How to accurately sum up the 2012 year thus far? Hmmmm, accessing memory banks for precisely the right word. . . PAIN. Yes, dear reader, 2012 has been a year chock full of pain thus far. Some may not know that I had my tonsils removed last Friday. Some may also not know that this procedure, while very common and relatively easy to endure for children, can only be likened to the yet-to-be discovered 10th circle of Hell in Dante's Divine Comedy for us adults. . .
It is official- Kate Holley is down and out. I had hoped to use my recovery time for writing and reading and editing (oh my!) but I can hardly see through the foggy haze that my pain medication induces. To this end- before I forget- please excuse any glaring typo's, or grammatical issues, in this post. I thought that since laughter (or in my case since laughing actually is painful right now, humor) is the best medicine. To keep my spirits up, here is a list of a few things you are told before having a tonsillectomy, and the actual translation of what the doctor is saying:
1. You may have some mild swelling in the back of your throat and uvula. Translation: Holy lawd- you won't be able to talk coherently, or even open your mouth, for several days, and your uvula will be so swollen that it will block your breathing and actually lie on the back of your tongue. . . Now, if you have read this statement and think that I am discussing something related to female genitalia- please google the word "uvula"- it's not what you think ;-)
2. You may have a slight discoloration of the mouth and throat from the cauterization process. Translation: Your throat will look like moldy cottage cheese that you inadvertently found in the back of the fridge while looking for something else. You will also smell a burning aroma, and yes, that is your throat and mouth you smell. Thank you cauterizing.
3. You may have to limit your food intake to soft foods such as ice cream, pudding, mashed potatoes, etc. Translation: You ain't gonna wanna eat nothin, my friend! You will be lucky if the smell of food, combined with the amounts of pain you are in, doesn't make you severely sick to your stomach. Ladies- for the first time EVER you will be told to load up on as much ice cream, pudding, and soft carbs as you can possibly eat!!!!!!! Yeah . . . The only problem is that you will shudder at the actual thought of mastication and forcing these foods down your poor, wasted throat. To this end, I have been on a diet of Gatorade and chicken broth. Anything I can get through a straw. That is, until yesterday, when the chicken broth turned on me and made me gag upon smelling it. I have now graduated to ice water, skim milk, and cups of yogurt. I can actually open my mouth wide enough now to get a baby spoon in it to eat the yogurt with: WINNING!!!
4. You may lose a few pounds over the 2 week recovery period! Translation: starving is even LESS fun when you are in immense amounts of pain. Thus far I have dropped 6 pounds in 6 days. As someone very familiar with dieting, I can honestly say that I have never been more dissatisfied to lose weight!!! Perhaps they operated on my brain too while I was under because this goes against all things that society has ingrained into our female minds!!!
5. You may be a bit agitated for a short period after the surgery takes place, and during your recovery. Translation: A BIG thank you to all of the people that have been taking care of me, and assisting with my 3 children, while I recover. I normally have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this has been worse than childbirth in my opinion. Rest assured, I promise I will be back to my normal self (for better or worse, eh?) here soon. At this time, I will be apologizing profusely for my extremely short fuse as of late, and swear that I will lovingly attend to all of the claw marks I may have given you during my drugged-up pain stupor. XOXOXOXO!
In conclusion, I can only say that, after this ordeal, I hope to never again have month long sore throats, colds that I can not rid myself of, stinky tonsil stones the size of the "California Raisins", and unexplained throat swelling again after this surgery.
Perhaps they saved my extracted tonsils. . . I may have the urge to dip them in gold platting and wear them as a badge of courage! As always, thanks for reading!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
What's In a Name?
I am working on my sure-to-be-bestselling debut novel this evening, and have hit a stumbling block... I am having regrets with a couple of my character's names! Eeep! To some writers- no big deal, I am sure. But me, on the other hand, I am completely neurotic and MUST have names for these "people" all lined up. Not just any names, but the perfect names
Being on a first name basis helps me in my process to be able to identify more intimately with my characters. Perhaps I just have preconceived notions in my mind of what specific names offer- in terms of physical and personality traits. For example, I know that all females named Lucy will not be cynical bullies. Nor will they necessarily all have black hair and wear blue dresses. But, for better or for worse, that is what pops into my head whenever I hear that name.
So, what about you? Are you able to write characters that are nameless, or do your neuroses require your characters to be named? How many of your life experiences, or pre-conceived notions, do you write into your characters- solely based on your associations with a specific name?
Being on a first name basis helps me in my process to be able to identify more intimately with my characters. Perhaps I just have preconceived notions in my mind of what specific names offer- in terms of physical and personality traits. For example, I know that all females named Lucy will not be cynical bullies. Nor will they necessarily all have black hair and wear blue dresses. But, for better or for worse, that is what pops into my head whenever I hear that name.
So, what about you? Are you able to write characters that are nameless, or do your neuroses require your characters to be named? How many of your life experiences, or pre-conceived notions, do you write into your characters- solely based on your associations with a specific name?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Auld Lang Syne
It's that time of year again, folks. The time to poignantly reflect on the previous year's triumphs and short comings. The time to revel in your successes of the past 365 days and set the bar for how you would like your next 365 (or in this case- 366 since it's a leap year). This past year was one of many personal successes and firsts for me and my family.
Highlights of 2011:
~ Finally chasing the dream! I have made the leap from the familiarity of filling endless spiral notebooks into the unfamiliar world of self-publishing. Simply stated- I love it! The fact that people have actually read, and even kindly reviewed this writing, is an unexpected (but most welcome) bonus.
~ Holy cow! Someone wanted to interview me!! Yes folks, you can check it out here: http://www.books-writing.com/interview-with-writer-kate-holley/ Many thanks to books-writing.com for featuring me, and for being so great to work with! You can follow them on Twitter: @writingtips101
~ My eldest baby started the sixth grade this past fall. God help us all- it's middle school already. We have officially entered "the land of in between". I recall middle school as a confusing time of being completely unsure of everything except the fact the absolutely NO ONE knew exactly how hard it was to be me. All of this, coupled with the fact that I have already been informed that apparently I am ruining my daughter's life, in her eyes, with my "lame rules", leads me to implore you- dear reader- to please say a little prayer that we make it out alive.
~ My youngest baby turned one year old this past Halloween! Yes, he was both a trick (as in 5 weeks early) and a treat (this should be self explanatory as he is super frickin cute and cuddly).
~ KateHRuns too! 2011 is the year that I not only started running (no, not from someone or something) for recreation, but I also completed my first 10k race. I have always had a huge respect for runners, so I view this as a huge accomplishment.
~ I have learned that there truly are people in your life that WILL stick by you through thick and thin. To these people- I think you know who you are- your kindness is eternally appreciated! I literally can not put into words how much you mean to me. Thank you.
Now, here's the part that everyone loves . . . the resolutions. This year I will not make resolutions. I will make goals. I feel that the term "resolution" automatically connotates that there is a problem with something. As in, you resolve to fix it. Ergo, making resolutions for myself would be stating that there is a problem, or a malfunction of sorts, with me. Since my first, and most important, goal is to try and love myself a bit more- flaws and all- I think that setting goals for 2012 is much more fitting than making resolutions. So,with no further ado:
GOALS for 2012:
~Love thyself more- flaws and all. I am 32 years old and have spent over half of my lifetime in a constant state of self-loathing. This year, I am going to take a vacation from my harshest critic . . . myself!
~Write for at least 30 minutes each day, even if it's from "bottom bunk central". This is my affectionate term for my usual perch in my sons' room. Since they share one large room, and a 5 year old and 14 month old can be an interesting mix, I plant myself firmly in the middle of the room to have the optimal vantage point of the entire lay of the land--- the bottom bunk bed. Back to my point though. It truly is amazing what you can churn out in just 30 minutes a day of writing. I'm not saying I would expect to finish my first novel-in-progress this way, but in 30 minutes I can get some great ideas on paper for upcoming short stories and poems. It boils down to this: do not wait until that ever elusive "mood" to write strikes. This leads me to my next goal.
~Read less how to write on writing, and do more actual WRITING!! How to material is fantastic, and absolutely has merit. BUT. . . come one girl- if you only have 2 hours until the baby wakes up from his nap and you spend an hour and 45 minutes reading how to- you will never get those revisions done in time!
~ In all of my relationships stop insisting upon having the last word every.single.time. on absolutely every.single.thing. Kate- please put on your listening ears, now- walking away does not mean that you "lost" the argument (ahem, discussion), nor does it make you less of a person. It does, however, mean that you have less drama surrounding you at every turn = WIN!!!!!
~ Short and sweet- stop second guessing yourself. No one likes a non-committal wussy!
~ Take compliments when you are lucky enough to have them given to you! It is okay, I promise.
Alright, that pretty much rounds out the list for 2012 thus far. Well, all of this plus the usual: have a spotless house, continue to be SuperMom and SuperWife, lose a gazillion pounds, and cure some sort of horrific CDC worthy plague that is afflicting mankind. No pressure, right? Tongue is firmly planted in cheek, btw ;-)
Happy New Year!
Highlights of 2011:
~ Finally chasing the dream! I have made the leap from the familiarity of filling endless spiral notebooks into the unfamiliar world of self-publishing. Simply stated- I love it! The fact that people have actually read, and even kindly reviewed this writing, is an unexpected (but most welcome) bonus.
~ Holy cow! Someone wanted to interview me!! Yes folks, you can check it out here: http://www.books-writing.com/interview-with-writer-kate-holley/ Many thanks to books-writing.com for featuring me, and for being so great to work with! You can follow them on Twitter: @writingtips101
~ My eldest baby started the sixth grade this past fall. God help us all- it's middle school already. We have officially entered "the land of in between". I recall middle school as a confusing time of being completely unsure of everything except the fact the absolutely NO ONE knew exactly how hard it was to be me. All of this, coupled with the fact that I have already been informed that apparently I am ruining my daughter's life, in her eyes, with my "lame rules", leads me to implore you- dear reader- to please say a little prayer that we make it out alive.
~ My youngest baby turned one year old this past Halloween! Yes, he was both a trick (as in 5 weeks early) and a treat (this should be self explanatory as he is super frickin cute and cuddly).
~ KateHRuns too! 2011 is the year that I not only started running (no, not from someone or something) for recreation, but I also completed my first 10k race. I have always had a huge respect for runners, so I view this as a huge accomplishment.
~ I have learned that there truly are people in your life that WILL stick by you through thick and thin. To these people- I think you know who you are- your kindness is eternally appreciated! I literally can not put into words how much you mean to me. Thank you.
Now, here's the part that everyone loves . . . the resolutions. This year I will not make resolutions. I will make goals. I feel that the term "resolution" automatically connotates that there is a problem with something. As in, you resolve to fix it. Ergo, making resolutions for myself would be stating that there is a problem, or a malfunction of sorts, with me. Since my first, and most important, goal is to try and love myself a bit more- flaws and all- I think that setting goals for 2012 is much more fitting than making resolutions. So,with no further ado:
GOALS for 2012:
~Love thyself more- flaws and all. I am 32 years old and have spent over half of my lifetime in a constant state of self-loathing. This year, I am going to take a vacation from my harshest critic . . . myself!
~Write for at least 30 minutes each day, even if it's from "bottom bunk central". This is my affectionate term for my usual perch in my sons' room. Since they share one large room, and a 5 year old and 14 month old can be an interesting mix, I plant myself firmly in the middle of the room to have the optimal vantage point of the entire lay of the land--- the bottom bunk bed. Back to my point though. It truly is amazing what you can churn out in just 30 minutes a day of writing. I'm not saying I would expect to finish my first novel-in-progress this way, but in 30 minutes I can get some great ideas on paper for upcoming short stories and poems. It boils down to this: do not wait until that ever elusive "mood" to write strikes. This leads me to my next goal.
~Read less how to write on writing, and do more actual WRITING!! How to material is fantastic, and absolutely has merit. BUT. . . come one girl- if you only have 2 hours until the baby wakes up from his nap and you spend an hour and 45 minutes reading how to- you will never get those revisions done in time!
~ In all of my relationships stop insisting upon having the last word every.single.time. on absolutely every.single.thing. Kate- please put on your listening ears, now- walking away does not mean that you "lost" the argument (ahem, discussion), nor does it make you less of a person. It does, however, mean that you have less drama surrounding you at every turn = WIN!!!!!
~ Short and sweet- stop second guessing yourself. No one likes a non-committal wussy!
~ Take compliments when you are lucky enough to have them given to you! It is okay, I promise.
Alright, that pretty much rounds out the list for 2012 thus far. Well, all of this plus the usual: have a spotless house, continue to be SuperMom and SuperWife, lose a gazillion pounds, and cure some sort of horrific CDC worthy plague that is afflicting mankind. No pressure, right? Tongue is firmly planted in cheek, btw ;-)
Happy New Year!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Before I Forget
Here is the link to my recently published short story, To Tell the Story of Them. It is a free fiction piece available on Smashwords. Check it out and leave me a comment to let me know what you think - good or bad.
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115596
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115596
What To Do, What To Do?
As a writer, but foremost a mother, my time is usually a bit more limited than would be ideal for getting those creative juices flowing and onto the page. Recently, I have found that my fiction WIP is neglected in favor of writing poetry. While poetry does take significant time and effort, it does not take as much research, and hours of plot/character development prior to even starting the writing process. To this end, I have pieced together a small anthology of poetry that I will publish shortly (so yes - please do be on the lookout). What I love about poetry is the raw images and ability to be much more free of traditional writing constraints (at least as a free verse poet - I tip my hat to those poets among us that toil for hours to meet specific syllabic line requirements). It seems much easier for me to feel accomplished in refining the mind dump that was the initial draft and churning out a polished poem - all in the few precious hours after my children have gone to bed, but before I too am beckoned by the need for sleep.
I do worry, however, that slipping into a diet solely of poetry and feeling accomplished every single night will make it all the more difficult to return to my WIP. Somehow working for hours on a few pages of a novel, with no end in sight, sounds a bit daunting to say the least. Yes, yes - I know, one day at a time. I do have the general path mapped out for where I want to take my novel, it's just all of the junctions that are making me tug at my collar.
Since I am a first time novelist, and still unsure of my footing as a writer, I fear that I am going about this craft of writing all wrong. Is there a right way to write a novel? Is there a right way to write period? When do you start to feel like you are actually a writer, and not a sixth grader who is shadowing a real writer on career day? Many other writers blog that you are a writer by simply writing. This statement brings a bit of comfort ... but then again maybe they are just saying that to make all of us aspiring writers feel better. Arg- over-thinking the whole thing .. brain short circuiting ... off to get a cup of coffee, put on my big girl panties, and do some writing - because I AM a writer. Right?
I do worry, however, that slipping into a diet solely of poetry and feeling accomplished every single night will make it all the more difficult to return to my WIP. Somehow working for hours on a few pages of a novel, with no end in sight, sounds a bit daunting to say the least. Yes, yes - I know, one day at a time. I do have the general path mapped out for where I want to take my novel, it's just all of the junctions that are making me tug at my collar.
Since I am a first time novelist, and still unsure of my footing as a writer, I fear that I am going about this craft of writing all wrong. Is there a right way to write a novel? Is there a right way to write period? When do you start to feel like you are actually a writer, and not a sixth grader who is shadowing a real writer on career day? Many other writers blog that you are a writer by simply writing. This statement brings a bit of comfort ... but then again maybe they are just saying that to make all of us aspiring writers feel better. Arg- over-thinking the whole thing .. brain short circuiting ... off to get a cup of coffee, put on my big girl panties, and do some writing - because I AM a writer. Right?
It is Time!
Ah yes, the infamous introductory blog post. Perhaps the most painful to write from my end, and for you to read on yours. Quick intro: I'm Kate. Thirty-two year old wife, and mother to three kiddos. I have a background in English, but have yet to finish up that degree. I suppose perhaps, at the time, I enjoyed partying more than studying. Hindsight and all that jazz, eh? I have no lofty ambitions of changing the world with my fabulously crafted blog. In fact, I am betting myself that this may end up being another one of Kate's projects that fall by the wayside. I hope not. I am a writer of fiction, poetry, and all of the random thoughts that cross through my already addled brain. Seriously- I carry a notebook with me at all times to write everything down. Ya never know what may be your next great line of verse, or perhaps the missing part of your work-in-progress that has been gnawing at your brain and waking you in the night. You writers out there know what I'm talking about.
Ok, so upWords and onWords... Well, I suppose that while I have been writing since about age nine (thank you Writer in Residence programs in Wake County Public Schools) I never decided to take things seriously until the last couple of months. I hold no illusions that I am going to be the next big thing, but I have this intrinsic desire to have my voice heard. I suppose, more accurately, my voice through the voices I lend to my characters. I think that this is why it seems safe for me to put so much of myself out there for others. I am typically a pretty private person and the thought that someone might *actually* read what I am writing has always scared the poo out of me until recently.
Alright Kate, enough babbling, this blog is set up for one purpose -for me to be me, and for my voice to be heard. Perhaps that sounds a bit narcissistic, but when you spend your entire day wiping your baby's butt, arguing with a five year old that knows EVERYTHING, and being ignored by a hormonal eleven (going on 21) year old, you need some time to just be YOU. I read, on one of my favorite blogs out there, that blogging isn't necessarily about pushing political, religious, and other motives (unless you want it to be, that is); it is solely about creating and letting people hear your voice. Hear, hear! On that note, thanks for reading and we shall see what tomorrow brings!
Ok, so upWords and onWords... Well, I suppose that while I have been writing since about age nine (thank you Writer in Residence programs in Wake County Public Schools) I never decided to take things seriously until the last couple of months. I hold no illusions that I am going to be the next big thing, but I have this intrinsic desire to have my voice heard. I suppose, more accurately, my voice through the voices I lend to my characters. I think that this is why it seems safe for me to put so much of myself out there for others. I am typically a pretty private person and the thought that someone might *actually* read what I am writing has always scared the poo out of me until recently.
Alright Kate, enough babbling, this blog is set up for one purpose -for me to be me, and for my voice to be heard. Perhaps that sounds a bit narcissistic, but when you spend your entire day wiping your baby's butt, arguing with a five year old that knows EVERYTHING, and being ignored by a hormonal eleven (going on 21) year old, you need some time to just be YOU. I read, on one of my favorite blogs out there, that blogging isn't necessarily about pushing political, religious, and other motives (unless you want it to be, that is); it is solely about creating and letting people hear your voice. Hear, hear! On that note, thanks for reading and we shall see what tomorrow brings!
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