Lydia Howe's Blog, page 40
May 4, 2015
April 2015 in Review
What I focused on in April:
1. I finished my book When Life Hands You Lymes
2. I joined and completed the A to Z Challenge
3. Hanging out with family in Aruba
Birthday Challenge and Dream List Update:
Birthday Challenge 1. Read 23 Non-fiction books - I read 4 this month3. Write 23,000 words in one week4. Write 23 book reviews - I wrote 3 this month7. Write a card every day for 23 days - I did it this month15. No texting for 23 days - I did 2 days this month
Dream List * Write a handwritten card every day for a month * Write a novel that is over 150,000 words * Spend several hours writing in a coffee shop
Reading Update:
Fiction: 18Non-Fiction: 4Reviews: 3
Traveling:
17 nights goneNew countries and states: Aruba
What I've been Learning:
Biggest lesson I learned in April: 150,000 words is lot longer than I had realized. Also, a book that has 150,000 words is a lot to keep track of and characters can go through a lot in that long of a story. Plus, finishing a book that size plunges me straight into exhaustion.
I spent the first several days we were in Aruba trying to work on my next book and only came up with frustration and tears. Finally I realized that I needed to take a step back and just rejuvenate my mind (hence the 18 books I inhaled). I actually have a blog post about this that will be coming along soon.
I've also been learning that as much as I enjoy goals and lists and challenges I can burn myself out. There have been times where I've got such a long list of things to do each day just to keep up that I loose my excitement which is not good. I'm working on lightening my challenge and daily goal load for May and giving myself time to focus on bigger projects and life in general.
Other Things:
I spent three days in a hotel at the beginning of the month focusing on When Life Hands You Lymes and believe me, there was a lot to focus on. After I got home I gave myself a couple of rest days and then finished the book on Friday the 10th. (And celebrated on Sunday by going out with some friends for a Subway picnic and eating a blizzard from Dairy Queen!) That was huge for me. I'm excited/slightly nervous and on the verge of mind-numbing craziness when I think of trying to tackle the second draft of the book.
Taking part in the A to Z Challenge and finishing WLHYL might have been a little much to tackle at the same time, but in the end I'm glad I did it. This is my third year in a row to do the challenge and I'm happy to have accomplished it.
Other than the challenge my blogging was really slow this month. I was overwhelmed with all the writing I did during the beginning of the month and just needed a break. Plus, I was hanging out with my family in Aruba and figured that if I kept up with the challenge, I could take a break from the rest of blogging.
I loved getting to hang out with my family in Aruba (we're still in Aruba but at a business convention now) was really great! Some day I will hopefully catch up with blogging about it...
I'm also very happy to have welcomed a new little nephew into my crazy family. And, an extra neat tid-bit is that this baby is my sister's seventh child and I'm my mom's seventh child so I'm pretty sure he and I will grow up with a special bond.
And, last but not least of all I'm excited to announce that right after my three year blogging anniversary Noveltea broke the 300 follower mark. Thank you, Noveltea readers for your loyalty!
1. I finished my book When Life Hands You Lymes
2. I joined and completed the A to Z Challenge
3. Hanging out with family in Aruba
Birthday Challenge and Dream List Update:
Birthday Challenge 1. Read 23 Non-fiction books - I read 4 this month3. Write 23,000 words in one week4. Write 23 book reviews - I wrote 3 this month7. Write a card every day for 23 days - I did it this month15. No texting for 23 days - I did 2 days this month
Dream List * Write a handwritten card every day for a month * Write a novel that is over 150,000 words * Spend several hours writing in a coffee shop
Reading Update:
Fiction: 18Non-Fiction: 4Reviews: 3
Traveling:
17 nights goneNew countries and states: Aruba
What I've been Learning:
Biggest lesson I learned in April: 150,000 words is lot longer than I had realized. Also, a book that has 150,000 words is a lot to keep track of and characters can go through a lot in that long of a story. Plus, finishing a book that size plunges me straight into exhaustion.
I spent the first several days we were in Aruba trying to work on my next book and only came up with frustration and tears. Finally I realized that I needed to take a step back and just rejuvenate my mind (hence the 18 books I inhaled). I actually have a blog post about this that will be coming along soon.
I've also been learning that as much as I enjoy goals and lists and challenges I can burn myself out. There have been times where I've got such a long list of things to do each day just to keep up that I loose my excitement which is not good. I'm working on lightening my challenge and daily goal load for May and giving myself time to focus on bigger projects and life in general.
Other Things:
I spent three days in a hotel at the beginning of the month focusing on When Life Hands You Lymes and believe me, there was a lot to focus on. After I got home I gave myself a couple of rest days and then finished the book on Friday the 10th. (And celebrated on Sunday by going out with some friends for a Subway picnic and eating a blizzard from Dairy Queen!) That was huge for me. I'm excited/slightly nervous and on the verge of mind-numbing craziness when I think of trying to tackle the second draft of the book.
Taking part in the A to Z Challenge and finishing WLHYL might have been a little much to tackle at the same time, but in the end I'm glad I did it. This is my third year in a row to do the challenge and I'm happy to have accomplished it.
Other than the challenge my blogging was really slow this month. I was overwhelmed with all the writing I did during the beginning of the month and just needed a break. Plus, I was hanging out with my family in Aruba and figured that if I kept up with the challenge, I could take a break from the rest of blogging.
I loved getting to hang out with my family in Aruba (we're still in Aruba but at a business convention now) was really great! Some day I will hopefully catch up with blogging about it...
I'm also very happy to have welcomed a new little nephew into my crazy family. And, an extra neat tid-bit is that this baby is my sister's seventh child and I'm my mom's seventh child so I'm pretty sure he and I will grow up with a special bond.
And, last but not least of all I'm excited to announce that right after my three year blogging anniversary Noveltea broke the 300 follower mark. Thank you, Noveltea readers for your loyalty!
May 1, 2015
When Life Hands You Lymes #68
Hey everyone! Welcome to the 68th segment of my fictional story,
When Life Hands You Lymes
. I hope you enjoy this week's post.
By the way, I'm spending the week in the Ritz Carlton in Aruba and it's beautiful! After two weeks of 'down time' at a house on the beach here I'm ready to jump back into blogging and share some thoughts that I've gleaned with y'all. Hold on tight for some posts that will catch y'all up from my 'break' that I took during the last two weeks.
And now, without further ado may I present to you When Life Hands You Lymes...
New Chapter
Our time in California was over way before I was ready to go back home. It had been wonderful getting to hang out with Jason and have good long talks with him face to face. “Remember that you’re going to be alright.” Jason told me as he hugged me good bye at the airport. “This too shall pass and you’ll come out of it a stronger girl.” “Thanks.” I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the words. “But until then I’ll be praying that we can figure out what’s going on with you.” Jason gave my shoulder a squeeze. The seat next to me on the plane was empty and about halfway through the flight Mom came and sat down next to me. “Are you busy?” she asked as she buckled in. “Um, no, I guess not.” I took my earbuds out and slipped my phone into my bag. “Is something wrong?” I sometimes get a moment of panic where my heart begins aching with fear when Mom does something out of the ordinary. I didn’t used to be like that though so that freaks me out even more because I don’t know if I’ll ever be back to normal or if I’ll keep getting worse. “It’s nothing bad so get that look off your face.” Mom frowned at me. “You can’t jump to conclusions and imagine everything bad whenever I come to talk with you.” Deep breath. Deep breath. “Right, sorry about that.” Mom sat there, looking at me like she thought the answer to why I was sick would show up on my face. I’d caught her doing that quite a few times recently and it was driving me nuts. “You wanted to tell me something?” I prompted at last. “Right.” I fiddled with my bracelet, waiting for Mom to continue. “I was talking with Jason about doctors and he and I spent some time researching and we think we might have found a doctor to take you to.” Not again. “Mom, we’ve been to doctors.” I huffed out a loud sigh. “A lot of them.” I twisted my face into a goofy face. “And, if you haven’t noticed none of them have been able to do any good.” “I’m quite aware of that.” Mom held her phone out to me. “This one is a Lyme disease specialist though.” “We’ve tested for Lyme disease.” More then once in fact. “I know we have but I’ve been researching it because I’ve had a lot of people tell me that you have the symptoms of it and I guess sometimes you can have Lyme disease and the tests not pick it up.” Suspicious. “Why?” Like I was going to swallow that one without a good explanation. I took a closer look at the website on the phone Mom had handed me. “This doctor is in PA.” I shook my head. “Can we just drop the subject?” “Because you don’t want to go to the doctor or because you want to discuss it another time?” “I don’t want to go.” I grimaced. “Going to a specialist out of state sounds pretty serious.” Mom groaned. “In case you haven’t noticed what you have is pretty serious. Do you realize that instead of getting better like we’d hoped, the longer you don’t feel well the worse you’re feeling?” “Really?” I shrugged, knowing I was being sarcastic. “Pennsylvania isn’t really that far away after all.” Mom took her phone back. “And this doctor really seems to know what she’s talking about. Several of her children have had Lyme disease so she’s had reason to research it thoroughly.” I sighed, not knowing what else to say. “When are we going to go there?” “We have an appointment for the end of next week.” “So, you weren’t really asking my opinion about it, you were just letting me know that this is a done deal?” “You make it sound like I’m doing something horrible.” I shook my head, “Sorry Mom, I don’t want to make you feel like that.” I forced a smile to my face, “Thank you for taking care of me and trying to do what’s best. With a Mom like you my body doesn’t dare stay sick much longer.” I was rewarded for saying the right thing when Mom smiled, “I know this is hard, Madalyn, but it hopefully won’t be long until you’re brimming with health again and able to get on with your life.” “That’s great.” I nod my head like I agree with her, but inside I was crawling into my shell, determined not to let false hope get me excited again. The crash was too far each time I came back to reality and realized that doctor’s didn’t have a magic wand they could wave over me and return me to good health.
By the way, I'm spending the week in the Ritz Carlton in Aruba and it's beautiful! After two weeks of 'down time' at a house on the beach here I'm ready to jump back into blogging and share some thoughts that I've gleaned with y'all. Hold on tight for some posts that will catch y'all up from my 'break' that I took during the last two weeks.
And now, without further ado may I present to you When Life Hands You Lymes...
New Chapter
Our time in California was over way before I was ready to go back home. It had been wonderful getting to hang out with Jason and have good long talks with him face to face. “Remember that you’re going to be alright.” Jason told me as he hugged me good bye at the airport. “This too shall pass and you’ll come out of it a stronger girl.” “Thanks.” I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the words. “But until then I’ll be praying that we can figure out what’s going on with you.” Jason gave my shoulder a squeeze. The seat next to me on the plane was empty and about halfway through the flight Mom came and sat down next to me. “Are you busy?” she asked as she buckled in. “Um, no, I guess not.” I took my earbuds out and slipped my phone into my bag. “Is something wrong?” I sometimes get a moment of panic where my heart begins aching with fear when Mom does something out of the ordinary. I didn’t used to be like that though so that freaks me out even more because I don’t know if I’ll ever be back to normal or if I’ll keep getting worse. “It’s nothing bad so get that look off your face.” Mom frowned at me. “You can’t jump to conclusions and imagine everything bad whenever I come to talk with you.” Deep breath. Deep breath. “Right, sorry about that.” Mom sat there, looking at me like she thought the answer to why I was sick would show up on my face. I’d caught her doing that quite a few times recently and it was driving me nuts. “You wanted to tell me something?” I prompted at last. “Right.” I fiddled with my bracelet, waiting for Mom to continue. “I was talking with Jason about doctors and he and I spent some time researching and we think we might have found a doctor to take you to.” Not again. “Mom, we’ve been to doctors.” I huffed out a loud sigh. “A lot of them.” I twisted my face into a goofy face. “And, if you haven’t noticed none of them have been able to do any good.” “I’m quite aware of that.” Mom held her phone out to me. “This one is a Lyme disease specialist though.” “We’ve tested for Lyme disease.” More then once in fact. “I know we have but I’ve been researching it because I’ve had a lot of people tell me that you have the symptoms of it and I guess sometimes you can have Lyme disease and the tests not pick it up.” Suspicious. “Why?” Like I was going to swallow that one without a good explanation. I took a closer look at the website on the phone Mom had handed me. “This doctor is in PA.” I shook my head. “Can we just drop the subject?” “Because you don’t want to go to the doctor or because you want to discuss it another time?” “I don’t want to go.” I grimaced. “Going to a specialist out of state sounds pretty serious.” Mom groaned. “In case you haven’t noticed what you have is pretty serious. Do you realize that instead of getting better like we’d hoped, the longer you don’t feel well the worse you’re feeling?” “Really?” I shrugged, knowing I was being sarcastic. “Pennsylvania isn’t really that far away after all.” Mom took her phone back. “And this doctor really seems to know what she’s talking about. Several of her children have had Lyme disease so she’s had reason to research it thoroughly.” I sighed, not knowing what else to say. “When are we going to go there?” “We have an appointment for the end of next week.” “So, you weren’t really asking my opinion about it, you were just letting me know that this is a done deal?” “You make it sound like I’m doing something horrible.” I shook my head, “Sorry Mom, I don’t want to make you feel like that.” I forced a smile to my face, “Thank you for taking care of me and trying to do what’s best. With a Mom like you my body doesn’t dare stay sick much longer.” I was rewarded for saying the right thing when Mom smiled, “I know this is hard, Madalyn, but it hopefully won’t be long until you’re brimming with health again and able to get on with your life.” “That’s great.” I nod my head like I agree with her, but inside I was crawling into my shell, determined not to let false hope get me excited again. The crash was too far each time I came back to reality and realized that doctor’s didn’t have a magic wand they could wave over me and return me to good health.
April 30, 2015
Z is for Zoo
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
Z is for Zoo
You've heard people say to face their fears? Well, my parents decided to put that advice into practice. My older brother's greatest fear? Heights. So, my parents took him to the Grand Canon. It must have worked cause next thing we knew he was getting in shape so he could hike Mount Rushmore. My oldest sister's greatest fear? Public speaking. So, my parents convinced her to take a speaking course and get on a debate team. Now it's no wonder that she's going to be the spokesperson for the Water for Africa project she's a part of. Me? I tried. I tried desperately hard to hide my fear but alas it leaked out: I'm scared to death of animals. And you guessed it. My parents are having me intern at a zoo this summer. Now all I have to do is convince my younger brother to have a fear of traveling across Europe with his family...
The Zooiness of Fears is a laugh-out-loud Middle Grade novel.
* * * Thank you everyone for hanging out with me during this challenge! I had fun completing the A to Z Challenge for the third year in a row. :)
April 29, 2015
Y is for Yawn
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy! {Short Story Idea}
There once was a little girl who started to yawn. And when the little girl yawned a boy riding by on his bike saw her and yawned, too. A mother was standing at her kitchen sink washing dishes and she saw the boy biking by yawn, she yawned, too. When the mother said good bye to her children who were leaving for school, they started yawning as well. When the children walked to school they yawned as a man was passing by on his way to the airport to fly to Chicago for work...
The Yawn That Circled the Globe is a fun picture book for kids.
April 28, 2015
X is for Xander
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
(I am on my phone because of internet issues and this isn't quite working out, so...)
King Xander, ruler of Halfaulnt, is known for his friendly, easy-going personality and his love for children. Queen Jen is known for her enthusiastic embrace of any newfangled contraption. Prince Goven is known for his wit and sense of humor. Princess Milly is known for her love of beauty and huge smile.
When a neighboring country threatens war and panic begins taking over the level headed people of Halfaulnt, will the royal family be able to rise to the occasion and prevent a war or will the unthinkable happen?
Filled with comical happenstances that will keep you laughing from the very first page, Zander and His Unusual Army is a book kids of all ages will enjoy.
(I am on my phone because of internet issues and this isn't quite working out, so...)
King Xander, ruler of Halfaulnt, is known for his friendly, easy-going personality and his love for children. Queen Jen is known for her enthusiastic embrace of any newfangled contraption. Prince Goven is known for his wit and sense of humor. Princess Milly is known for her love of beauty and huge smile.
When a neighboring country threatens war and panic begins taking over the level headed people of Halfaulnt, will the royal family be able to rise to the occasion and prevent a war or will the unthinkable happen?
Filled with comical happenstances that will keep you laughing from the very first page, Zander and His Unusual Army is a book kids of all ages will enjoy.
April 27, 2015
Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids - Book Review
Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids (Good News Shoes Series Book #2)By Jill Osborne
Find it on: Amazon Goodreads
First PersonOne Point of ViewFiction 256 Pages
About the Book
If you’re gonna run for your life, you gotta wear the right shoes.Life is rapidly changing for pre-teen shoe spokesperson Riley Mae. After the last photo shoot and trek up the Half-Dome in Yosemite, Riley Mae and her Swiftriver friends find themselves in Northwest Montana, the perfect backdrop for a river sandal campaign. The first problem is a plane malfunction. Then the rigorous raft training for the “Ready Eddy” river sandal campaign brings more bumps and bruises. And given that she is in Montana for a shoe campaign instead of back home with her friends, Riley thinks life can’t get much worse. But then she meets Sunday, a 10 year-old boy from Kenya, who wrestles fish, battles bears, and tackles leukemia. And Riley soon learns that life is as unpredictable as the raging waters, which, if she is not careful, will sweep her away and into the hands of the enemy - who is even closer than she thinks.Why I Choose this Book:I read the first book in the series last year (read the review here ) and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to continue with the adventures. What I Thought: I really liked this book. There was adventure, intrigue, and enough questions to keep me excited and thoroughly enjoying the book. Riley Mae (let's just stop for a moment and think about how cool her name is; I sometimes stop and say it out loud because I like it so much) is a fun, easy to follow narrator who's head is interesting to be inside of. I could relate to Riley Mae which is always a huge plus for me when I'm reading a book. Riley Mae is a shoe model and travels around doing adventurous activities in preparation for photo-shoots and then of course for the photo-shoots themselves. There are also some "bad guys" on their trail and a friend with a missing mother and rich employers with private airplanes and all that kind of cool stuff. Pretty exciting. Conclusion:I was extremely pleased with this book. The bad attitudes that had bothered me in the last book were very minimal in this book so that was nice. There was one time where Riley sneaked into someone's room and did something she shouldn't have, but other than that I can't remember anything questionable. I gave this book to my younger sister as soon as I was done reading it and would gladly recommend it to any of my youngish friends. Rating I'm giving Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids Four Stars (I received this book free from BookLook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Find it on: Amazon Goodreads
First PersonOne Point of ViewFiction 256 Pages
About the Book
If you’re gonna run for your life, you gotta wear the right shoes.Life is rapidly changing for pre-teen shoe spokesperson Riley Mae. After the last photo shoot and trek up the Half-Dome in Yosemite, Riley Mae and her Swiftriver friends find themselves in Northwest Montana, the perfect backdrop for a river sandal campaign. The first problem is a plane malfunction. Then the rigorous raft training for the “Ready Eddy” river sandal campaign brings more bumps and bruises. And given that she is in Montana for a shoe campaign instead of back home with her friends, Riley thinks life can’t get much worse. But then she meets Sunday, a 10 year-old boy from Kenya, who wrestles fish, battles bears, and tackles leukemia. And Riley soon learns that life is as unpredictable as the raging waters, which, if she is not careful, will sweep her away and into the hands of the enemy - who is even closer than she thinks.Why I Choose this Book:I read the first book in the series last year (read the review here ) and I really enjoyed it so I wanted to continue with the adventures. What I Thought: I really liked this book. There was adventure, intrigue, and enough questions to keep me excited and thoroughly enjoying the book. Riley Mae (let's just stop for a moment and think about how cool her name is; I sometimes stop and say it out loud because I like it so much) is a fun, easy to follow narrator who's head is interesting to be inside of. I could relate to Riley Mae which is always a huge plus for me when I'm reading a book. Riley Mae is a shoe model and travels around doing adventurous activities in preparation for photo-shoots and then of course for the photo-shoots themselves. There are also some "bad guys" on their trail and a friend with a missing mother and rich employers with private airplanes and all that kind of cool stuff. Pretty exciting. Conclusion:I was extremely pleased with this book. The bad attitudes that had bothered me in the last book were very minimal in this book so that was nice. There was one time where Riley sneaked into someone's room and did something she shouldn't have, but other than that I can't remember anything questionable. I gave this book to my younger sister as soon as I was done reading it and would gladly recommend it to any of my youngish friends. Rating I'm giving Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids Four Stars (I received this book free from BookLook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
W is for Wanderer
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
W is for Wanderer
I am a wanderer. My life is a mysterious journey with an elusive destination I can never quite grasp. My days blur together in a confusion of seeking, traveling and growing. My purpose is hidden, my ideals blurry and my talents marred. I search for something, never quite knowing what. Some day though, I will remember. And then my silent wanderings will be over. And I will be home.
A small square of parchment is all I have to link me to my final terminus, and I will guard it with my life.
The Wanderer is a full-length novel with a thought-provoking narrator and a heart-breaking ending.
April 25, 2015
V is for Vegetables
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
V is for Vegetables
I dream of one day writing a cookbook, or at least a book that has a lot of recipes mixed in. I really enjoy cooking and that's part of my non-writing job description. I especially like making veggie stir-fries with lots of garlic, ginger and onions. Yummy!
Our family eats a lot of vegetables. We often substitute green beans or squash for pasta and noodles and it actually tastes really good! I would have a lot of fun working on a cookbook that uses a huge amount of veggies and healthy recipes.
* * * What about you? What are some of your favorite vegetable dishes? And, sorry about skipping with the When Life Hands You Lymes yesterday. That was SO not planned, but life is very out of routine since we're on vacation. :)
April 24, 2015
U is for Underwater
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
U is for Underwater
Living in Una means a life filled with water. Alia loves her island home where sea gulls swoop down and steal crumbs of food and dolphins frolic in the shimmering shades of green and blue that make up the waves that roll in and out. Her grandfather even tells of a pet sea turtle he rode as a boy.
But each day when the high tide begins lapping at the sand Alia feels panic rising up, choking her and cloaking her with a curtain of fear.
One day Alia decides enough is enough and sets out to find the truth of her phobia. Only, the truth is far more upsetting than she had ever realized and once she knows it her life will never go back to normal.
April 23, 2015
T is for Tsunamis
Y'all, I get more story ideas than I'll ever be able to use. For this A to Z Challenge I'm sharing some of these crazy and random balloons with you just for the fun of it. The posts will be set up like a backcover blurb. Sit back and enjoy!
T is for TsunamisWhen a small island is hit by a huge and destructive wave called a tsunami, Katie's older brother, Ben, makes the life-changing decision to go and help the islanders rebuild their lives. As weeks stretch into months and eventually a year goes by, Ben and Katie keep each other entertained and ward off homesickness through long emails and occasional care packages.
Even though Katie misses her brother, she's very happy that he can serve where he's needed. Plus, there's a chance she might get to go visit him for a surprise.
A Bridge of Letters is a story of hope, service and family loyalty.
