Have a Heart

Last week I had a lot of thoughts about what to write about in this blog post. After about the third one, I decided I better jot them down so I didn't forget.

Somewhere between then and now, I'm guessing one of the dogs ate my index card. I can't find it any place. I'm certain [of course!] that I wouldn't have grabbed it along with a few other papers and fed it to the shredder.

Now I'm charged with trying to get my itty-bitty brain to remember what I wrote on the card and how I planned to tie it all together.

Words fail me.

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One thing I planned to chat about were the nice folks at Blogger, bless their hearts, and how they can't count. Has anyone else experienced wild changes in the number of comments Blogger says there are and how many there really are?

There would be one number at the bottom of the post and a different number on the comment screen. And neither number matched the actual number of comments. And these numbers changed throughout the day. This went on for 2-3 days.

Maybe they were just messing with me.

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Another thing I was going to mention was how great all you A-Zers are doing. I wish I had time to follow all of you on a daily basis. Sadly, I'm not SuperWoman.

There are a few I'm getting to every day, and the quality of the posts are amazing. Every once in a while I visit a blog I haven't been to in a while and I find another awesome A-Z post. Congratulations to all of you!

The only other thing I remember I wanted to mention was the way a friend of one of my neighbors phrased something. She was talking about how difficult it is for some people to part with possessions, and how she could help. What she said was: Her heart is attached to everything. Mine's not.

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I thought that sort of describes how writers are with our manuscripts and why we need critique partners and beta readers and editors.

Our hearts are attached. Theirs aren't.

But for the life of me, I can't remember what else I planned to say. Whatever it was, must have been what would tie all this together.

Happy Monday!


Comments

Joanne said…
Isn't it wonderful how our hearts are a part of our work? That's where the meaning and layers to our stories comes from.

I *heart* this post :)
Laura Eno said…
Those dogs look like the picture of innocence! How could you possibly think they have any misdeeds up their sleeves? ;)
I think you did pretty good winging it today.
I did noticed something odd with the comments now that you mention it.
And there have been some amazing posts. I mentioned one blogger's awesome theme today because it's been the funniest one I've seen so far.
Manzanita said…
You couldn't have hit my nail squarer on the nail-head. Thank you my intuitive Scorpio. Not in writing, but in personal things, my heart is directly attached to "my house stuff." I'm trying to give up one house (filled with 80 years of memories) and what a ripping out of my soul. I put it in the thrift box, take it out, put it back. I know things have to go but tell my heart that. Good Post. My love to you.
Like you I make sure my regular follwers post are read then I read once not seen before.It's an awesome task to get through them all and I apologise to the ones I don't get to.

Wonderful read today.
Yvonne.
Kelley Lynn said…
Well, your dog got more fiber! :)

I actually had this talk with my aunt and cousin at Easter. About if I helped her clean out her place she wouldn't have half her stuff left because it should all go.

But she's attached :)
Anonymous said…
Blogger needs a serious overhaul. No question about it. What really concerns me though is the odd ball sites that seen to be trolling through my blog. No wonder I'm getting so much junk email lately.
Luanne G. Smith said…
Lots of great A to Z posts out there to peruse. I think the month of April is a whirlwind rush for everyone, whether they are doing the Challenge or not. It's just madness with everyone posting six days a week. Surprised Blogger can keep up at all. Or me for that matter. :))
Emily R. King said…
I'm forgetful, too. My doctor calls it placenta brain. :)
I am also in awe of the A-Z Challengers. I admire their blogging dedication!
Unknown said…
I have noticed a blogger comment problem. I hope they solve it soon. And I hope you find your card soon.
LR said…
I'm amazed by those ambitious A-Zers too. Must be so much work!

And very true about editors/beta readers. That's why they're so valuable.
Linda Kage said…
Amen on the beta reader/critique partners thing. Very good observation! Makes me almost happy your dog ate your index card so I could read that line! Thanks doggie!

I'm in awe of all these a to z bloggers too. How DO they do it??
Julie Flanders said…
Those sweet innocent dogs surely can't be to blame. ;)

Maybe you forgot what you wanted to say, but this was a fantastic post anyway. And such a good point about needing someone else to read our manuscript. I know that's hard for me as it's like my baby and I have such a hard time having it critiqued, but I know how important that is.

And, I'm glad I'm not the only one having the issue with comments on Blogger. I thought I was going nuts a few times last week.
Very nice for winging it!

I'm not attached to things like some people are, however, I do have my junk. :)
Johanna Garth said…
I'm loving all the A-Z blogs too. They are so much fun to read and I just wish I had time to read more of them.
Elspeth Futcher said…
These days, I'm finding it hard to squeeze in any blogging time - both reading and writing. The A-Z bloggers have my endless admiration and I'm reading as many as I can. I have to stop by the Tiki Hut though! I always enjoy your posts, Carol.
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - You're a sweetheart :)

Laura - The doggies are masters of disguise.

Alex - Cool. I'm going to be at your blog in a few minutes - I'll check it out.

Manzanita - You'll do fine sorting through all your memories. Keep what you feel you must. Let it sit for a week or so, then go through those boxes again while the memories are still alive in your heart. You may surprise yourself :)

Yvonne - If only there were more hours in a day....
Cherie Reich said…
Well, I think what you did say is wonderful, and I love the analogy about our hearts being attached to our manuscript and others aren't. It's so true.
Carol Kilgore said…
Kelley - Just what he needs...more fiber.

Delores - I haven't noticed any trolling. Knock on wood.

L.G. - I'm not keeping up very well. Sigh.

Karen - Thank you.

Emily - Thankfully that's one problem I don't have :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Clarissa - I'm glad the comment thing wasn't just me. And I'm afraid the card is long gone.

L.R. - I'm sure I'd be a crazy person doing A-Z, but I really admire all the participants.

Linda K - My critique partners are amazing, too.

Julie - Sweet and innocent. OK, I stopped laughing now :)

Teresa - We all have a secret stash, I think.
Carol Kilgore said…
Johanna - Maybe we can make the days longer :)

Elspeth - I appreciate your visits. I'm glad you're still blogging :)

Cherie - Thanks for your kind words.
JoLynne Lyon said…
I never thought of an editor as a clutter counselor before, but it works. I think I need one for my home, too.
Carol Kilgore said…
JoLynne - I need one for my files and desk drawers.
Slamdunk said…
Ha, I can relate to that Carol. I sometimes jot post drafts on anything available, and then days later scramble around trying to figure out what happened to that little paper gold.

It certainly makes me think of improving my organization.
Anne Gallagher said…
Blogger is changing their make-up again. Lots of other bloggers have seen wonkiness going on too.

And yeah, hearts do get attached to certain things. My family calls me a hoarder. I say I'm an eclectic collector.
Still a great post even without your notes.
Heather
G. J. Jolly said…
Could it be that Spring is muddling your thoughts? That's what I'm fighting right now.
Carol Kilgore said…
Slamdunk - My basic desktop organization is good. I'm just overloaded with projects at the moment.

Anne - I'm not much of a collector, but I'm a total eclectic.

Heather - Thanks!

Glynis - I think it's more project overload.
I sure could use your friend to help my mom let go of all the things she's had for almost fifty years! You'll probably remember the last thing in the middle of the night like I do! Julie
Carol Kilgore said…
Julie - I did remember! I plan to blog about it next week :)
BECKY said…
Oh, yes...that Blogger thingy! I keep trying to Follow more Blogs and it tells me I'm already following 300 and that's my limit...that I need to UN-follow some! That's crazy! I've had WAY over 300 for a long time! Grrr...
Carol Kilgore said…
Becky - I have oodles. Way too many to follow on even a half-consistent basis.

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