I've been putting off writing this blog post all day. Maybe, because I don't really want the April Platform Building Challenge to end. Or possibly because I had a very long and busy nine and a half hour work day and all I really want to do is sit on the couch and eat ice cream. (It's mostly the latter). But, I thought it was a good idea to take a moment and ruminate on the past thirty days and all I've learned.
It's been a busy month, but a really great one. Thanks to Erin Morgenstern and the Platform Building Challenge, I've gained several new followers to this blog, reached the triple digits in followers for my twitter account, and connected with a great community of aspiring writers. Some of the challenges were hard, they pushed me out of my comfort zone. I didn't enjoy signing up for LinkedIn or Google +, but I've really enjoyed setting up my new account on Goodreads. I never realized it could be such a great tool for keeping track of all the books I've read, and all the ones I want to read.
I've learned that it's important to break out of my shell and connect with other writers. I'm kind of a hermit, so it's good for me to try to socialize. This challenge has also taught me that it's important to take myself seriously as a writer and dedicate the time to it that it deserves. I have a full time job outside of writing and often times when I'm tired or stressed, it ends up on the back burner. This challenge has taught me a lot, and I'm so glad I gave it a try.
Did you complete the April Platform Building Challenge? What did you learn? What parts of your life deserve more of your time and attention? As always, I welcome all feedback in the comments section below. Please feel free to follow this blog (I do a happy dance every time I see a new follower - you are all very much appreciated!) and myself on twitter @MelanieKCole.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Dress
Today was an awesome day! Not only did I get up early (which never happens), I also went wedding dress shopping with my sister. And we found the dress!! I'm so excited, there's nothing more wonderful than being witness to a friend, sister or daughter finding their perfect wedding dress. I got to tell you, I'm getting so excited for her big day.
When I got married (four years ago this summer), I found myself wishing I'd done it all differently. I'd opted for the medium size wedding with the church and the big reception, and I have to admit, when it was all said and done, I wished I'd just taken the money and eloped.
I got married in the Catholic church and it was the worst experience. I'm not religious, I was mostly doing it for my parents, and they were so rigid and unwelcoming and down right horrible (the priest yelled at me until I cried the night before). I've warned everyone I've ever met since that day to avoid the Catholic church like the plague. Nothing was allowed to be done our way, they even threatened that we might not be allowed to get married there because we aren't planning on having children. Sorry, but that's none of your business.
And the whole day was rather tedious and boring. The reception was filled with people I barely knew and had to make time for, people who were friends of my husband's mother and my parents, distant relatives. I didn't get to spend much time with my husband or any of the people who mattered to me. The only things I wouldn't change about that day, are the dress and the pictures (both of which were magnificent) and immediately leaving for the honeymoon after the gift opening the next day. (Take my advice ladies, don't splurge on the wedding. Go to the court house and spend the rest on the honeymoon. WAY BETTER).
But this time, with my sister's wedding, I'm hopeful that it will be exactly what she wanted. She's keeping it small (immediate family only) and intimate. It's simple, tasteful and not over the top with all the stupid decorations and flowers. Instead, a natural setting, no stuffy church administrators, no reception hall full of strangers. And I can honestly say, she will be beautiful. (I saw the dress so I should know). I can't wait to share her special day. After all, there's nothing better than a wedding that isn't yours!
When I got married (four years ago this summer), I found myself wishing I'd done it all differently. I'd opted for the medium size wedding with the church and the big reception, and I have to admit, when it was all said and done, I wished I'd just taken the money and eloped.
I got married in the Catholic church and it was the worst experience. I'm not religious, I was mostly doing it for my parents, and they were so rigid and unwelcoming and down right horrible (the priest yelled at me until I cried the night before). I've warned everyone I've ever met since that day to avoid the Catholic church like the plague. Nothing was allowed to be done our way, they even threatened that we might not be allowed to get married there because we aren't planning on having children. Sorry, but that's none of your business.
And the whole day was rather tedious and boring. The reception was filled with people I barely knew and had to make time for, people who were friends of my husband's mother and my parents, distant relatives. I didn't get to spend much time with my husband or any of the people who mattered to me. The only things I wouldn't change about that day, are the dress and the pictures (both of which were magnificent) and immediately leaving for the honeymoon after the gift opening the next day. (Take my advice ladies, don't splurge on the wedding. Go to the court house and spend the rest on the honeymoon. WAY BETTER).
But this time, with my sister's wedding, I'm hopeful that it will be exactly what she wanted. She's keeping it small (immediate family only) and intimate. It's simple, tasteful and not over the top with all the stupid decorations and flowers. Instead, a natural setting, no stuffy church administrators, no reception hall full of strangers. And I can honestly say, she will be beautiful. (I saw the dress so I should know). I can't wait to share her special day. After all, there's nothing better than a wedding that isn't yours!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Explosive
Well everyone, it's that time again. It's Five Sentence Fiction Friday! Hooray! This is fast becoming my favourite day of the week, and not just because it's Friday. I've been loving the Five Sentence Fiction challenges, and hopefully you've been enjoying them too. This week's prompt is Explosive. This is my take below. Enjoy!
Our eyes meet just briefly. I bite my lip gently, entreating. Your hand is on the small of my back, pulling me closer. Our faces tilt towards each other - one long, sweet moment of anticipation - and we give in. It's perfect, reckless and doomed for failure, but oh what a failure it will be!
How was that? Explosive enough for you? Heh, heh, just kidding. I love how each prompt pulls me in different directions. I could probably write three or four scenarios for each one. It's all just too much fun and such a great creative exercise! If you'd like to give it a try, just visit Lillie McFerrin's website. And as always, your comments and suggestions are welcome below in the comments section. I love reading your feedback! Please feel free to follow this blog, and myself on twitter @MelanieKCole. I've included links to all my previous Five Sentence Fiction attempts, in case you'd like to peruse. Have a great weekend!
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wicked
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Armor
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Tears
Our eyes meet just briefly. I bite my lip gently, entreating. Your hand is on the small of my back, pulling me closer. Our faces tilt towards each other - one long, sweet moment of anticipation - and we give in. It's perfect, reckless and doomed for failure, but oh what a failure it will be!
How was that? Explosive enough for you? Heh, heh, just kidding. I love how each prompt pulls me in different directions. I could probably write three or four scenarios for each one. It's all just too much fun and such a great creative exercise! If you'd like to give it a try, just visit Lillie McFerrin's website. And as always, your comments and suggestions are welcome below in the comments section. I love reading your feedback! Please feel free to follow this blog, and myself on twitter @MelanieKCole. I've included links to all my previous Five Sentence Fiction attempts, in case you'd like to peruse. Have a great weekend!
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Wicked
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Armor
Five Sentence Fiction Friday - Tears
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Pinterest For Writers
We all know how great Pinterest can be for collecting recipes, DIY projects and various adorable and funny pictures. But what can it do for writers? Actually, quite a bit.
Self Promotion
A lot of writers out there use Pinterest to promote their blogs, books, articles etc. Just make sure that the pictures you pin all link back to where you want them to. It also helps to choose pictures that make viewers want to click through to your blog or article. If you've blogged about renovating your basement, don't just have a picture of your finished basement. Have a banner or title on the picture that says "How to Renovate Your Basement". Give people a reason to follow the link.
Story Mapping
Believe it or not, Pinterest can be a very handy tool when it comes to mapping out your story. I know plenty of writers who have specific boards dedicated to characters and settings. When they find a picture or diagram that fits, they pin it. It helps them visualize exactly what their character likes, looks like, does, or what that setting looks likes, feels like, reminds them of. It can be a very fun tool.
Inspiration
This is what I mostly use Pinterest for. Sure, I have a recipe board and a cute animal picture board, but what I really love is my Pictures I Love board. It's my inspiration board. Whenever I'm feeling dull or uninspired, I scroll through and pick a picture that intrigues me to tell a story about. It gets my creative motor running, so to speak. Someone once told me to always keep my creative well full, by taking nature walks, visiting museums, etc. This is how I do it. There are so many amazing and inspiring images out there, and when I can't visit a museum or take a walk, they're right there where I need them.
What do you use Pinterest for? Let us know in the commments section below. Don't forget to follow this blog and myself on twitter @MelanieKCole.
Self Promotion
A lot of writers out there use Pinterest to promote their blogs, books, articles etc. Just make sure that the pictures you pin all link back to where you want them to. It also helps to choose pictures that make viewers want to click through to your blog or article. If you've blogged about renovating your basement, don't just have a picture of your finished basement. Have a banner or title on the picture that says "How to Renovate Your Basement". Give people a reason to follow the link.
Story Mapping
Believe it or not, Pinterest can be a very handy tool when it comes to mapping out your story. I know plenty of writers who have specific boards dedicated to characters and settings. When they find a picture or diagram that fits, they pin it. It helps them visualize exactly what their character likes, looks like, does, or what that setting looks likes, feels like, reminds them of. It can be a very fun tool.
Inspiration
This is what I mostly use Pinterest for. Sure, I have a recipe board and a cute animal picture board, but what I really love is my Pictures I Love board. It's my inspiration board. Whenever I'm feeling dull or uninspired, I scroll through and pick a picture that intrigues me to tell a story about. It gets my creative motor running, so to speak. Someone once told me to always keep my creative well full, by taking nature walks, visiting museums, etc. This is how I do it. There are so many amazing and inspiring images out there, and when I can't visit a museum or take a walk, they're right there where I need them.
What do you use Pinterest for? Let us know in the commments section below. Don't forget to follow this blog and myself on twitter @MelanieKCole.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Fairy House
Today, I'm going to try something a little different. This is a short story (a very short story) based on the photo below. I hope you like it, and if you don't - cut me some slack, I'm being creative. All right. Enjoy!
It was so unexpected, nestled there amidst the branches. Such a pretty, ornate little bird house, resting, not by accident (for surely it was very carefully placed), in the middle of the uninhabited wilderness.
I'd almost missed it, hidden as it was in the trees, far from the beaten path. If I hadn't had my camera raised, attempting to capture the light filtering through the branches, I never would have seen it. But I did. And so, I paused, forgetting my nature walk, and crept forward, stepping off the trail and plunging into the trees. Going further and further, until my face was only inches away from the pretty, little house.
It was perfectly quaint and ever so tiny, finished with exquisite attention to detail. There were even two colorful little chairs sitting on the tiny covered deck, as though at any moment some Lilliputian figure would plop down and put their feet up. And on the door was the tiniest little note, no bigger than the size of the fingernail on my pinky finger, with delicate, scrawling print, which read:
Back soon. Help yourself!
Next to the door sat a teeny tiny bowl of itty bitty berries, perfectly red and gleaming.
I pulled the note from the door and helped myself to one of the microscopic orbs, praying that the occupant wouldn't mind that I'd liberated their note. I tucked it carefully inside my notebook and made my way back to the trail, stopping just for a moment to place the minuscule berry on the tip of my tongue. It dissolved in an instant, soft and sweet but entirely real.
I've never told anyone about the little house in the trees, never showed anyone the tiny, handwritten note. Instead, I move every few years, before anyone can notice that I haven't aged a day.
There are some secrets that are just too complicated to explain.
It was so unexpected, nestled there amidst the branches. Such a pretty, ornate little bird house, resting, not by accident (for surely it was very carefully placed), in the middle of the uninhabited wilderness.
I'd almost missed it, hidden as it was in the trees, far from the beaten path. If I hadn't had my camera raised, attempting to capture the light filtering through the branches, I never would have seen it. But I did. And so, I paused, forgetting my nature walk, and crept forward, stepping off the trail and plunging into the trees. Going further and further, until my face was only inches away from the pretty, little house.
It was perfectly quaint and ever so tiny, finished with exquisite attention to detail. There were even two colorful little chairs sitting on the tiny covered deck, as though at any moment some Lilliputian figure would plop down and put their feet up. And on the door was the tiniest little note, no bigger than the size of the fingernail on my pinky finger, with delicate, scrawling print, which read:
Back soon. Help yourself!
Next to the door sat a teeny tiny bowl of itty bitty berries, perfectly red and gleaming.
I pulled the note from the door and helped myself to one of the microscopic orbs, praying that the occupant wouldn't mind that I'd liberated their note. I tucked it carefully inside my notebook and made my way back to the trail, stopping just for a moment to place the minuscule berry on the tip of my tongue. It dissolved in an instant, soft and sweet but entirely real.
I've never told anyone about the little house in the trees, never showed anyone the tiny, handwritten note. Instead, I move every few years, before anyone can notice that I haven't aged a day.
There are some secrets that are just too complicated to explain.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
An Ode to Hank Williams and Immortality
It's been a rough couple of days. My car went on the fritz Wednesday evening, and after $1200 worth of repairs, I got it back yesterday afternoon. Couple that with the fact that I woke up sick with a head cold on Friday morning, and you'll see why I'm less than pleased with this weekend. Getting sick sure will throw a wrench in all your plans. I'd hoped to catch up on laundry, clean the house and do some yard work this weekend. And instead my biggest accomplishment has been getting dressed in the morning.
I will say this though, being sick does afford me with plenty of thinking time. I've spent most of it sitting in front of the bunny cage, mindlessly petting Widget and Poppet, but I've also been thinking a lot about Hank Williams.
Who was Hank Williams? He was a country music star that died at 29 on January 1, 1953. On Thursday night I saw a production at the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon called The Last Show of Hank Williams. It was a play/musical recreating the last show Hank Williams was supposed to do, but never showed for. He was discovered dead the next morning, the circumstances of which you can read by following the link above.
Anyway, you're probably wondering why I was still thinking about Hank Williams. Well, first of all, the show was really good. But secondly, it really got me thinking about mortality and how easily life can just slip away. I'm not a religious person, I don't know if I believe in God or in any kind of afterlife. Frankly, I sometimes find the idea of an afterlife to be terrifying. But I do believe that there are ways we'll all live forever. Maybe it's in the way our bodies eventually get recycled into new living things, or maybe it's in the things we leave behind.
All we really want to do is create something that lasts, something meaningful that people will remember. I think that's why a lot of people have kids. They are creating a legacy, putting all their love, all their passion, into something beautiful that can live on after they're gone. Hank Williams wanted to create music, songs that people would remember and listen to long after he was gone. It's part of the reason why I write. We all want to be immortal, and in a way, Hank Williams is. His songs are way before my time, but on Friday night I found myself tapping my toe and clapping along to the music. I found him in my thoughts days later. Hank Williams died tragically far too young, but he did attain his dream. Almost sixty years later, people are still singing his songs. And that's pretty amazing.
Perhaps it's just my head cold and the reduced amount of oxygen making its way to my brain, but those are the conclusions I've come to this weekend. Life can be surprisingly short. Despite the plans we make, life (and death) can always throw a wrench in them. So why not live for today, why not contribute things we can be proud of? Because no one actually knows what's waiting for us on the other side, the only thing we can be sure of is what we're leaving behind. What do you want to leave behind? I want to leave my writing, and a tombstone that says 'Buried Alive'. (Because who doesn't want to prank people long after they're gone?)
I will say this though, being sick does afford me with plenty of thinking time. I've spent most of it sitting in front of the bunny cage, mindlessly petting Widget and Poppet, but I've also been thinking a lot about Hank Williams.
Who was Hank Williams? He was a country music star that died at 29 on January 1, 1953. On Thursday night I saw a production at the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon called The Last Show of Hank Williams. It was a play/musical recreating the last show Hank Williams was supposed to do, but never showed for. He was discovered dead the next morning, the circumstances of which you can read by following the link above.
Anyway, you're probably wondering why I was still thinking about Hank Williams. Well, first of all, the show was really good. But secondly, it really got me thinking about mortality and how easily life can just slip away. I'm not a religious person, I don't know if I believe in God or in any kind of afterlife. Frankly, I sometimes find the idea of an afterlife to be terrifying. But I do believe that there are ways we'll all live forever. Maybe it's in the way our bodies eventually get recycled into new living things, or maybe it's in the things we leave behind.
All we really want to do is create something that lasts, something meaningful that people will remember. I think that's why a lot of people have kids. They are creating a legacy, putting all their love, all their passion, into something beautiful that can live on after they're gone. Hank Williams wanted to create music, songs that people would remember and listen to long after he was gone. It's part of the reason why I write. We all want to be immortal, and in a way, Hank Williams is. His songs are way before my time, but on Friday night I found myself tapping my toe and clapping along to the music. I found him in my thoughts days later. Hank Williams died tragically far too young, but he did attain his dream. Almost sixty years later, people are still singing his songs. And that's pretty amazing.
Perhaps it's just my head cold and the reduced amount of oxygen making its way to my brain, but those are the conclusions I've come to this weekend. Life can be surprisingly short. Despite the plans we make, life (and death) can always throw a wrench in them. So why not live for today, why not contribute things we can be proud of? Because no one actually knows what's waiting for us on the other side, the only thing we can be sure of is what we're leaving behind. What do you want to leave behind? I want to leave my writing, and a tombstone that says 'Buried Alive'. (Because who doesn't want to prank people long after they're gone?)
Friday, April 20, 2012
Five Sentence Fiction Friday!
Welcome one and all to yet another Five Sentence Fiction Friday! Basically, the idea is to write a story in only five sentences, based on the prompt you'll find at Lillie McFerrin's website. This week's prompt is Your Choice, which means you can choose any of the prompts she's previously given. I chose Wicked. This is my attempt below. Please enjoy!
It cost a bit more, but revenge is not something you skimp on. She turned to look at herself in the mirror, admiring the snug fit of the soft black lace. With a smile she spritzed on just a touch of perfume and nestled the camera in amongst the books on her bookshelf.
"Tit for tat," she whispered, as the echoes of the doorbell filled the room. She turned on the camera and went to answer the door.
There you have it. What do you think? Please feel free to share comments below, as well as share links to your own five sentence fiction. Happy Friday everyone!
It cost a bit more, but revenge is not something you skimp on. She turned to look at herself in the mirror, admiring the snug fit of the soft black lace. With a smile she spritzed on just a touch of perfume and nestled the camera in amongst the books on her bookshelf.
"Tit for tat," she whispered, as the echoes of the doorbell filled the room. She turned on the camera and went to answer the door.
There you have it. What do you think? Please feel free to share comments below, as well as share links to your own five sentence fiction. Happy Friday everyone!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Update
I thought I'd take a moment today and give you an update on what's been going on in my life lately.
For those of you still waiting for the Before and After pictures of my office, please stay tuned. I've been holding off on taking the After pictures because I've been waiting until I get the bunnies in their big cage, which may take a little while, because on the bunny front there have been some new developments. First of all, they're doing great. They are ever so slowly losing their fear that I'll eat them, and have even climbed up on my lap a few times. We still have a ways to go before they'll be giving me as much affection as they give each other, but I'm being patient. Speaking of the love they have for each other, I've actually had to put them in separate cages. I'm not entirely certain of how old they were when I got them, but around now is when they should be becoming sexually active, if they aren't already. I haven't caught them humping each other, so I'm remaining positive that my little Poppet isn't pregnant, but I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. I'm calling the vet today to get her opinion on when I should bring Widget in, and then hopefully I'll be making an appointment. Because although their cages are right next to each other, it still makes me depressed every time I go in there. I feel like the evil jailer keeping two lovebirds apart. Not my style.
I"m still loving the office job, and my writing is progressing nicely. The April Platform Building Challenge is going well and I'm feeling pretty good. Overall, things are holding steady. I've also started eating healthier and bringing my lunch to work. It's amazing how much better I feel. My husband doesn't notice a difference as much, but I really have. Apparently all it took for me to wake up in the morning is vegetables. Who knew?
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about when I refer to the office, the bunnies, or the April Platform Building Challenge, feel free to check out the links below. As always, please feel free to follow this blog, as well as myself on twitter @MelanieKCole. Your comments are always welcome!
The Big Surprise
Introducing...
Too Busy
Oh The Horror!
Office Reno Update
The Quest for a Lamp
For those of you still waiting for the Before and After pictures of my office, please stay tuned. I've been holding off on taking the After pictures because I've been waiting until I get the bunnies in their big cage, which may take a little while, because on the bunny front there have been some new developments. First of all, they're doing great. They are ever so slowly losing their fear that I'll eat them, and have even climbed up on my lap a few times. We still have a ways to go before they'll be giving me as much affection as they give each other, but I'm being patient. Speaking of the love they have for each other, I've actually had to put them in separate cages. I'm not entirely certain of how old they were when I got them, but around now is when they should be becoming sexually active, if they aren't already. I haven't caught them humping each other, so I'm remaining positive that my little Poppet isn't pregnant, but I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. I'm calling the vet today to get her opinion on when I should bring Widget in, and then hopefully I'll be making an appointment. Because although their cages are right next to each other, it still makes me depressed every time I go in there. I feel like the evil jailer keeping two lovebirds apart. Not my style.
I"m still loving the office job, and my writing is progressing nicely. The April Platform Building Challenge is going well and I'm feeling pretty good. Overall, things are holding steady. I've also started eating healthier and bringing my lunch to work. It's amazing how much better I feel. My husband doesn't notice a difference as much, but I really have. Apparently all it took for me to wake up in the morning is vegetables. Who knew?
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about when I refer to the office, the bunnies, or the April Platform Building Challenge, feel free to check out the links below. As always, please feel free to follow this blog, as well as myself on twitter @MelanieKCole. Your comments are always welcome!
The Big Surprise
Introducing...
Too Busy
Oh The Horror!
Office Reno Update
The Quest for a Lamp
Monday, April 16, 2012
Obstacles to Writing
What obstacles are getting in the way of your writing? What's holding you back from picking up a pen and putting your thoughts down on paper? If you want to get serious about writing, it's time to take a look at what's holding you back, and what you can do to take control.
Time
If you're the same as me, time can seem hard to come by. I have a full time job outside of writing and by the time I get home every day, I'm tired with lots of other responsibilities that need my attention. There's supper to make, a house to clean, a dog to feed and walk and two bunnies that need exercise and attention. But honestly, you have more time than you think. If you need convincing, do what Alice Kuipers suggested in this post on her website. Keep a journal of your time for a week. Write down exactly how you spend your time, all day, every day. I bet you'll find that there's some time spent on unimportant things that could be reassigned as writing time. When you start looking for it, you'll be surprised by just how much time you actually have.
Inspiration
There's a lot of time spent waiting for inspiration. But if we try to wait for inspiration to come find us, we'll never get anything done. When I have time set aside for writing but I feel as though I have nothing to write about, I write about that. No matter how you get the words going, just get them going. The more you practice, the easier it'll be to get started.
Fear
Personally, I find this to be a big one. What if no one likes my writing? What if I try and fail? What if I never publish anything? These are the ghosts that haunt me every time I sit down to write. They keep me from starting big projects, from reaching out to other professionals. What if no one takes me seriously? But before you let these questions and fears get to you, remember that you're writing for yourself first. No matter how much of a success you end up being, you'll have followed your passion. You'll have tried something new and stretched yourself in a new direction. There's really nothing to lose when it comes to writing. Your words belong on paper, even if they're just for you.
What obstacles are keeping you from meeting your own writing goals? How do you get around them? I want to hear your opinion! Please share in the comments section below.
Time
If you're the same as me, time can seem hard to come by. I have a full time job outside of writing and by the time I get home every day, I'm tired with lots of other responsibilities that need my attention. There's supper to make, a house to clean, a dog to feed and walk and two bunnies that need exercise and attention. But honestly, you have more time than you think. If you need convincing, do what Alice Kuipers suggested in this post on her website. Keep a journal of your time for a week. Write down exactly how you spend your time, all day, every day. I bet you'll find that there's some time spent on unimportant things that could be reassigned as writing time. When you start looking for it, you'll be surprised by just how much time you actually have.
Inspiration
There's a lot of time spent waiting for inspiration. But if we try to wait for inspiration to come find us, we'll never get anything done. When I have time set aside for writing but I feel as though I have nothing to write about, I write about that. No matter how you get the words going, just get them going. The more you practice, the easier it'll be to get started.
Fear
Personally, I find this to be a big one. What if no one likes my writing? What if I try and fail? What if I never publish anything? These are the ghosts that haunt me every time I sit down to write. They keep me from starting big projects, from reaching out to other professionals. What if no one takes me seriously? But before you let these questions and fears get to you, remember that you're writing for yourself first. No matter how much of a success you end up being, you'll have followed your passion. You'll have tried something new and stretched yourself in a new direction. There's really nothing to lose when it comes to writing. Your words belong on paper, even if they're just for you.
What obstacles are keeping you from meeting your own writing goals? How do you get around them? I want to hear your opinion! Please share in the comments section below.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Unplugged
Today was a good day. I spent almost the entirety of the day unplugged from TV and the internet, and I have to say, it was nice. The only reason I'm on now is to write this blog post. It's amazing what you can get done when you take a step away from technology.
Since the start of the month I've been participating in a platform building challenge, and it's been great. But I've also been incessantly plugged into social media sites and it's amazing how quickly it can become redundant. For instance, today's challenge was to start a Google+ account. I wasn't pleased about this one, I'm not a big fan of Google, and I'm starting to feel as though I'm spreading myself too thin. Would it not be better to concentrate on making a big impact on small number of social media outlets, than a small one on a great number of them? Despite my personal feelings, I'm trying to keep an open mind. I'll decide which I'll keep and which I'll get rid of at the end. But it was frustrating enough to get me to put my computer away for the afternoon.
And when I did, I discovered something amazing. I could get a lot done in a day. I ran errands, did yard work, visited my sister, went to the farmers market, cleaned my house and walked the dog. And I feel great! I'm not suggesting that I've given up on social media, I enjoy it and I think it has a lot to offer. But it's nice to take a break from it once in a while. I think I'll remain unplugged for the rest of the weekend. I can't wait to see what else I can accomplish!
Since the start of the month I've been participating in a platform building challenge, and it's been great. But I've also been incessantly plugged into social media sites and it's amazing how quickly it can become redundant. For instance, today's challenge was to start a Google+ account. I wasn't pleased about this one, I'm not a big fan of Google, and I'm starting to feel as though I'm spreading myself too thin. Would it not be better to concentrate on making a big impact on small number of social media outlets, than a small one on a great number of them? Despite my personal feelings, I'm trying to keep an open mind. I'll decide which I'll keep and which I'll get rid of at the end. But it was frustrating enough to get me to put my computer away for the afternoon.
And when I did, I discovered something amazing. I could get a lot done in a day. I ran errands, did yard work, visited my sister, went to the farmers market, cleaned my house and walked the dog. And I feel great! I'm not suggesting that I've given up on social media, I enjoy it and I think it has a lot to offer. But it's nice to take a break from it once in a while. I think I'll remain unplugged for the rest of the weekend. I can't wait to see what else I can accomplish!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Five Sentence Fiction Friday!
What better day for story telling than a grey and drizzly Friday the 13th? Can you feel it? The air is full of suspense, magic and mischief. Not to mention it's Friday, and I feel like doing something fun. This week's Five Sentence Fiction prompt is Armor. Please enjoy my take below!
Beckoning and shining, it waited. The girl let her fingers play over the surface, felt the flutter of excitement in her heart. No one would be able to tell, no one would ever need to know it was her. She lifted the helmet and placed it over her head. Who would ever believe that the triumphant knight and the damsel in distress were one and the same?
There you have it! Short and sweet and oh so fun! If you'd like to read last week's attempt at Five Sentence Fiction, just click the link below. As always, if you've enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with others. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MelanieKCole. You can also follow this blog by email to get the latest updates. Have a great weekend everyone!
Five Sentence Fiction - Tears
Beckoning and shining, it waited. The girl let her fingers play over the surface, felt the flutter of excitement in her heart. No one would be able to tell, no one would ever need to know it was her. She lifted the helmet and placed it over her head. Who would ever believe that the triumphant knight and the damsel in distress were one and the same?
There you have it! Short and sweet and oh so fun! If you'd like to read last week's attempt at Five Sentence Fiction, just click the link below. As always, if you've enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with others. Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MelanieKCole. You can also follow this blog by email to get the latest updates. Have a great weekend everyone!
Five Sentence Fiction - Tears
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Way We Feel About Our Pets
A woman at work came into the office today, face streaked with tears, to ask for an advance. Her dog was sick and she had no way to pay the vet bills.
"Stupid men," she stuttered, "they all just keep telling me to put him down! But I can't do that. I love him."
"Men just don't get it," I nodded in agreement, looking over the quote the vet had printed off for her. I knew exactly how she felt. It was only a couple of years ago that I was faced with the same situation; one very sick puppy and some frighteningly high vet bills. I didn't have the money back then either, and my husband and I had paid for the bills with credit cards, an amount we're still paying off today. But I can honestly say I'd do it again in a second.
We don't realize just how much our pets mean to us until it comes down to that horrible moment when they're sick, and we realize we'd pay any price to make them well again. I did just that, and although the price was high, it was worth it. Today, my Great Dane, Maddie, flourishes. And the adventures she's given me have mad me laugh, scream in frustration, and cry with joy. I wouldn't trade a single moment with her, not even the ones where I've found myself lying on top of her kicking, squirming, biting form while she was in the midst of a full-scale toddler-style tantrum. And she's thrown plenty of those. I've never met a dog so sensitive and loving, mischievious and naughty. I remember the time I found an entire avocado hidden in her mouth, the time I came into the kitchen and found her standing on the dining room table with her head stuck in a box of cereal, and the time I discovered her decimating a pineapple all over the couch. If I hadn't saved her life I wouldn't have as much debt, and I'd probably have nicer furniture, but it wouldn't be worth it. Despite it all, she is my pet. She is my family. And I just don't get people who feel differently about their animals.
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If you'd like to read more about Maddie's adventures, just click the links below! And as always, if you like anything you read please feel free to share it with friends! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MelanieKCole.
Maddie the Unsung Hero
The Great and Nurturing Maddie
How I Found Out My Dog is Better Looking Than I Am
"Stupid men," she stuttered, "they all just keep telling me to put him down! But I can't do that. I love him."
"Men just don't get it," I nodded in agreement, looking over the quote the vet had printed off for her. I knew exactly how she felt. It was only a couple of years ago that I was faced with the same situation; one very sick puppy and some frighteningly high vet bills. I didn't have the money back then either, and my husband and I had paid for the bills with credit cards, an amount we're still paying off today. But I can honestly say I'd do it again in a second.
We don't realize just how much our pets mean to us until it comes down to that horrible moment when they're sick, and we realize we'd pay any price to make them well again. I did just that, and although the price was high, it was worth it. Today, my Great Dane, Maddie, flourishes. And the adventures she's given me have mad me laugh, scream in frustration, and cry with joy. I wouldn't trade a single moment with her, not even the ones where I've found myself lying on top of her kicking, squirming, biting form while she was in the midst of a full-scale toddler-style tantrum. And she's thrown plenty of those. I've never met a dog so sensitive and loving, mischievious and naughty. I remember the time I found an entire avocado hidden in her mouth, the time I came into the kitchen and found her standing on the dining room table with her head stuck in a box of cereal, and the time I discovered her decimating a pineapple all over the couch. If I hadn't saved her life I wouldn't have as much debt, and I'd probably have nicer furniture, but it wouldn't be worth it. Despite it all, she is my pet. She is my family. And I just don't get people who feel differently about their animals.
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If you'd like to read more about Maddie's adventures, just click the links below! And as always, if you like anything you read please feel free to share it with friends! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @MelanieKCole.
Maddie the Unsung Hero
The Great and Nurturing Maddie
How I Found Out My Dog is Better Looking Than I Am
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Should I Start a Website?
As you may or may not know, I'm participating in the Platform Building Challenge at My Name is Not Bob for the month of April. Every day we're given a task to help us build and improve our platform. (A platform is your potential readership, your audience, your niche). Today's task? Do a google, bing and yahoo search for our own name and see what comes up.
Now, what should come up is your website/blog and your twitter, facebook, LinkedIn account, etc. All that came up for me was my twitter handle, and not too near the top. According to My Name is Not Bob, my blog really should be at the top of the list, but I understand why it isn't. My name isn't even in the url. When I originally set up this blog, I had no idea what a platform even was. I just wanted something quirky and funny. Unfortunately, it also equaled obscurity and I'm realizing now that I need to upgrade and present a more professional image. Plus, it doesn't help that some of the top search results were for an old figure skater and a woman who killed a man with a bottle. Obviously, neither one is me.
Which brings me to today's query. Should I start a website? I've pretty much already made up my mind that I will, but I'd like to hear the pros and cons of anyone out there that has one. What are the must haves for writers? What are the dos and don'ts? Please feel free to weigh in with your opinion in the comments section.
Now, what should come up is your website/blog and your twitter, facebook, LinkedIn account, etc. All that came up for me was my twitter handle, and not too near the top. According to My Name is Not Bob, my blog really should be at the top of the list, but I understand why it isn't. My name isn't even in the url. When I originally set up this blog, I had no idea what a platform even was. I just wanted something quirky and funny. Unfortunately, it also equaled obscurity and I'm realizing now that I need to upgrade and present a more professional image. Plus, it doesn't help that some of the top search results were for an old figure skater and a woman who killed a man with a bottle. Obviously, neither one is me.
Which brings me to today's query. Should I start a website? I've pretty much already made up my mind that I will, but I'd like to hear the pros and cons of anyone out there that has one. What are the must haves for writers? What are the dos and don'ts? Please feel free to weigh in with your opinion in the comments section.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Long Weekend Lazies
Every long weekend seems to go the same way. I go into it with all these plans to get things done, clean the house, catch up on laundry and be proactive, and then I spend the majority of the weekend curled up on the couch, napping and eating junk food. Without fail, I get almost nothing I set out to do done. And what is the cause of such repetitive failure? Procrastination.
On a regular weekend I have only two days to get things done. On a long weekend I have three. I don't know what it is about that magical number, but somehow my brain interprets it as forever and I believe I have all the time in the world to accomplish my goals. So, I cut myself some slack on the first day. It's been a long week, month, etc. I deserve to take some time off to do nothing. Sure, except that it doesn't end there. My sloth-like behaviour drags on into the second day, and by the third I'm so deep in lazy town I can't pull out of it. All I can think about is how I have to go back to work tomorrow and the last thing I want to do is be productive.
And here I am. It's Sunday. Tomorrow I return to work and all I have to show for having three days off is a semi-clean house, a few loads of finished laundry and a quarter of my yard work is done. I haven't done much in the way of writing, and I seem to have a perpetual headache from too much TV watching. Honestly? I feel a little like death warmed over. If I could hit the restart button for this weekend I would. Yikes.
In other news, I have been keeping up with the April Platform Building Challenge. Today I had to sign up for LinkedIn (you can see my profile and connect with me here). Honestly, I'd never planned to sign up for it until it had come up as part of the challenge, and I don't especially like it so far. It's not very easy to use and it's purpose is unclear to me. I get that it allows you to make connections with other professionals in your field, I'm just not so sure how I expect it to accomplish that. It requires way too much information and you can only really connect with people you've already connected with. Not a big fan. But, it's only day one. I'll have to wait and see how I feel about it at the end of this challenge. What are your thoughts on LinkedIn?
On a regular weekend I have only two days to get things done. On a long weekend I have three. I don't know what it is about that magical number, but somehow my brain interprets it as forever and I believe I have all the time in the world to accomplish my goals. So, I cut myself some slack on the first day. It's been a long week, month, etc. I deserve to take some time off to do nothing. Sure, except that it doesn't end there. My sloth-like behaviour drags on into the second day, and by the third I'm so deep in lazy town I can't pull out of it. All I can think about is how I have to go back to work tomorrow and the last thing I want to do is be productive.
And here I am. It's Sunday. Tomorrow I return to work and all I have to show for having three days off is a semi-clean house, a few loads of finished laundry and a quarter of my yard work is done. I haven't done much in the way of writing, and I seem to have a perpetual headache from too much TV watching. Honestly? I feel a little like death warmed over. If I could hit the restart button for this weekend I would. Yikes.
In other news, I have been keeping up with the April Platform Building Challenge. Today I had to sign up for LinkedIn (you can see my profile and connect with me here). Honestly, I'd never planned to sign up for it until it had come up as part of the challenge, and I don't especially like it so far. It's not very easy to use and it's purpose is unclear to me. I get that it allows you to make connections with other professionals in your field, I'm just not so sure how I expect it to accomplish that. It requires way too much information and you can only really connect with people you've already connected with. Not a big fan. But, it's only day one. I'll have to wait and see how I feel about it at the end of this challenge. What are your thoughts on LinkedIn?
Friday, April 6, 2012
Five Sentence Fiction
This week I'm trying something new. Over at Lillie McFerrin Writes, every week she posts a one word inspiration and anyone willing to participate can write a five sentence story based on that prompt. I thought it sounded like fun, so I decided to give it a try. Here is my five sentence story based on this week's prompt: Tears.
I wouldn't let him see me cry. He didn't deserve something as cliched as my tears. He'd made his choice, and now it was time for me to make mine. I stood up and turned to leave. I didn't look back as I walked away.
I wouldn't let him see me cry. He didn't deserve something as cliched as my tears. He'd made his choice, and now it was time for me to make mine. I stood up and turned to leave. I didn't look back as I walked away.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Practical Advice for Writers
I've only been writing professionally for a short while, but in that time I've received an immeasurable amount of invaluable advice. Some of which I'd like to share with you. Some of it has come from writing blogs, some from the always helpful Writers Digest, still more from workshops and classes and of course, from other writers. I can't claim to be an expert (I wouldn't dare!) but maybe a few of the tips that others have been kind enough to share with me can be of some help to you. Please enjoy and feel free to share your own words of wisdom in the comments.
- Just Write - It may seem obvious, but I still struggle with this one. I get stuck on the mayhem of platform building, publishing, marketing and editing before I even get the words down on paper. I get intimidated by the big picture, by the perfect manuscript that refuses to magically appear whenever I pick up the pen. My internal editor criticizes every word choice, forever scrutinizing whether future readers will find my prose awkward and derived. There is so much that can knock you down before you ever get started. Don't let it. Write first and worry about the rest later.
- Put Your Work Out There - Again, it seems simple. You've finished your story, essay, novel, etc and made it as good as it can possibly be. The next logical step is to send it out into the world. But it's a frightening idea. It's easy to feel vulnerable and raw when we expose our work to the criticism of others. But if it's not out there then it can never be published. It's a little like the tree falling in the forest. No one can see your beautiful words if you haven't put them out there for people to see.
- It Will Hurt - I learned this one from author Alice Kuipers while she was the Writer in Residence at the public library. She challenged me to send my work out into the world but cautioned me about the rejection. Rejection is inescapable (don't kid yourself) and it will hurt. A lot. Some days it will make you question whether you can write at all. But it's an important part of being a writer. It builds resolve, a thicker skin and if you're open to learning from it, you'll become a much better writer for the experience.
- Try New Things - When I started writing seriously I was only interested in two things: blogging and writing novels. But as I took more classes and started trying new things, I realized I also enjoyed personal essays and short stories. Likewise, I also realized I had no interest in journalism. I love getting to include a little of my own perspective in my writing. But if I hadn't branched out and tried new things, I never would have known. It keeps things fresh and exciting. It's a lovely gift to give yourself.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Introducing...
Poppet and Widget!
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That's right, thanks to The Night Circus and the always wonderful Erin Morgenstern, the bunnies now have names.
Today, as I whiled away the hours in the twitter-verse, I saw a tweet by Erin Morgenstern regarding a beautiful drawing of Poppet and Widget from her book, The Night Circus, who are brother and sister. (Which if you haven't read, you REALLY should. It's amazing. Vivid, imaginative and utterly captivating). When I saw her tweet, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had the names for my bunnies!
Of course, I had to give credit where credit was due, so I immediately tweeted my thanks to Erin Morgenstern for her brilliant character names that would now also become my adorable bunnies' monikers. And she tweeted BACK! I'm always so excited when this happens. I think it's amazing that there are so many amazing authors out there willing to take the time to connect with their fans. I completely geeked out over our small twitter conversation and spent the rest of my day smiling like a fool. (I guess you could say I was "twitterpated". HAH!)
In any case, I know you're probably wondering who's who. Poppet is the little brown and white bunny, and Widget is the grey and white one. They're already as close and inseparable as their namesakes and I think it's going to be a really great fit.
So thank you Erin Morgenstern! Everyone go out and buy The Night Circus! It's a fabulous book and you can learn all about Poppet and Widget. In closing, here is another photo of the bunnies and the book that inspired their names.
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That's right, thanks to The Night Circus and the always wonderful Erin Morgenstern, the bunnies now have names.
Today, as I whiled away the hours in the twitter-verse, I saw a tweet by Erin Morgenstern regarding a beautiful drawing of Poppet and Widget from her book, The Night Circus, who are brother and sister. (Which if you haven't read, you REALLY should. It's amazing. Vivid, imaginative and utterly captivating). When I saw her tweet, it hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had the names for my bunnies!
Of course, I had to give credit where credit was due, so I immediately tweeted my thanks to Erin Morgenstern for her brilliant character names that would now also become my adorable bunnies' monikers. And she tweeted BACK! I'm always so excited when this happens. I think it's amazing that there are so many amazing authors out there willing to take the time to connect with their fans. I completely geeked out over our small twitter conversation and spent the rest of my day smiling like a fool. (I guess you could say I was "twitterpated". HAH!)
In any case, I know you're probably wondering who's who. Poppet is the little brown and white bunny, and Widget is the grey and white one. They're already as close and inseparable as their namesakes and I think it's going to be a really great fit.
So thank you Erin Morgenstern! Everyone go out and buy The Night Circus! It's a fabulous book and you can learn all about Poppet and Widget. In closing, here is another photo of the bunnies and the book that inspired their names.
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Monday, April 2, 2012
Too Busy!
Today was a crazy busy day. Normally, my job is very relaxed and orderly, but today everything just seemed to go haywire. Simple tasks that normally took no time at all took up most of my day. Of course it had to be on a Monday when I hadn't had very much sleep the night before. When I got home from work I had to clean the house and run to the grocery store, as my parents were coming over to meet my two new baby bunnies. We had a really great visit, and afterward as I was hoping to crawl into bed I remembered that I needed to wash my husband's work pants for tomorrow, as well as write a blog post.
So, I ran downstairs, threw in a load of wash and plopped down on the couch to hammer out a quick post, only to get hung up in the world of editing for another project. It's now an hour past my planned bedtime and here I am, finally getting to my blog post. You'll have to forgive me if it feels a little thrown together, because it is. I had no idea what I would write about until I started.
Honestly, I don't mind the business. It's exhilarating to run around and get things done, just so long as it isn't on a constant basis. I've also started a month long platform building challenge (which you can read about here), so that's fun and exciting. I love opportunities to learn more about writing and all that goes into it. To top it all off, I heard back from an editor about a pitch from a few months ago, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
That pretty much sums up my life at the moment. I still haven't named the bunnies (still waiting on suggestions for that!), who are doing great and really starting to get comfortable in their new environment. It's fun to watch them flourish, to watch as their curiousity takes over and they begin to explore and introduce themselves. I'm loving every minute it of it. Maddie's had a few more encounters with them and so far she's doing marvelously. I'm so proud of my baby girl!
Stay tuned for news on the baby bunnies future monikers, as well as the Before and After pictures of my office. (That's right, I haven't forgotten. I was just sidetracked by bunnies). In the meantime, I'm rewarding myself with some much needed sleep.
So, I ran downstairs, threw in a load of wash and plopped down on the couch to hammer out a quick post, only to get hung up in the world of editing for another project. It's now an hour past my planned bedtime and here I am, finally getting to my blog post. You'll have to forgive me if it feels a little thrown together, because it is. I had no idea what I would write about until I started.
Honestly, I don't mind the business. It's exhilarating to run around and get things done, just so long as it isn't on a constant basis. I've also started a month long platform building challenge (which you can read about here), so that's fun and exciting. I love opportunities to learn more about writing and all that goes into it. To top it all off, I heard back from an editor about a pitch from a few months ago, so keep your fingers crossed for me!
That pretty much sums up my life at the moment. I still haven't named the bunnies (still waiting on suggestions for that!), who are doing great and really starting to get comfortable in their new environment. It's fun to watch them flourish, to watch as their curiousity takes over and they begin to explore and introduce themselves. I'm loving every minute it of it. Maddie's had a few more encounters with them and so far she's doing marvelously. I'm so proud of my baby girl!
Stay tuned for news on the baby bunnies future monikers, as well as the Before and After pictures of my office. (That's right, I haven't forgotten. I was just sidetracked by bunnies). In the meantime, I'm rewarding myself with some much needed sleep.