Unplug Week

Once again it's time to unplug and give ultra-focus to my work in progress.

From B.J. Anderson's blog, a quick explanation of what unplug week is:

If you get tired of networking and need a break, join me for Unplug Week. It starts the third Monday of each month and it's a chance to just write. Go ahead and check your emails once or twice a day or anything else that will stack up while you're gone, but after that, turn off your computer and go write. Unplugging means no blogging, facebooking, myspacing, twittering, or anything else that keeps you from writing. Good luck and happy writing! 

If you're participating, I wish you happy writing!  If not, happy blogging!  I'll look forward to catching up with you when I return. :)

Sunday Scribblings 202: The Ethic (of Love)

The truck jiggled my teeth.  A tremor plowed through me.  I wasn't sure if it was excitement or fear.

Tom's hands gripped the wheel.  "You've got until we reach the barn to answer me, Neva."

I searched his face hoping to find the teasing charm normally present; but it had vanished and been replaced with a tightened jaw.  I faced the road.  The white-washed barn stood a short distance away--my deadline.  Cattle and grass flew past us.

I was an adult after all, eighteen since June.  But Mother would be furious; she wanted me to go to college like Helen.  And Helen, goodness knows she'd wonder where my head went.  I peeked at Tom.  His dark hair whipped in swirls leaving a flattened place on his scalp.  Even with mussed hair and a worried brow he was endearing.  Was it wrong to go against my family's dreams?  On the other hand, they were always chiding me about being indecisive.

I winced.

Tom darted a nervous glance towards me then back on the road again.  His knuckles paled as they tightened the steering wheel.  I'd never seen him afraid. He wouldn't beg.  If I said "no" he'd be gone.

That thought wrenched my heart. My eyes jumped to the closely approaching barn.  I tried to swallow, which was difficult with my dry throat.  I sucked in a breath and he shot me a look.

"Yes, I'll marry you."

The truck bumped off the road and came to a stop.  A smile bloomed and stretched across his tan face.  "Law me, I wasn't sure you were gonna say yes."

"Me either."

He laughed and took my hand.  "Can you be packed by 4:00?  Mabel and Les'll meet us at the courthouse."

"I'll be ready."

He winked at me and turned the truck around.

Inspire MeThursday: Smile Often Sugar

I wish all these things for my blogging friends.

If you could chose one saying from the picture above, what would it be?

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Shannon sweetly gave me the Sugar Doll Award yesterday.  Thank you Shannon!  I'm supposed to tell 10 unusual things about myself which I already did here.

So now to spread the sugar love, I award six blogs who deserve a looky-loo:
A Heart on a Wire - she recommends GREAT books and has a lighthearted take on life
Bugigangas - gives awesome organic recipes for creams and writes great short stories
Holli's Ramblings - will make you laugh and cry in the same post and she always speaks her mind
Nightwriter - shares her heart like you're talking over coffee
the thing with feathers - creates the coolest journal pages and stories
Vintage Girlfriend - has a unique blend of art from the past and shares her cooking experiences
**As always, don't feel obligated to take awards if you prefer not to.  Just consider it a nod in your direction.

Wing Tip #8: Dig in Deeper

"Some let the dream go gracefully.  Others do not go gently, attempting to write over the years, beginning journals only to let them lapse, showing up for writing workshop only to disappear after the first session.  If this describes you, it does not mean that you lack ability, though it may mean you lack ego.  But if you can't give it up, if hearing how impossible the odds are only makes you dig in deeper, it doesn't really matter if you've got natural talent.  Your job is to marshal the talent you do have and find people who believe in your vision.  What's important, finally, is that you create, and that those creations define for you what matters most, that which cannot be extinguished even in the face of silence, solitude, and rejection." --Besty Lerner, from The Forest for the Trees, An Editor's Advice to Writers

I start a lot of things.  I don't always finish.  That thought sometimes echoes around my head.  You'll never finish this novel.

A week ago, I pulled out a box full of old school papers.  As I thumbed through paper after paper I discovered writings from my younger self.  First grade, a story about my family in which I was the princess.  Third grade, a tale with more heart.  On and on, I found papers I'd written up through college.  Two diaries half-finished and scraps of stories everywhere.  All a peek into my young mind.  And there was something warm and reassuring in those papers.

I hadn't quit.  I'm still writing.  And if anything, seeing my young dreams made me more determined to continue. I'll dig in deeper.

What's something from your past (or present) that keeps you writing?

Live the Life You've Imagined

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."-- Henry David Thoreau

As a writer, I daydream.  A lot.  I dream about my characters and how they respond to the trials I give them.  I dream of fun new things for them to try and adventures they can overcome.  But sometimes, I forget to live.  Forget to step away from the computer and splash around in the world.

How do you remember to live?

Kimberly Conway kindly awarded me the Happy Award.  She has a fun contest going on at her blog and the prizes include jewelry so check it out!

I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy.
1.     Blogging friends (top of the list)
2      My hilarious husband and witty kids
3.     Friends (who've seen me through highs and lows)
3.     Coffee
4.     Good books (and the smell of them)
5.     The ocean
6.     Babies
7.     Warm cheeks
8.     Snowfall
9.     Josh Groban's voice
10.   Children laughing

I'm going to pass this award on to:
Lynnette at Chatterbox Chitchat
Stephanie at The Writer's Cocoon
Jennifer at Me, My Muse and I
Diane at Need More Words
Heather at Notes from Lapland
**As always, don't feel obligated to take awards if you prefer not to.  Just consider it a nod in your direction.