Southern Grammar from a Southern Gal

I am a stickler for grammar, but I'm also a proud Southern gal. Some grammar rules are geography specific, and certainly no Southern character can be written without a good y'all here and there.

Thanks to my friend, Mindy, for sharing this with me

Southerners like to end sentences in prepositions, example "Where you going to?", and we love a good Honey or Ma'am sprinkled into a conversation.

But like my Mama always says, we kill 'em with kindness... don't assume all that honey is as gooey as it sounds. We are tough women. Don't let the y'alls fool ya'.

Our usual "Bless your Heart" can mean anything from poor thing to hang in there.

And a joke I heard once about Southerners. If you ever hear one say "How nice" constantly while you are telling a braggin' story, it means Screw You (although a bit harsher than Screw).

Oh, and did I mention we drop the ends of words?

If you are goin' swimmin' for (okay we drop beginnings of words too... this should = before) a weddin', you'd best be spectin' someone to holler at ya'.

My husband gets on me all the time for saying I'm going to put my clothes on a rack (he says hangers go on a rack).

When I write Southern characters (which I tend to do), I hear them speaking in my head and the sounds are so clear.

Do you hear characters in your head as you are reading/writing?

Writer Rejuvenated: ROW80 Update

I sat and listened, my worry increasing with each word read. I clutched my paper tighter, wondering if I should back out. I was a guest after all, nobody really expected me to read. The two stories before me were different, but each was beautiful and built the pressure.

This is how I felt attending my mom's writing group as a guest. I've never been a part of a close writing group, but Mom has for years. We had yet to read any part of our Depression Cookies follow-up to anyone. I was so nervous.

Mom read first, because her character starts each chapter.

My unease grew. I write a seventeen-year-old character, Krista. She's not supposed to be espousing poetic narration. But all three pieces before my reading were poetic (one was poetry). The hand holding my paper began to shake. Did I mention I suck at public speaking?

But then I read. I know my character so well it's like I'm speaking. I settled in. I noticed some things I wanted to change, I edit best by reading aloud, but overall was happy. Then came critique time...

I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone in the group got it and gave us wonderful input. They saw the emotion of seeing the same event through a mother eyes and then her daughter's.

I left with a renewed determination to finish this book. A fire in the belly, if you will.

What I loved best was how this group could see each piece separate from another. It's not my job to write like someone else, but to represent my characters and story in the best way I can.

Thanks to the Pamlico Writers' Group for treating a guest like a member and for rejuvenating my writing spirit.

What's the last thing that rejuvenated your love of reading or writing?

*****

My A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Writing: Made the changes suggested by the critique group and those Mom and I discussed prior to and after the reading. Back to my 30 minutes a day writing goal tomorrow.

Editing: Back in full swing tomorrow. I will feature two of the books I edited on this blog in the coming weeks: Trinidad Express by Jim Keen and Gifts from a Muse by Lane Schroeder.

Blogging: Oops. Had a Fun Facts Friday about Olympians, but my scheduler didn't work. I didn't realize it until Saturday late afternoon thanks to travel, and it seemed silly to publish a Fun Facts Friday post then. So it'll be up this Friday.

Social Media: Failure. Traveling is hard on blog reading. I hate to read blogs on my phone. I turn 40 on Saturday, and I refuse to strain my eyes reading blogs knowing that reading glasses are probably not too far in the future as it is. But catch up I will (that sounded very Yoda).

Reading: Loving it. But I have a tale to tell about a recent review experience. Will have a blog forthcoming about it.

Really? You are Going to Publish That?!: ROW80 Update

My summer journey continues. I just left my middle daughter at Mom's, a special bonding time for them, and headed to my baby sister's house, Dana "don't call me baby sister" Newbrough. She has two beautiful daughters, Samantha and Sydney. Here, I get the relish the role of Aunt.

Last night, my sister and I were watching Dancing with the Stars. Two dancers performed a heart-wrenching piece to Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You. I felt that familiar lump in my throat as I watched.

At first I thought I was choked up by the dancing, although I don't usually cry watching dancers, but then I realized... it was the haunting sound of Whitney Houston's voice. Earlier that evening, I saw the previews for Whitney's last movie, Sparkle. The combination got to me.

We lost her too soon. I wish I only had memories of her from my teenage years. She was so beautiful with a voice to match. Unfortunately, we saw her struggles play out through addiction, both to drugs and bad influences like Bobby Brown.

Not too long ago, I heard an ugly rumor. One I hope will prove false... Whitney's mother was writing a tell-all. It's bad enough that Bobby is performing on morning talk shows. As a mother, I don't want Whitney's daughter, Bobbi, to have to relive any of the darkness of her mother. I want us to focus on the talent and beauty that the world is missing.

Then there's the author side of me... publishing houses turn down quality book every single day. I get it, there's only room for so many in their list. But when a book by Whitney's mom or some sad, barely-ever-famous celebrity (Snooki comes to mind) gets rushed out, it's a slap in the face to good books (and authors) everywhere.

Wait, another one just popped to mind... the tell-all book from Rielle Hunter, the mistress of Senator John Edwards. First of all, who cares? Second, let's show some respect for Elizabeth Edwards. Finally, what don't we already know?

Okay, I'll step down off my soap box.

What was the last book that left you wondering why it ever got published?

*****

A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

A day late. But I'm doing what I set out to do this round, find better balance.

Writing: I have been working on my book. First, Mom and I read a chapter to her writers' group on Tuesday night. Such a lovely experience and one I will detail in Sunday's check in. Second, I visited the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky to take pictures and notes. The follow-up to Depression Cookies is set there for a good portion of the book.

Reading: Knocking down the books. It is teaching me so much about the writer I want to be.

Blogging: Well... something had to give. I've tried to keep up. This post is a day late, but I did post Monday and will post a Fun Facts Friday tomorrow. I also posted two book reviews on Mom in Love with Fiction this week. If you missed my review of The Book Thief, please check it out here. One of the best books I've ever read. It should be featured in every writing class.

Editing: Put on hold until after vacation. It deserves more of my attention than I can give it right now.

I'll be catching up with my fellow ROW80ers the next couple of days. Hope everyone is rocking Round 3!

Appreciating Loveliness

A huge thank you to Jo Michaels for the One Lovely Blog Award (which I am sadly quite late accepting). But more importantly, I want to thank Jo for always stopping by and commenting on my blog. I've come to look forward to and appreciate her support.

The rules of the nomination are thus:

 

I have to tell you seven things about myself and nominate six to ten other bloggers to receive the award.

1. I am a rule-follower, almost to a fault. But oddly enough I bristle at people telling me what to do. I respect and follow things like grammar rules, traffic laws (laws in general), policies, etc. Yet, I will eat vanilla just because someone insists I must have chocolate. If you can figure this out, let me know.

2. I will read any genre, and I often find myself "overdone" if I read too much of one genre in a row. I have read some amazing books lately, but the last few have been WWII-focused, and I might need to put a few years in between those and my next WWII book (or any war-based book).

3. I've lived in many places. My top three...

• Superior, Colorado (near Boulder)
• San Diego, California
• Lexington, Kentucky

4. I love chocolate chips and will add them to many recipes from pancakes to banana bread. If it's sweet, it can benefit from chocolate chips (my favorite: mini milk chocolate ones).

5. I am a partner-runner. I run twice as fast and twice as long when I run with a partner. By myself, I find excuses and figure nobody is watching. Wait, I have an idea... I need a writing partner to sit next to me in Starbucks and write. Someone I know will give me grief if I blow it off!

6. I will be 40 in 12 days. Not that I'm counting. 40 doesn't make me feel old, but having a teenager does.

7. I am the oldest of three girls. Between us we have eight daughters. We are female power. :-) Maybe that's why I prefer writing and reading female characters.

So I am not going to follow the "rule" of nominating 6 to 10 other bloggers, because I love to many blogs and don't want anyone to feel obligated. That being said, please feel free to consider yourself tagged if you are in need of a blog post or a need to feel loved.

Or, better yet... check out my last few posts and visit one of the commenters. They are all lovely bloggers. 

Facts Are Scarier than Fiction

Normally, I feature a Fun Facts Friday post on Fridays.

But today, I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all the families affected by the Aurora, Colorado movie shooting. My family lived in Colorado from 2006-2010, and we still consider it a home away from home. We were extremely saddened to hear of the tragedy there.

Few of us will ever forget April 20, 1999... Columbine. 13 people were killed and 21 injured by two gunman at a Littleton, Colorado high school. More tragic events followed: September 11, 2001; the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings; and the 2009 attack at Ford Hood, Texas. Just to name the ones that popped in my head.

Now...

12 people were killed and 59 wounded when a young man opened fire on a midnight showing of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado.

So many times people try to blame the movie industry, particularly violent ones, for giving criminals ideas.

I offer a different view... most books and movies try to figure out the atrocities that happen in real life instead of insight them. They try to show the senselessness of violence and the amazing heroes who often step forward during such times. The great books try to figure it out--the factors and characters that lead up to horrific events.

Sadly, most real events are far worse than anything I've read in a book or seen on television or at the movies. Even the make believe worlds filled with vampires, aliens, and so forth can't match the horrible things regular human beings do.

I just read two amazing books: Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Both are set during WWII, one from the German perspective and one from the Russian. Both were bone chilling. Nothing is as shocking as history.

Maybe there's nothing to learn from today. Maybe, sadly, some people are messed up. Bad things often happen without good reason. People lose loved ones without explanation. There's little we can do to understand the mind of a mad men. And I for one like to think those responsible for the events listed above are freaks of nature. Anomalies we simply can't explain.

But let's not blame movies and books. Whatever motivates these types of people, they will find it where they need it. No matter what we do.

Please join me in sending thoughts and prayers to those in Colorado.

Admitting I'm Not a Good Multitasker: ROW80 Update

Focusing on my novel writing has not done wonders for my blog writing.

I used to brag about being a good multitasker. But guess what I've discovered? I can do multiple things at once, but I can't do them well.

Blog writing helps with my creativity, but it also drains my creativity and time. Cutting back was the right thing to do, but I miss it.

Still, this graphic helped keep me on track.

More specifically, for me it's about 10 Steps to Becoming a Better Novel Writer.

Are you a good multitasker? Or, do you find yourself simply running around overwhelmed by a multitude of tasks?

A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Progress On Current Goals

Writing: I have kept to my 30-minutes-a-day commitment with ease. Yes, that probably means I should increase the time, but see my altered goals for this next week below. After that, maybe. Today, I rocked almost two hours of WIP work time. Not all writing, but all progress.

Editing: Two hours today to finish up a project. I wanted to do it justice. I hope I did. The pieces are wonderful, and I want to add value.

Reading: Knocked out another great book. Reviews are being posted like mad to Mom in Love with Fiction. My top recommendation: The Book Thief (review will publish Friday, 7/20).

Blogging: Struggling. I have the focus where it belongs, but I miss blog writing.

Social Media: Creeping through the backlog. To my favorite bloggers, don't worry. I'll be back around.

Alterations for the Next Week

Although I hate to mess with my groove, I need to make adjustments this week. The girls and I are heading out on an adventure. My baby is spending four days with my sister. She's never been away from Mom and Dad for that long. My mom and I are taking the three oldest grandchildren (two are mine) to Breyer Fest in Lexington, KY.

For once, I'm preparing for Life by being realistic about my goals and what I can accomplish. Part of why I've found my groove is because I'm learning to adjust and be realistic, and I'm also learning to balance and enjoy my family.

Writing: I will be doing tons of research on our Depression Cookies follow up, since part of it is set at the University of Kentucky (where I went to college). I'm going to take tons of pictures and notes for scenery and to reboot my memory. Don't know how much writing will get done, but I will be making progress. Let's call it a research field trip.

Blogging: I will skip Sunday's ROW80 check in, as I probably won't have much to check in about. Not sure how vacation pictures play into a writing update. I'll still have a Fun Facts Friday this week and a post on Monday. One prewritten, one not.

Social Media: Hoping I can sit in the hotel room at night and enjoy some blog reading. Cheers to free Wi-Fi.

Reading: Books and Kindle packed. I hope my streak continues.

Looking forward to getting around to blogger friends, old and new, this week!

Summer Hodgepodge: ROW80 Update

Again I missed my A Round of Words in 80 Days Sunday check in post. But I have a great reason. I'm finding balance. Finally.

It's summer, and it will be over before I know it. I'm managing writing time, but it's planned around family and friends.

Family

My daughters had three swim meets in the last week. I am so proud of how they always give it their all. This summer was the first swim season for my 7-year-old, and she was quite proud of herself after winning her heat in the 25 Free.

Friends

Then Saturday I hosted a dear friend, someone I now consider a member of my family... Elise Fallson. Elise is a wonderful writer, blogger, mom, and all-around great gal. I met her through my mother, and we bonded right away. She stayed with me Saturday night, along with her two adorable children and lovely mother, before she headed back home to France after a three-week US tour of family and friends.

Elise and I only met about a year and a half ago, and we met online. She read my novel, I'm reading the drafts of hers (SO excited to see it come out!), and I coaxed her into the wonderful online writing community. Check out her blog, Elise Fallson.

We stayed up way too late Saturday night talking about writing and the storylines we are working on. I was in heaven. Missing you already, Elise! Guess it's my turn to come see you.

I think I should start a new group: Women's Writing Slumber Parties. We could gather in a central location for the most fun. Otherwise, we start a twitter party at 10pm and all chat about our characters, stories, frustrations, victories, love of words, and so on until the wee hours of the morning.

*****

Are You a Mom Who Writes?

The lovely Annette Gendler features guest posts for a Moms Who Write series. I met Annette during last year's WordCount Blogathon and felt a connection to her and her blog right away.

Today, she features my guest post about writing and balance. Please check it out: Have Laptop Will Travel.

*****

A day late...

A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Where I've found balance... in prioritizing. My family comes first, but right after comes working on my WIP. Then it trickles to editing, blog, etc.

Writing: I spent at least 30 minutes, my test mile, working on my WIP Wednesday through Saturday, with Sunday off. I spent 45 minutes on Friday writing up notes and character details for Sherry's Tale (so a working title).

Editing: I'm determined to finish up on four lovely short stories. Another blogger and friend I look forward to talking about... Eloise Currie. Her works are destined for a short story collection. I might be able to convince her to write a novel one of these days, too!

Blogging: I missed Sunday, but I'm keeping steady with blogging Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

Social Media: Behind. Weekends are fast becoming family time. I like this new system. I'm thinking I should treat writing like a work week. Monday through Friday, with weekends off. Hmmm. But I can't help squeezing in some blog reading!

Reading: I've been on a roll with good books, and I'm blogging about it. Reviews are coming fast and furious at Mom in Love with Fiction. Check it out when you get a chance.

One last bit of fun

My girls after a trip to the American Girl Store,

enjoying a Lego Woody (during a trip to Chicago).