Quotable Quotes

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”
~ E.L. Doctorow

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.

- Oscar Wilde

Month of November

Thursday, July 26, 2012

In which I multitask and end up with several half finished jobs...

Only one of the jobs is actually half finished. The others are either complete or in a state of perpetual unfinishment...Dear son is bathed, dear daughter's room just needs a vacuum to run over the filthy carpet. I don't know why I thought giving her a snack in her room would be any better than the mess she makes at the table...

The point is, I DID work today. For some readers, I'm going to get the typical, "If you DIDN'T accomplish something today, you wasted your time and you won't get it back. In the light of eternity, what did you do that had purpose today?"

To those beautiful people I will respond with, "I kept my children fed, dressed (okay half-dressed - it is the summer after all), schooled (un-schooled approach counts), and safe from fatal accidents. "No DS. You cannot stick your head in the toilet while your sister is flushing it."

I also cooked, did dishes, made granola, gave a bath, changed four poopy diapers (FOUR - all from one smallish child), wrote a blog post, chatted with facebook friends, wrote/edited my manuscript, and cleaned the house(half-finished job I talked about earlier. In my defense, it's a rather daunting task when dealing with a preschooler and a toddler - their both little hellions in their own right. They make me so proud...)

Technically, I could place the housecleaning under a state of perpetual unfinishment too. (Yes, I'm making up words. Bite me.)

The laundry's almost done too. I just have to fold it and put it away.

God, when you said we'd sweat and toil and all was vanity...you meant it, didn't you? I know life has purpose and fulfillment and wholeness in your plan and all that. Right now, the mundane toil in my life is weighing me down too much to really care or look for it. Yes, I'm going through a mire of discouragement.

And when I am a published author someday, I WILL be hiring a housekeeper. Some woman who absolutely LOVES to clean and organize. Because you know what? That's not me.

Mom? I will PAY you to keep house for me. What's the rate for the job you are at? I'll triple it!

Just let me sell my book first...

For those of you who still think I was purposeless today, Here's proof of my hard work.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

In which I lament the loss of quality readers in this world

Until I can actually say I've published a novel and my name is in neon lights, I will refrain from bashing successful authors...

Much.

However, I have a bone to pick with the readers of my generation and after. Since I am a reader myself, I feel I have a bit of artistic license to pick bones with authors. All in the name of saving readers from themselve of course.

Readers:

Pride
THIS is good fiction.

Harry Potter is GOOD fiction.

Chronicles of Narnia, Emma, I'll even give you Jane Eyre even though she's not really my favorite character. These are works of fiction, recognized for their beauty and intelligence and creativity.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.  Loved it. The Help? Great read even if it was a little difficult to follow. I loved The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. My tastes are pretty eclectic, though right now I'm on a fantasy kick. It kind of trends that way when I'm writing in a particular genre. I've heard that's a normal symptom for writers.

I will not name any names to protect the people damaged by the crappy writing, but a certain knock-off fanfiction for a particular vampire series is NOT good reading. It's not even close to good literature. I read the first chapter of each book. That was as far as I could go. Some people might say that was farther than I should have gone. (Sorry mom. I'm a writer AND I read - A LOT) I see words and just can't help myself.

Regardless, I wanted to have at least a minor idea of what the fuss was about. I regretted it as soon as it happened though.

You know those accidents on the freeway? The ones that cause MORE accidents because people's eyes just can't look away. Or train wrecks - pick your analogy.

I'm not one of those people who do the deer in the headlights thing with accidents - or train wrecks.

Reasons why said knock-off is not literature worthy of human perusal:

  • The grammar, spelling, and format is atrocious. I am not perfect when it comes to grammatical issues. I'm pretty sure even editors can't claim that trait. However, whatever editor passed that work of fiction off to the printers ought to be ostracized. Give me their name. I don't want it on any of my future published works.
  • The story was...oh who am I kidding? There WAS no story. What agent read the first ten pages of the manuscript and said, "Oh wow. This story is so riveting. I MUST get it published for my client." There is a rule of thumb that says a story must be gripping in the first pages or agents won't even look at it. Publishers and editors will send an instant rejection letter. That's what I was told anyway.
  • I read the original work this story plagiarized. After the second time through THAT novel, I gagged down the poor grammar and editing. It was STILL better than the knock-off.
  • I have NEVER read a protaganist I hated more than the protaganist whose name was changed to make it look like the story wasn't a knock off. The false humility in the first few pages just made her an unpleasant person - it also made her completely unbelievable.
  • I'm all for romance and whirlwind fairy tale one at that. THIS novel is NOT romantic nor is it a fairy tale. I'm married, a romantic at heart, and pretty openminded about what goes on in our bedroom. What happens time and again in that novel is abuse. Plain and simple. As another author wrote here, the red flags are undeniable. (*note for my conservative readers: I do not agree with everything the author of this particular blog says regarding sexual relationships and if you are squeamish about language, etc., don't click the link. I AM agreeing with her take on the abusive nature of the novel in question)

The readers who went out and actually purchased copies of this novel - and its subsequent sequels - are condoning and encouraging the epidemic that seems to be plaguing our society. We are giving a crummy author millions of dollars - and putting her on the bestseller lists - for work that wasn't even hers and does NOTHING to add to our lives in any positive ways.

When my daughter and son grow up, I want them to read quality works of art. Books that educate and inspire, books that give hope or ask tough questions. I want books that will make them laugh and cry and get angry and dream. I don't want them to read books that will twist and distort a beautiful aspect of life and call it art.

It's like the artist who uses bodily fluids in their work. (Names not mentioned for GOOD reasons)

At the end of the day, what the artist calls ART, is just a pile of crap and other bodily fluids. We call it waste for a reason.

I am a reader. I know the value of words. I also know the limits I will go before the words have lost all value for me.

Shame on us for not demanding better of our authors, for discouraging quality in favor of...what? I still don't see the appeal.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

In which I discover a creative way to eat lunch and play with it too...

I made homemade, edible Play Dough. It's quick, it's simple, and you can incorporate it into a very fun lunch time experience.
The best part is that it contains a natural sweetener, dairy, and protein. Great huh? Just add some fruit, a veggie or two, and you've got a pretty well-rounded lunch. Plus, what kid DOESN'T like playing with his or her food?
Recipe: (courtesy of The Little Big Book for Moms)
Thumb-lbbmoms_2010
2 cups powdered milk
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup honey
  1. Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended.
  2. Shape, admire, and eat! :)
It's also fun for an afternoon snack. Cut up a variety of veggies and fruit so the kids can create a fun, animal farm with their lunch. Use raisins, apples, celery, carrots, and many others.
My kids loved it. So did I! :)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

In which I do my first official giveaway...

Bookcover1
I am giving away 5 copies of my book! That's right FIVE. All I ask for is that you go to this link here to write a review for me when you've finished reading.

If you REALLY like it, tell your friends and family. You can get the book here and here as well. If you are one of the FIVE lucky winners, I will send a signed copy to you. All you have to do is comment on this post or private message me on my facebook page. You can find that here.

I will post again when the contest is complete. Winner's names will be shown! Don't worry if you aren't a winner this time. It's not the last contest I will hold.

 

:)

In which I realize that the heat is not the problem

I walked outside after the rain, smelling the fresh, earthy aromas while the breeze cooled my heated skin. I'd gone out for a few reasons. I had to get out of the house after being voluntarily cooped up due to our incredible heat wave. It really isn't the heat, it's the humidity that is going to kill me. I don't really like breathing water.

I also had to get my son bare bottomed for a little while. Poor guy just got off the antibiotics and - predictably - he acquired a yeast infection. I SWEAR, I stopped just short of pumping yogurt and probiotics into him with an IV. He was covered. It's kind of poetic justice though. I keep telling myself I'm going to try more natural treatments on his delicate constitution. Then I go ahead and follow the slightly misguided advice of my physicians and pediatricians. They can't help it that the pharmaceutical companies have brainwashed them.

Another story.

Anyway, I also needed to check on my poor garden. It's been neglected a bit. I am NOT a green thumb. An ex of mine gave me this beautiful (hot pink) plant for Valentine's Day one year. I kid you not - within three days, that thing had passed on to plant heaven. Or so I thought. I gave it to my aunt who seemed sure there was a little green left in its poor branches.

Three YEARS later, it finally expired - and it wasn't even her fault.

I kill things. It's just in my blood I guess.

So I checked on my neglected garden to assess the damage.

Lo and behold, I find a beautiful red tomato, just ready for picking. There was a small hole at the top where it might have given an insect a midmorning snack. Otherwise, it looked wonderful. It tasted amazing. And it gave me hope. My garden might actually make it through the summer in spite of my best (worst) efforts to kill it.

Because believe me. The heat is NOT the problem.

It's all me.

Day 20: Book you’ve read the most number of times

Sacredinfluence20
Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas

 

I want Gary Thomas to adopt me as his little sister. He has such a beautiful and loving way with words. His encouragement and wisdom forces me to investigate my failings in my marriage. But it does so in such a way, that I am made joyful in the successes God grants me when I do his will.

I also use this book as my shield. So that means I hold on to it tightly. If you want to be an excellent wife, get your own copy. :) I don't share. Hey, it's all right to be selfish about this book. Really...

I read and re-read and re-read...because despite my amazing abilities to retain information from any book I read, this one eludes me often. Poor Jake. It's a good thing I re-read this book a lot. He needs all the help he can get for dealing with his crazy, moody, often-witchy, rarely-loving wife...

Of course, he told Gary Thomas that this book was HIS favorite book too - even though he's never cracked it open. So maybe that means I'm not the hopeless mess I thought I was.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Day 19: Book that turned you on

Sheetmusic19
Can I list this one under the most embarrassing book to admit I like?

Kevin Leman is what? 50 years old or something? Good gracious though. His descriptions and depictions of sexual intimacy was difficult to read as a couple. I can't imagine what a single person would do with all that information...

It's definitely not a boring documentary on the act of sex. This is in some sense, a step by step guide on how to have a Christ-centered, worshipful, intimate sex experience with your marriage partner!

And boy, do I get all warm and tingly thinking about THAT...

Married six years in eleven days and I can still blush. That's a good thing, right?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Day 18: Book you’re most embarrassed to say you like

Mrspigglewiggle18
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald

IS a series and YES. It's kind of embarrassing to admit that I still like and read even now...

But come on! A nice grandmotherly sort of woman who lives in an upside down house with pets galore and warm chocolate chip cookies all the time and magical cures for childhood ailments like Never-Go-To-Bedder and Pet-Forgetter and Tiny-Bite-Taker.

It's a classic.

*sigh*

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Day 17: Shortest book you’ve read

Thegoingtobed17
Don't laugh at me...

I have two kids, under the age of four. And I read to them. Regularly.

This one is Bella's all time favorite...I believe.

Because we've read it.

And read it.

And read it.

And read it.

And read it.

And...you get the picture. :)

 

It's hilarious. I would have put her other favorite books by Sandra Boynton - It's Pajama Time and Fifteen Animals, but they are a couple pages bigger. :)

Either way, you should definitely check them out. Especially if you are a mother (or father) of young children.

That way, when people ask you what you're currently reading, you can have a really good excuse for the answer. :)

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Day 16: Longest book you’ve read

Donquixote16
I would say the Encyclopedia Britannica circa the early 1990's, but they were in several volumes. So I won't count those.

Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes rings in at a whopping 1104 pages - hardcover style.

Yes, I did read all 1104 pages. No, I cannot remember the entire story. Yes, I liked the musical MUCH better. No, I did not get to see it on Broadway - yet...

Don Quixote is a man of old-fashioned - some would call it archaic - values. He desires knighthood, the love of a fair lady, and a battle to fight - not necessarily in that order. So he sets off on a quest to find all of these impossible dreams with only his trusty nag and a long-suffering servant named Pancho - who loves his master like only a long-suffering servant can.

Along the way to knighthood, Quixote jousts with windmills, saves a fair maiden - who's about as pure as the final snow of the winter season - and battles uncouth mule drivers - who REALLY like the fair - unpure - maiden Don Quixote saves.

Okay, have I mentioned that this whole story is being narrated by Miguel de Cervantes to a bunch of rag-tag jury of prisoners awaiting trial - or execution - before the Spanish Inquisition? He was forced to finish his unfinished work in order to save himself from the prison's own version of an Inquisition...

And he's supposed to finish this all before the Spanish conquistadors retrieve him for his life or death trial before godless pharisees hell bent on stamping out heretics...

Can we say, "No pressure, Miguel?"

 

While the musical is much easier to understand and a lot shorter, I love the classics and would greatly recommend this one. Keep in mind it is translated, so there might have been something lost along the way.