Mother Not Doing Well

As a few of you know, my mom had gall bladder surgery last Thursday. Despite finding a few more things wrong while they were in there (that they went ahead and fixed), she appeared to be doing ok. Friday we had quite the scare when she couldn't keep her oxygen levels up but was out of danger by Sunday. They even talked about releasing her today on Sunday. Monday night, however, she began having trouble with her breathing again and complaining of chest pain. They have moved her to the Heart Wing at Union Hospital in Terre Haute. My sister is with her now, and I will be heading that way as well to spend time with her. Mainly, I wanted to stop in here and let everyone know how she was doing since I don't have time to call everyone and keep them posted. I appreciate all the well wishing and prayers and thoughts that have been coming our way, and I know my mother does as well. Thank you! I will make sure I try to stop in here and leave a few notes to her well-being from time to time.

Bad Week

Ever have one of those ridiculously downer weeks? I am currently riding one.

Unfortunately, my grandmother's long-time boyfriend, Dewey, passed away this weekend. Dewey had been battling colon cancer for sometime, had undergone radiation treatments, but hadn't outlasted the terrible disease. My grandmother and Dewey were long-time friends and began seeing each other after my grandfather's death and Dewey's wife death some years ago. While Dewey couldn't replace my gradnfather, he was a grandfather in his own way to all of us. Quick with a smile and chuckle, he will be sorely missed by the entire Brown clan!

Ontop of that, I'm stressed because my mom is going in for surgery this Thursday. Nothing too terribly serious, but they are having to completely open her up. She needs to have her gallbladder removed and to have a growth lanced off of one of her kidneys.

Jeez!

On a good note, I've started my Long Ridge Writer's Group courses. For those who are unfamiliar with this - Long Ridge is a by-mail writing class that strengths writer's in areas of non-fiction and fiction for magazine and short story publication. They are heavily accredited through the Better Business Bureau and have been in operation for some years. Many writers have completed the 2 year course (you can complete it earlier, depending on how fast you get to your assignments). You are paired with a published writer as your mentor who goes over each assignment with you step-by-step. I encourage you to check out their website http://www.longridgewritersgroup.com/ or you can Google them.

Well, that it about it for now. I do have a book signing coming up for Sister Light at Waldenbooks at the Cross conty Mall in Mattoon, Illinois this Saturday, October 18, 2008. I will be there from 12-3 pm. There will be free books given away, a trivia contest, and you can be entered into a free giveaway for tons of gifts from me!

Look forward to seeing anyone who can make it...Until then - tah-tah!

B.B. Walter

Things Most Commonly Asked by Non-Writers

Okay, since this blog is supposed to revolve around writing and all the things that go with it, I thought I'd actually write something on...(hold your hat!) writing! (TA-DA!)

No seriously.

I get asked lots of things by people when I'm out and about, or when they find out that I write. I've decided today, Dear Reader, to go over those few items I get asked mostly commonly...And i know every other writer gets asked these, too, because I've been there when people have asked other writers these same questions.

Question #1 - Where do you come up with this stuff?

Answer - Well, hopefully, this comment is because they think my stuff is so fantastic they can't fathom the depths of creativity my mind can muster...and I hope it's not meant in the "Oh my god! What is this crap?" You know. Every writer is different in how they come up with ideas. I've met tons that see inspiration everywhere around them (playing with their kids, a scene playing out in real life on the neighborhood street, or a beautiful sight that inspires them to no end). I'm different in that most of my ideas come from my dreams. I have some really fantastic dreams that I jot down in a notebook or on the laptop as soon as I possible can after waking. (To my husband's dismay, I sometimes jot these down in the middle of the night, then go back to bed.) The idea rarely stays the same as the original dream (i.e. my inspiration for my fantasy novel Sister Light was only a one line blurb "Beware the Child with the pale blue eyes" scratched out in my notebook and posted to a large bulletin board for future use). The dream always unfolds into something else, however, for me. Once I have a chance to sit down and let the words trickle from my fingertips, the story begans to mold and shape, forming a backbone of its own that I can build the skeletal structure around. (I don't flesh out until after the first draft is completed.)

Question #2 - How can you work on multiple stories at once? Isn't it hard to concentrate?

Answer - Actually, a lot of writers ask me this same thing, so it's not just a non-writer question. My answer is always the same. Simple: I'm a multi-tasker, first. And second? I don't write the stories; they write me!

I'm one of those people who can start multiple ideas at one time. I work on them as long as they demand my attention, and then they are tucked away until I choose to pick them up and really focus on the story.

As in (currently) I have seven storylines started, but I'm only focusing on four of them. There are five more storylines that have been squirreled away for another day, and I have at least ten projects that have stalled on the tracks (so to speak) and will probably be pulled out of the drawer (or my folder on my desktop labeled "Tidbits") and reworked and revised later on.

My other saving grace, other than being a multi-tasker, is that I'm dedicated and decent with time management (only as far as my writing...anything else in life and I'm a train wreck, just ask my family). I know how much time I need to spend writing to dedicate a fair share to each project, and I sit down and just do it. Period. Truthfully, I don't have any more time then anyone else does, but writing feels good, gives something to people, and is what I seriously want to do with the rest of my life. 'Course the money from royalties and the possibility of becoming rich and famous are big motivating factors too!

Question #3 - Why do you write?

Answer - Well, I touched on this briefly a moment ago. Every writer has different reasons for writing. Mine is simple - IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

I can't imagine not writing. I've been doing it since I was a child (those are interesting stories to re-read for sheer humility factor), and it's become second nature. Writing has always been a great outlet for me (emotionally, etc.). Also, it makes me feel good when someone reads what I wrote and likes it, telling me about it later. (Of course it makes me feel crummy when they don't like it, but -hey!- whatcha gon' do?)

Also, I'm not going to lie. Writing is successful for many people. You can get rich and famous being a writer. Rich and famous appeals to me. Some people grow up wanting to be rockstars; I grew up wanting to be Stephen King. Writing is also a means to an ends for me; I want to be successful at something I love to do, stay at home and not have to report to a timeclock every morning; customize my work schedule to better fit with my life; and spend time with my head in the clouds...I want to be a writer.

Okay, so those are the three top questions I get asked as a writer from non-writers. For all the writers who do read my blog each day, what are the questions you get asked most frequently? If you're a non-writer and read my blog, feel free to ask me any questions you are burning to know the answers to. My life is an open book, not just my work!

Been Slacking

Ok, I've been a little remiss in getting on here and writing something every so often. I'll admit, most of it has been shear laziness...Some of it, however, has been a fairly hectic schedule. This time of year is so incredibly busy for me - book signings are picking back up, family events are taking place, and I've also started this writing course which is just getting underway. Everything combined has made things crazy. So, just to let everyone know, I'm not dead...just dead on my feet! *laugh* I promise I will be more diligent with my updates from now on. So don't shut me yet...I'm new at this blogging thing, and it's one more new thing to figure out how to add into my schedule. Never fear...I'm a multi-tasker extreme. But for tonight...good night and sweet dreams...I'm off to the land of fantasy and make-believe; Book Two and Three are still needing some work, as well as the plethura of other stories demanding a little TLC from me. Good night from B.B. Walter