Writer's Digest writing competittion

I am taking an online writing course. I have to admit, I have really enjoyed it and have learned quite a bit from my instructor who was a professional editor for a lot of years. She is pretty blunt and very strict. I was told that if I ever went over the word count, she'd send my assignment back uncorrected. There are other instructors who aren't so strict, but I really like her, so I kept her. I like people who don't beat around the bush. Even if it hurts at first, I would still rather have someone get straight to the point.

Progressively, her comments on my assignments have gotten more and more positive, with fewer and fewer mistakes to correct. LOVE THAT! lol

So, this last time, she sent me a flyer about the Writer's Digest Writing competition! Woo hoo! I definitely want to enter it. The grand prize winner gets a trip to New York with one on one meetings with top publishers! There is no guarantee that they will represent the winner, but hello? Just getting noticed would be huge! So I will enter a few short stories and see what hapapens. I'll let you know!

For more info on this competition, click here!

Spring fever

Do you ever feel blah? Have you ever checked your blog over and over to see if anyone has commented, but your post is so old that you know no one has? Yet, feel too blah to write anything new?

That is how I feel today. This doesn't mean I'm having a bad day. On the contrary, it's been a great day. I have cleaned house, went to a program for Heidi, started a new story, and played a little wow. Not to mention...washed and folded three batches of laundry!

I actually feel great when I get a lot done, but I still feel blah. I hate that.

I need some action. Maybe I'm stir crazy. I feel spring coming and I'm getting antsy. Oh, I forgot to mention that I reorganized both upstairs bathrooms. ALL TODAY! lol

So, maybe that's all it is. Spring fever! I love spring fever! Woo hoo! I didn't even realize that that was what I was feeling! Now I'm happy. No more blah. Thank heavens for blogging.

The sweet smell of success!

Ah, that just finished smell of a newly printed manuscript. How good it feels to see your words printed on paper...proof of your hard work.

I have finished my story, The Guitar. I am now making a couple of copies to give to friends to proofread. I love this part. I love to find out what people think of my work. Is it as good as I think it is?

The first time I handed out a manuscript, I was a bundle of nerves. When I received it back, I was broken hearted to see so many corrections and red marks. I took a couple days to feel sorry for myself then went to work. It was my first story after all, and I was a complete amateur--never having written a dang thing before--and it did have quite a few errors! In fact, I have re-written that story four times! I think I finally have it down how I like it! That story, I call The Gatekeeper.

It is a youth/fantasy story and I'm paying my thirteen year old son read it and find any mistakes he can! He's not a huge reader so the twenty bucks is a huge incentive for him. So far, he says it's fabulous and since I am writing that story for that age group, I'm happy.

So, I now have two finished manuscripts. I hope to have them both ready for the conference in April. I am bound and determined to have them published! Wish me luck!!!

Hugh Jackman

You know, there has always been something about Hugh Jackman that makes me melt. I've always loved his movies. I even dragged Lisa to see Van Helsing with me once,which she scowled through the entire time! I just love him...in anything!

I had NO idea he could sing. Now I'm really in love! If a man can sing, he has my heart! Hugh did the ocsars last night, for those of you who didn't watch, and he was in a few numbers that down right floored me! I had no idea he had such talent!

The whole show was very different from those in the past. They cut costs and tried to give everything an old time feel. I really liked it. They pulled it off well. I wish they would do it this way every year. All the performances were great, funny, and entertaining, but dang! That Hugh! He's my man!

Here's to the man!

So, here it is. My fourteenth wedding anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown. I have so many wonderful memories to look back on so far. I can also remember those times when I swore if I saw Bryan's face that day, I'd kill him! lol I can count those times on one had but they're there.

It makes me wonder what Bry and I have done to make it last, and not only last, but to make it so good.

Like you may have read in an earlier post this week, he was not who I had in mind when I thought about a companion. Sometimes I feel we have nothing in common, but then there are those moments when I look into his eyes and can see the god in embryo.

I am so glad Bryan puts up with me. I am so glad he never gave up and moved to Montana like he'd planned. I am so grateful for the life we've made together.

What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man! (know that one?)

This morning before he left, he gave me a beautiful card and a gift certificate for a massage. He also dug my car out of the snow and planted a big one--all before leaving for work. I couldn't ask for anyone more giving, more patient or more loving.

I love his sense of humor (yes, it does exist). You have to know where to look for it and it may be like pulling teeth to find it, but Bryan is fun--especially in his element...the outdoors and in bed. Oops! Is this supposed to be rated PG?

So, here's to my man! May the next fourteen be just as fabulous as the first fourteen!