Reading J.D.Robb and learning.

I started reading J.D.Robb in March and it's been a revelation and a learning experience as a writer. I'm finding myself reading on two levels, as a reader immersed in the story and as a writer wanting to improve. I think it's working on the inprovement part. I've started new rewrites to my first Reborn by Blood manuscript and I'm encouraged.
I've been devouring the "In Death" books, averaging 5 books a month.
Whenever I'm completely caught in a scene or moved by it I re-read it and ask myself "What did it in her writing? How did she move me?"
Decades ago I would have raised my nose on books by Nora Roberts/J.D.Robb I now find myself humbled by truly passionate writing.

Rejections and Failures.

I'm listening to: City and Colour
I'm currently Reading: J.D. Robb - Rapture in Death

Rejections and failures are supposed to make us stronger, I supposed that, in the long run, it can. When you're a writer trying to get published, it shows that you can take criticism and that your skin is "thickening". My fear is always to get lost in the advice and suggestions and to try to perform according to those whle losing the true pleasure of creating. This fear keeps me on my toes. This week I got back the results from a literary contest. There were some encouraging words but also lukewarm advice. I looked at the first five pages I had submitted trying to adjust here, and come up with a new word there. The next day I was working on a new short story and yet again realized that the act of creating, of imagining was a joyful and exciting one. I DO want to share my stories but I want to always remember why storytelling is such a passion and joy for me. The first rejection emails were difficult but now I feel stubbornly optimistic about my goal. I will get published!

Of Tablets and Wedding Dresses

What I'm listening to: Sky Sailing
What I'm reading: Rachel Caine - Gale Force

Last night I had a dream of wedding dresses and PC tablets that didn't exactly fit.
I kept trying wedding dresses thinking I Iooked like a wedding cake ornament. As for the tablets, every time I tried to read a book on one, the pages would turn before I was finished reading.
In the non-dream world I have never been married and I have never dreamed of a big wedding and a beautiful dress but I have watched "Say Yes to the Dress" on TLC :)
As for Ipads and such, I have been looking into purchasing one or buying a Kindle but I'm alway afraid it won't be up to what I have imagined.
Still, my dream has haunted me all day. What was the true meaning of that dream? Weddings and Ipads are not for me?
Although my entry today has little to do with music or words of fiction I thought it was the stuff of blogs.

Intro

My name is Annie and I have a passion for music and books.
It almost sounds like an introduction for a support group, but it isn't. This is what this blog will be about. The music and books I love and those I should have left behind.
I've written it somewhere else, blogging does not come naturally to me, yet I want to share. Blogging is turning out to be an exercise in self-discipline and presence.
I will make the pledge here and now to post at least once a week a shuffle list of songs from my Ipod, a top ten by random.
More to come!