Friday Free For All!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I first want to tell you all that I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and congratulations I received when I announced that I got an agent. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE THIS WRITING COMMUNITY!!!

As it turns out, getting an agent isn't the only big thing happening in my life right now.

My hubs is being transferred which mean we are moving. AGAIN! If you have followed this past year and a half with me you'll know my family packed up and moved from Alabama in October 2010 to Kentucky. We were so excited because KY is where we met, and our family is here.

We stayed in my parents basement (yes, with kids and a dog) until we could sell our house in AL. Then we moved out of the basement about a year later and into a house. About six months after that, we moved one last time into our dream home.

Of course when things are going just the way you want, something has to pull the rug out from under you. I am no exception and one month after moving into said dream home, we got word that we would be moving. AGAIN. This time...wait for it...all the way back to Alabama!

Oh geez!

It's a good move for us, but sad because we are leaving family (my hubs grew up here, I went to high school here). But that's life I suppose.


So this weekend we will be heading to Bama to find a house and next month we will say goodbye to this....

And hello to this...

But in my heart I will always bleed blue!

What about you? Anything new happening in your life? 

I'm Telling You It's True! I Got Agent!!!

I almost didn't want to do this post, because I know how it feels to be the writer who checks in to the blog-o-sphere only to read yet another "I got an agent" story. To be so happy for them while at the same time battling the "why them and not me" thoughts. I know how many hours us writers slave over our words, making them just so, only to get the query door slammed in our face over and over and over again. Believe me, I know.

So, yes, I ALMOST didn't want to do this post.

But I say almost, because while I don't want to seem like I'm rubbing it in, I also want everyone out there trying so hard to get a foot in an agents door, to believe that it IS possible! And that when it does happen, you deserve to be happy about it!

I wasn't one of those queriers with a 50% request rate. I didn't even have 30%. I got rejection after rejection.

Still I kept on.

I would enter contests and get ripped to shreds, or be given a chance...but just barely. Still, I kept entering them...and I'm here to tell you that the "just barely" is sometimes all it takes.

Here is my story if you want to hear it...

Back at the beginning of the year I wrote my goals out for the whole blogger world to see. One being that I would query Ripple (then Ripple Effect) and get an agent this year.

Soon after that I was blog hopping and came across Cupids fabulous blog and her Blind Speed Dating Contest. To get into the contest you had to get past the bouncers first. During this round there were submissions getting multiple comments from bouncers telling them, "you're in!"

I got one bouncer comment.

And it wasn't a straight forward, "Yes! You're in!" My bouncer was torn, but let me through anyway. Gennifer Albin, I will be forever grateful for you taking that chance on me!

So. Holy crapola, I was in the door! It was like being the wannabe who got entrance into the high school party that only the cool kids go to:)

Finally, the day came around for agents (who were going by undercover names) to browse the entries. If they liked yours, they'd shoot and arrow at you (hence the whole cupid thing). The more arrows, the better. Again, there were entries getting multiple arrows. Agents were bantering back and forth at how much they wanted this one or that.

I got one arrow.

It was from the Ryan Gosling cupid and the words were music to my ears, "Hey Girl, I know people are saying dystopian is over but I think you have something special here. You've been struck with Honorary Cupid Ryan Gosling's arrow (partial request; 1 arrow)."

My cupid turned out to be Sarah Lapolla, the unbelievably amazing agent from Curtis Brown of all places! I sent her my 100 page partial. Then she requested a full (telling me, by the way, that my story was more sci-fi than dystopian). And the rest is history. I couldn't be more thrilled if I tried! All because two people gave me a chance.

I truly felt like the underdog, and now I feel on top of the world!

I hope that if your feeling beat up and pushed around; ready to quit writing, querying or whatever it is you may be trying to do, that you won't. Because I'm hear to tell you...five years after I started this writing journey, that you can do this! Cheesy, but true:)

I know I still have a long road ahead and that is just fine by me. I have a lot to learn. I'm hoping my journey into the sunset continues on and on and on.

What about you? I'd love to hear where you are and how you're feeling about your writing journey.  

***

Speaking of getting an agent, don't forget about the second annual GUTGAA blogfest coming up in August. If you're ready to get Geared Up to Get an Agent or know of some agents, editors or authors wanting to pitch in and help, go HERE.

Calling All Gearing Up to Get an Agent Helpers!!!

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In my last post I mentioned the upcoming prep I would be doing for the second annual Gearing Up to Get an Agent Blogfest. If you were here last year for the month long GUTGAA event, you may remember the fun we had. If not, go HERE and check it out.

Basically, it's a fest divided up into four weeks where we hone in on areas and that, with some polish, can get us that much further toward publication. I have a lot of fun things and contests in mind, but last year I realized just how much work goes into a month long interactive blogfest...and HOLY CRAP it's a lot!

So, this year I'm trying to be smart and I'm calling all HELPERS! Anyone willing to help, please let me know in the comments section below and leave your email.

Here is the kind of help I'm needing:

Basic helpers - If you have great ideas or are willing to help man the separate events, I'd love to hear from you.

A very cool Blog Button for the blogfest. If you look to the right of my blog you will see the one from last year. I need a new one and I'm so NOT tech savvy.

Agents and Editors - Last year I had help from some fabulous authors and the ever awesome agent, Kathleen Rushall, who helped me judge the contests. This year I would love to have more! I'm not deluded enough to think I have agents and editors browsing my blog, but authors, if you have an agent or editor, or know of any that are looking to add to their list of clients, then I'd love to hear from you!

Authors - If you have a keen eye for editing and are willing to giveaway some critique time, please let me know!

Prizes - I would love to make this years blogfest bigger and better, so if you have anything to contribute for prizes...yep, please let me know

Success Stories - I've heard from a few of you about how this blogfest actually helped you land your agent. If you are one of those lovelies, then I would love to share your story!

I think that's it for know. My brain is just getting into planning mode, so be on the lookout for a survey (I really want to find out what you think would make this blogfest a success), sign ups, and more info.

This is just tentative, but I'm thinking of having the blogfest around August of this year.

What do you think? Are you ready for a blogfest that will get your writing in gear for publication???  

A Winner and Some Summer Goals

First things first, we have a business card winner!!

Judy Dudich! You won!!!

I will contact you shortly:)

Now, to my post....

Huh? You mean now that school's out I have to stop being a slacker?

You mean my kids are going to want me to take them to the pool and the park and have fun? I can't write, query agents, and do writerly things non-stop?

HA!

I'm living a pretty deluded life if I think that's what I've been doing.

I've been a slacker in all areas lately.

It's what happens when you have a very very sick grandmother, your daughter is in a big musical (40 min away from your house and practicing all the time), and you're living in limbo because you don't know if you're going to have to move....AGAIN! Oh well. It's life right? I'm fine with it. Worse things have happened. And things are beginning to slow down where I can actually think straight again.

So with my clear head in place, I want to be better. I want to be as good as I hoped I would be when this year started out and I set my fantabulous goals. 

This summer I'm going to kick it up a notch and....

-Spend quality time with my kids


-Start writing that new idea I've been blabbing about


-Start querying again


-Figure out this moving situation once and for all


and

-Plan my Gearing up to get an Agent Blogfest (Stay tuned for more info on this)


In order to make this happen, I may not be my best blogging self throughout the summer. I will still be blogging of course, but it won't be my regular Tuesday/Friday schedule. I do hope you understand:)


What about you? Do you all have any big summer goals you can't wait to start on?

Wilde's Fire Editor Judged Contest!

If you are looking to enter to win free business cards, go HERE!

I'm all kinds of pumped because today is the first day for the amazing editor judged contest hosted by Sharon Bayliss! It's a two-fold contest to help spread the word about the newly released, Wilde's Fire by Krystal Wade (who is also the editor for the contest) and to get some great feedback, plus a possible full request for us writers from Curiosity Quills. There is still time to sign up, so if you have a polished, shiny manuscript you're ready to pitch go HERE to enter!

For the first part of the contest we have to enter our query and first 500 words on our blog to get critiques before doing a final submit. I'm sure those of you that have been here and seen me post my query and 500 before for similar contests are probably groaning. But don't leave just yet, I have tweaked some things so I'd love any new feedback you can give:) Thanks! And if you're entering the contest I will gladly return the love on your blog:)

QUERY:
The day bombs rain down on the earth annihilating the time machines Kali Addison's dad invented, it's her seventeenth birthday. She gets a couple of unexpected presents. A dead family. And the truth: Time machines have nothing to do with science and everything to do with her.
 
Stripped of her loved ones, and her father's work in ashes, fate would have it, Kali is now a freakin' time machine. And those responsible for ridding the world of them, know all about what Kali's capable of. Too bad she doesn't. Maybe the oh-so-hot guy, who shows up every time she's catapulted into the past, can help her remember. But knowing the truth would mean facing a life she forgot for a reason.
 
Now she must decide what's more important; continuing to live in the dark, or embracing the danger of who she's always been. If she chooses wrong. It's times up. For everyone.

Mystical mixes with real life fears of love and loss in this sci-fi/fantasy mashup novel for young adults, RIPPLE EFFECT is complete at 99,000 words, and has series potential.
        
I am a member of SCBWI and David Farland's Writers Group. More important, I am a seventeen-year-old, stuck in a thirty-three year old body, writing books to fill the void.
       
If you would like to consider RIPPLE EFFECT, I will be more than happy to send you the full manuscript.

FIRST 500 WORDS:
            I hate time travel.
            It's the one thought I have in my head as I crane my neck to take in the massive Clandestine in all its bland glory.
            The Commoners appear just as dull as the timeport with their solemn expressions and outfits the color of dirty snow.
            Today, I match them.
            Sage tugs my arm and I pop out of my head just in time to climb the steps with the others. I pause at the plaque by the entrance and read:

This Clandestine is dedicated

to those valiant Commoners who

fought the battle of time and won.

2035

            I can't help the laugh that slips. If those Commoners only knew what they set in motion.

            "Would you stop it already?" Sage elbows me. "You're starting to sweat and it's messing up your makeup." She unzips her gray suit just enough to pull a tissue out of her bra and pushes it into my hands. "And you'd better take off your sunglasses. You know you won't get in wearing those."
            "I hope not," I mumble, but still let her drag me through the sliding glass doors while I blot my face. I keep the glasses on, even though she's right. I won't get through the first check point with them.  Preparation for a journey through time doesn't allow for distractions like color or commotion. That includes accessories. But I don't care. I want to act like an indignant child, so I will.
            Not only is the Clandestine bland, but there are no windows here either. So no way to enjoy the cool spring breeze or hear the birds chirp me a happy birthday song.
            Nope.
            I get to be serenaded by the whispers of curious onlookers wondering why I'm time travelling with them. I'm beginning to have second thoughts about it myself.    
            At least my friends; Sage, Greer and Flip, are letting me pick the "when" we travel to as my birthday present. I can't understand how they think it's a present at all knowing how much I despise this whole scene. I guess I'm the idiot for agreeing to it.
            Oh well, maybe luck will rain down on me and no one will notice the inventor's daughter is about to use one of his public time machines. Or maybe I'll experience a first and won't get sick when I travel. And maybe, just maybe, the tracker chip they insert into our arms before we leave won't kill us if we cause a Ripple.
            Nah.
            Luck doesn't free-flow into my life too often. Something is bound to go wrong. It's why my nerves are beaten to a pulp and my nails gnawed to nubs.
            No joke, picking at my fingers has become an art form. We all need our distractions I suppose. And my nail obsession is working well, until we hit the back of the line to the first check point and my friends start goofing off like we're at a party.
           

Giveaway! 250 Business Cards!

Summer's almost here! How are you feeling about it? I love the time I get to spend with my kids, but hate how my writing time seems to diminish. I just have to keep doing the balance chant and maybe one day it will work.

Until then, I've got some good news...no I don't have an agent yet. The good news is for you!

A GIVEAWAY!

I've been blabbing about doing one since my birthday in March, but a major case of slackeritus got the best of me.

Until PrintRunner came to my rescue offering to give me and a winner 250 business cards each.

This offer came about during the writer's conference I attended a couple of weeks ago. Any writer who has been to a conference knows how great it is to have a handy dandy business card available to pass around.

If you agree check out the details below. And good luck!!!

Here are the deets of the Giveaway:
-Tell me in the comments your name, email address and why you could use some business cards.
-Giveaway ends Friday, May 25th 2012
-Once I winner is chosen at random I will submit your name and email to PrintRunner and they will contact you about the design.
-Open to US residents only, ages 18 years old and up.
-Standard shipping to winner is free. If you want the shipping rushed, winner must pay the extra shipping.
-You don't have to, but it would be nice if you followed PrintRunner on Twitter and liked them on Facebook.

Description of cards: 
Business Card Size and Style Business Cards - 2x3.5 (Standard)
Quantity 250
Colors 4/4 Color Both Sides

Paper 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides,

Proof NONE
Rounded Corners NO
Ready To Ship In  3 Business Days

For those of you who don't know, PrintRunner is an online printing company that does quality printing for less. If you don't end up being the winner you can try their business card printing services and see for yourself.

Check Me Out!

I'm feeling pretty special today!

Angie, who I just met in person and is as cool as I thought she would be, interviewed me on her Won't You Be My Neighbor Tuesday. I love the way she actually chats with her guests to make it a fun conversation. So if you get a chance, go check out my pageant answers and how I blog in a southern accent:)
INTERVIEW

Do you have anything exciting going on this week?

Also, don't forget to stay tuned this week for more details on my blog giveaway!

Sure, I Can Do That...

I think it only fitting to share with you some of the things I took away from this past weekends writer's conference I attended. Since...well...they were awesome!

The biggest thing that's sticking with me is from a motivational talk Kevin Anderson did. If you don't know him, you should. He is AMAZING. He's written over 50 books and been on the best seller list over 50 times. Those are some crazy odds!

And the way he tells it. He started young. He never gave up. Even after he got an agent. Even after he was published. He didn't sit back and smile in his new author status and say, "I made it!".

No. He went full force. If he was asked to do something, he said, "Sure, I can do that." He made major bank, but still continued to say, "Sure, I can do that." He said it was this 'go get it' attitude that allowed for more and more opportunities to flow his way.

I love this idea! The fact that his resume is longer than most short stories and that he is still willing to learn and grow and DO. What an inspiration! Not just in writing, but in life. And one I hope to carry with me throughout my own.

What about you? If you were uber loaded down with money and sittin' pretty on the best sellers list, would you say, "Sure, I can do that."?

Stay tuned next week for a giveaway here on my blog. Let's just say, you will enjoy this one if your headed to your own conference in the near future.

Have a great weekend!

On a Conference High!

I'm still coming down from my conference high.

This past weekend I attended the LDStorymakers Conference and had a blast!

Here are some of the highlights:

-Spent six hours in a super thorough crit group. Who was the host? The fab Elana Johnson! I would like to get inside that woman's brain (maybe). Her ideas on how to shape our manuscripts were fabulous.

-Got to meet so many of my blogging buddies. Seriously, does everyone who blogs live out west? There are too many to even name...because I just tried and it was over 20!

-I got to have breakfast with most of my online crit group.

-Did my first ever in person pitch to an editor. Yes, I did get a request. No, it wasn't a full. Yes, it was still cool. Just being able to sit down (once the nerves left my body) and chat with her, was priceless. It's true people. Agents and editors are people too:)

-The learning. Unbelievable how much I was able to pack into my brain about writing. If you haven't been to a writing conference, you really need to go!

-Some quality time with my lil sister. She's sixteen and an aspiring writer and it was because of her that I was able to jump on a plane and go to this conference in the first place. Oh to have the perks once more of living at home and getting awesome Christmas presents. At least she included me in this wish of her:) Thanks Caity!

I would love to post some pictures, but for some reason I can never find my stupid sd card reader when I want to. I'm sure you've seen a lot of them just from the other blogs though, so yeah.

All in all, it was a blast.

Now, it's time to get to work!

Have you ever been to a writer's conference?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter Z

ZOOLANDER

Holy smokes, the blogger challenge has come to an end! I don't know about you all, but I had a blast, even though I went a bit incognito toward the end. I love all you crazies who took this challenge on. You've really inspired me!

Now, to close, I'd like to share a quote with you from Hansel in ZOOLANDER, because...well, Z is a hard letter to think up...and some days when I tell people I'm a writer, this is kinda how I feel.

 "I wasn't like every other kid, you know, who dreams about being an astronaut, I was always more interested in what bark was made out of on a tree. Richard Gere's a real hero of mine. Sting. Sting would be another person who's a hero. The music he's created over the years, I don't really listen to it, but the fact that he's making it, I respect that. I care desperately about what I do. Do I know what product I'm selling? No. Do I know what I'm doing today? No. But I'm here, and I'm gonna give it my best shot."

Hansel, ZOOLANDER

***

As far as getting back to my regular blogging...

I am taking the rest of the week off because I'm leaving for a writer's conference Wednesday. So, for those bloggers going to StoyMakers, I'll see you there. For those who aren't, I'll see you when I see you (which will be next Tuesday on my blog if you want to join me:)

Have a great week!

 

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter Y

YOU

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Through this whole A to Z blogging challenge, you've heard so much crap about me that I thought it would be a nice change of pace if we turned the tables. So what about it? Tell me anything fun, happy, interesting, boring, average...whatever you want...just tell me about YOU!

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter X

Dang it! I'm so mad! I had set up this post and with the new blogger thing, it never went up. Sorry about that A to Z bloggers. I guess that makes this post that much more meaningful:)

Xanthippe

 This means an ill tempered woman. Been there. Done that. Nuff said.

When do you show your Xanthippe side? (Sorry quys, I don't know what your word equivilant would be...even though I'm fine with you acting like an ill tempered woman if you want.)

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A to Z Blogget Challenge: Letter W

Writer's Butt Check-In

So much for banishing Writer's Butt this month. Too much going on (which is hardly an excuse, but it's all I've got). Still, I have to be accountable like I said I would, so you get the ugly truth.

How about you? Are you still hard at work banishing you Writer's Butt? If you have one, that is.

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter V

VERY HAPPY!

That this month is almost over!

The A to Z Blogger Challenge has been fun, but WOW! I am VERY anxious to finish it. It's really put me to the test. For those of you who blog every day and return the love to your visitors...YOU'RE AMAZING! I don't see how you do it. I feel like I've run a marathon or something:)

I'm also excited about the month coming to an end because I'm headed to the StoryMakers Conference next Wednesday! I'm so VERY ready to get a fire under my butt for my next WIP as well as meet a lot of my blogger buddies in person. I can't believe how many are going! It should be a blast.

Is there anything you're VERY HAPPY about in your life?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter U

UMMMMM....

Writing dialogue can be tricky for me because I tend to write like people would talk. And don't misunderstand. I'm not patting myself on the back. This is not a good thing.

Here is why...

When people are having a conversation, a lot of the time they think out loud as they speak.

"So, what's up girlie?"

"Oh, you know, same ole, same ole."

"Well, I heard Jake's having this killer party tonight. You wanna come?"

"UM, sure. It's cool with me."

Did you catch those filler words (so, oh, well, UM) used as these two processed the conversation in their heads as they spoke?

I'm pretty sure we all do it. I know I do, especially on my blog. A lot! Please don't judge:)

Maybe we don't do it to process the conversation in our heads, as much as we do it out of habit. And so what? It's fine to do...when you're talking to your friend about going to the grocery store or telling your mom about some shoes you want to buy.

But when you're writing a novel, everyday speaking isn't always necessary.

I had a hard time digesting this when I first heard it. You mean to tell me we're told to bring the characters to life, make them realistic, but their dialogue isn't supposed to be natural?

That's exactly what I was being told and when I thought about it, it rang true.

I know people, especially us writers, are a cool kind of people. Go ahead. Toot your horn for a second. You're cool and you know it.

As amazing as we all may be. Our dialogue is more often than not--boring. Filler words are boring. They stall the reader rather than move the story forward. Characters in our stories don't need to meander on a subject for an interminable amount of time like we do in real life. They have killers to run from, relationships to terminate and a freaking world to save! They don't have time for a bunch of UMs.

So, (see I just did it) next time your finger is hovering around the 'find and replace' button on your computer, search out those filler words and get rid of some of them.

Yes, you did read right. I said some of them. In my personal opinion it's good to a have a few fillers sprinkled here and there. I've read some pretty fabulous books where they're used sparingly just to give the book a certain flavor. And it's magic. Just like an ice cream sundae is great with chocolate fudge. But if you douse that sundae in fudge, you lose the taste of the ice cream and it isn't all that good anymore (not the best analogy since some would prefer an ice cream sundae that way, but you get the picture).

Now it's your turn. What's your opinion on the filler word? Do you love em' or would you love to rid them from your writing for good?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter T

THESAURUS

I love the THESAURUS! When in need of a cool synonym to spice up a word, head to the THESAURUS! It is my go to when I'm having a brain fart.

HERE is the link to my favorite one.

What about you? Do you use the THESAURUS?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter S

SHOWS

There are times that I wish I could say I was above sitting my butt on the couch at the end of the day and vegging out infront of the TV. Maybe instead I could be writing, or writing or, I don't know...writing. But I'm just not that cool. I'll just say I'm gaining inspiration. How about that?

Here are my favorites:

American Idol

Yes, I think the group-singing is the cheesiest thing since velveeta, but individually these kids are killing it!

My favorites:

Phillip Phillips (that is his real name) and Skylar Laine

Not only can these southern cuties rock out, but I love them so much they have been the inpiration for my MC and protag in a southern, magical realism piece I've been working on. Told you I'm gaining inspiration.

      The Voice

Aside from the fact my hubs can't peel his eyes away from Christina's boobs hanging out on almost every SHOW (Who are we kidding, I can't either. It's quite the distraction). There is some major talent on this SHOW.

I still like too many to pin down just two yet.

Vampire Diaries

I don't want to like this SHOW, so I don't. I love it!

The Fringe

Eventhough my brain sometimes feels like it may internally combust after watching this SHOW, I can't get enough.

The Walking Dead

I know the season is over and some of the SHOWS drove me absolutely batty this year, but it is still one of my favorites.

Parenthood

This SHOW just proves that I do like reality too.

That's it. I'd say that's enough. I want to like some comedies. I really do. But for now I guess Walter Bishop's sanity on a string will have to do. 

What about you? What SHOWS do you like, if you like any at all?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter R

RANDOM

It's Friday and I feel like a smile so I thought I would post something RANDOM and make you smile too. You've probably already seen this, but if you're like me, it doesn't get old.

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter Q

QUESTIONS

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I am enamored by smart people. Seriously. It blows me away how there are some in this world who retain knowledge like a sponge.

I often wonder, is it their genes? Did they listen really well in school? Get a masters?

Maybe they just weren't afraid to ask QUESTIONS.

I'll admit, in school I wasn't the kid sitting up straight in the front row, pencil at the ready. I also haven't finished college (yet) or feel I know as much as the next person about History, Science, politics...I could keep going on. Back in the day, when I was young and foolish, it didn't matter. Now it does, and the learning I missed out on makes me sad. But I still have one thing going for me. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and ask QUESTIONS. And I have a load of QUESTIONS to ask.

In my opinion, there are no stupid QUESTIONS (unless you mean for them to be stupid) because for you, at that time, it's what you need to know. And if you are willing to learn, in my book, you're as smart as any book genius, any day. Knowledge is power right?

Relating this to the writing industry, it's a big industry. There is still so much I don't know that many of you may already know. And there are things I've probably learned that some of you haven't yet. We are a smorgasbord of knowledge just waiting to be tapped into by each other. Let's take advantage of that.

Don't be afraid to ask QUESTIONS. And don't let anyone look down their nose at you for asking. As smart as the smartest person is, they were once in a similar circumstance and asked QUESTIONS too. And if they think they're too smart to ask QUESTIONS anymore, or that they're better than you because you ask them...well, they probably aren't that smart to begin with.

Sound off. Do you have QUESTIONS? Or answers to QUESTIONS you've asked that may help others?

A to Z Blogger Challenge: Letter P

POP ON OVER

A while back I was picked to be a part time contributor at Ali Cross' dojo for writers. Today is my debut post and I'd love for you to POP ON OVER there and see why POSSIBLE is the P word of the day.