Lydia Howe's Blog, page 38
June 15, 2015
Then Comes the Second Draft
Recently when I haven't been inwardly gushing at how darling sweet little Clara is or marveling at hitting a big milestone or traveling or going to weddings or hanging out with family members or trying to actually keep up with life and work, I've been mildly freaking out.
See, I finished the first draft of When Life Hands You Lymes back in the middle of April, dutifully waited the six weeks before looking at it again and then... instead of eagerly devouring the book like I had been planning on I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even want to think about it. Much less look at it or work on reading through it. The thought of starting on the second draft? Ha! That made me feel like crying. And I'm not even being dramatic here.
It's not fun having a such a huge part of my life fell so utterly tiring and out of reach and beyond my ability to work with. See, not only did I spend 465 days writing the book, but I spent seven years researching it. (Yeah, that's a fancy way to say I had Lyme disease for seven years and when I call those years "research" it makes me feel a little bit better.) The point is I have a lot invested in this book. Which is probably why the thought of reading through it was so daunting.
I mean, what if it is absolutely horrible? I know that at one point it was because draft 1 is actually more like draft 1 & 1/2 because part way through I went back and deleted about 30,000 or so words because they were horrible and the main character was a whiny mess who I detested and wanted to lecture her on how the world didn't revolve around her sorry little me-centered self. Plus, I needed to start the story at a totally new place, two years after the original first draft started.
Also, there was the problem that I constantly switched back and forth between first person past tense and first person present tense with the point of view and knowing I need to change that is a little bit overwhelming. At least I don't head hop any more like I used to do constantly. (Hey! I'm growing as a writer. It's a good thing.)
And then of course theres the whole "Do I have enough character development in there?" question because this is my first full length novel and in kid mysteries there's not a ton of character development to be had. Pretty much character development has me shaking in my bare feet because it's a daunting task. I don't want my MC to be totally unloveable at the beginning but I don't want her to be an angel at the end. Plus of course I don't want it to come across the wrong way.
Oh, and when we're talking about things that make me overwhelmed, we'll just go ahead and mention the supporting character cast. Yeah. Deep breath. Other than the MC there are six characters who are in the book a lot: Madalyn's parents, two brothers, sister and best friend. (I like family-ish people.) The first draft I focused mainly on Madalyn and what she's going through but I know I'm going to need to delve into at least some of the other characters more and that's a bit ahhh-ish to me. (Meaning freaky.)
All this to say that I haven't even wanted to read the WIP, much less begin work on it. So it sat there. And sat there. And several times a day I would think Am I ready to read it? and the answer was always in the negative.
Then on Saturday when we were on our way to an out-of-state wedding my brain suddenly was like "Ok, you can read the book now." which was pretty cool and so I quickly pulled it up on my phone and began reading. And I actually enjoyed it. Quite a bit. There were actually times when I was like Wait, I wrote this? which is a good sign.
This morning I read a little bit more and I'm now fully convinced that the book has potential. I'm excited about reading the rest of the book. I'm even more excited about sharing the book with others. That's what makes me want to hurry and get the book through the second draft and then the third one.
My original thoughts when I finished the first draft was to be done with the second draft (of part one) by my birthday (Sept. 30th) and then have the third draft done by Christmas time so I could get it off to beta readers by the end of the year. I'm not sure if those dates are what I'll be aiming toward now, but at least I'm getting ready for take off which is a good thing. A very good thing.
* * *What about you? Do you have something big in your life that you've just completed or are working on? I'd be delighted to hear!
See, I finished the first draft of When Life Hands You Lymes back in the middle of April, dutifully waited the six weeks before looking at it again and then... instead of eagerly devouring the book like I had been planning on I was so overwhelmed that I didn't even want to think about it. Much less look at it or work on reading through it. The thought of starting on the second draft? Ha! That made me feel like crying. And I'm not even being dramatic here.
It's not fun having a such a huge part of my life fell so utterly tiring and out of reach and beyond my ability to work with. See, not only did I spend 465 days writing the book, but I spent seven years researching it. (Yeah, that's a fancy way to say I had Lyme disease for seven years and when I call those years "research" it makes me feel a little bit better.) The point is I have a lot invested in this book. Which is probably why the thought of reading through it was so daunting.
I mean, what if it is absolutely horrible? I know that at one point it was because draft 1 is actually more like draft 1 & 1/2 because part way through I went back and deleted about 30,000 or so words because they were horrible and the main character was a whiny mess who I detested and wanted to lecture her on how the world didn't revolve around her sorry little me-centered self. Plus, I needed to start the story at a totally new place, two years after the original first draft started.
Also, there was the problem that I constantly switched back and forth between first person past tense and first person present tense with the point of view and knowing I need to change that is a little bit overwhelming. At least I don't head hop any more like I used to do constantly. (Hey! I'm growing as a writer. It's a good thing.)
And then of course theres the whole "Do I have enough character development in there?" question because this is my first full length novel and in kid mysteries there's not a ton of character development to be had. Pretty much character development has me shaking in my bare feet because it's a daunting task. I don't want my MC to be totally unloveable at the beginning but I don't want her to be an angel at the end. Plus of course I don't want it to come across the wrong way.
Oh, and when we're talking about things that make me overwhelmed, we'll just go ahead and mention the supporting character cast. Yeah. Deep breath. Other than the MC there are six characters who are in the book a lot: Madalyn's parents, two brothers, sister and best friend. (I like family-ish people.) The first draft I focused mainly on Madalyn and what she's going through but I know I'm going to need to delve into at least some of the other characters more and that's a bit ahhh-ish to me. (Meaning freaky.)
All this to say that I haven't even wanted to read the WIP, much less begin work on it. So it sat there. And sat there. And several times a day I would think Am I ready to read it? and the answer was always in the negative.
Then on Saturday when we were on our way to an out-of-state wedding my brain suddenly was like "Ok, you can read the book now." which was pretty cool and so I quickly pulled it up on my phone and began reading. And I actually enjoyed it. Quite a bit. There were actually times when I was like Wait, I wrote this? which is a good sign.
This morning I read a little bit more and I'm now fully convinced that the book has potential. I'm excited about reading the rest of the book. I'm even more excited about sharing the book with others. That's what makes me want to hurry and get the book through the second draft and then the third one.
My original thoughts when I finished the first draft was to be done with the second draft (of part one) by my birthday (Sept. 30th) and then have the third draft done by Christmas time so I could get it off to beta readers by the end of the year. I'm not sure if those dates are what I'll be aiming toward now, but at least I'm getting ready for take off which is a good thing. A very good thing.
* * *What about you? Do you have something big in your life that you've just completed or are working on? I'd be delighted to hear!
June 12, 2015
When Life Hands You Lymes #74
Hey y'all! It's time for the 74th segment of my fictional story When Life Hands You Lymes. Please enjoy!
“It’s called a herxhimer reaction.” Mom rubbed my legs as I lay in bed moaning. “It means that the medicines are doing their job and killing off the bad guys.” Mom and I had talked over the ‘herxhimer reaction’ before I started on the concoctions Dr. Shay gave me, but I hadn’t realized how horrible it would be. My legs felt like they had thousand-pound weights on them and my whole head hurt. “I’ve got to finish up some paperwork now.” Mom gave me a pity-filled look. I wanted to be with Mom constantly. For some reason I felt like a clingy one year old who wanted to be carried around by her parents. Closing my eyes I could picture myself a newborn being wrapped in blankets and nestled in Moms arms. The injustice of growing up seemed to hit me head on. “Is that ok with you?” I could tell Mom felt bad about leaving me. “That’s fine.” I hugged my teddy bear closer. I’d never even liked stuffed animals before. “You could come down to my office if you want.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to get up.” I pointed at my computer. “I might watch a movie.” Movies. I had watched more in the past week than the previous year. Since the herxhimer effect out it’s wrath on me, I hadn’t even felt up to playing my violin or reading. A little while later there was a knock on my door. “Come in.” Julia stuck her head inside. “Your mom said you might like some company.” “Who?” If she meant company like herself, than yeah, but the thought of seeing people outside my family filled me with dread. “I have some work I need to do, just a couple of reports I have to write before tomorrow. I thought if you wanted I could sit in here. That way you wouldn’t have to talk or anything, but at least you wouldn’t be alone.” “Ok.” I hoped Julia could see through my one thin word and realize how much what she said meant to me. As she settled herself at my desk, I studied her. I had a really pretty friend. I glanced at my computer. Work. How I wished I could do work on it. I needed to get done but I hadn’t felt well enough to do anything worthwhile for several weeks. I didn’t stop dreaming though. I had made up my mind a while ago that no matter how far away hope seemed from me, I would continue holding on to it. Besides, I had a timeline now. One year. The doctor had said it would probably only be one year until I felt better. Some people would consider that was a long time, but after being sick for over two years without knowing if I’d ever be better, the promise of being better in one year was like a beacon of hope calling out to me. It’s what I kept foremost in my mind during the hard days. This was all part of getting better. And I would survive it.
June 10, 2015
Book Snob: Six Things that Make My Readerly Heart Happy
Last month I posted about six things that make me cringe in books. This month I thought I'd post about six things that make my little readerly heart happy:
1. Amazing and realistic relationships. It doesn't matter if it's a parent/child, friend/friend, sibling/sibling, older person/younger person, etc... If the relationship makes me root for the problems to be worked out and fills me with happy feels when they interact then the story automatically rates higher in my book. Especially if they overcome a hardship together and are able to emerge stronger.
2. Creative characters. I know this is totally a me-thing because I'm a writer, but when there's a character who is a journalist, photographer, seamstress, artist, author, musician or similar creativity-driven occupation then I find myself making a connection. Even if they live in another century, in a totally different setting and in a country far, far away, I still have the "I got you bro" feeling.
3. Distinct descriptions. One of the best things about reading is seeing the world from someone else's eyes. When I read a book I see everything playing out in my head like a movie. The new ways I've learned to view "common" objects has enriched my life.
4. A book that makes me laugh or cry. And double points if the book can make me do both. Triple points if I'm doing both within a couple of minutes of each other.
It's not hard for me to engage in a book. I express myself best through the written word and I connect really easily through the same medium. It does take something special for me to get close enough to a character for me to actually cry for them though. And laughing out loud? It makes me want to hug the book when that happens. (Except when it's in public and... Yeah. I have some embarrassing stories I'm not going to be sharing... Just be forewarned: It's not always appropriate to laugh. Especially when people don't know you're reading.)
5. When the cast of characters is unique and easily distinguishable and small enough to keep track of. It's so easy to get lost when a whole slew of characters are tossed at me like balls at a dunking tank. I like having a few close characters who I can really delve into and learn about and cheer on. I'm totally a character-driven reader.
6. When the ending is satisfying. Endings generally leave me moaning and knocking the book down a half a star or so, so when I find an ending that leaves me content I'm on the moon. I've never been able to peg what exactly makes a good ending, but they're beautiful.
* * *
What about you? What are some things that you like to find in books?
1. Amazing and realistic relationships. It doesn't matter if it's a parent/child, friend/friend, sibling/sibling, older person/younger person, etc... If the relationship makes me root for the problems to be worked out and fills me with happy feels when they interact then the story automatically rates higher in my book. Especially if they overcome a hardship together and are able to emerge stronger.
2. Creative characters. I know this is totally a me-thing because I'm a writer, but when there's a character who is a journalist, photographer, seamstress, artist, author, musician or similar creativity-driven occupation then I find myself making a connection. Even if they live in another century, in a totally different setting and in a country far, far away, I still have the "I got you bro" feeling.
3. Distinct descriptions. One of the best things about reading is seeing the world from someone else's eyes. When I read a book I see everything playing out in my head like a movie. The new ways I've learned to view "common" objects has enriched my life.
4. A book that makes me laugh or cry. And double points if the book can make me do both. Triple points if I'm doing both within a couple of minutes of each other.
It's not hard for me to engage in a book. I express myself best through the written word and I connect really easily through the same medium. It does take something special for me to get close enough to a character for me to actually cry for them though. And laughing out loud? It makes me want to hug the book when that happens. (Except when it's in public and... Yeah. I have some embarrassing stories I'm not going to be sharing... Just be forewarned: It's not always appropriate to laugh. Especially when people don't know you're reading.)
5. When the cast of characters is unique and easily distinguishable and small enough to keep track of. It's so easy to get lost when a whole slew of characters are tossed at me like balls at a dunking tank. I like having a few close characters who I can really delve into and learn about and cheer on. I'm totally a character-driven reader.
6. When the ending is satisfying. Endings generally leave me moaning and knocking the book down a half a star or so, so when I find an ending that leaves me content I'm on the moon. I've never been able to peg what exactly makes a good ending, but they're beautiful.
* * *
What about you? What are some things that you like to find in books?
June 8, 2015
A Thousand Days
Celebration time! Yesterday marked the 1,000th day since I started writing a 100 words on my WIP (work in progress) each and every day. People, a 1,000 days is a long time. To give y'all a little glimpse of just how long it actually is, here's a list of things that I've done/have happened in my life in the last 1,000 days:
* Three of my books were published* Three nieces and one nephew were born* I completed 31 items from my dream list * My brother and I sold our herd of around 40 milk goats and kids * I've had book signings, author blog interviews and been on live TV* Our family built a house and moved (Pictured: old office and new office):
* One of my siblings got married* I had three birthdays spanning from my late teens to early twenties* I found out that I had Lyme disease and spent about two years getting over it (including multiple visits to Lyme disease specialists in Pennsylvania and Colorado)* I published 617 posts on Noveltea * In the last 522 days I've read 202 books (I didn't keep track before that)* My cute little puppy who was only a few weeks old at the time is now almost three:
* I got braces, had them for over two years and then got them taken off* I went to the Grand Ole Opry, explored castles in Europe, ruins in Aruba and lots of museums in-between* I wrote a book with 150,000 words * I did the A to Z blogging challenge three times* I made a whole bunch of new and amazing friends* I hiked up mountains, went caving, kayaking and snorkeling:
And I traveled a lot. In the last 1,000 days I was gone for 318 nights (give or take a few)...
I traveled to or through:States:California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia Countries:Aruba, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Switzerland Continents:Africa, Asia, Europe, North America Had layovers in:Ivory Coast, AfricaNevada, USAQatar, Asia
So much has happened in my life in the last 1,000 days and to know that I've consistently written every single one of those days is pretty exciting. I'm so thankful for the support of my family and my writing group, Go Teen Writers. I'm also so thankful to be a writer and to know that God can use my imagination to inspire people.
To celebrate the 1,000th day my family went out for milkshakes yesterday and then today I'm hosting a giveaway over on Go Teen Writers .
What are some of your favorite things you've done in the last 1,000 days?
June 5, 2015
When Life Hands You Lymes #73
Hey folks! Welcome to the 73rd segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes. I hope you enjoy!
“I saw in your paperwork that you’ve been doing a fairly strict diet for the last couple of months so the transition shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s very important that you stay on it very strictly.” I blink, taking it all in. “Yes, ma’am.” “You’ll be happy to hear you don’t have to do quite as many extra supplements as your former doctors required you to.” Dr. Shay flips through the papers in her folder. As we’re wrapping up our appointment Dr. Shay spread her hands out. “Do you have any questions for me?” “If I do everything you’ve told me to, how long until I’ll be better?” “I don’t like giving deadlines because there are so many variables. “I work best on a deadline.” I try not to panic. “Can you just give me an example? Are we talking two months? Two years? Two decades?” Dr. Shay studies me for a long moment, “A year is a round number we can aim for. Everyone is different though. You could be feeling spry and young again in six months or you can still be fighting the spirochetes eighteen months from now.” “Thank you. The exhaustion? When will it abate?” “There’s no clinical answer for that question, either. Lyme disease is very unique to each individual which makes it almost impossible to predict.” “Do you know how I got Lyme disease?” The words feel odd on my tongue. I feel the thrill of knowledge rush over me again. I have a diagnosis. “Most likely from a deer tick. Are you ever outside?” “Yes.” “Some people get a bulls-eye rash, that’s a sure sign of Lyme disease. Most cases don’t get the rash though and if that’s the case all they can do is try to remember a time when they were out in tall grass or the woods or near animals around the time they started feeling sick.” “Thank you, Dr. Shay.” I leave the office with a mixture of excitement, apprehensiveness and wonder. I have Lyme disease.
A new lifestyle existed for me at home, but I dove into it with a determination that drove all thoughts besides music and health out of my brain. There were so many things the doctor had told me to do and not to do and I sometimes found it overwhelming. I pushed through and made it into a game. Don’t eat processed foods. Do find healthy and enjoyable treats. Don’t have a negative attitude. Do find things to be thankful for. Don’t let Lyme disease define who you are. Do work each day at getting over the disease. The last don’t confused me. Who in their right mind would let Lyme disease define who they were? I soon found my answer. Either I was one of the people or else I wasn’t in my right mind. After over two years of shrugging and not knowing what was going on with my body, it was an incredibly freeing feeling to be able to say I have Lyme disease when someone asked why I didn’t feel well.
June 4, 2015
The Family
Hey everyone! I figured that since it's been a while since I've posted anything about my books that are published I'd give them the stage for today. I'm not sure if I've actually ever had all three of them on at the same time so it's kinda like having a family reunion. I'd be delighted to hear which book looks the most interesting to you. Enjoy!
Action Kids' Club: KindlePaperback Fiction
Twelve-year-old Olivia Hall’s dream of a friends' club ends when she finds out her family is moving. Her parents assure her it's a good thing, opening a new world of possibilities for the Halls, but going from ‘miss popular’ to ‘the new girl’ won’t be easy, and Olivia is not convinced.
Soon she begins to realize that although her life has suddenly changed, there's plenty of adventure to keep her on her toes. From making new friends at Forward Focus, to hanging out at the world-renowned Kids Zone, to meeting the curious head chef, she discovers that there's much more to life - and her new surroundings - than she ever imagined. How will she make the most of these new opportunities? Or will she let them slip away?
Action Kids' Club will entertain both boys and girls as they learn success principles in a fun and interesting setting.
* * *
Buddy Davis' Cool Critters of the Ice Age Kindle Hardcover Non-fiction
Meet 17 strange & unusual animals:
- The size of a car!
- Antlers over 12 feet long!
- "Monster-sized" in North and South America!
There is a lot to learn about life during the great Ice Age. Was the ice everywhere? How did these animals live? With interesting facts about glaciers, land bridges, these animals, and more – you will see an amazing world emerge from the cold and distant past! Don’t forget your coat as you step back in time to discover why the Ice Age happened and what the Bible reveals about it!
An exciting Ice Age exploration led by popular adventurer Buddy Davis!
* * *
Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl Paperback with audio CDFiction
Strap on your headlamp and sling on your backpack for a great adventure deep inside a perilous cave. The adventure follows explorer Buddy Davis as he searches the inky darkness of a limestone cave for evidence that men and dinosaurs walked the earth together. Along the way, you will learn a pile of truths from God's Word as young Lydia Davis and her family teach others about the Creator and Savior ... and have a few adventures of their own. You can trust the Bible, and you will find many good reasons to do so as you join in the mystery. And be careful not to slip on that rock! How would you get out of the cave with a broken leg?
Action Kids' Club: KindlePaperback Fiction
Twelve-year-old Olivia Hall’s dream of a friends' club ends when she finds out her family is moving. Her parents assure her it's a good thing, opening a new world of possibilities for the Halls, but going from ‘miss popular’ to ‘the new girl’ won’t be easy, and Olivia is not convinced. Soon she begins to realize that although her life has suddenly changed, there's plenty of adventure to keep her on her toes. From making new friends at Forward Focus, to hanging out at the world-renowned Kids Zone, to meeting the curious head chef, she discovers that there's much more to life - and her new surroundings - than she ever imagined. How will she make the most of these new opportunities? Or will she let them slip away?
Action Kids' Club will entertain both boys and girls as they learn success principles in a fun and interesting setting.
* * *
Buddy Davis' Cool Critters of the Ice Age Kindle Hardcover Non-fiction
Meet 17 strange & unusual animals:
- The size of a car!
- Antlers over 12 feet long!
- "Monster-sized" in North and South America!
There is a lot to learn about life during the great Ice Age. Was the ice everywhere? How did these animals live? With interesting facts about glaciers, land bridges, these animals, and more – you will see an amazing world emerge from the cold and distant past! Don’t forget your coat as you step back in time to discover why the Ice Age happened and what the Bible reveals about it!
An exciting Ice Age exploration led by popular adventurer Buddy Davis!
* * *
Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl Paperback with audio CDFiction
Strap on your headlamp and sling on your backpack for a great adventure deep inside a perilous cave. The adventure follows explorer Buddy Davis as he searches the inky darkness of a limestone cave for evidence that men and dinosaurs walked the earth together. Along the way, you will learn a pile of truths from God's Word as young Lydia Davis and her family teach others about the Creator and Savior ... and have a few adventures of their own. You can trust the Bible, and you will find many good reasons to do so as you join in the mystery. And be careful not to slip on that rock! How would you get out of the cave with a broken leg?
June 3, 2015
The Beauty of Little Things
I often have the urge to be doing something: checking a job off my list, reading another book, logging another hour of writing, thinking up a new idea. It's hard for me to be still and just exist.
I generally make a schedule in my head each morning and if I have to deviate too far from it then I have to work really hard not to get stressed out.
For the last week though I've set aside my normalcy and worked on embracing each moment as it comes. The little, the big and the in-between.
Taking time to just be there has been good for me. Being flexible and not only ok but happy with changing plans has been a newish experience.
This week I am enjoying the small things. Breathing deeply. Fully living each moment. Taking time to be with the people I love. To laugh. To hug. To love. To pray and sing. To watch my world expand and grow and become more.
And it's beautiful.
I generally make a schedule in my head each morning and if I have to deviate too far from it then I have to work really hard not to get stressed out.
For the last week though I've set aside my normalcy and worked on embracing each moment as it comes. The little, the big and the in-between.
Taking time to just be there has been good for me. Being flexible and not only ok but happy with changing plans has been a newish experience.
This week I am enjoying the small things. Breathing deeply. Fully living each moment. Taking time to be with the people I love. To laugh. To hug. To love. To pray and sing. To watch my world expand and grow and become more.
And it's beautiful.
June 2, 2015
May 2015 in Review
What I focused on in May:
1. Being in Aruba with my family and our business 2. Hanging out with and sorta helping my adopted parents while they were filming 3. Welcoming Clara Jeanne into the world and spending time with her family
Birthday Challenge and Dream List Update:
Birthday Challenge: 1. Read 23 Non-fiction books {1}11. Read the Proverb of the day 3 months (not in a row) {completed} 13. Go to bed before 10:30 23 times (not in a row) {4}
Dream List: None
Reading Update:
Fiction: 11Non-Fiction: 1Reviews: 0
Traveling:
14 nights gone New countries and states: None
What I've Been Learning:
It seems like each month either brings in a whole new slew of lessons to learn or else reinstates something I've already been working on. In May I felt like I had a lot of repeat lessons.
Finding balance with my writing is an important concept I've been struggling to grasp. There are times (like the last few months) where my fingers and brain work perfectly together and I spew out thousands of words each week. Then there are times (like part of April and all of May) where I can hardly even write coherent blog posts (I only wrote 14 of them in May!). I've been learning about when to give myself grace and say It's ok, take a break and focus on something else and when I have to push through and write anyway.
I've also been working on/learning about having the right attitude no matter what's going on. I've had some sort of lingering virus/allergies/or whatever that has made me exhausted. I find that all too often I measure my self worth by what I can accomplish. That means when I'm too tired to do a lot, I get stressed out and struggle to keep the right mind set. Learning to let go while still being balanced isn't an easy concept for me to get ahold of.
Friendship/family/loving people has also been a big focus of this month. I've learned a lot about putting others before me and really wanting to be there for the people I'm closest to. I've also seen how selfish I can be in certain situations. It's amazing to me how much I'm willing to bend and be flexible for certain people and how I only give the smallest amount of effort for other people. I'm working on being more loving to all those I'm in contact with on a regular basis.
I've also been learning to really hold on to the moments I have right now because life changes so quickly. Far too often I'm tempted to look at the past and wish those times back, but then when I really focus on where I am right now, I realize that the experiences I'm having now are just as wonderful (although in a different way), than what I left behind. Acknowledging that also helps me to stay positive about the future instead of freaking out about it.
Other Things:
When I realized a few days ago that we had been in Aruba just a few weeks earlier I was mildly freaked out because May was such a crazy-long month with so much stuff happening.
I started the month out in Aruba where I had fun swimming in a clear ocean and finding starfish, snorkeling, hanging out with lots of people from our family business, swimming some more, talking with friends, watching movies late at night with a friend in our hotel room and making lots of nice memories. (Not to mention a crazy trip home. Traveling with my family equals excitement.)
We got home on the 7th and on the 11th I went to my adopted parent's house for three days to hang out/help/get story ideas since the film crew was there so they could work on the next two DVDs in the Amazing Adventures with Buddy Davis series. I had a lot of fun with them and of course came up with a brain full of ideas for future books.
I also started my 23 before 23 challenge of getting up each morning at 6:15 or earlier for 23 days in a row. There were some times when I took a nap about a half an hour later (Hey! I had some late nights), but I did complete the challenge (today, not in May). It was a challenge I'm very glad to have done. (Getting up at 6:15 isn't that hard, of course. It's just getting up at 6:15 when I have crazy-late nights isn't my cup of tea.)
The next week I did a variety of things at home (including cutting grass, oh, happy day!) and then of course I was busy during the last few days of May welcoming darling Clara into our world and helping her get settled into her new home.
What about you? What did your May look like?
1. Being in Aruba with my family and our business 2. Hanging out with and sorta helping my adopted parents while they were filming 3. Welcoming Clara Jeanne into the world and spending time with her family
Birthday Challenge and Dream List Update:
Birthday Challenge: 1. Read 23 Non-fiction books {1}11. Read the Proverb of the day 3 months (not in a row) {completed} 13. Go to bed before 10:30 23 times (not in a row) {4}
Dream List: None
Reading Update:
Fiction: 11Non-Fiction: 1Reviews: 0
Traveling:
14 nights gone New countries and states: None
What I've Been Learning:
It seems like each month either brings in a whole new slew of lessons to learn or else reinstates something I've already been working on. In May I felt like I had a lot of repeat lessons.
Finding balance with my writing is an important concept I've been struggling to grasp. There are times (like the last few months) where my fingers and brain work perfectly together and I spew out thousands of words each week. Then there are times (like part of April and all of May) where I can hardly even write coherent blog posts (I only wrote 14 of them in May!). I've been learning about when to give myself grace and say It's ok, take a break and focus on something else and when I have to push through and write anyway.
I've also been working on/learning about having the right attitude no matter what's going on. I've had some sort of lingering virus/allergies/or whatever that has made me exhausted. I find that all too often I measure my self worth by what I can accomplish. That means when I'm too tired to do a lot, I get stressed out and struggle to keep the right mind set. Learning to let go while still being balanced isn't an easy concept for me to get ahold of.
Friendship/family/loving people has also been a big focus of this month. I've learned a lot about putting others before me and really wanting to be there for the people I'm closest to. I've also seen how selfish I can be in certain situations. It's amazing to me how much I'm willing to bend and be flexible for certain people and how I only give the smallest amount of effort for other people. I'm working on being more loving to all those I'm in contact with on a regular basis.
I've also been learning to really hold on to the moments I have right now because life changes so quickly. Far too often I'm tempted to look at the past and wish those times back, but then when I really focus on where I am right now, I realize that the experiences I'm having now are just as wonderful (although in a different way), than what I left behind. Acknowledging that also helps me to stay positive about the future instead of freaking out about it.
Other Things:
When I realized a few days ago that we had been in Aruba just a few weeks earlier I was mildly freaked out because May was such a crazy-long month with so much stuff happening.
I started the month out in Aruba where I had fun swimming in a clear ocean and finding starfish, snorkeling, hanging out with lots of people from our family business, swimming some more, talking with friends, watching movies late at night with a friend in our hotel room and making lots of nice memories. (Not to mention a crazy trip home. Traveling with my family equals excitement.)
We got home on the 7th and on the 11th I went to my adopted parent's house for three days to hang out/help/get story ideas since the film crew was there so they could work on the next two DVDs in the Amazing Adventures with Buddy Davis series. I had a lot of fun with them and of course came up with a brain full of ideas for future books.
I also started my 23 before 23 challenge of getting up each morning at 6:15 or earlier for 23 days in a row. There were some times when I took a nap about a half an hour later (Hey! I had some late nights), but I did complete the challenge (today, not in May). It was a challenge I'm very glad to have done. (Getting up at 6:15 isn't that hard, of course. It's just getting up at 6:15 when I have crazy-late nights isn't my cup of tea.)
The next week I did a variety of things at home (including cutting grass, oh, happy day!) and then of course I was busy during the last few days of May welcoming darling Clara into our world and helping her get settled into her new home.
What about you? What did your May look like?
June 1, 2015
Dear Clara
Dear Clara,
I met your mama when she was a cute little eleven-year-old. Neither of us had any clue what life held in store for us.
If someone would have told me that over the years we would become best friends while living on opposite sides of the world from each other, I would have been shocked. If someone would have told me that she would fall in love and marry one of my other best friends and that I would be her maid of honor, I would have laughed at the pure silliness of the notion. If someone would have told me that they would move to a delightful little house in the woods less than a mile away, I would have probably gotten a headache from the sheer wonder of the idea.
It happened though, Clara, and so many of my dreams came true.
It wasn't always easy. When is friendship unfailingly easy? It was worth it though. Every misunderstanding, hurt, and test we went through continued to grow our friendship and mold it into something extraordinarily special. Your mama helped me to learn more about who I am and who I want to become. She's so many things that I'm not. She has so many qualities that I want to cultivate in my own life.
Your mama taught me to sit quietly and really listen with all of me so I could be there. She helped me learn that sometimes conversation is more about being quiet than thinking up a reply. That sometimes the best thing I can do is listen with my heart, eyes and ears. That sometimes just nothing else is needed.
When your parents told me you'd be arriving some time in late spring my level of happiness went up a notch. The next six months were spent in delighted anticipation. Getting to be around your mama so much was an incomparable blessing. Feeling you move, listening to your heartbeat, pouring through pregnancy books together and talking about everything made the months fly by almost too quickly.
Those months were filled with glorious unplanned meals, long chats, game nights, movies, popcorn, laughter, and beauty. It was a season of my life that I will always look back on as being special and unique. An interlude between two huge chapters in the compendium of life.
On Wednesday morning when we knew you would be arriving soon I felt a dream-like anticipation filling me. The next twenty hours took turns flying by and slowly grinding along. Your parents are both amazing; you'll see that for yourself one day when you're old enough to know what amazing means.
Then came your first cry. The first time I heard your mama say "It's Clara Jeanne!" The first time I held you. You - a beautiful little bundle of sweetness. Do you know what sticks in my mind the most though? The way your mama smiled at you. A smile so full of love and care. You are truly blessed, little Clara, to have such wonderful and godly parents.
I look at you in wonder, knowing that one day you'll grow up and experience your own joys, trials and heart-tugging moments of life. You'll develop your own hopes, dreams, interests, quirks, personality and preferences.
Clara, I pray that when the time comes you'll have a friend as wonderful, selfless, sweet, and kind as the friend I found in your mama. If you do, you'll be rich beyond compare.
Clara Jeanne, I love you and I'm thrilled beyond words to be part of your life.
* * *This, my friends, is the reason for the lack of blogging last week. Some things are just more important than blogging.
I met your mama when she was a cute little eleven-year-old. Neither of us had any clue what life held in store for us.
If someone would have told me that over the years we would become best friends while living on opposite sides of the world from each other, I would have been shocked. If someone would have told me that she would fall in love and marry one of my other best friends and that I would be her maid of honor, I would have laughed at the pure silliness of the notion. If someone would have told me that they would move to a delightful little house in the woods less than a mile away, I would have probably gotten a headache from the sheer wonder of the idea.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ."” - C.S. Lewis
It happened though, Clara, and so many of my dreams came true.
It wasn't always easy. When is friendship unfailingly easy? It was worth it though. Every misunderstanding, hurt, and test we went through continued to grow our friendship and mold it into something extraordinarily special. Your mama helped me to learn more about who I am and who I want to become. She's so many things that I'm not. She has so many qualities that I want to cultivate in my own life.
Your mama taught me to sit quietly and really listen with all of me so I could be there. She helped me learn that sometimes conversation is more about being quiet than thinking up a reply. That sometimes the best thing I can do is listen with my heart, eyes and ears. That sometimes just nothing else is needed.
“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” - C.S. Lewis
When your parents told me you'd be arriving some time in late spring my level of happiness went up a notch. The next six months were spent in delighted anticipation. Getting to be around your mama so much was an incomparable blessing. Feeling you move, listening to your heartbeat, pouring through pregnancy books together and talking about everything made the months fly by almost too quickly.
Those months were filled with glorious unplanned meals, long chats, game nights, movies, popcorn, laughter, and beauty. It was a season of my life that I will always look back on as being special and unique. An interlude between two huge chapters in the compendium of life.
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” - C.S. Lewis
On Wednesday morning when we knew you would be arriving soon I felt a dream-like anticipation filling me. The next twenty hours took turns flying by and slowly grinding along. Your parents are both amazing; you'll see that for yourself one day when you're old enough to know what amazing means.
Then came your first cry. The first time I heard your mama say "It's Clara Jeanne!" The first time I held you. You - a beautiful little bundle of sweetness. Do you know what sticks in my mind the most though? The way your mama smiled at you. A smile so full of love and care. You are truly blessed, little Clara, to have such wonderful and godly parents.
“There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious. It is too good to waste on jokes.” - C.S. Lewis
I look at you in wonder, knowing that one day you'll grow up and experience your own joys, trials and heart-tugging moments of life. You'll develop your own hopes, dreams, interests, quirks, personality and preferences.
Clara, I pray that when the time comes you'll have a friend as wonderful, selfless, sweet, and kind as the friend I found in your mama. If you do, you'll be rich beyond compare.
“In friendship...we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.” - C.S. Lewis
Clara Jeanne, I love you and I'm thrilled beyond words to be part of your life.
* * *This, my friends, is the reason for the lack of blogging last week. Some things are just more important than blogging.
May 29, 2015
When Life Hands You Lymes # 72
Hey everyone! Yes, yes, yes... I know I'm very late with this post. I do have a good reason though. A very good reason. I can't say quite yet what that reason is, but I'll let y'all know tomorrow or Monday. (How's that for a little bit of added intrigue?)
So, here we are with the 72nd segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes.
“Well, Madalyn, you have Lyme disease.” My life that had been weaving out of control for the last two years skidded to a halt. “What did you say?” Excitement began bubbling up in my chest. “You have Lyme disease.” If I would have thought about it I probably would have considered it inappropriate to be thrilled at such a loathsome diagnosis, but I had a diagnosis and that’s what mattered. “Mom! Did you hear that?” Reaching over I shook her arm. I laughed and cried at the same time. “I feel like a horse-crazy child who just got her own pony for Christmas.” I danced around the room. “We have answers.” Mom’s smile matched mine as she got up and gave me a hug. “After two and a half years we can stop going to doctor after doctor getting poked and prodded and laughed at and made fun of.” I slump back in my seat in delight and relief. “My life has improved greatly in the last five minutes.” “Hope is a very powerful thing.” Dr. Shay smiled, producing another grin from me. Dr. Shay allows us a few more minutes to dwell and bask in the exciting news before she brings us back to business. “Recovering from Lyme disease is very possible. You’ll likely be told it isn’t, because some doctors lean that way. I’ve done enough research though, and I’m living proof to say with all confidence that you will one day be better.” I nod. “It’s a process you’ll have to take very seriously though.” “I can do that.” “Madalyn is very disciplined,” Mom smiles. “She’ll do well with whatever regime you give her.” “I’m glad to hear that.” Dr. Shay pulls a folder out of a filing cabinet drawer. “How long will it take for me to recover?” The little bit that I read about Lyme disease the night before makes me think I need to be prepared to be in it for the long haul. “It will be a long process.” Dr. Shay avoids giving me a concrete-answer and gauges my reaction and goes on once she sees I’m not freaking out. “Imagine you as a sponge. When you’re healthy it’s like the sponge is being full of water. The Lyme disease has drained all the health from you though and that’s like the sponge being wrung dry.” I nod. “And since you’ve been sick for so long the sponge isn’t only wrung out, it’s also dried hard.” Dr. Shay taps the folder she’s holding on the desk. “What we’re going to do is pour so much nutrient into your body that eventually the sponge will soften again and in time fill up with water and you’ll be healthy.” “Makes sense.” “So you’re with me so far?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Can you handle more information?” “Yes.” “Do you know what a herxhimer reaction is?” “No.” “That’s what we call it when taking medicine makes someone with Lyme disease feel worse.” “Why is that?” “When you begin taking the herbs that kill the Lyme spirochetes then they die and make you really sick.” Her explanation goes on, but my brain refuses to keep up. “You’ve zoned out, haven’t you?” “It’s a lot to take in.” “I know.” She smiles. “You’re doing fine and your mom’s taking notes so no worries.” I zone out, thinking of the difference between Dr. Shay and the other doctor’s we’ve gone to. Dr. Shay is by far my favorite and not just because she finally found a diagnosis for me. “I need you to focus for a little bit now, alright?” Dr. Shay’s question brings me back to the comfortable room we’re sitting in. “Ok.” “One of the most important things for getting over Lyme disease is ensuring that we’re filling your body with the most nutritious food possible. That means we’re going to have to totally cut out all processed foods, white starches and go mainly raw for the next six months.” I nod.
So, here we are with the 72nd segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes.
“Well, Madalyn, you have Lyme disease.” My life that had been weaving out of control for the last two years skidded to a halt. “What did you say?” Excitement began bubbling up in my chest. “You have Lyme disease.” If I would have thought about it I probably would have considered it inappropriate to be thrilled at such a loathsome diagnosis, but I had a diagnosis and that’s what mattered. “Mom! Did you hear that?” Reaching over I shook her arm. I laughed and cried at the same time. “I feel like a horse-crazy child who just got her own pony for Christmas.” I danced around the room. “We have answers.” Mom’s smile matched mine as she got up and gave me a hug. “After two and a half years we can stop going to doctor after doctor getting poked and prodded and laughed at and made fun of.” I slump back in my seat in delight and relief. “My life has improved greatly in the last five minutes.” “Hope is a very powerful thing.” Dr. Shay smiled, producing another grin from me. Dr. Shay allows us a few more minutes to dwell and bask in the exciting news before she brings us back to business. “Recovering from Lyme disease is very possible. You’ll likely be told it isn’t, because some doctors lean that way. I’ve done enough research though, and I’m living proof to say with all confidence that you will one day be better.” I nod. “It’s a process you’ll have to take very seriously though.” “I can do that.” “Madalyn is very disciplined,” Mom smiles. “She’ll do well with whatever regime you give her.” “I’m glad to hear that.” Dr. Shay pulls a folder out of a filing cabinet drawer. “How long will it take for me to recover?” The little bit that I read about Lyme disease the night before makes me think I need to be prepared to be in it for the long haul. “It will be a long process.” Dr. Shay avoids giving me a concrete-answer and gauges my reaction and goes on once she sees I’m not freaking out. “Imagine you as a sponge. When you’re healthy it’s like the sponge is being full of water. The Lyme disease has drained all the health from you though and that’s like the sponge being wrung dry.” I nod. “And since you’ve been sick for so long the sponge isn’t only wrung out, it’s also dried hard.” Dr. Shay taps the folder she’s holding on the desk. “What we’re going to do is pour so much nutrient into your body that eventually the sponge will soften again and in time fill up with water and you’ll be healthy.” “Makes sense.” “So you’re with me so far?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Can you handle more information?” “Yes.” “Do you know what a herxhimer reaction is?” “No.” “That’s what we call it when taking medicine makes someone with Lyme disease feel worse.” “Why is that?” “When you begin taking the herbs that kill the Lyme spirochetes then they die and make you really sick.” Her explanation goes on, but my brain refuses to keep up. “You’ve zoned out, haven’t you?” “It’s a lot to take in.” “I know.” She smiles. “You’re doing fine and your mom’s taking notes so no worries.” I zone out, thinking of the difference between Dr. Shay and the other doctor’s we’ve gone to. Dr. Shay is by far my favorite and not just because she finally found a diagnosis for me. “I need you to focus for a little bit now, alright?” Dr. Shay’s question brings me back to the comfortable room we’re sitting in. “Ok.” “One of the most important things for getting over Lyme disease is ensuring that we’re filling your body with the most nutritious food possible. That means we’re going to have to totally cut out all processed foods, white starches and go mainly raw for the next six months.” I nod.
