You Must Not Come Lightly to the Blank Page

As I mentioned briefly (like in a clause) in my last post, my friend, Michelle and I have started our own writer's group. Is really exciting to be able to share my thoughts with someone else and have her genuinely interested. Plus, she has become a great friend. She's been the intern here at the Liahona magazine during the summer and it's been nice to have someone that I can talk to about everything.


Anyways, I know there are a couple of aspiring writers out there, so I'll share some information that Michelle has shared with me. Our first assignment that we gave ourselves was to read the following book:

Orson Scott Card's Characters and Viewpoints

This book is all about how to write your character for your story, finding the right viewpoint and it is fantastic. I wish I had known about this book earlier. After reading it, I immediately began wanting to revise my novel that I'm currently working on (I'm close to finishing Chapter 8). I'm now debating a few things--one a major revision, but I'm hoping to really kick start into trying to finish the book.

I got some great ideas for plot twists all from Card's book. Not that I'm stealing the ideas, he just gave me thoughts to think about and as I did, I came up with good ideas. I'm ready to send out the first four chapters if anyone is terribly interested in reading and giving feedback. It might be this weekend that I start sending it out, as I want to make a few revisions. But if you're interested, leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail (laureltoosure@gmail.com) and I'll be happy to send it to you.

A New Place, New Start

Hey, everyone! As promised, I have pictures of my new apartment. I can't tell you how great having my own place is. I get to keep the kitchen clean--or at least I know who's mess it is! I've already had a movie night with some girls in my ward and the promise that it will definitely happen again. So, here are a few pictures.

Please forgive the mess in my front room, I'm still trying to decide where things go and my friend, Michelle, and I have started a writing group so I've been working on some assignment for that, and...well, I'll tell you about the third thing after the pictures:

So, this is my living room. That's a patio out through my sliding door, as well as a storage room.

This is my kitchen. There's a stacked washer/dryer that came with the place. It's great not having to wait for the washer and dryer!

This is my bathroom. I can't tell you how much I love not sharing the bathroom as it always ended up that as soon as I needed to use the bathroom, my roommate would lock herself in there for an hour long bath!

And lastly, my bedroom.

So, the third reason for the mess in my front room is that I'm looking into graduate schools. I'm thinking about going back to school to get a MLIS degree (or Masters of Library and Information Sciences) and becoming a librarian. After researching and talking about it with a friend who recently finished her degree in this subject, I thought it couldn't hurt to at least SEE what it was all about. I've gotten a book from the library about the GRE and I spent yesterday checking out different universities on the internet so I can get a figure for what it will take time-wise and monetarily. And that should help me make a more informed decision. Nothing's definite yet--I'm still gathering information, but I just thought I'd throw that info out.

Back Online...

I know you've all been so worried about me. I'm fine. Really. And alive. I've moved. But it took some time before I could be online again.

You see, I hit a pole with my car and ruined the fender, bumper, and headlight. With that having to go into the shop, I was worried about my financial situation and made due the last few weeks without the internet. I must say that I didn't realize how much I love the internet. But I've cleaned up most of my apartment, and my financial situation panned out that I got the internet again today. So, I will update soon with pictures of my new apartment and further explanations. But this is just to tell you all that I am alive and well. And living it up in Murray.

Cheers!