Another famous Mark Twain quote for you.

“There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn’t because the book is not there and worth being written — it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for a story and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself.” - Mark Twain

Again, with my favorite author, I know.

But these words are so powerful. They make you really think. Sometimes the words don’t just flow. Let go of what you are trying to say, take a break, and come back with a fresh attitude and a new perspective.

If the story won’t come, forcing it will make it nothing more than words on a page. But when the story flows, and seems to come from within, with very little struggle, that’s what makes a book.

Use that when you have a bit of writer’s block going on. Remember to recite this to yourself each day before you write. Heck, post it near your writing area.

Happy Birthday to me!!

Finally, I can say with great happiness, that I am about to launch the new Freelance Writer’s Exchange website. It is new and improved and I am very excited.

I was born to be a writer. I was also born to be a teacher. These two items combined have provided for a GREAT opportunity for a website.

Look for the new, improved and completely updated Freelance Writer’s Exchange website to launch on September 1, 2006!

It’s a new place for writer’s to get information, help and ideas. A place to call home.

See you there!!

Lillian Hellman said, “If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don’t listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.”

While I agree to some point, I disagree more. Here is where I stand on this. Do not let another writer tell you how you should write. Nor should you listen to them talk only about themselves. Typically a good writer is the first to credit others. That is an important part of it all.

However, I do feel it is important to learn from other writers and published authors. Not just one, but many. Read, read, read. Read what other’s have to say, listen to their words, absorb them and then take away what you can or will, for your own writing. Your style and writing, is yours alone. If we spend too much time, trying to perfect our own writing, without seeking the opinions and knowledge of others, we may just be wasting our time.

Consider it.

“Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over IBM versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs.” - Jack Lynch

Lately, I have become obsessed with grammar and style. I believe that every writer spends the rest of their life discovering their own personal style. It doesn’t just happen. You can read countless books, by the same author, perhaps a best selling author, published over a few years, and you can see a style change occur. You might see the way they use grammar, change too.

Grammar is only as important as you allow it to be. Your editor will help you with that. If you are your own editor, then it is important to take some time to learn about proper grammar, but if you allow your words to flow freely, often that is where the best grammar is at.

Mr. Lynch coins it best. There will forever be arguments over a writers use of grammar. I see it in my own writing. There will be arguments over their style. However, discovering your own - that’s what it’s about.

Don’t listen to the critic’s because there is only one that counts the most, and that is your inner critic. Listen to your heart, do you research and you will be as good as you can be.

100 Things - August 2006August 2006 Version

Yes, I did this once before, but I was reading over a bunch of my things and realized that they actually have changed a little in only a years time, so I thought I would jump back on the bandwagon and write another one. So here is my August 2006 version of 100 Things About Me.

These are not in any particular order however I have rearranged a bunch of stuff. Here is my list of 100 things about me.

100 Things About Nicole

1. I am a 33 year old single mother.
2. I have a boyfriend who means the world to me.
3. We have five children. (2) mine + (3) His = (5) Ours
4. I live in Cottleville, Missouri which is a suburban area inside St. Charles County, which is the second largest city in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
5. Although born in Houston, Texas I am a Missouri Native (because of adoption)
6. I am an August baby, making me a Virgo. Not just that, but my mother has told me that I act like a Virgo. What does that mean?
Primary Characteristics: Creative, Helpful, Loyal
Positive Personality Traits: Intelligent and analytical, Meticulous and reliable, Modest and shy, Practical and diligent
Dangers: Can be fussy and a worrier, Can be a perfectionist and conservative, Sometimes overcritical and harsh. Yeppers that’s me! LOL
7. I have four blogs - one on writing, one on business, one on scrapbooking, and one on being frugal! I’m also paid by someone to do their blog.
8. Since I originally posted my 100 lists, I now only have one single personal blog on mostly writing, and another business blog for my Richmont Direct business.
9. Technically I do have another blog, as I am a writer for www.families.com and I maintain blogs under the topics of adoption, scrapbooking and frugal living currently.
10. Being a freelance writer for www.families.com is the best! I love the ability to guest blog on other topics when I want to.
11. I’ll do most anything on a dare! (or anything once - within reason here people)
12. I have an obsession with, and love to use exclamation marks!!!!
13. I also love to use caps and “” and () to capture points and occasionally I have to go back and edit because it’s so much LOL
14. I love words. I love writing. Sometimes I will write words I am not sure what they mean and then go back and try to make them into something. I just love words.
15. I’m an adult living with ADHD and it’s noticeable most of the time.
16. I play the piano fairly well.
17. I am a freelance writer, as well as a content writer. I am on the verge of being published in a scrapbooking trade magazine – an article!
18. My favorite place in my house is the kitchen because it’s where my computer sits, and well, you EAT in the kitchen, and I really enjoy that!
19. I absolutely LOVE to cook, and many of my closest friends and family members do not know this about me.
20. I have been divorced for 6 1/2 years and still consider it the best decision I ever made. He’s happier and so am I!
21. My other two “babies” are our two cats – Drinda and Maple.
22. I have two mother’s but not from a divorce. There is no step on any of their titles. One is my biological mother and one is my adoptive mother. I have awesome relationships with both of them.
23. I grew up with only 1 sibling (an adoptive brother), but in the past 10 years now have 8 siblings (5 sisters (1 biological, 2 step) and 3 brothers (1 adoptive, 2 biological) YIKES!! I love it though!
24. I have lived in 6 states, 15 Cities or Towns, and moved 19 times since I was 18 years old and we are not a military family!)
25. I love to scrapbook and could do it for hours everyday and never get tired of it.
26. I’ve been scrapbooking for over 17 years!
27. My boyfriend and I took a trip to Louisiana three days after we began dating. That’s one long drive and we took his three kids to go pick up my two! LOL
28. I’ve been to Egypt. Spent three weeks there and would love the opportunity to go back.
29. I like to eat dinner at 5pm on the nose. (I could probably even eat at 4:30!)
30. I’ve had breakfast in Paris. (albeit it was in a very “orange” airport on a 3 hour layover. But hey it was a coffee and croissant!
31. I am an Arctophile also known as an arctophilist and have what is known as arctophilia all over my house. (try using google to figure it out)
32. I’ve been in love so much it hurts. And still am.
33. I know several famous people - Kevin Kline, Scott Foley (Felicity & Scrubs), Scott Adderton (lesser known director), Michael Renna (who played a “Cadet” in Child’s Play 3 however he actually went to Kemper Military School where that film was taped. Kemper closed it’s doors in 2002.
34. I’m a gadget geek.
35. My favorite possession is probably my computer.
36. If children WERE possessions they would be my favorites instead.
37. I secretly really want an Ipod and nobody around me knows it.
38. I absolutely love to read and I stay up most nights reading novels, or writing my own.
39. I plan to write a series of novels and have them published someday.
40. I still get carded sometimes to buy alcohol or cigarettes (I guess that’s a compliment but it’s annoying)
41. I don’t drink but once a year.
42. I sucked my thumb until I was 12. (and so did my son almost but he broke the habit during his 11th year)
43. I adore Country Music - Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts are my favorites.
44. I also love Christian Contemporary Music.
45. Michael W. Smith has been my favorite singer since I was 10.
46. My favorite author’s have styles that aren’t very similar to my own.
47. They are Sue Grafton, the now deceased VC Andrews (not the ghost writer), Torey Hayden, Nicholas Sparks & LaVyrle Spencer.
48. My favorite books have no plot at all.
49. That’s because I really like “How To” Books and Education. Especially on writing.
50. I will be a student for life, I love to learn.
51. My first computer had a tape deck for cartridges.
52. It was a Radio Shack TRS-80.
53. My second computer was an AppleIIE Computer.
54. It had REAL floppy disks.
55. I actually loved playing games on that TRS-80
56. I’ve been on the Internet since 1993!
57. I was the owner of one of the first TWO mailing list groups ever. Long before they were “popular”.
58. I wear contacts.
59. I used to wear glasses.
60. If I didn’t wear anything, I’d be too blind to drive my car.
61. If there was anyone I’ve ever known that I could have lunch with right now, it would be my grandma.
62. I can’t because she died several years ago. I miss her a lot!
63. I collect all kinds of stuff. See #36 for just one of the items.
64. I love to organize, but few know this. I’m probably a bit OCD when it comes to organizing.
65. I used to be the most creative person I knew. Until I had kids.
66. I have about 45 notebooks on a shelf that are filled with lists, story ideas, poems, quotes, greeting card prose, and just ramblings.
67. When I was 16 I wrote my own quote, and then had it copyrighted.
68. I have a HUGE ugly brownish binder filled with probably 500+poems on everything from paper scraps to fully typed pages.
69. I hate to talk on the phone.
70. I have a love/hate relationship with caller id (on one hand it’s great ’cause it tells me who’s calling, but it usually tells me that I don’t want to talk to whoever is calling)
71. I love to get mail, but hate to get email.
72. I absolutely loathe the creator of the “Forward” button on email services.
73. I’m a huge Law and Order SVU fan
74. I have the biggest crush in the world on Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni)
75. My other favorite show is Veronica Mars.
76. I also really loved Joan of Arcadia but it’s been cancelled.
77. When I get mad, sad, scared, fall in love, fall out of love, happy, or just about any other emotion, I hit the CDs - I am a huge music fan - love all types - country, Christian, soft rock, jazz, classical.
78. I cry when I’m sad, scared, confused, tired and angry.
79. In high school we took a personality test and I was diagnosed “ultra-sensitive” and “highly empathetic”.
80. I am not a girly girl at all.
81. I rarely wear make up.
82. My hair has gray streaks in it – that started at age 30. I rarely color it.
83. I love being outside. Even in the winter. (there’s just not much to do)
84. My favorite season is fall.
85. I’m addicted to diet coke, especially in the fountain variety!
86. My very favorite place to eat is Mr. Goodcents Subs.
87. My second very favorite place to eat is Cici’s Pizza.
88. My third very favorite place to eat is 9th Street Noodles OR any good Italian restaurant!
89. I type between 75-85 wpm depending on the keyboard in use.
90. The best job I’ve ever had in my life was being a mother.
91. I own over 300 DVDs and 200 CDs and have about 1000 songs on my computer.
92. I’m fundamentally rather frugal. Good thing I write about it on www.families.com
93. I have an IQ that reaches the genius field though only a select few know this about me.
94. I want to write a book someday. I have about 8 books started. I would love to write fiction for ages 15-18 range.
95. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan.
96. I “work” from home. I use the term “work” very loosely.
97. I have an odd fear of heights.
98. I believe that when Jesus said, “Judge not lest ye be judged,” he meant it.
99. I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life, and I owe it all to God.
100. This has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever written. (even the second time around)

After last weeks quote, I received many emails stating that in order to be a good author it was important to be whomever your characters and writing needed you to be. While I totally agree, this quote says it best:

 ”There was never a good biography of a good novelist. There couldn’t be. He is too many people if he’s any good.” - F. Scott Fitzgerald

This has to do with writing and not necessarily who you are. It’s important to be GOOD, both in personality and writing. Both can be accomplished, even when you are trying to get into someone’s head. No matter the character you are writing about, a priest trying to change the world, or a villain trying to steal a diamond, you are still the same person with or without those characters. That was all I was implying with the last quote.

So consider Mr. Fitzgerald’s words: No Good Biography - No Good Novelist. You can be a good novelist, but the biography changes with each book, or piece that you write. You become someone new each time you write something. Not because you are changing into the characters but you are growing with your writing. This is to be expected.

When writing, you are many different things, to many different people. Just remember that. A good writer, can usually write any genre and make it good and make any reader say “wow”. A bad writer, is simply too self absorbed to consider anything else and wants to write only what he/she enjoys and doesn’t care about the readership.

Just another thought to consider….

770-794-1338

Read it, get it and OMG make it STOP! This amazingly annoying number has been calling my cell phone for the past two days, probably 10 times or more PER DAY. And before that for about 5 days, I was receiving an obscene amount of calls from an UNKNOWN number. I answered only once and pretended to not have a good connection (funny how my radar was up even then!)

I have since done some research on the whole thing. I began with a reverse number look up through the white pages. ( http://www.whitepages.com/10001/search/ReversePhone?phone=770-794-1338 )

I came up with :

Area Cir
1590 N Roberts Rd NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 794-1338

I then typed in the number into google.com and came up with a blog entry that lead me to another website which I found highly informative. Now, first, being a family friendly site, I need to warn you that the page you are being directed to just has some not so nice words written rather largely on it, otherwise the page is fine. And highly informative!

http://7707941338.com/

Apparently the guy who started this website was being inundated with these calls too. And now he has several personal testimonies from others on the page. If you are being called by this number, you need to check out that page. ALSO, I came up with the following other numbers to be on the look out for!

OH AND ONE MORE WORD OF CAUTION: DO NOT HAND OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER. PLEASE!!!!! THEY WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE IT ALREADY FROM WHAT I READ, BUT ALL THEY HAVE IS THE LAST FOUR DIGITS WHICH ARE ACTUALLY VERY EASY TO OBTAIN.

Americas Readers - 770-794-1338
AMR Cable News - 651-457-4775
The Jones Boys - 702-369-8400
Newspaper - 651-203-1060
Pisa Group - 314-962-0448

I have also learned that they are apparently trying to sell subscriptions to the Pioneer Press (Whatever the heck that is) - apparently a newspaper of some kind but when you go to google and type in pioneer press you get several different ones. *sigh*.

I just wish it would stop. If you are getting any of these calls. Feel free to comment in my comments field and let me know about it. I am not letting this go.
Oh and by the way - I am on the DO NOT CALL registry with both my home and cell phone. It’s happening on my cell phone!