For most of this year, I have allowed myself to get sidetracked from my writing. After my semi-hopeless-sounding post last January (good heavens, 10 months!), I actually did finish the draft of my novel in February, and felt good about what I produced in the first several weeks of the year. And then, I was
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The poem I read at the Open Mic: “No Sunrise”
A few nights ago, I attended the third annual Poetry Reading and Open Mic at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. It’s always held sometime in April for National Poetry Month. (Did I ever tell you TSCPL was named 2016 Library of the Year by Library Journal? Yes, my public library really is that awesome!) The
Read on »I got a little bit carried away …
… and thanks to BookMooch, half price days at the Chandler Booktique at TSCPL, and one order from Better World Books, I’ve acquired all these in the past month. All my packages have arrived, and I’m planning to NOT get any more books for a while. But what a lovely stack! Isn’t it marvelous? Looking
Read on »Writing, or reading? Can I do both, maybe?
Here’s a three-minute overview of my past nine months of writing (or trying to write) fiction — specifically, a romance novel. First, start with the germ of an idea, and “pants” through several chapters. Realize there isn’t enough conflict, change some things, and start over with basically the same characters but different circumstances. Work on
Read on »Go read this book! Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky by David Connerley Nahm
Ancient Oceans of Central Kentucky is the kind of book that can cast a spell over you, one that pulls you in. The writing is so beautiful, and the book’s mood so evocative, after you finish it, you’ll find yourself wanting to read it again. I learned about this debut novel when the author,
Read on »Late July journal updates
Wow, I knew I hadn’t posted in a while, but didn’t realize it’s been over two months — jeesh! And truthfully, this is sort of a faux-post, which I’m able to put up only because Ryan’s baseball coach decided not to go to the post-season awards night. Apparently Ryan was one of only two or
Read on »New second job, changes at first job, sports, clubs, & doctor appts.
I’ve found myself unexpectedly alone in the house with nothing I immediately need to do, so I’m writing this to let people know that, Yes, I’m still alive, but I really HAVE been too busy to get in touch and catch up. The calendars for April and May look like this: First: after watching
Read on »The haul from this year’s book sale!
It’s been a full week since Friends Night at the annual TSCPL book sale, and I’m only NOW able to post about it, although I took the photo and entered everything into my LibraryThing catalog last Saturday. Life is just too damn busy. Also, when I DO have some free time, I usually choose to
Read on »Mini-review of The Shadow of the Wind
This mini-review was initially posted on my local library’s website. To enter the grand prize drawing for the summer reading program, adults had to read eight books and write a review of at least one of them. I wrote mine for The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (and brilliantly translated from Spanish
Read on »Hastings book sales I couldn’t resist
I can’t believe I haven’t posted in two weeks. Time goes by too damn quickly! And, time is at a premium this week, as I’m off to Madison, Wisconsin tomorrow afternoon for two days of work conferences. I’ll start packing after I finish this post … and after the furnace guy is done here at
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