Finding Something Friday on Word Counts and Writing-world.com

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Checking my email tends to be one of those “Good News/Bad News” activities. When it’s Good News, there is wild dancing in the streets and Chex Mix for everyone!

When it’s Bad News, there’s still Chex Mix. But I don’t feel like sharing it with anyone.

This Friday I had Good News and a Surprise. Which seems like a perfectly reasonable excuse for the fact that this Finding Something Friday post is actually on Saturday, right?

Anyway, on to the Surprise. I found my name in the latest newsletter of Writing-world.com. If you get the free newsletter, you can find it, too, under the Inquiring Writer column. I responded to a question about word counts for manuscripts, sending along this helpful blog post from Colleen Lindsay. (Check it out if you’re wondering about word counts and your novel-in-progress.) And Dawn Copeman (who does the answering of said questions) included my comments in the newsletter. And, I noticed that Dawn said she’s running low on questions. So this might be the perfect time to get your writing question answered. (Or send in your comments to a question and find your name in the newsletter!)

As for the Good News, I’m kinda still working on that article. So, I’ll share more later.

In the meantime, have a glorious Labor Day weekend. And have some Chex Mix, won’t you?

What’s Over YOUR Writing Spot? (What, AGAIN?)

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Well, yes. But there’s a perfectly good reason for me bringing up the latest thing over my writing desk.

It’s a birthday letter to yours truly from the Juniorest Hall. And no, it’s not my birthday. It’s another perfectly good reason.

This Juniorest Hall is NOT the English major. And yet, he’s very big on writing letters. I suspect it’s because letters are so very, very…what’s the word? Oh, yeah. Cheap.

Anyway, this particular letter holds a place of honor over the writing desk. And not just because of the eloquent lines pointing out the attributes that make me a super mom (though that’s swell). What makes this letter so extra special is that Juniorest Hall mentions writing. To wit:

“I appreciate everything you do for yourself from your writing, to your blogs, to watching football like a crazy person (Um, I think I missed that the first time) and even Cathy-on-a-Stick. As much as I detest that stupid piece of paper glued onto a popsicle stick, I also enjoy it because I know it makes you happy and that makes me happy.”

Sometimes, like on a day when a rejection lands in the inbox, or finding the right words or a brilliant idea seems like an impossible task, I look up and read those few lines of the letter.
I need to remind myself that writing makes me happy. And that I’m lucky enough to have the love and support of the Wild Bunch. Right down to the Juniorest Hall.

(P.S. I bet you thought I forgot all about the reason I brought up the letter (I sorta did). Cathy-on-a-Stick has finally returned. You can see what she’s been up to if you zip over here. Won’t Juniorest Hall be thrilled?)