September 7: WIP

Yep, I have a WIP...a Work in Progress.

I started last November on writing a work of fiction for teen girls. I have about five short chapters left to write (I've published 45 chapters so far), and I may reach 200 pages before I'm done. I'm still pinching myself that I've written this much...174 pages and 101,000 words. It's entered in a contest, but I doubt it will win anything. I'm just thrilled that I'm up to 92,000 reads on WattPad. :)

June 21: 19th Century Laptop

I pulled out my Bombay wooden lap desk (a.k.a. my 19th century laptop) this week to write a long letter to a dear friend--not an e-mail, not a Tweet, not a Facebook message, but a real, live, long, double-sided ink-on-paper missive. My hand ached by the end, but what joy to let ink flow in sheer friendship!!

Day 49: Wise Words

J rearranged the Magnetic Poetry words on our refrigerator lately, and I rather liked what I read tonight....

Day 51: Writing in the Winter

Keith bought me these wonderful wool ragg fingerless gloves for typing and writing in the wintertime. They're a tad itchy but they definitely help to keep my arthritic fingers functional despite the cold that usually stiffens them.

Day 44: B's Penmanship

B's favorite subject in our homeschool is penmanship. Now that he's in third grade, he has to submit all of his written work in cursive. I love seeing his copywork; it's definitely the neatest of all the boys' work.

Day 41: Poetry Revision

I wrote this poem at Summers Past Farms last month and took it out this week to work on it so I could share it at our writers' workshop Tuesday night. I got some really great feedback on it, and helpful revision ideas, too. Revision is always the most difficult and time-consuming part of writing....

Day 28: A Teacher's Work Is Never Done.....

Somehow, I always seem to procrastinate and find myself grading essays the night before Class Day (our homeschool co-op). Teaching two writing classes (and grading all those essays) definitely takes time. And Patience, in large doses.

Day 19: Tools of My Trade

These fine Italian inks came with a Barnes and Noble rosewood pen with interchangeable nibs, a thoughtful gift from my children for my birthday two years ago, the same day during which I received a lovely little writing desk for table-top or lap from Kitty. These ink bottles stand in the perfect little corners of the top of the desk that prevent the ink from spilling. I adore the flow of a smooth ink as it richly penetrates thick creamy paper --one of the most beloved experiences of this rather old-fashioned writer.