Teresa Bodwell's Journal

Unleash Your Story

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:11:23 GMT

It's that time again, folks. We are busy unleashing stories to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The event is called--Unleash Your Story and it is hosted by the authors of Romance Unleashed a group of friends (including yours truly) who all had our first book published by Zebra. One of our members, Lori Devoti has two kids with cystic fibrosis and we all wanted to help. So--we decided to create an event that would bring readers and writers together to make a difference in the lives of people who are living with cystic fibrosis.

We chose the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because they are well known as an efficient charity that is at the forefront of funding research for treatment of cystic fibrosis.

How can you help?

We'd love to have you join us in participating in the event. Set a goal of reading a certain number of pages, or writing a certain number of words in the month of September. Then ask your friends, neighbors and relatives to sponsor your efforts by making a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It's all done online, so you don't have to do any knocking on doors to collect money. Just sign up at:

http://madison.cff.org/unleashyourstory

Then e-mail us at: info@unleashyourstory.com and let us know your reading or writing goal. There are prizes for folks who raise money as well as for readers and writers. Check out our website for more information, including the scoop on how you can earn free books and more.

Don't have time to participate this year? You can go to my donation page and sponsor me. Just click here and make your donation.

De-cluttering the life

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:14:19 GMT

I've been working on de-cluttering my house and my life. They go hand-in-hand, don't you think?

In the past few days, I found an easy clutter removal that is really making me feel better. I've removed all those icons from my desktop. In Windows Vista (it may work in prior Windows versions too, I don't know), right click on the taskbar. You can select the toolbars you want to include on the taskbar. Check "Desktop" and all your icons disappear off the desktop. Instead, you click on the little >> sign next to the word Desktop on your taskbar. Voila, you have all your desktop icons and you can select.

I love this. I always put photos I love on my desktop and it really bugs me when those photos are mucked up by my icons. Here's my current desktop photo:

If you haven't visited teresawithnoh.com lately, check out some of these posts:

The writing life as it might be

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:24:16 GMT

I just posted an old short story of mine (newly edited and tweaked) over on my website. Check it out in my Extras page at tbodwell.com

facebook

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:48:58 GMT

Is it possible to spread yourself too thin on the internet?

Yup. Possible and likely, it seems to me. I've just joined facebook (hey, friend me!) and I'm finding it kind of fun. I also discovered that my Twitter posts (Tweets?) can go direct to facebook, so I don't have to directly answer the "What are you doing right now?" question on facebook. That saves time, right? Well, except for the fact that I have friends there and they comment on my status and then I comment on theirs and it goes on.

I'm also keeping up pretty well with my new blog teresa with no "h" dot com and I'm trying to keep up with Unleash Your Story, Athena Critique Services and tbodwell.com. Definitely spread too thin.

So, if you miss me here. Please check one of those other sites. You're sure to find me.

Rose Parade tradition

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:24:53 GMT

Read about my long love of the Rose Parade at my blog, teresawithnoh.com

I haven't disappeared

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:21:55 GMT

I've just been blogging over at my new site-- teresawithnoh.com

I'll try to pop in here from time to time, but that is my new hangout--so please come over and say hello. Today's post is about the focus on shopping in the news.

Writing:is it a drug?

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:53:02 GMT

I'm at the Emerald City Writers Conference in beautiful Bellevue, Washington.

The trouble with conferences, especially if you're a presenter, is that you don't get time to write. I try. I carry a little notebook around with me and I jot. But it isn't the same as writing.

For the first couple of days that I was here, I spent all my computer time trying to grade essays and prepare my presentations. I swear that I felt a strong physical ache when I was not writing. I'm at that place with my WIP where it is difficult to think about other things. Putting clothes in the dryer, taking a shower, giving the dog his medication. All those things that normally get done in the day are distractions from the writing.

But this not writing at all--no. It hurts.

I think the pain is less today and I see that as a problem. The withdrawal symptoms are fading. Isn't that a sign that the addiction is passing?

We write our best stories when we need to write them. When we are compelled. If the characters are holding us to the keyboard with a figurative gun to our heads--forcing us to tell their stories--we will be able to write that story that won't let the reader go either. The page turner. The novel readers must tell their friends about.

I think this explains the importance of writing every single day. If you get too far away from the story, you lose this forward momentum.. Now that I have this insight--I do think writing must be some kind of a drug. Anyone know of a study that shows writing raises serotonin levels, or something along those lines? Who cares.

We know. We feel it. We live it.

This is one addiction I intend to keep.

Now this is cool!

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:20:16 GMT

Google labs has come up with a solution--or at least a preventative to those hastily sent e-mails. The idea is that you must answer a math question to show that you are serious about sending that e-mail telling the boss off or inviting your ex to perform certain anatomically difficult actions.

Check out this post about Mail Goggles

Now, if they can figure out a way to stop me from sending to the wrong person from my address book.

Time to set a new writing goal

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:57:11 GMT

I'm a bit over 15,000 words on my new novel. I want a 70,000 word draft done by November 1. I'm using WriteWay Pro, which has this cool word count tracking feature. It tells me that I must write 1,704 words per day to get my draft done on time.

No--wait. I just remembered I have to take out the days I'm going to be at the Emerald City Writers Conference. So, that puts the minimum up to 1,880. I've been pretty successful at writing 1,000 words per day. Now it's time to get really serious and see if I can come up with 2,000 words a day.

I think I can do it. I'm going to reset my word count tracker (I'm using the cute little worm from Zokutou) in the sidebar there. You'll be able to check it and keep me honest on this. Let's see if we can get a full grown worm there by November 1!

Okay, off to write.

Homecoming week

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:12:41 GMT

Tomorrow is Homecoming at the University of Montana. This is a big deal in Missoula as the parade involves the entire town. The thing I love about the week leading up to the big parade is that i get a ringside seat to practices by the Hellgate Marching Band.

The Hellgate band marches up and down my street and the surrounding neighborhood, playing their music and banging their drums. No. Seriously, I love this. I can't help myself. I'm a band geek from way back myself. Having played for four years in the John A. Rowland High School Band. Later I spent three years playing clarinet in the U.S. Army in the Continental Army Band (now the TRADOC band).

I love a parade! Forget the floats, the waving politicians and candy-tossing clowns. I just want to hear the beat of the drums and the spirited strains of a good march. Keep those columns and rows straight tomorrow, Hellgate Knights. I'll be watching!

I'm still working on that goal of $500 for the Unleash Your Story Event. If you haven't donated yet, please consider making a $5 or $10 donation to put me over the top! Just click here to donate.

Good Writing Day

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:45:02 GMT

Yesterday was a good writing day. I added over a thousand words and am now up to 5,214. This is still short of my goal--I should be half-way to 15,000 and this is only 34%. I am catching up though. A few more good days and I will be able to hit the goal. Yay!

Then in the afternoon I joined a group of fellow Montana Romance Writers to talk writing. And man did we talk. We were supposed to meet from 2-6, imagine my surprise when I got home at 10:15 last night. I mean, I knew we'd gone past six, but I had no idea it was that late.

We spent some time talking about the business, publishers, agents and that sort of thing. Then we went around the group and worked on specific problems each of us was wrestling with. This was everything from brainstorming a title to reading chapters aloud for feedback. II really enjoyed the brainstorming and hearing everyone's excerpts. We had quite a range of genres represented, but good writing all around.

I shared one of the two openings I've written on my current WIP. It was my preferred opening, but I wasn't sure if it was enough of a hook. Reading it to the group helped me a lot.

For one thing just reading it out loud helped me hear the places that dragged. Then there was the response of the group--they laughed in all the right places and there was dead silence in the intensely emotional places. That gave me a real sense that it worked even before I got their comments. Then we got to the comments and there was a really good discussion that gave me a lot to think about.

Altogether it was a very productive day.

Dear Yankee Fans

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:19:30 GMT

I grew up rooting for the LA Dodgers and my husband grew up rooting for the Red Sox. During baseball season we both agree--you cannot root for the Yankees.

So it is that we face a horrible choice this weekend. Root for the Yankees or root for Tampa Bay. We've decided it is not possible to do either, which is why I'm writing to you. I know there must be some nice Yankee fans out there. You can't all be as evil as Steinbrenner.

In any case I appeal to your pride in your team. Sure, you've suffered humiliation and defeat and me and mine have cruelly enjoyed it. But we never wished for you to suffer, only for your team to lose!

Now we appeal to you to do your best this weekend. Root hard, Yankee fans. Root hard!

Thank you.

Living with Cystic Fibrosis

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:40:09 GMT

I never knew a kid with Cystic Fibrosis when I was growing up. It is a rare genetic disorder, but not that rare. I think the main reason I never met a kid with CF was that back in the 50's and early 60's most kids with CF were too sick to go to school and they died at a really young age.

Things are different today. Far better treatments are available that are allowing kids with CF to do go to school and participate in a lot of activities. And of course, to live far longer. But life with CF is still a daily struggle. To read about one kid's experience, check out Colleen Gleason's blog post at Unleash Your Story.

Members Projects

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:07:42 GMT

This is a bit of a side-track from Unleash Your Story. But I discovered that American Express is allowing Card Members to vote for projects that American Express will help support. If you are a cardmember, please vote.
Take a look at this terrific project!

60% there!

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:12:04 GMT

No. Not 60% to my writing goal--that would be a minor miracle.

I am 60% to my money raising goal with $335 in donations tallied. All I need is 17 more people who will chip in $10 each and I'll be over my $500 goal. I've already e-mailed everyone I know.

I've got a couple of people left that I can nag, er, remind about my request. Time to get creative.

Speaking of which, I am going to find time to write today. Really.

Wordy progress

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:43:01 GMT

It was not a stellar week with a total of 1,911 words.

Back on track

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:04:33 GMT

Monday put me a little bit ahead of my goal, but Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't write at all. So I've been falling behind.

I made up a bit of ground with a 1,000 word day today. Plus, I did some jiggling, editing and rearranging. I know you can't make big word count gains while editing. That's one reason I set a relatively low goal of 15,000 words. I knew I was going to have to do some editing and continued research on this crazy story I'm working on. (Not that it is actually crazy, more like I'm crazy for tackling such a completely new and different story).

Anyway, I'm happy with my progress. But I'm ecstatic with the donations we're bringing in for the event as a whole. We went over $3200 today. Right on track for our $10,000 goal and maybe even a little better.

If you haven't already, please consider donating to the event. Just click on the Unleash Your Story button in my sidebar.

Visit UnleashYourStory.com for more news about our fantastic event.

Starting off strong!

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:27:45 GMT

Day one: I have $175 toward my personal goal of $500.

I've written 711 words on my novel so far today. Remember my goal works out to 500 words per day, so I'm on track there.

I've added a little progress bar on the sidebar to the left. I'll try to update it daily so that you can keep me honest.

Okay, must get a bunch of stuff done so that I can try to write some more before I go to bed tonight.

I'm psyched for this event! If you want to join me in unleashing your story to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Visit our website at:

www.unleashyourstory.com

Or click on the Unleash Your Story bumpersticker in my sidebar to make a donation!

One day left in count down!

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:57:44 GMT

Tommorrow we start the Unleash Your Story event.

It's not too late to join me. Here's how it works--it's like a walk-a-thon with no walking. You set a writing or reading goal and a donation goal. Head on over to the Unleash Your Story Event Page at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website.

Registration there is easy. Fill out the form, decide whether you want to start a team, or work individidually. Once you have your donation page set up, you can edit the message on the page, invite donors by e-mail and you're off and running.

E-mail us at: mywords@unleashyourstory.com to give us your writing goal or pages@unleashyourstory.com to report your reading goal in pages.

That's it. We will have prizes for those who raise the most money and virtual certificates for those who meet or exceed their goals. To make it more fun you can challenge your friends to write more, read more or raise more money.

If you want to help, but just don't have the time to participate, you can sponsor me by going to my donation page at:

http://www.cff.org/LWC/TeresaBodwell

Getting ready to Unleash

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:08:22 GMT

Monday is September first and we kick-off the Unleash Your Story event. I've got my page set up, my goals set and many e-mails already sent out to supporters. I am $100 towards my $500 goal. Now I need to get my writing on the right track. Of course nothing I write now counts toward my goal, but it would be great to have a couple of chapters written so that I'm on a roll when Monday comes around. We shall see.
Click here to sponsor me!

Unleashed to fight Cystic Fibrosis!

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:19:30 GMT

Join me in fighting Cystic Fibrosis. Click this link to sponsor me with a donation!

I have $100 towards my $500 personal goal. My friend Laura Drewry is already at $240, so i feel way behind.

As far as writing, this event works out perfectly for me. I am starting a new story, so I really need to boost that writing 15,000 words will do for me. I'll let you know on Monday what my starting word count is and post new word count totals daily so that you can see my progress.

In the meantime, I'd love to have a few more sponsors!! Donating is as easy as clinking on the link and filling in a form. The CFF website is a secure place to enter your credit card info. After you donate you have that wonderful feeling that comes from knowing you've made a bit of a difference in your world.

Our group goal is $10,000. That means 20 people each raising $500, 100 people each raising $100,or 200 people each raising $50. Broken into small increments it all seems so very possible!

Thanks for your support!

Help Unleash My Story

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:00:08 GMT

Join me! Donate at my Unleash Your Story page.

I'm participating in the Unleash Your Story event to fight Cystic Fibrosis. My goal is to write 15,000 words during the month of September while raising $500.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. More than ten million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but your help is needed now-more than ever-to help keep up the momentum of this life-saving research. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis. Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation!

Watch here for updates on my progress starting September 1 through September 30.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

My Army Days

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:17:44 GMT

I recently joined a great group called "RomVets"--a group of romance writers who are all Veterans of the Armed Forces. Between meeting with these ladies at the RWA National Conference and doing a lot of Army research for my curren WIP, I'm experiencing a lot of nostalgia for my days with the Continental Army Band (now known as the TRADOC Band)

I scanned a few of my photos from those days and added a couple from the Band website. So--this is me, making the world safe for John Phillip Sousa marches!

Some of the photos did not scan very well because they were done with the linen look that was intended to keep them from smudging. Who knew then that we would be digitizing these photos today?

Primary Season nearly over

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:52:06 GMT

It has been a long and grueling primary season. Didn't it start like 2 years ago?

I know a lot of people are sick of the Democratic presidential race. I for one am excited. It's because I live in Montana where our votes seldom matter in Presidential races. The chances are good that our tiny electoral vote won't make a difference in November either. But now--for this one vote, our choice does seem to matter.

It feels great! Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both been to Montana more than once! Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton have also appeared here. They are talking about Montana issues as though we matter in the grand scheme of things. It will all be over after Tuesday. It has been nice while it lasted. I hope, if Clinton or Obama is elected, he or she will still remember us after inauguration day.

The latest polls show that McCain is ahead among Montana voters. But we Montanans are a bunch of independent thinkers, so who knows will will happen come November. Maybe the candidate who spent a lot of time here in the Spring will be the one to prevail after all. We shall see.

Unleash Your Story: Make a difference

teresabodwell@gmail.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:05:10 GMT

Passionate about writing or reading?

Need an excuse to write more or read more?

Love a challenge? Want to challenge your friends?

Want to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis? My friends at Romance Unleashed have put together an event that we hope will be fun for readers and writers and also raise a money to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

You've heard of walk-a-thons, swim-a-thons or other a-thons that raise money for all kinds of causes. We wanted to capture the fun and challenge of those events while avoiding the part where participants knock on doors and ask for money.

Instead we've created the Unleash Your Story: Make a difference event. Participants can set their reading or writing goal and invite their friends, readers, colleagues or fans to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in their honor. All you have to do is put a button on your blog or website that will click through to the CFF site. No need to knock on doors or collect money. CFF handles the whole transaction.

Easy, right? Mark September on your calendar. Start putting your team together. Challenge your friends and spread the word about the Unleash Your Story event.