The Bragging Room--Accomplished Wombats CCXCIV

I'm happy I've been able to survive on my own and have made it back to where I am.  As long as I don't slip backwards (or down); I'm happy now.

Rob, that's a wonderful accomplishment. Adversity tends to either make us a whimpy puddle or strong. I'm glad it's made you strong and proud!

I'm too tired to brag. I spent most of the night setting up blogs for Second Wind Publishing, and now I need to write an article for my blog. I was researching erotica, and came across a great title of a book: The Bald Headed Hermit and the Artichoke. It's a thesaurus of erotic terms.

Oh my word. How funny Pat. But you have much to brag on too, so I expect you back here with a few things, ma'am!

I'll have to think on this Sia. I just came in from pulling weeds, and much to my delight, between mother nature and my control efforts this spring there are much few weeds than I expected. The native long grass doesn't count.

I'll be back when I find my bragging hat.

I'm proud of my book finally seeing the light of day (Hartz String Theory) and Adina's book weaving it's way to public release on October 6 and other news I can't quite talk about yet. I just finished an interview (someone interviewing me this time) and my company's blog posting will be out in a couple of weeks. Interesting times.

You guys should stop by and extend your congratulations to Adina who has the proof copy of her book in hand. That's a milestone!

Ghost Words...

I did, Ken. Hardback even. Impressive.

Guys and Lady Guys: Should I number this or leave as it is until someone else takes the thread?

Number up!

There are so many things to brag about ! I don’t even know where to start ….The most important thing is that I finally found myself . After so many years of drifting aimlessly I seem to have come to a point where I can change chaos into happiness and self contentment . Not too bad for someone constantly torn by doubt and melancholia .

I walked down the aisle for the third time ( and if there is mercy in the Universe should be the last time) , I had my first book published and made a friend for life in the process …Who can ask for anything more ?

I am thrilled to finally had had enough~said enough~and walked away with NOTHING~to restart everything two months ago~out of a nightmare of a f*** of a relationship~I sleep easier~I breathe easier~and I have reclaimed me~ME~and left all the delusional expectations He had of Me behind with the toad under the bridge~hopefully the next princess that stumbles by his lily pad will be wiser than I was~

WTG!

You'll make sure of it Selene! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better about it and have walked away stronger and wiser. But then, you are a strong woman. *marking a point in the plus column.

How's that gorgeous grandson doing? I haven't seen a picture since he was born. Hugs, my friend!

Hooray for you. I like your poetic description of the situation too.

then you would love the story I wrote about it called ThePrincessWhoHadBrassBa**s   ;)

Definitely. The title alone would garner a looksy.

Finished writing my blog article -- Sex With Sister Tips -- Writing Tips That Is

Took pics of the garden today. More than roses this time.

By all means number this Sia. We'll have to give you a six month pass or something for being such a gracious hostess.

Off to read links.

Try this link instead, you'll get see all of them.

Adina, what you say reminds me of a quote I like:

"You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star."

Nietzsche

Hey, that's a good one, Sia. Well said.

Thanks Ken. It's a favorite of mine and fit....

Sia, thanks for picking up a new thread. And yes, please number it. Bragging? Um, uh, nope, not good at that. And I can't think of a thing. Does having a clean 'fridge count? John, while cleaning, I had all sorts of hilarious stories running through my head, and may yet write one down, but for now, I'm just too tired. I'm off to reward myself with a big pan of home-baked mac and cheese with Spam, unless I fall asleep in the middle of making it!

So many nice accomplishements here!

Rob, I've ben following your stories (but rarely comment), and am uplifted and amazed and humbled by all you've overcome, all you've accomplished, and the grace, wit, and humor you've displayed through it all.

Ken and Adina, you both have much to be proud of with Adina's book, and Adina, you've certainly had a tumulutous and exciting year! May it just keep getting better and better for you!

Purr, knowing when to walk away is the hardest part of it. I've been there, and believe me, the best is yet to come. Stop by here anytime--this is a wonderfully supportive group with lots of life experience. Good luck, and glad you left the troll behind!

Pat B, interesting article on a tricky topic!

And Wendy, I flat out loved the photo of the water lily. Toooo gorgeous!

Wendy enjoyed your flowers. And, I'm thinking I had a bit of a break from doing threads so I just look at this as taking a missed turn. Maybe by the time this one is finished, Dale will have gotten home and rested enough to do one on his workshop.

Off to eat dinner.

I can't think of a single notable thing I've done this year.  I'll just revel in the success of the rest of you and wish great things for those overcoming tough times.

Emails from old class mates can be depressing. I just got the quarterly update from my high school class. In it, it mentioned a classmate who is now Secretary of State for Ohio, who is now launching her run for US Senate. I had no idea Jenny Junk and Jennifer Brunner were the same people. A former judge, secretary of state, and now US senator. Sigh.

Did I mention I cleaned out the fridge today? And made dinner? This is why I never attend reunions.

If it makes you feel a little better Pat (it might not but I;ll share it anyway) I am equally exited I remembered to defrost a the roast I was planning to cook for dinner today and holding the first copy of my book :)

Goes to show you , it's all in the perspective ...

I can brag that I have to go to work tomorrow for two hours.  wait....  That's nothing to brag about, is it?

Sia, timely topic.  Our wombats are making strides, some very public like Judi's, some much more private, but I see most of us trying very hard to be true to our artistic goals.  I'm among the group that's proud of a son who has graduated and helping him to take the next steps in getting set up at his school.  I'm happy with the progress I've made on my writing projects and in re-booting my blog to cover a mix of both writing and other topics I like, such as travel.   

Pat S., you've made a trip that you've always promised yourself and have broken loose from a job that wasn't working for you.  You also won our last contest, as I recall. 

Judi, we've all been enjoying the journey, watching your progress from "the call" to publication, and now, lots of sales. 

And Sia, you have done an amazing job in getting your blog established.  We keep hearing about the "author's platform" and you've definitely laid down the foundation and started building the house. 

I think we all have our strong points and clearly learn from each other.  This continues to be a remarkable group, you amazing wombats.  

James, you are so uplifting. But the trip was hubs's idea and leaving the job was not exactly in my plans! I am grateful for the trip, and still deciding about the job. You've done a great job with your kids and the launch of one of them to college is wonderful! So is the progress on your book. On the other hand, I've done dang little writing since last Novemeber, though I thank you for reminding me of the Valentine's contest win.

Adina, remembering the roast is good, but having one of your works in book form, in your own hands, is beyond fantastic! That's something to really shout about!

And Jamie, you are also raising a fine young man, who still likes hanging out with his mom. That's a huge accomplishment for his age!

Tonight is No Whine, Just Champagne. Please stop by and talk about . . . whatever facet of writing you'd like to talk about.

NWJC -- Open For Discussion

My tummy's sick.  Been feeling a bit off for a few days now.  Real uck today, though.  Sick enough to buy Pepto Bismol.

Um... no, that's not my brag.  But might be my bookmark :-)  Going to try to go to bed early.

BTW, thanks Viv for your Windsong comment on the last thread.  Maybe your positive feelings will motivate me to finish it.

Interesting Writing Contest - Is this the next big thing for short attention span readers?

Sorry you're sick, Jill.  You haven't eaten any raw Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough have you?  Feel better.

Love the article, Sia!

As for bragging - well, you all heard it on the last thread, but for posterity I'll mention that I found out In Over Her Head is going into a second printing, one and a half months after it hit the shelves. I'll be signing ARCs of Wild Blue Under at my publisher signing at National b/c there aren't enough IOHH to sign!

And, Pat S, don't you DARE say you've got nothing to brag about, Ms. I'm Not A Writer. Yeah. How many contests have you won? And who got a a full request from her FIRST pitch?

Jamie, I seem to remember a certain $25K contest your writing won you. That's brag-worthy, even if it's not worth 25K anymore.

Yay, Wombats!

Off to follow links.

Oh, and, Ken. From the last thread. Thank you.

Wendy, I'm so jealous of your garden. Will you fly east and do one up for me? Purty please?

That was last year, Judi.  But good try.  :-)

Oh, and thank you to John, too. Didya catch the retired cop in IOHH? Do any of his names look familiar?

Oh, are we only bragging on this year? Well, next Friday is one year since I sold, so I guess I can add selling my first book to the mix.

I can hardly believe it hasn't been a year yet. I've written 3 books and done a proposal for 3 more... crazy times.

You're right, Judi, I did get that request for a full in February. Guess the memory got wiped out by the rejection in March! On the other hand, please keep all available apendages crossed for me. The Molly contest finalists are supposed to be announced tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath (considering the way this year has gone so far), but still, a bit of hope is nice.

Jill, so sorry to hear you're ill and hope you're doing better soon. Perhaps you should schedule a long weekend and get some rest.

Jamie, how many students passed your classes this year? And how many times did you work overtime to help them out? I'm guessing that helping to put good, smart people into the healthcare system is a huge accomplishment!

Not a chocolate chip in sight, Jamie.  I'm thinking it might be because I've started eating fruit for breakfast as part of my "lose 12 pounds for the cruise" plan.  Too much acid maybe.  See what good-for-you food and exercise does?   Back to Poptarts and couch potato activities for me.  I'll just buy a mumu :-)   

Um... no, still not my brag.

Hi Jill. Keep up the good food; it'll work for you.  Hope the tummy feels better soon. 

I'm thinking more about Jamie's prolific muse--especially her band guys. You are one of the most imaginative people I know of and it seems like everything you write is good. Seems you're able to write regardless of what's happening in your life and to me that something I wish I had.

Accomplishments to be proud of don't have to be big. We all set certain goals and when we reach them, isn't that something to proud of. Granted the majority of us would like to be published would love to come to our thread and say, omg I got the call. That's including me. That is a long term goal that I'm working towards, but I've had short term goals met too that have little or nothing to do with writing and everything to do with living. Surgery and being able to walk again.

Dropping some weight put on while not being able to walk. Getting from point A to B when I couldn't even see B...but still I moved in that direction. We've all had those moments and I think we all need to realize what we have accomplished both personally and professionally. Even if we remind ourselves of it privately.

I think I'm going to put a floor in my attic.  What say we to this stupid idea?  We could use the space, but it does sound like a lot of work.  Eventually I want to finish the attic - put a bathroom and bedroom up there, but for now, a floor will suffice.  I need to stop adding to my to do list.

Maybe try nutrigrain bars instead of poptarts, Jill.  Whole grains and still nummins.  And bananas are a fruit option with low acid.  Says she who ate four supreme tacos for dinner.

My accomplishment is being here.

As Brenda mentioned, it has been an intense week. And I just heard a rumor that its only Thursday. But....I am having a lot of fun. Orientation, training, meetings, forms, (its the gummint, remember), about 100 emails per day. Yup, its... WORK. A whole new thing for me.

And yes, I come home, tell everything to Brenda and she just laughs and laughs. I cant figure out why. Oh well.....

Sia, making progress with our writing and still striking the right balance with the rest of our lives is a challenge, so we do need to appreciate the small triumphs.  You never know which step will lead to bigger possibilities. 

Jamie, keep up the great work with the WIPs, but we, your readers, would like to get hands on finished versions as well.  But like Sia, I'm in awe of how much you are able to do in your writing while keeping up with the day job and taking care of your son.  

Simon, thanks for checking in.  You've made a big career step this year and have gotten together with the amazing Brenda.  And that trip to Italy?   Pshaw. 

I've got one more day of work before vacation, so I need to rest up.  Good evening, wombats.   

night all!

After examining said attic, I've decided AGAINST putting a floor in the attic.  Yikes!

Started a new Job, (Pharmacy) Managed care facility, with better pay. Actually this is the third pharmacy,  since I've recieved my Pharm Techh liscense, I've worked for this year. . I'll think of something else, Sia, although I don't have anything right now worth bragging . .

Kudos Paul on passing the Pharmacy Tech courses and becoming a licensed Tech. Not an easy thing and yay on moving to a better paying job. :-)

Sy, Glad to see you check in. Maybe because you really joined the workforce now? With real work? lmao! I'm glad you're happy with it all Sy.

-John Philipp

If you get the chance stop by and leave a comment. I will be spending most of the day  at the doctor, so won't be around much.

And now, I need to go to bed since I have to get up by 6 am tomorrow.

G'night all.

Judi, air fare and check book for the nursery and I'm all yours. Cost? depends on how patient you are. smile What was your first print? 5000? Girl you're going to make back your advance!

Jamie, a floor in the attic would be a late fall project and contractors would be involved. Just sayin.  On the contest. The Best Celler? Are they kidding?  It leaves me with visions of a dark dank cellar, hardly the place I want a ms. Just 12 installments of 500 words. Tell your friends? Sounds way too familiar.

Pat, one of my classmates works for NASA. He asked me out once. No, I didn't go. Nice guy though.  Reunions are nice, much nicer than anyone could have convinced me before the 20th. The 10th was reportedly a bragging session. The 20th we were just thrilled to see each other.  You've got much to be proud of. Just say the word. Judi, Sia, Jamie and I will lay it out there for you. And James, John, Brenda, Sy..........I think you get the picture.

My year, 2009, has been fairly uneventful. I managed to survive the heaviest snow fall ever recorded in Spokane for a second year. And I didn't kill anyone. Does this count? I've been so busy cheering all of you on, I'd rather forgotten about myself. hmm.

I'm too much on bragging but I will say that I'm at exactly 90 pounds lost in the six months since my surgery. While I don't feel like it's something I did... it's wonderful to be so much healthier, so much more active and.... so much smaller! I have more to lose but I'm so thrilled with this.

I haven't written nearly as much as I would have liked. I'm not balancing these changes well with other creative endeavors. I keep at it though and I count any words written as a huge victory! 

My home and my yard are improving and I love that. My new marriage to Bill is fabulous and my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are all well and flourishing.

Ok, enough bragging. Can you tell I'm a happy woman? Ah, yes I am.

Woo hoo Wanda. Things that make you feel great about yourself though and yes, I can tell you're happy. :-)

I'm supposed to be going to the doctor. sigh...My sister is supposed to be the driver since they may be doing some additonal things to my knee. She's not answering her cell phone right now so I'm not sure where she is. Dan has to do a training seminar so he out of the driving business today. I can drive myself except my knee area still tends to cramp up. That's not entirely accurate, it's more like if I sit too long with that sort of seat it throws something out so I can't walk without pain or the knee trying to go out. Especially having to be on the road for 2 1/2 hours. Oy. Add to this, my sister doesn't like thunderstorms or bad weather and we will be driving through some further north to get to my doctor. If she isn't here in about 10 minutes, I'm going to have to reschedule...

Anyone heard from Rachael? Just wondering how she's doing. I guess I'll have to drop her a line.

Updates from Lisa?

I know Judi and Beth are probably zooming around trying to get ready for RWA.

Good morning.   I hope your sister showed up, Sia.  Good luck at the doctor's.

Wanda-  Woooooooooowww!  That is so impressive.  Congrats!  You've got plenty to brag about.

Need to finish my cuppa tea and take my walk before it gets too hot again.  Mid-nineties again today.  Bleh, just bleh!

Good morning all! So many grand accomplishments! Wanda, you are doing fantastic, and Sia, you are as well (I envy anyone losing weight--being at home all day is not good for me!) And Jamie, look at you walking and jogging for three miles!

And poor Sy. Is now when we laugh at all the times he was galivanting while we slaved? How the tables do turn.

I have a picture from Lisa, and if you give me a second I'll try to post it.

In another example of Wombats turned loose on the world, OtherLisa's wombat is in China (Lisa had a great time with the beer!)

Wombat in China

No jogging today.  It's too hot and humid.  I was drenched in sweat after a mile.  I am going to try a HIIT (high-intensity interval training) program on my treadmill tonight.  It will probably kill me.  2 minutes sedate walk, 1 minute sprinting, 2 minutes sedate walk, 1 mile sprinting, etc for 30 minutes.  It's supposed to build fast-twitch muscle fibers which burn more calories than slow-twitch muscle fibers.  The science behind it is sound, my out of shape body? ....not so sound

I suppose I should get in the shower and get ready for work.  And then a shopping trip for some healthy food selections.  Wanda and Jill have motivated me to try harder to lose weight, dang it.  I've decided if I reach my long term goal, I'm getting Lasik surgery.  I've been wanting it for a long time and it will be great motivation.  I think.  Ask me tomorrow when I'm craving potato chips and chocolate.

Wanda you have so worked to lose the weight. Bravo! Bravo!

Pat, is Lisa posting to her blog?

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The boy cats are trouncing around in the tall grass chasing bugs and each other. Fun.

Off with me

Go for it Jamie! I haven't figured out my motivation yet. And you'll love Lasik. I was an early adopter of it, having had it 10 years ago.

Wendy, I don't know if she's posted on her blog. I'll have to go looking.

In my surfing this morning, the Kristen Nelson blog sent me to this article which is good reading for those interested in publishing in scientific journals, or those who read scientific journals. Also for anyone interested in the discussion of e-pubbing, which seems to be on my radar a lot these days.

Is Publishing Just About to be Disrupted?

Wendy, I checked, and she managed to post a quick greeting on her blog. Because of the conflict and crackdown going on in China right now, they've tightened the net-nanny and it's making it very difficult for her to communicate with the rest of the world. Scary stuff, but at least she's not in the center of it, though I read that some of the restrictions are hitting Beijing as well (on her last trip, she was only a few blocks from where the rioting is going on now, and the Uigher people are a subplot in her novel).

Here's the link to her blog:

Paper Tiger

And notes from one of my groups are indicating emails went out to Molly contest finalists last night. Since my inbox is empty, I guess that means I'm out. Sigh. Since today is Friday and my inbox is empty, I've declared it my day off. I'm going to go soak in the pool and curl up with a book and blow off the day. Later my dears.

Here's an interesting web site for books already published .It's a pretty cool site and they let authors post their book for free. It's a nice setup too

Already Published

Well, phooie, Pat.  The ass-hats don't know what they're missing.  Enjoy your day off.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  I got a good night's sleep last night and am very pumped about heading off to New Hampshire tomorrow.  So far, the weather is looking cooperative.  Good to see the Queen wombat's mascot cuddling up to a Tsingtao beer.   Have a great day everybody. 

Pat, you are fabulous. You make us laugh and smile. About reunions, each life path is different and those who are happy with their achievements, wonderful. But there are many "successful" lives that I would not want to live. Politician is right at the top of that list btw. Life's journey sometimes takes a turn we didn't expect, but find out later that it was a blessing. Enjoy the view from the pool, have a nice bourbon, and smile.

Wanda, that's a great accomplishment, because I know you feel some much better. And the kids, and gkids- bonus!!!

Judi, we are all thrilled for you. I personally love watching the journey unfold and sharing the excitment, even if it is vicariously.

Jamie, you're writing a lab manual and your 45th novel, or something like that. What happened in the attic to deter you? Scurrying creatures or just the mountain of stuff?

Adina, the pleasure in being at peace is a true gift. Congratulations on publishing your book. Quite the yearly accomplishment.

Ken, I still need to order it. Congratulations.

The wombats are a busy bunch, each at their own pace.

Wendy is the immortal words of Bea Arthur in Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part I,

"Did you kill anyone?"

"Did you try to kill anyone?"

As far a accomphlishments go for me, I am in the middle of several long term feats and thus I have nothing to pin to this year in particular. I need more short term goals! I do enjoy the comfort and pleasure that my evolving garden has brought. When we bought the house there was one giant pine tree and one cypress tree, that's it. Now it is a refuge not only for me and my family, but a slew of wildlife. And for that I am happy. I'm the kind of person who gets excited to see worms and beetles meandering along, the soil is finally turning around into a liveable ecosystem again.

Pat, good article link on scientific publishing.  The one obvious omission I saw was Neilsen's failure to mention Clay Christenson's seminal book on disruption, "The Innovator's Dilemma," which does a wonderful job of explaining why good companies systematically stamp out innovation that could save them.  My own telecom industry has seen these same scenarios play out as companies like Skype run rings around the traditional wireline carriers and Google is waiting in the wings with Google Voice.  I think that Amazon's foray's into self-publishing and selling the Kindle (and it's content) are examples of how this is happening in publishing. 

In a related vein to Neilsen's article, I just read an article in Technology Review about a new search technology from Wolfram Research, called Wolfram Alpha, which takes search to new levels in terms of combining search with synthesis of information.    You can check it out here.  This could be another example of a technology which will undermine traditional scientific publishers. 

Vivian, on the matter of long term feats, I'm right there with you.  All of us who are trying to get that first novel published are in the throes of a long process.  And in your cases, you're working through that degree in Art History.  

Even more reason to celebrate the small victories or achievement of mileposts along the path toward longer term goals. 

Vivian, you are a dear and so very uplifting. Just what I needed today. However, if you really want to smile, stop by Sia's blog, where our lovely John is sharing more great humor writing tips (and fending off an immediately recognizable troll!)

Just popped in for an iced coffee. Out again.

Good luck on your fitness program, Jamie. My scale has been stuck for months, but I no longer get winded on my daily walk, so I must be doing something right.

On topic, I got nothin'--except that I can brag about knowing a bunch of extraordinary writers, collectively known as the Incredible Writin' Wombats.

I just got back, after being side tracked by all of the links today. Very good reading.

Jill thank you for the wonderful Amazon review. Much appreciated.

off with me

I'm back and alive, alive I say. There was me, the doc, a nurse practioner, and a long needle oh, and there was cussing...

I need to catch up on what been said and done and the links and I need coffee.

Yes, I've seen said troll, but he has only left one fairly mild comment. Now I need to go check and see if he's running rampant and if my finger needs to do the same...

I'll catch up with the links soon.  I might forgo the coffee and take a nap and then have coffee...

Back from an hour of instructor/passenger to DD's driving. A little nerve wracking, but then again, I am with everyone. Right hand turns need work. She did negotiate several congested roads as Friday rush hour was beginning, thus the time limit of one hour. I may survive. I plan on having a glass or two of wine this evening.

James, good point. I do at least appreciate each day even if I don't think I'm accomplishing amazing things.

Exhausted, too much sunshine. It's making me sleepy or Sia's yawns.

I have lily envy now. Thanks Wendy.

Oh Ken I love you!  Oh my freakin' spleen,that comment on the blog was so apapro on so many levels...

Wah hoo!  I just got pimped on a radio show! How cool is that? It appears this when my friend who owns a couple of bookshops talked the interviewer about my blog--which she talk about my blog, imagine that, the interviewer who interviews authors and celebrities mentioned she would like to talk to me when I'm in Ohio. Can we say shock? a ba ba ba... I love some of my friends they do some of the coolest things for me. Oh my glory...

Hi all.  I just got back from the Campbell Awards banquet.  Very different seeing people in person rather than as disembodied entities.  We went out to dinner last night and one of the two people who shared the Campbell Award this year was at my table.  Very smart guy.  One of the take-home lessons of the workshop so far is that there are a LOT of very smart authors out there who are being published and recognized, at least in the science fiction world.

The other main take home lesson is that I still have a ways to go as an author to be writing at the level of the top science fiction writers.  And that's really the level I need to strive for.  In this market, what would have been good enough five or ten years ago isn't anymore.  So I either ramp up my game or hope to get lucky.  My goal coming out of this is to ramp up my writing skills so I am competitive, not just with other people at my level trying to break into the game, but with the best people out there.  If I can get to that level and still can't break in then I'll have to rethink things.

On the topic: Well, as of yesterday I managed 21 years of marriage without my wife killing or divorcing me.  As of six days from now (knock on wood) my wife and I will have raised a pretty wonderful daughter to legal adulthood.  I'm proud of both of those things.

The Campbell Awards banquet is here at the University of Kansas.  It's not part of the workshop, but it's right afterwards.  I decided to stay through tonight and attend.

Tomorrow I start back to real life.  Catch a train at 5:49 am.  The trip is a little less than 9 hours if all goes well.

I've filled up my IPod with downloaded TV shows and one movie, so that ought to kill about 5 hours.  Then I downloaded a bunch of free IPod-formatted comics, which should take care of the another hour.  Then I have Donald Maas's book "The Fire in Fiction" to hopefully get me through the rest of the trip.  There may be some sleep time in there too, I hope.  Not looking forward to the trip.

Sia: I'm impressed with what you've done with the blog.  Very good job.

You're welcome, Wendy.  It takes me a while, but I do eventually review all the Wombatty books I read.  I keep them stacked up beside my PC until I post on Amazon.  Only then are the books allowed to go live on the livingroom bookshelf again. :-)  Stack's looking awfully small about now with only IOHH remaining.  Get to writing/publishing, Bats!  IOHH is lonely.

Way cool, Sia.  Congrats!

Viv, if I could talk my teen into getting his permit, I might get to experience that instructor/passenger thing for myself.  He's afraid I'll make him drive up mountain passes on our road trip, so will probably wait until we get back from Colorado.  :-P

Dale, it's great that you're up for that challenge.  I'll just stand back and watch.  Have a nice trip back.

I tried writing tonight.  Half a sentence.  Yeah.  I said half a sentence.  Pathetic.  Tomorrow is another day.  But it might be cool enough to paint.  I watched Night of the Museum.  First time seeing it.  I rather enjoyed it.

Dale what a wonderful workshop. What we think we are--and it can be good--and whats needed to break into the genre of our choice can be two different things. Workshops help to raise a writer's awareness of what is needed. How to tighten, how to tell a better story or how to present a good story even better. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say regarding some of the gems you've gathered.

Happy Anniversary Dale and Wife! Wonderful accomplishment in a world where long term seem to fizzle way to soon. Kudo's on your daughter too. I hope to be saying the same in a few years. :-)

Thank you for the compliment. It means something coming from you and other professional wombats.

Congrats for all the wonderful accomplishment, 'bats.  Each monster beaten back, each new challenge tackled, each milestone reached is a marvelous accomplishment.  Well done.

I'm in DC, ready for next week's conference.  I'm sitting in my brother's great room, watching this type out on his large-screen TV.  Very cool.

Went to Arlington National Cemetery today.  Beautiful and inspiring.  For all who have served and for those who have given a family member in service--my thanks.

It's an awesome place, isn't it Beth?  I also choke up every time I see the Vietnam Wall. The war memorials are really cool but that one...I lost friends and family, so it's special in a way the others aren't.

"each new challenge tackled, each milestone reached is a marvelous accomplishment."

And that was more the point of this thread than actually bragging. Acknowledging accomplishments and milestones, however large or small. We need to remind ourselves of those things rather than dwell on negatives. :-)

Good Evening. I came home from chiropractic to DD, her significant other and PP. Whee! All plans for the afternoon had to be laid aside. I wish she would call first. The further along she gets in the pregnancy the more I expect to see of her. Patience will be needed.

On the Mel Brooke's comment - No I haven't and Yes I have. giggle

Vivian you can grow lilies there that would cause me end your drought with drool. Oh how I miss S. Bay weather. sniff Day Lilies and Iris are very drought tolerant. You can stop watering them completely after they bloom. Amazing plants.

We must be a very magnetic group to attract trolls no matter what we do. I guess we should stop being so darned interesting.

Happy anniversary Dale and Mrs. Koala. Your workshop sounds fascinating. Hope you'll post on it.

I'm wiped out from all of the energy in the house. It's quiet now. Blissful, peace and quiet.

Dale those are some fine accomplishments. Give your wife our best, and hope the journet home is speedy. Like Sia, we await your detailed account of the workshop experience.

Beth, Arlington takes my breath away. Just to see all those rows, upon  rows of headstones perfectly aligned gives me goosebumps, thrills, and saddens me all at the same time. I haven't visited since I was barely a teen, but the memory and smell of the green, green grass is as clear as this morning's coffee.

Snork on the HotWPI comment Wedny. I know I need lilies, I've needed them for years, but somehow haven't ordered them. I guess I should pull out the catalog before I conveniently forget, again.

Jamie, the experience is highly over-rated. The only thing driving me is the future possibility of an inhouse errand runner. Plus she is a social butterfly, so I would have less running back and forth collecting her. Case in point, party tonight! Five friends wandered in, the males patiently waiting as my daughter and her girlfriend proceeded to try on several dresses. Apparently one of the young men, having been well trained by a sister and mother, was unperturbed and just playing a game on his cell phone while the other two stared at the ceiling wondering how this had happened to them. Yep! Gotta love teen girls.

I found two large zucchinis hidden under some leaves, so light stir fry with onions, mushrooms, pine nuts, and chicken with some farfalle for dinner. Nice glass of chardonnay. Very pleasant. Tricksy vegetables, must check under leaves to find sneaky eats. The first tomatoes were delicious! Seriously, no comparision between store bought and plucking it off the vine. YUM. I could live off of tomatoes, I had a tomato sandwich for lunch.

Jill needs to finish Windsong. She's almost done with rich characters, plot twists, and real romance. Go Jill, GO!

Sia, your blog is awesome. I love checking in to see what great guests you have. You really should pat yourself on the back, it's a wonderful accomplishment.

Awww, Viv. Thank you. Such over used words, but from the heart.

And Wendy is correct about lillies and Iris in California. Mine thrived as did my roses. here requires a bit more time and effort, but I'm getting there.

Well that sure paints a quite a picture Paul. Yikes.

It was over the top, for this thread, was it not? Alas . .

Just a bit, Paul, as I didn't flag it. But it certainly paints a scene.

Grin ~

Thanks Paul, you're a darlin'.

I'm off to bed. I got a date with an ice pack for my knee and hopes for a grand tomorrow.

Sleep well all.

Dale, interesting comments about your workshop. Something I'd like to do — maybe next year.

Re: breaking into SciFi. I know you are writing novels, but I'll pass on Orson Scott Card's advice for breaking into the field: start by selling a few short stories to science fiction magazines. He says they are always looking for new writers because many good writers want to write literary fiction and don't want their name over-associated with sci-fi — so there are not a lot of "regulars" in the short story distance.

The longer story/novella is not the market for new writers because the magazine will have only one or two per issue and they want a recognizable name they can put on the cover to attract newsstand sales, which is a large part of their business.

That's my 2 1/2 cents or 3.1277 gazorenplatts.

So this is what a weekend is. You dont work. A great concept.

I do have to say that I really love this new job. It consists mostly of going to meetings, and as you all know I love meetings. And I am meeting scores of people, (I also love people) and learning scads of stuff. And giving orders and directives. Lots of fun.

On a more serious note, Pat, I strongly disagree with the article you posted a link to on scientific publishing. The part about scientists putting their original research on blogs is Actually quite dangerous and will not be tolerated for long, unless these blogs and theoir content can be peer reviewed. Peer review (which is also the fundamental concept of the agency for which I now work) is the ONLY way that real sci3ence can be separated from the tons of snake oil, and just plain crap that shows up on 99% of "scientific" blogs and web sites.

I have made this point many times on Gather, and Sy G. has a number of articles explaining what peer review is. I didnt see any mention of this in that article (I might have missed it). It is not enough to say "Eureka! I discovered something" At least three respected peers in the field have to examine your claims and agree that it might be real. OTherwise we have the chaos of misinformation and outright lies that dominate the currently totally useless world of the "scientific" blogosphere.

"gazorenplatts''? *scratching my head. With that I need more coffee.

I'm not big into short stories to read or write much, but I will say, I tend to read SciFi shorts and have found some good authors to read--as in look to see if they have written books. Rainy and a bit misty here, thank god. I needed a break from heat and sunshine and so does my yard.

Morning all.

That makes sense Sy. With the internet so many things are taken for fact. Peer review sounds like a good safty net. I wouldn't want to put something I'm working on out there without back up, nor would I want my work hijacked.

I'm so glad you're enjoying the new job. A challenging position to pull on your experience and add to it.  So do you and Bren have any plans for the weekend?

Need to kickstart your work on any MS you're struggling with?  Share what you got so far with a Wombat :-)  In Pat's NoWhine chat a couple weeks ago, I talked a bit about my laid-aside romance, and Vivian asked why she hadn't seen any of it.  I said it was still in first draft form, and half finished (well, more like 2/3 finished)  Viv more or less said so what she's free over the summer.   So, without the usual hesitation about sending unpolished work for someone to read, I e-mailed it to her.  Sure enough, her kind words have been encouraging, and now I'm thinking I really should finish this SOB   lol   Seriously, though, Viv's words have put me in the mood to write--a most excellent thing.  Won't have much time to write this weekend though.   I'm having lunch guests over tomorrow, and must clean/mow lawn today, but I might have some free time tonight.   If not, keep reminding me, Viv, my gracious new beta reader. Ha.  See what you've got yourself into. :-)