Undiscovered Writer

Pros and Cons of being a Stay at Home Mom

2012-01-25T19:35:00.006-06:00

Pros and Cons of being a Stay at Home Mom

Being a stay at home mom does have it's advantages. You of course have time to run errands, do housework, and cook a well balanced dinner for your family. Spending quality time with my children is very important to me and now I have time to do this. Family game night is a weekly event in our house. While all this is great, I can't help think about the disadvantages. We are now a one pay check family. This brings up guilty feelings on my part. I feel like I'm not doing my part to help the family. Granted I hold down the fort and I'm shaping our sons mind by homeschooling him, but this guilty nagging feeling just won't go away. So, I try to compensate by trying to find things I can do online for money. If you've ever tried to do this you know that this like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I've also tried turning my hobby of leather crafting into a lucrative business without much success I'm afraid. I guess this is the darker side of being a stay at home mom. I know that more and more women are stay at home moms for various reasons. So, I wonder if this is an issue for all stay at home moms?

Writer's Block

2012-01-20T16:32:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile since I posted here so I thought I would work on some things and maybe get my writer's muscle back. :) I hope you enjoy!

Writer's Block

Once upon a midnight dreary,
I sat at my desk weak and weary.
A literary genius I sought to compose,
But words failed me and my hand froze.
"Writer's block," I whispered in vain.
Is there anything more inhumane?
My paper stretched before me vast and empty.
Nothing came, no ballade, no elegy,
No epic, no haiku, no free verse.
Oh, my! Can it get much worse?
Then an idea began to occur,
And I chuckled and wrote "Ode to Paper."

Written by: Linda Wolf

My new thing...Leather crafting

2011-01-13T16:13:00.006-06:00

It's been several months since I've written a post on this blog. The main reason is I've lost all faith in my writing ability. The second reason is I've taken up leather crafting. I started it several months ago just has a hobby and was pleased to find out that I'm pretty good at it! I find it very consuming and relaxing to take a blank piece of leather and turn it into something beautiful.

Dancing With the Stars (Jennifer Grey)

2010-09-21T13:21:00.005-05:00

This season started with a very surprising routine by Kyle Massey. He had the place rockin'! All I knew about him before this is my son used to watch him on TV. I found myself falling for his sweet personality and totally cheering him on.

I am a huge Dirty Dancing and Patrick Swayze fan so when I heard Jennifer Grey was going to be on the show I was very excited. I didn't realize just how emotional it would be until I saw the rehearsal footage with Derek Hough. Particularly that scene where she finds out that they’re going to be dancing to “These Arms of Mine” because it was used in “Dirty Dancing” itself. What started out as pure joy on Grey’s part quickly turned into a sob of tears as memories of the late, great Patrick Swayze came rushing back.

Then the actual performance was so bittersweet that it brought Carrie Ann to tears. I admit I was rather misty eyed myself and had to fight bursting into a weepy mess in front of my husband.

These were in my opinion the highlights of the show and I for one can't wait to see what comes next!

Hobbies anyone?

2010-09-13T11:05:00.004-05:00

LOL The holiday season is once again almost upon us. I have decided to take up a craft and perhaps make presents for my family. I went to Hobby Lobby full of expectations and walked around the store three times before something caught my eye. That something was leather crafting! It looks fairly easy and I think it will make for some very special Christmas presents for friends and family.

So, I will keep you posted on my progress and post my finished products here.

Hulk Hogan

2010-09-07T13:24:00.004-05:00

I just read that Hulk Hogan was taken by ambulance to the Clearwater Hospital Monday morning due to 'excruciating back pain'. The article says that he has been suffering from back pain for several days and was unable to get out of bed.

This in my opinion shows what kind of torture wrestlers put their bodies through. The article also states that he has had several surgeries no doubt to fix the damage that had been done over the years while wrestling.

I don't understand why professional athletes would put their bodies through so much torture. I mean is it worth it? Do they do it for the money or the fame? Do you think they even consider the fact that this kind of repeated torture will take its toll on your body as you age?

True Blood: Team Bill or Team Eric!

2010-09-05T14:47:00.002-05:00

Yea, I know it's a reference to Twilight but in my opinion True Blood is Twilight for grown ups. It's dark and sinister nature has me hooked and I for one can't wait to see what happens tonight! Is Eric going to die? Will Bill save Sookie in time? I haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse books so I really don't know what is going to happen.

Big Brother 12

2010-08-30T18:58:00.004-05:00

Well, it happened. They finally got Brendon out of the house. You have to admit he was a heck of game player. He was a target from day one and he lasted this long.

Now the question remains who will win? I think it might be Hayden or Lane. If those two stick together they will make it to the final two.

Although I wouldn't dismiss Enzo. He seems to be getting very good at riding on coat tails and might slide under the radar and make it to the final two.

Random Thoughts

2010-08-28T14:11:00.003-05:00

I've been so busy that I have been neglecting my blog.

It's funny how you get to a point in your life where instead of looking forward you're always looking back. You look back and wish you had done some things differently and you start to examine all the what ifs. For some of us the belief that our past shapes who we are is a scary thought; because we look back and all we see is bad. I'd like to think that rather than the bad making us bad people it made us stronger people.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T22:41:00.001-06:00

It finally stopped snowing about 7 or 8 this evening. We have drifts that are 3 or 4 feet deep. They have declared a state of emergency for the whole state of Oklahoma. Earlier 16,000 people were without power now it's only 4,000. All the turnpikes are closed because of blowing snow.

On a lighter note I made fudge, pies, and cranberry relish today. I'm pretty sure everyone will be able to make tomorrow. It's supposed to clear up and the wind stop blowing.

Snow on Christmas Eve!

2009-12-24T13:55:00.001-06:00

I don't remember the last time we had a blizzard here in Oklahoma and on Christmas Eve to boot!

My son is home now!

2009-11-01T09:47:00.003-06:00

Thank you to all who emailed and kept us in your thoughts. He is in a wheelchair but the doctors are very hopeful he will be walking soon. He has physical therapy 3 times a week. He can use a walker but it tires him out, so he alternates between it and his wheelchair.

Another update

2009-10-21T22:39:00.003-05:00

He has the feeling back in his legs. They have moved him out of trauma ICU to a rehabilitation hospital. Thanks to all those that kept us in your thoughts and to those who emailed.

Update on my son

2009-10-19T22:36:00.003-05:00

He is slowly getting his feeling back. At times today he had feeling all the way down to his knees. He is very positive and is ready for the physical therapy to start. He misses his family and is ready to go home. For those who don't remember what he looked like I'm posting pictures. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

My son was in an accident last night.

2009-10-17T16:20:00.002-05:00

My son was in a car accident last night. He can't feel his legs but he can move them, he's also had two seizures. We're waiting on the results of an MRI. They did a CAT scan at 4 this morning and it didn't show any breaks. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Swine flu has hit!

2009-10-15T22:28:00.002-05:00

Not in my house, thank goodness! But I found out that my grand son has it (he'll be fine they tell me but...) my grand daughters (who were all born premature and have respiratory issues) have been indirectly exposed. So...we're all just waiting to see what happens.

Fresh tomatoes in Nov.?

2009-10-14T22:22:00.004-05:00

Yes, it is possible. When the weather starts to cool down what I do is I go out and pick all the green tomatoes off my plants. I then put them in a box (those Angel Food Ministries meat boxes are perfect for this) and cover them with newspaper. Place the box in a cool dry place and check it every day or two. The tomatoes ripen in the box and you can use them as they ripen. Depending on how many you had you can possibly have fresh tomatoes in Nov. If you have an excess of tomatoes ripen at once you can freeze or can them to use in soups and sauces.

Mommy! Let me run and play!

2009-10-09T15:45:00.002-05:00

These are my weenies. LOL The one barking is Bitsy and the other is Isabelle. They usually have the run of the back yard but when we sit on the front porch we bring them around for a change in scenery. That's me talking so no making fun of my accent. LOL

Now that I have a moment to breath!

2009-09-26T07:27:00.004-05:00

My blog is looking a "wittle wonely" LOL. I've been so busy with homeschool, my son, and the many other things I've been trying to get done in a day that I haven't had time to post. The house is blissfully quiet at the moment. My husband took our son to work with him to give me a break. So, I'm sitting here drinking coffee making a list of everything I need to do before we go to the state fair today. It's going to be fun, fun, fun! I love the state fair! We're also going to the bull riding and Gary Allan is going to be in concert there! Yea, and we have box seats so I'm going to be able to see him and everything! LOL OK a little secret here my diet is going out the window today. Yup, all bets are off, because you got your corn dogs, the funnel cakes, oh and I am such a sucker for Indian tacos! Well, now I'm getting hungry so I guess I had better get up and get started on my day. Shout out if you love the state fair! Or tell when you last went to the fair. Was it a fond childhood memory? Is it something you and your family do every year like we do?

Patrick Swayze Died! :(

2009-09-14T22:14:00.002-05:00

I am so saddened by this news. Dirty Dancing was my first movie obsession. You know when I saw how upbeat he was in his interview with Barbara Walters I was hoping that some miracle would happen and he would beat his pancreatic cancer. He was truly a movie icon and just a good guy. One of Hollywood's stars went out tonight and I'm sure it will be felt across America.

Our Hiking Trip

2009-09-09T14:14:00.002-05:00

This was a fort type building we hiked to. We took the girls with us and Bitsy's short legs weren't cut out for hiking. LOL

This is the view off of Mt. Scott.

These are prairie dogs. This is JR's favorite place.

I lived through my hiking trip!

2009-09-08T10:38:00.000-05:00

We had a nice time! We hiked some then had a picnic. We were going to hike some more but some idiot threw out a cigarette and started a wild fire so everyone had to leave. Nothings ticks me off more than people who do that! Don't they realize when it's dry and they throw lit cigarettes out the window it's going to start a fire? I have some pictures as soon as I put them on my computer I'll show them.

Wish me luck!

2009-09-06T08:41:00.002-05:00

I promised my son that we would go on a picnic and hiking today. So we're off to the Wichita Mountains. I'll bring ya'll back some pictures of some buffalo or something. LOL

My life is so blissfully quiet!

2009-08-24T19:06:00.002-05:00

I've been wracking my brain trying to think of something to blog about and realized my life is very quiet and dull. LOL On the other hand though that is a good thing. Usually when my life is exciting it's because one of my kids has some drama going on in their lives. So, yes, I can do without excitement. LOL

Yep, the most exciting thing I did today was homeschool and wrote a little bit on my novella. I think my son might be coming down with a bit of tonsilitis so tomorrow might not be so quiet.

Well, that's all there is to report from the wrong side of the tracks here in Oklahoma. LOL

Homeschooling?

2009-08-22T09:47:00.004-05:00

You know I am so tired of having to defend my decision to homeschool! Just because I state that I am disappointed in my son's teachers does NOT mean I think all teachers are bad! So, don't get so defensive! Geez! Every time I post something somewhere about homeschooling and why; some teacher tends to get her panties in a bunch. LOL I've even had some imply that I am not providing my son the best education possible. When I made this decision, believe me I thought long and hard about it, he did not know all his letters or the sounds. Now he is reading at a second grade level, which is where he should be. They dropped the ball, not me. I just picked it up and went for the score.

The story about my deciding to homeschool actually doesn't even have anything to do with what they were teaching but rather how they were treating him. It's a long story but I will try to explain some of it.

My son is very big for his age and anytime there was an altercation between him and another student (Which let's face it, six year old boys are going to scrap at some point!) My son being the biggest caught heck and was labeled violent when he is the gentlest person I know. It was when the principal (who was a 5 foot tall woman) admitted to being intimidated by my son (remember we're talking about six year old boys here)because of his size and wanted me to come to school everyday to teach him that I decided to homeschool. If I'm going to be teaching him I'd rather do it from home! Anyway, my point is I have nothing against ALL teachers I just have a problem with this particular school. My son is the most important thing to me and I refuse to trust him to people who have him labeled as a violent monster because of his size.

In case you are wondering he is 8 years old and is 5'5" tall and weighs 140 pounds. I had no idea how much this scarred my son until one summer when we were playing around in the pool and I got hurt. He immediately started freaking out and saying how he hurt people because he was too big. Say and think what you want but I think I've done the right thing, and if you think I'm being overly emotional and passionate about this subject you are right! He is my baby boy.

Strange weather?

2009-08-20T08:31:00.002-05:00

I was just thinking about the strange weather patterns we've had lately. It has rained for 4 days straight here in Oklahoma. This is highly unusual for this time of the year. July and August are known for extremely high temps and drought like conditions. Global warming to blame? I don't know...could be. I also read something about another el nino is being predicted. If that does come about how is it going to effect the weather patterns? I really don't think they could be anymore bizarre but I could be proven wrong. LOL

Our first day of school!

2009-08-17T17:44:00.004-05:00

We kind of got silly with it. LOL We got dressed, I packed his new supplies in his new backpack and he carried them to our office/schoolroom. It was mostly getting used to the routine and reviewing. We were finished by early afternoon. Later today when I was posting about it someone told me about a story she had read.

A mom's two children wanted to "go to school" like other kids did. So they got ready for school (like JR with backpacks). They went out the front door, walked around the house to the back door, where their "teacher" welcomed them to the school room. Their dad had painted a sign and put it by the back door. Smith's Christian School (or whatever their name was. When it rained and/or snowed, they took the shortcut (stayed in).

I wish I had thought of this! LOL My son would have loved it!

School starts tomorrow!

2009-08-16T10:26:00.004-05:00

But...I am not happy about that for the same reason as other mothers. LOL Most are grateful to get their kids out of the house. Me? I'm the self-torturing type. I decided to homeschool my son.

My joy comes from the fact that I am a big ol' nerd and I love school and school supplies. I was just thinking about the line from You've Got Mail the other day and then the very next day someone posted it on the Romance Divas forum in a discussion about this very thing! I was so grateful I wasn't the only one thinking nerdy things like this. LOL You remember that line don't you?

Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.

My favorite thing about summer!

2009-08-12T13:14:00.006-05:00

My favorite part of summer is I get to spend more time with my grand kids! I thought I would share some pictures. The big strapping young fellow is my youngest son, believe it or not he is only 8 years old. For those of you who don't know, those tracks in front of him are Geo Trax. He is really into trains right now and he built that himself. He goes online and finds layouts of model train tracks and then recreates them with his Geo trains.

Then I have my teeny tiny grand daughters. LOL I have the extreme on both sides of the spectrum covered. I think my weenie dogs are even in one picture. LOL Yea, it was a busy weekend.

Are you self critical?

2009-08-11T17:02:00.004-05:00

As a writer what is your opinion of your writing?

I am never happy with what I've written. The thought of people actually reading what I write sends me into a cold sweat. I sucked it up though and I submitted a scene to a writing group for a critique. It was a scene that I was far from happy with and they basically confirmed what I thought. The moral of the story children, LOL is I faced my fear and I now know what is wrong with the scene for sure and I can now fix it. So, constructive criticism is good! Being scared and not knowing for sure is bad! LOL

Psoriasis

2009-08-05T22:32:00.005-05:00

I would like to blog about something that has nothing to do with writing but has everything to do with me...psoriasis.

What is psoriasis you might ask. Let's start with what it's not. It is NOT contagious and it is not just a skin disease. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the immune system. The exact cause is unknown; however, researchers believe that heredity, environment, and the immune system may also play a role in psoriasis.

Normally, skin cells that are formed in the deepest layers of your skin make their way to the surface. They mature, are sloughed off the body's surface, and replaced with new skin cells from below. This cycle takes approximately a month.

In people with psoriasis, however, the immune system is mistakenly activated, resulting in an abnormally rapid skin cell cycle. This means the cells move from the deepest layers of your skin to the surface in about four days. Since they migrate so quickly, they don't have time to properly mature. In the most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, the cells accumulate on the surface, forming raised, red patches or "lesions." Basically, to sum it up your skin is attacking itself.

This has resulted in my being borderline agoraphobic. I have it on my legs, arms, hands, scalp and occasionally my face so, there is no covering it up sometimes. Rather than go out and be stared at I stay in for days and sometimes months. My husband doesn't understand why I feel like I have to hide away. I just wish more people were made aware of this disorder so people like myself could enjoy life more and not have to worry about what people thought.

Patrick Rothfuss Interview

2009-08-05T09:57:00.000-05:00

Patrick Rothfuss Interview
Uploaded by SFLTV. - Arts and animation videos.

An Old Man's Angel

2009-07-30T22:36:00.000-05:00

An Old Man's Angel

A tear rolled from the old man's eye,
I wish it was me that had to die.
As he stared longingly into the night,
And moved closer to the warmth of the firelight.
A touch of wind cilled his spine.
Grief's hold on him was very strong,
For many years his nights were long.

His mind traveled to their place,
And a little smile crossed his aging face.
It was something far back in his mind,
The memory of her scent, so sweet and kind.
A thought he was sure had been erased.
Was it a snowflake that gently fell,
That brought back this familiar smell?

Every night was the same,
Until the night, he whispered her name.
Suddenly, joyful tears began to flow,
He heard a sweet voice whisper, "Joe."
And he felt something warm brushing his soul.
A smile broke out on his face,
As she took him to that special place.

Written by: Desiree Torres aka Linda

My Secret Love

2009-07-27T22:38:00.003-05:00

My Secret Love

I have a secret love I hide,

He holds my thoughts and dreams inside.

Keeps them to himself until I give the word,

Then shouts it out to all the world.

Our love intensifies and grows,

As through him my passion flows.

I stroke his keys,

And together we make poetry.

If you haven't guessed my love by now,

I should surely take a bow.

My computer is my secret love,

And I am in turn his ladylove.

Written by Desiree Torres aka Linda

Synopsis Torture!

2009-07-24T09:15:00.002-05:00

While working on my synopsis I came across the most helpful website! http://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.html After going over ever link there I tackled my synopsis! And...it's going okay...I guess. I've decided to give myself two weeks to write it and go over and over it until I'm happy. Then no more stalling I'm submitting somewhere.

Yea, even though I'm terrified I'm going for the gusto! The worst they can say is no, right?

My Lion Lover

2009-07-22T13:06:00.005-05:00

My Lion Lover

Images of my lion love drift ever into my mind...
Rippling muscles of his fury chest send tremors down my spine.
Unruly curls that frame his face enhance the wild-looking eyes,
Brown orbs of piercing heat so animal-like show his desires.
And in my dreams he reaches out, I can almost feel his clutches.
Sinewed legs entwining mine we dance 'round passions fire;
Searing flesh, burning kisses-the flames are climbing higher.
Clinging and pawing we are like sleek jungle cats.
He nibbles my neck as I softly claw his back.
Butterfly lips caressing honey-dripped skin,
Our bodies ache to quench the fires deep within.
Hearts swelled with love so full, my lion love and I,
Reaching the zenith of ecstasy we soar into the sky.
Purring crooning an erotic song,
He tosses his mane...we float along.
Contentedly curled within his arms I awake, I'm groping air.
And my dreams are enough to sate my needs.
"Til my lion love returns to our lair.

Written By: Desiree Torres aka Linda

For more free reads follow the Summer Reading Trail

Sexy:

Kim Knox - Dark Host

http://darknessandromance.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/excerpt-dark-host/

Erotic:

Shelley Munro - Live the Moment

http://www.shelleymunro.com/free-reads/

A Writer's Grief

2009-07-19T22:15:00.007-05:00

This was written for a poetry challenge. We were shown a picture and this is what I came up with. LOL I don't remember the picture it was quite a few years ago. LOL

A Writer's Grief

Words scored upon a page

Written in despair or rage;

Hundreds of years have gone;

We're in another age,

They burn with passion on

A writer's tranquil page.

The Writer takes his pen,

And turns the page about,

And writes those words again.

Once more they scream and shout,

And through a human brain

Undying hate rings out.

"I loved her when a maid;

I loathe and love the wife

That warms another's bed;

Let him beware his life!"

The writer's hand is stayed,

His pen becomes a knife.

And, in another tongue,

A man, who is not he,

Reads and his heart is wrong.

This ancient grief to see,

And thinks, when I am done

What writer shall speak for me?

Written by Desiree Torres aka Linda

Oh geez!

2009-07-18T11:36:00.003-05:00

I just read the guidelines for the place I want to submit to and it says a novella is 25,000 words so...I need about 400 more words! This will be as much fun as...as...going to the dentist. Oh, well, I won't be working on it today my grand daughters are coming to spend the night with us. Their ages are 7, 6, 4, they are a handful to say the least, but we have fun. I will post some pictures of our fun tomorrow.

Summer Reading Trail

2009-07-15T13:38:00.001-05:00

http://www.voireylinger.com/index.php?p=1_12_Trail-Head

Follow this trail and discover great new writers this summer. These free reads include short stories, serial installments, deleted scenes and book excerpts from published and unpublished authors. This trail will run from the beginning of June through the end of September, and stops will be updated on the first of every month, so you can enjoy a summer of reading. You are encouraged to explore authors' websites and blogs, to take a moment to leave them a comment and to bookmark sites and visit often.

Struggling

2009-07-15T08:32:00.004-05:00

I thought I had the query nailed but someone who used to be in the business read it and basically told me it didn't cut it. I don't know...I have no idea what I'm doing...I'm just going off the information I find on the internet. I've never written a query before. I'm working blind so to speak and I don't like that. Oh, well...I guess it's back to the drawing board today.

Writing the book is half the work

2009-07-13T22:25:00.002-05:00

I'm waiting for my beta readers to get back to me about their thoughts. In the mean time I thought I would tackle the dreaded query letter and synopsis. Today I started on the query letter it took most of the day and I'm still not sure about it. Tomorrow I will finish up my query and start on...dun dun dun...the synopsis. I found Lisa Gardner's advice priceless. If you haven't checked it out by now you should.

Writers on Writing

2009-07-13T13:17:00.000-05:00

If I Die Tomorrow

2009-07-10T09:17:00.003-05:00

If I die tomorrow,

My death no grave defeat,

For the life I've led will surely make

My obituary a mere receipt.

I was born a poverty stricken child.

Today called culturally deprived,

And fought this insurmountable dilemma,

To accomplish what others had tried.

Gone from church hymns to disco whims,

From birth to acute adolescence,

No more dependent or emotionally insecure,

But an assured adult essence.

Sometimes a slow life, sometimes a fast life,

At times reluctant with no ambition.

Maybe a good life, maybe a bad life,

Maybe a life of perfect mission.

Good times came in patches,

Bad times endurably long.

Sometimes life's demands and pressures

Confused the right and the wrong.

I've robbed the cradle, I've robbed the grave,

Done the ultimate and the unpredictable.

Been grand feminists and moral sexists,

Been vindictive and indispensable.

Each moment was spent in full,

With little time for leisure or rest.

For I know without a single doubt,

I've seen life at it's very best.

So if I die tomorrow,

All my debts and dues collected,

If there's any part of life I missed,

With death I'll feel unrejected.

Written by Desiree Torres aka Linda(1995)

Descriptive Writing

2009-07-09T09:47:00.004-05:00

Yes, my book is completed but after looking at it I've decided it's not descriptive enough. So, I spent yesterday (and will again today) pouring over descriptive words lists and reading my vocabulary builder book. LOL I happened across some books at Amazon.com which I think also might help so I ordered them. While I was reading last night (I'm one of those people who reads in bed) I found myself studying how the author used descriptive words, and taking notice of words I liked. I got so involved in that I lost track of the story and had to reread it. LOL Anyway, I guess my excitement was short lived because my book is not really complete, just the first phase is complete. But hey, I'll take what I can get.

Old age perhaps?

2009-07-03T15:26:00.002-05:00

I had a topic all picked out that I wanted to blog about but you know what I completely forgot what it was! LOL I could blame old age, I guess, I'm old enough to and no one would be the wiser, but I have always been forgetful. So, I guess I'll post another poem for you guys to enjoy!

Is it Poetry?

I wander through the dark and silent house,
The only sound is the rhythmic breathing of my family.
Quiet not to wake my spouse.
I tiptoe past the cat that looks at me mockingly, it seems.
I look in on my infant son and he smiles, as if he senses my presence.
I settle myself at my desk determined to create poetic magic.
Where is the fiery passion that inspired my poetry essence?
The passion is still there, but it’s like a soothing balm.
I struggle to describe, to put what I feel into words.
Instead of hot and overwhelming, it’s comforting and calm.
Glancing down at my paper I notice that it’s full much to my delight.
But is it poetry or just words born in the night?

Written by: Desiree Torres

Writer's Block

2009-07-01T13:37:00.003-05:00

Hello, again! I've been trying to rewrite the ending of my book. I've kind of been procrastinating a little...OK A LOT! LOL I am literally days away from finishing I just need to get my butt in gear. LOL Here's a little tid bit for you to read today. It's a playful little poem I wrote about writer's block. I love writing rhyming poetry! It may never sell or make me money but it is something I take pure joy in.

Writer's Block

Once upon a midnight dreary,
I sat at my desk weak and weary.
A literary genius I sought to compose,
But words failed me and my hand froze.
"Writer's block," I whispered in vain.
Is there anything more inhumane?
My paper stretched before me vast and empty.
Nothing came, no ballade, no elegy,
No epic, no haiku, no free verse.
Oh, my! Can it get much worse?
Then an idea began to occur,
And I chuckled and wrote "Ode to Paper."

Written by: Desiree Torres

Interview with myself. LOL

2009-06-26T14:07:00.004-05:00

Q. I read somewhere that you are a stay at home mom and that you homeschool your son. Is it difficult to find the disipline and drive to write while you are obviously having so many distractions?

A. Yes, it is! My son is borderline ADHA and so it's hard to keep him focused on one thing. I usually try to get in an hour or two of writing in the afternoons.

Q. What exactly are you working on now?

A. I have two books that I actually wrote 20 years ago. At the time I had a lot going on in my life and so I kind of stored them away. I dug them out when I decided to change from medical transcription back to writing. The first one is as I have said before is about a woman who is running from her abusive marriage. The second is about a woman who is blind and her struggle to live a normal life.

Q. Wow, so you wrote the books 20 years ago! Was it hard to get back in touch with the characters after ditching the projects for so long?

A. Ummmmmm, no, not really. I found that I knew them just as well as I did then.

Q. Anything else you would like to add?

A. No, I'm trying to decide about length and where to send them so, I have more questions right now than answers.

Yes, I know!

2009-06-24T22:08:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted anything in awhile! I've been busy writing. This is supposed to be about my journey to publication and I can't get there if I don't write, right? LOL I have decided to focus on one of my WIP instead of both. The one I'm focusing on is Dark Road to Freeport and is about an abusive wife who runs from her husband one night and lives in fear that he will come and find her. It is loosely based on my first marriage. I just feel that it is the one! It's going to a novella, I think, I thought about expanding it but it just feels right the way it is. Anyway, I'm going to finish it and then go about deciding where to send it to. I will let you guys know what happens next.

Novel writing made easy?

2009-06-14T12:47:00.001-05:00

I wasn't aware it could be made easy.

Weekly Spotlight!

2009-06-10T13:05:00.003-05:00

There's a new weekly spotlight up! Check it out! Here is a trailer.

Days like this make it all worthwhile.

2009-05-31T09:36:00.003-05:00

Today my son and I planned a cook out. I've been feeling a little guilty about the time I spend writing and I figured we were due for some family quality time. It was great! We started off with an hour of swimming in the pool and then hubby came home. Shortly after I fired up the grill, hubby tried to take over at that point but I shooed him away. We had turkey burgers, fresh corn on the cob, and baked beans. I got a huge rave when hubby took one bite and said OMG this is great! Then we had a water gun fight for about an hour. Which, I lost miserably! But that is actually a good thing when you're playing in 90 degree weather. LOL I was soaked!
We had a little down time then and watched some TV around 10 pm we sat out on the front porch. At 11 I finally put my son to bed and he was out in 5 minutes. My day was made when I put my big baby to bed he said, "Mom, this was my best day ever." I almost cried! I said, "I'm so glad, honey! That's what I was aiming for."

New Weekly Spotlight

2009-05-26T22:26:00.001-05:00

Posted a new weekly spotlight! Check it out it looks good!

Memorial Day

2009-05-23T13:22:00.003-05:00

Everyone have a safe and happy memorial day! If you're spending this holiday on a lake or at the beach practice water and boat safety. Be careful grilling and don't drink and drive.

Family Fun Night!

2009-05-21T12:56:00.003-05:00

Have you ever had one? It was great! We started out with a great dinner oven fried haddock fillets, broccoli au gratin Rice a Roni, and a salad. Then while mom cleaned up dad and son played a few minutes in the pool. After that we had a very competetive Wii marathon (we had to work off the popcorn that comes later. LOL) Followed by a movie on demand, which was Madagascar Escape 2 Africa and popcorn. We had so much fun that we have dubbed every Wednesday night Family Fun Night! I recommend every family have a family night to stay connected with your kids.

I'm starting to feel like a writer.

2009-05-16T22:53:00.003-05:00

I actually bought a domain yesterday! It was very exciting! I am finally a dot com. LOL With it came the realization that I am a writer and I need to write! Before I would come up with some reason to put it off and procrastinate but now it feels like a business. I feel like I have a purpose. It has given me motivation and drive to finish my books, and submit them, to have books to post on my page, to tell the world that I am a WRITER! Okey dokey, going to get off my soap box now. LOL Why do I feel like I should be standing in a pulpit right now with the thundering voice of James Earl Jones coming out of me?

Tornado Alley

2009-05-14T08:01:00.003-05:00

Tornados ripped through Oklahoma last night! One passed a few miles north of my house and another one passed within 5-10 of my daughters house to the south of me. I called to warn them just a few minutes before their power went out. I guess if I hadn't have called them they would have had no warning. They have satelite TV and can't pick up local channels when it rains. Trees were uprooted and power lines were down which of course resulted in power outages. This morning seems calm so far but Mother Nature is going to unleash her fury again tonight. Where? Your guess is as good as mine.

Writer's Cafe

2009-05-12T08:12:00.005-05:00

I downloaded this very helpful writing program called Writer's Cafe which you can check out for yourself http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/index.htm. A few of the features include drag and drop cards, custom formatting, character profile tools, spell check, writing prompts and even a name generator. I have to admit I haven't had much time to explore all the features but what I have discovered was very pleasing. I look forward to working with it this week.

Weekly Spotlights

2009-05-11T14:33:00.003-05:00

I've added something new to Undiscovered Writer. A Weekly Spotlight to showcase novels or articles from writers I admire or have met on the internet. If you would like to be featured here on my Weekly Spotlight leave me a post to let me know and we will get together and iron out the details.

Thanks!

Vocabulary

2009-05-10T15:17:00.002-05:00

Vocabulary lesson for the week:

Root Word
BELL: comes from the Latin word meaning "war." Bellona was the little-known Roman goddess of war; her husband, Mars, was the god of war.

antebellum Existing before a war, especially before the American Civil War (1861-65)

Often the word antebellum summons up images of ease, elegance, and entertainment on a grand scale that disappeared in the postwar years. That way of life in the American South depended on a social structure that collapsed after the war. The years after the Civil War-and many other wars-were colored for some people by nostalgia and bitterness, and for others by relief and anticipation.

Feeling Down

2009-05-09T22:34:00.004-05:00

It's the rain! It's been cold and cloudy here for days! I live in Oklahoma it's not supposed to be like this! Not only do I have the usual tired and cranky blahs but I have psoriatic arthritis so the cold and dampness has me in pain. Everyday is a struggle to keep going and make it through. I'm not sure how much more I can take! Everyone has a pain threshold and I think I've crossed mine many times over. I haven't been able to write much because I can't stand to sit here. Even now, no more than I have written it is starting to be unbearable. Anyway, I just wanted people to know why I haven't blogged in awhile. It's not a forgotten blog I just haven't been able to sit here much.

Thank you,
Linda

Video Tour of my yard

2009-04-30T16:31:00.003-05:00

Just thoughts

2009-04-29T13:10:00.004-05:00

I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to write about today.

I am a little disturbed by the number of ebooks I've seen passed around in groups. To think of all the hard earned money the authors are missing out on is actually very disturbing. It doesn't cost that much for a ebook so why not just buy it for yourself? If it was you who wrote the book would you still be passing it around for free?

People just don't care anymore! Think of all the pirated music, software, and ebooks out there that goes around from person to person. All these people make their livings writing and performing these things. When you pass it around that is money out of their pockets. Some of these people have families to feed, and in some cases are single mothers trying to make a living at home with their children. OK I guess I had more to say than I thought and I am slightly outraged. So, next time you want something go buy it! Don't take money from those who worked hard to create the thing that you want.

Five questions

2009-04-27T14:06:00.003-05:00

According to the Writer's Digest Handbook of novel writing these are five questions every first novelist must answer.

1. Am I ready for this?

2. What is my story about?

3. Do I know who my characters are?

4. Do I know the genre?

5. Am I excited by the story I'm going to tell?

And here are my answers.

1. I hope so but only time will tell.

2. I actually have two WIP (works in progress) one is about a blind woman who struggles to be normal. The other is about a woman escaping her abusive husband.

3. As well as I know myself.

4. Yes

5. Yes

I need to vent!

2009-04-19T13:19:00.003-05:00

This has absolutely nothing to do with writing but I need to vent! It is 57 degrees here, cloudy, wet, and a STRONG north wind blowing which brings the temp down to the 40s. Hubby for some unknown reason wanted to work on the fence gates outside. O.K. bud if you want to freeze go right ahead I have no problem with that. Our eight year old son wanted to go help dad. Yes, that's fine but wear your coat it's very chilly outside.

I just glanced outside and son did not have his coat on. My husband still had his on but JR didn't. I open the door and ask hubby why JR doesn't have his coat on. Hubby's reply was I told him to put it back on but you know how he never listens to anyone. I just look at hubby dumbfounded and say, "Hello, are you not the father? You can't just tell him to do something you have to make him!" I then whip around give my son one look that sends him off scurrying for his coat. Didn't have to say a word just gave him "the look".

I feel like I'm raising 2 children instead of one sometimes! Hubby's philosphy to parenting is give them whatever they want as long as it doesn't kill them. So, guess who is always the bad guy? Me!

Joyce Carol Oates on Characters

2009-04-18T15:11:00.001-05:00

The Inner Critic

2009-04-16T14:44:00.003-05:00

How do you handle the little voice in your head that tells you you're not good enough? Okay, it could be the fact that I have a head cold or maybe the sleep deprivation but lately I've been having mental wrestling matches with myself. No, I'm not crazy! At least I don't think I am.

It's just that I read all these great stories and most of the authors have gone to college and had important exciting jobs. I've been a mom and a homeschool teacher most of my adult life. Sure I've had jobs but just normal jobs like working at Wal Mart. LOL

I love to read! In fact I read books voraciously you might say. Not just one type I read anything I can get my hands on. I used to belong to one of those book clubs and I would read just whatever they automatically sent each month. You see what I'm getting at is...Is this enough to make you a great writer? I read and I write. Is this enough? Is the fact that I feel it going to make up for my lack of...I was going to say education but I don't really think of myself as uneducated...maybe my lack of writing know how?

So, does your inner critc rear it's ugly head from time to time? And if so how do you silence it?

yWriter

2009-04-14T17:48:00.003-05:00

I found this neat free program that helps you write your novel. It separates your novel into chapters and sections. You can have a short summary description for each chapter which will help when you have to write your synopsis. You can check it out here http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

Sorry

2009-04-13T22:25:00.001-05:00

I haven't posted much the past few days. My husband is suffering from sleep apnea and has been keeping me awake. I've just been to tired to post much.

Just thoughts

2009-04-10T09:18:00.003-05:00

I wonder if I'm the only mother in the world who is excited by the prospect of school letting out for a few days? I homeschool so when school is out I have free time. Yay! He does his thing and I get to write all day! I don't see how a lot of mothers can work at home and homeschool. It is very stressful! I am so brain dead after we finish for the day that the last thing I want to do is sit at the computer. It takes me an hour or so and dinner before I have regrouped enough to concentrate.

I guess some schools here in Oklahoma are taking an Easter break and some aren't. A four day weekend sounded good to me so guess what we chose to do? LOL

I can't wait for summer break!

Second Life?

2009-04-09T13:48:00.009-05:00

A friend suggested I check out one time said it was amazing! So, I did play around with it a bit wasn't really to impressed with this virtual world. I can barely manage my real world why would I want a virtual one?

After a bit more researching I'm...well...I'm not sure what I am. LOL Prostitution, sex slaves, and nightclubs...from what I've seen it's just people living out their sexual fantasies. If you are going to have a second life is that really what you want to do? I know if I had the chance to live a second life I would go for fame or fortune not one of my second life fantasies would be to be someone's sex slave? I know...I know they claim this is a safe way to experiment. I think I'd just like to keep that part of my life to myself besides, I live out enough of my fantasy life in my writing that's good enough for me. LOL

I've heard that quite a few of their backers have now bowed out. I'm not sure if this was because of the sex run a muck or because expectations were higher than what it delivered. The specs before you can even download it seem to be extreme from what I understand.

Another thing that has me puzzled is the young people factor. How can you be sure the person you are having cyber relations with is not a teen or worse yet even younger? I know there is a teen Second Life or so I found out but come on...you and I know there is always a way to get around the rules.

I guess a pro could be that they are trying to sell it as an educational tool. Virtual classrooms might be a hit but all in all...

Impressed with people doing basically the same things they do already and calling it a "Second Life"...I think not.

Stranded!

2009-04-09T07:56:00.002-05:00

I'm feeling a little isolated right now. LOL Two of the four forums that I frequent are having problems or something. How am I supposed to drink my morning coffee without my forums to check on? Isn't it strange how our lives have evolved to where we can't function without a computer? What did we do before the computer? Sleep more? Spend more time with our families? Actually go outside?

Easter plans?

2009-04-07T22:34:00.003-05:00

Well, my Easter plans are shot to...heck :) We were going to have family over and smoke something on the smoker and hide eggs for all the kiddos. It is going to be rainy and cold here AGAIN! I'm starting to slide into a depression from all this rainy cold weather! I have psoriatic arthritis which is very sensitive to cold and I want summer to come so bad! I dream about laying in my back yard soaking up the hot sun! Anyway, there is no way I'm going to be stuck in the house with a bunch of kids on Easter so we canceled. So, the high light of my Easter will be when my very cute hubby cooks me breakfast which he does every Sunday. :) LOL

Creating Your Characters

2009-04-06T10:43:00.005-05:00

I have come across several ways to get to know your characters. The most elaborate was a 3 page questionnaire on every aspect of the characters life, past and present. It got me to thinking how much do I know about my characters? Would filling out 3 pages of questions help me to know them better? Or is it enough to just know them in my heart and mind? If my book has absolutely nothing to do with where my heroine went to school in grade school does it help me to know this? I know that everything you go through makes you who you are today but does that also apply to a fictitious character?

LOL I know this post is all questions and no answers that is because I have no idea what the answers are. Maybe this is yet again another do what works for you type of thing.

I Think I Can!

2009-04-05T09:46:00.001-05:00

I managed to get a few words down yesterday. Not as many as I would have liked but I was very pleased with what I had. I just strangled that little inner critic dude and told him to shut the heck the up! The result was pretty awesome!

Determination

2009-04-04T09:08:00.002-06:00

I am going to attempt to write some on one of my books today. It's going to be difficult I have a sinus headache that is threatening to turn into a migraine. This is where drive and determination come in handy. I just have to keep telling myself how bad I want it.

Favorite Quote

2009-04-02T09:28:00.002-06:00

To be accurate, write;

To remember, write;

To know thine own mind, write.

~Martin Farqhuar Tupper~

Flex Your Writing Muscle

2009-03-31T13:31:00.003-06:00

Write something everyday. Even if it is only a line or two. Keep a journal or a blog. Writing is like everything else in life it gets better with practice. Have a word of the day and use it in your writing for that day. Keep a thesaurus handy and try to use different words that mean basically the same thing. Play writing games, write poems, or look at something and try to write a detailed description about it. These are all things I do to make sure my writing muscle develops some everyday.

Step 2

2009-03-31T08:03:00.002-06:00

Write the book!

Everyone has their own personal way of doing this. Some just take off and write the story without thought to punctuation or grammar. They just tell the story in a rough first draft. Others use the outline approach outlining the book chapter be chapter then use this as the base to go by. Last but not least there are those who write a small summary of the story and then expand it. You have to decide what works best for you. I myself will write a summary of the story and where I want it to go and I use this as the skeletal structure. There is no right or wrong way.

Step 1

2009-03-30T21:30:00.006-06:00

Network! Find others that share your goal. Although, I have to say I am finding the writing forums most cliquish and unfriendly. There are a few that had a lot of great info and others were somewhat friendly there is one I found that stands above the others it is called
Accentuate Writers Forum this one I found helpful and so friendly. From the moment I joined this group of people took me in and made me feel welcome. If writing is your dream and you are looking for a safe supportive atmosphere this is the place for you. There is, however, one forum I would NOT recommend if you are a beginining writer. It is http://www.mywriterscircle.com/ They tear you down and make you doubt yourself and why you are even bothering to write all in the name of critiquing. It is my belief that you can critque someone in a nice way without belittling or tearing them down. So, if you have been writing for awhile and you are secure in your ability and you feel the need for some harsh criticism then by all means check it out. There are a few others I haven't been a member of for very long so I reserve judgement for a later date.