One book leads to another...

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Missed Callings


Welcome, all! You’re just in time for the monthly (1st Wednesday) on-line gathering of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, where you’ll find helpful tips, handy resources, the latest trends in publishing, and a comfortable place for hundreds of writers – just like you and I – to  share our writing journeys! 

Feel free to meander and mingle. Our gracious co-hosts this month are:
For member news and often funny movie reviews, our founder, Alex Cavanaugh has it all!  
  
In fact, if not for his thoughtful review, I might not have watched SHAZAM during our first annual 4th of July Movie Night in the Woods! There were giggles and snickers all around, and judging by the satisfied grins, the special recipe S’Mores were the perfect addition.
Then, it was back to the old summer grind; work for most, joyous play for others, and then there was me, coming to the realization that some callings are better off missed. For instance, thinking at age 4 that I would one day be a school teacher. Granted, the odds are stacked against success during summer break when cellphones and video games are much more appealing. On the bright side, I am a formidable Hall Monitor ;-)

On an even brighter side, I’ve amassed over 8500 words (various projects) and read two books. I’ve missed only one submission deadline, and am looking confidently forward to a few that loom in the near future! 

August 7 question: Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive belated response to a submission you’d forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming? Oh, yes! I love sweet surprises. Tortilla Bandits comes to mind. Unintended endings are as much fun as unplanned beginnings ;-)

But, enough about me. Has your summer been relaxing? Inspiring? How so?

Happy Writing!


 P.S. My computer crashed a week ago. I can't yet upload things like pics and IWSG badges!? sigh.

18 comments:

  1. Hi, diedre!

    It's great to see you this first Wednesday of the month, dear friend! It appears you are having a good summer, getting away from it all on occasion. Reading about your Movie Night in the Woods stoked my imagination and brought out the boy who loves fun and adventure. I applaud you for making 8500 words of progress in your writing and for reading two books. It has been a balanced summer for you.

    I often ponder missed callings, wondering about my life's trajectory had I chosen a different path. At one point, when the U.S. space program was shifting into high gear, I wanted to be an astronomer or astronaut, but hit the wall when I realized I didn't have the requisite grasp of math and science. I envisioned a career as a teacher, newspaper columnist or perhaps a film critic. As it turned out, I have the opportunity to satisfy those desires to some extent via blogging.

    I'm sorry your computer crashed. I hope you soon get it restored to 100% working order. I wish you an enjoyable and productive August, dear friend diedre!

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    1. Hi Shady!

      Thanks for checking in - don't mind the cobwebs. I'm looking forward to quieter times at summer's end, though I hate to see it go ;-)

      Indeed you have had the opportunity to see your aspirations to fruition - and you're amazingly good at it too!

      My laptop is wonderful for writing on the go - or outside in general - but I sure will be glad to get the PC back on track. It's as if my favorite route has been shut down due to construction - I bet you know how long that seems to take - ha!

      Happy times!

      Delete
  2. Hi Diedre - it has been hot ... and yes I've missed some callings, others I've snapped up - worry about the consequences later! Glad the machine is getting itself fixed - take care ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary!

      Consequences later. Yep, that's me as well! But, oh the memories we collect in the process ;-)

      Sunny skies!

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  3. Awesome on the word count and glad you enjoyed Shazam!

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    1. Hi Alex!

      Yep! I was so surprised I even double-checked the word count. Must have been the mountain air...

      Happy writing!

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  4. I loved Shazam! What a fun romp. Watching outdoors with Smores sounds even better. I wish you happy writing in August.

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    1. Hi Sadira!

      Everyone enjoyed - including the neighbors watching over the fence ;-)

      Happy writing to you as well!

      Delete
  5. Go you on the word count! As to being a hall monitor vs a teacher...give me the teacher everyday. Kids with a content to work with I can handle, just trying to keep them 'in line' not so much. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

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    1. Hi Helen!

      We had enough material, fun stuff too. But as the summer wore on, half-days apparently began to feel like weeks, so the resident fun-hater had to hide the electronics for a time each day - yikes! Good news is that I'm back in good graces with the after school crowd ;-)

      Pleasant surprises!

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  6. Great that you're writing so much. I've been writing pretty consistently this summer but have taken some breaks for family visits and other fun things. It's been a good summer!

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    1. Hi Natalie!

      Often I find it's the occasional breaks that fuel the writing muse ;-) Yes, it has been a good summer!

      Happy Writing!

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  7. You read two books or the same book twice? I tried getting away with that, it doesn't work.

    Randomly found your blog through IWSG. :-)

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    1. Howdy, Powdered!

      Thanks for taking a peek. I have, on occasion read the same book twice, but never within the same decade. Therefore, I think it does count ;-)

      Delete
  8. dIEDRE ~
    Sorry to hear about the computer crash, but you sure are focused on your writing these days! Good for you.

    My real writin' days are well behind me now. I can barely even keep up with two Battle Of The Bands posts per month anymore. I'm always thinking about even quitting BOTB, but then I always come up with another music match-up I wanna try.

    'Tortilla Bandits' - dang! - I love that title. (It even reminds me of one of my all-time Top 10 favorite movies, 'Tortilla Flat'.) I should get a copy of that. What age group did you write that for?

    ~ D-FensDogG
    STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS

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    1. Hi there, Stephen T!

      Behind you? Nah, I read your blogs. You still write like a pro. Can you imagine how many mutterin' magpies you'd have flapping around if you quit BOTB?

      "Tortilla Bandits" is a short story for First Chapter readers (5-9) But, thanks for asking! Now I'm curious about 'Tortilla Flat'.

      Keep those tunes coming!

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  9. I heard one of my granddaughters talking about Shazam! when I was visiting. I thought she was talking about the 90's movie with Shaquille Oneill. I'm really out of touch with newer films

    Sorry about your computer. I keep expecting something to happen to my computer. Hope it can hang on for a while longer.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Hi Lee!

      I hear you. By the time I see a "new" movie, it's usually a couple years old! If not for the kids - and Alex (grin) I wouldn't even know about them. I have to admit the experience is just as enjoyable when you have homemade popcorn and a pause button.

      Enjoy an "old" film!

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