To Editors and Agents

So, I just read a tweet that says to not write crazy stuff on your blog because editors and agents will google you. Someone at the Orson Scott Card Roads to Writing Workshop said something similar. And it makes me wonder. Am I writing crazy stuff on my blog that would cause editors or agents to turn away from me. Honestly, the biggest worry I would have if an editor or agent looked at my blog would be the standard of writing. I don't go back and edit my blogs I just free-write. If I were smart, I guess, I would labor over them and edit them and make sure they were perfection before I posted them--but if I tried to do such I would never end up posting anything. So, to any editors and agents who may someday read this blog--just know that this is free-writing and not a polished gem.

RIP My Computer

I think my computer/laptop is completely dead. Or at least it won't turn on despite the fact that it has an almost full battery. I was using it and it simply died on me. I knew it was coming, but I thought I still had more time. I've been using it less, since I do have this--Samuel's computer--on loan for a few months--at least until Alan enters college. However, it makes me so sad that my computer is dead. Besides, it's a mac and there are things I can do on it that I can't figure out how to do on a pc. For example, making a pdf of this blog post. Easy as pie on a mac, but impossibly difficult for me to figure out how to do on this computer. I may sound silly, but it really does make me sad that my computer died. I copied everything off of it a couple weeks ago since it was really worrying me, but oh how sad it makes me to say good-bye to it. It's been a good friend to me. Maybe someday I'll own a new computer, but I don't have the means to buy one and I only got the one I had 'cause Nathan bought a new computer and gave me his old laptop.

At least I had it for a year. And I just realized what I did lose--all of my numerous internet bookmarks. Oh well, se la vi. That's what I get for relying on my computer to remember things for me. Whatever. I'm silly and it's late. I should go to bed and continue mourning the loss of my computer tomorrow.

RIP Computer--you served me well.

Books, authors, and writing

You want to know someone else who has awesome blog posts--Mettie Ivie Harrison (http://metteharrison.livejournal.com/).

You want to know a really good book--Wings by Aprilynne Pike. I heard her talk about it at last year's LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything Sci-fi/fantasy symposium at BYU) and have wanted to read it since then. So, when I saw it at the library yesterday I checked it out and started reading it--way good. Definitely a book I want to own. I also want to buy the books in Shannon Hale's Bayern series. I just finished re-reading them. They are stellar books. They are good examples of good writing.

Today I went to an Orson Scott Card writing workshop--Roads to Writing (note: I was so tired this morning that when I first wrote it down in my notebook I wrote "roads into riding" LOL). I enjoyed the workshop. The authors there (Card, Brandon Mull, Aaron Johnston, and Edmund R. Schubert) gave lots of good advice. But now comes the real test--doing it. That is, of course, my biggest challenge. Just doing it. Just write! That is what I need to do. I really liked Aaron Johnston's presentation on finding time to write. You really do have to make the time. And to do it even when you're exhausted, tired, hurting, etc.

So...go write!

Sometimes, somewhat, a hypochondriac

I often worry too much about life and the many things life is made of. I feel quite socially awkward, I stress over making good decisions, and own a decided streak of perfectionism. My abundance of worry often leads me to feel as though I am a hypochondriac.And perhaps I am a hypochondriac...

I think, for a time, I did not worry so much--I knew I had fibromyalgia and arthritis and felt like I had an idea of a direction to go in. Then carpal tunnel hit, which threw me for quite the loop. And now as my arms hurt more and more, I worry. The silliest worry I have involves wondering what will show up next or what is already there but still unknown. Complete and utter nonsense.

I'll admit, regarding my health lately, I've tried to take the ostrich approach--keep your head in the sand and hope for the best. But, like I said, my arms keep hurting more and more. Plus, my digestive system continues to dislike me, having stayed unsettled for a month now. Part of my brain reasons that it is simply the result of going off an SSRI. The other part of my brain worries that something else could be wrong with me--most prominately celiac disease (sparked by the fact that the number of people I know that have it continues to grow). I certainly don't want celiac disease. Do you know how many foods have wheat in them--tons!

One thing that feeds my worry--I did not recognize I had carpal tunnel until it caused me quite a lot of pain--this resulted from the fact that I have other health problems that cause me to experience pain 24/7. Even now, if I didn't have this past year's experience with carpal tunnel, would simply think my arms hurt a lot currently.

Around and around I go. And a merry ride it is...

A Trip to the River

However did it get so late...ah well, I should have time for at least a short post. Today I went to the river--Glen Maury River. My sisters Alice and Sarah also went. We had lots of fun playing in the water, enjoying the peace of a beautiful spring day, and trying to skip rocks (I wasn't so good at that). It's been a long time since I've been to the river, but I hope to go again sometime soon. The smells, sounds, and sights all brought back memories and created new ones to remember in times to come. The cool water felt good in contrast to the warm day and very few bugs bothered us. Walking up the river with Sarah caused a song from Easter Parade to pop into my mind--"A Walk Up the Avenue." Not quite an avenue, or at least a watery avenue.

Do you know whose blog I like? Patricia C. Wrede http://pcwrede.com/blog/--she gives lots of good writing advice. This coming Saturday I'm attending a writing workshop at SVU. Orson Scott Card, Brandon Mull, and a few other others will be there. It should be good. I really need to spend more time writing. I am never going to reach my goals if I do not. (note regarding my last post: I wouldn't not get married because those things I wanted to happen before I married hadn't happened, but it is nice that two of them now have occurred:).)

I enjoyed watching General Conference this past weekend. The speakers gave wonderful talks. It's a bit daunting thinking about all the things I need to work on and improve in, but all is possible with the help of Lord and effort on my part, of course. In Institute today we reviewed some of the talks and topics from Conference. I especially liked hearing about Elder Rasband's talk from the Priesthood session. He spoke of an experience he had of observing President Eyring assign out mission calls, and encouraging him, Elder Rasband, to pay more attention to the spiritual guidance the Spirit offers. That struck me greatly. I want to strive to do just that. To diligently strive.

Did you notice the lack of "to be" verbs in this post--I diligently strove to avoid using them. Some of my sentences may sound a bit strange as a result. I am unaccustomed to striking their use from my writing, but it is a habit I hope to develop, for I do believe my writing will improve a bit as a result.

I enjoy crafts. In fact, I am cross-stitching at this very moment, in between typing thoughts to this post. Also, my brother Samuel gave me a beading loom for Christmas that I really want to try out. My older brother, Nathan and Byron, and I did some beading in our younger years. I enjoy making cards--I made one just tonight--a get well card for my grandma.

Do you ever have those times when you remember short parts of movies and a sense of the movie but can't remember the name of it? I do. One movie continues to flicker at the edges of my brain. I think Fred Astaire might star in it. And it seems like he owns a fashionable clothing store or something and pretends he doesn't, so as to give a girl privileges modeling the gowns or something. He says a madame so and so owns it. And eventually reveals that he is actually the owner. See, I remember so little. Hopefully some day I'll come across it again.

Brianne and Peter's wedding

It's late and I should go to bed, but I've been wanting to write for some time now, so I'll write, just a short post though.

One: I went to Brianne Shiraki's wedding a couple weeks back--it was amazing! It was the first time I'd been able to attend a temple sealing! Attending also fulfilled another of my wishes of things to happen before I get married--The first being, getting endowed--now related to getting married, but as an independent experience. That happened over a year ago :) and which made possible this second--attend a sealing:). I can only think of one more thing I've wanted to do before I get married and that is to get something published. This one...well, I need to work more on my writing if it is to ever happen period, so, yeah. Though, I did spend four hours this week typing in writing notes :), which are little snippets of writing. Anyway.

At Brianne's wedding and reception I took a bunch of pictures:). I'm only going to post a few here, but I posted lots more on facebook. I also had fun editing some of the pictures afterward.


I like taking wedding pictures:). I'm far from being a professional, but it's a fun hobby--photography, that is.

I have more things I'd like to write about, but it's late, so goodnight :)