FEATURE PHOTOS

Any photo that would normally be including in a posting will be featured behind the title until I can figure out to make it part of the posting.

I haven't been able to make the slideshow work either, so wish me luck!

Debra

I'm Divin' In!

"My heart is racing and my knees are weak--As I walk to the edge--I know there is no turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge-- And in the rush I hear a voice
That's telling me its time to take the leap of faith--So here I go

I'm diving in, I'm going deep, in over my head I want to be-- Caught in the rush, lost in the flow, in over my head I want to go-- The river's deep, the river's wide, the river's water is alive-- So sink or swim I'm diving in..."

--"Dive," Steven Curtis Chapman

So.

There I was two weeks ago, ready to attend my first meeting of the writing group. I knew I'd have to read my work out loud--for the first time. I hadn't even read aloud to family. I had a few thoughts running through my mind.

Which piece do I bring? What if it sounds bad? Or worse, corny? What if I think my writing's better than it really is? What if I can't breathe?

As a writer and blogger, metaphors are tools that I keep close to my reach. Whenever I experience a life moment, I look for the hidden metaphor. In this case, I realized that I could ponder the upcoming meeting till I was dizzy, or worry about it till I was blue in the face--but none of that would help me when the moment arrived.

Sort of like facing a swimming pool on a cool day. You know that water's going to be cold, at first. You can inch your way into the pool, but it will take forever. You'll be wet and cold for a long time. You can give up, go wrap yourself in a towel and watch the fun from the sidelines. Or, you can take a deep breath and just dive in.

It's a shock at first--it hurts. Brings tears to your eyes, even. But before you know it, you're used to the water and having fun with the rest of the party.

That's a lot like writing. Putting the first words on the page; sharing them with others for the first time; making the move to be published. It hurts, it's cold.

So here it is, Friday. Time for the writing group--time to read out loud. Much like my writing career, I have two options: Give up, or dive in.

I'm diving in!

~Christine

Living in the "NOW"!

I’ve been reading "A New Earth, Awakening To Your Life's Purpose" by Eckart Tolle and diligently watching the weekly webcast with Eckart and Oprah. Being present and staying in the “NOW” is a work in progress. However, I did manage to stay in the “NOW” recently.

Ten days ago a foal was born at La Lomita Ranch, in San Luis Obispo and last Monday I visit her in her pasture. I sat down and let her come to me. I didn’t try to control the moment—I let it happen. I just sat in the dirt and let her smell, taste, explore, nibble and nudge me. I stopped thinking about how soon it would be over, or what I should be doing, or how it would be better if this were being video taped, etc. And, I just lived it!

Debra

GREAT WRITING

I've had the immense pleasure of listening to parts of Art-World I and from my perspective those agents don't know what they are missing. Art-World I is creative, diverse, authentic and inventive. Her book could easily be another Harry Potter. What more could any agent want?

Debra

Laurie's Rejections

Well after careful research to make sure that each agent's list matched my type of writing I finally got up the nerve to send Art-World I to 10 different agencies. It was with high hopes I checked the mail daily. The first form letter didn't get to me. They said they weren't accepting new clients. The second wasn't too bad either. They are a huge multi-national agency. By the third rejection though, my confidence was waning.
Then came the worst day of all. I got three letters all at once and among them was one from JABberwocky, an agency I'd held such high hopes for. They published fantasy YA that was similar to mine. I was sure they'd want me. Well they didn't. They didn't even have a comment about why. Just another form letter.
Well I don't need to tell you that a few tears were shed. I'm sure I don't have a monopoly on those salty drops but all of my doubts, self-recriminations and insecurities could have filled Boardwalk and Park Place that night.
I thought about giving up. Who did I think I was? I only worked an hour before work every day and triple that on the weekends. Why would anyone want to publish my work?
But a night's sleep can soften any blow and by the morning I was ready to say. I'll show them. I'll make it so good they have to yes. Anyhow I still have two more out there.
They say you're not truly a writer until you can wallpaper your office with all of your rejection letters. Maybe so, but that wallpaper sure isn't a shade I want to look at every day.

B&N Workshop Schedule

Debra: B&N Event Schedule ... indicates the Starting time on Friday (4/11/2008) as 6:30pm. You may want Laurie to request a change to their website? ... JimL

New Experiences

It's my turn to feel trepidation--I'm filling in for Laurie, as the leader, this Friday night.

What if no one show up! Or worse, what if several people show up!

Grow up and bite the bullet! How hard can this be? It's not like your a guest on Oprah!

I've been reading Eckhart Tolle's latest book, "A New Earth Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." I'm not sure where anxiety fits in, but I'm sure it's my "EGO" or lack there of. So I'm not going to dwell on the past or dread the future--I'm going to live in the now.

Debra