Monday Meandering ... May 16th

First Meandering ...

Busy week but not a lot of words written. It's funny, sometimes, when I think I'm going to take a story one way, I'll be moving right along and suddenly hit a block. I realized last night I needed to change something but resisted. 

Once I finally gave in and decided to make that change, I was able to move ahead but then realized I needed some brainstorming related to the change AND I needed better motivations for the antagonist. *sigh*

Second Meandering ...

Saturday I attended a workshop put on by Tristi Pinkston who's the author of 30+ books, an editor, and now has her own publishing company--Trifecta Books. She has an excellent writing series called Write It Write. She's both entertaining and informative. 

I especially like how she can give good examples of when it's okay to do something you might have been told you shouldn't. Example; "was."

She had a couple of people come forward to demonstrate. One she had sitting, while the other she had preparing to enter a room where the first person was at. Tristi said that if she wrote (as one might think one should because one shouldn't use "was"): 

"Matt stood when Stephanie entered the room."

Matt would be sitting and then stand because Stephanie entered the room. So, Matt stood because Stephanie entered the room. Which means something completely different than:

"Matt was standing when Stephanie entered the room."

Third Meandering ...

Got to go see the grandkids who used to live in China and now live only 30 minutes away be in an Up with Kids play. Lots of fun to watch.

And the youngest grandson is walking now. He's so proud of himself

What about you? Learn anything new last week?

Do anything fun last weekend?

Insecure Writers Support Group

Click here to find out more and to see a list of other IWSG blogs.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

And look what I almost forgot. Yeah, it's been that kind of month and I'm working on a deadline to finish my ghost story so I can go on vacation next month.

Did you read that?

Kauai ...

Grandkids ...

Beaches ...

Leisure reading ...

Catamaran trip ...

But no pirates allowed.

Yeah, I'm so ready.

Then I'll come back to do some editing and more editing and probably even more editing.

What about you? Got plans for the summer? What kinds of breaks do you take from your writing?

Vacation

Today, I'm heading to the lovely island of Kaua'i to visit my daughter and her family. I'll be popping in here once in a while with pictures and some other bloggerly business (like book reviews and blog award acknowledgements).

These are a few pictures from my trip in June of 2010 and February 2011.

Napali Coast 2010

My grandson said he still loves the Utah mountains, but he likes these better. Personally, I think it's the beach.

Don't you love the laid back atmosphere? This is from one of the most popular Shave Ice shacks. And it really isn't open all the time. If you drive by and it's open, you'd best grab some.

Philosophy

Grandchildren are your reward

for not having

killed

your children.

This little lady (the small one) is named Lucy Aurelia and is grandchild #7. If I remember correctly, that's a magical number (as long as there are no horcruxes involved). Makes me wonder what the numbers 1 and 2 will mean to her--but 2 especially.
In 11 years her birthday will fall on 2/2/22.

And what about other Lucys?

There's Lucille Ball, course.

Or Lucy Maud Montgomery.

There's Lucy in Moonraker's Bride

And of course Lucy from the film While You Were Sleeping.

So what other famous Lucys do you know
that my newest little granddaughter will be keeping company with?