Here we are, almost summer, and I could swear it is still November. All the rain is making things green and beautiful, but I can not get out and work in my yard, plant summer flowers, or soak in natural sun. We want to have a barbque, but, not in the rain. Ah well, let me see, we CHOSE to live in Washington didn't we.
I was thinking that it is time to start the work on my next children's book. I have the book written, but, the hard work is about to begin. The editing, the second editing, the phrasing corrections, the illustrations. Then the formatting , etc etc etc. Writing the book is the easy part. And of course you can get help with all of these things listed above, at a price. The logic is, you sell the first book, you earn enough to have someone do all of these things for you on the next book. But, in reality, my first book is not out yet, almost, but not yet. So, we are still doing the work . But again, that is part of the creativity process. No whining going on, just facts. Maybe I will get another cup of coffee and continue to ponder . You know, there are not illustrations in a novel. Maybe that is the next consideration.
The comment , "there is a book in everyone" is very true, and I have one knocking on the door of my brain. Actually, there are several knocking on the door. I know, the question is, is anyone home to answer??? Well, there is someone home, and I am about to answer the door. Every family has enough "happenings" to author more than one book. Saga after saga could be put on paper and embellished a bit, change the names, and you are off and running. Of course, depending on the circumstances, in many cases, the same things happen in each and every other family we all know. So, what makes your story just a little different? Therein lies the quandry. The twist, the turn of events, the mystery of it all, the happy ending, the resouloution. I love the creativity process, the imagination of it all.
Now you can see what we all get when the rain won't go away. You sit with the extra cup of coffee, your coffee nerves are zippin around, and you think of what you could or should or might be doing. Ah, so, what do you do? Open your computer and write in your blog.
And with that, I wish you a great day.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Hurry up and wait!
Hurry up and wait is the key word for so many things in life. I am going through this phenomenon as this process proceeds.
The illustrations that go along with a children's book has been the biggest creative challenge. And the waiting to find out if they are all going to "make the cut" is the current challenge. It is not just the creative challenge, although, this is not my area of creativity. TRUST ME IN THIS! But, we learn our best lessons through struggles. What have I learned? I have learned, very clearly, what not to do. I am still learning WHAT to do. I suspect that is the story of our lives. We are all learning from day to day. And I suspect, I am not through making mistakes.
One thing I have learned, aside from the publishing events, is that we need to keep mentally challenged. I know, some of you will quickly point out that I am mentally challenged ! Some friends use various activities to keep the little neurons popping. Everything from travel, to gardening, to dexterity puzzles. Another area to keep yourself mentally stimulated is to learn computer skills. I know, many people claim that it is not for them. Can't do this"..."does not make sense", "I don't want to". If we plan to stay current in our daily living, we need to throw out the "I cant's," and move on to the "let's try" area of our lives. It is like the age of motor vehicles and riding a horse. If the roads are full of cars, you best not ride your horse on the freeways. We need to keep up with the times, move forward and stay current. It might take a little extra effort on your part, but, isn't that what we are talking about here? Mentally challenging yourself to keep up with the program, what ever that program might turn out to be.
With all of that being said, I learned different programs on my computer on how to create the illustrations. It was frustrating, tiring, and exciting. Learning how to make certain changes, but, now... how do I save the changes. It is hard to find out that the illustration, your latest "baby", is not the correct DPI, or the right kind of color to pass muster... I am chuckling now, but, it is a weak chuckle. I just have to thank God for giving me the directions and encouragement to continue this learning journey. It would have been very easy to give up.
I want to thank all of you for being so supportive. It has been so wonderful to hear encouraging words. Everyone needs that, no matter if it is a small project or a large project. Lift others up, be supportive of your friends, and keep moving and trust God to lead you . You can not go wrong if you do this.
Until the next time....
The illustrations that go along with a children's book has been the biggest creative challenge. And the waiting to find out if they are all going to "make the cut" is the current challenge. It is not just the creative challenge, although, this is not my area of creativity. TRUST ME IN THIS! But, we learn our best lessons through struggles. What have I learned? I have learned, very clearly, what not to do. I am still learning WHAT to do. I suspect that is the story of our lives. We are all learning from day to day. And I suspect, I am not through making mistakes.
One thing I have learned, aside from the publishing events, is that we need to keep mentally challenged. I know, some of you will quickly point out that I am mentally challenged ! Some friends use various activities to keep the little neurons popping. Everything from travel, to gardening, to dexterity puzzles. Another area to keep yourself mentally stimulated is to learn computer skills. I know, many people claim that it is not for them. Can't do this"..."does not make sense", "I don't want to". If we plan to stay current in our daily living, we need to throw out the "I cant's," and move on to the "let's try" area of our lives. It is like the age of motor vehicles and riding a horse. If the roads are full of cars, you best not ride your horse on the freeways. We need to keep up with the times, move forward and stay current. It might take a little extra effort on your part, but, isn't that what we are talking about here? Mentally challenging yourself to keep up with the program, what ever that program might turn out to be.
With all of that being said, I learned different programs on my computer on how to create the illustrations. It was frustrating, tiring, and exciting. Learning how to make certain changes, but, now... how do I save the changes. It is hard to find out that the illustration, your latest "baby", is not the correct DPI, or the right kind of color to pass muster... I am chuckling now, but, it is a weak chuckle. I just have to thank God for giving me the directions and encouragement to continue this learning journey. It would have been very easy to give up.
I want to thank all of you for being so supportive. It has been so wonderful to hear encouraging words. Everyone needs that, no matter if it is a small project or a large project. Lift others up, be supportive of your friends, and keep moving and trust God to lead you . You can not go wrong if you do this.
Until the next time....
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
How Did This All Happen?
I have been asked, how did you start writing? When did you start writing? I didn't know you enjoyed writing!
Sometimes we all have little closet things we do that bring us relaxation. Some we can share, some we choose not to share. And, some we choose to keep as a private release of thoughts only for ourselves. I do not fall into any of those catagories. (If I was writing an e mail, I might type LOL right now) Actually, my husband loves to play video games on his computer, and I love to spend time with my husband. As he would be playing a game on his computer, winning the latest baseball or football games, I would be on my computer, writing away. Actually, I have a full length novel I have written, several children's books, a book about the funny and not so funny side of marriage and a short book on ushering, more a guideline than a book. Hummm...... This makes me think that my husband must play many computer games.
I find it interesting that so many people journal, and I have never been into journaling or a diary, or even keeping notes while on vacations. Not my thing. But, the blogging might change this as I find it easier to sit at a computer and type. After all, I did this very function for many years while I was working. It is a very comfortable thing... or at least , a familar thing to do. But, not all things that I might write about or journal about concern just writing books. So, I wonder if I might intermix thoughts. Does this mean I can actually admit to being a little scattered and rationlize the validity of it?
Back to the Children's book. I need to talk about the question, "How did this all begin?" questions. With all of these written gems, sitting in my computer, stored in various stages of completion, I had a challenge given to me by a friend. Why don't you go to one of the publisher's web sites, and see how you could have one of these books published?! After a few jokes back and forth, I finally started looking into that very process, stumbled along for awhile, and discovered a publisher that requested a short story line. I submitted, they read, and they wanted to pursue this. And here we are, 6 months later, blogging, waiting for the publication to hit the book shelves.
It has been a wonderful process, but, not always easy. I think that writing the book is the easy part. The rest of the process is what has been challenging. I have learned so much, some things I have enjoyed, some things not so much!!
As I go through this bloggin process, I will write about them. I hope you enjoy following this adventure and stay with me.
Blessings !
Wendy Lund
Sometimes we all have little closet things we do that bring us relaxation. Some we can share, some we choose not to share. And, some we choose to keep as a private release of thoughts only for ourselves. I do not fall into any of those catagories. (If I was writing an e mail, I might type LOL right now) Actually, my husband loves to play video games on his computer, and I love to spend time with my husband. As he would be playing a game on his computer, winning the latest baseball or football games, I would be on my computer, writing away. Actually, I have a full length novel I have written, several children's books, a book about the funny and not so funny side of marriage and a short book on ushering, more a guideline than a book. Hummm...... This makes me think that my husband must play many computer games.
I find it interesting that so many people journal, and I have never been into journaling or a diary, or even keeping notes while on vacations. Not my thing. But, the blogging might change this as I find it easier to sit at a computer and type. After all, I did this very function for many years while I was working. It is a very comfortable thing... or at least , a familar thing to do. But, not all things that I might write about or journal about concern just writing books. So, I wonder if I might intermix thoughts. Does this mean I can actually admit to being a little scattered and rationlize the validity of it?
Back to the Children's book. I need to talk about the question, "How did this all begin?" questions. With all of these written gems, sitting in my computer, stored in various stages of completion, I had a challenge given to me by a friend. Why don't you go to one of the publisher's web sites, and see how you could have one of these books published?! After a few jokes back and forth, I finally started looking into that very process, stumbled along for awhile, and discovered a publisher that requested a short story line. I submitted, they read, and they wanted to pursue this. And here we are, 6 months later, blogging, waiting for the publication to hit the book shelves.
It has been a wonderful process, but, not always easy. I think that writing the book is the easy part. The rest of the process is what has been challenging. I have learned so much, some things I have enjoyed, some things not so much!!
As I go through this bloggin process, I will write about them. I hope you enjoy following this adventure and stay with me.
Blessings !
Wendy Lund
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The begining!
How can we start at the very begining , which , to quote Julie Andrews, is a very good place to start, when you are retired, not young, children raised, which is a relative term as you also raise corn, and grandchildren growing taller than you are.
This begining is of a different nature. A new career , hobby, vocation, call it what you want. I am starting another adventure in life and it is exciting. I have written a children's book and it is being published. It is called "THE FLY AWAY BALLOON". Publishing a book, now there is an experience everyone should go thru. It is a learning curve, frustration, educational and mind boggling. It is so much fun. It keeps your mind active, learning so many things you did not even understand before. To put it in a nutshell, I am having a wonderful time. I believe writing the book was the easy part, and the "publishing" experience is the hard part. I will talk about that as we move on.
Part of this publishing experience calls for blogging, with the thought that many will see this, wonder about your book, and when it finally hits the printed page, others can hear about it, buy it , and everyone will be enriched by the experience. But, I believe this can go even farther than just that experience. It will be another way for you to put your thoughts out there. Sometimes short, sometimes about writing, sometimes about frustrations, always with my faith. So, this, being my first blog, is the new begining. I hope you enjoy my ramblings, and respond and share back.
This begining is of a different nature. A new career , hobby, vocation, call it what you want. I am starting another adventure in life and it is exciting. I have written a children's book and it is being published. It is called "THE FLY AWAY BALLOON". Publishing a book, now there is an experience everyone should go thru. It is a learning curve, frustration, educational and mind boggling. It is so much fun. It keeps your mind active, learning so many things you did not even understand before. To put it in a nutshell, I am having a wonderful time. I believe writing the book was the easy part, and the "publishing" experience is the hard part. I will talk about that as we move on.
Part of this publishing experience calls for blogging, with the thought that many will see this, wonder about your book, and when it finally hits the printed page, others can hear about it, buy it , and everyone will be enriched by the experience. But, I believe this can go even farther than just that experience. It will be another way for you to put your thoughts out there. Sometimes short, sometimes about writing, sometimes about frustrations, always with my faith. So, this, being my first blog, is the new begining. I hope you enjoy my ramblings, and respond and share back.
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