There are no limits to the number and types of writing competitions you can join online. You can submit a 35-word pitch or submit a longer manuscript for a more in-depth contest. The goal of the contests is the same: to get your manuscript before an agent/publisher who will (fingers crossed!) love it. In the […]
Sentimental Stirrings
Aspiring Writers: Throwing in the Towel…Or Not
You’re having a great day, and then ding, your email alerts you to a new message. Another rejection! You’re enthusiastic about a new contest. You’ve gotten a partial request followed by a full and have had some delightful email exchanges with one or more mentors. You can feel in your soul that you’ll be chosen; this […]
On the Loss of Deputy Geer
Something is going on in my mind. For the past three mornings I’ve woken up at 4 am, unable to go back to sleep and with one thing on my mind. It isn’t a thing that directly impacted me, it won’t alter the day-to-day realities of the rest of my life, and yet I feel […]
A Horse With No Name
I was on my way to pick up my 8-year old from school when I had the kind of experience that a person just has to share. As I came over the hill of a busy four-lane road I had to slow to a stop. Although the light was green, traffic was barely moving at a […]
Powerball: Live the Dream
One point five billion dollars. That is the current, estimated, Powerball value. Imagine that (go ahead, take a moment, I’ll wait…). Like everyone else, I’ve watched lottery fever grow as the jackpot reached $450 million, and then $880 million. Who can’t imagine winning even a small portion of that jackpot? Last weekend, on one of my […]
Embracing the Change
The past few months have brought a lot of changes to our home. Some has resulted in relief, some in absolute chaos, and one in sad acceptance of how tenuous our grasp on life can be. At the top of our stress list for the past fourteen months was having the paternal figure living with […]
Baby Steps
I love all of my children equally. Each of them has their own wonderful traits and aggravating behaviors that cause me to be amazed as they each grow into their own unique human beings. That said, I do recognize that I’ve always been more consciously aware of things that happen with The Baby. I’ve spent […]
Pride or Punishment?
I don’t claim to have exceptional children. They aren’t well-behaved, they only stretch their vocabulary when it comes to learning prison vernacular and they don’t seem motivated to succeed (even if its only to prove me wrong). The Middle seems to have a particular penchant for trouble-making. Yesterday I received two calls from the Dean […]
His Own Way
I’m generally pretty amazed by some of the things The Baby comes up with. During his five and a half years on earth he’s proven to be a pretty unique person. Oh, he has his “follower” moments. Case in point, just last night he came into the house crying. He told me he needed a […]
Shit Just Got Real
There exists in the world a distinct period of time. You don’t really notice it while you’re in it, it’s more easily recognized after it has passed. In hindsight you will look back at that period and remember the carefree way with which you’d gone about your days. Maybe you’ll look back with regret at […]