tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7495412024-03-13T10:18:44.802-05:00project.chameleonKellylouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05356654981279123538noreply@blogger.comBlogger1256125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-29426704581945727092014-12-27T14:01:00.000-06:002014-12-27T14:01:16.113-06:00My Little No Social Media Experiment (LNSME): Week 4
Part of my writing process in December is supposed to be reflective on the process of not using any social media. I haven’t done a very good job of that in the past week or so, but that's mostly due to holiday celebrations. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been noticing the continual changes since this little experiment began, however.
And there have been changes. Good things that have made my Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-90345347180100500642014-12-06T23:43:00.002-06:002014-12-06T23:43:22.832-06:00My Little No Social Media Experiment (LNSME): Week 1Day 6. Approximately 143 hours with little contact from the outside world. Okay, fine, if I take out sleeping hours I suppose that's about 30 hours less this week. 113 hours. to be fair, I'll round it down to 110. Happy now?
The thing is, I expected this to be one of those excruciatingly painful experiments. The kind where I'm rattling my tin cup against the metaphorical metal bars of my Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-81959005881128531722014-12-01T00:09:00.001-06:002014-12-01T00:09:57.591-06:00Reflecting on #NaNoWriMoDecember will be here in less than an hour, and my NaNoWriMo project has been a tremendous flop this year. A piece of me is gnashing and wailing and grumbling about, unsettled that I missed the mark for the first time in three years.
A larger piece of me, the part always (always always) searching for silver linings and happy ending and the good in all things -- is perhaps a smidge happy. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-82954249901292068942014-06-10T16:17:00.001-05:002014-06-10T16:17:15.018-05:00Ten Things About Short Fiction
I'm headed out on a fourteen hour drive from Texas to Illinois today, with Uno and Dos as my roadtrip buddies, so we can offer support to my mom as she goes in for surgery tomorrow.
Time for a post is scarce, so here is my slim 10 Things for Tuesday post of the week -- all about my most recent writing experience.
Writing short fiction is hard, you guys. I'm not sure I'm very good at it. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-29307775060055835162014-06-09T11:34:00.000-05:002014-06-09T11:37:40.551-05:00#IMWAYR - Stop! It's #BookADay Time!
Be sure to hop on over to TeachMentorTexts.com for more great reads!
Summertime means extra time for reading, and joining in on Donalyn Miller's #bookaday challenge, in which I attempt to read a book a day throughout the summer. I know, you never would have gathered that from the hashtag title. I've been doing this since 2010, when I first read Miller's transformational book, The Book Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-73994484748291147142014-06-08T08:00:00.000-05:002014-06-08T11:24:03.425-05:00The #SundayCurrently - Volume 3
Hosted at siddathornton.blogspot.com
Currently...
Reading The Real Boy by Anne Ursu, after finishing Creech's The Boy on the Porch and Frost's Salt. All amazing reads.
Writing First short story is due Tuesday, so I'm knee deep in the world of my main character. It's a sad, misunderstood teenage sort of world, where things don't end quite well. This story is so important to me, and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-69477652529810720652014-06-07T08:00:00.000-05:002014-06-08T11:48:44.391-05:00#SelfieFreeSummer - My Unfiltered Life
So perhaps you remember way back in May when I posted my diatribe about selfies and the downfall of humanity. The rest of this post may seem particularly ironic, since it will be filled with selfies. But they are selfies with a purpose, y'all. They are, in truth, the end of my selfies.
In that post I also referenced this lovely selfie from Instagram, in which I pranced about au naturalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-30893170075748672112014-06-06T14:22:00.001-05:002014-06-06T14:22:47.697-05:00#PoetryFriday - Why We Need Poetry
I am super happy that Carol over at Carol's Corner is hosting this week's Poetry Friday. I started following her a year or so ago after participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge, and love her reflective writing style. Make sure you stop over on her blog and check out all the wondrous words happening this week!
Oh, what a week is the last week of the school year! I jokingly call it Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-43430512818374269322014-06-04T23:40:00.000-05:002014-06-05T08:14:44.671-05:00The Idea FactoryThe class I am taking this summer is about crafting the short story. I've never been a huge reader or writer of short stories, so I thought this would be a good way to step out of my comfort zone and focus on some elements of writing that I want to work on.
Also, in the one month that this summer session meets, we are expected to complete two short stories. Knowing this, I've been greedily Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-48293672542118879622014-06-03T23:23:00.000-05:002014-06-04T08:36:03.146-05:00#WanderlustWednesday - Into the Woods!
Last week on #WanderlustWednesday, I shared how The Husband and I prepared for our first overnight backpacking trip. This week, we're into the woods!
Perhaps you don't remember, but when we first stepped onto the trail we were greeted by this lovely map. This lovely, yellowed, sun-faded map. About the only thing the map was good for was freaking me smooth out.
Friends, if you have not Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-64801533236173603672014-06-03T07:00:00.000-05:002014-06-03T07:00:10.394-05:00Ten Adventures Calling My Name
Time for that Tuesday Ten again, hosted by Crystal over at Straight On Till Morning. Hop on over there to join up and show off your own ten!
Here are ten things I would drop everything and do for myself, given the means. This list could go on for days and days, as I want to know everything and be everywhere and live every moment in huge ways, so it's probably good that I can only include ten.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-34203875710155943162014-06-02T12:51:00.002-05:002014-06-02T12:52:34.975-05:00#IMWAYR - Past, Present, Future Reading
Hop on over to TeachMentorTexts.com for more great readerly posts today!
Past
Photo Credit
Chan's debut novel broke my heart into pieces and knit each bit back together again with careful attention. The prose is achingly beautiful, the characters written so true that you will forget you are reading as you ache through their loss and confusion and stumbling attempts at healing right along Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-73736192233438889152014-06-01T11:10:00.001-05:002014-06-01T11:10:34.641-05:00The #SundayCurrently - Volume 2I'm not quite as ready as I thought I would be to give up my daily blogging. Today it's time for another round of The Sunday Currently, hosted by Sidda Thornton.
Currently...
Reading Bird by Cystal Chan. With an opening that begins with, "Grandpa stopped speaking the day he killed my brother, John," I knew I would quickly fall in love with this little book. And I have. Chan's Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-71147130713721623882014-05-31T23:52:00.000-05:002014-05-31T23:53:58.076-05:00#EveryDayinMay Soon, June.
Soon, June.
And a million new newnesses to explore.
In May I realized I love writing each day when my voice feels authentic. Imagine that.
I love the #WanderlustWednesday post that somehow materialized here, and the #TuesdayTen I stole from Crystal. #PoetryFriday will remain a constant favorite, because I just wouldn't be me without poetry. And I love sharing how I look at a poem and work Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-7344919706363126692014-05-30T15:53:00.001-05:002014-05-30T16:22:59.600-05:00#EveryDayinMay NatGeo Book of Animal Poetry
Due to a series of fortunate events, I was able to place an order with Follett for a stash of new fiction books to share with the readers on my 5th grade campus next year. We have many old and uninteresting books right now in our fiction collection, so I was super hyped to grab some books that these students can get excited about!
Maybe 25% of what I ordered fell into the nonfiction categoryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-26323664793027534292014-05-29T20:20:00.001-05:002014-05-29T20:23:07.495-05:00#EveryDayinMay - O Selfie! My Selfie!
Oh, the selfie. Or should I say #selfie? Truly, the self portrait has been around for as long as art has existed, although The Public Domain Review says the first ever photographic selfie was taken by a rather dapper looking young man by the name of Robert Cornelius. It wasn't until social media exploded that what we know as today's selfie became popular.
I mean, let's face it -- it's a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-13565023276405805962014-05-28T01:10:00.001-05:002014-05-28T01:10:15.591-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Challenge Accepted!
It's Wanderlust Wednesday! This is quickly becoming my favorite post of the week. Today it's especially fun, because I'm sharing a little about my trip to the Ouachita National Forest from last weekend. There is so much to share about this trip; I'll be posting about it for the rest of the week I think -- today I'm focusing on gear and being prepared.
Let's be honest -- once I stepped Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-83943999551836994452014-05-27T11:00:00.000-05:002014-05-27T12:56:35.073-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Tuesday Ten From the Trail
Time for the Tuesday Ten, a little meme hosted by Crystal over at Straight On Til Morning! This week, I'm sharing ten things from the trail - reflecting on my first overnight experience backpacking. This ten seems to make a great slice of life post for my trail experience as well!
Ten Things From the Trail
Walking ≠ Hiking. You guys. You guys. When I set out on this trail, which I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-5799668926112591512014-05-26T23:23:00.001-05:002014-05-26T23:26:53.924-05:00#EveryDayinMay - So What Are You Really Reading?
Don't laugh, but I actually took a book with me for the backpacking extravaganza this weekend. I also took a journal. It was waterproof, you guys. I mean, talk about dedication to my craft. Let's take a moment to admire my preparation, shall we?
No, really. Picture it. Me in the brilliant green forest, surrounded by doting little woodland friends, quietly reading and penning my genius Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-84141990671983976582014-05-25T10:00:00.000-05:002014-05-25T10:00:00.812-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Taking a Chance
Well, if all is going as planned, I'm finishing up my overnight hike and will be headed home later this afternoon. I'm writing this late Friday night, so that I don't break my #EveryDayinMay posting trend! Monday I will have a post up all about what I learned on the trail.
Perhaps I'll come back with exciting pictures like this!
* * *
Friday was a strange day. Work was hectic, I lost Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-25325310857632231712014-05-24T10:00:00.000-05:002014-05-24T10:00:00.234-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Remember Us
It's Memorial Day weekend, and when you read this I'll be out hiking the Ouachita Trail in southeastern Oklahoma.
But right now I'm working on a bit of curriculum writing for some work I'm doing with North Star of Texas Writing Project. One of the poems selected is The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak, by Archibald MacLeish. He was an artillery officer in WWI, and wrote this poem for a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-74723610986414540802014-05-23T17:00:00.000-05:002014-05-23T20:55:43.555-05:00#EveryDayinMay - A Hot Mess
Click the image to visit this week's Poetry Friday host, Violet Nesdoly
I think I will stop planning my blog posts. Every time I do, life sneaks up and taps me on the shoulder, raises one eyebrow and shakes her head.
"Oh no," she says, "Not that. This. This is what matters today."
And she pushes today's special at me, shoves it in my unready hands, turning to wander away without askingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-1666763273451231572014-05-22T22:25:00.001-05:002014-05-22T22:25:59.937-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Take a Hike!
With our first overnight hike just a few short days away, my mind is whirling with last minute packing needs and pure panic fantasies of what could go wrong.
Ever the optimist, ever onward!
Before adding food, my pack is barely over 20 pounds (with my water bladder filled). I'm pretty stoked about that. The Husband and I will split food between our two packs, which helps offset the weight Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-24592557740725785102014-05-21T16:19:00.000-05:002014-05-21T16:19:05.699-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Wanderlust Wednesday, Volume 3
If you've missed my constant blathering about trips to take and adventures to begin.... well, what rock have you been hiding under? I hope you haven't been hiding there with the snakes, because that's just scary. And gross. Like bleu cheese, which is equal parts scary and gross.
Anyway.
This Saturday, The Husband and I will head off for our first overnight hiking adventure. The loop we're Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-749541.post-13726835091829777992014-05-20T22:34:00.001-05:002014-05-20T22:34:19.093-05:00#EveryDayinMay - Ten (New) Slices of Life
Go check out Crystal's Ten by clicking above!
Every day is an opportunity for new experiences. Some good, some bad, some completely unbelievable. Today's Tuesday Ten is also a Slice of Life brought to you by one experience that made me realize how many new things happen to us in a day that go unnoticed. I wondered if I could come up with a list of ten new experiences today, to notice each Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02999414221919523297noreply@blogger.com4