Monday, January 31, 2011
Software for Writers
Today I am blogging at www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com about the various software available for writers. Stop by and let me know your thoughts. I would especially love to hear from you if you use any of the programs available.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I'm Off to See the Wizard
It is show time again. Well, I won't actually be on stage (that will never happen), but I will be doing makeup. If you can't tell by the title, the show is the Wizard of Oz. This is going to be a busy one, with a lot of changes. Thank goodness I have a team of about 6 other people. Thank you, ladies!!!!!!
This is also a challenge. Right now, I am trying to decide if I want to use a green cream or powder on the Wicked Witch. I hate to put her in the cream so many nights, but she needs to have the right look. In a lot of shows you can go with what the makeup chair thinks would look great and you aren't necessarily stuck with a specific look. Such is not the case with the Wizard of Oz. If I mess up, it won't only be the reviewer making note but a five-year-old will probably be calling me out as well.
All and all I can't wait to work more on this show. The cast is great and the director is wonderful. If you happen to be in Central Illinois at the beginning of February, make plans to see the well-loved family classic.
Now, to figure out what to do about the flying monkeys . . . And, will I ever get "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" out of my head?
Have you ever seen the Wizard of Oz on stage? Did you you enjoy it as much as the movie or did you like it better?
This is also a challenge. Right now, I am trying to decide if I want to use a green cream or powder on the Wicked Witch. I hate to put her in the cream so many nights, but she needs to have the right look. In a lot of shows you can go with what the makeup chair thinks would look great and you aren't necessarily stuck with a specific look. Such is not the case with the Wizard of Oz. If I mess up, it won't only be the reviewer making note but a five-year-old will probably be calling me out as well.
All and all I can't wait to work more on this show. The cast is great and the director is wonderful. If you happen to be in Central Illinois at the beginning of February, make plans to see the well-loved family classic.
Now, to figure out what to do about the flying monkeys . . . And, will I ever get "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" out of my head?
Have you ever seen the Wizard of Oz on stage? Did you you enjoy it as much as the movie or did you like it better?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Ruby Red Slippers
On Friday, the weekend didn't start off so great. I got ready to leave work and could not find my car keys. I emptied out the purse, check the coat pockets and looked underneath the desk. Finally, I decided to check my car. Yep, there they were. sitting on the front seat of my locked car. My poor husband had to leave work, run home for the spare set and bring them to me. He is such a sweetheart.
All I wanted to do was get home. I had a weekend planned of writing, editing and blogging but I was stuck cooling my heels. If I only had Dorothy's ruby red slippers I could just click them three times and be where I wanted to be. By the way, I am working on the Wizard of Oz right now which is probably why I thought of those shoes.
Then I had a thought, what if the ruby red slippers could take you anywhere you wanted to go, not just home. Given we were lucky to get to 6 degrees today, I would be clicking those babies until I was delivered to a warm tropical beach somewhere.
What about you? Lets pretend you can use the ruby red slippers for one day to take you anywhere you want to go, where would it be?
All I wanted to do was get home. I had a weekend planned of writing, editing and blogging but I was stuck cooling my heels. If I only had Dorothy's ruby red slippers I could just click them three times and be where I wanted to be. By the way, I am working on the Wizard of Oz right now which is probably why I thought of those shoes.
Then I had a thought, what if the ruby red slippers could take you anywhere you wanted to go, not just home. Given we were lucky to get to 6 degrees today, I would be clicking those babies until I was delivered to a warm tropical beach somewhere.
What about you? Lets pretend you can use the ruby red slippers for one day to take you anywhere you want to go, where would it be?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Focus
Do you ever have too many balls in the air and not sure which one to catch and work on? I think that is where I am right now. My mind is split in several directions and I have only myself to blame. At the moment I am: Beta Reading a wonderful manuscript for one of my critique partners; Want to work on the two WIP's that I am at least 1/3 of the way through on both; and thinking about two separate theater projects.
Whew!
Oh, and I also need to get my edits back to my publisher so Pure is the Heart can be released in March, and think about the many ways I can market it. This is what I am most excited about and can't believe I didn't mention it first. And, I am not complaining. Everything listed is something I love to do. I just find I lack time. Really, how important is sleep?
Well, I am sure it will all work out they way it should. As long as I keep making room for prayer and worship all should be good, right?
What do you do when you find you have booked yourself for more hours than there are in the day?
And as this is Powerful Prayful Sunday, how can I pray for you this week. Prayer is something I am never too busy for.
Whew!
Oh, and I also need to get my edits back to my publisher so Pure is the Heart can be released in March, and think about the many ways I can market it. This is what I am most excited about and can't believe I didn't mention it first. And, I am not complaining. Everything listed is something I love to do. I just find I lack time. Really, how important is sleep?
Well, I am sure it will all work out they way it should. As long as I keep making room for prayer and worship all should be good, right?
What do you do when you find you have booked yourself for more hours than there are in the day?
And as this is Powerful Prayful Sunday, how can I pray for you this week. Prayer is something I am never too busy for.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Where to Begin?
(Warning, this post tends to ramble, much like I do at times when trying to determine a direction)
I am about 38% of the way through my latest WIP. It is a sequel to a story I have been sending out and entering in contests. I originally started with a Prologue to give a little background. I then dumped that to start at a more exciting and action filled spot. However, now I find I am adding in backstory (more than I like, and probably readers as well).
So, now I am wondering if I acutally need to start the story earlier, at another exciting point to avoid all of the backstory. But, the delimma with this is I will have approximately two chapters in one year and the third chapter will start two years later. I am not sure I want to do that if readers would be bothered by it.
This is not unusual for me. However, I usually dump the first to third chapters because a lot of the time it takes me that long to get into the flow of the story and I realize I was only practicing and getting to know my characters for the first 20+ pages. This is the first time I've thought about actually starting earlier to add on instead of dumping.
Do you ever have the problem of starting your story at one point and then realize it needs to be started earlier or later, only to find yourself wondering if you should change it again? From a reader's perspective, how do you feel about stories that jump two years, as long as it is still a smooth transition?
I am about 38% of the way through my latest WIP. It is a sequel to a story I have been sending out and entering in contests. I originally started with a Prologue to give a little background. I then dumped that to start at a more exciting and action filled spot. However, now I find I am adding in backstory (more than I like, and probably readers as well).
So, now I am wondering if I acutally need to start the story earlier, at another exciting point to avoid all of the backstory. But, the delimma with this is I will have approximately two chapters in one year and the third chapter will start two years later. I am not sure I want to do that if readers would be bothered by it.
This is not unusual for me. However, I usually dump the first to third chapters because a lot of the time it takes me that long to get into the flow of the story and I realize I was only practicing and getting to know my characters for the first 20+ pages. This is the first time I've thought about actually starting earlier to add on instead of dumping.
Do you ever have the problem of starting your story at one point and then realize it needs to be started earlier or later, only to find yourself wondering if you should change it again? From a reader's perspective, how do you feel about stories that jump two years, as long as it is still a smooth transition?
Monday, January 17, 2011
I Have a Dragon
I am blogging at www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com today about Dragon, thie voice-recognition software I got for Christmas. Stop by and let me know your thoughts.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Beautiful Silence
About a week before Christmas we received another snowfall (not unlike most of the country). This time the snow began in the evening around 9:00 and continued through most of the night blanketing us with about 4 inches of snow. Not enough to call off school or work, but enough to make driving difficult since my neighborhood had not been plowed by the time I left for work.
Of course this little bit of snow didn't deter me. I've been an Illinois resident all of my life, minus the three and a half years that I lived in Arizona. So with bookts zipped a coat buttoned I stepped outside to warm up my car. All I can hear are the windshield wiper blades of the car next door. I start my car (hubby has already cleaned the snow off the windows because he is such a dear) and I go back inside to wait a few moments.
The time comes for me to get out of the drive and head to work. There is some slipping and slidding and fishtailing all of the way until I hit the main roads. And, more slipping and sliding on the snowpacked roads. However, before I get very far I need to stop for gas. As I stand at the pump and look out onto the highway, cars are backed up waiting for a light, bumper to bumper. There are about four other cars also getting gas. It is a typical morning. And then it hits me. I don't hear anything. Nothing. Nada. It is completely silent. All of that snow muffled the noise.
I've experience this stepping out into my own back yard after a snow fall and it is one of the most wonderful experiences. The new snow, the calmness in the air, the silence, the peace. I never expected to experience the same thing standing at a gas pump. It was a very pleasant way to start the day.
What is your favorite thing about new fallen show.
Of course this little bit of snow didn't deter me. I've been an Illinois resident all of my life, minus the three and a half years that I lived in Arizona. So with bookts zipped a coat buttoned I stepped outside to warm up my car. All I can hear are the windshield wiper blades of the car next door. I start my car (hubby has already cleaned the snow off the windows because he is such a dear) and I go back inside to wait a few moments.
The time comes for me to get out of the drive and head to work. There is some slipping and slidding and fishtailing all of the way until I hit the main roads. And, more slipping and sliding on the snowpacked roads. However, before I get very far I need to stop for gas. As I stand at the pump and look out onto the highway, cars are backed up waiting for a light, bumper to bumper. There are about four other cars also getting gas. It is a typical morning. And then it hits me. I don't hear anything. Nothing. Nada. It is completely silent. All of that snow muffled the noise.
I've experience this stepping out into my own back yard after a snow fall and it is one of the most wonderful experiences. The new snow, the calmness in the air, the silence, the peace. I never expected to experience the same thing standing at a gas pump. It was a very pleasant way to start the day.
What is your favorite thing about new fallen show.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Paying it Forward
I saw a commercial for the movie Pay it Forward, which by the time this is posted, would have already aired. This is a movie that really moved me,and has stuck with me since seeing it. However, I am not sure I can watch it again. If you have seen it, you know why. If you haven’t, I believe it is worth watching, even if the language is on the strong side. Just don’t forget to have a box of tissue handy.
Not long after seeing the movie it was my turned to lead the Praise & Worship in my Christ Care Group training for the first time and I was very nervous. And, after recently seeing the advertisement I remembered I still had my notes from long ago and thought I would share them. Had I been leading a Christ Care Group, there would have been questions and topics of discussion as well. So, here was my first attempt ever.
September 22, 2005
Praise & Worship
“PAY IT FORWARD”
Song: The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.
Ask: Who has seen or heard of the movie Pay if Forward?
Recap: It is about a seventh grade boy who was given an extra credit assignment in his Social Studies class. Each student was to come up with one thing that they could do that might just change the world. This boy decided that he would do one thing for three people. The catch was, instead of those three paying him back, they were to do something for three other people. Those nine people were to then repeat the process. The math was presented in the movie and I can’t remember how many peoples live would be touched, but if it continued, the numbers would be astronomical. There were only two requirements regarding what they did for someone else: 1) it had to be something that person could not do for themselves and 2) it had to be Really big.
Worship: What a concept. Doing something for someone else that they could not do for themselves. And, that it has to be really big. I have seen references to the movie in the newspaper under the Acts of Kindness section. The authors who had been helped have been promising to pay it forward, as if this is a fresh, new idea perpetuated first by a book and then a movie.
But, something really big has already been done for us and, it is something that we could not do for ourselves.
Verse: Matthew 27:37 – Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Verse: Matthew 27:40 – and saying, “you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God.”
Verse: Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.
Verse: Luke 23:46 – Jesus called out in a loud voice. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Jesus did something really, really big, and something we could not possible do for ourselves. And, he did not limit it to three people. It was for EVERYONE.
Jesus also commanded that we pay it forward for Him.
Verse: Matthew 25:35-36, 40- For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . (40) The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mind, you did for me.”
Verse: John 13:1316 – You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Another example is The Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:30-37
How clearer can it be? Jesus instructed the disciples, instructed us, to pay it forward. Not to walk on water, or try to slay a giant with a stone. Just to simply pay it forward. The movie is just a twist on what Jesus had been teaching all along.
Reflection: After seeing the movie and reflecting on what Jesus had done for me, I thought about how often I had paid it forward and, how often I had dropped the ball.
Music: If We are the Body by Casting Crowns.
Meditation: Close your eyes. Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Relax. Think of the time you have paid it forward.
Now, think of a time or times you have dropped the ball. It could have been when you were a child, too young to understand. It could have been when you were a teenage, when you were too embarrassed or insecure because of peer pressure. It could have been as an adult, because you were too busy, too shy, or just too something. Most of us can recall a moment when we failed. In your heart, acknowledge that moment and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Dear Lord, because we are sinners, and often blind, we sometimes fail to reach out our arms, heal, teach or show love. Lord, please help us be more aware of the people you put in our path each and every day. Help us to recognize what needs we can meet that they cannot meet on their own. Let us always strive to pay it forward for you because you did pay much too high a price for us to pick and choose who we will help. Let us overcome our own failing so that we can pay it forward for YOU, at every opportunity you present us. Amen.
So, that was my first Praise & Worship, and if feels like it was so long ago.
One of the ways we can pay it forward is to pray for each other. How can I pray for you this week?
Not long after seeing the movie it was my turned to lead the Praise & Worship in my Christ Care Group training for the first time and I was very nervous. And, after recently seeing the advertisement I remembered I still had my notes from long ago and thought I would share them. Had I been leading a Christ Care Group, there would have been questions and topics of discussion as well. So, here was my first attempt ever.
September 22, 2005
Praise & Worship
“PAY IT FORWARD”
Song: The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.
Ask: Who has seen or heard of the movie Pay if Forward?
Recap: It is about a seventh grade boy who was given an extra credit assignment in his Social Studies class. Each student was to come up with one thing that they could do that might just change the world. This boy decided that he would do one thing for three people. The catch was, instead of those three paying him back, they were to do something for three other people. Those nine people were to then repeat the process. The math was presented in the movie and I can’t remember how many peoples live would be touched, but if it continued, the numbers would be astronomical. There were only two requirements regarding what they did for someone else: 1) it had to be something that person could not do for themselves and 2) it had to be Really big.
Worship: What a concept. Doing something for someone else that they could not do for themselves. And, that it has to be really big. I have seen references to the movie in the newspaper under the Acts of Kindness section. The authors who had been helped have been promising to pay it forward, as if this is a fresh, new idea perpetuated first by a book and then a movie.
But, something really big has already been done for us and, it is something that we could not do for ourselves.
Verse: Matthew 27:37 – Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
Verse: Matthew 27:40 – and saying, “you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God.”
Verse: Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”.
Verse: Luke 23:46 – Jesus called out in a loud voice. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Jesus did something really, really big, and something we could not possible do for ourselves. And, he did not limit it to three people. It was for EVERYONE.
Jesus also commanded that we pay it forward for Him.
Verse: Matthew 25:35-36, 40- For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . (40) The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mind, you did for me.”
Verse: John 13:1316 – You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Another example is The Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:30-37
How clearer can it be? Jesus instructed the disciples, instructed us, to pay it forward. Not to walk on water, or try to slay a giant with a stone. Just to simply pay it forward. The movie is just a twist on what Jesus had been teaching all along.
Reflection: After seeing the movie and reflecting on what Jesus had done for me, I thought about how often I had paid it forward and, how often I had dropped the ball.
Music: If We are the Body by Casting Crowns.
Meditation: Close your eyes. Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Relax. Think of the time you have paid it forward.
Now, think of a time or times you have dropped the ball. It could have been when you were a child, too young to understand. It could have been when you were a teenage, when you were too embarrassed or insecure because of peer pressure. It could have been as an adult, because you were too busy, too shy, or just too something. Most of us can recall a moment when we failed. In your heart, acknowledge that moment and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Dear Lord, because we are sinners, and often blind, we sometimes fail to reach out our arms, heal, teach or show love. Lord, please help us be more aware of the people you put in our path each and every day. Help us to recognize what needs we can meet that they cannot meet on their own. Let us always strive to pay it forward for you because you did pay much too high a price for us to pick and choose who we will help. Let us overcome our own failing so that we can pay it forward for YOU, at every opportunity you present us. Amen.
So, that was my first Praise & Worship, and if feels like it was so long ago.
One of the ways we can pay it forward is to pray for each other. How can I pray for you this week?
Thursday, January 06, 2011
One Word - Great Idea
I am sure most of you have come across at least one blog talking about OneWord 2011 - where you pick that one word that you are going to live by and learn from that year. Sadly, at the time I am writing this, a word has not been given to me. I don't believe it is somethin
g I need to think of and decide for myself. I believe it is a word that will be given to me by my maker and it will be the word He wants me to live by, work on and focus on for Him. I just need to have patience, pray and listen and I am sure it will be delivered to me shortly.
To learn more about this wonderful idea and concept you can visit these blogs, which are just a few, but they are the ones I came across within the last half hour.
Alece at Grit and Glory will be focusing on LOOK this year. And, if you want to find out what other words have been adopted, there are over 150 sites listed on this blog alone, of all the people participating. I think I am going to have to go and check them out. It is nice to share a common goal with someone, even if goes by a different name.
I did check out two blogs and in fact, Life's a Journey is the one that got me started on this quest this evening. Alicia's word of the year is STORY. Bina, at Bina's Pad will be living by the word BELIEVE.
What about you? Have you read the blogs and read the different words people are adopting for 2011? Do you have a word?
g I need to think of and decide for myself. I believe it is a word that will be given to me by my maker and it will be the word He wants me to live by, work on and focus on for Him. I just need to have patience, pray and listen and I am sure it will be delivered to me shortly.To learn more about this wonderful idea and concept you can visit these blogs, which are just a few, but they are the ones I came across within the last half hour.
Alece at Grit and Glory will be focusing on LOOK this year. And, if you want to find out what other words have been adopted, there are over 150 sites listed on this blog alone, of all the people participating. I think I am going to have to go and check them out. It is nice to share a common goal with someone, even if goes by a different name.
I did check out two blogs and in fact, Life's a Journey is the one that got me started on this quest this evening. Alicia's word of the year is STORY. Bina, at Bina's Pad will be living by the word BELIEVE.
What about you? Have you read the blogs and read the different words people are adopting for 2011? Do you have a word?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Accomplishments and Goals
Today I am blogging a www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com. Stop by and tell me about your 2010 accomplishments and goals for 2011.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Peace
My blog today is inspired by a question asked during Worship a few weeks ago. As I have mentioned in the past, my characters tend to be inspired and I frantically take notes that need to go into my current WIP, instead of focusing on the Word of God. But, the question that day made me think of something I experienced and my characters were no where to be found.
The question: What was the single most peaceful moment in your life? I knew the answer immediately.
The pastor then went to talk about the peace that comes after the storm. It can be any storm in our life. Whether it is a storm outside that frightens you, and some people have dealt with horrible ones from blizzards, hurricans, tornadoes and such. And sometimes, fierce winds, thunder and heavy rain can be scary enough. Then there are the storms in our life. Whether it be a financial crisis, health crisis, loss of someone, or anything that twists our emotions and nerves. Whatever our storm, when it passes we experience peace.
As I said early, I mentally answered before the pastor continued. You see, the single most peacefully moment in my life came in the middle of a crisis, or a storm so to speak. The circumstances were that my daughter had been struck by a car while visiting a friend. From the moment I was preparing to leave the house and while my husband and I drove to the hospital I was constantly praying. There was no eloquence to my prayers and certainly a large vocabulary wasn't needed. It went something like this "Oh, please, God, please let her be all right." That was pretty much it, over and over and over. At that point we did not know her condition, just that we needed to be there.
However, my peace came before I arrived at the hospital, as we came around the curve on the interstate just before our exit. I don't know if there are words to explain the sudden calm peace. It was if I was cloaked in peace. One moment I was praying frantically, panicked, and my heart pounded. The next moment I experience such complete and utter calm. Complete peace like I have never experienced in my life before or since. I knew that no matter what we discovered at the hospital, it would be okay. God was in charge and he would take care of all of our needs. And even as I looked down at her in the trauma room with IVs and monitors, the undescrible peace remained with me.
She was released from the hospital five days later to recover from her injuries and she is doing well today, with the exception of some aches and pains that revisit on occassion, especially damp weather like this.
That accident was several years ago and though I don't wish for a repeat in the circumstances, I would love to experience that incredible peace once again. It held me closed the entire time I stayed with my daughter in the hospital.
What was the single most peaceful moment in your life?
How can I pray for you this week?
May this new year bring you a Peace.
The question: What was the single most peaceful moment in your life? I knew the answer immediately.
The pastor then went to talk about the peace that comes after the storm. It can be any storm in our life. Whether it is a storm outside that frightens you, and some people have dealt with horrible ones from blizzards, hurricans, tornadoes and such. And sometimes, fierce winds, thunder and heavy rain can be scary enough. Then there are the storms in our life. Whether it be a financial crisis, health crisis, loss of someone, or anything that twists our emotions and nerves. Whatever our storm, when it passes we experience peace.
As I said early, I mentally answered before the pastor continued. You see, the single most peacefully moment in my life came in the middle of a crisis, or a storm so to speak. The circumstances were that my daughter had been struck by a car while visiting a friend. From the moment I was preparing to leave the house and while my husband and I drove to the hospital I was constantly praying. There was no eloquence to my prayers and certainly a large vocabulary wasn't needed. It went something like this "Oh, please, God, please let her be all right." That was pretty much it, over and over and over. At that point we did not know her condition, just that we needed to be there.
However, my peace came before I arrived at the hospital, as we came around the curve on the interstate just before our exit. I don't know if there are words to explain the sudden calm peace. It was if I was cloaked in peace. One moment I was praying frantically, panicked, and my heart pounded. The next moment I experience such complete and utter calm. Complete peace like I have never experienced in my life before or since. I knew that no matter what we discovered at the hospital, it would be okay. God was in charge and he would take care of all of our needs. And even as I looked down at her in the trauma room with IVs and monitors, the undescrible peace remained with me.
She was released from the hospital five days later to recover from her injuries and she is doing well today, with the exception of some aches and pains that revisit on occassion, especially damp weather like this.
That accident was several years ago and though I don't wish for a repeat in the circumstances, I would love to experience that incredible peace once again. It held me closed the entire time I stayed with my daughter in the hospital.
What was the single most peaceful moment in your life?
How can I pray for you this week?
May this new year bring you a Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)