Beth Camp's Blog, page 10

IWSG: Covers, Decisions, and More . . .

We're driving south from Spokane, all the way to Las Cruces, New Mexico, the car loaded with all we will need for the next two months. I can report that in the last week, I have survived the freeways of Los Angeles and Phoenix (7 lanes in one direction). Are you surprised that not much writing got done? We're one day away from peace and quiet in our temporary home. Meanwhile, that first Weds

2023: On the Road Again

Outside, finally, I can see more green than snowy white. Too late! We're in the final week of packing to travel south to Las Cruces, New Mexico. When I looked last, the temperatures there were in the mid 50s F. Sunny. Way warmer than here. The Organ Mountains and the Tortugas roughly a ten-mile drive away from Las Cruces.David Mark on PixabayMy laptop is up-to-date with writing, quilting projects

IWSG 2023: Happy New Year!

 January 2023. Who can believe we're really here? Another year beckons -- with hope and promise and, most likely, new challenges, whether within our worlds or without.The Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) never lets us down by posting an optional question each month to inspire us (see below). What IWSG is really doing is asking us to connect with the writing community, with other writers who

WEP: When you say yes . . .

Here's a short and very true story, just 629 words, inspired by this month's Write...Edit...Publish challenge. Tagline: Saying yes to a simple request can change your life."Can I Ask A Favor?"   By late Thursday afternoon, four new reports ready for final review had already piled up in my inbox. I couldn’t decide whether to go home to my studio apartment in the Marina and flop or join the team

IWSG December 7: Winter Doldrums?

We have another 6-8 inches of snow coming tomorrow, roads are slick and mostly unploughed, and yet, temperatures are closer to freezing today and tomorrow instead of the low teens. Celebrate the wintry moment! This is the time of year that I like to huddle in my office, cold fingers poised over the keyboard for that next scene, preferably set in some warmer clime.Yesterday was a milestone: my

December begins . . . with a song

It's 20F outside just after lunch, with snow everywhere in our parking lot. Yesterday, I helped several neighbors push a woman's car stuck as she tried to leave our complex. Her tires were bald. Maybe she drove safely once she was on the main roads.December ahead looks unusually cold, with lows expected below 10F and highs most days below freezing. That says the snow dump of 6-8 inches won't be

November hastens! Holidays ahead.

 Thanks to encouragement from friends -- and that push from National Novel Writing Month, I'm up to 36K words already written for that next book, The Lost Sarcophagus, projected to be about 70K when I'm done, right?Today's treat is the opening scene (for now). Sandra and Neil are on their way to Cairo, at the request of the Director of the Egyptian Museum. Just before they get to their hotel,

IWSG November 2: NaNoWriMo Already?

Yesterday began NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and while I'm not quite ready to commit to writing 50,000 words in one month, this writing challenge always takes me in new directions. The Insecure Writer's Support Group question this month simply wants to know if I've ever participated in NaNoWriMo. And why or why not?Several writers I know surprised me by saying just the thought of

Ready for November?

Colder days predicted here on the west coast with La Nina headed our way. More snow. An election to recover from or celebrate. Yet much to be grateful for. We drove down to Redmond, Oregon, for a good visit with friends. Finally recovered from that foot surgery (that was not easy). Yes, I can drive again! Running errands feels like dating!  Meanwhile, here's my progress report for November: The

WEP: A Halloween Love Story

"Hunter's Moon" (Wikipedia)Ready for Halloween? Here's a short story to get you thinking about . . . “Irreconcilable Differences”   A deep yellow moon tinged with orange hung low in the darkening sky.    “That’s a Hunter’s Moon,” said George, his voice low and soothing as he drove the car home. “Pretty amazing, don’t you think?”   “Yeah, dad,” said Chris. “I guess.”    George was quiet.    “OK,”