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My Journal

January 2010

Well I finally got my desk and file system into some sort of organized mess. Actually most of January has been quite productive, and that has surprised me.  I thought for certain that I would not be able to get more work done on either of the books, while I was in clean up mode.  I am happy to report that I was able to complete several pretty decent pieces of writing.  (Pats himself on his back)  I had been struggling to get some free time to be able to find a few decent workshops to attend, but I found some!  It is always good to try to improve and find new methods with which to look at ones own work in a creative and inspired way.  I find that just by speaking with others who also write, really helps my overall understanding of what I am trying to do.  I find it keeps me focused.  I am currently exploring several forms of poetry, including the Terzanelle, the Ottava Rima, and the Kyrielle Sonnet.  I am quite excited to see if I can convert some of my older work which I was not overly impressed with the style, into one of these forms.

February 2010

Is it February already ?  Wow, that month flew by!  Well February finds me clearing up old business still from 2009, which is fine, better to get it all out of the way sooner rather than later.  I have been working on my website a little to try and get the search engine spiders to find me easier.  What's the point in having a web domain if nobody can find it ?  So I added a fairly long wordy bit to the main page that included several very popular keyword phrases that are supposed to draw some more interest.  I am trying not to just add words for the sake of adding them for popularity, so I selected a few keywords and ran them through a popularity usage web tool I think is pretty cool.  I also found a spider simulator which showed me that I was unnecessarily advertising for a group that supplied my free web hit counter.  I fixed their wagon by replacing their "href" with my own version that redirects the spider to my own site.  May as well look in the mirror before having others look at you...lol.  My writing attempts have proven to be challenging, but I did finish a few things.  My deadlines are still set as I projected.  I am still hoping to attempt to submit for query by next month.  Nothing like turning up the heat on yourself.  I am feeling very positive about February as a month of contentment and getting in lots of writing time !  I also am submitting my applications this week for several of the associations that are listed on my links page.  Well,..I have already done that by email, now I just have to pay them.  I feel that these types of associations are quite useful to those of us who have been writing for a long time, but are only just starting to try and get published.  I hope you will give their websites a perusal, some of them are exceptionally organized.

March 2010

Yaay..!.. only a few more weeks and spring will pretty much be here. Followed by the warm bright days of summer, sand and surf !!  I am looking forward to spending a lot of time at the cabin this summer, and if possible doing some traveling around and seeing some sights.  February proved to be a very distracting month but much was accomplished in terms of new ideas and the written word !  I have lots on my plate still, perhaps its best that way, keeps me out of trouble.  I have been fortunate to be able to make the claim that my 3 sites are showing up in the top 10 of most search engines, even though my websites are fairly new and under-advertised.  I think it has mostly to do with the simplicity of the pages and the searchable content on each.  Lets hope they stay in the top few percent.  I have been trying to sort some notes and scribbles out this week but towards the middle of the month I am going to attempt to submit some query letters at least to a few publishers.  Its always hard to know just when you think you are finished a project..and let me tell you this book has been no exception !  I am hopeful that all my friends and family will find themselves happy and productive this month.  I am confident that we all will enjoy our own versions of success as we approach spring.  "Not everyone can help you, but you can stand beside those who need yours !"

April 2010

The weather has been so warm and sunny lately, it has made me feel like spending much more time at the cabin !  I suppose that the weather has also warmed my thoughts and feelings as well as my skin, because I have been writing quite a lot the first part of this month.  I finished 5 poems, and began working on a short essay.  The beauty of writing is the fact that you can do it when and where the moment strikes you.  I find this month is making me reflect on the passing of time, mostly because the warm sunny days seem to slow time down, and allow us to take those sunny moments to reflect upon all the things, places and people who have  passed through our lives like warm breezes.  I am happy to be able to share these warm days with all the people in my life.  I hope that as spring blends into summer that all of my friends and family find some beauty in their lives this summer.

May 2010

As usual we must never ever plant anything in Alberta, until after the May long weekend.  This old adage held true once again this year as we received quite a dump of snow on May 4th !  The city turned to a winter wonderland again for a few days, but it is melting now.  I have managed to make contact with a few of the people in the Canadian Authors Association and uncovered some very good information regarding my attempts to become published.  I want to thank those people who were good enough to offer me some of their valuable time to answer questions and offer assistance.  Thank you all !  Well as I attempt to wrap up this first book of poetry and continue my efforts on other projects, I find that there are many small details that continue to crop up.  I will keep plugging away though and fortunately I am still feeling inspired to write new things. =)

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self."   Aristotle

June 2010

Can-Write Conference this month !  June 24-27, I am hoping to be able to attend this meeting of like minded people.  Well I made it through another year and Birthday !!..All in all I just know that I should feel very fortunate to have reached this age, with little or no real signs of wear and tear.  However, I have noticed that it takes me longer to feel like getting out of bed in the morning, but I consider that more an element of experience (and knowing what awaits me when I do !)  I am very happy with the past 15 or so days, I have been able to finish almost 12 poems and began to work on an actual piece of Fiction. who would have thought that I would actually enjoy writing it?!  I am looking forward to letting go of this book of poetry soon. and I am hopeful that it will look finished by The end of August.  I am so surprised to see just how a book can become like a child that may finally be going off to college. it has been worth it !!  The weather has been wetter this month and that's a good thing because the water table in Alberta really really needs it.. and so does my new Dogwood Tree.  I hope all is well with you all and that June affords you some real relaxing and warm family time, if not take it anyways, because the days are passing quickly.  Blessings to you all !