Wishing you a great 2022, with health, happiness, and hearts filled with everlasting peace.

My hope for this New Year is the same
No resolutions I will not keep
No deeds I cannot claim
No words I should not speak

Not to want another’s fame
Not to be one of the sheep
Not to play a loser's game
Not to get in too deep

To have a purpose and an aim
To follow thru and take the leap
To fight my fear until its’ tame
And not collapse in one big heap

It’s year 2022 and time to reclaim
The hope and faith that once was bleak
And fan the fire into a flame
And start a winning streak
Paula

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Ten days before Christmas
There is still much to do
Time to dress up the house 
Lights add a brilliant hue
	
Take out the ribbons and bows
The Cards and all Tags
The figurines and trinkets 
And all Christmas bags

Find a clear place to start
Wrapping gifts large and small
Sign your cards with love
And a greeting to all

Rest when you are done
You have accomplished a lot
Ten days until Christmas
Is there something you forgot?
							~Paula

                                             Halloween is almost here

For all kids who hold it dear

All around the town, I view

 Witches, Goblins and Ghosts anew

I see Spider webs that encases

View Ghosts without any faces

Tonight witches take to the air

\Witches, Goblins and Ghosts everywhere

Goblins with evil eyes

Tell scary stories and creepy lies

The carved pumpkins sit at the front

Witches, Goblins and Ghosts grunt

The candy tray, filled to the top

To reach it, all the kids must hop

Of all the children I shall meet

I love the ones who trick or treat

By Paula

Good morning Autumn
Its’ a beautiful, sunny day
I waited all summer
For you to come my way

Good morning Autumn
Its’ early and I can’t wait
To watch leaves of crimson and gold
Fall on my road and gate

Good morning Autumn
The hills and valleys are calling me
To walk the forests and follow the streams
To breathe fresh air, and be free

Good morning Autumn
I stand before this lovely splendor
My soul filled with love and peace
And thank you for a gift to remember

I have always had a love of reading, beginning with “Nursery Rhymes” at a young age, and later with Fairy Tales read to us kids every Saturday morning at the public library. I read many books, mesmerized by the written words, compelling me to turn another page.  I marveled at the author’s technique for capturing emotion—moving a plot along, describing characters so real, I knew them well. I read on as they matured and grew within the pages of the book. I envied the ability of the authors in creating a perfect ending to their stories.

As I grew older, I wrote short stories; created limericks; and wrote rhymed poems.  I was happy knowing I had a skill, but I was not satisfied. I wanted to write as well as my favorite authors, and realized I needed additional schooling. After taking several online writing courses, I was inspired again, but took my time learning more, asking questions, and reading, reading, reading.

I learned even more during that period. Working full time made it difficult to find the time to devote to writing. That woke me up to the fact that I am a PANTZER, (putting writing second), and not a PLOTTER (knowing where my story was going) I realized that my style of writing leaned toward Middle Grade, and I was torn between several genres and could not settle on one. I loved SCI-FI, and loved all Disney FANTASY movies, including ROMANCE, such as The “OUTLANDER” Books, that kept me reading without a break. I questioned myself, many times, asking if I was dedicated enough to become an author without deciding my favorite genre .I decided, YES!

My first novel was a contemporary young adult story about teen gangs in 1950’s New York. My second was a Fantasy about Fairies cursed centuries ago, by an evil goddess, attempting to break the curse.

Can you say you are ready to work hard, devote the necessary time to perfect your story, continue to learn every day by seeking advice from the many writing groups available, accept criticism and rejection, believing it is making you a better writer, learn to be a PLOTTER, who gets things done, and write every day; (remember, you have a story to tell) without ever, ever, thinking to give up? Then,

          YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A WRITER

Good luck, Paula

WORD COUNT GUIDE FOR WRITERS

You did your research. You know the Genre for your story; planned the very important “opening sentence”; know your characters flaws and talents, and plotted the entire story by outlining each segment, as suggested by professional authors.  One of the decisions to make is the word count usually required for your Genre. There is a guide for each genre, and it is listed below:  

QUESTION:   What is average word count of the following?

            Mystery- 60,000 to 80,000 words

            Thriller- 90,000 to 120,000 words

            Young adult novel- 25,000 to 60,000 words

            Business/How to- 50,000 to 70,000 words

            Novella- 25,000 to 40,000 words

            Sci-fi novel- 80,000 to 120,000 words

            Memoir- 50,000 to 90,000 words

            Middle Grade- 20,000 to 50,000

            Picture book for children  500 to 600 words

QUESTION:   What is standard for a typewritten page?

            250 words per page, double spaced.

QUESTION: What is average word count for a high school or College Essay?

            400 to 700 words. This is about five paragraphs

This information came from one of the issues of Writer’s Digest. .If you have not discovered this wonderful magazine, give it a try.  Good Luck!

Paula

HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATING.

There were many times when I planned a full day of writing, and allowed work and other chores to interrupt me.  We all have a life, responsibilities and issues that arise when we least expect it.  Many of us procrastinate at one time or another, blaming everything but ourselves when life gets in the way of our goals. It took a while for me to adjust and allow myself to sit down and write.

When life hits you with a boom, and you cannot seem to get much done, here are a few tips on how to eliminate procrastinating:

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE:  If your goal is to become an author, but everyday life stands in your way, ask yourself…why am I putting it off?  Is it the fear of failing, rejection, or not knowing where to start?  

Did you answer YES! to all ? 

Then, it is time to remind yourself, of how important your goals and dreams are by saying aloud: “I will not allow my fears to stop me.  I am going to sit down and write the first Chapter of my story.” Then do it!   It worked for me.

CHANGE YOUR SURROUNDINGS. I get dressed in casual clothes, turn on my favorite music, and find a comfortable place to sit at my computer.  Music soothes me and clears my mind, allowing me to begin the process of putting the first words down. (Revisions will be made later)

STOP LOOKING FOR PERFECTION:  No one is perfect.  That is what editing is all about.

IGNORE ALL DISTRACTIONS:  Plan a Schedule, or a To Do List.  The first thing on the list is to write each morning. Then feed and walk the dog at 9:00 a.m.…Clothes in the washer by noon…Vacuum … pick up kids at 3 p.m., and so on.  You will enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that will follow.

Here’s to the end of Procrastinating!  PAULA

THIS POST IS TO FURNISH INFORMATION ON THE ISSUE OF PLAGIARISM AND ENLIGHTEN ALL ON HOW TO AVOID IT. I found this information on the internet which was very helpful on this subject.

Definition of PLAGIARISM:

                        From http://www.dictionary.com, plagiarism is:   

“An act or instance of  using or closely  imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author’s work as one’s own, as by not crediting the original author:”

From: Merriam-Webster.com it is:

                         According to Merriam-Webster.com it is: