A New Journey Begins

Hello! 

Sorry I've been so remiss in blogging.  Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, but I think the track is beginning to level out.  (I did just say that out loud, so if you don't hear from me again, you'll know what happened.)

What's been going on since the last time I wrote a blog post??

*I went to visit a friend in Colorado (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1478042072524567.1073741834.100009563643143&type=1&l=5e5c6d488d).
*I dance as often as I can.
*Drawing: InkTober sounded like such a great idea at the beginning of the month, but now I'm just counting down the days until November. (ttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1480357435626364.1073741835.100009563643143&type=1&l=d705949d8a)
*Editing Kellen
*Plotting Jenna for NaNoWriMo
*Babysitting
*Reading 

But that's kind of old news.  There is exciting news.  I met with a published author this week and she walked me through how to write a book proposal and some of the steps I need to take to get published. 

For the next couple weeks (or however long it takes) I plan to get my proposal written and looking quite spiffy.  That includes the first three chapters of Kellen to attach to the proposal.

After that I'm going to start scouting out agents to send it to (if you know of any good ones, let me know!) and start emailing my proposal to see if I can pick up an agent that way.  I've heard it's really hard to get accepted as an unpublished author this way, but I figure it's worth a try anyway.  It can't hurt and I might just get lucky.   

Starting in 2016 I hope to begin attending writer's conferences, since this is a more reliable way to get agents, editors, and publishers interested... plus I've heard the conferences are very educational and a lot of fun.  :)  Who doesn't want to go spend a weekend learning about writing and hanging out with authors?!  (Again, if you know of any conferences that are really good, I'd love to hear about them!) 

I'll be posting my publishing progress here on my blog in the upcoming months.  I'm super excited to finally be starting this process in earnest and I hope some of my experiences will prove helpful to anyone else looking to get published.  I'm always interested to hear from my readers, so if you are published and have tips for me, or are just starting out and have any questions that I might be able to answer for you along the way, please leave a comment!     

So, yep.  That's pretty much it!  I better get back to my proposal... and editing, and saving my money... :) 

Abroad (Continuation)

More pictures!  Almost home... but it's been an epic journey!

From NE, I traveled to KY for the nationals SkillsUSA competition.  :)  I love KY, I think I could live there.   

Louisville, KY (the locals said it's pronounced Luval...)

This competition was so insanely huge (approximately 6,000 competitors and 10,000 staff members)!  It was held in the Kentucky Expo Center and they used every square inch of indoor space... 1.3 million square feet.  There were competitions being held in everything from Aviation Service Technology to Esthetics and Cosmetics.  :) 

SkillsUSA, Automotive Technology.

SkillsUSA, Commercial Baking.

SkillsUSA, Team Fabrication

Skills USA National Competitors

SkillsUSA, Closing Ceremonies

Between the last two picture, I went to Kentucky Kingdom, but the camera stayed in the car... good thing, too, because the Raging Rapid River Rafting ride just about did me in, haha! 


One of the afternoons was free, so to the racetrack I went!  I bet on three horses, and every one of them came in either dead last or second to last... ha!  I think I need to work on my strategy a tad.

Churchill Downs!!! 



Such beauty!



Claim race on the turf track. 

Last race I watched, I stood down by the railing at the finish line.  Definitely worth venturing into the sweltering heat for a few great shots!

Largest Bass Pro Shop, Memphis, KY.  Pretty impressive! 

Nashville, TN.  I've always wanted to go there, but this is as close as I got today.  I'll go back and get the full effect someday... instead, I soothed myself with country music on the radio. 



That was my week in a nutshell!  What are some of your favorite things you've done while on vacation?   

Abroad!

Well, not actually abroad like out-of-the-country abroad, but more like just simply out-of-my-house abroad.  Here's what I've been up to the last couple weeks!

Wichita, I think... haha, I can't remember!

Looks like a deer or two decided to bed down in this ditch!

I got to visit my great uncle's grave for the first time since his passing last summer.
He served in WWII and was my birthday twin.  RIP Uncle Less.

This, my friends, is what a $500 jackpot bingo card looks like!

Going exploring.

I have a thing for old buildings, especially barns!

The Dinky Diner... it lives up to its name!

Visiting Amish friends.
Couldn't resist grabbing a shot of the hats and jackets lined up.

Lo, Strategic Air Command Museum!  

SR-71 Nose View.

Side View.

Under View.  This one really gives you size perspective.  

Spectators at the National Formula SAE Competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Visiting Homestead Monument National Park.

Just driving through Lincoln, Nebraska.   

Those are the highlights so far.  Do you have any fun memories of the last couple weeks?

**Please don't take my pictures.  If you want them, just ask!