Thursday, June 24, 2010

Title Contest and Daily Diversions



Robyn Campbell at Putting Pen to Paper is having a contest to name her next middle grade book. Click here for a summary of the book and other details. Prize includes a $30 Barnes and Noble gift card; contest ends July 26, 2010. Why not hop over and help Robyn name her book? She's a sweet blogging friend and I know she'll appreciate your input.

A member of my local writing group alerted me to Inkygirl.com. Debbie Ridpath Ohi shares "Daily Diversions for Writers" in the form of cartoons and other  interesting and amusing info. Fun stuff!

Speaking of diversions, what do you do when you take a break from writing? Okay, I know, writers never really take a break from writing because we're always thinking, gathering ideas, and pondering stuff. But what do you like to do for fun? Read? Play with the kids? Go out for ice cream? Go on vacation? Make cookies? Please share, we'd love to hear about it.


Happy weekend!
Blessings,

Karen

37 comments :

  1. Thanks for the links! I need to find a new diversion, I think eating chocolate is taking it's toll.... :O)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the links!

    I have taken up crocheting and find it theraputic! I am almost done with a beautiful white lacy afghan and at the same time making a three dimensional pink rose square afghan. I enjoy doing this with soothing background music and a cup of green tea.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Diane,
    You are welcome. I know what you mean about the chocolate. I try and counteract it with walking but I'm thinking I need to find a better balance:)

    Donna,
    Hope you find them helpful. The afghan sounds lovely! I may have ti try your method of therapy:)

    Thanks and blessings to both of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Karen! I LOVE it! It's beautiful. (I'm talking about your new blog design :)
    In the summer, I garden. Of course I also play cards with little boys and read to little boys and break up fights with little boys and all that other mothering stuff but ultimately...I'm a writer and then a gardener.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you my precious friend. I really appreciate you help spreading the word. And love your title idea. *hugs*

    Hmm, diversions. Ride my horses, of course! They help me relax and commune with God. Of course, chocolate is really yummy, too. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carol,
    Thank you, I do too! Appreciated your input in the process. I'm glad you have something to keep you busy in the summer:) How is that garden growing, anyway?

    Robyn,
    You are so welcome! I am happy to pass along the info. I was trying to think of something profound for your title, but I kind of like the simplicity of my idea. So we'll see, huh? So glad you are getting better.

    Hugs and blessings to both of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Reading or watching movies is always a nice way for my brain to escape from my own thoughts. Road trips are also nice, but I'm trying to watch my expenses these days.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Karen -

    Thanks for the links. I've been on the Inky Girl site, but it was a long time ago. I don't know about giving a title to someone else's book, but I might give it a shot.

    I love to garden, go antiquing (mostly looking), yard saling (buying if I find a sweet deal), reading, and car trips to see family and friends.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lee,
    Have to agree; reading is probably my # 1 pick, and then a good movie. And yes, if expenses allow, a road trip is always nice too!

    Susan,
    Go ahead, give the title a try, there's nothing to lose! Sounds like you've got a good list of fun stuff too:)

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love Robyn's blog - I'll be stopping by! Always appreciate your site recommendations, too. For fun? Definitely a day tubing out on the lake, pizza @ Athena's. Reading and ice cream would rank high on the list along with thrift shopping and all things Talbots!! I could go on and on....God bless you, Karen!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like reading a few chapters of a book. It helps me get lost in another world for a while, and if the writing is really good, gives me perspective on my own writing.

    Hey, I'm giving you a choice of a blog award over at my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been to Inkygirl. But not in a long time. Thanks for the reminder.

    And who can turn down an opportunity for a B&N coupon?!

    Reading, rocking on the front porch, going for a walk. A vacation would be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  13. When I'm taking a break from writing, I'm probably taking photographs, or reading, or perusing thrift stores----all favorite things to do. I might be cooking, possibly cleaning (a little), and definitely thinking about what I'm going to write next! Thanks for the question, Karen. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  14. Maria,
    Sounds like you have a good lineup for fun! Blessings to you too:)

    Lydia,
    Thank you for the award! I'm with you, reading is something I like to do too:)

    Sandra,
    I know! B & N card, what a great prize! I'm with you, a vacation sure would be great:)

    Susan,
    Love your photographs, too, so am glad that you take them when you take a break! :)

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Diversions? Well, let' see. Reading--but also knitting and doing crossword puzzles. Oh, and a little bit of HGTV's "House Hunters"!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Karen .. visit friends, read, and as you say now I'm in the mode .. I am always with pencil and paper in hand .. jotting things down ..

    summer is a time for a little space out .. time to reflect and think ..

    Daily diversions are so important - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi, thank you for linking with the elephants. I am so going to miss them when they are not around anymore soon.

    They have made for a memorable summer.

    Have a blessed weekend. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Probably my biggest diversion would be to rent a really good woman' movie--the kind my husband agrees most kindly to watch with me:))
    And get outside and go for a ride!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kenda,
    I enjoy House Hunters too:) I'm often surprised at the ones they pick!

    Hilary,
    I think down time and space are important to refresh us. Sounds like you have a good assortment of diversions:)

    Raymonde,
    I would miss the elephants too! You have a wonderful weekend as well.

    Terri,
    Yes, I like those kinds of movies too, although I usually watch them with my daughter. Rides are nice too; a change of scenery is always good.

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  20. I no sooner clicked on your blog link when I saw that you'd dropped by mine. What is it they say about great minds?

    Anyway, whenever I take a break it's usually to the kitchen, or to the mall. I love creating things or finding bargains (it's about the "hunt", and not the "kill" - a motive unknown to our male counterparts).

    That said, I've begun going about with a camera at the ready. One never knows when they'll want to capture something to write about ...

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  21. Debbie is a great source for all things twitter. When I was getting going, her knowledge was extremely valuable!

    Me, I like to bake and go for vacation. I garden sometimes too or just get outside and read in a lawn chair. How lucky are we that reading can be billed as 'research' leaving us feel guilt free about the indulgence! :)

    Have a great weekend!

    Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

    ReplyDelete
  22. Karen, I LOVE this place
    Hmmm, cook, have coffee with friends, run, walk, read, read, read read

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kathleen,
    Yes, I'm in on that great minds thing! :) With you on the bargain thing too. Glad you have some fun diversions!

    Angela,
    The reading and research thing, an excellent two for one deal! Vacations are nice as well. Matter of fact, I wouldn't mind taking one:)

    Patti,
    Thanks, you are so sweet:) Cooking is a good diversion, and of course, reading!

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  24. Awesome links!! As always :)

    As far as things for fun, I love swimming, writing, reading, going to the zoo, playing board games (or card games), spending time with the hubs!

    Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  25. All of that. Watching movies, reading, going to the pool or (lake) beach, shopping. Anything different, but that brings a form of relaxation.

    Awesome contest!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love Debbie Ridpath Ohi!Her blog is great. She's also on Twitter. Follow her for a stream of pub info!

    What I do for fun? Read, hang out with my family, annual vacation, play online.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jen,
    Thank you, you're making me blush:) Sounds like you have a great fun lineup!

    Janna,
    That's a good way to put it - anything different that brings relaxation. I'll have to remember that!

    Lindsey,
    I'll keep that in mind! So where is the annual vacation taking you this year? :)

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Karen:
    I call a friend on the phone and talk to her and get caught up on her life. With my life as it has been for almost two weeks, it seemed I conversed with her almost daily.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Karen,

    Thanks for the links. I visited Inkygirl some while back and liked the site then, will be sure to revisit.Putting Pen to Paper sounds familiar, although it's too late to enter the book/name contest. As for diversions, it's usually hooking up with friends after work, eat at an affordable joint & have girl chats,or spend time with the grandchildren, always fun times!

    Best,
    Clara.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Cecelia,
    Nice to have a friend you can depend on and get support from. Thanks for coming by! :)

    Clara,
    You are welcome. Diversions of the fun kind are the best, and like you, spending time with my grandson ranks high on my list!

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  31. Karen,

    This is good info; thanks for sharing it.
    Diversions? Good food, good friends,
    reading and good music.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love to walk and take pictures when the weather is warm. If not, I'll edit my photos, playing around in photoshop trying to learn it. Thanks for the links Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jennifer,
    You are welcome! I like your diversions, much the same as mine. Provided of course, that the good food includes chocolate:)

    Lynn,
    I always enjoy those pictures that you share on your blog; it's nice of you to share them. You are most welcome to the links.

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  34. Rats! One day late for the contest. And I do love a good title! How kind of you to share these links.

    I'm plugged back in after a week off, but you're right--I never stop writing. I catch up on reading and updating my proposals and one sheets. My agent has them with her at the ICRS in St. Louis, so I'm praying someone is interested...

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for the info. I love to swim, roller blade, play with kiddos, go to the beach, boating! Did I ever mention I live on the ocean!?!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Actually, writing (I have published a dozen books under my real name and one, working on a second, under Mahlou) *is* my break (from working). I wish it could be the other way around. I guess I will have to wait for retirement for that -- write full time, consult on the same topic as I do know for full-time work, and perhaps keep a cat house (for the local sick feral cats -- we have a 95% cat AIDS rate). For now, though, no breaks...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jen,
    Writing just goes on and on for us, doesn't it? :) But I am not unhappy about that. Glad you had a good week off!

    Alisa,
    No, I don't recall hearing that you lived at the beach. How nice! Now there's a built in diversion:)

    Elizabeth,
    Nice to meet you! Congrats on your published works. Sorry that you won't be having breaks anytime soon. Perhaps something will turn up.

    Thanks and blessings to each of you,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!