Let's Play Catch-Up

I'm back! Is anyone still here? 

Photo Credit

Yes, I know, it's been awhile. I'm sorry for the absence, and I'm so grateful for all of you who stuck around.

Since my last post--has it really been almost 7 months??--my mother has had a shoulder replacement, a heart attack, internal bleeding, an induced coma, a triple bypass, and a heart valve replacement. We finally got her body all squared away, but she developed severe vertigo. When she finally got home after 7 months of hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, she took a tumble in the bathroom. She broke her arm (the same arm that she had the shoulder replacement.) When my family does something, we go all out. Needless to say, our lives and emotions have been on a roller-coaster ride from hell. If you've ever been a caregiver, you'll know what I mean. 

Mom is now doing physical therapy to get stronger, move that shoulder and arm, and to keep her balance. Life is slowly getting back into some sort of rhythm. It's one of those crazy rhythms that constantly changes and it's kind of hard to dance to, but we keep moving.

I've been writing, though! And have been actively seeking an agent for my first book, THE CLOVER KEY. Yes, I know I said I said I was putting it away, but I dusted it off and re-read it and realized I love the story too much to keep it in a virtual drawer. 

I've written a New Adult novel, and in between constantly revising it, I entered it into #pg70pit and #pitchwars. I'm a glutton for punishment, but I did get some feedback on my pg 70 and am still stalking mentors waiting for the results on my pitch. So, yeah, I've been spending way too much time on Twitter.

I recently joined Tumblr because my daughter told me I should, but I honestly have no idea what to do on there. So far, I have one follower--my daughter. You can also follow me if you'd like, and I'll follow you, but it may take me awhile to figure it all out and do anything interesting. I'm naturally a late bloomer.

I wanted to tell you all about my adventures during the past 7 months in this one post, but I've decided to break it up a little. That way, I can amuse you with many more tales.  

So tell me, what have you been up to?

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In Twitter and In Life

In Twitter and In Life

1. There are no do-overs.

2. Think before you speak. (And try to spell-check)

3. Just because nobody answers you, doesn't mean they aren't listening.

4. Don't be annoying. If you keep saying the same thing over and over, no one will listen.

5. If you ask a question, and someone answers, be kind enough to acknowledge that person.

6. Be nice to people.

7. There will always be cliques. If you're not in a clique, it's okay. Really. If you're in a clique, see #6.

8. Don't ignore people unless they're annoying or not nice.

A Short List of Friendly Twitter people to follow:

Me, of course! @deestan62

Belinda Witzenhausen (writer & editor) @BWitzenhausen

Andrea Buginsky (YA writer) @AndreaBuginsky

Ksenia Anske (writer) @KseniaAnske

Lydia Aswolf-Cary (writer, blogger, dispenser of #tweettreats) @LydiaAswolf

Cheryl Kaye Tardif (writer) @CherylKTardif

Freeange (an uplifting and friendly soul who loves to read) @poemgal

Lisa Rodrigo (daytime soap opera blogger) @thesoapspiel

Cheri Lynn Frye (lover of Outlander novels) @CelticFrenchFry

Tablo Publishing (publishes e-books) @tablopublishing

Brickstone Publishing (publisher) @BrickstonePub

Carol Marrs Phipps (Fantasy writer) @Car01am

Sarah Allen (writer & blogger) @SarahAllenBooks

Khara House (poet) @ourlostjungle

Elyse Salpeter (writer) @elysesalpeter

My Not So Real Life (teen book blogger) @MyNSRL

So tell me--What life lesson has Twitter taught you? Don't forget to share your twitter name. We'll be sure to follow you too!