I'm a baaaaad bloggy mommy!

http://reallynothingspecial.blogspot.com/2008/06/sad-computer-face.html

My blog is sad. It feels neglected.

My book is sad. It feels malnourished.

I feel like a jerk.

Granted my book hasn't been neglected nearly as long as my poor, poor blog but both haven't been given the time they deserve.

AND

When I neglect my blog I usually neglect all of yours.

Ugh, I'm so sorry!

But it's a new year!

No, I'm not making it a New Year's resolution to blog and write more.

Resolutions barely last through January.

Instead I'm taking the advice a guest speaker at church gave yesterday:

Make this year a do-over.

It's a new year and a new clean slate.

Make this year better than the last. Do things with the best of your ability.

Let go of grudges and unforgiving.

Let go of your past failures & take only the lessons into the new year.

Choose happiness.

Choose awesomeness!

Remember:

WWJD?

What Would Jesus Do?

Ok, I guess Jesus probably wouldn't kill characters in the book He's writing and if He was stuck on a lake in a boat without oars He could just walk to shore...and I can't do that.

But you get my drift, right?

Be nice.

Be honorable.

love.

http://www.roadjunky.com/article/2335/korakor-spread-the-love

Alrighty, enough of this mushy stuff! :P

Besides, I'm kind of setting you up.

Just remember sick kids who's Christmas was ruined for my next post.

Okee, now to end on a goofy note because seriousness & mush makes my teeth hurt.

Found this when looking for sad computers and it cracked me up.

http://photobucket5.blogspot.com/2011/07/reaction-face.html

I know, I know, he's about to be hit in the face with a tennis ball and I probably shouldn't be laughing.

What can I say?

I'm a little sick and twisted. ;)

So

Are any of you in need of a do-over in 2012?

Will you be choosing awesomeness for this year?

Is anyone else sick & twisted and thinks this picture is funny?



1st CAMPAIGNER CHALLENGE

So for our first challenge we have been given the prompt "The door swung open" to begin our 200 word or less flash fiction or poem. For an added challenge we can end it with "The door swung shut" and stop at 200 words exactly.

I've decided to try my hand at poetry and stick with the theme that is my life. ;) Heck, I already over used the life as a road analogy why not abuse the doors and windows in your life analogy??

For more info on this challenge and upcoming challenges check out The Campaign at Rach Writes. If you didn't sign up to be a Campaigner you can still participate in the challenges but just won't be eligible for prizes.

OK, on to my poem.

Please forgive me, I don't write poetry so this is going to be rough.

Feel free to make fun of my attempt at rhyming. ;)

The Door

The door swung open

and I peered inside,

fearing what it may be.

A world,

another realm,

dark and foreign

with strange voices calling to me.

I stepped upon the threshold,

to balance amid two worlds,

to hope for bold.

Yet it didn't come.

Instead I longed for comfort

of the world

that crumpled behind me

and feared the world

so new

stretched far as my eyes could see.

"What trepidation is this?"

The voices asked.

"To dread the thrill

of adventure's deep kiss.

No more looking back

the world you knew

has turned to black,

it no longer exists for you."

The voices spoke truth,

for in my heart

I already knew.

With a deep breath in

I stepped into the world

and it caught when I felt myself fallin'

but when I opened my eyes

I was flying not falling

and a new life unfurled.

"This is your home now

make of it as you desire,

only you can make your fear bow,"

They said.

"We only ask that you soar higher."

I nodded, not asking why

I knew they were right, but

I needed to say goodbye.

As I turned around

The door swung shut.

Aha! 199 words!

A QUESTION FOR CAMPAIGNERS

I'm still fairly new to this blogging thing and have been learning as I go.

I was wondering what is the best way to respond to comments on my blog?

Or, better yet, how would you prefer I respond to your comments?

I've been responding in my own comment section because that seems to be the most popular way but I know that I don't always go back to a post I've commented on so I know a lot of people probably will never see my response.

Which is fine but sometimes you guys say something really cool and I want to make sure you know I read it and liked it.

So,

should I go to your blog and respond in YOUR comment section to something you wrote in mine?

or

Should I send you an email response?

Maybe message you on Twitter?

Facebook?

As you can see I'm a lost newbie blogger! Lol!

http://mhgdblog.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/stuck-on-the-corner-of-lost-and-confused/

LET'S GO WITH ALIEN ABDUCTION

http://imikimi.com/main/view_kimi/29Us-1wS

I disappeared for most of the summer and I feel really bad because I also disappeared on a blogfest I signed up for. For that I am SO SORRY.

I'd claim alien abduction but only a few of you would believe me. ;)

But in a way I was abducted. My brain was abducted and held captive by worry and stress. The life I thought I was going to lead was abducted and re-deposited into this new alien life.

So, yea, let's just go with alien abduction.

I think it works.

http://www.neatoshop.com/product/Abducted-By-Aliens

As I'm sure all of you know, life derails us from time to time.

Sometimes we see it coming.

 Other times we're cruising along, enjoying the view and next thing we know we're plunging head first into a canyon because we didn't see the bridge out signs.

 Lucky for me I've been derailed before (doesn't that sound super lucky?) so I learned to always watch for the bridge out and/or detour signs.

But even though I saw it coming I still felt trepidation when I saw the detour loom ahead and the path I expected to take completely washed out. And as I made the turn onto this alien path, road, track (whatever analogy I'm working with. Lol!) I mourned the path I thought would be my future, looked differently upon the path behind me and feared the unknown path ahead of me.

Because for some ridiculous reason we think that our lives will take this straight path. When a pothole or detour stands in our way we're surprised. And it's ludicrous! (I love it when I get to use that word. Hehe!) I mean if we've lived any significant amount of time we should have learned that life is NEVER a straight path!

 When I look back at the path I've taken so far I see it wasn't by any means a smooth, straight road through a shady meadow.

 No, it more closely resembled a rollercoaster rather than a path.

 And that's just fine!

Because a straight, peaceful path is boring.

 A rollercoaster is exciting!

http://www.lolpix.com/pictures/13/Funny_Pictures_254.htm
As a parent this disturbs me greatly but she is the perfect example of embracing the bumps in the road. ;)

When you're writing or reading you don't want to experience the life of a character who has a normal, cookie-cutter, straight-laced life. You rather she have no idea of what's about happen. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out you want the rug ripped out from underneath her. You want twists, turns, excitement, joy, fear, sadness, hatred and love.

Because that's what makes a great story

and

what makes a great life.

So when life sends you on a detour don't let it define you as the person who was abducted by aliens and re-deposited on some scary, alien path to be forever lost. Just dust yourself off, take out the probe (had to) and whip out your machete so you can forge ahead. ;)

And if you don't believe me here are some of the many of things that's been guiding me since being abducted.

Good old Robert Frost.

"Two roads diverged in the woods and I--I took the road less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

"...Drench yourself with words unspoken.

Live your life with arms wide open.

Today is where your book begins.

The rest is still unwritten..."

No judging! This is an awesome song! Lol!

"...The struggles I'm facing

the chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking.

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yeah

just gotta keep going.

And I, I got to be strong

just keep pushing on..."

One of my friends had this posted on Facebook:

"Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up and exclaiming loudly...

"WOW!!! WHAT A RIDE!!"

This just makes me giggle.

So there you have it.

Sometimes life throws us a major suck-fest but that doesn't mean YOUR LIFE has to suck.

YOUR LIFE is what YOU make of it.

Go ahead and tend to your wounds

then dust yourself off,

pick yourself up,

pop your neck,

crack those knuckles

and say

"I GOT THIS."

What about you?

Do any of you have something that gets you through when the road gets bumpy or detours you?

The CAMPAIGN formerly known as CRUSADE is Baaaack!

First I'd like to apologize for my extended absence. I'll post about that soon.

But for now...

Rach is back with another CRUSADE!!

Yay!

This time with a shiny new logo and name! :)

Behold:

If you have no idea what this is then I have this to say to you:

WTF?! Get over to Rach Writes and read all about it!

It's a great way to connect with other writers in your genre, build your platform and have fun in the process. So what are you waiting for?



GEARIN UP: WEEK ONE

Deana Barnhart's Blogfest

"The Rules: 

1) Sign up below

2) Take the greatest, dumbest, weirdest...just whatever kind of writing question you have, and post it on your blog Wednesday. 

3) Head over to as many blogs as you can that are on the list and answer their question they've posted if you know the answer or can help.

4) Follow as many blogs you want to, make connections, build your platform."

I just want to get this out there: I'm awful at asking questions. I rarely do it. I never raised my hand in class. And even though "there's no such thing as a dumb question", my questions are often dumb. To add to this disclaimer, the question I'm asking isn't necessarily writing related as it is already-published-author related.

But I just had to ask...

How the heck do authors afford all their book tours and swag?? Is it paid for by the publishing house? Is that what the advance is for?

I always wonder this when I see tweets or posts from authors talking about heading off on another book tour, especially if it's out of country!

 So, there's my question. I know it's not exactly writing related but I couldn't think of anything with this question swirling about in my head. ;)





I CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE...

BECAUSE FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE.

I am proud of this country because...

"O, thus be it ever when freeman shall stand,

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with the victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause, it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Last verse of Star-Spangled Banner

by

Francis Scott Key

September 1814

"Rally round the flag, boys!

Rally one again;

There are traitors in the camp boys,

And pirates on the Main:

There are rebels in the front boys,

A foes across the sea,

Who hate the proud republican

And scoff at you and me.

Rally round the Flag, boys!

Rally in your might;

Let the nations see how freemen

Can battle for the right;

Make the throbbing mountains echo

With the thunder of your tread;

With music sweet of martial feet

Salute our gallant dead.

Rally round the flag, boys;

Rally with cheer;

For all you love and cherish most,

For all that you hold dear,

Defend the brave old banner,

Unsullied from the earth

Within its folds enshrined it holds

All that this life is worth.

The rally round the Flag, boys;

Rally, rally still!

Rally from the valley,
And rally from the hill;

Rally from the ship, boys,

And rally from the plow;

Now or never is the word--

Never! failing now."

Raising the flag on Iwo Jima

February 23, 1945

"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon.

July 1969 A.D.

We came in peace for all mankind."

 

We will NEVER forget.

TO ALL THE AWESOME CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

 And to all my friends from other great countries:

Have an awesome day!

Lol!

I didn't forget you. ;)