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Post by bill on Apr 29, 2019 3:30:16 GMT
You are really going through a crazy time! I'm sure you don't want me to add to it, but it won't be long before we need to get Joshes report sent in so I need to get copies of the bank statements. Sorry I'm glad you mentioned Marylin. I've kind of dropped what I was doing. I need to get back to it. I'm glad to help but I don't feel I have a clear vision of what she wants. She has so much information that needs to be organized and put together. I don't have the time or vision for making it happen. Maybe we can all get together and make a game plan. I'm excited for PPWC. I leave Wednesday afternoon and am doing the prequel again. I got my moderating assignments and will be moderating for three workshops. I printed off my query letter for my appointment and my first page for the read and critique. I'm ready to go! It will be strange without you and Josh and with Rhonda leaving early Friday morning, but hopefully next year it will work out for us all to be there again. Glad you're sale went through and can't wait to watch this process of moving that you've longed for so long get completed.
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Post by Admin on Apr 29, 2019 4:00:09 GMT
I intend to go every year if only to see Rhonda. I want to keep in closer touch with her. I forgot about the report. Thank you for reminding me. They said something about it being easier this time. Hank also wanted me to ask if you do Kansas tax returns. If you do, we'll want to hire you to do ours. taxes are not anything we can handle on our own.
I think you'll have a blast at the conference. And I think by volunteering you'll get an inside look at things and get to meet and talk to people you might not otherwise. I never volunteered because its never just me. Its me and Josh and that isn't always helpful.
I really am going to have to evaluate our goals when I get moved to Kansas. Both for me and for Joshua. I feel something stirring in me but I"m not sure what it is. I need to get household help lined up and if I could work it right, it would give Joshua some independence from me and give me some freedom to pursue goals. I know I want to take the digital art courses at the tech school. I'm not sure what they offer, or how much, but getting some actual training would be a very good thing.
I wish I had someone I could sit down with and discuss my goals. Help lay out my strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan of action that plays to my strengths. Maybe I can talk to a counselor even though I'm old and probably don't have enough time to develop anything resembling a career but I don't feel any quit in me yet. Just doubts on direction because I haven't received any indication from sales that anything I do is even being seen. Even as I wrote that, the voice in my head said but hey, you got good reviews. The promoter you hired told you that you were doing everything right, just not big enough. I don't have a clue how to go bigger.
But the move to Kansas has had so many amazing things happen that indicate we're supposed to be there. It feels like the beginning of a great adventure.
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Post by bill on Apr 30, 2019 0:42:50 GMT
I've dabbled in taxes in the past but I'm not keeping up with everything. It would depend on what you needed. I'd be glad to help you out where I can, but my guess is you'll be better off finding a professional who keeps up with the rapid annual changes.
Maybe when you're here we can start having brainstorming sessions on goals, marketing, whatever. It would be fun to talk shop in person more than once or twice a year.
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Post by Admin on Apr 30, 2019 2:05:39 GMT
I'd really love to have regular meetings. I think we should have writing bursts like Phyllis, Rhonda, and Kathy did. Kathy said something about M&M's and popcorn and lots of laughter. We have so many coming up that are creative. Tatiana, Angie, Kinsey, Sharon, and Erika. I want to mentor where I can, Encourage often. And most of all find some of that laughter that is so much a part of our family life. I can promise good food and if you are craving any old favorites, just mention it to me and I'll make sure you get it. I cook like Mom did.
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Post by bill on Apr 30, 2019 12:34:20 GMT
That would be awesome - all of it! Roth Writers Reborn
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Post by bill on May 13, 2019 1:02:07 GMT
I had a great time at PPWC. I learned a lot and spent the whole drive home thinking about how to improve my ghost story. Before I left I had written the story the best I could, but not I am doing some major revision, at least to the first section. I'm trying not to feel discouraged about the amount of time I've invested into this story. I know it's a learning experience and hope it will help me improve and speed up in the future. I believe this story has the potential to be incredible and I want to stick with it as long as it takes for me to become a skilled enough writer to do it justice.
I'm glad I got to moderate for my volunteer service. That turned out to be a good experience, plus I got to sit in on workshops while getting volunteer time in. If they will have me I definitely want to do it again next year.
I hope your time in Kansas was fruitful!
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Post by Admin on May 13, 2019 3:05:15 GMT
I got everything picked out for the new house. The flooding kept me from getting everything done I planned on. Lost a day and Joshua was sick again which tied me down. I made some adjustments to my choices and hope to get an updated estimate tomorrow. It's close. I just want things moving and not standing still. I love the property. I drove past it and got some more pictures. I feel like its home and just want the house done so I can move in. The mobility of the new house is so much better than the one we're in. I'm going to spend this week trying to get our house set up so Hank can finish rehab at home.
I didn't get much writing or art done but I thought about it a lot. I was so curious how PPWC went. I'd love to volunteer. Just don't see any way to do it and take care of Joshua at the same time. I'm glad you found the time helpful. I don't know what to tell you about the ghost story. I know I'll be rewriting Journals of Luciana using a new format. Each thing makes it better. I just want time to work. I'm so frustrated. I'm getting stuff done. Just not my stuff. I keep hearing that voice in my mind saying the timing has to be right. wait for the timing.
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Post by bill on May 27, 2019 3:08:12 GMT
A World Amongst - I'm making my way through section 1. I've done a lot of revising and I think it's starting to come together. I'd like to finish section 1 by next weekend but it probably won't happen. That's okay because the other two sections shouldn't need as much work. I should still be able to finish the whole thing by the end of June.
Marketing - I was supposed to set up a booth at YC Days yesterday, but with the rain and flooding I decided not to chance the trip. I'm getting together some entries for the Kansas Authror's Club annual contests. They're all due by June 15.
Thank you for participating in my abortion discussion. I get so tired of both sides just throwing stuff up on Facebook (for all topics really) that I craved a good discussion. And I learned a bit too.
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Post by Admin on May 27, 2019 13:19:12 GMT
I figure if people can see discussion with both sides laying out opinions and ideas without name calling and anger it might encourage others to exchange ideas and, if not agreement, at least reach a place of understanding. You held a difficult topic on track and I thought it showed you as a journalist. Staying on point. Having a side but holding yourself apart and listening. When grief is uppermost, all I really need is an ear to listen and a heart that sympathizes even if its not in agreement. It's a tough subject. My biggest problem with enacting bans against it is it takes away options and none of us are all-seeing.
No work done. Just trying to hold the household together and get through the next three weeks. Hank needs to get to a place of mobility. I have a glimpse of our future and its terrifying.
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Post by Admin on Jun 2, 2019 14:18:30 GMT
I'm going through withdrawal. I knew that writing was a lifeline for me and I'm getting a dose of remembering why. I don't see things calming down until the end of June. I might, God willing, have a normal July. The move to Kansas can't come too fast to suit me. I am drawing. Practicing shading techniques and looking ahead to pen and ink practice. I think ink will be a major skill to develop for the cartoon strip as well as illustrations.
I still need to get Knock Knock out. Fill out the scene cards for the final book in the Cosmic trilogy, and begin to restructure Journals of Luciana. She is my draw. I need the other stuff out of the way so I can concentrate on her. I will definitely be pitching her story to agents. I want to be settled, with Hank healthy and on his feet, and Joshua working on his projects and be in Kansas. So much work. So little me.
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Post by bill on Jun 3, 2019 0:11:10 GMT
I feel a bit discouraged at the distractions in my life and then are nothing compared to yours. You have some major stuff going on with the move and Hank (and of course constant care of Josh) that it's impressive you get anything done. Hang in there and do what you can. I think you may look back on this year and see it as a transition, similar in a way to Kathy's last year. Once it was over and you recovered, you got some serious work done for a period. I hope once you get the move complete you will find a good rhythm and lots of support. I hope it makes this all worth it and you can proceed exponentially!
I've made progress on A World Amongst, though I didn't get anything done this weekend. Tomorrow is Sydney's 21st birthday (I can't believe it!). I took her to Tulsa yesterday to see Percy Jackson, the Lightning Thief, the musical. It was an off-broadway traveling performance. Excellent show and music and we had a great time. Sydney and Blake both came over this afternoon and we hung out and played games.
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2019 0:37:41 GMT
How fun that you got that experience with Sydney. I'm really proud of you for being there for your kids. I jumped into the abortion discussion because I thought the other participant could use a lesson in what a discussion entails. I enjoy discussing different aspects of something. It makes me think, evaluate, and review my own stance.
I said what I did about when a baby becomes a person from something that happened when Joshua was born. The first time they brought him to me, I knew something was wrong. His eyes were very dull, no expression. His hands trembled and he was obviously under stress. He wasn't very responsive to me. I felt like he was empty and it scared me. When they took him back to the nursery I had one of the most intense prayer session that I can remember. I was so desperate to help him and I was all alone.
My sister-in-law and mother-in-law were at Mayo Clinic with Hank's dad. He underwent open heart surgery the day Joshua was born. Hank was taking care of Richard and waiting for his Aunt Marcy and Uncle George to arrive from Evergreen Park so they could watch Richard for us. So, nobody was there for me.
I prayed really hard for Joshua to be okay. I knew, instinctively, that he wasn't but I had no idea what was wrong. Nobody told me anything. I didn't actually find out what happened until Josh was three years old. Anyway, I prayed and I threw myself on God's mercy. I told him that I could handle a disability but if I could make a request, I asked for the disability to be physical, not mental. For me, the brain is where the person is. The body doesn't define and individual. His mind does. So I asked God if I had to take care of a disability to please let it be a physical one.
The next time they brought Joshua to me, he was different. His eyes were bright and beautiful. I could see the person inside him. I felt like he'd been filled and I truly think it was during that time that some soul blessed me. I don't know who it is but I was granted my request. Joshua has been a bright light for me and I feel really guilty because he has been burdened by such a large physical disability. I don't think, when I first saw him, that the soul had decided if it was going to stay. I'm not even sure it's the same soul he was born with. I'm not sure he had a soul when he was born but I do know that after that prayer he was filled and I am forever grateful.
When I look at the hatred and anger inhabiting our world, I'm worried that we have individuals whose souls have fled, leaving behind the physical body but not the moral heart. They talk the talk but they don't walk the walk. It's scary.
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Post by bill on Jun 3, 2019 1:21:34 GMT
I hope she continued to read our discussion. I don't care that she disagreed, but when she personally attacked me and demonized any other view than her own, I wasn't going to back down and let her get away with it. But I know it's going to happen from time to time in discussion abortion. I've tried most of my life to ignore the subject, but the more I learn the more I am convinced our society (and many others around the world) are allowing legalized killing. That's one of the reasons I engage in these discussions. I want to understand differing viewpoints and solidify what I believe. If what I believe is true (and I can't find a reason it isn't), then I can't be silent. I know you don't agree with me and that's okay. Honestly, if your view was law I probably would never have concerned myself with abortion. It's easy to look at a baby in the first few months of pregnancy and dismiss its personhood. What got me riled up were laws extending legality of abortion into the third trimester up to birth. That is truly evil and I can't ignore it.
Sorry, I didn't intend to rant. I hope you understand.
You have had a unique and hard life, I can't even imagine.
Although, most in our country never face hardships compared to what most of the people in the history of the world have. When I think of the slavery, diseases, dictatorships, genocides, plagues, starvation, and poverty billions have experienced, it humbles me. I've done so little with my life.
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2019 1:31:18 GMT
I don't believe I said full term. At 7 months and creeping ever earlier the baby is viable. So I am against full term abortions except in the case of medical necessity. I lost my baby in utero. If I had not been so close to due date and able to induce labor, I would have had to have an abortion and I would have been grateful because it would have saved my life. I mourn for the lost baby regardless.
Morally, I agree with you but I am a woman and I want control of my own body. I do not want some stranger telling me what I should did. I find it far more evil to participate in illegal abortions. I'd rather see it done in controlled situations by a qualified doctor with proper medical care. I also think that sometimes, its kinder to abort the baby than see what sort of horrific life it would have lived. Not everybody needs to be parents and I mourn for those children too. We really can't be the keep of the world. That is God's place.
I never mind opposing beliefs. It is what makes us human and drives humanity forward. I do not like the movement to legislate morality because then it becomes a case of whose morality is being pushed.
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Post by bill on Jun 3, 2019 3:20:00 GMT
I didn't mean to imply that YOU said full term, only that that is what others believe that got me started.
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