http://everythingingodstime.blogspot.com/2012/10/confessions-of-deranged-writer.html
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The Latest News
Well, just got a call from our city. There are no mandatory evacuations at this point. They warned us to get ready for lots of rain and wind. They also said to expect a high level of water Sunday night to Tuesday morning.
Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire
The Latest News
So far, it's nice and cloudy here. We are in the process of cleaning stuff in garages and putting it on shelves, etc. If we get water swirling around in them, we do not want our cars to be hurt by the debris. However, if the cars get flooded, it won't matter. (Lol.) In about another hour, we will be hurricane ready--provided Sandy comes this way.
They are saying things will get dicey here Sunday night through Monday evening.
The Hampton Roads/Newport News is definitely getting ready for the chance of the hurricane. Sand bags are going out everywhere. People are moving their car, boats, motor homes to higher ground. Which makes me chuckle. Everything around here is 6 feet or less above sea level.
Our home is in an area likely to be flooded. But, that's where faith comes in (and insurance).
Our main prayer is about electricity at this point. We would like to keep it, thank you very much. But, just in case, we went out and got a couple more candles (because I never have enough. Hah!) we plan on doing a TV show and movie marathon as long as we have electricity. We started last night, as a matter of fact. I write as the TV plays in the background and got quite a bit of writing done already. (Yay!)
Now, I am going to get some writing done. Just wanted to give you an update.
Stay safe everyone along the East coast! And, happy NaNoWriMo preparation to my buddies! Enjoy your weekend. I know we will definitely have a memorable one.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
Friday, October 26, 2012
Old Fashioned Writing.
Please note that I am saying this tongue in cheek and am being silly.
I had a moment of enlightenment earlier and that led to me having to... think!
If the power goes out... I will not be able to use cell phone or Amazon Kindle Fire for long. I want to have enough life in them to send updates to my blog.
So, I started to wonder how I would get writing done.
I have not written by anything for well over a year by anything other than via computer, tablet, or cell. I have gone digital. Up until a month ago or so, I printed out what I wrote. But, I am truly paperless now.
So... What about writing? How will I write if the power goes out? (I am being silky here.)
Wait. I write historical fiction. What did they do in the old days for writing? Wait. I think I heard something about that. I will write... by... hand! Gasp.
Earlier, I found two large blank journals my Granny gave me over a year and a half ago. I will use them. I even found six pens. I think I am set. Hence, I will do old fashioned writing if the electricity goes out.
Can't wait. (Seriously. It should prove inspirational and should stir things up for my writing. That will be a good thing.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire
Hurricane + snow
The weather reports are saying we could get hit with both the hurricane and ten to twelve inches of snow. We live in a place that never gets snow like that. The combination sounds like life will prove interesting.
Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire
Hurricane Sandy News
I will use this blog as a place for me to write how my husband and I are fairing in the midst of Hurricane Sandy. So, check here for updates from time to time.
Of course, I will use the time and storm as a mood setter for my writing. I am a thriller historical fiction writer and all. So, if the power goes out, or we cut it off, then that's ambiance--right? It will help me to know more about the days of ol' I am writing about--right? (Do you hear how I am trying to to look at the bright side? Praying. Praying! Lol.)
We just realized we need more cat food, coffee, and Atkins bars... So, we are going to head out soon and brave the lines at a nearby store. (Lord, help it not be too busy.)
Just wanted to let you know this will be the storm center for our family and friends.
So far, there are no mandatory evacuations.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
The Importance of Keeping Permanent Records (Hurricane Sandy Reminds Me)
When it comes to people, we should never keep permanent record of wrong doings. But, we should keep a permanent record of all the things we love about them and the good things they have done and the good that they are. But, that's not the purpose of this blog post right now.
As Hurricane Sandy is approaching, and we have no idea as to whether she will hit our home or not, we are preparing as though she will. I am quickly making lists in my head of what to bring--learning from Hurricane Irene what this means. But, another nice thing about Hurricane Irene, and mandatory evacuation, it taught me to prepare as much the day after so that I would be prepared for another hurricane. I have taken concrete steps to be prepared. Let me tell you the stress that has alleviated in my mind.
I have just downloaded all my 4700 photos from vacation from my cell to my computer and from there to the cloud. I'll get my husband to do the same. And, this reminded me of something and made me aware of something.
While thinking of going through another hurricane is stressful... I am grateful for having been through the first one (Irene). This third generation Colorado native never had to even think of hurricanes living near the Rockies. But, having said all of that, I feel a peace. Why? My affairs are in order. My priorities are straight. I know to prepare for the worst--and pray the best happens. But, most importantly, I have kept permanent records.
Let's be realistic. I can lose all of my possessions. I can always buy and accumulate more. But, the memories are what are priceless and need to be guarded with fierce veracity. This includes photos, journals, writings, calendars, scrapbooks, etc. Hence, to have permanent records of these things are critical.
WHAT DO I MEAN BY PERMANENT RECORD?
I mean having everything saved on the cloud over the internet -where you could lose your computers, cell, tablets, house, etc., but you can access these records from anywhere in the world at any time, provided you have access to an internet capable device and the internet.
What should you keep on permanent record? The answer is simple: EVERYTHING.
Examples: Journals, digital scrapbooks, photos, writings, letters, digital scans of important paperwork, etc.
A LESSON FOR US
You never know when a hurricane or tornado might come your way. Or what about a fire or a natural gas explosion? Or, what about being burglarized?
I know we hate to think like this. I know we would rather live in a world of denial. But, as our house is in flames, or flooded, denial will not change the fact that it is happening or has happened. It's critical to be prepared for the worst today.
So... Think about this. Are you prepared? Do you have everything saved to a computer that you can have saved?
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
NaNoWriMo, Preparation, and Life Goals
NaNoWriMo is in 6 Days
I cannot believe that National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo for short) kicks off in six days. It seems like just yesterday I was counting down for NaNo 2011. My...how time flies.
Preparation Before Today
I am ready for NaNoWriMo. I realize I can always be more prepared. Therefore, I am not stressed about NaNo and writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Then again it might have something to do with the fact that I write 3,000 words per day at the moment. I've spend the last couple of months preparing myself to do this. That way, when NaNo is here, and I only have to write 1,667 words per day, it will seem easy. (But, my goal is still 3,000 words per day--Monday through Friday--minus two days for Thanksgiving--and hopefully none for Hurricane Sandy.)
What NaNoWriMo Teaches About Life Goals (or Dream)
NaNoWriMo teaches a great deal about achieving life goals. Hence, the effects of NaNo in my life are far-reaching.
NaNoWriMo--writing a novel in a month is a goal. Right?
Writing a novel, as a goal, is no easy task--let alone in 30 days! Hence, it is not something that just anyone can do. It takes a passion, steadfastness or determination, courage, faith, and a lot of hard, intentional work.
For every goal, we need a plan. We need to set up things to do or steps to accomplish along the way as we meet our goal. These steps need to be measurable where we know it is a step we have done and is leading toward the fulfillment of stated goal. And, we need to put those steps on our calendars. Every day, week, month, and quarter, we need to look and see how our fulfillment of the steps have come along, and if we might need to add more steps or delete some steps along the way. I also recommend journaling through each step along the journey of goal fulfillment. Then, one day, we will achieve victory--where we have achieved our goal--where our dream is realized.
NaNo has shown me how I CAN make my dreams and goals come true. Period. The only way it does not happen is determined by me. I can tell myself how tough it is, and how I cannot do it, but to what good does this serve? How does this attitude help? How will this make my dream or goal come true?
Rather, I tell myself over and over and over-- I CAN do this!
I make sure to set up enough action steps that I will be able to make this goal and dream come true. It's when I make the action steps too large that it makes it difficult for me to make my goal come true. Let me explain. If I set my goal to write 210,000 words in 30 days, that would be difficult at best. If I were to say I needed to write 10,000 words per day, it would also be difficult. However, I have had many days when I have done precisely that. I realize I need to LIVE as I accomplish my dream and goal. I do not want to only do my goal steps. I still need to eat, clean, shower, spend time with my husband, etc. So, I make sure to set smaller action steps I can accomplish. For instance, if I never have written before, or never done NaNo before, I would keep the 1,667 word count goal and do no more.
Also, when achieving goals, and taking action steps, I understand some steps will take longer than I anticipated. There will be off days. Some days, I might only be able to write 500 words. But, the next day, I might be able to write 3000 rather than a 1667 day. I cut myself grace and not stress.
When going after a goal and dream:
~ It is critical I work hard.
~ It is important for me to stay focused and keep my mind focused on the task at hand.
~ I must have courage.
~ I need to keep balance and not neglect everything else that is a priority in my life (God, Bible study, Husband, House, Critters, Family, Friends, Eating Right, Sleep, Exercise Etc.)
~ I must keep trying.
~ I need to cut myself grace when things do not go as well as I hoped.
~ I must never, ever give up.
ANYONE CAN DO NANOWRIMO
It just takes a commitment and lots of trying. It really is that simple.
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Hurricane?!?
It's rather nice to live in your own little world of bliss and oblivion... However, something always has to interrupt that, doesn't it? Well...
Today, I've been in my own little world of happy-go-lucky writing. I've been quite productive and am thrilled with my progress. HOWEVER... I just got an email that let me know how Tropical Storm/Hurricane Sandy has the potential of hitting here. (Yikes! Yelp!!!) WHAT?!?
This Colorado native had no idea there was the possibility since I started noticing Sandy yesterday.
Last year, we (my husband, beagle, orange Maine Coon, and two RES turtles) went through Hurricane Irene... A month after we moved here to Virginia... A week after the earthquake that also hit D.C. and damaged the Washington Monument and National Cathedral... A month before that, I saw my first funnel cloud--practically in my backyard in Nebraska.
Therefore, this news about Sandy kinda swept me off my feet. I quickly went through the house, like a storm in my own right, and am mostly hurricane ready. No joke. It took about 15 minutes was all. We learned from Irene how to be ready for the worst. In Irene, we had mandatory evacuation and everything. Thankfully, our garages were flooded, but no more.
Over the last year, I have done everything I can to ensure I can up and leave in a moment's notice--if ever needed. My writing is all electronic now and is over the internet This includes most of my books, so I do not have to worry about bringing the most important books with me. This means less crap I have to bring in my vehicle. That's good news.
If she heads this way, we will most likely have to evacuate. We live in a place that is only 6 feet above sea level and the Chesapeake is only about a mile as the crow flies from our house. So, do the math... This means it's likely we would have to evacuate. Sigh.
But, I am ready.
There was another valuable lesson we learned last year with Irene: Treat the time evacuating as a vacation. We would need it if our house had damage and if we lost anything. So, that's what we will do this time--if the worst happens.
Now, I am going to try to get back to writing and see how much I can get done.
Life is sure interesting sometimes.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
7 days til NaNoWriMo
Yesterday was my first day back from vacation and it was a day plagued with everything that could go wrong, did moments. Never mind feeling a heaviness for those in my life who are hurting. But, I persevered and even made it through my hundreds of emails waiting for my attention. The day ended well enough. Whew.
Today has been quite productive and I am even meeting my husband for lunch. I am glad I can take the time since I got a great deal of writing done already. I sit at the diner and peck this out as I wait.
I am glad to be ahead today so I can turn again to NaNoWriMo preparation. I glanced at the calendar and was shocked when I saw NaNo starts in one week. 7 days. Yikes!
The very thought makes me feel nervous and excited at once.
The truth of the matter is I LOVE NANOWRIMO. It is almost an addiction.
Writing 50,000 words in a month is quite the challenge. And I love pushing myself to see what I am able to accomplish.
7 days!
-- Stacy Duplease
Writer
Sent from my cell.
Writer
Sent from my cell.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Journaling and Writing Resource: A 5-Year Journal
I want to share this with you--whether you want to journal or are a writer.
The following link is a place to go to find all sorts of journaling and/or writing prompts:
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
Hello
Greetings.
I am back from vacation and am trying to get back into the swing of things today.
I will stop using my blog today as a social media device--like Google+ or Twitter--now that I am back. I wanted to at least keep you updated with the things that caught my eye while I was away. If you liked those links that I sent, check out my Google+ account at: https://plus.google.com/u/0/107983364812413159425
I am preparing for NaNoWriMo now and will write more on this, and on my vacation, later. Let me get caught up and I will write more in a bit.
By the way. I changed my book title and how I am writing the book. It will be more exciting and more of a thriller. It's now called:
The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series Book #1.
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)
Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
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