Category Archives: Writing

Author, Literary Grant, Writing

Literary Grant

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Last Fall I applied for a literary grant and learned afterwards I’d won. The grant was open to everyone from the county. I was one of the seven who were rewarded with a grant. My thinking was, all they can say is no. Seriously that was the worse they could say to me was my thinking as I filled out the forms needed to apply. I received the check this week, 80% of it that is. Once I finish the project and show the council the receipts they will reimburse me for the remaining 20%.

But now I get to spend other people’s money without having to pay it back. That is amazing as I get to be a writer in a store of supplies where the only limits is one’s imagination.

What I included in my proposal:

-Membership in the SCBWI

-Membership in the NCWN

-Upgrade of my website

The physical aspect involved me getting a smart pen which I am so excited to purchase and receive. For someone who writes all their stories by hand and then retyping it, this is huge. It will save me the time and energy of having to type all over again. With the smart pen I will purchase just about every accessory that one can possible get.

For someone who has tried the Dragon program repeatedly this is gold. The more I tried to train the program the more it hung and paused basically thinking, “What the heck did she just say?” I talk fast and I mean fast. Plus my Northern and now Southern accent does not help. So the next best thing short of having someone sit here and type as I speak, is this pen.

This grant will help me move my career and brand forward with the contacts from the two organizations and being able to bring more of my stories to text. I plan to apply for more grants when time permits.

To the people who told me I was wasting my time and that I did not fit the requirements for it, I’m glad I didn’t listen. I’m glad I stuck to my guns and my mantra of, “All they can say is no.”

Mailbox and letters, Simplicity, Writing

Writers:Do you send letters through the mail?

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How many people enjoy getting real actual mail? I’m not talking about the bills and flyers that flood our mailbox. But a real letter or card that someone specifically took the time to get, write and then send out to you.

I love them. It trumps an email any day of the week. A few days ago I received a card from my good friend Walter. I had sent him some pictures of Jasper and some feathers for his grandchildren. He had purchased two of my books. And as he pointed out in his card, this was a more personal way to say thanks. Walter is old school. He doesn’t have a computer or an email account. He prefers to do it the way it use to be. I like that. I use to send cards on a regular basis for it felt good and I knew the person on the other end appreciated the thought and time it took for me to do so.

With life always getting in the way, I have strayed from that. I need to make more time to go back to my card writing and spread some cheer to others. For what greater way to make a person smile as they sort through the mountain of bills and to find a card nestles among them? I know for me, it is huge. When I saw his card I smiled from ear to ear all the way back to my front door, opening it up on the way, wanting to read every nugget he had written.

Technology is great, it is pretty awesome. But we need to remember the simple and slow way of doing things. They are not bad and should not be forgotten simply because the world have deem them obsolete.

I hope I never get so busy again that I forget this simple pleasure of sending someone a real card or letter through the mail.

 

Author, Carpal Tunnel, Writing

A Writer’s Life: Carpal Tunnel

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Since the beginning of January I been busy writing, editing, revising and writing again. It has been crazy. This is great as the creativity has been flowing and work has been done. But with all of that a shoe is bound to drop.

I have had surgery on my left arm a number of years ago, and it helped for a year maybe two. It was for my carpal tunnel syndrome. I been able to combat it from coming back full steam by being careful and applying ointments and heat when needed.

However NaNoWriMo always kills it, always. And now this month has reared its ugly head. My left arm has been hurting all month-long. I have taken a day or two in a row off from actively being online and writing. The minute it slightly feels better I am off and running.

This past week I took three days off and it helped a lot but it did not heal. I dread going to the doctor for this but may not have choice.

Many people have said try the Dragon for PC program. One where you speak into a microphone and it transcribes why you say into words. I have this program and have tried to train it so many times. It will write a few words and then pause. My husband and son tried it once they saw my frustration. They had no problem training it. I tried again to no avail. My husband thinks it is due to my accent and my ability to speak at the speed of light. The machine will pause as if it is saying, What the … is she saying?”

I will give it another shot, perhaps if I slow down a bit it will work for me. It sure beats having another surgery.