Kritique Kritics

WE'VE MOVED ON TO BIGGER & BETTER THINGS!

2008-08-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Check out our new and improved site at: www.kritiquekritics.com

It has something for everyone. We have a BLOG, writers' websites, children's section, art, etc. I don't want to spoil the fun of looking inside our new home. It's only a week old, so all the furniture hasn't arrived yet and a few rooms still have to be painted. But, you can tell we went for LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

See you there.

Debra Davis Hinkle

Conference

2008-08-14T21:00:00.001-07:00

What?

Writers are supposed to do research, right?

More thoughts on the Conference

2008-08-14T20:30:00.001-07:00

During the SCBWI conference I had such ups and downs. One minute I was thrilled to be away from home around exciting people the next I was lonely for my family and just wanted a peaceful hug from my daughter. One minute I was confident in my writing while the next my self-esteem was in the toilet. But I did come away with a sobering epiphany: Art-World I is not even near ready to send to publishers. And I know why. It is still plot driven rather than character driven. I haven't been staying inside my character's skin. Instead I was trying to write exciting events or put pretty words on the page.
Not any more.
From now on I am going to look at every sentence as if it were in my character's mouth. All of the metaphors, descriptions, and feelings will come from him/her instead of Laurie.
It is time to do major surgery to Art-World.
Wish me luck.

2008-08-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

More Party Photos

2008-08-05T23:44:00.001-07:00

Here I am with Sid Fleischman.

Debra and Laurie Paint the Town Red

Paint the Town Red Party

2008-08-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

After two days of stressing out over saying the right thing, meeting the right people, pitching the right pitch, blah, blah, blah, I finally got to do what I really came to the writing conference for: DANCE.

Now the other Kritique Kritics didn't know this about me before the conference, but I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. And it is serious. Oh yeah, music is my obsession and whenever I hear it I have to dance. It starts with my fingers tapping to the beat. Then my head begins to bob up and down. Finally my feet are tingling so much to jump that if I don't let them I'm afraid they'll hop right out of my shoes and take off by themselves.

Now, Debra knew I wanted to find famous authors to have my picture taken with. And she is so sweet that she searched high and low until she did. First it was Sid Fleischman who was charming, gracious, and didn't even tell me to hush when I did my "I'm-having-my-picture-taken-with-Sid Fleischman" scream.

When the music was really pumping Debra managed to find Bruce Coville. Using my feather boa she yanked me off the dance floor. We scurried across the grass and there he was: the amazing, inspirational, famous, multi-talented, opening speaker of the conference. When I posed next to him I thrust my hand behind my back so he could feel my palm instead of my disgustingly gross sweaty shoulders. Celebration played during the polite conversation that followed and I tried to focus on talking to him. I really did. I even shared some sentiments on what is valuable for children. But the music was calling to me. I was seeing the moves in my head. Then came the B-52's. I love the B-52's! Come on Laurie, focus I tried telling myself. But it's Love Shack. You can jump, jerk, and be-bop to that song. I told myself to be polite. I told myself to talk books. I tried. I swear.

But in the end my compulsion won out. It's a disorder. I can't help it.

I stopped Mr. Coville mid-sentence. "Excuse me, I have to dance now. Thanks for the the picture."

Then I ran off and boogied the night away.

Sorry Mr. Coville.

They Said Yes!

2008-07-25T00:20:00.000-07:00

The Willows Magazine is going to print my poem, "Blazing Ice!" Editor Ben Thomas said, "We'd be delighted to take this one for an upcoming issue! Please fill out the attached contract and mail a copy to us:"

Wow. I feel like it's my birthday.

I love the name Ben. Thomas is pretty nice too. But put Editor in front of it and add a yes and my heart just skips a beat.

I'm headed for the SCBWI Conference in LA next week!

2008-07-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a quote from the SCBWI website:

Join us poolside on Saturday night from 7:30-10:30pm for a nighttime festival of all things red! Come in crimson any way you know how and enjoy the music, food and cocktails with SCBWI Conference attendees from all over the world. Get creative with your costume! Prizes will be awarded for the red-est.

What do those words mean? They mean, among other things I CAN HARDLY WAIT:

I'm packed more than a week early
I have everything I've written in the last four years in a new binder
I have new business cards and bookmarks for the blog site
I have a NERVOUS STOMACH for whatever I might have missed

I don't have a thing to wear! Should I wear a RED mask or hat. Do I need a RED boa or a RED feather?

Laurie's ready to change her phone number; I keep calling with questions about our RED costumes. I’m forgetting she has a life of her own (family) and just got a poem published; not to mention she’s getting ready to go to the conference, too.

Wish me luck!

Debra

Experience

2008-07-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking of the old adage that one can only become a writer after years of experience. That only the wisdom that comes with age will be sufficient to create works of meaning.
And you know what I think?
Hogwash.
But not to say that experience is unimportant.
Our memories are what make us uniquely ourselves. Whether we are a teenager or a senior citizen, each is so individual that it is impossible to duplicate. Experience is what defines us. That's why I'm a firm believer in creating as diverse and as interesting of experiences as possible. Through classes. The gym. Or pushing myself outside my comfort zone. But mostly travel.
So far in 2008 I've had the privilege of climbing the ruins of Machu Picchu, cruising to Mexico with my Mom and daughter, and most recently escaping with friends to Las Vegas.
And although each trip differed greatly they all shared one thing: my journal was in hand throughout, recording the experience.
And you know what? With every scratch of that pen I AM a writer.

Let Your Soul Dance

2008-07-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

I saw this video today, and it inspired me to tears. As a writer, I feel my dreams locked up inside my heart--and the work of my daily life is to set them free.

This video opened up my heart a little more, shook out the dust of disbelief and inertia, and made me realize anew that I have something beautiful inside myself. And I can set it free.

The same is true for you.

You can do anything you imagine.

You can go wherever you dream.

You may start out by yourself, but you will inspire others along the way.

Live fully. Live now.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

~Christine

Update on the "Foal"

2008-07-09T20:02:00.001-07:00

I haven’t been riding much since I fell off my horse, Finn, and dislocated my shoulder last December. I haven’t been to the barn in the last month; I been in physical therapy twice a week for my injury.
I do have a new picture of the foal. In addition, I think I had better start calling her the filly, because she is a little girl and a very sweet one. My sister suggested I call the photo “the kiss” and that I use the photo on my new business cards. More on my new “writer’s” business cards later, they’re still in the design stage.

Debra Davis Hinkle

Update on "Bird Nesting Season"

2008-07-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

The babysitting routine worked great--we cared for Lynaia’s birds and she watched ours.

Lynaia’s birds had already hatched about two weeks before our eggs were laid so I was unable to get a picture of her birds before they “flew the coup,” as the say. But, all five of our little birds posed for their last portrait before going off to college (summer school?).

Debra's Baby Birds

Looking for Inspiration

2008-06-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well here it is my long awaited vacation and am I finishing that story? Revising my 2nd Art-World novel? Story-boarding ideas? Nope. What I did after coming back from my weekend Mexican cruise with my Mom & daughter was start cleaning. I scrubbed the floors, wiped down the tables, waxed the furniture, hosed out the chicken water and bird bath as well as did yet another load of laundry.
What was holding me back?
This new story is giving me trouble. I started it 3 weeks ago with a germ of an idea but this ain't a disease that is spreading throughout my body. Oh no. Instead it's like I have disinfectant stopping every bacterial inspiration from spreading.
That disinfectant is called But what about. But what about her troublesome back story? I don't have it yet. But what about the artificial gravity? I don't have enough technological expertise to make it sound plausible. But what about her consequences for falling short of her training numbers? Where will it lead. What about? What about?
All these what abouts have me wrapped in a sterile bottle killing every idea.

And the stars look very different tonight

2008-06-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

"The stars look very different today." went the words to David Bowie's song. And for my group of fifth graders it was true. Last night was the Second Annual Taylor Elementary Talent show and I choreographed a number to Space Oddity for them. The song tells the story of an astronaut who blasts off into space and finds himself lost among the stars.

The last two weeks of rehearsal have been wonderfully exhausting. Trying to herd 28 fifth graders into lines was hard enough but throwing a few hyper boys into the mix made it feel nearly impossible. At first. But we practiced. Again and again. And again.

At the performance in the high school auditorium they were as excited as crickets on a hot plate. Running to the restroom every five minutes, giggling, and needing be shushed about 47 times. But when that curtain went up and it was their turn, every single child was in line. Every single head was held high as they did pivot turns, chanays, and jazz arms.
Boy this year has been a glorious Apollo Mission. From that first day smiling at them in their shining suits as I invited them aboard. We went over emergency procedures before counting down to the rush of jet-fueled curriculum. Getting out of Earth's gravity was tough. Some of the kids' suits had holes and others needed more oxygen. We patched a few here or there and pumped them as full as we could.
But then eventually we send them off into space hoping they won't just drift from star to star. Hoping they can steer their rockets toward the brightest in the sky.
Last night every single one did.

I'm Moving In

2008-06-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of a challenge for me--the Southern Cross Novel Challenge. Described as the Southern Hemisphere's version of NaNoWriMo, SoCNoC's challenge is to write 50,000 words of fiction in the month of June.

I already have a novel on the board; I've been working on it for almost five years now. That seems like a long time (to me, at least), but a lot has been going on. I began the book shortly after suffering chronic carbon monoxide poisoning--and the writing process has been as much a journey of personal growth as it has been one of story. I'm rebuilding my life as I build my novel.

I envision my novel as a house. Each room is a chapter.

For five years, I've been visiting my house, taking items inside. Some rooms are filled with things, all piled together in disorderly fashion. Here and there is a neat corner, perfectly decorated. Other rooms, though, are still empty.

I haven't been staying in my house--just stopping by when I can, in between other obligations. A morning here, an evening there. A whole weekend, now and again. Weeks can pass with only a few visits, maybe to carry in a new piece when I come across something.

Not anymore.

As of June 1, 2008, I've made the decision to move into my house. It's a big move. Life changing. I still have struggles to deal with; I still have other work to do. But I will live in my house, and work on it each day. And with that dedicated effort, it will soon be finished.

It's time for me to go home.

~Christine

Writing Contest in Mrs. Woodward's Class

2008-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Announcing Mrs. Woodward's First Annual Writing Contest for her 5th Grade class.
Genre: All fiction
Length: 3,000 words or less.
Purpose: To get my students as excited about the writing process as I am.
Deadline: June 3, 2008
Judges: Kritique Kritic members.
All entries will get their names listed on the Kritique Kritics Blog. The top three stories will be printed as separate posts and will get a gift certificate from Barnes & Noble.
Happy writing kids!

Procrastination and Editing my work!

2008-05-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Why do I avoid editing my work? I can write a "creative non-fiction" piece in an hour sometimes. I have stories that are three years old and I haven't gone back and finished them. It would just take some editing to complete them. But, they just sit unedited and uncompleted!

I can think of lots of reasons not to sit down at the computer and finish a piece. I need to pay the bills, read, balance the checking account, clean the house, do the laundry, wash the dog, work in the yard, make dinner, shop for food, buy some plants, sew or mend a pair of pants and lastly work on the BLOG.

I'm retired. I should be able to fit everything in. Editing should have as much priority in my life as figuring out how to up the ranking on my website. Both of these are VERY important, yet they are at the very bottom of my "to-do-list".

Do I lack the skill--should I take an editing course? Am I afraid? OOPS, I THINK I JUST HIT THE PROBLEM! I'm afraid, no I'm TERRIFIED! If I edit my work and the story, any story gets completed, guess what? I then have to try to get it published. There in lies the problem. At least, I think that's the problem. I lack the confidence to market my work--I'm afraid to be rejected, especially over and over again. What does that mean--I don't think my writing is worthy of being published?

What if I am afraid, but not of being rejected--of being successful. Is it possible that I'm afraid of being noteworthy, outstanding, prosperous, arriving, famous. Maybe, out-shinning my husband and what the future would hold. Now, that would be sad.

I've wanted to be famous since I was in the eighth grade. There I said it and I didn't die. I WANT TO BE WELL-KNOWN, PROMINENT, CELEBRATED. Anyway you say it, I have to edit my stories to get it!

Debra Davis Hinkle

My Favorite Horse Videos

2008-05-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Debra's favorite horse videos:

http://canecorso.com/lorenzo.htm

Being True to Yourself

2008-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

Over the last several weeks as we have been preparing for the big standardized test I have found a change in my teaching style. Gone was the creative teacher who used art, drama, and poetry to bring concepts to life. In her place was the robot sergeant. And I didn't like her. This drill sergeant barked out formulas, quizzed them repeatedly, and shouted, "This is the most important test of the year! You have to do well!" Needless to say the smiles and warmth I'd come to know all year were replaced by furrowed brows and distance.
I had forgotten myself and the kind of teacher I wanted to be.
In today's No Child Left Behind Act climate it is frightening to be a teacher. Not only does California have the highest standards in the nation but we also have the most second language learners of any state. What does that mean? California's test is tougher. And the pressure is on.
And we pass that pressure onto our kids.
So today I decided to do things differently. I greeted every single one of my students with a smile and a handshake at the door and told them how proud I was of all the work they'd done so far.
Then, instead of shouting and cajoling, I cheered, "You guys rock!"
They really do. I knew that all along. And however they do on this STAR test won't change that.

Molly the Pony Romps to a New Role in Life…on Three Legs

2008-05-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

I had to pass this very touching story on when a friend sent it to
me!

"Click on the title."

Debra

The Field Trip

2008-05-13T22:27:00.000-07:00

On the subject of Debra's Bird Nesting Season post:

We once had a bird nest in a vent of our camper. Not unusual, except we used the camper all the time to transport our large family to different gatherings.

We discovered the bird's nest after arriving at the parking lot of White Sox Stadium! Everyone piled out of the van, then stopped when they heard the tiny "cheeps." Poor baby birds, who knows what they thought after an hour of driving on Chicago highways!

Their frantic Mama bird was waiting for them when we got back. The next day, my Dad built a birdhouse right next to the van, then moved the little family into it. The Mama seemed upset and skeptical about the new digs, but she was soon at home.

That family grew up and left--and through the next few years, the birdhouse sheltered many more nests. No more field trips to baseball games. :-)

~Christine

Kitty Heaven at Laurie's

2008-05-13T18:02:00.001-07:00

Well, we finally got her. Jessica's birthday present. I arrived home from the last Critique Group to find this little grey and white ball of fluff in my daughter's arms mewing away. Jess had a beatific look in her eye as if she'd just returned from a vacation at the Pearly Gates. A corner of her bedroom was all decorated with a paisley cat bed, scratching post, and wine colored feeding bowls. But the kitty wouldn't eat. She hadn't been weaned yet. By the next morning she seemed weak and listless. I drove to the Feed Store and asked, "What should I do?" The gal at the counter suggested that we use milk replacement with a bottle, and slowly mix it into her food. We had a heck of a time with the tiny bottle. I didn't know how large to cut the holes in the nipple. So I first tried poking a few with a needle. Nothing. I tried larger holes with a bigger needle. Barely a drop. Finally I trimmed off a chunk of rubber with nail clippers. Now our kitten could drink. Jess propped this green eyed baby up in her lap and fed her with the bottle. Little by little the kitten got some white nourishment. Then Jess poured some in a bowl. It was lapped right up. "What are you going to call her?" I asked. "Apple, because she's the apple of my eye." I looked into my daughter's hazel eyes. Sure enough there was a shine there that would make any apple farmer proud.

Updated to "Living in the now".

2008-05-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

The filly was a month old last Thursday. Isn't she MAJESTIC!

Bird Nesting Season!

2008-05-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

It's a myth that a "mommy bird" won't come back to her nest if a human touches the nest, eggs, or baby birds, according to Pacific Wildlife Care of San Luis County. They also said that eggs usually hatch in two weeks and that baby birds are in the nest for another two-three weeks.

This is great information to know since my husband found a nest in our horse trailer last week. The nest is resting on a light above the tack room door. The nest had two eggs on Friday, four on Sunday and five today.

Our trailer wasn't the only prized nesting location. The trailer just South of ours had a nest resting on the light next to the back door hinges and that nest has four baby birds. On Sunday, Lynaia, the owner of the other trailer wanted to take her horse to the beach so we moved the nest in her trailer to ours temporarily. She moved it back when she returned from her ride. If we need to use our trailer in the next five weeks, Lynaia has agreed to babysit our nest. That sure beats waiting five weeks to take our horse out.

Debra Davis Hinkle

p.s. Maybe our birds will grow up to dance like Snowball:

http://birdloversonly.blogspot.com/search/label/Cockatoo

Favorite Cat Videos!

2008-05-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

Visit some of my favorites at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC4HhI0bK4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-hT018rpBs&feature=related

http://daveandthomas.blogspot.com/2008/04/engineers-guide-to-cats.html

Playlist: Mean Kitty Episodes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypMl2RFTC9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tRWRSfcDuQ&feature=related

The Cat Lady

Mother's Day

2008-05-10T15:25:00.000-07:00

This will be my sixth Mother's Day without my mother. Part of me will always miss her, the other part of me is what's her in me.

I'm comforted by our last conversation in the hospital, just two days before she died.

"I love you!"

"I love you, too Mom."

"No, I really, really love you Debby."

Debra Davis Hinkle
Grieving Daughter

My cat has a FOOT FETISH; what crazy thing does your cat do?

2008-05-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

My cat, Buff Momma, has a foot fetish! No not a "pathological displacement of erotic interest" just an "EXTRAVAGANT IRRATIONAL DEVOTION" to my bare feet. She loves it when I place my bare feet on the wood deck in the morning--she comes running from the garden and starts to lick my feet. She does this every morning, except when it is too cold to go barefooted. On those mornings--she still comes running, but when she sees that I have slippers on she just looks up at me. This is when I start feeling GUILTY for just wanting warm feet.

DOES YOUR CAT DO ANYTHING UNUSUAL OR CRAZY? SHARE IT WITH ME; I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOUR CAT DOES.

Debra Davis Hinkle
The Cat Lady

Fetish Definitions source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Diectionary, Eleventh Edition

No More Eckhart and Oprah!

2008-05-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

I watched the last webcast with Eckhart and Oprah. I WANT TO LIVE IN THE PAST--not in the NOW! Seriously, I will miss the weekly webcast with Eckhart and Oprah. I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks the ten weeks went by rapidly and wishes they would continue.

I hope something has AWAKENED in me and that I can live in the "NOW"--now and the future.

Debra

Closer to 60 than 50!

2008-05-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

My husband, Roland, took me out for lunch on Friday--our favorite sea food place--for an early birthday present. I turned 56 on Saturday and I know I got a new wrinkle Friday night.

My "birthday" day was ordinary--I went to the farmer's market in Arroyo Grande with a dear friend. Then I spent all afternoon making green salad, two kinds of fruit salad, pesto, whole wheat pizza, bread sticks and finally our dinner--stir fry. Then I collapsed from exhaustion--I really am closer to 60 than 50. And, I have wrinkles!

Debra

FEATURE PHOTOS

2008-04-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-04-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

"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"!

2008-04-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

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

Bothell vs San Luis Obispo

2008-03-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

My sister called today; it snowed all afternoon in Bothell, Washington. It was a nice place to visit for Christmas, but I'm really glad I live in San Luis Obispo. I bet I'd get more writing and less riding done in Washington.

Debra

Laurie's Eggs

2008-03-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hurray! The chickens are finally laying. I thought we'd bought some duds but just last week I heard that loud bawking that told me one thing. Eggs! After nearly two years of changing their water and litter weekly, lugging fifty pound sacks of lay crumbles out to the coop, and patching the holes in the chicken wire to keep out skunks and other predators we were finally rewarded.
This made me think of the long process of trying to get a book published.
Right now I'm sending out The Pharaohs' Cry to a new coop of agents. How long before I get that golden egg? How many pounds of feed will I have to buy or holes will I have to patch?

As my daughter teaches me daily, it is not the egg at the end that gives us the joy. She raised those hens from the time they were fluffy chicks, cuddling their downy feathers and adjusting the heat lamp to keep them warm. She was the one that put them out into the coop to fight their way amongst the pecking order of the hens. And it was she who laughed as they held their own in the yard.
Yeah it's not the egg at the end. We only end up eating it anyhow. It's the tending to and loving the chickens in your coop while you have them.

Debra gets her first poem published!

2008-03-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

I got a poem published at Poetry.com. I didn't even know I could write a poem and I sent it in on a whim. I read the congratulations letter several times and I still didn't believe it. Are writers insecure or what?

The poem was based on a funny incident with my two nephews: Josh Baker and Kyle Murphy; and my friend Stephanie's three sons: James, Nick and Mathew Teaford.

Here's my first published work of poetry:

HOG DOG

Five young boys.

One black dog.

A DARK cave.

C-R-E-E-P in!

Look around.

Dog follows.

Dog BRUSHES leg.

What's that?

Dog.

Hog?

H-O-G!

R-U-N!

Five young boys.

One black dog.

Outside cave.

You Know You Are Too Busy When..

2008-03-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

Laurie's thoughts:
Well I thought I had it all under control. I was getting the word out on the critique group, writing an hour before work every morning, going to the gym, quizzing my daughter on her anatomy class, and keeping up with the never ending pile of papers to grade and plans to make for the classroom. Then the other day I was writing hot and didn't want to stop. So I pushed it. I kept writing until I only had 15 minutes to shower, dress, and get out the door for school.
I heaved a sigh of relief when I pulled into the parking lot ten minutes before the bell. I checked my box, made coffee for the staff, dropped off my lunch, and was strolling to class when I noticed them.
My feet. One black shoe seemed awfully brown. I thought, Boy the grass must be extra sandy today. Then it hit me. That wasn't brown dirt on my black shoe. I'd put on two different shoes!
Of course, my fifth graders noticed immediately. They all walked in the door roaring with laughter and pointing at their goofy teacher.
Luckily my husband was home and was kind enough to bring the other black shoe.
He said, "You know you are too busy when?"
I completed his sentence. "Yeah, yeah. When you get to work with two different shoes on."

Our Next Meeting

2008-01-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 28th at 6:00p.m. We meet at Barnes & Noble in San Luis Obispo (Southeast corner of the first floor). Hope to see you there!

We usually meet the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month.

Debra

Christmas in Bothell

2008-01-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful, but very unusual Christmas. I spent a week with my sister and her family in Bothell, Washington. My nephew and I had planned on going to the movies (The Water Horse) on Christmas Day, but I didn't want to drive in the snow so we stayed home and enjoyed a warm fire and a great turkey dinner. My nephew and I did manage to go see National Treasure 2. Mostly, my sister and I shopped til we dropped--we even shopped on the way to the airport.

The unusual part--it was the first Christmas that my husband and I have ever spent apart. I sent him pictures all day on Christmas, via my phone--the snow and a raccoon family that comes to my sister's sliding door. It felt very different to be separated.

I can't wait to go back.

Debra

Laurie becoming a Workshop Leader

2007-11-23T16:33:00.000-08:00

I gulped. Me? A facilitator? But I was a shy writer. I couldn't lead a whole group. Besides, I was too busy. Between my full-time teaching job, feeding two hungry kids; one going through puberty, the other beyond, an artist husband whose career always seemed to need the good wife at his side, five chickens, one dog, a half acre of land that constantly needed weeding, and of course working on my new book there was no way I could take on any more.
Or could I? For months I woke up thinking about it? Maybe if...It was just twice a month.
Then I went to the Central Coast Writers' Conference at Cuesta College and heard Jay Asher speak. He told us about his own journey and the importance of making contacts. Of supporting your fellow writer along the way.
And I realized. For seven years I'd worked on the craft of novel writing but had not put as much energy into the business end of it. I hadn't pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. There was so much more I could do.
So I made the call. In a quivering voice I said, "I think I'd like to take you up on your offer."
And on Friday, October 12th I did it. I walked into Barnes & Noble, introduced myself to the assistant manager Monica Kong, and proceeded to set up the table. Then I waited with my fellow writer Debra Hinkle supportive at my side.
6:30 passed. 6:45. At 7:00 the two of us decided to share with eachother.
How did it go?
Well you'd have to ask Debra about that.

What Laurie is Thankful for

2007-11-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Every Thanksgiving I try to remind myself of all the things a writer has to be thankful for. Let's see, I am thankful for cut and paste. Cool invention! I mean when your sentences rush onto the page all a kilter and you go to reread them and say, hello that's not in order, you can just cut the third one and make it the second or even put it first, where it should have been to start with. I'm also thankful for my thesaurus. When I have said "exchanged a glance" for the twentieth time in the novel and am about ready to puke over how unoriginal it sounds I just flip to page 27 and get observation, looking, viewing, seeing, witnessing, and espial. (What does espial mean anyhow?)
I am very thankful for my critique group. They never make me cry. And when I bring those five pages out with my shaking hands and croaking voice they are kind enough to only snicker occasionally.
But most of all as a writer I am thankful for this gift of creativity. Every day I get to go to a world of imagination and return to that time of childlike wonder.

Our Next Meeting

2007-11-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

Our next meeting is Friday, November 9th at 6:30pm. That's tonight & I'm running way behind. We meet at Barnes & Noble in San Luis Obispo (Southeast corner of the first floor).
Hope to see you there!
Next year I plan to have a schedule/calendar of our meeting dates available on the BLOG.

Debra

2007-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

I want to thank Jay Asher for our BLOG idea. Jay gave his fellow writers suggestions for "Creating a Buzz" about yourself and your work in his workshop at the Cuesta Writer's Conference in September 2007.

Laurie Woodland and I took his class so I didn't have to twist her arm to get started; she even helped me name the it. Thanks Laurie!

Debra