Friday, June 17, 2011

Grammar Made Easy

I am not the “Grammar Nazi.” I’m the “Grammar Duchess.” For me, this means I am a member of nobility, but not part of the monarchy. I do better than most, but I’m no Stephen “King.” And let’s face it, my blog? It’s my journal. The only time I focus on what I want to say, not technicalities, and silly things like grammar.

With that said, my cousin and sometimes editor, keeps me well-informed of my mishaps. She’s taught me how not to totally butcher the English language. In hopes of extending the same help to everyone, she started a Facebook page called GRAMMAR MADE EASY. I help with it, as well as another young lady. I hope you click the LIKE button and join us! Feel free to comment and post!!


Happy Writing!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Writing the Storm

Storms, certainly not tornadoes, help me write. It's the sound of the rain, the grumble of Mother Earth that pulls me from reality into my imagination. Perhaps this started when I was a child.

In my childhood I was absolutely terrified of storms. I would not leave my Dad's side. I remember shaking in my flip-flops praying the Giants would stop wrestling over my head. I even used my sacred wand (oak stick) to cast a spell on Mother Earth. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

When I turned 7ish, during those moments of horrific fear, I wrote or played Barbies or Glamour Gals. Either way, I spent time creating a story. I often lost myself in those moments of story-weaving. Many times I forgot it was storming, minus that occasional blinding flash of light and earth shaking rumble that followed. This became ritual to me- if it stormed- I wrote or played. Either way, I created a world far from there, far from the storm in a mystic cave, or endangered jungle or perhaps a castle in Ireland where the faeries dared me to step into their circle.

Old habits are hard to break. It storms, I write. And I write the same as I did a two decades ago (clearing throat)- with a pad of paper and a pen (pens seemed more grownup than a pencil.) There is something about feeling a good ink pen flow across paper. It's a ballet of words at best, even if it's the Hillbilly Hop version...

May each of your WRITE THE STORM!!!






Friday, February 11, 2011

Time...


I’ve had a few people ask how do I:  homeschool, volunteer on a Board of Directors, serve on various committees, work Part-time on the weekends, write and give presentations, blog (ok, we know I’m not doing this a lot!) keep up my astronomy newsletter for homeschoolers (another love of mine I’ve taken a break from,) occasionally mentor to parents on IEP’s, IDEA, etc., walk my dog, feed my kids, read, write, etc. etc.

I really don’t know how I do it all. My writing suffers more than anything. Some weeks I barely get 300 words written! Some weeks I write 7000 words! And let’s face it-- my grammar suffers on my blog! But hey, I posted something on here!  

I must say, writing this is eye-opening. Who knew I spent so much time on the Internet? Hmmm… I challenge YOU to write your schedule and see where your time goes.

Merry Writing!!

Daily Schedule
8:00-9:00                     WAKE
9:00-10:00                   Prepare for the day; work with children a bit; walk the dog
10:00-11:30                 Free time for the boys
I research, return phone calls, emails… (sighing) get on Facebook
11:30-12:00pm            LUNCH
12:00-4:00                   Strictly School. I rarely get to write during this time.
4:00-9:00                     Dinner, baths, story time, etc. etc. I SOAK up time with my boys!! We manage to cram documentaries, educational TV, educational games and many more fun things during this time too! Always homeschooling!
9:00-1:00ish am           Write, Read, Catch-up on TV shows if I have any and spend time on the Internet. Occasionally I play World of Warcraft.


TIP:  NOT WATCHING TELEVISION frees up more time than people realize!!