I think I may have just finished the story I was talking about in my last post, the one that I'm writing for submission to a magazine. I'm really not sure if I should add more or end it where it is, but one way or another I'm calling it done by the end of the day. And if I do say so myself, it's pretty good! Especially for the first serious writing project I've done in quite a while.
I'm going to send it off for review today. Like a child all grown up. *wipes tear from eye*
They say I'll hear back one way or another within ninety days. And so the countdown begins! I'm absolutely excited and nervous and I feel like a proud parent sending their child off to college (except in this case there's a chance of the "college" calling me and saying "Nope, your kid is horrible. Two weeks in and he's on his way home now. See ya.")
I will for sure let you know when I hear back. I think I said in a previous post that this would be my first "real" publication. Let me explain that a little more:
I was published in my high school's creative writing anthology two years in a row, and waaaay before that, I had a poem published in another anthology (my poem was on the first page, and man, was it stupid). I guess I was a good enough writer when I was ten to get published. (Look out, mama, you've got a prodigy on your hands!) Other than those two instances, I don't think I've ever had work published. I've sent a novel off to a publishing company before, but I never heard anything back from them, so I'm just going to assume that's a nope as well...Also that was probably my sophomore year of high school, so there's that.
I'm hoping this will open up all sorts of doors for me. I never heard of this magazine before I decided to submit to it, but then again I honestly don't keep up with all the magazines and literary journals out there. It appears that the first leg of my adventure is coming to a close, and the next one is rising to take its place. I'm still going to be working on novels and other projects throughout the summer, and I'm hoping to finish something before next semester starts up.
Wish me luck!
Love Always,
Kristin
22 May 2014
21 May 2014
Writing for Cash
I mentioned in a previous post that I plan to do a lot more writing this summer. And I do. A lot of writing. I've been looking online for literary journals that pay for stories, and came up with a nice long list to submit to.
One of those magazines requests a different genre of writing for each issue, and the upcoming one is surreal fiction. They pay for stories, so of course I'm going to submit something! The only problem is I've honestly never written surreal fiction before in my life.
So I started my story, and, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think it's coming along quite nicely. Not entirely sure where it's going, or exactly what I'm doing, but I'm sure it'll turn out fine.
If the magazine accepts my story, it'll be my first (real) publication ever. Super exciting, right? I was published in my high school's creative writing anthology a couple of times but nobody outside my high school will ever read those so I'm not entirely sure I want to count that.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good literary magazines to submit stories to? I know, it's a shot in the dark, but I thought I would ask anyway. I'm really hoping to actually establish myself as a writer, because that's always been my dream, but breaking into any field is difficult if you don't know how.
I'll keep you updated on my adventures, don't worry!
Love Always,
Kristin
One of those magazines requests a different genre of writing for each issue, and the upcoming one is surreal fiction. They pay for stories, so of course I'm going to submit something! The only problem is I've honestly never written surreal fiction before in my life.
So I started my story, and, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I think it's coming along quite nicely. Not entirely sure where it's going, or exactly what I'm doing, but I'm sure it'll turn out fine.
If the magazine accepts my story, it'll be my first (real) publication ever. Super exciting, right? I was published in my high school's creative writing anthology a couple of times but nobody outside my high school will ever read those so I'm not entirely sure I want to count that.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good literary magazines to submit stories to? I know, it's a shot in the dark, but I thought I would ask anyway. I'm really hoping to actually establish myself as a writer, because that's always been my dream, but breaking into any field is difficult if you don't know how.
I'll keep you updated on my adventures, don't worry!
Love Always,
Kristin
20 May 2014
The Story of the Would-Be Officer
So the other day I mentioned in a post that I wanted to be in the military, then noted "that's a different story for a different post." Well, I thought I would share that story with you.
When I was a senior in high school, I decided that I wanted to be in the military. I went to talk to a National Guard recruiter (much to my parents' disapproval), I took the ASVAB, the whole bit. Then, after deciding that Air Force was the route I wanted to go, I joined the Air Force ROTC program at UNT.
I was in ROTC for almost three semesters, and boy, was that an interesting ride. Not a bad one, mind you, but definitely interesting. I wanted to be an intelligence officer, which is honestly the only job I could probably get that would use my linguistics degree, and even then I'm not sure how much of that knowledge would have actually been used.
For those of you who aren't familiar with how ROTC works, you're not legally obligated to serve in the military until after your second year (or your first for some, but I'll get to that in a bit), after you come back from Field Training. Field Training is basically a condensed version of basic training/boot camp/whatever you want to call it, and when you finish that you get to sign the papers and take the oath and all of that fun stuff. Obviously I didn't make it that far.
Anyway, the first semester I was classified as a 250, which basically means I was going to be completing the four-year program in three years (that's where the first year Field Training thing comes in). As a 250, you learn the material from the first and second years of the program at once. I was definitely overwhelmed that first semester, and my second semester I chose to drop down to a 100 (freshman-level cadet). During that second semester of my ROTC experience, I was in the best shape of my life, without a doubt.
When the fall of my second year of college rolled around, I was classified as a 200 (sophomore-level cadet) because I had already "completed" the first semester of the first year of the program when I was a 250. By that time, I had learned to dread Thursdays, and to not like Tuesdays much either. Tuesday and Thursday were PT days, and I preferred to get the physical activity out of the way as early as possible so I went to the morning PT sessions (which ran from 6:50 AM to 7:50 AM).
I didn't mind the people so much, but ROTC was just wearing me down. I didn't enjoy it anymore, I admitted to myself that I was only in it for the prospective job security (which as we all know isn't as secure anymore), I hated going to bed on Monday and Wednesday nights because that meant I had to wake up on a Tuesday or Thursday. I was very stressed as it was, and ROTC didn't help that. I had gotten "lucky" (?) and had fractured my elbow just before school began so I wasn't able to do PT, but since I didn't do any PT on my own either I was in pretty bad shape.
So, a little less than halfway through my third semester, I decided to quit. I was not looking forward to being so behind everyone else physically, I wasn't interested mentally, and I felt like I would be so much more useful somewhere else. I hated to quit, but the Lieutenant Colonel who runs the detachment was very understanding and very sad. Apparently I was ranked in the top three cadets in my class (who knew!). He hated to see me go, but he understood that if I wasn't happy, I didn't need to be there.
Since I quit ROTC, I'm a lot happier, although I'm not any less busy. I feel like now I'm on my way to becoming who I'm supposed to be, and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Will I end up in the military someday? Who knows? I'm definitely not ruling out any possibilities, but I'm not holding my breath either.
Love Always,
Kristin
When I was a senior in high school, I decided that I wanted to be in the military. I went to talk to a National Guard recruiter (much to my parents' disapproval), I took the ASVAB, the whole bit. Then, after deciding that Air Force was the route I wanted to go, I joined the Air Force ROTC program at UNT.
I was in ROTC for almost three semesters, and boy, was that an interesting ride. Not a bad one, mind you, but definitely interesting. I wanted to be an intelligence officer, which is honestly the only job I could probably get that would use my linguistics degree, and even then I'm not sure how much of that knowledge would have actually been used.
For those of you who aren't familiar with how ROTC works, you're not legally obligated to serve in the military until after your second year (or your first for some, but I'll get to that in a bit), after you come back from Field Training. Field Training is basically a condensed version of basic training/boot camp/whatever you want to call it, and when you finish that you get to sign the papers and take the oath and all of that fun stuff. Obviously I didn't make it that far.
Anyway, the first semester I was classified as a 250, which basically means I was going to be completing the four-year program in three years (that's where the first year Field Training thing comes in). As a 250, you learn the material from the first and second years of the program at once. I was definitely overwhelmed that first semester, and my second semester I chose to drop down to a 100 (freshman-level cadet). During that second semester of my ROTC experience, I was in the best shape of my life, without a doubt.
When the fall of my second year of college rolled around, I was classified as a 200 (sophomore-level cadet) because I had already "completed" the first semester of the first year of the program when I was a 250. By that time, I had learned to dread Thursdays, and to not like Tuesdays much either. Tuesday and Thursday were PT days, and I preferred to get the physical activity out of the way as early as possible so I went to the morning PT sessions (which ran from 6:50 AM to 7:50 AM).
I didn't mind the people so much, but ROTC was just wearing me down. I didn't enjoy it anymore, I admitted to myself that I was only in it for the prospective job security (which as we all know isn't as secure anymore), I hated going to bed on Monday and Wednesday nights because that meant I had to wake up on a Tuesday or Thursday. I was very stressed as it was, and ROTC didn't help that. I had gotten "lucky" (?) and had fractured my elbow just before school began so I wasn't able to do PT, but since I didn't do any PT on my own either I was in pretty bad shape.
So, a little less than halfway through my third semester, I decided to quit. I was not looking forward to being so behind everyone else physically, I wasn't interested mentally, and I felt like I would be so much more useful somewhere else. I hated to quit, but the Lieutenant Colonel who runs the detachment was very understanding and very sad. Apparently I was ranked in the top three cadets in my class (who knew!). He hated to see me go, but he understood that if I wasn't happy, I didn't need to be there.
Since I quit ROTC, I'm a lot happier, although I'm not any less busy. I feel like now I'm on my way to becoming who I'm supposed to be, and doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Will I end up in the military someday? Who knows? I'm definitely not ruling out any possibilities, but I'm not holding my breath either.
Love Always,
Kristin
19 May 2014
Practice What You Preach
I'm really good at giving advice, but not so good at taking it.
I had a friend call me yesterday upset about some boy issue, and was trying to decide whether to go see a movie with some of her friends or stay home and be sad by herself and crash out early. I told her that it's a lot easier to think too much when you're by yourself, and that going to see a movie with friends will probably make her feel better.
Now if I only listened to my own advice.
I tend to sulk and hide in my room and play Death Cab for Cutie on repeat when I'm down, and I don't want to talk about it with anyone or do anything about it. I know it's not healthy, but I don't seem to think there's a better way to deal with it. I mean, I know that there is, but I'm not sure I know it. I tend to internalize things and that's not too good, either.
But I'm working on getting better at that. I guess, if I want to be a teacher, I need to be able to handle conflict, am I right? Ha, it's amazing what I learn when I actually listen to myself talk.
Love Always,
Kristin
I had a friend call me yesterday upset about some boy issue, and was trying to decide whether to go see a movie with some of her friends or stay home and be sad by herself and crash out early. I told her that it's a lot easier to think too much when you're by yourself, and that going to see a movie with friends will probably make her feel better.
Now if I only listened to my own advice.
I tend to sulk and hide in my room and play Death Cab for Cutie on repeat when I'm down, and I don't want to talk about it with anyone or do anything about it. I know it's not healthy, but I don't seem to think there's a better way to deal with it. I mean, I know that there is, but I'm not sure I know it. I tend to internalize things and that's not too good, either.
But I'm working on getting better at that. I guess, if I want to be a teacher, I need to be able to handle conflict, am I right? Ha, it's amazing what I learn when I actually listen to myself talk.
Love Always,
Kristin
18 May 2014
The Heart of a Teacher
You know, I guess I've always known that I'm supposed to be a teacher. Sometimes, though, I decide that I want to be something else first.
I was always one of those kids who wanted to be everythingintheworldatonce when I grew up, and now that I'm here, I've been a lot of things that I never planned or expected to have under my belt. For example, when I was ten, I never expected or particularly wanted to be a receptionist, a babysitter, a youth group leader, a chiropractic assistant, a server in a Mexican restaurant. (And yes, that basically covers the abbreviated version of my resume, in case you were wondering.) However, through all of the awesome and badass jobs I've wanted to have in the past, there's always been something on my heart telling me that someday, I will be a teacher. And a good one, at that.
I am so incredibly blessed to have had the teachers that I did when I was in high school. I still communicate with some of them, and I have such an immense respect for all of them. One of my teachers in particular has been a model for how I want to teach. She was my Reading for Pleasure teacher (yes, that class exists, and it's great! I took it twice), and I hope that one day I'll be half the teacher she is.
I know that teaching is hard, but that doesn't bother me. However, it's getting to that point that has been making me crazy lately. I'm getting a degree in linguistics and a degree in Spanish, and I've only got three semesters left to graduate. When I declared my Spanish major, my adviser asked if I wanted to get my teaching certificate and at the time, I was like, "Nah, I don't need that right now." Because eventually, I probably won't. My goal is to get my doctorate and at that point I'll be teaching university anyway, so what's the point? But recently I realized that I may not get to go straight to grad school, and everyone knows there's no jobs in linguistics unless you're lucky, so what am I left with after graduation? *shrug* I guess I could teach high school Spanish?
So I looked at what is required to get my teaching certificate. If I add it onto my degree, that's an extra 24-27 hours of classes I'll need. Ain't nobody got time for that! Well...when I think about it, I probably do. I'm set to graduate in December of 2015, so there won't be any teaching jobs available to me in the spring anyway. I could extend my graduation date another semester...But I really don't want to do that. I'm so close! I could get my certificate through an alternative program, but do they really teach you as much? And then there's the issue of where I'll be living after graduation. I honestly don't see myself staying in Texas (although between you and me, I absolutely love DFW and would not mind staying in the Dallas area at all), so wherever I go I would just have to get certified in that state anyway. *sigh*
As I'm weighing all my options, I'm trying to figure out which will be best for me and which will be best for my future. No pressure or anything, right? I wouldn't be worrying about it this much if I didn't know for sure that I was meant to teach.
After I graduated high school, I was talking to that aforementioned Reading for Pleasure teacher of mine. We met for coffee and to exchange books and catch up. She told me that she had always hoped that I would become a teacher, because she could tell that I would make a good one. Wow, what a compliment coming from someone like her!
On top of that, I've been feeling like I've gotten a lot of confirmation recently that teaching is in fact what I should be doing. Yes, I still want to be in the military (that's another story for another post, though). Yes, I still want to be a spy (completely serious). Yes, I still want to do something awesome and intense and something that people would go "Wow! You actually do that? That's so cool!" when I tell them what I do (if I was allowed to tell them, ha!). And it's really sad that teaching isn't respected in this country as the awesome, challenging job that it is, but when it comes down to it, I want to do what makes me happy. And I can't imagine anything making me happy like teaching does.
So to all you teachers out there, thank you. I truly admire what you do.
Love Always,
Kristin
I was always one of those kids who wanted to be everythingintheworldatonce when I grew up, and now that I'm here, I've been a lot of things that I never planned or expected to have under my belt. For example, when I was ten, I never expected or particularly wanted to be a receptionist, a babysitter, a youth group leader, a chiropractic assistant, a server in a Mexican restaurant. (And yes, that basically covers the abbreviated version of my resume, in case you were wondering.) However, through all of the awesome and badass jobs I've wanted to have in the past, there's always been something on my heart telling me that someday, I will be a teacher. And a good one, at that.
I am so incredibly blessed to have had the teachers that I did when I was in high school. I still communicate with some of them, and I have such an immense respect for all of them. One of my teachers in particular has been a model for how I want to teach. She was my Reading for Pleasure teacher (yes, that class exists, and it's great! I took it twice), and I hope that one day I'll be half the teacher she is.
I know that teaching is hard, but that doesn't bother me. However, it's getting to that point that has been making me crazy lately. I'm getting a degree in linguistics and a degree in Spanish, and I've only got three semesters left to graduate. When I declared my Spanish major, my adviser asked if I wanted to get my teaching certificate and at the time, I was like, "Nah, I don't need that right now." Because eventually, I probably won't. My goal is to get my doctorate and at that point I'll be teaching university anyway, so what's the point? But recently I realized that I may not get to go straight to grad school, and everyone knows there's no jobs in linguistics unless you're lucky, so what am I left with after graduation? *shrug* I guess I could teach high school Spanish?
So I looked at what is required to get my teaching certificate. If I add it onto my degree, that's an extra 24-27 hours of classes I'll need. Ain't nobody got time for that! Well...when I think about it, I probably do. I'm set to graduate in December of 2015, so there won't be any teaching jobs available to me in the spring anyway. I could extend my graduation date another semester...But I really don't want to do that. I'm so close! I could get my certificate through an alternative program, but do they really teach you as much? And then there's the issue of where I'll be living after graduation. I honestly don't see myself staying in Texas (although between you and me, I absolutely love DFW and would not mind staying in the Dallas area at all), so wherever I go I would just have to get certified in that state anyway. *sigh*
As I'm weighing all my options, I'm trying to figure out which will be best for me and which will be best for my future. No pressure or anything, right? I wouldn't be worrying about it this much if I didn't know for sure that I was meant to teach.
After I graduated high school, I was talking to that aforementioned Reading for Pleasure teacher of mine. We met for coffee and to exchange books and catch up. She told me that she had always hoped that I would become a teacher, because she could tell that I would make a good one. Wow, what a compliment coming from someone like her!
On top of that, I've been feeling like I've gotten a lot of confirmation recently that teaching is in fact what I should be doing. Yes, I still want to be in the military (that's another story for another post, though). Yes, I still want to be a spy (completely serious). Yes, I still want to do something awesome and intense and something that people would go "Wow! You actually do that? That's so cool!" when I tell them what I do (if I was allowed to tell them, ha!). And it's really sad that teaching isn't respected in this country as the awesome, challenging job that it is, but when it comes down to it, I want to do what makes me happy. And I can't imagine anything making me happy like teaching does.
So to all you teachers out there, thank you. I truly admire what you do.
Love Always,
Kristin
16 May 2014
The Problem With Novels
Like I've mentioned in my recent posts, I write novels. At any given time, I probably have seven or more projects in the works. Novels are a huge investment, in terms of time and sleep and effort and sometimes money, even if you work on them tirelessly until they're finished. I commend those who can finish a novel in a few months.
I, on the other hand, have been "working" on most of my novels for several years. I say "working" because I'm only about halfway through my undergraduate career, and having to deal with school and making enough money to make rent kind of took priority over writing for the past few years.
One novel, in particular, has been in the works since I was in seventh or eighth grade, which would be around 2007 or 2008. I really love the characters in this story, partly because I feel like as I've grown up they have grown up with me, but the fact that they have grown up causes issues for the story. Obviously, my writing style has changed and matured so much since 2007 (which is definitely a good thing), and I'm running into the issue of how to adapt the writing I've done so far to my current style. I don't want to have to nix the project altogether, obviously, but I don't know how to fix it without completely changing the storyline.
Another issue I'm running into is that in some of my stories, not just this one, I incorporate elements I don't know enough about. I know you're supposed to write about what you know, but honestly I see it as a learning experience if I am able to research something I know nothing about for the sake of a story. (And let's be honest, writers can get away with researching some pretty strange things by saying "It's for a story, don't worry.")
I feel like this story deserves nothing less than to be finally finished, after all of these years, but the biggest thing holding me back is me not knowing how to adjust details without changing the whole. Writing, like anything else, I suppose, is a constant learning experience.
Love Always,
Kristin
I, on the other hand, have been "working" on most of my novels for several years. I say "working" because I'm only about halfway through my undergraduate career, and having to deal with school and making enough money to make rent kind of took priority over writing for the past few years.
One novel, in particular, has been in the works since I was in seventh or eighth grade, which would be around 2007 or 2008. I really love the characters in this story, partly because I feel like as I've grown up they have grown up with me, but the fact that they have grown up causes issues for the story. Obviously, my writing style has changed and matured so much since 2007 (which is definitely a good thing), and I'm running into the issue of how to adapt the writing I've done so far to my current style. I don't want to have to nix the project altogether, obviously, but I don't know how to fix it without completely changing the storyline.
Another issue I'm running into is that in some of my stories, not just this one, I incorporate elements I don't know enough about. I know you're supposed to write about what you know, but honestly I see it as a learning experience if I am able to research something I know nothing about for the sake of a story. (And let's be honest, writers can get away with researching some pretty strange things by saying "It's for a story, don't worry.")
I feel like this story deserves nothing less than to be finally finished, after all of these years, but the biggest thing holding me back is me not knowing how to adjust details without changing the whole. Writing, like anything else, I suppose, is a constant learning experience.
Love Always,
Kristin
15 May 2014
Writing Adventures
Okay, so I'm about to start working on my novel once again, but I also enjoy writing short stories, poems, vignettes, flash fiction...Basically anything. So I'm also looking to get into freelance writing for journals or literary magazines. The only issue is that I have no idea where to start! I don't want to limit myself to only creative writing, as far as finding paying writing jobs go, but I also don't want to become so distanced from creative writing that I don't feel like a fiction writer anymore. Ah, the struggle.
Anywho, I plan on updating this blog much more frequently now that the semester is over and I have more than enough time on my hands, and I will definitely keep everyone updated on how the writing is going!
Love Always,
Kristin
Anywho, I plan on updating this blog much more frequently now that the semester is over and I have more than enough time on my hands, and I will definitely keep everyone updated on how the writing is going!
Love Always,
Kristin
14 May 2014
Summer Has Arrived!
It's finally here. I've finished my finals (with very excellent grades, I might add), finalized grades for the classes I helped "teach," and now my break can begin. I'm still working this summer, but as of right now it's only two days a week, and I'm honestly going crazy just thinking about all of the free time I'm going to have!
I've decided that I should probably set some goals for myself this summer so I don't end up wasting it away on my couch watching Netflix. And, as a form of accountability I suppose, I will share my goals here with you:
1. Exercise regularly/get back in shape. This school year has been so hectic and busy that I've really let myself get out of shape. I've been eating out way too much, and not taking care of myself the way I should. So, I bought a summer membership to the rec center on campus and in order to make the $78 worth it, I guess I have to actually use it, don't I?
2. Finish a novel. Writing, not reading. Well, reading would be fantastic too, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of time for that between everything I decide to load on myself. I've been working on numerous novels for the past several years, and have just let life get in the way of writing. This summer, I will finally be able to put one of those babies to bed, and hopefully by the end of this year it will be on the way to a publisher (or a bookstore)!
3. Re-learn how to play bass. I played bass guitar in high school (not very well), and I have my bass sitting next to my bed just taunting me. (I also have my acoustic guitar taunting me, but one step at a time, am I right? I'll get there eventually). So I've decided that this summer I will actually take the time to figure it out.
4. Learn Russian. This is another one of those things that I started in high school but never really followed through with. My dad and I took Russian lessons my senior year, so now I know the alphabet and how to read Russian, but I don't understand the words I'm reading. It's kind of a problem. So I've downloaded a couple of apps on my phone and I plan on spending at least a little bit every day working on Russian. I am a linguistics major, after all; society expects me to know twelve languages.
So those are my goals for this summer, not including maintaining my Spanish skill, Jesus time, friend time, or any recreational reading I plan to do. Oh, and keep this blog updated regularly, I suppose. :) Looks like my summer won't be boring after all! Comment and let me know what your goals for this summer are, and we can keep each other accountable.
Love Always,
Kristin
I've decided that I should probably set some goals for myself this summer so I don't end up wasting it away on my couch watching Netflix. And, as a form of accountability I suppose, I will share my goals here with you:
1. Exercise regularly/get back in shape. This school year has been so hectic and busy that I've really let myself get out of shape. I've been eating out way too much, and not taking care of myself the way I should. So, I bought a summer membership to the rec center on campus and in order to make the $78 worth it, I guess I have to actually use it, don't I?
2. Finish a novel. Writing, not reading. Well, reading would be fantastic too, and I'm sure I'll have plenty of time for that between everything I decide to load on myself. I've been working on numerous novels for the past several years, and have just let life get in the way of writing. This summer, I will finally be able to put one of those babies to bed, and hopefully by the end of this year it will be on the way to a publisher (or a bookstore)!
3. Re-learn how to play bass. I played bass guitar in high school (not very well), and I have my bass sitting next to my bed just taunting me. (I also have my acoustic guitar taunting me, but one step at a time, am I right? I'll get there eventually). So I've decided that this summer I will actually take the time to figure it out.
4. Learn Russian. This is another one of those things that I started in high school but never really followed through with. My dad and I took Russian lessons my senior year, so now I know the alphabet and how to read Russian, but I don't understand the words I'm reading. It's kind of a problem. So I've downloaded a couple of apps on my phone and I plan on spending at least a little bit every day working on Russian. I am a linguistics major, after all; society expects me to know twelve languages.
So those are my goals for this summer, not including maintaining my Spanish skill, Jesus time, friend time, or any recreational reading I plan to do. Oh, and keep this blog updated regularly, I suppose. :) Looks like my summer won't be boring after all! Comment and let me know what your goals for this summer are, and we can keep each other accountable.
Love Always,
Kristin
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