Double Vision

I didn’t purchase these through Amazon.

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again? ~ Winnie the Pooh

Have you ever purchased a book that you already own? Before I started reading on a Kindle, there were times when I purchased a book that was already on one of my multiple bookcases. Thankfully, Amazon is kind enough to bring my memory lapse to my attention, so it doesn’t happen nearly as often…when purchasing books for my Kindle.

Unfortunately, I shop for jigsaw puzzles in the store. Although the clerk at the Dollar Tree knows me well, she can’t keep track of the puzzles I’ve purchased. I’ve mistakenly purchased at least ten duplicate puzzles over the years. Fortunately, Derek’s brother-in-law is a big puzzler, so he is the beneficiary of my forgetfulness.

Have you ever mistakenly purchased something that you already own?

The Thrill of it All

Photo courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

When I was a kid, I loved the thrill of a roller coaster. My heart pounded in my chest anticipating the two to three minutes of high-speed adventure. Wet with sweat, my hands gripped the cold handlebar, hanging on for dear life, as it scaled the first hill. As the ride dipped low and took me high, I vowed never to ride another roller coaster again. Of course, I always did.

The days of riding roller coasters are behind me. After a ruptured disc in my back twenty years ago, two days following a ride on a coaster, my thrill seeking days were over…or so I thought.

To say the last four months, since I entered a writing contest sponsored by a publisher, was a roller coast ride, is a colossal understatement. Going from a one-hundred-word book blurb, to a completed manuscript during that period, produced more of a thrill than any amusement park ride I’ve ever climbed aboard.

It’s difficult to put into words the emotional highs and lows I experienced. I contribute this to writing under a deadline verses writing for pleasure. Some days, I loved my story. But more often, it made my stomach turn. I pushed through the bad days, desperately in search for the good.

When I finally hit submit, the night before my deadline, I wandered around the house in a daze. I can’t tell you what I did or said, it’s all a blur. What I do know is, whatever your talent, a writer, photographer, painter, sculptor…anything, take a chance and put your work out there. You never know what thrills lie ahead.

Life with a Writer

I’ll admit, the past couple of months I haven’t been the most pleasant person to be around.

Thankfully, Derek had a tremendous amount of patience, as I worked to meet my deadline.

He came up with a list of five reasons why living with a writer should come with a warning. I thought I’d share his list.

TOP FIVE REASONS WHY LIVING WITH A WRITER SHOULD COME WITH A WARNING:

Image courtesy of wikia.com

1. They can be moody. One minute they love their story, the next they hate it.

2. They ignore you. Hours can pass without speaking.

3. They have more of a relationship with their laptop than with you.

4. If you don’t cook, you don’t eat.

5. Whether you want to or not, you’ll be a beta reader.

Thank you for being so supportive and patient the last three months, Derek…and for keeping me fed. xoxo

Derek’s all-day omelette.