Thoughts from the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference

April 2nd I attended The Fourteenth Annual Blue Ridge Writer's Conference, billed as 'a meeting in the mountains for readers and writers'.  This was my third Blue Ridge conference and I was very excited to be able to attend and to be back in a town Sweetie and I call our adopted home.

As I sat through the opening remarks and welcome, I thought back on how I got to this point.  I want to share a little of my background today and I will continue my conference experiences and notes over the next few weeks. 

I lived in Blue Ridge several years before I knew about this conference.  Honestly, the first time I heard about it, I did not think of myself as a writer.  I was not quite yet to the point of even believing that I could put words on a page.  I had spent my life reading and 'escaping into books', but writing had been pushed way back in the recesses of my mind.  It wasn't even a dream, just fragmented jigsaw puzzle pieces of ideas with the corners missing.

Yes, I do have a degree in Journalism and Agriculture and I took several news and magazine writing courses at UGA, but in my mind, that seemed like a world away from writing stories, fictional accounts of life.  Immediately after college I did some free-lance writing, but I seemed to gravitate toward public relations.   

Then as life usually does, my path veered off to another then another and I forgot my youthful dreams of a writing career.  Every so often, sometimes daily, Mama would mention my journalism degree and why didn't I pursue that career.  Sometimes I listened, mostly I didn't.

My step-daughter and her then year old son were living with us and I noticed she was keeping a journal.  As I encouraged her writing my brain suddenly woke up, like I had been zapped by a bolt of lightening.  I kicked the muddled emotional coma I had been in off like a winter blanket in an over heated room.  It was simple.  Something really important had been missing in my life.  I stumbled down the few steps to our closed-in carport where my computer was set up.  I sat down in front of the screen and touched the keyboard.

A story moved from my brain down through my fingers and words appeared on the screen.  OMG.  I did it.  I wrote a really bad opening to a potentially bad novel.  Bad might be a little harsh, but when I re-read some of my first efforts, I see multiple problems.  But I kept going.  I kept creating a story, building a life story for my characters, learning their quirks and their dreams.  They became my friends and soon as close as family.

I was writing.  I am a writer.  I could go to a writer's conference and actually admit to the world, I am a writer.  I decided to come out of the closet.

The first Blue Ridge Writer's Conference I attended, I took a deep breath and barged head-long into the opening night reception, carrying as much confidence that I could stuff in the little tote bag of goodies they handed out.  I was that proverbial mallard.  Cool and calm on top of the water while inside, underwater, I was furiously churning, kicking my way across the pond.  I took a deep breath and worked the room.  I met various authors, editors, conference speakers and other attendees, remembering to shake hands firmly and look them in the eye while smiling and laughing. I could at least act like a writer.

The next day at the actual conference, I walked in and knew I was in the right place.  I was not alone in my efforts to accomplish the impossible.  There was (and still is) security and insecurity in the fact that I am just one of millions of budding authors. 

And so I have a dream.  A dream that now, with several completed manuscripts under my belt, and with the help and encouragement of myriad friends and family, I am not afraid to tell y'all about.

I am a writer.

Hello Again!

clerical workers circa 1950

I'm back.  I didn't mean to stay away so long, but before I knew it, hours had turned into days and days into weeks.  I missed writing and I missed y'all too. 

I've started another part-time job and the first few weeks have totally consumed me.  It is a temp job at Georgia College in the Financial Aid department.  Strictly clerical work, Monday - Wednesday, 8 - 5. 


OMG!  My brain almost exploded the first day.  I don't know if I can explain how I heard the words the woman was saying, but it was like she was speaking in Greek or Turkish or Hungarian...yes, Hungarian was more like it.  The language of Financial Aid is spoken in garbled, lack of vowel words and phrases that made no sense to moi.

By the third day, the words were slightly less garbled and by the second week, I was actually accomplishing simple tasks they assigned me.

I'm still working Thursday - Saturday at my other part-time job over at Lake Oconee soooo my time is limited...but I will check in on a regular basis.  I promise. 

On my next post I want to share some tidbits I learned at the recent Blue Ridge Writer's Conference last weekend.  It was great to be back in Blue Ridge even though I was only there twenty four hours. 

Please stay tuned...

Abandoned Camellias

On my morning walk with Presley, I wind my way through a section I call the dark woods.  It's not really a woods, it's a densely wooded lot between two houses.  The tree shaded road is a welcome respite in hot Middle Georgia summers. 

Before I walk into the wooded area I pass this vacant lot.  Unknown vines, trees, weeds, and what have you grow over what I believe was the foundation of the former house.  There are derelict signs from a former life.  A junked car is behind this mound covered with it's own green blanket.  There is an old charcoal grill parked next to pre-fab concrete steps that must have led to a mobile home at one time.  The green grown hides litter and provides a safe haven for various wildlife.  I do not let Presley venture into the green mounds.

Years ago this was someones country home.  I wonder what happened to the family.  Did they sell their surrounding land, take the money, and move away?  It is a vacant lot, but it is green and lush with growth and not really an eye sore.  Imagine my delight on a chilly, but spring-like day last year I made an important discovery.  In what would have been the side yard, I noticed a bit of pink peeking out over a small hill of Georgia clay.  Here, in this abandoned, unloved acreage, I found these lovely camellias. 

Sheltered by towering pine trees, there are several camellia's blooming up a storm right now.  This particular one is called Pink Perfection, one of my favorites.

I clip these blooms and bring them home.  Yes, I am probably trespassing, but I feel it is a shame to waste these beautiful blooms.

 Camellias remind me of both of my grandmothers who grew magnificent specimens.  I don't have camellia's in my lake yard, but I claim these abandoned shrubs for my own.

Are You...Sick?

As small business owners, Sweetie and I like to support other local businesses when at all possible. That was easier when we lived in Blue Ridge.  In a small town there are not as many large chains.  Our favorite hamburger joint was a local place called Sue's Sweet Shop, but the sign on the building read 'Sue's Best Burger in Town'.  That was the truth.  Yummy.  Miss it.

In Baldwin County, we have a much larger community, but we still tend to seek out local businesses to spend our hard earned dollars.  I love going to downtown Milledgeville.  It is a hip, due to the colleges, but quaint, historic area where you can park and walk from shop to shop, restaurant to restaurant, bar to bar. (OK, we
don't really frequent the bar scene here, but we read about it, thanks in no part to that football guy)

Downtown Milledgeville

I recently found a new place to get my hair cut. Located in a really neat older building on West Hancock Street, it is a cool, hip place. I am usually the oldest person when I am there, but Amanda at ExtraordiNailry Salon & Spa always makes me feel welcome and maybe not so fuddy-duddy.

I don't quite feel like a complete fuddy-duddy...yet.  I think I am probably just at fud.  I wanted to use just the first two letters, f and u, but then my fuddy-duddiness took over and I didn't want y'all to think I was a fan of the letters f and u. 

The Odd Couple, 1968

                                                                      

Those letter, f and u, are part of one of the funniest scenes in the movie The Odd Couple, starring my favorite actor of all time, Walter Matthau.  Playing Oscar Madison as only Matthau could, he yells at Felix, played by Jack Lemmon, about notes Felix had been leaving for him in the apartment.  For six weeks it seems Oscar thought Felix was ending his notes with the letters f and u, until he realized it was Felix Unger's initials... hysterical!

Imagine if you will, why my sweet and funny hair stylist stared at me in surprise when I mentioned a character on the TV show Law & Order, SUV.  I had been watching the episode on the salon's flat screen as she trimmed my hair.   Amanda and I had been discussing the episode as she worked on me.  I knew the outcome because I had seen it before.  It turned out that the mother of the brainy, but kinda geeky teenager was discovered in bed with her daughter's secret crush, a cute guy who was a really big jerk.  Amanda was shocked when I said, "that is really sick."

All right, I meant 'sick' as defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1973, sick, definition 2. spiritually or morally unsound or corrupt, c. filled with disgust or chagrin.  Not 'sick' as found in the Urban Dictionary online, sick, definition, 1. crazy, cool, insane.  So I quickly added, "and I mean that in the strictest, old fashioned way." 

She looked at me and I felt my fud level ease over into fuddy.  She gently patted my shoulder and nodded, as if she understood.  Then she handed my glasses to me, helped me out of the chair, placed my cane in my hand, and draped my crocheted shawl around my shoulders.  I wobbled out.

P.S.  There is no cane or shawl and my new hair cut ROCKS!





Hearts, Sting, Botti, & Supper

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHYImlfwpN0<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tHYImlfwpN0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Not usually a Sting fan, but I have to say, he tugs at my sentimental streak when he sings to his wife, Trudy. 

Chris Botti, man oh man, what else can I say? 

Special Valentine Supper for Sweetie tonight.  On the menu, poached salmon, angel hair pasta with a sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce, and steamed green beans.  For dessert, heart shaped brownie with black walnut ice cream on top. 

p.s.  I wish I knew how to make video appear in this post instead of all that stuff you have to click on...sorry about that, but I hope you do click on it...it's a good 'un.

Super Bug

Did you watch the Super Bowl last night for the football game or for the commercials?  If you watched for the commercials, well here is my first ever, Super-duper, commercial critique. 

Super Bowl XLV.  Forty-five.  I figure I have watched a hefty number of Super Bowls over the course of my life.  Some I actually remember watching.  Like the time I sat on a piano bench for hours it seemed, in a law student's small apartment with a bunch of guys.  Yeah, it was fun. 

I've been to a few Super Bowl parties too.  Some fun, some not so much, but what else would you be doing on a dreary Sunday night in the middle of winter?  Right. 

This year Sweetie and I watched together, no party, no booze, just chile nachos and a lot of Tums.  Man, I hate getting old!  Oh, we did bring the little kitty in that I've been feeding outside.  I've been calling him PJ Leggs.  He's mighty cute, but Miss Kitty, our elder cat, is not so amused.  Presley and Itty Bitty are resigned to the fact that this little one might be joining the clan.  I am well on my way to being the crazy lady with 40 cats.

OK, so out of all the commercials, I found myself writing the words lame or stupid on most of them.  Where are the clever and funny ones I remember over the past few years?  Did imagination get lost as the price for a 30 second ad climbed? 

I found several ads violent and gross.  I realize I am not the demographic these advertisers are targeting, but I do spend some hard earned cash on products.  The Doritos finger sucking ad sunk to the lowest of the low, in my humble opinion.  I'm guessing thirteen year old boys laughed their heads off. 

And Budweiser, always one of my favorites even with some silly ads over the years, lost me this year.  Usually, any time the Budweiser Clydesdales are in the ad, I love it.  This year, not so much.  Both Sweetie and I thought it was stupid.  Tiny Dancer? Come on, you can do better than that.

Most of the Bud Light ads wavered between lame and stupid.  I'll admit to enjoying the dog-sitter one, but I'm a sucker for dogs playing poker.  Again, I think they can do better.

It seemed like every other commercial was for a movie or for Fox Network shows.  Can some one please tell me where Glee started and Chevy ended?  The line seemed blurred.  I did like some of the House commercials, especially the send up of the famous Coke/Mean Joe Green ad.  Sweetie doesn't like House, so he gave it a thumbs down.  Disregard his vote on this one.

Many, many automobile ads, so little of interest.  In the automobile division BMW, especially the BMW Diesel with cha, cha, cha, change.... was a standout. The 'designed in America, built in America' was patriotic and also got my vote because a former customer of ours worked in their South Carolina plant and we love our customers!

I also liked the Audi prison break commercial but Sweetie rolled his eyes which surprised me.  He is a big Kenny G fan.  Me, not so much.

Several prominent advertisers were missing this year.  Hallmark should have run one ad targeting the male viewer.  Here's my pitch.  Handsome, professional, thirty-something man rushes into generic mall.  The first store is a hip, young, clothing store.  A hip teen holds up a ripped and torn, but expensive pair of jeans.  He shakes his head and dashes out.  The next store is a fancy lingerie shop.  A beautiful, curvy young woman holds out a tasteful, but sexy negligee.  He ponders it for a moment, smiles, but shakes his head no, dashes out.  Then he finds the Hallmark store.  An attractive older woman nods and lead him to the racks.  Closing shot.  Handsome young man standing a  front door with an armful of long stem roses, a box of candy and a card.  The door slowly swings open.  "Hey Granny!" He exclaims as her face lights up with joy and love.  The end.

Also missing in action: Viagra and Cialis.  Their target audience was parked in front of their big screens.  Did Fox Sports block ad for impotent, I mean important male medicines?  Hmmmm.

Alright, so which ad did I pick as my favorite?  Overall, I think Volkswagen took the prize.  The Passat  young Darth Vader one was cute and funny and seems to be one of the fans favorite.  But I pick....drum role please.... the Volkswagen Black Beetle commercial, bam-a-lam!  Clever, imaginative, and a catchy tune.  A winner!
http://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=f93a6bb6-44ff-407f-ac4c-dc5bbd26269a&from=foxsports_en-us_videocentralhttp://msn.foxsports.com/video?vid=f93a6bb6-44ff-407f-ac4c-dc5bbd26269a&from=foxsports_en-us_videocentral

A Good Book is Hard to Put Down

Note to readers:  I am not a Jane Austin scholar, 'nuff said.

Every night I like to read in bed when the house is quiet and still.  If I'm reading a good book, I will stay up until the wee hours, telling myself, 'just one more chapter, then lights out'.  Usually it is Sweetie who rolls over, groans, and mutters about too much light.  Even when I know I have to get up the next morning, I will continue to read knowing I will regret it when the alarm rings.

Some people believe reading puts them to sleep.  I am just the opposite.  A good book keeps my mind racing long after I finally turn out the lights.  NyQuil and Tylenol PM do the same thing with me.  Instead of getting drowsy and drifting off into a restful sleep, those so-called nighttime over the counter medicines rev me up.  Just like a good book!

Exception:  Over the past year, I have been reading Jane Austin.  It had been years since I read Pride & Prejudice and I've only seen bits and parts of the movie version.  A few months ago, I reread Emma and this week I'm reading Mansfield Park for the first time.

Maybe it's the language, maybe something else, but for the last two nights, I have barely been able to get through twelve pages.  Twelve pages!  It took me two weeks to reread Pride & Prejudice and I knew the story!  I don't remember how long Emma took this time, I guess I erased my memory drive. 

I'm a fast reader.  Always have been, without any speed reading courses.  Of course, reading fast can mean that I don't recollect certain passages or even an entire book.  I started an Anne Rivers Siddons novel a few years ago and was halfway through when I realized I had already read it. If time is on my side, I can and will read a book a day.  Usually vacations are the only time that happens, in the real world, late at night is my reading time of choice.

I hate it when a good book is over.  Yes, I'm glad for the resolution, but it's over...sometimes I'll start back over or at least, reread the final few chapters.  There are several favorites that I reread and reread, easing them into the unread pile of books.

I am not a quitter, so I will muddle through Mansfield Park.  In the six page forward, the Jane Austin expert warns that many readers do not empathize with Fanny Price as they do Elizabeth Bennett and even Emma, so I am somewhat intrigued to learn about this little creature.  Fanny is thrust into a situation she is completely ill prepared to handle.  I'll see where this goes...slowly, I'm afraid.

I know there are thousands, nay millions of Jane Austin fans who will wrinkle their pretty little noses and shake their fair heads as I admit this.  I'm sorry, but I prefer contemporary fiction.  I'm getting way too much sleep!


two nights, too few pages