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Catching up… Or “Yes, I’m still alive and kicking.”

Posted by Heather | Posted in Family, General Announcements, Update, Writing | Posted on 05-02-2010

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Hi 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 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 -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 . We have grown from a 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. :lol:

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.

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What is this blog about, anyway?

Posted by Heather | Posted in Blog, General Announcements, Personal Reflections, Update, Writing | Posted on 30-07-2008

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Just 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 offered are just too limiting for some blogs. I think the need to be expanded to include blogs that can’t be defined in one or two . 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.

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Another contest! (and update on commenting…)

Posted by Heather | Posted in Contests, General Announcements, Give Aways | Posted on 16-05-2008

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I am giving away another e-book!

Prize:

Stress E-Book
How to Eliminate Stress and Anxiety from your Life

How to enter:

Leave a comment and tell me what you would like to see on this site. Please include ideas such as articles, information, prizes, stories, poetry, or anything that would make you come back to this site.

Also, thanks for the heads up on the commenting problem. Sorry to everyone that had problems posting a comment without an account. This is now fixed.

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Another intro for the MommyFest Blog Party

Posted by Heather | Posted in Blog, General Announcements | Posted on 12-05-2008

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With this great MommyFest Blog party I thought I should put together for a new intro.

I am a 31 year old mother of five. I have four boys ages 12, 11, 6 and 7 months and a daughter that is 9 years old. I am a writer, /graphic designer, host, and WAHM for many different businesses. I like to have many different avenues to express myself. I actually counted the other day and I currently own 18 domains! (Unfortunately hubby was around for the count and gave me a raised eyebrow. :lol: )

In my spare time, what little there is I either read or play World of Warcraft and Second Life. I find that I am more apt to work or read in my spare time than play though.

That’s about it for getting to know who I am. I have many blogs and sites that you are free to wander around. They’ll help in getting to know me. (Though many may wonder if I’m schizophrenic based on the wide variety of things I’m involved with… I’m not. Just, ummmmm… Diverse. Yeah. That’s a good word.)

If anyone is interested in exchanging links with any of my sites, please let me know in the comments below.

I look forward to getting to know everyone during this party. Now I’m off to surf some more mom blogs.

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Mother’s Day Blog Bash!

Posted by Heather | Posted in Contests, General Announcements | Posted on 09-05-2008

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Come view a group of mom’s that blog as well as enter some great contests! This is going on NOW so hurry on over:

Mother's Day Blog Bash

http://notesfrommynest.blogspot.com

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Mommyfest 2008 Blog Party!

Posted by Heather | Posted in General Announcements | Posted on 09-05-2008

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I am so excited to be a member of the 2008 blog . I will be posting little snippets until the date on my plans to help celebrate this fantastic idea.

The first idea is that I will be giving away several e-books on different topics during the . What e-books and what topics, do you ask? You’ll just have to come back and see. I will have different ways to enter. I may even be giving away services, templates, /graphic design, hosting, and more. Sound exciting? I hope so. I want everyone else as excited as I am by this great idea.

Is there something in particular you would like to see given away during this contest? Then leave a comment. Who knows? I may add it.

I will be posting a new short intro about myself in preparation for this event at some point over the next few days also.

Want to be notified on everything going on on this site? Feel free to subscribe by either feed or e-mail.

Have a great day!
~ Heather

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I am officially PUBLISHED!

Posted by Heather | Posted in General Announcements, Writing | Posted on 05-05-2008

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Well, the last week or so has been fantastic! I’ve been officially published twice now on . They published the article that is posted on this site as well as the poem. This is the first time that anything that I have written has been published by someone other than me. It’s a heady feeling as well as a validation that maybe I do have some talent for this.

For those of you that would like to keep up to date on the items that publishes please feel free to go to http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/184797/heather_quarnstrom.html and subscribe. You can also send me an e-mail at Heather@HeatherQuarnstrom.com asking me to subscribe you. This will allow to send you an e-mail announcing every time they publish something I have written. (This is also good because I am paid by how many times my pieces are viewed. So please — visit often and share with everyone you know.)

I also received a wonderful e-mail from someone that was looking in to hiring me and happened across my writing as well. She encouraged me to follow my dream and become a writer. She told me that what she read on my site made her want to know what happened. It was especially rewarding because she told me she isn’t really a reader to begin with. I will admit that her e-mail had me on cloud nine for DAYS.

That’s it for now. I am off to work on a new book that I am writing. I have the hook and a basic plot for it. I am working on fleshing out a basic outline to give me a direction to head in, and will go from there. I’ll post more information here and there.

I hope everyone out there is doing well!
Have a great day!
~ Heather

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Still plodding along…

Posted by Heather | Posted in General Announcements | Posted on 03-04-2008

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Well, it seems that my lofty ideas for my budding writing career have been put on hold.

In the past couple of years that I started this web site I have been going through some serious life changes. Both of my maternal grandparents passed away within six months of each other. I had a surprise pregnancy and miscarriage, followed by another pregnancy and new baby boy. I’ve also had the joy of seeing my businesses actually start bringing some income in. (Slowly, but enough to rekindle my zeal towards them.) I’ve also started a new with a brand new but very close on-line friend.

I haven’t given up the dream of writing for a living, but have just realized that somewhere along the way it got shoved to the side. With all of the craziness that has invaded my life I have made a new vow to make time to write at least every day. There are days that I feel no one listens to me, so at least this way I will get some feeling of being heard.

If anyone is interested in seeing what I have been up to, they can visit the following web sites:

3JCB Enterprises
On Fairy Wings Enterprises
On Fairy Wings
On Fairy Wings Designs
On Fairy Wings Gifts
WAHM Made
WAHM Village
My Essential Designs
The “Official” Heather Quarnstrom Web Site

I am also in the middle of purchasing:

Sensible Site Solutions

I have also joined the following “networking” sites, so you can always see what is going on by visiting me:

Deviant Art
Cafe Mom
My Space
– Unycorne
– On Fairy Wings Designs, On Fairy Wings Gifts
Yuku
Tagged
Ryze — to request as a friend, please use the the e-mail address Heather@HeatherQuarnstrom.com.

As I said I have been very busy, but over-all I’m more content that I have ever been. Now that I have started paying attention to my creative side I am much happier. (Gee, imagine that. Those of you that know me would never have guess that’s an important aspect of my personality. :lol: )

That’s it for now. I hope that you are all happy and healthy.

Have a great day!
~ Heather

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About Me

Posted by Heather | Posted in General Announcements | Posted on 02-04-2008

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Since this site is about me, I guess it’s only fair to post some information about myself.

As of this I am a 31 year old mother of five beautiful children. My boys are ages 12, 11, 6, and under a year, and my daughter is 9 years old. I have been married almost 13 years to the love of my life.

I live in Illinois and have all of my life (at least the parts I can remember.) I work part-time in a grocery store. I also am a web/graphic designer, web host, sell Herbalife, make natural bath and body products, and sell gifts and collectibles. All in all it makes for a very full (read – hectic) life.

I have always loved to write, and have done so in some form or another for all of my life. When the big 3-0 reared it’s ugly head I decided it was time for me to start to follow my dreams. As a kid I always wanted to become a writer and share some of the ideas/dreams/nonsense that went through my mind. It’s be very slow going, as I am finding that it’s hard to break through my own fear of failure, but I am determined to eventually produce something.

That dream is what inspired this site. I felt that I needed a place to post my for others to read. I may not become a conventionally published writer, but at least I will know that others will be able to view and comment on my work.

If you find something here that speaks to you, please let me know. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like something, please tell me why. I always want to know how my is received. I’m not asking you to be deliberately cruel if what I put on here is a big pile of steaming… Well, you know. *smile* What I am asking is for honesty in a constructive way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and peruse my site.

Best wishes to all.

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Update Notification

Posted by Heather | Posted in General Announcements | Posted on 13-06-2006

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Would you like to be notified every time there is a new post to this site?

There are several options you can use. Please feel free to subscribe using any of the feed readers listed in the side column. To add this site to your list just click on the desired blog feed manager and follow the instructions on how to add this site.

If you would like an e-mail notification each time this site is updated please send your e-mail address to Heather@HeatherQuarnstrom.com with the subject “WebLog Updates”. Please note that I can only use the e-mail address that matches the one the e-mail is sent from to prevent abuse. If you would like to be removed from this list please send an e-mail with the subject “Remove from WebLog Updates” and I will remove you as soon as possible.

If there are any questions, problems, or concerns please feel free to contact me.

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