Focusing on Writing Again

I had a burst of creativity last fall and then things got busy with Christmas concerts and Masses and wedding. All good things. I'd manage to scribble a few thoughts. And just as I was getting back into my stories, I got sick with the worst flu, which I've not had in decades. Ugh. Fever. Chills. Cough. Cold. Headache. I couldn't even read much, let alone write. But now that I'm on the mend, I signed up for the Catholic Online Writing Conference. It's starting tomorrow. I'm so excited. This is just the shot of inspiration I need. And I encourage anybody else who is even thinking about writing to register.

Here are the details! When: Friday, January 31 – Feb 2, with pitch practice on Feb 3 & 4, and pitch sessions Feb 10-13 Cost: $65 for nonmembers $45 for CWG members (find the coupon code in the #online-conference thread) More information at https://www.catholicwritersguild.org/online-conference/ This year’s speakers: ·        Powerful Not Preachy by Sr. Allison Regina Gliot, FSP ·        Tips for Writing Your Nonfiction Book by Belinda Terro Mooney ·        Instagram: So Much More Than Likes and Follows by Kate Frantz ·        Panel: Balancing Practicing the Faith and Writing about it by Allison Gingras ·        Mary as Muse by Maria V Gallagher ·        Substack by Danielle Bean ·        Publishing Industry Red Flags by Anjanette Barr ·        Incorporating Biblical Themes Into Fiction by Allison Ramirez ·        Newsletter Marketing by Stephanie Landsem ·        Fairy Tales and the Catholic Writer by G. M.(Mark) Baker ·        Why the World Needs Catholic Romance Novels by Gerri Bauer ·        Website Building by Sophia Lebano ·        Panel: Author/Editor by Rebecca W. Martin ·        Practical Uses for AI in Writing by Karina Fabian ·        How to Create a Well Rounded Character by Jane Lebak ·        Spiritual Warfare In Our Craft by Maria Riley ·        Compiling Your Best Writing Team by Caitlin Bootsma ·        A guide to Traditional Publishing by Rebecca W. Martin ·        Unpacking the AI Art Dilemma by Jillian Chapman ·        Panel Historical Fiction by Rhonda Ortiz ·        Great Escapes from Common Pitfalls in Writing for Kids by Sr Maria Grace Dateno, FSP ·        Dialogue Details by Lisa A. Wroble ·        Making Your Story Meet a Need; Nonfiction Spiritual Writing by Heidi Saxton ·        Let's Talk about Speaking by Allison Gingras This year’s publishers that are hearing pitches: ·        Dr. Sebastian Mahood, OP, EnRoute                             ·        Anjanette Barr, Dunham Literary                       ·        Jane Daly, Elk Lake Publishing                    ·        Karen Ullo, Chrism Press                    ·        Rebecca Martin, Our Sunday Visitor                                      ·        Dr. Joe McAleer & Chris Sparks, Marian Press                    ·        Sr. Maria Grace & Sr. Allison Regina,  Pauline Children ·        Sr. Marie Paul, Pauline Adult Where is it held? We use BigMarker web conferencing software. It works similar to Zoom, but you don’t need to download anything. Just click the links that will be provided in your email the day of the conference. What do I need to attend an online conference? A computer, good internet, and time. What if I can’t make it to all the presentations? No problem! We’ll be publishing the recordings after the fact, so you can watch or rewatch at your leisure. Often, our presenters give us their slides or handouts to share with attendees afterwards as well. Will I have a chance to talk to the presenters or other members? Of course! We program in extra time for Q&A as well as chatting. Naturally, private chat is also available—just don’t PM a presenter while they are presenting. Does the conference really help a writing career? Absolutely! We get feedback every year from people who have completed their books, been inspired for marketing, or gotten a book contract as a result of their participation in the conference. In fact, CWCO has launched an estimated 50 or more careers since its inception. I don’t have a book written yet. Come anyway! Start laying the foundation by learning more about writing or marketing (which needs to be started while you’re writing).Start networking with other authors and editors—often, a book contract comes through knowing the right person rather than a cold submission. Plus, the conference is very motivating. I don’t write fiction. I don’t write nonfiction. I don’t write religious stuff. No problem. We cover all genres of fiction and nonfiction, plus the business side. While we talk about how faith influences our writing, we do not require anyone to write religious-exclusive works (in fact, three of the people hearing pitches accept secular works). We are a Catholic conference but we are also a catholic (universal) conference. I went last year, why attend again? We have new speakers and new topics, plus the chance to meet writers, editors and publishers. We have people who have attended every year and come away with something new—sometimes, even a new book idea, a new writing buddy, or a new book contract. I’m not a member. Can I get a discount? We have filled our need for moderators this year. However, if you join the Guild ($40/year), you get a $15 discount on this conference. Plus, you get discounts on later conferences and on a multitude of editorial and other services—not to mention, the intangible benefits of Guild fellowship.

Register now

My Mom's Death Anniversary

The years are flying by...and it's been 38 years since my mom died. I needed a picture of myself circa 1980 for publicity so I was going through my album and picked out these last few pictures from 1986. My sister came over in the fall with her little girl to help take care of my mom so that I could finish my undergraduate studies. What a joy it was to have this imp in the house. Our home was always filled with little ones because my mom started a babysitting business after her divorce. It would've been too sad if it were just the two of us trying to manage everything on our own. It made for a happier home life to have my sister and my little niece. My brother came home with his fiancée and they were married at home by the deacon. My mom was too frail to leave home. She died just a month later. I have so many happy memories of our time together, sad ones too, when we were exhausted, but what a privilege it is to accompany the dying. Now, I dream of meeting her and all the loved ones who've gone before me in heaven. Pray for us, Ai! Pray for us, St. Paul! 

Snow!

Tuesday evening it started to snow! We haven't had this magical white stuff since Jan 2018. We went for a walk the following day--it was so pretty and crispy cold. 

We've been enjoying other people's snowmen. Note the beer can--it's happy hour!

So Dagny did get her wish for a White Christmas! I'm so glad it didn't happen around her wedding with so many people travelling. She sent me pictures around her neighborhood of Christ our King Catholic Church. So beautiful.

I hope everybody is enjoying snow days and getting to play! Happy New Year!!! 

Videos from Wedding

Family and friends took some videos... Enjoy!!!

 

Happy New Year!

January is the month of the Holy Name of Jesus, which means God saves. I love that January 1st is the Octave Day of Christmas, the day of our blessed Lord's circumcision, where He first shed His Precious Blood for us, according to the Law, and is given the name JESUS, the Holy Name told to St. Joseph (Matt 20-23):

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin will be with child
and will give birth to a son,
and they will call Him Immanuel”
(which means, “God with us”).

Even one drop would've been sufficient to save us all but He chose to give ALL 33 years later on Calvary. I developed a devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus a couple of years ago and was surprised that our Lord's Circumcision isn't included. I do as a matter of habit because it was when His Holy Name was given and so often, His Name alone is my prayer. I hope to die with Jesus upon my lips.

It is also the Feast of the Maternity of Mary, Virgin Mother of God. It is all still so much a mystery to me, this Infant, who created His own mother. Of course, she'd be perfect!

A blessed and happy New Year! May it be filled with love and laughter, joy and peace, in all that you do. And words! My words for this year are Heal, Restore, Renew. Here I am with my sister--we got to sing together for two Masses. (Holy Family and Feast of the Circumcision).

The Best Christmas Ever! Wedding!

 

What a year! What an amazing year of preparation for Dagny and Ian's Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. It was the best Christmas. And the most beautiful Nuptial Mass. It will remain with me forever. Everything we've ever dreamed of to celebrate with our family and church community came true. Deo gratias! 

And it was off to the beach for a few pictures. Such a gorgeous day!

We were all starving by the time we got to Firefly. Dashi provided the wonderful food. The quartet, Put a Ring on It, sang beautifully. And a good time was had by all.