tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33129827758576172202012-02-05T20:47:49.816-06:00Taking the artistic world...one small step at a time.Our family is full of all sorts of artistic people. As individuals each of us work on a daily basis to get closer to our goals. This blog is dedicated to our adventures in trying to capture our dreams. You'll read anything from publishing woes all the way to botched photo shoots. Hopefully through it all you will learn tips on what to do and what not to do.Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-40862805983322767322012-02-05T20:46:00.001-06:002012-02-05T20:46:31.820-06:002012-02-05T20:46:31.820-06:00Ice Castles<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JRLWv8QTpw/Ty8-lH4HIHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/oqzZHIVj0iw/s1600/183547_204582262888569_181053598574769_874279_7839373_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2JRLWv8QTpw/Ty8-lH4HIHI/AAAAAAAAAOo/oqzZHIVj0iw/s320/183547_204582262888569_181053598574769_874279_7839373_n.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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For those of you who didn’t know-and I don’t know how you
didn’t-my family is a huge hockey family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My grandpa played, my sister, my brother, my cousins and so on it
goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say one of the
proudest moments in my life has been watching my two children learn how to
skate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cloudya(11) learned from some of
the finest members of the Topeka Scarecrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, after she started her skating lessons at age three she wanted
nothing more to do it with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chose
to pursue other opportunities which included dance and theater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically she’s been a stage brat ever
since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even works with an agent out
of Chicago on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Once we arrived in Omaha, it was Kaiden’s(7) turn, however
his trip to the ice was postponed due to surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say he hit the ice by the age of
four instead of three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hasn’t left
since.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qF374N_tJV4/Ty8-xZrVSJI/AAAAAAAAAOw/y9Tv_UfRzzg/s1600/180742_204582572888538_181053598574769_874288_2720401_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qF374N_tJV4/Ty8-xZrVSJI/AAAAAAAAAOw/y9Tv_UfRzzg/s320/180742_204582572888538_181053598574769_874288_2720401_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So shortly after Kaiden started skating and playing guess
who decides she wants to take some skating lessons…Cloudya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she takes the lessons and then they
announce tryouts for the Omaha Lady Jr. Lancers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We take her to tryouts and she manages to
skate through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this wasn’t an
audition that she could just bluff through she waited rather impatiently to
hear something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, she found out
she had made the team.</div>
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Later on in the year Cloudya announced that she wanted to
drop some of her dance classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
this was more because of issues she was having in class part of me wondered
whether it was all because of hockey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last year if you asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she
would have said an actress and fashion designer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year when I asked her she said a
Broadway star who also plays hockey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apVKjqwA4DA/Ty8-6QdVM2I/AAAAAAAAAO4/dd7fPgbaMbw/s1600/180909_204582322888563_181053598574769_874281_3117160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-apVKjqwA4DA/Ty8-6QdVM2I/AAAAAAAAAO4/dd7fPgbaMbw/s320/180909_204582322888563_181053598574769_874281_3117160_n.jpg" width="214" /></a>It’s been a fun season for the Lady Jr Lancers and I have
enjoyed watching Cloudya develop her skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t help but giggle when my ballerina gets aggressive with a boy
hockey player or gets sent to the penalty box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of all we spend the time being proud of the fact that she is
carrying on a long line of players.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I included some neat pics from a recent photo shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes even hockey gear she still looks cool!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-4086280598332276732?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-87074188614522205232012-01-16T22:24:00.001-06:002012-01-16T22:24:38.682-06:002012-01-16T22:24:38.682-06:00Rest Stop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the last year I was inspired to write a novel based on a friend's story. Their own unique story is one that pierces my heart every time I think about it. It's got a pretty typically base once I thought about it...boy meets girl while they are not ready for relationships...they fall in love...boy does stupid thing and girl vows to never talk to him again...years later they. <br />
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I picked it up at the years later they part. The problem is that with my friends there never was truly a "years later they" part. In fact there is often a lot of regret on both parties that there isn't. I made the mistake of telling my friend I was writing this story. I normally share with this particular person about my current and future projects. She also is one that proofs for me quite a bit. <br />
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So my characters were mapped out and the basic outlines were all done and I began writing in a fury. The characters took the story over and I ran with it. Then I hit this particular part of the story that hit so close to home that I couldn't push past. I was stuck and have been stuck for months. <br />
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I came to the realization that I have to let it go not the story because it deserves to be told, but my own hang up. Here are two people in my life that I care about a lot and I want to tell their story or what should be their story to the world, but I want to do it in a way that honors them. Truth be told I'm honoring them just be letting in inspire me. This story though is not actually theirs due to the fact that I'm picking up where they should have a long time ago. No word I write is ever going to change how they have ended up now.<br />
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Does this happen to anyone else? Do you want to protect your inspiring people so much that it affects your story? <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-8707418861452220523?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-66168969192930155022012-01-03T22:50:00.000-06:002012-01-03T22:50:39.971-06:002012-01-03T22:50:39.971-06:00Resolution Accomplished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the first time ever I managed to keep one of my resolutions for the entire year of 2011! That's right I am among the elite as most people were unable to accomplish such a feat. I'm one of those kind of readers that get comfortable with an author. Once I become comfy I read every book of theirs I can find. When I've finished that I begin rereading until I can't do it anymore.<br />
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One night last December I sat down my copy of LuAnne Rice's <i>Summer Light</i>-a book I have read a number of times-and made a decision that 2011 would be the year for me to try something new. In the process I decided I would only read books by authors I had never read before or books from completely different genres.<br />
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It seemed like a simple enough task at the time, but wow did I not know what I had gotten myself into!
I stood in Barnes and Noble trying to pick one and only one to begin my mission. A line from the movie <i>Ever After</i> sounded inside my head, "I could no sooner choose a favorite star in heaven." Finally I selected one and to tell on myself a little I only selected it because my favorite writer wrote such good reviews about the book. <br />
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Once my little challenge was started I couldn't stop and was making every other day trips to the book store. What did this resolution do for me? It allowed me and my writing style to be influenced by some pretty amazing things. I expect that in 2012 my process will only continue to grow leaps and bounds. What it meant for this blog is that I will be pimping several of these books to you; at least one a month. <br />
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What resolutions have set in 2012 you may ask? Well I'm going to continue last year's resolution and maybe even spend some time querying some of my own work. We'll see if I actually hold up my end of the bargain on that last part.<br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
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Veronica<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-6616896919293015502?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-30872267459717541132011-11-18T18:59:00.002-06:002011-11-18T19:38:46.213-06:002011-11-18T19:38:46.213-06:00Editting Life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwyriVw_Iow/TscInibjHAI/AAAAAAAAANw/7KypSySs3P4/s1600/320943_10150858838725531_790455530_21145451_2006377369_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwyriVw_Iow/TscInibjHAI/AAAAAAAAANw/7KypSySs3P4/s320/320943_10150858838725531_790455530_21145451_2006377369_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676515330674072578" /></a><br />Those of you who have been following this blog know that I have often struggled with time to write due to crazy work schedule at Wal-mart. Over the last eleven years that time struggle killed my family life. Last year, I found myself having to miss a number of activities due to the inflexible schedule. By the end of hockey season I had taken enough of the sad faces from my kids and knew it was time to make a change.<br /><br />Of course this time wasn't the first time I had thought about quitting, but I knew this time I was dead serious. Over the following month I enrolled in school and begin to plot out a business venture that would allow me to manage school and the kid's schedule.<br /><br />In May, we opened our own daycare-which is something I had wanted to do years. By August, I was able to turn in my notice at Wal-mart. After eleven long years I closed that door forever. Regardless of my dislike of the amount of hours away from my family, I still worked with some amazing people and they have helped build the person I am now. Hopefully if my books every get published you will see some of them grace the pages.<br /><br />Now that it is November I find myself with two new hockey sons, living in a completely new(and bigger house), and running my own business. This month particularly makes me a little homesick for the Wal-mart craziness as the dreaded Black Friday approaches. The folks I've shared this with think that I am a little crazy, but honestly when you've done it that long it becomes part of you. But then I think about the coming holidays and how for the first time I will be able to enjoy them with my family. On Christmas Eve morning last year I got a call from my mother in law while I was at the store. During the conversation, I told her that I was not going through the holiday craziness next year that I couldn't take it anymore. Wal-mart is behind me and although I can't tell the future I can tell you that there is a lot of family time and writing in my future.<br /><br />Veronica<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3087226745971754113?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-34810240788185700302011-09-21T17:03:00.002-05:002011-09-21T17:07:45.490-05:002011-09-21T17:07:45.490-05:00Follow our family's hockey adventures!<a href="http://deanhockey.blogspot.com">www.deanhockey.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />See ya at the Rink:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3481024078818570030?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-36393834601576481082011-08-30T09:48:00.001-05:002011-08-30T09:48:35.463-05:002011-08-30T09:48:35.463-05:00Token??<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3639383460157648108?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-49159335946618756632011-08-20T22:58:00.003-05:002011-08-20T23:03:59.028-05:002011-08-20T23:03:59.028-05:00Captain Kaiden turns Model...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Grt2UIqfuR4/TlCDqi-TKuI/AAAAAAAAANo/sfaIPPDHcGI/s1600/kaiden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Grt2UIqfuR4/TlCDqi-TKuI/AAAAAAAAANo/sfaIPPDHcGI/s320/kaiden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643155100061084386" /></a>
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<br />So for years now its always been our daughter who wanted to be the actor/model. Our son Kaiden wants to be the future Captain of the Colorado Avalanche! This last year it was no surprise when Cloudya finally decided she was going to put away her ballet shoes for a hockey stick. Kaiden deciding he wanted to model like sissy now that was a big surprise. However don't expect he'll be turning in his hockey stick anytime soon:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-4915933594661875663?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-36019032284421484542011-05-31T17:06:00.001-05:002011-05-31T17:08:38.256-05:002011-05-31T17:08:38.256-05:00Our Little Film Maker<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-3baba6dd3ac0788c" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/get_player">
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<br /><br />My daughter Cloudya does her film thing!!! She loves to shoot videos and has many planned for the summer!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3601903228442148454?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-26508674383078030722011-01-05T20:36:00.003-06:002011-01-05T21:05:32.144-06:002011-01-05T21:05:32.144-06:00Silence in the Big O...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TSUqyW6MliI/AAAAAAAAAMg/duAS6aw2D7M/s1600/candle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TSUqyW6MliI/AAAAAAAAAMg/duAS6aw2D7M/s320/candle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558896359690245666" /></a><br /><br />We all have those moments that are deeply etched in our memories. Whenever you think about them you can see your surroundings, hear the words spoken and even smell the smells that might have been drifting in the air. Unfortunately, these events are most often laced with tragedy. During my freshmen year of college, I was taking my comp final when the school shooting in Paducah, Kentucky happened. The sounds of my mom's voice over the running shower water on September 11 are forever ingrained into me. Today my city of Omaha had such an event.<br /><br />The difference in all of these is distance. I knew people affected by 9-11 and my heart went out to the students in Kentucky, but overall I remained untouched. Today was different as the incident occurred not more than half a mile from the school where my own children attend. Their very school was affected by the lock down. <br /><br />I watched on TV as frantic moms went to retrieve their children. Suffered through my husband's jokes about how they would have to haul me to jail. Finally, I thanked my lucky stars that Cloudya and Kaiden were in Kansas City with grandma and that my high school hockey sons were tucked safely in their hometowns. Most of all I was thankful that they didn't have to experience it.<br /><br />Tonight every place we visited in the Big O seemed to be filled with one common factor...silence. The shock sets in as something so horrible strikes so close to home. But as the amazing type of people we all are we will bond together as a community and rise above this crisis. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and we pray that their recovery is speedy...our thoughts are with the students and other faculty as they try to deal with the events. We send peace to the family of the suspect, who in the midst of everything are dealing with something I would never want to imagine.<br /><br />Parents, as you say good night to your children this evening, remind them that you love them. Remind them how amazing they are!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-2650867438307803072?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-35061631503379379652010-10-26T13:17:00.003-05:002010-10-26T13:39:03.701-05:002010-10-26T13:39:03.701-05:00The People Behind My Characters!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TMccxzRERiI/AAAAAAAAAMI/HAIFW01rxtE/s1600/blog-writer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TMccxzRERiI/AAAAAAAAAMI/HAIFW01rxtE/s320/blog-writer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532422309148902946" /></a><br /><br />The current project that I am working on involves two characters whose "back story" is based very closely on some close friends of mine. In fact, so close that their pictures hang above my workstation. As each of the character's arcs have been created and researched they have transitioned into their very own person. <br /><br />However, the last several weeks I have found it difficult to write. Quite frankly, it hasn't been all that enjoyable. A couple days ago as I lay in bed, attempting to work out my own frustrations I realized what my hang up had been. <br /><br />The female character is based off of my best friend since childhood. The male is a former boyfriend of hers who remains closely knit with our family. I realized subconsciously that I was trying to protect them. I was having issues going on, because some of the dark things from my characters past have nothing to do with my friends. With that I was trying to protect them from people putting two and two together and realizing who the story is based on. <br /><br />WHAT A ROOKIE MISTAKE!<br /><br />Other than a couple close friends and family, no one will have any idea. As it stands the story is most diffently loosely based on their lives. The characters stand on their own and have made desicions leading them down a completely different path than those of my friends. They were simply the base as they were meant to be, so I could build a whole different story. As writers each of us could take the same beginning and build multiple stories from it. It's what we do! We create!<br /><br />Why bear it all today? First, so I can move on and second, so new writers know that even those of us who have been writing a while still make rookie mistakes!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3506163150337937965?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-42938246601260092462010-08-30T14:30:00.004-05:002010-08-30T14:35:16.803-05:002010-08-30T14:35:16.803-05:00People Watching<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/THwHH5hb09I/AAAAAAAAAMA/ts3EmjA_a2c/s1600/london-tube-riders.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/THwHH5hb09I/AAAAAAAAAMA/ts3EmjA_a2c/s320/london-tube-riders.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511287876276179922" /></a><br /><br />People watching is one of my favorite activities! There is so much that an author can create from people they don't even know. There stories flow through us and liven our projects. Do you like to people watch? If so what kind of things have you learned from it? This week take the time to sit back and watch human behavior!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-4293824660126009246?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-91582548446546679452010-07-18T10:28:00.003-05:002010-07-18T10:30:17.343-05:002010-07-18T10:30:17.343-05:00Sunday Sayings Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TEMdpzPyl5I/AAAAAAAAALw/MHKUTyZ3844/s1600/dance+in+rain.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 257px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TEMdpzPyl5I/AAAAAAAAALw/MHKUTyZ3844/s320/dance+in+rain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495268574290417554" /></a><br /><br />Life isn't about sitting out the storm; its about dancing in the rain! <br /><br />For those of us who need the motivation this week!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-9158254844654667945?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-45419959486001046662010-07-11T18:20:00.000-05:002010-07-11T18:21:29.199-05:002010-07-11T18:21:29.199-05:00Sunday Sayings Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDpR0AEDUdI/AAAAAAAAALo/MuP0ALvOXuw/s1600/reading2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDpR0AEDUdI/AAAAAAAAALo/MuP0ALvOXuw/s320/reading2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792649343783378" /></a><br /><br />Anyone who says they only have one life to live has never read a book!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-4541995948600104666?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-23277418471689010202010-07-05T18:16:00.004-05:002010-07-05T18:47:17.342-05:002010-07-05T18:47:17.342-05:00Hometown Heroes: William Inge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDJuLB95f8I/AAAAAAAAALg/sjUnqvgDfJI/s1600/billy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 230px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDJuLB95f8I/AAAAAAAAALg/sjUnqvgDfJI/s320/billy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490572031503728578" /></a><br />This summer as promised we have spent many hours in my house researching some of our hometown heroes. The kids are a little skeptical about posting all their findings as of yet, so I told them I would go first. I from the southeast corner of Kansas. I lived in Cherryvale, but born in Independence. There will be several people I will introduce to you from that neck of the woods. Of course with my heroes I had to also have a group of villains; people that will ultimately be the subject of my next big project! <br /><br />Anyway on to heroes for now! One of the most influential heroes to come out of Independence was the playwright, William Inge. He wrote a number of scripts that were set in the background of our Midwest home. He wrote such great works as <span style="font-style:italic;">Picnic</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Dark at the Top of the Stairs</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Bus Stop</span>(starring Marilyn Monroe) and <span style="font-style:italic;">Splendor in the Grass</span>(starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty). Not to mention winning an Academy Award for which I will eternally be jealous of. He is who every young writer is compared to in a 30 mile radius. Years ago I wrote a research paper about him and I would like to share pieces of it with you. Feel free to google some of the highlights as it will give you an even more in depth look at myself. But first here is the introduction that I wrote for the piece itself.<br /><br />Excerpt from <span style="font-style:italic;">The Son of Independence</span>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">A Note About the Author:<br /><br />I grew up near the town of Independence, Kansas. An experience that has left me with three strong remembrances: Neewollah, theater, and William Inge. As a young person interested in the lime light of theatre, William Inge was an unavoidable subject. His impressions on the theatrical life remains there still influencing generations of today.<br /><br />In the beginning of this project, I felt as if I had taken on the spirit of Independence itself and in some way I believed that by writing about Inge in some way I was preserving it. Throughout the progress of this paper, I have found it hard not to insert my own opinions or beliefs. It is difficult not to add a "I know what he is talking about," when Mr. Inge describes the atmosphere of our home. And most of all it is so hard for me to refer to him as Mr. Inge instead of his hometown reference of Billy.<br /><br />It's not odd that Inge's theatrical influence is still thick in Independence. It is not unlikely for actors preparing for the evening show at Independence Community College to go and rub the bust of Inge for luck. There are a select group of actors that even spend the afternoon talking to it. Maybe, what they are trying to do is capture a little of that Inge magic. It's not uncommon for a successful student writer to be referred to as the next William Inge. He's everywhere...and as a theatrical student, I'll admit jealousy has struck me more than once. He's left big shoes for us to fill. I only hope that in my work with the theater and writing that I strive to capture the essence of people the way that Billy did and if something big happens, I hope that I remain as humble.<br /><br />Big people come from small towns.-William Inge</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-2327741847168901020?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-46872621782134552032010-07-04T15:10:00.003-05:002010-07-04T15:12:58.717-05:002010-07-04T15:12:58.717-05:00Sunday Sayings Series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDDq0LLl2GI/AAAAAAAAALY/WLTmGJY2Er8/s1600/reading2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TDDq0LLl2GI/AAAAAAAAALY/WLTmGJY2Er8/s320/reading2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490146127840139362" /></a><br />Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled, "This could change your life."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-4687262178213455203?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-90788815568593973522010-06-04T12:56:00.004-05:002010-06-04T13:33:08.830-05:002010-06-04T13:33:08.830-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAk_vZznqdI/AAAAAAAAALQ/c0HfqEZbZVk/s1600/fog+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAk_vZznqdI/AAAAAAAAALQ/c0HfqEZbZVk/s320/fog+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478980505286715858" /></a><br /><a href="http://hellia.blogspot.com/">A blog buddy of mine is hosting a blog fest.</a> The theme is dream sequences, so I thought I'd throw one of mine out there from the beginning of my novel, <span style="font-style:italic;">Amidst the Fog</span>. <br /><br />Madison drew in a deep breath. As she exhaled, she watched an eerie frost roll from her lips. The light from the moon was enough that she could see the path. The ground beneath her sounded as if it would shatter beneath her step. The field was full of small mounds that in the summer months would become tall cornstalks. <br /> After she had been walking for what seemed like forever she spotted it. In the middle of the corn field, was the rink her grandfather had built to teach her how to play hockey. She solemnly scanned the sheet of ice in front of her. Silence was all around. <br />This place, this small rink was home. <br />Although it was no where near regulation size, many games had been played on it. The boards around the rink were nothing but plywood that her grandfather would spend the summer replacing. The team boxes were made of chain link fences. The most elaborate thing about the rink was the nine foot tall scarecrow that was staked into the ground at the end of the rink. Haywire, as her grandfather had called him, was the object of many stories during her childhood. <br /> Madison manipulated her way to the center of the rink. The fog from the ice rolled all around her. Her arms lifted from her side to form the shape of a cross. She imagined that she was floating in the clouds. She spun in circles on the ice until she thought she would fall. This was the meditation she performed morning after morning. <br /> Madison could hear the giggling of a little girl coming her way. She spun towards the noise just as the rink’s light flashed to the on position. Walking towards her, she saw her grandfather, John and a smaller version of herself. She felt a sharp shiver go up her spine as she began to realize that she was dreaming. The solace she had found in the fog drifted out with it. <br /> Madison’s gaze was fixed on the ghostly figures in front of her. Her grandfather had always towered over her in height even as she got older. His years in the Navy had left him broad shouldered. Madison had believed that back in the day he had been somewhat of a ladies man. She imagined him dancing to jazz music in the local bar with women swooning all around. She saw the years of hard work in his face and hands. Something she should have appreciated more. <br /> She watched as her grandfather slowly bent down and one by one put skates on the tiny girl’s feet. He had trouble with her staying still. The smile on her face went from ear to ear. Her shoulder length brown hair was braided in two pigtails. As a child her nose had been covered with freckles. He finished tying her bright pink laces. <br /> Madison mouthed the words as her grandfather spoke to the girl. “Wouldn’t want the prettiest girl in town to have a bruise, because her skates weren’t tight enough.” The ghostly girl reached down and grabbed her grandfather’s head. She kissed his forehead. The kiss was part of their morning ritual as well; it possessed all of the love and feelings she had for him in one simple gesture. Then with love and care he put her helmet on her head and gave it the all finished pat. <br /> “Go get warmed up and by warm I mean starting slow.” He touched her cheek like he had so many other mornings. Madison closed her eyes and tried with all her might to feel his warm hand pass through the younger version of herself to her.<br /> “I only know one speed…fast! Whoa!” Madison stood tall on her skates and sprinted hard on to the ice. The blades slicing the ice were like a soothing melody. The older Madison smiled at the excitement the spirit of herself showed for their morning activities. It had been along time since Madison had felt that free. <br /> Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her grandpa trying to get up off the ground. It would be many years before his death, but age had already began to cripple his bones. He reached almost helplessly for his cane. As he slowly rose, she felt a multitude of regrets start to haunt her. <br /> “Excellent…Madison! Keep you head up and you will go even faster.” He blew his whistle and reached in to his right coat pocket for his stopwatch.<br /> Madison studied her grandfather’s expression. Beneath his big green eyes, she could see all the love and admiration he had for her. <br />She wondered how he felt raising another child after her mom had gone down such a dark path. She thought about all the things he had done to make sure she didn’t do the same. He had cared for her as if she was his own and looking at him now, she wished that she would have done the same for him. Reminding herself that she was dreaming, she had to fight the urge to go embrace him. <br /> The tears began to burn a path down her cheek. The wind howled taking her breathe away. Her throat started to tighten and then a small cough escaped. She felt her body turn over. <br /> Madison was waking up. <br /> The memory in front of her vanished slowly, like the ending to a tragic movie. Madison slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She waited for it to collapse on her like every thing else in her life. <br />Her mind drifted back to her grandfather. She pondered if he would still be able to look at her with those proud eyes. Not a day had gone by that she hadn’t asked herself that question. Her life had changed courses after his death. Would he even recognize who she had become?<br /> The alarm clock started its morning blast. Madison reached over and unplugged it. Madison sled into a sitting position and then one by one put her feet on the floor. It was time to go back to the life she had not planned.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-9078881556859397352?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-18284633841598152892010-06-04T08:09:00.002-05:002010-06-04T08:14:56.860-05:002010-06-04T08:14:56.860-05:00Hometown Heroes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAj7QzJcHzI/AAAAAAAAALI/2QCyRFSiWZU/s1600/hometown-heroes-feature-lead.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAj7QzJcHzI/AAAAAAAAALI/2QCyRFSiWZU/s320/hometown-heroes-feature-lead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478905212722487090" /></a><br /><br />The Dean family summer theme is <span style="font-style:italic;">Hometown Heroes</span>. As we explore our heritage and learn about different famous people who pique the kids interest. Planned events are summer film fests, trips to the museums and libraries, and city exploration. The summer will culminate with a short film Cloudya and Kaiden want to prepare about their personal favorite heroes and why they are important to each of them. Be prepared as we share our adventures! Happy summer blogsters!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-1828463384159815289?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-60857324824654143172010-06-02T14:57:00.003-05:002010-06-02T15:00:41.346-05:002010-06-02T15:00:41.346-05:00Requested!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAa3yakb5TI/AAAAAAAAALA/ExpA3WCDQ4w/s1600/thomas.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 99px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/TAa3yakb5TI/AAAAAAAAALA/ExpA3WCDQ4w/s320/thomas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478268073496274226" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations to Thomas who got a request today to submit a partial manuscript. Thanks to everyone that helped critique his query letter! <br /><br />If you haven't been reading agent's blogs recently, several of them have said they are taking new projects again! Are we finally out of the publishing slump?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-6085732482465414317?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-59553794358301429322010-05-26T10:48:00.004-05:002010-05-26T10:52:51.904-05:002010-05-26T10:52:51.904-05:00Coming in June...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_1C_ObM5YI/AAAAAAAAAK4/3BTM01tfS6o/s1600/true.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_1C_ObM5YI/AAAAAAAAAK4/3BTM01tfS6o/s320/true.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475606375923770754" /></a><br /><br />Coming in June...my favorite vampires of course. Is anyone else planning to or in the process of rereading <span style="font-style:italic;">Eclipse</span>? How about watching all of the episodes from last season's <span style="font-style:italic;">True Blood</span>? Let's just say in my house, June will be a busy month trying to catch up on those crazy vamps. <br /><br />Why is that vamps are so appealing to all of us anyway?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-5955379435830142932?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-51722581358301783112010-05-24T04:11:00.004-05:002010-05-24T10:37:09.073-05:002010-05-24T10:37:09.073-05:00Sweet Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_qaxLd0YLI/AAAAAAAAAKw/oX382xDsU70/s1600/summer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_qaxLd0YLI/AAAAAAAAAKw/oX382xDsU70/s320/summer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474858466704384178" /></a><br />So, I'm on lunch right now and for my first night back from vacation I thought I would spend it out in lawn and garden. What a beautiful night for it! Sure it is humid in Nebraska already, but its not bothering me a bit! I've been thinking the last several days about my year so far...time does that to you when I'm about to round my foot reinjury milestone. Its got me thinking about everything that I've made myself go back to doing and how much happier I am because of it. This time last year I wasn't listening to my doctor properly and broke the 5 inch titanium pin in my right ankle. How does one do that? Well my mom will tell you that is because I was wasting my talent and as soon as we found out another surgery was in the works she reminded me of it.<br /><br />Well she was right. I was wasting it and as the anniversary rolls around I am thankful for being able to do so many things that I couldn't accomplish last year. I finished a long going project that inspired something very new fresh and quite frankly is probably the best thing I've ever written. It allowed me to share things with others out there and to learn I am not alone in the publishing process. It may sound silly to most, but I absolutely LOVE that I can finally ice skate again!!! I look weird and my old control isn't there, but to a person who has played hockey since they were four, this milestone is important. <br /><br />Thank you everyone who has supported me past and present as for the reminder of this year and many years to come I will work to become the best author I know how to be!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-5172258135830178311?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-10946264000978653222010-05-23T18:07:00.001-05:002010-05-23T18:07:50.227-05:002010-05-23T18:07:50.227-05:00Taking mobile blogging for a test spin!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-1094626400097865322?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-69717154802046615092010-05-16T18:38:00.006-05:002010-05-16T19:07:52.077-05:002010-05-16T19:07:52.077-05:00Strange Breed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIqCCqdHI/AAAAAAAAAKo/ZfExSCvDIXI/s1600/2341_132081890530_790455530_6010614_1766_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIqCCqdHI/AAAAAAAAAKo/ZfExSCvDIXI/s320/2341_132081890530_790455530_6010614_1766_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472023802939077746" /></a><br /><br />These are my children...my beautiful talented children. They are the product of a strange breed of people. See I started playing the sport of hockey when I was only four years old. This was directly a result of my grandfather's influence. However, he made sure I was a well rounded young lady and made me spend time in the dance world as well. Let me add to this list as I majored in theater in college and choose to write novels and screenplays. So I'm a strange breed and what happens I have two children who are exactly the same way!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIhGMa3UI/AAAAAAAAAKg/wS0oQtIlgx4/s1600/24854_10150090567900531_790455530_11300516_2059199_n.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIhGMa3UI/AAAAAAAAAKg/wS0oQtIlgx4/s320/24854_10150090567900531_790455530_11300516_2059199_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472023649434918210" /></a><br /><br />Kaiden is the best five year old hockey trash talker you will ever meet. This kid knows all the crowd cheers and when to say them. he can tell you what team to root for and why he does it. On the other hand he is also the best behaved young man at the ballet studio on Saturday. He has crashed many of his sister's classes by flashing his baby blues at the teacher. They respond by letting him take the class with her. In fact this Saturday, the school's accompianist brought donuts for the girls and made sure she brought him one as well. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIWv2yGcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/IbmJVFWArX4/s1600/Headshot1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S_CIWv2yGcI/AAAAAAAAAKY/IbmJVFWArX4/s320/Headshot1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472023471639894466" /></a><br /><br />Than of course there's Cloudya. My acting and modeling ten year old. She's an active dancer, plays guitar and loves to film her own movies. During this last round of Kaiden's hockey classes she decides she wants to learn as well. Mind you I tried this with her when she was the same age as Kaiden and she hated it. So off to the hockey shop we went to buy her equipment as well. When this set was over my little prima donna has decided she wants to join a team. <br /><br />My children have grown up around hockey and hockey players, but they've also spent just as much time in a theater and on a stage. My grandpa had it right when he said I'd be well rounded:)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-6971715480204661509?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-61420713083845848982010-03-11T00:57:00.002-06:002010-03-11T01:15:34.249-06:002010-03-11T01:15:34.249-06:00Finish Strong<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S5iUWq8dFnI/AAAAAAAAAKA/w1UA3p21d3s/s1600-h/finish+strong.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S5iUWq8dFnI/AAAAAAAAAKA/w1UA3p21d3s/s320/finish+strong.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447266866510501490" /></a><br /><br />My absence in the blogsphere has been directly related to my mad obsession to finish my latest WIP. As its characters continue to haunt me, I'm forced to push them continously to their pages where they belong.<br /><br />I was doing perfectly fine until this week. For example, tonight I sit here attempting to write a portion of the great reveal, but instead find my brain feeling like mush. That's a simile I know and I would get busted for it in writing school. Nothing seems to work right now to get me out of this funk. I've looked through my research. I've glanced through the pictures of the two goaltenders that inspired the story to begin with. Maybe my subconsious doesn't want me to finish, because I'm too attached to the characters. Whatever the reason, I sat at my work space frustrated with myself.<br /><br />My son's hockey stick and puck sat beside me, so I picked it up for a bit of frustration relief. My grandfather taught me how to play hockey when I was only four years old. I'm a proud mother of five year old that likes to be on the ice as much as I did. Today at the rink I found myself saying the very words that my granddad had said to me so many years ago, "Finish strong." At my young age I didn't understand the words and I'm sure my son doesn't either, but in a moment like this I comprehend them completely.<br /><br />As a writer I need to push through this mental block and finish my story strong. My question is what helps all of you as your winding down with your piece, but get stuck?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-6142071308384584898?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-37298129098135522082010-02-08T10:41:00.002-06:002010-02-08T10:56:48.136-06:002010-02-08T10:56:48.136-06:00An Act of Kindness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S3BCOwUZCLI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/oUZAe_wiMi0/s1600-h/candle.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S3BCOwUZCLI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/oUZAe_wiMi0/s320/candle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435917571492219058" /></a><br />On this blog I quite often refer to my "job" as a member of management for Wal-mart. However, it is usually more in the comical sense. After my days off I reported to work last night only to discover that one of my associates was killed in an accident. After leaving work around one in the morning he stopped to help someone on the side of the road. As the two were changing the stranded person's tire, a car sped by clipping both of them. Regretful both my associate and the other person were killed instantly. As of this morning they still hadn't caught the people who did it.<br /><br />After nine years in management and supervising a number of people now well into the thousands, this kind of thing never gets easier. Standing in front of my overnight crew and announcing that one of their own wouldn't be reporting to work that night. Listening to the group of unloaders that he spent so much time getting to know talk about their feelings. Even the simple things of seeing his name on our assignment system and having to leave his name unassigned. <br /><br />As an artist I've always claimed that we are deeply impacted by people around us rather they know it or not. This young man's presence could light up the room. You couldn't walk by him without an attempt for him to make you laugh. He would do anything for anyone who asked, so when they told me how the accident happened it did not surprise me that he had been helping someone even in the end. This artist will never forget him nor will the Wal-mart manager inside of me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3729812909813552208?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3312982775857617220.post-39630289234974295732010-01-27T18:28:00.003-06:002010-01-29T10:00:32.160-06:002010-01-29T10:00:32.160-06:00Put a Little Character in Your Characters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S2Dca3XuyXI/AAAAAAAAAJw/qUOnVqxESW4/s1600-h/character.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 301px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QGM7jKmbFhQ/S2Dca3XuyXI/AAAAAAAAAJw/qUOnVqxESW4/s320/character.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431583504707012978" /></a><br /><br />In your mind your characters do not look like the ones in the picture. They are colorful with dreams and ambitions. They also have unique interests and talents. However, sometimes we translate them differently from our mind to the page and they end up sounding like the picture: flat, colorless and see-through.<br /><br />When that happens I challenge people to think about what they know about their characters. My husband consistently teases me about obsessing over my characters. I research them, know about their daily lives, and understand the past they came from. Why am I like this? Because I don't want my characters looking like the picture. I want vibrant characters who reach out and grab the reader with everything they are. When I know and understand them they write the story all on their on and I'm just the vessel they use.<br /><br />So I ask you today to think about your characters. Can you see through them? How much do you truly know about them? And lastly who's writing your story?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3312982775857617220-3963028923497429573?l=veronicabartondean.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Veronica Barton-Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085407071543219089noreply@blogger.com4