Name: Heather
Web Site: http://www.heatherquarnstrom.com
AIM: Unycorne
Yahoo IM:
Bio: I am a writer, web designer, web host, domain registrar, and married mother of five (but never in that order.)
Posts by HeatherQ:
Reentry in to the Writing World
June 2nd, 2011 <div class=\"postavatar\">
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Well, after my life having exploded yet again, I've had to make a few changes to my priorities.
First priority after family (of course) is writing and creative outlets. This is something I have let slide during the current craziness that is my life. I've realized that writing is how I make sense of things as well as how I cope with stress. So no writing equals more stress equals less creativity equals one unhappy person.
What this means for this blog is that there will be more posts, many of which will actually be writing based. I will be talking about my current works in progress as well as posting some shorter things that I have written. Now here is the catch – if I start writing, that means you, my loyal viewers need to start commenting. I figure that is there are no comments, then no one is reading, and if no one is reading that means I'm talking to myself. So please, everyone out there, help me not come across as crazy.
I think that's it for now. I will be off to spend a little time with my husband and kids (yay, summer break, lol) and then will get going on some story ideas that have been bouncing around in my head for a while.
If there is anything that you would like to see up here, please feel free to chime in and let me know.
Until next time, take care everyone!
~ Heather
Blank Page, Oh How I HATE You!
March 12th, 2010Lately I’ve been having some serious issues with writer’s block. It seems like all the time I have so many ideas just floating around my brain until I sit down to actually write. The second I pick up a pen/pencil, or sit down at the computer my brain just empties. It’s beginning to make me insane. I have all these things plotted out and notes written down, but when it comes time to turn them in to something — *poof*.
Sometimes I get lucky and can get a few words down, but then if I look them over I am horrified. I start wondering who on earth would read this? It’s worse than the worse thing I’ve ever read. (And let me tell you I have read some pretty bad writing while surfing the web, lol.) I start to freak out and think maybe writing isn’t my thing. Maybe I really don’t have the talent it takes to make people want to read what I’ve written? Then of course that starts another round of writer’s block even worse than the one before it.
I have this entire world and cast of characters that I want to introduce to the world that I just can’t seem to bring out to play. They’re banging around in my head and screaming to let them out. Then when it’s time to put up or shut up I just can’t seem to find them. It’s just so frustrating and depressing and makes me just want to scream! (Or find some time wasters that will distract me. I must say — Facebook is a double edged sword for that.)
Anyone out there have any tips to help get past the blank page? Or to get past the fear of what you are actually producing? I’m open to pretty much anything at this point to try to save some of my sanity. 
Catching up… Or “Yes, I’m still alive and kicking.”
February 5th, 2010Hi everyone!
I’d like to apologize for the long hiatus. Many things have been going on in my personal life. I won’t go in to too much detail, but I’ve had a lot of health issues and a couple of surgeries in the interim time. I’ve also lost three close family members in the space of the last couple of years that have thrown me and I have still not really absorbed their loss.
Another reason that I have been absent so long is that I’ve also had a lot of self-doubt as a writer. I have actually gotten some writing done, as well as a bit of my first novel started. After the first bit I was hit so hard with doubt of my skills that I allowed myself to be hit with the biggest case of writer’s block that I have ever had.
On the positive side, we have also welcomed a new member to our family. We have grown from a family of six to seven, and the youngest has everyone wrapped around his little finger already. Hard to believe that he is already two years old. We also welcomed a new nephew that is only a month older than our little guy. It will be great for them to be able to grow up together, though I know if my nephew is anything like my brother they will be adding some serious gray to my hair.
I have again decided that the only was that I will ever know for sure if I can make my dream come true is if I actually write. Even if what I produce is absolutely horrible, I can always clean it up in editing. I’ve realized it’s a little difficult to edit a blank page. 
So with that decided, I felt my next step was to resurrect my old blog as a way to motivate myself to actually produce. Not only will it let me warm up with writing and get my creative juices flowing, but now I have people to answer to if I don’t follow through. (I figure there should be one or two of you that will call me on it if I don’t start writing about having something ready for submission.)
I have also decided that I will refocus to a smaller beginning. I plan to hone my skills on some short stories first. Then submit them to paying markets and see what the response is. My initial goal of producing a complete novel is just so large that it seemed to overwhelm me to the point that I couldn’t function. Yes, I know I will be risking rejection, but I have tried to prepare myself for it. I will not let myself be stopped, because I realize no matter how good my writing may (or may not) be, it could still be rejected for various reasons not related to what I have written. (Not the least of which may be this wonderful economy that I am sure has been effecting the writer’s market as well.)
So, that’s basically where I’m at with everything. I will be posting progress along with my usual bits of this and that. My pledge is a minimum of one post per week, though I am hoping for more. Feel free to yell at me if I don’t.
Until next week, take care everyone.
Winners!
February 1st, 2010For the month of February 2010 I will be offering a free copy of The Bloggers Guide to Profits. To receive your copy, just e-mail Heather@HeatherQuarnstrom.com with the subject line “Winner”.
Time for Another Give Away
July 30th, 2008{Edit – 6/4/2011 – Unfortunately the site that was hosting the givaway is no longer active, so I had to remove the link and image, as it was broken.)
How to enter: Leave a comment and your e-mail address so I can contact you.
Want extra entries? You can earn an extra entry for each of the following: sign up on this site as a subscriber, sign up for our Feedburner feed (either feed or e-mail delivery), blog about this contest, and micro-blog on this post on social networks (twitter, plurk, etc.). Make sure to comment about any extra entries you have earned so that I know about them. (Hint: You get one extra enter for each thing you do.)
Good luck everyone!
What is this blog about, anyway?
July 30th, 2008Just recently I began submitting my blog to various blog related listing sites, and found I had a small problem. All of them ask me to classify what this blog is about. Uh-oh. For some reason they all seemed to lack the proper category. The neglected to add the “whatever strikes my fancy” category.
That led me to sit down and really think about what this blog is about.
I’ve been told it’s a “mommy blog” since I have posted parenting relating things, or it’s a “contest blog” because I post giveaways. Ok, I can get with that, sort-of. Those are parts of me, but I have a problem with classifying an entire blog based on a few entries. What about the posts that don’t fit? Another question – who was it that demanded that all blogs have to be categorized to be promoted?
I understand the need for organization on blog listing sites, I really do. Without organization there would be no way to find blogs that may interest you. What bothers me is that many of the categories offered are just too limiting for some blogs. I think the categories need to be expanded to include blogs that can’t be defined in one or two categories. I’d even be happy with a generic “other” category, but many sites don’t even have that.
After careful consideration, I came to a conclusion. It’s about me. It’s just that simple. I personally need a space that has all the little bits and pieces that make up who I am. If that means this blog is an “other” blog, so be it, but at least give me that option.
5 Minutes for Special Needs
July 17th, 2008Many of you don’t know that I have both a sister and a niece with special needs. My sister suffered brain damage as a result of her belirubin climbing to record heights as an infant. Her functioning level was put at that of a six year old, even though she is 30 years old. She is the sweetest person, but has had a very rough life due to this and other unrelated problems. My niece has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, and I have been learning all I can about this very common Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As a result, I am a proud supporter of sites and causes that promote information and fund raising for different special needs related information. In my travels I have found a great resource for those people that deal on a more first hand basis with special needs individuals that is called 5 Minutes for Special Needs.
Please take a minute to visit this great site, as well as pass it along to everyone you know that may be interested.
Happy Fourth of July!
July 3rd, 2008I just wanted to take a few quick minutes to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. (For those of you not in the US, have a happy weekend.)
We will be seeing fireworks in our town tonight, and in the neighboring town tomorrow night. We’ll see what the baby thinks about fireworks. His next oldest brother would cry hysterically when they went off and I spent the night in the van where it was just a touch quieter. We will also be going to a carnival tomorrow. The kids can barely stand the wait for any of it. Personally all the running around has me tired before we’ve even started.
I’ve been keeping busy with several web related projects, both my own and clients as well as working on getting my gift business programs up and running. I will admit that my writing has taken a back-seat again, but I do have it scheduled for next week if not sooner. (Yes, I’m not above using my sister-in-law being in town as an excuse….)
What are you all doing for the holiday (or weekend, for those that don’t celebrate)? Feel free to leave me a comment. I’d love to have some new ideas for things to do or ways to celebrate.
I hope everyone is doing well.
Have a great day!
Heather
Giveaway for Moms with Little Ones
June 30th, 2008I just ran across a great giveaway for moms with little ones at The Lil’ Mommy that Could. In celebration of her baby’s 5th birthday she has some great prizes lined up including: a nursing cover from Duck Duck Goose, two copies of Dream Baby CD, and a copy of Barenaked Lady’s Snacktime. There are hopes to add more to the prize list, but in my opinion, I’d be happy with any of the prizes.
Personally I am hoping for the nursing cover since my youngest learned a couple fun new games. The first is peek-a-boo while nursing in public. It’s played by ripping the cover off his head at any time. The other one, and this one is my favorite, is let’s flash the passers-by. This is played by him launching himself away to view what’s going on in the world around us. Surprise world!
Well, make sure to go on over and make sure to peruse the site after entering. It’s a great site with some funny posts about motherhood and the joys of children.
Tuesday Toot – A little late
June 25th, 2008Well, better late than never, and it’s only a day, right?
What is my Tuesday Toot? That we finally got my grandparent’s house cleaned out yesterday. (Which is actually why this post is a day late.) We got the complete house cleaned out and emptied, including getting my aunt packed and moved (though she hadn’t even packed a single thing during the past year prior to the insane house clearing.) It was overwhelming and broke all of our hearts because we ran out of room in our own houses for many of my grandparents belongings. We ended up filling a full dumpster and the equivalent of a second dumpster. We just didn’t have room for everything, but we saved the most important and sentimental things. I’m still amazed at how much was accomplished in such a small amount of time.
