New Workshop?

So, since I'm not really writing much this week (planned that way), I started thinking of a new workshop I could teach.  Actually, I've been thinking about it on and off since I put together my other ones back in January.  But this one would involve making things like powerpoints, book covers or book trailers.  And it would involve fire.  And a shredder.

What do you think?  Is this a class you'd be interested in taking? 

Hold The Phone!!

In my mailbox today I got a beautiful letter from an editor who requested a full manuscript!  I'm off to print it, prep it and mail it back to her tomorrow!

Wanna Join Me?

Contests: The Basics
Dates: July 5, 2011--July 29, 2011

Registration Deadline: July 4, 2011
Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others
FMI: Hearts Through History

Class Description:

With so many writing contests out there and so many details to consider, it's easy for a writer to be overwhelmed! Contests: The Basics will take students through the contest process, step-by-step---from choosing a contest, to preparing the entry, from dealing with the emotional aspects of "contesting" to deciphering the results. Students will leave class with a better understanding of the process and with a list of resources for making the most out of their contest experiences.


AND.....

Killer Openings

Dates:  August 1, 2011--August 31, 2011

Registration Deadline:  July 27, 2011 

Fee:  $20/OIRW members, $25/others

FMI:  Outreach International Romance Writers

Class Description: 
Many people browse through a bookstore, pull a book off the shelf and read the first page. They decide right then, based on the 1st line, 1st paragraphs and 1st page, whether or not they’ll buy the book. Killer Openings dissects those all-important elements. Students study good and bad openings and discuss why they do or don’t work.  They also submit their own opening lines/paragraphs/pages and receive critiques from the class. 

AND for laughs, here's my "official" bio:

Bio:

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romantic suspense writer by nights, weekends and all school holidays. When not traveling around the world or crafting thrilling romantic suspense stories, she spends her time reading, watching brainless TV and thinking about exercising. She has a Bachelor's in English Literature and a Master's in Education. She has finaled in or won 21 RWA contests with 7 manuscripts.  To learn more about her, visit www.alexabourne.com.

Already Back

Okay, so not blogging until August isn't likely.  I miss it too much!  So, I've decided to blog once or twice a week for now, or whenever I get the itch to blog.

Today I'm sharing one of my all-time favorite poems with you.  I was going to post the words, but it's so much more powerful to listen to it. 

Six Month Future Outlook

The other day I shared with you my comments about life since quitting my job.  Today, I’m going to share with you my plans for my future.  Well, at least for the next six months.

First, I decide every day to be thankful for what I do have and focus on the future.  Is this easy?  Of course not.  I still have bouts of doubt and “bad” days, but ultimately wallowing will get me nowhere.  So, here's THE PLAN:

*  Continue applying (at least 2-4 hours a day) for teaching jobs and any other jobs I can do.
*  Search for a roommate.
*  At least 1/2 an hour-2 hours of exercise EVERY SINGLE DAY.  
*  Continue making my list of "Things to do When I Get a Real Job", like a HUGE grocery shopping, paying the money I "collected" for swearing during Lent, buying some plants and flowers for my patio, clothes shopping, new blinds/curtains for my bedrooms etc.
*  Reduce my cable!  Admittedly I spend WAY too much time on the couch watching idiot shows (and some good ones).
*  Only spend 2 hours AT MOST per day online playing, emailing, researching.  (This does not include the time I will spend online when teaching my online classes.)
*  Blog hiatus from now until August at the earliest.  I've been spending WAY too much time lately on my blog posts and pictures.  HOWEVER, ANY IMPORTANT INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED!
*  Hiatus from commenting on others' blogs.  It's so easy to waste so much time blog hopping.
*  Prep Lies to mail when I get a response from my queries. 
*  Research in July and August a new writing direction (a new sub-genre).  (Which will basically consist of reading current books in that sub-genre.)
*  Rewrite and revise an old manuscript for that new direction and submit it to a slush pile by the end of August.
*  In September, draft the next romantic suspense manuscript, one I'm already brainstorming, I Dare You.
*  In October, turn 40, recharge the batteries, read, brainstorm next manuscript for the new sub-genre and prep for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November.
*  In November, NaNoWriMo, enter the Golden Heart (if I haven't sold by then).
*  In December, relax, read, plan for 2012.

So, there you have it.  Some more minor changes to make the most of my situation.  I realize most of the bullet points on this plan have to do with writing, but if I want to be a published writer, then I have to write.  I know.  It sounds simple.  But lately too much is encroaching on my writing time, which I think is partly why I get down sometimes, and so I'm going to put it back in the front seat.  I will continue to update my  word counts for I Dare You and the story I'll be working on this summer and as soon as I have something good to share with you, I'll post here.  As soon as I decide to come out of my writing cave, I'll post here and to facebook and then I'll visit all of you too!  Take care and please stay in touch with me if you have any news and shoot me an email.  Alexa (at) alexabourne (dot) com.  (I like good news!)  I promise I'll email you back!   
 

One Year Later

Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I quit my teaching job last June.  There were several reasons for my decision, but I truly believed leaving was the right decision for me at the time.  While it hasn’t been easy, it has been an amazing learning experience.  So now I’m sharing with you what I’ve learned in the last year:

*  I miss having a salary.

*  As a substitute teacher, I realize how much I miss having a classroom of my own.

*  I also miss belonging to one specific community where I can make a difference.

*  I’ve had a lot more time to write.

*  I haven’t written as many manuscript pages as I’d expected I would. 

*  I’ve spent more time on promo for friends, prepping for online classes, searching for “a real job.”

*  I had WAY more confidence in myself than the rest of the world did.

*  I wish I’d planned better. 

*  I now teach online writing classes on the side and I LOVE it.

*  I studied for and received my EC-6 Generalist teaching certification, which means I’m now able to teach elementary school as well as middle school English & ESL.

*  I’m not able to take the vacations I want- I haven’t seen some of my family and friends for almost 2 years, which is a long time for me, I can’t go to RWA Nationals and I can’t even plan anything for my 40^th birthday in the fall.

*  I’ve reevaluated my writing goals and found another avenue I can take for my writing.

*  I’ve learned how “rich” I was when I didn’t even know it and I’m well aware of my spending habits now.

*  Despite the sometimes financial burden, I am calmer, happier and a lot less stressed.

SOOOOOOO……

Was quitting my job last June worth it?  Absolutely.

Do I regret it?   ONLY from the financial standpoint.

Join me Friday for a peek into my goals and plans for my future.

I'm a Guest!

Today I'm being interviewed by a woman who took my first ever online class, Killer Openings!  Please click here to learn more!  Thanks to Micole Black for finding me interesting enough to interview.