http://www.poetry.com/poems/from-dreams-to-arms/14484527/

http://www.poetry.com/poems/from-dreams-to-arms/14484527/

The short story

So... I finished editing my short story last night. Whew! That was actually very fun. Time consuming, but fun. I'm a little worried about getting my novel back if those 1 pages too that long, but that's ok. It'll be for the betterment of my baby, the book, so it'll be worth it.

Anyways, I finished editing and wrote my bio, sending it back to the president person of the group. We also got to look at the group photos we had done professionally. They're not bad. I have my favorite, and I'm hoping it's the one that gets used, but none of them are actually bad.

I will find out when we're looking at having it out and printed, and I'll let you all know!

Editing!

My short story is back to me to make final editing choices! I'm doing them now. Then, to send it back along with a bio. I can hardly wait!

A break!

So, I got word today that one of my short stories has been accepted into a book!

My writer's group is putting out their second anthology of short stories and poetry. I sent in a short story of mine, and they accepted it! It's being edited now, and i have to write up a bio for myself.

This is so exciting! Watch out for book signing dates. I know they do them regularly! That is, aster the book is published, haha.

Advancement

So I have a real, live, professional editor for "When In Maui"! I am SUPER excited! I am starting back in on book two of the series. Here's to adonther great step in the process :)

Read

So, I printed off the first copy of my first book and gave it to a friend of mine to tell me what she thought. She read through it in less than 24 hours, saying she couldn't put it down. That's VERY cool in my opinion. She had two things she wanted slightly tweaked, and considering they were both things I went back and forth about, trying to decide how the readers would feel about them, I'm not opposed to going the other route.

So, I am going to do those last couple revisions. She's also editing some grammar and punctuation mistakes. So, once I'm done with those few things? I'm hitting the ground, running. And I am SUPER excited about it!

Ok... time to finish reading the book I'm reading. What book? Well? I'd rather not say. I can't honestly say I'm enjoying it. However, I did just read the first three books of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, and I have to say, one of my favorite book series of all. Loved them. I'm excited for her three part prequel series The Infernal Devices and even more anxiously excited for three more books to The Mortal Instruments series. :) YAY!

Ok... off to read.

Oh Me, Oh My - Imogen Heap

Sorry for not blogging lately. But I wanted to post this. It sort of sums up my mind. Then , you wil understand why. I'll be back writing soon :)

Woo Hoo!

I'm writing. That's all I really have to say... I'm writing, and this makes me happy. I hope it does you, too.

Focus, focus, focus

Ok... I've had some great events come about lately. As I wrote, I am now a professional photography artist. I believe that once you are making money for what you do, you are professional. I don't know if this is true, but in my world, it is. I am in on an online art gallery! Yay! Plus, I already received my first order!

Aside from that, I got a job. A joby job. You know, one where I get paid regularly for my work? I am the personal assistant to the owners of a local landscaping/garden design company. This is very cool. The guys are awesome, I get to learn about trees, hardscapes, plants, how to make professional landscape blueprints and so much more! The best part? I work from home! No more daycare for the kids. Well, that is, except if I pick up a second job. I'm not sure this one is going to be quite enough, but not only is it a start, but it's fun and will be a large chunk of what I need to make. So yay!

Now, writing... I've been holding off. I am still in this part that I've been babbling about for a few weeks. I write a couple sentences here and there, but something about it is holding me back from just pouring on the words. I don't know if it's a boring part for me? Is it that I'm struggling between being too vague and too detailed? I try not to over analyze why I'm slow going. Then I think too much about the why and not what I need to be thinking about... the story. So, I'm working on it, and just like when it's happened before, I'll get that break through point and have that overflow of words again soon enough. I can feel it, and that's what matters.

Photos!

I know this isn't about my writing, but it's something I take pride in. I'm a beginner photographer as a hobby. However... recently, I had a gallery owner ask me to put some of my photos up on her online gallery. There's only a few up as of now, but I'll be putting more up. Also, she'll be putting up a shopping cart soon. So... here's the links to the site.

To the site: www.bodyandsoulsalongallery.com

Directly to my page: http://www.bodyandsoulsalongallery.com/body_and_soul_colleen_nye.htm

Awesome!

So I just an email yesterday from Woman's Day. They asked me to submit 2 or 3 sample blogs on a specific topic. I did. Now, I'm anxiously waiting to see if it's what they're wanting. Ok... a little ahead of myself here. I believe they're looking for some every day people to blog on their site daily. So, I inquired. They responded. Now I'm waiting to see if I get picked. I also believe it's a paid gig. So... here's to hoping! Between the paid thing and another thing that I wrote for a writer's resume, I'm super excited.

Dance Off with the Star Wars Stars 2008

Because I need a station break and am going to show what a dork I am.

Today

I don't know why, but for some reason I'm a bit stuck. Wait... that's not right. How should I describe it? It's more like being in a truck in really deep mud. I am moving forward in the book, but it's slowly.

I am at a part where I have so much that I know I want to put in, but I'm trying to be sure I don;t stay too long on something menial or make it tedious. So... I keep writing a paragraph or two and them distracting myself to clear my mind so I can come back with a clear thought. It's worked in the past. Here's to hoping it works this time. :P

Although, I did get out and took some pretty cool pictures today. One of which is on here.

Back at it

Hello all. it's been a while, and I apologize for that. However, I'm back at my writing and more than ever. The first book is finished and polish. I'm working hard on the second book. I'm also getting some freelance writing jobs. And I'm wanting to tell you all about each of them.

First off... Freelancing. I love it. It's fun. I've applied to a few freelance companies, and I've gotten some work. It's still very sporadic, but I am hoping I get more work soon.

The second book is coming along. As of tonight, I am on page 127 and chapter 7. It's been a blast so far. I have to admit, I hadn't written in four months. Between the holidays, getting really sick with pneumonia for over a month, my divorce going through and a few other things going on. I know... excuses, excuses. However, I took a break and am back to writing full force.

The first book you ask? I'm so glad you asked! I have been sending out queries to publishing houses and literary agents. I received a response from one agent. It was a no, BUT from what I understand, they will critique your submissions. I didn't get that. She said they were not looking for that style of book, but I should keep looking. She said someone is looking for that style of writing and to keep it up. So, that's got to be good. I've got a journal I've started for places TO query and places I have and when and what the response is as I get responses.

So... here we go again. I am happy you're coming along with me on this trip!