Julie Q's Room of Rouge (if you can can can)

[Wendy]

Hey! did you see that? I thought I saw something come up out of that big black... naw I must've been seeing things. Hmm. Wonder when julie will get back?

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hey Julie,

Wanted to stop by and wish you a wonderful chocolate bunny eating holiday weekend.

Oh, and don't forget to add Robert Downey Jr. to the swoon list ;]

[Julie]

*crawls of the abyss*

Wow, that was a close one! I though they'd have me in there for good!

Hi Wendy! Hi Dee! Thank you for the Easter wishes! I have added Robert Downey Jr. to the list! I don't see how I could have overlooked him! *swoon* He was SOOOO good in Iron Man!

So, I have been writing, but not for my story. That's still on hold until I get this portfolio stuff done. Mainly, I've been researching, and revising. I'm still grading and lesson planning as well, so writing is still in my day to day life. I'm now taking on a tutoring group two days after school as well. That's ok, the tutoring will only last 3 weeks. That's when the big state Science test is taken. And, as of now, there are 7 1/2 weeks until summer vacation!

I'm adding another stressor to my life...I'm taking the steps to buy a condo. Right now, I'm mainly just in the research/pre-approval/getting my financial ducks in a row (imagines rubber duckies wrapped in dollar bills) stage now. I may end up putting it on hold for a while if it's more than I can chew.

I'm itching to write for fun again!!!!

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish]

Thought I would "hop" by and wish you a wonderful Easter! :)

[Paige]

*pets Bruno and Bunny*

Hey, Julie! Haven't seen you in forever. Hope your having a good day full of magical moments.

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hey Julie, Good luck with the condo shopping.

We are taking the roof off of our Hobbit house and adding a new story. Talk about stress ;]

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hey Julie,

Just stopped by to feed the funny bunny and Bruno. Didn't want them getting lonely while you were out :]

[Julie]

*crawls out of big black hole in the corner of the room*

Hi Tink, Dee, Bruno, Bunny!! Thanks for not giving up on me! *Send big hugs your way!* Bruno, I promise to take you out for steak, and Bunny, I'll get you a big caesar salad!

Whew...I've been busy with... well, everything. I still haven't had time to write anything for fun. I have gotten lots of lesson planning/preparation (we are doing an ecosystem unit now and I have 6 little aquaria for the students to observe in class. It's taken quite a bit to set up and maintain.) At night I continue to work on paperwork for school, and other documents for my portfolio. (I feel a bit like Cinderella with the step-mother saying "Sure, you can go to the ball, in my case- transfer, but don't forget all your other chores!!")

Even if I don't get the transfer job at the other school, it's been a good experience for me to update my resume, and really put thought and effort into my professional work experiences/accomplishments.

Here is one of the documents I've finished: (*names of schools have been omitted)

 What I Can Bring to *... 

Life is about balance. The students at *... aren’t just being prepared for college, but also being prepared for life.

I can bring a wealth of my geology experiences, and my knowledge of general sciences to the academic world at *..., which will help the students there prepare for college. I also believe that I have other extra curricular skills that can enrich student’s learning experience.

Immediately after graduating from the University of Texas I obtained a position as an English conversation teacher at a private school in Yokohama, Japan. There I was immersed into the culture and the language for over a year. I shared in the culture, the language, and the cuisine! It was irreplaceable experience I wish to never forget. With the increasing interest in Japanese video games, anime, and manga there has been a surge in the popularity of all things Japanese. I believe I can provide students with a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture through a Japanese culture and language club.

I have conducted such an afterschool class at my current school (Primetime-After-school programs, Fall 2006), with much success. The students involved were thrilled to come to class and learn new phrases, and even learn how to write their names in katakana, one of three Japanese alphabets. We concluded the class with a tea party, drinking traditional green tea, and eating senbe (rice crackers) and various Japanese sweets.

Living in Japan, I learned from the people there to be passionate about what you do, whether it is work or play. The same adult students, who worked so hard during the workweek, took times to develop and enjoy a hobby in their spare time. This served as an outlet to help them forget the stress of their day-to-day lives. In my travels throughout the beautiful country, and in my passion to remember all of the sights, photography seemed like a natural hobby in which for me to lose myself.

Since then I have nurtured this hobby, recruited friends to become photographers (one friend has now started her own wedding photography business), and even begun to assist in weddings and other photo shoots. I began with a 3.2 megapixel Kodak EasyShare, and moved all the way up to a professional grade Canon 5D MarkII.

Needless to say, I’m passionate about photography. More importantly, I believe that we begin to look at our surroundings and nature more closely through the lens. This closer observation of our world develops a deeper appreciation for it. If we see the beauty of nature, then we can truly care about preserving it for us and for future generations.

So, you can see that I have spent much time seeking balance. I love science and teaching science, but I also have an artistic hobby. In that hobby I can stretch my creative muscle while still observing and enjoying nature and the wonders of science. Our hobbies and extra curricular activities can help us appreciate our academic interests, enrich our lives, and help us to become more complete individuals. It is my hope to help students find their own sense of balance in their lives through any clubs or activities that I may be able sponsor.


So, that isn't my cover letter, but it's what I've deemed a "selling myself statement." My resume and cover letter has all of my my professional/ academic info, so I thought I should mention extra-curricular skills.

In other news, I've found out more info about condos, and the HOA dues (home owner association dues) are WAY higher than for a house! (like $200+ a month for a condo, as opposed to $15 a month for a regular house!) So, I've decided to switch gears, and consider home ownership. With that comes lawn care, and possible repairs (AC's are expensive to repair replace, not to mention other things that can go wrong as well). So, I'm putting my search off at least until summer.

Ok, off to bed! I wish you all magical dreams, and a wonderful week ahead!

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Wonderful job Julie.

We are all so glad to have you back with us. We miss you when the "real world" takes you away!

See you tomorrow :]

[Julie]

Thanks Dee!

I'm so glad to be back! :D

I finished my sample lesson plan(1083 words!) for my portfolio! I have only one or two short documents to finish before I'm done! I was hoping to have been done last week, but that's how it is sometimes!

PTA meeting/4th grade program is tonight, which means I'll be sticking around the school later than usual. ...meh...at least I'll be getting a lot of work done!

Here's to another good, but productive day! I see the light at the end of the tunnel! :D

OH, I'm planning to take Friday off work to grade papers and clean up all day, since the nephews are coming over Sunday. Even thought I'll be working all day...the idea of sleeping in an extra day this weekend is really cheering me up!

:D

[Julie]

ok, that's weird...I don't know why it posted twice!

[Wendy]

You can delete one if you want (lower right corner of the post) but not a big deal. I've done that before when I hit the post button and it didn't react fast enough for me- so I hit it again and tada! 2 posts. :)

[Julie]

ooohh, thanks!

:D

[Julie]

*bounces in, turns up the stereo and dances around the room*

WHOO HOO!!!

I finished my portfolio! I'm going to do another "once over"...ok, let's be honest maybe a thrice over! My plan is to drop it off at the school tomorrow afternoon. I hope to be able to shake the principal's hand and introduce myself.

So, I decided that I should post my word count and see how long it really is:

Cover letter: 336
Resume & References: 803 (some was left over from the previous resume)
What I can bring to...: 543
Teaching Philosophy: 329
Classroom Management: 359
Sample Lesson: 1084

That's a grand total of.... drumroll please.... 3,454 words!

Boys, let's celebrate! Steak and veggies are on me!

[Wendy]

I brought the A-1 sause! Yum Yum Julie! Thanks for inviting me. Congratulations on your portfolio. If I was the principal I'd hire you- and he/she'd be a fool to pass you by. Good luck!

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Yeah, a veggie BBQ, I LOVE it :]

[Daisy]

lol

[Julie]

Awww, Thanks Wendy! :,)

Thanks Dee and Daisy for joining the steak party!

A-1 sauce care of Wendy, check! Mushroom, bell peppers, and to-furkey kabobs for Dee, check! Steak for the carnivores, check! A veggie plate for bunny, check! One extra rare leg of cow for the vampire, check!

*Cranks up the music and lights the grill*

:D

[[deleted user]]

That sounds good . . .

Just dropping by, hope you're having an awesome day!

[Julie]

Hi Cali!

Thanks for dropping by!

So, It's another busy weekend! I took off from work yesterday, and even though I was cleaning the whole time, it was nice to be at home. I also bought the Eclipse audiobook from iTunes and listened to that while working. It made the time pass by very nicely.

Today, I'm off to run errands, and then a crafting day with the girls. Well, they'll be crafting (card making), and I'll be catching up on my grading.

It is my sincere hope tonight, that I can get back into the story I've been working on. It's been a few weeks. I need to re-read parts of it to remember where I left off! It's been way too long! So, that's my goal tonight!

Ok, well I'm off for now! I'll be back later!

:D

Bruno, Bunny, you hold down the fort like you always do! ...What was that?... You want to invite some guests over? Sure, knock yourselves out!

[Wendy]

Hi Julie! After harvest (3 months off from writing) I had to print the whole thing off and put it in a three ring binder. Then I reread it and marked all over the story, bleeding across to the blank back of the pages on the other side.

After that, the story was completely different, but better I think. I doubt you'd need to go to such drastic measures after 3 weeks, but if you get really stuck,you might try it!

[Julie]

Wow, three months! Yes, I can imagine harvest time is hectic, especially with kiddos! That is a good idea to print out the story! I might need to do that myself.

I'm just curious, how many pages was your story when you printed it off? Are you still working on it now?

[Wendy]

I just wrote "THE END" yesterday.
It finished out around 210 pages (just under 70,000 words) but I'm doing the "polishing" thing now so it may end up slightly longer/shorter during the next week or two.

When I printed it off before, it was only 80 pages and would fit in a little 3 ring- but yesterday when I sent it off to my grandma, I had to use a 2 inch one.

I'm deciding whether I should buy a binder for each of my readers or if I should just give them the pile of pages. I'm so new to all this!

[Julie]

WOW!!!! That it SO exciting!! Three ring binders are good, or you could get those big legal folders with the binding brads that can hold many pages.

Are you sending it off to publishers? If so, I'd try to keep it as flat as possibly, but I don't have any experience with that myself. (maybe this summer...I'd like to finish my story by the middle of July.)

[Wendy]

From what I understand, when you send off your manuscript to publishers/agents you are not supposed to staple or bind them in anyway. But I'm not sure what that leaves you- a giant paper clip or rubber band maybe? No idea, but I'll find out when I get that far. I figure that's a month and a half or so away- since I'll need to wait for my reader's response and then revise again before I send it off for a round of rejections. I think I'll try for an agent rather then going straight to the publishers because I don't have time to promote my own book consistantly. (Farming and all that)

If I can't get an agent, well then I'll look for a plan B.

[Julie]

Wow, sounds great! Have you done your synopsis for when you send letters to agents? That sounds like a difficult step...reducing the plot into a few short paragraphs, all while trying to hold the attention of the reader.

So, you are waiting on reader response? Do you have you friends reading it now, or are you in a class where you exchange stories/books? I was wondering that when I get to that point. I was thinking about bribing friends with alcohol or cookies...maybe both?

[Wendy]

I'm polishing- then I'll get it to readers, then I'll wait to see what they say. I figure if I want it to go to an agent, I better make it the best I can- don't you think?

I have some medical stuff in the book so I've asked my kids's doctor to read it (turns out he has read for other writers and his mother is an English teacher- go figure), and I've hunted up my favorite English teacher from high school (my college profs were all a bunch of freaks- the garbage they had us read...), and of course the farm family that I based much of my story on (their dad was nearly killed by the daughter's cow in real life), and some of my Native neighbors to be sure that I haven't written anything too outlandish about their culture.

None have been bribed, but I'll probobly thank them with a plate of cookies anyway.

[Julie]

That sounds great! Yes, you would want to wait to write the synopsis, especially if you needed to change a big plot point. It's great that you have such a wide variety of readers too, like Native American friends, and a doctor. Great idea!

Good luck with it all! It's very exciting! :D

[Julie]

Ok, I've finally gotten back into my story!! Whoo hoo!! I've had a chunk of time with a pencil and paper, and hand-wrote about 6 physical pages of notebook paper. I spent some of last night, and I'm sure I'll spend another good chunk tonight typing it up.

I was getting frustrated though...I felt like I was writing too many details and found myself wondering if I'm just stalling. Like I'm too afraid to advance to the next part. Maybe it's just because I still need time to get comfortable with my story/characters again.

My mood is effecting the story too...I find myself wanting to put my main characters in unnecessary peril. But then again... maybe that's a good thing. *spreads an evil grin across face* Muhahah

*Bunny shakes head in shame* Oh, Bunny...here's a carrot...don't be disappointed in me!

[Just Plain Ray]

It's actually good that you're using detail; that way, your reader feels more into the story, ya know?

And I LOVE to endanger my characters and make them depressed and/or hurt because it makes a great plot twist!
Ask Mimi, Tink, Sella, or Dee...they know how I love to torture my characters! :D

[Wendy]

I did that too.

Writing along, la la la- um..... lets have a crisis! Woohoo!

[Julie]

:D

Thanks for the encouragement Rayana and Wendy! I'm glad I'm not the only one torturing my characters. Maybe we like playing god in our character's lives... ;)

Let's see how much I can get typed in tonight before passing out! :D

[Julie]

Ok, I finished typing up what I had handwritten yesterday. 1,109 words! I'm back!!

I still need to type up the words from today too, and the daunting situation that came with today's part of the story!

[Wendy]

"glad I'm not the only one torturing my characters."

Julie- I think the law of opposites applies to books too.

(you can never know the good if you never know the bad, you can never be happy if you've never been sad)

In order to fully appreciate life we need to have experienced some rough times. If everyone on earth had loads of money, perfect health, perfect abilities, perfect relationships, etc.etc Then everyone would take it all for granted and never appreciate or be happy with what they have.

On the other hand, a starving person is blissed out by a meal.

A lonely person is thrilled to find someone.

someone who is dying, hangs on to every moment in life like it is the best moment they ever had- hangs on by their teeth even.

IF books were all sunshine and roses, we'd get jaded with them all. It is the opposition and triumph over adversity that we crave.

[Julie]

Hi Wendy!

I completely agree! We learn so much about ourselves (and others too) in our darkest times. One never likes trials and tribulations, but it sort of defines the human condition. Sad as that is, it's necessary. (I embrace my past struggles, knowing that it helped to shape who I am today. I wouldn't change it one bit!)

All that said, I still feel guilty for choosing those events/moments for my characters. Oh, and the embarrassing scenes...I just cringe as I type! I know I'll get over this squeamishness, hopefully sooner than later.

I'd like to share more of my story, but I don't want to put too much out there in case I entertain the thought of actually publishing one day.

I do have some snippets posted on goodreads. Feel free to read over it if you are interested.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/6...

[Gwendolyn]

Wendy wrote: "From what I understand, when you send off your manuscript to publishers/agents you are not supposed to staple or bind them in anyway. But I'm not sure what that leaves you- a giant paper clip or r..."

Wave Hello to Julie...

Ms.Wendy;

When you're ready what you need to do is the following;

Write a really intriguing, though not self aggrandising, cover letter...
No longer than 1 double spaced, 12pt font page.

Write a story synopsis ... as detailed a you can make it, but again, no more than 1 double spaced, 12pt font page.

If you're going to submit the manuscript directly to a publisher, check the publishers submission rules. Some only want a single chapter, some the first 3, some first, last and middle, some the whole thing.

Do not binder or staple the manuscript.

Either use a large binder clip or cover the document... front and back with a manuscript size piece of cardboard and use large rubber bands wrapped both length and width.

Ship the whole thing with letter and synopsis on top in a padded envelope. Include another one..SASE'd (self addressed and postage prepaid), if you want the document returned.

Either way you'll get a letter or postcard, but if they reject the submission and you don't include the SASE they'll just shred the copy you sent them.

[Wendy]

Gwen- your brain is looking bigger all the time! I'm starting to wonder if it doesn't rival Pauls!

THank you for the wonderful advice!

[Paul]

Cover letter to detail the story genre, target audience, and a little bit about yourself and why you decided to write the book. Synopsis as Gwen said. Manuscript usually wanted in Courier 12 point, double spaced. Don't worry about the exact format, because I'll email Coyote Dreams back to you in the right format when I've done some editing.

But if the publisher's submission guidelines say something different, follow what they say exactly and ignore us :)

[Paul]

Oh, and I'm sure Gwen's brain is much bigger than mine. Well, bigger than any one of mine. Don't forget, I have several spares.

[Julie]

Gwen and Paul,

I know that you both were answering Wendy's questions, but I found it extremely helpful as well. Thanks for the wonderful info!

I shall deem them "Goodreads Writing Encyclopedia: Volume G (Gwen) and Volume P (Paul)"

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hey Julie,

Details are always a good thing. It is very important to use all the senses within your story (sight, touch, sound, taste, and hearing) the last two are the least used, but are very important to setting a realistic storyline, even in a fantasy world.

(and yes, I can attest to Ray's torturing her characters, she is the queen of emotions)

Looking forward to reading more of your story,
Wishing you a great weekend.

[Julie]

Hi Dee!

Thanks for the encouragement! I sometimes worry I'm adding detail to the wrong parts though. That's the beauty of editing. :D I shall name thee "Goodreads Encyclopedia: Volume Dee"

I'd like for you to read more of my story, but I don't want to post it all here on goodreads. Can I send you a google doc? I completely understand if you have too much on your plate.

:)

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hey Julie,
I would love to read more of your story, I always have time for a good read!

I believe I can still open google docs. Or, of course, you can always email me:

conceptual@twcny.rr.com

Which ever is easier for you.

[Julie]

Thanks Dee!!

I'll send it your way this morning! If not, I'm sure I have most of it in a word file. I've been using a program called "Scrivener" to write most of my story, it has some great features, but it's lacking some essential word processing elements. I do like how it's easy to organize and rearrange in Scrivener though.

:D

[Julie]

Ahhh, it's been a decent weekend considering. The low point of my weekend was going to the job fair only to find the position that I wanted at the other school was already filled. :( (even though the website had that job listed!)

I'm really glad I spent all the time getting my resume updated and portfolio made. I'm so proud of myself for completing that, and that in and of itself is empowering. I will say that all this writing on my own helped tremendously in the whole portfolio process. Having this community here at goodreads has been great for me too, it helps to keep me going...sorry, getting a bit gushy...

On another happy note, I did pass out a few more resumes at the fair, just for kicks. I got some positive feedback from a couple of other principals, and that was encouraging!

I should have done more grading, but it was so nice to take it easy instead. Saturday night, I got another 914 words typed up from my handwritten portion of the story. I also treated myself with some much needed reading time, SOA and Twilight...sigh. I really liked the Stonehenge scene in SOA, and I'm really curious about the time standing still for Merlin. I was wondering if time was really frozen, or just everyone was frozen while time still moved. I really like the development of Merlin and Uther's relationship and even Lot and Merlin's general respect for one another. (Just finished Ch. 30...I don't think I can resist reading another chapter or two before bed!)

I'm really hoping for a good week. It's going to be a good week! ('cause I say it is!;)

[Wendy]

Julie, I'm sorry about your job being unavailable. that's crappy of them to not update their website. I wish you luckwith your others that you passed out.

I did wonder that same thing on SOA. Hey Dee!! Was time frozen or just the people?

Julie I hereby decree that you shall have a great week, by order of the most high corn picker. All who dare challenge this writ of happiness shall hense forth be called eaters of dog poo.

[Julie]

Oh great, and most high corn picker! I do thank thee for thine early morning blessing!

There were a few kiddo's that did try my patience, but altogether it was a decent day for a Monday that's so close to the end of school.

Yay for a teacher workshop tomorrow! I can sleep an extra half-hour! Whoo hoo! Ok, back to making sub plans... I'll be back later!

[Dee, Fan of the "Young Prose Society"]

Hi Julie and Wendy,
Good question pertaining to SOA. Everyone was frozen as time passed them by. It was the magic of the "myst"

I look forward to reading your story in the morning Juilie (Mondays are always hectic).

Wishing you a most wonderful week,
When are you out for summer break Julie?

[Julie]

Thanks Dee!
I was kind of thinking that was the case, at the Stonehenge part. I really liked the spirits of past kings coming to visit. There was something comforting about that part.

Thanks for reading the story I sent! No one has read the latest part, so I'm a little nervous.

School is out June 3rd for the kids and June 4th for the teachers! Whoo hoo! I'm always excited to finish up the year, but it brings more surges of work, paperwork for the next year, this years files, grades, report cards, and awards to finish, and then I found out I'm supposed to be moving classrooms too! It will probably take me an extra few days to finish moving rooms, but I have to be done by June 9th, because June 10th I'm going to Orlando for 7 days! Whoo hoo! I have a friend that moved there, and other friends from London will be meeting us there too! Good times!

Dreaming of Summer....

[Julie]

Yesterday was nice. :D I had my workshop, then got out and spent time writing at a local coffee shop. It was very relaxing.

Yesterday's words: 486 words (Joy started reminiscing about her childhood and her grandfather)

I'm hoping to get some writing time in today too!