Dream a little Dream

What's Jack up to? That Jack was a hot mess yesterday. We had him out for a little walk and he met up with new neighbor Arya (see below) and he wanted no parts of her. I was so embarrassed. Arya was so happy to see Jack ready to sniff and say hi and Jack kept running away. She tried and tried and he was not having it. It was very sad and Arya looked heartbroken. I really shouldn't be surprised. Jack is not even into dogs on tv. Here he is wanting no part of the dog show. I just don't know what to do with my anti-social dog. Humph!

Onto other news which is not really news, but I've still got Nano on my mind. Sorry, if this blog is getting boring. I'll think up something better soon. Maybe crash a party. Ugh! Don't get me started on at hot mess. Makes me so mad.

But, back to NaNo...Getting it completed was such a thrill. Would you like to see how it looked once I uploaded my manuscript? Sure you do, so here goes. I was happy to see this page. Pretty.

And this was my page once I passed the 50,000 word mark. It's wonderful how many others made their goals too and even those who did not still came so far because just trying and getting 10 or 20,000 words done is still so much. Congrats to all the participants!

If you have some dream that is gnawing at you and you think it's beyond your reach, I say give it a go anyway. You never know what you can do until you try. I'm not anywhere near my ultimate dream but I'm so much closer than where I was.

Any challenges pressing on your heart that you think you might want to try? Please share.

Best,

Kwana

Monday Music

What's Jack up to? The Jackster is doing well. His rash is getting better and his ears are too, though he's not enjoying taking his meds for both. I know he's on the mend because his appetite is back and a person can't make it near the kitchen and his treats without him fast on their heels. Go Jack.

I'm still busy with NaNo writing. The words are drip, drip, dripping through slowly and it's tough to find the time I'd like. At the end of the day I find myself wishing I had 3 or 4 more hours where I was feeling alert and creative to just sit write and be. But, um, no. Not gonna happen unless I say buh-bye to the few hours sleep I do get and if I did that who knows what hot messery I'd wake up too. Probably a page full of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's. Hmm would they count towards my word count? Probably not.
That said no long post from me today. Or any day for the rest of this month. Will you be back? While I'm in NaNo land please enjoy a little surprising Monday music from Michael Buble and the DD (so not her usual taste). Thanks DD.



Best,
Kwana

P.S. Have you check out Booksquawk yet? Why not? All the cool kids are doing it.

Restless

I'm feeling restless right now. My story is filling my head and interrupting my sleep, but the words are hard to come by. Hanging out on the ledge just out of my reach. And for NaNo you need words and lots of them. A bit of a problem there. I'm at that point in the story where the initial shot has been fired and now I've got to get into the flow and really find the story. Get crafty. Have conversations, make events happen and for a reason too. It puts the mind on pause (at least my mind).

So, I'm restless. But, hopefully not for long.

Brooding Woman by Picasso

How are you today? Did you get enough rest?

Best,

Kwana

And Writing

What's Jack up to? As I type this in the basement he's being such a loyal dog and has come downstairs to keep me company. Though I know it's much warmer upstairs. But he's laying by my side on the couch being a quiet sweetheart. Thanks Jack.

I'm up and writing and that is pretty much my plans for the weekend besides bowling badly and running around with the teen twins. The NaNoWrimo words are adding up which makes me happy. I'm not sure if they make all that much sense right now, but hey, they're adding up and that's the point. December is for revisions.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Best,

Kwana

You Nanu-I NaNo

Today starts NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month where you are challenged to write 50,000 words in 1 month and for the first time I'm in. Eek!! Time to buckle down with some serious kamikaze writing.



Wish me luck coming out on the other side sane and alive.

If you are feeling up to the challenge you can sign yourself up here or if you are already in be my buddy my name is kwanawrites.

Nanu-Nanu or NaNo-NaNo!


Best,
Kwana

Plot Light

Howdy Peeps! Good day to you all.

Check out this chandelier that I spied on my trip to the MoMA with PVE. Isn’t it wild and don’t you love it? I sure do and can't get it out of my wacky head.

It’s by German designer Ingo Maurer done in 1997. The “Zettel'z is a grand chandelier where the Bohemian crystal drops are substituted by scribbled paper notes from some incurable romantic's desk. The light shines through the paper mobile. In this work Maurer plays with traditional approaches to chandelier manufacture, using precious and semi-precious materials.”

"The truth is found between the lies"

I like to think of it as a great plotting tool. Wouldn’t it be a fun way to plot out a story? You can arrange and rearrange the scenes while letting the light shine through to show you the way. Just be careful to not get burned!

Best,
Kwana

The Two Sock Moment

What's Jack up to? As I write this he's asleep on his blanket atop the couch as I listen to the rain continue to fall. It's been some day.

Those of you that have been with me for a long long time will remember my One Sock Moment post. I got lots of really nice comments and I liked that post (if I may say so myself) about not giving up and perseverance or maybe chucking it all. You can check it out here. Since that post life and the Gemini in me took over and the second sock seemed to take forever to get knitted with stress, family, dishes, writing and lets face it, The Not So Real Housewives getting in the way of finishing the other sock. Not to mention my Christmas knitting. But finally the One Sock Moment is over and just in time for Spring too. I now have a nice pair of 100% wool socks to wear for the upcoming warm days. Aren't they pretty?

But really there is only one thing that can beat the feeling of getting over the hurdle of the One Sock Moment and that is the accomplishment of the Two Sock Moment.

I have to remember this feeling and bring more of it into my sometimes (excuse the word but it fits) half @ssed life.

How about you? What projects are just waiting for you to get back to them and polish them off. Bringing a sense of finality and accomplishment to your heart. I can quickly tick a few more off in my own life.

best,

Kwana

This Time They Got Me Right

Now this time (as opposed to the last time) blogthings got me just right with their quiz on what type of writer you should be. Of course there is one hitch. I don't know a thing about film writing. Hmmm...

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Best,
Kwana

Long Suffering Heroes

How do you feel about the long suffering hero in a romance novel? I’ve just finished two books. The first following The Quest was BROKEN WING by Judith James and the second was SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE by Lisa Kleypas.

Both books though very different in subject matter struck me as similar in the fact that they both contained the Long Suffering Hero and that got me think if I really enjoyed the suffering hero as a character or do I go for more of “the rake” or “the bad boy”? Now I know on some level every effective character has to have some flaw or thing that he suffers over or he's just flat. What I'm talking about here is the hero that feels he's just so bad that he's no good for the heroine or that super sweet do-gooder. Please don't give me that guy. I'd just hurt him.


I’ll start with BROKEN WING and Kristie’s Ramblings on Romance Quest. This was an interesting book for me to get my head and heart around.

Without a doubt I enjoyed it. A lot. I was pulled in right away and totally engaged. The author takes the tough subject matter of child prostitution and marries it with an innocent blossoming love story and an epic adventure. The love letters that she writes in the book are some of the most beautiful pages I have read in a long time. But for me I was frustrated by the very long suffering hero and the heroine that suffered right along with him. I wanted someone to stand up and be strong and fight. That said, I would still recommend the book. It's an interesting love story that I’m still thinking about today. The historal detail is amazing. So am I a Quester? Kristie what do you think?



Now in SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE we have another long suffering hero that can’t get his head out of the past. First off, I loved this sexy book. But much like the hero in BROKEN WING this hero, Kev, feels that he’s not fit to lick the heroine’s boots. Though he doesn't mind trying to lick at other parts of her. At times I wanted to reach though the pages and shake him too which I guess says something great for the authors writing. But this hero never got too deep in his sorrow that I put the book down. He was a fighter and filled with non-stop passion. Totally tortured, but acting a bit of a rake. But what pulled it out for me with this book was that the heroine didn’t fall into The Long Suffering Hero trap. She upped the ante and refused to suffer with him. She challenged him and fought against him to pull him out of his shell.


So I guess I can take a long suffering hero if he’s got enough bad boy in him to be interesting and strong or the heroine has enough fight in her to challenge him.


What do you all think about long suffering heroes? Are you Team Ashley or Team Rhett? I think you know where I stand.
Um, sorry about that. I just can't get over Twilight.











Have a great weekend!




Best,
Kwana

Monday Musings

I'm still floating just a bit over the surface of the ground almost a week after the election. I don't care. I'm ever hopeful whether it's fashionable or not.

Anybody watch TRUE BLOOD last night? It got good and freaky. Sam suddenly turned into one of the more interesting characters on the show. Too bad it will be ending soon. Bummer.

On the upside I got the cutest little black dress for a formal I have with the DH coming up for less than a song. I also picked up a black satin 3/4 sleeve 1 button jacket that I know I'll get ton of wear out of for even less of a song than the dress. I love it when that happens.

Here's to a great week and to me making it to the gym.

Best,

Kwana

Happy Birthday Jack!

What's Jack up to? Jack is happy and chilling after his birthday party weekend. Well, not really a party, he is a dog after all and I'm not crazy. At least not THAT crazy.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Yep! Wild Jack turned 2 (or is it 14? I just don't get the whole dog years thing) on Saturday. Thanks for adding just a bit more more nuttiness to my already heavily topped sundae of a life, Jack.



I'm back from a fun filled and super inspirational weekend at the New Jersey Romance Writers conference. I'm exhausted, but feel the need to go to the gym and see if my membership is actually still any good thanks to Mel and this cool new blog she's starting called FatChicksRunning. Now I refuse to out myself as a Fat Chick, but really who am I fooling? Like Mel, I'm a woman of a certain age who doesn't want to be a certain size anymore and it's time to do something about that. So I'm off. Hmm... Now which way was that gym?

More on the conference soon. So much to talk about. So many smart women. So much work I need to do. Eek!



Best,
Kwana

Casting On

What's Jack up to? Jack's wondering where this week went to. Nah, that's just me. He's doing the hanging in the hall closet thing that he loves so much. I just don't get that dog sometimes and I'm sure he's probably thinking the same thing about crazy me.


Casting on in knitting is always done with a a little bit of fear and excitement. But like the point of the One Sock Moment a decision must be made otherwise you're left stuck in the same place or hopping around in a circle on one foot.

So you cast-on with nothing more than a vague road map, a pile of string and faith in your ability to produce something out of not too much, but your drive and ambition.

Notice it doesn't hurt to have something lovely like Pride and Prejudice in the background to inspire you!

Tell me what have you been thinking about casting on? A book, a painting, a business venture, a night class, a new love, an old love? Yummy. Don't get stuck in a one sock moment. Time is too short.

Take a deep breath and cast-on.

Best,
Kwana

Monday Musings

What's Jack up to? Jack's chilling after a busy Sunday in the neighborhood full of fun at our annual block party. Hopefully it will be a quiet Monday for him.

It's going to be a work Monday for me. Time to get back to my WIP after stepping away for quite a while. Now that the kids are back in school it's time for me to really get real and as Tim Gunn says, "Make It Work." If not now, I don't know when.

Speaking of making it work, did anyone see the season premier of America's Next Top Model last week? I swear it's Tyra's world and we're just living in it. I enjoyed it though. As silly as it was with the whole futuristic thing for the first hour with Tyrabot, Alpha J, and Beta J. I don't know what they were smoking?

Sidebar: For all you writers with piles of rejection letters look of Joclyn who tried out for Top Model 30 times before making it on the show. Don't ask me how she did it with it being only cycle 11 or 12, but she did. So don't give up. Keep writing and keep submitting.

There were some interesting moments in between the show with Whitney's My Life As A CoverGirl spots which I really liked and also the new what are the models up to spots. This week featuring Tocarra.

This season to spice thing up there's a transgender model named Isis and it's causing all sorts of controversy just like the producers hoped it would. But Isis does take some fierce pictures and will prove to be a tough opponent.

My pick for some girls to watch are: Joclyn, Elina, Isis, Brittnay and Marjorie

Photos thanks to CW and top from Connie Briscoe's blog

Best,

Kwana

The Quiet

What's Jack up to? Jack's a bit better today. Not much snapping so that's good. I'm taking a hard line, but of course it's hard to do with those big brown eyes of his. I must stay strong.

I’ve been a terrible blog hopper and lately not keeping up with many of my favorite blogs which maybe means that I’ve been a good blog hopper because for a while there blogs were taking up way too much of my time and kind of taking over my life.

But yesterday while doing some perusing over at one of my favorite blogs The 5 Spot I read a post that really hit me that one of my favorite writers, Liza Palmer wrote. You may remember Liza from my interview I did with her here. Well Liza was talking about Ebbs and Flows and how this is an “Everything and Nothing kind of summer,” that “There's this dip happening where it just seems like everything's hard and nothing's quite working out and life has taken on this molasses-y kind of pace.” Lines like this is why Liza is one of my favorite writers.

She then talked about the journey and the quiet moments and how hard they are and how we as women especially hate those quiet moments (or years in my case). They can be positively brutal. You know those times when you plod along from work to work to work with what seems to be no real progress or reward. When people ask, “what new?” and you really don’t have anything new to report so you just nod and smile and say, “oh just the same ole thing,” With a small knot in your chest.

But you’re at that strange point in your journey. Too far past the start to turn back. As a matter of fact way past the middle and the journey is not a hop on hop off type of thing. Take the next train back to normal. It’s a desert trek. If you turn back you could possibly die. So you have no choice, but shake your canteen, wipe your brow and plod ahead putting one foot in front of the other and move forward.

I guess that’s what it’s all about the forward motion, not standing still or going backward, but moving forward and learning to enjoy and accept the quiet. I hear the best ideas come in the quiet moments anyway.

You can check out Liza’s entire post here. The way she compare Michael Phelps and Mariska Hargitay is not to be missed.

In Birthday news Happy Birthday to the P-I-C Megan. It is truly a magical moment when you find that special someone who really gets you. No, I'm not talking about that special someone. I'm talking about a girlfriend that other special someone you call to complain about that other special someone and all the other things that really irk you nerves because you that they just irk her nerves too. So cheers to you P-I-C!

Best,
Kwana

Monday Monday

What's Jack up to? He's being his usual wild self. I tested Jack to see if he'd be as good for me as he was for Nana when I was away. Can you believe he actually walked to the mailbox and back to the house with her without his leash? I would have not believed it myself if I didn't see it with my own eyes when I got home. So I thought I'd try it. I did I little test run out back with the laundry first, just for a second. It was fine. In and out no problem. So I go and open the front door, ready to roll and Jack is off like a bolt of lightening proving that everything, all creatures big and small, do better for Nana. Oh Jack.

This was an all baseball all the time weekend since the DS had a tournament in Connecticut. I'm not bringing up the fact that the season was supposed to be ov-ah a week ago. And it's back out tonight and on the road since they are in the playoffs. Sigh. Now I truly understand the meaning of the term travel team.

I'm so starting to look forward to September and days where Jack and I have a few hours alone and my writing time is set with no interruptions. How I miss that.

What's on tap for your week?

Best,

Kwana

I Left My Heart...

What's Jack up to? From what I hear Jack has been a total doll while we've been away. He seemed so happy to see us. Jumping and nipping and rolling around. So sweet.

Well, I'm back home from Nationals. I had such a wonderful time. It's going to take me a day or so to get all my thoughts together. So many amazing workshops and so many amazing friends and writers. I found it so hard to leave. Fun pics to come.

Now I'm back and newly motivated in myself and my writing. That's what what it's all about.

Big shout outs to: Megan, Marley, Elizabeth, Carolyn, Amanda, Kristen, Louisa, Liza, Eileen, Megan, Pam, Andrea (new bud), Roxanne (new bud) and many more who I'll think of once I get my head on straight. I love you all. Thanks for being so wonderful.

Sidebar: Add on shout outs now that it's later and my head is on straighter... Hey Maureen! Miss you already.

More shout outs... Wendy, Aryn, Kristin, Napa was so much fun with you all and how much do I love Matt?

Mel!!! You were way missed out there. But your blog makes up for that. You are cra-zy!

Best,

Kwana

What's All The Fuss About?

What's Jack up to? It's getting a bit late, but he's feeling happy and frisky and wanting to play right now, so he's bouncing from person to person in the house to try to get someone to play with him and his darn toy. Joy. Fun.

First off I want to say that fab Agent, Elaine answered some questions posted in the comments of this week's Ask The Agent. So please check here and go to the comments section to see if your question was answered. Thanks Elaine!

I was checking out Marianne Mancusi's blog and she had an interesting topic about these Gossip Girl ads.



First let me say I watch and like Gossip Girl and I've let my own DD read the books. Now to the ads... as a mother and as a writer I'm torn over them. Sure they're provocative and will do the trick to get viewers to tune in to watch what I think is one hot show. But do the ads go to far? In my opinion they do. Ugh! I just gagged a bit over how old I sound.



I'd really be fine with them if they were portraying characters that were over eighteen, but the fact that they are portraying characters that are still in high school doesn't sit right with me. Today sex is more casual then ever which just makes me sad. When I hear about freshmen girls having sex with their senior "boyfriends" of course I know what the senior boys are using the poor girls for and what the next year's round of boys will use the same girls for and so on and so on and so on...



I know that sex always has and always will go on in high school but does it need to be even more highly promoted?

I'll admit when writing my YA's to having some trouble with putting the mom aside. I was writing from the sixteen year old perspective, but I have to admit, although it pains me to do, I'm not sixteen anymore. Thank God.

ads courtesy of Gawker

Oh and did you hear that 90210 is coming back. I wonder how they will up the ante to compete with GG?

I could go on and on with this, but I won't. I'd rather hear what you think of the ads.

Best,
Kwana

Changes

What's Jack up to? Jack is up and raring for the day. Already ready for fun and play pulling out toys and hopping around. I have to take a drive to pick up the DD who has been away for a week. I think I'll take Jack with me for a nice surprise. I hope he doesn't drive me batty on the way.

For quite a while now I have been a fan of the blog: Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Her photography just takes my breath away and the way she describes life on the ranch with Marlboro Man, sigh. If you have not read her. Please check her out here. Recently she did a post that got over 1500 comments which is pretty normal for Pioneer Woman. The post was called Changes in Plans.

my own bit of photography from the recent fair on a rainy day

As a writer and mother and woman of a certain age the question she asked really touched me as well as all the responses and got. They were so interesting so I thought I'd post the same question here.

How similar is your life to how you imagined it ten or twenty years ago? Is it how you thought it would be or are you constantly asking yourself how did I get here? Do you mourn for the unfulfilled dreams? (Pioneer Woman said unrealized plans) or are you happy no matter what the circumstances?

I'll start. I would have never thought I'd be where I am today or doing what I'm doing today, although somewhere in the back of my mind I guess the dream of being a writer was always there. But really twenty years ago I'd imagined myself today still being a designer probably with my own label, living in the city, maybe with one small child, maybe on husband number 2 maybe not. LOL. But living a life filled with fashion, meetings, wine, coffee, travel and more fashion. Oh and I'd be way skinnier.

But life sends you curves and mine came in the form of 2 eggs fertilized and suddenly that life didn't feel as important. So other, older dreams came into focus. The writing dream and the new dream of how I could find a way to work and be there for my 2 eggs all the time. Sure, I still wanted the wine, coffee and the success but the travel no longer held the same appeal. So here I am happy in my changes, but like my current manuscript still very much a WIP.

Okay, I'm on a mission. I really want to see some comments. This is a writing experiment so pass this on to all your friends and tell them inquiring minds want to know. Are they happy with life's changes?

Best,

Kwana

2 for Tuesday

What's Jack up to? He's running around happy today. Nana's visiting so it's all joy for him. He's never happier than when she's here to give lots of love and treats!

I was so exhausted last night that I was nodding off on the end of The Bachelorette. So I didn't get to see who got booted off. No big surprise to me today to find out it was Sean and Twilley who got the ax. Buh-bye boys! Now on to the home town dates!

I'm glad to say that the proposal is going well and I bit the bullet and dove in the the synopsis. I couldn't let that bout of Synopsisphobia get the best of me. It had me in it's grips for while there though. Thanks for all your comments on that post. If you missed it you can check it out here. Ugh those dreaded synopsis! Yech!

Best,

Kwana

Synopsisphobia

What's Jack up to? Just being a Jack nuisance. I had a late night flood in the basement last night when the sink from the washing machine backed up. Well it was party time for Jack. How much fun was that? Sopping up water while trying to keep Jack out of it.

So I think I have a Synopsisphopia. You know a phobia of synopsis. Give me a book to write and sure it's tough, but I can make it though 300-400 pages with just a few battle scars. But ask me to do a 5- 10 page synopsis and the thought causes me to break out in a rash.
Why oh why are they so hard? Waaa-Waaa!!!!


Would someone please give me the magic formula? I want to hear from all you writers out there. Especially you pantsers. I'm itching over here!


Best,
Kwana

P.S. Scroll down for Ask the Agent.