Some of you know I make tote bags for fun and profit, plus it keeps me off the streets.
Until recently photos of the bags were posted on my website, but this became too difficult to manage. Many of the bags on the website have been sold or "reinvented" into a different style. Plus, having made almost 30 new bags this summer, I would have been bugging the web mistress to add and delete bag photos every few days. Not fun for anyone.
So . . . while updating another blog, one of those "well, duh" moments struck. I'd recently learned another computer skill--adding photos to my blogs. I could do this.
And I did.
To see up to date pictures of the bags I've made this summer, go to www.KatsKarryAlls.blogspot.com
Peace
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sharing Gifts With Others
Recently two people [actually more than two, but these two are foremost in my mind right now] shared their gifts with me.
A member of my writers' group brought in copies of articles from the recent Writer's Digest. Not only was it an excellent, well written article, it was something this man did not have to do. Now that I think about it, he does this often. I shall have to make the time to thank him.
The other gift came from a second chapter member: one of our newest members [she recently rejoined after an absence of maybe 10 years, maybe less] shared memories and lessons learned from the founder of the chapter on our blog. it was a lovely tribute from one friend to another. I shall have to take the time to thank her privately.
Peace
Kathy
A member of my writers' group brought in copies of articles from the recent Writer's Digest. Not only was it an excellent, well written article, it was something this man did not have to do. Now that I think about it, he does this often. I shall have to make the time to thank him.
The other gift came from a second chapter member: one of our newest members [she recently rejoined after an absence of maybe 10 years, maybe less] shared memories and lessons learned from the founder of the chapter on our blog. it was a lovely tribute from one friend to another. I shall have to take the time to thank her privately.
Peace
Kathy
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Toss out that loaf of stale bread
until recently if anyone asked me how to handle writer's block, I'd have responded with my favorite acronym: BTSOOM.
At a recent writers' group meetings, other members had abeen pushing writing to different audiences or targets, shorter romances, less than 5,000 words. Impossible, was my continued response--until I tried it.
What a difference it has made to my entire frame of mind!
Unbeknownst to me I've had writer's block for years, since finishing Try Just Once More back in 2006 I'd started many stories, outlined several, researched sort of for a few, completed nothing.
Until I wrote 2 shorts [less than 1,000 words] for an e-zine. I didn't think I could do it and almost gave up a few times. I submitted in the end of July and early August. They responded, saying they might go on hiatus and pick things back up again in 2010 and offered me the option to submit elsewhere.
So I did!!
I took one of the ezine stories and expanded it to just a tad over 3,000 words. It was a struggle at first finding those last 500 words, but I did it and submitted it as a stand-alone story but part of a series titles based on the vanDyke poem I call Those Who Love.
The second was somewhat easier to write due to the amount of external conflict [take back the night march].
I am quite pleased with myself.
More than that, I am feeling better about myelf and my writing than i have in a very long time.
Peace
At a recent writers' group meetings, other members had abeen pushing writing to different audiences or targets, shorter romances, less than 5,000 words. Impossible, was my continued response--until I tried it.
What a difference it has made to my entire frame of mind!
Unbeknownst to me I've had writer's block for years, since finishing Try Just Once More back in 2006 I'd started many stories, outlined several, researched sort of for a few, completed nothing.
Until I wrote 2 shorts [less than 1,000 words] for an e-zine. I didn't think I could do it and almost gave up a few times. I submitted in the end of July and early August. They responded, saying they might go on hiatus and pick things back up again in 2010 and offered me the option to submit elsewhere.
So I did!!
I took one of the ezine stories and expanded it to just a tad over 3,000 words. It was a struggle at first finding those last 500 words, but I did it and submitted it as a stand-alone story but part of a series titles based on the vanDyke poem I call Those Who Love.
The second was somewhat easier to write due to the amount of external conflict [take back the night march].
I am quite pleased with myself.
More than that, I am feeling better about myelf and my writing than i have in a very long time.
Peace
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What Writing Exercise Are You Doing?
I really must get my act together and post to this blog more often.
Have any of you ever participated in writing exercises?
My writer's group has one coming up: Pick a movie and change the ending.
Obviously, not all movies apply: Saving Private Ryan, Gettysburg, Apollo 13, Last of the Mohegans; you get the drift.
problem is, I can't think of an ending I'd change.
Oh wait. There's the first James Bond movie with Daniel Craig. The heroine doesn't die at the hands of the bad guys, but James decks her for her duplicity, then walks off toward the nearest casino.
Mrs Doubtfire: Sally poisons mega-annoying Peter Pan-wannabe Robin Williams and takes off with Pierce Brosnan, and has hot sex till she can't walk comfortably.
Gone With The Wind: After Rhett says, Frankly, my dear . . . he shoots Scarlett.
The Big Easy: don't change a thing; it's perfection unlimited.
Now I believe we should expand this to TV programs:
NCIS--every episode should end with Dinozzo, bound hand and foot, with electrodes attached to his head and I get to throw the switch.
Law and Order SVU, bring Adam Beach back and get rid of the ever-sneering Mariska Hargitay.
HGTV's House Hunters: every time some rich bee-yotch says she won't buy some house worth the high six figures; she doesn't like the bathroom because it doesn't have his and her sinks. I like to see a homeless person [who hasna't bathed recently] to burst in the door and ask how she'd like living with bathroom facilities down the hall, shares it with 10 others, and BTW there's no lock on the door.
Nanny 911. I'd send each of those beastly kids to dog obedience school a[in place of the family pooch] and shoot the parents.
The Closer: I'd give Lt. Flynn a love interest: preferably a nurse, an ER or ICU nurse, whom he meets at an AA meeting. She looks like Edie Falco with the same "Do You Feel Lucky?" look in her eye. they then bang like bunnies.
that's all for today, folks
Kathy
Have any of you ever participated in writing exercises?
My writer's group has one coming up: Pick a movie and change the ending.
Obviously, not all movies apply: Saving Private Ryan, Gettysburg, Apollo 13, Last of the Mohegans; you get the drift.
problem is, I can't think of an ending I'd change.
Oh wait. There's the first James Bond movie with Daniel Craig. The heroine doesn't die at the hands of the bad guys, but James decks her for her duplicity, then walks off toward the nearest casino.
Mrs Doubtfire: Sally poisons mega-annoying Peter Pan-wannabe Robin Williams and takes off with Pierce Brosnan, and has hot sex till she can't walk comfortably.
Gone With The Wind: After Rhett says, Frankly, my dear . . . he shoots Scarlett.
The Big Easy: don't change a thing; it's perfection unlimited.
Now I believe we should expand this to TV programs:
NCIS--every episode should end with Dinozzo, bound hand and foot, with electrodes attached to his head and I get to throw the switch.
Law and Order SVU, bring Adam Beach back and get rid of the ever-sneering Mariska Hargitay.
HGTV's House Hunters: every time some rich bee-yotch says she won't buy some house worth the high six figures; she doesn't like the bathroom because it doesn't have his and her sinks. I like to see a homeless person [who hasna't bathed recently] to burst in the door and ask how she'd like living with bathroom facilities down the hall, shares it with 10 others, and BTW there's no lock on the door.
Nanny 911. I'd send each of those beastly kids to dog obedience school a[in place of the family pooch] and shoot the parents.
The Closer: I'd give Lt. Flynn a love interest: preferably a nurse, an ER or ICU nurse, whom he meets at an AA meeting. She looks like Edie Falco with the same "Do You Feel Lucky?" look in her eye. they then bang like bunnies.
that's all for today, folks
Kathy
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
What's on your nightstand?
No, not the personal items.
I mean the To Be Read pile.
At last year's RWA conference in San Francisco, I like many attendees, came away with a bunch of free books. One was the second in JR Ward's Brotherhood of the Dagger series. It only took me about 6 months to wade through the pile to get to it.
I will readily admit: I am not a fan of vampire stories. Correction: I wasn't never a fan of vampire stories.
boy, has she turned me around!!!!
The humor is fabulous. The humanity is refreshing. And the sex is great.
The internal conflict is individualized to each of the seven heroes and crafted so well it feels effortless. I'm sure it wasn't all that easy.
I now have hooked my daughter on them.
If you have a chance, pick one up but try to read them in order.
Peace.
Kathy
I mean the To Be Read pile.
At last year's RWA conference in San Francisco, I like many attendees, came away with a bunch of free books. One was the second in JR Ward's Brotherhood of the Dagger series. It only took me about 6 months to wade through the pile to get to it.
I will readily admit: I am not a fan of vampire stories. Correction: I wasn't never a fan of vampire stories.
boy, has she turned me around!!!!
The humor is fabulous. The humanity is refreshing. And the sex is great.
The internal conflict is individualized to each of the seven heroes and crafted so well it feels effortless. I'm sure it wasn't all that easy.
I now have hooked my daughter on them.
If you have a chance, pick one up but try to read them in order.
Peace.
Kathy
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Maine RWA Retreat
Thank you, thank you, thank you, all MERWA members for hosting another fabulous retreat.
The workshops were well attended and quite interesting. The pitch sessions revealed there is some fascinating work going on out there. I hope everyone follows up and submits, submits, submits!!!
Jessica Andersen's workshops on World Building and Punching Up Your Writing were fun and educational. She even agreed to think about coming to Rochester to present the same workshops next year!!!
Wahoo!
Until next time,
Peace to all
Kathy
The workshops were well attended and quite interesting. The pitch sessions revealed there is some fascinating work going on out there. I hope everyone follows up and submits, submits, submits!!!
Jessica Andersen's workshops on World Building and Punching Up Your Writing were fun and educational. She even agreed to think about coming to Rochester to present the same workshops next year!!!
Wahoo!
Until next time,
Peace to all
Kathy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
This weekend, my husband and I are getting away to his family's cottage on a small lake northwest of Syracuse. He loves the place and goes there often to fish, rest and relax.
This time we're taking one of our daughters, her two kids and the dog as her husband will be away for the weekend.
Our precious Meredith, who just turned 3, loves the cottage as much as her Papa does, though for perhaps different reasons. There is a long hallway leading to the bedroom wing, perfect for running endless marathons and trying out her new bowling set. A huge great room with hardwood floors is perfect for setting up her new four-car train set--and for running around. Her brother will be able to creep and crawl to his heart's content.
I have manuscripts to read and perhaps one of my own to start building the foundation by interviewing the lead characters.
I hope all who read this have a wonderful spot to celebrate mothers everywhere.
Peace,
Kathy
This time we're taking one of our daughters, her two kids and the dog as her husband will be away for the weekend.
Our precious Meredith, who just turned 3, loves the cottage as much as her Papa does, though for perhaps different reasons. There is a long hallway leading to the bedroom wing, perfect for running endless marathons and trying out her new bowling set. A huge great room with hardwood floors is perfect for setting up her new four-car train set--and for running around. Her brother will be able to creep and crawl to his heart's content.
I have manuscripts to read and perhaps one of my own to start building the foundation by interviewing the lead characters.
I hope all who read this have a wonderful spot to celebrate mothers everywhere.
Peace,
Kathy
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