Change...Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Once again I find myself balancing on the precipist called, change. As October rolls softly into Noveber, the world around me is changing.

My apartment complex has begun renivations. Supposedly, these visual modifications were set to begin in three weeks on another building. So you can imagine my surprise when I get home to find a note on my door stating that porches should be cleared by Wednesday. And to the validity of this notification, I came home to find my little plastic fencing was gone. I feel so naked. Sure I can tell myself when everything is completed it willbe nice with a sunroom and a washer and dryer. That only comforts me a little.

Work seems to costantly move in a quickened state of flux. So, I go to work thinking...what next?

Next week begins a month long word marathon. Emotionally grewling but satisfying. And for the next 30 days I shall immerse my self in this and ignore all the changes around me. All, except one, the weather. Which can happily change from hot to cool and you will get no complaints from me...until it gets below 60 degrees.

Time...

It's funny how time can just slip away.  It's been almost 5 weeks since I made a post.  Hurricanes, bad connections at the local cafe, and illness.  Excuses or explanations...you choose.

Since then I have been enjoying my weekends, as am no longer work my second job.  I must say.  The list that I created of all the things I intend to do, well, only a few things were completed.  I did clean the sliding glass doors (they look marvelous), and a project to turn a $1.00 pencil holder into a "Tardis Pencil Holder" (which doesn't look so marvelous and wasn't completed).

Is that how retirement is going to go?  List and list of things that never get completed.  Am I going to end up one of those people whose retirement consists of coffee and paper, then a nap, then tv, then another nap, till dinner time then to bed.  I sure as hell hope not.  That would truly be sad.

I intended to use my weekends to write, to go to the gym, clean the house, never happened.  What actually happened is that I watched Falling Skies, ate, and napped.   (The show was quite a cliff hanger, by the way.)

This coming weekend I'll be at a CONtraflow.  No time to really take care of the house.  Easy and fun excuse not to do anything.

So I keep promising myself.  I will start utilizing my time more effectively, I will complete all the items on my list...as soon as this last episode of Warehouse 13 goes off.

From the center of Hurricane Isaac...Wed., Aug. 29, 2012

It's 12:32 am, it's also the 7th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  

I decided to stay through this one.  Lots of wind and rain.  A small leak in the bathroom.  But I still have electricity for now.  One of my neighbors has a tree down, no cable, but still has power.  So over-all things are pretty good.  The worst of the storm is yet to come, they keep saying from midnight until dawn is the worse.

My theory is that due to the proximity to the hospital and and old folks home, this is the reason we still have have power.  

Social media has kept me going through this which should probably be the center focus of my blog.  I've been able to keep tabs on most of the people I know.  I've watched when their communication dropped off. Listened to the sleepless gabbing.  It's comforting.

I think I would be more scared if there were thunder and lightening along with the wind and rain.  I'm actually starting to get sleepy again.  I'll be glad when this is over.  I'd love a cup of tea and a petit four.  I know if I want this I better have this now, before the power goes.  (yes, I keep saying 'if' and 'when' because I'm pretty sure I will lose it at some future point)

Tomorrow, I'll use the day for writing.  I've goofed off enough.  I should have at least one personally productive writing day.

Ok, this post like my life right now has now central theme, nor is it organized.  It just "is."

August 15, 2012 - Not the best Wednesday

A long day at work.  The kind of busy day that you can't wait to see the end of.  Not sure it's worthy of the space I'm using, in the ether.  Thunder is rolling over head.  Could have used this rain earlier to cool it down.  I managed a quick bath but no dinner.

It's chilly in the coffee shop tonight.  Rain falling heavy.  Sun trying to shine through the rain.  Embracing the quiet.  Dreading tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the last day for my week.  Off on Friday and Saturday.  Back to work on Sunday.  Half way through August.  Closer to fall.  Ready for cooler weather.  Tired of the heat.

September, October, Nanowrimo, Christmas.

One holiday in September, then no more until November.  I' like October, love Halloween, love my city on such a wickedly delicious night.

Fatigued. Distressed. Overwhelmed. Hyper-emotional.

Thankful for what I have, thankful for who I am, and hopeful for a new day.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - 

Adrenaline makes its way through my system.  Damn it lady, move that car.  It's a city bus not a school bus. Go! When the bus pulls off, she eases around the corner.  Slowly.  I speed around the corner and around her on the left side.  A quick glance...shit, it's the receptionist and her granddaughter.  Guess I'll hear about that tomorrow.

I'm filled with this anger that seemed to come out of nowhere.  Everyone is jumping in my way, driving like they just turned 110 years old or that they couldn't afford gas this week.  And I suppose with the price of gas going up they might not be able to afford it.  I'm going to have to charge this week’s tank.

I'm tired, depressed, and I seemed to be expanding again. 

But it's Wednesday.  Quiet times at the local coffee shop with fellow writers, one who had completed his second novel, one, whose in a competition this weekend to complete a movie in 48 hours, the table full of artists making it happen.

Today, I toyed with the idea of going back to Grad School for Arts Administration starting spring of 2013.  I'll only have to pay 150.00 for each class and the fees and books.  I'm not going to push for more than (1) class a semester.  I have time, maybe (2) classes in the spring, we'll see.  I'd eventually like to go after my PHR certification.  But I'm not ready for that quite yet.

I've got some stories lined up.  I've got a strong idea for Nanowrimo and I'm reading a lot of material on how to write.  (Reading about the craft of writing and practicing what you learn is always a continual process). Need to study up on the best way to edit.  

Starting to calm down.  

I like my Wednesday quite time.  It's nice to see the success of those around to know what to aspire to.  

August 2, 2012 - End and Begin...

Ramadan Day 7 - the day I shattered.  Now, for those of you who know me, you'll be surprised to find out that it wasn't "food" that broke me, but "sleep."  At 4:30 am the choice of getting up to eat my predawn breakfast or sleep...sleep actually won out.  Needless to say I was ready to chuck that out the window and happily did so.

What were the lessons?

1. I love sleep and I'm willing to give up food for it.
2. I can go all day without eating and it is actually pretty easy.
3. It's really nice when the focus is drawn away from food and placed on something else.
4. I admire and respect Muslims for making it through Ramadan.

So, what next?

Don't know.  Been crying over the Olympics a lot, wishing I was something I will never be.  I know that I will ever be in the Olympics.  Not even a remote chance.  It's up there with being a ballerina or figure skater.  I just wish I had that kind of drive.

And that, really is the ultimate summary.  I am who I am.  I love food, require sleep, love TV, love to read (both in the tub and not).  I love shopping and travel and music.  I love theatre and cinema.  But I will never be driven it is not in my nature to be that focused and all things will come into my life like the gentle trickle of a small creek and not like the fast rushing river.

I am very proud of Team USA.  I will cheer and admire you from my comfy couch while in my PJ's and devouring nacho's.

Ramadan 2012...oh yes I did!

Ramadan 2012 -
I want to say that I am not Muslim.  But on July 18th while looking at my calendar I noticed that July 20th was the beginning of Ramadan.  Curious me, I went on the internet to do a little research about this time of year and what it stands for.


Ramadan 2012 is the largest Muslim religious holiday celebrated each year.  During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to fast and simplify their lifestyles by removing temptations and focusing their energies on their religion. Ramadan is a time for purity and wholesome living.


(I could use some of that, I think to myself.)


During Ramadan, Muslims are called upon to re-evaluate their lifestyles and make amends with others who have done harm in the past.  The Arabic word for fasting is “sawm” and this word literally means to refrain, and fasting during Ramadan includes refraining from food, sex, drink, as well as bad thoughts and actions.  Every part of the body is encouraged to refrain from bad deeds during the month of Ramadan 2012.


(Bloody brilliant, I think to myself.)


What better way to clear the clutter of your mind and stay fresh.  But can a woman who loves food go without food ALL DAY?!  After a little more searching I find that Muslims eat a small meal (very, very) early in the morning.  Before sunrise (which here in my area is about 4:40 am), then they refrain from food and water all day long until sunset (about 8:00 pm in my area).  So Friday morning I get up (before the crack of dawn and eat) then this is how my days go:


Day 1 - 

It’s almost 4:00pm, only 4 hours until Sunset.  I made a small indiscretion and ate breakfast past the “Begin Fasting” time.  I stopped eating at 5:00am or a little after.  Had a little twinge at lunch time, but actually got through lunch ok.  When I was in Karen’s office I wanted a piece of her candy, but I kept reminding myself. “Ramadan, Ramadan.”  I’m actually getting hungry now.  I think that if I can get home and stay busy I can keep myself from wanting to eat right away.  I’m going to stop at the grocery and pick up my schedule, then head home and wash clothes.  The weather has been horrible and rainy, my clothes are not going to dry quickly.  It hasn’t been a bad experience on the other hand, it is only day 1 for the girl who has never done anything like this.  I think the challenging part will be the time after I get home.  It has been kind of refreshing not thinking about ‘what’ to eat and remembering to bring food at all.  I keep telling myself if millions of Muslims are doing it, it has to be pretty safe. I kind of would like some water and I’m visualizing the iced jasmine tea in my fridge. 

The funniest part is I never realized how much food is a habit in my life.  Get up make coffee, grab a breakfast bar, drink coffee on the way to work, 11:30 find and eat food, pass by table grab cookies, snack on the way home in the car…all that is just “food habit.”

Day 2 -
Well, day 2 did have a few hitches.  The first is that I cannot go 8 hour at the store without water.  I could feel myself getting dehydrated.  But water was the only thing I had.  I bought sushi for the ride home since I got off at 8pm and my brother treated me to Popeyes.  I am so tired.  Working around all that food is so hard!  I wanted candy bad.  The hardest times are right around breakfast and from 5pm until its time to go.  Im exhAusted. So I'm heading off to bed.


Day 3 -
So with only my water to get me through the day, I make it through.  I felt better on day 3 than I did on day 2.  The absolute hardest part is eating at so early before fast begins.  I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.  This is the hardest part for me.
Its easier to observe now that there's an app for fasting/break fasting times. Observing during the week is way easier than the weekend.


Day 4 -
Today I wanted to give up.  Today I just wanted to sleep.  I pulled myself out of bed @ 4:30am and weighed.  I'm down 4.5 lbs. If I stop eating before  5am I'm doing good, right?.  I just can't get up in the morning.  If I can just get to the weekend.  I'm off and I can rest.  There may be something in this for me after all.


Day 5 -
The days are easy.  But when I get home it gets hard.  I usually have about three hours before I can eat.  I need to stay busy but thats the time when I want to sit.  Once I am sitting I want to watch tv.  Then I have the desire to eat. I went to the gym last night and did 30 minutes on the bike.  I was concerned but I didn't have any problems.


Day 6 -
Ok, today I am jonesing for coffee.  I mean really bad.  The last few days have not effected me at all but today. OMG.  Tonight after 8p, I can order some, but I won't want it then.  I'm going to have to start setting my coffee pot for 4am so I can sit and enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning.  The hunger I can easily over look.  I'm not too bothered by not having something to drink during the day.  But DAMN I want a cup of coffee.  The good news, I'm looking forward to having the weekend off, doesn't make me want coffee any less.  Woke up so tired today.  I know I'm not doing quite as well as a Muslim would.  But I'm doing pretty good for a crazy lady, at least I think I am.  Heck, I've almost made it a whole week.  Go me!


I'm learning a lot about myself.  Some I refused to believe, some I'm proud of, and still other's I really need to work on.  I'm not going to give up, unless I'm forced to for health reasons.  I must say that it is nice that I don't think about food, dream and dwell on it, because I know that it is beyond my reach until late in the evening.  But with ONE hour until sunset, I can't wait to partake in a beverage at my local coffee shop.  

July 18, 2012 - Wednesday...again.

Storms are brewing all around the Kenner and Metairie basin.  The sky is getting darker and darker and the flashes of lightning faster and faster.  A sense of anticipation in the air.

It's Wednesday, half way through July, it's hot, and the a/c in my car is broke again.  I'm starting to prepare myself for the fact that my 11 year old car just seems to be in the shop a lot.

I like my Wednesdays, sitting in French Press, drinking coffee and blogging.  It's my time to escape the hum drum day, the monotony of my world.  Think about where my life is heading, where it should be heading.

On the way here I stopped to feed my need for pens.  I went into Office Depot and bought Post-its that support a cause, "Born This Way Foundation," and blue Papermate 300 pens.  Go Office Depot! Go Lady Ga-Ga!

The price of gas is starting to rise again.  I pissed that I never got my chance to pay $2.99 a gal. for gas.  WTH.  I still don't understand the business of oil and this is saying something as I grew up in Alaska a state full of oil.  Apparently the "Business of Oil" was not one of my classes growing up.

My mind is meandering.  Wandering.  If you see it out and about would you mind popping it on the butt and sending it home.  I really need it to take care of some things tonight.

I'm thinking about high-heel shoes, and red lipstick.  About Bora-Bora and hotel beds under the ocean floor.    I'm thinking about living out of a trailer and just scooting back and forth across the US.  I'm thinking about vacations.

It will probably start raining just as I walk out the door to go home.  At least if I get wet I will be headed home and it won't matter so much.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Blank pages.  Gray skies.  Empty bowls.  Out of coffee...

I decided to move the living room furniture around.  It's been a three day adventure.  But what it's left me with is a tiny little space called the "office."  A space of about 5 ft x 5 ft.  Previously the "cat room" it now contains my des, my printer, a spot for my lap top and a white wire shelf that spans two sides of the three walls.  But it's "my" office.  Just a place to park my butt and write, away from the TV.  Has it worked?  Not yet.  I've paid my bills and checked my e-mail.  So what's missing?

My butt...parked!  Can't write if I don't use the space.  The space its self is not going to write the story, owning the membership to the gym is not going to make me thin, just buying the lottery ticket won't make me rich.  Then what does it take.  Commitment, perseverance, and work.  

(The butt shifts)

Writing requires a virtual pact.  You promise to love, honor, and cherish your work.  (through the first phase) Then you change, mold, and re-write. (to what you really wanted in the first place but didn't get, until the last phase) When you decide the two of you must make a concerted effort to grow and change together until you reach the realization you are now both, older and mature.

(Butt rises, then eases back down)

Sure everything is going along fine, then...WHAM!  The car breaks down, the kid gets sick, the cell phone company says you’re a month behind [I wondered why there was an extra fifty bucks in the account.].  All you want to do is sit down and drink while watching Doctor Who from David Tennant through Matt Smith.  But you don't.  Just like your writing you push through the self-doubt, wade through the self-defeat, climb up on the skinny life raft called hope and ride the rapid until you feel safe and comfortable again.  

(Squeaking sound)

It's the daily grind. (not just java people) But work.  Boring, monotonous, and then all hell breaks loose and your sent scrambling before the floor falls in.  You keep writing, just like every day you get up go to work until the bell rings, and you go running to your car, and tearing out of the parking lot.  But you DO IT EVERYDAY OR YOU DON'T GET PAID.  No excuses, get your ass to work.

It doesn't seem so hard.  And yet, I let a million things get in the way.  Like moving the furniture when I should have just stopped and sat down and wrote.  On the other hand, the apartment does look pretty good now, and I have an office.

Wednesday - June 27, 2012
There are four days left in "Camp Nanowrimo 2012" and I know that I'm not going to finish and I have made peace with this.  I have learned many things over the last 27 days of June and here is a summary...

One can only do so much.  When a task feels like you are being sandblasted and basted in rubbing alcohol then this is not something you should do.  Working 7 days in a week (oh wait there is only 7 days in a week) I have no down time.  I don't need down time to write, but I do need to re-evaluate things that I do and change a few items in my life.

I need daily writing goals.
I need to go "cold turkey" from Netflix.
I need to go back to the gym to clear my mind and improve my health.
I need to "not" work 7 days a week.
I need to have fun from time to time.
I need to make writing a priority.

I got 16,200 words down in 27 days.  I ripped money out of a retirement plan that will pay for almost 1 of my credit cards thus reducing my working 2 jobs significantly.  I joined the gym (still working on getting there on a regular basis), I canceled my Netflix effective July 20, 2012 (but I'm going to pretend it's off now),  I'm sitting in a cafe drinking frozen Dulce de Leche and I'm working on my blog that I intend to post every Wednesday.

I'm a firm believer that the things in your life happen because they are supposed to, the things that don't were not supposed to, and that if you look hard enough there are learning experience to be had around every corner.  Camp is almost over and I'm headed to where I need to be with a light and happy heart.

When the "magic" happens...

For a writer, especially a fragile one, one of the worst possible things that can happen is the loss of ones work.  It cannot by any means compare to the loss of a loved one, or a family friend, but it can put you through all five steps of grief at warp speed and feel absolutely daunted afterward.

1. Denial, "Oh my god, I did not just lose 3,300 words that it took me almost a week to write."

2. Anger, "Damn it, the new program gave me the chance to save by sending myself e-mails."

3. (I went through the next two steps in reverse order) Depression, "I just don't want to try again on this story, I can't.  I'll just try and write something else."

4. Bargaining...and here is where this blog really starts to get good.

I use a program called, "My Writing Spot."  It gives me to ability to write on-line or on my iPod and then I can sync both together.  I sync a lot because I need them to be up-to-date as I have this impending fear that there is a mass potential book stealer out there stalking me and the minute I lay down my iPod he's going to steal my story, change the names of my characters, and make a zillion dollars. 

(I never said I was normal or that I made logical sense, I'm a writer.)

So as I hit the bargaining stage my brain starts screaming at me.  Write the company, see if they have magic fingers and can reach into the ether and pull the newly developing infant script out of the virtual goo, and give it back to you. 

An e-mail, went out, pined in pain.  "I don't suppose there is any way to recover something I was working on?"

A day later, "Hi there, If you have been syncing with the web app, then there's a chance that a copy of your document still resides on the server, but deleted docs are purged regularly. If you've been syncing, send me the document name and the email address that you use to sync with and I will check.

If you have not been syncing with the web app, then the only copy of the document would have been stored on your device, and the only way to recover it would be if you had done a sync and back up with iTunes recently.  Peter"

My heart lifted.  Could this be true, could Peter have save my baby?  I wrote back, "I have been doing regular syns with my iPod.  The email address I use is: raenboe@gmail.com. 

The document was titled "It's Only Deja Vu". I sent copies of the other four to my email.  THANK YOU, Suzie"  Yes, overly excited, I typed 'syns' instead of syncs. 

The same day, a little later I received an e-mail from Peter, "Hi Suzie, Good news! I was able to find and restore that document. It should be visible in the web app now. I see the three others that you deleted at the same time, so if you'd like me to restore those as well, let me know. Peter" 

Big tears welled up in my eyes, I could hear the sound of happy laughter and realized that it was my own.  I wrote back, "

OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, Oh my God!  You are the best!!!!  I litteraly have tears in my eyes. 

You are the BEST!!!  That is the only document that means anything to me.  (there was an emoticon  clapping inserted here)  Thank you so much!"

His parting words to me, "You're welcome. I'm glad that I was able to help. :) Peter

P.S. - Now go make a backup by emailing a copy to yourself or downloading it to your local computer via the web app."

There are tech angels in the world, and I believe in miracles.  And one day Peter de Tagyos will be a character in a novel where I can write him in the wondrous light which he deserves. 

Today I will have to thank him once again, on my blog.

Re-evaluation

At what point in your life do you just throw your hands up in the air and just say, "To Hell with This!"

After just losing 3,300 words in one sitting I really just want to roll over and give up.  The story will not be the same if I start again, the character's are gone, and the humor is now in the ether.  What if was the 'one' novel; that was going to blow everyone away.  What if that was my last opportunity.

On the other hand, now I have a completely new slate.  We are only a week into Campnanowrimo, which means there is 3 weeks left.  It is exhausting, depression, daunting.

I am still in delma mode.  Do I try again, or give up?

Maybe after a good night sleep I will see this situation differently.

When the days start to bleed...

Day 1, led into Day 2, then day four, five and six flew by.  Truthfully I don't know what the day is now.  I have not worked on my writing in a few days.  I've been kind of blah and stressed at the same time.  Overwhelmed and under motivated.  Why? Keeps popping up in my vocabulary.  And I have managed to break every single one of my resolutions.  Because of the stress I'm back to watching TV for escape, which is causing me to not want to do anything else including go to the gym.  I'm drinking more coffee to combat the fatigue and that means less water.  Staying up later and not staying on routine.  The only resolution I managed to keep was reading more  but it hasn't been much more.  And I'm feeling so off center about everything.  Vicious, vicious circle.

The first week of January (poof) gone.  And here I sit at the monitor trying to find out what direction to go.

I was laying in bed after my nap.  I started thinking. I wonder if I can go a whole month without turning on the TV.  What would that (1) change make in my life?  Can I really go thirty whole days without flipping on my good ole' TV?  Sadly, even I don't think I could make it a whole month.  Then again it might be worth a try.  I was going to say wait until Monday, isn't that the best day to start change, but I don't think I should wait that long.  I need to put a sign on the TV - Do not turn me on by punishment of painful death.  Put a calendar up to mark the days I am successful.  Just do it.  (No Nike, you do not get any money cause I said that.)

OMG - that cuts me out of the BCS game between Bama and LSU.  I guess I could go to the gym.  If I'm at the gym then it wouldn't count, right?  Kind of like a candy bar and diet coke cancel each other out.  Ok, the rule will be I can't turn on the TV in my house for a month.  If I want to watch TV I have to go to the gym.  Hmmm, almost sounds fair.

One step...quite an adventure.

Day 2

I kept with some of my resolutions today.  I did get some exercise.  I did try to stay on a routine today.  I did work on my story.  It wasn't the main focus of my day, but it's still early in the year.  


I got through the first couple of chapters.  My main focus is getting through the story making minor changes as I read it and keeping the time line straight.  I've always been a slow reader so I couldn't expect to have gotten very far in the novel.  But I am working on it.  Like drops of water in a bucket, drop by drop the bucket will fill.  So too will my story come together, letter by letter, word by word, page by page.  


Since staying positive was also one of my resolutions.  I will try to stay positive about my writing as well as the other aspects of my life.  While visiting a friend of mine between rounds of wii golf and bowling she happened to mention to me the Japanese idea of Kaizen.  The word Kaizen is Japanese for "improvement", or "change for the better" it refers to a philosophy or practice that focuses upon continuous improvement of processes.  But more than just continuous improvement it is small increments of change.  


Here is to a year of slow change.  As the river slowly turns right we will turn right with the flow and as it flows back to the left we shall gently flow with it.  Which is, I was reminded today, how you block an attack in some of the martial arts, moving with the action and deflecting at the same time.  


I'm going back to my story for another 30 minutes then I'm off to bed.  Tomorrow we working on getting a routine down.  

Day 1

Writing is always a collective art.  Even if it is a collection of friends helping you stay on track, a collection of sounds and smells that add depth to the story, a collection of experiences that give your writing range and dimension.  

Rule for the day: Make a deadline.

Mine is June 1, 2012.  I hope to have my novel, "A Boy in a Wig and a Dress" edited with all of the continuity problems worked out, the story line strong and the whole piece ready to load into a Create Space template to get my first proof.  The June 1st deadline means I need to get off my butt and stop talking about writing and actually do what needs to be done to finish on time.  

I truly believe of all the things in my life that if I don't see one of my pieces bound and in book form, that, would be my only regret.  I have always lived my life believing that you should have no regrets.  So when I get to the precipice of a decision I always ask myself.  "If I don't do this, will I regret it?"  If the answer is yes,  there will be regret then I usually do it.  I remember asking my self that very question before going to Europe for 6 weeks.  Even though I am probably still paying for this little adventure. I know I would have regretted not going.  There are many other questions that I have applied that question to.  Prom? No regrets.  Not having children? No regrets (though I suppose this could change, but I don't think so).  Leaving a good job to return to New Orleans? Nope.  Even though there was struggle in the beginning.  Sometimes we look back over our lives and we ask if we had done things differently what would have happened.  But the truth is, I look back over my life and I know why each and everything had to happen to get me here.  And "here" I am, teetering on  the edge again knowing that if I do not do this...I will regret it.

And so, I must do it! 

 My circle took me to Augusta, Georgia where I met another writer like myself.  The information he shared was about a writing contest called Nanowrimo that had been going on for about five years before I got started.  With his coxing (though at the time I was sure it was some weird way to get money from me) I signed up.  The goal, write 50,000 words in 30 days.  I wrote 4,000.  The guy who got me started wrote only a few thousand more than me and explained that he sort of gave up at the end.  It's funny because I'm not sure what drove me to do it again, but I jumped into 2005 with more enthusiasm than I thought I could ever find in my heart for writing.  Not only did I finish, but I came out with A Boy in a Wig in a Dress, that's right it's the one I am trying to get ready for this year.  My writing pal did not finish in 2005 and actually admitted to me he had given up on the whole thing. 

The only years I did not finish were 2006, that was the year my mother's health began to decline and in November I was by her side in a hospital room writing on my computer when she feel asleep at night.  She passed away in 2007. I finished that year.  In 2008, I did not finish.  The loss of my sister in July of 2008 was still too fresh and my heart just was not in it.  Don't get me wrong I have participated EVERY YEAR since I started.  But, it was only 3 years out of 8 years that I did not finish with a mini-novel. 

Yet, of all those years I have never taken it a step further.  Which is why it is so important to surround yourself with other writers.  They all provide for you a little piece to your puzzle.  One may have the secret on how to set up a scene, one may be able to tell you how to get the most from the internet, another will tell you all about how to market your novel.  All of them will encourage you to keep writing and moving forward.  They are important in the journey that you have ahead of you and mine are so valuable to me that I am thankful for each and everyone.  I say "are" because they are not past tense, they are very much "present."  

Keep looking for the parts to the whole.  

Persistence.  Preservation.  Perspiration.  

That is what I expect to need to get this done.   

Here's to a year of "gettin' it done."

Cheers!

-raenboe-