I'd say you are all ready well on your way, synopsis wise~!

Not a retreat, Elizabeth, but an RWA conference, tres cool and very upbeat.  Have no idea what group, but err, doesn't seem good, paying for one person's critique.  Beyond YA, what the rest of your stor?

Elizabeth. I didn't see your comment on my wall when I wrote mine here. Yes, let's try it. Although I don't write YA (I don't think so), one of the publishers I sent my novel to rejected it because she thought it was YA. LOL. The only connection was the age of the heroine - she is 17. Another publisher accepted it, so it's okay in the end. 

I checked your website too. I'm still working on mine. There are similarities between us. I also work as a journalist for a small local newspaper. Have been writing for them steadily for the past 4 years, mostly personal profiles and cultural stories. The difference between us, as I can guess from your photo, is our age. I'm much older than you're, alas. But it might not matter much in writing.

Hi, Elizabeth. You know, you have the same name as my daughter. I'm glad to be your friend. And I would definitely like someone to exchange critique, although we'll have to see if it works for us both. What genre fiction do you write in? I said in my intro that I write fantasy, and I think it's important. I tried to echange critique with someone who writes mainstream. She is a fine writer, but she didn't know some specific vocabulary that fantasy writers use. Some of my magic concepts seemed senseless to her, so it obviously didn't work out. If you want to try, here is my email: olgagodim@gmail.com. 

That sounds perfect!

Hey Elizabeth,

I would love to share my story on your site!  Just let me know how you'd like to work it.  I love the story at the top of the page right now - especially the point that how we speak to others teaches our children so much.  What a great idea!  I was just thinking this morning as I got angry in traffic that I wasn't teaching my daughter anything positive, and yet I couldn't help myself - I hate traffic! :)

I'd be honored. Excerpt away.

Evidently I have no trouble sharing! What helped me through treatment...a positive attitude, accepting support and Netflix.

In the beginning I had two surgeries one month apart. Through that time, right up until the second dose of chemo, keeping a normal schedule, going ahead with mini-vacations we'd already planned (one NYC trip was three days after my first lumpectomy) helped me feel normal, and in control. When so much is happening to us maintaining some semblance of control is a big deal. I had my husband shave my head before I lost my hair-while our girl's took pictures.

I'm not one to let people take care of me but I recognized that like it or not I would need help. Deciding to let people do things for me not only relieved me of tasks and chores I didn't have the energy for, but gave my friends and family the opportunity to take an active role in my recovery, something they needed as much as I did. One friend came with me to chemo, one stepped in and took both my daughter to dentist appointment.

I tolerated chemo well, I was functional the majority of the time but as is it's nature the drugs accumulative effect took their toll and I eventually ended up spending more and more time on the couch–oh so thankful for the air conditioner this summer!

I have two teenage daughters and a sister who lives with us, I was catered to and left alone when need be. Saturday and Sunday I was nearly comatose. When I finally awoke we watched a lot of documentaries, tried nearly every flavor of Ben and Jerry's and sat on our front porch enjoying the weather.

Now that I think about it, in a way I did journal. But it was by way of a letter to my female friends and family. After every treatment-that's when you feel the best,  I would write a letter detailing my progress and I'd get encouraging missives back. I appreciated the outlet, the chance to acknowledge what was going on (there may have been the occasional self-indulgent whine) and the cheers and admiration returned from those I hold dearest.

Yes, that was important. I was in such a fog and unable to concentrate, those letters were the only writing I did all during treatment. The cousin of my sister-in-law and my oldest cousin, both related their own breast cancer stories, offering advice, and comfort. They reached out to me as I have reached out to others the last few months.

Well, Elizabeth that was probably more than you'd bargained for, but since I just ended treatment I guess I'm feeling a bit reflective.

Lynne

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for thinking of me. No,I didn't journal. I was barely able to read direction on a bottle never mind write. I was in the middle of a novel when diagnosed and my concentration was shot, once I started chemo I couldn't write at all. The brain fog was intense and didn't lift till weeks after the last dose. It's amazing how accurate it is to say the fog lifted. Once that occurred I could read and write again.

I checked the site out, what a wonderful resource. Wish I'd seen it earlier.

The daycare site it interesting too. I'm a certified i/tod teacher but have worked mainly as a nanny.

That wasn't pushy in the least. Never hurts to ask.

Warm regards,

Lynne