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...

My columns can be seen online!

As I've indicated in past posts, I write a weekly column called "Laura's Look" that is seen in the Highlands County News Sun on Sundays.

Now, for those who haven't had a chance to read them, you can go to the News Sun website and search for my name, "Laura Ware." You'll find my comments on a variety of topics.

Read and let me know what you think!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope you have a great day!

Nano is coming!!

National Novel Writing Month (Nano) is coming in November!

Nano is a period of insanity where bold and insane writers pledge to attempt to craft 50,000 words in the month of November.

I'm the Municipal Liason for Sebring, and trying to kick things off here.

If you live in the area, email me and let me know!

Or, go to www.nanowrimo.org

Finally back!

I'm home after two exhausting and awesome weeks at the Master's Class, an intensive writing workshop.

I got back in town Monday night. Went to bed at around 11 PM. Woke up Tuesday at about 4:30 PM. Yeah, I was pretty tired. :-)

Hope to give dribbles of information as time goes by. Right now trying to get back in the swing of real life again. :-)

In Oregon for a couple of weeks...

Sorry I've been silent - been getting ready for a major writing workshop I have a chance to attend in Oregon.

So right now I'm typing this post while waiting for the Master Class to start. I won't be able to post much the next two weeks - the instructors promise to keep us QUITE busy.

Cheerful replies and emails are welcome!

A book I hadn't read in so long...

I teach a Ladies Bible class on Tuesday mornings. I was doing a lesson I called "Nameless Service."

Sometimes when I teach I recall things that apply. I think this is God's way of helping me out.

This time, as we talked about not having to take credit and thanks for everything we do reminded me of a child's book I read when I was young, called "Understood Betsy."

It had been years - perhaps more than 20 - since I read the book, yet I recalled parts of it clearly. I'd read it several times and loved it. I can still see the cover of it in my mind.

Wednesday I did a websearch and to my delight found the book (published in 1917) was available to read. It was as good as I remembered it.

Will my writings be like that for someone? Something they'll remember with pleasure even years after they read it?

I hope so.

By the way, if you want to read the book yourself, you can link to it here.

One Step at a Time...

Those who know me know that this was a stressful summer.

I had seven people living at my house at one point - that's a lot. My youngest was getting ready to go off to college, my oldest was spending his last summer with us (he's getting married next June). Plus there were health issues with a family member.

I was stressed. Something had to give, or I might have cracked.

What gave was Weight Watchers.

I've been on Weight Watchers since October. In July, I'd lost 40 pounds. Not a small thing.

But I quit going to meetings. I quit counting points (in Weight Watchers, food has points). I didn't go hog wild - for example, I didn't consume a whole cheesecake in one sitting - but I wasn't being as rigid as I was.

Last week, I started back. I started counting points again.

Last night, I went back to my first meeting in 8 weeks. I only stayed long enough to weigh in and see how bad the damage was.

Fortuantely, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. In 8 weeks, I'd gained 3.8 pounds.

Next week, I'll stay for the meeting.

One step at a time.

Did you know...

...that September is "Be kind to editors and writers" month?

Find a writer or editor you know and give them a hug!

Governor Palin

The coverage and out and out hostility that has greeted Sarah Palin has been disturbing.

Look, people are entitled to their opinions. No one is required to like the governor as far as I'm concerned. Some people don't agree with her stands. That's a valid argument.

But can I have the same courtesy?

Can I agree with Governor Palin's views without being dismissed as a hick or stupid? Can I disagree with Senator Obama's stands on things without being ignorant?

Can we respect the fact we disagree without acting like we're better than each other?

Or is that just me spinning more fiction?

Don't mess with a writer's copyright...

I've heard of Stephanie Meyer, though I've never read her books.

Looks like her last book will be on hold, thanks to someone ignoring her rights and posting her stuff on the Internet without permission...

Stephanie Meyers drops new book after Web leak.

I KNEW reading was good for you!

Reading novels enhances social skills: study

Fay has come and gone...

..and it wasn't much. Wind and rain and VERY wet mail, but other than that, it was just a weird day.

Tropical Storm Fay...

Just when you thought it was safe not to close the hurricaine shutters... :-)

We're under a "hurricane wind watch" at the moment.

It doesn't look bad out there but I've seen the weather change quickly. At this point we're just figuring on a lot of rain and some wind, nothing to freak out about.

So meanwhile life goes on...

The birds have flown!

John and James left for college today.

I'd say more, but I'm a little cranky.

Anyone have some chocolate?

Can't believe I didn't mention this!

My short story LAST HEIR was published in the November 2007 issue of Leading Edge Magazine. (#54)



You have to order the issue through the mail. Their website is http://www.leadingedgemagazine.com/

In Orlando yet again...

Husband Don is attending a medical conference at a very nice hotel in Orlando and invited me to come along. While he listens to lectures, I'm planning to use the time to catch up on some work. A mini-writing retreat, if you will.

Turning on the lights, frowning at the mess...

I haven't posted in a while. I will be honest, the future of this blog is uncertain at the moment. I am having to consider the pros/cons of keeping it up.

A blog requires a commitment of time. The problem at the moment is I have other demands on my time, including the writing which I hope to devote more attention to.

Will ponder this while I research. Thanks to those who've checked out the blog and posted comments. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

A blog worth looking at

A fellow writer named Scott William Carter has put up a blog profiling first time novelists. You can check it out at this link: http://thefirstbook.wordpress.com

Back from a writer's conference.

I just got back home from a writer's conference in Cocoa Beach. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk to other writers, get ideas for making my writing better, and pitching a novel of mine to an editor and 3 agents.

I got the chance to meet some fellow writers I met through Strange New Worlds. We had a great hanging out together and picking on a friend of mine who was asked to submit a proposal to an agent a year ago and hasn't done it yet.

I also got to see my friends Dean Wesley Smith and his wife Kristine Kathryn Rusch, who have been generous to me in their advice. They were keynote speakers at the conference, and as usual they had things to share that I needed to hear.

The editor I spoke with and one of the agents asked me to send the entire manuscript of "Dead Hypocrites," I novel I wrote as my Nano project in 2006. Two agents asked for the first 3 chapters. I am excited about the interest and will work to get the material in their hands as soon as possible.

Now, home and tired. :-)

Laugh, cry, and/or shake your head...

Whether you're a writer or a reader, you will probably enjoy this satire:

Eccentric reads an entire book

Merry Christmas!!

A Merry Christmas to all, and hopes for a great (and more active when it comes to my blog) new year!

Republicans acting stupidly?

I am getting real tired of the Republican Party telling conservatives, "you must support whoever we tell you to support, or else."

I left the party a while ago because whatever they were once, they are barely giving more than lip service to conservative values. Someone try to tell me that Rudy Giuliani is a conservative. Go ahead. Try.

People say a third party candidate can't win. The Republicans weren't always a major party. With that attitude, it's possible the Whigs would still be a party. And we wouldn't have gotten Abraham Lincoln.

I'm tired of the two major parties doing all they can to bar others from participating. I'm fed up with Republicans who are willing to jettison social conservative values as long as a candidate says he/she will cut their taxes.

I'm watching. And waiting. Let's see who the two parties try to shove down our throats.

Teenagers...

I have an 18 year old. I love him to death, but today I wanted to sell him.

In his English class, they are having a Chaucer day. On Tuesday.

Today we went in search of a costume. He wanted a robe and a beard.

No problem, I thought. I mean, it's Halloween, right? How hard can it be to find this stuff?

Well, where I live, pretty hard.

Okay, we can whip together a robe. But finding a fake beard? Might as well try to find a snowball here in Central Florida.

My son even dragged me to Walmart - and I am certain it's written in the Geneva Convention that dragging your mother to Walmart on a Saturday afternoon falls under the category of "cruel and unusual punishment."

He will be a beardless franklin on Tuesday.

Latest computer time waster...

The game Fate.

It's easy to learn, cheap to buy, totally addictive.

In other words, dangerous.

Here's the link - check it out at your own risk:


http://games.wildtangent.com/fate/

Six years ago...

I've thought some about today. Yes, I remember where I was six years ago...I was home, getting ready for Ladies Bible Class, when I got the news.

Some think we're making a huge fuss. I asked myself why. I think I know.

Things like this don't happen every day in our country. We don't normally have people bombing our buildings and killing thousands of our citizens.

If the Lord is willing, I hope it stays that way.

This blog is rated....

"G," according to this link: http://mingle2.com/blog-rating

See? I'm harmless!