCI8DCS69joaczOzsf7cuAf_5XmVOYr87tM2VBv19p3cgUJV7-f7_m43y1rT7C39V063CHMKr0Ho_Zouh45uJ54nLJ54lQg_arOSgUrZiCZqGlwcs0JSD/s1600/IMGP8415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsCPB7ovJjPT5rhsEs6g0dSZxCI8DCS69joaczOzsf7cuAf_5XmVOYr87tM2VBv19p3cgUJV7-f7_m43y1rT7C39V063CHMKr0Ho_Zouh45uJ54nLJ54lQg_arOSgUrZiCZqGlwcs0JSD/s320/IMGP8415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. The consistency is super creamy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. It tastes ridiculous! So good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGVbyuNftxAyKhJ-KNQpdsnkVUk285HoxfLhQc_m14jH32IM1o8-GEyacCSy_GJCRzTLC-HqvALA3t7oEFXt7J8TvKGytOebZOx_TxSjfDsJOTm5N_DyFnShdmURybwqUn2451vycOe6/s1600/IMGP8409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaGVbyuNftxAyKhJ-KNQpdsnkVUk285HoxfLhQc_m14jH32IM1o8-GEyacCSy_GJCRzTLC-HqvALA3t7oEFXt7J8TvKGytOebZOx_TxSjfDsJOTm5N_DyFnShdmURybwqUn2451vycOe6/s320/IMGP8409.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Did I mention the pumpkin seeds? They're so good for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. All that extra moisture kept it from peeling away from the crust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And my last ditch effort to make you want to try it?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. It really is crazy easy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So there you have it. Plumfield's first project. It was a success (hooray!), but they probably won't all be so simple. "Failure is always an option" - Thank you Mythbusters for teaching life lessons. </div>jldyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233570803714668709noreply@blogger.com2