The word stake-a-tine is apparently problematical. So I've changed the name to purple staff. I prefer stake-a-tine, but c'est la vie.

Since the end of January I've been to three more conferences for writers, taken a two-week online writing class, and made some changes to the first two chapters. My book is currently being considered by an agent, who may or may not be interested. We'll see.

I've come to the conclusion that writing fiction is not a field for wimps. That is, one cannot afford to be a wimp for long. Maybe on Tuesdays only.

The good news--at least to me--is that I'm not a wimp, and I never give up. Determination isn't so much my middle name; it's my first. The Firma Sisters series of books will be published.

The other good news is that the 2011 Writers-Editors Network International Writing Competition just awarded my story for young children, The Ice Cube Witch, a fifth honorable mention in children's literature, saying that the story is a "fresh approach to an important topic for kids."

 
 
I'm looking forward to attending the SCBWI Winter Conference later this month and the Writers' Intensive, which is held the day before the conference. The Stake-a-tine book is complete and ready to be sold. I'm continuing work on The Firma Sisters and the Flute of Enchantment, the second book in the series (the synopsis and frist seven chapters are complete). Two chapters of The Firma Sisters and the Paisley Egg, the third book, are complete; the synopsis and third chapter should be done soon.

The SCBWI 2010 Winter Conference last year impressed me tremendously. All the sessions were informative. The networking opportunity was quite valuable. Most important, the net worth more than equalled the net expenditure of time and money.
 
 
The comments from kids who've read the book are now on the home page of my web site. One of the kids, John Serger, caught an error that no one else who's read the book--and there have been many adults--noticed. Thank goodness! At any rate, I've incorporated necessary changes based on the comments I received.

It makes me especially happy that the boys liked the book. Although I had met Richard Hrdy once when he was about 6 or 7, I didn't know him. I've never met Alex Schaaf, and I only see John Serger once or twice a year.  

I've also expanded certain sections of the book to more fully distinguish between Isis and Electra, provide more history about the Stake-a-tine, and set up the following books. In doing so, I discovered the need to tell the story of Granddad Firma and his twin brother Marcus, who have an interesting tale to tell. I've titled that book Destiny Twins.   

A fellow member of my writers group, Felicia Ansty, sent me a stuffed gray squirrel adorned with a purple sash--Willoughby the Squirrel--for Christmas. He and I are pictured on my home page.
 
 
My husband and I returned from the World Fantasy Convention in Columbus, Ohio, on Halloween evening. We bought two paintings and three small sculptures and altogether too many books. Well, there can never be too many books.

I attended several panels and spoke to writers, artists, and agents. The artist guest of honor was Darrell Sweet, whose work I greatly admire. He brought about 30 paintings (more or less) to display in the art show, and I told him how much I appreciated his displaying so much of his work. I half seriously suggested to Chuck that we remortgage the house in order to purchase the stand-out Sweet painting of Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter (http://www.sweetartwork.com/DKSscienceFictoingallery.html -- middle row, second painting from the left). Of course, we did not do so, but we did purchase a very small, much less expensive, Sweet painting and I am content. 
 
 
I finished the revisions on The Firma Sisters and the Stake-a-tine of Death last night. Now it's being proofread by someone other than myself, thank Zeus, and read by three juveniles as well as others. I may need to make further revisions due to the feedback I receive. Hopefully, there won't be a lot of revisions. I plan to start reading the book again in a couple of days to look for errors.
 
Cinnamon 10/10/2010
 
My wonderful Cinnamon died yesterday. Some fodder is very, very diffucult.

Writing is helpful at such times.
 
 
Well, the goddess Denise was wrong. The appendix wasn't infected after all, but the adhesions made up for it. Now they're all gone. Yeah!

Writing and writing and writing. And then some more. Plus I need to write the description of my character in the book (adult mystery) my writers group and I are writing together. And soon I've got to start writing the 2010 Chez Timpko News. 

As Isis Firma says, by Zeus almighty, the pressure is mounting.
 
 
First-hand education on chronic appendicitis and adhesions arrived at my doorstep this past year, making my list of fodderable experiences much richer. Now, as a friend referred to me, I am the Appendixless One and damn happy to be so. It's put a crimpt in my writing pace but that will pass.
 
It's interesting to have LESS pain after the surgery than when one arrived at the hospital. As I told one of the nurses, pain is all relative. This was not my first, second, or third surgery. It was my ninth--no, eleventh--surgery. However, waiting for the correct diagnosis (even though I had already correctly diagnosed the illness myself--thank Zeus for the internet) and waiting for the surgery made my blood pressure, which is always perfect, go up quite a bit as I fully realized what might happen if said appendix burst. I'm glad I didn't need to call 911 and that the surgeon was more than quite competent. She also saw me on Monday and took my appendix and adhesions out on Wednesday.

The good news is that the iPad I bought two weeks ago arrived Monday morning, thus allowing me to have easy access to the internet and my writing from my sofabed in the family room before and while I'm recuperating. I love my iPad. I also love the Apple wireless keyboard, which has full-size keys but is lightweight and small. I can now write anywhere, anytime.

When I was seven years old, my teacher played a recording of a computer singing Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer, Do. How quickly things change. As an sf (science fiction) fan, it is rewarding to see such changes happen in my lifetime.
 
Writing Again 08/10/2010
 
Stupid illnesses have plagued me off and on (mostly on) since April. Antibiotics are me. When illness is as painful as this last one was, I get very irked.

Illness and very serious illness has struck family and several people I know. I am upset, stunned, and sad.

A very close friend, who I rarely get a chance to see in person due to my driving limitations, is getting married in October. I am more than quite pleased.

My third greatniece Allison just turned 3 months. I am very happy.

I bought the Mousefertiti sculpture from Alan F. Beck (www.alanfbeck.com). I am excited and amused.

Emotions fuel writing, and I'm writing. Changes to The Firma Sisters and the Stake-a-tine of Death go well.
   
 
 
I am making some needed changes to The Firma Sisters and the Stake-a-tine of Death. When I'm finished, work resumes on the Flute of Enchantment. Currently, however, life is presenting lots of fodder, which, hopefully, will inspire more new writing ideas.