Reflection: A to Z Blog Challenge 2016

To be quite honest, my reflection post is more of a thank you than about improvements. This year's  A to Z Blog Challenge was indeed a challenge for me. Lots of unexpected situations took place. More than once, I was caught on my blindside, and the challenge was one of the reasons I kept going.  I had to make myself get up and write my posts and to visit other people’s blogs.  

When things get tough for me, I have found out that I need some project or commitment to make me forget about my woes. For me, that something this year was the A to Z Blog Challenge.

So, my heart is full of gratitude. The leadership team did an outstanding job.  Many thanks to Arlee Bird and the entire team.

I met some cool bloggers, learned a lot about a genre of music I did not know about, had a chance to ooh and ahh over dogs, found out I wasn’t so dumb in science as I thought, relived memories of the times I have visited the United States, received some great writing information, gathered some more information about caregiving, looked at my own approach and attitude toward change, had my brain fried in quizzes, read some fantastic stories by authors I didn’t know, increased my TBR list, reminisced over old  television shows, learned some new words  and can you believe it I was a winner three or four times on Michelle’s Blog.  I never win anything.

Thus, I am peachy peach happy, just waiting on my tee shirt.

Hope to see you all next year, because the A to Z Blog Challenge is worth a return visit.  The comradeship alone is invaluable.

Shalom Aleichem,

Pat Garcia

The Second Milestone - An IWSG Article, May 4, 2016

Hello Everyone,

It’s the first Wednesday in the month and IWSG Time has come around again. 

IWSG, a writer’s support group created by Alex Cavanaugh, is a big help to many of us who don’t mind sharing our insecurities, our successes or giving encouragement to others. 

So, if you are interested and would like to join, please go to the IWSG Website at 

http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

 My article is posted below.

The Second Milestone

Last month, I finished my first milestone, and I am waiting on the critiques from my writing coach/book editor before I start with my rewrite/revision in July. It is my plan to finish and pass it back to her for final reading/critique the middle of August so that I can start seeking representation by the middle of September.

However, I am constantly fighting with myself.  I recognize this first book is like a baby to me. Do I want to let her go? I know myself well enough to admit I am scared.

That is why every encouraging quote from someone else’s blog encourages me. I snap them up in my heart like a woman was lost in the desert without water.

So my insecurity is picking up the gauntlet and beginning the second milestone.

As one unknown poet said years ago,

Often the goal is nearer than,

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up,

When he might have captured the victor’s cup,

And he learned too late as the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

I keep telling myself I have gone too far, gotten too close to stop now.  So, as I write I hear the soft whisperings of this unknown poet’s verses in my ear:

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar.

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Submissions for the month of April:

Turn The Lights On – Still outstanding- Master’s Review

Mr. Jake – Wigleaf

Annie and Severo – Diverse Voices Quarterly.

Short Story Rejections for the month of April:

Mr. Jake – Kenyon Review

Lottie – Glimmer Train

Annie and Severo – AWC Writer’s Competition

Shalom Aleichem,

Pat Garcia

Poem, Don’t Quit, Author Unknown, taken from the following web link:

http://psalm40.org/dontquit.html

Many Thanks for Reading The Child and The Prophet

Morning Everyone,

I made it through.   I am a survivor, and The A to Z Blog Challenge 2016 is over. 

Now, I have to reconnect to me.

Many thanks to all of you for your support.  It was my pleasure to share The Child and The Prophet with you.

Have a great week.

Shalom Aleichem,

Pat Garcia