2012-06-22

Writing Journal

I finished "Tell Me Who I Am."  I liked it, but I liked it a whole lot better before it was revealed to be a bunch of paginated, published blog posts.  Well, I guess, some of them were more than that, but that revelation burned it for me.  I still plan on referring back to it from time to time and sending it to a friend or two. 

In rearranging my bookcases (after I cleaned off a shelf in my bedroom), I not only made room for me to purchase more books, but I also rediscovered a memoir that my dad sent me.  It was written sometime before 1988 by my dad's grandma's cousin.  It's over 35,000 words, and I've decided to take upon myself the task of abridging her early years, when she lived in Sioux City, for submission to the Briar Cliff Review for consideration for their Siouxland section.

But, holey moley, has that been invaluable as a resource for family history.  I've unearthed a lot of research needing to be done.  Which I'm trying to not get so caught up in that I forget to work.  *sheepish smile*

2012-06-13

Reading/Writing Journal

Reading
I can now allow myself to purchase more fiction!  I cleaned out the closet part of my dresser a little bit over the weekend and rearranged my bookcases.  (Sorry no before pictures.)

My LDS lit

Top shelf: writing/craft in front and kiddie lit in theback
Middle shelf: anthologies/collections
Bottom shelf: Reference & some cassette tapes

Fiction on the left, non-fiction on the right











Now if only I could find time to read more......

Writing
This is more editing than actual writing, but.....this weekend, I was finally able to figure out why that essay about an experience I had 6 years ago never felt quite right.  I was writing for the wrong audience!  Instead of intending it to be submitted to The Briar Cliff Review, I wrote it with the intent to submit it to the Ensign.  Came out much better, although still in need of some work.
In cleaning, I rediscovered something my dad sent me.  His grandmother's cousin wrote her life's story in about 36,000 words.  She was born and raised in Sioux City, so I've decided to abridge it and submit that to the BCR for their Siouxland section.  (There's a lot of personal reaction to historical data in there.)  That was something started on impulse because if I had thought about the repercussions of such an undertaking, I would have put it off until I wasn't feeling so busy. 
After I'm through with my version, I'm going to talk to my dad about getting permission to submit at least the Siouxland parts.