Counting My Blessings

1) I have a computer to write my stories with. I've heard (maybe myth) that Tolstoy wrote 17 rewrites of Anna Karina. By hand of course. I would have never become a writer without my computer. I took creative writing classes in college and my professor encouraged me to do a rewrite of a short story I wrote and submit it to a magazine. I never did. I would have had to retype ten single spaced pages. It was too much for this lazy writer! But with a computer I can cut and paste to my heart's content.


2) I have spell check (Imagine this post without it)! I cannot spell! I'm horrible at spelling!

3) I have a husband and critique friends and daughters who are great at spelling and grammar. Sadly they do not edit my posts so you are seeing the real me, minus spelling errors. I'm not only bad at spelling but worse at grammar. If I took the time to have them review my posts I would never post so I hope you will think of my posts as "first drafts."

4) I have an iphone. With my iphone I can record ideas either in a note pad or on a recording program as I'm walking or cleaning or doing something where I am not near a computer, and thus have the idea for good before it floats as quickly as it came out of my mind.

I can listen to books in an audible format. Which is great because when I like a book I tend to skim so I can get to what happens next and often miss some of the best lines. But the audible format forces me to hear every single word.

I can take pictures when I am out researching, or see something that I just might want to remember for something I am working on.

I can look at my own book, or others in e-format if I'm stuck in the subway or in a doctor's office. I actually started reading my book a few weeks ago when I was waiting for my doctor appointment far longer than I anticipated. I have never read CONVERTING KATE, edited it yes, but never read it from cover to cover. I was surprised at what had made the final cut (I'd forgotten). I was amused by my own writing. I found myself thinking, well this isn't all bad. Fortunately I only had to read about 30 pages and haven't had the desire since. But I can if I want to. And for books I am researching from for other writing, it is a wonderful way to easily reference. Thank you E Book Reader!

5) I have free time when my house is empty and quiet. Not always as much as I would like, but I find I can't write with anyone in the house, so as much as I love the people I live with I'm glad they occasionally leave!

6) I have the gift of persistence and hope. Besides just loving to write, and wanting to tell your story, it seems that having the fortitude to never give up on a project you are passionate about is important. I know this because I have received tons of rejections letters but I just keep plugging away! I was told by a dear friend, and quite famous author, who was a mentor of mine at Vermont College that books with a religious theme were very hard to sell to a publisher. But I wrote my book anyway, because I just had to. And CONVERTING KATE sold very quickly.

7) I am grateful to be able to blog. Blogging clears the cobwebs out of my head and lets me express my two cents whenever the urge strikes! Thank you BLOGGER!

Okay now that I have counted my writer blessings I'm going to go work on that unfinished novel, on the computer, with spell check.