Waiting

Maybe today! I keep telling myself today the proof of my book will arrive and I can OK it and have it up for sale. I (Of course) have many orders from the people from our church. Mainly because both the illustrator and I go there. I know they are buying it because of us, but once they read the story they will be glad they did because it is a great book and Ben;s illustrations are perfect for the story.
I am going to write in here more often as I need to keep it going even if nobody out there is listening.
Writing this story came to me one day as I watched the birds in my back yard bickering over their nests and other birds they felt were invaders to their back yard. I was thinking how like humans they were acting so there Was the start. I always keep a notebook handy and I thought what if the forest got tired of all the commotion and complaints.what if the trees said 'enough of this' and expelled them until they got their attitudes right.
It was an easy fun story to write. All my life I have raised the odd bird that fell out of the nest. People used to call me the bird lady and bring me birds that needed doctoring and I would do it and release the bird when he was healed.
My family has had at one time or another raised most of the animals in the story, except for the owl and the possum. we have had a raccoon and chipmunk and as I have raised every other bird in the story I can tell you that their personalities are just like the story.
I have always loved to write. I found it was my way to express what I observed around me. I could almost feel the thoughts and emotions and I am a people watcher. a nature watcher. when I was twelve a teacher gave us an assignment to write a poem and he said I was very good and should keep writing. That ,of course, made me write poems about everything.
About six years ago, I wrote a short story. I don't know why it came to me but I had a compulsion to put it on paper and not to stop writing till it was done. after five weeks and five stories I was feeling rather like an authoress so I joined the writers group in Town here. I learned to type fast with two fingers and started a novel. Took a class with Long Ridge Writers School, which taught me a lot. I now have a hundred short stories and three novel Ideas. I feel that writing is something I must do.
I believe that everything that has happened in my life was for the purpose of knowing what action is necessary in one of my stories. I don't think you can be an author without that compusion to write and be heard and understood.

A day of rest...or 2...or 3

Who knew that opening a book store was more than throwing books on a shelf and waiting for people to buy them. It has a lot more to do than that, alphabetizing, restocking, buyin, cleaning, filling orders and you name it. I am tired. So is my hubby, so we are going on a 9 day vaca in Texas. I am going to read and relax and shop. I can't wait.

Having a book store

I guess I thought that opening a book store would be like throwing a bunch of books on shelves and sitting back while herds of people lined up to buy them. HAH. I have never worked so hard in my life. I am constantly rearanging, alphabetizing, dusting and making dicisions on which sections to keep, get rid of ,or make bigger. I am hopeing for a light at the end of the tunnel. and maybe now after 5 monthe there could just be a tiny spark up ahead, at least I can hope. thanks for listening.

Sorry this picture did not come through the first time. It is one I especially like.

A love of mine.

I love photography. I would love to put poems and photos together in a book and as soon as my book is done I am going to do it. Just latly though I have been playing with the photo shop and am adding a couple more pictures here that I have been playiung around with. Tell me what you think.

After some constructive advice, I am now ready for what I had come to feel in my spirit. I need to start over on my novel. It is not a big deal. I started it before I had had any writers training what-so -ever. I have been pondering and chewing different lines for the begining and realize: I just need to start. So, may the Good lord Grant me a few days to pour it on with my computer and get it going. It seems life is so full of things we have to do that we constantly put our want to's on the back burner. I am trying to get organized so I have more time but it never seems to happen. I can do this. I will do this. Thanks for listening.

I know this is true.

I Know This Is True

I know deep inside myself
the secret of the ages.
We do not die
or grow old.
Our house becomes decrepit,
falling into disrepair,
but the furnishings
are all antique.
Full of grace and beauty
they are desirable

for their age and quality.
If you look only
At the outside of the house,
perhaps you would not visit,
however, once you’ve stepped inside,
you find it a place
of ease and comfort.
You can enjoy a pleasant interlude
tossing views back and forth
in friendly opposition.
You gaze about with pleasure,
wishing you had come before
Knowing you’ll be back.
I know this is true.

We had our writers group this afternoon and discussed our work. what had to be done by whom. And of course I found out that I have to start my book over. I'm not really suprised. after going to the writers fair, and listening too the speaker and taking several of the sessions I knew it was inevitable. but I asked My friend Lee Shaw , author of 'Blood Will tell', to read what I have and she told me what she thought and it was what i expected so am satisfied and will begin soon. I am still waiting for the pictures for my childrens book 'The Angry Trees' to be finished so it can be published by April or May. I cannot wait.

The other authors in our group were so excited about my artist they all want to use him for their books. Preston has reserected a couple of his childrens story's and is prepairing them for the illustrator. we now call him OUR illustrator.His name is Benjamin Grandle and he is 9years old. he is going to be a real great artist and I cannot wait for my first chidrens book and his first illustrations to be published.