Re: Something I can't get off my mind

[Guest guest]

Thanks,

The tale I'm envisioning is such an apocalyptic dystopia that

BWAHAHAHA I think that for a while it's just going to serve as a personal

catharsis until perhaps I can " civilize " it enough for public consumption.The

premise: what if the populace discovered that there really was an organized

conspiracy from the top to keep them down--that actual sociopaths are in

charge-- and a civil war ensued and for me writing it,how to play with that

enough to make it seem real (kind of how Orson Wells terrified the nation with

his " War of the Worlds " radio program).

>

> ,

>

> So cool that you want to start a novel! When you start, let us know.

>

> --.

>

[Guest guest]

Mia,that's a wonderful new year's resolution to treat yourself with the same

respect you accord to others.Give that kindness and compassion that you show on

here (and I'm sure in the rest of your life) back to yourself--you're worth it.I

struggle with that too and this year I want to find better ways of honoring my

survival.

Just to clarify,I'm not taking off from work to write a novel--but I wish

I could! I have just decided that I can't go on seeking approval from others the

way I have been; I need to seek it more deeply from within.My boss had alot of

faith in me and promoted me to revamp a failing department with the

understanding that if I was able to pull that off well that I would be promoted

further.At the time I felt like going as far up in that job as I could go would

be the " best revenge " for my past and because the boss " believed " in me I wanted

so much to believe that meant I could also believe in me,not seeing that it

needs to be the other way round.What actually happened was that I allowed myself

to be thrown into the lion's den of this department where all the longer time

employees resented my redo's and I had to bring in and train some people and the

whole thing was just exhausting because I realized after I got in there that I'd

taken on more than I could handle so I had to push myself way past my own

limits.I also realized that I wasn't doing it because *I* really wanted to but

more because I still felt as if I had to justify my own existence.I delivered

and I turned a failing department into one of the most productive ones in the

company but in the process of dealing with so much aggravation I understood that

none of it was feeding my soul.Once that department was taken care of my boss

wanted to move me up and I decided to decline because I knew that I needed to

concentrate on me and the added responsibilities weren't going to allow that.She

was very disappointed because my further promotion would have served her own

goals--it's a long story but I had delivered and I just wasn't going to be used

further by her.My coworkers didn't understand because who'd give up a chance for

more prestige and more money?

I have to go back in there tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to

it...The novel idea is to give my demons free rein somewhere safe because I have

alot of rage at times about the impossibility of ever having any justice for

what was done to me and if I think about *that* too closely it almost takes my

breath away so I want to creatively transmute those feelings of rage.

RE the antidepressants...I know all about that KO double standard--that

we were conditioned to apply to ourselves! And I know it's easy for me to say

this,but try to remind yourself that every act of self care is a step

forward,never a step back.

You're going to be the kind of intelligent,informed,involved,

compassionate nurse that we'd all want to have if we found ourselves in the

hospital

>

> , thanks for the reply! I want to say that I am so sorry to hear

> about your cat =( I am a huge pet person and I know this is such a hard

> thing to go through. so (((HUGS))) to you. I hope you had fun with your

> dog at the new year's party! And just remember how lucky your kitty was to

> have you as an owner =) It sure is hard, but it will get better. Hang in

> there!

>

> I'm not sure what DDNOS is... disassociative something non specific? I'll

> have to look that up. But it's kind of strangely refreshing to meet another

> person who understand the PTSD hallucinations. That was so awful. I'm SO

> glad I don't have those anymore!! Flashbacks, yes sometimes. But no more

> evil demon voice hallucinations. So glad you don't have to put up with them

> either and that it was just a short experience for you.

>

> I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself for likely going back on

> antidepressants. Thing is, (and a lot here can probably relate) the rules

> are different for me. Thanks, nada. A lot of times what I have to do with

> myself is think, " OK, if this was a client of mine, what would I tell them?

> What would the best thing for them to do be? " Obviously I would be

> supportive of their decision, encourage them to stop thinking of it as a

> step backward, etc. But it's a thousand times harder to do that for myself.

> We (adult survivors of nadas & fadas) are groomed to be caregivers. Not

> surprising that a lot of us KOs end up in nursing & other medical fields.

> We're groomed to care for everyone else but ourselves. 2011 is time for me

> to really put my foot down on that. I decided THAT would be my new year's

> resolution... to treat myself with the same level of respect that I would

> anyone else. It will be hard, but I will do this.

>

> Also, thanks for the kind compliments regarding my decision to be a nurse

> *blush*. I hope you're right, and I do think you are! hehe. I have a

> feeling I'll be the pain in the doctor's butt kind of nurse. Not that

> that's ALWAYS good, but sometimes - heck yes!

>

> I'm glad you are going to take some time off to work on your novel and take

> care of your soul. That's so important. I'm sure your boss was

> disappointed, but that's ok. That's her issue to work through. It's time

> to take care of you =) (And for me to take care of me...see? I'm trying to

> start all ready lol)

>

> Mia

[Guest guest]

Mia,that's a wonderful new year's resolution to treat yourself with the same

respect you accord to others.Give that kindness and compassion that you show on

here (and I'm sure in the rest of your life) back to yourself--you're worth it.I

struggle with that too and this year I want to find better ways of honoring my

survival.

Just to clarify,I'm not taking off from work to write a novel--but I wish

I could! I have just decided that I can't go on seeking approval from others the

way I have been; I need to seek it more deeply from within.My boss had alot of

faith in me and promoted me to revamp a failing department with the

understanding that if I was able to pull that off well that I would be promoted

further.At the time I felt like going as far up in that job as I could go would

be the " best revenge " for my past and because the boss " believed " in me I wanted

so much to believe that meant I could also believe in me,not seeing that it

needs to be the other way round.What actually happened was that I allowed myself

to be thrown into the lion's den of this department where all the longer time

employees resented my redo's and I had to bring in and train some people and the

whole thing was just exhausting because I realized after I got in there that I'd

taken on more than I could handle so I had to push myself way past my own

limits.I also realized that I wasn't doing it because *I* really wanted to but

more because I still felt as if I had to justify my own existence.I delivered

and I turned a failing department into one of the most productive ones in the

company but in the process of dealing with so much aggravation I understood that

none of it was feeding my soul.Once that department was taken care of my boss

wanted to move me up and I decided to decline because I knew that I needed to

concentrate on me and the added responsibilities weren't going to allow that.She

was very disappointed because my further promotion would have served her own

goals--it's a long story but I had delivered and I just wasn't going to be used

further by her.My coworkers didn't understand because who'd give up a chance for

more prestige and more money?

I have to go back in there tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to

it...The novel idea is to give my demons free rein somewhere safe because I have

alot of rage at times about the impossibility of ever having any justice for

what was done to me and if I think about *that* too closely it almost takes my

breath away so I want to creatively transmute those feelings of rage.

RE the antidepressants...I know all about that KO double standard--that

we were conditioned to apply to ourselves! And I know it's easy for me to say

this,but try to remind yourself that every act of self care is a step

forward,never a step back.

You're going to be the kind of intelligent,informed,involved,

compassionate nurse that we'd all want to have if we found ourselves in the

hospital

>

> , thanks for the reply! I want to say that I am so sorry to hear

> about your cat =( I am a huge pet person and I know this is such a hard

> thing to go through. so (((HUGS))) to you. I hope you had fun with your

> dog at the new year's party! And just remember how lucky your kitty was to

> have you as an owner =) It sure is hard, but it will get better. Hang in

> there!

>

> I'm not sure what DDNOS is... disassociative something non specific? I'll

> have to look that up. But it's kind of strangely refreshing to meet another

> person who understand the PTSD hallucinations. That was so awful. I'm SO

> glad I don't have those anymore!! Flashbacks, yes sometimes. But no more

> evil demon voice hallucinations. So glad you don't have to put up with them

> either and that it was just a short experience for you.

>

> I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself for likely going back on

> antidepressants. Thing is, (and a lot here can probably relate) the rules

> are different for me. Thanks, nada. A lot of times what I have to do with

> myself is think, " OK, if this was a client of mine, what would I tell them?

> What would the best thing for them to do be? " Obviously I would be

> supportive of their decision, encourage them to stop thinking of it as a

> step backward, etc. But it's a thousand times harder to do that for myself.

> We (adult survivors of nadas & fadas) are groomed to be caregivers. Not

> surprising that a lot of us KOs end up in nursing & other medical fields.

> We're groomed to care for everyone else but ourselves. 2011 is time for me

> to really put my foot down on that. I decided THAT would be my new year's

> resolution... to treat myself with the same level of respect that I would

> anyone else. It will be hard, but I will do this.

>

> Also, thanks for the kind compliments regarding my decision to be a nurse

> *blush*. I hope you're right, and I do think you are! hehe. I have a

> feeling I'll be the pain in the doctor's butt kind of nurse. Not that

> that's ALWAYS good, but sometimes - heck yes!

>

> I'm glad you are going to take some time off to work on your novel and take

> care of your soul. That's so important. I'm sure your boss was

> disappointed, but that's ok. That's her issue to work through. It's time

> to take care of you =) (And for me to take care of me...see? I'm trying to

> start all ready lol)

>

> Mia

[Guest guest]

Mia,that's a wonderful new year's resolution to treat yourself with the same

respect you accord to others.Give that kindness and compassion that you show on

here (and I'm sure in the rest of your life) back to yourself--you're worth it.I

struggle with that too and this year I want to find better ways of honoring my

survival.

Just to clarify,I'm not taking off from work to write a novel--but I wish

I could! I have just decided that I can't go on seeking approval from others the

way I have been; I need to seek it more deeply from within.My boss had alot of

faith in me and promoted me to revamp a failing department with the

understanding that if I was able to pull that off well that I would be promoted

further.At the time I felt like going as far up in that job as I could go would

be the " best revenge " for my past and because the boss " believed " in me I wanted

so much to believe that meant I could also believe in me,not seeing that it

needs to be the other way round.What actually happened was that I allowed myself

to be thrown into the lion's den of this department where all the longer time

employees resented my redo's and I had to bring in and train some people and the

whole thing was just exhausting because I realized after I got in there that I'd

taken on more than I could handle so I had to push myself way past my own

limits.I also realized that I wasn't doing it because *I* really wanted to but

more because I still felt as if I had to justify my own existence.I delivered

and I turned a failing department into one of the most productive ones in the

company but in the process of dealing with so much aggravation I understood that

none of it was feeding my soul.Once that department was taken care of my boss

wanted to move me up and I decided to decline because I knew that I needed to

concentrate on me and the added responsibilities weren't going to allow that.She

was very disappointed because my further promotion would have served her own

goals--it's a long story but I had delivered and I just wasn't going to be used

further by her.My coworkers didn't understand because who'd give up a chance for

more prestige and more money?

I have to go back in there tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to

it...The novel idea is to give my demons free rein somewhere safe because I have

alot of rage at times about the impossibility of ever having any justice for

what was done to me and if I think about *that* too closely it almost takes my

breath away so I want to creatively transmute those feelings of rage.

RE the antidepressants...I know all about that KO double standard--that

we were conditioned to apply to ourselves! And I know it's easy for me to say

this,but try to remind yourself that every act of self care is a step

forward,never a step back.

You're going to be the kind of intelligent,informed,involved,

compassionate nurse that we'd all want to have if we found ourselves in the

hospital

>

> , thanks for the reply! I want to say that I am so sorry to hear

> about your cat =( I am a huge pet person and I know this is such a hard

> thing to go through. so (((HUGS))) to you. I hope you had fun with your

> dog at the new year's party! And just remember how lucky your kitty was to

> have you as an owner =) It sure is hard, but it will get better. Hang in

> there!

>

> I'm not sure what DDNOS is... disassociative something non specific? I'll

> have to look that up. But it's kind of strangely refreshing to meet another

> person who understand the PTSD hallucinations. That was so awful. I'm SO

> glad I don't have those anymore!! Flashbacks, yes sometimes. But no more

> evil demon voice hallucinations. So glad you don't have to put up with them

> either and that it was just a short experience for you.

>

> I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself for likely going back on

> antidepressants. Thing is, (and a lot here can probably relate) the rules

> are different for me. Thanks, nada. A lot of times what I have to do with

> myself is think, " OK, if this was a client of mine, what would I tell them?

> What would the best thing for them to do be? " Obviously I would be

> supportive of their decision, encourage them to stop thinking of it as a

> step backward, etc. But it's a thousand times harder to do that for myself.

> We (adult survivors of nadas & fadas) are groomed to be caregivers. Not

> surprising that a lot of us KOs end up in nursing & other medical fields.

> We're groomed to care for everyone else but ourselves. 2011 is time for me

> to really put my foot down on that. I decided THAT would be my new year's

> resolution... to treat myself with the same level of respect that I would

> anyone else. It will be hard, but I will do this.

>

> Also, thanks for the kind compliments regarding my decision to be a nurse

> *blush*. I hope you're right, and I do think you are! hehe. I have a

> feeling I'll be the pain in the doctor's butt kind of nurse. Not that

> that's ALWAYS good, but sometimes - heck yes!

>

> I'm glad you are going to take some time off to work on your novel and take

> care of your soul. That's so important. I'm sure your boss was

> disappointed, but that's ok. That's her issue to work through. It's time

> to take care of you =) (And for me to take care of me...see? I'm trying to

> start all ready lol)

>

> Mia

[Guest guest]

Me, you , Doug...we should have a writer's list on here! More and more of us

are popping out of the woodwork.

, if you need any help/advice/support/proofreading/editing/whatever,

lemme know. I've been at it for a while and hubby is an award-winning novelist

who studied with Poyer. He's always willing to look at people's work.

--.

[Guest guest]

Actually, the premise sounds like the actual truth.

--LL.

[Guest guest]

LOL,

I know...that sounded sort of can ya believe it naive but my premise is

further: What if the truth was worse than you ever imagined? And the other thing

is...just not a good idea to bring politics onto this board,I've seen that end

badly,so...keeping my radicalish views to myself...

Thanks alot for your offer of editorial,etc assistance,I sincerely

appreciate it...It's going to take me a while to get the rather unwieldy big

idea I have into coherent shape but you might just be hearing from me one of

these days: Oh,,can you....

>

> Actually, the premise sounds like the actual truth.

>

> --LL.

>

[Guest guest]

LOL,

I know...that sounded sort of can ya believe it naive but my premise is

further: What if the truth was worse than you ever imagined? And the other thing

is...just not a good idea to bring politics onto this board,I've seen that end

badly,so...keeping my radicalish views to myself...

Thanks alot for your offer of editorial,etc assistance,I sincerely

appreciate it...It's going to take me a while to get the rather unwieldy big

idea I have into coherent shape but you might just be hearing from me one of

these days: Oh,,can you....

>

> Actually, the premise sounds like the actual truth.

>

> --LL.

>

[Guest guest]

LOL,

I know...that sounded sort of can ya believe it naive but my premise is

further: What if the truth was worse than you ever imagined? And the other thing

is...just not a good idea to bring politics onto this board,I've seen that end

badly,so...keeping my radicalish views to myself...

Thanks alot for your offer of editorial,etc assistance,I sincerely

appreciate it...It's going to take me a while to get the rather unwieldy big

idea I have into coherent shape but you might just be hearing from me one of

these days: Oh,,can you....

>

> Actually, the premise sounds like the actual truth.

>

> --LL.

>

[Guest guest]

A KO writer s workshop? LOL

I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping stage.

I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval Academy.

In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

1. Write

2. Finish what you start.

3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

4. Submit what you write to publishers.

5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

Doug

>

> Me, you , Doug...we should have a writer's list on here! More and

more of us are popping out of the woodwork.

>

> , if you need any

help/advice/support/proofreading/editing/whatever, lemme know. I've

been at it for a while and hubby is an award-winning novelist who

studied with Poyer. He's always willing to look at people's work.

>

> --.

>

[Guest guest]

A KO writer s workshop? LOL

I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping stage.

I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval Academy.

In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

1. Write

2. Finish what you start.

3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

4. Submit what you write to publishers.

5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

Doug

>

> Me, you , Doug...we should have a writer's list on here! More and

more of us are popping out of the woodwork.

>

> , if you need any

help/advice/support/proofreading/editing/whatever, lemme know. I've

been at it for a while and hubby is an award-winning novelist who

studied with Poyer. He's always willing to look at people's work.

>

> --.

>

[Guest guest]

A KO writer s workshop? LOL

I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping stage.

I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval Academy.

In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

1. Write

2. Finish what you start.

3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

4. Submit what you write to publishers.

5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

Doug

>

> Me, you , Doug...we should have a writer's list on here! More and

more of us are popping out of the woodwork.

>

> , if you need any

help/advice/support/proofreading/editing/whatever, lemme know. I've

been at it for a while and hubby is an award-winning novelist who

studied with Poyer. He's always willing to look at people's work.

>

> --.

>

[Guest guest]

Cool Mia. I m an artist as well. I draw , do pastels, and my friend

who is an oil instructor is trying to get me into her portraiture class.

Be an interesting thread to see how many of us have artistic bents.

Doug

> > >

> > > Me, you , Doug...we should have a writer's list on here! More and

> > more of us are popping out of the woodwork.

> > >

> > > , if you need any

> > help/advice/support/proofreading/editing/whatever, lemme know. I've

> > been at it for a while and hubby is an award-winning novelist who

> > studied with Poyer. He's always willing to look at people's

work.

> > >

> > > --.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Holly,

If you want to improve your drawing skills, pick up a copy of Dr Betty

' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Marvelous.

Faces are difficult, as they can be off just a little and look awful,

whereas a tree that is off a bit still is recognizable.

Try this. Take a photo of a face you want to draw. Turn it upside

down. Now, resisting the screaming of your brain to turn it up, draw

it. Take your time. Don t try to draw a nose, or eyes, or a

symmetrical face. Just look at what is there, information that makes no

sense because you are not programmed to see a face upside down, and draw

what you see. A line here goes about so far. Measure as you need to.

Start from the eyes and work out. Don t let yourself say now I m

drawing the eye. You are just drawing some lines and curves you see.

Only when you are done, turn both your drawing and the photo right side

up.

You ll be amazed.

Doug

>

> I love to write too! Thanks for sharing those rules, Doug. I have

several

> ideas brewing, and am working on one right now. I keep a huge journal

where

> I put everything in...grocery lists, dreams, memories, and ideas, as

well as

> bits and pieces of stories. I write on the train to and from work,

mostly,

> in this journal, and then I type it up later, revising as I do this. I

need

> to resist the urge to constantly revise my work, though, which is why

none

> of my stories ever get finished.

>

> I also love to draw. Didn't have very many art classes, but I'm trying

to

> improve my skills. When I was working the night shift, drawing cats

would

> keep me awake. Right now I need to work on facial symmetry (one side

is

> always off!) and not making hands look like they've been run over by

a

> train a couple of times.

>

> I wonder if trauma makes us more likely to be artists?

>

[Guest guest]

Holly,

If you want to improve your drawing skills, pick up a copy of Dr Betty

' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Marvelous.

Faces are difficult, as they can be off just a little and look awful,

whereas a tree that is off a bit still is recognizable.

Try this. Take a photo of a face you want to draw. Turn it upside

down. Now, resisting the screaming of your brain to turn it up, draw

it. Take your time. Don t try to draw a nose, or eyes, or a

symmetrical face. Just look at what is there, information that makes no

sense because you are not programmed to see a face upside down, and draw

what you see. A line here goes about so far. Measure as you need to.

Start from the eyes and work out. Don t let yourself say now I m

drawing the eye. You are just drawing some lines and curves you see.

Only when you are done, turn both your drawing and the photo right side

up.

You ll be amazed.

Doug

>

> I love to write too! Thanks for sharing those rules, Doug. I have

several

> ideas brewing, and am working on one right now. I keep a huge journal

where

> I put everything in...grocery lists, dreams, memories, and ideas, as

well as

> bits and pieces of stories. I write on the train to and from work,

mostly,

> in this journal, and then I type it up later, revising as I do this. I

need

> to resist the urge to constantly revise my work, though, which is why

none

> of my stories ever get finished.

>

> I also love to draw. Didn't have very many art classes, but I'm trying

to

> improve my skills. When I was working the night shift, drawing cats

would

> keep me awake. Right now I need to work on facial symmetry (one side

is

> always off!) and not making hands look like they've been run over by

a

> train a couple of times.

>

> I wonder if trauma makes us more likely to be artists?

>

[Guest guest]

Holly,

If you want to improve your drawing skills, pick up a copy of Dr Betty

' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Marvelous.

Faces are difficult, as they can be off just a little and look awful,

whereas a tree that is off a bit still is recognizable.

Try this. Take a photo of a face you want to draw. Turn it upside

down. Now, resisting the screaming of your brain to turn it up, draw

it. Take your time. Don t try to draw a nose, or eyes, or a

symmetrical face. Just look at what is there, information that makes no

sense because you are not programmed to see a face upside down, and draw

what you see. A line here goes about so far. Measure as you need to.

Start from the eyes and work out. Don t let yourself say now I m

drawing the eye. You are just drawing some lines and curves you see.

Only when you are done, turn both your drawing and the photo right side

up.

You ll be amazed.

Doug

>

> I love to write too! Thanks for sharing those rules, Doug. I have

several

> ideas brewing, and am working on one right now. I keep a huge journal

where

> I put everything in...grocery lists, dreams, memories, and ideas, as

well as

> bits and pieces of stories. I write on the train to and from work,

mostly,

> in this journal, and then I type it up later, revising as I do this. I

need

> to resist the urge to constantly revise my work, though, which is why

none

> of my stories ever get finished.

>

> I also love to draw. Didn't have very many art classes, but I'm trying

to

> improve my skills. When I was working the night shift, drawing cats

would

> keep me awake. Right now I need to work on facial symmetry (one side

is

> always off!) and not making hands look like they've been run over by

a

> train a couple of times.

>

> I wonder if trauma makes us more likely to be artists?

>

[Guest guest]

Also,

Put a sign on the door. Writer at work. Use of deadly force authorized

if anyone is so foolish as to enter this room.

Doug

>

> > A KO writer s workshop? LOL

> >

> > I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping

stage.

> >

> > I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval

Academy.

> > In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

> >

> > 1. Write

> > 2. Finish what you start.

> > 3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

> > 4. Submit what you write to publishers.

> > 5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

> >

> > Doug

>

[Guest guest]

Also,

Put a sign on the door. Writer at work. Use of deadly force authorized

if anyone is so foolish as to enter this room.

Doug

>

> > A KO writer s workshop? LOL

> >

> > I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping

stage.

> >

> > I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval

Academy.

> > In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

> >

> > 1. Write

> > 2. Finish what you start.

> > 3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

> > 4. Submit what you write to publishers.

> > 5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

> >

> > Doug

>

[Guest guest]

There is a GREAT KO/BPD application here. Can you see it?

+Coal Miner's Daughter

>> Try this. Take a photo of a face you want to draw. Turn it upside

> down. Now, resisting the screaming of your brain to turn it up, draw

> it. Take your time. Don t try to draw a nose, or eyes, or a

> symmetrical face. Just look at what is there, information that makes no

> sense because you are not programmed to see a face upside down, and draw

> what you see. A line here goes about so far. Measure as you need to.

> Start from the eyes and work out. Don t let yourself say now I m

> drawing the eye. You are just drawing some lines and curves you see.

>

> Only when you are done, turn both your drawing and the photo right side

> up.

>

> You ll be amazed.

>

> Doug

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Doug,

I was in a group in elementary school called, " Young Authors " . The neat part of

it was that they helped you send your book somewhere to get the binding and some

kind of cover. Back in the 80s it was just a hard cover with gold lettering at

about 12-point font. I will never forget the feeling of having MY own book.

And seeing the title " My Poems " (yeah, real original, I know - hey, I shop at

Wal-Mart) typed on that dark blue cover...

Could you send something to a company like this (I use discmakers for my CDs;

there has to be a writer's equivalent) and market them to US? We will buy them

and then word will spread. Just a way to start - and would help us KOs as well.

+Coal Miner's Daughter

>

>

>

> > A KO writer s workshop? LOL

> >

> > I have one project on the burner, 2 more in the idea and mapping stage.

> >

> > I recently read a talk by Heinlein given at the Naval Academy.

> > In it, he lists 5 rules for becoming a successful writer.

> >

> > 1. Write

> > 2. Finish what you start.

> > 3. Resist the urge to re write, except on editorial order.

> > 4. Submit what you write to publishers.

> > 5. Repeat 4 until someone buys it. Eventually, someone will.

> >

> > Doug

>

[Guest guest]

I don't know about #3, there. I think I'd replace it with: " Join a writer's

group in which at least three people are published, and when they tell you stuff

needs revision, don't get up in a huff and leave. "

After a year slogging what I've written through our writer's group, I can see

why I didn't get anywhere with it last year. It's about 1,000% better now.

--.

[Guest guest]

I WILL submit what I m writing for publication. I need to finish

writing it first.

Ass to seat...WRITE!

LOL

Doug

>

> Hey Doug,

>

> I was in a group in elementary school called, " Young Authors " . The

neat part of it was that they helped you send your book somewhere to get

the binding and some kind of cover. Back in the 80s it was just a hard

cover with gold lettering at about 12-point font. I will never forget

the feeling of having MY own book. And seeing the title " My Poems "

(yeah, real original, I know - hey, I shop at Wal-Mart) typed on that

dark blue cover...

>

> Could you send something to a company like this (I use discmakers for

my CDs; there has to be a writer's equivalent) and market them to US?

We will buy them and then word will spread. Just a way to start - and

would help us KOs as well.

>

> +Coal Miner's Daughter

>

>

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I WILL submit what I m writing for publication. I need to finish

writing it first.

Ass to seat...WRITE!

LOL

Doug

>

> Hey Doug,

>

> I was in a group in elementary school called, " Young Authors " . The

neat part of it was that they helped you send your book somewhere to get

the binding and some kind of cover. Back in the 80s it was just a hard

cover with gold lettering at about 12-point font. I will never forget

the feeling of having MY own book. And seeing the title " My Poems "

(yeah, real original, I know - hey, I shop at Wal-Mart) typed on that

dark blue cover...

>

> Could you send something to a company like this (I use discmakers for

my CDs; there has to be a writer's equivalent) and market them to US?

We will buy them and then word will spread. Just a way to start - and

would help us KOs as well.

>

> +Coal Miner's Daughter

>

>

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

One of the things I'm better at is figuring out how to tell a big, unwieldy

story--what to include and what to leave out, what order to present things in,

etc.

One thing that doesn't go so well anymore is really gut-remembering all the

miserable emotions of being a KO and representing them on paper. A few years

ago this would have worked out so much better, but since I have walked out on

the FOO and given up on them, it's like my feelings are either frozen or they

are long, long in the past. I really don't want to go back there, and it's very

hard to put myself in the place I was then. I remember it, but it's like

emotionally I don't remember it. If that makes sense.

If you will be waiting a while to start on your book, keeping a journal now

makes a lot of sense. (Or being able to find your prior posts on here!)

@Mia, it's incredible to read the stuff that you've been through. I'm really

sorry things have been so tough. But I'm really glad this country actually

*does* still help people who need and deserve it. I hope you can continue to

get disability, and I bet you are almost at the end of this. I can see you as a

great nurse in a year or two.

PS, just guessing what kind of surgery you are having...you might want to check

out hystersisters.com .

--LL.