Chaos and Contests

I just wanted to do a quick update.  I know I’ve been sporadic about blogging lately, and I miss it, so I wanted to tell all y’all what’s going on.

First, the new job is still stressful, and I’m still adjusting.  I think I’ve almost got it down now though, so hopefully I won’t use that as an excuse too much longer.  

Second, I’ve been fighting off my third round of this weird cold that’s going around.  I learned that it’s called a “crud.”  Yep, look it up.  It really is.

Third, and most important, I was getting my entry together for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest.  I’m super excited about this.  Amazon does an annual contest, and the grand prize, as well as a few first prizes, are publication.  I read one of the contest winners from last year, On Little Wings by Regina Sirois, and it was a great book.  I plan to work my way through other previous winners, but the point is that they publish good stuff.  On March 18th, 2000 entries will move into the next round of judging.  They only accept 10,000 entries, so that’s a pretty significant number that have been dropped in the first round.  On April 14th, 500 entries will move into the next level of judging, and the public gets to rate the excerpts.

I’ll keep you posted, even if I don’t make the first cut.  I think it’s really important for readers to support contests like this, because as an author, it can feel incredibly difficult to get noticed.  When readers take the time to look at contest entries, you’re telling publishers clearly what you find interesting.

So, that’s my excuse for not blogging.  But no worries; I hope to get back to it this week.  🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light

Sunrise, Cottonwood AZ; Photo credit: Doree Weller

This is actually such an appropriate topic for me.  Last week, I changed jobs.  I used to work noon to 10, and I now work 8-4:30.  Talk about a culture shock!  I get up at 6 a.m., and it isn’t even light yet.  I believe that every morning so far, I’ve made a comment about getting up in the middle of the night.  Over my 4 day weekend, I made an effort to get up no later than 7.  I’m not a good sleeper, and I try to keep a schedule as close as possible.

One morning, I had to leave extra early, which I was less than pleased about, and I got to see a beautiful sunrise, which reminded me that there’s always something to be grateful for.  This isn’t that sunrise, but it’s still pretty.

Weekly Photo Challenge

30 Days of Gratitude- Day 1

Day 1 of the 30 Days of Gratitude Project. 1. I’m grateful that I had such a wonderful Halloween/ Anniversary yesterday. Nearly perfect days like that don’t come along all that often. 2. I’m grateful for my strong body that allows me to do everything I need/ want to do. 3. I’m grateful I have a job and partner I love, so that going to work isn’t something I dread!

V is for Ventured

Photo credit: Doree Weller, Usery Mountain, AZ

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?  If you sit on the couch all day, every day, you’ll never have “failed,” but you’ll never have succeeded either.

I’m still a work in progress, and I haven’t ventured in every way I want to… yet.  I have the usual things on my list yet to come, including travel.  I was talking to someone the other day who was recalling a conversation with another person about how Person 1 thought Person 2 was spending too much money on vacations and travel.  “Why aren’t you saving for retirement?” Person 1 asked.  “Because I’m investing in memories,” Person 2 replied.  Isn’t that a great quote?

One of the biggest things on my bucket list is getting one of my novels published.  I’ve had friends who’ve tried to offer their version of support by telling me that it’s a waste of my time.  I spend too much time writing, and for what?  I’ve had a few short stories published and was paid varying amounts for them, but nothing that’s going to pay my mortgage.  Isn’t that a waste?

Um… no.

I’d write for free.  I write just for me.  I love to see my words in print, but mostly because I feel like I’m sharing something with other people, not because I want to be famous and make millions.  (Though if there’s someone out there who’d like to pay me millions for my words, don’t hesitate to contact me.)

There are times when doing a cost-benefit analysis makes good sense.  Like when you’re considering leaving a job you hate, or when you’re considering if that new energy efficient refrigerator will really save you money.  But when you’re considering whether or not to do something you love, something that you’d do for free vs. not doing it because it takes up so much of your time, it makes no sense.

So, back to the quote I put at the very beginning.  That’s not the whole quote.  It’s actually: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained. And venture belongs to the adventurous.” -Navjot Singh Sidhu

“Life’s an adventure.  And every day, I’m just getting started.”  -Doree Weller