"Breaking the Mold"...

If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you title it? And why?

For me, it would be called "Breaking the Mold". Why? Because I honestly feel like I am not like a "typical" person, specifically a typical woman.

I actually did a poll on Writing.com last year. I polled 100 women specifically (I have yet to write the article without sounding snarky) and asked them, "What are five things you hate most about other women?" The responses generated were well, less than flattering. Hence the reason I am having issues with the article.

While going down the responses and ticking off like ones, I sort of made a checklist and realized that I didn't have a lot of those qualities. I'm not trying to brag, but I am really, really thankful I am not like some women out there. I'm often told I am not like most people. My husband thanks me daily for being me, especially after having witnessed some other woman's outburst.

So yes, my book would be titled "Breaking the Mold". What would your title be and why? I look forward to hearing your comments.

Excellent Advice...

I had some great advice given to me. Something I have not heard in a very long time.

I found a critique group. I had submitted my first fourteen pages or so for a critique and held my breath. I have been revising my Legend of Black Rose story for some time. I handed it off to a few Beta readers and friends, then waited for feedback. I got feedback, stripped it down to the bare bones, trying to get a feel for what I wanted to do with it. I'm now working on my third (or is it fourth?) revision. I've lost count. Not a big deal, I'm still struggling with it.

So when I plopped the first pages into the critique group, I felt absolutely sure they were trying to figure out how to politely tell me that my writing sucks. Really.

Over the course of many years, I have changed a lot in my writing, but my style. My style is my own... I don't even really know how to describe it. I've grown and progressed, I feel, a lot. A few things I have been told are that I change tense in the middle of a sentence and my comma usage is horrendous. I have also been told I use "was" an awful lot. So I worked and concentrated on those things, worked on a few areas that were considered problems. In the end, I began to scrap the creative stuff.

So what advice was given to me? To slow down and build the world I've worked so hard to create. I'll be honest, I don't think word counts dangle over me like Damocles Sword. I am afraid that I won't get to the point of the story in time, that I have to rush the plot. I'm not afraid to have a series of books dedicated to one story. (I actually have plans for that on the second book I've put on hold.) I am an instant gratification kind of girl and would like to see the entire story laid out quickly, poof, there it is, done! Sure. In my fantasy world, maybe, but not in this reality.

I thank you, Michelle, for reminding me of what I started - that my story is going to take time, no matter how many books or how many words. It will be done when it is done. That goes for most writers, fantasy being the exception as well as sci-fi. I have a really interesting world and I am just excited to share it. I'm learning patience, it is a hard lesson, but I am learning it just the same. :D

Website Wednesday:

I almost forgot I had planned to do a Website Wednesday blog. See? I knew I'd practically forget! However, I happened to be sitting here, reading the current blogs I follow and said, "Gah! It's Wednesday! What am I going to feature??"

Happily enough, I had the answer already opened up in a tab.

I love the magazine Real Simple. It is full of yummy recipes, quick household solutions, de-cluttering gadgets under $10 with the websites as well! So what did I stumble across this time? Well, I like wine. Not whine... wine. :D

I found this website inside the magazine: Red Truck Wines I wish I could call myself a wine connoisseur, but I am far from that. I do know what I like, what I can do without. I absolutely adore the cute mini cask on this website and would order one just to have the barrel. I'm weird that way. My husband likes wooden boxes of all varieties, I like cute little things. Different things.

I know a lot of people don't drink much anymore, but a good half glass of a red wine is good for you. One a day, one a week, just don't overdo it. I'm not trying to promote drinking or even alcoholism. Drink in moderation, don't drink and drive EVER! However, even if you don't drink but know someone who would appreciate the gift, check out the website.

I promise I will try to have next week's post better planned!

Don't forget to check out this post: Here or Here

BIG Contest Coming Up! Get Your Say In NOW!

You have two fantasy authors, same last names, sisters in all but blood. So what do we do? Okay, well aside from plot, plan and prepare to cause complete and utter Chaos (I'm Chaos...she's Complete... lol) We want to have a contest of our own.

I don't want to jump on to the Blog Give Away bandwagons just yet, mind you. I'd like to let the ones running have their fun.

However, to prepare you all, we'd like to hear from you! Yes... you, the one hiding behind your computer monitor and now looking over your shoulder to see who I am speaking too... We want to know what you think is a cool prize. Sky's the limit! Okay, maybe not the sky per se, but at least, well, maybe as far as the treetops?

Drop me a line here or post on my sister-in-law's blog about what you'd like to win. You'll have the opportunity to get multiple entries into our drawing. First we want to hear from you what you'd like to win. Cash? Gift Cards? Sorry, I can't offer up any plumbing or heating services. Weather control is out and I lost that recipe for the love potion YEARS ago... Hehe!

So, get ready to Spring Into Reading! Tell us what you want. You can come out from behind your monitor now, I'm done.

Promotions...

Wow, I really have to try and stop starting my blogs with "So..." Funny, I talk that way too. :D

Anyway, (let's try that shall we?) I had a conversation with my daughter yesterday. She and I were talking about music. I caught up with a friend of mine on FaceBook and we got to talking. He plays bass guitar in a band and sent me to the MySpace Music page. (I'll be giving you all the link here shortly) In return, I sent him to my daughter's YouTube page.

My kid is pretty musically inclined. I cannot wait to share her song she's been working on with a friend and had recorded in a studio. We got on the subject of being a non-competitive player in our "industries". Don't we sound intellectual?

Writing is a competitive field. So is music and I'm sure movies and the like. I told her, there is a way to promote yourself and not be overly competitive at the same time. Promote others. She recently spoke to a girl at her school who is apparently a pretty awesome photographer. She commented on my daughter's "style" and asked to hang out with her, show her some things and in return, this girl would show her things as well. The girl mentioned something about trying to get over her competitiveness.

I will promote anyone who wants it. While I am far from being a mind reader, if you ask me outright to help, I'm your girl.

With that being said, I'm going to link my friends MySpace Music page at the end of this post. Mind you... I listen to lots of different music. I don't have a specific genre, if it has a good beat and inspires me somehow, stirs something within, I like it. I like anything from Bach to Insane Clown Posse (although I have to be in the mood for ICP more often lately... I must be getting old!). Don't hold my musical tastes against me. :D I certainly won't send you off to a site, though, that has explicit lyrics. **Please note, there are some graphics on the site that might offend.** These guys are really, really good. If you happen to like their music style, please tell your friends. If you have teenagers, let them listen, so they can tell their friends. :D Of course, that call has to filter on down through the parents.

So, as promised, the link: PKA Band

Again, anyone who would like me to promote something here, just ask. I won't know til you ask. Hope you enjoy the music. By the way, thanks Travis!!! :D

Post # 40...

Nothing very exciting, even for my fortieth post! Mostly bummed that two and a half feet of snow dumped on us overnight.
So I am stuck inside today, probably tomorrow as well. I will have to go back to editing, reading and drawing. I'm trying to incorporate some design elements into the character drawings I've done. I have to change the race of another.
I've touched base with some old Legends of Cosrin friends. Perhaps I'll jump into the game to get my Muse up and running. They'll recognize characters I've worked on, listed in an older post.
Wow, so no creative flair to the title, nothing spectacular in this post. I suppose I am writing to write, to get my fingers used to the keyboard. My husband makes fun of me when I am writing, how fast I type. It always amazes him at how quickly my fingers can tap things out on the computer. Especially when I am on a roll!
It's a snow day today, not just for school, but for work as well. With all the snow that dumped on us, we're having to borrow a snow blower from our friends. I don't mind the snow, really. I guess I'm ready for winter to be over. Most everyone is who lives up here. We work all winter towards spring and summer, we play and work hard before winter. By the first snowfall, everyone is ready to settle in. It takes some time before everyone gets a little stir crazy.
Of all the places I've lived, Alaska seems to be the hardest working group of people. I've done things up here I would never have thought of doing in any other place I've lived. I actually used a sled to bring groceries down our road. I walk on slick roads with a ski pole to avoid slipping and falling. Maybe I should get out my daughter's snowboard... I'd probably break my neck!
Well everyone have a good weekend!

Wow...

Hey, this is my 39th post. I didn't think I would blog enough to get to 39, but, well... there it is!

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has checked out this blog, followed it and have also checked out my website. It shows that my long hours of hard work are paying off and I appreciate the heck out of that!

These past few weeks have connected me with some very like-minded people. I'm enjoying myself! Now I wish I was published so I could do an awesome Thank You contest or something to that effect! You all are the best and just remember, I support you in return.

Everyone have a good weekend if I don't post #40 before then!

Website Wednesday:

All right, it is that time of the week again. Sorry, half the day is gone for me. I stay up so late, I get a late start. In retrospect, I should have posted this last night with the other.

Anyway... I want to share some blogs I've been following. Yes, blogs are just informational little websites chock full of fun! Eh, we can agree to disagree. At the end I will post an actual website. :D

I have lots of blogs I follow. There is one out there that I think can help any writer, new to the craft or an old hand. Elana's blog. She's got a great book out called "From the Query to the Call". I have recently purchased it. She's also very good at making you send out said queries. Her post today, I felt she truly was pointing her finger at me to get a move on! I swear, I will!

Annette Lyon is yet another lady with a helpful blog for writers. Easy to understand help with grammar, punctuation and her Word Nerd Wednesdays are to die for. She's got an incredible talent and an incredible wit.

There are others that I follow. My sister-in-law's blog of course. She has one where she does book reviews and a Mommy Blog as well. (She's the mother of five and still finds time to write! C. Michelle Jeffries has 6 children! These women are amazing, I tell ya!)

Some of the blogs I read are for fun and I like to leave comments. But not all the time. I do love Melissa Cunningham's blog. She's got a crazy sense of humor like me and I can't wait to meet this woman someday.

For the most part, everyone shares their trials and tribulations in their blogs. Their writing, their home life and the sort. Writers are not to be glamorized. We all sort of live like little hermits while we write. It is a challenge for some to go out into the world and mingle with normal people. We share our rejections, pull ourselves up with our bootstraps and soldier on. We literally put our blood, sweat and tears into our work. Okay, maybe not literally with the blood... ew! Unless of course, you get cut by your keyboard...

Last week I steered you over to Absolute Write's site. Make sure you do your research with them. Make sure you check out the Preditors & Editors. (There is a site for the P&E list)

This week, I think I will send you over to Creative Writing Prompts. Their site has dozens upon dozens of ... you guessed it! Writing prompts! Might help kick start that Muse who's been sleeping under your chair. Don't forget to hand her a towel for the puddle of drool she's left behind.

I hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it! Have any website suggestions? Feel free to pass them on!

In the Wee Hours...

Yes, I'm sure you have figured out by now that I tend to blog in the very wee hours of the morning.

It is after 3 a.m. here, the house is silent except for the cats running, playing in the paper of a box left for them. Everyone else is asleep. This is when I do my best thinking. During the day, the house is empty, but interruptions come in the form of phone calls. Yes, I will make a payment to that bill tomorrow. No, I cannot donate to the Police Department at the moment. Unless you'd like to pay my electric bill for me? Didn't think so.

I do a lot late at night. Speaking of, my website URL has changed to www(dot)mlchesley(dot)webs(dot)com. Everything else is pretty much the same on the site. I will peruse it tomorrow at my leisure and if anything is missing, I will replace it.

I realize I am lucky to have this quiet solitary time to myself. My kids are teenagers, the cats... well the cats will fend for themselves. I've always been a night owl. I enjoyed working graveyard, but it was difficult when the kids were younger.

I have found a critique group (thanks Michelle!) and am currently going through earlier chapters to keep up with the ones up for crits. If I have no idea about the story, I certainly cannot be expected to give sound advice for the next segments.

If I were to go back to school, I'd probably work my way into an editing career. The written word is just fascinating when it is spun in certain ways.

This blog was more of an update rather than having much useful information in it. I didn't want people to go to my website and find that the site no longer existed. It does, just under a different URL. Hope everyone has a good Wednesday and oh yes, I have another blog to post later, don't I? Hooray! Busy, busy, busy.