Blackout Days?

Today, I heard on the radio that my state is over budget by 5 billion dollars. Yikes... I have no idea if this is true, but am beginning to wonder. The clip was a man's voice, speaking about what can be done to fix this financial issue, and one suggestion was 'blackout days'.

What the heck does that mean?!

Are they seriously thinking about shutting off power to the state? Cause that is what it sounded like. Or does this mean they will close schools, government buildings, health care programs, and things like that?

Sadly, I have yet to find someone who has this answer. So far, it seems the term 'blackout' can mean many things. Which has me concerned.

This state has a lot of low income people, and our schools have suffered greatly due to budget cuts. My son is in kindergarten, and yet has to walk to school from a mile away (so I drive him). That is really far for a five year old. I understand many used to do that, back when things were a bit safer, but nowadays it is too dangerous for kids that young to be walking alone. Also, books were cut, supplies, programs, activities. Where the heck do all our tax dollars go?

I have an idea... Lets stop spending the money on war. We spend trillions of dollars on our exploits in other countries, while the citizens here suffer. I am all for protecting our nation, and helping out countries that ask for assistance, but we should also be taking care of our own as well.

I could go on for hours here... Truthfully, I just can't wait until we have a system that works. Don't know if I will ever get to see it, but one can have faith right? :-)

Spring Cleaning - Uh Huh...

So, I have been spending the last few days getting rid of all the stuff we don't use anymore, and cleaning those 'oh so hard to reach places' while everything is torn apart. Sadly, I am only about 2/3 done, ugh... and I already have 6 full garbage bags full of stuff to donate.

Which brings me to the question... How the heck do we accumulate so much anyway? :-p I am not one of those people who has to have to latest fashion, or buy my kids the coolest toys, in fact, I am the total opposite!


I am very aware of things I purchase, or at least, I try hard to be... Like buying things I know aren't made in a sweat shop, or buying recycled items, or things that can be reused. So for me, accumulating this much stuff in a matter of a year, is outrageous! Seriously, 6 big garbage bags. This is not including the 2 bags I donate roughly every few months. I don't like to store things, or keep them if we no longer use them.

So how is it we have gotten so much, and I still haven't gone through the entire place yet? Ugh! :-)

Well, I am back to my cleaning... But I will leave with this thought (taken from Fight Club)

The things we own, end up owning us. SO TRUE! :-)

Making up Words

I have been in a debate for a while now over the subject of made up words in novels...

Here's the opposing side - When you make up a word, then a reader will not be able to visualize what is being said.  I find this true in instances where someone has made up words for things like 'water'. If the writer is speaking about water, then calling it fregna would make no sense. Unless you want the reader to have to look up the meanings in the back of the book. Which makes a lot of work for readers.

My side - It is okay to make up a word for something, if that thing does not exist in real life. The only thing is to make sure and explain, or give a quick description of the item, so the reader does not have to be confused over what the word means.

The debate began when someone read a portion of my story and felt confused as to what the item was I had spoken about. What that person neglected to understand is there is no word for what the item is. I had no choice but to make it up, and the reader also skipped past the part of the story where I describe what the item is.

So here is my question, to which I would love your feedback. :-)

Is it confusing to make up a word for something that does not exist in real life, and if it is necessary to do so, what is the best way to bring the word about so the reader does not feel confused?

Also, is it confusing to have that made up word as part of the story title? Or does it have the possibility of catching the reader? Like in Eragon?

Thank you all!

Am I Conceited?

I totally don't want to sound conceited, but I had set my novel aside for a couple months while I focused on queries, a synopsis, and other projects, and when I came back to read it again I absolutely loved it! I didn't want to put it down...

It's good I suppose that I enjoyed my own manuscript. My husband agrees too. But I will admit, at first I was like, "Hun, should I be enjoying this so much? I mean, I 'did' write it after all!"

His answer was just what I needed to hear, "If you don't want to read your own story, then why would anyone else?"

Though his logic is sound, and I agree with him, I still feel a bit 'conceited' about liking my own story so much. Do any of my fellow writers feel that way? :-)

What do you think? Just 'how' much should we enjoy our own stories?

Technology - Good or Bad?

Being someone who is very aware of the impacts we have on the Earth, one question that constantly comes up in discussion is technology. The use of it and whether it is better for our environment or not. Quite often I find people feel that our way of life, including our use of technology, is what is causing all the problems we face today. But I don't see that as the case...

First, I have learned the most about what is happening to the Earth and how to change our lifestyles from the Internet! So, taking that into account, I can not say that technology is bad or causing the problem.

What I can say is that our way of life is. Not by using electricity or having cars, but by using them mindlessly. We can install solar panels, use rechargeable batteries, or drive Eco cars, we just have to be aware of what we are doing and how each act effects the environment around us.

Personally, I feel technology is good. It has connected us to people all around the world, and gives us a means to see media that is not mainstream. We also have the capability of paying bills online, banking online, ordering things and selling.

One thing I love is that the new android phones we got have a feature called video chat. Since my husband works late, he can call the boys on video chat and see them to tell them goodnight. They love it and it helps with the difficult hours.

So to say that all technology is bad, well... I just don't agree. As long as we remember ~

Just because we watch fishing, that does not make us a fisherman...

If we like watching sports on T.V., that does not make us an athlete...

If technology is used to keep in contact with one another, help the planet, help our fellow man, and for things that will have little impact on the environment, then it is good. If we use it as a crutch, then maybe it is time to get out and meet some people the old fashioned way. There is one thing I have learned for certain, we must be aware of what we do at all times, and we must always have balance. :-)

Cascade Writers

Just got registered for the Cascade Writers event this July and I am so excited to go! I know some people worry about getting their work critiqued, but honestly I can not wait. I have been trying for months to get my first chapter as strong as possible and need help... :-)

There is so much competition right now for authors, I think getting my manuscript in the best possible shape is really the only option. Only 'good' option that is, if I want to get published.

Anyway, just had to let everyone know I am going!