Earlier this week, agent Nathan Bransford blogged about: Writing As Your Identity.  In a nutshell, he expressed concern about writers who identify themselves where their identity is stated as: “Writing is who I am.”  Frankly, he stated his position so much more elequently than I could, I urge you to go to his blog (which is listed at the end of this post), to see what he had to say.

But this topic really struck a chord with me.  I’ve often heard writers say, ”I can’t NOT write.  The voices in my head won’t let me.”  So, for years I’ve held my dirty little secret that I don’t hear voices in my head - in fact - if I DID hear voices in my head, my employer, the L.A.P.D., would be rather concerned and would probably take away my badge and gun.   

All jokes aside, I like writing.  I think a lot about my stories and my characters.  But those imaginary lives haven’t taken over my life.  I have a real job, a real family and real worries that are at the top of my list of things to think about.

My thoughts about my work in progress are usually confined to when I’m driving from point “A” to point “B”, or those few precious seconds when I lay my head on my pillow before I’m sound asleep.  Although I carry one of those mini-recorders when working as a cop, I really need one in my car where many of my brilliant (in my mind) ideas  come to fruition while I’m cursing stupid drivers traversing the freeways of Los Angeles.

The reality, (for me) is that I’ve written two books, but alas, I’m not published.  I’m working on my third book.  But, I am a wife, mother, and cop first.  There will never be a time where I’m not a wife and mother (how’s that for confidence?), but I won’t always be a cop.  And then, I MIGHT identify myself as a writer.  But I’ve just signed up for dancing lessons.  Maybe I’ll identify myself as a dancer instead.  Or better yet…I’m a wife, mother, writer and a dancer.  Now that’s a resume’ that seems very well-rounded.  And please note…I don’t hear one single voice inside my head counting:  One, two, three, turn, kick…

Here’s the link to Nathan Bransford’s original post:

http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2009/05/writing-as-identity.html

Until next time…

KMA367

The area that I’m responsible for at work is located near near a state university.  As a police officer, I get numerous complaints about loud parties occurring in the residential neighborhoods that surround the college.

What has happened is many homeowners have moved from their homes and are now renting them out to college students…sometimes as many as six kids in one house.  But those renters have friends…lots of them.  And they have parties.  Sometimes three or four parties a week.

Most recently, a pair of enterprising young men distributed a flier to their neighborhood telling the neighbors they were going to have a party and it was going to be loud, disruptive, and possibly unsafe, so the neighbors might consider going out to dinner and a movie, or stay inside their house and lock the doors.  These young chaps also directed the neighbors to not call the police with noise complaints because the event was a fundraiser.

I spent most of my work week going to “repeat” loud party locations and advising the residents in these houses the neighbors were complaining and there would be a citation issued if the neighbors were disturbed and called the police.  Now you would think the college kids would be concerned that the police were coming to their house…not so.  One of the residents answered the door reeking of alcohol - and I could see they had a permanent “beer pong” game set up on a table.  Other contacts I made nodded and smiled, but based on their comments, “Hey, we’re young.  We’re supposed to be wild and crazy in college,” I doubt things will change…Until they start wracking up the citations or get evicted by their landlord.  Because in addition to putting pressure on the kids, we also look to the home owner for some relief.

But the topper for me was when one enterprising young man asked, “At what time do the neighbor’s complaints about noise become harrassment of me?”  Hmmmm.  Do you think he plans on being courteous of his neighbors?

Maybe YOU are reading this post and are thinking what’s the big deal.  Let kids be kids.  Well, I can tell you that every weekend after these large parties (that draw sometimes 200 - 300 young men and women), we have responded to assault with deadly weapons crimes, rapes, traffic collisions, vandalims, and the occasional homicide.  

I’m also guessing if you are reading this post and thinking let kids be kids, you don’t have one of these houses next door to you.

Until next time,

KMA367

I recently got an award for this website, or more accurately, my blog.  Since I’m not the most prolific blogger out there I was quite surprised - but so humbly honored. 

But here’s my dilemma:  I don’t have the technical knowledge on how to display the award on my blog (or website).  So until I learn how to do this, I’m not going to give all the details on the award.  But I’ve got to tell you, being recognized by other writers for my blog is a FABULOUS way to start my day!

So, I got to thinking…how is it that other writers have so much more technical saavy than me?  I’m sure there are some who took classes for computer skills, blogs, html (whatever that is), website maintenance etc.  Obviously, I’ve had some training in website maintenance - I’m able to post this blog once I get it written.  (Thank you Justin at Stonecreek Media)  But I’m not as technically astute as I’d like to be and I don’t have time to really learn.  I should add that Stonecreek Media is wonderful about instructing me on how to do things and assisting me when I have an issue with my site or blog…but I often don’t have time to even ask them!

I guess the topic today in it’s most simple form is: time management.  And I’m usually pretty darn good at managing my time.  But I’d like to get some tips from others.  Currently, my shift at work is ten hours a day, when you add in the time it takes to get ready for work and commute time, I’m easily spending about 12 - 13 hours a day with work-related “stuff”.

Add into that day home/family responsibilities and you’ve got another two hours or so…maybe a little more.  Then there is the exercise requirement.  I’m not getting any younger, and it behooves me to stay in shape - not only for my health, but for my job as well…and no, I’m not allowed to workout on city time.  Exercise is about another hour.

Then there is any writing-related stuff I’ve got going.  In addition to penning my next story, I judge a few contests a year, teach on-line classes, meet with my critique group, post announcements for some of my writing groups, write this blog etc.  Then there is the e-mail - most of it is writing related.  (Can’t check personal e-mail at work either).   That’s another hour or two.

Now I’m down to six hours left and…my reality TV addiction.  American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Survivor, and more…thank goodness for the DVR!   Then there is the little matter of sleep.  I need that too. 

So, I ask you - where do you find all the hours in the day to get things done? 

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY I-POD RIGHT NOW:  Painter Song by Norah Jones

Until next time,

KMA367

You and your family are sharing a quiet night at home watching television and listening to Simon Cowell tell some American Idol hopeful they were, “simply dreadful…sorry.”  From somewhere outside your home, someone suddenly screams, “Help!  Call the police!”

You look out your window and see several adult males milling about in the street and yelling obscenities at each other.  One of them has a metal baseball bat and seems the most agitated.  Another man is sitting on the curb holding his head.  You can see this man has blood running down his face dripping onto his white T-shirt.  You tell your spouse what you see and they tell you to call the police.  So, you dial 9-1-1.

What happens when you call 9-1-1?

I will give you a general idea - although I’m sure there are some variations throughout the country.

Your call will be received by a dispatcher who is trained to screen calls quickly and efficiently.  They have to get the information quickly in order to get the police en route to the location.

Tell the 9-1-1 operator what you need - ambulance, fire turck, or police.  Be calm.  If the caller is upset, it’s hard to understand what they’re saying and to get vital information.  Stay on the phone.  Do not hang up.

The operatior will be asking you questions.  Be prepared to give your name and address.  If your address is different from the location of the crime, be sure to let the operator know that.  The dispatcher will be asking you questions about what you’ve seen, what you’re currently seeing, and descriptions of people and vehicles involved.  They’ll want to know:

What: What is going on?

When: Is the problem happening right now?  If not, how long ago?

Where: Where did the problem happen?  Which way did the suspect or vehicle involved go?

Who: Male or female, descent, hair color, eye color, height, wieght, age, clothing, unusual features (tattoos, scars, physical defects etc)

Vehicle: (if involved) Year, make, model, 2-door or 4-door, color, license plate number, unsual features (traffic collision damage, tinted windows, chrome rims, wing on rear, etc)

Obviously, you may not be able to answer all these questions.  Just do the best you can.  Sometimes it may seem the questions are unnecessary, or may not make sense to you, but there are good reasons why they are asked.  It helps if you provide brief accurate answers.  Patience will get your call processed and get help to you as quickly as possible…After all, you have to get back to the singing contest and Simon’s critiques!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW:  Rockin’ Down the Higyway by the Dobbie Brothers

Until next time,

KMA367

Everyone has their own writing style.  Some writers plot extensively and others “fly by the seat of their pants,” not knowing the twists and turns their stories will take.  Some writers loath sitting down to a blank page, while others relish the idea of the possibilities for filling that page.

I always thought I liked the revision portion of writing a novel, but the more I’ve written, I realize that isn’t true.  I like the freedom the first draft offers.  It doesn’t have to be perfect - in fact, it never is.  Because it doesn’t have to be polished on the first go-round, my fingers can fly across the keyboard with reckless abandon.  Of course, sometimes it reads that way too!  But at least there is something on the page to fix.

So I ask you, do you find first drafts exciting or are they drudgery?

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW: Tequila Sunrise by the Eagles

Until next time;

KMA367

If you saw my blog from yesterday I was talking about a writing challenge I’m in and how I’m keeping track daily of how many words I write.  Although I’ve been writing for a long time, I’ve never kept track of my output before.  I’m liking it!  Today, I did three times the goal I’d pledged to do.  (Always striving to be the over-achiever!)

I remember how the character James Caan played in the movie Misery had a cigarette and a bottle of wine (?) when he finished a book.  And Kathleen Turner’s character, in Romancing the Stone, fed her cat on china, and I believe she also had wine or champagne.

I’ve finished two books, but haven’t established any writing rituals.  I think the first ritual I’m going to employ will be documenting my output each day.

My question to you is: What are your writing rituals? 

If you’re not a writer, maybe you have some other task that you complete where you have a routine or ritual when you get the job done.  I’m curious…what do you do?

WHAT’S PLAYING ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW:  Ain’t Nothin’ Like the Real Thing Baby by Michael McDonald

Until next time,

KMA367

I’m currently participating in a writing challenge sponsered by one of my Romance Writers of America chapters, LARA (Los Angeles Romance Authors).  This particular challenge is called Stop Procrastinating Everybody Write - or as it is more commonly known…SPEW.

The idea to SPEW is an off-shoot of another writing challenge - Book In A Week, aka: BIAW.  The idea behind Book In A Week is that you pick one week in your life where you schedule your life (as best you can) to do nothing but write.  Obviously, there are some commitments that you must honor - like feeding your family, going to work, etc.  But with BIAW you let everyone in your life know, that for this one week in time, every minute that isn’t consumed by mandatory obligations will be filled with writing.

Has anyone finished a book in a week?  I’m not sure.  I haven’t heard of them if they have.  If you’ve finished a book in a week, you’ve worked hard for your accomplishment…and you should probably be a little more diligent in letting the world know.  I know I’d be impressed.

Now, about SPEW.  As I understand it, LARA realized that writing a book in a week could be a tad daunting for most writers.  So they created SPEW.  This is my first experience with SPEW.  LARA is a pretty supportive group and in addition to the satisfaction of completing your goals, you get e-mail encouragement from other participants.  In addition to that, some of the participants e-mail photos of nice looking gentlemen to the participants.  (I’m still hoping someone will post a picture of Tom Selleck in a tux.) 

Even though I’m on vacation and should be able to SPEW pages and pages each day, I decided to not sabotage myself and only committed to one page a day.  (I know, I know, I’m a wimp!)  But the good news is that each day I’ve been able to exceed my mandated one page a day.  Not by vast amounts, but enough so that I’m currently one page “ahead of schedule”.

Probably the most important thing I’ve learned from SPEW is how much I like seeing those numbers on the tally sheet I keep.  In my writing career I’ve heard a lot of people say how helpful they’ve found it to keep track of how much they write each day.  I’ve even tried it a time or two.  But I was never successful.  This time, I think the results will be different.  I’m learning that it really doesn’t take that long to write one page.  And one page leads to two.  And two pages lead to three, and so on and so on.  And that my friends…makes me a writer.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO ON MY IPOD RIGHT NOW:  Rockin’ Years by Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton

Until Next Time…

KMA367