Tia Silverthorne Bach's Blog, page 106

You Say It's Your Birthday, It's My Birthday Too

I love birthdays. In my house, it's a birthday week not just a single day. A friend of mine recently told me a little kid came up and said it was his "birthday season"... he's my kind of fellow.

This year my husband is traveling, one of my girls is visiting my mother, and I have a doctor's appointment. So I made a very important decision, I've put off my birthday week until we are all home together. Granted I'll still turn a year older today, but my main celebration will wait.

My idea of the perfect birthday week:
 From last year's birthday celebration * No cooking but plenty of baking (did I mention calories don't count during the birthday week?). I'd like one of those Jetsons computers where you punch in the dinner you want. Then the mess would magically disappear.

* Three daughters who exude love and affection for each other. In other words, no bickering and a house filled with random acts of kindness.

* At least one date night with my husband. I'd love dinner out, a nice dessert, and a great movie. Specifically, I'd be rather happy to see Crazy, Stupid, Love.

* Fast fingers to type all the words that will magically flow.

* Blog posts that are insightful, funny, engaging, and magically appear.

* Time to read. This includes books, blogs, tweets, magazines, etc.

* Oh, and Time, I'd like the skin, hair, body, stamina, and metabolism I had twenty years ago. If that's too greedy, I'll take what I had ten years ago.

* An abundance of wit and humor.

* Depression Cookies sales through the roof, best-seller has a nice ring to it.

These wishes are just for my birthday week. The wish-granting birthday genie doesn't tackle the big stuff like world peace, curing disease, or solving the debt problem. I asked. Feel free to help my cause by forwarding this post to my husband.

A special thank you to my mom who should be celebrating today as well. Without her, there would be no birth day to celebrate.

What would your birthday week include?

ROW 80 Check In: A Means to an End

Mom and I wrote our first novel, Depression Cookies , over ten years; not ten years of writing, but ten years from idea to reality. A Round of Words in 80 Days is the first time I've ever written 11,000 words in a month (outside a few crazy semesters in college, and love letters don't count, right?). Keeping the big picture in mind, I'm thrilled with my progress so far.

I am learning so much from my fellow participants about writing and setting goals. Visiting and commenting on these blogs will be a focus for the remainder of this week. I fell so far behind on my blog visiting these past few days, but this week I will show some love.

My goal the rest of the week : visit and comment on at least 15 ROW 80 blogs plus 10 other influential blogs.

This week was crazy, but aren't they all? Monday we found out Depression Cookies was a finalist in two categories of the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards, and I survived my first ever live radio interview. Yeah!

I added 658 words total since my last check in, but I worked for hours on my manuscript. I wrote a pivotal scene and spruced up several more. New total: 11,721. Extra credit this week: I wrote 1,022 words for my highlighted author interview which will appear on Monday, August 15. More details soon.

My goal the rest of the week: spend an hour a day minimum working on the sequel, whether it's outlining, character charts, editing, etc versus focusing so much on my word count tally.

I edited 10 pages total these last few days, but my goal this week is to do 5 pages a day. Finally, I will finish two books by Sunday. Wish me luck!

For inspiration:

"Goals are a means to an end, not the ultimate purpose of our lives. They are simply a tool to concentrate our focus and move us in a direction. The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that you give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." Anthony Robbins

If you make goals, do you feel compelled to meet them or do they only serve to clarify what you really need?

Tub-Full Tuesdays: Appreciation

We all need a little love every now and then. Nothing fills my tub more than my husband saying my hair looks nice or my kids telling me dinner is yummy. A compliment is the gift that keeps on giving.

It's gratifying every time we sell a book, but Mom and I feel a special sense of appreciation when a reader loves it. Thanks to everyone who has already contacted us. If you loved the book and haven't already let us know, please take a minute and post on our Facebook page. It will make our day.

We both felt especially appreciated yesterday when  Depression Cookies was named a Finalist in the Chick Lit category of the 2011 Reader's Favorite Awards contest. Winners will be announced on September 1. Wish us luck!

What makes you feel special and appreciated?

Featured on Today's The Mom Advocate Radio Show

Tune in to the The Mom Advocate Radio Show today to hear my interview: http://www.therealmomtv.com/mom-advocate-radio-show/. Host AnnMarie features all things mom on her Denver-based radio show.

This is my first live interview of any kind, so I have to say I'm nervous. I've listened to several of AnnMarie's previous interviews on her website. She is interesting and engaging, and I am confident she will lead me through a worthwhile piece. I will also be featured on her Real Mom TV Network on September 29th. 

A blurb from her website: "www.therealmomtv.com is the hub of all things MOM….whether you are concerned about your child's eating habits, social interactions, physical fitness or your own concerns about staying connected to friends, keeping your body and mind healthy, or in need of a new wardrobe and fashion/styling advice, The Real Mom TV Network is the place to go; the mom destination where sharing stories and asking questions gives each and every mother a sense of community; where judgment and criticism is not okay but where real moms connect with other real moms who voice their opinions and receive invaluable information on all areas of motherhood and raising a healthy, happy family."


Tune in today and let me know what you think. 

ROW 80 Check In: Success and Failure

Goodbye July. My two-challenge month is over, and I can now devote myself exclusively to my A Round of Words in 80 days challenge. Not much will change, because I incorporated the daily blogging into my ROW 80 challenge. Still, I can put a nice check mark next to my goal to finish the Ultimate Blog Challenge. Check marks make me happy.

I knew meeting my ROW 80 goals this week would be tough. We've had back-to-back company. It's hard enough explaining "writing time" to my three daughters, much less to company I haven't seen in awhile.

Results this week:
I knew meeting my daily 750 word goal would be tough, but I don't make commitments lightly. I stayed up until midnight Friday night and wrote 1,027 words. But I did not write a single word on Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday. Boo! To be fair, I hit a scene I constantly reworked and edited to get the 1,027. It was draining.

I blogged every day, and prepared for a Monday live radio interview. Please wish me luck. I've done interviews, but never a live one.

Newest WIP word total: 11,063!

Reaction:
Disappointed. I won't lie.

This week I am determined to average 750 words a day, post daily on the blog, and edit 10 pages a day on an editing project. I need to finish a book and complete a review as well. I terrified myself as I typed these goals, but I really need to reboot and get some work done. I wish I had a "do nothing but catch up" day, but I'm not sure how to get that on the schedule.

Do lofty goals motivate you or weigh you down?

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

July is almost over, signalling the end of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. A huge thanks to hosts Michele Scism and Michelle Shaeffer! One of the benefits of this challenge was the daily blog ideas. Today's was determination, how we push through to reach a goal. Challenges motivate me to reach goals, but so does reading other blogs and learning.

Both Michel(l)e's blog posts are informative and motivating, detailing the ins and outs of the blog universe. Their challenge brought together many types of bloggers all looking to learn more about social media and networking.

Highlighted blog finds:

* Putting Words to Paper: Tiffany Jansen's words on writing. Everything from common writing mistakes, tips on editing, and discussions about the publishing industry.

* Punk Rock Psychic: No, I'm not scouring blogs looking to unleash my inner punk rocker, but I've found Lisa Marie Selow's blog inspirational and thought-provoking. From the Home Page: "Live an authentic life with success, purpose, happiness, and freedom--on your terms!" I've had several oh-yeah moments reading her posts.

* WAHM Solution: "Work at Home Moms Building Success from the Inside Out" Some great tips this month on knowing your values and building your self-esteem. I love help with motherhood and business all in one site.

* Insignificant at Best: Lisa's "random musings" often made me stop to think and reflect. Great things for a writer, but beneficial to everyone. She engages readers. After the challenge, I plan to spend some time on her site getting ideas for mine. Beautifully put together.

Old friends enjoyed:

* BooksYALove: The authority on lesser known YA books. I have a small notebook filling fast with her diverse book suggestions. Katy, a huge thanks for enhancing my reading life.

* Teaching What is Good: That she does. Endearing and good for the soul, she touches me with her positive outlook and unshakable faith. Kate, keep the inspiration coming.

* Ramblin' with AM: Everything from interesting Civil War posts and beautiful flower pictures to touching posts about autism. A touch of beauty in every post.

Check out these great blogs, and let them know Tia sent you.

Do you have a great go-to blog to recommend? If so, please leave it in the comments below.

Friday Feature: My Favorite Thing I Read this Week and Why

Mom visits to talk about her favorite read this week. Enjoy!***** Life Lessons from Kevin My dear mother loved getting the Martin County, NC, Senior Focus flyer. Over time, I found myself, the newbie old folk, picking it up and delighting over the many rich articles on healthy living tips and funny anecdotes. One of my favorite is by an unknown author.

God's Under the Bed My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped outside his closed door to listen. "Are you there, God?" he asked. "Where are you? Oh, I see…under the bed."Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size, 6'2", there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7 year old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas, and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them. I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he's different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? He was up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, returning to eat his favorite macaroni and cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry days when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.He does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05 eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores. And Saturdays – Oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.I don't think Kevin knows anything exists outside the world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple. He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. He recognizes no difference in people, treating each person as an equal and a friend. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.His hands are diligent. Kevin is happiest when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with work or the work of others.His heart is pure. He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere.And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God – to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.In my moments of doubt and frustration with my faith, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rise above my mortal questions. It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap – I am. My obligations, my fears, my pride, my circumstances…they all become disabilities when I do not submit them to Jesus.Who know if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God. And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we all stand amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed God lived under his bed.Kevin won't be surprised at any of this.*****
We'd love to hear from you. Let us know the best, or worst, thing you've read this week.

Writing is a Highway

I hate traffic, unless it's blog traffic. Unfortunately, I live near the nation's Capitol. Traffic abounds. Every time I get stuck in it I go tense and joke about losing minutes off my life. Nothing about aggression, congestion, and speed goes with driving vehicles in my book.

Don't worry. This isn't a post ranting about traffic. Instead, while I was stuck in it today, I realized how much like writing it is. Sometimes there's flow and all the structure put into place keeps things moving. Other times no matter how well-prepared a writer is, you just sit. Nothing happens.

Traffic equals chaos to me, and I prefer order (and manners!). Same for my writing. I like the words to follow the plan. I am learning to appreciate some organized chaos. If the words are flowing too fast, I type faster. But if chaos outpaces order for long, I lose focus and productivity.

Patience, perseverance, and problem-solving are required in traffic and writing. Writer's block is my writing traffic. I don't have patience with it. I've learned the best medicine is writing, even if it's a blog post, and reading. The more I persevere, the better it flows. Characters block me out sometimes; they throw me problems I wasn't expecting in my story. Usually the character wins.

Today I was impatient to be home and complete my blog post. Blame D.C.-area traffic for this long analogy. All I could think about was frustration. I felt the same way last night staring at a blank screen. I made time to write, wanted to write, but the writing wasn't working. I was at a standstill.

I sat and waited. Nothing. I realized I couldn't force it, those cars weren't moving. I picked up a book and read. Fifty pages in, an idea sparked. I put the book down, opened the laptop. The words came slowly at first, but the scene started developing. It wasn't the way I wanted to get to my destination, but I did get there.

How do you deal with roadblocks?

ROW 80 Check In: Accountability and Advice

Joining the A Round of Words in 80 Days challenge in summer might not be the smartest thing I've ever done. But it is definitely a challenge. Accountability is a major motivator for me. It's always been true: exercise, dieting, and now writing. I like knowing I need to report and people will be stopping by to check in and help me through.

Not just accountability, but advice. I received some great advice from fellow ROW 80 participants about letting the story flow and following it. I'm happy to say for the first time I wrote out of order, and it felt good. A bit naughty even.
My progress:

Sunday, July 24 through Tuesday, July 26
Results: 1,927 words total (averaged 642 a day), posted every day
Reaction: Happy to be writing and trying something different.

New WIP total: 10,036!

I understand ROW 80 continues year-round with small breaks. I just might become a permanent fixture. It feels good to know the next time I struggle I'll have support and some wonderful suggestions from writers who have been there.

A huge thank you!

That being said, my other favorite thing about ROW 80 is reassessing goals. My baby sister, and blog and web designer, is visiting with my adorable niece, Samantha. It's 10:47pm on Wednesday and I haven't written a word on my WIP, but I hope to sneak in some writing while they visit. I have some pivotal scenes floating around my head, and I'm going to do some more non-linear writing!

Looking forward to seeing others' progress. Any stumbling blocks? If so, how did you face them?

Guest Post: Lisa Carter Talks about Finding her Voice

I am honored to have Lisa Carter of Intralingo guest blogging again today. I met Lisa during May's Blogathon. She posted then about Shameless Self-Promotion Dos and Don'ts.

Today, we are exchanging blog posts about the importance of voice for writers. Please read both posts and leave a comment letting us know what you think. We'd love to know how you tap into your voice. My post is Listening to the Voices in My Head.

Finding My Voice -- And Subverting It

Writing is all about voice. Blog posts, articles and books abound on this very subject: defining voice, finding it, understanding it, analyzing it, strengthening it! I work hard at writing in the hopes of one day mastering my own individual style. As an undercover writer (aka literary translator), however, I have to work just as hard at subverting my voice to ensure the author's shines through every word and phrase. It can be a fine line to walk, and I must acknowledge that, no matter how hard I try, my voice will always peek through in some small measure. You see, there is no such thing as a "neutral" or "perfect" or "definitive" translation. Translators are individuals with a particular background, education, life experience and, therefore, personal vocabulary and style. The choices we make when translating will invariably reflect this personality.If the same text were translated by two different people, you would get two entirely different renditions. One will not necessarily be better or worse than the other; they are just informed by different realities. Similarly, as a reader, whether you like one more than another is also a case of personal preference given your own background.Regardless, my primary aim as a literary translator is to analyze and capture the author's voice. So, how exactly do I do that? How do I ensure that I subvert my voice to the author's, prevent too much of my own from shining through?For me, it is about listening closely to the text. I must study it to see what the author has done and make decisions in the translation that reflect the author's choices.Whenever I begin a new book, I read it through in its entirety at least once. I then jot notes on a macro level: What did the text evoke? What did I see and feel as I was reading it? Then, when I get down to the actual task of translation, I analyze the text on a micro level, looking at sentence structure and vocabulary choice. Does the author prefer passive to active? Long sentences to short? Are the verbs punchy or understated? How are the metaphors structured? What vocabulary is specific to the time in which the story is set?All of these aspects are carefully considered in order to make a myriad of style choices along the way. The result, I hope, is a faithful portrayal of the author's voice. As a new creation, however, there is inevitably a hint of me, too.Lisa Carter is a literary translator with five novels and one book of non-fiction to her credit. She is currently striving to capture an author's voice in a book of women's fiction while finding her own, writing for the Web and creative non-fiction essays. You can find her on Twitter @intralingo and at her website www.intralingo.com .