Remebering A Friend

Today, I'm remembering a friend I lost last year. Paul was young, too young to lose to a heart attack, and just shy of his birthday when we lost him on March 4, 2008. He was one of those eternally grouchy people; but it was a grouchy that was good-natured and even welcomed most of the time by those who knew him because...well, that was Paul! *smile*

Paul was a very intellegent man with an odd collection of random, probably useless, knowledge. But that knowledge was also one of the reasons he was so well-loved by me and many who knew him. He could randomly come up with a strange bit of fluff to ellaborate on the subject at hand, or some small morsel that indirectly related to the game you were playing or the topic we were discussing. And his great ability to argue a topic from the opposite side of his beliefs was awe-inspiring at times.

I'd call Paul a gamer, but it's too simple a term. He was a free-spirit who enjoyed the "nerdy" aspect of socialization, but he was quick to talk to or help a stranger. Paul's only problem he had with the world was stupidity. Or, rather, the people who refused to be educated beyond their own narrow scope of reality. They drove him wild, but he also thrived on them as well as a constant fuel for his ire. I also think that he needed those people or else his anger might spill out onto everyone else who he only found "mildly" annoying...and those few could be mighty at times! *lol*

But despite his sometimes surly nature, Paul was also a giant teddy bear of a man (size not withstanding) with a soft spot for kids and a sympathetic ear (though sometimes harsh tongue since he tended to be blunt...uh, very blunt) for friends and family. But he was a loving, dutiful son, a good samaritan, and a man with a sense of humor.

Today, I want to remember my friend Paul for his life, his humor, and his kindness; not for the loss we suffered when he passed, but for what he brought to so many of us who knew him. Today, I want to remember, be mournful I will miss out on more of Paul in my life, but, most importantly, remember how he enriched all of our lives, those who knew and cared for him.

We miss you, Paul; we celebrate you, Paul.

Writing Classes

Hey, all; back again! This time to bore you with more about (what else?) ME! *snicker*

No, seriously, folks; I'm doing two (count'em, TWO) writing classes right now, and I feel that, as an author, it's important that I share with everyone else how I evolve.

Ok, that was a little too sophisticated for my taste. *sneer*

Really, I just want a little feedback from my friends, family...complete strangers who randomly read blogs online, etc.! You know, the usual!! So what I'm going to do is put any finished papers/assignments I write here for a little feedback. I may also put some short stories, poems, or whatever I've been tinkering with. And I promise (Scout's Honor) to be more diligent about chiming in here on a more regular basis rather than letting the dust bury my little blog.

I've also decided that I like my friend's "What I am reading" category on her blog. (Sorry, Mol, I'm stealing!! *smile*) So I'm going to start putting that on here too. And since I don't have an assignment to post yet, here is my currently reading/wanting to read list.

**Currently Reading: *Angels & Demons* by Dan Brown - Only three pages into it, so not sure I feel yet but loved *DaVinci Code* so we'll see.
Just Finished: *Twilight* by Stephanie Myer - On a whole, not too bad; not the greatest, but I can see why it has appeal.
To-Be-Read-Next (furthermore known as TBRN): *New Moon* by Stephanie Myer, and *Cat in a Neon Nightmare* by (can't remember off-hand)**

Well, that's it for now! Chat'atcha soon!

bb

Book & Writing Festivals

Well, kiddies, I'm back and flappin' free. For a little update...My mom is doing great now! *Whew* She's scared the hell out of us, but she's back up to speed and back to work now. She definitely seems happier for it all too, despite the scare. Thanks so much to everyone who sent well-wishing and thoughts; we truly appreciate it. Now on to some other things. I've decided that since this site is suuposed to have something to do with writing, books, or the weird ramblings of a writer that I should put something on here again pertaining to one of those items....So here goes... January 2009 Writing/Book Festivals BookMania! - Stuart, FL - January - 772-221-1403 - email: mclsprogram@martin.fl.us Cowboy Poetry Gathering - January-February - Elko, NV - 775-738-7508 - www.westernfolklife.org Eleventh Moon Storytelling Festival - Natchez, MS - January - 601-446-6502 Kearney Storytelling Festival - Kearney, NE - January - 308-468-6476 - www.nebraskastoryarts.org/kearney_festival.html Key West Literary Seminar - Key West, FL - January - 888-293-9291 - http://keywestliteraryseminar.org Winter Storytelling Festival - Kennesaw, GA - January-February - 404-329-9950 - email: sosmailcmt@aol.com ZORA! Festival - Eatonville, FL - January (last weekend) - 407-647-3307 - www.zoranealehurstonfestival.com I'll add the February events once I get a completed list of those together, too. It's not a comprehensive list, and some of the places are a little distance from me, but I figure they're close to someone and there are more festivals than I was previously aware of. Just wanted to share those with you all. Also, I'm going to start including what I'm currently reading, what's up next to read, and what I have planned for near future reading. So here are the initials: CR (currently reading), UN (up next), and NFR (near future reading), so you're down with the lingo, daddy-o! CR: Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark and Stranger She Knew by ? (can't remember off the top of my head and it's at home) UN: (nothing at this time until after the first of the year) NFR: (haven't gone through my new pile of books received for Solstice this year yet) Well, that's it for now. I am officially back from the land of the dead (technologically and socially speaking) and back in full swing. Looking forward to 2009's rewards and pleasures, failures and frustrations, and I wish you all a year filled with warmth, caring, a smidge of disappoint to balance it all out, and - most of all - books, books, and more books!!!! :) B.B. Walter

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