Even though the first day of summer was officially last week, I feel like the first day of summer is TODAY! The reason for my delayed start and celebration is because (drum roll, please!) yesterday I submitted my last assignment for the grad class I've been taking. NOTE: That's the ending part of this post. Yahoo! Also, one lesson that this class reinforced for me is to always be open to learning. I hadn't been looking forward to taking the class because I thought it would be a rehash of things I already know (it is in connection with my day job), but, I reminded myself to have a positive attitude and as I reflected on the course yesterday, I realized how much I had learned from it.
Another beginning for today comes because June 29 is the official publication date of Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The author, Deborah Halverson, is having a Virtual Book Launch. Go here to find out more about her new book and the contests and giveaways she's having in association with her Virtual Book Launch.
I know I can get carried away with reading about writing, and just reading, instead of sitting down and writing, but I am looking forward to reading Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies. The selections I've already read have given me some things to think about as I work on my own writing.
Speaking of my own writing, I better close and get to work. I am excited to be able to refocus on my own creative work.
On a personal note, another reason I'm celebrating today is that it's my wedding anniversary! Yaaaaahhh!
What about you? Is today a start of something new, or maybe a restart? As a former colleague liked to say, "You can restart your day at any time." No matter what's going on with you, think about making a new start today or a restart, and celebrate the day with the ones you love!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Metamorphosis
Happy Summer! I have to admit summer is not my favorite month (I LOVE fall--autumn), but this year has been tough, and summer feels like what we need.
The title of this post is " Metamorphosis" for several reasons. One is because since summer means I have a break from my day job, it is always a time of change for me. The other is because I have recently discovered a great artist, Leah Piken Kolidas. Please check out her website and her art work, and while you're there, read her blog. She has a challenge on her site called Creative Every Day and I've signed up. Read more about it at her site, and maybe you will, too. Anyway, the theme for this month as we create every day is, right, you guessed it, METAMORPHOSIS. It's not a theme everyone has to follow, but with how I've been feeling for the last few months, it seemed like a good one to use.
So, today I finished my next to the last paper for a grad class that goes along with my day job and I painted and wrote. The beginning of my novel has changed and today a new scene popped up which introduces a couple of characters I hadn't thought we'd meet until later. It's pretty exciting, but it means there will be more changes than I'd expected as I'm working back through it. I'm excited about it, and I hope others will be, too.
It is storming outside, so I'm going to watch the storm! What changes are you thinking about undertaking in the next week or month?
The title of this post is " Metamorphosis" for several reasons. One is because since summer means I have a break from my day job, it is always a time of change for me. The other is because I have recently discovered a great artist, Leah Piken Kolidas. Please check out her website and her art work, and while you're there, read her blog. She has a challenge on her site called Creative Every Day and I've signed up. Read more about it at her site, and maybe you will, too. Anyway, the theme for this month as we create every day is, right, you guessed it, METAMORPHOSIS. It's not a theme everyone has to follow, but with how I've been feeling for the last few months, it seemed like a good one to use.
So, today I finished my next to the last paper for a grad class that goes along with my day job and I painted and wrote. The beginning of my novel has changed and today a new scene popped up which introduces a couple of characters I hadn't thought we'd meet until later. It's pretty exciting, but it means there will be more changes than I'd expected as I'm working back through it. I'm excited about it, and I hope others will be, too.
It is storming outside, so I'm going to watch the storm! What changes are you thinking about undertaking in the next week or month?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Social media?
I've spent the week working on writing, but most of the time I haven't been writing! Based on everything I've learned at conferences, I've known that I needed to update my social media connections, but I just hadn't taken time to do it. Well, this past week I did just that.
I bought my domain name, lilliankeenan.com, updated my twitter account, lillianwrites, and revised my facebook, linkedin, and blog information. Yes, I've been busy.
So, now you can follow me on twitter and all the other avenues as well. I have plans to change around my blog, so stay tuned for that.
Also, Lisa Robinson came to do research for her book at my day job on Friday. It was cool to show her around and I think she got some great information to help her with her novel. I know I'm excited to read it!
I bought my domain name, lilliankeenan.com, updated my twitter account, lillianwrites, and revised my facebook, linkedin, and blog information. Yes, I've been busy.
So, now you can follow me on twitter and all the other avenues as well. I have plans to change around my blog, so stay tuned for that.
Also, Lisa Robinson came to do research for her book at my day job on Friday. It was cool to show her around and I think she got some great information to help her with her novel. I know I'm excited to read it!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
New Beginnings
In April I attended the Western Pennsylvania Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (WPASCBWI) Spring Retreat at Bethany College in West Virginia. It was amazing! The other participants and the two editors, Kate Sullivan and Connie Hsu, were encouraging and insightful. I've been able to go to this event for several years and have learned so much each time. I returned home determined to work on my writing and integrate what I learned.
And, so far, I have. The Monday after the retreat, things at my day job heated up and have been steadily boiling ever since, but I've been writing. So, a gold star for me in that department. I have not kept in contact with my fellow writers from the retreat, so in that department, I'm a "bad webbis" (Shirley Jackson--Life Among the Savages--if you haven't read it, go NOW and get a copy!).
One thing that impressed me at the retreat was how much I enjoyed--craved the contact with other writers. I do not belong to a writing group, not because I don't want to be in one, but because I haven't found one in my area. I know there are on-line groups, and I may look into one of those. As writers, we work in isolation, and we need to do that to achieve our writing goals. But. . .we are also social creatures and contact with other writers can help us become better.
So, my question for today is how do you keep in touch with other writers, other artists?
And, so far, I have. The Monday after the retreat, things at my day job heated up and have been steadily boiling ever since, but I've been writing. So, a gold star for me in that department. I have not kept in contact with my fellow writers from the retreat, so in that department, I'm a "bad webbis" (Shirley Jackson--Life Among the Savages--if you haven't read it, go NOW and get a copy!).
One thing that impressed me at the retreat was how much I enjoyed--craved the contact with other writers. I do not belong to a writing group, not because I don't want to be in one, but because I haven't found one in my area. I know there are on-line groups, and I may look into one of those. As writers, we work in isolation, and we need to do that to achieve our writing goals. But. . .we are also social creatures and contact with other writers can help us become better.
So, my question for today is how do you keep in touch with other writers, other artists?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Winter's Evening
I'm re-reading THE WAR OF ART by Steven Pressfield. I find it a great resource when I've gotten off-course with my writing. He encourages me to get back on track, and makes me believe I can.
"There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second, we can sit down and do our work." Steven Pressfield
That's all for now. I must go "sit down and do" my work!
"There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance. This second, we can sit down and do our work." Steven Pressfield
That's all for now. I must go "sit down and do" my work!
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