Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. Lou Holtz

This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite ex-Razorback coaches. So, how do you relate your writing career to this quote?

Are you level one? You know you have the ability. You’ve seen flashes of it. Even been known to talk about it. You’re sure it exists.

Are you level two? Not only do you have the ability, you know where you’re going with it. You’ve set your sights on a goal. You’ve decided this is what I’m going to do with my life whether it be writing or something else. You’re moving forward by starting your first manuscript, or completing a manuscript or finally sending out queries.

Or, are you level three? Not only have you discovered your ability and started toward your goal, but you have found the attitude to succeed. And you are a better writer for it. And people will feel your success through your actions. Even if you haven’t sold a book.

Of course, there is the other side of the attitude level that can hinder you. Are you all talk and no action? Do you feel better when others fail? How does that make you a better writer?

Some people say you are what you think about. What thoughts occupy your mind the most? Are those the things you want to be known for?

Attitude is everything. We are what we make of ourselves, despite our circumstances. I’ve seen people who allow their stressful circumstances to define them. And what they manage to do is bring others down with them. My circumstances will not make me who I am. They will reveal who I am.

I will succeed because I have the right attitude. Do you?

Well, we know there’s hope for you yet because you’re reading my blog. That’s a great start. 🙂

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. Lou Holtz

This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite ex-Razorback coaches. So, how do you relate your writing career to this quote?

Are you level one? You know you have the ability. You’ve seen flashes of it. Even been known to talk about it. You’re sure it exists.

Are you level two? Not only do you have the ability, you know where you’re going with it. You’ve set your sights on a goal. You’ve decided this is what I’m going to do with my life whether it be writing or something else. You’re moving forward by starting your first manuscript, or completing a manuscript or finally sending out queries.

Or, are you level three? Not only have you discovered your ability and started toward your goal, but you have found the attitude to succeed. And you are a better writer for it. And people will feel your success through your actions. Even if you haven’t sold a book.

Of course, there is the other side of the attitude level that can hinder you. Are you all talk and no action? Do you feel better when others fail? How does that make you a better writer?

Some people say you are what you think about. What thoughts occupy your mind the most? Are those the things you want to be known for?

Attitude is everything. We are what we make of ourselves, despite our circumstances. I’ve seen people who allow their stressful circumstances to define them. And what they manage to do is bring others down with them. My circumstances will not make me who I am. They will reveal who I am.

I will succeed because I have the right attitude. Do you?

Well, we know there’s hope for you yet because you’re reading my blog. That’s a great start. 🙂

What did I miss?

Both boys came down with the flu while I was gone. Wow. Of course, I was sad I couldn’t be there to baby them and doctor them…but you know, I’m really glad I wasn’t there for the brunt of the germs. Maybe I won’t get it this round. Two years ago, I got it BAD.

Hubby, on the other hand, seems to be coming down with something. We’re pretending it’s just a cold.

Gatlinburg was beautiful and productive. I have a good handle on my new proposal and it’s not boring or stale. 🙂 I actually like it. A lot. It’s a little different from what I usually write, but I think it’s going to be a good story. I have high hopes. And with the help of Pam and Maria, I really was able to flesh out some plot points and characters.

See some pics of our trip below. We had 3 or so inches of snow while there. It was amazing. And since I’m at one with my inner child, the snow really made my day.

We ate a lot of great food. Lisa seemed to be in full nesting mode while she prepared some fabulous breakfasts, Shepherd’s Pie and brownies. Diet? What diet? Maria made her delicious Lasagna one night and Angie wowed us with her pesto. I made Mexican chicken and veggie soup which went well with the cold days. Pam didn’t have to cook dinner this time because we had soooo much food left over. (word to the wise–never send two pregnant women to the grocery store together without a specific list! LOL! Lists like: Lunch 4 days, snacks 4 days, take on a whole new meaning then.)

All in all it was a fabulous time. Now, it’s back to the grindstone of work. I’m ready for the routine, but I will miss the wonder of the snow covered mountains and the cabin and my friends.This is my YAY! we made it beer with my Flamingo straw courtesy of The Pam.

This is the view from our deck on day one. It was beautiful and actually HOT. It didn’t stay hot for long!

This is the view from our deck on Saturday. Looks a little different, eh?

Me having fun in the snow. 🙂

What did I miss?

Both boys came down with the flu while I was gone. Wow. Of course, I was sad I couldn’t be there to baby them and doctor them…but you know, I’m really glad I wasn’t there for the brunt of the germs. Maybe I won’t get it this round. Two years ago, I got it BAD.

Hubby, on the other hand, seems to be coming down with something. We’re pretending it’s just a cold.

Gatlinburg was beautiful and productive. I have a good handle on my new proposal and it’s not boring or stale. 🙂 I actually like it. A lot. It’s a little different from what I usually write, but I think it’s going to be a good story. I have high hopes. And with the help of Pam and Maria, I really was able to flesh out some plot points and characters.

See some pics of our trip below. We had 3 or so inches of snow while there. It was amazing. And since I’m at one with my inner child, the snow really made my day.

We ate a lot of great food. Lisa seemed to be in full nesting mode while she prepared some fabulous breakfasts, Shepherd’s Pie and brownies. Diet? What diet? Maria made her delicious Lasagna one night and Angie wowed us with her pesto. I made Mexican chicken and veggie soup which went well with the cold days. Pam didn’t have to cook dinner this time because we had soooo much food left over. (word to the wise–never send two pregnant women to the grocery store together without a specific list! LOL! Lists like: Lunch 4 days, snacks 4 days, take on a whole new meaning then.)

All in all it was a fabulous time. Now, it’s back to the grindstone of work. I’m ready for the routine, but I will miss the wonder of the snow covered mountains and the cabin and my friends.This is my YAY! we made it beer with my Flamingo straw courtesy of The Pam.

This is the view from our deck on day one. It was beautiful and actually HOT. It didn’t stay hot for long!

This is the view from our deck on Saturday. Looks a little different, eh?

Me having fun in the snow. 🙂

Here’s a little known tidbit about me…

I love video games.

LOVE THEM

I was more excited about getting a PS2 a couple of years ago than my kids were. I’m the one who’s irritated that it’s no longer working because Tony Hawk has a new game out that I’m dying to play.

It’s been a while since I’ve played any games (PS2 or computer) but this weekend, I was watching my youngest wail on some folks while playing Unreal Tournament 2004. Now, my hubby introduced both boys to UT, Quake, and Halo–and he also introduced them to playing online.

I have never had the courage to do online gaming. I can hold my own in a battle, but I’m not great by any stretch of the imagination. But as I watched my 8 year old play, that old familiar itch came over me. So I sat down on another computer, fired it up, found the server he was connected to, and jumped in.

And promptly got my ass handed to me on a silver platter by my 8 year old.

I was hooked.

That was about 8:30 pm on Saturday night. Mark jumped on the other computer, and before you know it, we were all playing on the same server against others from God-only-knows-where.

The next thing I know, it’s 12:30 am. Wow. I swear I just sat down.

The next day, I roll out of bed late, fix some muffins and coffee, sit down to check email…

Heh.

at 5PM last night, I was still playing. Mark on one computer, Rader on another, and ME.

Too bad I wasn’t writing, huh? That would’ve been a helluva page count, I bet.

I have this theory that if Satan is real, he’s a video programmer. He is using the magic of the internet and the beauty of things like double damage, hellbenders, lightning guns, and fun little flying machines called Manta and Raptor to lure people like me into his dominion. And it’s working. I reserved a front row seat in my handbasket yesterday.

I’m jonesing for my next fix and I’m eternally grateful that I don’t have it installed on my computer at work.

ACK!

Here’s a little known tidbit about me…

I love video games.

LOVE THEM

I was more excited about getting a PS2 a couple of years ago than my kids were. I’m the one who’s irritated that it’s no longer working because Tony Hawk has a new game out that I’m dying to play.

It’s been a while since I’ve played any games (PS2 or computer) but this weekend, I was watching my youngest wail on some folks while playing Unreal Tournament 2004. Now, my hubby introduced both boys to UT, Quake, and Halo–and he also introduced them to playing online.

I have never had the courage to do online gaming. I can hold my own in a battle, but I’m not great by any stretch of the imagination. But as I watched my 8 year old play, that old familiar itch came over me. So I sat down on another computer, fired it up, found the server he was connected to, and jumped in.

And promptly got my ass handed to me on a silver platter by my 8 year old.

I was hooked.

That was about 8:30 pm on Saturday night. Mark jumped on the other computer, and before you know it, we were all playing on the same server against others from God-only-knows-where.

The next thing I know, it’s 12:30 am. Wow. I swear I just sat down.

The next day, I roll out of bed late, fix some muffins and coffee, sit down to check email…

Heh.

at 5PM last night, I was still playing. Mark on one computer, Rader on another, and ME.

Too bad I wasn’t writing, huh? That would’ve been a helluva page count, I bet.

I have this theory that if Satan is real, he’s a video programmer. He is using the magic of the internet and the beauty of things like double damage, hellbenders, lightning guns, and fun little flying machines called Manta and Raptor to lure people like me into his dominion. And it’s working. I reserved a front row seat in my handbasket yesterday.

I’m jonesing for my next fix and I’m eternally grateful that I don’t have it installed on my computer at work.

ACK!

Thanks to my friend Gina for posting this really cool link.

I am soooooo buying my blog shirt.

http://www.snapshirts.com/

MariaGeraci will love the fact that her name is in the middle of my shirt in big bold letters. Of course, that’s what sold me on the shirt. 🙂

Thanks to my friend Gina for posting this really cool link.

I am soooooo buying my blog shirt.

http://www.snapshirts.com/

MariaGeraci will love the fact that her name is in the middle of my shirt in big bold letters. Of course, that’s what sold me on the shirt. 🙂

If I had known I was going to meet and hang out with Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer last night, I probably would’ve washed my hair.

Not only did we hang out–but we bonded, in my mom’s kitchen. And if I had known THAT was going to happen, I probably would’ve figured out some way to redecorate the yellow. brown, and avocado green PANELING adorning Mom’s kitchen walls. Ugh.

Alas, I was unprepared for my meeting with the dynamic duo. It happened sometime between 2 am (when I got up to let the dogs out) and 4 am (when I got up to let them out again).

But let me tell you–it doesn’t matter how brief that meeting was; we bonded. We’re friends for life. They loved me. They loved my mom. They even loved the paneling. (though that right there should’ve told me it was a dream)

So, here’s how it went down.

I’m sitting at my mom’s kitchen table opening a bottle of merlot when Bob and Jenny just walk in. Bob has a laptop carrier slung over his shoulder and Jenny is blustering around like a gnat on crack carrying piles of paper. I am not surprised to see them and realize we need more wine glasses…and then also realize that I was pouring my favorite Pepperwood Merlot into plastic cups. WTF? I think. (more clues that this was a dream. I apparently live in denial in my dream world as well as in the real world)

I hide the plastic cups (these are not Dixie or Solo cups, these are kiddie cups that I drank out of as a kid. They have pics of Hilda the Hippo and Pete the Puppy and so on) and I retrieve Mom’s wine glasses. Bob comes over and asks me where they can set up and I show him into the dining room. Jenny follows, puts her papers down, then goes back into the kitchen and pulls out one of those plastic cups that I had put away. She hands me the cup and says, “Fill’er up, please.”

So I do. (of course I do. She’s a woman after my own heart.)

Then Bob returns with my mom and we all sit down at the table to discuss the publicity workshop they are about to host. (I know where this part of the dream came from. Maria and I were just discussing what phenomenal job they’ve done with promoting themselves and this upcoming book. (Don’t Look Down) They are amazing) Anyway, they are hosting this workshop in my mom’s house and we only have an hour to finish off the wine (amazingly, more wine appeared) and prepare before everyone shows up.

Now you know how it happened. Jenny, Bob and I are tight. Like my pants. I know you’re jealous…but try not to be. Not everyone can be their new best friend. There is only room for one new best friend at a time. And right now, that’s me. So back off. Don’t make me go ghetto on yo ass.

I can.

I will.

They are my new best friends.

You can’t have them.

If I had known I was going to meet and hang out with Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer last night, I probably would’ve washed my hair.

Not only did we hang out–but we bonded, in my mom’s kitchen. And if I had known THAT was going to happen, I probably would’ve figured out some way to redecorate the yellow. brown, and avocado green PANELING adorning Mom’s kitchen walls. Ugh.

Alas, I was unprepared for my meeting with the dynamic duo. It happened sometime between 2 am (when I got up to let the dogs out) and 4 am (when I got up to let them out again).

But let me tell you–it doesn’t matter how brief that meeting was; we bonded. We’re friends for life. They loved me. They loved my mom. They even loved the paneling. (though that right there should’ve told me it was a dream)

So, here’s how it went down.

I’m sitting at my mom’s kitchen table opening a bottle of merlot when Bob and Jenny just walk in. Bob has a laptop carrier slung over his shoulder and Jenny is blustering around like a gnat on crack carrying piles of paper. I am not surprised to see them and realize we need more wine glasses…and then also realize that I was pouring my favorite Pepperwood Merlot into plastic cups. WTF? I think. (more clues that this was a dream. I apparently live in denial in my dream world as well as in the real world)

I hide the plastic cups (these are not Dixie or Solo cups, these are kiddie cups that I drank out of as a kid. They have pics of Hilda the Hippo and Pete the Puppy and so on) and I retrieve Mom’s wine glasses. Bob comes over and asks me where they can set up and I show him into the dining room. Jenny follows, puts her papers down, then goes back into the kitchen and pulls out one of those plastic cups that I had put away. She hands me the cup and says, “Fill’er up, please.”

So I do. (of course I do. She’s a woman after my own heart.)

Then Bob returns with my mom and we all sit down at the table to discuss the publicity workshop they are about to host. (I know where this part of the dream came from. Maria and I were just discussing what phenomenal job they’ve done with promoting themselves and this upcoming book. (Don’t Look Down) They are amazing) Anyway, they are hosting this workshop in my mom’s house and we only have an hour to finish off the wine (amazingly, more wine appeared) and prepare before everyone shows up.

Now you know how it happened. Jenny, Bob and I are tight. Like my pants. I know you’re jealous…but try not to be. Not everyone can be their new best friend. There is only room for one new best friend at a time. And right now, that’s me. So back off. Don’t make me go ghetto on yo ass.

I can.

I will.

They are my new best friends.

You can’t have them.