Naughty or Nice…

by Jeannie Ruesch

When it comes to making my blog posts these last weeks, I’m definitely on the naughty list this month.Β Β  However, I do have the pleasure of doing something nice and revealing the winner of the autographed book by NY Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak (plus some fabulous lip gloss to boot!)

So…drum roll please….Β  Congratulations to…

Kelly McCrady

Email me at jeannie at willdesignforchocolate.com with your mailing address, and I’ll get that sent off.Β  You’ll love the book, it’s fabulous.

On a personal front, we’re pushing full-steam ahead with the move – it’s just two weeks away now!Β  Weekends are busy, busy as we pack up our belongings (and realize how much junk we have.)Β Β  But in the process of packing things up, I went through all my files in my desk and rediscovered some of my old (really, really old) writing files and stories.Β Β  A lot of this includes half started chapters, a page here, a few pages there, or even just ideas jotted down at some point for a story.Β Β  One of such stories was printed on now-yellowing paper with the holes in the side that you rip away — from an old-fashioned word processor.Β Β  When I showed my husband with a laugh, he suggested, “Don’t read it. It will just make you cringe.”

And it did make me shake my head a few times…okay, more than a few.Β  I did laugh.Β  I did roll my eyes and wonder where my brain had gone at the time.Β  But I also realized just how far I’ve come.Β  We’ve talked here at Happy Endings before about taking stock in your progress as a writer… appreciating the milestones as you grow and learn and step up in your work.

Every year, we improve.Β  And the difference between work we do now versus work we did *cough*years ago is huge.Β  At least for me, it was.Β  As I read my youthful attempts, I saw the faintest hint of a good story in there.Β  The bones were there, even if the execution needed a lot of work.Β  But it was a nice visit, because it gave me a few moments to appreciate my progress and the work I’ve done in learning my craft.

I imagine another year from now, five years from now, ten… I’ll look back at what I’ve done this past year with a fond “”Oh, isn’t she cute.” thought.Β  But I hope for that, because it means I’m always improving.Β  It means I haven’t forgotten that there’s always more to learn.

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5 comments

Laurie Ryan December 6, 2010 - 8:44 pm

Congratulations, Kelly! And Jeannie? Moving in December? I hope it means your life will settle down a bit now. Yikes! πŸ™‚

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Lavada Dee December 6, 2010 - 11:50 pm

Jeannie, moving a family in December has to be challenging and could be fodder for a story. Certainly has to have a few conflicts. πŸ™‚

Kelly, Congratulations.

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Kelly McCrady December 7, 2010 - 2:59 pm

Wow, thanks Jeannie and Ms. Novak for being so generous.

I have spiral notebooks full of my early attempts at writing. They are squirm-worthy yet as you saw, kernals of good storytelling are in there. We writers do need to appreciate how much we have improved from our early efforts and not be embarrassed by them any more than someone first learning an instrument should be ashamed at the flat notes or missed keys. Practice is what makes the difference.

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Robin Covington December 7, 2010 - 7:38 pm

Jeannie: Keep that stuff – or at least part of it – wonderful memories of all your growth as an author!

Good luck with the move!

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Eliza Knight December 8, 2010 - 7:31 am

Bad Eliza!!!! I am so on the naughty list… and you can slap me if you want, because I still have to reply to your email! But I see you did find a place!!! I am so thrilled for you! Finally you’ll be with your babes (baby and hubs) every day πŸ™‚

I have some old stories like that… I want to go read them now, lol. Or do I???? πŸ™ It’s so true we see our writing improve as time goes by. And I think you’re right, most of us have those bare bones, but its all about honing our skills, and learning how to make those scenes pop and the characters come to life.

HUGS!!!!!!!

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