Monday Moment #53

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

Last weekend we had what we call "Launch Day" at my gym. I love Launch! Every three months the fitness instructors present all the new class releases (I teach two: bodypump and bodystep). We dress up in some fun way and as many of as possible teach together (in my classes there were five of us). The place is always packed, and it generates lots of fun energy.

Since there are so many instructors, we each teach a couple of different tracks while the others are like the backup dancers. :) I had made it through both my bodystep tracks. No problem. And in bodypump, the lunge track...done but ouch! Next up, shoulders. I love shoulder work. Love it. But not as much as it must have seemed to all in class that particular day.

In all the heat of the excitement of Launch Day, as I advised class members on how much weight to put on their bar (or take off!), I neglected to change mine. Yes, I still had my lunge weight on the bar, and really, our lower half is NOT equal to our upper half (at least for us ladies) when strength is concerned.

It may have been best that I had no idea. Not a clue, not until I set down my bar. However, when I picked it up and got started, I actually said out loud, "Wow. That's heavy." But I was teaching and I had to make it to the end. No other option. Well, I guess I could have quit, but in my mind, I had to make myself push through or go hide my head in instructor shame.

Bar down. I see my mistake. And sweet butter!

I wondered, how in the heck did I do that?

When has your character ever wanted to throw in the towel? Did they quit or fight through to the end? (Maybe they've had both experiences.)

My Dog Ate My Permission Slip

True story for my oldest girlie. Luna just tore up her signed slip. (I guess ate is the wrong word, maybe ruined instead.)

Perhaps it's better that way.

It was a permission slip allowing her to eat bugs at an assembly. (Did I really just sign that?)

So, this Seattle area bug chef, David George Gordon, will be coming to my girlie's school and they will have the opportunity to, yes, eat bugs.

Fascinating. And icky!

Monday Moment #52: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )

2010!

A new year!

A new decade!

Before I jump into the Monday Moment, let me just say, I wish you all the best in 2010. Truly.

But, hey! Was it just me, or did anyone else notice something was missing from the New Year's Eve celebrations?
Yeah, those glasses. Can't do those anymore without the double zero in middle. Ha!

I don't know about you, but New Year's for me is typically uneventful. Or, at least, really mild. We typically choose to stay in (or off the roads), we have nice dinner, hang out, and play games. Whoopeee!

I'm not one to write out (or think up) New Year's resolutions, but as a family we all sit down and write out our own personal hopes, wishes, dreams, etc. for the coming year. I guess it has a more positive feel to it and not so much "things" that can become failures. The cool thing is we go back and read what we wrote the year before. You'd be amazed at how much of what we write down actually comes to be.

We all have our own way of approaching a New Year.

How about your main character, how have they (or do they) feel about a New Year ahead?

Monday Moment #51: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )


Cuppa Jolie has gone a bit festive over the holidays. Cheers!

I hope every one's past week has been merry and bright.

We had a lovely Christmas here at Chez Cuppa, although we also experienced a loss. Gasper, my 9 year-old girlie's pet gerbil, died. Gasper was a lovely, little rodent. He really was. He was white and charming and friendly and never a problem--at least not until the last month or so.

Here's the thing, Gasper was a senior, well over his expected two years of age. He was showing NO signs of slowing down. In fact, just the opposite. In the past, this was a gerbil that stayed within his boundaries, never once trying to escape. We could even leave the top to his aquarium off and feel safe that he would stay put. It did have a lid that we kept on it, but we never took precautions to cover the gaping holes up top (a removed door and gerbil tube).



However, several weeks ago we discovered him standing on top of his cage, and noticed the picture frame hanging above it had been nibbled on, like he'd been getting out regularly to stand on top of his roof and take a look around, enjoying the view. Then, about a week later, he was loose and running around. Needless to say, his tank had to be reinforced. We were seriously surprised because he was so old for a gerbil. Then again surprised when I discovered his strategy. He wasn't climbing up his water bottle to get out. No, he was leaping. He could leap up and grab the edge of his tank, like a little super rodent.

So, we were very saddened when, the day before Christmas Eve, he slowed down. A lot. It was obvious that he was dying.

That Gasper had grown on me, darn it. Not only was I sad that I had two little girls who were broken-hearted, but I was sad myself.

Here's the part I didn't tell you. If you would have told me two and half years ago that I'd have a gerbil in my house, I would have told you NEVER. NEVER! An emphatic NOT EVER.

Let's just say a horrible-hamster experience as a child made me CERTAIN that a rodent-type pet would never be for my family. Nope. Wouldn't happen. I was certain of it. 100%-like!

But somehow two girls (crafty ones I might add...including a crafty daddy) convinced me to think about it, to just consider. They thought carefully about it and somehow I found myself at the pet store speaking to a knowledgeable person about gerbils. I still wasn't sure, but two brother gerbils (Gasper and Niblet) came to live with us.

And those fuzzy, little fellas won my heart. They weren't stinky (usually) or naughty or violent (like those horrible hamster bros). Unfortunately, we lost Niblet before his first birthday (too soon), but Gasper stayed with us for a full-gerbil life.

And we will (I will) miss him.

What is something your character was certain of, but then later (and probably very unexpectedly) changed there mind about?

SCBWI Team Blog Exclusive with Jenn Bailey

Yesterday I had the sweet treat of chatting with the fab Jenn Bailey via Twitter.

Jenn, graphic designer and professional blogger (and so much more), will be presenting three break-out sessions at the upcoming 11th SCBWI Conference in NYC.

We both donned our festive caps, grabbed a cuppa something, and sat down for a long winter's chat.

Here our transcript!

December 22, 2009
2:53 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie The kettle is on. I've settled on African Rooibos tea. Perfect for this cold Kansas day. My Cuppa will be ready soon. #scbwi

2:59 pm cuppajolie: One more minute! Jingle, jingle! #scbwi

3:00 pm cuppajolie: I show one 1:00. Let's get this party started! #scbwi

3:00 pm cuppajolie: First, thank you for joining me for this exclusive twitterview at such a busy time of year, Jenn. #scbwi

3:00 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie A red mug AND a Santa Hat! Wonderfully festive. #scbwi

3:01 pm cuppajolie: You inspired me, Jenn! A nice change. #scbwi

3:01 pm cuppajolie: You've got your cuppa African Rooibos and I have my cuppa water (boring, I know). We'll have to have a cocktail together in nyc. #scbwi

3:01 pm JennBailey: @cuppajolie My absolute pleasure! I've got my sons cleaning the house because I'm "busy", so this is great. #scbwi

3:02 pm cuppajolie: I have a handful of questions or topics I'd love to chat with you about? #scbwi

3:02 pm cuppajolie: ...but, if others have their own questions along the way, feel free to send them along and I'll throw them Jenn's way if time permits. #scbwi

3:03 pm cuppajolie: Please use #scbwi. #scbwi

3:03 pm cuppajolie: I've got my holiday music playing and my cuppa at my side. So, shall we get started? #scbwi

3:04 pm JennBailey: Yes, yes! I've Bing singing. We may just get that White Christmas here. #scbwi

3:05 pm cuppajolie: You'll be presenting 3 breakout sessions at the upcoming SCBWI conference in nyc: Viral Marketing/Promotion. #scbwi

3:05 pm cuppajolie: Can you give us the gist of your talk in 140 characters? #scbwi

3:07 pm JennBailey: There are no formulas that cause something to go viral. You have to entertain, educate or inspire your fan base and be ... (doh!) #scbwi

3:08 pm JennBailey: willing to let go of your message and encourage your audience to run with it. Relax, have fun and don't try too hard. #scbwi

3:09 pm cuppajolie: Will your talk be best suited for those already published? #scbwi

3:11 pm JennBailey: It will, but there are always lessons for the pre-published. Writers have to position themselves for book launch. Takes time to ... #scbwi

3:12 pm JennBailey: build that trusting fan base. If you push too hard and are not genuine folks will run screaming "Spam". #scbwi

3:13 pm cuppajolie: So true. Or just be turned off, yes? #scbwi

3:13 pm cuppajolie: I love those three key words you use: entertain, educate, and inspire? #scbwi

3:14 pm JennBailey: Exactly. People want to meet the author not the salesman. #scbwi

3:14 pm cuppajolie: And you mention not trying to hard. Would you say that's one of the biggest mistakes people make? #scbwi

3:17 pm JennBailey: I think it is, but you don't crash a party, stand on a chair and shout "Look at me! I've got something I want you to buy." #scbwi

3:18 pm JennBailey: At least not most of us. You want to listen first. Give a little. Be a friend to get a friend (as I said in LA). #scbwi

3:19 pm cuppajolie: Perhaps it's okay to stand on that chair and shout from the rooftop at the appropriate time(s)? (Just not over and over?) #scbwi

3:20 pm cuppajolie: "Be a friend to get a friend" is a great message, Jenn. #scbwi

3:21 pm JennBailey: Of course. When it's your party and everyone's excited to hear from you, SHOUT your head off. Just make sure people want to listen #scbwi

3:27 pm cuppajolie: Seems not to be liking my last tweet. Perhaps I'll try again with another. #scbwi

3:28 pm cuppajolie: In LA you did a twitter 101 session. Many are still not on twitter. Do you think they should jump on the twitter train? #scbwi

3:30 pm JennBailey: Twitter is one of the most power tools a writer can use for promoting themselves and their work. It's fast, accessible, searchable #scbwi

3:30 pm JennBailey: I call Twitter the great amplifier - but of course you need something to amplify. #scbwi

3:31 pm cuppajolie: Ack! Where is the time going. How 'bout just a one or two more? #scbwi

3:32 pm cuppajolie: What do you say to those that are afraid of twitter (one more social media tool to learn how to function in)? #scbwi

3:32 pm JennBailey: As long as I'm with you the boys will keep cleaning so . . . #scbwi

3:34 pm JennBailey: I'm going to borrow from myself again. Sorry to those who have heard this before. Social Media tools are NOT about technology #scbwi

3:35 pm JennBailey: They are about Anthropology. We want to connect, we've been doing it for eons - carrier pigeon, telegraph, sky writing . . . #scbwi

3:36 pm JennBailey: Twitter and the other tools are just a new way to say "Hi" and get to know people. You learned that when you were 2. There is ... #scbwi

3:36 pm JennBailey: nothing to be frazzled about. Just have fun and remember what your Mom taught you - Play Nice! #scbwi

3:36 pm cuppajolie: I do think that many are afraid of the how-tos of twitter, you know, all the @, RT, #, DM... #scbwi

3:37 pm cuppajolie: Yes. Play nice. Another great message, Jenn. People have certainly gotten themselves into trouble using social media. #scbwi

3:38 pm cuppajolie: If an author could only choose one social networking tool to use, which would you suggest. Where's is a good place to start. #scbwi

3:39 pm JennBailey: It may sound like code but it does make sense. And there are great resources out there from folks like @gregpincus and @inkyelbows #scbwi

3:40 pm JennBailey: That is such a hard question. Writers and Illustrators need a home so I'm all for a website or blog. Even a fan page on facebook #scbwi

3:41 pm JennBailey: But Twitter is like the Barker at the Circus, calling the curious and interested to come over and check things out. You need a ... #scbwi

3:42 pm JennBailey: place to send them too. Guess I'm not answering the question. #scbwi

3:42 pm cuppajolie: Do you think it's important for people to enjoy the tool they are using? ... #scbwi

3:43 pm JennBailey: Oh! Another resource (If I may) @leewind is coming out with a blogging ebook. Great stuff there too. #scbwi

3:43 pm cuppajolie: ...(Maybe this brings us full circle, back to not trying too hard.) #scbwi

3:45 pm JennBailey: Oh! You have to have fun! If you aren't it shines through. Transparency is important. BUT you also have to be where your audience is #scbwi

3:46 pm cuppajolie: And this has been FUN, Jenn. I look forward to having a cuppa something with you in nyc. #scbwi

3:46 pm JennBailey: If most of your fans are on MySpace, get used to MySpace and learn to be, at least, comfortable there. #scbwi

3:47 pm JennBailey: Let's go for a dirty martini, 3 olives. #scbwi

3:48 pm cuppajolie: Thank you so much for your time today. (I hope those boys got loads of clean up done for you.) #scbwi

3:48 pm cuppajolie: I've never had a dirty martini. Will have to try (when we meet up). #scbwi

3:49 pm cuppajolie: I will post transcripts of this chat with @JennBailey on my Cuppa Jolie blog asap. #scbwi

3:50 pm JennBailey: Thank you, Jolie. This was fun and I appreciate the spotlight :) #scbwi

3:51 pm cuppajolie: Earlybird registration is coming up (Jan. 4). If Santa leaves a little $ in your stocking, then you too can see Jenn! #scbwi

3:51 pm cuppajolie: It was my pleasure, Jenn. Looking forward to seeing you in a month (coming right up!). #scbwi

3:53 pm cuppajolie: Check out all the conference details here: http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=5 The line up is amazing! #scbwi

Monday Moment #50: a writing prompt for your work-in-progress

(If you’ve already read this then skip past all the italicized blah-di-blah and start writing.) Monday Moments are writing prompts for your work-in-progress. They are questions that come from my experiences and are my favorite way to find out more about my characters. I find I learn a lot. Some of it I use. Some of it I don’t. But I always, always get to know my character(s) better just by answering the question. I hope you do too. )


GOLDEN!

A GOLDEN MOMENT.

And no, it's not Olympic thing (but a medal would be fun!).

It's 50 Monday Moments!

Not a Monday missed.

And I so appreciate you all coming back Monday after Monday to see what you might get out of it, whether it be getting to know your characters better or having a good giggle (it's okay, I'm fine being laughed at, when appropriate).

You know, when I started this all, I wasn't sure it fly, if people would get anything out of it, or if I'd want to keep it up. But I've been pleasantly surprised. I've always felt that if it seemed even just a few people were getting something out the Moments, I'd keep on keepin' on. You all have blown my expectations out of the water. It's been a real treat to share with you each Monday.

So, fifty is a milestone. And here's to fifty more.

What's an important milestone for you character?

SCBWI TEAM BLOG EXCLUSIVES!

Don't miss out on all the goodies. You can follow all the Team Blog conference (pre, during, and post) coverage HERE.

Jump over to Lee Wind's for an exclusive interview with Laurent Linn. (Honestly, he's one of the nicest and coolest guys in the business! Oh yeah, and he's an Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Reader.)


And set your schedules for a live twitterview I'll be doing with Jennifer Bailey, Graphic Designer and Professional Blogger, on Tuesday, December 21 at 1:00 pm pac time via Twitter (use #scbwi). Should be fun!