Sacrifices?

Over at one of my daily stops http://www.nathanbransford.blogspot.com/ (sorry I wish I knew how to link to the exact post - but I'm still a bit old school at this) Anyway - his "You Tell Me" for today was "What have you given up for your writing dream?" Last count he had 216 comments.

When I read the responses to his post, and learned what some people have given up all in pursuit of their dream, I felt like a total fake. Maybe I don't want my dream badly enough? Trust me, I want my dream to be fulfilled, but not to the point that I feel the need to give up my job. Sure, it would be nice to be able to write all day long, but my job contributes to 1/2 of our household income and additional insurance for our family of four. That job allows for the added expense my dream has brought to our household: Joining critiquecircle.com, joining SCBWI-WW and going their upcoming conference (16 days and counting). All the paper & ink I have been purchasing. All of the writing books I have purchased. So instead of giving up my job, I write when I can where I can, and that works for me. Maybe this means that in pursuit of my dream, I have given up less time for the dream then some, but kept financial stability.

Looks like this is going to be a long one. I'm in the rambling mood.

I was recently at http://www.misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/. Though it's a favorite of mine to visit, I had not been over there since before the most recent secret agent competitions were over and the agent was announced. After reading Authoress's comments that this agent may not have sugar coated her responses, I found myself looking for the agents comments, and then going back to read the entries. Probably not the right way to do it...

Wow, Authoress was not lying. This agent didn't sugar coat a thing. Am I am glad I don't have a finished MS or I would have entered, and undoubtedly cried. Again. I learned so much from her responses though. I learned that I once again was not ready. Nope. I wasn't ready to submit my 1st page entry to SCBWI Western Washington but I did anyway. Of course I didn't even go to MSFV's blog until the day after I put my submission in the mail. I'm pretty sure that if/when they read my submission I will be told that my narration is off kilter. My MC is not narrating, so I should not have referred to Mom & Dad (as their names) it should have been her Mom and her Dad, etc. Ahhh I have so much to learn. But that's okay. That is why I scour the Internet looking for writing Blogs and information. That's why I buy book after book (or borrow some - my little brother is in Bagdhad and has left all of his writing books in my care until he returns, then yes he will demand I return them :-}).

Even though I will most likely look like a fool if my page is read I'm still terribly excited about the upcoming conference. I am looking forward to meeting other writers and learning more about the craft. Maybe even find a local crit group. All in all, I am looking forward to dedicating an entire weekend to my dream. To have a conference right here locally, how lucky am I?

I joined facebook a week or so ago. It appears to be a great place to find old friends and make new ones. So far I'm up to 13 friends. Maybe after the upcoming conference, I'll be able to add some more.

Are you on facebook? I am. Maybe we can be friends - just look for Cassidy Finn.
Are you going to any conferences? Which one(s)?
Do you have a favorite Blog you visit? Which one(s)

Thanks for stopping by!
Cass

Anniversary

I just celebrated my 23rd anniversary at work today. Since I recently turned 46, this anniversary also marks another milestone of sorts - I have now worked for the same company half my life. Yes, you read that correctly - HALF MY LIFE!

I am fortunate...
To have gainful employment in today's economy.
To have a job that has challenged me and allowed for advancement.
To have employers who have treated me as a member of their family.
To have a day job that pays the bills while I write my heart out at night.

What have you done for half your life?

Thanks for stopping by!
Cass

Things to do while you write that novel

As I said the other day I like to check out other Blogs and Literary Sites out here on the internetosphere Yes, I borrowed that word from NB's blog. Did he coin that word? Does he have copyright on it? I don't know. I hope not because I liked it so I'm borrowing it. He if asks, I will return it though.

Anyway, it seems if you want to write a book/novel/novella and get published there are a few things you need to do besides the obvious - Finish Writing The Book.

Of course, I had read about these few things before I decided to blog my journey. Now I will have to venture back into the internetosphere (yes like I said I like the word) and search for them so I can blog about them here.

One of the things that was suggested somewhere (and when I find it, I will link it back here) was to start a blog. Make sure the blog is pertinent to you as a writer and or your writing. With a blog you can build up a fan base and with the tricky little gadgets on blogger now you can actually see who your fans are (or in case of the gadget - your followers). You can also see how many people check your profile, which helps you see how many people might be stopping by the Blog even if they don't comment. Though that one isn't a real fair number, because you can increase the "Profile Views" by just refreshing the screen. ;0}.

I'm writing my story. I'm blogging my journey. Am I building up a fan base? Only time will tell.

Are you writing a story?

Thanks for stopping by.

Cass

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep, that's right. Today was my Birthday, and a nice one at that.
We had pizza and chocolate cake at work. Mmm Mmm good.
Since my loving husband (from here on out he will be known as my LH) works week nights, we ended up celebrating my birthday over the weekend. (Yes, I stretched it into a two day celebration.)
I like Fairies. I like Monsters. I like Vampires. I like Aliens. Yes, I like Sci Fi and Fantasy. So what did I get for my birthday?

T-Shirt that had a drawing of a castle on it and "Approved By the Monster's Council"

"What Would a Fairy Do?" Pee Che (Folder) that had a Fairy on the front that spun on a wheel when you tapped it. The wheel resembled the "Wheel of Fortune" wheel but instead of Money, it listed things a Fairy would do.

Tin of Vampire Repellent Mints (Made with Artificial Garlic) Whew, yes those will definitely repel Vampires, my LH, and just about anyone else if I decide to start eating them. (eating the mints silly!)

Two Glow in the Dark Alien Head Suckers (the sticks turn into bracelets when the candy is all gone!) I imagine that my daughters will eventually get those, but for now they are displayed on the kitchen counter.

Bacon Scented Car Freshener - mmm bacon.

In Case of Emergency Yodeler. Press the button and you get to listen to about one minutes worth of yodeling.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Blu Ray edition) Yeah! I hadn't seen that movie in so long. Had to watch it again Saturday. Loved it!

All in All I thought the birthday gifts from my LH and DD (darling daughters) were very original and exactly what I would have asked for! Well, maybe not the bacon scented air freshener...

Tomorrow is a pretty exciting day. New family heading into the White House. Hope I can watch some of it on TV. Will you be watching?