tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50930254509881549802024-03-21T00:40:13.932-05:00The Write ZonePatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-38817894442255097082012-02-22T14:45:00.000-06:002012-02-22T14:45:00.259-06:00R.I.P. Whitney HoustonI was in seventh or eighth grade and we had what were called Coke Dances at the time. They changed the name a few years later to Junior High Dances for reasons that should be obvious. We had a DJ playing and it was generally a good time. I was very shy and awkward back then and someone dedicated a song for me and the guy I had a crush on at the time. I have no idea why I remember this but the song we danced to was "Saving All My Love For You" by Whitney Houston. At the time Whitney Houston was fairly new on the scene and I didn't even know who she was but once she became popular every time I heard that song I would think of that dance. I'm married with step and grandkids now but music always brings out memories for me. <br />
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I am always saddened when stars pass away because of drugs. We all think that they have it all but they don't. They are people under an enormous amount of pressure and the fans and the paparazzi are part of the reason.They hunt for stories and even make up stories about these stars. If I heard correctly someone put the news about Whitney's death on Twitter before the press officially released it. There is always a celebrity on the verge of death even if they are perfectly healthy. I can't imagine how I would feel if I saw on Twitter or Facebook that someone close to me was on verge of death or even dead when they weren't. <br />
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I personally don't care what Lindsey Lohen is getting arrested for and Charlie Sheen is using his problems for publicity but I can see how the pressure of being in the spotlight can make a person turn to drugs or alcohol. I do consider myself a writer and a journalist does have to report the news but what I don't understand is why we need to know every intimate detail about who is sleeping with who and who is doing what when and we certainly don't need to hear about it ten time a day for a week straight. <br />
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Oh well, I had my rant for the day.<br />
Good day and good writing!<br />
PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-33696583401234956492012-02-19T13:51:00.000-06:002012-02-19T13:51:41.336-06:00Hello AgainWell this time it certainly has been a long time. Happy New Year!!! The winter here in Chicago is surprisingly unbrutal so far. We've seen more 40+ degree days then I remember in a long time but I know we still have a while to go. But still it is close to the end of February.<br />
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Last year was kind of a frustruating year writing wise. After all the work I put into Bar Time my usb hard drive bit the dust so I lost it all. However, I did start over and this time I did a lot of work in notebooks and I found that I enjoyed it. I would sit outside in the nice weather with a glass of wine and work where it was quiet. I just now started entering some of it in the computer and this time I'm going to figure out how to save it online. I just got a Google account so that will probably the route I take.That way if the computer or anything else crashes I will have it.<br />
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I didn't make it to the Midwest Writer's Workshop last year either. Money was tight and we decided that we just couldn't afford. I am going to make some budget changes this year though and am going to try to find another job. I haven't quite decided what I am looking for though yet. I would like to find something that will still allow me to work at my present job because I like who I work for and with if possible. I would love to find something that would allow me to work from home. That would just mean getting up earlier on the weekends. This year is really going to have to be the year for me to get my priorities straight. <br />
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I know the last time I posted I wrote that I wasn't going to say that I was going to post a lot more but this time I know I am going to post a lot more. I am going to promise myself that.<br />
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Good day and good writing! <br />
Patti<br />
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<br />Patti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-91332335754533137262011-05-08T13:35:00.003-05:002011-05-08T14:47:43.953-05:00Mother's DayHello again! Long time no see.<br /><br />Yes, I did it again. I let time get away from me. I know that blogging and "getting yourself out there" is important to a writer but I have been concentrating more on the getting the book done part of writing. It's mid-May already and I am starting to think about the conference again. I am once again editing Bar Time so I can pitch an agent again this year. It is a good story that is driving me nuts. I think I have the right hook this time though. I am combining my original idea with another idea so hopefully that will become a book worth reading. We shall see what we shall see.<br /><br />It's Mother's Day. Happy Mother's to all of the moms, step-moms, grandmothers and adopted mothers. I know a lot of you are missing your mothers today (like me). Days like Mother's Day and Father's Day are hard. I still think of my parents all of the time but the special days can be the hardest. I'm not a birth mom but I am a step-mom and a grandmother. I don't call my grandkids step-grandkids because unfortunatly I am the only grandmother they know on the Kennedy side of the family. Some of them were able to meet their Nana Phyllis but they were very young when she passed away. My nephew Bradley was also very young when my mother passed away. I have to say that I am lucky to have a lot of happy memories of all of my grandparents. I never met my birth grandfather on my mother's side but I had a step-grandfather that was like a grandfather to me during my childhood.<br /><br />During this past year I did (and won) National Novel Writing Month and Script Frenzy. I plan on participating again in November. Even if I never get published I consider myself a writer and my journey has been a good one. I have learned a lot and plan to never stop learning. That is my advice...never stop learning about what you care about. I know more about the publishing industry then a lot of people. I know a lot about the craft of writing and how hard and fun it can be.<br /><br />Well, this time I am not going to promise to post a lot. That will probably motivate me to post more rather than less. I just remembered the joy of writing a blog. Have a great Mother's Day!!<br />Good bye and good writing. PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-57556438588825919822010-07-30T13:54:00.003-05:002010-07-31T21:11:54.241-05:00Recap #1 from Midwest Writer's WorkshopWow! What a weekend! I got here to Muncie IN on Wednesday afternoon. I went to call hubby and realized that there was a time change. The time in Chicago is an hour earlier than Muncie. This would not make a huge difference except that I am a night person and the workshop started at 8:00 every morning so, 7:00 my time. Not to mention that I couldn't sleep the first night. Needless to say, I drank a lot of coffee.<br /><br />At the welcome they reminded us that, "Playing it safe is the most popular way to fail."<br /><br />For my intensive session I took "The Art Of Characterization in Fiction and Non-Fiction" with Dinty W. Moore. I was a little disappointed that he fired me as his best-friend. I sat next to him during the workshop and in an example he put me in the story as his best-friend. Somehow I managed to get fired because I wasn't laughing enough or something. I was just concentrating on what he was saying. Oh well.<br /><br />The session dealt more with non-fiction than with fiction but I think I can use some of the exercises while I am reworking my book. He was basically reverberating the show don't tell rule by having us describe someone from our past in detail. I suppose I could have just used one of my characters instead if I had wanted to bend it towards the fiction side. Too bad I didn't think about it at the time. It was a good session and I learned a lot even though it wasn't quite what I expected.<br /><br />One the main things that most of the speakers that I saw at the conference was stressing was that you have to learn to use the social media to your advantage so I am going to make a point of posting a lot more. I probably have at least five posts just about the workshop. But, for now,<br />Goodnight and good writing....PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-6996149878156556442010-07-28T22:32:00.003-05:002010-07-28T23:03:14.561-05:00TimeTime runs away from me. In February I was looking forward to May. In May I was looking forward to July. Now it's July and I'm in Muncie Indiana not able to sleep because I'm excited and nervous about the Midwest Writer's Workshop. My birthday is next week and I want to know where the time went! I don't post often enough but before I know it I'm going to be posting about nano again. I try so hard to get everything done but sometimes the time is just...a runaway.<br /><br />My book is ready. I am meeting with an agent on Friday or Saturday. Part of me hopes it's Friday so I can get the nervousness over with but part of me hopes for a little more time. I have to be up at 6:00 Chicago time but I know I'm not going to sleep yet even after the four and a half hour drive earlier. I didn't take a nap but I'm used to going to bed after midnight. This year I promise to post some good stuff from the conference. Hopefully it will be before the next one.<br /><br />On a serious note. I love this conference. I love learning about the industry. If you want to be a writer you have to learn as much as you can. I hope, if there is anyone reading this, I will be able to bring you some kind of insight. Now I better attempt to go to sleep so my brain can absorb as much as possible tomorrow. Good night and good writing.....PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-37934591287743134012010-05-09T15:12:00.002-05:002010-05-09T15:29:31.264-05:00Happy Mother's Day<div align="left">First of all I want to start by saying Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers and grandmothers out there. Mother's Day doesn't really mean that much to me anymore because my mother and grandmothers are gone and I am not officially a mother. It means that I am missing my family that has passed on more than usual. R.I.P. Diana, Doris and Minnie. I miss you very much. We need to honor the people in our life everyday instead of just certain days of the year.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I know I haven't been writing as often as I keep saying I'm going to write. My only excuse is that life keeps getting in the way. I am still working on my revisions and I already registered for my conference. If things go well I should be ready to pitch for the agent at the conference. I am currently working on another outline with things that I want to add and delete. I'm working on a new subplot that will hopefully tie it all together. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I am looking forward to the summer and being able to sit outside and write. My good friend is also coming in town for at least a month so I also looking forward to seeing her. The nice weather always inspires me so I hope I will get back on the right track.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Good luck and good writing. Patti</div>Patti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-60114188149946307542010-02-28T12:35:00.005-06:002010-02-28T13:43:51.564-06:00Sunday Afternoon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnKxq-ipP0ksPA7scid1NDZa_S5LzguVspE9K2Mdi1-4CC29RAvchur-hw-x5tgJeDs9yJwploenQM5r9topTcayDI-EO-ppawgD9fwhL1Cc45Rqtn9z-Yk0l9cnwVv4gSLFKS6VRUmFQ/s1600-h/Dolly+after.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443380753522800514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnKxq-ipP0ksPA7scid1NDZa_S5LzguVspE9K2Mdi1-4CC29RAvchur-hw-x5tgJeDs9yJwploenQM5r9topTcayDI-EO-ppawgD9fwhL1Cc45Rqtn9z-Yk0l9cnwVv4gSLFKS6VRUmFQ/s320/Dolly+after.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZLFsy2msjkUsBDSY3Or5DF3wX6Qggw_T7mTm7z7idJ4JWlvfxrs8ByoHAx0hBcXzdZ_lrfBWHWzw-l0aavMEmBS6pjQzwgQtj9AqTt2TSmv4qFP_d4ISFOXvdRN5gMAjDV_CYd2rhLLe/s1600-h/Dolly+before.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443380558250567202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZLFsy2msjkUsBDSY3Or5DF3wX6Qggw_T7mTm7z7idJ4JWlvfxrs8ByoHAx0hBcXzdZ_lrfBWHWzw-l0aavMEmBS6pjQzwgQtj9AqTt2TSmv4qFP_d4ISFOXvdRN5gMAjDV_CYd2rhLLe/s320/Dolly+before.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Good afternoon.</div><br /><br /><div>The snow is still on the ground. There is a snowman on the side of the driveway that the grandkids made yesterday. The living room is a mess but what else is new. It's like life is limbo right now. Tomorrow is the first day of March. It is staying light out until six o'clock now and the Cubbies are practicing. Even though the weather doesn't act like it yet, spring is on the way. It is in the horizon. The sun will be setting on winter very soon and I can't wait!</div><br /><br /><div>Yes, the pictures are of the same dog. The top picture is of Dolly after her haircut, the second is Dolly before her haircut. The only thing I will miss this spring is Dolly. About a month ago we had to put her to sleep. She was almost thirteen years old and she got very sick, very fast and went blind even faster. She loved to be outside with me in the spring and summer. Even last summer she would run and chase the ball. I love to sit outside in the nice weather and read or write. A lot of evenings I will have a few glasses of wine (not me) and Dolly used to get excited whenever I would come in the kitchen and pour that first glass even if I wasn't planning on sitting outside. She was also my protector, letting me know anytime someone was even walking past the house. It's going to be so different this year without her.</div><br /><br /><div>I took a short vacation from writing because I was out of town, then my friends were in town, then I went out of town again. I am back again. I am working on editing again and I am finding a lot of things that I can cut and add to my manuscript. I am hoping to have it finished by the time I go to the writers conference at the end of July because I want to pitch to an agent again. This will be my third year going to this conference and I'm really looking forward to it. </div><br /><br /><div>Now that I am back in writer's mode again I will be posting more often. Talk to you soon! Good afternoon and good writing!!!</div><br /><br /><div>Patti</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Patti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-56024549879585018912010-01-15T21:53:00.004-06:002010-01-23T10:52:20.994-06:00Some Thoughts For The WeekHello again,<br /><br />Here I am again for another January blog. I sent out two queries this week. The first one I sent out Monday and got a rejection on Monday. The second one I sent out tonight. I am always disappointed with a rejection but it doesn't bother any more or less if it comes right away. It keeps me from waiting on pins and needles. Now, if the agent needs more time to decide if my work is right for them I am totally okay with waiting. As for the agents that only respond if interested, I send my work out and keep my fingers crossed but I don't hear anything within a week or two I basically figure it's a no go.<br /><br />I read as much as I can about the publishing industry. I am fascinated by the in's and out's of the publishing industry. I understand that agents work extremely hard for their clients. I followed #agentsday on twitter and I understand how many queries they have to read on top of taking care of things for their exsisting clients. Oh, by the way, if there are any agents reading this blog I am not trying to suck up I just understand a little bit about the business.<br /><br />Yes, I understand that some writers can get away with not following the rules. But, why burn your bridges and bash people that follow the rules? I have been reading one blog in particular where the guy bashes agents and I find that very ignorant. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but still...<br /><br />On another note, I don't remember where I got this website but it is really interesting:<br /><a href="http://www.academicearth.org/">http://www.academicearth.org/</a>. You can actually read transcripts or watch videos of classes from some of the top schools. I got interested in a philosophy class from Yale. Now I know I have to go back to school one of these years!!!<br /><br />Well, as of now, I still haven't gotten a rejection so I am going to do a little writing and then head up to bed. Good nite and good writing. PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-5219218435172139762010-01-01T22:20:00.003-06:002010-01-01T22:42:47.896-06:00New Year, Time for ChangeWow! I actually posted a picture on here, Facebook and Twitter and I changed the look of my blog. It's a start. I just wonder if there is anyone out there that reads this!<br /><br /><br /><br />It is 2010 and this is my 20th blog post so I better make it a good one. Now that the fun and excitement of the holidays are gone, I have to get down to business and make some changes. My main one is manage my health better. I have specific goals on how I'm going to do that but I'm not going to share them on here. At least not at this point.<br /><br /><br /><br />As for writing goals, I am going to share. I am going to read a lot more. I am going to read about writing but I am also going to read more in general.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am going to get up earlier in the morning so that I can do some writing before work.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am going to manage my days off a little better so I can get more done <strong>and</strong> get some writing, reading or editing done.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am going to network in a more productive way.<br /><br /><br /><br />And...I say this every year, I'm going to write the blog more often.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am currently going through Chain Reaction one more time so I can send it out again. So far there hasn't been much need to make any major changes so I should have another round of queries out by the end of January. While I am doing that I am either going to edit or write start another project...or both! I have a few things I'm playing with but I don't know what direction they are going in yet.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, now I am going to have a snack and do a little writing!<br /><br /><br /><br />Good night and good writing!!!! PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-12129030958216732202009-12-13T15:12:00.004-06:002009-12-13T22:09:50.975-06:00Tis the Season<em>Santa Baby</em><br /><em>Just slip a sable under the tree</em><br /><em>For Me</em><br /><em>Been an awful good girl</em><br /><em>Santa Baby</em><br /><em>So hurry down the chimney tonight.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br />That song is my favorite Christmas song but not because of the lyrics. I began singing that song to Danny during our first Christmas season together and the following Christmas Eve he proposed to me while that song played. My friend Kathy's favorite Christmas song is Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer and she is a grandmother of eight hmm......<br /><br />As for the traditional Christmas songs Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy would be tied for first. Silver Bells is one of my favorites because it reminds me of my mother. Then I have to go with Rudolph, I've always had a fondness for the little fellow. Christmas is about the kids so I would also go with Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Christmas songs have a different meaning for everyone. Some people hate Christmas songs...Bah humbug to you too! I guess the radio does start playing them too early but I look forward to hearing my song for the first time of the season.<br /><br />We put up the tree last night and decorated it today and they got so excited it was funny. I remember doing the same thing with my parents and brother during the Christmas seasons when I was young. My father used to put the tree up and hang the lights then my mother, brother and I would hang the decorations. It's nice to have a similar tradition around here with the grandkids. I still have a few of the ornaments that I had made as a child and I made a point to show them to the kids when I hung them.<br /><br />Sorry! I didn't post in November like I had said I would but it turned into a crazy month. I went to Wisconsin for a weekend to write and that was fantastic. I wrote more than 10,000 words in three days. I loved it! I was keeping up with my daily goal and was very happy with myself. Then, I ended up working extra days and eventually fell behind. I ended up the month with 41k and part of a story. I am now working on revising Chain Reaction one more time before I start sending it out again. That way I am letting the two versions of Bar Time rest for a while before I work on them again. So far I am liking what I read in Chain Reaction.<br /><br />Well, that is all for now. I will post again sometime soon and let you know about my goals for the new year but if time runs away from me again I want to wish everyone a fantastic Christmas filled with love and joy and a New Year full of hope.<br /><br />Good night and happy writing.<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-17347930011129544682009-10-30T21:18:00.006-05:002009-10-30T21:50:17.566-05:0026 Hours Until National Novel Writing Month Begins!!!!Hello again!<br /><br />The leaves are various shades of everything except green, the rain has been relentless and the Chicago Hawk is blowing tonight. I remember sitting with my parents in this very kitchen and one of them would make a comment about the Hawk or the wind in the Chicago area. I was a paranoid kid. I kept thinking that the wind would turn into a tornado. I think I was more afraid of the wind then I was the thunderstorms. I like storms now.<br /><br />In around 26 hours the month of writing will begin for me and probably about 100k other people. I am going to rewrite the novel that I had written last November. I sent out a partial to an agent in August and I received an encouraging rejection. I have new ideas that could flesh the story and the main characters out a lot more so I want to work with that. I'm not cheating because I haven't even looked at the manuscript for over a month. I have worked on this ms for so long it is burnt into my brain.<br /><br />I have also been feeling a little down lately and I think a major goal like this will help me get out of my mood. I enjoy writing and my friends and family support me even though they might think I am a little crazy. Well, I guess the people that are closest to me know that I am a little crazy. I will post word counts once the crazy month starts.<br /><br />Good nite and good writing. PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-88519764076287532009-10-10T15:40:00.002-05:002009-10-10T16:32:07.012-05:00It's Almost November!!Hello everyone!<br /><br />It's October 10th. That means that are 21 one days until November and to me and thousands of other writers that means it will be National Novel Writing Month, also known as NanoWrimo. The goal for NanoWrimo is to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. It sounds hard. It's not easy but it can be done. The first time I did it was the year that my mother passed away. I didn't have a job so I had plenty of time and I finished early. The following year I was in school so I didn't finish. The next two years was able to succeed. This year I plan to try again.<br /><br />As anyone reading this blog knows, I submitted a partial to an agent and didn't hear back from her. I am considering this kind of a blessing because after letting it sit for a while I understood more what this particular agent was talking about at our meeting. She asked questions about the climax and how everything ties in together. I also started a new book but I was having trouble staying on track. I don't do too much plotting ahead of time so even though I made to 7000 words it wasn't going the way I wanted it to. So, what I am going to do is combine the two ideas to try to make one story and NanoWrimo is the perfect place to do it. I had seriously debated on whether I was even going to try it this year until I had this idea.<br /><br />At the Midwest Writer's Workshop Dennis Hensley gave a speech during lunch about what to do if a manuscript isn't working for you or if have writer's block. He told us about the recreate eight:<br /><br />1. Reshape<br />2. Re-energize it.<br />3. Reverse it: Think about what you want to say and then reverse it.<br />4. Rearrange it<br />5. Reduce it<br />6. Expand it<br />7. Combine it<br />8. Replace it: Sometimes you just have to let it go.<br /><br />Hopefully my ideas will be saved by doing some or all of these. Otherwise I might just have to do number 8. I will keep you posted on how things are going along. I have 21 days of planning to do. After that I am not allowing myself to look at the other two manuscripts until the end of November.<br /><br />Good Night and good writing!!<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-73064442174514474572009-09-15T19:42:00.002-05:002009-09-15T20:44:43.120-05:00A Little Sad TodayHello all,<br /><br />Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of my mother's death. The hurt stings a little less every year but I still miss her. She wasn't just my mother, she was my best-friend. She was a woman who loved to have fun and I know she loved my brother and I with all of her heart. I'm sitting outside my childhood home and writing this. This backyard is filled with so many memories of summer bbq's and wading pools. Now my step-grandkids are enjoying it. They are also going to the same school that I had went to for grade school and that my father had gone to. They are just starting so I don't believe they will graduate from Lindop but I still think it is kind of neat that they are going to the same school that I went to.<br /><br />R.I.P. Patrick Swayze. I think Ghost was my favorite of all of his movies. It made me start questioning things and I have to say was sort of an inspiration for my books. Plus, I loved the scene with the clay! He was so sexy in that scene. Dirty Dancing would have to be my second favorite by him. Then there was The Beast. I work part time at a bar in Cicero, IL. He was filming The Beast in the apartment above the bar last year on my birthday but I was at the Cubs game during a tornado. Go figure. I could have at least seen him but I probably would have been able to meet him. Two of my friends talked to him. My hand made an appearance in The Beast a couple of months later though. That was a neat experience. I had really hoped that Patrick would have been able to do another season. He was a great actor and I wish his wife the best. I know how she must be hurting right now.<br /><br />Well, I guess it is time to buckle down and do some writing. I'm still struggling with where I want to go with the new book. I still haven't heard from the agent. I am debating on emailing her to make sure that she got my submission. It's been around a month since I sent it in. I'll give it another week. I'm still thinking about some more revisions on it so if it is a rejection I might sit on it for a while longer before sending it to anyone else.<br /><br />Good night and good writing.<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-31169290465079038792009-09-06T14:52:00.003-05:002009-09-06T15:12:19.258-05:00Full Moon WeekHello again.<br /><br />It's September already and birthday month is over with. Hubby's birthday was yesterday and we celebrated by going to a nice dinner and then we met up with friends. I haven't been writing like I should but I am still waiting for the rejection or the hint of hope from the agent that I queried. I plan to do some revision work if it is rejected.<br /><br />The full moon was Friday and that almost seemed the like most normal day of the week. I went and saw ZZ Top with my brother. That was a great concert! It just seemed like everything weird and dramatic happened this week. If I could use some of that in a new book or even my WIP I would have at least a extra chapter. Why is it that when it rains it pours?<br /><br />I am now addicted to Facebook and Twitter. On Facebook I connect with friends and family. On Twitter I am following a lot of authors and agents I think I only have like one friend who I actually know and she doesn't get on very often anyway. A couple of the authors who I follow were at the MWW. I am trying to network but I haven't been getting a lot of writing done does that make sense? I don't think so. So, on that note, I think I'm going to write something other than a blog.<br /><br />Bye for now,<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-4682660328426394002009-08-23T17:04:00.004-05:002009-08-23T17:40:01.521-05:00Writer's block or Just Real Life?Hello, Hello, Hello...Is there anybody out there out there?<br /><br />Today I had a blah Sunday. I got up late, helped my husband go through paperwork and now I am attempting to write a blog.<br /><br />Have you ever had a day when you had the time to write but you just didn't feel like it? That is the kind of day I had today. I had ample time but I was just feeling too blah to do anything about it. Laundry had to be done, the kids came home and the living room needed to be cleaned so I did not even look at the edits that I want to do or the new WIP.<br /><br />I wouldn't even call it a WIP yet. It is just some bits and pieces of things that I might be able to shape into something. I don't normally outline. I work things out a little bit first so I get a feel where it might go. Then I plan it out a little. When I get to the point where I am starting to confuse myself I write down what is going on chapter by chapter. That way, when I have to do the dreaded synopsis I can work from that. It's worked out pretty well for me in the past. There is probably an easier way to do it but that is what I do. I was going to wait for NanoWrimo to start something new but these bits and pieces started coming to me so we will see what we shall see.<br /><br />I sent a partial out to an agent on Wednesday night. At this point in the waiting game I consider no news good news. At least I didn't get a rejection an hour after I hit send. I will keep you posted on any new developments in that department.<br /><br />Thank you for listening to me rant for a few. I guess I will try to get something done now.<br /><br />Good Night and Good Writing!<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-41056563013425392212009-08-19T21:49:00.003-05:002009-08-19T22:32:45.892-05:00General News and Bad NewsHello all (anyone?)<br /><br />I know, I did so well keeping up with blogging when I was on vacation and in Writer's Workshop mode. It's been a hectic month. It's funny how you can go from everything going so well to almost everything not going well. I will talk a little more about that later.<br /><br />I just now sent out my submission. I had to rework the query and I wanted to go through the first chapter one more time. The agent I spoke with at the workshop was very helpful and even gave me suggestions on reworking my query. I was, once again a nervous wreck. Maybe I'll get over that next year if I pitch again.<br /><br />What's next? That is the question that I am asking myself lately. If I am rejected I have some ideas for changes to BAR TIME, but, if that happens I might step away for a while. I am kind of ready to start something totally new.<br /><br />On a sad note, my youngest cat Jeepers passed away last Saturday. We got back from Tennesse the Sunday before and we could tell she wasn't feeling right but we thought it was the heat. We brought her into the vet on Thursday and she passed away on Saturday night. The vet called me personally and told me Sunday afternoon. She was healthy until the end. She was my fat cat.<br /><br />Now I have skin problems and am very itchy and irritable and Danny is out of town. It's funny how things can go from so good to so bad in a matter of a month.<br /><br />That's all for tonight, goodnight and good writing.<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-62291861432018491762009-07-28T14:00:00.003-05:002009-07-28T18:11:10.219-05:00I'm Trying!!Yes!! Two in one week and I'm on vacation!!!<br /><br />One of the (many) things I learned from the Midwest Writers Workshop was that as a writer you have to have a web presence. It makes sense in this day and age, it isn't difficult to do, and its actually quite fun. I just didn't put the importance on writing a blog, instead I put the importance on writing my book! Some of the most popular sessions at the conference were the ones about the internet and writers resources.<br /><br />I went to a session on Newest Tools and Sites for Writers looking to Get Discovered given by Jane Friedman from Writers Digest magazine. I knew about Authonomy.com but I never heard of WeBook.com which is a collaboration website for writers or CreateSpace.com. I have checked out Authonomy and I enjoyed reading some of the stories. I will probably go back there, read and review some more. There have been authors that have been discovered from that website. I am not against it, I just don't know I am going to post any of my own work on the site. I could go to Smashwords or Lulu, publish my work and even charge people for it but I really want to get published traditionally. I like the idea of seeing my own work in print. I might eventually get a Kindle but I will never stop buying books. I listen to books on CD but I would never stop buying real books in order to just listen to them.<br /><br /><br />I wonder if Ernest Hemingway would have his own website if he were living today. I do plan on writing this blog a little more often. Whether or not it peaks anyone's interest is another story. I read a lot of blogs but I just never got around to writing all that much.<br /><br />I'm still in Tennesee. I will be headed back tomorrow or early Thursday.<br /><br />Here are some of the websites that Ms. Friedman talked about in her session. I haven't checked most of them out yet but when I do I will let you know what I think or if you check them out you can let me know.<br /><br />Authonomy.com<br />WeBook.com<br />CreateSpace.com<br />Scribd.com<br />Librarything.com<br />Goodreads.com<br />RedRoom.com<br /><br />I will post again. Maybe even tomorrow. Talk to you soon!! PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-32161958228281056302009-07-26T09:30:00.002-05:002009-07-26T09:38:12.526-05:00Writers Workshop and Other StuffHello again!!<br /><br />Yes, I realize I have not posted since January but this year has taken me by surprise. Spring was almost non-exisistant in Chicago and the time just went by. Before I knew it, it was time for the Midwest Writers Workshop that I went to for the second time this year. It was just as inspiring as it was last year and I am going to start saving my pennies for next year. I met with an agent and she wants to see ten pages of my work!! She was so nice, she even helped me rework my query letter. I am going to finish all of that up and send it out next week or the following.<br /><br />Right now I am getting set to go on the second half of my journey. I am going down to Tennessee to see my girls and bring them back up here so they party with me for my birthday. Some people mind getting older, I just like to party. Well, that is all for the moment but I will keep everyone posted on what happens with the query. I will also post more often.<br /><br />Next time: some of the stuff I learned from the workshop.<br /><br />Thank you for reading my ramblings,<br /><br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-60701938325041890152009-01-17T11:47:00.002-06:002009-01-17T12:13:03.957-06:00The New Year (a little late)Happy New Year!<br /><br />I guess it's not too late to say that.<br /><br />Well, maybe it is.<br /><br />Okay, Happy January 17th.<br /><br />This year I didn't make any resolutions, I set goals for myself. I want to write more, read more, and try to get my house organized once and for all. I'm going to send my book off again soon (next week if not this weekend) so hopefully I can be on the way to publication sometime in the near future (wishful thinking).<br /><br />I am in the process of rewriting my next book and I forgot what an interesting process it is to rewrite a nano. I am finding a lot of holes in the plot and I've only made it to the second chapter! This time I am writing a synopsis as I go along so that I know what I've written in previous chapters so that I don't get thoroughly confused at the end. When I write nano I start with an idea in my head and work around it. I tried seriously plotting one year and I just got bored. I like the feeling of letting the characters lead the way. The problem with that is when I go to rewrite I have to rewrite a whole lot but I guess that is what nano is all about. At least I have a working first draft. This time around I am also coming up with a lot of new ideas for new directions for the book to take.<br /><br />So, this is my plan: Find an agent for Chain Reaction, finish rewriting my nano, have a new book started by spring and of course go for nano in November.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted. Good Nite and Good Write. (it's not actually night but it sounded good.)<br />PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-61480027135419110252008-12-02T10:03:00.010-06:002008-12-02T10:54:16.373-06:00December 2nd<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR8uWiWwjfBKOFfAKiiJGJtqc_hs9idgqA5LB15L_g6s52KmtpNvtfqkzxDgN239X1xYwLXyUsOpybl0nSzDYBCxz9mZbej8sMUCo8TiM5HdTJzhPtPFzGWZwZlX9B3DnhaV4kj_e1rWI/s1600-h/you_won.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275233292507998482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR8uWiWwjfBKOFfAKiiJGJtqc_hs9idgqA5LB15L_g6s52KmtpNvtfqkzxDgN239X1xYwLXyUsOpybl0nSzDYBCxz9mZbej8sMUCo8TiM5HdTJzhPtPFzGWZwZlX9B3DnhaV4kj_e1rWI/s320/you_won.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hello all!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yes, I'm proud. After a long month of writing I managed to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. I think this was one of the hardest years too. I am working part time now, I had a death in the family, and my computer crashed. All this and I was still able to make it! I know I have been neglecting my blog but I don't know if there is anyone who is actually reading it anyway. </div><div></div><div>Now it is December. We have the first layer of snow on the ground and I am finally starting to get the Christmas spirit. I will be cleaning the house and decorating this weekend as a matter of fact. I've bought one present so far but I plan to do a lot of shopping online this year in order to save myself from the crowds at the mall.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>I am also hoping to send CHAIN REACTION out to another four or five agents sometime this week or early next week. The last time I did it I received my first rejection within a couple of hours, ah, the joys of email. I have decided that I am going to work on editing my nano novel instead of the one from last year. It is more parallel with ChAIN REACTION then the other one and if I actually did go somewhere with the first it would make a good second book. I also need to start writing some short stories so I can try to get my name out there somehow. </div><div></div><div>Well, cheers to the start of a holiday season and I swear I will be posting again very soon (less then a month? This one had a time span of less then a month) Patti</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div>Patti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-22778581242727607792008-11-05T10:02:00.002-06:002008-11-05T10:12:00.009-06:00Happy Post Election Day!!I just wanted to say congratulations to Barack Obama on becoming the next president of the United States of America. I was proud to vote yesterday, always have been and always will be proud to be an American. We witnessed history yesterday and I am looking forward to a positive change in the four years to come.<br /><br />As for Nano, I'm caught up!! Let's see if I can stay that way!! I work tonight, tomorrow and Friday so we will see what if I have to catch up again by the weekend. This weekend might be hard though, I have to go watch the Bears and the Titans play! I will keep you posted.<br /><br />Keep on truckin'! PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-81849096332386394232008-10-31T17:17:00.002-05:002008-10-31T17:27:24.710-05:00Happy HalloweenHappy Halloween!! I'm sitting here on the computer waiting for Trick or Treaters. Things have changed so much. When I went to school here we would have a Halloween carnival at the school, there would be a Halloween party at the school and then we would go out in groups and come home with gobs of candy. Now the kids are not even allowed to wear costumes to school. I love Halloween. I dressed up last night, am dressing up tonight and will dress up tomorrow. Then, tomorrow I start Nano!!! In case anyone doesn't know what Nano is, it National Novel Writing Month. I am going to try to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. I've won twice already but I enjoy the challenge so I'm trying again. I will keep everyone posted on my progress. If anyone wants to join me, let me know!<br /><br />Good bye for now and good writing, PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-51541477712585497142008-10-12T15:51:00.003-05:002008-10-12T16:01:04.471-05:00Three More OutHello,<br /><br />Well, today instead of going out to watch the football game I stayed home and sent out three more queries. I recently reworked my query letter and I am a lot happier with it. Hopefully it will work for me! Last time I sent out a batch of five and three of them came back within the first couple of days so let's see what happens this time! Wish me luck and I will keep you posted.<br />Keep the faith! PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-62233480952796937062008-10-09T20:22:00.002-05:002008-10-09T22:14:53.021-05:00Lights Camera Action...Hi Everyone!<br />Its me again!<br /><br />Well, I made it past one blog this time! It's going to be easier to not procrastinate this time because now most of my favorite blogs are right here!! So now, when I sit in the kitchen with my morning cup of tea I can read, write, then do 'rithmetic (just kidding about the math unless I have to do bills).<br /><br />I like read a lot of agent blogs. By reading these I've learned a lot about stupid mistakes that writers make. About six years ago, I sent out a query for the first novel I wrote. I sent the query out and waited. I got the rejection and put it away. I looked at it recently and I didn't even use apostrophes right! I can't even imagine how far off I was on the formatting and I don't know if it had much of a plot. One day I plan to reread and maybe even rewrite that book but more than likely it was just a learning experience. One thing I've learned is that you have to learn from your mistakes if you want to keep moving ahead.<br /><br />If you are a reader or a writer...keep the faith. PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5093025450988154980.post-88968897281771266282008-10-07T23:27:00.002-05:002008-10-07T23:55:02.118-05:00Welcome!!!I'm guilty! I originally started this blog in January as a New Years Resolution. Here it is October and I'm starting over because I only posted one time when I promised at least once a week.<br /><br /><br /><br />Welcome to The Write Zone!! My original blog name was the Writer's Chronicles but I think I like the Write Zone better. It reminds me of the Twilight Zone. In this blog I will be talking about topics that are on my mind, books that I love, I will keep you posted on my writing projects and rejections.<br /><br /><br /><br />National Novel Writing Month starts November 1st!! I will be among the tens of thousands of upeople who will be participating. This, of course, is on top of Thanksgiving festivities and Christmas shopping. Once again, I will keep you posted. If you are a writer and want to test your typing skills join NANO. The goals is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30, yes 30 days. I have participated 4 times and won twice. The website is Nanowrimo.org.<br /><br /><br /><br />If you are a reader, thank you for reading. If you are a writer, keep the faith. PattiPatti K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04204241256390300246noreply@blogger.com0