Sharing our Gifts

I grew up in a very large family, so sharing was not an option.

I mean, yes, we had the option, but there were pretty hefty consequences if you didn't. Natural consequences. Like someone not being willing to share with you when the tables were turned. Not fun when your brothers were in the habit of acquiring or participating in some really cool stuff.

Or brought over really cute friends.  Yes, sharing has benefits.

Like the picture of the cookies. I baked those yesterday. They're almost gone. Why? Because I have a house full of children. And because they have friends...to share them with.

For weeks I've been pondering over a dear friend's ordeal at using someone else's photo on her blog and the fall out to her and writers everywhere. Writers like me who LOVE to share something visual with the written word. It adds another dimension to our topic. Or saves us when the topic is important but just...eh.  You know?

So my daughter and I embarked on a uniting plan, taking her love of photography and my need as a writer, to offer photos to others that they can use on their blogs.

Free of charge.

Why are we doing this? Because there's a need. And more than just a need for making blogs more eye catching (and my very empty Tumblr feed). :) My daughter needs to feel the joy of sharing her talent. Nurturing it. Working at something that she might one day do professionally, but for right now there's no pressure. No worry that she'll be accepted or rejected. Because even if no one has a need for the photos we'll take, she's learning how to hone her skill.

And I'm getting tons of time with her.  Win-Win.

We'll be posting the pictures on Tumblr very shortly. And updating it often. The link is on the right. Hope you can find something that you like among the offerings.  OH! And she's taking requests for pictures you might need, but don't have the time or means to take yourself.  She said she'll do her best.  :)

What more could anyone ask for? Cause it's already free.  :)  Have a great day!

iTunes Gift Card Giveaway!

Ooooo, did that get your attention? Good, because it's true.

If you go to his website before Saturday, you can enter to win an iTunes Gift Card my wonderful friend Braden Bell is giving away in celebration of his book, The Kindling.

Entering is simple. See, I'm doing it right now by letting you know. :) And aren't I nice, because you know I'm lessening my chances by letting you know so you can enter as well. :)

Even Amazon is excited about his book because they're offering a download for only .99 cents till Monday. No, I didn't get the decimal in the wrong place.  Nine dimes and nine pennies. That's a steal, folks.  I finished this book not three days ago and my 12 year old said, "NOW can I read it?"

Yup. You can read it. I just downloaded the e-book. :)

So on top of a great book, Braden's offering a way to get some music (or whatever floats your boat) to help put another bounce in your step.

Sweet.

So, GO! ENTER! NOW!  Here!

Hamming it up

So it has been a busy couple of weeks in our home. My children were in a musical production, I made more desserts than my children could eat (I know, I know, where are their priorities?), and I certified as a ham radio operator.

It wasn't something I always wanted to do, like my husband. Yes, I knew how cool they were (thank you, Frequency) but I've had a lot on my plate. It wasn't the next thing on my to-do list. I did it to support my husband. To help HIM study. And sure, I like trying new things. It's great for authors who are always searching for ideas and ways to fill in plot holes.

Little did I know that studying would take a month of my time. Every day. Every time my husband walked through the door. During date nights. I almost didn't take the test. I mean, aside of all the time it was taking there was MATH involved. *groan* You mean that one can't just jump on the microphone and start talking? No. Apparently there are rules, lingo, and...opportunity.

I did it for the opportunity. So that my husband and I could share a new hobby together and maybe talk to each other if all other communication systems went out. What? It could happen. All these dystopians I've been reading? One of them is sure to happen someday. They're all too plausible! :) But I also gained something from the experience that I wasn't expecting.

Confidence.

I gained reassurance that I can still do hard things. That I can learn yet another new foreign language in a short period of time and actually convince someone to give me a license to talk over the airwaves. Seriously, people. It's a cool feeling. And yeah, I might be fantasizing about saving the world someday because I know how to use one.

So what sort of things have you done for research? For fun? For the love of another?

Losing interest in a series

I love series. Let's just put that out on the table right now.  I love following characters through their life's twists and turns, and gripping the book (or i-pad) anxiously as they each make choices that will change their lives forever. And mine. Because as I read, I think, "What would I do, if I were them?"

But what happens when the last book takes, oh say, three years to come out? I lose interest.

It's happened twice now, where a final book (for whatever reason) goes years before being released. That's a long time to hang off the edge of the cliff with a character, folks. My arms get a tad tired. So I let go and move onto to another character who will offer me closure.

Before you rail me for being unkind or hold it against me in the future (should I be said author who takes three years to finish) I devoured Robert Jordan's (c/o Brandon Sanderson-bless you) most recent Wheel of Time books the moment they hit the shelves. Partly because I was FAR too invested in the story, and also because in anticipation of the release I started rereading the series and became RE-invested.

AND in the case of the other books? I did buy the last books of those series when they came out. I just haven't read them yet. I'm not interested enough...yet. And folks, these were wonderful stories to begin with. But there is only so much time I can wait before I begin to think, "Was that last one the end of the story and I just missed it?"

I love what Elana Johnson has done with her series to keep us in the groove while waiting for SURRENDER. All her short stories, peeks, artwork, etc., really bridged the time gap and made it seem like a blink of an eye before the next book was released. Well done, Elana! Well done.

I've heard various suggestions via the writing community that say, "Don't write your series before you get your first book published." Hogwash. Sure the plot may change a bit, because your editor may have significant changes for you, but think about the anxious reader waiting for your next book and what you might be accomplishing ahead of time to keep their interest (aside of writing a great story). Timing is key in an industry that has so many wonderful characters to offer. If you don't.

Because if you leave your characters hanging off a cliff too long? Well, better hope they've got really strong arms. It could be a while before I get them down out of my head.

So what makes you lose interest in a series? What could writers be doing to keep you more invested?

Happy Friday the 13th!

Oh, yes. You didn't know today was worth being happy about? Eyes of the beholder, I suppose.

Today is my wedding anniversary. I've been married a beautiful 22 years to the most wonderful man on earth. He came into my life when I needed him the most and has stuck with me through all the "better" AND "worse."  Turns out we make a pretty good team.

It hasn't come without hard work, sacrifices, and too many boxes of macaroni and cheese, but it's been worth it. For my part, I wouldn't be where I am without my husband. And yeah, yeah, he'll say the same thing about me. But I'm the one writing this post so I get to brag on him today. :)

If not for him I wouldn't be writing. See, he's the one who told me to dream my dreams. And then helped to make them happen. As a result I have a house full of children, a college degree, and in a field that I've loved since I was old enough to read.

If not for him I would have majored in *shudder* Accounting. Wow. Not the right field for me. I learned that pretty quick. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty good with numbers. It just killed my sense of creativity. All that finite math and stuff. There's not a whole lot of fiction going on there.  Well, except for imaginary numbers.

I don't even know why I thought Accounting would be a good idea. Oh, wait. Yes I do. Because people told me I was crazy for wanting to be a writer. Writers don't make any money. As though that's the only reason for doing anything. Pfscht! But I was young, impressionable, and already scared that I wasn't good enough. Despite what my creative writing professors told me to the contrary. And they weren't the only ones.

My husband-to-be was intrigued by my interests. ENCOURAGED them. And he was far better at numbers than I was, so I knew our children would be in good hands. (FYI, they have been. I love being right.)

Today I celebrate a Friday the 13th that changed my life. I think this has been the only time our anniversary has fallen on the exact day of the week that we got married on. (Correct me if I'm wrong. Come on, I dare you. Just rain on my parade. It has all week here anyway.) :)

Today could not be more perfect. Even if all I do is bask in the knowledge that I'm the luckiest woman on earth, that's enough. Tomorrow I'll go back to worrying about everything else. But hey, tomorrow I'll still have my biggest cheerleader cheering me on. And that's what marrying your best friend is all about.

Have a great day!!!!!