Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Oooo...the day is getting closer; creeping stealthily, it will smack you in the face in no time! While we impatiently await the start of the challenge, it's time to reveal our themes.  Yay!  I'm going for something drastically different this year.  Something much more challenging than I've ever done in my previous four years participating in this particular challenge.  Normally my posts are pretty straight-forward, contained, not overly ambitious.  This year is going to be another beast all together. My mission, should I choose to accept it, will be to write one continuous story for the entire challenge.  I know my characters, setting, and where I want it to go...kind of.  All I need to figure out is how to get from point A to point Z.  The first word of each post will start with the letter for the day; some of these will definitely be more difficult than others, but I'm determined. I look forward to writing this, receiving feedb...

YES!  It's nearly that time of year when the BEST blogging event hits the internets... The A-Z Blogging Challenge ! This will be my fifth year participating and I'm so incredibly excited.  My first year was a bunch of random posts about things I liked or whatever popped into my head that was associated with the letter of the day.  Year two brought about all things Oregon.  Three was dedicated to authors who inspire me.  And last year was all about music that moves me.  Needless to say, I never stick to one genre year to year.  And I've already decided what this year will consist of...and it is daunting!  I'm terrified to attempt it, but I'm really excited about it.  If you're interested in participating, please sign up !  Check out the co-hosts and past entries for inspiration.  I promise you can do this...even if you think you can't!  I never thought I could. Look for my theme reveal post in March :)

  “Don’t you trust me? “No.” “Smart man.” Peter quickly cleared his throat.   Sitting would be a disadvantage in this situation.   Instead he shuffled around the chair, placing his hands on the back, before returning his gaze to Jenny.   She stood across from him, coolly watching his every move. “I’ve been thinking, Peter,” she started, examining her nails.   “When you brought your story to me, I’ll admit that I was intrigued.   Nobody accuses the Grahams of embezzlement and extortion.   Nobody.”   Jenny eased herself down into the chair behind the desk facing Peter, smoothly crossing her legs.   “This is a serious accusation and I don’t know if I’m prepared to give you free reign for the kind of investigating it would require.” “It’s my scoop, Jenny.   I’m not backing off.” Jenny chuckled.   “Oh, of course not.   Who said anything about backing off?” Confusion entered Peter’s eyes.   What was Jenny playin...

This week's topic for Beyond the Books is:  Your Dream Career .  Oh man, oh man!  Well, I guess I have a few, but they're all very related to each other.  Here goes... Writer for AP Magazine AP (Alternative Press) Magazine is a music magazine focusing on alternative, rock, heavy metal, etc.  My dream would be to interview the bands, concerts, albums.  Whatever.  It would be so freaking cool to be on the ground floor of discovering new music.  They have an amazing feature every year, 100 Bands to Watch Out For, that is seriously awesome.  They even host their very own music awards show now.  So cool. Travel Writer Working for any of the big travel magazines, shows, or websites (think National Geographic , Travel & Leisure , etc) would be pretty awesome.  Flitting around the globe, tasting new cuisines, experiencing different cultures would be mind-blowingly awesome!  I have been lucky enough to do a bit of trave...

A new resolution halfway through the year... I recently discovered, through a great blog I stumbled across during the A-Z Challenge, the wonders of a Prompt Box (she'd posted about it recently).  Brilliant!  Why hadn't I thought of this?  I used prompts for years when I was teaching writing, but had never really applied them to myself.  Complete disconnect there...wow.  So I made one yesterday. This is my Prompt Box. I filled it with quotes, images, ideas, and things that inspire me.  Every time I pull a prompt out, I will replace it with a new inspiration.  Whatever I come across that speaks to me.  With this box, I will finally begin to write the way I should be writing...the way I want to be writing.  Every. Damn. Day.  For a minimum of ten minutes; more if I am on a roll! I might post some things.  Others I will not.  I believe, in this practice, I will find serenity, creativity, passion, and catharsis....

It's been months since I've posted or written anything on my poor blog :(  So sad.  What with moving, taking a night class for "fun", and starting a new job where I spend the majority of the day working on a computer, sometimes the last thing I want to do is spend more time on the computer writing a blog post.  In the few months that I have been away I've read a ton of books, so I'm really, really, really behind on reviews.  I haven't kept up with Teaser Tuesdays.  And, most tragically, I've neglected participating in Why I Love Wednesdays, which was always my favorite meme.  Sigh.  I need to get back in the swing of things and regularly post again because I miss it.  I miss interacting with the online community.  I miss getting my thoughts down on "paper".  And I miss writing!  Perhaps I'll have time on Sunday, after writing a review/summary of my Irish History text for Monday's class, to sit down and do something here.  Maybe...

Happy Tuesday everyone and welcome to the letter I.  Today's post is, pretty much, about insomnia. "I Can't Sleep" Journaling I have been known to suffer from insomnia from time to time...okay, probably more than from time to time, but who's keeping track.  It was really bad when I was in grad school, but I think I've finally gotten it under control with a combination of things:  Melatonin and "I Can't Sleep" journaling. For my birthday, recently, a dear friend sent this to me from Connecticut.  When I opened the package it was in, I laughed uncontrollably.  She knew me so well!  In fact, that previous night I had difficulties falling asleep and just lay there thinking and thinking...and thinking.......aaaannnddd ttthhhiinnnkkkkinnggg...  I really needed this journal!  It is packed with quotes about insomnia that are meant to inspire your writing.  It's a well known fact that, for many people, if you jot down what's on your mind, it he...