Mid-Week Mayhem

Remember the tax forms I couldn't find all through January and February? My CPA dealt with those (thank goodness for a CPA; no wonder I couldn't find them) and then I got hit with another form yesterday that is my responsibility, but I know for a fact the state of WA never sent me the original form to file. Grrrrr. Running a corporation is definitely more paperwork.

Interesting news from the WSJ today about a click recession in January. I personally don't think we're in a recession, but this is definite news of a change in consumer behavior. Does it mean people are buying less right now? Not sure. I see consumers buying more. We're definitely trying to decide.

And then a very interesting article on Martha Stewart (my touchstone/mentor to building a business and brand that doesn't rely on just me; yes she went to jail, but her business sense in all other areas besides insider trading is quite solid, I assure you). I am proud to say she is a mentor for me. Her book, The Martha Rules, provided me with my first glimpse at a company, started by a woman, built entirely debt-free--a true bootstrapper.

I realized about six months ago that as my business stands now, it will collapse without me (it is a true services business) and I need to build something different if I'm going to spend any more time with it. Where did I get that idea? Martha Stewart and Seth Godin. Those two have guided me so wisely through the rebuilding in 2007 and the expansion planned for 2008. Now I know what I need to do in 2009 and 2010 and beyond and hey, just maybe, this little tiny thing that started in August 1995 in my Mom's teeny-tiny sewing room and on a borrowed computer can actually partially fund our retirement. I'd like to pull some equity out of this 13-year business. So, thanks, Martha and Seth. Cheers.

Currently reading: Bootstrapper's Bible (Seth Godin)
Currently listening to: Jack Johnson

It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Good morning, writing buddies.

I'm feeling really good. The latest revision of my essay is off to my essay coach and she's extended our class another week. I can't wait to hear back from her.

Surfing my news sites yesterday, I realized I forgot to mention this NYT article (from 2 weeks ago). The heirs of J.R.R. Tolkien have not received one penny from the Lord of the Rings movies and have sued New Line Cinema. Lessee, how much money did those movies make again? Oh, 6 billion dollars? And you can't pay the author's family their requested 7.5%? Methinks someone is a bozo. As someone who has been to Oxford and visited C.S. Lewis' home where Tolkien talked about these books (sure not Tolkien's apartment where he wrote LOTR, but close enough), I'm appalled. New Line has jeopardized a possible two-movie deal for the Hobbit by their actions. Stay tuned. This one is going to get interesting.

Other than that, I'm reading and writing and keeping up on my to-do list. Crossed off a whole lotta items yesterday, which was good.

And I'm bouncing off the walls because of the very good writing session last night to polish the revised essay. I am feeling pretty good!

Have a great Tuesday!

Currently reading: Seven Years to Seven Figures
Currently listening to: Third Day

Cheers to Monday

Already starting in on my to-do list, which I made up last night. A few things have gone haywire, but that's to be expected. We'll make it.

Finished everything on my weekend to-do list with aplomb. It felt great.

Essay writing going full speed ahead. Waiting on feedback from essay teacher as soon as I send in another revised version. I'm drilling down to a scene and it helps so much!

Researching certification programs as my job will reimburse some of my college expenses. This is good.

But I'm trying to figure out how to jam it all in this year. Fun!

Must run, have to email an author.

Currently reading: Oxford Guide to Writing
Currently listening to: Elgar

Friday Fiver

1. Allison, over at her blog points out today that she is more productive and creative after kids than before. Cool confession, yes?

2. I am irritated at the sloppiness of countless authors this week. The little nitpicky details that I have chased endlessly this week have worn me out. Ready for weekend!

3. Anyone read the soppy, bitter Atlantic Monthly article that was named an essay but did not qualify as an essay because the author did not prove her two points? I skimmed it, but got irritated because, I'm sorry, but there is something worse than not being married by (for the author, 40; for me, 30) and that's getting married to the wrong guy or settling and just marrying because you feel the pressure.

I am living proof. I had a series of guys to choose from that were all wrong for me BEFORE I met my current hubby. I think back to how quickly things would have gone sour with any of those previous three.

And this clarity even after being happily married for four years. We both have faults and irritate each other, but he's the best thing in my life. I say it all the time. Marriage is not easier than singleness, and it's not harder, it's complicated in good and bad ways. You don't need that One Perfect Person when the furnace goes out or the house is a mess and you're having company; you need someone you can once again choose to love and who chooses to love you, even at your worst and grossest moments. I have more to say, but I will stop.

4. Watching HBO's Band of Brothers and in awe of the story. Wow.

5. Writing up a storm and having a ball. The sun has been out all week long, which makes it easier in February. I am so ready for March, I wore spring clothes out to lunch yesterday (and froze my toes).

Happy Friday!

Currently reading: Mothers Who Think (Salon.com)
Currently listening to: Jimmy Eat World

Happy Thursday.

This week has been the week of finishing up projects. It's a great feeling after several months of hard work and seems to fit the weather (late morning sunshine burning off early morning fog).

I love it.

My brother is off to Israel today. He's so excited, but also sad at leaving his girlfriend behind. He'll be visiting Jordan to see the ruins at Petra as well. I would LOVE to see Petra. At least he gets to. Shalom, N! Have a great time.

Today is essay work. I feel so calm as I approach essays after the lessons from Andrea. I hope to rework the original essay I began two weeks ago and get it to her tomorrow. Then I want to start others and just really create a fun process for my essays. They are the best vehicle for my thoughts right now.

Currently reading: Right to Write (Julia Cameron)
Currently listening to: The Vogues

I Voted

Washington held a non-binding primary yesterday, which in essence means voter turnout was just okay. Our precinct was pretty slow when we checked in to vote at about 2:30.

The percentage of write-ins for this election has really gone wild. We both giggled to each other as we voted because a friend begged us to write his name in. No, not Sock. And our friend wasn't serious, but the list of choices was really dismal. No one is left in the race!

Yesterday was a zoo, and today I so have to focus. So this will be quick.

My essay instructor impressed on me again today how important is it tell the truth. To peel back layers. Most essays published just dip a toe into our emotions, but it's the ones that really reveal that get torn out of magazines and passed along to neighbors.

Something worth thinking about.

I've got a new fiction critique group starting up (mostly Seattle writers) in a few weeks. I'm excited to expand my scheduled writing time and to get feedback. It is tough to carve out three hours each day to write. I'm failing miserably this week.

With that, off I go!

Currently reading: Right to Write (Julia Cameron)
Currently listening to: Darlene Zschech

And Then It Was Tuesday

Wah. Weekend's over. So hard to come back to reality. Nothing like a two-hour phone meeting with my London colleagues outlining 2008 to get me back.

I may not survive until December, I fear. We've got some serious work to do and I'm smack in the middle of it (and partially responsible).

But the weekend was lovely. A fine Friday (late) night gabbing with old and new friends, a Saturday with hubby running errands and learning new skills (I got crossbow skillz) and then a bowling tournament until the wee hours of the morning Sunday with friends.

On Sunday a small group of us went to Snowqualmie to play in the snow because the sun was warm and the snow was crunchy. The sign said no sledding so we boogie boarded instead. Luckily we had yesterday to recoup.

This is the weekend of a Pacific Northwest native. Drool on, my midwest friends.

I just can't believe my snowpants still fit.

So last week was a week of rejection for this writer. I scratch my head, whine a bit, and then get back up to start again. No feedback yet on the novel, but the essay stuff is enough to weigh me down. My teacher, however, is da bomb. Seriously, if you can EVER get a class with Andrea King Collier, do it. No hesitation whatsoever.

After digging a hole so deep for years about essays, the lighbulb has appeared over my head (see it?) and I actually GET it. I now have to write it, but I'm just pleased as punch at the getting it part, I may just sit on that for a while.

In reality, I must get writing.

Today holds a stack of retro reviews for work (fun, fun) a quick finish up of a proof batch, and then the writing commences.

I actually feel great. The weekend sunshine did amazing things for my brain, spirit, and outlook. I love sun! And I'm off.

Currently reading: Mothers Who Think essay book (Camille Peri and Kate Moses)
Currently listening to: Sing Alleluia (Jennifer Knapp)

Friday Fiver

And it's our favorite Friday Fiver!

1. Workload is still so heavy. I'm tired, but thankfully the three-day weekend will help restore me. :)

2. Valentine's Day was really fun. Todd is so excited about his gift: he gets to try out several Wii games and then I'll buy him the one he wants. He'll do that tonight with A while I'm off with friends.

3. The writing will continue today. Need to get to the next draft of the essay. Also need to finish my MFA work.

4. My prayers go out to the NIU students, staff, and families of those who were hurt. A tragedy.

5. The new Indiana Jones movie trailer is out: Indy Jones trailer for May 2008

Currently reading: Web Copy That Sells (Maria Veloso)
Currently listening to: San Francisco (Global Djs)

When It Rains, It Pours

The weather is getting warmer even for Seattle and yesterday we had glorious sunshine and I got so excited because this means spring is coming soon! Woohoo!

Today is another day of finishing projects. I am buried with day job work, so that's a priority. I did make it to the gym yesterday and am cooking hubby's favorite meal for Valentine's Day tonight. He's SOOOO happy. He left me an adorable gift basket full of gift cards, a teddy bear, candy, and a cd. Such a sweetheart. I LOVE YOU, GTL!

Got feedback on my essay yesterday. Fantastic time with Andrea. She's the shiznit, truly. A wonderful lady and her advice is so good. I'm really excited to rework this piece into something better. Then advice on my business writing from a new professional friend. He gave me great tips! I am really excited about that too. Lots going on. I am really pumped up for 2008.

This week I had a downer day (Tuesday). I wasn't sure where it came from, but it was sure there. Nothing seemed like it would work out, nothing seemed bright and sunny. Isn't it amazing how quickly those moods come on? I think it was waiting for feedback, too much work, and the weather. I don't have SAD, but I was sad.

Thank goodness things are moving again and looking up. I love it.

Here's to a wonderful Valentine's Day to everyone! Spread the love!

Currently reading: Don't Make Me Think (Steve Krug)
Currently listening to: The Helio Sequence (cool new rock album)

Post-Writer's Strike

The writers are back to work--today even--and of course, the question everyone has is not "how are the writers and their families doing?" but "when are my shows coming back?" We are so hooked on tv!

I am not too concerned about shows coming back because the hiatus has left me with plenty of time to read, but I did check on LOST. Yes, I'm as short-sighted as anyone. Damon Lindelof told CNN that they are going to try and add 8 more episodes this season (which means we would get a complete season after all; praise be for late starts) and this news has spread like wildfire across the LOST fan base. Fingers crossed!

I'm proud of the WGA. The contract is a good one, furthering pay farther than ever before and firmly planting the tv industry into Web 2.0. Of course, concessions on both sides, but that's what a strike is. You win some, you lose some.

On the phone most of this morning, day job work is slowly catching up, and then I'm still finishing a freelance project. Another finishes tomorrow, and then it's back to a dull roar. February is certainly my catch-up month. Textbooks are slow (my bread and butter), but I think March will bring a wave, and then you'll hear me whining about my schedule once again.

Brainstorming book topics for a project I want to launch this year or early 2009. It's intriguing, but we'll see how it goes.

Currently reading: Telling True Stories (Mark Kramer, Wendy Call)
Currently listening to: San Francisco (Global DJs)

Essays All the Time

So essays and memoir are two different entities, did ya know?

I wasn't exactly sure. Essays take the voice of someone speaking about an isolated incident that may soften or lessen as the essay progresses. Memoirs may use a similar voice, but the voice changes in accordance with the wisdom imparted. Instead of a voice, it's more important that the reader see the arc of a journey of that voice.

Hopefully that's as clear as mud.

Vivian Gornick's book (Situation and Story) is terrific for outlining the differences and I'll let her explain it better:

...[A]n essay rather than a memoir because the writer is using her persona to explore a subject other than herself: in this case, marriage.

If it had been a memoir, the focus would have been reversed.[The author] would have been using marriage precisely to explore--illuminate, define--herself. A memoir is a work of sustained narrative prose controlled by an idea of the self under obligation to lift from the raw material of life a tale that will shape experience, transform event, deliver wisdom.

Truth in a memoir is not through a recital of actual events; it is achieved when the reader comes to believe that the writer is working hard to engage with the experience at hand. What happened to the writer is not what matters; what matters is the large sense that the writer is able to make of what happened. For that the power of a writing imagination is required.

Incredible, right?

I sure think so.

Lots of work for the day job today, finishing two freelance projects, and ready for spring now.

Currently reading: Bootstrapper's Guide to Business (Seth Godin)
Currently listening to: Gothica (Sarah Brightman)

Five O'Clock World

Yes, I'm grooving to the Vogues again this morning. Love this song!

A very nice relaxing (and productive) weekend. I outlined a short story, brainstormed a revision on the essay, and organized my to-read piles. We hid from the world this weekend, after a fun Wii party with friends on Friday that left us wiped out. We caught up on laundry and vacuuming and dishes and tried to move TiVo stuff to a VCR to no avail.

I'm amazed at the advice I'm getting from experienced writers to just trust myself while writing. They insist that's half the battle and it's very liberating. It's true that if you are uneasy or timid, this will come through in your writing voice, diluting the power of your narrator, for both nonfiction and fiction.

The most important thing for an essay is a strong narrative voice that knows itself--doesn't matter if the essayist doesn't know themselves, but as a writer, if you want an essay to work, the voice must be consistent and stay within the essay's boundaries.

Thus my revision for this week. Extending the word count past 800 words and making sure the narrative voice is solid. A good project.

I'm also beginning the short story that I've had simmering for a month. It's probably flash fiction, but the premise comes from a recent movie/very old book and because I love the biblical story of the Exodus, the situation just resonates with me.

Happy Monday!

Currently reading: Ron Carlson Writes A Story (Ron Carlson)
Currently listening to: San Francisco (Global DJs)

Friday Fiver!

1. Caught up for the weekend. Whew! Worked it yesterday because the India office is off on Monday and stuff was due. Feeling good about how much I got done and how fun it will be today to READ . . . in the cold . . .

2. Our furnace blower died a horrible death last night. The repair man is coming today, but the temp is dropping and it's 60 in here. For Trish, the cold-blooded skinny girl, this is too cold. I am wrapped up when it's 65 or 70, so I am going to go scald myself in the shower.

3. Wii party at our house tonight at 7. BYOB. Nuff said.

4. LOST blew my mind last night and I'm kinda ticked. More questions, more new people, and they channeled C.S. Lewis? I'm so confused. Who is Charlotte Staples Lewis? Polar bear addict? Argh.

5. WGA strike is done. They've got a deal, it will be ratified by WGA west and east tomorrow and back to work Monday? That sounds great. Congrats, WGA! We're proud of you and so happy for you. Big weekend.

Gotta run, heating guy is here (so strange to not use my sis and brother in law for this!)

Currently reading: Self-Publishing (Pete Bowerman)
Currently listening to: Nichole Nordeman

LOST Day!

I'm pretty excited because rumor is that the WGA strike is close to resolution, and maybe the writers, show runners, and crews can get back to work on Monday.

As a writer, the issues they have fought for are worth a lot to me (residuals from dvd sales and web downloads); I never like to see a writer writing for free in order to keep their job.

In writing news, essay class is moving along. I sent my first little anecdote to my instructor and hope she didn't run screaming out of her office in pain. I am getting pretty daring with my writing, sending it hither and thither. You'd think I actually believed it was good.

But that's the issue. I'm a good writer, but you still have that nagging feeling that maybe you missed the target with your latest piece. So today, after all the work is done and LOST is watched, I won't try to write too much, saving it for tomorrow when things are not so hectic.

Currently reading: McGraw-Hill Business Writing and Communication (Kenneth W. Davis)
Currently listening to: Stop and Stare (One Republic)

Over It

Stayed up too late watching returns from Super Tuesday. It is voter fatigue, I can feel it. I'm pretty happy to see the big winners and those who are losing steam. This year, I'm ABH (anyone but Hillary or Huckabee) and I loved Guiliani so much, but my hope is that he might be McCain's vp choice, which would be cool. I like McCain, but Mac cannot beat Obama, and I just don't care anymore. Obama/Mac, whatever.

I'm a bit disillusioned because to me there is not much difference between the parties anymore: in fiscal policy, foreign policy, domestic policy, etc., as both love to spend my money, both love to make decisions that benefit themselves and not average Americans, and no one has respect for the power of the people anymore. (We know this about Mac already, and we read Obama's book and were really disappointed by it.) So both have made mistakes; that's fine. I just need a break. I get daily emails from very conservative friends urging me to choose Huckabee when they only like him because of the access it will give them to the federal government (you should see who's in Huckabee's back pocket--scary).

But I sound really grumpy, so I'll just say that I love Mac and his ABBA song that he plays at his rallies. I love Peggy Noonan (of Ronald Reagan speechwriting fame) last night commenting on the GOP's fickleness. She is so cool. I love the fervor I see in Obama supporters, like a breath of fresh air.

This race is so far from over and I love that element in America. We can make a difference by voting in primaries and participating in state caucus events (WA has one on Saturday that I'm preparing for), and in this country, if you vote, you are doing something. I get frustrated just like everyone else, but in the end, it's a vote cast. It means something.

Writing is moving along and practically the only enjoyment of my day right now. That and another project wrapped up yesterday. I am neck-deep in day job work and sometimes I just get antsy to not think about it for a while. Probably because I had a three-day weekend. Hard to get back into the groove, but I've got my Bose cranked today and Kath McPhee rocking. Yes, I'm still on this American Idol kick. Chris Daughtry is up next! :)

Realizing that I could write a stream of consciousness essay for a week straight. (There is that much in my head begging to be let out.) The key will be to mold it into something that means something. So don't look at this blog post as an example of molding.

Told you I could write a lot.

Currently reading: White Papers book by Bob Bly
Currently listening to: Over It (Katherine McPhee)

Super Tuesday

I'm back to the home office after a nice three-day weekend and celebrating baby niece's first birthday. It was a hit! We had a wonderful time. She is so grown up at one and is working so hard to imitate everything we do.





She is so curious and anything different gets her notice very quickly. Even if you leave a camera or Wii controller or tv remote within her reach, she zeroes in on it within seconds. It was fun to spend time with her and the family and we made Wii bowling champions out of a few more people!

Onto writing, my editor is still reviewing and I'm busy with other things:

researching possible agents to send the book to and working on my essay class and MFA class work. The power flickered last night so much after our arrival at home that we just shut the computers down and went to bed. I have already had a conference call and answered all my email and now am ready to start on my to do list for today, which is long, but everything I want to accomplish will get done this week.

My February list:

Move this blog to a more secure platform (got my host, picked my theme, just need to move)
Finish building and launch my corp writing site (www.realbrilliantcopy.com)
Hire my VA for data entry.
Editorial postcards need to go this week.
Update eZine.
Implement decisions on blogs for both biz sites.
Corp site eZine writing.
MFA class work catch up for February.
Essay class (write four essays and learn the process)
Daily study and reading schedule (my list of books is over 50 titles long)

We'll see how far I get on this. It's fun to set out plans and then see how I do at month's end.

Currently reading: The Situation and the Story (Vivian Gornick)
Currently listening to: Third Day

Happy February!

Well, LOST was freaking awesome. I am so happy to get a fix. It will wear off by the end of today, but I have the ep on TiVo so I can just rewatch.

But I am at risk of boring those readers who want me to talk about writing. Okay.

So, my essay class begins today. I'm about halfway through Art and Craft of Memoir, edited by William Zinser, which held a funny anecdote by memoirist Frank McCourt:

The first piece of literature in my life--if you go back to what you might call the intellectual or spiritual activities--was the Catholic catechism, the little green book that had the questions and answers that prepared us for first confession and first communion. The first question was "Who made the world?"

"God."

"Who is God?"

"God is the creator and sovereign lord of heaven and earth and of all things."

"Why did God make the world?"

That's where I got into trouble. I forgot the answer. So I said, "So we all have something to stand on." That was my first encounter with theology, and an unfortunate encounter it was.

Loved that one. Read it to hubby and he wanted me to find out what the "correct" answer was. :)

Zinsser edits a great book, which is also a quick read, and well worth the effort. I hope to finish today and then it's on to the next. :)

So, I am working on the first essay for my class and of course, it dredges up memories that are painful (centered around my faith, which probably doesn't surprise anyone) so it will take a bit to get it all out and to make it truthful. That is the biggest lesson for this first week: to be truthful.

How does one do that? How do you honestly filter your experiences and really face them with honesty and truth? The urge is to cover up and to make them pretty, so they don't hurt so much. I don't think that's a bad thing, though. It's how humans cope (read any psychoanalysis textbook to see how much we do to cope) and we've become really good at it.

I think that's the greatest challenge in memoir/essay writing. To record events that perhaps weren't our greatest moments, and that takes a lot of courage. I was working with a writing coach a few years ago and started some essays back then that I stopped abruptly. She was really disappointed, because she felt these essays were the truest thing I could write. So this is my brave moment.

Sending off that novel manuscript made me brave and I'm going to grab the chance to just go for it with these essays. If I can get them out, that's a huge victory in my eyes.

Next up to read: The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative (Vivian Gornick)
Currently listening to: Gothica (Sarah Brightman)

LOST: Ignore This Post At Your Peril

Sorry to those of you who just don't care (wake up, people!) but today is the day of all days: the LOST premiere. We only get 8 eps, but we'll take 'em. Besides, I heard tell that these may be the best 8 eps of the entire show!

My questions are:

Who gets off the island?
Who does NOT get off the island?
And how does it all come down?

That to me is what is going to drive the last three seasons of this show. The conflict between various warring factions and how it all blows up and why that made Jack so desperate in last season's flash forward. Remember, he was hollering at Kate "We have to go back!" Why? What happened after he made the call to that freighter? We are gonna find out starting tonight. It's deliciously wonderful to have LOST back. I'm so pumped up.

I hope I can sit still while getting my hair cut today. My poor stylist.

In other news, my prep work for my essay class that begins tomorrow is going strong. I'm almost finished with my MFA work this week. I also finished a pile of books yesterday, which was good. I have another pile to start on. This is gonna be fun!

My teacher for my essay class is Andrea King Collier, renowned essayist (featured in O magazine) and soon to have her own book of essays published. I'm really glad I got into this class (her last one in 2008) and know it will help steer my writing for this year in a significant way.

My buddy, Allison, has her new novel's pre-order page up at Amazon. So exciting, AWS! In case you missed her first novel, look here.

I can't describe the euphoria of having an editor work on your book. It was a huge step for me and I'm so glad I did it. I feel stronger, more sure, and even freer than I've ever felt with my writing, probably because I trust Emily and know she'll tell it to me straight. It's a great foundation for 2008.

Currently reading: Inventing Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir (William Zinser)
Currently listening to: August Rush Soundtrack

Political Meanderings

So Edwards and Guiliani are both out, prompting a lot of chatter as to who to vote for (a lot of people I know were really pumped for those two).

We're still 10 months away and I'm already troubled.

Anyhoo, yesterday was a great day. I read (mostly for my MFA class work) and am in love with a whole new batch of short story writers. Any class that makes you read this many short stories is a good one. I have more to do today, but the deadline for my marketing is coming up and I will have to deal with some of that too. I'm also getting hammered with day job schtuff. It is the busy season.

My CPA is working on payroll paperwork for 2007 Q4 and W2 for 2007. I can't remember if I filed that one form back in 2007 or not (it's not due until February) and I also can't find it, so I hopefully filed it. Yeesh.

If you are truly in the dark and your head is under a rock, tonight begins the LOST partying. The last episode of Season 3 replays tonight (the enhanced version) in preparation for tomorrow's big Season 4 launch. Even with a shorter season, people are excited! As am I.

Hopefully I get more animated as we head toward spring. This blog is just dull. Sorry, everyone.

Currently reading: Eclipse (Stephenie Meyer)
Currently listening to: One Republic

As the World Turns

No, not a soaps fan (at all), but man, do things move fast when you least expect them to.

Job changing in a massive way right before my eyes and it's all good. Very hard to hear on a conference call when hubby is rattling around in my office looking for envelope and a stamp, HOWEVER!

I worked it yesterday. Got caught up on several projects and fell into bed exhausted. I have to work to get caught up because I have got a three-day weekend planned. It's my baby niece's first birthday! I know! A whole year! And because her birthday is also the day of the Superbowl, which is a big deal for Todd this year (he's rooting for the Pats), we're going to stay through Monday. That way he and Dad can play golf or go to the shooting range or something manly and I'll just play with baby. A treat!

So the revision is off, the work is caught up, my house is clean (cleaned all weekend), and it's time to read.

So I'll sign off for today.

Currently reading: The Right to Write (Julia Cameron)
Currently listening to: the printer