tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65220271042308234242024-03-14T07:50:44.816-07:00U of Sparkamy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-91761857101437448272014-04-13T12:54:00.000-07:002014-04-13T12:55:22.341-07:00Listen Up, Girl!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2DOwE9VdUYotYZcCraa_RwWAriMwefynGotAqR7qPiExXVVmey-lZqsJl6Tb2y0bBM8XYqpfR3vkCWvmCJIlJQQP_hrmXiVc51D01QKskPQADSDo0QRfhQ3FFPt6d0OF3Eqo7Gq-dCo/s1600/867bbd8006875873b24e899153483457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2DOwE9VdUYotYZcCraa_RwWAriMwefynGotAqR7qPiExXVVmey-lZqsJl6Tb2y0bBM8XYqpfR3vkCWvmCJIlJQQP_hrmXiVc51D01QKskPQADSDo0QRfhQ3FFPt6d0OF3Eqo7Gq-dCo/s1600/867bbd8006875873b24e899153483457.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
So, we all know the awesome Maya Angelou does not mean go out and beat-up people, right?<br />
<br />
She's talking about LIFE. And GOALS and DREAMS and GETTING YOUR STUFF DONE. And being STRONG. Being POSITIVE.<br />
<br />
BECOMING.<br />
<br />
Becoming all kinds of wondrous things, becoming who you are meant to be.<br />
<br />
Remember this.</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-85023225484237832832013-08-16T09:03:00.002-07:002013-08-16T09:03:33.580-07:00U of Spark, Moving Sale!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, not really. There's no sale. But there is a move...new address:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thosekennedywomen.blogspot.com/">Those Kennedy Women</a> <br />
<br />
U of Spark, aka Cupcake, aka Muse and Musing (!) will now be a part of Those Kennedy Women. In my last post <a href="http://uofspark.blogspot.com/">here</a> I wrote about what I wished I blogged more about...which got me all excited for re-launching Those Kennedy Women, which we did. But then the reality hit me.<br />
<br />
<b>Bonk! Boiinnnng! Crash!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I couldn't manage two blogs successfully before, how would I/we do it now? I decided to concentrate on one blog--with, hopefully, all the good stuff in one place! So, for now, no new content here, but new stuff over at tKw. Really, truly hope you join us there!<br />
<br />
Everything in one neat-o package. Hope you join us there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-25368619670914304702013-07-26T16:30:00.000-07:002013-07-27T18:27:31.920-07:00#blogitjuly What Do You Wish You Blogged More About? And City or Country?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Are you kidding?<br />
I'm just so flipping happy I've blogged more than once this bloggity month-o-July!<br />
<br />
But, seriously folks, my plan is to make a plan. I've changed the name of my blog to reflect what it is I want to do/write...I think.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping <b><i><span style="color: magenta;">U of Spark</span></i></b> will be about creativity and hilarity--I'm sure there will be more, um, concrete things, actually there is one. Maybe two. Possibly three.<br />
<br />
I'll be using Pinterest, yes Pinterest!<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">A Life More Pinteresting!</span></b> Will showcase all those cool pins in action--do they work? Are they awesome? Will you feel totally cool and creative/organized/gorgeous/culinary when you try them? I'll be answering those burning questions<br />
<b><i>I Am Not Even Kidding...</i></b> will highlight the weird and wonderful of life! True.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;">ArtBee </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0;"><3</span><span style="background-color: white;">/ <b><span style="color: red;">My Place 2 Create</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">is a work in progress--I've written about this before:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;">"...some kind of art space(s) for at risk kids and young adults--a safe place to come together, create art whether that's painting, poetry, photography, mixed media, quilting, handcrafting--anything. A place to create and heal."</span></blockquote>
But, since I can't create a physical space (yet) I want to do something online--I just need to figure it out--which is cool, because we can figure it out together.<br />
<br />
August 1st seems an auspicious date for the beginning of this new adventure--it is my Mom's 91st birthday.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
If that's not auspicious, I don't know what is! And, well, it gives me some time...not much, but some.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We'll also be re-launching <a href="http://thosekennedywomen.blogspot.com/">Those Kennedy Women</a> on August 1st...cuz it's my Mom's <i>b i r t h d a y </i>(how many times do I have to explain this?) and she's the original "Kennedy" woman (at least in our family)!<br />
<br />
It might seem counter-intuitive to launch them both on the same day, but...I don't care!<br />
<br />
"...Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda.<br />
So, see, I'm just going to do.<br />
<br />
Now, onto the next question: city person or country person? I absolutely need both in my life. I love the country--wide open spaces, nature abounding, quiet...love it! But I also know I adore being close to shops and restaurants--and people.<br />
<br />
So, where do I live? The suburbs, which is the worst of both!<br />
<br />
<b>What do you wish you blogged more about--or other people blogged more about? And are you a city person or a country person?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-72714727611087775202013-07-15T14:39:00.000-07:002013-07-15T14:39:05.499-07:00#blogitjuly Mash-Up Mania (Due To Laziness!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373815313103_2763" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">How do you think you will fare in the zombie apocalypse?</span><br />
<br />
Since I am the hero of my own story, I'd like to think I'd fare pretty well--sure there'd be terror, nightmarish situations, and probably no more Peppermint Bon-Bon ice cream and I have no athletic ability or McGuyver-like skills, yet I'm sure I'd survive in a mobile hold-out with all my loved ones.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373815313103_2762" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">What are 3 of your favorite love songs?</span></span><br />
<br />
At Last, by Etta James<br />
You and I, by Lady Gaga<br />
Everlong, by Foo Fighters<br />
This list can change without notification and sometimes includes, but is not limited to: <br />
Born To Run, by Bruce Springsteen<br />
Roll To Me, by Del Amitri<br />
Fall At Your Feet, by Crowded House...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373815313103_2723" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">What is your last meal?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
Lobster with drawn butter<br />
Baked Sweet Potato with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon<br />
mushrooms fried with butter, garlic and parmesan cheese<br />
Chopped Salad from Gino's in Chicago<br />
Apple Pie (warmed) with cinnamon ice cream<br />
Cabernet Sauvignon<br />
Coffee (the best coffee) with whipping cream<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373815313103_2724" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">What do you do when you need to unplug, de-stress and stop thinking about the world?</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif';">This:</span></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Gj0azeu-hdn2EznVmJd-fVJtNToVR7BV5SO8oEkQ1iXNKAw_why_kE-r9TxvuLMUOqKaY65lwWgQdAhkavaAF-H_PoH3PGORy300qkJp_lJtuDDQNXpAbOp6DGUlGklS_K94Vp9lEV8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nya="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Gj0azeu-hdn2EznVmJd-fVJtNToVR7BV5SO8oEkQ1iXNKAw_why_kE-r9TxvuLMUOqKaY65lwWgQdAhkavaAF-H_PoH3PGORy300qkJp_lJtuDDQNXpAbOp6DGUlGklS_K94Vp9lEV8/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-87636325233296416212013-07-11T18:01:00.000-07:002013-07-11T18:01:18.317-07:00#blogitjuly Tell Us A Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm going to cheat for this episode of Blog It July...I'm just going to tell you the start of a story.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Mr. Smyth had the job of driving me to
my new school and residence. My foster parents said I should feel lucky, not
about Mr. Smyth, with his rickety oldhorse cart, but about the opportunity to
attend this school. I felt anything but lucky at this moment, as I clutched the
invitation – sweat and fear ruining it for any keepsake – and wondered, for the
hundredth time, why they would want me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We left behind a bustling thoroughfare
and turned onto a desolate lane. Mr. Smyth slowed the horse to a stop at the
only drive I saw, an enormous wrought iron gate barring the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I considered this closed gate and looked
back at the equally closed Mr. Smyth, he nearly smiled, but instead reached
behind the bench, grabbed my bag and heaved it. I watched its graceful arc and
hard landing at the gates. A good aim, that Mr. Smyth, I thought as I continued
to sit and fidget with my skirts and invitation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “Well…” he said. “What are you
waiting for, a hand down? Get off girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> “It does not look as if anyone’s
expecting me,” I craned my head and looked down the long drive and then back at
Mr. Smyth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> He raised an eyebrow in my
direction. “Has anyone ever expected the likes of you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Oh. I thought not. An examination of
my own life never led to good. “Thank you for,” the right word eluded me,
“escorting me, Mr. Smyth—” he interrupted with a guffaw. “I’ll be going now.” I
hazarded a smile, he did not reciprocate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Lifting my skirts, I hopped down
from the cart. Mr. Smyth did not wait to see if I could get in the gates, he
barely looked to see if I landed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> Beyond the gate and down the drive
was an imposing stone structure – some might call it a mansion if they didn’t
know its purpose. Or name. Not that either was advertised:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> <i>Miss
Carmella’s School for Exceptional Girls and Above Average Boys<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> That much I did know. I searched the
gate for a bell, or lever, or even small hidden doorway, finding none of those
things, I resigned myself to simply waiting, something that could be considered
almost a luxury at the Theatre. Then the rain began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This is (possibly) the opening to a YA steampunkish/paranormaly romance (yay!):</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Goddess In The Mechanica</b></span></blockquote>
I'm at a little over 26,000 words, rough, rough, <b><i>rough</i></b> draft. There's a cool school, mythological DNA alchemy, a mechanical spider, Airpirates of the Mississippi (!), and a mad scientist. </div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-24066219337492679462013-07-10T19:46:00.000-07:002013-07-10T19:46:00.180-07:00#blogitjuly ...WORD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373506314335_1973" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is your word for the year (a word that
keeps popping up, something that you want to work on, something to inspire or
direct you…)? Why did you choose it?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My first word (because, I can't </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> just one) is:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>Multipotientalite*</i></b></span></span></blockquote>
*<a href="http://puttylike.com/start-here/">here's where I learned the most about it</a> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But after I first read it, I saw it in lots of other places, blogs, tweets etc. The funny thing is I was always worried that I had <i>too</i> many passions.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">writing</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">making jewelry</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">making crafts</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sewing</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If I owned a cool camera, photography would probably be in there as well.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then I heard (through <a href="http://heatherwambach.blogspot.com/">Heather Wambach</a> ) the word:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Possibilitarian</i></b></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*ding*ding*ding*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A most beautiful word! Every time I see it or say it I want to turn into a fairy godmother and burst into song:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://youtu.be/27K6nlVEdSc">skip to the 5 minute mark!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Possibilitarian makes me all tingly and anticipatory and expectational. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greatly Expectational.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I'm starting to work toward this idea of possible things, just the fact that I'm a part of Blog It July is huge--huge, I tell you. I have "put myself out there" more times this year by creating jewelry and crafts and giving them to people and by submitting fiction (and getting some great rejections!). Next up, accomplishment aprons!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, all I need is a kick-ass camera and I'll be golden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What's your word?</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<br /></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-42542064603767985402013-07-09T05:24:00.002-07:002013-07-09T05:24:52.767-07:00#blogitjuly What Is The Oddest Thing You Have Seen In Real Life?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm fairly certain I've seen some pretty odd things, but this is the first thing that sprang (this choice of word is pretty darn funny):<br />
<br />
Okay, my best friend Jeanne and I were out partying and dancing and partying and um, doing all kinds of legal things. It was late but we weren't tired so we decided to get donuts or bagels or something and go to the lake and watch the sunrise. This was a LONG time ago. L.O.N.G. Time ago. Like pre-history. Okay?<br />
<br />
So we do this. We buy the food we go to the lake we lay a blanket on the ground and we wait for the sun to rise and we chat. And then a guy walks by and plops himself down behind us on our blanket. Weird, right? Well, we're in a love-thy-neighbor kind of mood and simply smile at him and turn back to watch the sunrise.<br />
<br />
And then out of the corner of my eye I see him doing something with his hand--I forgot to tell you he had one of those knife holsters on his belt with a <b>KNIFE</b> in the holster*.<br />
<br />
*(I know "holster" is the wrong word for it, but it's what I've got for a descriptive and you'll have to live with it).<br />
<br />
Okay--so there's a knife and he's doing something with his hand. And I start to think to myself, "Self, he's behind you and he has a knife and even though you love everyone, he might not love you...and he's doing something with his hand."<br />
<br />
So, I turn around, aaaannnddd it's not the knife he has in his hand it's his PENIS!!!<br />
<br />
<b>I am not even kidding</b>.<br />
<br />
So I do the smart thing, I jump up and say in one of those quiet yell(y) shaming voices, "PUT that thing back in your pants and get OUT of here!" Pointing emphatically in the direction of "out."<br />
<br />
Jeanne looks around with a "what?" nearly out of her mouth when she sees the offending appendage and then she herself jumps up. We gather our things shake out the blanket and storm off, but I'm happy in the knowledge that the knife wielding masturbator has been thwarted. I know he wasn't actually wielding the knife, but he could have been--it was a possibility.<br />
<br />
My best friend and I made it home safely and it wasn't until the next day (well, technically it was already the next day, but you know what I mean) that I realized yelling at him was either the smartest thing I could have done or the most incredibly stupid thing in the whole wide world I could have done!<br />
<br />
But it sure did make a good story.<br />
<br />
<b>What's the oddest thing you've seen?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-10671339274794748852013-07-08T18:22:00.001-07:002013-07-08T18:22:07.451-07:00#blogitjuly What Does Your Ideal Cabin Look Like? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Owning a cabin feels right. It feels as if it's already a reality.<br />
<br />
Alas, it's not a reality.<br />
<br />
However, I used to spend many a summer day and night and day, etc. at The Andersons' cabin on Lake Minnetonka back in the day. I think that's why it feels right. This was back before Lake Minnetonka was a party lake and before the shore was peppered with monster mansions.<br />
<br />
The Anderson cabin was the perfect size, a living room dining area and open(ish) kitchen on one side with three bedrooms on the other. A cool stairway leading to a loft area (at one point we had a rope swing attached to the beams--I am not even kidding)--two bunks on either side of the room open to the living room below. My friend and I almost always chose to sleep in the loft. When we were older we'd sleep on the sail boat, sometimes taking it to one of the Islands first, anchoring it offshore and spending the night there.<br />
<br />
So I guess my ideal cabin entails more than just a cabin, but it will have to be:<br />
<br />
Warm and inviting with enough room to invite people to spend the night but small enough to be cozy (and easy to clean), on the water and close to a charming town.<br />
<br />
That's not too much to ask is it?<br />
<br />
<b>What's yours look like?</b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-46641421765446513672013-07-05T21:12:00.001-07:002013-07-05T21:12:51.385-07:00#blogitjuly What Is Your Favorite Card Game?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 5 (super, duper late)<br />
<br />
The first thing that came to mind is Speed. My youngest and I play this, sometimes for an entire evening! Let's see if I can explain it:<br />
<br />
Shuffle the cards<br />
...<br />
It's sort of one of those sneaky games where you forget how to play it until the cards are in front of you. It's like a double secret card game!<br />
<br />
Let's see...<br />
I think there's three piles in the middle of the table with...some cards in each pile--oh. This is ridiculous! It's my favorite card game and I can't explain it!<br />
<br />
Okay, back from Youtube.<br />
Deal twenty cards each. In the middle of table are two piles with six cards in each, top card from each pile taken off top to center so you have:<br />
<br />
5 cards 1 card 1 card. 5 cards, plus both players have their stock of twenty.<br />
Two middle cards are flipped simultaneously (you can play onto either one) going in ascending or descending order--ace, king, queen or ace, two, three. You can also duplicate the card, so if a three is thrown and you have 2 threes--you can throw them both on the other three.<br />
<br />
There is much screaming and bashing of teeth whilst playing.<br />
<br />
Also, if you get stuck--no one can play a card, you then flip the next two cards from the pile of five, etc, etc, etc.<br />
<br />
I know I've explained it horribly (it's really late and I met a friend for dinner and I had two cosmos) and I should have put up a link to a youtube video, but you guys are smart, right?<br />
<br />
It really is fun. So what's your fave card game?</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-65799802893767939712013-07-04T06:26:00.001-07:002013-07-04T06:26:20.150-07:00#blogitjuly What Do You Like About America? (Being awesome doesn't count) <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Blog it July Day 4<br />
<br />
I love the<b> idea</b> of America.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I love that during the last election the line wound around inside the building (as if we were outlining the interior walls) all the way outside the building. People chatted with each other. My husband had gone earlier than me, so when he was done he hung out in the line and had everyone laughing around us.<br />
<br />
So, of course, I posted that on Facebook:<br />
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<a aria-hidden="true" class="_51wa _29h _303" data-ft="{"tn":"\u003C"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1181906936&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22timeline%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.fosseen?hc_location=timeline" tabindex="-1"><img alt="" class="_50c7 img" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-ash3/48895_1181906936_5400_q.jpg" /></a><div class="_3dp _29k">
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<span class="fcg"><span class="fwb" data-ft="{"tn":";"}"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1181906936&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22timeline%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.fosseen?hc_location=timeline">Amy Kennedy Fosseen</a></span></span> </h5>
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<a class="uiLinkSubtle" href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.fosseen/posts/4693086043413"><abbr data-utime="1352231487" title="Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 11:51am">November 6, 2012</abbr></a><div class="uiSelector inlineBlock audienceSelector timelineAudienceSelector audienceSelectorNoTruncate dynamicIconSelector uiSelectorNormal uiSelectorDynamicTooltip">
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Voted. I walk into our poling place and there's my husband...about 100 people waiting behind him, I almost cut in line, then thought better of it. After he was done voting, he hung out with me for awhile, did a bit of a comedy routine, got everyone laughing and then left. <br /> <br /> Gotta love democracy!</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I love that, usually, we can come together in times of crisis and help each other.</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I love that once in awhile the SCOTUS does the right thing (goodbye DOMA).</span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">And I love Baseball:</span></div>
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America is like a child, sometimes she disappoints me, or doesn't do the right (what I think is right) thing--but I love her no matter what.<br />
<br />
<b>Happy 4th of July!</b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-31763429473870216582013-07-03T12:58:00.000-07:002013-07-03T12:58:59.833-07:00#blogitjuly Day Three...Dunh, Dunh, DUNH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>Assuming there is intelligent life in the universe, how do you think we will connect with them, if and when we do (invasion, violence, surrender, peace etc.)</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is an awesome question, especially since I'm reading Richard Yancey's The 5th Wave. OH. My. Fracking. (Auto correct made "fracking" far king, which is kind of cool). GAWD.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">It is not pretty. But it is sooooo good! So, it's kind of skewed my view of alien encounters.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">But, I'll try to answer this with my own mind and not that of a corrupted alien brain.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Sometimes the people I meet make me think aliens are already here, you know the ones, the ones that make you go, "hmm." Aliens are here and they are posing as pubescent 13 year olds, because, seriously, have you talked to a kid lately? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Okay, I'm joking, I've owned several 13 year olds and they eventually grow out of it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">I actually have high hopes for a good encounter with intelligent life, but have you seen District 9? We're assholes! So, I don't know. I want it to be good and joyful and love each other and learn from each other...but then we have a lot of growing to do before they get here.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">I wrote a short story, a long, long time ago, but it was before computers were invented--fine, they were invented, but hardly anyone owned one. Anyway, I don't know where it is, if I ever find it and feel the need to be ridiculed, I'll post it.</span></div>
<br />
So, what do you think? E.T. or Falling Skies?<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span>amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-64011115824933500952013-07-02T06:59:00.001-07:002013-07-02T07:37:44.678-07:00#blogitjuly WHAT DO YOU GEEK?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 2 #blogitjuly...<a href="http://heatherwambach.blogspot.com/">Write. Sew. Drink. Repeat</a><br />
What do I geek? I don't nerd out over things, wait...yes I do. I like to think I have some level of sophistication, but then I realize that's so damn boring--I can fake sophistication if I have to, why should I live it? So, without further ado, let the geek-o-meter start:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22//www.youtube.com/embed/njr3aFpTMyQ%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E">This is me</a><br />
Geeking on Battlestar Galactica. Frack Yeah! I have taught the 14 year old to use the word "frack" in all possible scenarios. I am a goodly(ish) mother.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;">(steampunk) je t'aime!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118276/">Also this.</a><br />
Hello (bad) Angel, Hello (good or bad) Spike.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">(steampunk) je t'adore!</span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0412253/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">This too.</a><br />
I wish I had this show when I was 16 years old. Just sayin'<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">(steampunk) le vagues son tres forte!* </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/?ref_=sr_1">Do not get me started on this!</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My heart breaks</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Okay, enough with the tough chicks. Sheesh! Also, I geek on writers, I've been known to squeal with delight when I get an author's new book, especially in a series. I know I'll forget someone, but I hold in geeky adoration:<br />
Patricia Briggs<br />
Kiersten White<br />
Veronica Roth<br />
Suzanne Collins<br />
Joe Hill (Locke & Key)<br />
Laurell K Hamilton (the first 8 Anita Blake's are genius)<br />
J.K. Rowling<br />
Charlaine Harris<br />
Lisa Kleypas (I once met her and spontaneously combusted into a fan girl--I hugged her.)<br />
I have way more authors, but I'm tired and feeling a bit lazy.<br />
<br />
<b>STEAMPUNK!</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>FRANCE!!! PARIS!!!</i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Renaissance Festivals</span> too.<br />
I geek, therefor I am.<br />
<br />
*the waves are very strong. You'd be surprised how often you need to say this!<br />
<b>What do you geek?</b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-20313751444214845512013-06-30T19:25:00.000-07:002013-07-01T14:35:52.892-07:00Blog it July! What do you want to be remembered for?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My husband talks about this a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. He seems to be concerned that he'll never be a James Taylor, remembered for iconic music or an Albert Einstein remembered for genius and beauty--and even though he talks about it (a lot) I never really thought about it specifically. And I guess, when I think of being remembered, I think of my family and friends.<br />
<br />
How would they remember me?<br />
<br />
This is what I care about. What do I want to be remembered for by the people who matter most to me?<br />
<br />
I want to be remembered for being the best me I could be. For laughing too loud and making other people laugh too loud. For not succumbing to suffering when faced with immeasurable sadness. For loving life. For having style (whether I do or not, I want people to remember me for that), for listening, for loving them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, if I were to consider people I don't know, well, I'd like to be remembered for writing a heartbreaking work of staggering genius, wait...no, that's not right, there is no staggering genius dying to be let out of my noggin. And I don't actually write heartbreaking anything.<br />
<br />
There is, however, some <span style="color: purple;">paranormalish</span> teen <span style="color: red;">romantical</span> stuff that likes to come out to play. So, you know, it might be cool to be remembered for writing pretty darn okay books...that were made into kick-ass movies, that made people laugh and made me incredibly rich.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_UbQU6QusWqqsPyG1tP30efki_rf_h7UTWtwgGQd4wj3w4wXKp5n2f1ZN0WwC6yTADsDWXlQWXgpjdPKl8YbhNd4VdqlhhM-vsbyh6NRv91qbAJuyvGbvivKKpY19QU1jdoKtYTvInE/s1218/drawingmewriter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_UbQU6QusWqqsPyG1tP30efki_rf_h7UTWtwgGQd4wj3w4wXKp5n2f1ZN0WwC6yTADsDWXlQWXgpjdPKl8YbhNd4VdqlhhM-vsbyh6NRv91qbAJuyvGbvivKKpY19QU1jdoKtYTvInE/s320/drawingmewriter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay. My dream after (or while) writing pretty darn okay books is to develop some kind of art space(s) for at risk kids and young adults--a safe place to come together, create art whether that's painting, poetry, photography, mixed media, quilting, handcrafting--anything. A place to create and heal. That would be cool to accomplish (and be remembered for).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd7cIcENMBiZdMNsp-IRZtLjAiIFvXsliogm4hcCwV5991eOkuKXm5yExRowOBnGCJ4P_87tynXsK-AghTPfqUSYOIxOGzQY_qdiSLXQAC5LLE5jFz5zxUTg1EaLFCKdjkm12P3M5MwY/s1218/drawingmewriterartbee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd7cIcENMBiZdMNsp-IRZtLjAiIFvXsliogm4hcCwV5991eOkuKXm5yExRowOBnGCJ4P_87tynXsK-AghTPfqUSYOIxOGzQY_qdiSLXQAC5LLE5jFz5zxUTg1EaLFCKdjkm12P3M5MwY/s320/drawingmewriterartbee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And I think my family and friends would agree.<br />
<br />
Apparently, I lied. I guess I have thought about this!<br />
<br />
So...what about you, what do you want to be remembered for?<br />
<br />
Here's a link to the creator/dreamer-upper of Blog It July, Heather Wambach at <a href="http://heatherwambach.blogspot.com/">Write.Sew.Drink.Repeat</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-2313081003601641782013-03-14T19:12:00.000-07:002013-03-14T19:12:21.057-07:00A Check-in With my Brain (ROW80)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h1>
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I don’t know
(a sampling)</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Castellar","serif";">I don’t know How
many angels can dance on my <b>pin head<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t
know what </span><span class="TitleChar"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“</span></span><span class="TitleChar"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 26.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">easy as
pie</span></span><span class="TitleChar"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> means. Does it mean, as easy as making pie?
Because, that is not easy—unless you cheat and buy a frozen crust and canned
fruit filling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, <span class="SubtitleChar"><b><span style="color: #984806; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">eating pie</span></b></span>?
That is easy. Maybe the saying should be: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #632423; font-size: 18.0pt;">Easy as eating pie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">I don’t know how to let the bright shiny things be. Just let
them be!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Magneto; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t know how to express my love for and stupidity about Quantum
Physics and String Theory including other universes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t know where the show “Firefly” could have
gone if not cancelled. OKAY, they gave me “Serenity” but, come-on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">What I do know (a sampling)</span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do know <span style="font-family: "Goudy Stout","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">when I write, I write</span>, which in turn
makes me write more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do know every time I send something out I am braver and
braver (also willing to take more risks—because <b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: "Castellar","serif";">they’re
really not risks</span></b> since I’m not published yet!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do know when I feel a <span style="font-family: Algerian;">part
of a community</span> and with some healthy competition <span style="font-family: "Bodoni MT Condensed","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I write more</span>.</div>
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I do know that <span style="color: red; font-family: Stencil; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I can write whatever the hell I want</span>
and if I want to write a Steampunked mythological zombie-fied automaton novel
of revenge, I fricken can! Or, you know, a romance is good too.</div>
</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-9608085609847727772013-03-04T16:28:00.000-08:002013-03-04T16:28:08.208-08:00ROW 80, cha-cha-cha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Feeling much better about a lot of things. Seem to have a handle on my goals, here's the scoop:<br />
<br />
<b>Edited 5 pages a day--check! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Extra special stuff:<br />
I've joined a health challenge with a group of co-workers, point based. Lots of "healthy" competition ;).<br />
Every day I wear my pedometer and I try to do two cardio things--walking and riding the stationary, ice skating and walking...you get the picture.<br />
<br />
And because I love to see our team in the top three, I like to add big numbers! Yesterday I broke 20k steps on my pedometer and walked (ran for a micro-second) at the activity center for an hour (yay!) while my youngest had baseball practice.<br />
<br />
<b>How's everyone else doing?</b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-8511575664527606872013-02-28T18:29:00.001-08:002013-02-28T18:37:13.820-08:00Row 80 Check-in, Late Again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I blew right past last Sunday's check-in and now I'm late for Wednesday's.<br />
<br />
Clearly, something's wrong. With me. ::sigh::<br />
<br />
I was doing pretty good through Sunday too, really should have posted on a high note.<br />
Last week, I did get three hours butt in chair--with some good advancement in the editing/rewriting.<br />
Then, <b><i>kaplouey</i></b>!!!<br />
<br />
I'm changing my goals...<b>again. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>There's a part of me that is so disappointed in myself, for not rocking this last goal, for changing my goals again, for so many things... luckily, there is a louder, bossier part of me that says, "who gives a rat's ass? Do, what you have to do. And if that means changing your flipping goal every check-in, so be it!"</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Without further ado, my new and improved goals:<br />
<b>Writing:</b><br />
(Got this from Chuck Wendig's <a href="http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/02/26/how-to-karate-your-novel-and-edit-that-motherfucker-hard-a-no-foolin-fix-that-shit-editing-plan-to-finish-the-goddamn-job/">terrible minds</a> kick butt blog)<br />
Edit 5 pages a day<br />
If writing is needed--added scene, expand a scene, write 350 words a day<br />
<br />
<b>Exercise:</b><br />
Minimum of 22 minutes a day of one of the following:<br />
Brisk walk<br />
Run<br />
Ice Skate<br />
Stationary bike<br />
Yoga<br />
Pilates<br />
<br />
Here I go again...I'm off to check on all of you.<br />
<b><br /></b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-53179217462771174582013-02-21T17:32:00.001-08:002013-02-21T17:32:33.699-08:00The Lost Check-In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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Holy lost check-in Batman! I completely forgot to post (or
check-in with other ROWers) on Sunday!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What is up with that?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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I don’t know.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Last check-in I decided I needed to change, re-word and re-imagine
my goals. Here’s what I came up with:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BUTT IN CHAIR THREE
HOURS A WEEK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not on Facebook, not on
Twitter, not on Pinterest<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #00b0f0; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Working on manuscript—some manuscript
lurve<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I did get some work done this past week, got a couple scenes
fleshed out, but I know I can do more. If I just stay in my chair.</div>
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Hope everyone had a more productive week than I did! <b>Tell me about it.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-78750277397276641462013-02-14T16:51:00.001-08:002013-02-14T16:51:39.498-08:00Hello Wednesday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well now it's Thursday...nearly Friday!<br />
<br />
Okay.<br />
Wrote three more pages so far this week. Think I have to re-write my goals, I'm making that one of my goals for the rest of this week: <b><i>rewrite goals!</i></b><br />
<br />
That. Is about it.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: purple;">Except</span></i></b><br />
<br />
I'm in the middle of another change. At the beginning of last year I had a huge change--I was promoted and moved to a new library. Writing it makes it sound insignificant, but it wasn't. I had been at my old library for 15 years, I had connections with the patrons and the staff was my family.<br />
<br />
Now I've made new connections and I love my "new" library...so, of course, I am gearing up for another change. I've been asked to supervise (circulation staff) two smaller libraries (I co-supervise at a large library right now). So, now two more libraries to get to know, staff and patrons alike.<br />
<br />
I am bittersweet. It feels as if I have just found my land legs and now it's back to sea. But I am always up for a challenge and I know how lucky I am to have work--especially work I enjoy. I hope to be able to focus on writing again. Soon.<br />
<br />
<b><i>How's everyone else doing?</i></b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-24971799910113837262013-02-10T08:42:00.000-08:002013-02-10T10:43:49.841-08:00ROUND & ROUND & ROUND OF WORDS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hi Rowers!</span><br />
<br />
A (short) <b>List of Awesome:</b><br />
Made dinner with youngest, in which a bacon weave was involved!<br />
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<br />
Filmed dog and youngest in popcorn catching contest!<br />
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<br />
<b>Goals:</b><br />
Having a weird time, pulling the proverbial teeth to get anything written. I have a you-know-what storm of happening right now, but I don't think that's it.<br />
<br />
I was thinking about this as I folded some laundry--some good ideas can come whilst folding boxers--my characters came to mind and how they might feel about me NOT writing.<br />
<br />
Which is when I started asking them questions...<br />
Look, I know that sounds flaky, but it happened, and I went with it.<br />
<br />
Here's what they said:<br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>So...what are you guys doing?</i><br />
<b>Van:</b> <i>What are we doing? What are you doing? Seems like a whole lot of nothing.</i><br />
<b>Eva:</b> <i>That's harsh. You don't have to be mean Van. Although, he kind of has a point.</i><br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>Okay, okay I know what you mean. I can't seem to get back in the story.</i><br />
<b>Eva:</b> <i>What helped you before?</i><br />
<b>Van:</b> <i>I hope it was the sex.</i><br />
<b>Eva:</b> <i>Oh, you!</i><br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>He's kind of right, when I made the big push to finish a lot of it was sex.</i><br />
<b>Van:</b> <i>Yes!</i><br />
<b>Me:</b> <i>But I think more than anything I love the banter.</i><br />
<b>Eva:</b> <i>Yes, I love it too. Never thought I was one for bantering, but he just brings it out in me.</i><br />
<b>Van: </b><i>Really, I'd never guess.</i><br />
<b>Eva: </b><i>There you have it, and that's why I have to say it to her.</i><br />
<b>Van:</b> <i>Touche.</i><br />
<b>Me:</b><i><b> </b>Ha! Okay, maybe I can do this now.</i><br />
<b>Van:</b> <i>Well, I hope so, I really want to get back to the...banter.</i><br />
<b>Eva:</b> <i>Hahaha...me too!</i><br />
<br />
And then I wrote, now this was pretty late, and I only wrote one page, but it was one page that wasn't written before!<br />
<br />
<b>I realized how much I miss these characters, and I want to make their story as rich as I can. So, I'm doing it for them. </b></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-15839383369720377952013-02-05T05:39:00.000-08:002013-02-06T05:46:15.838-08:0018 THINGS (You Should Know About Writing)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; line-height: 18px;">Addensum: Hi ROWers! My check-in is after Jamie's great post</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am so happy to have <a href="http://jamieayres.com/">Jamie Ayres</a> here today with her fabulous self talking about 18 Things...you should know about writing, to </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">coincide</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> with her 18 Things YA book release! And now, here she is:</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18
Things</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
Should Know About Writing</span></b><br />
</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Agents/Editors say give us the stakes first. </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hunger Games </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">is a great example. *Spoiler
Alert* Prim gets picked at the reaping, Katniss takes her place. The author </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">doesn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> start at the moment her name gets called. It starts the day of the reaping so we
have a few pages to get familiar with Katniss, know what the Hunger Games are,
know the odds of her getting picked and how she protected her sister so Prim’s
name is only in the drawing once. This makes the moment when Prim’s name gets
called even more powerful, in a way it </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">wouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> have if we </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">didn't</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> know the
circumstances leading up to that event. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">2.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Create characters that are interesting, though
they don’t need to be </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">likable</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> They should be compelling and inspire the
reader to want to read more. The hero/heroine should be identifiable from
secondary characters. Secondary characters shouldn’t take over the story.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">3.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Know your characters. Do they have any quirks?
Words they use too much? Imagine their personalities and spread their voice
throughout the whole thing, so it’s really them when they ‘speak.’ Use a
plotting table to help you organize your characters and their scenes, <a href="http://jamieayres.com/2012/06/06/iwsg-and-winners/">here's one in this post!</a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">4.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dialogue should always serve a purpose. Every
quote should move the story along, show character, or share new information.
Also, be a conversationalist. Noah Lukeman, author of <i>The First Five Pages</i>, states: “The most common malady is use of
dialogue to convey backstory. The solution is to follow this rule: Dialogue
should not be used to state things both characters already know, that is, one
character should not remind the other character of something. It is an obvious
ploy, intended only for the reader.” (page 94) In summary, no dialogue information
dumps!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Avoid dialogue tags. Always avoid things like
responded, assessed, confirmed, and whatever else there is. He said/she said.
Those tags disappear in the prose and make writing flow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">6.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Know the difference between beats and tags.
Tags are said, asked, </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">etc</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Beats are actions identifying the speaker without
needing to use a tag. With tags, you want to keep it simple. Use said most of
the time, unless you want to show something in the voice or tone, but even
then, use it carefully. Things like smile </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">shouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> be used as a tag. You can’t
smile a word. Actions like smiling, sighing, pacing, are beats. Here’s the
difference: “</span></span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I love you,” she said. </i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">TAG.
</span></span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She looked down and sighed. “I love you.”
</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BEAT. When using a beat, there’s no need to use a tag. Pick one. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Avoid impossible simultaneous actions: Closing
the door, she hugged him. As written, this is impossible. If she’s closing the
door, she can’t hug someone at the same time. In that use, use either “and” or
“then.”</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">8.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SNT (Show, Not Tell). Think of Twilight. We are
in Bella’s head, LIVING each moment as she experiences it. The action is
ACTIVE, not passive. Many writers make the mistake of telling the story rather
than showing it. This happened, then this happened, then this happened. Find
all the was/had/have/were and delete them to avoid passive sentences. Ex: He
was walking. Change to: He jogged/strolled/paced/ambled. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each scene needs a beginning, middle, and end. It
needs a purpose, it needs to do more than establish tension, and it needs some
sort of resolution. It really should end on a hook that makes the reader want
to read more. Don’t just blend scenes together with time passing in between,
with no clear purpose or impact. Show the character’s journey, their pain, and
their triumph. Make them as memorable as can be. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In <i>Techniques of the Selling Writer</i>,
writing guru Dwight V. Swain teaches us to spotlight three things: desire,
danger, decision. Someone wants to attain or retain something. Something else
threatens his chances of doing so. He decides to fight the threat. The thing
Character wants, the danger threatening fulfillment of his desires, and the
decision he makes, determine what specific readers will enjoy the story. You
have to give your reader a reason to worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t
take on too many things in one novel. If there’s too many storylines and minor
storylines, it could cause the main story to not be developed fully. The beauty
of fictional novels is you can always have sequels!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">12.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write
with all the senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. <a href="http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/">The Bookshelf Muse</a> is a great resource for this!</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">13.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use
Adjectives sparingly. Especially avoid redundant modifiers: small puppies,
yellow daffodils, cheerful smiles. Instead, choose adjectives that are unique
and add comprehension. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">14.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Avoid
adverbs. Constance Hale notes in her book, <i>Sin
and Syntax</i>, “Adverbs are crashers in the syntax house party. More often
than not, they should be deleted when they sneak in the back door.”Most
over-used adverb intensifiers: absolutely, definitely, particularly, actually, basically,
decidedly, quite, very, really, totally, madly, dearly, utterly, absolutely,
completely, mainly, usually, too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">15.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Avoid
the Preach ‘N’ Teach mentality. People read fiction as an escape, so don’t try
to shove a lesson down their throats. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">16.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do a
Find on the word ‘that’ in your manuscript and remove any unnecessary usage. Read
the sentence without ‘that’ and if it still makes sense, delete ‘that.’’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;">17.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t
head-hop. Stay in one character’s POV (point of view) within a scene. Also,
make sure you use only information the narrator can know. </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">18.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Don’t
bog your story down with backstory/flashbacks, which are often frowned upon.
The main problem with backstory/flashbacks is there </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">isn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> a lot of action. They’re
fine for a change of pace, but they </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">shouldn't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> be the vehicle for the entire
novel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*What
about you? Is there anything else I should’ve included in my list of 18 Things?
Keep in mind agents/editors get HUNDREDS, yes, hundreds of queries every week.
Your work can’t be good. It needs to be flippin’ fantastic to stand out. The
competition is fierce, and there is no room for error. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay,
enough said. Feel free to throw darts at my image now out of frustration
(believe me, been there, done that, still not through learning yet). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope
we can still be friends</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Garamond; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Garamond; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj5vM6DSKonmSJ3jSEJ4IQYme9rrzRF7Sy59vGUngSi2J2LwWiLlCvnpmaeb6RbezTvJykZrM9fR_QoOHA3whaSFGnbRWiswm0MwrbOZv0kiY6WSyk_o7WKehXs8apWMrTIZQLSw-ES8/s1600/c3071d9733e93b0140151740329cfb40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj5vM6DSKonmSJ3jSEJ4IQYme9rrzRF7Sy59vGUngSi2J2LwWiLlCvnpmaeb6RbezTvJykZrM9fR_QoOHA3whaSFGnbRWiswm0MwrbOZv0kiY6WSyk_o7WKehXs8apWMrTIZQLSw-ES8/s1600/c3071d9733e93b0140151740329cfb40.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Jamie Ayres <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Jamie Ayres writes young adult
paranormal love stories by night and teaches young adults as a public school
teacher by day. She lives in southwest Florida with her husband and two
daughters. </span><i style="line-height: 200%;">18 Things</i><span style="line-height: 200%;"> is her debut
novel. Visit her website at </span><a href="http://www.jamieayres.com/" style="line-height: 200%;">www.jamieayres.com</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">.</span></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #3b3b3a; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18 Things</span></i></b><b><span style="color: #3b3b3a; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> is available here:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/kindle/dp/B00B53VJ38/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_eos_detail" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/18-Things-by-Jamie-Ayres?store=book&keyword=18+Things+by+Jamie+Ayres" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/18-Things/book-0Wl-VAPqzkygfoMw8AQw6A/page1.html" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Add <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">18 Things to your TBR list!</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17253972-18-things" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>ROW80 check-in:</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">List of Awesome</span></b><br />
Jamie Ayres doing a guest post here!<br />
My youngest turned 14<br />
I've finally cracked the no research thing and have some cool stuff<br />
Well into writing (yes, I know, starting isn't completing) the next big scene that's missing.<br />
Short check-in. <b>Hope everyone is doing Awesome!</b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-3249382915238332682013-02-04T07:53:00.002-08:002013-02-04T07:53:55.965-08:00Sunday, Sunday... or Monday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Quick and dirty...and, um, late check-in.<br />
<br />
Finally started to do some research, yay!<br />
Did not write a new scene, boo!<br />
Sponsorship, yay!<br />
Life balance/order, yay-ish! This is not so cut and dry--have some soul-searching on this, but feeling confident.<br />
<br />
Have been busy getting a guest post together from the lovely and talented <a href="http://jamieayres.com/">Jamie Ayres</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hu9PhQVUR8Zsm-EFMBLB6kqNsorXYPlOIUwJyESN65ciXBGqsbhYdGOx4TixVGT2KXrFQ0DRKZ12Ysbc097AKhY2meN75-E8WPkUgnTIN-PeVKXK9e-ohjSZPVFvK2ut3UfNI5y7Qpo/s1600/18-things-cover-print-sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hu9PhQVUR8Zsm-EFMBLB6kqNsorXYPlOIUwJyESN65ciXBGqsbhYdGOx4TixVGT2KXrFQ0DRKZ12Ysbc097AKhY2meN75-E8WPkUgnTIN-PeVKXK9e-ohjSZPVFvK2ut3UfNI5y7Qpo/s320/18-things-cover-print-sample.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Her new YA 18 Things is released and we're celebrating! She'll be here tomorrow Tuesday February, 5th! With a cool 18 Things You Should Know as a Writer post. Check it out tomorrow!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Off to check-up on how you all are doing!</b></div>
</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-1251976829279947682013-01-30T17:29:00.000-08:002013-01-30T17:29:56.326-08:00Check-In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I adore that Pep Talk! My youngest showed it to us this week--one of his teachers had shown it to him. This is the kind of thing that should go viral!<br />
<br />
I have done not a thing since Sunday, Wednesday always catches me unaware, which is why last week I didn't even catch it that Kait hadn't posted a check-in...and, to be honest, mid-week is usually too frantic for me. But I thought I'd give it a go.<br />
<br />
I have two goals: write a scene a week and research one item from my manuscript list.<br />
I think I need to add sponsor goals--mainly because I'm pretty good at those!<br />
Plus, I had a hard realization that I need to be a much better planner--I'm pretty well organized with most things, but sometimes I equate talking about something as doing it!<br />
<br />
New list<br />
<br />
Write one new scene OR an hour of revisions a week (this still seems very small, but I don't want to scare my muse)<br />
<br />
Research one item from the manuscript list a week (really! What is keeping me from doing this?)<br />
<br />
Show up as a sponsor (which I have, thank goodness) and be myself. Both of which I want to continue doing.<br />
<br />
Be accountable. In my personal and professional life. This one is harder to quantify...I need to come up with a system: a calendar or white board or reminder list, I don't know. If anyone has any brilliant ideas or apps for that, would you let me know? I can remember things like, put more money in my<br />
son's school lunch account, but not that my hair appt. is two days from now.<br />
<br />
How's everyone else doing?</div>
amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-82729354514206708122013-01-27T09:06:00.001-08:002013-01-27T09:06:22.026-08:00AN AWESOME LIST! AND A CHECK-IN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, totally stealing, er, borrowing this from <a href="https://themidnightnovelist.wordpress.com/">Karen Rought</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{{{LIST OF AWESOME}}}</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>I know! Right?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Because, sometimes I think our brains latch on to lists of <b>SUCKAGENESS </b>too easily<b>, </b>and we need to stop that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This minute, this second! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In fact, not only do I want a <b>list of awesome</b>, I want a <b><i>box of awesome</i></b> as well. And, why not? Then, if suckageness scrapes at my door, I can simply look in my box of awesome and be reminded of the pure joy and awesomeness of life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>I won an hour of creativity coaching from the awesome <a href="http://inkybites.com/">Jennifer Blanchard</a></li>
<li>Started watching Downton Abbey! I know. What took me so long?</li>
<li><a href="http://jamieayres.com/">Jamie Ayres</a> is going to visit my blog on Feb. 5th! We'll be celebrating her new release YA <a href="http://www.amazon.com/18-Things-ebook/dp/B00B53VJ38/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359069761&sr=8-1&keywords=18+things+by+jamie+ayres">18 Things</a> Jamie's going to be writing about <b>18 Things You Should Know About Writing--</b>can't wait!</li>
<li>Found out my 20,000th day of my life will be August 28th of this year. Seems preeeetttty important. It also happens to be my mom-in-law's birthday. Here's the calculator <a href="http://www.therobertd.com/the-book/">20,000 Days</a></li>
<li>I get to see the best sunrises driving my youngest to school.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ROW80</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm stopping there, for my actual check-in.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had changed my goals to two simple things:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Write one scene a week </b><span style="color: red;"><b>Done! Yay!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Research one item a week (from list for manuscript) <span style="color: red;">I didn't do this! And it surprises me, because, usually I'm all over research. So, I will do this today. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I didn't realize how hard it would be to make <b>actual</b> changes--adding new scenes, etc. to my draft! It was easy to write: this is needed here, more description here, deeper POV etc. but to open the manuscript and start typing was something else entirely.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Inertia had won.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, it feels as if I've cracked through something--one thing Jennifer said was: <i>the time is going to pass anyway, you may as well work on something. </i>And I know this! I just didn't think about it in regards to my writing!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Small wins are still wins.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>So, how are you doing? Any awesome things for you? Any small wins?</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-12854860358412853042013-01-20T16:31:00.004-08:002013-01-20T16:31:56.992-08:00What Just Happened?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So, if my goals had been to get my house sparkling and organized, groceries bought, some meals made and in the freezer and every bit of laundry done, I would have nailed them.<br />
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<b>Yay!</b> For my house and family<br />
<b>Boo</b>...For my writing.<br />
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And, even though those things needed to be done, preeeetty sure it was <b>resistance</b> nudging me to do them. I was too busy to write, couldn't possibly sit down for a second, I had things to do!<br />
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Important things.<br />
<i><b>Things that have nothing to do with my dreams.</b></i><br />
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Well, that's not fair to my family. I love having a welcoming home, home-cooked meals (most of which are prepared by my husband) and organized closets--and I love doing these things for and with my family.<br />
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I also like being a well rounded, well read, creative doer. And that's for my family too.<br />
Because, <b>if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.</b><br />
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I'm recommitting to my goals (re-wording them as well).<br />
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<li>write one new scene a week</li>
<li>research one item a week (from list for WIP)</li>
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That's it. For writing. I have some other goals for other creative endeavors, but these will come first.</div>
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Hope everyone else is having a productive ROW!</div>
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amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6522027104230823424.post-61728849096264310112013-01-13T16:28:00.000-08:002013-01-13T16:28:44.745-08:00CONTROL? I DON'T NEED NO STINKING CONTROL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There is a moment of clarity as your car careens sideways across a street that is now a skating rink, right before it jack-rabbits up the curb scooping out snow and packing it in around itself:<br />
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<b>Huh, you say to your brain, I have no control!</b></div>
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The next thought is...well, maybe we'll leave that one alone. Suffice it to say, no one was hurt, I met a lovely woman (whose yard my car landed in), I was not the first car in her back yard...nor the last, I had a nice chat (really!) with a city salt/plow driver, he was kind enough to take three passes with the salt truck on that crazy iced-up curve, and I got to stay in my car as the tow truck driver winched my car out and then dragged it out--it was fun. Really.</div>
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<b>Life is like this.</b></div>
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And sometimes writing feels this way too. Which isn't altogether a bad thing. When we take our feet off the brakes of our imagination, brainstorms, first draft or fifth, we can end up in unexpected places!</div>
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Now, on to my check-in for <a href="http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/">ROW 80</a> </div>
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First basic pass on manuscript: <b>complete</b> </div>
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<span style="color: red;">Had to add this next step: </span></div>
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Second pass, making extensive notes in notebook--which big scenes need to be added, what new research is needed, where to really deepen POV: <b>more than halfway</b></div>
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What I'm loving the most about this process (a process I put off and off and off because I didn't know how to start) is I'm finally seeing the book and how it will/could look. I've been writing this book forever--constantly setting it in a corner for unruly behavior and then picking it back up again a year later. I love it that now I can see its potential.</div>
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<b>Can't wait to see how everyone else is doing...</b></div>
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amy kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15696288092773950469noreply@blogger.com11