Theme Advice: HELP!

So…I think I’m done with the black background, but I’m not thrilled with this theme either.  Any advice?   

Loose Ends: #ROW80 Updates

We started a new unofficial “theme” this past week at work.  February is the start of the fiscal year, so it’s the work equivalent of New Year’s resolutions.  ;)  My all-time favorite theme is still, “Don’t be a fun-sucker!”  I don’t think ANY theme can beat that year!  OMG!  I’m still using the term “fun-sucker.” Most FANTASTIC meeting…ever!  Picture a group of people, all in their nice clothes, all saying “fun-sucker” repeatedly, too fast, and it starts to sound like something VERY inappropriate for the workplace.  Good times!  ;)

This year’s theme is all about “loose ends.”  Finishing projects, not starting new projects until the old ones are complete, it’s all sane advice, but I’m starting to become “loose ends” obsessed!  My life is FILLED with “loose ends,” both at work and at home.  My hubby refers to it as “shiny object syndrome.”  We’re fine until something shiny catches our eye!

So…in the spirit of this year’s theme, I’m tweaking my ROW 80, round one goals, just a smidge.  I’m no longer as obsessed with word count, but I AM moving steadily forward.  I’m approaching the finish line of my book.  FINALLY!  It feels good to be tying up this  MAJOR loose end in my life.  I’d like to have everything set by my birthday.  I think that would be fun and somehow appropriate.  In the end, no matter what, I want my writing to be FUN!

By the way,  ROW 80 is a friendly group that’s there to help writers focus on their writing goals.  Each writer decides what they would like to accomplish in the next 80 days.  We check in on Sundays and Wednesdays with their “linky tool” and are welcome to adjust our goals as we need to.  If you’re late getting started, that’s OK.  Round 1 lasts from January 2, 2012 through March 22, 2012.

I did a Blogophilia post this week.  I’d skipped a couple of weeks, and I REALLY did miss doing them.  I’m so happy that my buddy Sue, figuratively gave me a kick in the tushie!  Why?  Because Blogophilia is fun!  Writing short stories are fun.  Writing, in genereal, is fun!  Did I mention this already?  Yeah, well I sometimes need to remind myself and make sure that it sticks.  It’s so easy to forget, especially when I get too caught up in the technical stuff.  Goals are great!  I’m a huge fan of goals, but I never want to forget why I got into writing again.  I NEVER want writing to feel like a job.  That’s NOT…me.  I don’t want to get into that mindset.  I HAVE a job.  It pays the bills.  Most days, I LIKE my job.  It’s not perfect, but what job is?  Writing is NOT my job.  If my life was a cup,  then I’d see my job as something that empties my cup, a little at a time.  Writing fills the cup back up again.  It keeps me in balance.  Too much obsessing over either work or writing, and I’m an unhappy Juli!  Nobody wants that.  ;)

My "life coach" agrees with the whole, "keeping balance in my life," thing. He also thinks I need more sleep!

I do a LOT of reading.  I’m on my fifth or sixth book written by a new-to-me author.  His novels aren’t the stuff that classics are made of, but they’re REALLY entertaining.  I’m sure they could be picked apart and poo-pooed on, but I like them.  When I read them, I get the impression that the author doesn’t take himself too seriously.  There’s a lot of joy and silliness in his novels.  I hope that I’m able to convey a similar vibe in my own books and short stories.  Tragic comedy seems to be my writing style.

Amy Kennedy wrote an interesting post for ROW 80, about being true to your own voice.  Make sure that you click on the link.  I’m not very good at writing dark and brooding.  I’ve tried, but I can’t do it.  I enjoy reading stories that are dark.  I think that writers who CAN do this are AMAZING, but for good or for bad, I know that my characters are NEVER going to have any bloody battle scenes of their own.  I do have a bloody microwave scene, but that’s been pushed to Book Two!  LOL

Take care everyone!

Juli

New Years Eve Post 2011

It’s quiet around the Hoffman Haus tonight.  My son and hubby are already asleep.  I think they were both in bed before nine.  We don’t really party around here.  ;)

I’ve been thinking about this year ending, as the new one is about to begin, and I feel so blessed.  I don’t know how else to say it.  My life is far from perfect, but I have the things that I need and some of my wants too.  I have a beautiful family and extraordinary friends.  I may have terrible luck in life, but I’ve always had a shoulder to cry on when I’ve needed it, and plenty of love and support.  I don’t think a person could ask for much more than that.

I read a great post by author Delle Jacobs called Heavenly Hell: Where All Serious Writers Go.  It’s a “must share.”  Delle Jacobs is a fun writer and has a special place in my heart.  Long ago, she sent me a “virtual” kick in the pants when I REALLY needed it, and I will always be grateful to her because of it.  :)  She and I have never met, but the words she sent me, have made a lasting impression.

There have been so many wonderful authors that have come into my life this past year, and even more so as of recently.  I’ve made some extraordinary friends along the way.  It doesn’t matter to me if they’ve sold one book or one million, it’s the kindness that I’ve been shown that makes these ladies and gentlemen priceless to me.  I appreciate all the words of encouragement that they have given as well the firmer pieces of advice.  I feel as though I’m slowly becoming a part of the writing community.  It’s a blessing to know that I am not alone.  I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received.

A very special thanks to all my amazing WordPress buddies.  May all your plot bunnies be productive ones!  ;)

Juli

 

Post Christmas Ramble/Happy Boxing Day!

We made it through all the commercial mumbo jumbo!  YAY!!!! 

I had a lovely Christmas day with my family.  I know I’ve said it before, but I don’t think I can say it enough, I have been blessed! 

Kiddo had a good Christmas, though he tried to pretend that he wasn’t disappointed when Santa didn’t get him everything he asked for.  Kiddo’s birthday is next week.  We try to make sure that he gets the REALLY fun stuff on his birthday because that’s HIS day.    It’s hard trying to balance out the two, but the hubby and I do our best to make his birthday extra special.

We spent Christmas day with my side of the family.  My youngest sis had me laughing until I was crying!  For real!  My makeup was running down my face, I was laughing so hard.  I don’t know how she does it.  She can take any random event that happened to her during the course of a typical day, and turn it into an epic saga, complete with voices, faces, and hand gestures.  It’s like having dinner theater, but MUCH more entertaining.  She’s incredible, and talented, and inspiring to be around. 

Hubby got me THE gift of this holiday season, a Kindle Fire.  He kept doing his impression of me with my Kindle for all of my relatives.  “Honey I love it!” followed by lots of snarls and growls while I tried to get all my favorite sites linked up to it.  Did I mention how much I despise “new to me technology?”  Yeah…well, so this technology SHOULDN’T have been that new to me, but I was also running only a few hours sleep yesterday.  I know better that to allow electronics anywhere near me when I’m tired.  By next week, the Kindle and I will be best pals.  In the meantime, I’m only allowing myself near it in small doses for its protection!  Gesh!

Ah well!  Enough with the rambling.  I think I need a nap!

Happy Boxing Day to my “neighbors” across the border.

Juli

 

 

A Short Rant

Holidays seem to bring out the worse in people.  It’s a shame really.  I think it’s because we put too much pressure on everything and everyone to be perfect, and that’s not going to happen.  There’s no such animal as “perfect.”  Sometimes “good enough” is all you can hope for, and that’s OK.  There’s no need to bring out the nasty side of ourselves.  There’s no need to criticize others.  It doesn’t make anyone look any better by throwing other people “under the bus.”

This post is and isn’t really about me.  So far, I’ve done my best to stay as far away as I can from the negative BS that goes on, but I still see it and it still depresses me.  In my personal life, I have a couple of friends that are worried about their jobs this holiday season, because there are people in this world that think that the way to get ahead is to try to get other people fired.  WHY?  It makes NO sense to me.  In my own experiences, I’ve gotten further along on the food chain by building a team around me of confident and competent people who are ALL worthy of promotion.  It just makes sense, no matter what your job is, to surround yourself with people who know what the heck they’re doing!  I try to do this in my personal life as well.  I want people around me who are trying to better themselves and are doing everything they can to make their dreams come true.  I want to encourage that.  It makes NO sense to drag other people down.  I want to feel inspired by those around me.

 Maybe I’m just extra tired today and I needed a rant!  Take care everyone.  Play nice.

Juli