LC_RW 1st and 10 contest

LILAC CITY-ROCHESTER WRITERS ANNOUNCES

1st & 10 in 2010

Are you a new writer, looking to see if you're headed in the right direction?

Are you published, wanting to reinvent yourself or considering a new genre?

Are you tired of hearing 'the story begins in the wrong place'?

Need a fresh fix? We can help! Give us the first 10 pages of your unpublished work, any fiction genre; show us how you plan to hook an editor or an agent.

With more than ten years experience sponsoring the Barclay Gold and Sterling Contests, LCRW has earned a reputation for providing detailed and personalized comments on our score sheets. No entrant goes away scratching their head, wondering what the scores actually mean!!!

Why come to us?

We're cheap--$10.00 for 10 pages

We're green-all entries are submitted electronically [including payment if you want]. Score sheets and the entry, with comments directly on the manuscript pages, are returned via email.

Judging: our first round judges have been trained via the RWA model; many are published in different fiction genres, alternate formats and length. Second round judges: An acquiring agent and an award winning, multi-published Harlequin and Berkley author.

Let us help you to return that opening kick-off into a run for the end zone!!

FMI: www.lcrw.org for rules & regs, entry form, and sample score sheet.

For further questions, contact: Contest Coordinator at: www.lcrw.org

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

LC_RW 1st and 10 Contest

LILAC CITY-ROCHESTER WRITERS ANNOUNCES

1st & 10 in 2010

Are you a new writer, looking to see if you're headed in the right direction?

Are you published, wanting to reinvent yourself or considering a new genre?

Are you tired of hearing 'the story begins in the wrong place'?

Need a fresh fix? We can help! Give us the first 10 pages of your unpublished work, any fiction genre; show us how you plan to hook an editor or an agent.

With more than ten years experience sponsoring the Barclay Gold and Sterling Contests, LCRW has earned a reputation for providing detailed and personalized comments on our score sheets. No entrant goes away scratching their head, wondering what the scores actually mean!!!

Why come to us?

We're cheap--$10.00 for 10 pages

We're green-all entries are submitted electronically [including payment if you want]. Score sheets and the entry, with comments directly on the manuscript pages, are returned via email.

Judging: our first round judges have been trained via the RWA model; many are published in different fiction genres, alternate formats and length. Second round judges: An acquiring agent and an award winning, multi-published Harlequin and Berkley author.

Let us help you to return that opening kick-off into a run for the end zone!!

FMI: www.lcrw.org for rules & regs, entry form, and sample score sheet.

For further questions, contact: Contest Coordinator at: www.lcrw.org

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween, and I'm all alone at my brother's house in Philadelphia.  My brother, my son, and two cousins are at the World Series Game 3 in the rain <G>  Glad I'm all nice and cozy watching the game on a big screen TV, my diet soda and my computer.  What a life!

I wrote a cool short story in tribute to today's holiday.  Think I'll brave the rain and retrieve my story and write it here.

The sun had set behind the fall tapestry of colorful trees.  Gusts of wind blew through the piles of raked leaves, scattering them all around.  Bare branches creaked against the strain.  The sky was heavy with rain-laden clouds, ready to burst at any moment.

Bonnie duValle tugged the edges of her wool coat close around her throat.  The wind blew the ends of her plaid scarf into her face obscuring her vision.  She wiped the flapping end and tucked it inside her coat.  "Brrr, why did I think it would a good idea to walk to work today?" she muttered to herself as the wind fought to steal her breath.

She was angry with herself because she left the party at work early.  It was pretty hard to enjoy herself all alone while everyone else was paired off.  What she'd forgotten was that she'd walked to work, so the only way home was to walk as well.  There weren't any taxis in the small hamlet where she lived.

Increasing shadows along her path sent Bonnie's nerves into overdrive.  The tales of the Phantom of the Woods snuck out from their banishment in the recesses of her mind and pushed through her consciousness.  The rustling leaves skittered in front of her, their sound similar to chalk scraping on a chalkboard.

"There's no such thing as the Phantom," she announced out loud in the frigid air.  Yet, as the night advanced and the shadows deepened, Bonnie darted her gaze all around to keep vigilant.

While looking to her left, she bumped into something and came to a sudden, jarring stop.  "Oof!" She brought her gaze forward and jumped back a step.  The way in front of her was clear of obstacles.  Shaking her head at her imagination, that's all it could be, she took a step, the two forward.  To be stopped again by an unseen barrier.

She brought her hands up and reached toward the barrier.  Yes, something solid was preventing her from going forward.  Bonnie decided to retrace her steps and take another route home, yet when she took a handful of steps backward, she was stopped again.  Moving around with her arms outstretched, she touched a barrier all around her.

Trapped, her imagination took flight, flashing a myriad of scenarios through her mind.  A vision of unseen hands, strong and lean, caressing her through her coat made her breath catch.  As if spurred by the vision, she actually began to feel hands slide up her arms.  Tingles of electricity slithered along her skin, causing goose bumps to form on her flesh.

A warm puff of air breezed past her cheek.  A faint sound reached her ears.

"Free me."

Twisting her head to look in all directions, Bonnie searched for the source of that voice.  Nothing.

"Free me," the voice breathed again near her ear.

Yearning so fierce shook her.  It was like no othr feeling she'd ever experienced.  "How?" she cried out softly.

"Free me," was the only reply.

Frantic to find the source of the voice, Bonnie pushed at the barrier and felt it give slightly.  Using more pressure, she pushed again.  Each push grew harder and harder as she gained ground against the unseen walls.  Finally, one last shove and she broke through.

"Where are you?" she called.  Silence met her plea.

Before her, she saw the leaves blowing along the path into the woods.  Fear crept in, telling her to forget the voice and run home.  She tamped it down because the urge to find the voice was too great.  Taking another look at the leaves, she realized they were moving in a uniform pattern, not the usual whirling mess.

Were they telling her to follow the path?  Just as she decided to follow, she was propelled forward by a push on her shoulder.  She turned her head and saw nothing.  Nothing but trees and blowing leaves were there.

Slowly she walked toward the woods, following the path of the leaves.  As soon as she entered the tree line, a puff of air brushed her cheek.

"Free me"

"I want to," she whispered.  "Please tell me how."

Nothing.  Silence met her request again.  Even  the blowing leaves weren't making noise in the thick of the trees.  Cautiously, Bonnie continued forward.  Night had fallen, yet there was enough light around her to illuminate the path.  She didn't want to think about the source of that light.  Too many strange things were happening that night.  No use tempting whatever fate as at work.

Ahead there appeared to be a clearing in the trees.  It shown brighter than its surroundings.  Right in the center there was a glass box atop a stone foundation.  Knowing deep inside that this is where the voice is, Bonnie rushed to the box.

Empty.  The blasted thing was empty.  Or was it?

Remembering all that happened when she was caught in that invisible barrier, she looked over the box again.  She tried to move the top, but couldn't find any purchase.  There seemed to be no way to open it.

Warm air brushed her cheek again.

"Free me," it said; it's sound much stronger, more human.

A tear slid down her face.  "How?" she cried.

Something warm cupped her cheek and she felt her tear being wiped away  Her heart sped up, desire maing her breathing labored.  How can someone unseen make her yearn so much?

A loud "croak" broke the silence around her.  Startled, she glance around to find the source.  There near the stone foundation sat a toad.  It was small and cute, nothing like its big, ugly cousin the frog.

The realization that tonight was Halloween slammed into her.  All her memories of fairy tales and monsters crashed the floodgates of her mind.  One about a princess and a frog leaped out in front.  Taking a chance, feeling foolish as she did so, Bonnie knelt down and gently picked up the toad and kissed it.

A spark of electricity smaked against her lips and she cried out in shock.  A kaleidoscope of colors danced around her.  Faint strands of music reached her ears.  As soon as she regained her wits about her, Bonnie looked all around for the toad.  She must have dropped it when she felt the spark.

There were no signs of the toad, but what made her step back and gasp in surprise was the glass box.  A mass of swirling white and yellow fog filled the box as well as colors flashing like fireworks in the sky.

As the fog faded and the flashing stopped, a form could be seen to emerge.  A man, with long sable-colored hair that reached the collar of his crisp white tunic shirt, long legs encased in black leather pants that fit like a second skin was in the box.

Bonnie stared in awe as his image cleared.  His face was tanned, with defined cheekbones and a finely chiseled jaw  The hint of a beard shadowed it, competing with the full dark brow and long lush black lashes.  His chest rose and fell.  He's alive.

Rushing to the box, she tried again to open it.  Nothing moved.  She spotted a large rock from the corner of her eye.  Bending to pick it up, she was glad to find it wasn't to heavy for her to wield.  Hefting the rock over her head, Bonnie brought it down hard on the glass top near a corner by his feet.  She didn't want to hurt him.

A crack formed from the impact.  It was a small crack, but it was a start.  Hefting the rock up again, she used both hands to bring it down harder.  The crack grew, but still didn't break through.  Again and again, she crashed the rock down on the box until she broke through.

As soon as she breached the glass box, the man's eyes popped open and he smiled.  Pulling his legs up, he kicked out and lifted the lid of the box up and over to the side of the foundation.  He stretched his arms and back as he sat upright, then proceeded to climb out.  When his feet touched the ground, the box and foundation both crumbled into dust and disappeared on the night breeze.

"Thank you," he said, his husky voice filled with emotion.  "You freed me."

"You're welcome," Bonnie replied as she found her voice.  "Who are you?  How...?"

He touched her lips with his fingertips.  "No questions."

Her eyes mirrored her confusion, but she was powerless to voice it.  His touch sent a frisson of desire through her; it was so sharp to be almost painful.  His lips replaced his fingertips as he grasped her arms and drew her into his embrace.  Soon she was so lost in sensations that the forgot her questions.

Too soon he stopped kissing her and stepped back.  Her heart cried at the loss of his heat.  His clear blue eyes gazed deeply into hers.  She wanted him to finish what he started.

"Take me home," he whispered as he bent to kiss her below the ear.  The desire to do as he said was great.  She didn't even hear the voice in her head telling her an unequivocal 'no.'

Bonnie took him by the hand and began to walk home.  He dropped her hand to drape his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to his side.  As they walked, he dropped a kiss or two in her hair, at her temple, below her ear, wherever he liked.  She shivered with anticipation at the climax of this encounter.

Reaching her small cottage, he leaned in to whisper, "Do you believe in me now?" as they entered.  He chuckled at the surprise in her eyes as he shut the door on the night while her clock struck midnight.

Patti Mann 10/31/09

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween, and I'm all alone at my brother's house in Philadelphia.  My brother, my son, and two cousins are at the World Series Game 3 in the rain <G>  Glad I'm all nice and cozy watching the game on a big screen TV, my diet soda and my computer.  What a life!

I wrote a cool short story in tribute to today's holiday.  Think I'll brave the rain and retrieve my story and write it here.

The sun had set behind the fall tapestry of colorful trees.  Gusts of wind blew through the piles of raked leaves, scattering them all around.  Bare branches creaked against the strain.  The sky was heavy with rain-laden clouds, ready to burst at any moment.

Bonnie duValle tugged the edges of her wool coat close around her throat.  The wind blew the ends of her plaid scarf into her face obscuring her vision.  She wiped the flapping end and tucked it inside her coat.  "Brrr, why did I think it would a good idea to walk to work today?" she muttered to herself as the wind fought to steal her breath.

She was angry with herself because she left the party at work early.  It was pretty hard to enjoy herself all alone while everyone else was paired off.  What she'd forgotten was that she'd walked to work, so the only way home was to walk as well.  There weren't any taxis in the small hamlet where she lived.

Increasing shadows along her path sent Bonnie's nerves into overdrive.  The tales of the Phantom of the Woods snuck out from their banishment in the recesses of her mind and pushed through her consciousness.  The rustling leaves skittered in front of her, their sound similar to chalk scraping on a chalkboard.

"There's no such thing as the Phantom," she announced out loud in the frigid air.  Yet, as the night advanced and the shadows deepened, Bonnie darted her gaze all around to keep vigilant.

While looking to her left, she bumped into something and came to a sudden, jarring stop.  "Oof!" She brought her gaze forward and jumped back a step.  The way in front of her was clear of obstacles.  Shaking her head at her imagination, that's all it could be, she took a step, the two forward.  To be stopped again by an unseen barrier.

She brought her hands up and reached toward the barrier.  Yes, something solid was preventing her from going forward.  Bonnie decided to retrace her steps and take another route home, yet when she took a handful of steps backward, she was stopped again.  Moving around with her arms outstretched, she touched a barrier all around her.

Trapped, her imagination took flight, flashing a myriad of scenarios through her mind.  A vision of unseen hands, strong and lean, caressing her through her coat made her breath catch.  As if spurred by the vision, she actually began to feel hands slide up her arms.  Tingles of electricity slithered along her skin, causing goose bumps to form on her flesh.

A warm puff of air breezed past her cheek.  A faint sound reached her ears.

"Free me."

Twisting her head to look in all directions, Bonnie searched for the source of that voice.  Nothing.

"Free me," the voice breathed again near her ear.

Yearning so fierce shook her.  It was like no othr feeling she'd ever experienced.  "How?" she cried out softly.

"Free me," was the only reply.

Frantic to find the source of the voice, Bonnie pushed at the barrier and felt it give slightly.  Using more pressure, she pushed again.  Each push grew harder and harder as she gained ground against the unseen walls.  Finally, one last shove and she broke through.

"Where are you?" she called.  Silence met her plea.

Before her, she saw the leaves blowing along the path into the woods.  Fear crept in, telling her to forget the voice and run home.  She tamped it down because the urge to find the voice was too great.  Taking another look at the leaves, she realized they were moving in a uniform pattern, not the usual whirling mess.

Were they telling her to follow the path?  Just as she decided to follow, she was propelled forward by a push on her shoulder.  She turned her head and saw nothing.  Nothing but trees and blowing leaves were there.

Slowly she walked toward the woods, following the path of the leaves.  As soon as she entered the tree line, a puff of air brushed her cheek.

"Free me"

"I want to," she whispered.  "Please tell me how."

Nothing.  Silence met her request again.  Even  the blowing leaves weren't making noise in the thick of the trees.  Cautiously, Bonnie continued forward.  Night had fallen, yet there was enough light around her to illuminate the path.  She didn't want to think about the source of that light.  Too many strange things were happening that night.  No use tempting whatever fate as at work.

Ahead there appeared to be a clearing in the trees.  It shown brighter than its surroundings.  Right in the center there was a glass box atop a stone foundation.  Knowing deep inside that this is where the voice is, Bonnie rushed to the box.

Empty.  The blasted thing was empty.  Or was it?

Remembering all that happened when she was caught in that invisible barrier, she looked over the box again.  She tried to move the top, but couldn't find any purchase.  There seemed to be no way to open it.

Warm air brushed her cheek again.

"Free me," it said; it's sound much stronger, more human.

A tear slid down her face.  "How?" she cried.

Something warm cupped her cheek and she felt her tear being wiped away  Her heart sped up, desire maing her breathing labored.  How can someone unseen make her yearn so much?

A loud "croak" broke the silence around her.  Startled, she glance around to find the source.  There near the stone foundation sat a toad.  It was small and cute, nothing like its big, ugly cousin the frog.

The realization that tonight was Halloween slammed into her.  All her memories of fairy tales and monsters crashed the floodgates of her mind.  One about a princess and a frog leaped out in front.  Taking a chance, feeling foolish as she did so, Bonnie knelt down and gently picked up the toad and kissed it.

A spark of electricity smaked against her lips and she cried out in shock.  A kaleidoscope of colors danced around her.  Faint strands of music reached her ears.  As soon as she regained her wits about her, Bonnie looked all around for the toad.  She must have dropped it when she felt the spark.

There were no signs of the toad, but what made her step back and gasp in surprise was the glass box.  A mass of swirling white and yellow fog filled the box as well as colors flashing like fireworks in the sky.

As the fog faded and the flashing stopped, a form could be seen to emerge.  A man, with long sable-colored hair that reached the collar of his crisp white tunic shirt, long legs encased in black leather pants that fit like a second skin was in the box.

Bonnie stared in awe as his image cleared.  His face was tanned, with defined cheekbones and a finely chiseled jaw  The hint of a beard shadowed it, competing with the full dark brow and long lush black lashes.  His chest rose and fell.  He's alive.

Rushing to the box, she tried again to open it.  Nothing moved.  She spotted a large rock from the corner of her eye.  Bending to pick it up, she was glad to find it wasn't to heavy for her to wield.  Hefting the rock over her head, Bonnie brought it down hard on the glass top near a corner by his feet.  She didn't want to hurt him.

A crack formed from the impact.  It was a small crack, but it was a start.  Hefting the rock up again, she used both hands to bring it down harder.  The crack grew, but still didn't break through.  Again and again, she crashed the rock down on the box until she broke through.

As soon as she breached the glass box, the man's eyes popped open and he smiled.  Pulling his legs up, he kicked out and lifted the lid of the box up and over to the side of the foundation.  He stretched his arms and back as he sat upright, then proceeded to climb out.  When his feet touched the ground, the box and foundation both crumbled into dust and disappeared on the night breeze.

"Thank you," he said, his husky voice filled with emotion.  "You freed me."

"You're welcome," Bonnie replied as she found her voice.  "Who are you?  How...?"

He touched her lips with his fingertips.  "No questions."

Her eyes mirrored her confusion, but she was powerless to voice it.  His touch sent a frisson of desire through her; it was so sharp to be almost painful.  His lips replaced his fingertips as he grasped her arms and drew her into his embrace.  Soon she was so lost in sensations that the forgot her questions.

Too soon he stopped kissing her and stepped back.  Her heart cried at the loss of his heat.  His clear blue eyes gazed deeply into hers.  She wanted him to finish what he started.

"Take me home," he whispered as he bent to kiss her below the ear.  The desire to do as he said was great.  She didn't even hear the voice in her head telling her an unequivocal 'no.'

Bonnie took him by the hand and began to walk home.  He dropped her hand to drape his arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to his side.  As they walked, he dropped a kiss or two in her hair, at her temple, below her ear, wherever he liked.  She shivered with anticipation at the climax of this encounter.

Reaching her small cottage, he leaned in to whisper, "Do you believe in me now?" as they entered.  He chuckled at the surprise in her eyes as he shut the door on the night while her clock struck midnight.

Patti Mann 10/31/09

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

What a Day!

Today was busy for me.  Worked out, got cracked (at chiropractor) went to work, spent dinner with the 'rents and watched Game 1 of the World Series!  Yeah, Phillies!!!!!  Way to go!

It's late, need to sleep.  Enough for tonight.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

I Survived

I did it.  I spoke in front of a crowd last night and survived.  Terrified and a little disgruntled at a friend for prodding me to stand up, I made the effort.  The ground didn't open up and swallow me, although that's what I wanted to happen.

It's amazing what you experience when you open yourself to new vistas.  Hope I can do the same tomorrow night as well as the next two meetings I've signed up to lead.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

90 Days

Who knew 90 days would be a momentous occasion?  I knew, but it seemed very nebulous at best.  Yet, now it's here and I feel freed from the anticipation of the seemingly unattainable event.  Didn't do too bad sharing for the first time.  Now I just need to get used to it on a regular basis.

The anticipation woke me up last night at 3:15am and I was unable to get back to sleep.  Yet, as I tried to find ways to tire myself, I was able to sit down and work conscientiously on my WIP.  I think I've done my best editing to date in the wee hours of the morning.  Hopefully I'll get more hours of true sleep under my belt before I wake up again.  Now I know that I can work in peace on my WIP and get some quality work done.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

???

Today started out lousy, but ended well.  Didn't like getting woken up and yelled at.  Stayed in bed until the last minute before getting ready for work.  From then on, the day was good.  Lots of positive feedback from customers, had a great phone call with Terry and spent some good time reading from my Sony Reader.  I just love my new early Christmas present.

After work, I took Sandy to her gramma's and left her to visit while I went to get my nails done.  Had a pedicure too.  What a nice time to just relax and re-energize myself with a little pampering.  Showed my mom when I went to pick up Sandy.  I'll have to take her soon to get another pedicure.  Karen and Nancy spoiled her when she visited them this summer.

At least the short visit was comfortable for once.  Maybe everyone is right, that once our food gets in order, our lives follow suit and things that used to bother us didn't anymore.  Maybe I'm seeing things in a different light and it's not all about me or against me.  Who knows?!

It's time to get to bed.  Yet I want to continue watching the Phillies game.  But, it'll end with or without me, so I'll just have find out the score tomorrow.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Scared!

It's sad to say I'm scared of talking in front of people.  I do it all the time.  Yet, when the spotlight is on, well, all bets are off.  This week I'll be able to share my experiences with others and I'm really nervous about it.  I've watched others in my position do it and do it well.  I can only pray for the strength and guidance to do their examples justice.

My first time will be Tuesday night.  At least I hope I'm moved enough to step forward.  We'll see :)

Room is getting more organized by the day.  Pretty soon it'll be to the point where I can do what I need to do without being bothered by clutter and disorganization.  Then my writing will be more focused without all the distractions.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

October 16?

Was today really Friday the 16th?  Are you sure it's not Friday the 13th?  I could have sworn today was the 13th with all the things that went wrong!  Don't know where my brain went, maybe there's a full moon.  I bumped into people, dropped menus, misspoke to customers (used checking out spiel when seating <G>) and overall felt totally disconnected from everything that was going on around me.

I only thought days like this fell on Friday the 13ths.  The lunacy!  I'm glad the day is almost over.  Tomorrow will be a fresh, new day and one filled with sane activity.  I hope!!!

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Brrr #2

It's so blasted cold, my rings are spinning.  The only downside of losing so much weight is you're cold all the time and this weather doesn't help.

The weight is coming off so fast now that I'm shrinking out of clothes faster than I receive them.  My storage of clothes I've already shrunk out of is overflowing.  Now I have to go beg my husband if I can buy some underarmor for the winter that will fit my smaller size.

Got back into my writing today.  That makes me happy, because I really want to get published and bring some money into the house.  Now the key will be to maintain a steady rhythm of creating.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Brrr!

Boy, is it cold out.  Is this October or December?  Can't remember when I've been this cold.  Had to turn on the heat in the house today because the thermometer read 60.  The kids were complaining about the house being too cold, and it's been hard to layer up to stay warm.

It'll be interesting to see how we all sleep tonight.  I'd better check the thermostat to make sure the temperature goes down while we're sleeping and only comes on just before everyone gets up for the day.

Needless to say, I haven't been writing much lately.  This blog is the only thing I've been consistent with.  When I make out my To Do list for tomorrow, I need to remember to add critiquing my partner's work and sending it back to her, as well as get some more of my pages done.  I won't make it too ambitious because there are other tasks I'd like to get done as well.  Maybe I'll do all my writing in the morning when I'm fresh and then the rest of the work after work.  At least I have my online course finished for today.  I don't have another lesson until Friday.

I'm really happy with the work I've gotten done on de-cluttering my bedroom.  There is still plenty to do, but I just need to take small steps and eventually it'll all be the way I want it.  Already it's feeling more calm and serene and that makes it easier for me to rest and get a good night's sleep.

So that being said, I'm going to close this blog for the night, get into my nice, warm jammies and snuggle in bed under layers of blankets and read for a while before turning out the lights.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Dreary Days

I hate it when the days get shorter and colder.  It makes me want to stay in bed where I'm nice and cozy.  Plans fall apart because I get so far behind when it's hard to get motivated in the darkness.

Tomorrow is another day.  I WILL get up on time so I can catch up with my online course and get some of the chores on my To Do list crossed off.  There aren't that many for tomorrow, so there will be no excuse as to why I can't accomplish what I want.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Life is Good

Had a great day today.  Just love finding smaller clothes that I can fit into.  Stuff around the house is slowly getting done, so I'm feeling less stressed about it.

Can't wait to get more off my to do list.  I'll celebrate when I do by enjoying a fun day with my kids.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Happy Days

Today was a big milestone for me.  Lost eleven and a half pounds this past month, bringing my total to a whopping seventy-six and a half pounds in a little over a year.  This puts me just under the half-way point toward my goal.  With a wonderful support system and God behind me, I've really begun to see my life differently.  I didn't and couldn't do this alone.

You'd think I'd be feeling better, wouldn't you?  Yet, my back is starting to bug me to the point of getting help to straighten it out.  My sides and stomach have little aches and pains once in a while.  They're not bad, but annoying.  I think it's all the breaking down of the excess fat I was carrying that's causing shifts and gaps in my body.  Hopefully it'll all straighten itself out as I get closer to my goal.

My life is getting straightened out too.  As I structure my day food-wise, I find my activities are structured too.  I've made great strides in de-cluttering my bedroom and it now feels more calming and stress-free.  All I need to remember is I don't have to do it all today.  Just baby-steps, one foot in front of the other and I'll eventually get it all done.

Posted via email from Patti's posterous

Dreams

I've always had a vivid imagination. Many times it has gotten me in trouble. So when I decided to become a romance writer I thought I had it made. NOT! There were no story lines or characters or scenes to put down in writing. I kept drawing a blank.

Then the dreams started. In my dreams, I became a different person and lived that person's life. The dreams kept repeating until I put them down on paper. Each time I put everything from the dreams on paper, another dream would soon surface.

At first I didn't think anything of these dreams. There were just an annoyance I wanted to be rid of. It was several months before I realized I had the bones of a story. From then on the process changed. As I settled in to sleep, I would bring up the current story in my head and run through it as I drifted off. This brought more of the story out for me and I was able to keep recording it.

The first inkling I had anything worthwhile to write came in my senior year of high school. We had an English assignment to write a one-page Halloween story. I received an A+ for my effort, the only one in the class to do so.

Another assignment was to write a speech on a person in history. Since my older brother was an avid history buff, I went to him for advice. Armed with his recipe card box filled with quotes and a scrapbook on Robert Kennedy, I wrote a speech that won a school contest. However, I was home sick when it was time to read my speech, so friend did it for me. Since I couldn't speak, my speech wasn't allowed to go on to the county level.

With that background, I knew there was a chance I could write something worthwhile. All that was missing was that spark, that inner muse. My dreams.

After a disheartening discussion with my husband, who doesn't believe my writing is anything other than a time-consuming hobby, my dreams are all I have to keep me going. I trust in my dreams. They haven't let me down yet. With perseverance, determination and better time management I will achieve my goal of becoming published.

Revelations

Tomorrow is my first time blogging for a group of friends.  I'm really nervous about it.  However, reading the previous posts for the week, I've learned to just write what I know.

This morning I had a nightmare.  I'd dreamed that I'd eaten food that I haven't eaten for a year.  It's not food I want to eat any more either.  I was so horrified.  Yet when I woke up, I realized it was just a dream and it didn't really happen.

Have so many things on my agenda for tomorrow.  First is the chiropractor, then the pharmacy and next work.  Somewhere in all that I need to fit in my blog for my writers' group and my online course.  If I don't finish the course tomorrow, I'll be okay with it.  There's always the weekend.

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What a Day!

Today was another busy day.  Did I get any writing done on my WIP?  Not a chance.  It's been at least a week since I've been able to sit down to work solely on my WIPs.

My only excuse is that I worked hard at making my bedroom as clutter free as possible.  This will provide me a more peaceful workplace to get all my jobs completed without distractions.  First priority however, will be to finish hammering out the details for the conference I'm running in the spring.  Need to decide if I'm sticking with the original hotel or changing.  Too many factors that need to be straightened out.

Glad I'm taking a course on spreadsheets.  I hope to create some very good flow charts with all the factors read for analysis.  Should have a decision made in two weeks.

After that, I'll be able to get back to my WIPs.  Need to finish up a critique for my partner too.  Yikes!

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Lost Day

Today seems like it was a total loss.  Had a sleep study overnight, but they wouldn't let me use my CPAP machine because of insurance.  So, to get use of a CPAP, I needed to have at least 2 hours of sleep before 2am, with 40 apnea episodes in one hour.

When I asked for a little heat in the room, the temperature was supposedly set at 70 degrees.  In reality it was set for 76.  That's too hot for anyone to sleep comfortably in.  By the time I asked for the room to be colder, it was past the 2am deadline.

So, I tossed and turned and only got about 2 hours of real sleep.  I'm exhausted.  Got a short nap in when I got home, and then went to work.  Everything seems to be in slow motion.

Plan tonight is to watch my NCIS and NCIS:  Los Angeles and get an early night's sleep.

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Crazy Day

Today was a good day, for a Monday.  It followed an even better weekend.  The piles of STUFF that had been clogging my closet and the floor in front of it are GONE!  There are just a few items left on the bed that need to find a home.

Yet, I'm done for the day.  It's off to the Sleep Center for me.  Time to have a new sleep study to see how my 8 year old CPAP is working for me.  I think I need an adjustment in the pressure.  Hopefully the results will be improved sleep for years to come.

Also had my second chiropractic visit today.  Feel so much better, and with a couple more weeks to go, I hope that all the misalignment and pained masked by years of being overweight will finally be resolved.  Now that I'm losing so much weight, the pain is showing up and I don't want to be discouraged by it.

Maybe after the sleep study, I'll be able to get some quality writing in.  At least that's my goal for tomorrow.  Need to get this blogging down before it's my turn on the writers' page<G>

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What Do I Do?

I'm in a quandry.  I'm hosting a regional conference in April.  Would like to have it in this one specific city.  Hotel #1 changed it's personnel and I'm not happy with the information being changed for the original plans.  Hotel #2's food costs are prohibitive for many of our registrants (families) and now Hotel #3 in a city we previously held the conference would like us back.

My goal is to find uninterrupted time tomorrow to put all of our plans with Hotel #2 on the computer and post an email to our contact with comparison's with Hotel #1 and see if we can come to some sort of compromise on costs.

One of my small committee received information from a colleague down south and learned they cut down the costs by eliminating the food venues all together and leave that up to the individuals.  It's an idea, but I know there are many people who will be attending and DO NOT like change. :(

Oh, well.  That's enough venting!  I'm going out to dinner :) and will get to bed early.  Hopefully things will sort out in my brain while I sleep and I won't feel so overwhelmed in the morning.

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Lazy Day

Well, even though I was on a roll for most of the week, today was a lazy day.  It's so dark and gloomy that it's got my spirits down.  At least I have had two really good nights of sleep.  In fact I didn't want to get up today.

However, that's got to change for tomorrow.  I have a doctor's appointment in the morning before two hours before work, so I'll need to be up and ready early.  It'll motivate me to get the reading done I'm supposed to do every day.

After work, I have another doctor's appointment, this one for my first chiropractic session.  With the significant weight I'm losing, my back is like a lumpy pillow that's been washed too many times.  It's causing little flutters in different spots on my back, as well as having thumb-sized spots going numb.  In July, my whole right thigh went numb.  Not a good feeling at all.  Primary doc thinks I'm experiencing soft-tissue compression.  Hope the chiropractor can help.  Losing weight is supposed to make you feel better:)

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On a Roll

Today was another productive day.  Not as good as yesterday, but I still have a couple of hours before bed to work on it.  It's easier to find clothes to wear and put clean ones away now.  Just have to finish reorganizing the drawers in my nightstand so they are used more efficiently.  Next will be emptying my laundry basket (not filled with laundry but STUFF)  I have a place for the basket on the floor of my closet, but I need to find homes for the stuff in it or toss away what I'll never use.

This weekend will be spent HOME!  Yes!  My goal is to complete the reorganization of my room.  All the piles of STUFF on the other side of the bed, as well as at the foot, will either find the appropriate homes or get tossed.  No excuses any more.  Already I'm feeling the calming effects of having more order amidst the chaos.  Even more order will mean much less chaos and better rest and relaxation.  I can see it now.  Lounging in my jammies, sipping hot herbal tea and resting in bed with a good book or watching a good movie on tv.

Once I make my room the way I want it, I'll be able to progress throughout the house as needed.  And it really needs it in almost every room<G>  The family will follow suit as they see the completed projects and see how calmer their mother/wife is.  By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, the house should be fit for company.  The brothers-in-law are coming and they'll see extreme improvement in the house when they get here.

Now it's time to put in some work on my mss.

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Organization

Trying to organize my bedroom into a true sanctuary.  Right now the bed is piled high with stuff I pulled out of the closet as well as stuff that was blocking the triple dresser.  Emptied a few plastic bins that were just holding stuff until I figured out what to do with them.

Today, I boxed up the books I want to save - signed and those darned hideables <G>.  Another bin holds craft supplies, another a blanket that's a work in progress.

Now comes the hard part.  Sorting through the stuff left on the bed so I can sleep in it tonight<G>  Also have to attend a meeting tonight, so that's going to cut out some time.

I'll close with the declaration that most of the items I had on my To Do list for yesterday and today have been crossed off completely as having been accomplished.  What a way to start the week!

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On Task

It's been a dreary Monday.  Rained off and on all day.  Started a new leaf - making a list of things I want to get done each day.  A trick I'm trying is to write no more than 12 tasks and only one day's worth.  Why worry about tomorrow before it gets here?

So far on day 1, I've completed all the tasks I listed for today with one exception.  I wasn't able to schedule an appointmet with the chiropractor because they weren't answering the phone and no machine picked up.  What a bummer, because my back has been giving me problems today.

It's almost nine-thirty.  Need to be in bed by then so that I can get a full night's sleep before the alarm goes off at five-thirty am.  Still can't understand why my daughter won't set her alarm <G>

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Another Day

It's been a busy weekend for me. Saturday was tied up with my writers group, nails and dinner with my parents and brother.  Today was a 4 hr round trip to Ithaca looking at another hotel.  Long story about the first hotel.

The hour is late, I really need to get to bed so I'll be able to get back on my new schedule.  Need to make a list of what I need to get done each day.  The key will be to actually complete each task.  My goal is to get most, if not all, tasks done each day so I have to make sure my list is doable. :)

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Back with Friends

I attended my first meeting of writers in over 8 years.  It was a  happy reunion with a few members and the meeting of new members.  We were also  honored to have a local investigative reporter come talk about her job.  I forgot how informative and entertaining the meetings can be.

One of the activities of the meeting is to have a goal pot.  It's basically a  50/50 drawing with the winner being the person whose name is pulled and they completed their goal for that month.  If the goal hasn't been met, the money accumulates until the next meeting.  I now have the goal of finishing the last three chapters of my mss.  Can't wait to get started.  What a help it'll be to have a goal that you've committed to.

Tomorrow is my meeting with another hotel.  Hope my vp and I'll be able to complete an accurate search for the appropriate hotel for our conference to be held next April.

Also need to get practice blogging because I've signed up to blog twice in October for the writers group.

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Success

I've successfully posted a test blog to all my outlets.  Now it's going to be so much easier to post without having to go to each individual site.

Working toward personal success, I'm participating in an online computer course.  So far, I'm loving it, but wish there was more work involved because it finish my lesson, quiz and assignment in about an hour.  Would like more to keep me busy and to really let the lessons sink in.  Guess I'll have to create some work on my own to keep it fresh.  The course is for a program that was important to a job I applied for.  Since I was lacking in the skills needed, I felt it time to start building up my experience and skills to make me a better candidate for future job offers.

As for my writing, my mss has been put on the back burner until the household gets on schedule with the start of the new school year.  I'll be back on track next week, as I'm getting all my miscellaneous errands and projects out of the way this weekend.

Tomorrow I will be attending my first meeting in ten years of the writers group I belong to.  Can't wait to see old friends and make new ones.

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Test Blog

A friend of mine from Thoughts.com suggested I try out this blog source.  It's supposed to post my blogs directly to Facebook, Twitter and Blogspot.  Let's see if this works.  If it does, I hope to blog more.

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Getting Back on Track

Life interrupted for almost two weeks. Now, things are settling back to normal. I'm feeling better and the kids are trying to get back into the routine of school.

Haven't written much in my mss the past two weeks, but I have started a short story to bring the my writers meeting on Saturday. They're having a contest on Halloween short stories. It will be nice to come prepared for my first time back in over ten years. Can't wait to see my old friends and make new ones.

My online course is going swimmingly. No turbulence or glitches. I get all my lessons, quizzes and assignments done within an hour each day they are posted. I wish I had more to sink my teeth into, but it's a beneficial course giving me so much information in just four lessons. Can't wait until next week.

Having been away from blogging, I'm going to try and get more efficient with this too. Need to map out my day to get in an hour or two of mss work and blogging, on top of my Facebook game playing :) That has to be the last thing I do, if I have time.

Back to Normal

Finally, a week after I started with this stomach bug, I'm over it. It's about time. Although I've been on a weight loss program, people were noticing a dramatic change in the last week that kind of scared me. My hands are feeling thinner even if they don't quite look thin yet.

I'm really glad I started this online computer course. There are going to be so many applications in my everyday life that I'm excited. Can't wait to learn more. I've already done some personal projects with the first couple of lessons. I want to keep going, but I need to remind myself that I still have five more weeks in the course. I have plenty of time to learn what I need.

The overnight with my daughter and her friend went well. They swam for a while, but their hunger pains got the better of them :) Ordered pizza and wings for them and if I kept busy, the smell didn't make me want to break abstinence and eat food that wasn't mine.

Tomorrow is a meeting with the hotel where I'm hosting a conference in the spring. A few chapter members will be there with me, so we'll have a small committee to get things started. I must remember to write up something to send to Joe, D2 Director, with what's happening. This will help him to post what we need on the website.

Life Goes On

Went back to work today, but was wiped out after only one of the two hours. My strength is definitely not up to par.

Too many things are piling up and getting in the way of me achieving my short-range goals. I don't see any let up until Monday, next week. Today was taking daughter to meet a friend thirty minutes away to walk a little in a different mall and eat dinner together and then get back home in time for my meeting.

Tomorrow is a night in the hotel to celebrate daughter's and same friend's birthdays which we couldn't do on their actual birthdays. Mom is just chaperone. This will go into Saturday which is also grocery shopping day for me.

Sunday is a two hour drive to meet with my conference committee at the hotel where our conference will be held in April 2010. Got to finalize the catering contracts and stuff.

Tonight I'm unwinding with the newest episode of Project Runway. Look for another installment tomorrow.

Self-Improvement

Started my online computer course today. Receive a lesson and assignment every Weds and Fri. Already have my Weds work done. Hope the whole course goes this smoothly.

Feeling better now. Ready to start living again, felt like...well, you know what Going to try and get behind the wheel as well, son has dental appointment and I'm the only driver at home :(

Tomorrow I think I'll be able to get back to the schedule I started last week - working for a few hours on my mss before Facebook-ing and article reading. Then it'll be off to work for a few hours and back home to do housework and dinner. Need to figure out what kinds of lite meals I can make for myself and yet incorporate into more wholesome meals for family. Stomach is still a little raw.

When Plans Go Awry!

When I went to a conference over the weekend, I had grand plans of working on my mss and getting close to finishing it. However, I came down with some stomach bug and by 2:30 Saturday afternoon I was just about curled up and dying :( So I thought.

Sunday it was time to come home, deliver the rental car I'd needed to get on Friday and get to a meeting. Made it home, with good timing and still feeling like death. Needless to say, sleep was a luxury I was lacking.

It's Tuesday now, and I'm on the mend. Baby food is a necessary evil for this bug Hopefully I'll be back to normal by Thursday. That's the plan, so I'll be hitting the sack early again tonight.

Crazy Upsets

Boy, today really was a doozy. Half way into our trip, I had a strange urge to pull into the welcome center for a rest stop. Lucky for me I did, my brakes went on my van. I'm glad my husband got me AAA last year. It was a great help in getting my van to a repair place and rented a car to get us to our final destination.

To top it all off, it started to rain. Sometimes it came down in buckets and made visibility non-existent. However, we made it, about three hours after I'd estimated. So glad we're here and safe. It's great to see all my friends, especially some that I haven't seen in years.

More tomorrow.

Missing in Action

I'm getting ready to attend a conference in Harrisburg PA this weekend. It's about 4 1/2 hours from my home. This conference is for an organization that we're involved in for my two youngest children, both 17 (not twins)

Even though I will be bringing my computer, I don't know how reliable an internet connection will be when I get there. If I can connect, I will post every night. If not, then you'll probably hear from me Monday.

I'm looking forward to this conference. It's been a few months since our huge national conference and it'll be nice to visit with the close friends that will be attending this one. I like the smaller conferences better, it's easier to visit with your friends and also make new friends you can maintain a connection to throughout the years.

At least I've finished one chapter and started another since beginning blogging. My prediction that blogging will help me continue the flow of inspiration is proving true. The more I compose on the fly, the more work I complete on my manuscript.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

My Continuing Saga

Was able to write a few pages this morning. I hope tomorrow before I pack the van for a weekend trip with my two seventeen-year-olds I'll be able to finish the newest chapter. Never fear, I will be packing and bringing my laptop with me, so I plan to write at least another chapter while I'm gone.

I'm so close to the end of this book, I wish I could just stay in my room and plug away. Oh, well. Time enough for that when I show my family this really is a job and one I want to fully pursue! If they have concrete evidence this writing pays off, they'll back off and help out more.

Celia requested that I include an excerpt from my book. How about I start with the prologue. I think it's a good hook

---Shouts from the next room made eight-year-old Billy Anders look up from buttoning his too-small shirt. A loud thud against the wall sent him running out the door of his bedroom and down the narrow hall of the trailer. The loose tails of his shirt slapped his back.

He turned the corner into the small living room. His mother, Claudia, stood in the middle of the room, cigarette smoke streaming through her nostrils. Her yellow hair stuck up all over.

His eyes darted around the room, searching, until he looked at the farthest wall. There was little Penny Jean, huddled on the floor. Dirt-smeared streaks on the wall above her told more of the story. He rushed over and knelt beside her. "It’s going to be all right,” he whispered as he brushed away her tears. “Let’s go back to my room.” Soft strawberry-blond hair tickled his cheek. He kept his voice soft as he helped the trembling little girl stand though he was boiling with rage inside.

“Go ahead and help her,” his mother snarled. “Just keep her out of my sight.”

Billy watched as Claudia turned her back on them and stalked off to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of beer out of the icebox and lit a cigarette. With a light nudge, he guided Penny Jean down the narrow hall toward his bedroom. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother settle on the shabby couch and pop off the cap of the bottle with her thumb.

Tamping down the anger he felt toward his mother and returning his attention to the little girl beside him, Billy whispered, “Don’t worry, little PJ. I’ll keep you safe."---

Life Interruption 2

How do accomplished authors find the balance between family and writing? I can't seem to find the path. I did finish a chapter today, but I only have about three more to finish the ms. After I completed the chapter, other stuff got in the way and I'm having a hard time getting back to the story line. It's as if I'm experiencing a block. More of a physical block than a mental block, though.

Tomorrow is a new day. My goal for the day is to write at least ten pages of my ms before I have to leave for work. Working two hours during the middle of the day can sometimes be a hassle when you have other things you want to do. You get into the groove and then have to up and leave. When you get back, it's hard to get back that drive to write. Other things-drama, family meals have a tendency to block my way back to my computer.

For tonight and tomorrow, my computer will be set up on the kitchen table. (We're not using it except for storage of food from the farmer's market - hubby tends to buy bulk :o) Then it's time to pack up the computer for a trip to Harrisburg for a weekend conference (non-writer). I do plan to find some time to write more of my ms, though.

I'm beginning to find the advantage to blogging. It's good to get my thoughts out and down where they're in my face to keep me on track. Is this what blogging does for you?

Life Interruption

Kids are home from school and the drama begins. Was planning on resuming writing, but need to deal with stuff before I can do that. Also need to plan dinner. Will be back to writing before long! That's a promise to myself.

I was hoping that with a tenth grader and a senior in high school, the dramas would lessen. I mean, they've only been back to school for two days. :( Hubby and I really need to figure out how to resolve the mess before it blows out of proportion.

I feel the good vibes coming from my writing friends. Thanks for being there when I need you.

First Manuscript

I'm psyched now. Finally finished chapter eighteen! Gives me 52K words of a 55-60K work. So that equates about three more chapters. I see the light approaching in the tunnel of procrastination.

I've been working straight since 12:30pm, and it's now 1:54. Almost an hour and a half. Goody, I just might achieve a goal for once, finishing my first mss by the end of September.

Okay, a little more stalling. Should have started the laundry HOURS ago! Need to get a load in and start something for dinner and then I can get back to work.

Day Three

Another day is over, and I feel pretty confident I can finish my manuscript by the end of September, if not by Halloween.

Kids are back in school and that means I'm up earlier and ready for my day as they get on the bus. Today, even though I had to drive one to school before 7:30am, I was able to come right home and work on my manuscript. Didn't finish a chapter, but made a good dent toward it.

However, my laptop touchpad mouse has been causing me problems while I type. It seems I rest my hands on it and the cursor jumps all over the page. This afternoon I purchased a wireless keyboard and I'm getting used to it. I'm typing on it to write this post.

As I become more proficient on this new keyboard, I expect my wordprocessing skills to rapidly increase. Now I just have to get used to the long nails (maybe I'll just go get them filled and trimmed shorter to make it easier to type)

I like being able to write down things that have happened during the day. My belief is the more proficient I get at writing down everything as it happens, the better my ability to craft a story will be.

That's all for tonight. Still need to tell my husband what a friend wants me to do on Thursday night. Nothing drastic, just ask him to let me drive my scooter to a meeting in town with him following behind in my van. I'll be able to make a grand entrance on my new hobby and hubby can drive it home, leaving me with the van. (Don't have a motorcycle license yet to drive solo.)

Day Two

I've started out great today. Got one kid off to school, and will drive the second to school in an hour.

Have almost finished a chapter already this morning, but my laptop is giving me problems. I tend to rest my hands on the touchpad mouse and it screws up my writing by moving the cursor somewhere else. Geez, that bugs me. Got the okay from hubby to go purchase a portable keyboard. I forsee more accurate and rapid writing in my future.

Day One

Just trying out this new blog. I think I like this one much better than the other one I started on Saturday.

My goal is to learn to write on the fly about anything and everything that comes into my head. This should enable me to finish my first manuscript and get further into the second one than I am at present.

This past weekend, however, I didn't get any writing done. Instead, I practiced riding my new scooter. Three time out riding with my husband. I see him more riding than I do any other time. It's nice to be out with him and not have the teenagers interrupting us. Granted, we can't talk much while riding, but we do take many rests to talk about my techniques and sometimes catch up on what's going on in the household.

I hope that we'll be able to get out a few more times this season. Don't expect to get my license to ride until early next season. I want to have it to ride back and forth to work while the weather's good.