tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44123236142311064442024-03-12T19:02:09.501-07:00fairbetty's worldruminations of a struggling novelist and freelance editorfairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-62971058931241203912014-12-19T13:19:00.001-08:002014-12-19T13:19:07.559-08:00Light in the dark and the return of the sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWoiUnZHfL4/VJSVrNbirXI/AAAAAAAAGDA/E8_NU2NrL7w/s1600/random-wallpapers-golden-stars-background-wallpaper-31267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWoiUnZHfL4/VJSVrNbirXI/AAAAAAAAGDA/E8_NU2NrL7w/s1600/random-wallpapers-golden-stars-background-wallpaper-31267.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
Winter solstice is coming... just thought you might be needing a little light at this dark time of year. I know I do.<br />
<br />
I had a successful month of writing last month, and have proceeded to be laid up with back problems and now with a cold for the past 3 weeks. Sigh... I'll be back on my feet soon! And back to the keyboard, I hope.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-64701013291192386802014-12-03T09:04:00.003-08:002014-12-03T09:04:51.808-08:00IWSG: The Post-NaNo blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rjxPz-sN7U/VH9BA9wAIOI/AAAAAAAAGBA/-zCqDI-FvuI/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rjxPz-sN7U/VH9BA9wAIOI/AAAAAAAAGBA/-zCqDI-FvuI/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">It’s time for another group posting of the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" style="color: #990000; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Insecure Writer’s Support Group!</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the link and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I just finished NaNoWriMo... wrote 50,000 words in 30 days. You'd think that would make me proud and happy. And it does, on one level. But my insecurity comes from the knowledge that I have SO much revision work to do to even make those 50,000 words legible! I'm standing at the bottom of Revision Mountain and the climb up looks pretty daunting.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">I'm going to put it away for a little while and see how I feel about it after that.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Not to mention I don't know what to do with myself now. I love the NaNo community, but it's so fleeting. 30 days fly by when you have a common purpose with so many others. I already miss all my NaNo friends.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.7900009155273px;">Did any of you do NaNo this year? How did you do?</span><br />
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-38662237562796755562014-11-05T09:56:00.000-08:002014-11-05T09:56:00.171-08:00Insecure Writers Support Group: NaNoWriMo postHi everyone! It's that time again, time for <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writers Support Group</a>. If you don't know what IWSG is, please pop on over to this link for an explanation, and when you realize it's the one thing you've been missing in your writing life, <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">JOIN US!!</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7m8qx7bA3lg/VFe_NbvYZKI/AAAAAAAAGAk/hPybiT72sXk/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7m8qx7bA3lg/VFe_NbvYZKI/AAAAAAAAGAk/hPybiT72sXk/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So in case anyone is keeping score, I've started off with a bang for <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> this year. Killing it! Woot! Of course, it's only day five. And that's why I'm so eager to crush my word count now...because I'm afraid of the slump...the point at which I lose steam, run out of ideas, and let the whole thing fall to pieces.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm a pantster by nature. I can't help it. I tried outlining the Camp NaNo project I worked on this summer and it jumped right off the map and made its own direction...and then it fell to pieces. Again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All these false starts are starting to give me heartburn! I want to finish something, but I keep losing steam and moving on to the next thing, with only the barest sliver of hope that I'll ever return to revise/add to/complete a project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This current novel has no point at all so far, other than documenting daily life of the main character. I'm waiting to see if something exciting happens, that I can then doctor up in revisions, and hoping that we make it that far.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyone else out there doing NaNo this time around?</div>
fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-44785071211551294992014-10-24T18:08:00.000-07:002014-10-24T18:08:08.913-07:00Check out my editing blog too!So, Hi readers! It's been a while, I know... I mean, since I've posted for anything besides IWSG. I am still working on inspiration here, and it's been dry recently. I apologize. I'm eternally hopeful that I will begin posting here more soon.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I wanted to invite you over to my editing blog at http://writingrefinery.blogspot.com. I write there almost as frequently as I do here (lol). But there I share writing tips, my experiences as an editor, and my deep and evergreen love for Harry Potter. If you think you can handle that, I'd love to see you there, too. And I could use some "followers". It feels a little lonely over there.<br />
<br />
I'll still be writing here as regularly as ever, but I thought perhaps some of you might like to share with me over there, as well.<br />
<br />
So stop by and say hi! I'd love to hear from you.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-47885885752992766682014-10-01T17:35:00.000-07:002014-10-01T17:35:49.851-07:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: Just Write<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcPwvTReSEY/VCyXFBTirNI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/rPaAVhUQ1B8/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcPwvTReSEY/VCyXFBTirNI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/rPaAVhUQ1B8/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
If you've never heard of Insecure Writer's Support Group, you're in for a treat! Head on over to the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">IWSG website</a>, created by the awesome <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>, and <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">sign up</a> to be part of this amazing network of writers. Then on the first Wednesday of every month, post your insecurities on your blog. It seems counter-intuitive, I know. But instead of being tarred and feathered for being insecure, you'll find you're uplifted and encouraged by others who are in the same boat as you, or who have been there before and can show you the treasure map so you can make your way through to the other side.<br />
<br />
This month's post is my submission for the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, for the category "Writing".<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">You know, I've been working on this insecurity for a while now, this idea
that there are no set "rules" for how to be a writer. You
just...write. But that doesn't mean you write every day, always, although maybe
you do...It means just what it says: You just write. It doesn't mean that you
have books published, or an agent, or that you're in the process of querying
everyone in the publishing industry. You just write.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">So much of our insecure writers’ lives are spent seeking
validation from other people, people we deem to know more about the business of
writing than we do. We give them the power to tell us whether our ideas are any
good, whether our plots are properly executed, whether we’re allowed to take up
space at the next writer’s conference if we don’t know what a query is…when
really, what we want them to do is tell us that we belong to this magical group:
Writers! And, sadly, there will always be someone who wants to keep other
people out, because they’re just as insecure as we are that there won’t be room
for them in that group if they let us in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The truth is, though, that we are the ones with the power to tell
our stories. We decide what is good. And by the very act of writing we declare
to the world that we belong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you have an outline? Just write. Do you
have a first draft? Just write. Do you have five published novels and a
contract on a new series? Just write. Do you have the tiniest baby of an idea
percolating in your mind? Just write! Write it down. Then guess what? You're a
writer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Elisabeth Kauffman is a freelance editor of fiction and you can find her on the web at www.writingrefinery.com.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">(I give the IWSG Anthology permission to reprint this blog post for their publication "The Insecure Writer's Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond)</span></div>
fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-63802769377519944002014-09-03T00:30:00.000-07:002014-09-03T00:30:02.900-07:00IWSG: Brainstorming my novel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX-9Ikyu8GA/U_4IhPg2S_I/AAAAAAAAF-c/4DH1esw5PCE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX-9Ikyu8GA/U_4IhPg2S_I/AAAAAAAAF-c/4DH1esw5PCE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, the most amazing bloghop you'll ever participate in as a writer. If you need to air your insecurities and find others who share them with you or have amazing, encouraging advice, then you NEED this group. So hop on over to <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh's blog</a> to <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">learn more and sign up</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSnVXy3Zl90/U_4FsJyNA7I/AAAAAAAAF-U/4EOeLDu7KgE/s1600/brainstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSnVXy3Zl90/U_4FsJyNA7I/AAAAAAAAF-U/4EOeLDu7KgE/s1600/brainstorm.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I got stuck. I was working on a project for Camp NaNo in July...one that I had half an outline for...and when I got through to the place where my outline ended, I sputtered to a stop. I'm usually a pantster, so this road-block was unprecedented. I spent a few bewildered days trying to get started again, worrying that I wasn't writing anything...<br />
<br />
Then I had an idea. What if I spent a few nights brainstorming my novel? So I grabbed my colored sharpies and some blank paper and started scribbling. I wrote down things I already knew, things I'd already written about, and then found a few of the things I didn't know yet. And those led to things I hadn't written yet, but that I knew I wanted to. It was a GREAT experience...and a good reminder that not all Writing is about word count.<br />
<br />
I haven't added any more recently to my manuscript, and probably another brainstorming session is due. But I'm looking forward to that now.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-61364282444145076432014-08-06T10:24:00.000-07:002014-08-06T10:24:48.601-07:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: Spending time on something you love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykfGYc-WNRQ/U-JSY3NC1eI/AAAAAAAAF9g/PXczhyv6UJw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykfGYc-WNRQ/U-JSY3NC1eI/AAAAAAAAF9g/PXczhyv6UJw/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
It's time again! Time for Insecure Writer's Support Group, the most awesome group out there on the interwebs, if I must say. You can find the linky list to sign up for IWSG <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and if you're a writer you should DEFINITELY sign up. Giving and receiving monthly encouragement from others in the trenches of writing, creating, publishing, rejection, acceptance--the entire roller coaster that is the life of a writer--you don't want to miss out!<br />
<br />
My insecurity this month comes from the list of "shoulds" that hovers around me whenever I sit down to do something like writing (or painting, which I also enjoy). I find myself blocking up and not being able to access my creative muse because all I can see is the pile of dishes in the sink, or the giant tumbleweeds of dust bunnies chasing my cats around the house, or the dwindling bank account sending out an S.O.S. for more freelance editing clients.<br />
<br />
Some days it doesn't matter. Some days the muse is prodding me so hard that I have no choice but to write (or paint). And I have a few different lines I use to combat the list of "shoulds", but mostly I just want to go hide under my desk, and then I don't get ANYTHING done, not even anything from the list of "shoulds"!<br />
<br />
What do you use to fight back and claim your writing/creative time?fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-12165446065133362152014-07-06T08:29:00.000-07:002014-07-06T08:29:14.925-07:00No Day But TodayI got the creative bug this weekend...Friday morning actually.<br />
<br />
I was listening to the <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/rent/" target="_blank">Rent</a> soundtrack...well, just one song that I owned really...it's the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZ3JtMqrnU" target="_blank">Finale B</a> (lyrics below), so it's a mash-up of the best parts of the rest of the musical...and I just had to get up and paint! So I did, thinking I'd do one painting and put the lyric that inspired me in it. (Yes I paint, but I'm a writer first, so words can feature large in any form of art I do).<br />
<br />
Well, there are no words and there are four paintings and I bought the entire soundtrack. It was a crazy, beautiful, inspired morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGlTFPctHAI/U7loC0AKaEI/AAAAAAAAF80/GGNckeDn8OQ/s1600/Seasons+of+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGlTFPctHAI/U7loC0AKaEI/AAAAAAAAF80/GGNckeDn8OQ/s1600/Seasons+of+love.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pcZ3JtMqrnU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Lyrics:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There is no future</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There is no past</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Thank God this</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Moment's not the last</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There's only us</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There's only this</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Forget, regret or</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Life is yours to miss</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
No other road, no other way</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
No day but today</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I can't control</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(Will I lose my dignity)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My destiny</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(Will someone care)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I trust my soul</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(Will I wake tomorrow)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My only goal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(From this nightmare)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There's only now</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There's only here</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Give in to love</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Or live in fear</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
No other path, no other way</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
'Cause I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(No day but today)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(No day but today)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(No day but today)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(No day but today)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I die without you</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
(No day but today)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
No day but today</div>
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-55345950877491905922014-07-02T08:06:00.000-07:002014-07-02T08:06:04.043-07:00IWSG: Camp NaNo edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lt_mCVLs85U/U7QaharieoI/AAAAAAAAF8g/4Wr6qCKjkZA/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lt_mCVLs85U/U7QaharieoI/AAAAAAAAF8g/4Wr6qCKjkZA/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi everyone! It's time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, hosted by <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Anyone can join, so hop on over to the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">IWSG page</a> for more information and sign up! You won't regret it. Support, encouragement, we all need that, right?<br />
<br />
So I don't really have any complaints this week. Which... is huge... usually there's something nagging at me. But I'm letting it all slide off my back right now because it's July, which means it's time for <a href="http://campnanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">Camp NaNo</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHvQ7NMlQWU/U7QdT7zM6kI/AAAAAAAAF8o/pWSifqPZgEc/s1600/2014-Participant-Facebook-Profile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHvQ7NMlQWU/U7QdT7zM6kI/AAAAAAAAF8o/pWSifqPZgEc/s1600/2014-Participant-Facebook-Profile.png" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been participating in <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> for a few years now, and I have to say I always thought those "Camp" kids were kinda crazy. Why in the world would you need/want to do it again in the middle of the year?<br />
<br />
Well, I've been bitten by the <a href="http://campnanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">Camp NaNoWriMo</a> bug, y'all. I had a good idea and a challenge from my podcasting co-host Merianna, and here I am getting ready for Day 2! (Oh, there's an insecurity... have I ever mentioned on here that I podcast weekly about publishing and writing? Check us out: <a href="http://thinking.fm/thinkingoutloud/" target="_blank">ThinkingOutLoud</a>)<br />
<br />
But I'm no newbie, not anymore. I have an outline, a character sheet, and <a href="http://writeordie.com/" target="_blank">WriteOrDie</a> to get me to my MODEST goal of 30,000 for the month. Not pushing it, just enjoying it... taking the story from start to finish and leaving the rest for revisions.<br />
<br />
And we'll leave the insecurities to the revision process.<br />
How is everyone else this month? Did anyone else even consider Camp NaNo this year, or was that just me?fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-78028321125251354552014-06-21T23:24:00.000-07:002014-06-21T23:24:50.407-07:00Summer Solstice PartyI love California. It's been 9 months now and I still love being back in Cali. One reason why is this lovely group of women that I can share magic moments with... moments like these.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ryWtE9uGI/U6ZxlcpBoII/AAAAAAAAF8M/to1ExcNuGaU/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9ryWtE9uGI/U6ZxlcpBoII/AAAAAAAAF8M/to1ExcNuGaU/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1hnjuhL7k/U6ZxcDdMVmI/AAAAAAAAF7w/XXdqInYIf3w/s1600/Leslie+Lauren+and+Samantha+making+wreaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xX1hnjuhL7k/U6ZxcDdMVmI/AAAAAAAAF7w/XXdqInYIf3w/s1600/Leslie+Lauren+and+Samantha+making+wreaths.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6xw_7NdRlg/U6ZxcHWHmDI/AAAAAAAAF7s/bfi_HRuJs8I/s1600/Noah+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6xw_7NdRlg/U6ZxcHWHmDI/AAAAAAAAF7s/bfi_HRuJs8I/s1600/Noah+and+me.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG0YXg0QYGo/U6ZxeCGdB7I/AAAAAAAAF78/lX_L1A_HiKw/s1600/Shelley+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG0YXg0QYGo/U6ZxeCGdB7I/AAAAAAAAF78/lX_L1A_HiKw/s1600/Shelley+and+me.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14Od8O3mpnM/U6ZxeWqormI/AAAAAAAAF8A/fDpNe7I7wFU/s1600/Solstice+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14Od8O3mpnM/U6ZxeWqormI/AAAAAAAAF8A/fDpNe7I7wFU/s1600/Solstice+altar.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I threw a Summer Solstice Party tonight, and we had a blast! I'm so blessed to be able to share magic, food, and fun with these wonderful ladies.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-48817722621183701462014-06-04T10:38:00.000-07:002014-06-04T10:38:13.882-07:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: Only you can know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
Hi! It's time for the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, created by <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Seems to be the only blog post I can be reliably certain of writing. Well, that's ok. If you're an insecure writer, like me, and you're dying to find a group that will boost your spirits, this is your lucky day! Hop on over to <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Alex's blog and sign up</a>, then start posting! We're happy to include you.<br />
<br />
Feedback. Reassurance. That's what this group is all about.<br />
<br />
Positive feedback is awesome. So is the reassurance that you're good at this... that someone wants to hear your story. That someone else cares the way you do about your characters.<br />
<br />
But a lot of times you don't get that kind of encouragement until you're near the end of the project. So what do you do while you're in the middle? In the throes of stress and anxiety, wondering whether you're just a hack who can't even cobble together a basic paragraph...?<br />
<br />
Me, I do a lot of avoiding, of hiding from my work and finding anything else to do to make me feel successful, confident, better about myself. On the one hand, that works, because I don't have to feel those horrible crushing feelings that the fear of failure causes in me. But on the other hand... there's still this novel sitting there... waiting to be written. Waiting for me to return to it.<br />
<br />
At some point you have to make a decision. You can do this. It's your story. You have to tell it. Is it worth it in the end to go through the pain of self-doubt, to struggle with the fear of inadequacy? Only you can know. Only you can say. Your characters, your story... it's yours. And even if you find that the feedback is less than positive and the reassurance is thin at best, you're the only one who can tell it.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-4485220684532327122014-05-19T08:46:00.002-07:002014-05-19T08:46:35.114-07:00Working stuff outI've been quiet for a while, I know. I'd offer a better excuse, but really the only reason is that I haven't taken time to sit down here and write anything. That includes creatively as well as blog-related. I hope that I will get back on the wagon, soon. Very soon.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I've been spending lots of time hunting my monsters in different ways... like this one: I ran Bay to Breakers yesterday!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9-sK6wJaPo/U3olmhFtm-I/AAAAAAAAFvU/psdhOB-bRkA/s1600/bay+bridge+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9-sK6wJaPo/U3olmhFtm-I/AAAAAAAAFvU/psdhOB-bRkA/s1600/bay+bridge+morning.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay Bridge, Morning, San Francisco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1ETj22ZfHI/U3olnCuVYQI/AAAAAAAAFvk/AfsQolo4FHY/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1ETj22ZfHI/U3olnCuVYQI/AAAAAAAAFvk/AfsQolo4FHY/s1600/running.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know who this Jack was, but he was excited. I'm on the right.<br />Next to the bunny...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTMKc4Y816s/U3olnRnsfGI/AAAAAAAAFvg/7WSnp0N4pag/s1600/starting+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTMKc4Y816s/U3olnRnsfGI/AAAAAAAAFvg/7WSnp0N4pag/s1600/starting+line.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends! Getting ready to run!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I never thought I was a runner... never thought that one day I would run more than 7 miles and still have any energy at the end of it... Apparently that's only mental! Because after working toward it, training and making myself get out there, even when I was nervous and less than confident in myself, I succeeded!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No I wasn't the best. I didn't WIN the race, but I ran it. I finished it. I finished well. I'm hoping to translate some of the lessons I'm learning through running about myself and my will power to the other areas of my life that I love and care about (like my art and my writing).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll go into more detail on some of those lessons later... they'll be worth unpacking here, I think.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>What do you challenge yourself to do? What puts you out of your comfort zone and teaches you something about yourself?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-23280587874506884382014-04-02T06:38:00.000-07:002014-04-02T11:14:45.176-07:00IWSG: It's never enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBJcuFTE6-c/UzwPuXqOHAI/AAAAAAAAFsE/G-UoUqVJfIM/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBJcuFTE6-c/UzwPuXqOHAI/AAAAAAAAFsE/G-UoUqVJfIM/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've never heard of the <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, you should check out this great community of writers <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html" target="_blank">here</a>! Join and share your insecurities and encouragement with others on the same journey. The amazing <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a> started it all.<br />
<br />
I get bogged down, find myself stuck inside my own head trying to convince myself I'm not a writer, or that I'm no good at it so I just shouldn't do it... If I was a writer I'd HAVE to write every day and I don't... or at least I convince myself not to... so I must not be a writer, right?<br />
<br />
It's so easy to think of all the reasons that I might not be doing enough, or capable enough to follow my dreams, to succeed as a writer or as a freelance editor.<br />
<br />
Well, this week, the fabulous Anne Rice wrote ... almost directly to my insecurities via her Facebook page. Thanks Ms. Rice.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">
<div class="_5r69">
<div class="clearfix mtm" style="margin-top: 10px; zoom: 1;">
<a class="lfloat _ohe" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=66435815451" href="https://www.facebook.com/annericefanpage/posts/10152380787665452" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; float: left; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="_s0 _54ru img" src="https://fbcdn-profile-a.akamaihd.net/hprofile-ak-ash3/t1.0-1/c2.0.32.32/p32x32/555876_10151628236060452_1652440091_t.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; height: 32px; width: 32px;" /></a><br />
<div class="plm _42ef" style="overflow: hidden; padding-left: 10px;">
<div class="mbs fwn fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"C"}" style="color: grey; margin-bottom: 5px;">
<div class="_5pcn fwb" data-ft="{"tn":"k"}" style="font-weight: bold;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/annericefanpage/posts/10152380787665452" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Anne Rice</a></div>
</div>
<div class="mtm _5pco" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="color: grey; margin-top: 10px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;">
I've often said there are no rules for writers. Let me share the WORST AND MOST HARMFUL ADVICE I was ever given by others. 1) Write what you know. 2)You'll have to polish every sentence you write three or four times. 3)Genius is one tenth talent and nine tenths hard work and 4) You're not a real writer if you don't write every day. --- ALL OF THAT WAS HARMFUL TO ME. ALL OF IT. IT HURT AND IT SET ME BACK. ----- So I say again, there are no rules. It's amazing how willing people are to tell you that you aren't a real writer unless you conform to their cliches and their rules. My advice? Reject rules and critics out of hand. Define yourself. Do it your way. Make yourself the writer of your dreams. Protect your voice, your vision, your characters, your story, your imagination, your dreams.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-90150972194768475212014-03-05T09:33:00.000-08:002014-03-05T09:33:31.348-08:00IWSG: Finding courage in the midst of failure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI6w4LelZVA/Uxadwv86GZI/AAAAAAAAFrM/h_Y5TMF0FVI/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI6w4LelZVA/Uxadwv86GZI/AAAAAAAAFrM/h_Y5TMF0FVI/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
It's not easy to fail repeatedly. It's not possible to fail repeatedly if you only try once and let your failure keep you from ever trying again.<br />
<br />
I'm having a frustrating experience this week. I used to have a hobby aquarium... 4 years ago before all of my life got put on hold and we moved to Connecticut (I call those the Dark Years, that time in Connecticut...). When I had my aquarium(s) I kept angelfish. They were beautiful and so happy in my tanks that I had two mated pairs and produced a LOT of angelfish fry to trade back to my LFS (Local Fish Store). One might say that for a hobbyist, I was an expert.<br />
<br />
So now that we've been back in California for 6 months, I decided to fill up my aquarium again. I spent a month preparing, cycling my tank, doing water tests and changes as needed to get things just right. Then I brought home three BEAUTIFUL little angels to live in my tank happily together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZneS7x8T_o0/UxddkVBt7FI/AAAAAAAAFrc/oNo6X24O0zw/s1600/angels+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZneS7x8T_o0/UxddkVBt7FI/AAAAAAAAFrc/oNo6X24O0zw/s1600/angels+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzHSO8Q8Q1M/UxddkeRFJRI/AAAAAAAAFrg/NAYW8v-9z4M/s1600/angels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzHSO8Q8Q1M/UxddkeRFJRI/AAAAAAAAFrg/NAYW8v-9z4M/s1600/angels.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
That was Friday. Today is Wednesday and I am down to one. That's right. TWO of those angels have died in the past five days. I'm mystified. The LFS owner is mystified. I'm crushed and disappointed, too... and doubting my skill/experience. How could this happen??<br />
<br />
I find that writing is a lot like fish keeping. There's a fragile, almost mystical balance we're all looking for. When it's good, we find that place where our characters thrive, where our agents think we're brilliant, where our novels touch lives and inspire others to write as well. And when it's bad... woe is us! We might as well give it up!<br />
<br />
I'm in that bad place right now... both in writing and in fish keeping... and I keep reminding myself that only by making mistakes can I learn and grow... and that even though the disappointment of not getting it right is physically painful and emotionally crushing... trying again and getting it right is worth the effort. In the matter of fish keeping, I've been there before. In the matter of writing, I am trusting the experience of others.<br />
<br />
Does anyone else out there feel this way?fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-56682527484841212472014-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:002014-03-01T08:00:13.055-08:00Riding againI've been riding for the past 6 months... at least twice a week... for the first time in 3 years. I'm still a beginner. I was when I decided it was time for a break. I didn't find a barn or motivate myself to "get out there" and take lessons or do ANYTHING with horses while we lived in Connecticut.<br />
<br />
But now we're back in California where my wonderful amazing barn friends are... and something is different about me and the barn than it was 3 years ago. I guess I needed to hit the reset button. I'm not even going to try to analyze it. I'm just grateful for it.<br />
<br />
I ride this cute little morgan mare named Rogue. She's not mine. She belongs to the daughter of another of Debbie's students... the daughter has just gone away to med school, and so someone needs to keep Rogue working. What a deal for me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-WoE2xBHg4/UxIA8J2bFpI/AAAAAAAAFqw/jtGhHaKdWFs/s1600/Rogue+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-WoE2xBHg4/UxIA8J2bFpI/AAAAAAAAFqw/jtGhHaKdWFs/s1600/Rogue+2.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-6q43X-AJ0/UxIA8PSJqwI/AAAAAAAAFqs/91tFKzRg2UI/s1600/Rogue+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-6q43X-AJ0/UxIA8PSJqwI/AAAAAAAAFqs/91tFKzRg2UI/s1600/Rogue+3.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2_5kJacs60/UxIA8oWUthI/AAAAAAAAFq0/Hx7RwAN6M9M/s1600/Rogue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H2_5kJacs60/UxIA8oWUthI/AAAAAAAAFq0/Hx7RwAN6M9M/s1600/Rogue.JPG" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
She's got just the right amount of sass for me, and we seem to get along (as long as I keep her in treats, that is). Plus, she's just so darn cute!<br />
<br />
Yesterday we hit a milestone, Rogue and I. We went over a cross-rail! It's been more than 3 years since my last cross-rail. And we had a blast!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xResZ5pH9DY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
It's baby steps toward a goal of confidence and joy in riding... and I'm hoping that I can transfer it over to other areas of my insecurity and anxiety-ridden life. I'm going to beat those monsters yet!fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-51154451080294653222014-02-05T08:59:00.001-08:002014-02-05T09:02:13.282-08:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: Die Vampire!Totally ripping this off of <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">the Bloggess</a> today, but it was just too appropriate(ly inappropriate), not to share with you this morning. "You have a story to tell! Pull your novel out of that sock drawer!... Die Vampire Die!"<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9DDdM66_nSI?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
Thank you for reading this week's edition of the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, a monthly group hosted by the ever amazing and talented <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Anyone can join in any time, so please hop over to his blog and sign up! You won't regret it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-84831040675792954222014-01-08T10:50:00.001-08:002014-01-08T10:51:15.150-08:00Insecure Writer's Support Group: Trying something new<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vk8vYK6ow/TyliS2AXYvI/AAAAAAAABoY/ur6A7a9J86g/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
This is <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, a monthly group hosted by the ever amazing and talented <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Anyone can join in any time, so please hop over to his blog and sign up! You won't regret it.<br />
<br />
It is SOOOO easy to get stuck in a rut, but in your writing and in your life how many times do you fall back to the same old thing because it's safe, comfortable, and you know it well? I have this problem a lot... mostly with my life, a little less so with my writing.<br />
<br />
Recently, I've felt like my inspiration for characters and plots has been dragging... that I keep rewriting the same thing and I DON'T LIKE IT! I want to write something new for me, something exciting and motivating, something with zest.<br />
<br />
So what I've decided to do is try new things in my real life... new activities that get me out of my house and meeting new people, stretching my comfort zone, and honing some skills that are NOT directly related to writing. I'm hoping that these activities will spark my imagination again.<br />
<br />
I signed up for a portrait drawing class, found a knitting circle to attend, and scheduled time to attend a student composers concert, all to give my brain and my social skills some exercise. Um... except I'm so intimidated by trying new things! What if I'm not very good at them? What if the people don't like me? Wouldn't it be so much easier just to try these things from the comfort of my own home?<br />
<br />
I'm not letting myself cringe and cower, though. I'm going to dive out there, try something new, and maybe fall flat on my face. Who knows? Who cares, though? My characters will never have any real depth if I don't have the courage to try something and risk failing at it as well.<br />
<br />
How good are you at trying something new?fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-77992324435285203122013-12-29T23:02:00.000-08:002013-12-29T23:02:32.060-08:00The new year comethThe decorations are already down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQbWjti7WrI/UsEX4BNKZRI/AAAAAAAAFl8/JmgHOwboHdk/s1600/Christmas+tree+fire+place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MQbWjti7WrI/UsEX4BNKZRI/AAAAAAAAFl8/JmgHOwboHdk/s1600/Christmas+tree+fire+place.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been going through stuff this year... hard stuff, honestly... and I'm eager to move on. So, I've had my Christmas spirit. We're still drinking out of Christmas mugs until after the new year, but I've already taken down the tree. Bring on 2014 and hopefully some progress on some of my issues. (Ok... stopping for a peaceful breath here).</div>
<br />
In other news, and in random order, here are a couple of awesome things that have happened recently:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSHeUR0jXgM/UsEX4A_VXEI/AAAAAAAAFmA/OmZHccX_lhc/s1600/Early+birding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SSHeUR0jXgM/UsEX4A_VXEI/AAAAAAAAFmA/OmZHccX_lhc/s1600/Early+birding.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise this morning before heading to the wetlands to count<br />shorebirds, water birds, and various other kinds of birds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkdaIouG09w/UsEX4psOy4I/AAAAAAAAFmE/VeuJbbcGPZE/s1600/solstice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VkdaIouG09w/UsEX4psOy4I/AAAAAAAAFmE/VeuJbbcGPZE/s1600/solstice.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lit a spiral of candles for the solstice and asked our friends<br />to each add a light representing a wish they have for the new year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--teRKOyACD0/UsEX48plyVI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/HiqzpTELF-Q/s1600/tardis+salt+shaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--teRKOyACD0/UsEX48plyVI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/HiqzpTELF-Q/s1600/tardis+salt+shaker.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have Doctor Who salt and pepper shakers now!<br />It was a particularly Doctor Christmas this year. Love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you all have resolutions for the new year, even if it's something generic. We should all start the year looking forward to something, I think. I'll be back in a couple of days to document my own resolutions.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-32763118893160305002013-12-04T08:55:00.003-08:002013-12-04T08:55:50.522-08:00Insecure Writers' Support Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_cWvzDzH6k/Up9ccvL07zI/AAAAAAAAFlg/gG63Wme-orE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_cWvzDzH6k/Up9ccvL07zI/AAAAAAAAFlg/gG63Wme-orE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
It's that time again! It's the first Wednesday in March. That means it's time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, hosted by <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Anyone can join, so hop on over to the <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">IWSG page</a> for more information and sign up!<br />
<br />
So "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry," said Robert Burns. I had lofty schemes of finishing a NaNo novel this year, and after the first week I dropped the ball. Well, but that's not exactly true... it's just that a daily word count became less important than some of the other things that November threw at me.<br />
<br />
I always feel guilty for setting my writing aside, but then I try to remind myself that a well balanced life is my goal. Because, in all honesty, it is. I want to enjoy my life and feel like the things I pursue are enhancing it, instead of eroding it. Do any of you find that problem with balance?<br />
<br />
On that note, I'm off for pastry and time with some out-of-town friends.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-10479783828670913382013-11-14T10:33:00.000-08:002013-11-14T10:33:24.027-08:00It's that time of yearSomebody oughta tell these guys that it's not safe for them to be wandering about town this time of year...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-5JME_r7o/UoUXEXTzd2I/AAAAAAAAFis/te9dGSms2bQ/s1600/turkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-5JME_r7o/UoUXEXTzd2I/AAAAAAAAFis/te9dGSms2bQ/s320/turkeys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the back side of our block. There were a dozen total!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-11978589715571180652013-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:002013-11-06T06:00:07.864-08:00Insecure Writer's Support Group!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEgklDXdWzw/Umk2hE2y7gI/AAAAAAAAFiM/5_yGjHcZefs/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEgklDXdWzw/Umk2hE2y7gI/AAAAAAAAFiM/5_yGjHcZefs/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroup.jpg" /></a></div>
Hi everyone! It's the first Wednesday in October. That means it's time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">Insecure Writer's Support Group</a>, hosted by ninja captain, <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex Cavanaugh</a>. Anyone can join, so hop on over to the IWSG page and <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html" target="_blank">sign up</a>!<br />
<br />
My first post in this group for a while. I apologize for my absence. I was... deep under the tidal wave of real life called "Moving Across Country." I think, maybe, that I've figured out how to tread water in my daily life again instead of drowning the way that I have been for the past few months. Ha! And I'm trying to prove it to myself by writing this post out early and scheduling it for the correct day. Because, honestly, I don't want to miss it! Being part of your collective support and feeling supported by IWSG has been such an important part of my growth as a writer over the past couple of years. I appreciate it. VERY MUCH.<br />
<br />
So, as it always happens after I've signed up for <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a>, I'm suddenly busy with a trillion things to do! I have three manuscripts to edit, a friend coming from out of town to stay for a while, lots of <a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/doctor-who/" target="_blank">Doctor Who</a> to watch before the <a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/10/doctor-50th-anniversary-special-bbc-america-announces-3d-screening-events/" target="_blank">50th anniversary ep</a> airs on November 23rd (I'm going to see it in 3D on the 25th), more to do at the horse barn... it's just a massive pile of everything good. And I'm grateful for that... that it's all good things... it's just...<br />
<br />
Why is it that when I commit to do something like <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a> I get an avalanche of everything else that I want or need to do? Is it the Universe messing with me?<br />
<br />
Does this happen to anyone else?<br />
<br />
Let's hope by the time you read this that I'm seven- or eight-thousand words further along on my manuscript. That's what <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a> is for, and I'd like to think I have the resolve to get there. Fingers crossed... or not, because I need them for typing.<br />
<br />
Happy writing, <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a>ing, or whatever adventures in make-believe and magic you are having in your creative life today.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-49385010848782796512013-10-20T07:54:00.000-07:002013-10-20T07:54:34.846-07:00Jump in with both feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cfiles.nanowrimo.org/nano-2013/files/2013/09/2013-Participant-Facebook-Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://cfiles.nanowrimo.org/nano-2013/files/2013/09/2013-Participant-Facebook-Cover.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been waffling for weeks now. I know <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> is coming up November 1st. I know it... and yet, when people started talking about plotting and planning and getting involved this year, I hesitated.<br />
<br />
Mostly I think I hesitated because I was scared. <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a> is a big commitment! It's one of those things that you can go to as lightly or as seriously as you want and it'll have the same effect on your life... total madness for 30 days!<br />
<br />
Thing is... I have a good story this year. I have a couple of compelling characters and an interesting plot... already... that I've been "meaning to work on" since we moved and I haven't yet. Maybe the madness of <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a> is just what I need to get them out of my head and onto (virtual) paper?<br />
<br />
So... here I go!<br />
<br />
What about you? Are you <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a>ing this year? Look me up on the <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNo</a> site: fairbetty. I'd love to have more writing buddies in all this madness!fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-80698170824888332302013-10-08T17:55:00.001-07:002013-10-08T17:55:16.403-07:00The delight of resurrected nerdinessI love... I mean absolutely LOVE... being back in <a href="http://www.cityofdavis.org/">Davis, CA</a>. There are MANY things I love about this town, but the one thing I love the most... our crazy, awesome friends.<br />
<br />
Let me explain. In 2007, my husband got accepted to <a href="http://www.ucdavis.edu/">UC Davis</a> to complete his undergraduate degree. He was a non-traditional student (older and married), so he didn't have the same undergrad experience that a lot of you have probably had. No dorm living, no late night binges, no all-nighters to cram for that mid-term... We lived quietly. I worked in one of the deans' offices. We made friends, but slowly.<br />
<br />
One particular group of friends for me grew out of my place of work. The "cool kids," or the nerd-tastic kids however you want to label us, all sort of gravitated toward each other, and one day, on a whim, we started a book club. We kept up this club for over a year (!), added members, and even had a little blog for a while. We called ourselves the Finer Things Club, or FTC, after a similar group on The Office. We read all genres and then discussed what we loved or hated about the books over lunch and <a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/futurama">Futerama</a> in the <a href="http://computing.caes.ucdavis.edu/cru-staff">CRU</a> basement office. (That's <a href="http://computing.caes.ucdavis.edu/cru-staff">Computer Resources Unit</a>, if you're wondering.)<br />
<br />
In early 2010, N got a job offer in Connecticut, and we moved away. The FTC kept up their reading for a little while after I left... I'm not sure how long, but I AM sure they gave it a valiant effort. Eventually, though, people moved on to other things.<br />
<br />
Connecticut was ... cold. It was dark... N worked long hours at a HIGHLY stressful job... and I became a (almost literal) hermit. We had very few friends there, but the ones we did make we valued greatly. Still, when the time came to decide what to do next, the obvious choice for us was to head West again. It was a no-brainer decision for me, moving back here... Davis is where our friends are... it's in CALIFORNIA (where, among other awesome things, there are no painfully snowy and cold winters, at least not in the Sacramento Valley)... and it's a great place for our next steps toward what we want.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, here it is, October 2013, and we've been back in Davis for a month. And seriously y'all, the BEST THING EVER... the thing that is making me smile the most right now... is the way our friends here have opened their arms and welcomed us back. Leslie especially, and Lauren, and Debbie... and all my horse barn friends... I even had lunch with my dean's office friends the other week and the FTC was mentioned more than a few times.<br />
<br />
But better than that, better than people just remembering me as the queen bee of our nerdy little book club... we're going to start it again! Our first book for the resurrected FTC is <a href="http://maxbrooks.com/books-wwz.php">World War Z</a>, by <a href="http://maxbrooks.com/">Max Brooks</a>. Nothing could be more appropriate.<br />
<br />
If any of you FTCers are reading this, I'm sending you a cyber hug and am looking forward to getting together to discuss the zombie apocalypse and the end of the world. FTC FTW!fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-64303838251256222392013-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:002013-09-26T10:49:19.979-07:00A Carriage Driving Event (Photos)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaWJHdtb7oM/UkRy-gsLeyI/AAAAAAAAFTo/Y_p7i99RZp8/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaWJHdtb7oM/UkRy-gsLeyI/AAAAAAAAFTo/Y_p7i99RZp8/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon day at the Sargents' CDE in Lodi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVQB0rw_zig/UkRy-7ru7NI/AAAAAAAAFTs/giBeSo7jiMY/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVQB0rw_zig/UkRy-7ru7NI/AAAAAAAAFTs/giBeSo7jiMY/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_eoegtBuPwU/UkRy_AwOv1I/AAAAAAAAFTw/yTf2FLVynFA/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_eoegtBuPwU/UkRy_AwOv1I/AAAAAAAAFTw/yTf2FLVynFA/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An obstacle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p03O8crxaRA/UkRzAlw6tcI/AAAAAAAAFUA/b74V6K4zcww/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p03O8crxaRA/UkRzAlw6tcI/AAAAAAAAFUA/b74V6K4zcww/s320/IMG_0411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWcDuvJrILg/UkRzBrsZrVI/AAAAAAAAFUE/dZyngFQRF_E/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWcDuvJrILg/UkRzBrsZrVI/AAAAAAAAFUE/dZyngFQRF_E/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgF1Lw99yos/UkRzCxT4K5I/AAAAAAAAFUU/I8bpH77h3YU/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TgF1Lw99yos/UkRzCxT4K5I/AAAAAAAAFUU/I8bpH77h3YU/s320/IMG_0471.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelly, Debbie, and the fabulous Alejandro<br />We were rooting form them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-438WDkcpC4k/UkRzC8RUToI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/JQNVeSJ6Rn8/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-438WDkcpC4k/UkRzC8RUToI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/JQNVeSJ6Rn8/s320/IMG_0488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TPZ5-a47iU/UkRzDbqtzRI/AAAAAAAAFUY/Q9Q8cuCcgOM/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TPZ5-a47iU/UkRzDbqtzRI/AAAAAAAAFUY/Q9Q8cuCcgOM/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4412323614231106444.post-25311553010480161212013-09-22T07:51:00.004-07:002013-09-22T07:54:42.031-07:00Return trip: Settling in (Lots of photos)We made it to Cali! There were a couple of days that I wasn't sure that was going to be possible... but we made it, safe and sound, to be greeted warmly by our friends.<br />
<br />
I'm so grateful to be here. The apartment we're living in is spacious and quiet (most of the time) and largely unpacked now. We have art on the walls and I have an office! It's in the guest room, of course, but it's my own space from which to work and I like it so far.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjop_yGTHiY/Uj8BhwhJWuI/AAAAAAAAE0o/3KFT6D4Kt4Q/s1600/Davis+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjop_yGTHiY/Uj8BhwhJWuI/AAAAAAAAE0o/3KFT6D4Kt4Q/s320/Davis+Home.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But I'm most happy to be in Davis because of the people. CA people are my kind of people... and we have some good friends here. Who could ask for more?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfXFJG_G_go/Uj8B14t4acI/AAAAAAAAE04/50o8-qT4igE/s1600/Leslie+Hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfXFJG_G_go/Uj8B14t4acI/AAAAAAAAE04/50o8-qT4igE/s320/Leslie+Hammock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hammock lives at Leslie's now (down the street from<br />
us). She's loving it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAT9no1_19k/Uj8B2OzHMzI/AAAAAAAAE1E/eJSUeYi73Dc/s1600/Melon+Madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VAT9no1_19k/Uj8B2OzHMzI/AAAAAAAAE1E/eJSUeYi73Dc/s320/Melon+Madness.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a night of Melon Madness where we tasted as many<br />
heirloom melon varieties as we could find.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqsPjaWEDU0/Uj8B2doPCBI/AAAAAAAAE08/oGu5---9LLI/s1600/Morning+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqsPjaWEDU0/Uj8B2doPCBI/AAAAAAAAE08/oGu5---9LLI/s320/Morning+Walk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are plenty of great places to walk the pup. He's so<br />
happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took photos for the Brian Sabo clinic that Debbie and Leslie rode in the week after we got back. Here are a few of my shots.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeG6amRFukg/Uj8C2QBOzoI/AAAAAAAAE2I/GDkhGAdsKzQ/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WeG6amRFukg/Uj8C2QBOzoI/AAAAAAAAE2I/GDkhGAdsKzQ/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie on Quincy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDLt5nm21uE/Uj8C1BiB7yI/AAAAAAAAE2A/-pD-Jjn_Co8/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDLt5nm21uE/Uj8C1BiB7yI/AAAAAAAAE2A/-pD-Jjn_Co8/s320/IMG_0146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winston's nose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUg6kZc1hXk/Uj8C0sjWviI/AAAAAAAAE18/5i3UBD5fb4I/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUg6kZc1hXk/Uj8C0sjWviI/AAAAAAAAE18/5i3UBD5fb4I/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie and Winston</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZimUp1_WBhM/Uj8C4r9tYNI/AAAAAAAAE2c/GdzcoxwIlVU/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZimUp1_WBhM/Uj8C4r9tYNI/AAAAAAAAE2c/GdzcoxwIlVU/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle and Loki warming up for their lesson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6VP5WC5ssM/Uj8C3RUu8UI/AAAAAAAAE2U/NoFM08rhfJs/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6VP5WC5ssM/Uj8C3RUu8UI/AAAAAAAAE2U/NoFM08rhfJs/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winston</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zegWro_0zsc/Uj8C4z28zVI/AAAAAAAAE2g/z_UobspUKZ4/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zegWro_0zsc/Uj8C4z28zVI/AAAAAAAAE2g/z_UobspUKZ4/s320/IMG_0318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie on Grace. The only picture I caught of her with a<br />
smile on her face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next post will hopefully have some pictures of a Carriage Driving Event in it. Right now I'm going to have breakfast and head to an open meditation session at the Davis Meditation Center. Time to clear my mind and get centered.fairbettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11641997265787156629noreply@blogger.com3