Found this early this morning and just felt I had to share it. It just spoke to me and the way I’ve lived my life and continue to live it…away from the crowd.
Have a great Sunday!
Cranky
Sharing Some Love
What? Cranky’s feeling good? Oh, yeah. And when Cranky feels good; she shares the love.
Now, I’ve been so busy today working on the second draft of “Just A Ticket And A Map” (my novel’s title), that I’ve not been able to crank out a legitimate blog today. Hey, I know you guys warned me about the work involved and you were right on the money. But, I’m back on the word train and having fun revisiting and beefing up my story.
I developed a system of editing one chapter at a time; I even bought a printer so that I can make notes on the first draft. Moving along..oh yeah..and it feels good!
But, I needed a break and thought I would share some of the pictures that inspire me and keep me going when I feel down. Wanted to share a few and some love with my WordPress family!
And, I can’t end without my favorite picture that I look at every day!
Hope you all have a great weekend…blog ya later!
Love,
Cranky
The Early Life Of A Writer
Writers aren’t just born with a pen in their hand and a novel in their diapers. They have to be introduced into the wonderful world of writing. I first developed my love for the written word by meeting these characters, who romped and played and showed me how the ABC’s came together to form magical words.
Once I understood how words could form a story, a whole new world opened for me. Reading became my lifeline, my escape and my salvation. Some books served to inspire me when I was still too young to understand the word.
I moved on to books that opened up a whole new world; ones where my imagination could roam free.
Once I discovered reading, it was time to put my own thoughts and stories down on paper. The writing tools I used differ greatly from those today.
As a young writer, I remember my reading of my first original short story “What I did on my Summer Vacation.” It was my first attempt at creative writing, since I never did anything interesting during summer vacations.
The first time I put words on paper; I became a writer. The tools have changed, the writing has improved with time and the inspirations come in many different forms these days. But, when someone asks me when I knew I wanted to be a writer, I answer “The day I met Dick and Jane.”
My thanks and appreciation to all those teachers in my past who encouraged a small child’s love of reading and writing.
Do you remember when you first wanted to be a writer?
The Versatile Blogger Award
It’s Arts and Crafts time here at Camp NaNoWriMo, so as I mentioned, since I am all thumbs, I will put this class time to different uses. First, I hate to brag..I really do. Ask anyone, I’m a very humble person. But, since I’m about to pass this award on to 15 other Versatile Blogger’s, I thought I’d share with them my rewards for writing about all different walks of life and putting my views about current events (or past ones) out there.
Today, I woke up and discovered that I now have 300 WordPress Followers. In just a few short months, 300 people decided that my posts might deserve a peek here and there. Wow, I am honored and I want to thank each and every one of them for their support. I also now have reached over 5000 views and over 1000 of those all important and cherished comments. In only two months, you all have made me feel appreciated and loved, so let me pass some of that love on right now.
Now, of course, there are rules that I and my nominees must follow to wear this badge with honor and they are:
- Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.
- Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.
- Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. ( You know who they are. If not, you’ll be able to look through all the great blogs out there and in no time, you’ll find your 15.)
- Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — then let them know you think they’re special by notifying them of their nomination (you might want to give them a link back to your post.)
- Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.
First, I want to thank Joel Tipple,whose blog “Write Here, Joel” is a source of inspiration to me! Hugs and Kisses Joel! Check out his blog, you’ll find it entertaining and insightful.
Now, of course I’m doing things out of order, so next, I’ll tell you seven things about myself that I haven’t mentioned before.
1. I love the rain. It’s when my muse speaks to me the most.
2. I love dogs and I dislike cats. I can’t outright hate them because my granddaughter has one. But, when given a choice, I’d rather pet a skunk than a cat.
3. I drive a little red car.
4. I cry at sad movies, happy movies, when people perform acts of kindness, well..the list is too long to list. I cry at things that touch me, let’s leave it at that.
5. My mother is 87 and still kicking. Hi, Mom!
6. I love music, especially tunes from the 60’s and 70’s. Bon Jovi wants me!
7. I’m not always cranky, “Shut up, Danny!” Ignore my SO, he knows not of what he speaks!
O.K. Now you know much more than you’ll ever need to about me. So let’s move on to my nominees, who inspire me, who make me laugh and make me cry.
Gatlit Balli – Adventure In Words
Ben – “Ben’s Bitter Blog”
Katy – “Happy Little Somethings”
Bashar – Bashar’s Outpost
mewhoami – MeWhoAmI
Elizabeth – Myeyesareuphere
Ned Hickson – Ned’s Blog
Granny K – Granny Reports
Marsha – Another Boomer Blog
Valerie – Atlanta Mom Of Three
Professor Riley – Rileys Blog of Fame
Danielle – Keeping Up With The Holsbys
FTWM – Mummyshyez
Frances – Frances 59’s Ramblings
Sara – This Southern Mom
There they are! My nominees that I feel deserve this award.
I want to have a word with my nominees. This is a gift of love I am sending. You are not obligated to pass this award on to others, but I hope you do. I just want to recognize you for the great posts you write and to encourage you to continue writing them. And, I’ve nominated you so other bloggers know you’re out there and discover how versatile you are!
Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of followers and you can’t come up with 15 nominees of your own, just list the ones that do touch you in some way. (You can also go exploring like I did a few weeks ago; oh, the wonderful sites I found!)
O.K., now everyone can come back in the room. I want to thank everyone for the love and support you have shown me in the two short months I’ve been on WordPress. I also look forward to a long and wonderful relationship with you and your amazing sites.
Oops..I think I hear the dinner bell! I must leave now and join my fellow NaNoWriMo campers and cook some words over the campfire. See ya soon!
Love,
Cranky
What Do You Do When You’ve Got Nothing?
At times, my muse takes off to parts unknown and leaves me flat. So, I got to wondering how my fellow writers tackle the problem. When you’ve got nothing, and I mean nothing to write about, are any of the following the path you choose to take?
Do you spend hours dressing up your pet so you can take it’s picture? This usually doesn’t bode well for human and dog relationships.
Do you dig through your photo library and dig out the only picture you haven’t shared yet, which happens to be a picture of you, stuffing your face with ribs? The obvious display of beer, cigarettes and barbeque sauce dripping off your chin might not be good for your image!
Or, do you cruise through the Internet to find a special, motivational message? One that you feel represents your true, inner feelings?
Do you pull out all the stops and insert a video with cute, adorable kids because not many people can resist cute, adorable kids?
So, what do you do when your Muse has left the building? Any suggestions?
Me?…I got nuthin!
I Hear Voices
Well, it’s only one voice really. It’s the voice of my Muse.
Sometimes, she speaks softly and sometimes, she shouts. She speaks to me during the early morning hours, she interrupts my day, and then sometimes she’ll whisper to me as I start to fall asleep. And I listen. And I write.
Muses inspire us. They are in all of us and we just have to learn to listen to them. We have to put our worries, insecurities and doubts aside and hear what our muse has to say. And, they tell us a lot!
Have you ever sat watching television and suddenly a new idea for a story just pops in your head? That was your Muse handing you a blessing. Have you ever been in the grocery store and encounter someone with a unique way of speaking and find that this is what the hero in your novel should sound like? That was your muse guiding you. Did looking at an old family photo trigger a touching memory? That is your muse calling to you.
Muses have always been considered the source of some of the greatest works. Homer called on them, Chaucer immortalized them, and Dante wrote about them. So, who are we to ignore these goddesses of the arts?
Perhaps you don’t hear the Muse in your mind. Muses speak to us from many other places. They can be found in books, beautiful sunsets or a haunting melody. They can exist in the words of an innocent child or on a thought-provoking poster that you pass on the street. They are everywhere and if you want to be a writer, you will listen and you will write.
So, when you get a new idea for a story, write it down. If you wake up in the middle of the night and find that you have discovered the way to end your novel, jump up and work on it. While you’re having a coffee and a memory pops into your mind, capture it by writing about it. We cannot ignore our muses or delay their messages. They will get discouraged and grow silent.
Don’t be afraid when your Muse speaks to you. Listen to her. You’ll be a writer and your Muse will be pleased.
Grandma Says.. 