Hope Darby Writings

I just turned in my latest bit of write-for-hire, and I must say that I can’t wait to see it in print. Yeah, I know, what an odd desire for a writer to have! This time it’s a little different, though. A friend of mine, a brilliantly creative editorial type recommended me for a book-review article, and I leaped at it with graspy hands and more thank-yous than I care to confess to in the bright light of day.

It was fantastic, because I had to read books that I would have typically passed over in sheer blindness, as I had absolutely no idea the genre even existed. Now, I’m hooked.  As soon as I find out the publication date, I’ll be sure to update here.

Oh, and a bit more “stuff”… since I’ve been trying to keep this blog as professional as possible, I think I may add a sister-blog to the site to allow myself a bit more freedom. Unfinished writings, random thoughts and stories, things that aren’t necessarily tips and pointers or “professional” meanderings. Not sure what to call it yet, though…but something will strike me, I’m sure.

I’ve spent the last couple of days revamping the entire site, from front page to blog and back around again…and let me tell you, there are few things more frustrating than learning how to code on command. It’s almost as impossible as finding depth in Ashanti’s poetry. In case you don’t know what I mean by that, watch this video:

Enough said.

Thank you, Sharon! Now to stem the laughter…and wish these books really existed…

(original posting at OnMyList.com)

Um, fair warning, these aren’t exactly Rated G!

People have told me for years that were I to write stories centered around my extended family, I’d have bestsellers on my hands. Of course, I’d have to sell them as fiction, because no one would believe any of it to be true, but that’s an entirely different matter.

The one question I struggle with is this: when writing is “inspired” by real-life, how much can we pull from real people before we require permission? Do I need to inform my insanely neurotic, outrageously interfering and pathologically hypocritical grandmother that character Z is based on her? Or can I just smile demurely and shake my head with wide-eyed innocence and ask why on earth she would recognize herself in such a person?

Where is the line?

My sincerest apologies for the ridiculous absence. It won’t happen again, I promise!

I’ll be tinkering with some visual changes in the days to come, so if things look wonky, just bear with me

There will be new categories and links coming soon, sharing ezines and writer-friendly sites, among other things, and am eager for feedback and information from all of you! Don’t forget that you can email me with news at any time: hope@hopedarbywritings.com

Grab your pens (people do still use pens these days, yes?) and let’s go!

Hey there everyone!

I’m going to be doing quite a lot of maintenance on the site in the weeks to come, so please bear with me if the blog doesn’t get updated as it should.

Once everything gets settled, I’ll be back to my regularly-scheduled posting!

The dog has bladder stones and a urinary tract infection, poor guy…the kitty has skin allergies that are driving her mad, poor girl…and our other cat seems to be going through a “hell on four legs” phase…

…and how are you?

Oy!

I’m giving some real thought to starting up a fitness transformations blog. Credit it to my excitement over joining the new gym, and my extreme annoyance with myself for allowing my physicality to get where it is, but I am determined to have a ridiculously dramatic before-and-after moment this summer.

After all…we are traveling to Romania in September, and if I’m going to be hiking around the foothills of Transylvania, climbing 1400+ stone steps to explore castles and ruins atop mountains, this little gal needs to be back in tip-top shape.

I’ve done it before, I can do it again. Know what the scariest part is? The “Before” picture!  Eeek!  Thankfully, no one ever sees the “Before” picture until the yummy-nummy “After” picture is right beside it. That does take a bit of the sting out.

Such a good day!

We joined a new gym, about which I am extremely excited. As some of you know, I was once a group fitness instructor at my old gym. Thanks to a former boss, I wasn’t able to continue teaching, which not only broke my heart but also made it extremely awkward all the way around.

So today, the mister and I were out running errands and decided to swing through a new gym opening up not far from our home. Fell in love with the place within five minutes. I almost keeled over when I realized that they offer the very same classes that I used to teach!  I may get the opportunity to jump back in the figurative saddle again!   *insert very happy headbanging rocker-chick motion here*

Plus, we got to talking to the head fellow, and come to find out, he is planning to produce a magazine for the gym and is in need of writers. Let’s see. Combine my favorite things in the world? Let me think on that one for a millisecond…  hehehe…

Such a good day. I’m so excited. Incredible gym, terrific people, amazing opportunities, all in one fell swoop. And to think, some people don’t believe in fate.

*watches tumbleweeds blow by*

I’m still alive, just somewhat shadow-lurking right now. Still abysmally sick, I’m coughing my head off, feeling like acid is being poured down my throat, and as if an anvil sitting on my chest.

I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired. My days are spent lying around like a used-up dishcloth. The place is a wreck; every time I start to clean, I send myself into a coughing fit. Hubby missed a week of work because he has the same thing, but then he started to get better…and then yesterday he relapsed. So tomorrow it’s his turn to go to the doctor (I went on the 6th).

*sigh*

I swear to be a better buddy once this crud gets out of me. Pinky swear. With cherries on top.

For now, I’m off to take more medicine, and to plot an update to this whole site. New year, new slate, and all that. Next post will contain resolutions!