Kate Warren

November has come and gone, and with it my participation in National Novel Writing Month.  This was a hard-fought victory over stress and circumstances beyond anyone's control.

Now is the time to take a break, but not too long a break.  I will go back to working on The DeFord Chronicles, Part II.  The goal is to finish, edit, and publish it in 2014.  If all goes well, North Pole: Confidential may also be finished, edited, and published before the end of next year.  But I don't want to set my expectations too high, as we never know what life holds in store for us in the future.

My family had a nice Thanksgiving with two exceptions: three of the kids were in various stages of sickness, and I burned one of my fingers due to an unnoticed hole in an oven mitt.


I hope everyone has been well in my absence, and I promise to attempt getting back to a normal posting schedule.  I also hope to resume my participation in Weekend Writing Warriors.  Been missing the WeWriWa crowd, and reading everyone's posts.

That's all for just now.  I'll post again next week, if not before.

Kate

Here it is the final week of NaNo and I have not posted a single update about the event (or a married one either) on this blog.  What can I say?  Life got crazy.

This year I have fallen behind several times due to stress of the kind that takes away all creative ability.  Yes, it is said (even by me) that you should push through the block and just write something, but there are times when even that won't work.  I think most people feel this when worried about one of their children.  I won't post about all of that right now, we're still in the middle of it at this point, but I will in the future in the hope that I will be able to provide some help and hope to other parents who face similar issues.

Back to NaNo...  The novel this year is a Christmas-themed humor story called North Pole: Confidential.  It's the story of what really goes on up there, from Santa's fractured marriage, to disappearing elves, dirty cops, and a talking moose.  The main character, through whose eyes most of the story unfolds is Jackson Frost, an investigator from the states sent north to find out what happened to Santa's right hand elf, who's been missing for several weeks.  Other characters of interest include: Angel Claus, Santa's adopted daughter; Sergeant O'Hurley, grumpy local policeman; Mrs. Claus, a piece of work; Santa's colorful and coffee-loving assistant Donna; Angel's group of friends; and a little old lady called Teeny who is not what she seems.

I'll try to post an excerpt soon.  Perhaps the entire first chapter.  I rather like doing that.

Other NaNo happenings include my taking over as unofficial Municipal Liaison for my region, and running The NaNorphans Guild for mentorless newbies.  The Guild has been my baby for four years running now, having been recruited to run it my first year, during which I was a 'Norhpan.  I'm thinking it may be time to hand the reins over to someone else, as I've put in to be notified when applications open for next year's ML job.  I love doing both, but I probably need to choose one.

Time for a break, to get away from the computer after catching up on internet things that go by the wayside during the challenges of the week, and play a game with the kids. 

First off, how about a cute picture?  And that one is just about as adorable as they come.

So many things have happened lately that seem to be "out of the blue."  Normally I wouldn't mind.  I like blue.  But lately the things coming out of it are not so great.

The major issue is that my baby sister has cancer.  There are other things going on, but that's the only life and death one.  The good news is that it's a type of cancer that is usually non-aggressive.  The bad news is that when they went in to take it out, they may have found more.  We're all waiting to see, which is all you can do.   She's young, and generally healthy, so the prognosis is good overall, but it's still scary for all of us. 

My two fully autistic sons are transitioning out of a therapy program that has been part of their lives for more than four years.  We're working on figuring out the next steps, which may include us developing our own program as there's not a lot in our area, resource-wise.

Meanwhile school is now officially fewer than two weeks away!  Oldest son will be in eighth grade, middle son is starting middle school (that could be fantastic or awful), third son will be in fourth grade, and our daughter---the baby of the family--starts Kindergarten.

I'll be getting back to a regular posting schedule soon, and doing interviews and guest posts on other blogs.  I hope you'll join me in my cyber-travels.

Kate

Because it's too early and not hot enough yet for the dog days. 

July has begun.  I don't know where June went, but Camp NaNoWriMo is on again.  I am attempting to participate once again, though with a much lower goal.  This is the second of the month and I have yet to write a word towards the 10,000 I am planning.

I wish I could offer some words of wisdom, sage observations, or witty remarks, but I'm not doing all that well lately with my fibromyalgia.  My internet activities have been sharply curtailed so that there are days I don't get beyond checking email.  So my time is spent with the kids, helping them as best I can, doing a bit of reading when time and headaches permit.  Finally saw Les Miserables and I almost immediately started rewriting the lyrics to form a condensed version.  I made a dress for my daughter out of an old t-shirt, and it didn't turn out too badly.  I've rearranged a few things in the house, but haven't made any major changes.  Oh, and I've designed the dream bathroom for when I win the lottery (note to self: might want to actually buy a lottery ticket once in a while, as this would improve chances of winning).

I am very sorry to report that the local bookstore is closing.  The owners have been great friends and supporters to me in my writing.  There are many who will miss having a bookstore, myself among them.  This is the second, or perhaps third book store the area has lost.  Makes me wonder if our town just isn't big enough, or big enough on reading.  A sad happening regardless.

Switching to a more pleasant topic, for the upcoming holiday we'll be having a small cookout.  My husband will try out his new (used) grill and I will provide the potato salad and balloons stuffed with colorful confetti in lieu of fireworks.  We will also watch 1776, as has become our yearly tradition.

Here's to all my friends across the internet: writers, readers, artists of all kinds, and those who just like cruising websites.  Hope you're all having a wonderful summer.  And to those in America, have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.

Kate

Dear readers,

You could be forgiven for asking where the heck I've been.  Sometimes I wonder that myself.  It's been an interesting week, to say the least.  My fibro is flaring up worse than it usually does, my computer got hacked by ransomware, the electricity was off for half a day, and it's the last week of school for the kids.

This is the kind of time when I could really use a few extra hands or hours or days of the week.  I have some projects to finish up before I surrender to a summer of few expectations.  My goals are as follows: 1. Survive; 2. Help the boys continue to progress; 3. Work on the house; 4. If possible finish the never-ending manuscript.

Summers are notoriously chaotic at my house, and this one will likely be no exception to that rule.  I'll try to post on a fairly regular schedule, and participate in Weekend Writing Warriors , but I make no guarantees at this point.

I'm writing this rather late at night and my brain wants sleep so I'll keep this short and say that I hope each one of you is having a lovely time and will have an enjoyable summer season.

Kate

Welcome to another beautiful edition of Weekend Writing Warriors.  Given that it's St. Patrick's Day weekend, I'd like to share eight sentences from my Irish novel.  Unfortunately I don't have an Irish novel, so it became a choice between my WIP and my latest finished novel. 

The former is set in the early 15th century and is thus closer to the time of St. Patrick.  The latter has a family names Pritchard, which is a derivation of ap Richard, a Welsh name and Wales isn't too far from Ireland.  I've heard it claimed before that Patrick himself was Welsh, but I have no idea whether or not that is true.

When faced with a decision like this, I always give it the solemn and careful consideration that it deserves.  Meaning of course that I flip a coin.  As St. Patrick once compared the shamrock to the Holy Trinity, I went for best out of three.  My contemporary novel Bridging The Gaps won.  But never fear historical fiction fans...my WIP will be back next weekend.

In Chapter 36 all is going well until Ellen gets a call from the high school.  Her son Matt masterminded a prank involving the Principal's car.  Doug (Matt's father and soon to be Ellen's ex) asked where Matt got the idea and everyone was surprised when the Vice Principal, Vince Gerard, answered:

          “[It was the] senior prank at my high school.”  He shifted his weight from one foot to another.  “Maybe I should have kept that story to myself.”
         [Principal Braymer] silently agreed.  “Nevertheless, I’m sure Matthew understood that he would be punished.”  He looked at his student expectantly.
          Matt answered with sheepish honesty.  “Well I didn’t plan on getting caught, sir.”  


Gotta love Matt!   Well that's my eight for the week.  I'll see you around the other WeWriWa authors' blogs.  Until next time...

Kate
 

Dear readers,

I have spent the last several days in my pajamas.  One of the advantages of working from home, you might say, but normally I do get dressed.  The flu, however, rather put me off my game.  Actually, I'm still not back on my game.  I feel medicated, but I'm not.  Must be tired.  I am finally starting to get better as the fifth member of my family comes down sick.  It is our hope that our youngest boy does not become ill, as he would likely land in the hospital again.  He's the only one who got a flu shot though (seriously rethinking my anti-flu-shot policy now) so in all likelihood he will be fine.

There was a point to this...ah, I remember.  I felt well enough to get dressed today and have been putting some thought into ways to do better in the coming year.  Writing more is one.  Camp NaNoWriMo in April is a definite possibility.  I'm planning to spruce up the old website a bit.  If you have any suggestions of what you'd like to see here, please do let me know.

Early next year Bridging The Gaps will finally be available in paperback!  Yay!  Oh, and I'll get some photos taken so that you can all see my sparkling personality more clearly.

Other than that, there's not much to report right now.  The WIP has stalled due to illness, I'm back to participating in Six Sentence Sunday through the end of that lovely program, and I'll be resting as much as I can for what's left of 2012.  Also, I'm having a birthday on Friday, but you don't have to get me anything.  I'm good.

Hello all.  As you probably know by now I did not post for Six Sentence Sunday despite signing up for it.  I just couldn't.  Too much heaviness in my heart, and I was actually asleep past the deadline.  I have a migraine today and my daughter is sick and was up in the night.  Not fun, but at least I have her and my boys.

I keep thinking about the little girl from Sandy Hook Elementary school named Emilie.  She had the bluest eyes and was only a year older than my Emily.  I keep thinking about Victoria Soto, the first grade teacher who hid her students in closets and cabinets and told the shooter that they were in the gym, giving her own life to save theirs.  I keep thinking about the parents, the siblings, the pets even who won't see those smiling faces again.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors whose lives will be forever changed.  A community in shock and in mourning. 

There is no good time for such a thing to happen, but the holiday season is by far the worst.  Presents will go unopened and decorations have even been taken down.  Celebrating anything in such an atmosphere will be difficult, if not impossible, for those who have lost loved ones.  Some families will pull together because of this tragedy, and some will be ripped apart, adding more heartache and more tears.

I pray for everyone affected.  My heart aches for the lives cut short and the families devestated.  I imagine those beautiful children being gathered into Jesus' loving and protecting arms and it eases a little of the sting. 

There weren't six sentences in any of my work that felt appropriate to post today.  I'm sure you understand, and I hope you will visit the other authors who did post for Six Sentence Sunday.  I will.  I'm hoping some of them posted their funniest lines because I could use a reason to smile or laugh. 

Kate

Discharge was Tuesday and what a day it was.  Ben started drinking, which is why we were able to come home.  Our chauffeurs (and by that I mean my Dad and my sister) arrived early and the paperwork wasn't done.  Ben got very upset about having to wait to go.  He threw a massive tantrum.  It took the three of us, plus his nurse (who thankfully had worked with autistic children before) to deal with him.  Poor Ben.  Also poor me.  Got some new scratches and bruises as a result of the meltdown.

The ride home was largely uneventful.  And the homecoming was great.  Everyone was happy to see us.  A neighbor brought over dinner so we wouldn't have to cook.  Things went well until the next day.

We've all been through a lot.  I'm still very worn out and Ben is not liking the changes in his access to food.  In addition, his medication is not up to its previous level.  He had one tantrum that first day, but the real problem was me.  I'm so anxious about making a mistake.  I really need to chill out but that will take me a while.  My husband pointed out that I'm not nearly as concerned about his diabetes and what he eats.  Of course he's not eight years old, or autistic.  Husband can take care of himself to a point.  Ben can't even begin to do that.

The last few days have been pretty good.  He did get into a food we had left out because he'd never shown any interest in it.  That did not help his blood sugars, but we knew they would go high as soon as his appetite returned and he started following his meal plan.  He came home with a conservative dosing schedule for his insulin because he still wasn't eating normally yet.  Tomorrow I will make the first adjustment to his dosage.  Not a big one.  We're only changing by one unit up or down at a time.  And only one dose of one insulin.  Given that all of his numbers have been higher than goal lately that means at least four days of adjusting before we see better numbers, because he's getting two shots, each with short-acting and long-acting insulin.  Don't worry, they educated me about this.  I passed with flying colors.  The doctor's were calling me teacher's pet.

Had a meeting with some of the school staff to explain the basics about the (very few) changes.  His snack will have to be limited and the time can't change based on the day's schedule.  He starts back on Monday, after his first appointment with the new doctor.

The other kids are having their own issues.  The oldest is fine.  He understood what was going on better than the others.  Next one down is having his reactions to my being gone now that I'm home.  Refusing to do his homework, not wanting to get out the door for school in the mornings, acting up a bit.  Pretty normal reaction under the circumstances.  And the little one is just plain clingy.  That will last for a while yet.  She asks to be picked up a lot, and follows me around more than usual.  The dog is very happy to have us home and gets nervous whenever someone goes out the door.

I'll post again sometime next week.  Not doing Six Sentence Sunday this weekend.  Not sure when I'll be back to it, but this first weekend back it's more important to spend the time with my family.

Kate