Notes from Outer Mongolia...

No, just kidding. I haven't escaped to a far away continent. It sure does feel like it though.

Things are on hold for me right now, in lots of areas of my life. That's an uneasy place to be -- limbo.

I remember reading a YA when I was in high school about a kid who went to the land of lost things -- Limbo Land. He had been forgotten, along with things like random socks, game pieces, lunch pails.

This limbo is a waiting limbo -- not a lost one. But soon I'll start to move again. And the words will come. One by one and then faster. That's the beautiful thing about writing... the words pull each other out and along and soon you're on your way.

Be well.

My Dad the Poet

I didn't get to spend Father's Day with my dad, but I did speak to him on the phone. It's amazing that the sound of his voice and his kind words can feel like a hug. God bless Alexander Graham Bell (and whoever invented cell phones).

The big news from the Midwest, where my dad has put down roots, is that one of his Haikus has been accepted into the National Haiku Society's Annual Anthology. It's a lovely poem about the lavender growing in his garden. (And, my fave of the ones he showed to me prior to submitting.) I can't wait to get a copy of the book.

Yep, I'm proud of my dad. He's such an inspiration to me. He's taught me all I know about how to love someone. He taught me to read and to love words. What else is there?

Go hug your dad. :)

Out with the Old

I've spent the weekend sorting through the past. It's an ugly job, trust me.

But throwing out non-essentials from my life is freeing in a way. Those Writers' Digest magazines from ten years ago? Um... probably not going to be reading those anytime soon.

It's good to get rid of stuff from the closet, too. Stuff that is too hideous to be seen wearing in public -- trash it! Things you bought intending to wear, but then never got to -- be merciless!The cute Ann Taylor silk see-through polka-dotted wrap blouse um... the jury's still out on that one. I keep rescuing it from the Goodwill bag.

I purged paperbacks a few weeks ago. That was hard. I really have no space for all of them, so it was a matter of -- is this a keeper. Ouch. It ended up being a heavy load of books. Some on them good, but needing new homes. The ones that stayed were ones I loved, knew I would read again, or couldn't bear to part with. Double Ouch.

Next stop is the cooking equipment area of our cupboards. That will be a test of wills. I am a cooking equipment junkie/hoarder. But really, how many tart pans does one woman need? I will be ruthless, I will be practical, I will... I really love making tarts.

See, this cleaning/de-cluttering stuff isn't easy for me. It's hard to admit you're not going to use something. You may never light that vintage fondue pot again. The awful truth is the awful truth.

But I'm learning that letting go of the past opens yourself up to future possibilities, to a chance to reimagine what could be your life.

Maybe a shiny *new* tart pan is in my future? Who knows.

Bless your Golden Heart

The official comment period for RWA's Rita and Golden Heart Awards has begun. They're looking into changing the contest.

Personally, I like the GH.

Okay, I'm a three-time finalist. I'm biased, I know. But I entered for two years before I first finaled -- and have the threes and fives to prove it. I wasn't ready. My work wasn't ready. Those consistent hard scores let me see that.

But then came the year I got a nine and a two in the mix. People always tell you that's the sign of a "strong voice" in your writing. You simply aren't going to make everyone love your work, but some will hate it. Is one judge's nine another judge's two, though? Is there really a way to standardize scores in such a subjective industry contest?

I'm not sure.

What I do know is that to final, there has to be a certain magic that five judges all can see. It's hard to final. Heck, it's hard to get any five people to agree on anything in life. So, I treat my finals as a minor miracle. They certainly have improved my confidence that I am going to make it writing.

And, a little cherry on the cake of last week -- the mysterious final judge/editor requested one of my fulls (along with two other finalists' work). I'm thinking it must be pretty competitive in YA this year. And hooray for that! Makes me want to work even harder. :)