What a day!! Lost my train of thought in middle of scene this morning cuz of my allergy meds. Then my 11yo gets up and he's not feeling well, mostly allergy crap, I think, so we had easy school day. (Yes, we do school on Saturdays, and no, we don't stop for the summer.) I hate it when I can't remember where my brilliance was taking me. Of course, it would have been brilliant. All the lost ideas are fantastic. It's like a rule somewhere. This story just sort of came to me the other day, so the idea is a new shiny and I'm still ironing out the issues :) It's going to be a short/novella. I think. It's SUPPOSED to be anyway. Something to work on whilst I figure out the other things on Search for Sorren.
Roll call for this week: Worked on Search for Sorren (editing AND writing), one of the shorts, a paragraph/idea for the other, and my garden, and crocheted. And where are all those projects?
Search for Sorren: WC 57,737 and 113 pages edited.
Short#1: 6,575 words, and research done on area and some wild animals, and hunting seasons.
Short#2: 94 words, and some ideas, may end up elsewhere as start for novel #3 in the series.
Midwife's Moon: Currently out for edits by CP, staying steady at 20,655, with CP saying first two pages do good job of setting up tension, etc so that's good news :D
Crocheted: Afghan #1: 35%ish (had to redo 1%ish cuz of mistake a few rows back. I probably could have fixed it, but I'm anal retentive when it comes to my arts and crafts.
Afghans 2&3 still at 1%
And, I'm forgetting something... I learned how to do a google document for the style sheet for my The War of the Weres series :) I did said style sheet. More networking/marketing things done as I get reviews, interviews set up. Kinda stalled until my review copies are ready :) Ran invites on my FB author link. Hadn't done that since I set things up.
OH and I ran. And lost weight/inches. *throws confetti*
While running, I had some thoughts. First one, inclines. I have them. Lots. I always kind of thought of it as flat. Well, when I'm in a car, it is mostly flat. I did some magic awesomeness on map my run and saw my inclines. one of them is 16ft over course of about .1 mile, maybe .15ish. Idk. But anyway, 16 ft over .1 isn't that steep, it isn't. Not like my running partner who does a 36 ft hill (and it's apparently not the only hill, or she does it twice or something)
Now, when I first started runnin, I ran to a specific place, then back, then the rest of the run/walk intervals along an actual flat tenth of a mile, back and forth. Well, I got up to 2.7 miles doing that. I had my bits of inclines, but more than half on pure flat. I decided I need to push it harder, get stronger, so I went a bit further up an obvious incline, then back, and again, running on the flat to finish up my time. Well one day, I wanted to really push myself. I ran/walked 2.9 miles, a different route which takes me around an orchard. And guess what? The last .9 miles is all up hill. A gradual hill. But let me tell you, when you're a newbie to running and the last bit is all up hill... yeah.
Now, I go so that one mile of my run is up and down a couple strong inclines, as my everyday run. I'm making 2+ miles so I'm happy. But I got to thinking, as a writer, when we don't know of the bumbs, the problems, the inclines that we face going into writing, it can seem like all flat land, or smooth sailing, to mix my metaphors. But, as we go along, we find out, there's some hard parts in this. You've maybe forgotten grammar you knew, you found out you had to learn to write a query letter, and the days of a writer being a hermit and the publishing house doing the majority of the work (except actually signing the books ;P) are long gone. You have to become a computer guru, internet saavy, instantly understanding the ins and outs, or thought not to be serious in some circles. It's hard work.
What do you do when you come across these inclines? Do you work harder so they become easier? Or do you bypass them, thinking you're doing great, only to find out there's an actual HILL coming up and since you didn't work on the inclines, it's too hard? What can you do?
Writers are a great family of friends. Yes, I said family of friends. It is what we are. Recently, a writer friend, whom I've never met "in person" went into a coma, from toxic shock syndrome. A large number of writers went into a period of grief, all at different levels. Why? Because we are a family. This person was a vibrant, loving, giver, who touched us all. When she went down, we all felt it.
My advice, if you have a sincere wish to be a writer, become a part of our community. Don't do it falsely, be there. Ask questions, offer up encouragement, but don't be fake. Then, when you see that incline, that looks like a mountain, it will only be a mole hill with the help of your writer family. A small bump in the road to becoming a published writer. Conquer those inclines so that when a real hill comes along, you'll be ready.
Showing posts with label writing community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing community. Show all posts
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Exposition
Noun: 1: the setting forth as of meaning or purpose (as of a writing)
2:a) a discourse or an example of it designed to convey information or explain what is difficult to understand.
b)1. The first part of a musical composition in sonata form in which the thematical material of the moviement is presented.
2. the opening section of a fugue
Adjective: 3: A public exhibition or show.
these definitions were supplied by Merriam Dictionary online http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition?show=0&t=1305872281
So, I am guilty of lots of exposition and backstory. Just read the aforementioned Rebellion on Piza 7 and see what's left. That's after cutting it down! Early in my writing career, the few editors/agents who gave me feedback said to much exposition and backstory.
I want everyone to know everything up front than Kablam! elimination. Lack of education. Okay, sorry for that rabbit trail through Disney's Fox and the Hound. But my point is my tendency for trying to explain everything up front meant no book expos for me! Killed my story in its tracks even though all of my stories are good. But the trick is to walk the reader through it so they can be properly appreciative of the good.
If there's too much back story and too much explanation they will be bored to tears. However, we also need some explanation. Finding that balance in the beginning is the hardest part of writing for me. (subbing, it's querying, but I'm not going there. I'd prefer a nightmare free night, thank you!) I want everyone to understand immediately all the bits and pieces that you can really give later.
So, in fixing that flaw in my writing character, I've gone to far the other way and have found myself putting stuff in :P rather interesting change for me.
I now go too far the other way! Like everything else, it's about balance.
As a reader, do you prefer your eplanations in the beginning? I find that I do like lots of details in certain genres and not others. Why is that? Or am I just weird?
As a writer, how do you handle setting up the story? Are you good at finagling the information in so it's sort of absorbed and doesn't come off as an info dump? Or do you need to practice, as I do?
And how do you know if you don't have a good critique partner? By good, I don't mean that y'all agree on EVERYTHING. That doesn't make you think or assess your work. I mean one who can say I don't like this because... or it feels wrong... or this bores me to tears...or this is awesomesauce and don't you go and change it! Someone who is willing to give you positive feedback as well as negative. If you don't have someone like that keep looking, you'll find them. Just be patient. In the meantime, take what help you find and apply it!
I'm forever thankful for those editors who took the time to explain things to me and for those editors/agents who still do!! A big thank you to all you editors and agents who help all newbie writers to become the best they can be!
2:a) a discourse or an example of it designed to convey information or explain what is difficult to understand.
b)1. The first part of a musical composition in sonata form in which the thematical material of the moviement is presented.
2. the opening section of a fugue
Adjective: 3: A public exhibition or show.
these definitions were supplied by Merriam Dictionary online http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exposition?show=0&t=1305872281
So, I am guilty of lots of exposition and backstory. Just read the aforementioned Rebellion on Piza 7 and see what's left. That's after cutting it down! Early in my writing career, the few editors/agents who gave me feedback said to much exposition and backstory.
I want everyone to know everything up front than Kablam! elimination. Lack of education. Okay, sorry for that rabbit trail through Disney's Fox and the Hound. But my point is my tendency for trying to explain everything up front meant no book expos for me! Killed my story in its tracks even though all of my stories are good. But the trick is to walk the reader through it so they can be properly appreciative of the good.
If there's too much back story and too much explanation they will be bored to tears. However, we also need some explanation. Finding that balance in the beginning is the hardest part of writing for me. (subbing, it's querying, but I'm not going there. I'd prefer a nightmare free night, thank you!) I want everyone to understand immediately all the bits and pieces that you can really give later.
So, in fixing that flaw in my writing character, I've gone to far the other way and have found myself putting stuff in :P rather interesting change for me.
I now go too far the other way! Like everything else, it's about balance.
As a reader, do you prefer your eplanations in the beginning? I find that I do like lots of details in certain genres and not others. Why is that? Or am I just weird?
As a writer, how do you handle setting up the story? Are you good at finagling the information in so it's sort of absorbed and doesn't come off as an info dump? Or do you need to practice, as I do?
And how do you know if you don't have a good critique partner? By good, I don't mean that y'all agree on EVERYTHING. That doesn't make you think or assess your work. I mean one who can say I don't like this because... or it feels wrong... or this bores me to tears...or this is awesomesauce and don't you go and change it! Someone who is willing to give you positive feedback as well as negative. If you don't have someone like that keep looking, you'll find them. Just be patient. In the meantime, take what help you find and apply it!
I'm forever thankful for those editors who took the time to explain things to me and for those editors/agents who still do!! A big thank you to all you editors and agents who help all newbie writers to become the best they can be!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
May's Featured Writers
Undead is Not an Option
I started my life with these people with two conversations that overlapped with a whole lot of tongue biting going around. If you see BMT flying on tweets, then @jterzieff or I will probably be found lurking. For those of you not familiar with the phrase, I had to come up with it due to twitters lack of space. I mean biting my tongue is a whole lot of characters and B.M.T. is twice as many characters and makes it sound like you forgot your bacon on your B.L.T. if you know what I mean.
Anyway, like so many of my conversations involving her I digress :D (Which is a fun and happy past time, but I must move on!) What started as fandom for The Walking Dead Series has turned into something huge which has evolved into a website, live cons and *drum roll please* an anthology from members of The Zombie Survival Crew
A little about the book and its authors:
Zombie love, zombie hate, how to get your killing spree on - we've got it all. When the Zombie Survival Crew organized, we realized the talent pool we had at our fingertips and decided to put together this unique volume of work by the crew members. Short stories, educational pieces, and artwork combine to take you on the zombie-ride of your life and help you prepare to "meat" any challenge.
The following authors and artists have crafted some truly haunting material examining the many terrifying facets of a zombiepocalypse and what survival will ask of all of us:
Tasmin Bowerman, Jim Bronyaur, EC, Jessica Capelle, Natalie Cutrufello, Andrew Jack, Gary James, Maria Kelly, Samantha Lahue, Sonya May, RC Murphy, Chris Philbrook, Wendy Sparrow, Kelene Toups and Austin Wulf.
We are also absolutely thrilled to announce that cast members from AMC’s hit television show The Walking Dead have graciously agreed to increase Undead Is Not An Option’s creep factor with contributions of their own!! Huge thanks to IronE Singleton, Neil Brown Jr., Anthony Guajardo, and everyone else for their participation.
For pre-orders/orders go here: http://zombiesurvivalcrew.bigcartel.com/product/zsc-anthology
Pre-orders get a discount so get yours right away!
My next author is one whose blogged I've lurked over for some time. I was bouncing around my blogs trying to catch up on everything when I saw she had another release. She writes a fabulous mix of genres. Friendly, generous, and ready to help. Listed here is only a sampling of her work:
Marva Dasef
Mixed Bag II: All the great stories from Mixed Bag plus ten more. Science fiction, horror, fantasy, romance, literary, humor: A little something for every taste.
First Duty: Nyra Hutchings, a young woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she's accepted into the Space Service, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where her first duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds.
Tales of a Texas Hero: Little Eddie tells some almost true Tall Tales set in West Texas of the 1930s. Guess what's true and what Eddie fudged on. Was it about the bear? Cage McNatt's prize sow? The skunk in the cornpatch? Guaranteed for a chuckle. NEW BONUS STORY: Ma Yote and Her Cubs
Here's a link to these fabulous books and more. Just remember she writes a variety of genres. Your best bet is to probably pick up one of her Mixed Bags and see which of her styles you prefer :D
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mgdasef
Bio: Marva Dasef is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with her stories included in several Best of anthologies. She has eight published books. See a complete list of her work at http://marvadasef.com/.
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Gurina
Follow me on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef?ref=profile
Visit my blog at http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/
Last, but certainly not the least, of my May's featured writers is Sharon Gerlach. I've had the honor of being published in the online magazine, Forever Nocturne, she has with @Jinxie_G as both an artist and a writer. The two have opened a new small indie publishing company. The first books out of the gates are FINALLY ready. One is even released after a bit of formatting issues with the cover.
Sharon Gerlach was in training to be a ninja, but a dismaying lack of physical grace and balance—not to mention the inability to keep her big mouth shut—ended her ninja career before it had really begun. Now she writes. She doesn’t write about ninjas because that’s obviously a sore subject. But she writes about other really cool things and figures someone else will cover the ninjas. Life’s really not all about ninjas, anyway. Sharon lives on the dry side of the Pacific Northwest with her husband (who must really be fond of her as he hasn’t left her yet despite her ninja failings); two of her three kids (none of whom possess ninja qualities either); and a Border collie who suffers the presence of seven cats. Yes, you guessed it—ninja cats!
Malakh is her first published work, with two women’s fiction novels to be released in late 2011. Be sure to check Running Ink Press’s website [http://runninginkpress.com] for information on upcoming releases.
HE HUNTS, SILENT AND UNSEEN
The string of mutilated bodies points to a madman, but the police are stymied. Trace evidence yields no DNA, animal or human. Male, female, young, old—the victims fall without a struggle to the killer in the shadows.
HIS NEXT VICTIM HAS BEEN CHOSEN
For a brief time, Suzanne Harper wielded supernatural abilities and super-human athletic prowess, but that was while she had been the lover of an angel. The murders point to her former lover, and the trail of bodies tells a terrifying tale: he’s working his way to her.
PREY BECOMES PREDATOR
Icarus, an angel who hunts those of his kind who have fallen from grace, enlists Suzanne’s help to stop the killer, for only one as close as a lover can anticipate his next move. Now she must reconcile her heart’s longing for her lost love with her sense of justice and honor, and she must do it fast … because the next murder could be hers.
And here are the links to purchase:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52440
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Malakh-ebook/dp/B004VXK0NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1302986173&sr=8-1
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malakh/dp/B004VXK0NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1302986242&sr=8-1
I started my life with these people with two conversations that overlapped with a whole lot of tongue biting going around. If you see BMT flying on tweets, then @jterzieff or I will probably be found lurking. For those of you not familiar with the phrase, I had to come up with it due to twitters lack of space. I mean biting my tongue is a whole lot of characters and B.M.T. is twice as many characters and makes it sound like you forgot your bacon on your B.L.T. if you know what I mean.
Anyway, like so many of my conversations involving her I digress :D (Which is a fun and happy past time, but I must move on!) What started as fandom for The Walking Dead Series has turned into something huge which has evolved into a website, live cons and *drum roll please* an anthology from members of The Zombie Survival Crew
A little about the book and its authors:
Zombie love, zombie hate, how to get your killing spree on - we've got it all. When the Zombie Survival Crew organized, we realized the talent pool we had at our fingertips and decided to put together this unique volume of work by the crew members. Short stories, educational pieces, and artwork combine to take you on the zombie-ride of your life and help you prepare to "meat" any challenge.
The following authors and artists have crafted some truly haunting material examining the many terrifying facets of a zombiepocalypse and what survival will ask of all of us:
Tasmin Bowerman, Jim Bronyaur, EC, Jessica Capelle, Natalie Cutrufello, Andrew Jack, Gary James, Maria Kelly, Samantha Lahue, Sonya May, RC Murphy, Chris Philbrook, Wendy Sparrow, Kelene Toups and Austin Wulf.
We are also absolutely thrilled to announce that cast members from AMC’s hit television show The Walking Dead have graciously agreed to increase Undead Is Not An Option’s creep factor with contributions of their own!! Huge thanks to IronE Singleton, Neil Brown Jr., Anthony Guajardo, and everyone else for their participation.
For pre-orders/orders go here: http://zombiesurvivalcrew.bigcartel.com/product/zsc-anthology
Pre-orders get a discount so get yours right away!
My next author is one whose blogged I've lurked over for some time. I was bouncing around my blogs trying to catch up on everything when I saw she had another release. She writes a fabulous mix of genres. Friendly, generous, and ready to help. Listed here is only a sampling of her work:
Marva Dasef
Mixed Bag II: All the great stories from Mixed Bag plus ten more. Science fiction, horror, fantasy, romance, literary, humor: A little something for every taste.
First Duty: Nyra Hutchings, a young woman born into a life of servitude on a repressive factory planet, is desperate for a different life. When she's accepted into the Space Service, run by the organization that enslaves her planet, she discovers the truth behind generations of rebellion. Now, she must decide what to believe, where her first duty lies, and fight for more than her life against impossible odds.
Tales of a Texas Hero: Little Eddie tells some almost true Tall Tales set in West Texas of the 1930s. Guess what's true and what Eddie fudged on. Was it about the bear? Cage McNatt's prize sow? The skunk in the cornpatch? Guaranteed for a chuckle. NEW BONUS STORY: Ma Yote and Her Cubs
Here's a link to these fabulous books and more. Just remember she writes a variety of genres. Your best bet is to probably pick up one of her Mixed Bags and see which of her styles you prefer :D
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mgdasef
Bio: Marva Dasef is a writer living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a fat white cat. Retired from thirty-five years in the software industry, she has now turned her energies to writing fiction and finds it a much more satisfying occupation. Marva has published more than forty stories in a number of on-line and print magazines, with her stories included in several Best of anthologies. She has eight published books. See a complete list of her work at http://marvadasef.com/.
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Gurina
Follow me on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/MarvaDasef?ref=profile
Visit my blog at http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/
Last, but certainly not the least, of my May's featured writers is Sharon Gerlach. I've had the honor of being published in the online magazine, Forever Nocturne, she has with @Jinxie_G as both an artist and a writer. The two have opened a new small indie publishing company. The first books out of the gates are FINALLY ready. One is even released after a bit of formatting issues with the cover.
Sharon Gerlach was in training to be a ninja, but a dismaying lack of physical grace and balance—not to mention the inability to keep her big mouth shut—ended her ninja career before it had really begun. Now she writes. She doesn’t write about ninjas because that’s obviously a sore subject. But she writes about other really cool things and figures someone else will cover the ninjas. Life’s really not all about ninjas, anyway. Sharon lives on the dry side of the Pacific Northwest with her husband (who must really be fond of her as he hasn’t left her yet despite her ninja failings); two of her three kids (none of whom possess ninja qualities either); and a Border collie who suffers the presence of seven cats. Yes, you guessed it—ninja cats!
Malakh is her first published work, with two women’s fiction novels to be released in late 2011. Be sure to check Running Ink Press’s website [http://runninginkpress.com] for information on upcoming releases.
HE HUNTS, SILENT AND UNSEEN
The string of mutilated bodies points to a madman, but the police are stymied. Trace evidence yields no DNA, animal or human. Male, female, young, old—the victims fall without a struggle to the killer in the shadows.
HIS NEXT VICTIM HAS BEEN CHOSEN
For a brief time, Suzanne Harper wielded supernatural abilities and super-human athletic prowess, but that was while she had been the lover of an angel. The murders point to her former lover, and the trail of bodies tells a terrifying tale: he’s working his way to her.
PREY BECOMES PREDATOR
Icarus, an angel who hunts those of his kind who have fallen from grace, enlists Suzanne’s help to stop the killer, for only one as close as a lover can anticipate his next move. Now she must reconcile her heart’s longing for her lost love with her sense of justice and honor, and she must do it fast … because the next murder could be hers.
And here are the links to purchase:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52440
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Malakh-ebook/dp/B004VXK0NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1302986173&sr=8-1
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Malakh/dp/B004VXK0NO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1302986242&sr=8-1
Monday, January 31, 2011
The writing community
I love the writing community. It's so supportive. You have a bad day, you get virtual hugs. You have a good day, you get virtual high-fives. It's super awesome. You can find blogs from those like mine about the everday struggle of juggling my responsibilities of wife, mother, and part time work while still trying to make a writing career, to those that have numerous self-help and writing tips like Jami Gold's. http://jamigold.com/ to plain fun like @M__Mitchell http://www.badboyscanbefun.com/ that makes you think and your writing improve.
Whatever part of the writing process you need themost support in (finding time--look to blogs like mine, issues--blogs like Jami's, technical--blogs like edittorrent http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/ (grammar geeks unite!) you will find it in the writing community.
Recently, @briquinlan and @Mgbuehrlen, who run the Writer's Yardsale store http://www.cafepress.com/writersyardsale/7204306(awesome support story there as well) to help sponsor their writing careers, started a design contest. Basically, they are looking for designs for their T shirts and mugs.
I did a design based on my new Gal Friday Noir series I'm writing. But I can't get the background to be transparent. (grrr. anyone knows how to do that, I'll kiss them, or not as their preference may be!) I asked for help on twitter. @Wulfie_ (whom I met through the #zombiesurvivalcrew @Jtzerzieff and chat w/ through @Jinxie_G and @PatriciaIVicens) gave me couple hints and also told me to download Picasa. So, I did. It hasn't worked on the transparency issue, yet, but it did something else totally amazing. (@grae42 and new to me peeps @joelandmandy also told me to download program paint.NET to help since it's the paint program that I originally used. Lots of good help!)
Back story. Any y'all remember my computer crashed? To say I was devastated is understatement. My brother died less than 2 years ago and I had the pictures from the last time I saw him, he was holding my baby and his baby before he moved to Georgia. Also, my baby has Down Syndrome, was born three weeks early and spent first week in ICU and then few more days in hospital (recovered MUCH quicker than doc's expected!) and all those pics were lost. I was told by guy at Best Buy (where I bought my computer and have 3 year warranty that it was gone. I decided to not believe him and haven't taken my computer in yet cuz I have friend who does information recovery.
Well, I download this program and as it's finishing installing it asks, "do you want only pics from picture and document folder or from all over whole computer" or something like that. A little piece of hope lit up in me. Could it? Would it find my old pics despite the new wall??? I put all over the whole computer. And yes, as I'm sure you've guessed now, all my pics are back! I cried and cried and cried happy tears! So many important pics, my daughters graduation, a family reunion, birthdays, fourth of july, and everyday things like my baby's face full of spaghetti in his high chair, or our family's experience at the Pizza Hut in Texas next to my husband's college/work place. So much was lost and has been found.
And it is the perfect timing. My brother's birthday is next week. Last Year. I was pretty much depressed from now until about a week after the anniversary of his death. Having these pictures may make the difference between me being able to cope and continue writing and supporting my family or not.
So thank you writing community. Thank you for all your support, love, encouragement and well wishes. I love all of you. I haven't even mentioned all my favorites here! You have been my life line since my brother died. Literally. The blogs, the community support when I'm feeling down, helping me improve my craft so that I can more effectively channel my emotions into my work, all has been of immeasurable importance to me.
Whatever part of the writing process you need themost support in (finding time--look to blogs like mine, issues--blogs like Jami's, technical--blogs like edittorrent http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/ (grammar geeks unite!) you will find it in the writing community.
Recently, @briquinlan and @Mgbuehrlen, who run the Writer's Yardsale store http://www.cafepress.com/writersyardsale/7204306(awesome support story there as well) to help sponsor their writing careers, started a design contest. Basically, they are looking for designs for their T shirts and mugs.
I did a design based on my new Gal Friday Noir series I'm writing. But I can't get the background to be transparent. (grrr. anyone knows how to do that, I'll kiss them, or not as their preference may be!) I asked for help on twitter. @Wulfie_ (whom I met through the #zombiesurvivalcrew @Jtzerzieff and chat w/ through @Jinxie_G and @PatriciaIVicens) gave me couple hints and also told me to download Picasa. So, I did. It hasn't worked on the transparency issue, yet, but it did something else totally amazing. (@grae42 and new to me peeps @joelandmandy also told me to download program paint.NET to help since it's the paint program that I originally used. Lots of good help!)
Back story. Any y'all remember my computer crashed? To say I was devastated is understatement. My brother died less than 2 years ago and I had the pictures from the last time I saw him, he was holding my baby and his baby before he moved to Georgia. Also, my baby has Down Syndrome, was born three weeks early and spent first week in ICU and then few more days in hospital (recovered MUCH quicker than doc's expected!) and all those pics were lost. I was told by guy at Best Buy (where I bought my computer and have 3 year warranty that it was gone. I decided to not believe him and haven't taken my computer in yet cuz I have friend who does information recovery.
Well, I download this program and as it's finishing installing it asks, "do you want only pics from picture and document folder or from all over whole computer" or something like that. A little piece of hope lit up in me. Could it? Would it find my old pics despite the new wall??? I put all over the whole computer. And yes, as I'm sure you've guessed now, all my pics are back! I cried and cried and cried happy tears! So many important pics, my daughters graduation, a family reunion, birthdays, fourth of july, and everyday things like my baby's face full of spaghetti in his high chair, or our family's experience at the Pizza Hut in Texas next to my husband's college/work place. So much was lost and has been found.
And it is the perfect timing. My brother's birthday is next week. Last Year. I was pretty much depressed from now until about a week after the anniversary of his death. Having these pictures may make the difference between me being able to cope and continue writing and supporting my family or not.
So thank you writing community. Thank you for all your support, love, encouragement and well wishes. I love all of you. I haven't even mentioned all my favorites here! You have been my life line since my brother died. Literally. The blogs, the community support when I'm feeling down, helping me improve my craft so that I can more effectively channel my emotions into my work, all has been of immeasurable importance to me.
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