Tag Archives: commitments

Coffee Shop Chronicles, Father’s Day edition: Saying goodbye

FullSizeRender (3)Starbucks

Rt. 40, Delaware

April 2006

Last week, I hugged Roomie down in Maryland, and that’s when it hit me: I’m saying goodbye.

I almost cried.

I’m moving soon, so it’s time for those farewells, that talking to the people I should’ve been talking to all along. My Grande Java Chip Frappuccino turns into a venti with extra ice added. More room to cry in my proverbial cup of coffee, if I did such a thing.

It was a wonderful chat, in a Starbucks of all places. We discussed families. Her boy is having some of those young child sensitivities, including separation anxiety. I totally get that today.

Her second baby is due in August, and she thinks she’s having a girl. Will a family of my own be in the future?  We laughed about keeping kids occupied with a video or DVD for an hour. Years ago, we never would. Now, that’s an hour well spent!

I lamented our distance to come. She said, “We’ll always be friends,” casual as if saying the rain has stopped outside.

Then she drove away. When I arrived, the parking space next to my car was empty, so she had parked there. An hour later, when I left, her spot was still empty.

Coffee shops should be places to say hello, welcome people with hugs and squeals, or at least a handshake. I’m here in my usual spot drinking my usual drink, missing my familiar places already. I’ve taken them for granted.

Looking out the window into the dark night, my car’s in her usual place, headlights facing towards this store. Too many nights like this, I sat in that car, talking to Dad on the phone about his frustration that Mom wasn’t getting better and she didn’t seem to be trying. We talked and I stared into Starbucks, feeling empty even though there were lights inside. I willed the night to go away so I could forget him, Mom, and my own heartbreak.

Dad’s been gone for one year and three months. I miss those talks. They weren’t all bad. We compared notes every week about which one of us saved the most money with our grocery store coupons that week. It was a pretty even matchup. We talked about my job, his bus rides and talking to the regulars there, Pittsburgh sports and how terrible my high school teams were playing, and always the weather.

Dad would be tickled that I’m moving to Detroit, the place where he and Mom honeymooned. They toured the Ford manufacturing line, and that’s all I ever knew about it.

I wish I could ask him now. I’m curious about what else they did.

As if a higher power is watching over me, a little girl and daddy walk out of the Red Robin next door. Pink shirt, jeans faded, red balloon. Leftovers, two boxes of Styrofoam. Dad’s in long sleeves, maroon, and tan pants. He buckles her in the backseat, a minivan with silver doors and auto close. He puts the food on the front passenger seat. They back out now–how charming, how happy and content. Unlike a family of four just moments ago: the mom yelled at one girl while dad takes another girl in the restaurant.

What a shame.  A wasted opportunity.  I’d never take that for granted.  My throat closes up at the thought.

I can’t take this. I need to write. My journal is filled so far with my newspaper article transcripts, notes about the houses we’ve already looked at in Michigan, reactions from my coworkers at my announcement and, funny this, a list of the four closest Starbucks to the area we’re looking at moving to. Now I add to that:

“At K’s parents’ house, I couldn’t find my School Days book. Did I take it to Delaware already?  Worry, worry. An hour ago, found it. Looked through it, found Krista-TN stuff, letters Dad wrote me. Read one, his familiar print, all caps. A Penn State item taped in the letter. Weather report. Shows he videotaped for me. Mom and Star Trek group news. I missed Dad and I cried. I talked to him, to no one, about how I miss sharing this Detroit move news with him. I have to believe he knows, but I miss hearing his voice, his thoughts on it all. Cried more. Then had the strength to go into our Home Theater room and watch my wedding video. Father-in-law took it, used to think that was distracting from our ceremony. I am so blessed to have those images. Dad smiling. A smile! A cough. His large glasses, his cane. And somehow, that comforted me. I still cried.”

Gotta stop here. I’m about to cry again. Time to go out to my car and cry into my cup of Frappuccino. Time to say goodbye to this night.

No Excuses

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” Jim Rohm

Happy 2016! This is the year I stop blogging under my pseudonym, Book Lover, and use my real name, Barbara Pattee.

My commitments for 2016 include writing for a minimum of five hours per week. Some weeks will be easy. Others will involve working around family obligations and vacations, but I’m determined. Recording my daily progress will help.

Another commitment is to read three books on the Civil War to facilitate the research for my historical novel. One of the books I started reading is a Newbery Honor Book, To Be a Slave by Julius Lester. In this book, the numerous personal testimonies on the experiences of slaves are heart wrenching and enlightening. These stories convinced me to change my novel’s timeline to just before the Civil War.

For my final recorded commitment, I will present three more chapters of my historical fiction to the Deadwood Writers for comments. By researching pre-Civil War and beyond and writing five hours per week, I should be able to present the first of the three additional chapters within three months.

Have you made your writing commitments for 2016? Have you also made plans to stick to your commitments?

 

Writers’ Commitments for 2016 – What’s yours?

writer

 

As of this post, 2016 launches a time of reflection, renewal and growth. Last year I posted Writing Commitments for 2015: What’s yours?. These were not resolutions of possibilities or “maybes.” The post was to lay out the end in mind that I could work towards, and to invite other writers to do the same.

So how did I do?

  1. I will read at least 10 books across genres that I like to write about: Education, Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult. I’ll write a review on Goodreads or Amazon or on this blog.
    I did read over 10 books in these genres that I like. BUT, I did not post them all.
  2. I will learn writing techniques from the writing styles of at least 3 authors from reading their work, which I’ll share during the Deadwood Writers’ study sessions.

There were some interesting tips and tools for author’s craft that I’ve explored.
1) Using narrative or conversational voice in nonfiction
Numerous articles on Edutopia modeled rich voices for making instructional topics inviting.

2) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and Heroes Die by Matthew Stover illustrated to me the importance of a strong start. I enjoyed immensely both novels only because I pushed through the opening chapters. How many readers give up early because of the slow start of each of these stories? It’s a stark reminder for writing of all lengths.

3) Character development is critical. Several authors like Bernard Cornwell and Jim Butcher create amazing stories that I remember because of the characters. A good cast of characters can make for a compelling story.

3.  I will create a detailed outline and chapters for an Education book on Differentiated Instruction for the 21st + Century — to be shared with 3 writer colleagues for feedback.

With hard work and some luck, I have secured a book contract! I’m in the process of writing So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation for Rowan & Littlefield. My deadline is later this year. I hope to see it in print either by the end of 2016 or the start of 2017. Stay tuned.

***

Here are my three commitments, plus those shared by other Deadwood Writers, for 2016.

  1. Complete the book So All Can Learn: A Practical Guide to Differentiation in 2016, for publication by the end of this year or the beginning of 2017.
  2. Write articles for three major education publications, which will be linked to here.
  3. Read at least 10 books across genres that I like to write about: Education, Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult.

***

Wendi Knape

  1. Define parameters and implement plan for self-publishing A New Life, my paranormal romance. My goal is the end of 2016.
  2. Continue to develop and write the Hot Blacktop series.
  3. Balance all the above with my new job and family.

***

Sue Remisiewicz

  1. I will build my inventory of stories that are ready to submit to contests or for publication.
  2. I will regularly bring installments of my “Road Rally” story to the group for feedback.
  3. I will work to complete my Murder in Sight book.

***

Cassandra
  1. Participate in the group either online or in person when possible.
  2. Write at least one article a month for bulletin and/or blog.
  3. Submit at least two stories for publication.

***

Barbara Pattee

  1. I will read three books on the Civil War to facilitate the research for my historical novel.
  2. I will write for a minimum of five hours per week.
  3. I will present three more chapters of my historical fiction to Dead Wood Writers for comments.

***

Karen Kittrell

  1. Attend writers’ conference. Sign up to pitch manuscripts collecting dust on shelf.
  2. Finish editing for publication at least one manuscript.
  3. Write monthly article for the Deadwood Writers Voices blog.
  4. Write three 500 word flash fiction, one 1500 word story and one 3000 word story.
  5. Submit to at least six journals or contests.
  6. Outline non-fiction.
  7. Read six craft books and six works of distinction.
  8. Continue monthly study of short stories.

***

Kelly Bixby

  1. I will devote at least one day a week to no other writing than my work in progress.
  2. At the end of every quarter, I will share my work product with another writer for feedback.
  3. I will study at least one book in the same genre as mine.

***

Jeanette

  1. I will finish my story, Tangled Web.
  2. I will read a book on blog writing.
  3. I will set aside more time for writing and stop procrastinating.
 ***

How did you do with your commitments?

For 2016 commitments, what are 1 to 3 concrete steps that you will take to improve yourself as a writer. Be specific and concrete–something you can track or measure.

 

Please post in the comments below either your responses or link to your responses.

 

Resolutions

This week, I helped clean out and organize the family garage and thought about my 2015 resolutions. I have two lists – one for chores and the second is “My 2015 Non-Commitments for My Writing Growth.”

The first three items were submitted to Deadwood Writers.

1) Enter the Writer’s Digest Short Story Contest. I did submit a short, short story to their 2014 contest, but didn’t win. I’m working on one for 2015.

2) Send two short humor pieces to Reader’s Digest. I’m waiting to hear from them.

3) Write 25,000 words of my novel, “January Market.” I’m struggling with this one. I’ve got to get back to it before I lose my story.

My other commitments include writing my monthly blog for Deadwood Writers Voices. Done.

I also planned to write one column for my family reunion book this year. I completed the entire reunion book telling some of my family’s history and included some facts about Michigan, the site of the reunion. That sparked interest and inspired a guessing game as part of our “Meet and Greet” activities.

My other commitments include completing several writing projects, organizing my writing, and reading more genre fiction books. With five months to go before the end of the year, I expect to check off a few more listed items.

How are your writing commitments or resolutions coming? Were you able to complete at least some of them? If not, what are your plans for the rest of the year?

Writing Commitments for 2015: What’s yours?

create

With a new year days away, it’s that time where people make resolutions for the changes they’re making. How next year will be different because…

The problem is that most resolutions are broken, perhaps because they seem more like wishes, hopes, or dreams.

At the last meeting of 2014 for the Deadwood Writers, I invited the members to come up with commitments to grow themselves as writers. As they share their plans below, the invitation is extended to you:

What are 1 to 3 concrete steps that you will take to improve yourself as a writer. Be specific and concrete–something you can track or measure.

Non-example A: I will be a published author this year.

Example A:

  1. I will complete a short story or article.
  2. I will compose a query letter for the story or article.
  3. I will use Writers Market to identify 5-10 publishers who accept simultaneous submissions and send the query letter with the short story or article.

Non-Example B: I will write more this year.

Example B:

  1. I will read 25 books within the genres that I want to write.
  2. I will write a draft of 2 stories that fits within the genres.
  3. I will share these drafts with 3 people for their feedback regarding fitting the genre, plot development, and character development.

Share your writing commitments in the comments section below.

Now here are Writing Commitments by members of the Deadwood Writers…

John McCarthy

  1. I will read at least 10 books across genres that I like to write about: Education, Fantasy, Horror, Young Adult. I’ll write a review on Good Reads or Amazon or on this blog.
  2. I will learn writing techniques from the writing styles of at least 3 authors from reading their work, which I’ll share during the Deadwood Writers’ study sessions.
  3. I will create a detailed outline and chapters for an Education book on Differentiated Instruction for the 2*+ Century — to be shared with 3 writer colleagues for feedback.

Claire Murray

  1. I will start writing my blog post earlier each month this year.
  2. I will focus my attention more on the humor in the situations that are happening around me so I have more things to write about.
  3. I will read a book on writing.

Book Lover

  1. I will enter the Writer’s Digest Short Story Contest
  2. I will send two short humor pieces to Reader’s Digest
  3. I will write 25,000 words of my novel

Karen Kittrell

  1. Continue study on flash fiction by reading at least one writing book and attending at least one appropriate workshop.
  2. Submit to at least one contest, magazine, editor or agent.
  3. Write for Deadwood Writers’ Voices and/or create my own blog.

David Buehrle

  1. Set aside 8 hours per week for writing,
  2. Read 2-3 books that can guide me to better writing techniques.
  3. Let 7 days pass after writing a section before beginning my own edits.

Wendi Knape

  1. Complete final edit for A New Life in January.
  2. Prepare and send A New Life manuscript query letters to 10 or more agents in February.
  3. Complete the first draft of The Girl and the EMT (working title) I started writing while doing NaNoWriMo. I will be as diligent as I was while doing NaNoWriMo. I was about half way through the manuscript when I reached 50,000 words.

Victoria Wright

  1. I will rejoin the deadwood writers voices blog.
  2. I will attend a writing retreat.
  3. I will read 2 or more books about writing.

Diana Hirsch

  1. (A) Find an editor and (B) publish my memoir before June 2015.
  2. Explore at least one new book/genre and revisit an old favorite.
  3. Set aside time to journal at least once a month.

Katie

  1. I will build an author’s website.
  2. I will query at least 15 more agents by mid February.
  3. I will blog for the Deadwood Writers’ Voices (and possibly more websites).

Kelly Bixby

  1. Write a children’s book.
  2. Interview two key people for the biography I’m working on.
  3. Submit at least one article to a magazine.

Sue Remisiewicz

  1. I will start work on one of the novels I have floating in my head.
  2. I will enter one writing contest.
  3. I will put the final edits on the two stories sitting unfinished on my desk.

Jeanette

  1. I will finish my story, Tangled Web.
  2. I will begin work on an original (non-fanfiction) story I’ve been
    brainstorming on for some time.
  3. I will read a book on writing.

Emily Walker

  1. Finish rough draft of current piece and edit.
  2. Submit a (magazine) publication of some kind.
  3. Attend deadwood’s meetings after the baby is born (at least once/month).

Kook-Wha Koh

  1. I will write monthly blogs.
  2.  I will write travel stories and essays.
  3. I will prepare for self publishing the third book in early part of 2016.