2017 #PitchWars #PimpMyBio

http://www.lanapattinson.com/pitch-wars-2017-pimpmybio-contestant-blog-hop/

So this is me, @LynGoodpaster on Twitter, but writing under the pen name Perrin Birk, in all my not-too-proud-to-blog-hop-without-makeup glory. Holding my Sheldon Cooper doll. Because he and I have that thing in common called Asperger's. It's great for a strong work ethic and focusing on projects like writing and art, and dentistry which I used to practice. And teaching physics labs at Indiana University and biology labs at the University of Notre Dame (also in the past). But it also causes social miscues and foot-in-mouth disease, because, hard as I try, the filter sometimes slips. I'll apologize ahead of time. THE ROSIE PROJECT is a favorite book. Now you know why.

This is my first time participating in #PitchWars, which I heard about through one of last year's mentors, Jennie Nash. I've also been through #PitchMadness, #PitMad, and all the other pitching contests as a bridesmaid, never a bride. It's all good, because I've made some great friends and experienced firsthand the generosity of editors and others so willing to help. Thanks to Brenda Drake and all those who give of their time and effort to lift the rest of us to higher planes of creativity and communication.

I'm a member of the Florida Writer's Association, have been writing since 2002, attended two major writing conferences where I pitched to editors and literary agents (several requests, but no takers yet--that's why I'm here), and participated in two Donald Maass' Breakout Novel Intensive week-long writers' workshops. 

About my book: titled GHOST SAVIORS, a Literary Women's Fiction with supernatural elements at 95K. 

If you're a mentor and you've read the query and first pages, you know the general gist of the story, but it began with a kernel "What if ..." six years ago. "What if a young widow, successful outside her marriage and abused by her husband, exiled herself to heal after his death? What if the mansion where she stayed turned out to be haunted by (fill in the blank, and it's not her dead husband)? How would she and the ghost deal with it?" Ah, you didn't think I was going to spoil it, did you? 

The more I wrote and gave to friends to beta read, the more they loved Owen, her guardian ghost, and wanted me to expand his role. I pitched the idea in 2014 to an editor of a Random House imprint, and she said, "I want to know more about character X. I haven't seen anything with a character X before." So character X took on an entirely new, beefed-up role, one my book coach and I loved, and a surprise twist that caught all the betas going, "Whaaa--? Did NOT see that one coming!" 

I hope the first pages intrigue you enough to want to read more. But I also understand the subjective nature of this business. I appreciate you taking a look and giving it consideration.

Fun Facts:

My humor may be weird, but I can be fun.

1.  Two rescue chihuahuas came to live with us, decided they liked us, and have never left ... except for one near escape lasting less than a minute before said chi-chi recognized the error of his ways and immediately returned. The sharp-clawed cat is still laughing.

2. I love thrill rides, white water rafting, and fast cars. Have yet to jump out of an airplane, but that's why the future exists.

3. I sang a song from The Secret Garden in front of a crowd of over 1000 people and received a standing ovation. The crowd didn't realize I held the mic with two hands because my hands shook so badly I was afraid I'd drop the mic. 

4. I don't miss practicing dentistry. I do miss interacting with all the fascinating, diverse folks from ALL walks of life--everyone from prisoners in shackles to multimillionaires. 

Mentors, what will you get if you pick me? I think y'all are intelligent, astute people and have a fairly good picture formed already. What am I looking for? Be direct, tough, and kind. I need to know what doesn't work and why, so I can fix it. I'll work hard and give it my all to make this the best book it can be. Simple. Right? Too late. I heard you chuckle.

And because roses mean so much to my main character Krista ...

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!

Change Can Be Good with the Right Attitude

Peonies in Illinois. I LOVE peonies.

As I mentioned in a couple of posts back, dear husband and I decided in January to move when our lease ended the first of June. Being frugal, we also wanted to move as much as the two of us possibly could before enlisting the aid of friends with muscles and youth. Not that these friends would charge us, but they have families and jobs. We didn't want to take advantage of their time and generosity (and muscles). So, hubs and I over days and weeks slowly boxed up and moved ourselves as much as we could. It was only seven miles away. No big deal. Hold on. I dislike moving. Any move for us is a big deal.

We learned some lessons we didn't want to learn, but denial only goes so far before a person looks downright stupid. 

The two of us are getting older. We also have some health issues that don't lend themselves to physical labor. Sheer will and determination only gets a person so far before one collapses in exhaustion; hence, the weeks and months needed to accomplish the move -- one to two days of actual moving, then several days' recuperation. 

Since we downsized by half, we also had to scrutinize exactly what we needed to take. Two paper shredders destroyed contents of two filing cabinets and numerous boxes that should have been destroyed ages ago. One shredder burned up. Week after week, the large recycle bin overflowed. The energy used to move negated organizing garage sales, yard sales, etc., and resulted in happy neighbors being the recipients of the oft-repeated, "Hey, could you use this?" What they couldn't use, Salvation Army accepted readily. One of our volunteer movers culled from the large pile Salvation Army was to pick up the next day, which included a nice elliptical exercise machine and two box fans. Happiness filled my heart to see our things find good homes. 

There's a freedom in letting loose of "things," in crossing that bridge to the unknown: a new neighborhood, new lifestyle, much smaller home. In a way, we didn't want to move, but knew it was the best decision at the time for a number of reasons. 

Once the helpers with muscles came and moved the large furniture, that was it. We were in our new home for good. That gave us plenty of time to continue to move the small stuff, place other things in storage (for our daughter, when she buys her own place next year), and clean the rental house to get our full deposit back. We've settled in well but still have more boxes to unpack and things to organize. That's okay. We're taking our time and becoming even more discretionary in what to keep, throw away, or donate. 

Our new neighbors have been welcoming and kind. I'm looking forward to landscaping our little place, planting pots of herbs, and establishing a routine. 

If anything has upset me about the move, it's the disruption of my writing and painting routine. Like not writing a blog entry since March. Now you know why. But this was a necessary disruption and I must be kind with myself that all will settle where it's supposed to. 

In the meantime, I have a daily goal to do one thing to organize my space to make that happen. One thing usually turns into two or more, which is good, but this darn Florida heat mixed with heavy storms have also disrupted my progress. It's funny how one project hinges on another project which hinges on another, etc., which is why I still have three boxes sitting by my desk. 

I love our new place and look forward to the opportunities it affords. But doggone it, we still can't grow peonies in Florida.