Last Ramblings of 2009

It's December 31, 2009, and I realized this is the last time I'll be rambling on my blog this year. Weird when you say that, but tomorrow is just another day. No great mystery happens over night and you wake up to a magical knowledge that it's now a year later.

It is fun to tell people, talk to you next year, I know a bit on the immature side to think it's fun. But I'm easily amused.

Now though I come to the point of my ramble. To make some resolutions. Or set some goals to accomplish in 2010. Have any of you ever accomplished what you've set out to do in the new year?

2009 I believe, has been the closest I've ever come to reaching my goals. I said 2009 would be devoted to my writing and finding an agent. That I would write 3 to 4 books by writing every day.

I attended three writing conferences and a writing retreat and I did sign with a wonderful agent. Christine Witthohn of Book Cents literary Agency. And I completed 2 books and still have about 1/3 of the 3rd book to complete. All in all, fairly close to my original goals.

It worked so well that I'm not going to set a number on the books I write in a year, but the number of words I'm going to strive to write each day. Since this is my career, I write five days a week and take weekends off--most the time. So if I set my daily goal at 2000 words a day. Five days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, I will write at least four books. If I were actually lucky enough to accomplish those words every day, I'd finish more like six books.

I'm realistic enough to know there will be days when I'm sick, have grandkids, have places I need to be, vacation and the list goes on. So I believe 2000 words a day to strive for is a good goal. And along with that I hope together with my agent I find an editor in 2010.

Leave me a comment about what you plan to do.

Definition Rambles

I looked up a definition today and realized that I was regarding the wording and in my mind adding what it meant to me as a writer. So I thought I'd check some more out. And I really thought it helped me with my motivation today. I'm not feeling so well--sinus cold--and it's snowy and I needed something.

Courage:
Websters dictionary: 1. the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave; valor.
Writer's POV: 1. the attitude of facing and dealing with a blank page and the difficulty and painful duty to fill it with words, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave when presenting those words you've written to the world--agents/editors; valor.

Determination:
Websters dictionary: 1. a determining or being determined (in all senses of the verb) 2 a decision arrived at by thought and investigation: conclusion 3 a firm intention. 4 the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.
Writer's POV: 1. a determining or being determined (in all senses of the verb) to reach your goal. 2 a decision arrived at by thought and investigation: conclusion, that you will not give up. 3 a firm intention to reach your goal dispite all odds. 4 the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose. You will not back down, even in the face of rejection.

Honor:
Websters dictionary: (I've only used a small portion of the actual definition) 2 a keen sense of right and wrong; adherence to action or principles considered right; integrity / to conduct oneself with honor.
Writer's POV:   2 a keen sense of right and wrong, never to use others ideas, adherence to action or principles considered right by giving honest opinions to others work; integrity / to conduct oneself with honor not using hurtful words to describe others writing when you know they've poured their soul into it.

Confidence:
Websters dictionary: 1 firm belief; trust; reliance 2 the fact of being or feeling certain; assurance 3 belief in one's own abilities; self-confidence. 
Writer's POV: 1 firm belief; trust; reliance, despite the rejections, you will succeed. 2 the fact of being or feeling certain; assurance, your work is good. 3 belief in one's own abilities; self-confidence. You will find an agent and/or editor who loves your style and story.


(Goes hand in hand with the above...)

Faith:
Websters dictionary: 1 unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence.
Writers POV: 1 unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence that you will succeed!

Last but not least:
Success:
Webster dictionary: 1 result; outcome 2 a) a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result b) something having such an outcome.
Writer's POV:  1 result; outcome when an agent or editor requests a full 2 a) a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result, an agent wants to to represent you. b) something having such an outcome, that your book reaches the NY Times bestseller.

These are my definitions, maybe yours are different. But this is what keeps me at my keyboard day after day. 

Writing Rambles

What is your inspiration or motivation to write? Is it the quotes we send to each other? Is it the hunky dudes we post from time to time? Or is it to see your name at the front of the B&N or at the top of the NYT Bestsellers list?

Reach down deep inside yourself—or as a friend of mine would instruct us, in your center. What do you see? Is it one of the above? When I look closely I see six reasons…

Marcus – AKA Eddie

Zackary –AKA Zacky Wacky

Anthony- AKA Tony B.

Ayden—AKA 81

James—AKA Jimmy Mack when are you coming back

Kaylee Mae—AKA Princess

These are my six motivations. I want my grandkids and family to be proud of me, of my accomplishments. I want to be a success so that I can help give them advantages that I didn’t have. Like going to school without having to take one class at a time while working and/or raising a family. I want them to have success so they aren’t living pay check to pay check. I want them to know that whatever you set your mind to do, despite the odds you can succeed.

And to add to that, the fun side is when your son calls you on Dec. 24^th at 5pm and asks “Mom, I’m just getting off work, and I’ll be there to pick the boys up soon, but I have to get something. Should a guy buy a present for a girl if you’re not really dating, but you’ve been out. But you can’t say you’re actually ‘dating’ yet? Would I be a complete A**hole if I didn’t buy her something? Or if I did and she didn’t buy me anything would I make her feel bad? I didn’t know what to do and I thought, hey my mom is a romance thinger—yes he said this. So I’m asking what should I do?”

So his mother the romance thinger said “Well you don’t want something too intimate, if it were one of my characters I’d have him buy her a nice bottle of wine. Not too personal.”

Son, “I don’t know if she drinks or likes wine.”

Romance thinger, “Well then I’d say flowers or chocolates. But I think I’d go with flowers.”

Son, “Over chocolates? I thought they were the best. Wouldn’t you like chocolates?”

Romance thinger, “Yes, but I’d give them to the kids because I wouldn’t want to eat them. Though I’d think the thought was nice. So if she’s watching her weight, she may appreciate the thought, but she wouldn’t eat them. I love flowers. Not roses, they say love with a capitol L so since you’re dating, but not really dating, I’d say a flower mix arrangement.”

Son, “okay where do I get them?”

Romance Thinger, “Well dear, it’s 5pm on Christmas eve. Probably Smiths.”

Son, “She’ll think that’s tacky.”

Romance Thinger, “She’s not going to know. I have a vase we’ll make sure it looks professional, but I don’t know where else would still be opened by the time you leave your work and get there.”

Plus, we had a party to get too and I needed him to pick up the boys, like an hour earlier.

Son, “But I’m not going to ask her for the vase back.”

Like I’d expect him too, Sheesh. Romance thinger, “That’s okay. You come home I’ll go to Smith’s and pick up the flowers and have them ready when you get here.”

So I found a lovely arrangement—within his price range. It was ready to go when he arrived. He dropped them off to her on Christmas and she thought they were beautiful. She gave him a GC to Famous Daves.  We told him it would be lovely if he took her there to share it with him.

These are the things that motivate me. My family, my grandkids and all six of my little reasons stare at me daily from their frames on my desk.

Dig deep in your center, what really motivates you?

Rambling about writing

My mother buried three husbands, and two of them were just napping.
  - Rita Rudner

This sounds like a funny suspense or something. I don't know about any other writers out there, but I study films or books. Now that I write as a career I never seem to read or watch a movie for the pure enjoyment any more. Even simple things, like the above quote I analyze. 

Movies, I watch for the transition from scene to scene, how they build suspense. How different directors build the tension in different ways. I love Dexter on Showtime, and this last season with John Lithgow has been one of my favorites, but I found myself waiting to see how the author would write their next scene. How Dex's sister is working her way toward discovering his true identity, etc.

Books, I find myself watching how they phrase things, do they over use fragments? How do they write their hook at the beginning of the book. Is there a hook at the end of each paragraph so you can't put it down?

Five years ago, I would sit down to a movie and enjoy, none of this stuff crossed my mind. Or I'd read a book, and though I was writing at the time, I never thought about the hook.

Now I can't seem to stop.
What about any of you other writers? Readers, do you ever think about the hook?

Holiday Ramblings

Goodness, I haven't checked in since before vacation. We had a blast in the nice Florida sunshine and came home to snow and 10 degrees. Brr... I do have a nice tan though, but Ron has a darker one, Men!

I'm finally caught up with everything that had piled on my desk. Now I'm working on wrapping presents. When all I want to do is WRITE. It's very frustrating. But it's my own fault. I knew I would have a busy December with, vacation, watching grandkids and keeping up with the holiday season. My goal was to have my book done by the end of NaNo - November. But it didn't happen and I have only myself to blame. So now I have to scramble to get it done. Wish me luck.

Good news is, I was offered a contract with Book Cents Literary Agency and I have accepted. Needless to say I'm on cloud 9 or 10. I'm having Rae Monet Inc design a new web site, and this blog and my newsletter will have a face lift to match! Things are cooking and coming along so fast I am bruised from pitching myself.

I will be sure to check in and ramble a bit before Christmas so check back. Also, don't forget I have a Holiday Blog Contest going on. Check it out and participate!

Have a good rest of the week and thank you for letting me share my rambles!
Mary