February Update

Me oh my, I finally got my writing groove back and here I am updating everything. Okay, blogging is writing you know. I have been busy today getting contact information changed on my website and adding a little motto to go with DWE. In case you don't know what DWE is, that is my freelance writing site, where I help others improve their manuscripts. DWE stands for Dream Writers' Essentials. Boy I love being able to work from home, though at times, business is slow as a turtle. But, that is okay. If you happen to go to http://dreamwritersessentials.com the new contact information for my website is.....Dwerasheed@gmail.com So, I hope you make a note of it. I have a fantastic web designer who manages my website. So, as soon as she can add the updates that I just sent her, the website will be good to go. Well, it is already good to go, but you will see the changes in the near future.

I have another website too. This one is my author website and it too will be getting an update because one book that appears there has a new facelift. Wohali and the Little People has a new cover; out with the old and in with the new. So an update will be coming to this website: http://rasheedwinona.com.

I have my to-do-list sitting in front of me and I am marking things off as they get done. I still have to work on this new query letter to send to this new publisher. I started working on it late last night. It is in a draft mode waiting for me to come and polish it up. As it turned out, I sent my manuscript to Flashlight Press, but since I haven't heard from them, it is time to move on. Not hearing from them means it was a rejection. But, I am not upset or mad....this happens sometimes, it's part of an author's life. Oh well, so be it.

This new one that I will be sending it to, if they accept it, I will blog about how and why I chose to send the manuscript to them. When I finish doing all the things I plan to do today, I will sit down and sort out the ideas that are popping up in my head. Oh yeah, something is brewing with my creative juices.

Today was so beautiful. I even managed to get outside with my grandson for a little bit. With the sun shining, it reminds me of spring and I am so looking forward to a new season, a new beginning and hot weather. However, need to tidy up this big ole yard. Might do that this weekend. Oh wait, I am suppose to do an author interview this weekend. See how precious my time is? Time is precious so don't waste it.

See you the next go around.....hang in there, summer is on its way.

The End of December 2011

Well here I am again, updating my blog. It is a rainy day on the home front today, but at least it is not snow. I really can do without that stuff, however, I know it is coming. Back home in Ohio they are already getting snow, so I know it is coming our way.

I hope the last month of the year has been good to everyone, but you know what, I am so looking forward to January and a new year. I have high hopes and great dreams for 2012. In my case, I am hoping that the new year will be brighter and better because 2011 was not all that great....too many problems that were out of my control. I hate it when I can't fix something that has gone astray or just plain messed up. For 2011, life has dealt us a lot of uncertainties and high mountains to climb. But, all in all, we are still here hanging in there, so I am thinking that God has something good in store for us because we have been patient and steadfast in our faith.

Oh, in a couple of days guess what.....we will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. We got married in 1974 on New Years Eve. We will be married 37 years. I've actually been with my husband since I was 16, going through the boyfriend/girlfriend stages. Our relationship started out in Ohio and here we are today in Washington DC. I wonder where will be in the future, because quite frankly, I've had enough of our Nation's capital. After all, I am not a city girl!

Another thing for the end of December, 2011; I found another publisher for my new book. Well, it hasn't been accepted yet. I had to send in a query letter, a synopsis and the first chapter to the publisher to see if they are interested in the content. I hope they turn out to be better than the last wish-washy publisher that I pulled it from. The waiting period for their answer is 4 weeks, could be longer than that because publishers do get swamped with manuscripts. You have to grab their attention within the first couple of paragraphs. I truly hope I've done that with this story idea. If it is accepted, this will be my first book for the new year. So my reading buddies, keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer, for I am on a mission to get published.....again.

Well, it is time for me to go and refresh my cup of coffee, time to get my day started. Actually, it already started for I have checked my mail, made my presence on Facebook and checked on my fish in AquaLife. That's just some game I am addicted to. Now it is time to go do my thing on Twitter. Oh yeah, I'm a tweeting kind of gal too. Since I am not babysitting today, I have a lot of time on my hands today. But trust me, I have plenty to do so I will not be sitting down twiddling my fingers wondering what to do with myself.

All in all, the end of December is alright with me.I am not going to complain because God is in control.

December Ranting: Before There Were Computers

Wow, tis the season to be jolly! Yeah right, at the moment there is nothing jolly about it. I am sitting here with a long face, all because my computer is not working as it should. Woe is me, for there is so much to be done and I can't do it. This bring me way down in the dumps. But the bad part is....a technician will not be here until the 20th, and today is just the 13th. Both phone service and internet service are in need of repair, for lines are criss-crossing somewhere. However, today I did manage to check my email and leave an updated status on Facebook, while the green light was flashing, signaling that I could get on the internet. But, the thing went out again, so I am back at square one....being frustrated. Now would be a good time for a back up system, however, if the problem is in the phone lines, a back up system would be useless.

This reminds me of the days before computers. How did we ever manage our days before we had internet and telephones? Do you remember? For one thing, I bet housewives or stay at home moms had clean houses, spotless from top to bottom. However, I've already done that this past weekend, when the troubles began. I was even in the mood to rearrange furniture, which I did and I wore myself out doing it. But since the phone and the internet were going bonkers, I did the next best thing to occupy my time, became a busy little housewife.

I am hoping the green light starts to flash again, for when it does, I plan on transferring this ranting to my blog, if it allows me. Well do you see that? Before there were computers/internet and phones, people wrote their writings/rantings down on paper. This I had already done while drinking my first cup of coffee this morning. I just took out the old stand by me....the writing tablet and pen and jotted down what I wanted to say. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, so I did.

So how will I fill the remainder of this day......I plan on fixing a big dinner to occupy my empty time without a working computer or phone service. This is such a drag and a cotton pickin shame! Thank goodness Direct TV isn't messing up! How about that?????

Tell me, how do you cope when all of your electronic gagets go on the blink? Do you put on your apron and start baking and roasting, or doing something crafty in the kitchen? Did I lose my mind or what???????

As you can see, if you are reading this blog, I did manage to get a little writing done today.......and this is a good thing. And Oh yeah, the green light started to flash, letting me know the internet is ready......for me to transfer my rantings to my blog.

Until the next time....wish me luck in surviving this test of endurance and patience, for I am running out of both.

"Broken Voices" is Still on the Move

Wow, I am happy to announce that I am going to be doing another blog interview for my book, "Broken Voices". Dr. Sharon Pajka of Gallaudet University has been trying to get in contact with me. I am so impressed because for some reason last night, I decided to check my comments on my website. Usually, I get nothing but junk mail responses so I hadn't checked it for awhile. I almost did a flip out of my chair when I read her message, which was way back in January.I thought I had missed out on a great opportunity. But lo and behold, I contacted her last night and got a response today. She is still interested in introducing my book and me as an author to her students. Now what do you think of that? I'll tell you what, I bet I start reading my comments now because people are reading my blogs after all. Hot diggity dog!
Take a look at this website, she has my book listed. It is so awesome. I am on cloud 9 all over again. Thanks Dr. Pajka!

http://pajka.blogspot.com/

Just Spotted this

Look what I just found. Someone contacted me on my blog about my book, "Broken Voices", and to think that I didn't even know people were reading my blogs. This is amazing. I hope she still wants to do an interview. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

http://pajka.blogspot.com/

March Chit Chat- Topic: While I Wait

Here I am sitting at my desk waiting for inspiration to come so I can write. Boy oh boy, I hate when this happens. I found five wonderful looking new publishers out there and I am dying to find the perfect match for me and my books. You know, a place to call home; after all, how can you rest when you don't have a roof over your head and me and my books need a solid roof.

I have two book ideas out there, they are in the hands of two different publishers. So I am waiting to hear back from them. I always hate this process, but it is something that all writers go through and I am no exception. Though I usually don't sit twiddling my fingers at this stage of the manuscript ride, today I find myself doing just that. It is like I am bored and I never get bored when I am sitting at my computer. I must get my writing juices flowing, turn on some ideas so they can start to flow. But, since it doesn't seem to be working today, maybe I should just sit back and relax, kinda take the day off. Kick my shoes off and just..........wait.

We are now 8 days into March. I am still waiting for spring to arrive. I know warm weather will inspire me so come on spring.....make my day.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well here it is February 14th already. I hope you are spending the day smelling a nice bouquet of roses and eating a big box of your favorite chocolates.

I've been sitting here working on a new website. This one is free. I like free don't you? On this website I will be talking about my books. I will also be blogging. I just love to talk...sometimes I just can't help myself. My new website is called...Snap Dragon Book Nook, I tickle myself with the names I come up with. How do you like the sound of this? When it is finished and posted to the web, I will be sure to blog about because I want you to check it out.

Well, that's all for now, I have a lot of work to do and I need to get started, for I spent all morning and all afternoon on this computer.

November News Letter

Okay folks, here I am experimenting as I sit at my desk. Well, it is certainly not because I don't have anything to do that I decided to do a little experimenting. I just thought as a writer and an author, I needed a newsletter, so I created one. Let me know if it looks like a news letter to you. I welcome all comments and suggestions, for I don't know what I am doing. Like I said....I am experimenting, with my mind headed in the right direction. I hope I can add it here, if not, I am going to feel like an idiot.

Well crap, it is not working, can't upload my newsletter from "Word". I am going to have to work on this some more. I just have to figure it out. I know there is a way.