|
| I find it crazy that I haven't been on here in months and months ... in fact, I don't even know who still uses Xanga or what? I went back over so many of my old posts on here and found that it made a wonderful diary of my ministry and career as a teacher in the last 3-4 years. And I can't believe how time has passed since I first started this page in an effort to keep up with the teenagers in my life! Seems like we all moved to MySpace and then Facebook ... sigh. I will always go where my students go.
So, what has changed since I last updated? Well, I officially have a completed novel (611 pages) and have now officially started on its sequel. Meanwhile, I live in Rejection City where every week I send out more queries to literary agents and every week I receive more rejections ... ahhh, the glorious life of an aspiring author! In the midst of that, I still LOVE teaching middle school Pre-AP English and, yes, I still drive an hour to Springtown one-way to invest in the young minds of the future. Driving is therapeutic for me, though. I use the morning drive to wake up, listen to my Bible audiobooks, and worship. The afternoons, I jam out to my writing playlist and CREATE and PLAN my future books. My best ideas seem to come in the car ... you think I'm kidding, but no. When writer's block would set in during the summer, I would hop in my car and drive around listening to music until it came to me.
My students are my inspiration as I write and so many of my characters are based on real people. I can't wait to share it with the greater public ... someday. Sam and I just keep praying for the right agent to fall in love with the story. It is a Young Adult fantasy book about friendship, love, and the discovery of a magical world. (If anybody has any agent/publishing connections, I'm totally open ...!) :) In the meantime, though, I continue to teach, minister, write, drive, raise my dogs, and hang out with my best friend/manager/husband, Sam. (I have to pause and give snaps to Sam ... never a fiction reader before, he is totally opening up to the world of YA fiction now. He's already on Eclipse in the Twilight series and I have shelves and shelves of more YA fiction to engage his mind ... mwahahaha!)
Anyway, gotta jet now - working on more queries in between writing stints and this week is Tech Week of our Christmas production! (Yes, I still take on that directing project every year ... the Fall is so crazy.) We are thankful this year for where we are and what God has blessed us with, but I won't lie and say that I am not ready for 2008 to be over. It has been an emotionally difficult year with losing loved ones ... family, friends, students ... I hope 2009 is a brighter year ... maybe the year of PUBLISHING! :) We shall see.
| | |
| Loving Starfield!! Got to see them Saturday night at Will Graham Celebration. (Not as big of a fan of Will Graham - great man, but not my favorite speaker.)
And summer is here -- that means no school! This is always a bittersweet thing for me as I really do love my job. But, I'm thankful to have a little bit of down time at home. I've got many major events to pull off with Sam this summer, so now I move onto that stress. It really never ends, but that's OK. My life is good. :)
Oh, and I got pink highlights again this summer -- yay! So much fun. Here's a pic.
Check out Starfield when you get the chance!!
| | |
| I must be the last married person my age without kids or a kid on the way . . . and if I'm not, then I must the only one who truly doesn't want kids for several more years. If there any others out there, I'd love a shout out, lest I start to believe something's wrong with me . . .
And I went with writing a novel -- It's started, but it's a slow process.
| | |
| I can't believe how long it's been since I've been on here or MySpace or anywhere else in Cyberworld!
I'm in a weird phase right now of trying to decide which personal inspiration I want to follow first. These are my options based on what I've been thinking about doing:
1. Learn to play the guitar.
2. Write a novel.
3. Redesign my entire 7th grade curriculum.
4. Plan to become a Yorkie breeder.
5. Make a cheesy music video. (As if I don't do one of those at LEAST once a year.)
How am I supposed to focus on the everyday stuff when I feel so inspired to do these other things? It's a lot to roll around inside my head -- especially when two hours of my day is devoted just to driving. I have nothing to do but think and pray. My audiobooks Bible has become my saving grace lately. Without that time in the car, I'm not sure when I would fit a quiet time in. Thank God for modern technology! :)
| | |
| Gone to San Antonio for Greg's funeral (see June 19, 2007 entry) -- he passed away Monday night after a pretty painful stretch. After reading my entry back in June, I am thankful to say that I got to see Greg three times since then including just last weekend and I am blessed because of it. There is nothing more puzzling and comforting than the peace that God gives to His dying child. Greg finally passed into Heaven's glory Monday night, January 14, 2008. And I will see him again.
We have a difficult few days ahead. Pray for Sam who is doing the funeral and for me as I have to sing when I really don't have the strength.
See you when we return.
| | |
|
|
