Rain

Into each life some rain must fall, some days be dark and dreary - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

That's how it's been today - raining. My son's school baseball game got cancelled as did his baseball practice with the rec league. My daughter still had softball practice but it was at the indoor cages.

I came home achy and feverish. I'm not sure if I'm getting the flu but I wouldn't be surprised. I haven't had so much as a cold this season so I think I'm due for the big one. So no writing done, but I did get to watch some good shows in History International.

BK

More Ponderings on the Platform

Perseverance is a great element of success; if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ok, I can't quit thinking about platform development and where to begin. Apparently, I'm not the only one, as there is now a discussion thread at Backspace about this. My current "platform" is:

My website
My blog
My publishing credits
My Publishers Marketplace Webpage


I "toot" my own horn enough, but really, who hears it? I need to develop a plan to grow my platform. Can you smell the smoke from the cogs in my brain working overtime? I like writing book reviews and since I have a few published, I've sent the links to the authors publicists. I just did that today, but hey you never know. I also sent review samples to a local magazine in hopes of getting some local publicity. But, it will be a gradual build because I'm a writer first and a marketing expert, well, not at all if I must be honest.

I finished the first draft of issue 73 of the serial yesterday. I'll tweak it this afternoon and begin issue 74 tonight. I need to get three issues total completed before the end of the week so my March GDR wrap up will look a bit more productive that February's did. So far I'm on track.

No one has renewed the serial subscriptions yet. That might be a good thing and let it die a slow peaceful death. But I doubt if there is such a thing (political undertones here).

I don't know about anyone else but I'll be glad when Spring Break is over and the kids are back in school. What ever happened to the days when kids entertained themselves. I'm sick of hearing "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do". I'm not the entertainment committee and just because YOU have spring break doesn't mean I have spring break. I still have to go to work, I still have laundry to do, YOU still have ball practice and YOU can't just do anything you want.
My life sounds dreadful, doesn't it? But I wouldn't trade it - not even for a multi-million dollar publishing contract.

Seize The Day . . . Create the Character

Nothing is worth more than this day. Goethe

I spent about two hours this morning developing a character who has been prevalent as a CSA soldier in the serial but never present except through dialogue and recollection. He is now home on furlough after two years of service and before heading north to pivotal battles. I've made him a Corporal because I've developed within him a sense of calmness, reason and maturity. He was eighteen when he left the mountain and is now twenty.

His extreme loyalty to seccession of the CSA will cause conflict but again, the closeness of the extended family must play in. This will be most difficult for me to write, as I must leave all gallantry heroics of war behind and play up the realism.

I only wrote about a page of issue 73 of the serial before I ran into this dilemma. The character is an older cousin of my protagonist and even though he left to enlist in 1861, his presence is felt by the family throughout the writing. Now that he's back in the flesh, I've actually had to stop and think about who he was, who he is, where he's been, how he's changed and how he'll react after he learns both his cousin and his younger brother are Union soldiers. Afterall, he can't remain the same after two years of service.

I asked a question of a guest speaker over at Backspace regarding "Building a Platform". She gave a great reply and I'd love to post it here but I can't. But you can probably smell the smoke where my brain is rattled by the mere thought. Basically, it boils down to networking.

I'm not a member of any writing organizations but I suppose I should be. I'm not sure where to start because I don't want to belong to something where my name is on a members list on an obsure website and that's it. I want interaction and networking.

Things to ponder. . .

BK

Spring Renewal

Today's Thought:

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; there is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter. The Easter Bunny left loads of chocolate at our house and we made it to Easter Mass on time.

Please check out this incredible Book Review of a fellow writer's work to be released in May. Well deserved and I can't wait to get my copy! Bravo Ms. O'Connor!

Today it was back to work. I would have taken this week off to be with the kids for Spring Break, but hubby has the week off so I must work. Someone, who must be in cahoots with Satan, left a bag of dark chocolate Hershey Kisses in the room where the coffee is. I love dark chocolate, but too much will trigger a migraine.

I managed to finish issue 72 on Saturday, so my word count for last week on the serial is 3,290. My goal is 4,500 per week. This moved my date out to finish the serial to 7/3/2005, if I write at least 4,500 words or 3 issues per week. This morning I mapped out what the next three issues will be about. The plot is taking some really wild twists and turns.

I've rejected some of the venues who've held my submissions for too long. Here is an updated list:

1 short story to Mid-South Review (submitted 10/14/2004)
1 poem to Maelstrom (submitted 10/28/2004)
1 poem to Evergreen Review (submitted 11/15/2004)
1 short story to Collected Stories (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to River Walk Journal (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to Binnacle Prose Competition (submitted 1/31/2005)
4 poems to Failbetter Magazine (submitted 2/22/2005)
2 short stories to Solander Magazine (submitted 10/4/2004 and 2/28/2005)
1 essay to Charlotte Parent Magazine (submitted 2/28/2005)
5 poems to Epiphany Magazine (submitted 3/2/2005)

There was a break in the rain this morning and the sunrise was just beautiful. It was nice just to get myself up and take my time while every one else slept late. By lunchtime, it was dark, windy and beginning to rain. At least we shouldn't be under water restrictions this summer.

Holding with the true Easter meaning, I consider this a time for a personal renewal. With this comes some mid-year reflections and resolutions. I'll do a March wrap up on Friday.

I must reduce the amount of time I spend "playing" online - forums, email, reading the news, etc. So, beginning today, I'm limiting my visits to once in the morning and once in the evening and not spending more than twenty minutes total on my blog each day. I've found the draft feature quite useful as I can write a bit, save it and then come back to it.

Tonight I need to write at least 1000 words of issue 73. Sometimes I wish I hadn't renewed my contract for another 6 months, but at least it keeps me focused.

BK

Honesty Is The Best Policy

I informed the interested agent yesterday that my novel won't be ready to query until the first of October. She wrote back a nice note saying that I hoped I'll think of her agency when it is ready. I will and I'll also be watching her sales in PM.

I completed another 1000 words last night on the serial and I hit a point where I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen next. I tend to mull plots over in my head after my fingers are done and sure enough, I came up with a pretty decent idea.

The editor's computer is down so I've been sending out only the issues she needs. I believe I'm three issues behind. I need to get caught up as soon as I can. I should have issue 72 completed tonight and I hope to get at least two more issues completed this weekend. Since it is Easter, there are no ball practices.

I'm not sure when I lost count but I think it was the very moment her computer crashed. Three issues isn't bad as six or seven but it is still a heck of a lot of writing.

I haven't heard anything from any of my submissions.

I envy those writers who can handle more than one project at a time. When I first started writing, I found it difficult enough just to switch off the numbers / analysis / and 2 mg spreadsheets that were my life and concentrate on stringing a sentence. I'm past that now, but I struggled with multiple projects in the beginning of the year and have since updated my goals to avoid any conflicts.

I suppose I'll master it one day.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Shades of Gray

I got over a thousand words – and good ones – written last night. This laptop thing is working beautifully. Issue 71 is almost complete and I plan to finish issue 72 of the serial tonight.

A writing colleague won Wildchild Publishing’s Editors Choice Award for March for her short story Age Difference. She beat out some pretty strong competition to win the prize.

Congratulations Marlys!

I got an inquiry from an agent as a result of my Publishers Marketplace webpage. She requested the first chapter of my novel. A novel which is on its second re-write and I don’t plan on having the final copy completed until the end of October 2005. I can’t rush this one. It has the potential to be great . . . no, really!

I looked on my PM page and looked for any indication of the story being finished and ready to query. I could find nothing and one phrase in the bio section even says “. . . she is busy working on her second novel . . .”

I can’t help but think I’ve misrepresented my product somehow. I wrote the agent a polite note saying that the work would not be completed until the end of October but Chapter 1 is pretty much set. I hope this agent wasn’t misled. At least I feel better letting her know. I updated my webpage to avoid any further confusion.

That brings me to this gray area. I suppose I feel so bad because I’m usually so black and white. Either it is right or it’s wrong. Either it’s ethical or it isn’t. But so many situations don’t fit neatly into either area, hence the gray. The PM Webpage is designed to “sell” but was I wrong to mention my novel when it wasn’t completed to my satisfaction? I’m torn.

Backspace has a new blog:

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/KarenDionne/

It’s probably one of the most energetic and informative blogs on writing. I read quite a few of those popular blogs and they are more negative than positive. I realize there is much heartache and misery in the publishing industry and all writers need to accept the struggle for the long haul, but it is nice to read some enthusiasm once in a while. Great job Karen and Chris.

Sometimes I read articles that make me breathe a sigh of relief that I'm a woman living in a free country. This day it was in pictures and commentary from the BBC's In Pictures.

I am thankful my mom had to ability to raise me to have an opinion and a strong sense of self worth - and not marry me off as the third wife to some decrepid dirt farmer. I am thankful I have the right to vote, freedeom to tell someone to kiss my ass, and the means to pursue my dreams - and not hide behind a veil where any glimpse of my skin by a stranger could mean a public death of stoning.

I am thankful I have the education and the ability to provide for my children. I am thankful to be able to raise strong-willed and intelligent daughters who will not become a victim of male hostility. I am thankful I have kind and considerate sons are being raised to respect all people, regardless of gender, raced or religion. I teach them to look beneath the exterior to discover true character. This is my contribution to the furtherance of equality worldwide.

Well, after driving my BIL to the airport, picking up the kids and driving to MILs and leaving Thing 2 (Lara, may I borrow?) to stay with her, driving Thing 1, 3 and 4 back home, driving to Parent-Teacher conferences, driving back home to pick up Thing 1,3,4, driving back to MIL’s, driving Thing 3 to softball practice (Thing 4 had to come and bring his scooter), driving back to MILs house after hubby takes over at softball practice to heat up dinner, driving back home to pick up Thing 1 who insisted on going to a friends house, driving back over to MILs house with a starving Thing 1, and finally driving home to stay with all Things around 8:30 pm.

I need to put GAS in the truck.

Back in Business

After a brief unplanned hiatus, I'm back. I'm coming to you live from my new Compaq Presario. Yes, I know I can't afford it and the money could be spent on groceries and other life sustaining bills but sometimes a girl's just got to have her toys. I still have my desktop which I love, but I think I'll enjoy the freedom and convenience a laptop will give. I'll be in big trouble if my writing continues to suffer because of no time.

Tonight I must write and edit issues 71 and 72 of the serial. It will probably take me awhile to get used to the 'condensed' keyboard but I seem to be transitioning okay.

My poem, Elsewhere, is now in Issue 35 of Zygote in my Coffee. Do not click this if you are a member of the moral majority or have no sense of humor. Some of the content is pretty risque.

My first book review for Curledup.com is now available to read and enjoy. Yep, that's me even if the name at the bottom isn't B.K. Birch.

Well, that's all for now. I need to go check on MIL after I get the neighbor's kid's clothes out of the dryer. She fell in the creek about an hour ago and dripped through the house.

BK

I've Lost Control

I've been on a three day ice cream binge, I didn't get as much written as I needed to and I'm pissed off. I won't go into details about why I'm angry, but I wonder why people believe they must interfere with someone else's life - as if I cannot make the right decisions for my own child? I was going along fine, having ZEN moments, forgive and forget, blah blah blah and now they've crossed the line. I registered a formal complaint with the person in charge and I have a meeting tonight at the ballfield with another man in charge. The man has lost his f*cking mind!

I have too many muses. Is muses a word or is it musi? I'm not sure, but dialogue from strange characters is playing in my head and I cannot seem to focus. I got a bite for my novel but I'm not happy with it right now. It needs a bit more tweaking.

I did manage to finish issues 69 and 70 of the serial and bits of issues 71 and 72 are handwritten. I've fallen into a rut and if I don't climb out soon, I may as well forget about writing. I spent all weekend scatterbrained and groggy but I did manage eleven loads of laundry on Sunday.

I need direction - concrete goals and and a defined path. I need priorities and structure. Perhaps I've been looking at a picture too big for my attention span. I'm going to try daily goals and see if they add up to monthly goals. There will be no catching up. If I don't get done what I need to get done then too bad.

Today's Goal: finish writing issue 71 of the serial

We'll see how this works

I'm Making My Own Spring

I never did find it so I just posted some beautiful photos below to help with warm feelings.

BK

Trying not to step on the Trout!

Jimmy hammin' it up while Lizzy avoids sharp rocks!

The Mountain

Swimming at Williams River

Behind my Grandma's childhood home

Those crazy kids!

Kids posing on one of the large rocks. From L to R:
Joey, Jimmy, Lizzy, David, Jennifer, Derek

Perhaps I'll Change My Name

How does B. K. Buffet sound? There's a lot of buzz regarding the Margarita Man's new book. I don't want to mention his name here as I don't want this blog to come up on a search engine for some poor fan to read of my Buffet envy. Just kidding.

I still haven't found spring. Nor have I written one decent word. It is raining and cold outside, so the odds of any softball or baseball practice is slim. I have to pick up my BIL at the airport today and probably spend time at the hospital with MIL. She's still in a little pain after the surgery, but I do envy that morphine drip she has.

I've searched and searched for a tidbit of exciting news in the publishing world. I can't find any. I've read my friends' blogs and found one who has her phone on DND because of a new accounting system, one is having ISP issues, one is NOT getting enough sleep, one has lost twenty pounds, one can't find the books she wants at the bookstore, one has two aspiring artists in the family, and two are MIA.

I haven't heard anything from any of my submissions and I finally found a long-lost writing colleague who has switched writing directions and is too busy to join a few of her old friends. I respect her desire to manage her time, but I can't help but be disappointed.

Today, I write!

BK

I've lost Spring. . . .

It was here yesterday. A breezy seventy-five degrees. I had every window in the house open to rid the rooms of stale air. I re-potted my two large peace lillies and spent most of the day outside or running kids to their activities. By the time I got home my husband had the air conditioning on. There was even a thunderstorm around two a.m. this morning. Sunday is not a day of rest at my house. Therefore, no writing.

Today it is cloudy and around forty-five degrees. I'm really ready for some spring weather - and daylight savings time.

I have issues 69 and issues 70 of the serial handwritten. I'm hoping to complete four more this week and type like a madwoman this weekend. That's the plan anyway. I wrote two more book reviews and sent them out.

I haven't heard anything from any of my submissions. Here is an outstanding list:

1 poem to Skyline Magazine (submitted 8/20/2004)
1 short story to Mid-South Review (submitted 10/14/2004)
1 poem to Maelstrom (submitted 10/28/2004)
1 poem to Evergreen Review (submitted 11/15/2004)
1 poem to Mystic River Review (submitted 12/6/2004)
1 short story to Collected Stories (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to River Walk Journal (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to Binnacle Prose Competition (submitted 1/31/2005)
4 poems to Failbetter Magazine (submitted 2/22/2005)
2 short stories to Solander Magazine (submitted 10/4/2004 and 2/28/2005)
1 essay to Charlotte Parent Magazine (submitted 2/28/2005)
5 poems to Epiphany Magazine (submitted 3/2/2005)

I'm not sure, but I believe most of the writers I correspond with are in the same funk as I am. There is nothing new on the forums although Backspace has a great thread with member pictures. I like knowing what other people look like.

My MIL is having surgery today. I'm a nervous wreck and I ain't even the one having the surgery. There are many people in my life that just seem to be falling apart these days. My boss broke her toe and has been limping around all morning. I really feel bad for her.

Tonight there is ballet from four to six tonight and baseball from six to eight. Perhaps I'll get some writing done after I get home.

Well, I off to search for Spring. I'll let you know if I find it.

BK

Instant Gratification

I'll admit it. I'm a creature of instant gratification. I believe that is why I love submitting short stories and poetry online. I know the publication received it and in some cases I can track it's progress (NFG Magazine has a great site for tracking your sub) and usually response times are decreased. Not to mention all the paper saved and money not spent on postage. When I don't have any acceptances or even rejections for awhile I get a little depressed. It has been an arid month on the notifications for me and on top of it all, everyone on my favorite writers forum must be busy writing or something, because there ain't much going on. Hopefull I'll get out of this funk soon.

I had today off so after I dropped the kids off at school, me and the hubby went out for breakfast. I mentioned to him that my new CD player in the truck is still on demo mode and I couldn't get it off. Now I'm usually pretty good at reading directions and following them. But for the life of me, I couldn't get the darn thing off of demo mode. My husband read the same directions I did but was unable to figure it out. So, we drove down to the place where we bought the darn thing and asked them to fix it. It took the guy two seconds.

"Did you do what the directions said?" I asked him, knowing darn well he didn't. I watched him.

"The directions are wrong," he said without much care.

"What?" I half asked, half yelled.

"Yeah, that's a problem with Kenwood. Has been every year for a while now," he said and walked back inside.

So, now I have a new, very complicated stereo in my truck and the manual contains incorrect directions. As a writer, I'm bothered by that a bit.

On the writing front, I finished the handwritten issue 69 of the serial. This is the first issue of 1863 and I wasn't sure what I should do with it. But then an idea hit me and I believe it to be brilliant. I still need to do a bit of research but I believe it will tidy up 1863 and the end of the serial nicely. I plan to finish issue 70 tonight and issue 71 tomorrow. I also wrote two different book reviews and sent them off to the editor. I still need to do one more review this month to have my own bookshelf at Mid West Review. It is under a pen name but I know it's mine.

So here I am on a Friday night writing my blog - What - a - loser!

B.K.

A Day of Surprises

This morning my manager stopped by my office and handed me an envelope that looked suspiciously like a paycheck. I got a bonus even though I'm part time! And it wasn't one of those piddly little bonuses that will fill up the gas tank and take you to the movies. This was a real bonus. Wahoo! I also remembered I had a Bit-O-Honey candybar in my purse that I didn't have time to eat when I bought it. I'll probably lose a filling but I love the stuff.

As for the serial, I just finished the year 1862 and issue 68. 1861 ended up at about 54k words, while 1862 ended at around 56K. I need to get 3 issues of 1863.

I'm reading The Memory of Running, by Ron McLarty. It's all right but it does jump around a bit. The bike ride of a 279 lb man seems a bit unreal as does some of the first person telling of an event which the teller was not present, but written as if he were. All of this should be transparent to the reader, but I don't read anymore unless I'm also critiquing. It goes with being a writer I suppose.

I hope to get issues 69 and 70 at least handwritten tonight - after I cook dinner, do some laundry and help the little guy study for his spelling test.

I haven't heard anything from any of my submissions, but on a good note, I am beginning to get out of my writing funk and be more productive. I believe it has to do with the warm days that are getting longer with each sunrise. A few trees have bloomed but nothing big. Now, if only the kids would quit fighting.

I've noticed more and more political and argumentative topics showing up on forums lately. Fortunately for me, I've steered clear. A writer who I dearly adore, posted a link to an article regarding stem cell research and she has reason to be hopeful. I wrote a response voicing my dissenting view on the issue but then deleted it before I posted it. Some things aren't worth a friendship, even if it is only in cyberspace. I can't stop the progress of science, even when it involves taking a life (the embryo) to save a life, so why lose someone I've grown to admire over it. I can only hope it doesn't come to pass and keep my mouth shut.

Other's on the forums (but NOT my favorite one) are just posting just to be posting. Quit wasting my time people! An excellent agent is the current Guest Speaker at Backspace. Everyone who is serious about writing should at least try the five day free trial there.

Well, today the hubby said he couldn't remember when he had a home-cooked meal. Should I take that as a hint? Best break out the cook books so I can WOW him with my culinary expertise! Nah - I'll probably just toss some steaks on the grill.

BK

Nope, You Can't Go Home Again

I made it home after 5 1/2 hours of driving. When I began my journey south, my vehicle was covered with about six inches of snow, and other two feet covered the ground. It was 26 degrees and considered a heat wave by most locals. I shoveled the snow from around my mom's vehicle as well as a path from the back door to her car. I'd forgotten how heavy the snow was. I started out like gangbusters and the snow was flying with relative ease. After about five minutes my arms were a limp as cooked spaghetti and my heart was racing. Needless to say, I took quite a few breaks before the path was completed.

The snow-covered mountains were breathtaking. As I drove up the narrow mountain pass, it seemed as if I was driving into a time long past. Majestic bare trees vein up to the heavens as if to seek the resurrection of spring before it is time and gray rocks scatter among the trees giving evidence of a dormant earth resting beneath a white blanket. Wind gusts gathered up the top layer of snow and carried it a few feet before throwing it in my face, turning my cheeks a burnt red. The crisp winter air was so frigid and dry, my chest hurt to breathe and the spring water was so cold my teeth hurt to drink.

I lived here, played here and longed to escape. I did, but a large part of me is still there. I've grown since I left and know well I no longer fit in. It is not the place, rather it is me.

I ended my journey with a 63 degree temperature and my kids greeting me wearing short and a t-shirt. What a journey it was! I'm glad to be home and but I still feel guilty for leaving. I have made a home far away and I cannot neglect it for family illness, no matter how much I'm torn. The only thing I can do is face my challenges with courage, honesty and a constant brim of tears at the edge of my eyes - the only window of the agony which festers inside. No matter how much I'm needed, I must plan carefully to be where I'm needed most without neglecting anyone. It sounds much easier than it is going to be.

I have been asked to review some of those books on writing published by a well known publisher of non-fiction writing books. It is hard to get up any enthusiasm but I'm honored to be asked. I told the person who requested my services that I'd donate the ARC's to her on-line library - unless they write the "Holy Grail" of writing reference books. I don't see that happening.

On the writing front, I did manage to write most of issue 68 of the serial. I need to edit issue 67 and finish issue 68 today or tomorrow. I also need to write issues 69, 70 and 71 this week. Holy cow!

I haven't received anything from any of my submissions: Here is an outstanding list:

My outstanding submissions are:

1 poem to Skyline Magazine (submitted 8/20/2004)
1 short story to Mid-South Review (submitted 10/14/2004)
1 poem to Maelstrom (submitted 10/28/2004)
1 poem to Evergreen Review (submitted 11/15/2004)
1 poem to Mystic River Review (submitted 12/6/2004)
1 short story to Collected Stories (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to River Walk Journal (submitted 1/27/2005)
1 poem to Binnacle Prose Competition (submitted 1/31/2005)
4 poems to Failbetter Magazine (submitted 2/22/2005)
2 short stories to Solander Magazine (submitted 10/4/2004 and 2/28/2005)
1 essay to Charlotte Parent Magazine (submitted 2/28/2005)
5 poems to Epiphany Magazine (submitted 3/2/2005)

Here's hoping for some acceptances this month.

BK

Can We Really Go Home Again?

Those darned Canadian Geese are at it again. Even though there are acres and acres of grass surrounding the buildings, they insist on pooping on the sidewalk. Is it instinct? I think not. These geese are native to Canada, hence their name, and I can almost bet there weren't any sidewalks in Canada until the 1900's. I estimate their brains are perhaps only a tad larger than a golfball and 80% of it is a sidewalk radar that evolved after sidewalks were developed. The other 20% breaks down as follows: 10% migration instincts, 5% reproduction instinct and 5% is honing that terrifying hissing sound that spews from their beak anytime someone gets to close to them. This equals 100% public nuisance!

One thing I find intriging about these nasty birds is their ability to return to the same place every year and nest. I've seen the same two birds for four years now and the larger male does nothing but get grumpier and more protective of the female with each passing spring. There was one time I felt sorry for the feathery couple as their eggs never hatched. Despite the female's attempts to keep them warm, there were no babies. And no, I wasn't the person who joked that the building cafeteria had served them for breakfast but the thought did cross my mind.

I have to admit their babies are cute and I love the way they all walk in a line behind their parents. I can't help but wish my own children would be as obedient. I don't mind stopping on the road to allow the family to pass in safety even when they take five minutes to cross the highway, regardless of my realization that there will be five or six additional clumps of green poo on the sidewalk everyday until the fall migration south. Hence my "sidewalk rader" theory.

I suppose we all eventually go home, be it in the next life or during our short time here on Earth. Today I'm leaving to visit my mother who has been ill and sometimes feels a little down. My father died fourteen years ago, she's been virtually alone. She's become very independent and I'm proud of her. I'm looking forward to the drive home - six hours alone with my thoughts, my new CD player and solace from bickering children and yelling spouse. He means well, but get cranky just before trips. It is a running joke with me and the kids: We pack, Dad loads, Dad yells, we drive.

I do wish the season was summer as the shades of green covering the majestic hills is crisp and clear in contrast to a brilliant blue sky. Today, I shall see nothing but spindly trees jutting through snow. But it is still home.

I can't help but feel sorry for those who grow up in residential developments in suburbs and cities. Sure they have their perks and I'm guilty of raising my family the same way. My husband grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC in a residential development and is just fine. His childhood home now belongs to someone else and I don't believe he possess the "sense of home" that I do. I told my kids I was going "home" for the weekend and my oldest daughter replied, "but mom, this is your home." Well, yes and no.

I was raised in the rugged open expanse of Appalachia. I didn't get to experience organized sports, a McDonalds on every corner, or a movie theater within a half hour drive. Sure, as a young woman, I was bored, envious of others who seemed to have more excitement in their lives than I did and I was determined to "get out" of those mountains. I did just that and I'm better for it, for the most part.

But there is still a part of me that longs to go home - to walk in the woods during autumn and hear the crunch of summers past beneath my feet, to suck the cold winter air so deep into my lungs that my chest hurts, to put a blanket beneath my favorite tree in the orchard to surround myself with the scent of apple blossoms and watch as the wind scatters the snow white petals as if they were an unexpected spring blizzard and to lay my head on a cool pillow on a summer's night and sleep peacefully with the windows open without the fear of intrusion. I want to stroll past fields of fresh cut hay, listen to the brook babble or the beavers splashing as they build their latest edition to an already spacious manse beneath the crystal clear waters, marvel over the herds of deer grazing in the open pastures or wait patiently in my truck as a turtle or a skunk saunters over the road to the safety of the weeds speckled with daisys and black-eyed susans.

I'll be back on Monday.

BK

Happy Birthday Jennifer

One of my babies turns ten today. A two-digit milestone that has driven me to tears for most of the morning. She is my bright, caring child and she looks nothing like the rest of the family. Kindhearted and mothering, she looks after her siblings as though they were her children. She is as beautiful as endless mountain forests adorned in fiery fall colors or crystal blue waters washing over a tropical beach.

I never expected to have a daughter. I only had nephews and one son. But boy did I ever need her, I just didn't know it at the time. Her dark brown hair framed porcelain skin and piercing blue eyes took in the world around her. Eventually, the brown hair gave way to sunny blonde but her eyes remain inquisitive blue. Happy Birthday, my sweet baby girl.

On to writing, my short story Caught In The Middle, is now on Wildchild Publishing. The editor did a top-notch job on making this story publishable.

I'm traveling back to the mountains this weekend. It will be a needed break. I hear there is at least 18 inches of snow. I'm NOT looking forward to that but at least I have a four-wheel drive. I use that so much down here in the south.

Speaking of the south, the temperature around here should be around 65-70 degrees for the first of March as our weather is similiar to the low country of SC. I don't believe it is over 45 degrees outside. Where is spring?

I need to complete issue 68 today and I'll take my writing bag with me to the mountains. Maybe, just maybe I'll find my lost muse in "them thar hills!"

BK

Bizzaro World

I received a rejection for a short story I submitted to the publication last April. The piece has since been rewritten, published on another e-zine, won Editors Choice for September, currently published on yet another e-zine and is still being considered for publication in a UK journal.

I couldn't believe it when I saw it in the mail.

I finished issue 67 of the serial and plan to complete issue 68 tonight. Last nights plans were foiled as both girls got in the truck pale and whining of a headache so therefore, no ballet.

My book reviews are in the March issue (Catherine's Bookself):

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/rbw/mar_05.htm#catherine

One of them is currently on the main page at Backspace (my second-most favorite writer's forum). Scroll down to the Carry Me Home book review:

http://www.bksp.org/index.shtm

Am I the only writer who is sick of all the mail (both box and email) from book publishers to purchase all those damn How To books? Gosh, enough already. I've come this far without all your expert advice and I'll go even farther this year without it.

Their blatant attempt to "sell" instant publication is revolting to the seasoned veteran and exploitive of new writers. Their claim to reveal the "inside secrets of the publishing industry" are misleading if not an outright lie. I'm assuming they sell many books using this tactic, but most of the information is useless to anyone who has been writing for more than a year.

No thanks, I stick to the old fashioned way - write a great story and hope for the best.

BK