Rush Limbaugh rushed to hospital - even if you don't like his views, wish him the best: http://ping.fm/zAqhG

The cake is a lie. (Let's see how many people get this).

Neck spasms. Migraine. Bleah.

My column this week: a warped look at 2009. NewsSun.com
http://ping.fm/3aTku

Vegging out today...just need a mind and brain reboot...

For the 1st time in years, Don is on call for Christmas. If you need a doctor today, thank him and his family for being available!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone out there in Internet-land!

Test from my phone....

Doing research on publishers for 3 books I've finished. Lots of homework.

My column is online - why I spent over 12 hours in a car last week: http://ping.fm/hH6BZ

Taking a deep breath before unburying corner of my desk...oooh, bright shiny...

Just saw Avatar. Excellent!

Spending good part of day napping - yesterday more draining than I thought.

Heading to Valdosta, GA to meet up with James and his buddy. James will then drive us back home (central FL). Long day.

Just a question as I ponder my column for Sunday - what does Christmas mean to you?

Very stressed. Need takeout, a hot fudge sundae, and a game that will let me blow stuff up!

My appointment was 4:15. It's now 5:18. I understand why, but doesn't mean I like it.

Dwarven boat captain stomped into my wip and belllowed, "I'm in this story, girl!" Not going to argue....

Trying to tell hubby that a router upgrade isn't an industry scheme to get more $ from him. It's not, right?

My column is online - how Don and I spent last weekend: http://ping.fm/OGpBh

Got you, daily wordcount! You thought you escaped my tapping fingers, but you're written and saved. So there!

Ever have one of those days you didn't feel like doing much of anything?

Hmm...I think I left my phone charger in Don's car by mistake.

Argh...must get fingers on keys and start typing writing stuff...

Local Fye store going out of business. Picked up Bones Season 4 DVDs for under $50. Sorry about closing, happy about deal.

Traffic jam at the bank's drivethru...

Lost season 5 now streaming on Netflix! *happy dance*

Slept way longer than intended - price of travel. Knocked out first words of day, now taking a break before running errands.

Hi Florida! We're back, did you miss us?

Mrs. Fields' chewy chocolate fudge cookies - effective mood elevator.

Note to self: Nashville airport does not have free. Wifi. Definitely need a mood elevator....

On way to Nashville airport after great visit with kids.

My column is online. Some thoughts on compassion:
http://ping.fm/KkBmB

Fun day. Don and I played pool with James and his friend Laura for a bit. Now Don and I headed back to John and Amanda's.

Attending the FHU Advisory Board Benefit Dinner with Don Gov. Mike Huckabee scheduled to speak later tonight.

Mystified at why email suddenly won't send. College IT guys on phone were hysterical, though.

1,449 words in 1.4 hours. Not bad.

Watching Firefly with John and Amanda. James back at dorm. I'm happy after hugging all three.

Just passed a great sign: "God sent you a text - read it."

Good news: landed safely in Nashville. Bad news: it's 38 degrees here! Hope bag with jacket got here too.....

Dear world: I am very tired and very cranky. You have been warned.

Sitting on plane in Charlotte, waiting for a gate to clear out.....

Ha! Even sleepy I operate the check-in kiosk faster than Don.

On way to Tampa airport. Good thing Don is driving because I've had almost no sleep due to getting ready for trip.

Trying to finish up stuff before leaving tomorrow to visit sons in TN. Pre-trip panic is engaged...

Anyone know why ABC doesn't have the first 9 eps of season 5 lost available on their website?

My column is online - all you wanted to know about turkey pardons but were afraid to ask: http://ping.fm/7IKT6

Virus reduced brain to iguana level...trying to get enough power to noggin to at least TRY to write...

I know Christians are called to share, but that didn't mean I wanted someone to give me a cold!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Crocheting & watching Season 4 "Lost" while waiting for turkey to cook.

*Throws out net to capture scattered thoughts*

Some days, you just don't feel like being a grownup...

Zzzzzzz....

Dear Internet: I'm not trying to ignore you. Really. I'm just terribly behind in my work.

What's worse than needing sleep meds? Needing them and not taking them. Anyone got any spare caffiene?

My column this week - a friend's email gave me some funny musings - http://ping.fm/Tn3gM

Nap calling loudly and insistently

One fun thing about busy week: while Dad-in-law is in respite care Mom-in-law says we need to check out eating places in county. Fun stuff.

Feel like taking a break and doing something fun...

Just saw the video snippets they have of the Fox TV website for Bones - can't wait for this ep!
http://ping.fm/X95hi

At eye doctor with mom-in-law - they have wireless internet access! Stuff to do while they examine Mom!

In the past couple of days writing has taken a back seat to family needs. Sometimes life is like that.

Getting ready 2 accompany father-in-law 2 nursing home where he'll b for 5 days of respite care. Why'd I think I'd get work done b4 then?

Woot! "Casablanca" is on Netflix instant viewing!

One of Don's uncles is paying a surprise visit. He'll have to take the house as it is at the moment.

My column is online - gym class memories to ponder...http://ping.fm/je1T5

Almost 2k words done today. Nano project at nearly 13k - not that I'm behind or anything like that...

Worried about the world ending in 2012? This website might make you feel better (Thanks J. Steven York for pointing me to this): http://ping.fm/7QyDf

Maybe it's the dreary weather but I want to curl up next to a fire with a good book and a mocha latte.

FINALLY got column written. Now, bed or goofing around?

I hate it when I sit down to write something and my brain freezes up.

Thank you to the men and women in uniform who served and/or continue to serve their country. We owe you.

If you're doing Nanowrimo this year, so am I! My handle is bookwormlady and I'm already behind in my words!

Getting hair done first time in AGES. Feels good.

Hey everyone - remember to set your clocks back 1 hour before going to bed tonight!

Just read on Twitter that "Mythbusters" is reairing their "Balloon child" myth on Wednesday at 10 pm. That didn't take long...

Playing Scrabble on Facebook with James...after outpatient procedure this morning, hoping brain still works...

Got hold of Left 4 Dead 2 demo. Going home to check it out. Why are y'all looking at me funny?

Doing a bad imitation of an awake person at the moment...

*Looks at large number of unfinished short stories on laptop with dismay* Bad writer! No cookie!

Ugh. Migraine. Column done, time for soothing bath and bed.

Working on getting manuscripts out. Also have a column to write...

Going out for a late dinner with Don.

Running errands and the like. When I get home, fiction writing & planning Ladies Bible Class lesson waiting.

My column is online! Read it here: http://ping.fm/OIStT

Arrgh...nap is calling me...must...resist...

Adventures in printers almost over. Last task: set up Don's computer.

Advantage of stupid annoying things happening in my life: sometimes, they're great column fodder!

Sigh. Apparently I DO need the sleeping meds the doc perscribed. Rats.

Tip of the day: if you skip lunch on Sunday afternoon you will get woozy during evening church and your husband will force-feed you nuts.

My column is online! Sorry if it makes you mad...http://ping.fm/ooKll

I wonder if the new printer's installation CD is TRYING to make me crazier or is that a happy accident?

testing Ping

Tired & cranky. Not sure why. Maybe reading in bed will help.

Dropped April & kids at airport. On the way home I'm introducing Bubba to Steak 'n Shake.

My column is online - one time I can't see both sides of an issue: http://ping.fm/mYyjd

Sigh. Had to take major sleeping meds per doctor's orders and now still shaking it off.

"No compulsion in the world is stronger than the urge to edit someone else's document." -H. G. Wells

Yay! We can turn water back on in 20 minutes!

Guys who came to plant stuff outside broke hot water pipe. Joy.

Okay God, trying 2 take it easy. I guess You figured You'd force me to do so with a virus...

Okay head. I thought we got along. Why are you letting a migraine in?

My column for this week - what would you do for fame? http://ping.fm/MfHwD

New blog post: Death of a streak. When taking a break may be badly needed: http://ping.fm/i1uuz

The death of a streak

Well, my streak of writing 500 words a day died after 147 days.

What happened?

Short answer is, life happened.

Longer answer is more complex.

I came off an intensely busy summer - a son who graduated from college, underwent dental surgery, and got married in a matter of weeks; three wonderful but intense back to back workshops; a vacation with Don.

I finished a 90,000 word novel at the end of August. It was intense and somewhat draining.

I've been helping to care for my inlaws and dealing with other issues on the homefront.

The upshot? I think I drained all my reserves - physically, mentally, and most importantly for this post, creatively.

So right now I'm taking some time to recharge. Don, bless his heart, sent me to a local hotel for a couple of days. From now until Monday afternoon, I'm responsible only for myself.

Hopefully, that will get the creative brain up and running again. Yeah, I fell down. But I'll get up and start another streak soon. I did it once - I can do it again.

In a local hotel for a couple days mental and physical health break. Hubby rocks for suggesting this.

Don and I are in Lakeland goofing off for the day. Tough job, but someone has to do it...

My column is online - I vent. Would've posted yesterday but life has been a stressfest: http://ping.fm/HSYSG

Stressed out dealing with health care re: my inlaws...we really want this for the whole country?

Thinking about 9/11....one of those days everyone remembers where they were & what they were doing when they 1st heard the news.

Tech who drew blood said something that cracked me up. Left outpatient lab smiling & giggling. Got strange looks from waiting room.

Just took a pulmonary function test...got to wheeze and cough a lot. Looks like I still have mild asthma. More meds in my future. Sigh.

This week's column is online - don't read if you don't like to hear about silly lawsuits: http://ping.fm/MT8NE

Finished with adventures in babysitting. Now sitting in car waiting for monsoon to let up so I can get to front door without drowning.

Finishing up at eyedoc. Eyes dialated. Dark room in my near future.

Column for the week is online! http://ping.fm/UjxBQ

The yarn wrapper says, "soft navy." In normal light it looks like navy. So why do two people say it looks purple?

Waiting & waiting in doctor's office. Yes, another doc appointment - but a different doc. Welcome to my life.

Woke up feeling less cranky over email garbage and more weary ok-it-might-be-funny. Getting some writing in before doctor appt.

Taking my cranky self to bed.

ISP from Asia is the guilty party. Hope they get caught. Gonna take headache out on Final Fantasy 12.

Someone hacked into my email account online and sent a fake email 2 peeps using old address book there. About 2 have severe chat with ISP.

Don & I were going to attend local town hall mtg at 7:30 but cop said place is full - 15 min before it starts. Lots of cars in line after us.

Ladies & gentlemen, we have a 1st draft! After writting 6,337 words today, wip Redemption is finished at 90,871 words! Now to celebrate!

Got so caught up planning last two chapters I locked keys in car! Finally home after errands and ready to finish this novel!

1,589 words in 72 minutes. End is VERY close...but need to stretch legs real fast before big finish

868 words in 41 minutes. Screaming towards finish. Taking a break to refill coffee and stretch legs.

Okay - gonna start Operation Try To Finish Novel today. Getting some words in before meeting someone for coffee...

Church this AM, got some stuff ready for mail, stopped by a couple's 50th wedding ann. party & then YMCA. Putting feet up for a bit.

My column is online - a lighter look at crime: http://ping.fm/styso

Just came back from seeing "The Time Traveler's Wife." Good movie. Bring tissues.

Balanced business & personal checkbooks. Head exploded. Now going to movie with Don.

James just left to go back to college. This is good and right. I feel like crying anyways.

I hate neck spasms. :(

College kid goes back to school on Saturday. He's taking our PS2, which means I have little time to finish Final Fantasy 12...

A different definition of democracy: three wolves and sheep deciding what's for lunch.

Whoops, left out a word in definition, let's try that again: democracy: three wolves and one sheep deciding what's for lunch.

My column is online at http://ping.fm/qgsIl

So Floridians like me are minding our own business and then learn of storms Ana, Bill, and Claudette. Thought we'd just skip storm season..

Home after worship services. Ate lunch and gonna grab a quick nap before starting in on stuff...

Got words written and 2 short stories cleaned up. Will do some more work later

Quiet day so far. James and Don having father/son time and inlaws still asleep. Working and playing in my office...

Arrgh...ever have one of those days when you feel you aren't accomplishing anything and never will? That's me today. Ugh.

Yes, critical voice, this might be a plot hole. Just go have a hot fudge sundae and we'll look at it when the first draft's done, okay?

Ran errands. Ran out of energy. Stupid virus. Time for a nap.

I'm awake and dressed. Not sure about anything else at the moment...

My column is online - just a funny little piece about how several things I own tried to quit at the same time: http://ping.fm/X9QKH

Okay, stupid virus, you may be turning my mind into oatmeal but I'm gonna write some words before you do!

Ugh. Fever, chills, woozy. Back to bed for me.

On the way to Orlando to see Harry Potter in IMAX. Don & I need to escape reality for a bit.

Got to coffeeshop early thanks to James. Trying to wake up brain so I can get to work!

Just finished day 100 of writing at least 500 words a day. Yay me!

My column for Sunday is online - sorry for the delay mentioning it, I've been crazier than usual - http://ping.fm/CWKei

Okay, link would help. Esquire fiction contest details are here: http://ping.fm/4X0NW

Got story finished and submitted to Esquire for fiction contest. Deadline is tonight at midnight Eastern time. Interested? Check here: http://ping.fm/Ubguy

Warned family not to bother me except for fire, spurting blood, or they're calling 911. Going off Internet and getting some work done!

Internet has returned. And the people rejoiced!

Internet down in good part of town, including house. Homefront suffering withdrawal.

Column finished! Word got cranky about emailing it so rebooting computer.

Back at coffee shop for 1st time since trip. Yay!

My weekly column is online - touching on my trip to Yellowstone: http://ping.fm/Xwq0P

HOME!!

Last day in Yellowstone. Temp's dropped from the 80's of the last 2 days to the 60's. Finally need the jackets we've brought.

Saw a brown bear on side of road. Ranger chased it away before I could get pic.

Author C. J. Box has written a # of novels based in Yellowstone. Bought one for trip home Saturday

My legs are promising revenge for all the hiking so far - I don't care, it's SO worth it!

It's great to wake up and goof off, knowing you aren't on a schedule and can enjoy the day at your own pace.

Just saw Old Faithful go. Wasn't planned for today just wound up at the right place at the right time. Amazing sight!

Just saw new Harry Potter movie. Reminds me of sugar-free chocolate - not bad but the real thing's better. Read the book!

First look at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Wow. For a few seconds, forgot I was exhausted.

At Portland, Oregon airport. Way too early in the morning.

Night peeps! We have to get up at an unholy hour to catch our plane to Wyoming tomorrow...

Sigh. Got books, said goodbyes. Next stop for Don and me: Portland.

Finished contracts workshop - brain exploding stuff. Next - a bit of shopping before lunch.

Column for this week is online - thoughts about being in Oregon this week: http://ping.fm/OPApg

Must. Finish. Story.

Don is in Portland!

Argh...need to crack the whip on myself and get to work...

I am so out of the loop when it comes to news and stuff this week. Ask me if I care.

Got one assignment done, 1/3 way through second. Getting back to it after a walk to get the mocha latte I was craving...

Confusion is always the most honest response. - Marty Indik

The sun is out in Oregon! Must go walking...

Finished first assignment. Breakfast with fellow writers now!

Happy birthday, J. Steven York. Let there be cake!

My column for this week is online: http://ping.fm/KnpDq

Ugh. Bad headache. Wearing sunglasses in room to stave off migraine...

Just spent a half hour sprawled on my bed reading. No one looking for me. Was restful.

Saying hi to old friends and new...a number of people from the Master Class I attended last year are here.

Met Kelly at airport. Yay, don't have to walk to Lincoln City!

LOL! Driver of shuttle just asked me about Florida mountains!

Doing bad imitation of an awake person. Body demands to know what time it really is.

Finally! Hello, Portland!

928 words done on wip: almost 400 on plane & rest at gate. May stretch legs briefly before boarding call.

Was delayed getting out of Tampa due to lightning: arrived at Dallas a half hour late. Plenty of time to make connection so all good.

Met a mom traveling with 3 kids. Makes what I'm doing seem easy.

Bluish clouds outside gate. My nervous flyer persona stirring....

Whoohoo! Suitcase under 50 pounds, no extra charge slapped on!

In the space of two minutes we've nearly been hit by two drivers trying to get in or out of turn lanes. Is this crazy driver day?

On my way to Tampa International Airport. Destination: Oregon. Writers workshops, here I come!

Leaving tomorrow for 17 days of writing workshops/vacation...pre-trip panic is in full force...

James took mom-in-law to doctor for me. Put roast in oven and envelopes on Don's desk to go out in mail.

Things to do today: laundry, mail out stuff, write daily words, take mom-in-law to doctor, help Don program PDA. Lots to do.

#wip 300 pages, 70,000 words...racing towards the end...

No column this week thanks to flaky Internet. Instead, new blog post on the media's attention to Michael Jackson's death: http://ping.fm/0RfTE

THE BIG NEWS VERSUS THE REAL NEWS

First thing I have to say: the death of Michael Jackson does merit some attention.

I was at Brewster’s, my favorite local coffee shop, trying to get some work done when Breaking News from CNN popped into my email inbox. That’s when I learned that Michael Jackson, at the young age of 50 (and since I’m 51, yes, 50 IS young) was being rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. Not long afterwards I found out he was dead.

Whether you liked him or not, Michael Jackson was a major force in modern music. If he isn’t the father of the music video, at the very least one of those who helped it become what it is today.

Long before his death, I already had the “Thriller” and “Beat It” music videos on my Ipod. This was the Michael Jackson I admired. The handsome young man who sang with power and moved with grace.

I don’t know what happened that made him change. I’m not sure anyone will ever know. But this isn’t the time nor the place to go over his latter years and what he may or may not have done. That is because while I am talking about Michael Jackson, that is not the true topic of this column.

Here is what I’m troubled by: while I agree that Michael Jackson’s death is news, I’m not convinced that it’s worth the AMOUNT of news devoted to it.

The day he died it was as if the news outlets forgot about anything else going on in the world. Farrah Fawcett, who’d died of cancer that morning, was pushed out of spotlight quickly. Iranians protesting the elections? What Iranians?

The day after his death I saw news trucks all parked in front of the LA coroner’s office waiting breathlessly for autopsy results. Both days Jackson was lionized with words, time and attention I haven’t heard for the death of a president.

One news story reported how what I believe was Gary, Indiana had named a street after the Jackson family. The admiration in the reporter’s words and tone might make you think the city had dome something important, such as opened a new library or free clinic or maybe lowered the crime rate. Nope – it had named a street after the Jackson family. That was considered a big deal.

And as we’ve seen in other deaths of famous people, there’s been enough questions raised to feed the 24 hour news cycle. Is there a will, isn’t there a will, what really killed the pop star, what about the kids?

Oh yeah, let’s not forget there are three kids who’ve just lost their dad. What must this news orgy look like to them? Hopefully, Jackson’s mother (who as I type this has custody of the children) has been able to keep them away from the worst of the reports. The news outlets certainly won’t care if the kids are exploited – after all, they’re news!

And do you want to know the worst thing about this? The news outlets aren’t spending all this time on the story just because they’re obsessed with celebrity (though some of them probably are). They are filling the airwaves with this story, pushing more important ones on the back burner if not ignoring them entirely, because they know that a lot more people will tune in to hear the latest about Michael Jackson and the aftermath of his death then they will to hear about Iranian protesters or bills before Congress that will impact our lives.

What does that say about us viewers?

Finished book. Now getting ready to type daily words.

Putting things on hold to finish "Paris to the Moon."

Don & his mom went to cookout a while ago. Sitting in inlaw's room watching "Alien."

Had great time at cookout. Back home, checking email and stuff.

4th of July cookout! Due to father-in-law needing constant care family is attending in shifts - I get to go first.

Confirmed column was sent Wednesday night. Kicking Internet.

Editor emailed saying column never arrived. Will kick laptop, Internet, and/or self when I get home & figure out what happened.

On the way to Orlando with Don for an afternoon of shopping and Transformers 2 in IMAX.

Brain wants to go on strike. I said we would AFTER we write our daily words...

Pouring down rain. Potted four herb plants in pantry. Pantry is now a mess.

Just calculated that I've written 73,564 new words of fiction so far this year. Have a shot at breaking 200k for 2009!

Column finished and sent to editor. Yay!

Swung by Don's office to pick him up. Beginning of tension headache making its presence known.

Waiting at doctor's office with mother-in-law. Brought book to read.

Busy day on the home front today. Learned to operate a machine to help with my mother-in-law's edema. Plus laundry.

Note to self: lifting 40 lbs. of potting soil by myself NOT the best of ideas...

Added sage, spearmint, peppermint, basil, and dill to the herb plants. All sitting on top of chest freezer for now...

Got parsley, oregano and lemon thyme from nursery. One more errand before heading home and letting James have the car.

Reading "Under the Tuscan Sun" makes me miss my old herb garden. After appointment headed to a nursery.

10 pages done. Calling it a night.

Making myself go back to a long overdo second draft of a novel...

My column for this week - why I'm not thrilled with state gov't at the moment...http://ping.fm/jWpm2

An analogy of a writer's growth

This is a cool post describing the journey of a writer from aspiring to professional: http://ping.fm/YsM5u

At least 500 words/day for 60 days in a row!! Woot!!

A picture from my front door...

Sights like this make it worth the rain...

I'm sorry Michael Jackson died, but let's not forget the Iranians who are working for freedom iranelections

I'm finding as I write fiction, I wind up asking myself very strange questions that would probably scare people around me if I asked them...

Three stories ready to pop in the mailbox. Now to go walk for a bit...

666 words written (that sounds so wrong!) Now time to tell brain to start shutting down for sleep...

Column finally written. Clearing my brain for a moment before diving into wip...

Back from Transformers 2 and Bible Study. Now to get some food in me and back to the work I was planning to do a few hours ago.

Don calls, says he's off early, let's go to a movie! Scrambling to meet him at mall

Day to write column! What do I want to blather about for 600 words this week?

Feeling a lot better after getting a lot of sleep...wonder if fatigue was part of the problem yesterday?

Today is one of those days I feel as if God loves me and everyone else has plans for my life...*sigh*

My column this week is online - it's about elections: http://ping.fm/SBa5o

Set up laptop in inlaws room to keep eye on dad while mom goes for a cardiac cath. Internet slightly wonky here...

At favorite coffeeshop. Taking "Laura Time" for a bit...

Really hate the various medical issues I have - slept WAY too long!

I'm resigned to the fact that summers in Central Florida is the price we pay for nice winters...

James just brought me an iced Brewster's Mocha (latte made with white chocolate and caramel). What a great son!

Don't be alarmed by the moaning sound from Florida...it's just my checkbook after I balanced it!

The Importance of a Streak

I've been working on a streak of writing 500 words a day. I sought to do it so that no matter how little I was able to get done on the writing front, I'd know I got at least something done on the writing front.

I'd kept the streak up for 48 days when today happened. It was one of those days where for a variety of reasons I had problems doing anything remotely productive. I was a mess mentally and emotionally.

I was tempted to not bother. No one else would care. Not doing those words wouldn't spell the end of my writing career. It's just a number.

But after you write 500 words a day for 48 days, it's really hard not to. It's hard to turn your back on.

And that's the value of a streak for me. It's what keeps me writing on a day like today, when I ask myself why I bother. When I don't feel like it. When I think I'm never going to succeed.

Tomorrow will hopefully be brighter. Tomorrow I hope to have my optimistic outlook and confidence back.

But today I wrote 544 words in spite of it all.

That's a good thing.

Must be cranky day...several friends and I have declared ourselves cranky. Wonder what would cure this?

woke up tired and depressed for some reason...need to find a hole to crawl in with chocolate and coffee!

Proud mom moment: watching James deliver the sermon this morning at services. God has blessed me with my sons!

My column for this week - a little personal: http://ping.fm/ZE3PE

Good morning, world!

Bon Jovi/Jennifer Nettles song "Who Says You Can't Go Home" great way to lift mood and get blood pumping...

Going to set up Lord's Supper for church tomorrow, then locking myself in my office to work!

pondering office set up and wondering how much is rearrangeable at the moment...

This feels like a great day to curl up under the covers with coffee, games, and books. Sadly, life doesn't include that option.

Critical voice keeps telling me short story I'm writing is 2 long. Every time it does, I whack it with a big stick but it won't shut up!

craving pancakes for some strange reason...

Tired and cranky, but words for the day written. Going to bed...night, fellow tweeters!

Column written and spellchecked...probably should check on laundry

have a lot to do...my problem is I tend to freeze when there's a lot to do and I have to pick something to start with

Wondering where my "get up and go" got up and went to...

chatting with a friend of John and James I haven't heard from in years who I found on Facebook! Cool!

Starting to feel inevitable crash from past few days. Plan to take it easy and rest before catching up on all the stuff I'm behind in.

My latest column is online at http://ping.fm/Mtexq

I'm glad to be home! Hopefully caffeine drunk to keep driving won't keep me awake half the night

Wrote my daily words while Don drove us down the Florida Turnpike. Yay for laptops!

Was met at FL/GA border by Amanda's parents. Have stray pants. Now it's Going Back Home, take 2!

Got as far as Lake City before discovering one of the boys (prob James) left their rental pants at church. Back to Valdosta!

Mr. & Mrs. John Ware. I now have a lovely daughter.

Favorite line from rehersal - Amanda's dad is conducting the ceremony. At rehersal, he said to John, "You may kiss the bride - tomorrow!"

Getting ready to head for church - all dressed up.

500 words written. Test of writing streak will b tomorrow, day of the wedding. Is my desire 2 maintain this streak crazy or disciplined?

I'm going to be a mother-in-law in less than 24 hours!

Got laptop from husband - going to try to work for an hour.

I'm getting addicted to Mafia Wars on Facebook. I blame my friend Nancy

*Glares at erratic internet connection* It's going to be one of THOSE days, eh?

My column for this week: RT @TheNewsSun Life's not fair; get used to it : "It's not fair!" How many times do we... http://ping.fm/TzoaV

Finally home after day of shoppung. New dress and shoes!

Yay! I don't need blood pressure medicine!

Got my 500 words done...passed the 30 mark! Yay me!

just finished reading "The Boneman's Daughters" by Ted Dekker. A somewhat disturbing tale - very dark.

This is turning out to be a rotten day so far. May have to take it out on one of my fictional characters!

My latest column is online at http://ping.fm/gMHPu

Rained good part of the day. We need it, but I could do without the thunder.

Day 26 of at least 500 words/day...

500 words done! Now watching "Taken" with boys.

John's feeling better, I got my 500 words written. Dead tired. Night all!

Three recent books I've read...

At the moment, I'm on page 134 of Ted Dekker's "The Boneman's Daughters" (and it's pretty interesting so far). But I recently finished 3 books that I'll make a few comments on here. Keep in mind this is my opinion and only my opinion:

The Associate by John Grisham: This one felt like a return to "The Firm," the novel that got Grisham launched into the spotlight. A graduating law student gets blackmailed to become a corporate spy. Some interesting bits there, certainly not the worst Grisham has penned, but I still prefer "A Time to Kill" and "The Runaway Jury" over this one.

Star Trek: The Movie Novelization: As I've indicated, I really like the new Trek movie. The novelization (which has Alan Dean Foster's name on it along with two other authors) does what movie novelizations are supposed to do (at least in my opinion): fill in gaps the movie left out. Not as good as the movie, but at least we find out what happened to Porthos!

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult: I started this book on Sunday, while traveling back home from John's college graduation. I finished it sitting in my bathtub the next day, tears streaming down my face. This is a powerful,, intense, emotional book, and Jodi Picoult's writing is amazing. The movie version comes out in June, but don't wait for it - buy the book and read it today!

Stressing out for some reason. Probably due to working on computer, which was finally working when I left home.

Column finished! Now getting ready to find a replacement video card for desktop

Okay, enough goofing off. Time to get to work!

Finally home. Wrote my 500 words and now going to bed!

Lots of things going on!

I've added links to my Livejournal and new Facebook pages to my list on the side. Check them out - I'm going to try to keep things current. Emphasis on the word "try."

Tomorrow Don and I head to Tennessee to see our oldest son John graduate from college. Where did the time go?

So right now I should be writing my column and packing and stuff. Why is it that I keep getting distracted?

The New Star Trek Movie

Well Don and I have just gotten back from the new Star Trek movie, and I wanted to throw out some of my thoughts on it. Don't worry, no spoilers.

First off, I am a huge Star Trek fan. My first professional fiction sale was for a Star Trek anthology titled "Strange New Worlds 10." So I was interested in this latest installment of the Trek universe.

I liked the movie. And when I first heard about it, I wasn't sure I would.

Prequels are tricky things to pull off. If you are writing a prequel, you are bound by what has happened already. For example, if Mr. Smith exists after the prequel, you can't very well kill him off during the prequel.

Fans of Star Trek can be a challenge to please. There have been five series, an animated series, and a number of movies. Some fans have taken almost an ownership attitude with the series, feeling that they and only they should dictate what should and should not happen with the franchise.

I tried to go into the movie with an open mind. I loved the original series. I wasn't sure how I'd react to other actors playing Kirk, Spock, Scotty and the rest. Would there be anything familiar, or Trek-like in it? Or would it feel like someone just slapped "Star Trek" on a movie that bore no resemblance to that universe?

I was impressed. They managed to pull it off.

There are echoes of the original series throughout the movie. The actors playing the characters have done their homework. Some do better than others (the actor playing McCoy just nailed the character) but overall I didn't watch this thinking, "That isn't so-and-so!"

And they do find a way to get around the predictability factor prequels labor under. I won't tell you how, because it's a spoiler. Let's just say it's Trek-like.

I can see future movies with this crew happening and being done well. And I would love to see this one again. A fellow writer got to see it in an IMAX theater, and I admit I'm terribly jealous.

If you like the concept of Trek and are willing to see a somewhat different version of how our beloved characters turned out, you will enjoy this movie. If true Trek only means Shatner, Nimoy, etc., you will have to let go of that if you want to see this movie. And if you don't, you'll be missing out on a good flick. Your choice. Your loss.

Funny Publishing Glossary

I got this from an elist I'm on. If you're writer, these will make you laugh out loud. If your not a writer but know one, this will explain a lot!

http://www.rightrea ding.com/ publishing/ publishing- glossary. htm

When Do You Quit?

My friend Chris York shared an awesome blog entry that talks about when a writer should hang it up.

Read it here: http://www.murderati.com/blog/category/toni-mcgee-causey

Tweet!

You can now follow me on Twitter! My name there is Bookwormlady2 (someone thought of it first!)

I promise not to litter it too much, but you'll get tweets when my column is online, when I update this blog, or when I sell something.

I'll listen for you!

An Article I Wrote for the OWN Blog

I recently wrote an article on "The Do's and Don'ts of Sending Out Manuscripts." It's my thoughts after a push to get a large number of stories back out in the mail.

You can read it HERE.

Let me know what you think!

Interesting column concerning writers and the current economy

Kristine Kathryn Rusch, a successful award winning writer, comments upon why the current economy is a golden age for short story authors, and has comments on how one in general can cope with the economic crisis with a good attitude intact.

You can read it HERE.

Reading, writing, and a blog to check out

I devoured the Twilight saga last month. It held me and carried me through to the end. I know some people found BREAKING DAWN to be disappointing, but I liked it. It just demonstrates that different people like different things.

This goes for editors as well. A rejection doesn't mean a story's bad (it might mean that, but not necessarily); it means it didn't hit the editor's buttons. Or they'd just bought something like it. Or they don't have room or budget for it. All kinds of reasons.

This week I'm working on getting short stories out that have been sitting in my office for months. They won't sell sitting on a desk, so I'm working on getting stuff in the mail (or email).

Check out the OWN Writer's Blog, listed under my links on the right. The people penning these articles are professional writers, and worth checking out if that's what your goal is.

Updating...

Yeah, it's been ages. My serious apologies. Real Life has been kicking me in the teeth lately, making it hard to get things done.

So, let me run a list of what's up so you know what I'm up to:

• Currently reading: Finishing up Adams Vs. Jefferson, a must read if you want to study the birth of partisanship and political parties in this country. Planning to dive into New Moon pretty soon.
• Currently listening to: Aside from my usual fare (country, etc) I'm listening to Michael Connelly's Black Echo. Let's hear it for libraries that loan out ebooks.
• Currently watching: Battlestar Galactica, Bones, and getting seriously interested in House. Caught 24 for the first time in ages, still looks good.
• Current favorite new toy: A Blackberry Curve. I am seriously in love with this thing.
• Current projects: Working hard to finish a short story to submit to a workshop I'm planning on attending later this month. Other writing projects in various stages...probably will go into more detail on that in the next couple of days.

That should give you an idea of life at the moment...